Off Deadline

Kristina Guerrero ( @kristinaguerrero ), former E! News correspondent and host of The List , has spent over 20 years in entertainment journalism. From red carpets in Hollywood to becoming the first Latina host on E! News, Kristina’s story is about breaking barriers and finding resilience. In this episode of Off Deadline , Kristina joins Melissa DiGianfilippo ( @melissadflip ) of Proof Publicity to...

Corina Vanek , development reporter with The Arizona Republic , has spent a decade covering development, business, and the stories shaping Arizona’s growth. From breaking one of the state’s biggest scoops to facing scrutiny over controversial development stories, Corina has seen firsthand the impact journalism can have. In this episode of Off Deadline , Corina joins Melissa DiGianfilippo of Proof...

Rachel Cole ( @rachelcoletv1011 ), anchor and reporter with NBC 12 News, has spent over a decade covering Arizona’s biggest stories. From moments of raw vulnerability on assignment to the lighthearted bloopers that keep her laughing, Rachel has lived every side of journalism. In this episode of Off Deadline , Rachel joins Melissa DiGianfilippo ( @melissadflip ) of Proof Publicity to share: The fir...

Mignon Gould is the Associate Editor of the Phoenix Business Journal and a longtime advocate for inclusive storytelling in business media. With a career that spans fashion journalism, entrepreneurship, and now business reporting, she opens up about reinventing herself—and why the stories that seem small often carry the greatest weight. How Mignon made the leap from fashion journalism to business n...

Meteorologist and reporter Ian Schwartz of Arizona’s Family has spent nearly 20 years covering everything from blizzards and wildfires to quirky weather debates that blow up every Arizona summer. But behind the forecasts and on-air banter is a storyteller who’s seen the very best—and the very worst—of humanity. In this episode of Off Deadline , Ian joins host Melissa DiGianfilippo of Proof Publici...

Johnjay Van Es  co-host of the nationally syndicated Johnjay & Rich Show , joins Off Deadline for a hilarious, heartfelt, and completely unfiltered ride through his 25+ years in radio. He opens up about: The wild Rod Stewart moment that catapulted his career How a call to Oprah's dad led to a surprise call from Oprah herself Pranking another radio station live on TV with a leaf blower 😅...

What do undercover cops, a legal loophole, and one viral headline have in common?  They all collided in a story that actually changed the law —and Sam Eifling was the reporter who broke it. In this episode of Off Deadline , the Phoenix New Times Editor-in-Chief shares how a tip about Hawaii police officers legally having sex with sex workers turned into a national news frenzy. From a viral Associa...

How do you interview a grieving parent—or spend a week reporting on child drownings—without breaking down? Emmy-winning journalist Yetta Gibson of Arizona's Family opens up about the emotional toll of storytelling, the interview that changed her life, and the moment she almost walked away. From covering tragedy to discovering Chef Jeff Henderson’s untold redemption story (before Oprah and Wil...

Ever been punched by a rock star? Journalist Greg Barr has—backstage, no less. In this episode of Off Deadline, the Phoenix Business Journal Editor-in-Chief shares two of the wildest stories of his career: 🎸 The time a chart-topping artist physically attacked him after a review. ⚖️ A shocking legal case involving a Black attorney defending a Ku Klux Klan leader—for free. We explore: The wild side...

He made her laugh—and she decided to live. Brad Perry has spent 35 years on morning television, bringing joy to viewers across the country. But behind the upbeat persona is a man who’s weathered real storms—from covering hostage situations to facing the emotional weight of social media. In this episode of Off Deadline , Brad shares the moment a viewer handed him her suicide note, how he learned to...

Russ Wiles has spent 45 years telling the story of business, investing, and Arizona’s economy—including 34 years at The Arizona Republic . In this episode of Off Deadline , Russ joins Melissa DiGianfilippo to talk about why he never left the business beat, how buying his first McDonald’s stock at age 12 sparked a lifelong interest in finance, and what it was like to learn semiconductors on the fly...

Inside the life of the Arizona's Family 3TV reporter —and what really happens behind the scenes. Jaime Cerreta is more than a familiar face on Arizona’s morning news—she’s a storyteller with deep roots in the Valley and a heart that breaks wide open for her community. In this raw and honest episode of Off Deadline, Jaime joins Melissa DiGianfilippo to talk about the human side of journalism:...

Off Deadline host Melissa DiGianfilippo , Founder and CEO of Proof Publicity , creates a rare safe space where top journalists drop their professional guard to share the moments that changed everything—the ethical crossroads that kept them awake, the sources that surprised them, and the victories no one will ever write about. From hilarious disasters to heart-stopping close calls, these intimate c...