Best GroundTruth Podcasts (2024)

1
Unlocking the secrets of the algorithm, with Leon Yin 17:32

4M ago17:32

17:32

Leon Yin is an investigative data journalist recognised for his work on how technology impacts society. We got to interview Leon in April 2023. At that point, he was working at The Markup, a non-profit newsroom focused on being the watchdog of the tech industry. During his time there, he worked on stories that made even the chair of Congress’s anti…

1
Fighting stereotypes about Asia with data, in conversation with the Kontinentalist's Pei Ying Loh 16:52

7M ago16:52

16:52

Pei Ying Loh is the co-founder of The Kontinentalist, an organisation that tells stories about Asia using data. Since its start, The Kontinentalist has worked hard to find creative ways to tell data stories on topics ranging from how the rubber industry in Singapore and Malaysia was shaped by colonialism, to Asia’s favourite alcoholic beverages. Th…

1
The art of the opinion piece, with Bloomberg Opinion's Bobby Ghosh 11:35

9M ago11:35

11:35

Does a good opinion piece have to be backed up by facts? Or does the word ‘opinion’ give journalists the freedom to make statements that don’t require verification? We asked Bobby Ghosh, a columnist and editor at Bloomberg Opinion, because we wanted to better understand the difference between a good opinion piece and a bad opinion piece. Bobby has …

1
On covering the media, with Al Jazeera's Meenakshi Ravi 8:21

10M ago8:21

8:21

Journalists are often described as the watchdogs of democracy. It can be a difficult career choice with poor pay and very real threats from those in power. And Al Jazeera’s show, The Listening Post, is working to keep tabs on what the world’s media is up to. We asked Meenakshi Ravi, executive producer at The Listening Post, how her team approaches …

1
Taking publishing where the audience is, with The Continent's Kiri Rupiah 35:56

1+ y ago35:56

35:56

Kiri Rupiah is the Communities Editor at The Continent, a publication that covers stories from around Africa in their weekly newspaper. The paper is distributed over WhatsApp, Signal and email. We spoke to Kiri over a call about The Continent’s journey since its inception two years ago. You can find the transcript of this interview and other interv…

1
Digital Security for Journalists with Freedom of the Press Foundation's Harlo Holmes 22:46

2y ago22:46

22:46

Harlo Holmes is the Chief Information Security Officer and Director of Digital Security at the Freedom of the Press Foundation. She works with journalists and media organisations to help make the digital space safer for them and their work. She’s also contributed to The Guardian Project, a collaborative open-source project that develops secure apps…

1
All journalism starts local, with Nic Dawes 12:36

2y ago12:36

12:36

We spoke to The City's Executive Director Nic Dawes about the role of local journalism in New York City. Nic Dawes is the Executive Director of The City, a non-profit newsroom covering local stories in New York. He serves on the board of investigative journalism organisation AmaBhungane, Coda Story and the Bhekisisa Centre for Health Journalism. Be…

1
On equal pay and equal credit in journalism, with Unbias The News 13:58

2y ago13:58

13:58

This week, we’re bringing you our interview with the managing director, Mercy Abang, and editor-in-chief, Tina Lee, of Unbias The News (a newsroom by Hostwriter). We wanted to speak to them about the work they do and how they see their work as an effort to increase representation in media. We talked about some ways that journalists are affected by …

1
Tips for journalism startups with Splice 15:38

2y ago15:38

15:38

Alan Soon and Rishad Patel have made it their mission to help out media startups in Asia. They are the co-founders of Splice, and they host courses, meet-ups and a growing community space on Slack called Planet Splice, where over 200 journalists and media professionals share ideas and opportunities. Their audio course on building a viable media bus…

1
Why a sustainable future for journalism starts with supporting journalists, with GroundTruth Project's Kevin Douglas Grant 11:17

2y ago11:17

11:17

Kevin Douglas Grant is the co-founder and Chief Content Officer of The GroundTruth Project, a non-profit news organisation with the mission of supporting early-career journalists. To achieve its mission, The GroundTruth Project helps pay a portion of the salary and benefits of a local journalist at publications in the US, India, Nigeria and Brazil.…

1
Reclaiming narratives and serving communities with Camille Padilla Dalmau 45:18

2y ago45:18

45:18

Camille Padilla Dalmau is the founding member and editorial/product lead of 9 Millones, a media platform from Puerto Rico that launched during the pandemic. Through 9 Millones, Camille works with journalists, creators and nonprofits to reclaim Puerto Rican narratives. Before launching 9 Millones, Camille was a journalism professor at Universidad de…

