The Study Hall Podcast

Sofia Quaglia is an award-winning science journalist whose work has been published in The National Geographic, The New York Times, The Guardian, New Scientist, and other outlets. In this conversation with host Daniel Spielberger, Sofia chats about how she started reporting on biodiversity and the nuances of translating complex scientific concepts for a mass audience.  More info about the class Sofia is teaching with Study Hall on January 16th 10 AM PT/ 1 PM ET: https://courses.outvoice.com/products/courses/howtobreakintosciencejournalism (Study Hall subscribers check last newsletter for discount code)   More info about Study Hall: studyhall.xyz    Music by KT The Terrible

Marianne Dhenin is an award-winning journalist whose work has been published in Truthout, Yes! Magazine, The New Republic, and Teen Vogue. In this conversation with host Daniel Spielberger, Marianne chats about their Noema Mag report on the history of air conditioning in the Gulf States. Marianne discusses how they use their journalism to illuminate the class implications of climate change issues.   Read the article here: https://www.noemamag.com/the-gulf-world-that-air-conditioning-wrought/   Subscribe to their newsletter: https://newsletter.mariannedhenin.com/   More info about Study Hall: studyhall.xyz   Music by KT The Terrible

Max Tani, media editor at Semafor and co-host of Mixed Signals, delves into the changing landscape of journalism. He explores how legacy media can adapt by harnessing AI and creator-driven models. Discussion touches on the erosion of public trust, the allure of independent media, and the implications of the Netflix-Warner Bros. takeover. Tani argues for the power shift to individual journalists while raising concerns about ethical risks in the creator space, offering career advice on maintaining authenticity in an evolving industry.

Brian Reed, the insightful host of KCRW’s 'Question Everything' and former co-creator of S-Town, dives into the contentious issues surrounding Section 230. He debates how this law grants too much protection to big tech platforms, allowing harmful disinformation to spread unchecked. Reed shares his experiences from the Iowa State Fair, discussing civic engagement and public distrust in journalism. He also highlights the ethical implications of algorithm-driven content and advocates for reforms that hold platforms accountable for their roles in spreading falsehoods.

Katherine Reynolds Lewis, an award-winning journalist and founder of the Institute for Independent Journalists, dives into the world of freelance finances. She discusses negotiating fair rates and spotting contract red flags. Lewis emphasizes the importance of establishing anchor clients for income stability and balancing pay with portfolio and passion. Practical tips include tracking expenses, preparing for taxes, and preventing late payments. Katherine also highlights the realities of creator income and offers insights on treating freelancing as a business.

Kevin Nguyen, features editor at The Verge and author of the novel My Documents, dives into his dystopian satire reflecting on the media landscape. He discusses unsettling parallels to Japanese American internment and critiques superficial DEI efforts in media. The conversation explores how journalism can exploit trauma while lampooning clickbait culture. Nguyen shares insights on juggling writing and editing, emphasizing the balance between sensationalism and serious reporting. His reflections highlight the ethical complexities in journalism and the influence of family history on storytelling.

  Ellen Huet is a reporter at Bloomberg News and Bloomberg Businessweek. In this conversation with host Daniel Spielberger, Huet discusses her new book Empire of Orgasm: Sex, Power, and the Downfall of a Wellness Cult. The book chronicles the story of OneTaste, a wellness company that’s been accused of manipulation and abuse. Huet exposed the true story of the company for Bloomberg.  Empire of Orgasm builds off that reporting. In this conversation, Huet chats about her reporting process, the evolving definition of a cult, and the ominous parallels between cults and startups. She also shares tips on how to navigate personal boundaries while reporting on an intense topic.    More info about Empire of Orgasm: https://bookshop.org/p/books/empire-of-orgasm-sex-power-and-the-downfall-of-a-wellness-cult-ellen-huet/d314d91af397b2e4?ean=9780374604196   More info about Study Hall: studyhall.xyz    Music by KT The Terrible 

On this special bonus episode, Daniel Spielberger chats with Lauren Harris, an editor at The New Yorker and a co-chair of The New Yorker Union. The New Yorker Union and Condé United are both part of the NewsGuild of New York. Harris discusses recent events at Condé Nast. On Wednesday, in response to Condé management’s decision to fold Teen Vogue into Vogue and lay off employees at Teen Vogue, a group of unionized Condé employees confronted Condé’s head of HR, Stan Duncan, to question him about these decisions. Subsequently, Condé management fired four of these employees, one of whom worked at The New Yorker. Though Condé management argues that these four employees were engaging in “extreme misconduct,” the Guild disputes this claim. In this conversation, Harris discusses why the unions are alleging that these terminations were illegal and retaliatory. Additionally, she contextualizes these terminations with a broader hostility towards organized labor during the second Trump era.    Here’s the petition to reinstate The Fired Four: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tell-conde-bosses-to-reinstate-the-fired-four-reverse-the-suspensions-and-end-the-union-busting A GoFundMe to support The Fired Four: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-the-fired-four-alma-ben-jake-jasper More info about Study Hall: studyhall.xyz Music by KT The Terrible 

P.E. Moskowitz’s writing has been published in New York Magazine, The Nation, and numerous other outlets. They write the newsletter “Mental Hellth.” In this conversation with host Daniel Spielberger, Moskowitz chats about their new book “Breaking Awake: A Reporter's Search for a New Life, and a New World, Through Drugs.” Moskowitz discusses their reporting on the mental health crisis, pharmaceutical drugs, raves, isolation, and social media.    More info about Breaking Awake: https://bookshop.org/p/books/breaking-awake-a-reporter-s-search-for-a-new-life-and-a-new-world-through-drugs-p-e-moskowitz/f376145199400c4a?ean=9781668007778&next=t   More info about Study Hall: studyhall.xyz   Music by KT The Terrible

Zito Madu’s writing has appeared in The Nation, Flaming Hydra, GQ, and other outlets. In this conversation with host Daniel Spielberger, Zito chats about his personal approach to sports writing, the influence of the gambling industry on sports journalism, and his criticism of Stephen A.'s decisive coverage.   Follow Zito on Twitter/X:  https://x.com/_Zeets Read Zito's Flaming Hydra essay: https://flaminghydra.com/football-in-palestine/   More info about Study Hall: studyhall.xyz  Music by KT The Terrible