What was your first job as a journalist?
Writer for high school music program.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes, learned how to type on a manual typewriter in the 80s (1980s, not 1880s, i'm not THAT old)
How is social media changing news?
News is easier to access, but it's also creating opportunities to release news stories before all the facts are discovered
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Vonnegut
What does it mean to be a journalist?
Be authentic, aim to find the truth and be truthful. Educate readers without bias and harm to anyone you're reporting on, writing about, etc
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
Can't think of one, but I do enjoy sarcasm online when news breaks
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Be concise and share how this story will benefit readers
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
I use a Laptop, Google Suite, Evernote, iPhone. Microphone to record podcast interviews.
What's your favorite social network?
LinkedIn, but I follow Twitter for news updates.
Who do you wish followed you?
Media that are struggling with burnout. I can help them.
Why did you become a journalist?
I've been writing since I was in 1st grade. Writing comes easy to me.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
Just the high school musical publication
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
Burnout stories, and the Top 10 life lessons that the Tragically Hip's last concert taught us. I had over 30,000 views on that one.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Write every day. Find writers you admire and emulate them.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Mornings
What's the best pitch you ever got?
A story that was at first non related to my content, but the person pitching skillfully connected all the dots
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
Someone pitching their online casino and attempting to connect it to well being and burnout prevention
What's your favorite drink?
Whiskey & Coke
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
You might find me walking in a nature trail, or spending time in an independent coffee shop.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
Thrive Global and HBR
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
That we are all multi-millionaires.
