Informed Reporting

Dr. Gretchen Hoak | Specialist in Journalist Wellbeing

Listen each week as Dr. Gretchen Hoak, former TV journalist, researcher, and professor, talks with other researchers, working journalists, and newsroom managers about mental health, newsroom culture, and journalist wellbeing. This podcast connects the real world with what academic research shows about life as a journalist and the toll the stress can take. From local journalist to national correspondent, we talk about the consequences of covering the trauma that makes the headlines and leads the newscasts. If you want to join the conversation and learn about how we can use research to make the news industry better and keep good journalists in the field where we need them, then this podcast is for you. Follow us on Instagram @informedreportingpodcast, or email us at informedreportingpodcast@gmail.com.

  1. 23 hr ago

    "Pioneering Journalism & Mental Health Research" with Dr. Anthony Feinstein

    Description: On this episode of Informed Reporting, I talk with Dr. Anthony Feinstein, professor of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto. Dr. Feinstein is the most well-known and most often cited researcher in studies of journalism and mental health. We talk about how he got into the field, his major findings over the years, moral injury versus PTSD, and why education is key to helping journalists understand that it’s okay to have emotional reactions to their work. We also talk about his upcoming studies using brain scans to better understand how repeatedly covering war and conflict affects journalists. Chapter List: 00:50 Introduction to Dr. Anthony Feinstein 03:42 The Evolution of His Research in Journalism and Mental Health 06:07 Gaining Access to Journalists 08:13 Major Findings in Conflict Journalist Research 10:18 Barriers Preventing Mental Health Support for Journalists 11:32 Changing Attitudes about Mental Health Support 12:37 Impact of PTSD and Depression on Journalists' Lives 15:28 Aspects of the Profession that Contribute to Mental Distress 16:27 Studying Local Journalists in Mexico 19:19 Local Journalists in Afghanistan 21:33 Accessing Journalists in Dangerous Regions 24:29 The Impact of Natural Disasters on Domestic Journalists 26:23 Journalists Reporting on Climate Change 28:22 Journalists and Online Harassment 31:03 Understanding Moral Injury in Journalism 35:59 Preventing Moral Injury and Promoting Resilience 39:27 The Importance of Education 41:29 Mental Health Support is the same as Medical Support 42:33 What can news organizations do? 43:18 Future Research on Journalists and Mental Health 47:17 The Importance of Journalists 48:21 Conclusion 48:53 Close Show Notes: Dr. Anthony Feinsten Bio: https://ims.utoronto.ca/faculty/anthony-feinstein Publication List on Pub Med: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Anthony%09Feinstein His Books on Journalism (Available on Amazon): Dangerous Lives: War and the Men and Women who Report it (2003) Journalists Under Fire: The Psychological Hazards of Covering War (2006) Battle Scarred: Hidden Costs of the Border War (2011) Moral Courage: 19 Profiles of Investigative Journalists (2013) Shooting War: 18 Profiles of Conflict Photographers (2018)

    "Pioneering Journalism & Mental Health Research" with Dr. Anthony Feinstein

  2. 20 Oct

    25 years later - Kent State Professors Reflect on 9/11

    Description: In the last of 3 episodes focusing on 9/11 for the 25th anniversary, former journalist Anna Huntsman interviews 3 Kent State University journalism faculty who were working in local news that day when the terrorists attacked. Host Dr. Gretchen Hoak is among the three interviews. The guests talk about what they experienced and how they felt navigating news coverage on such an unprecedented event. They also reflect on how their experience shapes their teaching today. This audio story is used with permission from Anna Huntsman and Kent State University. Chapters: 00:00 Show Open 00:50 Introduction 01:47 Learning of 9/11 in the Car 02:57 Changing Plans and Rolling with the Story 04:06 The Akron Beacon Journal Springs into Action 06:11 The Early Days of Digital First 08:08 The Extra Edition - What should the headline say? 09:13 No Time to Process the Emotion 10:06 The Eerie Silence of the Sky 11:23 Put the Focus on Getting the Paper Out 12:21 This is Not a Movie 13:02 9/11 and Reporter Trauma 14:19 Grade A Compartmentalizer 15:24 Connecting History to Modern Journalism 16:01 Journalists are Allowed to have Feelings 18:33 Significance without Memory 19:56 Conclusion 20:12 Close Show Notes: Episode and Article: https://www.kent.edu/today/news/25-years-later-kent-state-journalism-professors-reflect-covering-911-and-its-lasting Akron Beacon Journal: https://www.beaconjournal.com/ NBC24 Toledo: https://nbc24.com/ Tallahassee Democrat: https://www.tallahassee.com/ Mitch McKenney: https://www.kent.edu/mdj/profile/mitch-mckenney Dr. Gretchen Hoak: https://www.kent.edu/mdj/gretchen-hoak Mizell Stewart III: https://www.kent.edu/mdj/mizell-stewart

