Informed Reporting

About Informed Reporting

Listen each week as Dr. Gretchen Hoak, former TV journalist, researcher, and professor, talks with other researchers, working journalists, and newsroom managers about mental health, newsroom culture, and journalist wellbeing. This podcast connects the real world with what academic research shows about life as a journalist and the toll the stress can take. From local journalist to national correspondent, we talk about the consequences of covering the trauma that makes the headlines and leads the newscasts. If you want to join the conversation and learn about how we can use research to make the news industry better and keep good journalists in the field where we need them, then this podcast is for you. Follow us on Instagram @informedreportingpodcast, or email us at informedreportingpodcast@gmail.com (mailto:informedreportingpodcast@gmail.com).

Publisher

Dr. Gretchen Hoak | Specialist in Journalist Wellbeing

Category

education · news

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

24 Feb 2026

Latest episode

6 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

19 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   6 Oct 2026

   "After Ground Zero" with Mike Kelly

   Description: In this first episode of Season 2, I talk with journalist Mike Kelly about his experiences at ground zero and his new book, After Ground Zero: Everyday Americans and the Unhealed Scars of 9/11. You’ll hear how that tragic day affected him, what drove him to write his latest book, and why he focused on the everyday people who still live with the effects of 9/11 today. We also talk about how he approaches victims of tragedy, being human, and what he did to handle the emotional weight of the long hours of repeated interviews with the people in his book. The book is available now on Amazon and other major book retailers. Chapters: 00:00 Open 00:48 Intro to Mike Kelly 02:36 His Experience on 9/11 05:27 The Emotional Toll of Reporting on 9/11 08:19 The Long-Term Impact of 9/11 on Him 13:18 Recognizing the Psychological Toll of 9/11 15:26 Following the 9/11 Story 20:16 The Idea for the Book Takes Shape 26:02 The Blessing and Burden of Repeated Interviews 28:58 The Importance of Empathy and Compassion 33:34 Dealing with the Emotional Exposure of Tragic Stories 37:25 Coping with the Weight of Tragedy 41:22 Balancing the Work and Its Impact 44:31 Journalists are Human 46:38 Writing as Catharsis 51:22 Building Trust in Interviews 01:00:29 Different Tactics for Different Interviews 01:03:14 What did he learn from the process? 01:06:06 How to Find Mike Kelly 01:06:38 Conclusion 01:07:19 Close Show Notes: Mike’s Website: https://www.mikekellywriter.com/ (https://www.mikekellywriter.com/) Email Mike at: mikekellywriter@gmail.com (mailto:mikekellywriter@gmail.com) View Mike’s work here: https://www.northjersey.com/ (https://www.northjersey.com/) Buy Mike’s book on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/After-Ground-Zero-Everyday-Americans/dp/B0GCL5S1JR/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3BQQMAFVHR4SQ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.bopuIuq21mo3uDc_lfra2EyLT5vMal4xYb1NEfL6oCY7Y-uKpoBfdzdmcqAYg3cq.JkintgMCzLzE1nL-jJDuAif8eJFZGhXqPQZs3w3pNc4&dib_tag=se&keywords=after+ground+zero+mike+kelly&qid=1791300642&sprefix=after+ground+zero%2Caps%2C131&sr=8-1)

2. 

   6 Jul 2026

   "It's Trauma Season" with Dr. Sharon Smith

   Description: In Australia, it’s summer as Christmas and New Years approach, which means everyone is on holiday at a time when disaster is most likely to strike. In this episode, Dr. Sharon Smith talks about her article, “It’s Trauma Season” that explored Australian journalists’ exposure to trauma at this crucial time of low staffing and high probabilities for extreme weather. With 30 years’ experience as a journalist, Dr. Smith talks about her own career and exposure to traumatic events, as well as emotional labor, objectivity, and tips for both newsroom managers and journalists. Chapters 00:00 Opening 00:48 Introduction 01:09 Sharon's Career in Journalism 02:03 Transitioning to Academia 02:50 Research Focus 05:27 "It's Trauma Season" 09:05 Low Staffing during High Trauma Times 10:20 Covering Disasters in your Community 13:49 How the Study was Conducted 16:37 Australian vs. American Journalism 18:42 The Ambiguity of Objectivity 22:49 Understanding Emotional Labor in Journalism 24:53 Defining Emotional Labor 28:19 Compartmentalization and Its Effects 32:30 Navigating Emotional Responses in Interviews 35:47 Tips for Newsroom Managers 39:43 Journalists Put the Work First 41:20 Tips for Journalists 42:54 Building Trauma Awareness 44:46 Rethinking Objectivity and Impartiality 49:44 Balancing the Impact of Connection 53:01 Conclusion 53:19 Closing Show Notes Dr. Sharon Smith on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-smith-9b709519/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-smith-9b709519/) “It’s Trauma Season” by Dr. Sharon Smith https://doi.org/10.1080/1461670X.2026.2668383 (https://doi.org/10.1080/1461670X.2026.2668383)

3. 

