How to be a Journalist

Today's guest is Women's Super League chief revenue officer Zarah Al-Kudcy. Hear insights about Zarah's current role at WSL and how she drives revenue to the league as women's sport and especially women's football continues to boom. Including insights about building player profiles, her time working at Formula 1 and how she made the pivot from working as a sports reporter into the world of business. Zarah was also a trainee on the second ever News Associates journalism training course. This episode is a part of a 20th anniversary of News Associates special. If you're curious about the transferrable skills a career in journalism can give, then this is the episode for you!Listen out for Ella Toone, Daniel Ricciardo and Caitlin Clark references across the episode. Follow News Associates to keep up to date with each episode release. Edited by Plamedi Mbungu and Oscar Stevens.Music by Alfie Smith.

Today's guest is The Observer sports reporter George Simms. Hear insights about George’s current role, experience covering major sporting events like the Tour De France and Australian Open. George trained on our 2022 sports journalism course and has gone from stride to stride since completing his NCTJ. George has carved out speciality of covering stories regarding neurodivergence in sport, interviewing the likes of James Haskell with poise and most importantly he consistently does the stories of those he interviews with justice. If the prospect of becoming a sports journalist is of interest to you, then this episode is a must-listen.Follow News Associates to keep up to date with each episode release. Edited by Plamedi Mbungu.Music by Alfie Smith.

Welcome to the ‘How to be a Journalist’ podcast. In celebration of News Associates’ 20th Year anniversary, throughout 2026 we’re going to be interviewing people who have been there and done it. Whether it’s accomplished grads in our industry and even those who have taken the skills they’ve learnt on the course and taken other industries by storm. In 20 years, there have been many successes with NA grads finding themselves in a variety of positions from editors to MPs to athletes all using the skills they've learnt on an NA course to good use. Our special guest for our second #NA20 special is PodX chief revenue officer and #TeamNA grad Matthew Sherry. Hear insights about Matthew's pivot into the world of business founding both Platform Media and Gridiron Magazine, time working as a sports journalist for the Press Association. Matthew trained on News Associates fast-track course in 2009 when he was 18 years-old and cites the time as a period which gave him a vital grounding that then set him on the unique journey. From interviewing NFL hall of famers and launching The Good, The Bad & The Rugby with Mike Tindall, Alex Payne and James Haskell. Tune in for a fascinated listen. Listen to full 'How to be a Journalist' episodes on Spotify and Apple Podcasts 👉 https://creators.spotify.com/pod/prof... Follow News Associates to keep up to date with each episode release. Edited, produced and presented by Plamedi Mbungu.

Today's guest is former BBC Newsnight producer and keynote speaker Sam McAlister. Hear insights on how Sam helped deliver one of the most explosive interviews of the century exposing disgraced Prince Andrew, time working at the BBC, and how her best-selling book 'Scoops' became a hit Netflix film. Sam speaks candidly about how she never allowed her working class background to stop her from making a name for herself in the media with style and determination. Follow News Associates to keep up to date with each episode release. Edited by Plamedi Mbungu. Produced by Ajay Smith, Asha Rajoriya, Grace Crowley and Jonny Singh.

In our first 20th anniversary special of 'How to be a Journalist' our guests for this week's episode of the pod are pivotal in the story of News Associates. So, to lend Plamedi a hand in understanding the story of News Associates James Toney and Richard Parsons tell the story of NA's beginnings, highlights and obstacles faced within 20 years. Hear insights about the changing media landscape and how NA went from upstarts to the best journalism training school in the country. In 20 years, there have been many successes with NA grads finding themselves in a variety of positions from editors to MPs to athletes all using the skills they've learnt on an NA course to good use. Follow News Associates to keep up to date with each episode release. Edited and presented by Plamedi Mbungu.Produced by Grace Crowley.

Welcome to the ‘How to be a Journalist’ podcast and today we’re going to be breaking down a year of the pod. In a HTBAJ-first, Grace, the producer behind the pod will be interviewing Plamedi as 2025 comes to an end. Expect laughs and anecdotes in this special one-off episode, expect more on the BHM mini-series, a live rendition of the podcast for JournoFest at the Twickenham Stoop and the story behind the podcast and how it came to be!Follow News Associates to keep up to date with each episode release. Presented by Grace Crowley. Edited by Jonny Singh and Plamedi Mbungu.