    25 years later - Kent State Professors Reflect on 9/11

  3. 13 Oct

    "Looking Forward from 9/11" with Photojournalist David Handschuh

    Description: In the second of 3 episodes marking the 25th anniversary of 9/11, I talk with photojournalist David Handschuh. David was at the Twin Towers that day and captured a Pulitzer-nominated photo of the second plane hitting the South Tower, before he was critically injured when it collapsed. David talks candidly about how that day changed his life and career, and the long road of physical and mental healing needed in order to return to photojournalism. 25 years later, he is still passionate about teaching journalists to take care of themselves in the face of the trauma they cover, and the importance of photojournalism. Chapters: 00:00 Show Open 00:54 Introduction to David Handschuh 04:36 The Impact of his Experience on 9/11 11:26 The Origins of the Flying Manatee 12:52 Advocacy for Journalists and Trauma Awareness 16:18 Experience with Tragedy Prior to 9/11 19:50 His Changing Approach to Covering Trauma 21:46 The Power to Say No to Trauma Coverage 25:11 9/11 in the Classroom 27:43 Better Preparation for Student Journalists 29:12 His Experience with Trauma Care post-9/11 32:38 The Value of Peer Counseling 35:47 The Evolution of the Trauma Conversation 37:42 The Changing Local News Business 39:30 Looking Forward from 9/11 42:00 The Value of Photojournalism 43:03 Conclusion 43:17 Closing Show Notes: Learn more about David Handschuh FlyingManatee on Instagram and X Read more about David’s experience on 9/11 here. Ochberg Fellowships ISTSS Read more about Columbine here. Read more about the Happy Land Social Club Fire here.

    "Looking Forward from 9/11" with Photojournalist David Handschuh

  4. 6 Oct

    "After Ground Zero" with Mike Kelly

    Description: In this first episode of Season 2, I talk with journalist Mike Kelly about his experiences at ground zero and his new book, After Ground Zero: Everyday Americans and the Unhealed Scars of 9/11. You’ll hear how that tragic day affected him, what drove him to write his latest book, and why he focused on the everyday people who still live with the effects of 9/11 today. We also talk about how he approaches victims of tragedy, being human, and what he did to handle the emotional weight of the long hours of repeated interviews with the people in his book. The book is available now on Amazon and other major book retailers. Chapters: 00:00 Open 00:48 Intro to Mike Kelly 02:36 His Experience on 9/11 05:27 The Emotional Toll of Reporting on 9/11 08:19 The Long-Term Impact of 9/11 on Him 13:18 Recognizing the Psychological Toll of 9/11 15:26 Following the 9/11 Story 20:16 The Idea for the Book Takes Shape 26:02 The Blessing and Burden of Repeated Interviews 28:58 The Importance of Empathy and Compassion 33:34 Dealing with the Emotional Exposure of Tragic Stories 37:25 Coping with the Weight of Tragedy 41:22 Balancing the Work and Its Impact 44:31 Journalists are Human 46:38 Writing as Catharsis 51:22 Building Trust in Interviews 01:00:29 Different Tactics for Different Interviews 01:03:14 What did he learn from the process? 01:06:06 How to Find Mike Kelly 01:06:38 Conclusion 01:07:19 Close Show Notes: Mike’s Website: https://www.mikekellywriter.com/ Email Mike at: mikekellywriter@gmail.com View Mike’s work here: https://www.northjersey.com/ Buy Mike’s book on Amazon

