Dan Harris, podcast host, author of 10% Happier and former ABC News anchor, shares his journey from covering war zones to discovering mindfulness and meditation. He discusses the toll of high-stress journalism on mental health, including his on-air panic attack, and how meditation became a transformative tool. Harris also addresses misconceptions about meditation, its benefits for managing anxiety, and why it doesn’t mean losing your edge.

Harris opens up about leadership and entrepreneurship, reflecting on the challenges of co-founding a business, managing adversity, and learning to lead with greater emotional awareness. He explains how tools like therapy, mindfulness, and building strong relationships have helped him navigate life’s ups and downs, both personally and professionally.

The conversation also explores modern masculinity, the epidemic of loneliness, and the importance of friendships. Harris shares insights on how vulnerability and connection can improve well-being and why relationships are the key to a healthier, happier life.

Episode chapters:

(00:04:34) - Dan Harris on his early journalism journey

(00:09:06) - Ambition, anxiety and success as a young reporter

(00:13:32) - War reporting, big-T vs. little-T trauma, and industry support

(00:20:19) - From panic attack to discovering meditation

(00:25:35) - Misconceptions about meditation

(00:30:25) - Meditation and maintaining your edge

(00:37:57) - The pantheon of no brainers: Other tools for mental health and well-being

(00:44:23) - Never worry alone

(00:48:56) - Navigating the split with the Ten Percent Happier app co-founders

(00:55:25) - Handling criticism as a leader

(01:02:37) - Maintaining your team’s well being

(01:06:53) - Masculinity, male friendships and emotional openness

(01:15:39) - Rapid-fire questions

• Show notes

• Dan Harris: Website, LinkedIn, Twitter

• Mentioned

• ABC News

• Good Morning America

• PBS NewsHour

• Writing Broadcast News — Shorter, Sharper, Stronger by Mervin Block

• New England Cable News (NECN)

• World News Now

• No Time to Panic by Matt Gutman

• The Myth of Normal by Gabor Maté

• Gabor Maté on 10% Happier

• Mark Epstein

• Jeff Warren

• Amishi Jha

• Your Brain on Art by Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross

• After the Ecstasy, the Laundry by Jack Kornfield

• Sister True Dedication

• Brené Brown

• Harvard Study of Adult Development

• Esther Perel

• Lewis Howes

• Reboot by Jerry Colonna

• Local recommendation (New York)

• Hotel Chelsea

• Local News Matters: Website, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

• Colorado Press Association: Website, Twitter, Facebook

• Tim Regan-Porter: Bio, Twitter 

For show notes, transcripts, newsletter sign-up and past guests on the Local News Matters podcast, please visit localnewsmatterspodcast.com or lnmpod.com.

Past guests on the Local News Matters podcast include: Samantha Ragland (American Press Institute), Randy Picht and Andrew Finlayson (RJI Burnout Report), Laura Frank (COLab), Jennifer Larino (Lede New Orleans), Katherine Ann Rowlands (Bay City News), Jim O’Rourke (O’Rourke Media Group), Teri Finneman, Nick Mathews and Pat Ferrucci (Reviving Local News), Nic Dawes (THE CITY), Allison Taylor Levine (Local News Initiative Delaware), Crystal Good (Black by God),  Lisa Snowden (Baltimore Beat), Karen Rundlet (INN), Jim Brady (Knight Foundation), Candice Fortman (Exit interview, Outlier Media), Jean Friedman-Rudovsky (Resolve Philly), Jay Rosen (NYU), Sue Cross (Exit interview, INN), Mary Margaret White (Mississippi Today), Amy Kovac-Ashley (Tiny News Collective), Michael Shapiro (TAPinto), Kenny Katzgrau (redbankgreen and Broadstreet), John Garrett (Community Impact), Shannon Kinney (Dream Local Digital), Larry Ryckman (The Colorado Sun),  Frank Mungeam (Local Media Association), Kelly Ann Scott (Alabama Media Group), Sara Lomax and S. Mitra Kalita (URL Media), Elizabeth Hansen Shapiro (National Trust for Local News), Mike Rispoli and Richard Young (via When the People Decide), Sarabeth Berman (American Journalism Project), Rabbi Hillel Goldberg and Shana Goldberg (Intermountain Jewish News),  Lyndsay C. Green (via The Journalism Salute), Rashad Mahmood and Mark Glaser (New Mexico Local News Fund), Christian Vanek and Barbara Hardt (The Mountain-Ear), Dan Grech (BizHack), Zack Richner (Easy Tax Credits), Tracie Powell (Pivot Fund), Dan Oshinsky (Inbox Collective), Linda Shapley (via What Works), Yehong Zhu and Jake Seaton (Zette, Column), Charity Huff (January Spring), Joaquin Alvarado and Dave Perry (Aurora Sentinel), Steve Waldman (Rebuild Local News), Maritza Félix (Conecta Arizona), Michael Bolden (American Press Institute), Jeff Roberts and Corey Hutchins (CFOIC, Colorado College), Eve Pearlman and Erica Anderson (Spaceship Media), Jennifer Brandel (Hearken, Democracy SOS), Corey Hutchins with Bay Edwards, Todd Chamberlain and Raleigh Burleigh (Sopris Sun).

Samantha Ragland, vice president of journalism programs at the American Press Institute, shares practical strategies for fostering mental health and well-being in newsrooms. She highlights how prioritizing people can lead to exceptional journalism and stronger newsroom culture.

Ragland explores the balance between leadership and care, offering insights on building psychological safety, managing workloads, and fostering resilience. She also emphasizes the importance of addressing unique challenges faced by journalists of color and women, providing actionable steps for newsroom leaders to support diverse teams effectively.

From rethinking urgency to embracing creativity in leadership, Ragland illustrates how newsrooms of all sizes can thrive by building connections and redefining success. Her compelling stories and candid reflections make this a must-listen for anyone invested in the future of local journalism.

