Five Dubs Podcast

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Lorenzo Bellamy of The Bellamy Genn Group about what to expect from the upcoming Maryland legislative session. They walk through major leadership changes in the General Assembly, including a new Speaker of the House, new committee structures, and shifting dynamics between the House, Senate, and governor’s office. Lorenzo breaks down key issues likely to dominate...

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Melanie Kaplan about Lab Dog , her book exploring animal testing through reporting, personal experience, and moral inquiry. Melanie discusses rescuing a beagle who had been used in laboratory research and how that experience led her to investigate the systems, regulations, and ethical questions surrounding animal experimentation. They talk about how reporting in...

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Tracey DeFrancesco, executive director of the A-Mark Foundation, about the A-Mark Prize for Investigative Journalism and its rapid national expansion. Tracy explains how the prize grew from a single press club award into a multi-state effort that puts real money behind investigative reporting, rewarding both journalists and their newsrooms. They discuss why inve...

In this episode, Kevin talks with Sue Kirchner of Brand Strong Marketing about brand clarity and why it’s the foundation of effective marketing for small and mid-sized businesses. Sue shares her path from global marketing roles to helping SMBs grow past the million-dollar mark by simplifying their message and sharpening their value proposition. They break down what brand clarity really means, how...

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Lois Nembhard of HumanitiesDC about the organization’s Community Journalism Training Program and why teaching journalism skills at the community level matters. Lois explains how the program grew out of HumanitiesDC’s broader mission of storytelling, how participants are trained over several weeks by working journalists, and why centering community voices is key...

In this episode, Rebecca talks with veteran journalist and media literacy expert Jane Elizabeth about how to recognize misinformation in an era when false stories travel faster than the truth. Jane breaks down the psychology behind why people believe fake news, the red flags to watch for when evaluating online sources, and the subtle ways misinformation can spread even through well-meaning friends...

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Joy Mayer , founder of Trusting News, about why trust in journalism has declined and how newsrooms can actively rebuild it. Joy explains the origins of her project, the research behind what makes information feel credible, and the practical steps journalists can take to be more transparent, responsive, and trustworthy. They discuss the role of Trust Kits, the im...

In this episode, Rebecca sits down with Tracy Simmons, founder of FAVS News, a unique regional wire service dedicated to reporting on religion, ethics, and values across the Pacific Northwest. Tracy shares the story of launching a religion news startup in the wake of the 2008 recession, how it grew from a local Spokane project into a multi-state newsroom with freelancers, columnists, and national...

In this episode, Kevin sits down with executive leader Krista Crawford for a candid conversation on what modern leadership really looks like—and why it’s more relational, reflective, and resilient than ever. Krista shares her journey to the C-suite, the mentors and mistakes that shaped her, and the leadership habits she wishes more young professionals would develop early. They also dive into pract...

This week, we take a look back at a 2023 decision from the Public Information Act Compliance Board. Fern Shen of the Baltimore Brew and Emily Opilo, who formerly worked for the Baltimore Sun, investigated the defense funds of former Baltimore State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby. Rebecca talks to them about the Board of Ethics decision, which required the list of defense fund donors to be released. 

In the final episode of the Master Class series, Rebecca Snyder hosts an insightful discussion with award-winning journalist Julie Scharper from the Baltimore Banner. Scharper shares her journey in journalism, from her early days at the Baltimore Sun to her current role as an enterprise reporter at the Banner. She provides a deep dive into her Best of Show-winning feature story about Gavin Knupp,...

Rebecca welcomes Delonte Harrod, founder and editor of The Intersection Magazine, a publication dedicated to amplifying voices from Prince George’s County, Maryland. Delonte shares how he built The Intersection from the ground up — from posting his first story on Medium to becoming part of the Google News Initiative. He discusses the importance of community-centered journalism, solution-oriented r...

Running a business can feel isolating, but collaboration can be your greatest advantage. In this episode, Kevin sits down with Jen Anderson — the self-proclaimed “Professional Wing Woman” — to explore how teamwork, clarity, and communication can unlock your best ideas. Jen shares how she helps entrepreneurs stay focused, filter out distractions, and execute powerful marketing strategies through me...

