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A chance assignment after the Gulf War put Jamie McIntyre inside the Pentagon at the very moment history refused to slow down. From Somalia to Haiti to Kosovo and Iraq, he learned that the defense beat isn’t just policy on paper—it’s operations, people and real-world stakes. Jamie shares how that era’s open access let reporters roam the halls, build sources, and pressure-test official narratives in real time, and why the shift to tighter control is more than an inconvenience—it’s a loss for the public.

We dive into how he rebuilt his reporting toolkit for a remote-first world: livestreamed hearings, transcript, and a carefully curated X feed that filters signal from noise. Then we compare that to an uncurated stream—an eye-opening look at how the platform can reward rage, rabbit holes and confusion. The takeaway is practical and urgent: your inputs shape your reality, and journalists now serve as both investigators and filters in an age that monetizes doubt.

Jamie also opens up about the hardest problem in the craft: convincing people to trust what’s true. He was in the Pentagon on 9/11 and later spent a decade engaging “truthers,” never changing a single mind. That experience informs a frank discussion on misinformation and identity, why facts alone often fail and how context-heavy reporting helps readers think more clearly. We wrap with candid advice for younger journalists, a look at Jamie’s book plans—either a study of disinformation or a Cold War-era memoir—and a measured sense of hope rooted in history’s long arc toward justice.

If you value clear, reality-based reporting on defense and national security, hit follow, share the show with a friend, and leave a quick review with the one insight you’re taking away today.

Links & Resources

• Daily on Defense – Jamie McIntyre’s weekday newsletter offering clear, experience-driven context on U.S. defense and national security. Sign up here.
• Elements of Disbelief – Jamie’s writing on misinformation, conspiracy theories, and why false beliefs persist, rooted in his academic research on 9/11.
• Jamie McIntyre – Washington Examiner – Read Jamie’s defense and national security reporting.

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Start with a newsroom built from scratch in Belize. Add decades across TV, digital, teaching and public media. Now meet the throughline: a fierce commitment to service, collaboration and stories that help people live better where they are. Managing editor Holly Edgell of NPR’s Midwest Newsroom joins us to talk about leading a dispersed regional team covering Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska—and why the “slow cooker” approach to reporting still wins trust.

We dive into the craft behind collaborative journalism: coaching local station reporters on deeper stories, co-publishing across platforms and turning embargoed research into reporting that tests assumptions and centers real people. Holly shares standout coverage on housing—affordability, safety, climate resilience and insurance gaps—along with explainers on rural access and labor that move beyond headlines to accountability. She also pulls back the curtain on her day-to-day: Zooms across four states, careful editing pipelines and the art of translating regional reporting into digital, radio and social formats that reach audiences where they actually are.

The conversation also tackles the hard part: funding instability, audience fragmentation and how public media can adapt without losing its soul. Holly makes a compelling case for understanding who’s listening and reading, not just what’s produced; for convening civil, community-based conversations across widening cultural divides; and for building partnerships that amplify impact. For PR pros, she offers a playbook on pitches that land—specific, data-driven, aligned with coverage—and the red flags that guarantee a pass.

We close with what keeps her grounded: puzzles, travel, creative writing and narrative podcasts like Criminal that prove spare, human storytelling still cuts through the noise. If you care about local news that serves, regional reporting that collaborates and journalism that earns trust, you’ll want to listen.

 Subscribe, share this episode with a friend who loves public radio, and leave a review to help more listeners find thoughtful conversations like this one.

Enjoy the conversation? Follow Holly on LinkedIn and subscribe to her Substack.

Belize Prize for Investigative Journalism
Celebrating and elevating investigative reporting in Belize. Co-founded by Holly, the prize recognizes journalists whose work drives accountability and strengthens democracy.

Playing in the Light by Zoë Wicomb
A powerful novel exploring racial passing and identity in South Africa—one of the books that recently inspired Holly.

Midwest Newsroom – NPR Regional Hub
Explore in-depth reporting from across Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska, including stories edited and produced by Holly.

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Want a front-row seat to how billion-dollar location decisions actually get made? We sit down with Ron Starner, executive vice president of Conway Data and a leading voice at Site Selection magazine, to unpack the data, discipline and real-world tradeoffs behind corporate expansion and economic development.

Ron traces his path from a scrappy small-town newsroom to steering award-winning coverage for a global C-suite audience. He explains how the Conway Projects Database—built over four decades—anchors every ranking and feature, with clear thresholds for jobs, capital and square footage. No favorites, no spin, just verified projects and credible outside data. We dig into the misconceptions that dog the field, including the myth that editors choose winners, and explore why companies only invest where workers thrive and infrastructure delivers.

