Some journalists report the news. Others make sure you feel the people behind it — and that’s exactly what today’s guest, Jay Valle, does.

Jay is an award-winning New York City–based journalist whose work centers community voices, accountability, and real-world impact. In a moment when so many in the LGBTQ community feel targeted, isolated, and afraid, that kind of journalism isn’t just important — it’s essential.

In this episode, we dive into the responsibility of telling stories from marginalized communities, the power of lived experience, and what speaking up looks like when it truly counts.

For nearly five years at NBC News, Jay reported national investigations, LGBTQ policy coverage, and powerful human-interest stories that connected lived experience to real change. His investigative reporting on robberies targeting LGBTQ New Yorkers earned a 2024 GLAAD Media Award and helped shift how those cases were handled. Jay now embarks on a new journey committed to our community and ensuring that our voices continue to be amplified.  

I’m grateful to Jay for spending some time with me today and I know you will enjoy getting to know him and learning about his journey as much as I did.  

To follow Jay on Instagram, visit: https://www.instagram.com/theofficialjayvalle

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