Five Dubs Podcast

In this episode, Kevin interviews Joe Gatewood, co-founder and co-owner of RAK Brewing Company in Frederick, Maryland. The conversation dives into the business journey, community impact and entrepreneurial philosophy behind one of the region’s most exciting new breweries. Joe shares how RAK Brewing isn’t just about beer—it’s about building local culture, living out values, and creating a brand tha...

Join us for an enlightening session with Xerxes Wilson from The News Journal in Wilmington, Delaware as we dive deep into the intricacies of First Amendment and free speech reporting. Discover the compelling story behind Wilson's award-winning piece on a prison boycott in Delaware, exploring the high costs of prison tablet services and the broader implications for free speech and prisoner rights....

Join us with The Baltimore Banner's standout achievement of 2023 with Editor-in-Chief Kimi Yoshino and Sports Editor Chris Korman. Discover how their strategic move to build a dedicated sports team has revolutionized their coverage, bringing in-depth and analytical content to Orioles and Ravens fans. From hiring top-tier journalists to engaging with the community through innovative digital platfor...

In this episode of Marketing Pros, host Kevin Berrier dives deep into the evolving world of social media marketing and the impact of AI with Ross Gray, co-founder and COO of Cloud Campaign. Together, they explore how businesses and marketers can balance the efficiency of AI tools with the human touch needed for authentic engagement. What You’ll Learn: How AI can optimize your social media content...

What does it take for news organizations to evolve and stay relevant? In this episode, Rebecca is joined by Emily Ristow, Director of Journalism Strategy at the American Press Institute, who shares key innovation lessons from the Table Stakes Local News Transformation Program. Drawing from her own experience and years of coaching media teams, Emily unpacks the mindset shifts, tactical strategies,...

Rebecca Snyder sits down with Deborah Caldwell, CEO of Religion News Service, for an in-depth conversation about the evolving role of religion in American journalism. Deborah unpacks why religion reporting still matters and shares how local faith communities often act as vital civic infrastructure. She also explains how RNS bridges the gap between tradition and modernity. This episode offers a tho...

CORRECTION: Emily Sachs states the Dart Center was founded in 1994, but it was founded in 1999. Journalists often report on the worst moments of others' lives, but who supports them ? In this episode, Emily Sachs, clinical psychologist and director of the Journalist Trauma Support Network (a project of the Dart Center at Columbia Journalism School), unpacks the unseen toll journalism can take. We...

What does local journalism look like in the age of evolving media platforms? In this episode, longtime columnist and radio host Dan Rodricks joins Rebecca to talk about adapting storytelling for today's audiences. From his decades at The Baltimore Sun to his new audio column, Dan shares insights on sustaining local journalism, experimenting with audio formats and why personal narrative still matte...

Rebecca Snyder sits down with the remarkable Denise Dorsey, who recently retired after an incredible 48-year career at The Afro . From her start in the advertising department in 1976 to her pivotal role as production manager, Denise reflects on how the paper—and the Black press—has evolved over the decades. She shares insights on shifting from wax and teletype to digital media, the vital legacy of...

Rebecca Snyder sits down with Lisa Snowden, founder of the Baltimore Beat, to reflect on the 10th anniversary of Freddie Gray’s death and the uprising that followed. Lisa shares the process behind the Beat’s commemorative coverage, her collaboration with the Baltimore Museum of Art and photographer Devin Allen, and her commitment to telling the stories of those too often left out of the narrative....

Join Rebecca Snyder as she hosts a powerful conversation with the 2024 MDDC Rookie of the Year nominees — six emerging women journalists who’ve tackled the chaos, challenges, and triumphs of their first jobs in news. From covering local government and education to environmental policy and cultural reporting, these young reporters reflect on what surprised them, what inspired them and what keeps th...

Rebecca Snyder sits down with award-winning journalist and author Miranda Spivack to dive into Backroom Deals in Our Backyard , Miranda’s powerful new book exposing the hidden world of local government secrecy and corporate collusion. From dangerous roadways and contaminated water to privatized data systems, Miranda shares the real-life stories of "accidental activists" fighting for transparency....

