Local News Matters Podcast

🚀 Episode 52 of @lnmpod with @danbharris is out! The former @ABC News anchor and author/host of 10% Happier talks with host @timreganporter about: 🧠 Mindfulness and meditation as tools for resilience 🎙️ War reporting and anchoring at a young age 💼 Navigating leadership, entrepreneurship and big transitions 🌍 Masculinity, male friendships and emotional openness Tune in for practical tips for more equanimity and mindfulness in work and life. 🎧✨ Full episode: localnewsmatterspodcast.com/finding-calm-i…

🎧 localnewsmatterspodcast.com/prioritizing-p…

🚀 Episode 51 of @lnmpod with @sammyragland is out. @AmPress ’s VP of Journalism Programs talks with host @timreganporter about fostering well-being in newsrooms, balancing people sustainability with business demands, and creating a culture of care that fuels great journalism. Topics include: ✨ Prioritizing people over deadlines—and why it works 💡 Practical strategies to fight burnout and build resilience 🤝 Shifting from hero to host: a new leadership mindset 🛑 Why “stop doing” is just as vital as “keep going” 🌈 Supporting journalists of color and women in newsrooms 🎧Tune in for actionable insights and fresh perspectives. Link in comments. #localnewsmatters #businessofnews #journalism #democracy #MentalHealth #burnout

🥳 Last week, episode 50 of @lnmpod dropped (only ~10% of podcasts make it that far). Thanks to all of the great guests! Interesting @Spotify Wrapped data. Great growth. Listener affinity w/ @ArmchairExpPod, The Daily & @OffMenuOfficial.

Mississippi Today is hiring reporters for a new desk, led by me, to cover the many inspiring, gut-wrenching, profound, absurd, delightful, layered, deeply human stories of my home, Jackson, MS. Please share! mississippitoday.org/2024/11/22/job…

Episode link: localnewsmatterspodcast.com/tackling-burno…

🎉 Episode 50 🥳 of @lnmpod is out! @rpicht (@RJI) and @questionswork (@SmithGeiger) talk with host @timreganporter about their landmark study on burnout in journalism. 🚨 Burnout is a crisis: 80% of journalists say it’s critical, with 1 in 5 planning to leave the profession. 🧠 Solutions, not just problems: Discover actionable steps newsrooms of all sizes can take—starting today. 🔄 Rethinking newsroom culture: From flexible schedules to improving work-life balance, small changes can make a big difference. 📰 Passion under pressure: Despite challenges, 93% of journalists still see their work as a noble calling. (Link in comments) #localnewsmatters #businessofnews #journalism #democracy

📢 On #GivingTuesday/#GivingNewsDay, please consider supporting local news. It's never been more crucial. In Colorado, @colabnewsco and @CoFOIC and all of the #newsconeeds newsrooms are excellent choices. coloradogives.org/organization/C… coloradogives.org/organization/C… coloradogives.org/community/Colo…

Episode link: localnewsmatterspodcast.com/from-fried-and…

🚀 Episode 49 of @lnmpod with @Laura_Frank is out. The Executive Director of the @colabnewsco talks with host @timreganporter about sustaining local journalism through collaboration and innovation to address critical challenges. 🌟 The “fried and frozen” dilemma: How burnout and resource challenges are overwhelming local journalists—and what can help 📰 Bridging the gap: Connecting struggling newsrooms with the tools and support they need to thrive 📊 Innovation & efficiency: Shared services, AI and new tools to save time, boost revenue and engage communities 🤝 Building trust: Strengthening ties between journalists and communities 🔥 Why local news matters: Fighting misinformation, polarization and news avoidance while preserving community connections 💡 Sustainability solutions: Collaboration and philanthropy as keys to preserving local journalism

Episode link: localnewsmatterspodcast.com/slowing-down-a…

🚀 Episode 48 of @lnmpod with @jenlarino is out. The ED & Co-Founder of @ledeneworleans talks with host @timreganporter about how her organization is reshaping local journalism by training young BIPOC storytellers to address community information needs. 🎙️ Redefining local news: Hear how Lede New Orleans empowers those young BIPOC journalists to amplify underrepresented voices. 🌟 Slow journalism in action: Discover why slowing down leads to more inclusive, impactful storytelling. 📰 Breaking the mold: Jennifer Larino shares how traditional media can fall short and how Lede is creating a different path forward. 🌱 Building trusted spaces: Learn how engaging with community voices transforms local reporting. 💡 Creative programs for impact: From fellowships to live exhibits, explore the innovative ways Lede serves its audience. 💰 Funding meaningful change: Find out how they’re sustaining a newsroom with purpose while avoiding the pressure to “feed the beast.” (Link in comments) #localnewsmatters #businessofnews #journalism #democracy

