The Freelance Journalism Podcast

Institute for Independent Journalists
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A podcast about the art and business of freelance journalism, from the Institute for Independent Journalists.

  1. FEB 24

    How to set rates, negotiate, and other freelance FAQs with Katherine Lewis and Shernay Williams

    Times are hard for journalists, even though our work has never been more important. That’s why IIJ leaders Shernay Williams and Katherine Reynolds Lewis wanted to take a moment to set you up for success by answering some common questions from our community of independent journalists of color. Listen in for advice on setting rates, finding clients, maintaining your work life balance, and more. Katherine Reynolds Lewis is the founder of the Institute for Independent Journalists and special projects editor for the Greater Good Science Center. A science journalist and author who writes about relationships, equity, mental health, parenting, journalism, entrepreneurship, and social justice, she previously worked as a national correspondent for Newhouse News Service and Bloomberg News. Shernay Williams is a 3x entrepreneur and an award-winning independent journalist and content strategist with 15 years of cross-platform experience. She worked as a newspaper journalist before transitioning to local TV as a reporter, anchor, and producer. Since then, she’s run a content firm, served as an entrepreneurship coach, and launched a national directory and resources platform for Black mompreneurs. The Freelance Journalism Podcast is a production of the Institute for Independent Journalists, whose mission is the financial and emotional sustainability of freelancers of color. Learn more about our work at theiij.com

    33 min

  2. JAN 27

    For $1/word, Science Friday wants enterprise stories that spark curiosity

    Robin Kazmier is senior digital editor for Science Friday, overseeing the digital operation for the beloved radio show that’s broadcast to more than 500 public radio stations across the country. An experienced science journalist in her own right, Kazmier shares the secrets to a successful Science Friday story with IIJ leader Erika Hayasaki. Kazmier accepts submissions in English and Spanish, and seeks enterprise stories about the surprising ways science helps people understand the world around them. Erika Hayaski is a writer focusing on the intersections of identity, race, psychology, inequality, science, technology, history, and the human condition. She writes a newsletter called The Reported Essay. She is a former national correspondent for the Los Angeles Times and currently teaches at the University of California, Irvine as a professor in the Literary Journalism Program. The Freelance Journalism Podcast is a production of the Institute for Independent Journalists, whose mission is the financial and emotional sustainability of freelancers of color. Learn more about our work at theiij.com

    52 min

  3. 12/18/2025

    Pitch Sentient Reporting on How the Sausage is Made

    Founded in 2018, Sentient is America’s only nonprofit newsroom focused solely on factory farms and their effects on climate, environment, public health, labor, and animal welfare. Editor-in-chief Jenny Splitter is an award-winning climate and food journalist and a former freelancer herself. She sat down with Shernay Williams to discuss Sentient’s goal to build the factory farming beat, and shared tips for how to pitch her your next story. Sentient’s rates for a 800-1,000 word story start at $300, but are often in the $400-$500 range. Check out their freelance charter for more information. Shernay Williams spent more than a decade as a journalist for television, radio, and print outlets throughout the South and East Coast before serving as a business coach, running a content firm, and in 2020, launching The ​Black Mompreneur. The Freelance Journalism Podcast is a production of the Institute for Independent Journalists, whose mission is the financial and emotional sustainability of freelancers of color. Learn more about our work at theiij.com

    31 min

  4. 11/18/2025

    How to pitch Mongabay stories on climate and Indigenous communities

    Global nonprofit newsroom Mongabay covers environmental change and its consequences for communities. Editor Latoya Abulu leads the Indigenous news desk, and focuses on how Indigenous communities navigate climate change and other threats. She relies heavily on a robust network of freelancers around the world, and hopes to find more contributors based in Canada and the United States, particularly in California. Latoya spoke with IIJ leader Erika Hayasaki about how to avoid common pitfalls in pitching stories about Indigenous communities. Mongabay pays between $0.40 and $1 per word for stories that are full of complexity and show a connection to Indigenous communities, and may also cover travel expenses. Latoya says that pitches incorporating nuance and pre-reporting stand out. Erika Hayaski is a writer focusing on the intersections of identity, race, psychology, inequality, science, technology, history, and the human condition. She writes a newsletter called The Reported Essay. She is a former national correspondent for the Los Angeles Times and currently teaches at the University of California, Irvine as a professor in the Literary Journalism Program. The Freelance Journalism Podcast is a production of the Institute for Independent Journalists, whose mission is the financial and emotional sustainability of freelancers of color. Learn more about our work at theiij.com