We shine a spotlight on two of the most dynamic media sales professionals in our region—Nicole Allen of Baltimore Fishbowl and Blake McCoy of the Catholic Review —nominated for MDDC Press Association’s 2024 Salesperson of the Year. Host Kevin Berrier dives deep into their unique sales journeys, client-first approach and what it takes to succeed in today’s ever-evolving news media landscape.

Rebecca Snyder sits down with Christina Piaia, Deputy Director of the ProJourn Project at the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. Christina shares how ProJourn supports journalists and independent newsrooms with free legal resources like pre-publication reviews, public records access and non-editorial legal checkups. They discuss why bold local journalism needs strong legal backing, how...

In this episode, Rebecca Snyder sits down with David Enrich, an investigative reporter at The New York Times and author of the new book Murder the Truth. They discuss the growing use of "lawfare"—legal actions weaponized by wealthy and powerful figures—to silence journalists and independent voices. David shares insights into the chilling impact of lawsuits on local journalism, the critical importa...

Rebecca Snyder sits down with Denise Rolark Barnes, publisher of The Washington Informer, to celebrate the newspaper’s incredible 60-year legacy. Denise shares stories about the paper’s history, its impact on the community and the vision that has guided it for six decades. Join us as we honor this milestone and the power of community journalism!

Rebecca Snyder sits down with Melissa Ludtke, the newly published author of "Locker Room Talk: A Woman’s Struggle to Get Inside ." Melissa shares her groundbreaking journey as a sports journalist who fought for equal access to Major League Baseball locker rooms in the landmark Ludtke v. Kuhn case. Learn how her fight for equality paved the way for women in sports reporting today. Tune in for an in...

In this special episode for Sunshine Week, we spotlight four outstanding investigative reporters—Amanda Fries, Maddi O’Neill, Darcy Costello and Katie Mettler. This discussion dives into the power of public records in investigative journalism, the challenges of accessing crucial information, and the stories that shaped their reporting. From police misconduct to opioid lawsuits and government accou...

In this episode, Rebecca Snyder sits down with Corey Hutchins - journalist and founder of the weekly newsletter, Inside the News in Colorado. Corey shares insights from his research on media criticism, the decline of traditional newsrooms and the rise of independent journalism through platforms like Substack. They also discuss the role of collaboration in today's media environment and how journali...

In this powerful episode, Rebecca sits down with Tom Marquardt, retired publisher and editor of The Capital Gazette, to discuss his new book, Pressed to Kill. Tom takes us inside the tragic events of June 28, 2018, when a gunman attacked the Gazette newsroom, killing five people. He shares insights on the victims' legacies, newsroom security, the evolving media landscape and the broader issues of...

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Amber Allan, the visionary founder of Man of Peace, a nonprofit dedicated to providing safe spaces and life-changing resources for children in Ecuador. From the devastating 2016 earthquake that reshaped lives to breaking generational cycles of hardship, Amber and her team are fostering hope, education, and healing in the community of Coaque, Ecuador. Joi...

Rebecca Snyder sits down with Lauren Vella, principal at Cornerstone Government Affairs' new Dover office, to discuss the changing political landscape in Delaware. From a brand-new governor and congressional leadership to special elections and key legislative priorities, Lauren breaks down what these shifts mean for the state. Delaware might be small, but there’s no shortage of big changes happeni...

Join us for an insightful conversation with Amy Orndorff, managing editor of Bethesda Magazine and Bethesda Today. Amy shares the evolution of Bethesda’s local news, the challenges of covering Montgomery County with a small but dedicated team and how her experience at The Washington Post and as a volunteer firefighter shaped her approach to journalism. From breaking news to long-form features, hea...

Rebecca Snyder sits down with Ryan Little, data editor at The Baltimore Banner , to explore the power of data in investigative journalism. They discuss the role of data analysis in uncovering major trends, particularly in Baltimore’s opioid crisis. Ryan shares insights into the challenges of accessing public records, the legal battle over autopsy data and how their reporting revealed surprising ov...

In our first Marketing Pros episode of 2025, we sit down with Mya Shell, a 25-year-old brand marketing powerhouse. From growing up in a small Ohio town to shaping major campaigns in the tech world, Mya's journey is nothing short of inspiring. She shares how being part of the digital era shaped her strategies, dives into the importance of brand tone, and explains why pop culture is key to engagemen...