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
Melissa Anaya on Building EatDrinkAZ, Going Viral & Helping Arizona Restaurants Thrive
Melissa Anaya (@eatdrinkaz) has spent the last decade transforming EatDrinkAZ into one of Arizona’s most trusted food and lifestyle platforms. What began as a passion project turned into a viral brand — and a creative agency helping restaurants and hospitality businesses thrive.
In this episode of Off Deadline, Melissa joins Melissa DiGianfilippo (@melissadflip) of Proof Publicity to share:
- How a viral chicken video gained 50M+ views and changed everything
- The strategy behind building a trusted brand before the clients came
- How she used Eat Drink AZ to help local restaurants survive COVID
- Turning viral moments into a full-fledged creative agency
- The truth about restaurant culture and maintaining authenticity
- Balancing entrepreneurship, motherhood, and mental strength
- Her vision for Arizona’s next food wave
This episode blends humor, hustle, and heart from one of the Valley’s most influential voices in food and entrepreneurship.
🎧 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
