Informed Reporting

DescriptionIt’s never easy starting out in your first job as a reporter, but trying doing it right as a historic pandemic takes hold of the country. Follow that up with two police-involved fatal shootings, and you have the first few years of Anna Huntsman’s journalism career at Ideastream Public Radio in Cleveland, Ohio. In this episode, she talks candidly about how hard her first years were and how she coped with everything from isolation to protests and bodycam footage. She also shares valuable lessons for new and younger journalists, plus some of her favorite stories.Chapters00:00 Show Open01:15 Anna Welcome01:49 Anna's Career Journey03:25 Falling in Love with Audio Storytelling05:40 New Reporter Covering the Pandemic08:27 Life without a Newsroom11:06 Navigating a Pandemic12:45 From a Pandemic to Civil Unrest16:14 High Stress/High Emotion as a New Reporter19:37 Another Police-Involved Shooting21:55 Reporting on Graphic Body Cam Footage23:37 Staying Focused on the Role24:55 Coping with the Emotional Burden26:51 Finding Joy in Hobbies30:04 Lessons Learned about Boundaries and Capacity35:20 Reflecting on Growth38:54 Reflecting on Best Work43:31 ConclusionShow NotesAnna’s Bio: https://www.ideastream.org/news/people/anna-huntsmanAnna’s Series, “Hidden History”: https://www.ideastream.org/hidden-historyOn Instagram: @ideastreamneoAnna’s Story “Wooster Woman Shares Barriers Deaf Immigrants Face in Citizenship Process”: https://www.ideastream.org/community/2025-03-03/journey-is-not-yet-over-wooster-woman-shares-barriers-deaf-immigrants-face-in-citizenship-processNames/Organizations/Events Mentioned: Kent State University School of Media and Journalism: www.kent.edu/mdjNews21 Fellowship: https://news21.com/join-our-team/Amanda Rabinowitz: https://www.ideastream.org/news/people/amanda-rabinowitz2022 – Jayland Walker: https://www.ideastream.org/tags/jayland-walker2024 – Jazmir Tucker: https://www.ideastream.org/tags/jazmir-tucker 

DescriptionIn this episode, Dr. Denetra Walker breaks down the findings of her study, “’I saw a modern-day lynching’ – Black Journalists’ experiences of trauma #reportingwhileblack,” which was published in Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly in 2025. She provides a fascinating look into the emotional trauma the story caused for her study participants, plus the delicate balancing act Black journalists faced while reporting under such volatile conditions. It’s an eye-opening look into how journalists of color navigated such a racially polarizing story.Chapters00:00 Open01:06 Intro to Dr. Denetra Walker05:17 Academia is NOT like News!07:09 Why did she do her study?10:00 Black Journalists' Reactions to the Video of George Floyd14:02 The Emotional Toll of Covering Black Deaths15:58 Black Journalists' Struggle with the Decision to Watch the Video18:18 Contributions of Newsroom Culture21:16 Needing a Break but not wanting to Take One26:37 The Compounding of Emotional Burden27:56 Black Journalists and Extreme Self-Monitoring33:14 Black Journalists Caught in the Middle35:28 Seeking Emotional Support36:53 The Pursuit of "Objectivity"40:15 The Personal Connection in Storytelling43:09 More on Extreme Self-Monitoring46:06 Added Pressure and Trauma Symptoms47:37 Bringing Research to the Classroom52:04 Bringing Research to the Newsroom56:38 George Floyd Still Resonates58:11 Future Research Directions01:01:51 ClosingShow NotesLearn more about Dr. Denetra Walker here. Contact Dr. Walker: [email protected] Citation: Walker, D. (2025). “I Saw a Modern-Day Lynching”: Black Journalists’ Experiences of Trauma #ReportingWhileBlack. Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly (online first August 27, 2025), DOI: 10.1177/10776990251361797

