In the final episode of the Master Class series, Rebecca Snyder hosts an insightful discussion with award-winning journalist Julie Scharper from the Baltimore Banner. Scharper shares her journey in journalism, from her early days at the Baltimore Sun to her current role as an enterprise reporter at the Banner. She provides a deep dive into her Best of Show-winning feature story about Gavin Knupp, a 14-year-old hit-and-run victim, exploring the emotional and investigative process behind the piece. Scharper also discusses the unique challenges and opportunities in reporting for a nonprofit startup and reflects on how her background in psychology informs her compassionate, trauma-informed approach to storytelling. This episode offers valuable lessons for aspiring journalists and a behind-the-scenes look at the craft of feature writing.

Read Scharper's award-winning piece here, and learn more about trauma-informed reporting practices with Snyder here. 

Rebecca welcomes Delonte Harrod, founder and editor of The Intersection Magazine, a publication dedicated to amplifying voices from Prince George’s County, Maryland. Delonte shares how he built The Intersection from the ground up — from posting his first story on Medium to becoming part of the Google News Initiative. He discusses the importance of community-centered journalism, solution-oriented reporting, and creating media that reflects the lived experiences of Black residents in PG County. Together, they explore what it takes to sustain local journalism and why representation in storytelling truly matters.

Running a business can feel isolating, but collaboration can be your greatest advantage. In this episode, Kevin sits down with Jen Anderson — the self-proclaimed “Professional Wing Woman” — to explore how teamwork, clarity, and communication can unlock your best ideas. Jen shares how she helps entrepreneurs stay focused, filter out distractions, and execute powerful marketing strategies through meaningful partnerships. Tune in to discover how having a “wing woman” by your side can transform not only your business, but also your confidence and leadership.

Message Jen at janderson5969@gmail.com

Kyndell Harkness of the Minnesota Star Tribune joins Rebecca to discuss how newsroom culture evolves in times of reckoning and renewal. They reflect on the role of community within journalism — from internal employee resource groups to authentic relationship-building with readers — and discuss how leadership and intentional listening can strengthen newsroom equity and storytelling.

In this episode, Kevin Berrier journeys beyond the DMV to discuss how Wisconsin's Multi Media Channels have effectively used AI in the newsroom. CEO Pat Wood, editor Tina Scott, and creative strategist Natasha Winkler discuss how they've approached AI as a tool for change and how they've succeeded so far.

In this episode, join us as we delve into The Daily Record's Best Move in 2023, featuring Patrick Brannan's insights. Discover how the Empowering Women initiative took shape, honoring organizations that uplift and empower women across Maryland. From recognizing women leaders to fostering inclusivity in the workplace, explore the impact of this groundbreaking event within the broader landscape of individual awards. Learn how this recognition is not just a one-time affair but a continuous effort to celebrate and support women's achievements, with insights into the event's evolution and future prospects. Tune in for an enlightening discussion on the significance of empowering women in today's society and the transformative power of recognition.

In this episode, we explore the critical role of local news in sustaining communities and democracy. Rebecca speaks with Melissa Milios Davis, network manager of Press Forward, and Darryl Holliday, co-founder of Commoner, about the findings of a new report on local journalism. Together, they discuss why philanthropy is stepping up to support newsrooms, how new models like Commoner are reshaping coverage, and what’s at stake if communities lose trusted sources of information. From funding challenges to innovative solutions, this conversation highlights the urgency—and the promise—of strengthening local news.

Paula Knudsen Burke, an attorney with the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, and Brittany Hailer, Director of Pittsburgh Institute for Nonprofit Journalism and an adjunct professor at the University of Pittsburgh, talk about the lawsuit against an Allegheny County media policy, which says people working in the jail cannot contact media without first going through the county staff.

Resources from the interview include:

https://www.rcfp.org/litigation/hailer-v-allegheny-county/

SPJ on PIOs: https://www.spj.org/public-information-officers/

DC chapter of SPJ on PIOs: https://spjdc.org/pio-project/

Brechner Center paper: https://brechner.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Public-employee-gag-orders-Brechner-issue-brief-as-published-10-7-19.pdf

Join Rebecca Snyder as she hosts Alexander Pyles, the Associate Dean at the University of Maryland's Philip Merrill College of Journalism. Pyles, who also serves as the mentor coordinator for the MDDC internship program, shares invaluable insights on how to excel as a mentor for young journalists. Whether you're involved with the MDDC program or guiding interns and early-career journalists in other contexts, this episode offers practical tips and heartwarming anecdotes on fostering reciprocal and meaningful mentorship relationships. Tune in to discover how to inspire and nurture the next generation of journalism leaders while enriching your own professional journey.

MDDC Executive Director Rebecca Snyder sits with Abby higgins and Eric Falquero of The 51st Newsroom, a worker-led nonprofit dedicated to transforming local journalism in Washington, DC. Hear firsthand from the passionate journalists driving this initiative, as they share their journey of launching a public crowdfunding campaign to build a better local news site. Discover how their commitment to democratic and collective decision-making shapes their newsroom, ensuring that journalists have a say in coverage and the future direction of the organization. Dive into their mission of deep community engagement and contextualized reporting on local issues, and learn about the overwhelming community support they've received. The newsroom’s ambitious plans to scale up include adding staff members and information organizers in each ward of DC. Join us for an inspiring conversation about the future of local news and the innovative efforts to keep it thriving in the nation's capital.

Rebecca joins Allison Taylor Levine, the passionate Executive Director of the Local Journalism Initiative in Delaware. Allison shares her journey from a journalist to leading a nonprofit organization aimed at strengthening democracy and community through local journalism. She delves into various innovative projects, including supporting young journalists from underrepresented communities and conducting a comprehensive assessment of Delaware's news and information ecosystem.

Listeners will discover the exciting initiatives underway, such as the Delaware Journalism Collaborative and the launch of a new nonprofit newsroom, Spotlight Delaware. Allison's personal story, including her background in journalism and philanthropy, and the impact of her late husband's legacy in the field, adds a touching and motivational aspect to her mission.

For more information, see: https://ljidelaware.org/

In this episode, Kevin Berrier talks with Jason Whong of Whong Community Media about building a lean, community-focused publishing business and how he’s using AI to streamline operations without losing the human touch. Jason shares how he balances multiple publications, experiments with custom AI automations, and keeps community at the heart of his work.

In this episode, Jerry Zremski of the Philip Merrill College of Journalism takes center stage for an in-depth conversation on the current state of local journalism. Jerry shares his unique insights on covering politics and policy from the nation's capital, delving into the intricacies of reporting on Western New York issues from Washington, D.C. He discusses the challenges of maintaining local relevance in a national landscape and offers a candid perspective on the evolving media environment. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of local news and national policy, as well as the future of regional journalism in an increasingly digital world. 

In this special episode, Rebecca sits down with Darin McCann and Sue Lyons, the dynamic duo behind Coastal Point, a gem in the heart of Ocean View, Delaware. As they mark the 20th anniversary of their beloved publication, we dive into the journey of Coastal Point from its inception to becoming a staple in the local community and beyond.

Discover the evolution of this news outlet from a traditional print publication to a digital powerhouse, complete with a robust website and specialized magazines like the glossy Delaware Seaside Bride. With a commitment to keeping everything local, Darin and Sue share their unique blend of editorial excellence and community focus that has garnered them a wall full of awards and the loyalty of their readers. 

Join us in celebrating Coastal Point's remarkable milestone and exploring the future of local journalism with two of the industry's most passionate advocates. This episode is a tribute to the power of local news and the people who make it possible.

Rebecca Snyder welcomes Max Mishkin with Ballard Spahr for an in-depth discussion on the evolving battle against Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP) within the Maryland General Assembly. Max, an attorney with a keen insight into media defense, unravels the complex nature of SLAPP suits, explaining their strategic use to silence critics through the burdensome costs and stresses of litigation rather than seeking justice through legal victories.

The conversation sheds light on the nuances distinguishing SLAPP suits from ordinary libel and defamation cases, highlighting their broader implications on free speech and public participation. Max elucidates the foundational aspects of libel law, including the pivotal role of actual malice in defamation cases and how SLAPP suits weaponize legal processes to discourage dissent.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersections of law, journalism, and the ongoing struggle to safeguard democratic principles through the right to free speech.

In this episode, Kevin interviews Joe Gatewood, co-founder and co-owner of RAK Brewing Company in Frederick, Maryland. The conversation dives into the business journey, community impact and entrepreneurial philosophy behind one of the region’s most exciting new breweries. Joe shares how RAK Brewing isn’t just about beer—it’s about building local culture, living out values, and creating a brand that resonates across all of Frederick County.

Join us for an enlightening session with Xerxes Wilson from The News Journal in Wilmington, Delaware as we dive deep into the intricacies of First Amendment and free speech reporting. Discover the compelling story behind Wilson's award-winning piece on a prison boycott in Delaware, exploring the high costs of prison tablet services and the broader implications for free speech and prisoner rights. Tune in to learn about the balance between security and exploitation in the prison system, and how one man's courageous protest against exorbitant rates sparked a significant story.

Join us with The Baltimore Banner's standout achievement of 2023 with Editor-in-Chief Kimi Yoshino and Sports Editor Chris Korman. Discover how their strategic move to build a dedicated sports team has revolutionized their coverage, bringing in-depth and analytical content to Orioles and Ravens fans. From hiring top-tier journalists to engaging with the community through innovative digital platforms, Kimi and Chris share their journey of expanding The Banner's sports journalism. Learn about their unique approach to humanizing athletes, the impact of their coverage on subscriptions and their plans for the future. Don't miss this insightful conversation about the best moves in sports journalism!

In this episode of Marketing Pros, host Kevin Berrier dives deep into the evolving world of social media marketing and the impact of AI with Ross Gray, co-founder and COO of Cloud Campaign. Together, they explore how businesses and marketers can balance the efficiency of AI tools with the human touch needed for authentic engagement.

What You’ll Learn:

• How AI can optimize your social media content while keeping it personal.
• Why authenticity still outshines AI-generated posts in performance.
• The importance of data-driven strategies like optimizing post timing and content type.
• Real-life examples of effective evergreen and real-time content.
• The risks and ethics of using AI, and how to mitigate “AI hallucinations.”

Ross also shares insights into trends shaping the future of social media, including the rise of pop-culture-driven content and the evolving role of AI in marketing. Plus, get a sneak peek into what’s next for Cloud Campaign.

Whether you're a marketer, business owner, or social media enthusiast, this episode offers actionable tips and a fresh perspective on leveraging AI while staying authentic.

Shoutout:
Check out Cloud Campaign for powerful tools to elevate your social media game.

Follow us, share the love, and let’s make your content strategy unstoppable!

What does it take for news organizations to evolve and stay relevant? In this episode, Rebecca is joined by Emily Ristow, Director of Journalism Strategy at the American Press Institute, who shares key innovation lessons from the Table Stakes Local News Transformation Program. Drawing from her own experience and years of coaching media teams, Emily unpacks the mindset shifts, tactical strategies, and organizational habits that lead to meaningful change.

Rebecca Snyder sits down with Deborah Caldwell, CEO of Religion News Service, for an in-depth conversation about the evolving role of religion in American journalism. Deborah unpacks why religion reporting still matters and shares how local faith communities often act as vital civic infrastructure. She also explains how RNS bridges the gap between tradition and modernity. This episode offers a thoughtful look at how religion intersects with politics, community, and culture in complex and often surprising ways.

CORRECTION: Emily Sachs states the Dart Center was founded in 1994, but it was founded in 1999.

Journalists often report on the worst moments of others' lives, but who supports them? In this episode, Emily Sachs, clinical psychologist and director of the Journalist Trauma Support Network (a project of the Dart Center at Columbia Journalism School), unpacks the unseen toll journalism can take. We explore how trauma manifests in the newsroom, what makes journalists uniquely vulnerable and how JTSN is training therapists to meet these challenges with industry-specific insight. Sachs also shares actionable ways journalists can protect their mental health and reclaim joy in their work before burnout becomes a breaking point.

Resources can be found at JTSN.org.

What does local journalism look like in the age of evolving media platforms? In this episode, longtime columnist and radio host Dan Rodricks joins Rebecca to talk about adapting storytelling for today's audiences. From his decades at The Baltimore Sun to his new audio column, Dan shares insights on sustaining local journalism, experimenting with audio formats and why personal narrative still matters. It’s a conversation about voice, format and the future of local news.

Rebecca Snyder sits down with the remarkable Denise Dorsey, who recently retired after an incredible 48-year career at The Afro. From her start in the advertising department in 1976 to her pivotal role as production manager, Denise reflects on how the paper—and the Black press—has evolved over the decades. She shares insights on shifting from wax and teletype to digital media, the vital legacy of print in a tech-driven world, and what it meant to grow in a mission-focused newsroom. A powerful conversation about history, resilience, and Black excellence.

Rebecca Snyder sits down with Lisa Snowden, founder of the Baltimore Beat, to reflect on the 10th anniversary of Freddie Gray’s death and the uprising that followed. Lisa shares the process behind the Beat’s commemorative coverage, her collaboration with the Baltimore Museum of Art and photographer Devin Allen, and her commitment to telling the stories of those too often left out of the narrative. From grassroots storytelling at Lexington Market to mentoring future journalists, Lisa speaks candidly about the role of journalism, community and truth in shaping Baltimore’s future.