Episode chapters:

(00:03:51) - Sustainability from both the people and the business perspective 

(00:08:26) - Start by prioritizing the people in your organization

(00:17:31) - Moving from hero to host to get things off your plate

(00:23:36) - Delegating, stopping tasks, and managing workload

(00:28:51) - Developing early career journalists

(00:36:07) - Re-examine story requirements, enlist technology and partners and stop multitasking

(00:43:23) - Manage the sense of urgency in the newsroom, take a break and set boundaries

(00:51:36) - Manage your story and sentiment mix

(00:59:18) - Authentic leadership and managing journalists of color

(01:24:09) - Rapid-fire questions

(01:31:05) - Media and local recommendations

• Show notes

• Samantha Ragland: LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram

• American Press Institute

• Mentioned

• First episode on burnout with RJI

• Poynter Institute

• Leadership Academy for Women in Media

• Michael Bolden (LNM episode)

• World Mental Health Day

• Mental Health in Journalism Summit by The Self-Investigation

• Palm Beach Post

• National Equity Project

• Elements of Style by Strunk and White

• On Writing Well by William Zinsser

• Deep Work by Cal Newport

• A World Without Email by Cal Newport

• Slow Productivity by Cal Newport

• Local recommendations

• Palm Beach Clock Tower

• Havana (restaurant)

• Loggerhead Marinelife Center 

• Paddleboarding/kayaking in intracoastal areas

• Tacos

• Media recommendations

• Crash Landing on You (Netflix) and other Korean dramas

• What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing by Dr. Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey

• Buffalo Dance by Frank X Walker 

• Local News Matters: web, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

• Colorado Press Association: web, Twitter, Facebook

• Tim Regan-Porter: bio, Twitter 

For show notes, transcripts, newsletter sign-up and past guests on the Local News Matters podcast, please visit localnewsmatterspodcast.com or lnmpod.com.

Past guests on the Local News Matters podcast include: Randy Picht and Andrew Finlayson (RJI Burnout Report), Laura Frank (COLab), Jennifer Larino (Lede New Orleans), Katherine Ann Rowlands (Bay City News), Jim O’Rourke (O’Rourke Media Group), Teri Finneman, Nick Mathews and Pat Ferrucci (Reviving Local News), Nic Dawes (THE CITY), Allison Taylor Levine (Local News Initiative Delaware), Crystal Good (Black by God),  Lisa Snowden (Baltimore Beat), Karen Rundlet (INN), Jim Brady (Knight Foundation), Candice Fortman (Exit interview, Outlier Media), Jean Friedman-Rudovsky (Resolve Philly), Jay Rosen (NYU), Sue Cross (Exit interview, INN), Mary Margaret White (Mississippi Today), Amy Kovac-Ashley (Tiny News Collective), Michael Shapiro (TAPinto), Kenny Katzgrau (redbankgreen and Broadstreet), John Garrett (Community Impact), Shannon Kinney (Dream Local Digital), Larry Ryckman (The Colorado Sun),  Frank Mungeam (Local Media Association), Kelly Ann Scott (Alabama Media Group), Sara Lomax and S. Mitra Kalita (URL Media), Elizabeth Hansen Shapiro (National Trust for Local News), Mike Rispoli and Richard Young (via When the People Decide), Sarabeth Berman (American Journalism Project), Rabbi Hillel Goldberg and Shana Goldberg (Intermountain Jewish News),  Lyndsay C. Green (via The Journalism Salute), Rashad Mahmood and Mark Glaser (New Mexico Local News Fund), Christian Vanek and Barbara Hardt (The Mountain-Ear), Dan Grech (BizHack), Zack Richner (Easy Tax Credits), Tracie Powell (Pivot Fund), Dan Oshinsky (Inbox Collective), Linda Shapley (via What Works), Yehong Zhu and Jake Seaton (Zette, Column), Charity Huff (January Spring), Joaquin Alvarado and Dave Perry (Aurora Sentinel), Steve Waldman (Rebuild Local News), Maritza Félix (Conecta Arizona), Michael Bolden (American Press Institute), Jeff Roberts and Corey Hutchins (CFOIC, Colorado College), Eve Pearlman and Erica Anderson (Spaceship Media), Jennifer Brandel (Hearken, Democracy SOS), Corey Hutchins with Bay Edwards, Todd Chamberlain and Raleigh Burleigh (Sopris Sun). 

Randy Picht, executive director of the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute, and Andrew Finlayson, executive vice president of digital and AI strategies at SmithGeiger, share insights from their landmark study on burnout in journalism. They discuss why 80% of journalists see burnout as a critical issue, how it's driving attrition and the solutions newsroom leaders can implement to foster healthier, more sustainable workplaces.

From addressing workload challenges and newsroom culture to exploring flexible schedules and prioritizing agency, they highlight actionable steps that news organizations of all sizes can take. The conversation also delves into the broader implications of burnout, including its impact on morale, the industry's talent pipeline and journalism's vital role in democracy.

The episode offers a balanced view of the challenges and opportunities facing newsrooms, emphasizing the urgency of addressing these issues while recognizing the passion and purpose that keep many journalists committed to their work.

Episode chapters: (00:02:45) - The RJI study’s goal: Addressing burnout with actionable solutions

(00:10:27) - Why burnout is a critical issue that must be addressed

(00:14:59) - Key findings: Pessimism, lost experience & youth, danger & social media (00:26:24) - Passion under pressure: Why journalists stay despite the challenges (00:31:46) - Top solutions for addressing burnout in newsrooms (00:38:41) - Stop doing lists and balancing flexibility with 24/7 news cycles

(00:44:20) - Surprising findings around vacations and feedback (00:50:37) - Next steps for research and solution development (00:57:05) - Rapid-fire questions (01:09:53) - Media and local recommendations

• Show notes

• Randy Picht: LinkedIn, Twitter

• Andrew Finlayson: LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram

• Reynolds Journalism Institute

• SmithGeiger Group 

• Mentioned

• The State of Work-Life Balance in Journalism report by Muck Rack (see also Poynter article)

• Local recommendations

• Columbia, Missouri

• True/False Film Festival

• Mizzou Tigers (SEC Football) 

• Columbia, Missouri Parks and Trails

• Franklin, Tennessee

• Franklin Battlefield and Carton Plantation

• McGavock Confederate Cemetery

• Media recommendations

• Randy

• Slow Horses

• The Ezra Klein Show

• Media Copilot by Pete Pachal

• Andrew

• The Pianist

• Life is Beautiful

• Schindler's List

• Europa Europa

• Downfall

• Local News Matters: web, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

• Pirate Audio

• Colorado Press Association: web, Twitter, Facebook

• Tim Regan-Porter: bio, Twitter 

For show notes, transcripts, newsletter sign-up and past guests on the Local News Matters podcast, please visit localnewsmatterspodcast.com or lnmpod.com.