   30 Jun 2026

   "Keeping Good People in the Field" with Samantha Ragland

   Description: Sam Ragland from the American Press Institute is about as passionate as you can get about keeping journalists healthy. In this episode, we talk about her own journey with trauma and burnout and how it fueled her fire for teaching journalists and newsroom leaders how to be more resilient. From the right newsroom, to the right people, to the right language, we dig in on burnout, culture, and hope for the future. Chapters 00:00 Opening 00:42 Introduction 02:48 Shifting Focus to Trauma 05:36 Personal Experience with News and Mental Health 10:45 Addressing Burnout 12:05 Learning the Right Vocabulary 13:28 Being our Brother's Keeper 15:01 Her Series on Identifying and Managing Burnout 18:10 Tiny Betrayals 21:00 Burnout Cannot be Solved with Better Self-Care 24:01 Perpetuating Culture 26:47 Trauma Informed Leadership 30:20 The Pros and Cons of Gens Z and Alpha 32:18 Building Resilience in Journalism Education 34:50 The Importance of Debriefing in Journalism 38:16 Keeping Good Journalists in Journalism 40:28 Processing Hardship Individually 43:18 Barriers to Mental Health Awareness in Newsrooms 46:56 Slow but Noticeable Change 48:15 Empowering Young Journalists to Find the Right Newsroom 51:30 The Trust Economy 52:44 Other API Resources 54:10 Finding your People 56:38 Shout out to Shadow Text 59:32 The Power of Connection 01:00:47 Conclusion 01:01:04 Closing Show notes: Samantha Ragland on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantharagland/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantharagland/) Palm Beach Post https://www.palmbeachpost.com/ (https://www.palmbeachpost.com/) Poynter https://www.poynter.org/ (https://www.poynter.org/) American Press Institute https://americanpressinstitute.org/ (https://americanpressinstitute.org/) API – Navigating Burnout as a Journalist https://americanpressinstitute.org/navigating-burnout-as-a-journalist/ (https://americanpressinstitute.org/navigating-burnout-as-a-journalist/) Mental Health in Journalism Summit 2026 https://www.theselfinvestigation.com/summit/ (https://www.theselfinvestigation.com/summit/) Media Resilience Network https://mdrnet.org/ (https://mdrnet.org/) What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience and Healing by Dr. Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrew https://www.bdperry.com/ (https://www.bdperry.com/)

4. 

   22 Jun 2026

   "Navigating Identity in Broadcast News" with Dr. Kris Vera-Phillips

   Description Journalism can sometimes be a difficult job, but what makes it difficult can differ widely depending on who you are. On this episode, I talk with Dr. Kris Vera-Phillips about her recently published article, “Don’t Risk Your Life’: How BIPOC Journalists Navigate Identity, Newsroom Routines, and Safety in U.S. Broadcast News,” which was published in Journalism and Media in March 2026. Vera-Phillips is a former broadcast producer who studies the differing experiences of minority journalists. We talk about her findings and what they mean for transforming newsrooms to be more supportive places for all journalists, including minority ones. Chapters 00:00 Opening 01:11 Introduction and Journey into Journalism 06:51 Transition to Academia 10:27 Her Research on BIPOC Journalists 13:15 Digging into Her Study: Don't Risk Your Life 15:13 Journalists Rewarded for Willingness to Absorb Risk 19:46 The Burden of Safety is on the Journalist 21:28 Specific Challenges for Journalists of Color 22:34 Mental Health and Support in Journalism 25:05 Building Resilience 27:13 Dealing with Racialized Attacks 33:04 Differences in Expectations Between Journalists and Management 36:32 Reimagining Newsrooms 41:02 Other Research in the Works 42:47 Conclusion 43:02 Closing Show Notes Learn more about Dr. Kris Vera-Phillips here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krisvp/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/krisvp/) Southern Methodist University, Meadows School of the Arts https://www.smu.edu/meadows (https://www.smu.edu/meadows) Access Dr. Vera-Phillips article here: https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5172/7/1/64 (https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5172/7/1/64) Other elements mentioned during the show: Medill School of Journalism: https://www.medill.northwestern.edu/ (https://www.medill.northwestern.edu/) Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication https://cronkite.asu.edu/ (https://cronkite.asu.edu/) Next Generation Fellowship (NPR) https://nextgenradio.org/ (https://nextgenradio.org/) PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs https://studentreportinglabs.org/ (https://studentreportinglabs.org/)

5. 

