E86: Deep Backgrounding on Political Candidates with Brandi Swicegood, Sunlight Research Center

E86: Deep Backgrounding on Political Candidates with Brandi Swicegood, Sunlight Research Center

Author: MDDC Press Association September 25, 2024 Duration: 34:33

In this episode, host Rebecca Snyder is joined by Brandi Swicegood from the Sunlight Research Center, an organization dedicated to deep background research on political candidates. Brandi shares her expertise as a veteran investigative journalist and explains how her team is helping under-resourced newsrooms uncover crucial details about political figures through innovative research techniques. They discuss the importance of building timelines, tracking financial disclosures, and how the Sunlight Research Center is empowering journalists to ask the right questions, especially in the lead-up to the 2024 elections. Learn about tools like Klaxon Cloud, personal financial analysis, and the center's research help desk, which is providing essential support to newsrooms across the country. Whether you're a journalist, an informed voter, or just curious about how investigative reporting works behind the scenes, this episode offers a fascinating deep dive into the art of political vetting and transparency.

Tune in to discover how this work helps ensure voters have the information they need to make informed decisions at the ballot box.


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
E162: Rookie of the Year 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:24
In this episode, Rebecca is joined by several nominees for MDDC’s Rookie of the Year award, highlighting early-career journalists making an impact across the region. The conversation features Kennedy Thomason of Caroline…
E161: Story Sharing through Plucky Wire [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:18
In this episode, Rebecca talks with Johnny Bassett of Plucky Wire about a new approach to story sharing that’s helping newsrooms collaborate more efficiently. Johnny explains how the platform grew out of the Granite Stat…
E160: Meet Audrey Cooper, Editor of the Banner [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:44
In this episode, Rebecca talks with Audrey Cooper, executive editor of The Baltimore Banner, about her path to leading one of the country’s most closely watched local newsrooms. Audrey reflects on her career across print…
E159: How One Publisher Turned Local Sports Into a Revenue Engine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:14
In this episode, Kevin talks with Sam Dixon, publisher of Sports Weekly+, about how a one-person effort covering high school sports grew into a thriving local media brand. Sam shares how he identified a gap in coverage d…
E156: Changing Gears: A Lookback with Executive Editor Jim Johnson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:32
In this episode, Rebecca sits down with Executive Editor Jim Johnson as he reflects on a 50-year career in journalism. From his early days in California to building and leading community newspapers in Maryland, Jim share…
E155: Lenfest's Executive Network [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:58
In this episode, Rebecca is joined by Cheryl Thompson-Morton, head of advisory programs at the Lenfest Institute, to discuss the launch of the Lenfest Expert Network. Cheryl explains how the Institute—founded to steward…
E150: Power of the Press [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:19
In this episode, Rebecca sits down with Kevin Berrier, marketing director at MDDC, for a wide-ranging conversation about why press associations exist and the role they play in sustaining local journalism. They reflect on…