Kyndell Harkness of the Minnesota Star Tribune joins Rebecca to discuss how newsroom culture evolves in times of reckoning and renewal. They reflect on the role of community within journalism — from internal employee resource groups to authentic relationship-building with readers — and discuss how leadership and intentional listening can strengthen newsroom equity and storytelling.

In this episode, Kevin Berrier journeys beyond the DMV to discuss how Wisconsin's Multi Media Channels have effectively used AI in the newsroom. CEO Pat Wood, editor Tina Scott, and creative strategist Natasha Winkler discuss how they've approached AI as a tool for change and how they've succeeded so far.

In this episode, join us as we delve into The Daily Record's Best Move in 2023, featuring Patrick Brannan's insights. Discover how the Empowering Women initiative took shape, honoring organizations that uplift and empower women across Maryland. From recognizing women leaders to fostering inclusivity in the workplace, explore the impact of this groundbreaking event within the broader landscape of i...

In this episode, we explore the critical role of local news in sustaining communities and democracy. Rebecca speaks with Melissa Milios Davis, network manager of Press Forward, and Darryl Holliday, co-founder of Commoner, about the findings of a new report on local journalism. Together, they discuss why philanthropy is stepping up to support newsrooms, how new models like Commoner are reshaping co...

Paula Knudsen Burke, an attorney with the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, and Brittany Hailer, Director of Pittsburgh Institute for Nonprofit Journalism and an adjunct professor at the University of Pittsburgh, talk about the lawsuit against an Allegheny County media policy, which says people working in the jail cannot contact media without first going through the county staff. Resou...

Join Rebecca Snyder as she hosts Alexander Pyles, the Associate Dean at the University of Maryland's Philip Merrill College of Journalism. Pyles, who also serves as the mentor coordinator for the MDDC internship program, shares invaluable insights on how to excel as a mentor for young journalists. Whether you're involved with the MDDC program or guiding interns and early-career journalists in othe...

MDDC Executive Director Rebecca Snyder sits with Abby higgins and Eric Falquero of The 51st Newsroom, a worker-led nonprofit dedicated to transforming local journalism in Washington, DC. Hear firsthand from the passionate journalists driving this initiative, as they share their journey of launching a public crowdfunding campaign to build a better local news site. Discover how their commitment to d...

Rebecca joins Allison Taylor Levine, the passionate Executive Director of the Local Journalism Initiative in Delaware. Allison shares her journey from a journalist to leading a nonprofit organization aimed at strengthening democracy and community through local journalism. She delves into various innovative projects, including supporting young journalists from underrepresented communities and condu...

In this episode, Kevin Berrier talks with Jason Whong of Whong Community Media about building a lean, community-focused publishing business and how he’s using AI to streamline operations without losing the human touch. Jason shares how he balances multiple publications, experiments with custom AI automations, and keeps community at the heart of his work.

In this episode, Jerry Zremski of the Philip Merrill College of Journalism takes center stage for an in-depth conversation on the current state of local journalism. Jerry shares his unique insights on covering politics and policy from the nation's capital, delving into the intricacies of reporting on Western New York issues from Washington, D.C. He discusses the challenges of maintaining local rel...

In this special episode, Rebecca sits down with Darin McCann and Sue Lyons, the dynamic duo behind Coastal Point, a gem in the heart of Ocean View, Delaware. As they mark the 20th anniversary of their beloved publication, we dive into the journey of Coastal Point from its inception to becoming a staple in the local community and beyond. Discover the evolution of this news outlet from a traditional...

Rebecca Snyder welcomes Max Mishkin with Ballard Spahr for an in-depth discussion on the evolving battle against Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP) within the Maryland General Assembly. Max, an attorney with a keen insight into media defense, unravels the complex nature of SLAPP suits, explaining their strategic use to silence critics through the burdensome costs and stresses...