[ep 097] Zeke Reed on storytelling through audio, current landscape of journalism, and balancing creativity & academics

Zeke Reed is pure energy in motion. Whether reporting compelling stories for KCRW or producing music in his Topanga Sessions sound studio, he’s constantly contemplating, creating, and doing.

During his early childhood, his father worked as an NAACP defense attorney while his mother pursued her PhD in Theatre at UCLA. Seeking a closer connection to nature, the family relocated from Venice Beach to Topanga Canyon, where Zeke spent much of his childhood exploring the hillsides. Although both parents were accomplished academics and professionals, they also nurtured his deep passion for creativity and music—his father had been a violinist in the University of Virginia orchestra. In fifth grade, Zeke joined a gifted school program in The Valley, broadening his horizons beyond the tight-knit Topanga community.

Following in his father’s footsteps, Zeke also attended UVA, where he pursued neuroscience. This path was inspired by a neighbor who worked in the field and led Los Angeles County’s Department of Mental Health. His college thesis on Detroit earned him a spot in the CORO Fellows Program, giving him hands-on experience in public affairs across multiple sectors. Yet, despite this academic trajectory, Zeke felt an enduring pull toward music. He formed a band with a friend, performing at college parties, and continued to develop his creative identity.

Today, Zeke bridges his academic and creative pursuits with an interdisciplinary approach. By day, he’s a values-driven journalist; by night (and any other available hour), he’s a musician/producer who recently released his first EP Mushroom Disco.

In this episode, we explore his mother’s time with a troupe of gypsy actors in Eastern Europe during the Cold War; his self-designed course of study in college that sparked an interest in urban politics and cities; and music as a lifelong thread—from playing the cello in the LA Junior Philharmonic to performing at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. We also delve into his growing role in the global music community, the intersection of journalism and sustainable business models, and much more.

[TIMESTAMPS]

4:03 - Growing up

11:34 - If he ever felt pressure to lean into academics

12:58 - Why he chose neuroscience at the University of Virginia

17:46 - Music as a thread and starting his college band 

20:10 - The music versus academic path

25:38 - His creative process 

30:05 - His values as a journalist 

42:06 - His philosophy of “tastes beginning to match your abilities” 

48:48 - How he feels about his life  

51:57 - Final question

54:49 - Where to connect with Zeke

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