   15 Jun 2026

   “Wall-to-Wall During Deadly Weather” with James Spann

   Description: Legendary local meteorologist James Spann knows what it’s like to bear the responsibility of keeping people safe during severe weather. For nearly half a century, he’s been forecasting in one of the deadliest weather markets in the country – Alabama. On this episode, he opens up about being on air during the deadly 2011 tornado outbreak that killed more than 250 people in Alabama, and how he still carries that experience with him today. He also gets candid about the importance of mental and physical health, his new weather venture as he approaches 70, and why his love for weather and serving the community keeps him going. If you love weather, you will love this episode. Chapters: 00:00 Show Intro 01:11 Introduction 03:22 A Career Built in Alabama 04:22 The Volatility of Alabama Weather 07:03 The Deadly Tornado Outbreak of 2011 11:31 Too Busy for Emotions 15:24 The Responsibility of Saving Lives and Property 17:08 The Mental Toll of Severe Weather 19:07 Moving Through the Grief Process 22:12 The Importance of Community Relationships 24:46 Taking Care of Mental and Physical Health 29:14 The Alabama Weather Network 32:30 Innovating Local Weather Coverage 34:29 Reaching Bigger Audiences 36:35 Lessons from 2011 41:10 Making a Wider Impact 42:25 On the air when a tornado hit his house.... 44:45 Shout Out to Ginger Zee 46:50 Angels in the Aftermath 49:00 The Conversation on Mental Health in Meteorology 55:37 Balance and Loving What You Do 57:12 Advice for Aspiring Meteorologists 01:00:12 Conclusion 01:00:35 Show Closing Show Notes: James Spann on Instagram: @spannwx and @alabamawxnet The Weather Brains podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/weatherbrains/id121275452 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/weatherbrains/id121275452) The Alabama Weather Network: https://alabamaweathernetwork.com/ (https://alabamaweathernetwork.com/) James Spann and Jason Simpson weather coverage on April 27, 2011: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElZZNvNdhks (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElZZNvNdhks) National Weather Service: https://www.weather.gov/ (https://www.weather.gov/) NOAA: https://www.noaa.gov/ (https://www.noaa.gov/) American Meteorological Society (AMS): https://www.ametsoc.org/ams/ (https://www.ametsoc.org/ams/) National Weather Association (NWA): https://nwas.org/ (https://nwas.org/)

6. 

   8 Jun 2026

   "Managing Newsrooms Through Big Events" with Carolyn Fox

   Description: Journalists are passionate, and even during big and stressful moments, they put the story first. But that can lead to mental and emotional strain including burnout. That’s why Carolyn Fox has made it her priority to create newsrooms that recognize the importance of caring for their journalists, especially during times of high stress. In this episode, she talks about her roles in management at large news organizations, and how she coached her staff through big events such as the police killing of Alton Sterling in 2016 and Hurricane Ian in 2022. We also cover how daily boundaries and work/life balance are important, because even the grind of typical daily news stories can take its toll. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:08 Carolyn's Career Path 05:04 The beginning of her interest in journalist well-being 06:25 Newsroom Conversations on Mental Health 08:37 COVID and Work/Life Balance 10:28 Covering the shooting of Alton Sterling 17:16 Covering Flooding in Baton Rouge 20:07 Journalism and Mental Health in 2016 24:23 Lessons Learned from Hurricane Ian 31:02 Stress and Mental Health in Newsroom Leaders 33:03 Hurricane Prep and Mental Health 37:14 Building a Supportive Newsroom Culture 40:24 Covering ICE in Maine 43:45 How should newsrooms react? 46:59 Conclusion 47:41 Closing Show Notes Carolyn Fox on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolynpfox/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolynpfox/) Maine Trust for Local News https://www.metln.org/ (https://www.metln.org/) MTLN Newsrooms https://www.metln.org/about/ (https://www.metln.org/about/) Times Picayune https://www.nola.com/ (https://www.nola.com/) Tampa Bay Times https://www.tampabay.com/ (https://www.tampabay.com/) Police Shooting of Alton Sterling (2016) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_Alton_Sterling (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_Alton_Sterling) Baton Rouge Flooding (2016) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Louisiana_floods (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Louisiana_floods) Hurricane Ian (2022) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Ian (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Ian)

7. 

   1 Jun 2026

   "Turning up the volume on the conversation" with Leona O'Neill

   Description It was April in Northern Ireland when journalist Lyra McKee was shot and killed during a riot in 2019. Fellow journalist Leona O’Neill not only witnessed the murder, but in the year and a half after, endured an onslaught of hate and threats from conspiracy theorists on social media. She developed PTSD from the trauma of both the shooting and the backlash and was forced to leave her life as a journalist – the only thing she had wanted to be since she was a child. In this episode, Leona talks candidly about her journey with PTSD and how it ultimately fueled her passion to create Media Strong – an organization dedicated to campaigning for better mental health and well-being for journalists. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:38 Understanding the Conflict in Northern Ireland 04:11 Journalism in Northern Ireland 07:40 The Death of Lyra McKee 14:04 The Social Media Backlash 19:08 Leaving Journalism for Academia 25:37 Students and Trauma Literacy 26:58 Media Strong and Newsroom Outreach 30:02 Media Strong and Changing the Mindset 33:12 Overcoming Skepticism and Supporting Management 34:21 Tips for Trauma Resilience 37:28 Getting Journalists on Board 41:50 Not Just Box-Checking: Meaningful Support for Journalists 45:13 Trauma Literacy = Better Journalism 48:54 Media Strong: Focusing on Newsroom Leadership 52:33 Future Goals for Media Strong 53:51 Posttraumatic Growth 56:11 Conclusion Show Notes Leona O’Neill on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/leona-o-neill-mediastrong/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/leona-o-neill-mediastrong/) Leona’s TEDx Talk on her experience with PTSD https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERIGYC0WzXg (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERIGYC0WzXg) Media Strong on Payhip https://payhip.com/mediastrong (https://payhip.com/mediastrong) News Coverage on Lyra McKee https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy812vnezkro (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy812vnezkro) https://edition.cnn.com/2019/04/19/uk/my-friend-lyra-mckee-gbr-intl (https://edition.cnn.com/2019/04/19/uk/my-friend-lyra-mckee-gbr-intl) https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/19/obituaries/lyra-mckee-dead.html (https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/19/obituaries/lyra-mckee-dead.html)

