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
Paul Thompson on Truth, Tough Questions and Running the Phoenix Business Journal
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In this episode of Off Deadline, host Melissa DiGianfilippo sits down with Paul Thompson, Managing Editor of the Phoenix Business Journal, for an honest conversation about journalism, leadership, and responsibility in today’s media landscape.
Paul reflects on how covering crime early in his career shaped his approach to reporting, why journalists must chase difficult stories, and how newsroom debates help sharpen truth rather than dilute it. He also discusses separating emotion from reporting, managing pressure under deadline, and what business journalism gets right and wrong in the public eye.
Discussion highlights
- Finding his path into journalism
- Early crime reporting and emotional resilience
- Why tough questions still matter
- Separating personal opinion from reporting
- Editorial judgment and newsroom debates
- Leading reporters under pressure
- Business journalism and public accountability
- Media trust, credibility and transparency
- Technology, AI and the future of news
Paul’s episode offers a thoughtful look at the responsibility behind editorial decisions and the leadership required to run a modern newsroom.
🎧 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
