During each of the conferences, we invite you to join us at the Public Media Village's expo booth to learn about the exciting opportunities awaiting you in the world of public media. It's the perfect chance to connect with industry professionals, discover unique storytelling approaches, and gain invaluable insights into the behind-the-scenes magic that brings public media to life.

To make the most of your experience, we've curated captivating Think.Public.Media events that you won't want to miss. From thought-provoking panels to interactive sessions, we've got something for everyone. You can find the full schedule and details of our events below.

Think.Public.Media. Activities

Career Fair & Expo

July 12-14 | 8:00am - 5:00pm

When trauma is the story: How to care for your sources, yourself and the public

Thursday, July 13 | 1:45pm - 3:15pm

Trauma is tricky all around—for the person experiencing it, for the journalist covering it, and for the community in the eye of a news storm. Chiara Eisner, Investigative Reporter at NPR, David Cordero Mercado, Investigative Journalist at El Nuevo Dia, and Mariano Avila, Executive Director of The Peace Studio, will share field notes on the importance of knowing how to care for sources during interviews, for us as we report and for the communities we serve as we talk about them.

A seat at the table: How BIPOC editors and producers can shape diverse coverage

Thursday, July 13 | 3:30pm - 5:00pm

While we have seen the growth of staff diversity in newsrooms over the past few years, there are still few editors or senior producers of color. In this session, Think.Public.Media. journalists will talk about the challenges these journalists face when assigning stories and working with reporters or producers on how those stories and interviews unfold, especially when the topic is race and ethnicity. We will discuss ways to support editors and senior producers and help them feel more confident when outlining coverage priorities to reporters and staff.

Moderator:

• Sergio Bustos, Vice President of News, WLRN

Panelists:

• Erika Aguilar, Executive Producer, NPR

• Vanessa de la Torre, Executive Director & Executive Editor, New England News Collaborative

• Julio Ochoa, Editorial Director, WUSF

Jumping into audio story-telling

Friday, July 14 | 3:45pm - 5:15pm

Though audio storytelling matures as a medium, audiences are still in desperate need of more Latino journalists. Through radio and podcasts, you can discover powerful ways to connect with listeners – while giving you opportunities to flex new creative muscles.

You'll hear from some of public media's most gifted Latino leaders and creators about their own career paths and how their work has changed lives and inspired action. This session will cover recommendations and basic aspects to be able to build an audio story. They’ll also discuss the public media landscape – and how you can center Latinos in stories in smart, engaging ways.

Panelist:

• Blanca Torres, Producer & Reporter, KQED

• Andrea Gutierrez, Producer & Reporter, NPR

• Rodrigo Cervantes, Senior Editor, Southern California Public Radio

Think.Public.Media. Reception | Hosted by WLRN

Friday, July 14, 2023 | 6:30 PM 8:30 PM

Stop by the Think.Public.Media booth at the Career Fair to learn how you can attend the Think.Public.Media. reception hosted by WLRN! The reception will be a time for networking, talking about careers in public media and meeting other conference attendees. WLRN’s Sherrilyn Cabrera will be our keynote speaker.

*Light refreshments will be provided.

Career Fair & Expo

July 19 | 12:00pm - 5:00pm

Career Fair & Expo

July 20 | 9:00am - 5:00pm

Career Fair & Expo

July 21 | 9:00am - 3:00pm

Beyond Diverse Sourcing: Podcasting for BIPOC Audiences (AAJA Radio and Podcasts Affinity Group Presents)

Thursday, July 20 | 3:15pm - 4:15pm

As Asian American podcasters, we believe that BIPOC audiences want to hear stories that speak directly to their experiences and their interests. This panel of podcast producers and reporters will share how they amplify stories, perspectives and histories of underrepresented groups, whether it’s in the space of a daily interview podcast, a weekly narrative longform or a limited series. We’ll discuss what inclusion looks like in the pitching, booking, production and post-production process. We’ll also talk about how to speak up and navigate the difficult but honest conversations that need to happen to ensure that the story you and your team deliver actually serves the community you’re trying to represent.

Speakers

• Eli Chen, Independent Audio Producer

• Felix Poon, New Hampshire Public Radio’s Outside/In podcast

• Emily Kwong, Short Wave, NPR

• Alex Lewis, co-founder of Rowhouse Productions

A seat at the table: How BIPOC editors and producers can shape diverse coverage

Friday, July 21 | 11:30am - 12:30pm

While we have seen the growth of staff diversity in newsrooms over the past few years, there are still few editors or senior producers of color. In this session, Think.Public.Media. journalists will talk about the challenges these journalists face when assigning stories and working with reporters or producers on how those stories and interviews unfold, especially when the topic is race and ethnicity. We will discuss ways to support editors and senior producers and help them feel more confident when outlining coverage priorities to reporters and staff.

Moderator:

• Pallavi Gogoi, Chief Business Editor, NPR

Panelists:

• Ben De La Cruz, Senior Visuals Editor, NPR

• Stephanie Kim, Senior Producer, WBEZ

• Madhusmita Bora, Managing Editor, WHYY

Think.Public.Media. Reception | Hosted by NPR

Friday, July 21 | 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Join us for an intimate conversation between Ailsa Chang, Host of NPR’s All Things Considered, and Emily Kwong, Host of NPR’s Short Wave science podcast. They will play tape from their favorite radio stories and ask each other their burning questions: about finding purpose in their careers, building confidence on mic, and creating Asian American sisterhood and community both on the air and in the workplace.