Today's guest is senior podcast producer Anna Staufenberg. Hear insights on Anna's work on Al-Jazeera's 'True Crime Reports' podcast series covering stories from the Global South and beyond, time on her NCTJ qualification with News Associates and tips and tricks for breaking into the world of podcasts and documentaries. For those of you interested in getting into the narrative world of audio this is the episode for you. Listen to full 'How to be a Journalist' episodes on Spotify and Apple Podcasts 👉 https://creators.spotify.com/pod/prof... Follow News Associates to keep up to date with each episode release. Edited by Plamedi Mbungu.

This Black History Month, we’re celebrating the trailblazers who have carved space in this industry while pushing for more inclusion, representation and accountability in journalism ✨Our final guest for our Black History Month mini-series of 'How to be a Journalist' is Grace McIntosh.Hear insights about Grace's time at Radio News Hub where she covered various events spanning the US Presidential election in Washington to the Harehills riots and the Southport attacks. Grace also started her own podcast, Quarter-life Questions which aims to make adulting clearer and easier for 20-somethings. Follow News Associates to keep up to date with each episode release. Produced and edited by Plamedi Mbungu.Edited by Asha Rajoriya. Backing track by Alfie Smith.

This Black History Month, we’re celebrating the trailblazers who have carved space in this industry while pushing for more inclusion, representation and accountability in journalism ✨Our third guest for our Black History Month mini-series of 'How to be a Journalist' is Global Citizen content creator Fadeke Banjo.Hear insights about Fadeke's current role at advocacy platform Global Citizen, creating her cultural commentary and pop culture channel The Flo, and how she makes her own opportunities.A big takeaway Plamedi had from episode three of the mini-series is the importance of putting yourself out there and making your own success through sheer willpower. Listen to full 'How to be a Journalist' episodes on Spotify and Apple Podcasts 👉 https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/how-to-be-a-journalistFollow News Associates to keep up to date with each episode release. Produced and edited by Plamedi Mbungu.Edited by Ajay Smith.Backing track by Alfie Smith.

This Black History Month, we’re celebrating the trailblazers who have carved space in this industry while pushing for more inclusion, representation and accountability in journalism ✨Our second guest for our special Black History Month mini-series is Channel 4 sports news correspondent and founder of Blakademik Jordan Jarrett-Bryan ✨⁣Hear about Jordan's unorthodox route into journalism that saw him go from playing wheelchair basketball professionally in mainland Europe and for Team GB to leading Channel 4's Paralympic Games coverage back in 2012. A big takeaway Plamedi had from this episode of 'How to be a Journalist' is how Jordan has always and will always be unequivocally Jordan and the many opportunities he's had in his career is a testament to exactly that. Expect laughs, facts and energy in the second episode of our Black History Month special of HTBAJ ✨⁣Follow News Associates to keep up to date with each episode release. Produced and edited by Plamedi Mbungu.Photos courtesy of Jordan Jarrett-Bryan, Blakademik, Wikipedia Commons.Backing track courtesy of Alfie Smith.

This Black History Month, we’re celebrating the trailblazers who have carved space in this industry while pushing for more inclusion, representation and accountability in journalism ✨Hear about Hannah's ability to cover the African diaspora candidly, her freelance work for BBC Africa and World Service in West Africa, and how she created We Are Black Journos a platform and community that actively works for the betterment of Black Journalists in the UK experienced and aspiring.Hannah also shares her experience in her first role at the BBC where she cites being the only non-white person in her department and how that lit a fire within herself and set her on the path to become to trailblazer that stepped onto the podcast. This story is one of going against the grain and creating her own path in the industry for herself and those that followed. Expect Hannah's dynamic energy and iron-solid mindset to inspire you today!Let us know what you think of this episode in the comments.Follow News Associates to keep up to date with each episode release. Produced and edited by Plamedi Mbungu.Edited by Asha Rajoriya. Photos courtesy of Hannah Ajala. Backing track courtesy of Alfie Smith and ROUTE11.

This week we are joined by CNN enterprise writer Rob Picheta. If you're interested in becoming a political journalism or the work of a foreign correspondent this is the episode for you. In this episode of 'How to be a Journalist' Rob shares insights on his experience covering British general elections, the Ukraine-Russia war and the conflict in the middle east which saw his breaking news team pick up two Emmy awards for their coverage. Let us know what you think of this episode in the comments. Follow News Associates to keep up to date with each episode release. Edited by Plamedi Mbungu. Photos courtesy of Rob Picheta, Andrew Filer and Wikipedia.