Past guests on the Local News Matters podcast include: Laura Frank (COLab), Jennifer Larino (Lede New Orleans), Katherine Ann Rowlands (Bay City News), Jim O’Rourke (O’Rourke Media Group), Teri Finneman, Nick Mathews and Pat Ferrucci (Reviving Local News), Nic Dawes (THE CITY), Allison Taylor Levine (Local News Initiative Delaware), Crystal Good (Black by God),  Lisa Snowden (Baltimore Beat), Karen Rundlet (INN), Jim Brady (Knight Foundation), Candice Fortman (Exit interview, Outlier Media), Jean Friedman-Rudovsky (Resolve Philly), Jay Rosen (NYU), Sue Cross (Exit interview, INN), Mary Margaret White (Mississippi Today), Amy Kovac-Ashley (Tiny News Collective), Michael Shapiro (TAPinto), Kenny Katzgrau (redbankgreen and Broadstreet), John Garrett (Community Impact), Shannon Kinney (Dream Local Digital), Larry Ryckman (The Colorado Sun),  Frank Mungeam (Local Media Association), Kelly Ann Scott (Alabama Media Group), Sara Lomax and S. Mitra Kalita (URL Media), Elizabeth Hansen Shapiro (National Trust for Local News), Mike Rispoli and Richard Young (via When the People Decide), Sarabeth Berman (American Journalism Project), Rabbi Hillel Goldberg and Shana Goldberg (Intermountain Jewish News),  Lyndsay C. Green (via The Journalism Salute), Rashad Mahmood and Mark Glaser (New Mexico Local News Fund), Christian Vanek and Barbara Hardt (The Mountain-Ear), Dan Grech (BizHack), Zack Richner (Easy Tax Credits), Tracie Powell (Pivot Fund), Dan Oshinsky (Inbox Collective), Linda Shapley (via What Works), Yehong Zhu and Jake Seaton (Zette, Column), Charity Huff (January Spring), Joaquin Alvarado and Dave Perry (Aurora Sentinel), Steve Waldman (Rebuild Local News), Maritza Félix (Conecta Arizona), Michael Bolden (American Press Institute), Jeff Roberts and Corey Hutchins (CFOIC, Colorado College), Eve Pearlman and Erica Anderson (Spaceship Media), Jennifer Brandel (Hearken, Democracy SOS), Corey Hutchins with Bay Edwards, Todd Chamberlain and Raleigh Burleigh (Sopris Sun). 

Laura Frank, head of the Colorado News Collaborative (COLab), shares insights into sustaining local journalism through collaboration, innovation, and addressing critical challenges. She highlights COLab’s role in supporting over 180 Colorado newsrooms with reporting, engagement, revenue models, and resource sharing, while addressing the “fried and frozen” state many journalists face today.

Laura discusses the evolution of Colorado’s journalism ecosystem, noting how trust, partnerships, and years of groundwork have made the state a hub for innovation and collaborative media initiatives. We also discuss how to foster deeper connections between newsrooms and communities and share strategies for addressing polarization and misinformation at the local level.

From revitalizing rural news to pioneering shared services and experimenting with new audience engagement tools, Laura explores the systemic solutions needed to sustain local news. She also dives into the power of community partnerships and the vital role philanthropy must play in ensuring that newsrooms not only survive but thrive.

Episode chapters:

(00:04:21) - What is COLab and why was it founded?

(00:07:46) - The formation of Colorado’s innovative journalism ecosystem

(00:10:18) - The “fried and frozen” phenomenon in newsrooms

(00:14:22) - Shared services to address newsroom challenges

(00:19:58) - Reconnecting news organizations and communities

(00:29:31) - Tackling news avoidance

(00:37:22) - Partnering with community organizations

(00:40:52) - On being responsive to community needs

(00:49:40) - Local news in the national landscape

(01:02:06) - Funding and tapping into existing resources

(01:10:35) - Success in the Press Forward era of journalism

(01:19:19) - Rapid-fire questions

(01:32:10) - Media and local recommendations

• Show notes

• Laura Frank: LinkedIn, Twitter 

• Colorado News Collaborative

• Amplify Colorado

• Voter Voices

• Mentioned

• Rocky Mountain PBS 

• Institute for Nonprofit News (INN)

• University of Denver

• Associated Press

• Colorado Media Project 

• Press Forward

• Knight Foundation 

• Dick Tofel and Second Rough Draft

• News Revenue Hub

• Hearken

• Above the Noise

• Colorado State University Center for Public Deliberation 

• Rebuild Local News

• SCORE

• Small Business Administration (SBA) 

• Colorado Workforce Development Council

• Macon365: Macon Arts Alliance Calendar

• Local recommendations

• Alluvial Fan at Rocky Mountain National Park

• Denver Museum of Nature and Science

• Strawberry Park Hot Springs

• Big Bill's Pizza

• Media recommendations

• Reviving Rural News by Teri Finneman, Nick Mathews, Patrick Ferrucci

• Avoiding the News by Benjamin Toff, Ruth Palmer, Rasmus Kleis Nielsen

• Find Your News 

• Colorado Trust for Local News 

• Local News Matters: web, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

• Pirate Audio

• Colorado Press Association: web, Twitter, Facebook

• Tim Regan-Porter: bio, Twitter 

For show notes, transcripts, newsletter sign-up and past guests on the Local News Matters podcast, please visit localnewsmatterspodcast.com or lnmpod.com.