From the Mountain West’s rapid ascent to the Great Lakes’ industrial strengths, Florida’s Space Coast surge, and Delaware’s surprising talent magnetism, we map where capital is flowing and why. Ron also breaks down the growing pushback from NIMBY to BANANA—build absolutely nothing anywhere near anybody—and what that means for communities vying for high-wage jobs. Then we look ahead: how AI is reshaping site selection modeling, redefining workforce needs and elevating demand for engineers and AI-ready technicians across sectors.

If you work in PR or economic development, you’ll hear practical guidance on pitching corporate real estate stories that matter—think outcomes, not hype, and understand the difference between commercial and corporate real estate. If you’re an operator or policymaker, you’ll learn what moves the needle: policy clarity, talent pipelines, reliable power and water, and a culture that says yes to sustainable, community-friendly investment.

Enjoy the conversation? Follow Ron on LinkedIn and subscribe to Site Selection’s Investor Watch newsletter. 

And if this sparked fresh ideas, subscribe, share with a colleague, and leave a quick review so more listeners can find the show.

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Stories change the way we work, but meetings change what we do next. That belief runs through our conversation with Sarah Braley (aka Sally), managing editor at Northstar Meetings Group and a veteran journalist whose passport and notebook have shaped how planners think about destinations, incentives and experience design. We trace Sally's path from early magazine days to becoming a trusted voice at Meetings & Conventions and Incentive, and we explore how the shift from monthly issues to daily digital reporting transformed the job—and the industry.

Sally breaks down why experience design matters more than ever, offering practical ways to build programs that engage attention, respect budgets and deliver outcomes attendees can use. We dive into inclusive F&B strategies, from allergy-aware registration to vegetarian-first menus that improve quality and reduce waste. She also makes a compelling case for rethinking destination strategy: while mega-conventions draw headlines, most gatherings host under 100 people, and smaller cities like Burlington, Toledo and Knoxville can deliver outsized impact with walkability, character, and value. For incentive travel, bucket list markets such as Australia and New Zealand still shine when authenticity and access are thoughtfully planned.

If you work in PR, you’ll get clear guidance on what makes a pitch land: B2B relevance, access to the planner, strong visuals and a crisp angle that helps readers do their jobs better. And for editors and planners alike, Sally’s on-the-ground role at Northstar events offers a rare view into how content, logistics and attendee experience feed each other.

Through downturns and disruption, one truth remains: when the world shifts, people meet to solve problems. Join us to hear what’s new, what works and what’s next for meetings, conventions and incentives—and how to tell better stories about all three. If this conversation helped you think differently about events, subscribe, share with a colleague, and leave a quick review so others can find the show.

You can connect with Sally via email at  

Please take a moment to rate, review and subscribe to the Media in Minutes podcast here or anywhere you get your podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/media-in-minutes/id1555710662 

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A single press call about the farm bill changed everything for our guest, Business Management Editor Cassidy Walter of Successful Farming. What started as a political beat in college became a career dedicated to helping producers make smart, profitable decisions in an unpredictable market.

We explore how Cassidy translates corn, soybean, wheat and livestock price moves into plain-English guidance farmers can act on. She explains the difference between agronomy and business reporting, why clear market context matters more when margins tighten and how stories on mental health and community sit alongside coverage of land values, basis and risk management. Cassidy also pulls back the curtain on the craft: breaking down complex policy and trade, partnering with designers to make tough topics visual and choosing sources who bring data and lived experience to the page.

You’ll hear about standout features like the Huck and Buck Farm Sanctuary profile, the Future Grain Marketers of America story that demystifies hedging for the next generation, and the Mexico Maize package unpacking GMO corn and trade. We also dig into what makes Successful Farming unique across magazine, web, radio and podcasts, plus a preview of high-impact projects: the future of California specialty crops as Peru competes on price, whether grain markets are in a longer downturn and a practical safety guide on preventing and managing fire on the farm.

PR pros, there’s candid advice here on pitching: write crystal-clear headlines and decks, aim the idea at the right editor and match timelines to print versus digital. Cassidy shares the types of analysts and farmer voices she needs, and the one contact method she always checks: email. If you care about the business side of agriculture, storytelling with purpose and decisions that keep family operations resilient, this conversation is for you.

You can connect with Cassidy via email at [email protected]. 

