In Journalism, the lead of the story refers to the most important aspect of an article, usually captured in the first sentences. If the lead is either wrong, confusing or worthless it can be a game-changer. In a democracy, information is power. When the truth is compromised informed decision-making is almost impossible. A free press is vital to keeping our balance of powers in check.

"Burying the Lead:  The Media and the JFK Assassination" is a readable and scholarly work that has been 30 years in the making.  Professor and author Mal Hyman offers new revelations regarding how the mass media and elements of our government covered-up the crime of the century.

I grew up in a Catholic-Democrat home. My mom was religious and she loved politics. In our dining room, there were two framed photos hanging on the wall over our table, two men who watched over us as we enjoyed our meals. The pictures were of Jesus Christ and President John F. Kennedy. 

I was 11 years old the day the President was shot in Dallas. The Nation stopped that day. We mourned together. It changed us. For a 5th grader who wanted to be a TV Journalist, the news coverage was unprecedented. All these years later I still remember the day.

Surprisingly that murder remains a mystery. And the release of some the Kennedy Assassination files was hopefully going to give us more answers. Those once-classified documents have been studied and sorted out and written about by Mal Hyman. His book is gripping. 

So is his One-On-One. I hope you will listen and buy the book.  It's available on Amazon. 

Thank you, YouTube and Talented Musicians who make their music available to content creators at no cost. The music under this Podcast is: Cosmic Storm by A Himitsu https://soundcloud.com/a-himitsu

My mother taught me to read, to love books and politics. To love music and the theater. I was raised with lots of love, praise, and encouragement. When my Mom she was angry or disappointed with me, I knew it. I did not like looking in her eyes when she disapproved of something that I was doing or about to do. Relationships between mothers and daughters are very complicated. There is usually a time in your teens when you rebel against everything your mother wants and stands for. My relationship with my mom was not complicated. I never wanted to even think about rebelling against anything she wanted for me. I was a suck-up. A candy-ass? A kiss-ass? Probably. I only had her for 27 years, but I wanted to please her every moment of that time. Everything I am I owe to her. I know it.

In a line from a movie, "London Has Fallen," I know I'm a movie fanatic. How could anything from "London Has Fallen" relate to my mom and me, right? In the midst of a terrorist attack, the character who plays the U.S. President Aaron Eckhart says to the Hero, who is played by Gerald Butler ( I love him, especially when he jams his knife into the enemies skull) they are talking about raising children. The president offers this advice, "The most important thing: Never criticize, always encourage. You want them to be passionate. Find something you care about and care deeply." Butler responds, "That's it, nothing about sleeping, eating, diapers, stairs." 

This One-On-One is about praise, encouragement, passion. Give it to the people you love. Confidence and self-esteem transform lives.  

Music: Thank you to Ross Bugden – Music on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=je9bnuIqVVc

For his talent and music, his channel is Epic and Emotional Music.

Sitting down and having a family meal doesn't happen as often as we like in 2019. Having a meal and a conversation with all cell phones and televisions turned off hasn't happened in our house in a long, long, long time. In Honor of Memorial Day weekend, I'm sharing a personal story about something I miss. Sunday breakfast with the family. We also had some great Sunday Pot Roasts too. My dad served in the U.S. Navy during WW II and is in heaven now with my Mom. He loved breakfasts and conversations. This is my One-On-One with Eddie Moraga Memory. Thanks for your service Dad. I miss you. 

MUSIC:

I SEARCHED AND SEARCHED FOR JUST THE RIGHT MUSIC FOR THIS EPISODE. EDDIE MORAGA LOVED BIG BAND MUSIC. The link is below. Here is the info on the song: 

Royalty-Free Music for YouTubers! Free to download & use monetized videos YouTubers do not need to ask permission when reusing music found here in their videos. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tjpv3VZGcYU&t=42s

Polly LaPorte has years and years of advice and tips for up-and-coming graphic designers. And she shares it in our One-On-One. The last few years, she has transitioned from graphic designer to painter. And she is living life in COLOR. Bright Color. Beginning with the color orange. I first met Polly when we both worked at the ABC Sacramento, I was a political reporter, she was the manager of the graphic design department. And what a manager. Her office was a cool place to be. The rest of us were all stressed out and crazy running around like looney tunes but in graphic design the lights were low and there was always, jazz music or some hip music playing. Polly LaPorte was a great manager and she is a great artist. Her grandmother was an artist, and her mother so it is in her DNA. I hope you enjoy this episode of One-On-One as much as I enjoyed seeing Polly again. The music is Chopin's Sonata in B-flat Minor Opus 35, royalty free from Ponds 5. Thank you!