Past guests on the Local News Matters podcast include: Jennifer Larino (Lede New Orleans), Katherine Ann Rowlands (Bay City News), Jim O’Rourke (O’Rourke Media Group), Teri Finneman, Nick Mathews and Pat Ferrucci (Reviving Local News), Nic Dawes (THE CITY), Allison Taylor Levine (Local News Initiative Delaware), Crystal Good (Black by God),  Lisa Snowden (Baltimore Beat), Karen Rundlet (INN), Jim Brady (Knight Foundation), Candice Fortman (Exit interview, Outlier Media), Jean Friedman-Rudovsky (Resolve Philly), Jay Rosen (NYU), Sue Cross (Exit interview, INN), Mary Margaret White (Mississippi Today), Amy Kovac-Ashley (Tiny News Collective), Michael Shapiro (TAPinto), Kenny Katzgrau (redbankgreen and Broadstreet), John Garrett (Community Impact), Shannon Kinney (Dream Local Digital), Larry Ryckman (The Colorado Sun),  Frank Mungeam (Local Media Association), Kelly Ann Scott (Alabama Media Group), Sara Lomax and S. Mitra Kalita (URL Media), Elizabeth Hansen Shapiro (National Trust for Local News), Mike Rispoli and Richard Young (via When the People Decide), Sarabeth Berman (American Journalism Project), Rabbi Hillel Goldberg and Shana Goldberg (Intermountain Jewish News),  Lyndsay C. Green (via The Journalism Salute), Rashad Mahmood and Mark Glaser (New Mexico Local News Fund), Christian Vanek and Barbara Hardt (The Mountain-Ear), Dan Grech (BizHack), Zack Richner (Easy Tax Credits), Tracie Powell (Pivot Fund), Dan Oshinsky (Inbox Collective), Linda Shapley (via What Works), Yehong Zhu and Jake Seaton (Zette, Column), Charity Huff (January Spring), Joaquin Alvarado and Dave Perry (Aurora Sentinel), Steve Waldman (Rebuild Local News), Maritza Félix (Conecta Arizona), Michael Bolden (American Press Institute), Jeff Roberts and Corey Hutchins (CFOIC, Colorado College), Eve Pearlman and Erica Anderson (Spaceship Media), Jennifer Brandel (Hearken, Democracy SOS), Corey Hutchins with Bay Edwards, Todd Chamberlain and Raleigh Burleigh (Sopris Sun).

Jennifer Larino, executive director of Lede New Orleans, shares how her organization is reshaping local journalism by training young BIPOC storytellers to address community information needs. She discusses the origins of Lede New Orleans, the challenges of building an inclusive newsroom, and the importance of creating trusted spaces where community voices are heard and amplified.

Jennifer explains how slowing down in the reporting process has allowed her team to engage deeply with their community, resulting in innovative approaches like their Community Reporting Fellowship. She also highlights the unique programs at Lede New Orleans, from multimedia storytelling workshops to short documentaries, and emphasizes the value of centering young voices in journalism.

The conversation delves into the practicalities of sustaining this work, from funding strategies to measuring impact in meaningful ways. Jennifer also reflects on the power of collaboration with non-journalists, the role of mentorship, and the importance of fostering trust in local news ecosystems.

Episode chapters:(00:03:09) - Founding Lede New Orleans and addressing gaps in representation

(00:09:41) - Underrepresented communities in a media swamp

(00:15:23) - Lede New Orleans programs

(00:23:11) - Engaging the audience and experimenting with content partnerships

(00:28:05) - The challenges and benefits of slowing down

(00:33:25) - Funding and financial sustainability for slow journalism

(00:39:44) - Measuring impact: Community trust and alumni outcomes

(00:45:43) - Collaborating with non-journalists and reimagining storytelling

(00:50:41) - For younger multimedia journalists, look at your training, leadership and management styles

(00:56:53) - How the JSK Fellowship catalyzed Lede New Orleans

(01:01:46) - Rapid-fire questions

(01:25:34) - Media and local recommendations

• Show notes

• Jennifer Larino: LinkedIn , Twitter, Instagram

• Lede New Orleans

• Mentioned

• Press Forward

• The Times-Picayune 

• New Orleans CityBusiness

• JSK Fellowships at Stanford University

• Advance Local

• The Advocate

• Ejaaz Mason

• YR Media

• Verite

• Canopy Atlanta

• City Bureau

• Grow Dat Youth Farm

• Local recommendations

• Jennifer’s Google map with New Orlean’s recommendations

• Cafe Du Monde

• City Park

• Lake Pontchartrain

• 1000 Figs

• Preservation Hall

• Tipitina’s 

• Media recommendations

• Verite News

• TransLash

• Canopy Atlanta

• Local News Matters: web, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

• Pirate Audio

• Colorado Press Association: web, Twitter, Facebook

• Tim Regan-Porter: bio, Twitter 

For show notes, transcripts, newsletter sign-up and past guests on the Local News Matters podcast, please visit localnewsmatterspodcast.com or lnmpod.com.

Past guests on the Local News Matters podcast include: Katherine Ann Rowlands (Bay City News), Jim O’Rourke (O’Rourke Media Group), Teri Finneman, Nick Mathews and Pat Ferrucci (Reviving Local News), Nic Dawes (THE CITY), Allison Taylor Levine (Local News Initiative Delaware), Crystal Good (Black by God),  Lisa Snowden (Baltimore Beat), Karen Rundlet (INN), Jim Brady (Knight Foundation), Candice Fortman (Exit interview, Outlier Media), Jean Friedman-Rudovsky (Resolve Philly), Jay Rosen (NYU), Sue Cross (Exit interview, INN), Mary Margaret White (Mississippi Today), Amy Kovac-Ashley (Tiny News Collective), Michael Shapiro (TAPinto), Kenny Katzgrau (redbankgreen and Broadstreet), John Garrett (Community Impact), Shannon Kinney (Dream Local Digital), Larry Ryckman (The Colorado Sun),  Frank Mungeam (Local Media Association), Kelly Ann Scott (Alabama Media Group), Sara Lomax and S. Mitra Kalita (URL Media), Elizabeth Hansen Shapiro (National Trust for Local News), Mike Rispoli and Richard Young (via When the People Decide), Sarabeth Berman (American Journalism Project), Rabbi Hillel Goldberg and Shana Goldberg (Intermountain Jewish News),  Lyndsay C. Green (via The Journalism Salute), Rashad Mahmood and Mark Glaser (New Mexico Local News Fund), Christian Vanek and Barbara Hardt (The Mountain-Ear), Dan Grech (BizHack), Zack Richner (Easy Tax Credits), Tracie Powell (Pivot Fund), Dan Oshinsky (Inbox Collective), Linda Shapley (via What Works), Yehong Zhu and Jake Seaton (Zette, Column), Charity Huff (January Spring), Joaquin Alvarado and Dave Perry (Aurora Sentinel), Steve Waldman (Rebuild Local News), Maritza Félix (Conecta Arizona), Michael Bolden (American Press Institute), Jeff Roberts and Corey Hutchins (CFOIC, Colorado College), Eve Pearlman and Erica Anderson (Spaceship Media), Jennifer Brandel (Hearken, Democracy SOS), Corey Hutchins with Bay Edwards, Todd Chamberlain and Raleigh Burleigh (Sopris Sun).