Description Jesus Ayala was an award-winning TV news producer with ABC News before becoming a broadcast journalism professor (where he continues to win awards).  In this episode, he speaks candidly about his battle with complex PTSD that eventually drove him from journalism, and how he now uses his experience to help better prepare his students and other journalists for the potential dangers of the job. He also offers key takeaways from his study of journalists who covered the Uvalde school shooting on how to recognize if trauma is taking its toll on you.Chapter List00:00 Introduction to the Journey01:17 From National TV News to Academia05:38 Battling Complex PTSD10:35 Difficulty Finding Support at Work14:16 Emotional Numbing as Coping15:20 The Path to Recovery19:17 Too Good to get a Needed Break22:15 Industry Challenges to Trauma Awareness25:18 Why Study Uvalde?29:24 Study Results: Physical Symptoms of Trauma33:27 Study Results: Evolution of Symptoms Over Time36:30 Study Results: Compassion Fatigue and Guilt39:58 Study Results: Journalists Don't Need Permission to Feel42:46 Best Practices for Newsrooms: Debriefing47:22 Incorporating Research in the Classroom49:08 The Importance of Mindfulness Techniques51:27 What's next for his research?54:06 How to Connect with Jose54:44 ConclusionShow NotesJesus Ayala BioOne Year in Uvalde: Mapping Journalists' Trauma Responses in the Aftermath of a Mass Shooting

In this episode of Informed Reporting, Dr. Lisa Krantz discusses her transition from an award-winning career in journalism to academia, focusing on the intersection of journalism and trauma. She shares her experiences covering mass shootings, particularly in Sutherland Springs and Uvalde, and the emotional toll it takes on journalists. The discussion highlights findings from her dissertation that included interviewing both the victims from Uvalde and the journalists who covered them. She emphasizes the importance of building trust with communities, the need for trauma-informed journalism education, and the myth of maintaining objectivity in the face of tragedy.Chapters00:00 Opening01:10 Introduction03:13 Trauma & Journalism - Sutherland Springs06:43 Discovering a Curiosity for Trauma Research10:14 Research Focus: Uvalde Mass Shooting13:24 Revisiting Uvalde17:20 Research Findings: Victims' Experience22:17 Not All Journalists are the Same24:15 Research Findings: Journalists' Experience29:07 Do journalists know they can be traumatized?32:09 The Myth of Objectivity40:32 Training and Education48:26 Conclusion49:51 CloseShow NotesFor more information on the Ochberg Fellowship: https://gcjt.org/programs/fellowshipsFor more information on the Nieman Fellowship: https://nieman.harvard.edu/fellowships/The Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma is now known as the Global Center for Journalism and Trauma: https://gcjt.org/Learn more about Dr. Krant’z Pulitzer Prize: https://www.umt.edu/news/2024/05/051424puli.phpTo learn more about Dr. Kratz’s Photojournalism: https://www.lisakrantz.com/

Description:In this candid conversation, Meteorologist and Journalist Stephanie Weaver talks about her successes and challenges in her career, balancing work and home as a mom, covering the LA wildfires in 2025, and learning to be her own best advocate. She also talks about her podcast, “I am Not a Weather Girl,” and offers advice for journalists who are new to the field.Chapters00:00 Introduction01:07 Getting to Know Stephanie Weaver02:33 Her Winding Path to Journalism05:17 Starting off in Film Making06:27 Sometimes it's not a straight path07:39 Adding Meteorology to the Mix12:21 Covering the Los Angeles Wildfires16:42 Balancing Emotions in Reporting20:56 How the Fires Compared to Other Stories23:50 Challenges of Perfectionism and Identity27:10 Managing Anxiety29:55 Embracing Change and Career Pivots31:05 The Transition to Parenthood and Professional Life34:02 Shifting Perspectives as a Parent36:03 Managing Anxiety in High-Stress Environments38:34 Finding Work-Life Balance as a Journalist40:02 Advocating for Yourself in Your Career41:56 Lessons Learned44:25 Navigating Career Setbacks and Uncertainties46:42 "I am not a Weather Girl" Podcast49:21 Journalists are Humans, Too50:41 Looking Ahead51:38 ConclusionShow NotesStephanie Weaver Bio - https://www.livenowfox.com/person/w/stephanie-weaverI am Not a Weather Girl Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-am-not-a-weather-girl-podcast/id1800807293Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Py5UrDpav80Instagram: @stephweaverTV

