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
E115: Baltimore uprising ten years later [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:00
Rebecca Snyder sits down with Lisa Snowden, founder of the Baltimore Beat, to reflect on the 10th anniversary of Freddie Gray’s death and the uprising that followed. Lisa shares the process behind the Beat’s commemorativ…
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…