    "After Ground Zero" with Mike Kelly

  5. 6 Jul

    "It's Trauma Season" with Dr. Sharon Smith

    Description: In Australia, it’s summer as Christmas and New Years approach, which means everyone is on holiday at a time when disaster is most likely to strike. In this episode, Dr. Sharon Smith talks about her article, “It’s Trauma Season” that explored Australian journalists’ exposure to trauma at this crucial time of low staffing and high probabilities for extreme weather. With 30 years’ experience as a journalist, Dr. Smith talks about her own career and exposure to traumatic events, as well as emotional labor, objectivity, and tips for both newsroom managers and journalists. Chapters 00:00 Opening 00:48 Introduction 01:09 Sharon's Career in Journalism 02:03 Transitioning to Academia 02:50 Research Focus 05:27 "It's Trauma Season" 09:05 Low Staffing during High Trauma Times 10:20 Covering Disasters in your Community 13:49 How the Study was Conducted 16:37 Australian vs. American Journalism 18:42 The Ambiguity of Objectivity 22:49 Understanding Emotional Labor in Journalism 24:53 Defining Emotional Labor 28:19 Compartmentalization and Its Effects 32:30 Navigating Emotional Responses in Interviews 35:47 Tips for Newsroom Managers 39:43 Journalists Put the Work First 41:20 Tips for Journalists 42:54 Building Trauma Awareness 44:46 Rethinking Objectivity and Impartiality 49:44 Balancing the Impact of Connection 53:01 Conclusion 53:19 Closing Show Notes Dr. Sharon Smith on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-smith-9b709519/ “It’s Trauma Season” by Dr. Sharon Smith https://doi.org/10.1080/1461670X.2026.2668383

    "It's Trauma Season" with Dr. Sharon Smith

  6. 30 Jun

    "Keeping Good People in the Field" with Samantha Ragland

    Description: Sam Ragland from the American Press Institute is about as passionate as you can get about keeping journalists healthy. In this episode, we talk about her own journey with trauma and burnout and how it fueled her fire for teaching journalists and newsroom leaders how to be more resilient. From the right newsroom, to the right people, to the right language, we dig in on burnout, culture, and hope for the future.   Chapters 00:00 Opening 00:42 Introduction 02:48 Shifting Focus to Trauma 05:36 Personal Experience with News and Mental Health 10:45 Addressing Burnout 12:05 Learning the Right Vocabulary 13:28 Being our Brother's Keeper 15:01 Her Series on Identifying and Managing Burnout 18:10 Tiny Betrayals 21:00 Burnout Cannot be Solved with Better Self-Care 24:01 Perpetuating Culture 26:47 Trauma Informed Leadership 30:20 The Pros and Cons of Gens Z and Alpha 32:18 Building Resilience in Journalism Education 34:50 The Importance of Debriefing in Journalism 38:16 Keeping Good Journalists in Journalism 40:28 Processing Hardship Individually 43:18 Barriers to Mental Health Awareness in Newsrooms 46:56 Slow but Noticeable Change 48:15 Empowering Young Journalists to Find the Right Newsroom 51:30 The Trust Economy 52:44 Other API Resources 54:10 Finding your People 56:38 Shout out to Shadow Text 59:32 The Power of Connection 01:00:47 Conclusion 01:01:04 Closing   Show notes: Samantha Ragland on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantharagland/ Palm Beach Post https://www.palmbeachpost.com/ Poynter https://www.poynter.org/  American Press Institute https://americanpressinstitute.org/  API – Navigating Burnout as a Journalist https://americanpressinstitute.org/navigating-burnout-as-a-journalist/ Mental Health in Journalism Summit 2026 https://www.theselfinvestigation.com/summit/ Media Resilience Network https://mdrnet.org/ What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience and Healing by Dr. Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrew https://www.bdperry.com/