Katherine Ann Rowlands, owner and publisher of Bay City News, shares insights into the unique hybrid model of her organization, which has served the San Francisco Bay Area with round-the-clock news coverage for 45 years. She discusses Bay City News’ evolution from a pure newswire service into a dual operation that includes the nonprofit site Local News Matters. This hybrid structure helps provide essential coverage to underserved communities while meeting the needs of media and business clients and the general public. Rowlands highlights the challenges of balancing for-profit and nonprofit revenue streams to create a sustainable model that can be replicated in other regions.

Rowlands also addresses the importance of collaboration over competition in local journalism. With many news organizations competing for limited resources, she advocates for shared coverage efforts that can free up reporters to pursue more in-depth and investigative stories. She shares examples of Bay City News’ work that has impacted local policies.

The conversation touches on Rowlands’ commitment to supporting the next generation of journalists through paid internships and capacity-building efforts, while also advocating for greater gender diversity in media leadership. Rowlands explains how diversifying revenue and leveraging innovative tools like AI have positioned Bay City News to grow its impact and improve accessibility to critical local news across platforms.

Episode chapters:

(00:02:50) - History of Bay City News 

(00:07:36) - The news service model

(00:14:42) - Collaboration and competition in local news

(00:16:52) - Launching Local News Matters, partnerships and expansion

(00:22:28) - Advice for replicating the Bay City News model in other regions

(00:29:48) - Impact of Bay City News on local reporting

(00:34:06) - Balancing client needs with community coverage

(00:38:20) - Entrepreneurship and imposter syndrome

(00:42:00) - Resilience, revenue diversification and capacity building

(00:50:17) - Gender diversity in journalism leadership

(00:55:08) - Rapid-fire questions

(01:04:06) - Media and local recommendations

• Katherine Rowlands: LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram

• Bay City News

• LocalNewsMatters.org

• Mentioned

• Macalester College

• London School of Economics

• Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism

• JSK Fellowship Program at Stanford University

• CalMatters

• EdSource

• The Mendocino Voice

• Piedmont Exedra

• Radio Sausalito

• KZYX

• Knight Foundation

• American Journalism Project (AJP)

• Press Forward Initiative

• Journalism and Women Symposium (JAWS)

• Women Do News

• San Quentin News

• Local recommendations

• Grizzly Peak 

• UC Berkeley campus

• Zachary’s Pizza 

• Media recommendations

• Newsroom Robots podcast

• Prison Truth by William Drummond

• Radio Sausalito

• Local News Matters: web, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

• Pirate Audio

• Colorado Press Association: web, Twitter, Facebook

• Tim Regan-Porter: bio, Twitter 

For show notes, transcripts, newsletter sign-up and past guests on the Local News Matters podcast, please visit localnewsmatterspodcast.com or lnmpod.com.

Past guests on the Local News Matters podcast include: Jim O’Rourke (O’Rourke Media Group), Teri Finneman, Nick Mathews and Pat Ferrucci (Reviving Local News), Nic Dawes (THE CITY), Allison Taylor Levine (Local News Initiative Delaware), Crystal Good (Black by God),  Lisa Snowden (Baltimore Beat), Karen Rundlet (INN), Jim Brady (Knight Foundation), Candice Fortman (Exit interview, Outlier Media), Jean Friedman-Rudovsky (Resolve Philly), Jay Rosen (NYU), Sue Cross (Exit interview, INN), Mary Margaret White (Mississippi Today), Amy Kovac-Ashley (Tiny News Collective), Michael Shapiro (TAPinto), Kenny Katzgrau (redbankgreen and Broadstreet), John Garrett (Community Impact), Shannon Kinney (Dream Local Digital), Larry Ryckman (The Colorado Sun),  Frank Mungeam (Local Media Association), Kelly Ann Scott (Alabama Media Group), Sara Lomax and S. Mitra Kalita (URL Media), Elizabeth Hansen Shapiro (National Trust for Local News), Mike Rispoli and Richard Young (via When the People Decide), Sarabeth Berman (American Journalism Project), Rabbi Hillel Goldberg and Shana Goldberg (Intermountain Jewish News),  Lyndsay C. Green (via The Journalism Salute), Rashad Mahmood and Mark Glaser (New Mexico Local News Fund), Christian Vanek and Barbara Hardt (The Mountain-Ear), Dan Grech (BizHack), Zack Richner (Easy Tax Credits), Tracie Powell (Pivot Fund), Dan Oshinsky (Inbox Collective), Linda Shapley (via What Works), Yehong Zhu and Jake Seaton (Zette, Column), Charity Huff (January Spring), Joaquin Alvarado and Dave Perry (Aurora Sentinel), Steve Waldman (Rebuild Local News), Maritza Félix (Conecta Arizona), Michael Bolden (American Press Institute), Jeff Roberts and Corey Hutchins (CFOIC, Colorado College), Eve Pearlman and Erica Anderson (Spaceship Media), Jennifer Brandel (Hearken, Democracy SOS), Corey Hutchins with Bay Edwards, Todd Chamberlain and Raleigh Burleigh (Sopris Sun). 

Jim O'Rourke, CEO and founder of O'Rourke Media Group, shares his journey in local media, from delivering newspapers as a kid to founding a rapidly growing digital-first publishing chain. O'Rourke discusses his approach to acquiring and revitalizing local newspapers, investing in local talent and growing the digital business. He outlines the strategic choices that have guided O'Rourke Media’s success, including his firm stance against paywalls and his commitment to community-focused journalism and sales.