This week we are joined by Health Service Journal senior correspondent Emily Townsend. If you're interested in becoming a health and science journalist this is the episode for you! Emily discusses her current role in the health and science sphere at Health Service Journal, TV appearances and making contacts.Emily also trained at News Associates on our fast-track before picking up her first professional role in journalism at Archant. Let us know what you think of this episode in the comments. Follow News Associates to keep up to date with each episode release. Edited by Plamedi Mbungu and Tom Horn.

This week we are joined by Sky Sports digital football reporter Sam Blitz. Sam covers topics such as his current role at Sky Sports and how his modern foreign languages have helped him throughout his career. Follow News Associates to keep up to date with each episode release. Edited by Alex Lancaster-Lennox and Plamedi Mbungu.

This week we are joined by BBC Newsbeat senior journalist reporter Eleanor Shearwood. Eleanor shares insights on her placement at talkSPORT, transitioning from a career in healthcare to journalism, and time on the News Associates fast-track course. Follow News Associates to keep up to date with each episode release. Edited by Charlotte Wilson, Tom Horn and Plamedi Mbungu.

This week we are joined by Sky Sports assistant producer Alice Reeves-Turner. Alice discusses topics such as her time studying for her NCTJ during the COVID-19 pandemic, working the Tokyo Olympic Games, and work on the award-winning 'Real Talk' podcast with Sky Sports. Follow News Associates to keep up to date with each episode release. Edited by Charlotte Wilson, Tom Horn and Plamedi Mbungu.

This week we are joined by Reporters Without Borders UK director Fiona O' Brien. Fiona discusses topics such as her work at Reuters covering conflicts in Iraq, Sudan and Rwanda. Follow News Associates to keep up to date with each episode release. Edited by Plamedi Mbungu and Charlotte Wilson.

This week we are joined by BBC Radio London reporter Adriana Elgueta. Adriana discusses topics such as her time working as a local reporter for Archant, writing for Latin American publications whilst starting out, and her love for 'Married at First Sight' in episode eight. Edited by Plamedi Mbungu and Charlotte Poddy Wilson.

This week we are joined by BuzzFeed head of O&O and Seasoned Sessions presenter and producer Hanifah Rahman, The Sports Agents executive producer Adonis Pratsides, Dansplaining co-host and creative director Jordan Rason, and PoliticsJOE junior political correspondent Laura Beveridge. In a HTBAJ first this episode was recorded from Twickenham Stoop at News Associates' annual journalism conference JournoFest. Follow News Associates to keep up to date with each episode release.

This week we are joined by The Independent news editor Sian Elvin. Sian shares her experience working for national and regional newspapers alike, covering topics such as International Women's Day and her love for The Traitors. Follow News Associates to keep up to date with each episode release.

This week we are joined by The Athletic staff editor Richard Amofa. Richard discusses his pathway into sports journalism, balancing his career with his family and his work on The Lion Who Never Roared. Follow News Associates to keep up to date with each episode release.

This week we are joined by PoliticsHome political reporter Zoe Crowther. Zoe discusses topics such as working in Parliament, the future of journalism, and the rise of new social media platforms. Follow News Associates to keep up to date with each episode release.

This week we are joined by Feature Story News reporter Sally Patterson. Sally discusses the importance of being a digital journalist in the current media landscape, her time on student media, and her move to New York. Follow News Associates to keep up to date with each episode release.

This week we are joined by Sky Sports News reporter Chris Reidy. Chris discusses the importance of building relationships, how to source interviews, and telling stories that are close to his heart. Follow News Associates to keep up to date with each episode release.

Early-career journalist Plamedi seeks the wisdom of more experienced journalists from all corners of the industry, in this free, monthly podcast, aimed at those trying to make it in the media industry. Follow News Associates to keep up to date with each episode release – TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, X, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads.

This week we are joined by Daily Mail political correspondent Kumail Jaffer. Kumail discusses his journey into political journalism, working in the lobby and his life outside of the industry. Kumail shares the best piece of advice he’s ever been given – ‘just keep writing’ – and discusses journalism work placements and building a portfolio. Follow News Associates to keep up to date with each episode release – TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, X, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads.