Sword and Pen

By Military Veterans in Journalism

What's Sword and Pen about?

Sword and Pen is a production of Military Veteran in Journalism, a professional association that builds community for vets, supports their career growth, and advocates for diversifying newsrooms through hiring and promoting more vets.

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Sword and Pen episodes:

05.28.2024
Jason Burrows: KUOW Producer/Announcer
On this episode of the Sword and Pen, host Lori King speaks with navy veteran, MVJ member and NPR radio producer Jason Burrows. Burrows broke into radio onboard the USS Abraham Lincoln by volunteering for the ship's radio station, KRUZ-FM. After...
03.30.2024
Lance Milsted | Army Broadcast Journalist
On this episode of Sword and Pen, host Lori King speaks with army broadcast journalist Lance Milsted, a former Defense Information School instructor. Milsted, the chief of production services at DoD's Defense Media Activity (DMA) talks about his belief that everyone has...
02.28.2024
James LaPorta | Investigative Reporter
On this episode of Sword and Pen, host Lori King speaks with investigative reporter and former marine infantryman James LaPorta, who, after exiting the military, broke into journalism by cold calling editors and agreeing to work for bylines. You are about to...
01.26.2024
Mike Reilley: The Journalist's Toolbox
On this episode of Sword and Pen, host Lori King speaks with journalism tool extraordinaire Mike Reilley, who just published his second book, The Journalist's Toolbox: A Guide to Digital Reporting and AI. Reilley has made it his mission since 1996 to...
12.30.2023
Allie Delury: Work Our Way Productions
On this episode of Sword and Pen, host Lori King speaks with Air Force officer and filmmaker Allie Delury, who is celebrating her one-year anniversary of her production company, Work Our Way, on Dec. 30, 2023. Allie, who began her journalism and...
10.17.2023
Let's Talk: Four MVJ Convention Interviews
On this special episode of Sword and Pen, host Lori King spoke with four attendees during the 2023 MVJ Convention held Oct. 5-7 in New York City. First up at the mic was Dan Clare, a Marine Corps and Air National Guard...
09.10.2023
Let's Talk: Journalist Cyrus Norcross and the Navajo Nation
On this episode of Sword and Pen, host Lori King speaks with army veteran and freelance journalist Cyrus Norcross, one of MVJ's 2023 Top 10 Journalists of the Year. Cyrus, who was an army ranger for six years before pursuing journalism, talks...
07.29.2023
Let's talk: The MVJ Convention and Mentorship Program
On this episode of Sword and Pen, we bring back MVJ president and co-founder Russell Midori to promote the MVJ 2023 Convention in New York City in October. We also chat with MVJ Mentorship Program manager Simone Doroski and mentorship alumni...
06.15.2023
180th Fighter Wing: The Public Affairs Office
On this episode of Sword and Pen, we highlight the missions and roles of an Ohio Air National Guard public affairs office and its staff. The podcast was recorded out of 180th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office during their monthly drill...
05.15.2023
Anthony Vazquez: Chicago Sun-Times Photojournalist
On this episode of Sword and Pen, guest Anthony Vazquez talks about his transition from being a landing support specialist in the marine corps to a visual journalist at the Chicago Sun-Times, a newspaper that canned its entire photo staff...
04.13.2023
Caron LeNoir: Podcast Pioneer and Journalist
On this episode of Sword and Pen, navy and army veteran Caron LeNoir talks about her vast experience in journalism, business and activism. Baltimore native Caron comes from a family with deep artistic and political roots. She first takes us back...
02.19.2023
Riccoh Player and Frederick Marx: Filmmakers
On this episode of Sword and Pen, MVJ member and retired Marine Corps officer Riccoh Player and acclaimed Oscar and Emmy nominated director and writer Frederick Marx talk about their passion for filmmaker and storytelling, and how they both share...
01.10.2023
Ben Kesling: Wall Street Journal reporter and author
On this episode of Sword and Pen, guest Ben Kesling talks about his quick transition from being a marine corps combat veteran to a reporter at the Wall Street Journal and a published author. Listen in as Ben also reads a...
11.11.2022
Wreaths Across America Interviews: The Fab MVJ Nine
In this special Veterans's Day episode of Sword and Pen, listen to nine one-on-one interviews featuring MVJ members who attended our first in-person 2nd annual MVJ Convention and Career Fair in Washington D.C. in October. The interviews were conducted by Jeff...
11.05.2022
Allison P. Erickson & Tim Lenard: The Texas Tribune, The Nevada Independent
On this episode of Sword and Pen, Allison P. Erickson of The Texas Tribune and Tim Lenard of The Nevada Independent talk local news, transitioning from serving to reporting, and how veterans can make themselves an asset to their newsrooms. Take...