In the face of industry pressures, O'Rourke explains why he values small and midsize markets and how he's developed O'Rourke Media Group’s sustainable model by prioritizing advertiser relationships, high-quality local reporting, and new digital revenue streams. He discusses his philosophy on embracing sponsored content as a core revenue source while carefully navigating editorial integrity—a delicate balance that he believes is essential for the future of local news.

O'Rourke also explores his renewed investment in print, noting the value print editions hold for both advertisers and local audiences. Reflecting on key lessons learned, he details his experiences working under Berkshire Hathaway, why he finds potential in digital agency services, and his vision for the future, including expanding into more communities and a possible employee ownership model.

Episode chapters:

(00:02:59) - Overview of O’Rourke Media Group

(00:04:51) - Jim’s journey from paper delivery to media leadership

(00:10:32) - Founding O'Rourke Media Group after private equity fell through

(00:17:59) - Why local news is still a great investment

(00:21:46) - Balancing sales and editorial resources, local and centralized support

(00:29:49) - The importance of maintaining brand trust and relationships

(00:37:21) - Expanding digital while avoiding paywalls

(00:42:22) - Sponsored content and adapting digital revenue streams

(00:49:12) - Relaunching print in Milton, Vermont

(00:52:59) - The challenges of printing presses

(01:00:30) - Lessons from working at Berkshire Hathaway’s World Book

(01:03:18) - Rapid-fire questions

(01:22:14) - Media and local recommendations

• Show notes

• Jim O’Rourke: LinkedIn

• O’Rourke Media Group

• Mentioned

• St. Albans Messenger

• Joe Mathes

• Chaffee County Times

• Herald Democrat

• Pagosa Springs Sun

• Aurora Sentinel

• Las Vegas Optic

• Milton Independent

• Founders podcast #368 Rockefeller's Autobiography

• Founders podcast #367 Inside the Contrarian Mind of Sam Zell

• Shark Tank

• Local recommendations

• Hiking in Arizona

• Golf in Arizona

• Media recommendations

• Good Morning America

• ABC World News Tonight with David Muir on TikTok

• New York Times

• LinkedIn

• Founders podcast

• Local News Matters podcast

• E&P Reports vodcast

• Local Marketing Trends podcast with Gordon Borrell

• Local News Matters: web, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

• Pirate Audio

• Colorado Press Association: web, Twitter, Facebook

• Tim Regan-Porter: bio, Twitter

For show notes, transcripts, newsletter sign-up and past guests on the Local News Matters podcast, please visit localnewsmatterspodcast.com or lnmpod.com.

Past guests on the Local News Matters podcast include: Teri Finneman, Nick Mathews and Pat Ferrucci (Reviving Local News), Nic Dawes (THE CITY), Allison Taylor Levine (Local News Initiative Delaware), Crystal Good (Black by God),  Lisa Snowden (Baltimore Beat), Karen Rundlet (INN), Jim Brady (Knight Foundation), Candice Fortman (Exit interview, Outlier Media), Jean Friedman-Rudovsky (Resolve Philly), Jay Rosen (NYU), Sue Cross (Exit interview, INN), Mary Margaret White (Mississippi Today), Amy Kovac-Ashley (Tiny News Collective), Michael Shapiro (TAPinto), Kenny Katzgrau (redbankgreen and Broadstreet), John Garrett (Community Impact), Shannon Kinney (Dream Local Digital), Larry Ryckman (The Colorado Sun),  Frank Mungeam (Local Media Association), Kelly Ann Scott (Alabama Media Group), Sara Lomax and S. Mitra Kalita (URL Media), Elizabeth Hansen Shapiro (National Trust for Local News), Mike Rispoli and Richard Young (via When the People Decide), Sarabeth Berman (American Journalism Project), Rabbi Hillel Goldberg and Shana Goldberg (Intermountain Jewish News),  Lyndsay C. Green (via The Journalism Salute), Rashad Mahmood and Mark Glaser (New Mexico Local News Fund), Christian Vanek and Barbara Hardt (The Mountain-Ear), Dan Grech (BizHack), Zack Richner (Easy Tax Credits), Tracie Powell (Pivot Fund), Dan Oshinsky (Inbox Collective), Linda Shapley (via What Works), Yehong Zhu and Jake Seaton (Zette, Column), Charity Huff (January Spring), Joaquin Alvarado and Dave Perry (Aurora Sentinel), Steve Waldman (Rebuild Local News), Maritza Félix (Conecta Arizona), Michael Bolden (American Press Institute), Jeff Roberts and Corey Hutchins (CFOIC, Colorado College), Eve Pearlman and Erica Anderson (Spaceship Media), Jennifer Brandel (Hearken, Democracy SOS), Corey Hutchins with Bay Edwards, Todd Chamberlain and Raleigh Burleigh (Sopris Sun). 

Teri Finneman, Nick Mathews and Pat Ferrucci, authors of Reviving Rural News: Finding a Sustainable Future for Community Journalism, explore the unique challenges facing rural newspapers in the wake of the local news industry's financial crisis. They discuss their yearlong experiment with a Kansas newspaper, offering insights into how small community-based outlets can diversify revenue streams and reconnect with their readers. The conversation highlights the disconnect between traditional business models and the needs of both rural publishers and their audiences.

The guests also touch on the psychological and organizational barriers that hinder innovation in local newsrooms. From reluctance to explore new revenue sources like philanthropy to the ongoing devaluation of journalism, they offer candid perspectives on why rural news must evolve to survive. Key takeaways include lessons on pricing, the power of e-newsletters and the role of newspapers as vital community institutions.

With practical examples from their case study in Kansas, the discussion reveals how local publishers can take small but significant steps to adapt their business models and better serve their communities.

