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
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…
E82: Adcellerant - Google Anti-Trust Ruling [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:43
In this episode, Kevin Berrier dives into the highly impactful antitrust ruling against Google with expert insights from digital marketing pros Ben Bouslog and Sam Rahimi of AdCellerant. They discuss the intricacies of t…
E81: Master Class: Non-Profile Feature Stories [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:50
In the final episode of the Master Class series, Rebecca Snyder hosts an insightful discussion with award-winning journalist Julie Scharper from the Baltimore Banner. Scharper shares her journey in journalism, from her e…
E80 - New News in DC: Abby Higgins & Eric Falquero - 51st Newsroom [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:00
MDDC Executive Director Rebecca Snyder sits with Abby higgins and Eric Falquero of The 51st Newsroom, a worker-led nonprofit dedicated to transforming local journalism in Washington, DC. Hear firsthand from the passionat…
E79: Master Class: The First Amendment [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:48
Join us for an enlightening session with Xerxes Wilson from The News Journal in Wilmington, Delaware as we dive deep into the intricacies of First Amendment and free speech reporting. Discover the compelling story behind…
E78: Que 42 BBQ [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:51
Join us for a mouth-watering episode as we sit down with Eammon Azizi, the mastermind behind the award-winning Que 42 BBQ. From his early days in marketing to becoming a celebrated pitmaster, Azizi shares his unique jour…
E77: Member Spotlight with Morning Star Publications [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:12
Join Rebecca as she sits down with Mike McClure, publisher of Morning Star Publications. Discover how McClure's lifelong passion for baseball and his extensive experience in journalism have shaped his career and the loca…
E76: Master Class: Feature Story Profiles [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:43
In this episode of our Master Class series, Rebecca Snyder sits down with Alex Mann from The Baltimore Sun. Mann, a Best of Show winner for the profile category in the MDDC contest, shares his insights on the art of craf…
E75: Master Class: Investigative Reporting [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:03
Join us for an enlightening session with Dwight Weingarten, an award-winning investigative reporter for the Daily Times and the Herald-Mail. In this master class, Dwight delves into his groundbreaking investigation of ch…