E136: Culture and community in the newsroom

E136: Culture and community in the newsroom

Author: MDDC Press Association October 22, 2025 Duration: 1:03:27

Kyndell Harkness of the Minnesota Star Tribune joins Rebecca to discuss how newsroom culture evolves in times of reckoning and renewal. They reflect on the role of community within journalism — from internal employee resource groups to authentic relationship-building with readers — and discuss how leadership and intentional listening can strengthen newsroom equity and storytelling.


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
E114: Rookie of the year nominees [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:09
Join Rebecca Snyder as she hosts a powerful conversation with the 2024 MDDC Rookie of the Year nominees — six emerging women journalists who’ve tackled the chaos, challenges, and triumphs of their first jobs in news. Fro…
E113: Backroom Deals in our Backyards [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:33
Rebecca Snyder sits down with award-winning journalist and author Miranda Spivack to dive into Backroom Deals in Our Backyard, Miranda’s powerful new book exposing the hidden world of local government secrecy and corpora…
E112: Salesperson of the Year Nominees [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:19
We shine a spotlight on two of the most dynamic media sales professionals in our region—Nicole Allen of Baltimore Fishbowl and Blake McCoy of the Catholic Review—nominated for MDDC Press Association’s 2024 Salesperson of…
E111: ProJourn Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:55
Rebecca Snyder sits down with Christina Piaia, Deputy Director of the ProJourn Project at the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. Christina shares how ProJourn supports journalists and independent newsrooms wit…
E110: Murder the Truth [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:35
In this episode, Rebecca Snyder sits down with David Enrich, an investigative reporter at The New York Times and author of the new book Murder the Truth. They discuss the growing use of "lawfare"—legal actions weaponized…
E109: Celebrating 60 years at the Washington Informer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:08
Rebecca Snyder sits down with Denise Rolark Barnes, publisher of The Washington Informer, to celebrate the newspaper’s incredible 60-year legacy. Denise shares stories about the paper’s history, its impact on the communi…
E108: Locker Room Talk [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:23
Rebecca Snyder sits down with Melissa Ludtke, the newly published author of "Locker Room Talk: A Woman’s Struggle to Get Inside." Melissa shares her groundbreaking journey as a sports journalist who fought for equal acce…
E107: Investigating with public records - Sunshine Week special [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:21
In this special episode for Sunshine Week, we spotlight four outstanding investigative reporters—Amanda Fries, Maddi O’Neill, Darcy Costello and Katie Mettler. This discussion dives into the power of public records in in…
E106: Covering the Media Beat [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:56
In this episode, Rebecca Snyder sits down with Corey Hutchins - journalist and founder of the weekly newsletter, Inside the News in Colorado. Corey shares insights from his research on media criticism, the decline of tra…
E105: Pressed to Kill [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:17
In this powerful episode, Rebecca sits down with Tom Marquardt, retired publisher and editor of The Capital Gazette, to discuss his new book, Pressed to Kill. Tom takes us inside the tragic events of June 28, 2018, when…