Please take a moment to rate, review and subscribe to the Media in Minutes podcast here or anywhere you get your podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/media-in-minutes/id1555710662 

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Headlines are loud; useful reporting is quiet and sharp. We sit with senior reporter Andy Medici (American City Business Journals) to unpack how he turns federal policy, workplace shifts and emerging tech into stories that help entrepreneurs, executives and local leaders make better decisions. From remote work battles and labor rulings to AI’s promises and pitfalls, Andy shares how he filters national news into practical insights across 45 markets—and why integrity is still the most valuable asset in business journalism.

We dig into the anatomy of a solid pitch and the value of true exclusives, especially for Business Journal audiences hungry for data and actionable context. Andy explains what transforms a company announcement into a reader-first story, why inbox blasts fail, and how PR pros can become indispensable sources by bringing credible datasets, trend analysis and timely access. He also opens up about navigating public skepticism of media, the line between journalism and commentary and the simple rule that earns trust: ask tough questions fairly, document outreach and update with new facts.

The conversation takes a thoughtful turn on AI in the newsroom. Andy is frank about what current tools can and cannot do, why hallucinations are a legal and ethical nonstarter and where he sees real opportunities—small automations, cleaner data and better workflows. He’s watching the second-order effects of massive data-center investment: power, permits, water, land use and local economies. And beyond the beat, we talk creative fuel—he’s written 11 novels—as a way to keep your voice strong and your curiosity fresh.

Want smarter business news you can actually use? Press play, then tell us your biggest takeaway. If you enjoyed the conversation, follow, rate, and review the show, and share it with a colleague who cares about trustworthy reporting.

You can connect with Andy via Linked here or his email: [email protected] 

Please take a moment to rate, review and subscribe to the Media in Minutes podcast here or anywhere you get your podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/media-in-minutes/id1555710662 

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A rainy Boston morning set the scene, but the real weather shift happens in the story: an English major boards her first commercial flight to Alaska at 19, discovers how far a duffel and a daring heart can go, and eventually returns to writing through the heat of a private kitchen. We trace Melanie’s winding path from private chef to freelance food-and-travel journalist, and how curiosity—not credentials—became the map legend for every bold turn.

We dig into the messy art of pitching that school didn’t teach well enough, why perfection slowed her down, and how a personal touch can cut through a crowded inbox. Then the narrative dives—literally—into the Galápagos, where a sea lion taught her the power of attention and play, and resurfaces in Iceland with fermented shark, sheep-dung–smoked whiskey, and the kind of hospitality that sticks. Along the way, we unpack travel trends with substance: detours that counter overtourism without diluting wonder, a resurgence of first-person narratives that invite empathy, and multigenerational trips that strengthen family bonds through shared discovery.

Closer to home, Melanie opens a notebook of Boston recommendations that skip the obvious, from a lingering tapa night in the Seaport to a moody Beacon Hill hideaway, thermal cycling sessions in Revere, Mass Audubon’s overlooked greenways, and a Woburn spot hosting a chestnut festival and a $22 three-course lunch. She shares what she seeks on hosted trips, why perseverance is the freelancer’s quiet superpower, and the one dream that keeps resurfacing: flying a fighter jet. If you care about travel that feels honest, food that carries culture and pitching that respects people, you’ll find tools, stories and surprises you can use. Enjoy the journey, then tap follow, share with a curious friend, and leave a quick review to help more listeners find us.

Connect with Melanie at LinkedIN, Instagram or website. 

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Joe Sills never expected to become a travel writer. Growing up in a small town in West Tennessee surrounded by cotton fields and limited horizons, he couldn't imagine that the places he saw on Discovery Channel would one day become his workplace. After a winding path that included dropped college courses, pizza delivery and graphic design, a workplace shooting became the catalyst that pushed him back toward journalism and eventually into a career documenting some of the world's most remote and vulnerable places.

What began as simple wanderlust – "planting flags and checking off countries" as he candidly admits – evolved into something far more meaningful. Today, Sills focuses his camera and storytelling abilities on conservation efforts, sustainable tourism initiatives and giving voice to communities on the frontlines of human-wildlife conflict. His work in places like Nepal's tiger territory and Bolivia's high-altitude flamingo habitats goes beyond typical travel coverage to document the complex relationships between local communities, wildlife and environmental challenges.

Perhaps most moving is Sills' recent expedition to Svalbard in the Arctic Circle, where he helped lead children with special needs on a transformative adventure. Many had never left their hometowns, let alone experienced the wonder of snowball fights amid pristine Arctic landscapes. For Sills, these moments represent the culmination of his professional evolution – using travel as a vehicle for transformation rather than mere escapism.