Stop by the Think.Public.Media. booth at the Career Fair to learn how you can attend the reception.

*Light refreshments will be provided.

Career Fair & Expo

August 2-4 | 9:00am - 5:00pm

The Crossfade: Seamlessly Transitioning from Reporter to Editor

Thursday, August 3 | 10:30am - 11:30am

There are a handful of programs for aspiring or emerging editors, but there's still a very narrow pipeline to develop people into that essential role. This session will break down the transferable skills, how to sell yourself in a job application process and offer practical advice to push candidates, especially women of color, to stop being daunted by bullet points on job descriptions. Priska Neely, Managing Editor, Gulf States Newsroom, Kameel Stanley, Program Director, Stitcher Studios and SiriusXM, Ruth Serven Smith, Education Editor, AL.com, and Cheryl W. Thompson, Senior Editor, Member Stations Investigations, NPR will discuss how they made the transition sharing their biggest lessons and things to avoid.

Hidden Sexy of Working in Audio: How to Create a Path in Public Media, Radio & Podcasting

Thursday, August 3 | 1:30pm - 2:30pm

Every year, scores of Black journalists prepare to enter careers in Broadcast journalism. Most look at television news as their main option. But radio news has remained strong and digital and on-demand audio is growing exponentially and many Black journalists are finding success in the audio-only industry. In this panel discussion, we will bring in industry experts to discuss what it is like to work on air and behind the scenes in radio news and in podcasting, the need for diversity and opportunities that many overlook. We'll discuss show creation, collaboration, ownership and more about working in the audio world.

Moderator:

• Chandra Thomas Whitfield, Host, Colorado Public Radio

Panelists:

• Tanya Mosley, Contributing Host, Fresh Air, TMI Productions

• Sarah J. Glover, Vice President of News, WHYY

• Michael Lyle, Host/Anchor, KUNC

• Cherri Gregg, Host/Anchor, WHYY

Lift Every Voice and Lead: Building a career in management, while staying true to yourself

Thursday, August 3 | 3:00pm - 4:00pm

Leadership in creative industries is so many things: staffing, strategy, storytelling and service to the audience. But for Black leaders, it's a balancing act of all of these things, PLUS creating space for voices of color, AND remaining credible in the newsroom. In this session, experienced journalism leaders share how to navigate it all, while staying 100% yourself. They'll explore: the importance of being you, how to maximize your perspective, how to address questions of objectivity, how to build a network of support, and how to prepare for those leadership positions that are much closer than you might think.

Moderator:

• Joanne P. Griffith, Chief Content Officer, American Public Media

Panelists:

• Nicole Childers, Executive Editor, Biz Tech Innovation Unit, NBC News

• Priska Neely, Managing Editor, Gulf States Newsroom

• Sarah J. Glover, Vice President of News, WHYY

A seat at the table: How BIPOC editors and producers can shape diverse coverage

Friday, August 4 | 8:00am - 9:30am

While we have seen the growth of staff diversity in newsrooms over the past few years, there are still few editors or senior producers of color. In this session, Think.Public.Media. journalists will talk about the challenges these journalists face when assigning stories and working with reporters or producers on how those stories and interviews unfold, especially when the topic is race and ethnicity. We will discuss ways to support editors and senior producers and help them feel more confident when outlining coverage priorities to reporters and staff.

Moderator:

• Jeanette Woods, Editor, NPR

Panelists:

• Terrence Shepherd, News Director, KPBS

• Dalia Colon, Executive Producer and Host, WUSF

• Holly Edgell, Managing Editor, Midwest Newsroom, KCUR

No Parachute: Reporting on Communities that You're Not Embedded In

Friday, August 4 | 9:00am - 10:00am

Many journalists are tasked with reporting on communities around the country -- and sometimes world -- with little time to develop trust, connections, and deep knowledge of those places. This panel will talk about how to thoughtfully, ethically, and respectfully tell those stories. Themes will include collaborating with local journalists, building in accountability measures, framing stories with sensitivity, and communicating openly. Panelists will talk about what they've done well, where they've failed, and lessons they've learned along the way.

Moderator:

• Leah Donnella, Editor NPR

Panelists:

• Jonathan Franklin, Race, Culture, and Identity Reporter, NPR

• Maya King, Politics Reporter, New York Times

Black Femmes in Audio

Friday, August 4 | 4:30pm - 5:30pm

This session brings together femmes from across the podcasting and radio industries for an exciting and candid conversation about the complexities of navigating the audio industry as a Black femme. Attendees will learn how these hosts, producers, and creatives walk the line between what could be said and how to say it, covering sensitive topics with a well-researched, open mind, and soft skills for working with producers and editors in the most collaborative and successful way.

Moderator:

• Corey Antonio Rose, Assistant Producer, It’s Been a Minute, NPR

Panelists:

• Brittany Luse, Host, It’s Been a Minute, NPR

• Imara Jones, Founder, Translash Media

• Tre’vell Anderson, Owner and CEO, Slayzhon

• Keisha TK Dukes, Executive Producer and Host & Board Member of the Association of Independents in Radio (AIR)