On this episode we're joined by Jordan Gass-Poore (GOSS-PO-ray). To try to pin down one job for Jordan is hard. She has 116 projects listed under experience on her LinkedIn page. One expertise is in podcast production and reporting on topics such as climate change and public health but she does plenty of written work too. She's a graduate of Texas State University with a Masters in investigative journalism from the University of London.

Jordan talked about the path through many different jobs. We spotlighted a podcast about environmental hazards she conceived, narrated, and produced for NJ Spotlight News, a piece she wrote about what TV and movies gets wrong about having a parent in prison, and the journalist networking and media collective she's co-founded, Local Switchboard NYC.

She also explained that as a freelancer, there's a lot of things she does beyond just doing the writing, and offered tips on producing and writing for audio. And she highlighted how journalism allows us to find connections with each other that we might not otherwise.

Work examples:

Hazard NJ Podcast

https://www.njspotlightnews.org/podcasts/hazard-nj/

What Movies And TV Get Wrong About Having A Parent In Prison

https://scalawagmagazine.org/2022/06/prison-movies-lies/

Jordan's salutes:

Michael Sol Warren, her former editor at NJ Spotlight News and now reporter at WNYC

Jamie Kraft, senior managing editor, NJ Spotlight News

Joe Lee, NJ PBS general manager

Vernon Loeb, Inside Climate News

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On this episode we're joined by Arielle Robinson. Arielle is a Racial Equity Reporter for the Arkansas Times, for whom she's worked for 9 months. This is part of the Report for America corps program She's previously had internships and freelance roles at CNN, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and a few other outlets. Arielle is a graduate of Kennesaw State University.

Arielle talked about the experience of covering racial equity and gave examples of the different types of stories she covers. She shared her love of history, which often comes through in her writing. And she talked about reviewing theatre and the challenge of trying to remember important points in the middle of a show.

Plus, another update from Urban Assembly Gateway School Journalism Club Advisor Anita Pinto on how her club is progressing and facing challenges.

Story examples

Honoring Daisy Bates in Little Rock (read to the end)

https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2026/02/17/new-historical-marker-unveiled-at-daisy-bates-home-honors-civil-rights-legends-desegregation-work

The Palestinian art form, Tatreez

https://arktimes.com/rock-candy/2025/09/23/tatreez-circle-helps-keep-palestinian-womens-tradition-alive

Arielle's salute: Safura Syed, Verite News

You can find all our episode guides for teachers and professors here,

Please support your local public radio station: adoptastation.org

Thank you for listening. You can e-mail me at journalismsalute@gmail.com

Visit our website: thejournalismsalute.org

Mark’s website (MarkSimonmedia.com)

Bluesky at @marksimon.bsky.social

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On this episode we're joined by Daarel Burnette. Daarel is a senior editor for The Chronicle of Higher Education, where he's been for about 4 years. He's spent virtually his entire 20-year professional career in education reporting and editing for places like the Louisville Courier Journal, The Minneapolis Star Tribune, the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Chalkbeat, and Education Week.

He's a graduate of Hampton University with a masters from Columbia University.

The Chronicle describes itself as "Academe’s most trusted resource for independent journalism, career development, and forward-looking intelligence."

Daarel explained why he thinks education is the best beat to cover, how he works with writers to shape individual stories and overall coverage, and offered advice to those thinking about making journalism their career

Daarel's Salute: The Prison Journalism Project

You can find all our episode guides for teachers and professors here,

Please support your local public radio station: adoptastation.org

Thank you for listening. You can e-mail me at journalismsalute@gmail.com

Visit our website: thejournalismsalute.org

Mark’s website (MarkSimonmedia.com)

Bluesky at @marksimon.bsky.social

Subscribe to our newsletter– journalismsalute.beehiiv.com