My Work
My Work
THIS IS UNCOMFORTABLE
A better life
When I was assigned the task of producing an episode on the adoption industry I panicked a little bit. It’s a massive topic that is sensitive for all involved. After speaking with many adoptees and activists in the world of adoption, I was relieved to meet Susan. Susan is an adoptee, a first mother, and works in the adoption world today. Her experience with any of these three identities could be a full episode. But we decided to focus on her personal story, and the complex ways that money impacted her decision to place her daughter for adoption. I’m so proud of this episode.
The price of eggs
I produced this episode on the complexities of egg donation. Ashleigh, the main speaker for the episode, turned to egg donation when she was in a financial crisis. But as she continued to donate, Ashleigh started the question the ethics of the industry. Ashleigh also realized that trauma from her past played a part in her decision donate eggs.
The cost of secrets
Ashleigh’s story is continued alongside the story of their partner, Quinn Topham. Both were groomed by a high school teacher beginning when they were teenagers. Quinn was the first to realize that their relationship with their teacher was abusive. After they filed a lawsuit against their school district, they discovered that Ashleigh was also a victim. The two weighed the importance of being compensated for the damage done against the retraumatizing process of bringing a lawsuit. I co-produced this episode with Marque Green.
Wife strike
I pitched this episode on Jalie Gil, a woman who broadcast her struggle with household labor on TikTok. When her husband claimed that he did most of the housework, she went on strike from housework and broadcast the journey online. That decision changed Jalie’s marriage, and how she saw herself.
PINEAPPLE STREET STUDIOS
boots on the ground
I reported on Jessica Watkins, an Ohio Oathkeeper who is facing charges of of Seditious Conspiracy for her actions on January 6th. I interviewed her extensively from prison and discovered an online journal that has never previously been reported on.
TRANSOM
Trauma informed interviewing
I developed a guide to interviewing that aims to minimize harm to sources who have experienced a traumatic event. This guide was informed by work from social workers, therapists, and educators who generously shared their feedback and insight.
THE CUT
Get out of your head
I contributed to B.A. Parker’s episode on ways of escaping within the confines of COVID. I spoke with youth who practice “reality shifting,” a practice that they believe allows them to mentally shift into the reality of their choosing. This allows them to escape a reality that they describe as monotone and depressing.
CNN
Tracking disinformation
I produced this episode of CNN’s “Election 101,” a podcast aimed at informing listeners in advance of the 2021 election. I pushed to cover the issue of disinformation in the election and booked former CIA analyst and media literacy expert Cindy Otis, who spoke about how to spot disinformation and stop it from spreading.
TRUMP, INC. FROM WNYC AND PROPUBLICA
The Right View, a YouTube show produced by the Trump campaign.
Team trump online
I reported and produced this episode of Trump, Inc. on the way the Trump campaign uses YouTube and podcasts to spread misinformation about vote by mail. For this episode I spent a year listening to the Trump campaign’s podcast, and went deep into their daily YouTube shows.
The bigoted, conspiratorial rants of rudy giuliani
I listened to former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s radio show and heard him spreading conspiracy theories and racist stereotypes about COVID-19 and the Chinese government.
Donald Trump Jr. speaks at the American Priority Festival
All the president’s memes
I visited a conference that hosted the president’s biggest fans, at his resort in Doral, Florida. I learned how Trump profits from his biggest fans, and how they use memes to connect with their hero.
Kathy Kraninger, head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. (AP IMAGES)
Pay day at the trump doral
In mid-March 2019, the payday lending industry held its annual convention at the Trump National Doral hotel outside Miami. I attended with reporter Anjali Tsui. We reported on how the industry is paying the president by hosting events at his property, while hoping for favorable (lack of) regulation from the federal government.
NANCY AT WNYC
Graphic by WNYC’s Sahar Baharloo
Queer money matters
The economy was not built for LGBTQ people, but we have to navigate it anyway. How do you save money for IVF or adoption fees? What if you never thought you’d survive the AIDS crisis and now face a retirement you didn’t save for? This series examines how LGBTQ people confront these questions. We also speak with personal finance experts on how listeners can find creative work-arounds. I produced this series with WNYC’s Isabel Angell and Nancy hosts Tobin Low and Kathy Tu.
Graphic by WNYC’s Sahar Baharloo
The GAGGLE PROJECT
In this series we examine the challenges of making friends as an adult. The series is structured as a set of “challenges” for listeners with the goal that they would finish having new friendships to nurture. This is one of Nancy’s most popular projects, many listeners told us that this project introduced them to their close friends. One couple even met through their gaggle!