What was your first job as a journalist?
Been writing freelance since high school, hard to narrow down.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Absolutely, I loved my typewriter.
How is social media changing news?
Yes but in several different and conflicting ways.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
None. I hate them all.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
To bring truth to the curious in a relatable and impactful package.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
I hate hashtags.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Earnestly.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Spreaker, Wordpress, Pages, Audacity.
What's your favorite social network?
Twitter
Who do you wish followed you?
A resurrected Paul Wellstone.
Why did you become a journalist?
By accident and pure luck.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
Yes, I was the editor.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
I wish I could tell you that I was a ghost author on that piece!
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
ABC Always Be Creating
When's the best time to pitch you?
Anytime
What's the best pitch you ever got?
Cover a smoke filled 16 candidate special election convention in western Pennsylvania.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
Can you write a fluff piece on this candidate I'm backing?
What's your favorite drink?
Rye IPA
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
On a hike.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
The Baffler
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
That it is actually random.
