The Upward Spiral: Deconstructing Solutions Journalism

How can solutions journalism help newsrooms build stronger, more meaningful bonds with the communities they serve? In this episode of The Upward Spiral, we head to Lisbon to explore how Mensagem de Lisboa, a hyperlocal digital newsroom, is putting solutions journalism into practice through live reporting, community events, and deep listening.We’re joined by founder and editor Catarina Carvalho, whose newsroom blends rigorous reporting with live journalism, neighborhood conversations, and deep listening. Catarina shares what it means to do “community-first” journalism on a small scale, how participation shapes editorial choices, and why being embedded in a city can build trust in ways large newsrooms often struggle to achieve. 🎙️ Tune in to hear how journalism can sit right in the middle of the street—and why that’s exactly where it belongs.Show notes:Follow Mensagem de Lisboa here: https://amensagem.pt/

Solutions journalism doesn’t stop at the border. Sometimes, the best answers to pressing problems are found by looking abroad.In this episode of The Upward Spiral, we talk to Radka Zitková, journalist at Czech magazine, Heroine, about how her team used cross-border reporting to explore new approaches to parental leave. By comparing policies in Spain and Germany with the Czech context, their reporting revealed powerful insights that sparked public debate, reached policymakers, and even made its way to the Czech parliament.We dig into the craft of cross-border solutions journalism—how to choose relevant examples, overcome research challenges, and balance evidence with human stories. This episode is a guide for journalists curious about how global perspectives can shape local change.Resources:Read “Dads on Parental Leave,” a series of cross-border solutions journalism articles published by the Czech magazine Heroine with the support of Transitions’ Solutions Journalism program.Here is the Climate Action Playbook, your go-to guide for climate solutions reporting.

What makes a great solutions journalism story? How do editors ensure rigorous, evidence-based reporting while keeping narratives compelling? In this episode, we turn to the people who shape these stories—editors. Joining us are Ky Krauthamer, senior editor at Transitions, and Jeremy Druker, Executive Director and Editor in Chief at Transitions, who have worked on hundreds of stories from Central and Eastern Europe. Together, we break down the key elements of impactful solutions journalism, common mistakes reporters make, and how to strike the right balance between storytelling and accuracy. From fact-checking strategies to the best narrative structures, this episode is packed with insights for journalists and editors alike. Tune in! Show notes: ‘Humanitarian Warriors’ and ‘Belarusian Diaspora Helps Victims of Repression,’ are the two stories published on Transitions' online solutions journalism magazine mentioned in the episode.

Solutions journalism is all about in-depth, rigorous reporting on effective responses to social problems – but how does one measure impact? How do we know if a response is really working? In this episode of The Upward Spiral we talk to journalist Kathrin Yaormich who recently wrote a solutions journalism story for Transitions on L’Chaim, a volunteer-run, civil society organization aiding sex workers in the Czech Republic. We dig deeper into the challenges of solutions reporting and best practices such as having a critical mindset, looking out for secondary impact, being honest with your readers, contextualizing the evidence and limitations, and more.If you enjoyed our podcast and would like to know more about our work, follow us here for more solutions journalism-related resources, news, and our latest stories!

The Upward Spiral is a podcast series where we deconstruct solutions journalism and explore the opportunities and challenges when journalists undertake solutions-focused reporting.