    "Keeping Good People in the Field" with Samantha Ragland

  7. 22 Jun

    "Navigating Identity in Broadcast News" with Dr. Kris Vera-Phillips

    Description Journalism can sometimes be a difficult job, but what makes it difficult can differ widely depending on who you are. On this episode, I talk with Dr. Kris Vera-Phillips about her recently published article, “Don’t Risk Your Life’: How BIPOC Journalists Navigate Identity, Newsroom Routines, and Safety in U.S. Broadcast News,” which was published in Journalism and Media in March 2026. Vera-Phillips is a former broadcast producer who studies the differing experiences of minority journalists. We talk about her findings and what they mean for transforming newsrooms to be more supportive places for all journalists, including minority ones.   Chapters 00:00 Opening 01:11 Introduction and Journey into Journalism 06:51 Transition to Academia 10:27 Her Research on BIPOC Journalists 13:15 Digging into Her Study: Don't Risk Your Life 15:13 Journalists Rewarded for Willingness to Absorb Risk 19:46 The Burden of Safety is on the Journalist 21:28 Specific Challenges for Journalists of Color 22:34 Mental Health and Support in Journalism 25:05 Building Resilience 27:13 Dealing with Racialized Attacks 33:04 Differences in Expectations Between Journalists and Management 36:32 Reimagining Newsrooms 41:02 Other Research in the Works 42:47 Conclusion 43:02 Closing   Show Notes Learn more about Dr. Kris Vera-Phillips here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krisvp/ Southern Methodist University, Meadows School of the Arts https://www.smu.edu/meadows Access Dr. Vera-Phillips article here: https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5172/7/1/64 Other elements mentioned during the show: Medill School of Journalism: https://www.medill.northwestern.edu/ Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication https://cronkite.asu.edu/ Next Generation Fellowship (NPR) https://nextgenradio.org/ PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs https://studentreportinglabs.org/

    "Navigating Identity in Broadcast News" with Dr. Kris Vera-Phillips

  8. 15 Jun

    “Wall-to-Wall During Deadly Weather” with James Spann

    Description: Legendary local meteorologist James Spann knows what it’s like to bear the responsibility of keeping people safe during severe weather. For nearly half a century, he’s been forecasting in one of the deadliest weather markets in the country – Alabama. On this episode, he opens up about being on air during the deadly 2011 tornado outbreak that killed more than 250 people in Alabama, and how he still carries that experience with him today. He also gets candid about the importance of mental and physical health, his new weather venture as he approaches 70, and why his love for weather and serving the community keeps him going. If you love weather, you will love this episode. Chapters: 00:00 Show Intro 01:11 Introduction 03:22 A Career Built in Alabama 04:22 The Volatility of Alabama Weather 07:03 The Deadly Tornado Outbreak of 2011 11:31 Too Busy for Emotions 15:24 The Responsibility of Saving Lives and Property 17:08 The Mental Toll of Severe Weather 19:07 Moving Through the Grief Process 22:12 The Importance of Community Relationships 24:46 Taking Care of Mental and Physical Health 29:14 The Alabama Weather Network 32:30 Innovating Local Weather Coverage 34:29 Reaching Bigger Audiences 36:35 Lessons from 2011 41:10 Making a Wider Impact 42:25 On the air when a tornado hit his house.... 44:45 Shout Out to Ginger Zee 46:50 Angels in the Aftermath 49:00 The Conversation on Mental Health in Meteorology 55:37 Balance and Loving What You Do 57:12 Advice for Aspiring Meteorologists 01:00:12 Conclusion 01:00:35 Show Closing Show Notes: James Spann on Instagram: @spannwx and @alabamawxnet The Weather Brains podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/weatherbrains/id121275452 The Alabama Weather Network: https://alabamaweathernetwork.com/ James Spann and Jason Simpson weather coverage on April 27, 2011: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElZZNvNdhks National Weather Service: https://www.weather.gov/ NOAA: https://www.noaa.gov/ American Meteorological Society (AMS): https://www.ametsoc.org/ams/ National Weather Association (NWA): https://nwas.org/

    “Wall-to-Wall During Deadly Weather” with James Spann
See All (22)

Trailer

About

Listen each week as Dr. Gretchen Hoak, former TV journalist, researcher, and professor, talks with other researchers, working journalists, and newsroom managers about mental health, newsroom culture, and journalist wellbeing. This podcast connects the real world with what academic research shows about life as a journalist and the toll the stress can take. From local journalist to national correspondent, we talk about the consequences of covering the trauma that makes the headlines and leads the newscasts. If you want to join the conversation and learn about how we can use research to make the news industry better and keep good journalists in the field where we need them, then this podcast is for you. Follow us on Instagram @informedreportingpodcast, or email us at informedreportingpodcast@gmail.com.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Gretchen Hoak | Specialist in Journalist Wellbeing
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Dr. Gretchen Hoak | Specialist in Journalist Wellbeing
  • Show Website
    Informed Reporting