The News Nirvana Podcast

Host Nick Parker talks with Elizabeth Stevens from the Missouri School of Journalism about how journalism education is adapting for the digital age. They discuss the shift from traditional news tracks to platform-agnostic reporting, training students in SEO and data analytics, teaching the business side of news, and Mizzou's hands-on "Missouri Method." Stevens shares how many graduates are choosing community journalism and catching "the bug" for local news. Essential listening for journalism educators, newsroom managers, and anyone interested in the future of journalism training.

In this engaging episode of the News Nirvana podcast, host Nick Parker sits down with the dynamic Ale Sharpton—freelance journalist, photographer, social media influencer, and self-proclaimed beer aficionado. Dive into Ale's rich family history rooted in culinary excellence, his unexpected path into beer journalism, and learn how he carved out a unique space by blending hip-hop culture with craft beer. Hear the captivating story of his encounter with Rev. Al Sharpton, the creation of his iconic brand, and insightful tips on building a personal brand in the evolving world of journalism. From travel tales to the art of beer pairing, this episode is packed with inspiration, flavor, and a dash of hops.

In this candid episode of the News Nirvana podcast, host Nick Parker sits down with colleague Toriano Porter, opinion writer at the Kansas City Star, for a shop-talk conversation about life in the trenches of modern journalism. Porter walks us through his career path from St. Louis reporter to his current opinion role at the Star, sharing the real challenges and unexpected wins when switching from sports to the opinion desk. The two journalists dive into newsroom diversity issues, how opinion writing is adapting to survive in today's media climate, and trading notes on maintaining journalistic integrity when the industry keeps shifting beneath our feet. Porter opens up about his hands-on mentoring as an up-and-coming journalist and how personal experiences fuel his commitment to accountability reporting. Packed with insider anecdotes and practical wisdom, this episode delivers a frank look at the transformations reshaping our profession and the daily realities facing newsrooms across America.

In this episode of the News Nirvana podcast, host Nick Parker reconnects with Ryan Dohrn, founder and president of Brain Swell Media, for an insightful exploration of workplace dynamics and sales success. Together, they unpack the critical role of structure in driving results and how fostering a positive office culture can empower teams across generations. Ryan shares actionable strategies for managing diverse teams, the power of CRM systems, and the timeless impact of personal touches like handwritten notes in customer relationships. Whether you're navigating the challenges of a shifting media landscape or looking to refine your sales approach, this episode delivers expert advice to help you thrive. Tune in now for practical tips and inspiring insights to elevate your sales game!

In this episode of the News Nirvana podcast, host Nick Parker welcomes back Bridget Sibthorp-Moeker, Director of Audience at BLOX Digital. They discuss the evolving landscape of subscription models in journalism, focusing on the innovative concept of gift subscriptions. Bridget shares insights on how media organizations can adapt to changing audience expectations and the importance of effectively communicating their unique value propositions. The conversation highlights the need for local journalism to remind communities of their presence and the critical role they play in supporting it. Tune in to explore how to engage audiences and enhance revenue through thoughtful subscription strategies.

In this episode of the News Nirvana podcast, host Nick Parker welcomes Jason and Courtney Cole from The Excelsior Springs Citizen. They discuss the challenges and opportunities faced by local journalism, particularly in the wake of significant events like a microburst, a flood, and the collapse of a historic building in Excelsior Springs. The Coles share how they transitioned from a Facebook group to a full-fledged online news platform, driven by the need for timely information in their community. They highlight the importance of community engagement, direct sales advertising, and the use of technology, including AI, to enhance their reporting.

Creating and maintaining engaging connections with our audience is vital to all of us. If readers or viewers don't connect with the people delivering the news we don't earn their trust and we don't earn their loyalty. In Episode 49 we're looking into how one group of newspapers is successfully creating relationships through curated newsletters. Alessia Alaimo, Digital Manager for Wick Communications, joins host Nick Parker in this episode of the News Nirvana podcast.

Stephanie Carey joins host Nick Parker to talk about contesting and its ability to drive additional revenue and content for news organizations. Carey, a sales director and contesting lead at Blox Digital, offers real-world experience on the impact of "Best of" contests, sweepstakes and more in this lively conversation. Oh, and the two pose an important question, what's the BBQ scene like in Michigan?