11.04.2022
Allison P. Erickson & Tim Lenard: The Texas Tribune, The Nevada Independent
On this episode of Sword and Pen, Allison P. Erickson of The Texas Tribune and Tim Lenard of The Nevada Independent talk local news, transitioning from serving to reporting, and how veterans can make themselves an asset to their newsrooms. Take...
10.03.2022
Russell Midori promotes the 2nd annual MVJ Convention
On this episode of Sword and Pen, Military in Journalism president and co-founder Russell Midori highlights a few keynote speakers, journalism panels and job fair vendors featured at the 2nd annual MVJ Convention and Job Fair on Oct. 6-8 in...
09.07.2022
Zachary Fryer-Biggs: Military.com
On this episode of Sword and Pen, Zachary Fryer-Biggs, the managing editor of Military.com, talks about the defense reporting industry, his experience with hiring veterans and offers tips on freelance pitches and working in a newsroom. Take a listen as Zach...
08.02.2022
Kyle Rempfer: Military Times
On this episode of Sword and Pen, guest Kyle Rempfer takes us on his amazing journey from being an Air Force combat controller to his current position as editor of the Army Times, a branch of the independent Military Times. Listen...
07.05.2022
Extremism in the Military: A Webinar
For this month's Sword and Pen podcast, MVJ is re-airing our Extremism in the Military Webinar that originally aired June 16. Join host Drew Lawrence as he addresses a very timely topic of domestic and foreign extremism with Andrew Mines,...
05.30.2022
Noelle Wiehe: Coffee or Die staff writer
In this episode of Military Veterans in Journalism podcast show Sword and Pen, Army veteran and journalist Noelle Wiehe recalls the moment she first realized she wanted to tell military stories for a living, and how joining the army eventually...
04.30.2022
Tony Mobley: Navy Vet | Freelance Photojournalist
In this episode of Sword and Pen, host Lori King checks in with Navy veteran Tony Mobley, one of the Top 10 Military Veterans in Journalism of 2020. Tony's entry, Photo Series: Black Lives Matter Protests, earned him that recognition....
04.02.2022
Dan Lamothe: WaPo Military Beat Reporter
In this episode of Sword and Pen, Washington Post national security reporter Dan Lamothe talks about the path that led him to cover the WaPo's military beat; expresses his love for journalism and advices on how to break into it;...
03.01.2022
Roy Peter Clark: The art of writing
In this episode of Sword and Pen, guest Roy Peter Clark, of the Poynter Institute, discusses the almighty lead sentence. Clark, a journalist, author and educator, also breaks down the writing process into a series of steps; advises how to break...
02.01.2022
Davis Winkie: Army Times Reporter
In this episode of Sword and Pen, host Drew Lawrence asks Army Times staff reporter Davis Winkie to break down his investigation into Operation Lone Star. Winkie shares his inside story on the Texas National Guard's border mission, talks about...
01.01.2022
Lucretia Cunningham: Medic turned MM Journalist
In this episode of Sword and Pen, host Lori King converses with MVJ member Lucretia Cunningham, a former U.S. Air Force medic who traded in her medical kit for cameras, microphones and the almighty pen. Listen as Cunningham shares her story...
12.02.2021
Jeff Parrott: Salt Lake Tribune
In this episode of Sword and Pen, host Drew F. Lawrence converses with Jeff Parrott, a Salt Lake Tribune political journalist, Columbia journalism school graduate and army veteran. Listen as we dive into Parrott’s take on the mental health of veterans...
11.02.2021
Mike Haynie: National Veterans Resource Center
In this episode of Sword and Pen, Mike Haynie, founder and executive director of the Institute for Military Veterans, proudly announces the grand opening of the new National Veterans Resource Center on the campus of Syracuse University in Upstate New...
11.01.2021
Preview for new Sword & Pen episode: Mike Haynie
This podcast episode of Sword & Pen drops on Nov. 2 at 6 a.m. S&P; Guest Mike Haynie takes you to the new National Veterans Resource Center at Syracuse University, a free resource center for all military veterans and their...
10.01.2021
Kelly Kennedy: The War Horse
In this episode, Sword and Pen host Drew F. Lawrence has a conversation with award-winning author, journalist and veteran Kelly Kennedy. She is the current managing editor for The War Horse, a non-profit journalism publication that focuses on all aspects of...
09.11.2021
U.S. Army and Afghan war veteran Thomas Brouns corresponds with Afghan translator
This special episode features a podcast recorded and produced by retired U.S. Army officer Thomas Brouns for a Military Veterans in Journalism podcast workshop. Brouns, who served 10 rotations in Afghanistan, shares his correspondence with Mohammad, one of five Afghan translators...
