Coffee With A Journalist

Welcome to this week's episode of Coffee with a Journalist, where we bring you fascinating conversations with journalists and editors from top publications. In this episode, we have the pleasure of chatting with Hannah Orenstein, the deputy editor of Lifestyle and Wellness at Bustle. Hannah shares insights into the hectic world of an editor's inbox and offers some valuable advice for publicists trying to navigate the pitch process. She also surprises us with her secret, unconventional career as a romance novel writer and reveals how her personal experiences inspire her books. Get ready for an engaging discussion filled with tips, anecdotes, and a peek into the magical world of pitching in the journalism industry.

Welcome to Coffee with a Journalist! This week, we sit down with freelance science and technology journalist Andrada Fiscutean. Based in Bucharest, Romania, Andrada writes for publications like Ars Technica, Vice Motherboard, ZDNet, Nature, and CSO Online, focusing on cybersecurity and the history of technology. She shares her unique perspective on covering stories that most staff writers wouldn't consider and the benefits of being based in a lower-cost country.  She also opens up about her experiences as a Night Science Journalism Fellow at MIT and reveals her preferences when it comes to receiving pitches from publicists. Join us as we dive into the intriguing science and technology journalism world with Andrada Fiscutean.  

Welcome to another episode of Coffee with a Journalist! In this episode, we have the pleasure of hosting Annalee Armstrong, the senior editor of Fierce Biotech. Fierce Biotech is a renowned trade publication that covers the latest news in the biotech industry, from drug development to cutting-edge scientific discoveries. Annalee shares insights on the hectic world of journalism, including the challenges of managing a flooded inbox, the importance of building relationships with publicists, and the value of circling back with sources. Join us as we dive into the fascinating world of biotech reporting with Annalee Armstrong.

In this episode, Alexis Morrillo, lifestyle editor at Bustle, gives us insight into the unique approach Bustle takes in covering trending stories. As a platform aimed at the Gen Z/Millennial audience, Bustle delves into the niche corners of the Internet, from viral TikTok trends to seasonal moments and gift guides. Alexis shares how Bustle's editorial team thrives on chaotic pitches and taps into the questions people are asking in their group chats and even what their parents are curious about. She emphasizes the importance of unpacking the why behind trends and digging deep into the corners of the web. Alexis also sheds light on her inbox management strategies, including her responsiveness and the use of subject lines to filter pitches. Stay tuned to learn more about what it's like to be an editor at Bustle and how they stay ahead of the curve in covering the latest Internet obsessions.

In this episode, our host Beck Bamberger sit down with Steffi Cao, a staff writer for Forbes, who specializes in covering the creator economy and internet culture. Steffi shares her insights on the creator economy beat, what catches her attention in pitches, and why she rarely writes about PR agency pitches. She also discusses the breadth of the creator economy, from Twitch streamers to hologram gamers, and the fascinating stories that emerge from this evolving industry. Join us as we sip on matcha and delve into the world of online influencers and the ventures they embark on.

In this episode, our host Beck Bamberger interviews senior reporter Deanna Cuadra from Employee Benefit News. Deanna shares insights about her background in film and how it influences her reporting. She also discusses the importance of including relevant sources in pitches, offers tips on how to catch her attention in the subject line, and more!

In this episode, host Beck Bamberger sits down with the fabulous Dani Kwateng, executive editor of Teen Vogue. Dani gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the evolution of Teen Vogue over the past two decades and shares her insights on how writers can successfully pitch concepts and ideas to her as an editor. She also discusses the importance of exclusives and how they can be funneled to other esteemed publications. Oh, and did we mention that Danie delves into her time spent during New York Fashion Week? Dani discusses her experiences with this exciting event and how she balances it all.

In today's episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Bree Fowler, the senior writer of cybersecurity and digital privacy from CNET. Bree shares her insights on building relationships through face-to-face meetings and the importance of establishing a connection with PR professionals. She also gives us a glimpse into her inbox, revealing how she manages the influx of pitches and the art of organizing her emails.

On this episode of Coffee with a Journalist, we sit down with Catherine Perloff, a reporter from Adweek. She gives us insight into her coverage of ad tech, social media platforms, and their influence on the marketing community. Catherine discusses the nuances of exclusives, how to approach her with trend stories she hasn't covered yet, the value of regular source conversations, and more.

In this week's episode, we have the pleasure of sitting down with Anna Hrushka, a senior reporter from Banking Dive. Anna's expertise lies in covering the banking and fintech sector, and she played a vital role in launching the Banking Dive vertical. During our conversation, Anna shares her interests in bank and fintech partnerships, her knack for finding second-day stories that deepen major news topics, and her approach to building relationships with sources through introductory calls or even in-person meetings.  

