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 ProJourn is training the next generation of media law attorneys and what reporters should know to protect their work and their newsrooms. Whether you're a freelance journalist or part of a growing newsroom, this conversation is packed with essential insights on navigating today’s legal challenges.

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 importance of the landmark 1964 Supreme Court case New York Times vs. Sullivan, and the contemporary threats to press freedom. Tune in for a thought-provoking exploration of what's at stake for democracy when investigative journalism comes under attack.