DescriptionDr. Kari James is an accomplished clinician, researcher, educator and advocate for resilience after trauma. In this fascinating conversation, we dig into her main area of research – moral injury – and how it applies to journalists. We talk about what causes moral injury and how it’s different from, but often confused with, PTSD. We also talk about symptoms and how to build resilience against moral injury, along with what newsrooms and journalism education programs can do to help. I hope you enjoy this really interesting episode filled with a lot of actionable information and tools. Kari was a pleasure to talk with and she deserves special thanks for working through a 15-hour time difference to get this episode recorded!Chapter List00:00 Introduction02:55 How she began to study Moral Injury04:31 Moral Injury Defined06:42 Moral Injury and PTSD are not the same08:36 Origins of Moral Injury Research11:01 Causes of Moral Injury15:44 Symptoms of Moral Injury17:40 The Evolution of Moral Injury Symptoms21:12 The Importance of Debriefing21:45 Differences in Treatment31:43 Consequences of Failing to Seek Treatment35:45 Susceptibility to Moral Injury37:37 Moral Injury and Identity45:10 Organizational Support and Moral Injury47:20 Factors Influencing Resilience49:13 Seeking Treatment52:25 The Importance of Open Dialogue55:30 Future Research Directions in Moral Injury56:49 ConclusionShow NotesMission Resilient with Dr. Kari James - https://missionresilient.com/Dr. Kari James LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-kari-james-61a7b9299/Follow Dr. Kari James on Instagram - @drkarijamesGlobal Center for Journalism and Trauma - https://gcjt.org/Center of Excellence for Trauma Research and Policy - https://www.phoenixaustralia.org/

DescriptionCharlie Scudder is an award-winning journalist from Dallas, Texas. He’s covered many tragedies including the 2016 Dallas police shootings, the 2019 shooting spree in Midland-Odessa, and the school shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde in 2022. In this episode Charlie candidly discusses his struggles with mental health because of his work, and the tools he learned to use to keep him healthy and able to continue doing important journalism. He also talks about how he applies his experiences to his teaching at Southern Methodist University. This episode is a must-listen for anyone wanting to understand more about how journalists can struggle with mental health and the best ways to deal with it.Chapter list00:00 Charlie Scudder's Background and Career03:27 Covering the 2016 Dallas Shootings07:40 Charlie's Trauma Journey12:26 Escalating Symptoms of Trauma Exposure15:24 The Role of Newsrooms17:51 Seeking Help for Trauma Exposure22:24 Journalists Are First Responders26:18 Covering Uvalde31:48 Learning the Tools for Resilience34:50 Trauma Informed Journalism Education40:08 Advice for Journalists43:54 Charlie's Other Projects51:01 ConclusionShow NotesCharlie’s Bio https://www.smu.edu/meadows/areasofstudy/journalism/faculty/scuddercharlieCheck out Charlie’s work on Seasons 2 & 4 of “The Unforgotten” Podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-unforgotten/id1752378130https://open.spotify.com/show/6eTkJLdWysymSWKLQd9R5zFollow Charlie on Instagram - @cscudder15Other mentions in the podcastGlobal Center for Journalism and Trauma https://gcjt.org/Dallas Morning News Coverage of the 2016 Police Shootings https://www.pulitzer.org/finalists/staff-190

DescriptionIn this inaugural episode of the “Informed Reporting” podcast, Drs. Gretchen Hoak and Adrienne Garvey explore the often-overlooked issue of trauma in journalism, discussing personal experiences, coping mechanisms, and the role of academia in addressing these challenges. The conversation highlights the importance of peer support, the impact of newsroom culture, and the need for mental health resources. They also discuss innovative approaches like therapy dogs in newsrooms and the necessity of integrating trauma education into journalism training programs.Chapter List00:00 Getting to know Dr. Garvey03:17 Unpacking Trauma in the Newsroom07:18 Dr. Garvey's Introduction to Trauma Research09:52 Trauma is Not Just for War Journalists14:03 Coping Mechanisms21:14 Newsroom Culture23:01 Who doesn't love dogs?28:44 Teaching Trauma Literacy37:23 Closing38:27 CreditsShow NotesLinks to studies and information mentioned during the show:2006 Amish school Shooting – Lancaster, PAFreinkel, Koopman and Spiegel (1994) Dissociative Symptoms in Media Eyewitnesses of an Execution.Dworznik and Garvey (2019) Are we teaching trauma?Anderson and Bourke (2020) Teaching collegiate journalists how to cover traumatic events using Moral Development TheoryNewman, Madrigal and Hight (2023) The inconsistency of trauma-related journalism education goals and instructionAoki, et al. (2012) Mental illness among journalists: A systematic reviewPyevich, et al. (2003) The relationship among cognitive schemas, job-related traumatic exposure and posttraumatic stress disorder in journalists

Coming March 16, a new podcast for journalists, journalism students and educators. Join host Dr. Gretchen Hoak, former reporter turned journalism professor, to talk candidly about what it's like to chase the story. Each week, hear from researchers, professors, and working journalists about the harder parts of the job that journalists don't get trained for.