6 episodes
The Convo Your Observer
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- News
A conversation about the news between the people bringing it to you. Through "The Convo," we hope to be transparent about how we do our jobs, sharing anecdotes from our beats and the reasons behind the things we write — while also being entertaining and more than occasionally getting off-track. It's like being in the newsroom with us.
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Learning opportunities
Reporter Brynn Mechem returns to the show to discuss how the reopening of schools in Sarasota County has gone thus far. Later, she and host Ryan Kohn get into their feelings when discussing the ramifications of reporting lots of less-than-happy stories in a row. We also get a crucial update on Brynn's dog accessory business and other fun stuff.
Episode links:
- You can read Brynn's education stories, like this one and this one, at yourobserver.com
- You can follow Ryan (@RyanAKohn), Brynn (@BrynnMechem) and the Observer (@ObserverGroup) on Twitter
- You can follow the Observer on Facebook
- You can email Ryan at rkohn@yourobserver.com
- Thank you to The Howl & The Hum for the use of their song "Hall of Fame" as our theme music. You can check out more of their music here. -
He said, she says
Host Ryan Kohn chat with copy editor Kaelyn Adix about the journalism style quirks that gnaw at them, and Kaelyn breaks down why a topical style guide change was recently made. Plus, discussion about Taylor Swift's new album and a lot more.
Episode links:
- You can check out Kaelyn's recommendations of Fake AP Stylebook (@FakeAPStylebook) on Twitter and "Between You and Me: Confessions of a Comma Queen" by Mary Norris wherever books are sold.
- You can follow Ryan (@RyanAKohn) and the Observer (@ObserverGroup) on Twitter
- You can follow the Observer on Facebook
- You can email Ryan at rkohn@yourobserver.com
- Thank you to The Howl & The Hum for the use of their song "Hall of Fame" as our theme music. You can check out more of their music here. -
Spirit of America
Host Ryan Kohn chats with executive editor Kat Hughes about the intent behind the Observer's annual Spirit of America edition and why this year's edition was a challenge to put together. Later, Ryan and Kat talk journalism ethics and take a patriotic quiz, which quickly gets thrown into chaos when Ryan remembers he has a buzzer perfectly suited for marking wrong answers. It's a fun time all around.
Episode links:
- Spirit of America 2020: What Matters Most
- You can follow Ryan (@RyanAKohn) and the Observer (@ObserverGroup) on Twitter
- You can follow the Observer on Facebook
- You can email Ryan at rkohn@yourobserver.com
Thank you to The Howl & The Hum for the use of their song "Hall of Fame" as our theme music. You can check out more of their music here. -
New life, new questions
Host Ryan Kohn chats with reporter Harry Sayer about his story on new mothers and the challenges of bringing life into a COVID-19 world. Later, Ryan and Harry chat about the art aspect of journalism and inform each other of their quarantine movie recommendations.
Episode links:
- Harry's story on new mothers: https://www.yourobserver.com/article/sarasota-mothers-adjust-to-life-with-newborns
- You can follow Harry (harryjsayer) on Instagram
- You can follow Ryan (@RyanAKohn) and the Observer (@ObserverGroup) on Twitter
- You can follow the Observer on Facebook
Thank you to The Howl & The Hum for the use of their song "Hall of Fame" as our theme music. You can check out more of their music here. -
Internet instruction
Host Ryan Kohn chats with community and education reporter Brynn Mechem about the challenge that is distance learning — for students, parents and teachers alike. They also find time to get into Brynn's newfound hobby of making pet accessories and discuss a world without sports.
Episode links:
- Brynn's story on distance learning: https://www.yourobserver.com/article/sarasota-schools-adjust-to-online-learning
- Brynn's story on tips from teachers: https://www.yourobserver.com/article/sarasota-teachers-offer-parental-tips-for-at-home-learning
- You can follow Brynn (@BrynnMechem), Ryan (@RyanAKohn) and the Observer (@ObserverGroup) on Twitter
- You can follow the Observer on Facebook
Thank you to The Howl & The Hum for the use of their song "Hall of Fame" as our theme music. You can check out more of their music here. -
Pandemic pandemonium
Observer Media Group reporter and host Ryan Kohn chats with Sarasota Observer deputy managing editor David Conway about how the early response to the coronavirus pandemic differed between Sarasota County and the city of Sarasota, as well as the challenges in reporting a story like this while people are stuck at home. They also discuss quarantine comforts, like video games that simulate real life, and make the audience aware of a group known as the Popcorn Board. Your lives will never be the same again.
Episode links:
- David's story on the stay-at-home debate: https://www.yourobserver.com/article/sarasota-florida-stay-at-home-shutdown-order-coronavirus
- You can follow David (@davidvconway), Ryan (@RyanAKohn) and the Observer (@ObserverGroup) on Twitter
- You can follow the Observer on Facebook