The News Nirvana Podcast

Ep. 55: From Print to Product Strategy: Mizzou's Elizabeth Stephens on Training Next-Gen Journalists

Host Nick Parker talks with Elizabeth Stephens 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." Stephens 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.

Ep. 54: Blending Brews, Beats, and Bold Stories: Ale Sharpton's Flavorful Journey

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.

Ep. 53: Shop Talk with Toriano Porter: Navigating career pivots and reshaping opinion journalism

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.

Ep. 52: Mastering Sales Success: The importance of structure and positivity in a multi-generational workplace

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!

Ep. 51: Unlocking the power of audience revenue

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.

Ep. 50: Reviving Local Journalism in Excelsior Springs, Mo

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.

Ep. 49: Connecting with audience through newsletters

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.

Ep. 48: Driving revenue & content through contests

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?

Ep. 47: Leveling up with events

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.

Ep. 46: Sustainable news business starts with community focus

"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.