1
Why media literacy is its own journalism vertical, with HR Venkatesh 29:55

2+ y ago29:55

29:55

HR Venkatesh describes his career path as ‘restless.’ He's had many roles within the journalism industry, from being a reporter, to an anchor, editor and even an entrepreneur. Venkatesh was a founding editor at The Quint, and he’s been a Tow-Knight fellow, ICFJ Fellow and a John S. Knight fellow at Stanford University. He’s now the director of trai…

1
Discussing Local Marketing with Monica Ho 0:31

2+ y ago0:31

0:31

As CMO, Monica is responsible for developing and leading SOCi’s marketing and communications functions, as well as ensuring the company is uniquely positioned in the highly crowded social media and reputation management marketplace.Monica’s tenure in the industry includes nearly 20 years of digital marketing, advertising and research experience, in…

1
101Reporters' Hemant Gairola on bridging the gap between the field and the newsroom 22:04

3+ y ago22:04

22:04

101Reporters has been helping freelance journalists across India get their stories placed in national and international publications. After 5 years in the business, the agency is now turning publisher while continuing to work with news organizations across the world. We talk to their News Editor, Hemant Gairola about everything from their process t…

1
Christian Zionists and the Feast of Tabernacles 11:30

5+ y ago11:30

11:30

GroundTruth's founder and CEO Charles Sennott traveled to Jerusalem to witness the traditional Jewish holiday Sukkot, or the Feast of the Tabernacles, as experienced by Christian Zionists, a group that comes around the idea that the return of Jews to the Holy Land and the establishment of the state of Israel are in accordance with Biblical prophecy…

1
The New American Songbook: Nuevo Mariachi 24:13

6+ y ago24:13

24:13

For Omar Naré, mariachi is in his blood. His grandfather, a Mexican farm laborer, brought the music with him to California’s Central Valley, where he settled his family. Omar grew up hearing mariachi at family get-togethers and had a childhood career as a mariachi singer. After a hiatus and period of disillusionment with the music of his childhood,…

1
E59: All Good Things Must Come to an End 2:56

6+ y ago2:56

2:56

As the van drives over the Golden Gate Bridge, Rachel says goodbye in her last Crossing the Divide podcast. Music credit: "Jettisoned" by Podington Bear and "Home, Home at Last" by Blue Dot Sessions.By Crossing the Divide

1
E58: Sounds Across America 6:53

6+ y ago6:53

6:53

Rachel shared several of her favorite soundscapes from the road trip across America. Music credit: "Jettisoned" by Podington Bear.By Crossing the Divide

1
E57: Meet Sumaya, a Somali American Fashion Designer 3:59

6+ y ago3:59

3:59

As the fellowship wraps up, Rachel shared part of an interview from Minneapolis that didn't make it into the reporting project for Minnesota. Music credit: "Jettisoned" by Podington Bear and "Town Market" by Blue Dot Sessions.By Crossing the Divide

1
E56: Fresno? More Like Fres-yes! 10:39

6+ y ago10:39

10:39

Brittany and Qainat shared why they're going to Fresno, CA, this weekend. It involves some awesome mariachi music and flamenco dancing. Music credit: "Jettisoned" by Podington Bear and "Querida" by Omar Nare.By Crossing the Divide

1
The New American Songbook: Rhythms from Cyprus 24:09

6+ y ago24:09

24:09

At age 20, percussionist George Lernis sought to travel halfway around the world from Cyprus, to follow in the footsteps of the American jazz masters. He navigated a series of obstacles, and once his student visa expired, he faced an even more difficult challenge: qualifying for an O-1 visa — a special designation for “extraordinary artists.” It’s …

1
E55: I Think There's an Ocean Here 3:14

6+ y ago3:14

3:14

With one week left in the fellowship, Rachel turned in a draft of her radio script for the reporting in California. Part of the team headed north of San Francisco to a small beach town. Music credit: "Jettisoned" by Podington Bear and "Sylvester" by Blue Dot Sessions.By Crossing the Divide

1
E54: Racism in America 5:12

6+ y ago5:12

5:12

In an interview last night, Reverend Amos Brown discussed the role of black churches in America, and how evil in the form of racism threatens to tear apart this country. Music credit: "Jettisoned" by Podington Bear, "Just Below the Surface" and "Plate Synthesis" by Blue Dot Sessions.By Crossing the Divide

1
E53: Rachel's Radio Story Airs on Montana Public Radio 10:46

6+ y ago10:46

10:46

Rachel's radio story about the tension surrounding wildfires and forest management in Montana aired on MTPR. Music credit: "Jettisoned" by Podington Bear.By Crossing the Divide