08.02.2021
Sword and Pen's Season 3 debuts with new co-hosts
In this episode, new co-hosts Lori King and Drew Lawrence discuss their dedication to journalism and the Military Veterans in Journalism organization. Lori began her journalism career when she joined the active Army at 18 years old, and retired from...
07.14.2021
Dave Bruce Shares Unique Journey from Federal Law Enforcement to Journalism
In this episode, Dave Bruce shares his journey from Federal Air Marshal to journalist. He compares the two careers and discusses important parallels. Dave is a former Army medic and served with the 82nd Airborne Division prior to becoming a...
06.21.2021
Former Washington Post Editor Marty Baron Shares Thoughts on Veterans in Journalism
Sword and Pen is joined by the former Washington Post Executive Editor, Marty Baron, who shares his thoughts on veterans in journalism. Marty also was the Executive Editor of the Boston Globe when it broke the famous Spotlight stories on...
05.19.2021
Jasper Lo shares his journey of curiosity from Army officer to fact checker at the New Yorker
In this episode, Jasper Lo shares his journey from U.S. Army officer to becoming a fact checker at The New Yorker. He discusses the stories that propelled him into the field of journalism, and the lessons he wishes to share...
05.05.2021
Coffee or Die Executive Editor and former Army Ranger Marty Skovlund talks journalism and transitioning.
Coffee or Die Executive Editor and former Army Ranger Marty Skovlund joins the program to discuss where military veterans fit in the journalism space. Sword and Pen is a production of Military Veteran in Journalism, a professional association that builds...
04.02.2021
U.S. Navy Veteran Clyde Gunter Details His Journey From U.S. Naval Ship to ESPN
The Sword & Pen Podcast is back! Season two, episode one is out today and we had the pleasure of interviewing Clyde Gunter for our season premier. Clyde is a member of the MVJ volunteer team and a Production Assistant...
03.02.2020
Pulitzer Prize winning photojournalist Patrick Farrell gives tips on "finding the light."
“Find your light, compose the shot, and wait for a moment.” -Patrick Farrell Welcome to Sword and Pen, a podcast about journalism, military veterans, and military veterans in journalism. In this episode we welcome Patrick Farrell, a photojournalist who won a...
02.18.2020
Marine Corps veteran and CBS News journalist Russell Midori reflects on service at home and abroad.
“Get yourself a camera and go to Iraq.” -Chris Hondros Welcome to Sword and Pen, a podcast about journalism, military veterans, and military veterans in journalism. In this episode we welcome Russell Midori, a Marine Corps veteran and staff journalist for...
02.03.2020
Emmy winning journalism professor, June Cross of Columbia University, talks about how journalism is a "calling."
"Don't do it unless there is nothing else you could possible spend your life doing... because journalism is a calling and a commitment." -June Cross Welcome to Sword and Pen, a podcast about journalism, military veterans, and military veterans in journalism. ...
01.13.2020
Dr. Mary Anne Taylor, a professor of rhetoric at Emerson College, talks about tropes and narratives.
"I think the way people use something like PTSD to tell stories- they draw from tropes and those tropes make assumptions of how people experience PTSD that can be very positive to help shed light on something or can be...
12.23.2019
Army veteran and Editorial Director of Growth for Quartz, Phoebe Gavin, talks about finding opportunity.
“I knew I was ready to make a move but I wasn’t sure what that move should be, and this opportunity showed up for me because I had accidentally been preparing for it.” -Phoebe Gavin Welcome to Sword and Pen, a podcast...
12.09.2019
Marine veteran Paul Szoldra discusses journey from founding the satirical DuffelBlog to becoming the Editor-in-Chief of Task and Purpose.
"Don't have a chip on your shoulder. Don't get out of the military thinking that anybody owes you anything." - Paul Szoldra Welcome to Sword and Pen, a podcast about journalism, military veterans, and military veterans in journalism. In this episode...
11.25.2019
CNN's Pentagon Correspondent, Barbara Starr, talks about perseverance.
"If this is what you want to do, just keep pitching away and keep yourself in the arena." -Barbara Starr Welcome to Sword and Pen, a podcast about journalism, military veterans, and military veterans in journalism. In this episode we welcome...
11.11.2019
Sebastian Junger talks about his career from writing The Perfect Storm to covering war via the Oscar-nominated Restrepo.
"The wonderful thing about journalism is you don't need permission from anybody." -Sebastian Junger Welcome to Sword and Pen, a podcast about journalism, military veterans, and military veterans in journalism. In the inaugural episode we welcome Sebastian Junger, an author (The Perfect...

