One Cool Story: Tales from the University of Oregon’s School of Communication and Journalism

School of Journalism and Communication

Welcome to One Cool Story: Tales from the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication (SOJC). Each term you’ll hear from a handful of SOJC faculty, students, staff, and alumni about life in Allen Hall, SOJC Portland, and beyond. From tales about unexpected encounters and life-changing trips to career highs and more, you’ll be getting an in-depth look at what makes the SOJC community truly special.

  1. APR 30

    Episode 22: Austin Ota, Bay Area Broadcast Breakout & J-Grad ’25

    What does it look like to say yes to every opportunity and turn uncertainty into a career in sports broadcasting? In this episode of the podcast One Cool Story: Tales from the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication, fourth-year journalism student Ethan Donahue sits down with Austin Ota, a recent journalism graduate whose love of sports led to a passion for storytelling and shaped his path to sports media. Austin shares how he got into broadcasting and how joining KWVA on his first day at the University of Oregon set everything into motion. From learning the technical side of journalism to stepping into leadership roles, he reflects on how hands-on experience, mentorship, and a willingness to accept challenges pushed him to grow beyond play-by-play into a more versatile journalist. He also discusses the realities of breaking into the industry, from navigating internships with little structure to sending hundreds of emails in pursuit of freelance opportunities, and how persistence and adaptability ultimately helped him build a career he loves. Stay until the end for Austin’s one cool story, a chaotic KWVA trip that tested his instincts, challenged his comfort zone, and pushed his adaptability in new ways. Listen to hear: • How saying “yes” to everything at KWVA helped Austin find his place in journalism. • Why learning skills outside your comfort zone can shape your career in unexpected ways. • What it really takes to break into sports broadcasting, and why persistence matters. Subscribe to the One Cool Story podcast: https://journalism.uoregon.edu/podcast  Learn about the UO School of Journalism and Communication: https://journalism.uoregon.edu/  Apply to the UO School of Journalism and Communication: https://journalism.uoregon.edu/admissions

    33 min
  2. FEB 3

    Episode 20: Heidi Stevenson, Curiosity-Driven Media & News Researcher ’25

    What does it look like to discover your academic calling after taking an unexpected path to college? In this episode of One Cool Story: Tales from the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication (SOJC), fourth-year journalism student Ethan Donahue sits down with Heidi Stevenson, a recent SOJC graduate whose journey took her from community college in Pennsylvania to presenting original research at national journalism conferences. Heidi shares how a cross-country move during COVID, a transfer-student seminar, and her work with the SOJC’s Catalyst Journalism Project sparked a shift from journalism to media studies, opening the door to research on how people engage with news in new and interactive ways. From studying global vaccine coverage to designing experiments on news games, Heidi explains how curiosity and supportive mentors reshaped her career goals. She also reflects on navigating imposter syndrome, finding community through the SOJC Honors Program, and why she’s pursuing pre-doctoral research before applying to PhD programs. Stay to the end for Heidi’s one cool story—a moment of hope and reflection at a national academic conference. 🎧 Listen to hear: How research for the Catalyst Journalism Project helped Heidi pivot her career path. What news games are and why they’re changing how audiences experience journalism. How SOJC’s culture of mentorship and support helped her thrive. Subscribe to the One Cool Story podcast: https://journalism.uoregon.edu/podcast  Learn about the UO School of Journalism and Communication: https://journalism.uoregon.edu/  Apply to the UO School of Journalism and Communication: https://journalism.uoregon.edu/admissions

    15 min
  3. FEB 3

    Episode 19: Andrew DeVigal, Community Connector & Legendary Listener

    In this episode of One Cool Story: Tales from the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication, master’s student Kaiya Laguardia-Yonamine catches up with Andrew DeVigal, director of the Agora Journalism Center and co-director of the Multimedia Storytelling Master’s program at UO’s Portland campus. Andrew reflects on his 30-year career in journalism, from his early days at the Contra Costa Times in California to shaping visual and interactive storytelling at the Chicago Tribune, the Poynter Institute, and the New York Times. He shares what community-centered storytelling really means, the mission behind Agora, and why investing in local news is investing in the future of journalism. Stay tuned until the end for Andrew’s one cool story—a behind-the-scenes look at how an award-winning piece at the Times came to be, and why saying “yes” can change everything. Listen to hear: How Andrew’s career evolved from software programming to multimedia leadership at the New York Times. Why community trust, collaboration, and listening matter more than ever in journalism. How the Agora Journalism Center works with communities to fill information gaps across Oregon. What a New York Times story about an avalanche taught him about risk, innovation, and collaboration. Subscribe to the One Cool Story podcast: https://journalism.uoregon.edu/podcast  Learn about the UO School of Journalism and Communication: https://journalism.uoregon.edu/  Apply to the UO School of Journalism and Communication: https://journalism.uoregon.edu/admissions  Discover the Agora Journalism Center: https://agorajournalism.center/  Learn about the Community Storytelling Podcasting Microcredential: https://journalism.uoregon.edu/academics/graduate-programs/multimedia-storytelling/microcredentials#podcasting

    33 min
  4. FEB 3

    Episode 18: Martha Tejeda, Fandom-Fueled Media Scholar con Corazón

    In this episode of One Cool Story: Tales from the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication (SOJC), senior journalism student Leo Heffron sits down with SOJC PhD student Martha Tejeda—an international student from Juarez, Mexico, a media scholar of K-pop and Disney fandoms, and a researcher exploring Mexican youth and narco culture. Martha shares how crossing the border for school at the age of 12 shaped her identity, why studying what you actually love matters in academia, and how she transitioned from teaching middle school to guiding SOJC undergrads as a graduate employee. She also discusses navigating grief and mental health during her PhD, as well as why her dream job might be working for Disney in a nonprofit role. Stay tuned to the end for her one cool story—how a conference trip turned into a first-ever visit to Walt Disney World, bringing her childhood (and adult) Disney dreams full circle. Listen to hear: How Martha turned her fandoms—K-pop, Disney, and more—into serious media research. Why she’s studying Narco culture and fandoms—and what that reveals about youth and media. Her advice on choosing research topics you care about and surviving the pressures of academia. Subscribe to the One Cool Story podcast: https://journalism.uoregon.edu/podcast Learn about the UO School of Journalism and Communication: https://journalism.uoregon.edu/ Apply to the UO School of Journalism and Communication: https://journalism.uoregon.edu/admissions

    29 min

About

Welcome to One Cool Story: Tales from the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication (SOJC). Each term you’ll hear from a handful of SOJC faculty, students, staff, and alumni about life in Allen Hall, SOJC Portland, and beyond. From tales about unexpected encounters and life-changing trips to career highs and more, you’ll be getting an in-depth look at what makes the SOJC community truly special.