The Lead

The AJC’s Samira Jafari on journalism standards and practices

Samira Jafari works at the intersection of timeliness and truth. As the head of standards and practices at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, she guides journalists in “bringing light, not heat” to ensure ethical codes are followed and truth prevails. With more than 20 years of experience producing news content across broadcast and digital platforms at CNN and the Associated Press, Jafari works to balance editorial integrity with creative storytelling.

In this episode, we talk about determining newsworthiness, staying up-to-date on ethics codes, and building relationships with sources.

Guest: Samira Jafari, head of standards and practices at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Host: Alexis Derickson.

The AJC’s Drew Kann on climate and environment reporting

Drew Kann’s reporting has taken him to the critically dwindling Colorado River, the citrus farms of the rural South, and the nuclear reactors currently under construction in Georgia. While each story may focus on one geographic area, the core of Kann’s reporting lies in the environmental implications for the globe in its entirety. As a climate, environment and energy reporter at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, he intertwines written stories with immersive visuals and data analyses, focusing on the real, human impact of breaking and developing climate news.

In this episode, we talk about key Georgia climate trends, how to break down complex stories, and overcoming news fatigue.

Guest: Drew Kann, climate, environment and energy reporter at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Host: Alexis Derickson.

The New York Times’ Bill Ruthhart on early-career navigation

Bill Ruthhart interacts with the next generation of journalists on a daily basis. As a writing coach and editor for Career Programs at The New York Times, Ruthhart guides 30 newsroom fellows into their development as impactful reporters and writers. Growing up in a family of journalists, he previously spent time covering politics and government at the Chicago Tribune and Indianapolis Star. Ruthhart’s newsroom foundation now informs his oversight of countless journalists in their early career navigation.

In this episode, we talk about zeroing in on your niche, getting reps in early on in your career, and identifying perspectives and stories that may otherwise be overlooked.

Guest: Bill Ruthhart, writing coach and editor for Career Programs at The New York Times

Host: Alexis Derickson

Dotdash Meredith’s Annie Campbell on food journalism's push to vertical

Annie Campbell knew she didn’t want to pursue a career in hard news. When she graduated from the University of Georgia, the question that remained was how she could fuse her passions into a sustainable career path. Answering this question landed Campbell at Dotdash Meredith, where she is currently an Allrecipes associate editor. Campbell fuses her passion for food with content creation and storytelling, seeking to inform and empower all levels of home cooks. She previously served as a video talent in the “We Tried It” series.

This is the final episode of our special three-part feature highlighting different branches of culture in journalism. Today, we talk about pitching your perspective, working remotely, and finding a sustainable career path to avoid burnout.

Guest: Annie Campbell, Allrecipes associate editor at Dotdash Meredith.

Host: Alexis Derickson.

The AJC’s Olivia Wakim on food reporting

Olivia Wakim understands that every great meal tells a story. As a digital content producer on the food and dining team at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Wakim narrates the flavors and origins of the Atlanta culinary scene. Having graduated from the University of Georgia in 2023, she is already making her mark at a major news outlet, bringing a fresh perspective and digital-first mindset to food and dining coverage.

In this episode, we talk about securing a job at a major outlet post-grad, digital content trends, and keeping food coverage fresh in a competitive media space.

Guest: Olivia Wakim, digital content producer on the food and dining team at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Host: Alexis Derickson.

Country Living’s Anna Logan on home and design magazines

When Anna Logan graduated, she never expected her future career would involve posing a duck for a kitchen shoot or outsmarting the weather to capture the perfect snowy home cover. As the senior homes and style editor at Country Living magazine, Logan has found herself in unlikely settings — yet, her appreciation for creativity and the little details has remained constant across her design and decor stories.

To kick off this season, we are producing a special three-part feature highlighting different branches of culture in journalism. In this episode, we talk about the behind-the-scenes of magazine production, maintaining a brand aesthetic, and design trends for 2025.

Guest: Anna Logan, senior homes and style editor at Country Living magazine.

Host: Alexis Derickson.

Mather Economics’ Matt Lindsay on the future of journalism revenue streams

Matt Lindsay seeks to provide a new wave of revenue solutions to media publishers via innovative economic strategy. The founder and president of Mather Economics, he serves over 700 brands worldwide, including Hearst, The Wall Street Journal and CNBC, while managing over 6 billion dollars in revenue. Lindsay’s main goal is discovering new avenues for growth and profitability across print and digital platforms, maximizing revenue through increased subscriptions and reduced churn.

Today, we talk about key economic strategies for media outlets, navigating the subscription model, and diversifying your news revenue portfolio.

Guest: Matt Lindsay, founder and president of Mather Economics

Host: Alexis Derickson.

Debora Wenger on AI and fighting misinformation

Debora Wenger knows the power of a fact check. As a Google News Initiative trainer, she collaborates with journalists to fight misinformation while supporting digital transformation. At the University of Mississippi, she researches AI impacts on the future of news while serving as associate dean and professor in the School of Journalism and New Media.

With 17 years of experience in broadcast news, Debora cultivated a global perspective through her extensive career journey. She traveled internationally to work for U.S. State Department-sponsored journalism workshops and also earned a first-of-its-kind Ph.D. by publication from Kingston University in London.

In this episode, we talk about the evolving role of AI in journalism, the global differences in newsrooms and her career transitions from news producer to educator to author.

Guest: Debora Wenger, associate dean and professor in the School of Journalism and New Media at the University of Mississippi and a Google News Initiative trainer

Host: Alexis Derickson

The Nashville Post’s Nicolle Praino on connecting with communities

Nicolle Praino began her career exploring stories beyond the surface to uncover the layers of her community. From Savannah’s WTOC to CNN’s The Row, Praino built a foundation in fact-driven, research-based narratives before entering her current roles — reporter at the Nashville Post and The News and managing editor at the Williamson Scene.

With each new location, she developed relationship-building strategies to tap into the heart of her stories. Simultaneously, Praino learned what time was necessary for self-reflection after covering emotional events to continue bringing clarity to her coverage.

In this episode, we talk about covering emotional stories, shining a light on local communities and finding a work/life balance.

Guest: Nicolle Praino, reporter at the Nashville Post and The News, managing editor at the Williamson Scene.

Host: Alexis Derickson.

The Jackson Advocate’s DeAnna Tisdale Johnson on the role of local news

DeAnna Tisdale Johnson earned her master’s degree in vocal performance. Now, she uses her voice in a different way — to amplify her community’s stories and be the voice of Black Mississippians. The editor in chief and publisher of The Jackson Advocate, a Black and family-owned newspaper, Johnson is one of the youngest publishers in the history of Black newspapers.

In this episode, we talk about a solutions journalism storytelling approach, competing with national outlets as a local publisher, and the role vocal performance played in her career.

Guest: DeAnna Tisdale Johnson, editor in chief and publisher of The Jackson Advocate.

Host: Alexis Derickson.