Off Deadline
Off Deadline goes beyond the headlines to reveal what really happens when the cameras stop rolling and the deadlines pass. Host Melissa DiGianfilippo, Founder and CEO of Proof Publicity, creates a rare safe space where top journalists drop their professional guard to share the moments that changed everything—the ethical crossroads that kept them awake, the sources that most surprised them, the stories that broke them, and the victories no one will ever write about.
From the hilarious disasters to the heart-stopping close calls, veteran journalists share the wild, unforgettable moments that never made it into their reporting. These are the behind-the-scenes confessions, the career-defining chaos, and the human moments that remind us why journalism is equal parts calling and complete madness. This isn't about breaking news—it's about the people who lived through the craziest moments while chasing the story, and the experiences they'll never forget.
If you've ever wondered what it really takes to be a storyteller in our chaotic world, Off Deadline delivers the raw, unfiltered truth behind journalism's most compelling voices.
Watch on YouTube and listen wherever you get your podcasts!
Off Deadline
Ian Schwartz on the Aloha Spirit, Nearly Quitting News & The Most Bizarre Interview of His Career
Meteorologist and reporter Ian Schwartz of Arizona’s Family has spent nearly 20 years covering everything from blizzards and wildfires to quirky weather debates that blow up every Arizona summer. But behind the forecasts and on-air banter is a storyteller who’s seen the very best—and the very worst—of humanity.
In this episode of Off Deadline, Ian joins host Melissa DiGianfilippo of Proof Publicity to share:
- The emotional “Aloha Spirit” he witnessed while covering the Maui wildfires
- Why he once considered leaving TV news for a career in stand-up comedy
- The most bizarre interview of his career (involving a glass eye)
- How humor has helped him navigate tragedy and stay grounded
- The surprisingly unscripted nature of weather reporting (did someone say HABOOB?)
- What it’s really like when social media debates your job every summer
This episode blends heart, humor, and hard-earned perspective from one of Arizona’s most engaging TV personalities.
🎧 Listen now, watch on YouTube, and don’t forget to follow @proofpublicity for more episodes of Off Deadline.
📺 Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@proof-publicity
🔗 Check out Proof Publicity → https://proofpublicity.com