Topics include: * Balancing the needs of media & business clients and the public * Challenges of sustainability * Tips for replicating the model * The importance of collaboration over competition * Supporting the next generation of journalists * Gender diversity in media leadership Episode link: localnewsmatterspodcast.com/bay-city-news-…

🚀 Episode 47 of @lnmpod with @News_Kat is out. Katherine Ann Rowlands, owner and publisher of Bay City News, talks with host @timreganporter about BCN’s unique hybrid model and evolution. (Link in comments) #localnewsmatters #businessofnews #journalism #democracy

Episode link: localnewsmatterspodcast.com/inside-orourke…

🚀 Episode 46 of @lnmpod with @jimorourke71 is out. The CEO and founder of O'Rourke Media Group shares with host @timreganporter his journey in local media, from delivering newspapers as a kid to founding a rapidly growing digital-first publishing chain. O'Rourke discusses his approach to acquiring and revitalizing local newspapers, investing in local talent and growing the digital business. He outlines the strategic choices that have guided O'Rourke Media’s success, including his firm stance against paywalls and his commitment to community-focused journalism and sales. In the face of industry pressures, O'Rourke explains why he values small and midsize markets and how he's developed O'Rourke Media Group’s sustainable model by prioritizing advertiser relationships, high-quality local reporting, and new digital revenue streams. He discusses his philosophy on embracing sponsored content as a core revenue source while carefully navigating editorial integrity—a delicate balance that he believes is essential for the future of local news. O'Rourke also explores his renewed investment in print, noting the value print editions hold for both advertisers and local audiences. Reflecting on key lessons learned, he details his experiences working under Berkshire Hathaway, why he finds potential in digital agency services, and his vision for the future, including expanding into more communities and a possible employee ownership model. (Link in comments) #localnewsmatters #businessofnews #journalism #democracy

Episode link: localnewsmatterspodcast.com/evolving-the-b…

🚀 Episode 45 of @lnmpod with the authors of “Reviving Rural News” is out. @TeriFinneman (@KUJournalism), @Nick_Mathews (@mujschool) and @PatFerrucci (@CUBoulderCMCI) talk with host @timreganporter about the unique challenges facing rural newspapers in the wake of the local news industry's financial crisis. They discuss their yearlong experiment with a Kansas newspaper, offering insights into how small community-based outlets can diversify revenue streams and reconnect with their readers. The conversation highlights the disconnect between traditional business models and the needs of both rural publishers and their audiences. The guests also touch on the psychological and organizational barriers that hinder innovation in local newsrooms. From reluctance to explore new revenue sources like philanthropy to the ongoing devaluation of journalism, they offer candid perspectives on why rural news must evolve to survive. Key takeaways include lessons on pricing, the power of e-newsletters and the role of newspapers as vital community institutions. With practical examples from their case study in Kansas, the discussion reveals how local publishers can take small but significant steps to adapt their business models and better serve their communities. (Link in comments) #localnewsmatters #businessofnews #journalism #democracy

Episode link: localnewsmatterspodcast.com/the-fight-for-…

🚀 Episode 44 of @lnmpod with @NicDawes of @THECITYNY is out. The executive director of THE CITY talks with host @timreganporter about the vital role the outlet plays in New York’s shrinking local news ecosystem. He explains how his organization fills coverage gaps left by retrenching legacy media, focusing on investigative reporting and service journalism to meet the needs of New Yorkers across all boroughs. Dawes also delves into THE CITY’s unique strategies for community engagement, including open newsrooms and dynamic beat assignments, allowing them to stay responsive to the city's most pressing issues. He highlights how their mission-driven approach prioritizes impact over viral traffic, balancing coverage for both affluent media-savvy readers and underserved communities. On the business side, Dawes shares insights on nonprofit journalism’s financial sustainability, from leveraging philanthropy and membership to navigating New York’s competitive fundraising environment. He reflects on his transition from large global organizations to a leaner, more focused newsroom, where the immediacy of local impact offers both challenges and rewards. (Link in comments) #localnewsmatters #businessofnews #journalism #nonprofitnews #democracy