What's Sword and Pen about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Sword and Pen episodes:

Jason Burrows: KUOW Producer/Announcer

Lance Milsted | Army Broadcast Journalist

James LaPorta | Investigative Reporter

Mike Reilley: The Journalist's Toolbox

Allie Delury: Work Our Way Productions

Let's Talk: Four MVJ Convention Interviews

Let's Talk: Journalist Cyrus Norcross and the Navajo Nation

Let's talk: The MVJ Convention and Mentorship Program

180th Fighter Wing: The Public Affairs Office

Anthony Vazquez: Chicago Sun-Times Photojournalist

Caron LeNoir: Podcast Pioneer and Journalist

Riccoh Player and Frederick Marx: Filmmakers

Ben Kesling: Wall Street Journal reporter and author

Wreaths Across America Interviews: The Fab MVJ Nine

Allison P. Erickson & Tim Lenard: The Texas Tribune, The Nevada Independent

Allison P. Erickson & Tim Lenard: The Texas Tribune, The Nevada Independent

Russell Midori promotes the 2nd annual MVJ Convention

Zachary Fryer-Biggs: Military.com

Kyle Rempfer: Military Times

Extremism in the Military: A Webinar

Noelle Wiehe: Coffee or Die staff writer

Tony Mobley: Navy Vet | Freelance Photojournalist

Dan Lamothe: WaPo Military Beat Reporter

Roy Peter Clark: The art of writing

Davis Winkie: Army Times Reporter

Lucretia Cunningham: Medic turned MM Journalist

Jeff Parrott: Salt Lake Tribune

Mike Haynie: National Veterans Resource Center

Preview for new Sword & Pen episode: Mike Haynie

Kelly Kennedy: The War Horse

U.S. Army and Afghan war veteran Thomas Brouns corresponds with Afghan translator

Sword and Pen's Season 3 debuts with new co-hosts

Dave Bruce Shares Unique Journey from Federal Law Enforcement to Journalism

Former Washington Post Editor Marty Baron Shares Thoughts on Veterans in Journalism

Jasper Lo shares his journey of curiosity from Army officer to fact checker at the New Yorker

Coffee or Die Executive Editor and former Army Ranger Marty Skovlund talks journalism and transitioning.

U.S. Navy Veteran Clyde Gunter Details His Journey From U.S. Naval Ship to ESPN

Pulitzer Prize winning photojournalist Patrick Farrell gives tips on "finding the light."

Marine Corps veteran and CBS News journalist Russell Midori reflects on service at home and abroad.

Emmy winning journalism professor, June Cross of Columbia University, talks about how journalism is a "calling."

Dr. Mary Anne Taylor, a professor of rhetoric at Emerson College, talks about tropes and narratives.

Army veteran and Editorial Director of Growth for Quartz, Phoebe Gavin, talks about finding opportunity.

Marine veteran Paul Szoldra discusses journey from founding the satirical DuffelBlog to becoming the Editor-in-Chief of Task and Purpose.

CNN's Pentagon Correspondent, Barbara Starr, talks about perseverance.

Sebastian Junger talks about his career from writing The Perfect Storm to covering war via the Oscar-nominated Restrepo.

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