On this episode we’re joined by Miles Griffis. Miles is the co-founder of The Sick Times, a non-profit website chronicling the Long Covid crisis. He knows the impact of the disease firsthand.

As is written on The Sick Times website

“We report on the common, life-changing disease following COVID-19 infection that affects over 400 million people worldwide and can be fatal. Our coverage spans related infection-associated chronic conditions such as myalgic encephalomyelitis, dysautonomia, mast cell activation syndrome, and more. Unlike many outlets, we continue to report on the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. No denial, minimizing, or gaslighting here.

Join us as we investigate injustices, challenge powerful institutions, wade through the latest research, assess COVID-19 data, and offer a platform for those most affected by the crisis.”

Miles also writes about nature, science and about LGBTQ+ culture. Among his regular outlets for writing is High Country News.

Miles talked about the origin of The Sick Times, the different types of stories he covers, and why he does what he does.

Examples of stories

- How to Live and Die with Long Covid

- Drag Artists and Organizers Making Spaces More Covid Safe

- COVID-19 a Threat To Wildland Firefighters

Miles’ salute: The Palestinian journalists killed during the war in Gaza.

Thank you as always for listening. Please send us feedback to [email protected]

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On this episode, Mark Simon is joined by Vivienne Serret, a student at the University of Florida who has been covering the resignation of president Ben Sasse and other notable stories for The Alligator, an independent newspaper covering the school, and Fresh Take Florida, a wire service.

Vivienne talked about what went into her reporting on Sasse, discussed other stories she's covered, explained essays she's written about the pressure of being a first-generation Latina and also the difficulty of covering the trauma of others while dealing with her own trauma. She discussed the fearlessness required to be an investigative reporter, how she views her place in journalism, and how being a journalist has shaped her worldview.

Vivienne's salutes: Professors Ted Bridis, Brandon Meyer, Harrison Hove, reporter Garrett Shanley and the staff of Fresh Take Florida

Thank you as always for listening. Please send us feedback to [email protected]

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On this episode we’re joined by Théoden Janes. Théoden is an award-winning features and entertainment reporter for the Charlotte Observer, for whom he’s worked for more than 18 years. He previously worked at The Washington Post, Arizona Republic, and Bergen Record. He’s a 1996 grad of the University of Arizona.

Théoden talked about the different types of stories he writes, including one about a trip to South Korea to find his birth family (he was adopted at 9 months old), an obituary for a well-known local woman who had a special garden, and a variety of concert reviews that encompass a large part of his entertainment work. He explained how he comes up with his story ideas and he shared how his parents influenced his work.

Théoden’s salute: David Leonhardt and the staff of The Morning at The New York Times

Thank you as always for listening. Please send us feedback to [email protected]

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On this episode we’re joined by Alice Scott. Alice is this year’s Journalism Education Association Student Journalist of the Year. Alice was co-editor of The Shield, the student newspaper at McCallum High School in Austin, Texas. It was not her first national award. She also won Student Broadcaster of the Year in 2022 from the National Scholastic Press Association.

Alice talked about how her interests evolved from theatre to journalism, shared the story that most influenced her desire to be a journalist, explained how her approach to journalism is centered around listening, gave examples of the work she did, and shared her journalism aspirations

Alice’s Salute: Student journalists from around the country

Notable links:

- Student Journalist of the Year Announcement

- Her journalism portfolio

- PBS story on transgender students

- Story on students assisting refugees

- School shootings editorial

- 1st person account of caretaking for grandfather

Thank you as always for listening. Please send us feedback to [email protected]

Visit our website: thejournalismsalute.org 

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On this episode, we’re joined by Aisha Sultan. Aisha (@AishaS) is an award-winning writer and columnist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, whose column is also nationally syndicated.

Aisha is Pakistani-American Muslim, a wife and mom of 2 who writes to help people feel seen or heard and to provide perspectives people may not have heard before.

(Wednesday, August 14 is Independence Day of Pakistan)

One day she’s writing a commentary on J.D. Vance’s comments about “childless cat ladies” and the presidential election, another she’s writing about a college faculty vote regarding the war in Gaza. Another, she’s writing about a roaming cat that captured the hearts of the people in its community and another about the winners of the paper’s father-child lookalike contest. She’s a journalist and story-collector who likes and believes in people.

Aisha talked about the different types of writing she’s done, her evolution as a writer, and her foray into filmmaking. She gave examples of the work she’s done and how she handled reporting those stories or columns.

Aisha’s salute: Journalists who have died in Gaza and the Committee to Protect Journalists.

Thank you as always for listening. Please send us feedback to [email protected],

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On this episode Mark Simon is joined by Mesfin Fekadu. Mesfin is the senior editor for music at The Hollywood Reporter, which he’s done the last 2 years. Previously he had a 13-year run that included time as senior journalist and music editor for The Associated Press. In between, he spent a year and a half in the communications department at Netflix.

