Five Dubs Podcast

In this episode, Kevin talks with Jeremy Merrill of The Washington Post about an ambitious investigation into how TikTok’s recommendation algorithm really works. Jeremy explains how he and his colleagues analyzed data from more than 1,000 volunteers and 15 million videos to better understand personalization, stickiness, and scale on the platform. They discuss what the data reveals about how feeds are shaped, why some content is harder to escape than others, and what this kind of reporting can—and can’t—tell us about influence, attention, and transparency in algorithm-driven media.

Read, "We teamed up with our audience to measure TikTok’s unmistakable draw..."
View this story's interactive map, "Are you in TikTok’s cat niche? What 121,000 videos reveal."
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In this episode, Rebecca talks with Max Mishkin of Ballard Spahr about the growing erosion of press freedoms and the legal challenges confronting journalists today. Max explains how changes in law, court decisions, and government practices are affecting public records access, source protection, and reporters’ ability to do their jobs. They discuss why these issues often fly under the radar, how local newsrooms are especially vulnerable, and what journalists should know about their rights as legal pressures continue to increase.

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Lorenzo Bellamy of The Bellamy Genn Group about what to expect from the upcoming Maryland legislative session. They walk through major leadership changes in the General Assembly, including a new Speaker of the House, new committee structures, and shifting dynamics between the House, Senate, and governor’s office. Lorenzo breaks down key issues likely to dominate the session—budget pressures, housing, data centers, AI, energy, and public safety—and explains how these debates may affect communities, businesses, and news media. The conversation also covers how constituents can engage effectively with lawmakers and why this session, coming in an election year, carries especially high stakes.

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Melanie Kaplan about Lab Dog, her book exploring animal testing through reporting, personal experience, and moral inquiry. Melanie discusses rescuing a beagle who had been used in laboratory research and how that experience led her to investigate the systems, regulations, and ethical questions surrounding animal experimentation. They talk about how reporting intersects with empathy, what transparency looks like in scientific research, and how storytelling can illuminate hidden practices without flattening complex debates.

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Tracey DeFrancesco, executive director of the A-Mark Foundation, about the A-Mark Prize for Investigative Journalism and its rapid national expansion. Tracy explains how the prize grew from a single press club award into a multi-state effort that puts real money behind investigative reporting, rewarding both journalists and their newsrooms. They discuss why investigative journalism is so resource-intensive, how financial recognition can sustain reporters and outlets, and the real-world impact these winning investigations are already having in communities across the country.

In this episode, Kevin talks with Sue Kirchner of Brand Strong Marketing about brand clarity and why it’s the foundation of effective marketing for small and mid-sized businesses. Sue shares her path from global marketing roles to helping SMBs grow past the million-dollar mark by simplifying their message and sharpening their value proposition. They break down what brand clarity really means, how to identify your ideal customer, and why many marketing efforts fail without doing this foundational work first. The conversation covers content strategy, customer research, AI’s impact on search, and practical ways business owners can align messaging, experience, and growth goals to stand out in a crowded marketplace.

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Lois Nembhard of HumanitiesDC about the organization’s Community Journalism Training Program and why teaching journalism skills at the community level matters. Lois explains how the program grew out of HumanitiesDC’s broader mission of storytelling, how participants are trained over several weeks by working journalists, and why centering community voices is key to strengthening local news. They discuss what participants learn, the types of stories that emerge, and how programs like this can help communities tell their own stories—especially in places that are often underrepresented or misunderstood by traditional media.

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Joy Mayer, founder of Trusting News, about why trust in journalism has declined and how newsrooms can actively rebuild it. Joy explains the origins of her project, the research behind what makes information feel credible, and the practical steps journalists can take to be more transparent, responsive, and trustworthy. They discuss the role of Trust Kits, the importance of listening to communities who feel overlooked, and how journalists can navigate issues like polarization, AI, and creator-driven news while maintaining integrity.

In this episode, Rebecca talks with veteran journalist and media literacy expert Jane Elizabeth about how to recognize misinformation in an era when false stories travel faster than the truth. Jane breaks down the psychology behind why people believe fake news, the red flags to watch for when evaluating online sources, and the subtle ways misinformation can spread even through well-meaning friends or familiar platforms. They explore practical tools for fact-checking, what responsible news consumption looks like today, and how journalists can rebuild trust without sacrificing rigor.

In this episode, Rebecca sits down with Tracy Simmons, founder of FAVS News, a unique regional wire service dedicated to reporting on religion, ethics, and values across the Pacific Northwest. Tracy shares the story of launching a religion news startup in the wake of the 2008 recession, how it grew from a local Spokane project into a multi-state newsroom with freelancers, columnists, and national syndication, and why religion reporting—done thoughtfully and ethically—matters now more than ever. They discuss what it means to cover faith communities without proselytizing, why younger journalists are increasingly drawn to the beat, and how local religion stories shape everything from politics to public life. A deep dive into journalism, curiosity, community, and the growing demand for nuanced coverage of belief in all its forms.