What was your first job as a journalist?
Small cap stocks in Vancouver. I was turning interviews into scripts for video, researching companies for background as I went.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Have I? Yes. Did I enjoy it? Not at all.
How is social media changing news?
It's rewarding people for creating inflammatory content, which sucks. People care more about clicks than facts.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Peter Parker.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
I believe it means you have a responsibility to learn, understand, and distill the FACTS of any beat you're on.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
I honestly have none that come to mind. I'm sure there are many; we journalists are clever, I promise. ;)
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Write your pitch on your own time, then send it to me to read on mine. Don't be fancy with it.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Everything is internet-based. I use Airtable, Slack, and WordPress to get work done, plus G-Suite and Todoist to stay organized.
What's your favorite social network?
LinkedIn. You have to sift through the self-gratifying weirdos, sure, but then you find real people sharing great resources.
Who do you wish followed you?
No one in particular. There are people I admire but I don't care much if they follow me back.
Why did you become a journalist?
It was an accident, honestly. I'm nosy and have a penchant for writing, so it happened without my realizing it was happening.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
Nope! I was in theatre and cross country, instead.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
I loved covering the Gamestop phenomenon in 2021. I was covering the stock market for years by then and finally, something cool happened.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Keep it real. Whatever your reason for getting into journalism, stick to it - especially when it's hard.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Hit me up anytime via email. That way I can get to it when I get to it.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
A vegan fast food company, weirdly enough. They just said, "we make things taste good and don't hurt the planet while we do it." I was sold.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
A junior exploration mining company that couldn't even explain why their land claim was special. They genuinely tried pitching me dirt...
What's your favorite drink?
I'll do you better, here are three: passionfruit sparking water, oat milk latte with honey, and any cold, crisp citrus hazy pale ale.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Hiking, biking, running, and exploring new places. Orrrr out in nature with my dogs.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
Mostly Metrics by CJ Gustafson. He has a lot of experience and a great voice for his industry - I dig it.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
People think financial operators are stuffy. Some are, sure, but even more are just geeks who enjoy a good puzzle (like me).
