E120: Innovation takeaways

E120: Innovation takeaways

Author: MDDC Press Association June 18, 2025 Duration: 54:39

What does it take for news organizations to evolve and stay relevant? In this episode, Rebecca is joined by Emily Ristow, Director of Journalism Strategy at the American Press Institute, who shares key innovation lessons from the Table Stakes Local News Transformation Program. Drawing from her own experience and years of coaching media teams, Emily unpacks the mindset shifts, tactical strategies, and organizational habits that lead to meaningful change.


Ever wonder how a major local story really came together, or what a reporter was thinking when they asked that tough question? Five Dubs Podcast pulls back the curtain on the newsrooms across Maryland, Delaware, and Washington D.C. Hosts Rebecca Snyder and Kevin Berrier, through the MDDC Press Association, sit down with the journalists themselves to explore the how and why behind the headlines you read each day. This isn't just a recap of the news; it's a conversation about the process, the challenges, and the sometimes surprising human stories that unfold during the pursuit of a story. In each episode, you'll hear firsthand accounts of what it takes to cover communities in this dynamic region, from the initial tip to the published piece. The Five Dubs Podcast offers a unique, insider perspective on the function and future of local media, making the landscape of regional journalism more accessible and understandable. It’s for anyone curious about the mechanics of news gathering and the people dedicated to telling our local stories.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Five Dubs Podcast
Podcast Episodes
E91: County Sports Zone, Jake Shipley and Darius Long [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:41
On this week’s episode of Five Dubs: Marketing Pros, host Kevin Berrier has a conversation with Jake Shipley and Darius Long of County Sports Zone, a digital platform dedicated to high school sports in Maryland. We explo…
E89: Member Spotlight with Konrad LaPrade and Andy West of INI USA [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:52
In this Member Spotlight episode, host Rebecca Snyder sits down with Konrad LaPrade, Group Publisher of INI USA, and Andy West, Editor-in-Chief, for an insightful discussion on the unique mission of INI Independent News…
E88: MDDC Member Spotlight: APG Media [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:51
In this Member Spotlight episode, host Rebecca Snyder is joined by Jim Johnson, Executive Editor, and Chad Campbell, Assistant General Manager of APG Media, a network of over a dozen hyperlocal newspapers across Maryland…
E87: Executive Alliance, Sarah Mogol [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:17
In this episode of Marketing Pros, host Kevin Berrier sits down with Sarah Mogol, Chair of the Board for Executive Alliance, to dive deep into the incredible efforts of this Maryland-based organization. They explore how…
E85: Issue Brief:  Advertising Taxes with Patrick Reynolds of COST [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:10
In this episode, host Rebecca Snyder sits down with Pat Reynolds, the President and Executive Director of the Council on State Taxation (COST), to discuss the growing trend of advertising and service taxes across the U.S…
E84: Member Spotlight on Bay Journal with Lara Lutz [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:12
In this episode of the Member Spotlight, Rebecca Snyder sits down with Lara Lutz, editor of the Bay Journal, to discuss the publication’s role in environmental journalism across the Chesapeake Bay region. Covering parts…
E83: Local News Network [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:55
In this episode, Jerry Zremski, of the Philip Merrill College of Journalism, takes center stage for an in-depth conversation on the current state of local journalism. Zremski shares his unique insights on covering politi…