What was your first job as a journalist?
My first journalism work came through editorial writing rather than a traditional newsroom role — contributing reported, research-driven pieces focused on home design, materials, and everyday living decisions. That path shaped how I approach the beat today: grounded in subject-matter expertise, verification, and real-world usefulness rather than headlines alone.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes — briefly. It was a good reminder that writing used to require more intention, and fewer distractions.
How is social media changing news?
Social media has shifted news from a scheduled product to a continuous conversation. Stories now surface faster, often before full context is available, which increases both access and risk.
At its best, social media helps journalists spot emerging issues, connect directly with sources, and understand what audiences actually care about. At its worst, it rewards speed over verification and amplifies oversimplified or emotionally charged narratives.
The role of journalism hasn’t changed, though — accuracy, context, and restraint matter more than ever. The challenge now is maintaining those standards in a system designed to move quickly.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Lois Lane — for her persistence, skepticism, and refusal to accept surface-level answers.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
To be a journalist is to take responsibility for accuracy, context, and restraint. It means asking the right questions, verifying what can be verified, and being honest about what isn’t yet known.
At its core, journalism is about serving the reader — not by amplifying noise, but by helping people understand the world well enough to make informed decisions.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
Probably — it perfectly captures how often “news” is framed as urgent when it’s really just incremental or recycled information.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
I prefer concise, well-researched pitches that clearly explain why the story matters to homeowners or renters. A strong pitch shows familiarity with the outlet, references relevant past coverage, and avoids generic mass-email framing.
Practical angles perform best — real data, firsthand expertise, or clearly explained trends tied to everyday home decisions. I appreciate pitches that include credible sources, transparent affiliations, and a clear takeaway for readers.
Timely follow-ups are fine, but relevance and clarity matter far more than volume.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
I rely on a small, practical toolset:
Google Docs for drafting, collaboration, and version control
Muck Rack for sourcing, media monitoring, and industry context
Browser-based research tools, manufacturer documentation, and standards references for fact-checking technical details
Plain spreadsheets for organizing notes, comparisons, and long-term editorial planning
I try to keep the stack simple — the priority is accuracy, clarity, and time spent reporting rather than managing tools.
What's your favorite social network?
LinkedIn. It’s the most useful platform for professional conversations, sourcing experts, and tracking industry trends without the noise.
Who do you wish followed you?
Editors, builders, and subject-matter experts who care about accuracy and long-term usefulness in home and design reporting.
Why did you become a journalist?
I became a journalist because I care about helping people make better, more informed decisions. Writing offered a way to translate technical or overlooked details into clear, usable information, and to slow things down in a media environment that often prioritizes speed over understanding.
Journalism, at its best, creates trust over time — and that long-term usefulness is what drew me to the work.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
No — I didn’t work for my high school newspaper. I came to journalism later, through subject-matter writing and editorial work, rather than a traditional student newsroom path.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
I’m most proud of work that helped readers avoid costly or unsafe home decisions by clearly explaining materials, systems, and trade-offs that are often oversimplified. Those stories don’t always feel flashy, but when a piece gives someone the confidence to ask better questions, delay an unnecessary upgrade, or choose a more durable solution, that impact lasts far beyond publication.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Aspiring journalists should focus on clarity before cleverness. Learn how to explain complex or technical topics in a way that’s accurate, useful, and grounded in real-world experience. Strong reporting isn’t about sounding smart — it’s about helping readers make better decisions.
Develop subject-matter knowledge in at least one area, whether that’s home improvement, design, policy, or another beat, and take the time to verify details that are often glossed over. Editors value writers who respect accuracy, context, and the reader’s time.
Finally, consistency matters. Publishing thoughtful, well-researched work over time builds trust far more than chasing trends or quick visibility.
When's the best time to pitch you?
During regular business hours, ideally midweek. Early, well-timed pitches that are clearly relevant tend to get the most attention, especially when they respect deadlines and allow time for proper review.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
A concise, thoughtful pitch from a subject-matter expert who clearly understood the audience and the publication. It presented a specific problem homeowners were facing, backed it with firsthand experience and verifiable data, and explained exactly why the insight mattered now. No hype, no filler — just a useful idea that respected the reader and the editorial process.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
A generic mass email that clearly hadn’t been read or tailored — pitching an unrelated product, no clear angle, no audience relevance, and a subject line copied straight from a template. It signals a lack of respect for both the beat and the reader’s time.
What's your favorite drink?
Coffee — black, usually.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Most likely at home, observing how materials, layouts, and everyday design decisions actually perform in real life — or out walking, which is where a lot of ideas quietly come together.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
The Atlantic. It consistently balances reporting, context, and long-form analysis, and it doesn’t rush conclusions just to match the news cycle.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
That home and design reporting is primarily aesthetic or trend-driven. In reality, it’s deeply tied to safety, cost, durability, and how people live day to day. Good coverage in this space requires technical understanding, long-term thinking, and respect for the real consequences of everyday decisions.