In this episode of the News Nirvana Podcast, Sara McNamara, VP of Sales for Evvnt, joins host Nick Parker to discuss the intersection of events and content generation in the news business. The pair delves into how events can be more than just fun gatherings, serving as powerful revenue generators and community builders. From leveraging existing community events to hosting your own, explore strategies for news organizations to stay hyper-local and engage audiences effectively.

"How can we be better together?" This is the driving question behind Frank Mungeam's work with local media organizations on both the content and revenue-generating sides of the business. The Chief Innovation Officer at Local Media Association joined host Nick Parker for a conversation about using old-fashioned community-oriented focus to create sustainable business partnerships that also help drive meaningful content generation and journalism for the news side of the organization. Want to stay up-to-date on the News Nirvana podcast? Sign up for our monthly news digest at newsnirvana.com/newsletter.

Julia Campbell has a fantastic title; Chief Business Transformation Officer just sounds cool. You might think she's a "robot in disguise", or you could just think the Local Media Association executive has one of those jobs where she gets to play with all the new toys and work with members to establish innovative and sustainable systems for their news organizations. One of those—the latter, of course—is actually correct. In this episode, Julia sits down with host Nick Parker to talk about LMA's labs and the power coming from those exchanges and learning environments, as well as one of her favorite topics, cause marketing.

Let's get back to our roots. It's not that the phrase is almost a cliche, it is a cliche. But here's the thing about cliches—they exist because they're true. So, whether it's going back to their roots or getting back to basics, Orestes Baez and Scott Davis are committed to a personal and hyper-local approach that has brought new life to a national niche publication, TravelHost. Just 18 months after taking over the print and digital publication, Baez and Davis join News Nirvana host Nick Parker for an in depth conversation about their business and vision for the future.

Join host Nick Parker in a riveting conversation with veteran journalist Mike Reilley as they delve into the behind-the-scenes tales of newsrooms past and the essential tools every journalist needs in today's rapidly evolving media landscape. From swapping stories to unveiling the secrets behind Reilley's popular Journalist's Toolbox, this episode offers insights for both seasoned reporters and aspiring journalists alike. Discover how Reilley's journey from reporter to educator has shaped the latter part of his career as a newsroom trainer and Senior Lecturer of digital and data journalism at the University of Illinois-Chicago.

Ask Tobias Bennett what excites him about the media industry and you'll get the same answer every time—it's the unknown. Bennett, VP of Partnerships and Revenue, and Fran Wills, CEO, for Local Media Consortium join host Nick Parker for a look into the current state of the news industry, and how their association helps member organizations traverse the ever-changing landscape and embrace what comes next.

Veteran editor and digital news guru Bob Rose joins host Nick Parker on this latest episode of the News Nirvana Podcast. Their in-depth conversation focuses on rebuilding trust and fostering partnerships with the communities we cover. The episode also explores the importance of aligning our content with both our varied modes of delivery and with the business partners we look to for continued revenue.

Host Nick Parker and producer Cherry Wolf take a look back at the 2023 season of the News Nirvana podcast reflecting on some favorite episodes, why the show is important to them, and some guests they're looking forward to in 2024.

Industry expert Gordon Borrell joins host Nick Parker to discuss the evolving relationship between editorial and business. The two explore challenges faced by media outlets when adapting to the ever-changing advertising trends all while maintaining impactful news coverage. Reflecting on past revenue models versus modern equivalents, Borrell offers valuable insights into the ongoing evolution of news media.

In this episode of the News Nirvana podcast, Jared Frank from KHQ-TV and Josh Kidd from Block Communications join host Nick Parker to explore the challenges we may face adopting a digital-first mindset. The conversation delves into content repurposing strategies, the immediate impact of digital channels, and the importance of owning digital spaces amid social media's uncertain future. Listen as they navigate the evolving digital landscape and strategies in media and broadcasting.

In this episode of the News Nirvana podcast, host Nick Parker engages in a conversation with Sean Evans, Director of OTT and Video at BLOX Digital. Together, they explore the dynamic realm of digital video, shedding light on platforms, audience growth strategies, and revenue maximization. Sean’s transition from a software development background to the world of broadcast news is a compelling example of our industry's adaptability. From clarifying essential terms like FAST channel and OTT to offering valuable insights, this episode underscores the value of embracing video both as a fundamental component of news delivery and as a revenue generator.

David Arkin returns to the podcast to talk about working with news organizations to understand and embrace branded content campaigns—and the new revenue streams that come with it.