Episode chapters: (00:03:13) - Origins of the Reviving Rural News project and the COVID-era struggles of rural newspapers

(00:07:03) - The uniqueness of rural journalism and the resilience of community newspapers

(00:12:03) - The challenges of journalism research, especially around business models

(00:18:23) - Take my money, please: Reluctance to change

(00:20:50) - How we got here: History of the penny press model

(00:24:39) - Disconnects between the business models readers want and what publishers offer

(00:28:34) - Why newspapers are reluctant to change

(00:34:55) - Revenue models and returning newspapers to their role as community institution

(00:42:07) - Raising prices as an imperative for many community newspapers

(00:51:09) - The importance of both print and e-newsletters in rural communities

(00:58:22) - Steps for small publishers: Where to begin with change

• Show notes and transcript

• Teri Finneman: Twitter/X, 

• Patrick Ferrucci: Twitter/X,

• Nick Matthews: LinkedIn, Twitter/X 

• Reviving Rural News

• William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications at University of Kansas

• College of Media, Communication and Information at University of Colorado Boulder

• Missouri School of Journalism

• Mentioned

• Eudora Times

• CODA Ventures

• Southern Newspaper Publishers Association (SNPA) Foundation

• Kansas Press Association

• Kansas Publishing Ventures

• Bismarck Tribune

• Mather Economics

• Stratechery

• Paste

• Spin

• Creem 

• Local News Matters: web, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

• Pirate Audio

• Colorado Press Association: web, Twitter, Facebook

• Tim Regan-Porter: bio, Twitter

For show notes, transcripts, newsletter sign-up and past guests on the Local News Matters podcast, please visit localnewsmatterspodcast.com or lnmpod.com.

Past guests on the Local News Matters podcast include: Nic Dawes (THE CITY), Allison Taylor Levine (Local News Initiative Delaware), Crystal Good (Black by God),  Lisa Snowden (Baltimore Beat), Karen Rundlet (INN), Jim Brady (Knight Foundation), Candice Fortman (Exit interview, Outlier Media), Jean Friedman-Rudovsky (Resolve Philly), Jay Rosen (NYU), Sue Cross (Exit interview, INN), Mary Margaret White (Mississippi Today), Amy Kovac-Ashley (Tiny News Collective), Michael Shapiro (TAPinto), Kenny Katzgrau (redbankgreen and Broadstreet), John Garrett (Community Impact), Shannon Kinney (Dream Local Digital), Larry Ryckman (The Colorado Sun),  Frank Mungeam (Local Media Association), Kelly Ann Scott (Alabama Media Group), Sara Lomax and S. Mitra Kalita (URL Media), Elizabeth Hansen Shapiro (National Trust for Local News), Mike Rispoli and Richard Young (via When the People Decide), Sarabeth Berman (American Journalism Project), Rabbi Hillel Goldberg and Shana Goldberg (Intermountain Jewish News),  Lyndsay C. Green (via The Journalism Salute), Rashad Mahmood and Mark Glaser (New Mexico Local News Fund), Christian Vanek and Barbara Hardt (The Mountain-Ear), Dan Grech (BizHack), Zack Richner (Easy Tax Credits), Tracie Powell (Pivot Fund), Dan Oshinsky (Inbox Collective), Linda Shapley (via What Works), Yehong Zhu and Jake Seaton (Zette, Column), Charity Huff (January Spring), Joaquin Alvarado and Dave Perry (Aurora Sentinel), Steve Waldman (Rebuild Local News), Maritza Félix (Conecta Arizona), Michael Bolden (American Press Institute), Jeff Roberts and Corey Hutchins (CFOIC, Colorado College), Eve Pearlman and Erica Anderson (Spaceship Media), Jennifer Brandel (Hearken, Democracy SOS), Corey Hutchins with Bay Edwards, Todd Chamberlain and Raleigh Burleigh (Sopris Sun). 

Nic Dawes, executive director of THE CITY, discusses the vital role nonprofit journalism plays in New York’s shrinking local news ecosystem. He explains how his organization fills coverage gaps left by retrenching legacy media, focusing on investigative reporting and service journalism to meet the needs of New Yorkers across all boroughs.

Dawes also delves into THE CITY’s unique strategies for community engagement, including open newsrooms and dynamic beat assignments, allowing them to stay responsive to the city's most pressing issues. He highlights how their mission-driven approach prioritizes impact over viral traffic, balancing coverage for both affluent media-savvy readers and underserved communities.

On the business side, Dawes shares insights on nonprofit journalism’s financial sustainability, from leveraging philanthropy and membership to navigating New York’s competitive fundraising environment. He reflects on his transition from large global organizations to a leaner, more focused newsroom, where the immediacy of local impact offers both challenges and rewards.

Episode chapters:

(00:02:19) - Why THE CITY is needed in New York's media-rich environment

(00:06:59) - THE CITY's structure and coverage areas

(00:10:10) - Maintaining local focus and resisting viral traffic for its own sake

(00:13:29) - Serving two distinct audiences in New York City

(00:17:34) - Using open newsrooms to engage with the community

(00:20:36) - Financial sustainability at THE CITY

(00:29:51) - Transitioning from large media organizations to smaller teams

(00:35:46) - Challenges of maintaining a diverse newsroom

(00:37:12) - Rapid-fire questions

(00:50:52) - Media and local recommendations

• Show notes with transcript

• Nic Dawes: Linkedln, Twitter, Threads

• THECITY.NYC

• Mentioned

• Human Rights Watch

• Hindustan Times

• The Mail & Guardian

• Gwynne Hogan

• Rosalind Adams

• Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY

• NYC Mayor’s Office of Community and Ethnic Media

• Press Forward

• American Journalism Project

• Local recommendations

• NYC beaches, especially Jacob Riis Beach

• New York Food Court

• Staten Island Ferry

• Museum of the City of New York

• KGB Bar

• New Asha

• Dhamaka

• Media recommendations

• Odd Lots podcast

• Chartbook

• Prophet Song by Paul Lynch

• Local News Matters: web, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

• Pirate Audio

• Colorado Press Association: web, Twitter, Facebook

• Tim Regan-Porter: bio, Twitter

For show notes, transcripts, newsletter sign-up and past guests on the Local News Matters podcast, please visit localnewsmatterspodcast.com or lnmpod.com.

