Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh Szeps

“Cancel Culture at the NY Times” with Andy Mills

Aug 26, 2024

Andy Mills, a renowned producer known for his work on The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling and The Daily, shares his riveting journey through the storm of cancel culture. He candidly discusses the moral dilemmas journalists face about activism versus objectivity, and the intense scrutiny that can ensue. The conversation delves into the complexities of identity, inclusivity in media, and the shifting narratives around race and representation. Andy also reflects on his experiences at The New York Times during a pivotal time in journalism, revealing the personal toll of public backlash.

01:26:38

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Andy Mills

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Andy Mills highlights the personal and professional risks journalists face when expressing controversial viewpoints, particularly amid the pressures of cancel culture.

Mills advocates for greater diversity in journalism to foster richer storytelling while addressing the challenges of navigating personal beliefs in reporting.

The podcast underscores the oversimplification of cultural debates, urging for respectful discourse that embraces complexity over binary positions in media discussions.

Deep dives

The Rise and Fall of Andy Mills

Andy Mills, a former podcast producer for the New York Times, discussed his significant contributions to the media landscape, particularly with the creation of the groundbreaking podcast 'The Daily.' Despite his success, he experienced the harsh realities of cancel culture and the media's political dynamics, which led to his departure from the prestigious newsroom. Mills does not shy away from addressing the complex nature of his dismissal, reflecting on how the evolving media climate and societal expectations influenced his career trajectory. His story serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of expressing controversial viewpoints in an increasingly polarized media environment.

Intro

2min

Faith and Journalism: A Personal Journey

14min

Navigating Identity and Storytelling

7min

Evolving Language and Identity in Media Culture

2min

Navigating Identity and Representation in Journalism

12min

Navigating Workplace Inclusivity

13min

Navigating Gender Identity and Journalism

13min

Navigating Nuance in Journalism

16min

Navigating Cancel Culture at The New York Times

6min

10.

Navigating Speech, Safety, and Editorial Responsibility

2min

Andy is the producer The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling and previously of the New York Times' groundbreaking podcast The Daily.

During the riots and racial reckoning after the killing of George Floyd, newsrooms were roiled by existential questions: Should journalists be activists? Do white male journalists hide behind "objectivity" to impose their bias? Do they get coddled by media companies who hide their misdeeds, or do they suffer extra scrutiny as targets for the social-justice mob?

Andy was in the eye of the storm. He'd been snapped up by the world's most powerful newspaper to grow its audio division, co-creating The Daily and other celebrated podcasts like Caliphate and Rabbit Hole.

Then, in a life-altering cancel-culture frenzy, he lost it all.

Andy is in Sydney for the Festival of Dangerous Ideas, where he and Josh spoke together on a panel, "Speaking Bluntly: Identity politics in journalism". He stopped by the Uncomfortable Conversations studios to share his incredible tale, warts and all.

Andy's new podcast is Reflector.

This full conversation is 2h14m long. To hear it in all its glory, and to get more thought-provoking, ad-free episodes, hit the Substack page at https://uncomfortableconversations.substack.com/subscribe

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Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh Szeps

“Cancel Culture at the NY Times” with Andy Mills

Episode guests