Five Dubs Podcast

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 They discuss why local news serves as an essential historical record, the risks posed by disappearing websites and outdated technology, and how communities can lose access to important stories when digital a...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...

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Gabe Roth, executive director of Fix the Court, about transparency and accountability within the U.S. court system. Gabe explains the organization’s efforts to increase public access to judicial information, from financial disclosures and ethics issues to courtroom access and media coverage. They discuss why transparency in the courts matters for both journalist...

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Simon Galperin of the Jersey Bee about rethinking the traditional voter guide to better serve modern audiences. Simon shares how his team approached building a guide that is more accessible, engaging, and useful for voters—moving beyond static formats to create something that meets people where they are. They discuss the challenges of presenting complex politica...

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Steve Waldman of Rebuild Local News about emerging legislation designed to support and sustain local journalism. Steve explains the policy ideas gaining traction at both the state and federal levels, including tax credits, incentives, and other approaches aimed at strengthening newsroom capacity and rebuilding local coverage. They discuss how these proposals are...

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Debbie Bowden, publisher and editor of CarolineReview. News , about her “Best Move” of 2025: launching a print-on-demand version of her digital newspaper to better serve her community. Debbie explains how the idea grew out of a simple reader request and evolved into a practical solution for reaching residents without reliable internet access. They discuss the ch...

In this episode, Rebecca is joined by several nominees for MDDC’s Rookie of the Year award, highlighting early-career journalists making an impact across the region. The conversation features Kennedy Thomason of Caroline Review Magazine, Marwa Barakat of The Frederick News-Post, Nick Stonesifer of Spotlight Delaware, Shane Brennan of The News Journal/Delaware Online, and Ellie Wolfe of The Baltimo...

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Johnny Bassett of Plucky Wire about a new approach to story sharing that’s helping newsrooms collaborate more efficiently. Johnny explains how the platform grew out of the Granite State News Collaborative in New Hampshire, where the challenge of sharing stories across outlets exposed the limits of email, Google Drive, and other tools. They discuss how Plucky Wir...

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Audrey Cooper, executive editor of The Baltimore Banner, about her path to leading one of the country’s most closely watched local newsrooms. Audrey reflects on her career across print and public radio, her mission to strengthen local journalism, and what drew her to the Banner at a pivotal moment of growth. They discuss the importance of local news in fostering...

In this episode, Kevin talks with Sam Dixon, publisher of Sports Weekly+, about how a one-person effort covering high school sports grew into a thriving local media brand. Sam shares how he identified a gap in coverage during the pandemic and built a publication that blends print, digital, and social media to serve his community. They discuss the realities of running a modern local news operation—...

Rebecca is joined by reporters Jeremy Cox and Maddie O’Neill to discuss the role of investigative reporting and the importance of public records in holding institutions accountable. They talk about how journalists use records requests to uncover stories that might otherwise remain hidden, the challenges that come with navigating government transparency laws, and why access to information is essent...

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Zuri Berry, Montgomery County editor at The Baltimore Banner, about the organization’s expansion into one of Maryland’s largest and most underserved news markets. Zuri explains how the new Montgomery County bureau came together—from market research and community listening sessions to building a nine-person newsroom from scratch. They discuss the challenges of la...

In this episode, Rebecca sits down with Executive Editor Jim Johnson as he reflects on a 50-year career in journalism. From his early days in California to building and leading community newspapers in Maryland, Jim shares the lessons he’s learned about storytelling, newsroom leadership, and the enduring value of local news. They discuss the realities of newspaper ownership—especially the financial...

In this episode, Rebecca is joined by Cheryl Thompson-Morton, head of advisory programs at the Lenfest Institute, to discuss the launch of the Lenfest Expert Network. Cheryl explains how the Institute—founded to steward The Philadelphia Inquirer and strengthen local journalism nationwide—has formalized its consulting expertise to better support newsrooms across the country. They explore the bigges...

In this episode, Rebecca sits down with Kevin Berrier, marketing director at MDDC, for a wide-ranging conversation about why press associations exist and the role they play in sustaining local journalism. They reflect on the challenges and accomplishments of 2025, from revenue generation and advertising innovation to advocacy for press freedoms and public access to information. Kevin shares insigh...

In this episode, Rebecca is joined by Lauren Vella, principal of the Delaware office at Cornerstone Government Affairs, for a look ahead at what to expect from the Delaware General Assembly. They discuss leadership continuity, recent special sessions, and the governor’s priorities as lawmakers return for the second year of the two-year session. The conversation covers major issues likely to domina...

MDDC partnered with the Baltimore Public Relations Council to host a timely panel discussion on how PR professionals and journalists can work smarter together in a rapidly evolving media landscape. Featuring insights from local news leaders at The AFRO News , Baltimore Fishbowl , and The Daily Record , this conversation covers earned media, newsroom realities, and what really matters to editors in...

In this episode, Kevin talks with Jeremy Merrill of The Washington Post about an ambitious investigation into how TikTok’s recommendation algorithm really works. Jeremy explains how he and his colleagues analyzed data from more than 1,000 volunteers and 15 million videos to better understand personalization, stickiness, and scale on the platform. They discuss what the data reveals about how feeds...

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Max Mishkin of Ballard Spahr about the growing erosion of press freedoms and the legal challenges confronting journalists today. Max explains how changes in law, court decisions, and government practices are affecting public records access, source protection, and reporters’ ability to do their jobs. They discuss why these issues often fly under the radar, how lo...