1
E52: Third Baptist Church in the Fillmore District, San Francisco 8:03

6+ y ago8:03

8:03

The team attended a Sunday service at the historic Third Baptist Church. Rachel interviewed Rev. James Smith, an organist and the Artistic Director of the Charles Tindley Academy of Music. Music credit: "Jettisoned" by Podington Bear.By Crossing the Divide

1
E51: Noodles and Conundrums 8:06

6+ y ago8:06

8:06

On the way to a noodle shop, Brittany shared her struggle with street photography and a looming deadline. Music credit: "Jettisoned" and "Massive" by Podington Bear.By Crossing the Divide

1
E50: Beauty Salon Struggles Reflect Growing Tension in San Francisco 4:58

6+ y ago4:58

4:58

Rachel, Mahlia and Brittany met a beauty salon owner in the Fillmore District who is struggling to make ends meet. She reflects an issue many small business owners are facing in this historically black neighborhood where rent, property taxes, and changing demographics are pushing out long-time residents. Music credit: "Jettisoned" by Podington Bear…

1
E49: A Jazz Artist in the Fillmore 4:51

6+ y ago4:51

4:51

At a public rally and press conference at the Fillmore Heritage Center in San Francisco, Rachel met a well-known jazz artist, Dr. David Hardiman Sr. Music credit: "Jettisoned" by Podington Bear.By Crossing the Divide

1
E48: Exploring the Fillmore District in San Francisco 2:59

6+ y ago2:59

2:59

In preparation for the team's reporting project in San Francisco, Rachel explored the Fillmore District and recorded some ambient sound. Music credit: "Jettisoned" and "Evenhanded" by Podington Bear.By Crossing the Divide

1
E47: Rachel Gets Voice Lessons 6:45

6+ y ago6:45

6:45

After getting good 'tape' from interviewees and writing an editor-approved script, the home stretch for a radio journalist is recording their own voice before 'mixing' all the audio together. That should be the easy part, right? Well ... Rachel received some voice coaching from the GroundTruth Project's Rachel Rohr and Qainat Kahn. Music credit: "J…

1
E46: That Time When Brittany Thought She Was Going To Die 7:03

6+ y ago7:03

7:03

In the spirit of Halloween, Brittany shared her mishap on a mountain in Montana. Music credit: "Jettisoned" by Podington Bear, "Plate Synthesis" and "Flutterbee" by Blue Dot Sessions.By Crossing the Divide

1
E45: From Montana to Nevada, by way of Reno 2:09

6+ y ago2:09

2:09

The team left Missoula, MT, for Reno, NV, on Friday. Rachel wrapped up the script edit for her Montana reporting and went for a hike with Ben near Tahoe. Music credit: "Jettisoned" by Podington Bear and "City Limits" by Blue Dot Session.By Crossing the Divide

1
E44: Packing for Road Trips and Inequality in America 6:55

6+ y ago6:55

6:55

On the drive into Missoula today, Qainat and Rachel discussed what they wish they had left behind and what they wish they had brought with them on this cross-country journey. Qainat shared what she's been learning from "The Unwinding: An Inner History of the New America," a book that unravels America's history over the last 35 years. Music credit: …

1
E43: Busy Field Producers and Last Day at Two Eagle River High School 9:12

6+ y ago9:12

9:12

Our field producers Ben and Qainat talked about their story scouting and reporting in western Montana. At Two Eagle River High School, Qainat, Ben and Rachel learned more about the students in the journalism class and left with the best high school newspaper anyone had seen. Music credit: "Jettisoned" by Podington Bear.…

1
E42: Where the Rivers are Clean, Clear and Cold 3:48

6+ y ago3:48

3:48

With the first draft deadline for the Montana reporting looming near, Rachel went for a run to get some inspiration. Music credit: "Jettisoned" by Podington Bear.By Crossing the Divide

1
E41: A Purple State During Divisive Times 4:25

6+ y ago4:25

4:25

While U.S. politics have become increasingly polarized, Zack Porter with the Montana Wilderness Association would argue the reality on the ground is much more collaborative. Music credit: "Jettisoned" and "Drone Pine" by Blue Dot Sessions.By Crossing the Divide

1
E40: Rachel's Least Favorite Part About Reporting 3:51

6+ y ago3:51

3:51

As Rachel rushed off to find another cafe with internet in downtown Missoula, she reflected on the difficulty of squeezing six hours of interviews into six minutes for radio. Music credit: "Jettisoned" by Podington Bear and "City Limits" by Blue Dot Sessions.By Crossing the Divide