    44 min

  5. 10/28/2025

    Dr. Kortni Alston Lemon on supporting mental health and entrepreneurship

    Dr. Kortni Alston Lemon specializes in happiness. As the founder of the Kortni Alston Lemon Media (KALM) Institute for Workplace Wellbeing, she has made it her mission to improve the mental health of newsrooms, by offering mental health first aid training to journalists and news leaders alike. Dr. Alston Lemon joined IIJ founder Katherine Reynolds Lewis to discuss her unique path in journalism, from becoming a widow at 25, centering humanity in an industry that’s often unfeeling, and embracing an entrepreneurial mindset to create her own career opportunities. As an experienced news leader herself, Dr. Alston Lemon shares what it looks like for journalists to prioritize their well-being. Katherine Reynolds Lewis is the founder of the Institute for Independent Journalists and special projects editor for the Greater Good Science Center. A science journalist and author who writes about relationships, equity, mental health, parenting, journalism, entrepreneurship, and social justice, she previously worked as a national correspondent for Newhouse News Service and Bloomberg News. The Freelance Journalism Podcast is a production of the Institute for Independent Journalists, whose mission is the financial and emotional sustainability of freelancers of color. Learn more about our work at theiij.com

    36 min

  6. 09/30/2025

    Pitch Sojourners stories about faith and courage

    Tyler Huckabee, managing editor for the religion-focused digital magazine Sojo.net, says a powerful story about religion needs to be specific and spark an emotion. Creative freelancers can find the faith angle almost anywhere – particularly in the current political climate. “Stories of courage are something that are appealing to everybody right now,” he says. He sat down with IIJ founder Katherine Reynolds Lewis to share insights and advice for prospective contributors. Sojo.net looks for stories at the intersection of faith and social justice, with about half their published work coming from freelancers. Rates for reported stories start between $300 and $400, more if they land in the Sojourners print magazine. Tyler Huckabee, managing editor of Sojo.net, has written for the Washington Post, the Week, Religion News Service, and Sojourners, largely about the intersection of faith, justice, and pop culture. Katherine Reynolds Lewis is the founder of the Institute for Independent Journalists and special projects editor for the Greater Good Science Center. A science journalist and author who writes about relationships, equity, mental health, parenting, journalism, entrepreneurship, and social justice, she previously worked as a national correspondent for Newhouse News Service and Bloomberg News. The Freelance Journalism Podcast is a production of the Institute for Independent Journalists, whose mission is the financial and emotional sustainability of freelancers of color. Learn more about our work at theiij.com

    43 min

  7. 08/26/2025

    The Sick Times pays $1 / word for stories on long COVID

    Betsy Ladyzhets and Miles W. Griffis and the co-founders and lead editors of the Sick Times, a website devoted to chronicling Long COVID from all angles. Based on opposite coasts, Ladyzhets and Griffis founded the Sick Times in 2023 to continue providing critical coverage of the ongoing pandemic after many publications seemed to move on. While the Sick Times is only a couple of years old, they are open for freelance pitches! Ladyzhets and Griffis sat down with IIJ leader Erika Hayasaki to share everything you need to know before sending that pitch. Erika Hayaski is a writer focusing on the intersections of identity, race, psychology, inequality, science, technology, history, and the human condition. She writes a newsletter called The Reported Essay. She is a former national correspondent for the Los Angeles Times and currently teaches at the University of California, Irvine as a professor in the Literary Journalism Program. The Freelance Journalism Podcast is a production of the Institute for Independent Journalists, whose mission is the financial and emotional sustainability of freelancers of color. Learn more about our work at theiij.com Thanks to Lisa Adducci for helping to produce this episode.

    54 min

  8. 07/29/2025

    Sunnie Clahchischiligi on pitching Indigenous stories to High Country News

    Covering Indigenous communities west requires care and relationship building. Sunnie Clahchischiligi, Indigenous Affairs Editor for High Country News, joins IIJ founder Katherine Reynolds Lewis to discuss how to pitch freelance stories to HCN that truly serve those communities. Dr. Sunnie R. Clahchischiligi is the Indigenous Affairs Editor at High Country News. Sunnie is an award-winning journalist who has reported for outlets like Navajo Times, the Osage News, The Guardian, USA Today, Rolling Stone, and The New York Times. In 2023, she received her PhD in rhetoric, composition, and writing studies from The University of New Mexico. She serves on the board of directors for the Indigenous Journalists Association and teaches at Arizona State University Katherine Reynolds Lewis is the founder of the Institute for Independent Journalists and special projects editor for the Greater Good Science Center. A science journalist and author who writes about relationships, equity, mental health, parenting, journalism, entrepreneurship, and social justice, she previously worked as a national correspondent for Newhouse News Service and Bloomberg News. The Freelance Journalism Podcast is a production of the Institute for Independent Journalists, whose mission is the financial and emotional sustainability of freelancers of color. Learn more about our work at theiij.com

    41 min
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About

A podcast about the art and business of freelance journalism, from the Institute for Independent Journalists.

Information

  • Creator
    Institute for Independent Journalists
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Freelance Journalism Podcast

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