On this thought-provoking episode of Eavesdrop with Meena, journalist Sarah Leach and radio veteran Mary Ellen Murphy—aka The Two Js—join Meena to unpack the state of local journalism in America. From Ottawa County’s political shifts to the power and peril of social media, they candidly explore how truth, trust, and storytelling intersect in today’s chaotic media landscape.

With humor, heart, and deep insight, Sarah and Mary Ellen share their unconventional paths into journalism, the creation of their podcast The Two Js in a Pod, and their mission to bring underreported local issues to light. They also discuss the rise of nonprofit news models, their hopes for rebuilding civic trust, and what it really means to be an informed citizen in 2025.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about the future of news, the fight for facts, and the essential role of community-driven media.

Check out Two Js in a Pod and on Substack.

Written and Hosted by Meena Ariagno

Produced by Bruce Buursma

Recorded and Edited by Kevin Burgess 

Theme Music “Never Thought” by Christopher Paul

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