1
E39: Rachel and Mahlia Reflect on their Forest Fire Field Trip 5:54

6+ y ago5:54

5:54

After the team's first official day of reporting in Montana, Rachel and Mahlia discussed a field trip with the Southwestern Crown Collaborative in which they visited some burn sites near Seeley Lake. Music credit: "Jettisoned" by Podington Bear.By Crossing the Divide

1
The New American Songbook: Making It In The HMI 28:29

6+ y ago28:29

28:29

HMI stands for Haitian Music Industry, but its artists and fans are spread around the globe. Vladimir Mead immigrated to Boston 10 years ago at age 16. Since then, he’s built up a music career under the name Masterbrain — largely through YouTube and Facebook. His Creole freestyles and music videos have accumulated tens of thousands of hits, but he’…

1
E38: Story Exchange at Two Eagle River High School 7:05

6+ y ago7:05

7:05

The reporters joined a group of students from Two Eagle River High School on the Flathead Reservation in Montana for a Narrative 4 story exchange. Brittany, Rachel and Qainat reflect on that experience. Music credit: "Jettisoned" by Podington Bear and "A Palace of Cedar" by Blue Dot Sessions.By Crossing the Divide

1
E37: Hello, Missoula, Montana! 3:29

6+ y ago3:29

3:29

After getting dinner and picking up groceries in Missoula, Montana, Qainat and Rachel discussed what it's like to be in Rachel's old stomping grounds. Music credit: "Jettisoned" by Podington Bear.By Crossing the Divide

1
E36: Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota 3:11

6+ y ago3:11

3:11

To break up the drive between Minneapolis and Billings, Montana, the team stopped at the Theodore Roosevelt National Park overlook in North Dakota. Music credit: "Jettisoned" and "Flutterbee" by Podington Bear.By Crossing the Divide

1
E35: Gabriel, Rachel and Eric Make an Appearance on Public Television 3:12

6+ y ago3:12

3:12

While Brittany and Mahlia were wrapping things up in the field, the rest of the reporters made a brief appearance on Almanac, a weekly public affairs program produced by Twin Cities Public Television in St. Paul, Minnesota. Music credit: "Jettisoned" by Podington Bear.By Crossing the Divide

1
E34: Allegory of a Snack Quest 3:59

6+ y ago3:59

3:59

After another day with some reporting roadblocks, Rachel sat down to write the story that was there all along. Music credit: "Jettisoned" by Podington Bear.By Crossing the Divide

1
E33: The Waiting Game 5:33

6+ y ago5:33

5:33

As the reporting deadline for Minnesota ticks closer, Rachel waits for her leads to return her calls and e-mails. Music credit: "Jettisoned" and "Steps" by Podington Bear.By Crossing the Divide

1
E32: Behind the Scenes Reporting Pivot 6:46

6+ y ago6:46

6:46

Rachel asked Qainat for some guidance on her reporting in Minnesota. Music credit: "Jettisoned" and "Flutterbee" by Podington Bear.By Crossing the Divide

1
E31: A Reporting Flop But a Sesame Ball Win 4:07

6+ y ago4:07

4:07

To continue Rachel's reporting on agricultural support programs for Somali Americans in MN, she followed a lead about a specific farmers' market in St. Paul, and Brittany tagged along to take photos. They didn't find what they needed for this reporting project, but the morning was a win for good food. Music credit: "Jettisoned" and "Flutterbee" by …

1
E30: Hemp Gets Some Airtime 12:02

6+ y ago12:02

12:02

As the team transitioned to reporting in Minnesota, West Virginia Public Radio aired Rachel's industrial hemp story from eastern Kentucky. Music credit: "Jettisoned" by Podington Bear.By Crossing the Divide

1
E29: All Nations Murals at South High School, Minneapolis 5:15

6+ y ago5:15

5:15

After the Narrative 4 Story Exchange at South High School in Minneapolis, MN, two of the student reporters showed Rachel the murals in the All Nations hallway and discussed their meaning. Music credit: "Jettisoned" by Podington Bear.By Crossing the Divide

1
The New American Songbook: For My Ayeeyo 27:36

6+ y ago27:36

27:36

Somalia is the “land of poets,” a place where love, law, war and peace have been carried out in verse for centuries. This is a story of what happens when that tradition is driven far from the dry soil and open skies that inspire the poets’ metaphors. Two young Somali-American women in Boston are drawn together by poetry, and use it to connect with …

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