8. 

   25 May 2026

   "The OKC Bombing and a Holistic Approach to Covering Trauma" with Joe Hight

   Description: In this delightful conversation with Joe Hight, we explore his 50 years in newspaper journalism through the lens of trauma. Joe discusses a holistic approach to looking at trauma from the perspectives of the victims, the community and the journalists who cover it. And he should know…. As the Community Editor of The Oklahoman, he oversaw their award-winning and innovative coverage of the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995. We talk about that, his new book, and much more in this episode. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 01:13 Joe's Journey in Journalism 04:34 Bringing Awareness to Journalism and Trauma 09:39 Thinking about Trauma Holistically 10:58 Covering the Oklahoma City Bombing 12:33 Thinking Differently about Victim Coverage 14:34 Experience from Previous Tragedy Coverage 15:46 Brining Trauma Training to his Newsroom 17:45 Frank Ochberg and the Beginnings of the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma 22:06 The Importance of Journalists as part of the Community 25:19 The Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial 27:09 The Survivors' Tree 29:09 A Career Shaped by Oklahoma City Tragedy 32:31 The Importance of Trauma Champions 33:29 Navigating Reporter Responses 35:57 Understanding Management Responsibility 37:50 The Impact of Local vs. National Journalists 40:50 Joe's Latest Book on Trauma and Resilience 44:27 Stories of Victims and Journalists 46:34 Audience for the Book 47:44 Themes in the Book 51:35 His Inspiration from the Book 54:25 Looking Ahead 55:36 Conclusion 56:49 Closing Show Notes: Joe Hight https://www.oklahomahof.com/author/joe-hight (https://www.oklahomahof.com/author/joe-hight) Edmond Post Office Massacre https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry?entry=ED003 (https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry?entry=ED003) Oklahoma City Bombing https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry?entry=OK026 (https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry?entry=OK026) People Mentioned: Ed Kelley https://okjournalismhalloffame.com/2003/carl-ed-kelley/ (https://okjournalismhalloffame.com/2003/carl-ed-kelley/) Frank Ochberg https://istss.org/istss-lifetime-achievement-award-presented-to-ochberg-istss/ (https://istss.org/istss-lifetime-achievement-award-presented-to-ochberg-istss/) Congressman Bill Brewster https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry?entry=BR013 (https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry?entry=BR013) David Handschuh https://www.davidhandschuh.com/ (https://www.davidhandschuh.com/) Mike Walter https://www.cgtn.com/face/mike-walter.html (https://www.cgtn.com/face/mike-walter.html) Organizations Mentioned: Global Center for Journalism and Trauma https://gcjt.org/ (https://gcjt.org/) Oklahoma City Newspaper – The Oklahoman https://www.oklahoman.com/ (https://www.oklahoman.com/) Oklahoma City Memorial https://memorialmuseum.com/ (https://memorialmuseum.com/)

9. 

   18 May 2026

   "Commemorating Trauma: The Impact of Anniversary Journalism" with Indri Maulidar

   Description Former journalist and doctoral student Indri Maulidar talks about her study of journalists who covered the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami and the effects of anniversary coverage on their mental health and well-being. In this episode we talk about the effects of anniversary coverage on journalists as well as the victims themselves, how journalists who cover big events become “experts” of that event during anniversaries, and what newsrooms can do to make anniversary coverage easier while still capitalizing on their journalists’ experience from the event. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:39 From Journalism to Academia 05:21 Why study anniversary journalism? 07:57 Journalists and Anniversary Coverage 11:16 News Organizations and Anniversary Coverage 14:06 Journalist as "unofficial" anniversary expert 17:13 Acceptance of the lack of support 19:45 Feelings of Guilt 22:33 Journalists as Victims 25:50 The Cycle of Anniversary Coverage 27:43 Advice for Newsrooms 30:43 Journalists as Agents of Memory 34:31 Future Research 37:22 Conclusion 37:42 Closing Show Notes Indri Maulidar LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/indri-maulidar/?isSelfProfile=false (https://www.linkedin.com/in/indri-maulidar/?isSelfProfile=false) Indri Maulidar Bio - https://sjmc.wisc.edu/news/staff/maulidar-indri/ (https://sjmc.wisc.edu/news/staff/maulidar-indri/) More on the 2004 Indian Ocean (Boxing Day) Tsunami - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_Indian_Ocean_earthquake_and_tsunami (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_Indian_Ocean_earthquake_and_tsunami) “The Impossible” – Movie based on the tsunami - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1649419/ (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1649419/) Maulidar, I. (2025). Commemorating trauma: The impact of anniversary journalism on journalists’ mental health and well-being. Journalism, online first. DOI: 10.1177/14648849251384495

10. 

