What was your first job as a journalist?
My first paid editorial assignment was working as an editorial assistant for a husband-and-wife cookbook author team.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes. I remember typing out my college application responses!
How is social media changing news?
Social media tends to promote extreme views and drown out quality journalism. Plus, due to its short format, it often oversimplifies issues.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Trent Crimm on "Ted Lasso." His character is ethical, thorough, thoughtful, intelligent, and genuine.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
To inform and help readers by providing useful, accurate information in a clear, engaging package.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
I'm more interested in headlines than hashtags. Often, I'll chuckle when I read headlines from The New York Post.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
By email. Please don't follow up-I'll let you know if I have questions or cover you/your client.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
LinkedIn, Google, Microsoft Word, Dropbox
What's your favorite social network?
LinkedIn, by far. I learn so much by reading my feed and searching for contacts.
Who do you wish followed you?
Editors I'm keen to work with.
Why did you become a journalist?
I've always been a writer and a student, full of questions and ideas.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
I worked for my high school literary magazine (design editor) and my college newspaper (art reviewer).
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
I'm particularly proud of my health and design articles for GH, Medscape, Health, and The Washington Post.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
The field is difficult, but vital: fight for true journalism: objective, accurate, in-depth reporting.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Doesn't matter.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
I've received so many, it's difficult to recall. I prefer pitches that are informative and not on the exact same topics I've just covered.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
AI-generated or sloppily-written pitches on topics way out of my wheelhouse.
What's your favorite drink?
Counter Culture coffee, which I brew each morning. I also love matcha lattes.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Reading a (print) book, newspaper, or magazine or working out at the gym.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
The Washington Post, The Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
Since I'm a freelancer covering multiple beats, I'll keep my answer general: that I have more control over articles than I do.
