Nancy Scola, POLITICO Magazine

Welcome to Season 3 of Coffee with a Journalist! In this episode, we're joined by Nancy Scola, contributing writer at POLITICO Magazine, known for her deep reporting on Washington, D.C., tech, and policy. We dig into the ever-evolving dynamic between journalists and publicists—debunking common myths, sharing best practices, and offering real-world advice for stronger relationships. Nancy walks us through how she manages her overflowing inbox (spoiler: the Pomodoro technique and Superhuman play key roles), how publicist pitches—especially the ones she doesn't get—shape her stories, and what truly grabs her attention. Plus, she shares insights on sourcing, setting boundaries, and what makes a pitch stand out in the D.C. media grind.