In today's episode, we have a special guest joining us, Sarah Whitten from CNBC. Sarah is an entertainment reporter based in Los Angeles. She has been covering the industry for nearly a decade.  During the episode, Sarah shares her tips for effective pitching, including the importance of building relationships with sources and crafting attention-grabbing headlines. She also reveals the types of stories she focuses on, from Hollywood news to box office trends, and expresses her interest in expanding her coverage to include more extensive coverage of the music industry. Sarah also gives us an inside scoop on the value of exclusives and embargoes and how they impact her work. Additionally, she discusses her preferred method of communication, her appreciation for background sources, and the challenges of managing a packed inbox.

Moises Mendez II from TIME magazine is our guest this week on Coffee with a Journalist. Moises is a culture reporter who covers a wide range of topics, from the Internet and movies to music, TV, books, and podcasts. In this episode, Moises shares his insights into his preferences for exclusive pitches about creators. He also gives valuable advice on how to prolong a professional relationship with him. Plus, we dive into Moises' passion for music coverage, his favorite interview experiences, and the importance of finding a mutually beneficial arrangement in the world of journalism.

In this week's episode, Colleen DeBaise, the executive editor of The Story Exchange shares her insights on the world of journalism, providing valuable tips and advice for anyone looking to pitch their stories to media outlets. Colleen DeBaise talks about her process of skimming pitches, the importance of subject lines, and her preference for building relationships with PR professionals in person.

In today's episode, we have the pleasure of sitting down with Christopher Zara, a senior editor at Fast Company and the mastermind behind the news desk. Christopher recently released a memoir titled "Uneducated," which delves into the value of higher education and challenges the stigma of not having a degree. During our conversation, Christopher opens up about his personal journey and shares why he believes it's important to be easily accessible to sources in the fast-paced world of journalism. He also provides valuable insights into what he looks for in a pitch and how to effectively pitch the news desk at Fast Company. With a busy week in the newsroom, Christopher shares the exciting stories he's working on and reveals the challenges of saying no to pitches, even when they are exceptional.

In today's episode, Aarthi Swaminathan, the housing reporter at MarketWatch, brings her expertise on real estate and travel to the table. During the episode, Aarthi shares insights about her work, including the types of pitches she's interested in receiving. She discusses the significance of exclusives and embargoes, as well as the importance of data in her reporting. Aarthi also reveals her preferences for communication and provides some invaluable tips for successfully pitching to her.

Sarah Burke, the editor-in-chief of Them, a platform for LGBTQ+ people from Condé Nast is our guest this week on Coffee with a Journalist. Sarah discusses the target audience and focus of stories for Them readers, as well as who to pitch from the publication, specifically the section editors. She shares valuable tips on how to craft compelling subject lines to catch her and her team's attention. Sarah emphasizes the importance of subject lines in determining whether the sender is familiar with the site and its coverage. Sarah also prefers in-person interviews and bullet points for easier digestion. 

On this episode of Coffee with a Journalist, we sit down with Rebecca Ruiz, a senior reporter at Mashable, to discuss her coverage of mental health, digital culture, and technology. Rebecca shares her insights on effective subject lines for PR professionals and highlights the keywords and strategies that grab her attention. She also reveals her interests in exploring how people's well-being and mental health unfold in the context of digital culture. We delve into Rebecca's past articles, where she has covered topics such as coping with suicidal feelings during the long COVID period, managing negative emotions online, and the use of Ketamine for treating depression on TikTok. Rebecca also explains how she keeps track of sources and ideas, highlighting the significance of managing digital clutter and email inboxes for her own mental health.

On this episode of Coffee with a Journalist, Alexa Mikhail, a health and wellness reporter for Fortune's Well team, joins us. Alexa discusses her role at Fortune Well, sharing that she joined the team about a year ago as a health and wellness reporter. Her main focus is on mental health and workplace wellness, but she also covers topics unrelated to business. She also shares insights on the latest article from Fortune, the Fortune 50 Best Places to Live for Families, which highlights the significance of supportive communities. The episode also dives into Alexa's preferences when it comes to pitches and sources. She values introductions and looks for exclusive or embargoed content.

On this Coffee with a Journalist episode, Kevin Dugan from New York Magazine is the featured guest. Kevin has over a decade of experience covering the finance industry and has established a solid list of sources and contacts. During the episode, he talks about exclusives he would consider covering, including people with power and money in finance, economics, and crypto. Kevin Dugan also shares his lack of interest in crypto but has an interest in meeting with academics and government figures. 

Sara Spruch-Feiner, a senior reporter for Glossy and the force behind their Pop vertical, is the guest on this week's episode of Coffee with a Journalist. Sara talks about her reporting style, the importance of specificity in pitches, and why she prioritizes her four-story-a-week workload over coffee dates with publicists. She emphasizes the value of authenticity in pitches and advises against pitching stories that have already been covered. Sara also delves into the intersection of business, fashion, and beauty, and what sets Pop apart from traditional reporting in those areas. Tune in to learn more about pitching to Glossy and how to catch Sara's attention.