Past guests on the Local News Matters podcast include: Allison Taylor Levine (Local News Initiative Delaware), Crystal Good (Black by God),  Lisa Snowden (Baltimore Beat), Karen Rundlet (INN), Jim Brady (Knight Foundation), Candice Fortman (Exit interview, Outlier Media), Jean Friedman-Rudovsky (Resolve Philly), Jay Rosen (NYU), Sue Cross (Exit interview, INN), Mary Margaret White (Mississippi Today), Amy Kovac-Ashley (Tiny News Collective), Michael Shapiro (TAPinto), Kenny Katzgrau (redbankgreen and Broadstreet), John Garrett (Community Impact), Shannon Kinney (Dream Local Digital), Larry Ryckman (The Colorado Sun),  Frank Mungeam (Local Media Association), Kelly Ann Scott (Alabama Media Group), Sara Lomax and S. Mitra Kalita (URL Media), Elizabeth Hansen Shapiro (National Trust for Local News), Mike Rispoli and Richard Young (via When the People Decide), Sarabeth Berman (American Journalism Project), Rabbi Hillel Goldberg and Shana Goldberg (Intermountain Jewish News),  Lyndsay C. Green (via The Journalism Salute), Rashad Mahmood and Mark Glaser (New Mexico Local News Fund), Christian Vanek and Barbara Hardt (The Mountain-Ear), Dan Grech (BizHack), Zack Richner (Easy Tax Credits), Tracie Powell (Pivot Fund), Dan Oshinsky (Inbox Collective), Linda Shapley (via What Works), Yehong Zhu and Jake Seaton (Zette, Column), Charity Huff (January Spring), Joaquin Alvarado and Dave Perry (Aurora Sentinel), Steve Waldman (Rebuild Local News), Maritza Félix (Conecta Arizona), Michael Bolden (American Press Institute), Jeff Roberts and Corey Hutchins (CFOIC, Colorado College), Eve Pearlman and Erica Anderson (Spaceship Media), Jennifer Brandel (Hearken, Democracy SOS), Corey Hutchins with Bay Edwards, Todd Chamberlain and Raleigh Burleigh (Sopris Sun). 

Allison Taylor Levine, founder and CEO of the Local Journalism Initiative, shares her insights into building a nonprofit collaborative newsroom and the importance of local news to democracy. She discusses the challenges of launching the initiative in Delaware, from creating internship programs to fostering collaboration among local newsrooms. Levine highlights how Spotlight Delaware, LJI’s flagship project, focuses on policy coverage and public engagement to fill critical gaps in the local news ecosystem.

Levine also explores the role of community foundations in supporting journalism, explaining how these institutions can serve as partners, not just funders. She offers practical advice for newsrooms looking to collaborate with community foundations, outlining the importance of understanding their unique funding models and leveraging their strengths as conveners.

In addition to discussing the financial sustainability of nonprofit journalism, Levine dives into innovative revenue models like mission-aligned sponsored content. With her background in journalism, marketing, and philanthropy, she explains how storytelling and community engagement are central to the success of local news organizations.

Episode chapters:

(00:02:13) - Starting the Local Journalism Initiative

(00:04:30) - The role of community foundations

(00:09:33) - Convening and partnering with community foundations

(00:11:56) - The need for a new journalism initiative in Delaware

(00:18:38) - Engaging funders and explaining the importance of local news

(00:24:51) - Rehabilitating local news perceptions and reality

(00:31:17) - LJI structure and journalism as a dialogue

(00:34:43) - Collaborative journalism to strengthen newsrooms throughout the state

(00:41:19) - Building financial sustainability for LJI and sponsored content’s surprising role

(00:46:38) - Speaking the languages of journalist, funder and community

(00:50:19) - Rapid-fire questions

(00:58:02) - Media and local recommendations

Show notes

• Allison Taylor Levine: Linkedln, Instagram

• Local Journalism Initiative

• Spotlight Delaware

• Mentioned

• Delaware Community Foundation

• Solutions Journalism Network

• Stuart Comstock-Gay

• UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media

• American Journalism Project

• Longwood Foundation

• Texas Tribune

• Jake Owens

• Institute for Nonprofit News

• Local recommendations

• Delaware beaches

• Longwood Gardens

• Lums Pond State Park

• Star of India

• Media recommendations

• Jessica Yellin’s News Not Noise

• The Second Mountain by David Brooks 

• What is the What by Dave Eggers 

• Local News Matters: web, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

• Pirate Audio

• Colorado Press Association: web, Twitter, Facebook

• Tim Regan-Porter: bio, Twitter

For show notes, transcripts, newsletter sign-up and past guests on the Local News Matters podcast, please visit localnewsmatterspodcast.com or lnmpod.com.

Past guests on the Local News Matters podcast include: Crystal Good (Black by God),  Lisa Snowden (Baltimore Beat), Karen Rundlet (INN), Jim Brady (Knight Foundation), Candice Fortman (Exit interview, Outlier Media), Jean Friedman-Rudovsky (Resolve Philly), Jay Rosen (NYU), Sue Cross (Exit interview, INN), Mary Margaret White (Mississippi Today), Amy Kovac-Ashley (Tiny News Collective), Michael Shapiro (TAPinto), Kenny Katzgrau (redbankgreen and Broadstreet), John Garrett (Community Impact), Shannon Kinney (Dream Local Digital), Larry Ryckman (The Colorado Sun),  Frank Mungeam (Local Media Association), Kelly Ann Scott (Alabama Media Group), Sara Lomax and S. Mitra Kalita (URL Media), Elizabeth Hansen Shapiro (National Trust for Local News), Mike Rispoli and Richard Young (via When the People Decide), Sarabeth Berman (American Journalism Project), Rabbi Hillel Goldberg and Shana Goldberg (Intermountain Jewish News),  Lyndsay C. Green (via The Journalism Salute), Rashad Mahmood and Mark Glaser (New Mexico Local News Fund), Christian Vanek and Barbara Hardt (The Mountain-Ear), Dan Grech (BizHack), Zack Richner (Easy Tax Credits), Tracie Powell (Pivot Fund), Dan Oshinsky (Inbox Collective), Linda Shapley (via What Works), Yehong Zhu and Jake Seaton (Zette, Column), Charity Huff (January Spring), Joaquin Alvarado and Dave Perry (Aurora Sentinel), Steve Waldman (Rebuild Local News), Maritza Félix (Conecta Arizona), Michael Bolden (American Press Institute), Jeff Roberts and Corey Hutchins (CFOIC, Colorado College), Eve Pearlman and Erica Anderson (Spaceship Media), Jennifer Brandel (Hearken, Democracy SOS), Corey Hutchins with Bay Edwards, Todd Chamberlain and Raleigh Burleigh (Sopris Sun).