In this episode, we're joined by one of the most trusted voices in American journalism. Soledad O'Brien is an award-winning journalist, Executive Producer of 2 Oscar-nominated documentary films for the 98th Academy Awards, and media entrepreneur whose work has consistently pushed journalism to be more accountable, more human, and more honest.

From landmark projects like "Black in America" to her newly Oscar-nominated documentary film offerings, "The Perfect Neighbor" and "The Devil is Busy," she's built a career telling stories that challenge power and center truth. She's also the founder of Starfish Media Group, now Soledad O'Brien Productions.

Career Highlights (Timeline)

• Harvard University graduate

• NBC News and MSNBC correspondent and anchor

• CNN anchor of American Morning

• Creator of Black in America and Latino in America

• Founder of Starfish Media Group (2013)

• Host of Matter of Fact with Soledad O'Brien (10 seasons)

• Correspondent for HBO Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel

Major Documentary Works

• The Perfect Neighbor (2025) – Executive Producer – 2026 Academy Award nominee for Best Documentary Feature

• The Devil Is Busy (2024) – Executive Producer – Oscar-nominated documentary short

• Black and Missing

• Katrina: Come Hell and High Water

• Who Killed JFK?

• Murder on the Towpath

• The End of Affirmative Action

Current News & Awards

• The Perfect Neighbor nominated for Best Documentary Feature at the 98th Academy Awards (2026)

• Continued work with HBO Real Sports

• Active speaking engagements on journalism, democracy, and storytelling

Press & Recognition

Multiple Emmy Awards, Peabody Awards, Gracie Awards, Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame inductee

Sources / References

CNN, HBO, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Starfish Media Group, and The Hype Magazine

You can read the full editorial by our Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Jerry Doby, exclusively on www.thehypemagazine.com. We welcome your comments and feedback!

#media #interview #oscars2026 #film #documentary

In this episode I'm joined by Richard DeVaughn, a visionary reshaping the future of entertainment at its foundation. Richard DeVaughn is the co-founder and CEO of JARO Nexus LLC, the technology media company powering the disruptive platform JaroGO Media.

With an engineering degree from Kettering University and an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management, he brings a rare combination of technical precision and strategic leadership to the creator economy. His career leading global operations and technology across China, India, Europe, and the U.S. now fuels a platform designed to return control, ownership, and revenue to creators. Richard's mission is transformational for the creator economy.

You can read the full coverstory on Jarogo Media and the founder's stories on each of these dynamos in The Hype Magazine Digital Issue #148.

Feel free to connect with Dr. Jerry Doby via his website

In this episode, I'm joined by a creative force whose fingerprints can be found across two decades of excellence in film, television, and post-production. Wayne Overstreet, Co-founder of JaroGO Media, has helped shape the visual language of major networks, including TBS, TNT, Cartoon Network, Discovery, Lifetime, BET, Aspire, and more.

After leading Wolff Bros Post into the world of long-form television and high-profile award shows, he launched Overstreet Production & Post, handling projects for TV One and The Rickey Smiley Show.

In 2019, he partnered with veteran producer Len Gibson to form GO Media Productions, where together they have produced and distributed a slate of acclaimed films and television series. Wayne's expertise, from concept to post-production delivery, makes him an invaluable force behind today's most impactful storytelling.

You can read The Hype Magazine's full coverstory on JaroGO Media here.

Feel free to send story pitches to Dr. Jerry Doby via his website.