Abby Phillip on the Myth of Meritocracy

Today, Sali sits down with Abby Phillip, the host of NewsNight with Abby Phillip on CNN. Since joining the network in 2017, Abby has covered the biggest headlines in the country and around the globe. Notably, she also co-moderated the democratic debate for the 2020 presidential election.A self-professed introvert, Abby got her start in print and digital media and never set out to be on television. But today, she’s widely recognized as one of the most prominent voices of political news. Just last week, she also released her debut book, A Dream Deferred: Jesse Jackson and the Fight for Black Political Power (be sure to pick up a copy!), which has been years in the making and documents the legacy of the political and civil rights leader.As a journalist, Abby is a steady, calming presence among a slew of emotionally charged headlines. She sits down to share her career story, including:why she switched from pre-med to journalism while at Harvard.feeling like a fish out of water in the workplace, and the “myth” about hard work and merit.why she waited a year to accept a job on camera at CNN.how the 2020 democratic debate was both a career high and a career low.and, her advice for future journalists: “be a good guy.”On Sali: Argent Double-Breasted Blazer, Soho Trouser, and Fine CrewneckOn Abby: Argent Double-Breasted Crewneck BlazerWork Friends CreditsHosted by Sali Christeson @salichristesonProduced by Gina Marinelli @ginaalilbitEdited by Ryan WoldoffTheme Song by Karina DePiano @sheplaysdepiano & Melanie Nyema @melanienyemaRecorded at Podstream Studio @podstreamstudioWork Friends is produced by ARGENT (www.argentwork.com), a women’s clothing label on a mission to redefine workwear and drive forward women’s progress. For more, follow ARGENT on Instagram, @ARGENT, and subscribe to the ARGENT YouTube channel, @ARGENTWork, for clips and bonus content. To be featured on a future episode, email your work questions and dilemmas to [email protected] for a chance to have one of our amazing guests weigh in with advice.