As the travel industry faces mounting concerns about sustainability and environmental impact, Sills offers balanced perspective on both challenges and opportunities. He expresses serious reservations about mass tourism models like massive cruise ships while celebrating smaller, more sustainable alternatives. His upcoming projects – documenting Nepal's tourism dynamics and participating in endangered species reintroduction in South Africa – demonstrate his ongoing commitment to using journalism as a force for conservation awareness. Through it all, his philosophy remains refreshingly simple: "If I can take my camera and my words and shine a spotlight on someone who doesn't have the tools to tell their story, whether it's an animal or a person – that's what I want to do."

Read Joe's Tiger story here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/joesills/2024/07/28/camping-with-tigers-brings-curious-travelers-to-bardiya-in-nepal/ 

Connect with Joe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joesills/?hl=en 

Listen to past episodes of The Get Lost podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/get-lost-podcast/id1466710154 

Please take a moment to rate, review and subscribe to the Media in Minutes podcast here or anywhere you get your podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/media-in-minutes/id1555710662 

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Ever wondered what it takes to carve out a sustainable career in the ultra-competitive world of sports journalism? Yahoo Sports breaking news writer Ian Casselberry pulls back the curtain on his remarkable 15-year journey through some of sports media's biggest names.

Casselberry's path defies conventional wisdom. Starting with a personal blog while at the University of Iowa, he gradually gained recognition from established publications like the Detroit Free Press before landing roles at SB Nation, Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated and now Yahoo Sports. His story offers a masterclass in persistence and adaptability in an industry where traditional career ladders have largely disappeared.

What truly sets Casselberry apart is his ability to maintain genuine passion for sports despite the daily grind. "I do still love sports," he shares. "That is the fuel, that is the juice... what gets me going on writing." This authentic enthusiasm shines through in his storytelling approach, where he weaves cultural references and personality into breaking news coverage. From the Dodgers' 2020 World Series run to the recent Paris Olympics, Casselberry has witnessed sports history while producing 20-25 stories weekly for Yahoo's massive audience.

The conversation delivers practical wisdom for media professionals at any stage: finding unique angles within crowded news cycles, blending personal voice with professional standards, handling editorial feedback constructively and balancing audience demands with creative instincts. Casselberry's journey proves that while the path may not be linear, those with determination and adaptability can build lasting careers telling the stories that connect us all.

Ready to dive deeper into the world of sports media? Follow Ian on social platforms @ian_cass. 

Please take a moment to rate, review and subscribe to the Media in Minutes podcast here or anywhere you get your podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/media-in-minutes/id1555710662 

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The power of storytelling lies not just in whose stories are told, but in who gets to tell them. For Adria Walker, a seventh-generation Mississippian and race and equity journalist for The Guardian, this understanding forms the foundation of her approach to reporting on Indigenous communities across the Deep South.

Walker's journey began with an unlikely childhood inspiration—the classic film "His Girl Friday" sparked her passion for journalism at just five years old. That early fascination evolved into a career defined by amplifying overlooked voices, particularly from her home state that's often misunderstood by outsiders. "Mississippi is the butt of everyone's jokes," Walker notes. "People have this idea of a state they've never visited, idea of people they've never seen." This experience of being prejudged has profoundly shaped her reporting philosophy: approaching every interview without preconceptions, letting subjects guide conversations, and seeking to understand communities on their own terms.

After starting as a teenage intern at a local alt-weekly, Walker's path took her through sociology studies, freelancing and reporting in upstate New York before returning to Mississippi to cover Gullah Geechee communities and other Indigenous groups for The Guardian. Her reporting methodology emphasizes genuine human connection—striking up conversations at gas stations, attending community events even when not reporting and building relationships that extend beyond single stories. This approach has yielded rich dividends, with stories naturally "snowballing" as community members recognize her commitment and share more leads.

Walker balances reporting on difficult subjects by prioritizing self-care and seeking stories that highlight joy alongside challenges. "If you're burning yourself out, you're not helping the communities you're reporting on," she explains. Her advice to aspiring journalists, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, focuses on both mastering fundamentals and showing up consistently: "You have to learn the basics, but you also have to show up for people."

Discover how authentic, community-centered journalism can challenge stereotypes and elevate voices that deserve to be heard. Follow Adria's work at The Guardian or connect with her on social media @adriawalker to see how she's reshaping narratives about the Deep South.

Check out Adria's recent articles here: https://www.theguardian.com/profile/adria-r-walker

Indigenous tattoo revitalization 

Clarksdale, Miss grocery store 

Gullah Geechee partnership with Lowcountry food bank story

Gullah Gullah Island story

Please take a moment to rate, review and subscribe to the Media in Minutes podcast here or anywhere you get your podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/media-in-minutes/id1555710662