Polly's two websites are:

PollyDailyPainting.com     This site shows what paintings are for sale; and Pollylaporte.com

Polly LaPorte paints on commission: Landscapes, still life, pet portraits, people portraits. She works from photos on most commissioned pieces. 

She can be contacted at (916) 606-2623 via text or phone-call. 

There was a really famous TV Reporter named Jessica Savich! She was WONDERFUL. I wanted to be just like her. So I imitated her voice when I would appear on camera. I was AWFUL! Finding my own voice and style helped me to succeed. All writers and creators have their own Unique voice and style. Sometimes it's difficult to find it if you are trying to be someone you are not. BUT, once you learn to be yourself on camera...and off, it's magical! Something to try.

Music: It's Royalty Free from Ponds5. It's Chopin's Bourree in B major. I love it; I hope you like it. 

CONTENT IS KING! CONTENT IS KING! CONTENT IS KING! That is a phrase that is drummed into your head when you are an inexperienced writer or reporter. It was for me anyway. After 20 years in television news, I moved into University PR, and by then I knew the Message is the most important element in Public Relations. Stay on message and you will succeed. However, it is NOT as easy as it seems. Not at all. That what this audio short is all about. 

Thank you, YouTube and all the great, talented artists who are providing Royalty Free Music for Content Creators. The music in my podcast is: Jellyfish by Declan DP & KODOMOi https://soundcloud.com/declandp Licensing Agreement 2.0 (READ) http://www.declandp.info/music-licensing Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/fgdrHffROpo

Political Reporter and Los Angeles Times Columnist George Skelton has been a newspaper Journalist for almost 60 years. He's traveled with Presidents and Governors and reported on major issues and political drama. I am a real political nerd, so I was thrilled to sit down and talk with him One-On-One about his career. And of course, I asked him for his communication tips for young Journalists and content creators. 

Thank you to Ponds5 for the royalty-free classical music. The music is Chopin-Bourree-Major-D.

Alan Miller is a former opinion writer who never hesitates to offer his opinion. And it's gotten him in plenty of trouble. And as he enters his 80's he has tons of advice for young professionals. Do what you love, and stop social networking and try talking to people face-to-face.  

Thanks to Ponds5 for the royalty-free music featured in this episode, its Symphony No. 4 in A Major, Op. 90 'Italian' I. Allegro vivaceSymphony No. 4 in A Major, Op. 90 'Italian' I. Allegro vivace

Barbara O'Connor is not only a 21st Century multi-media EXPERT; she is first and foremost a Communications Scholar. In One-On-One she discusses YouTube, cell phones and video games. But we also talked about Fritz Heider's Balance Theory; and B. F. Skinner's behaviorist theory of learning.

Skinner, a Harvard Professor believed that learning is a process of ‘conditioning’ in an environment of stimulus; basically, his research shows that students learn through reward and punishment. I say most parents will agree with that.

Heider's Balance theory is all about motivation, and attitude change. One good way to describe Balance Theory is the phrase: "The enemy of my enemy is my friend." I understood what Barbara was talking about because I've watched Alien versus Predator at least 1,000 times and the heroine uses that phrase when she joins forces with the Predators to defeat the Aliens. I know, I'm weird, but I love movies.  

Barbara's discussion was about all of us learning better communication skills. And she outlines ways so we can begin talking to one another.

Communication's Professor Barbara O'Connor knows what she is talking about. 

I really can't say enough about the great artists who are providing content producers GREAT MUSIC!

The Music in this edition of One-On-One is

 Bay Breeze by FortyThr33.Communications https://soundcloud.com/fortythr33-43 Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b... Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/XER8Zg0ExKU

During my long, long, long career in communications, I made many, many, many mistakes. As I interview One-On-One guests, I will share some of my worst blunders with you. Some of these communications mistakes happened because I was naive or too trusting. Really, who cares WHY I failed; I'm sharing in an attempt to keep you from making these same dumb communications flubs.  

I also want to share all the great music on YouTube. "Vibe With Me" is running under my story,

Vibe With Me by Joakim Karud http://soundcloud.com/joakimkarud Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/-7YDBIGCXsY