    11 May 2026

    "Disaster Journalism" with Dr. Mimi Perreault

    Description: On this episode, I team up with Dr. Mimi Perreault from the University of South Florida to talk all things disaster reporting. We dig into the vital role journalists play before, during and after natural disaster hits, as well as how to build relationships with your community that pay dividends in the aftermath. We also discuss how coverage of the victims can lead to meaningful change despite those stories being the most difficult to do. Dr. Perreault has been fascinated by natural disaster since she was a child, and I hope you find her information fascinating as well! Chapter List: 00:00 Intro 01:18 A Career Dictated by Disaster 04:11 The Vital Role of Journalists During Disaster 08:01 Journalists are also a part of the Community during Disaster 11:31 Misinformation and Hurricane Helene 16:00 Journalists and PIOs during Disaster 20:04 Thoughtful Selection of Stories during Disaster 22:41 Creating Relationships Prior to Disaster 25:48 Reporting on and Supporting a Community 28:06 The Role of Journalists in Disaster Recovery 31:51 Thoughtful Coverage of Victims 35:40 The Importance of Positive Storytelling 38:17 Stories can have lasting impact 43:20 News Deserts and Connecting with your Community 45:36 Coping with Disaster as a Journalist 48:55 How to Connect with Dr. Perreault 49:19 Closing Show Notes: Learn more about Dr. Mimi Perreault here. (https://www.usf.edu/arts-sciences/departments/zimmerman-school/people/faculty/mildred.perreault.aspx) Follow her on Instagram: @mediatingmimi Her articles we spoke about: Perreault, M. F. (2026). The dynamic between journalists and disaster communicators: Best practices in crisis and disaster information sharing. Journal of Applied Communication Research, 54(1), 70–78. https://doi.org/10.1080/00909882.2025.2573959 (https://doi.org/10.1080/00909882.2025.2573959) Walsh, J. F., & Perreault, M. (2023). What’s with the water: The nature of reporting on the problem of nitrates in Nebraska. Newspaper Research Journal, 44(1), 53-70. https://doi.org/10.1177/07395329221143381 (https://doi.org/10.1177/07395329221143381) Perreault, M. (2021). Journalism Beyond the Command Post: Local Journalists as Strategic Citizen Stakeholders in Natural Disaster Recovery. Journalism Studies, 22(10), 1279–1297. https://doi.org/10.1080/1461670X.2021.1950565 (https://doi.org/10.1080/1461670X.2021.1950565) Other resources mentioned: Local News Go-Bag Toolkit: https://rjionline.org/news/introducing-the-local-news-go-bag-toolkit/ (https://rjionline.org/news/introducing-the-local-news-go-bag-toolkit/) Global Center for Journalism and Trauma: https://gcjt.org/ (https://gcjt.org/) Journalism Education and Trauma Research Group (JETREG): https://jetreg.blogs.lincoln.ac.uk/ (https://jetreg.blogs.lincoln.ac.uk/)

11. 

    4 May 2026

    "From Pandemic to Protests" with Anna Huntsman

    Description It’s never easy starting out in your first job as a reporter, but trying doing it right as a historic pandemic takes hold of the country. Follow that up with two police-involved fatal shootings, and you have the first few years of Anna Huntsman’s journalism career at Ideastream Public Radio in Cleveland, Ohio. In this episode, she talks candidly about how hard her first years were and how she coped with everything from isolation to protests and bodycam footage. She also shares valuable lessons for new and younger journalists, plus some of her favorite stories. Chapters 00:00 Show Open 01:15 Anna Welcome 01:49 Anna's Career Journey 03:25 Falling in Love with Audio Storytelling 05:40 New Reporter Covering the Pandemic 08:27 Life without a Newsroom 11:06 Navigating a Pandemic 12:45 From a Pandemic to Civil Unrest 16:14 High Stress/High Emotion as a New Reporter 19:37 Another Police-Involved Shooting 21:55 Reporting on Graphic Body Cam Footage 23:37 Staying Focused on the Role 24:55 Coping with the Emotional Burden 26:51 Finding Joy in Hobbies 30:04 Lessons Learned about Boundaries and Capacity 35:20 Reflecting on Growth 38:54 Reflecting on Best Work 43:31 Conclusion Show Notes Anna’s Bio: https://www.ideastream.org/news/people/anna-huntsman (https://www.ideastream.org/news/people/anna-huntsman) Anna’s Series, “Hidden History”: https://www.ideastream.org/hidden-history (https://www.ideastream.org/hidden-history) On Instagram: @ideastreamneo Anna’s Story “Wooster Woman Shares Barriers Deaf Immigrants Face in Citizenship Process”: https://www.ideastream.org/community/2025-03-03/journey-is-not-yet-over-wooster-woman-shares-barriers-deaf-immigrants-face-in-citizenship-process (https://www.ideastream.org/community/2025-03-03/journey-is-not-yet-over-wooster-woman-shares-barriers-deaf-immigrants-face-in-citizenship-process) Names/Organizations/Events Mentioned: Kent State University School of Media and Journalism: www.kent.edu/mdj (http://www.kent.edu/mdj) News21 Fellowship: https://news21.com/join-our-team/ (https://news21.com/join-our-team/) Amanda Rabinowitz: https://www.ideastream.org/news/people/amanda-rabinowitz (https://www.ideastream.org/news/people/amanda-rabinowitz) 2022 – Jayland Walker: https://www.ideastream.org/tags/jayland-walker (https://www.ideastream.org/tags/jayland-walker) 2024 – Jazmir Tucker: https://www.ideastream.org/tags/jazmir-tucker (https://www.ideastream.org/tags/jazmir-tucker)

12. 

    27 Apr 2026

    "Black Journalists and the Trauma of Covering George Floyd" with Dr. Denetra Walker

    Description In this episode, Dr. Denetra Walker breaks down the findings of her study, “’I saw a modern-day lynching’ – Black Journalists’ experiences of trauma #reportingwhileblack,” which was published in Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly in 2025. She provides a fascinating look into the emotional trauma the story caused for her study participants, plus the delicate balancing act Black journalists faced while reporting under such volatile conditions. It’s an eye-opening look into how journalists of color navigated such a racially polarizing story. Chapters 00:00 Open 01:06 Intro to Dr. Denetra Walker 05:17 Academia is NOT like News! 07:09 Why did she do her study? 10:00 Black Journalists' Reactions to the Video of George Floyd 14:02 The Emotional Toll of Covering Black Deaths 15:58 Black Journalists' Struggle with the Decision to Watch the Video 18:18 Contributions of Newsroom Culture 21:16 Needing a Break but not wanting to Take One 26:37 The Compounding of Emotional Burden 27:56 Black Journalists and Extreme Self-Monitoring 33:14 Black Journalists Caught in the Middle 35:28 Seeking Emotional Support 36:53 The Pursuit of "Objectivity" 40:15 The Personal Connection in Storytelling 43:09 More on Extreme Self-Monitoring 46:06 Added Pressure and Trauma Symptoms 47:37 Bringing Research to the Classroom 52:04 Bringing Research to the Newsroom 56:38 George Floyd Still Resonates 58:11 Future Research Directions 01:01:51 Closing Show Notes Learn more about Dr. Denetra Walker here. (https://grady.uga.edu/faculty/walker-2/) Contact Dr. Walker: DenetraWalker@uga.edu (mailto:DenetraWalker@uga.edu) Article Citation: Walker, D. (2025). “I Saw a Modern-Day Lynching”: Black Journalists’ Experiences of Trauma #ReportingWhileBlack. Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly (online first August 27, 2025), DOI: 10.1177/10776990251361797

13. 

    20 Apr 2026

    "It's Okay to Talk About PTSD" with Former ABC News Producer Jesus Ayala

    Description Jesus Ayala was an award-winning TV news producer with ABC News before becoming a broadcast journalism professor (where he continues to win awards).  In this episode, he speaks candidly about his battle with complex PTSD that eventually drove him from journalism, and how he now uses his experience to help better prepare his students and other journalists for the potential dangers of the job. He also offers key takeaways from his study of journalists who covered the Uvalde school shooting on how to recognize if trauma is taking its toll on you. Chapter List 00:00 Introduction to the Journey 01:17 From National TV News to Academia 05:38 Battling Complex PTSD 10:35 Difficulty Finding Support at Work 14:16 Emotional Numbing as Coping 15:20 The Path to Recovery 19:17 Too Good to get a Needed Break 22:15 Industry Challenges to Trauma Awareness 25:18 Why Study Uvalde? 29:24 Study Results: Physical Symptoms of Trauma 33:27 Study Results: Evolution of Symptoms Over Time 36:30 Study Results: Compassion Fatigue and Guilt 39:58 Study Results: Journalists Don't Need Permission to Feel 42:46 Best Practices for Newsrooms: Debriefing 47:22 Incorporating Research in the Classroom 49:08 The Importance of Mindfulness Techniques 51:27 What's next for his research? 54:06 How to Connect with Jose 54:44 Conclusion Show Notes Jesus Ayala Bio (https://www.csulb.edu/college-of-liberal-arts/journalism-public-relations/page/jesus-ayala) One Year in Uvalde: Mapping Journalists' Trauma Responses in the Aftermath of a Mass Shooting (https://www-tandfonline-com.proxy.library.kent.edu/doi/full/10.1080/17512786.2025.2496937)

14. 

    13 Apr 2026

    "Learning from the Victims" with Dr. Lisa Krantz

    In this episode of Informed Reporting, Dr. Lisa Krantz discusses her transition from an award-winning career in journalism to academia, focusing on the intersection of journalism and trauma. She shares her experiences covering mass shootings, particularly in Sutherland Springs and Uvalde, and the emotional toll it takes on journalists. The discussion highlights findings from her dissertation that included interviewing both the victims from Uvalde and the journalists who covered them. She emphasizes the importance of building trust with communities, the need for trauma-informed journalism education, and the myth of maintaining objectivity in the face of tragedy. Chapters 00:00 Opening 01:10 Introduction 03:13 Trauma & Journalism - Sutherland Springs 06:43 Discovering a Curiosity for Trauma Research 10:14 Research Focus: Uvalde Mass Shooting 13:24 Revisiting Uvalde 17:20 Research Findings: Victims' Experience 22:17 Not All Journalists are the Same 24:15 Research Findings: Journalists' Experience 29:07 Do journalists know they can be traumatized? 32:09 The Myth of Objectivity 40:32 Training and Education 48:26 Conclusion 49:51 Close Show Notes For more information on the Ochberg Fellowship: https://gcjt.org/programs/fellowships (https://gcjt.org/programs/fellowships) For more information on the Nieman Fellowship: https://nieman.harvard.edu/fellowships/ (https://nieman.harvard.edu/fellowships/) The Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma is now known as the Global Center for Journalism and Trauma: https://gcjt.org/ (https://gcjt.org/) Learn more about Dr. Krant’z Pulitzer Prize: https://www.umt.edu/news/2024/05/051424puli.php (https://www.umt.edu/news/2024/05/051424puli.php) To learn more about Dr. Kratz’s Photojournalism: https://www.lisakrantz.com/ (https://www.lisakrantz.com/)

15. 

    6 Apr 2026

    "Lessons Learned from an Unconventional Career Path" with Stephanie Weaver

    Description: In this candid conversation, Meteorologist and Journalist Stephanie Weaver talks about her successes and challenges in her career, balancing work and home as a mom, covering the LA wildfires in 2025, and learning to be her own best advocate. She also talks about her podcast, “I am Not a Weather Girl,” and offers advice for journalists who are new to the field. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:07 Getting to Know Stephanie Weaver 02:33 Her Winding Path to Journalism 05:17 Starting off in Film Making 06:27 Sometimes it's not a straight path 07:39 Adding Meteorology to the Mix 12:21 Covering the Los Angeles Wildfires 16:42 Balancing Emotions in Reporting 20:56 How the Fires Compared to Other Stories 23:50 Challenges of Perfectionism and Identity 27:10 Managing Anxiety 29:55 Embracing Change and Career Pivots 31:05 The Transition to Parenthood and Professional Life 34:02 Shifting Perspectives as a Parent 36:03 Managing Anxiety in High-Stress Environments 38:34 Finding Work-Life Balance as a Journalist 40:02 Advocating for Yourself in Your Career 41:56 Lessons Learned 44:25 Navigating Career Setbacks and Uncertainties 46:42 "I am not a Weather Girl" Podcast 49:21 Journalists are Humans, Too 50:41 Looking Ahead 51:38 Conclusion Show Notes Stephanie Weaver Bio - https://www.livenowfox.com/person/w/stephanie-weaver (https://www.livenowfox.com/person/w/stephanie-weaver) I am Not a Weather Girl Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-am-not-a-weather-girl-podcast/id1800807293 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-am-not-a-weather-girl-podcast/id1800807293) Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Py5UrDpav80 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Py5UrDpav80) Instagram: @stephweaverTV

16. 

    30 Mar 2026

    "Journalists and Moral Injury" with Dr. Kari James

    Description Dr. Kari James is an accomplished clinician, researcher, educator and advocate for resilience after trauma. In this fascinating conversation, we dig into her main area of research – moral injury – and how it applies to journalists. We talk about what causes moral injury and how it’s different from, but often confused with, PTSD. We also talk about symptoms and how to build resilience against moral injury, along with what newsrooms and journalism education programs can do to help. I hope you enjoy this really interesting episode filled with a lot of actionable information and tools. Kari was a pleasure to talk with and she deserves special thanks for working through a 15-hour time difference to get this episode recorded! Chapter List 00:00 Introduction 02:55 How she began to study Moral Injury 04:31 Moral Injury Defined 06:42 Moral Injury and PTSD are not the same 08:36 Origins of Moral Injury Research 11:01 Causes of Moral Injury 15:44 Symptoms of Moral Injury 17:40 The Evolution of Moral Injury Symptoms 21:12 The Importance of Debriefing 21:45 Differences in Treatment 31:43 Consequences of Failing to Seek Treatment 35:45 Susceptibility to Moral Injury 37:37 Moral Injury and Identity 45:10 Organizational Support and Moral Injury 47:20 Factors Influencing Resilience 49:13 Seeking Treatment 52:25 The Importance of Open Dialogue 55:30 Future Research Directions in Moral Injury 56:49 Conclusion Show Notes Mission Resilient with Dr. Kari James - https://missionresilient.com/ (https://missionresilient.com/) Dr. Kari James LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-kari-james-61a7b9299/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-kari-james-61a7b9299/) Follow Dr. Kari James on Instagram - @drkarijames Global Center for Journalism and Trauma - https://gcjt.org/ (https://gcjt.org/) Center of Excellence for Trauma Research and Policy - https://www.phoenixaustralia.org/ (https://www.phoenixaustralia.org/)

17. 

    23 Mar 2026

    "Learning the Tools" with journalist and professor Charlie Scudder

    Description Charlie Scudder is an award-winning journalist from Dallas, Texas. He’s covered many tragedies including the 2016 Dallas police shootings, the 2019 shooting spree in Midland-Odessa, and the school shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde in 2022. In this episode Charlie candidly discusses his struggles with mental health because of his work, and the tools he learned to use to keep him healthy and able to continue doing important journalism. He also talks about how he applies his experiences to his teaching at Southern Methodist University. This episode is a must-listen for anyone wanting to understand more about how journalists can struggle with mental health and the best ways to deal with it. Chapter list 00:00 Charlie Scudder's Background and Career 03:27 Covering the 2016 Dallas Shootings 07:40 Charlie's Trauma Journey 12:26 Escalating Symptoms of Trauma Exposure 15:24 The Role of Newsrooms 17:51 Seeking Help for Trauma Exposure 22:24 Journalists Are First Responders 26:18 Covering Uvalde 31:48 Learning the Tools for Resilience 34:50 Trauma Informed Journalism Education 40:08 Advice for Journalists 43:54 Charlie's Other Projects 51:01 Conclusion Show Notes Charlie’s Bio https://www.smu.edu/meadows/areasofstudy/journalism/faculty/scuddercharlie (https://www.smu.edu/meadows/areasofstudy/journalism/faculty/scuddercharlie) Check out Charlie’s work on Seasons 2 & 4 of “The Unforgotten” Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-unforgotten/id1752378130 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-unforgotten/id1752378130) https://open.spotify.com/show/6eTkJLdWysymSWKLQd9R5z (https://open.spotify.com/show/6eTkJLdWysymSWKLQd9R5z) Follow Charlie on Instagram - @cscudder15 Other mentions in the podcast Global Center for Journalism and Trauma https://gcjt.org/ (https://gcjt.org/) Dallas Morning News Coverage of the 2016 Police Shootings https://www.pulitzer.org/finalists/staff-190 (https://www.pulitzer.org/finalists/staff-190)

18. 

    17 Mar 2026

    "Let's Talk about Trauma" with Dr. Adrienne Garvey

    Description In this inaugural episode of the “Informed Reporting” podcast, Drs. Gretchen Hoak and Adrienne Garvey explore the often-overlooked issue of trauma in journalism, discussing personal experiences, coping mechanisms, and the role of academia in addressing these challenges. The conversation highlights the importance of peer support, the impact of newsroom culture, and the need for mental health resources. They also discuss innovative approaches like therapy dogs in newsrooms and the necessity of integrating trauma education into journalism training programs. Chapter List 00:00 Getting to know Dr. Garvey 03:17 Unpacking Trauma in the Newsroom 07:18 Dr. Garvey's Introduction to Trauma Research 09:52 Trauma is Not Just for War Journalists 14:03 Coping Mechanisms 21:14 Newsroom Culture 23:01 Who doesn't love dogs? 28:44 Teaching Trauma Literacy 37:23 Closing 38:27 Credits Show Notes Links to studies and information mentioned during the show: 2006 Amish school Shooting – Lancaster, PA (https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/october-2/gunman-kills-five-students-at-amish-school) Freinkel, Koopman and Spiegel (1994) Dissociative Symptoms in Media Eyewitnesses of an Execution. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8067490/) Dworznik and Garvey (2019) Are we teaching trauma? (https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17512786.2018.1423630) Anderson and Bourke (2020) Teaching collegiate journalists how to cover traumatic events using Moral Development Theory (https://doi.org/10.1177/1077695819891020) Newman, Madrigal and Hight (2023) The inconsistency of trauma-related journalism education goals and instruction (https://doi.org/10.1177/10776958231167304) Aoki, et al. (2012) Mental illness among journalists: A systematic review Pyevich, et al. (2003) The relationship among cognitive schemas, job-related traumatic exposure and posttraumatic stress disorder in journalists (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12895014/)

19. 

    24 Feb 2026

    Trailer - Informed Reporting

    Coming March 16, a new podcast for journalists, journalism students and educators. Join host Dr. Gretchen Hoak, former reporter turned journalism professor, to talk candidly about what it's like to chase the story. Each week, hear from researchers, professors, and working journalists about the harder parts of the job that journalists don't get trained for.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Contact Informed Reporting

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.