Tales From the Beat

About Tales From the Beat

I've led a dual life--as a journalist and PR guy: CNN, Associated Press, Detroit News, Forbes.com on the news side and all the different names of Chrysler and Franco PR on the PR side. Even in my semi-retirement I'm playing on both sides of the scrimmage line. In this podcast I'll speak with significant figures in PR and news on today's media issues along with best ways for PR people to make reporters happy and land coverage and from the journalist side, how best to work with PR people to make sure you're getting what you need to create great stories.

Publisher

Ed Garsten

Category

news

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

26 Sept 2022

Latest episode

6 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

142 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   6 Oct 2026

   Tales From the Beat Episode 148: Strategic Global Media's Scott Merritt, Dwain Schenck

   In episode 148 of Tales From the Beat, Strategic Global Media founder and CEO Scott Merritt and partner Dwain Schenck tackle divisive issues with host/journalist Ed Garsten that include who is a journalist and what is the toughest and most misunderstood job in PR. They also bat around the effects of AI in story pitching and Ed reveals a boo boo he made when he hopped over to corporate PR from journalism.

2. 

   22 Sept 2026

   Tales From the Beat Episode 147: TheRighting.com's Howard Polskin

   His long career included stints at TV Guide and CNN and now Howard Polskin has what his friends say is the worst job in journalism, reading content on conservative news websites and writing commentary for subscribers of his website TheRighting.com. It's not what you think. Howard and host/journalist Ed Garsten have a spirited conversation about the controversial website along with the state of the media in general.

3. 

   8 Sept 2026

   Tales From the Beat Episode 146-Steve Turner, Solomon Turner PR

   Host/journalist Ed Garsten welcomes Steve Turner to the podcast. He's the co-owner/principal of St. Louis-based Solomon Turner PR and author of the book "PR That Works." They discuss what PR tactics work, don't work, the role of AI and how you accurately measure whether or not those tactics had any positive effect.

Who has been a guest on Tales From the Beat

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Don F McLean
• Randall McAdory
• Elliot Katz

Reach and audience

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

YouTube views

22,361

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 51 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

65

Social presence

0

YouTube

68

Engagement

27

Contact Tales From the Beat

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

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

Questions about Tales From the Beat