Additionally, he’s a vice president at the Society for Features Journalism, which just announced its annual award winners.

The discussion covered the intersection of music with current events, such as Kamala Harris' presidential campaign, and the influence of celebrities in politics. Mesfin delves into his career journey, memorable interviews with stars like Dolly Parton and Adele, and actors/actresses from Abbott Elementary, as well as a story about racism in country music. He also talked about hosting one of Hollywood Reporter’s famous celebrity roundtables.

Additionally, he discusses his involvement with the Society for Features Journalism and the importance of independent storytelling in traditional and digital media.

Mesfin’s salutes:

Nekesa Mumbi Moody, co-editor-in-chief, The Hollywood Reporter

Fatima Shaik, former journalism professor, Saint Peter’s University

Thank you as always for listening. Please send us feedback to [email protected],

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In this episode, Jim Morris, executive director and editor-in-chief of Public Health Watch, discusses his career in journalism and the significant environmental and public health reporting done by his organization with Mark Simon.

The conversation gets into Public Health Watch's role in shedding light on environmental injustices, particularly through their 'Toxic Texas Air' series, which was a runner-up for The Collier Prize, a prestigious investigative journalism award. The series examines the severe impact of petrochemical pollution in Texas.

Jim shares his journalism journey, the importance of investigative journalism, and the tangible impacts their reporting has had, including within the Texas legislature. Jim also talked about his new book, The Cancer Factory.

 The episode also highlights the challenges and the need for earning community trust while reporting on complex environmental and public health issues.

 Jim’s salute: Ana Bueno, Univision Houston

 Find the Toxic Texas Air series at - https://publichealthwatch.org/category/environment/toxic-texas-air/

Thank you as always for listening. Please send us feedback to [email protected],

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In this episode, we’re joined by Lev Gringauz, associate editor for Jewfolk.

Lev delves into his journey to becoming a specialized journalist covering Jewish communities in Minnesota and Cincinnati. Lev shares insights into his reporting process, including his motivations and challenges in tackling diverse stories.

The two do a thorough look at an 18,000-word investigative story Lev did on the planned closure of the Hebrew Union College rabbinical school in Cincinnati. Lev also talked about the complexities of reporting on sensitive issues, like the Israel-Hamas war. He also shared what it’s been like to cover visits by teachers to prominent sites connected to the Holocaust.

Lev’s story on the college closing

https://cincyjewfolk.com/2024/04/19/how-to-close-a-campus-huc-jir-bleeds-money-while-cincinnati-pays-the-price/

Lev’s salute: Tovah Lazoroff, The Jerusalem Post

Thank you as always for listening. Please send us feedback to [email protected],

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In this episode, Mark Simon is joined by Mira Fox, a staff writer for The Forward, who discusses her work covering Jewish culture.

Mira talked about her diverse writing topics, from serious issues like student protests and anti-Semitism to lighter pieces and reader advice columns. Mira shared her winding journey to journalism, her upbringing, education, and the impact of her personal experiences on her work. She also provided insights into her writing process, especially as to how it pertained to an 8,000-word piece about BYU’s production of Fiddler On The Roof. 

Story examples

- Fiddler on the Roof

- The Talmud and Kristi Noem

- Odd places the war has been referenced

- Brown University encampments

- Bintel Brief advice column

Mira’s salute: Andrew Silverstein, freelance writer

Thank you as always for listening. Please send us feedback to [email protected],

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On this episode Mark Simon is joined by Michael Anguille, a journalist and the executive director of the Stillwater Awards, which are given by the Society of Professional Journalists and the Prison Journalism Project for excellence in journalism within the incarcerated community.

(Thanks to Michael Koretzky at Florida Atlantic University, (whom Michael saluted) for his help in coordinating this interview. He is well aware of my desire to have a diverse guest base in every respect.)

Michael is a professional journalist who has dealt with drug and alcohol abuse issues and served 8 1/2 years in prison in Florida for a drunk driving car accident that happened in 2014. 

Prior to that he was managing editor of the school newspaper at Florida Atlantic and managing editor of the South Florida Gay News. He currently writes for a variety of outlets, including BestColleges.com and is currently applying to law schools.

Michael talked candidly about his life, what led to his incarceration, and what he did in prison that kept him moving towards a path of writing and journalism. He also went through some of the highlights from the winners of the Stillwater Awards and explained the importance of elevating prison journalism and prison journalists.

Stillwater Awards winners: https://www.spj.org/stillwater-2024.asp

Michael's salutes: Prison Journalism Project and The Marshall Project

Thank you as always for listening. Please send us feedback to [email protected],

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