Five Dubs Podcast

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Walt Potter and Elizabeth Stephens of the Reynolds Journalism Institute at the University of Missouri about the Potter Digital Ambassadors program, which sends student digital natives into small community newsrooms for an intensive week of hands-on work. Stephens explains how ambassadors help newsrooms with little or no digital staff launch email newsletters, bu...

Disclaimer: Ms. Tyler’s account of the events discussed in this episode reflects her personal understanding alone. The related cases remain pending, and any allegations discussed should not be interpreted as findings of guilt. In this episode, Kevin Berrier talks with Niki Tyler, founder of Call the Cleaners, about the unimaginable loss of her daughter Danielle and the long journey back to finding...

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Baltimore author, journalist, and educator D. Watkins about The Engagement, his new magazine-style radio show launching October 19th on WYPR and Baltimore Public Media. Watkins explains why he believes the best conversations happen on public radio, how the show will bring sources directly into dialogue with the audience, and why he’s committed to interviewing pe...

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Judy Diaz of Delmarva Public Media and Craig Swagler of Baltimore Public Media about the partnership their organizations announced this past July. Diaz and Swagler, who serve non-overlapping audiences across Maryland’s Eastern Shore and Baltimore, explain how the loss of federal funding (a 25% budget hit for Delmarva, 6% for Baltimore) pushed them toward collabo...

In this episode, Danielle Coffey of the News Media Alliance sits down with Maryland Congressman Jamie Raskin for a fireside chat on press freedom, recorded in the wake of a week that saw reporters from across the political spectrum pushed out of a Pentagon briefing. Raskin reflects on what he sees as a broader pattern of pressure on institutions, from law firms to universities to newsrooms, and ar...

In this episode, Kevin Berrier talks with Hesham Hafez, Kareem Hafez, and Chef Lance of SOSS Bros about how a decade-old family sauce recipe grew into a standout brand. They share the story behind the name, how a $100 bottle request helped spark the business, and why "sauce over everything" became their guiding mantra. They also dig into the marketing behind the brand, from edgy social media hooks...

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Kate Cimini, investigations editor at The Baltimore Sun, about her award-winning investigative reporting and life as a journalist. Cimini's series on child welfare at Maryland's Free State Challenge Academy, a National Guard-run program for at-risk youth, won first place in the MDDC/AMARC Foundation contest this year. She walks through how a single news tip led...

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Danyelle White, Chief of Content at The Salt Lake Tribune, about the newsroom’s journey through digital transformation and what it means to practice “conscious disruption.” White explains how identifying root problems, listening to audiences, and focusing on outcomes has helped the Tribune rethink its coverage, workflows, and relationship with readers. They disc...

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Rebecca Sinderbrand, the newly named president of the National Press Foundation, about the foundation’s mission to support journalists through training, fellowships, mentorship, and professional development. Sinderbrand discusses how the organization helps working journalists strengthen their skills, build connections with experts and colleagues, and stay equipp...

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Joedy McCreary, senior reporter at OpenSecrets.org , about following the money behind political campaigns and public policy. Joedy discusses his reporting on Maryland’s 6th Congressional District, where candidates spent millions of dollars of their own money, and explains how OpenSecrets tracks campaign contributions, self-funding, lobbying, super PACs, and dark...

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Jeremy Cox, reporter for the Chesapeake Bay Journal, about the publication’s Bay Journal Newscast and its approach to reaching audiences through audio. Jeremy explains how the monthly podcast gives listeners a quick, conversational look at the most important environmental stories across the Chesapeake Bay watershed, while also standing on its own as a source of...

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Tom Rosenstiel, professor of practice at the University of Maryland and author of The Next Journalism , about how journalism must evolve to better serve the public. Tom explains why the fundamental principles of journalism remain essential, while the ways journalists deliver value to their audiences must change. They discuss the idea of making journalism indispe...

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Mike McClure, publisher and owner of Morningstar Publications, about the 30th anniversary of the Seaford Star and Laurel Star. Mike reflects on the publications’ three decades of hyper-local coverage in Western Sussex County and the importance of being present at the town meetings, school events, sports, festivals, and community gatherings that matter most to lo...

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Rufus Friday, executive director of the Center for Integrity in News Reporting, about new research examining how Americans evaluate and trust national news organizations. Rufus explains the findings from a nationwide survey of 11 major news outlets, highlighting the low levels of public trust, the growing difficulty audiences have distinguishing news from opinio...

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Christina Sturdivant Sani, executive editor of The 51st, about the organization's innovative Community Connectors program and its approach to building trust through community engagement. Christina explains how The 51st—a worker-led nonprofit newsroom serving Washington, D.C.—hires trusted community members to gather feedback, identify story ideas, and ensure its...

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Cassie Sciortino, director of legal, and Regan Smith, senior vice president and general counsel at the News Media Alliance, about how AI is reshaping the news industry and the organization's efforts to help publishers protect and monetize their content. They discuss the legal and policy challenges surrounding AI training, copyright, and transparency, while expla...

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Chris Gunty of the Catholic Review, Andy Schotz of The Frederick News-Post, and Matt Sullivan of Spotlight Delaware about the insights they brought home from the Kiplinger Fellowship's Saving Local News: A Practical Guide . They reflect on the value of stepping away from the day-to-day demands of the newsroom to exchange ideas with journalists from across the co...

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Bob Cohn, president and CEO of The Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism, about the organization's rapid growth and its vision for strengthening local news. Bob discusses the Institute's recent acquisition of the assets of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette , how the move fits into its long-term mission, and what the organization has learned from expanding The Balt...

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Jerry Zremski, director of the Local News Network at the University of Maryland's Philip Merrill College of Journalism, about new research exploring what audiences actually want from local news. Drawing on a statewide human-centered design study, Jerry shares six key "jobs" that people expect local journalism to fulfill—from providing agency and context to helpi...

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Brittney Hamilton, advertising director at The Frederick News-Post, and Connie Hastings, regional advertising director for Ogden Publications, about their “Best Move” of 2025: a total market advertising strategy built on old-school sales tactics. By combining print, digital, and email into bundled packages—and emphasizing cold calls, door knocking, and face-to-f...

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Orestes Baez of APG Media of the Chesapeake and Betsy Griffin of The Star-Democrat about their “Best Move” of 2025: a full-scale overhaul of their newsletter strategy. What began as a fragmented system evolved into a unified, high-performing product reaching more than 96,000 subscribers with open rates well above industry averages. They discuss how restructuring...

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Marlene Harris-Taylor of the American Press Institute about how community engagement can help local news organizations build stronger relationships with the people they serve. Marlene explains the difference between audience engagement and community engagement, sharing how newsrooms can move beyond simply attracting readers and instead become trusted conveners,...

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Anna Trammell of the Internet Archive and Kristen Hare of the Poynter Institute about the growing challenge of preserving local journalism in a digital age. They discuss why local news serves as an essential historical record, the risks posed by disappearing websites and outdated technology, and how communities can lose access to important stories when digital a...

In this episode, Kevin talks with Sammy Papert of Pulse Research about how local media organizations can use shopping intent data and audience insights to sell advertising more effectively. They explore how consumer research can help sales teams move beyond transactional selling and become trusted advisors for local businesses by using real data to guide marketing conversations. The discussion cov...

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Nate Jones, FOIA director at The Washington Post, about the strategies, challenges, and importance of public records reporting. Drawing from decades of experience filing thousands of FOIA requests, Nate explains how journalists can better navigate federal and state transparency laws, from crafting effective requests to pushing back against delays and excessive r...