What was your first job as a journalist?
Four years of weekly broadcasting on UCLA Radio.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes! I asked for a typewriter as a birthday / holiday gift when I was around 12 years old.
How is social media changing news?
Pickup on social media can enhance a clip's reach and also drive a story's narrative. The social media audience has tremendous impact.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
My favorite journalists are real people!
What does it mean to be a journalist?
Being a journalist means retaining your curiosity and waking up every day excited to wonder about the world.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
If there are funny, news-related hashtags... I haven't seen them yet.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
I love covering creative people, places, and spaces. If you have news related to amplifying original voices and ideas, send my way!
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
I'm an Adobe Creative Cloud guy! And of course, the google and microsoft office suites.
What's your favorite social network?
Yet to be created.
Who do you wish followed you?
Issa Rae!
Why did you become a journalist?
To explore more of the world, be immersed in the day-to-day of culture, and spotlight stories worth hearing.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
I worked for my high school's weekly televised broadcast! I was an anchor and also produced segments about the campus and students.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
Supporting the city of Santa Barbara by profiling must-visit activities around the city for consumers to enjoy as we exit the pandemic.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Start creating! You can't have your 2nd, 10th, or 100th story without making your 1st, first.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Weekdays in the morning
What's the best pitch you ever got?
I love covering events in Los Angeles! and also film and TV junkets. Anywhere I can speak with the creatives behind what we're seeing.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
Above this prompt Muck Rack has written "This interview is on the record"... so I think the worst pitch can stay at the bottom of my inbox :)
What's your favorite drink?
Changes by the week! Currently a gin martini with dry vermouth and 3 olives.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Relaxing in a park, listening to music and writing notes to myself.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
Los Angeles Times, The Hollywood Reporter, Vanity Fair... publications with beautifully designed websites are my favorite to read.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
That these stories can be turned around in 24 hours. A well produced episode takes creativity and patience.
