Episodes
Our guest on today’s episode of Coffee with a Journalist is Ilona Limonta-Volkova, host of Money Memories, an NPR podcast, and contributing writer on fintech at Forbes. During the episode, Ilona discusses her podcast and the types of guests she features, plus her dream guest, the art of staying pithy in pitching, and the best way to connect with her.
Published 04/23/24
Published 04/23/24
Our guest on today’s episode of Coffee with a Journalist is Tim Crino. Tim is a senior editor at Inc. where his coverage focus is on cybersecurity and data privacy. He also oversees Inc.'s book reviews, collaborates on strategies for Inc. Video, and edits Inc. Insider, a print section that curates expert advice from entrepreneurship's brightest. During the episode, Tim discusses how PR folks can get in his email’s “good folder” (and what that is), how he vets angles and news to cover, as...
Published 04/16/24
In this week's episode of Coffee with a Journalist, we sit down with freelance journalist Farrell Evans. Farrell covers a range of topics like business, golf, history, and race for outlets including Inc., Sports Illustrated, the History Channel, Andscape, and more. He'll walk us through how exactly to catch his attention in your pitch to him as well as what to call out in your pitch, what he looks for in a solid publicist, and more.  
Published 04/09/24
Our guest on today’s episode of Coffee with a Journalist is Monica Pitrelli, editor of CNBC Travel, part of CNBC. Monica covers news, trends, and financial matters for high-yield travelers around the world. During the episode, Monica discusses how she organizes her email inbox across time zones (she’s based in Singapore), how she puts her stories together, and what makes a great source for her coverage.   
Published 04/02/24
Welcome to this week's episode of Coffee with a Journalist, where we sit down for a chat with the talented Maya Goldman, health policy reporter at Axios. Maya takes us through her email inbox routine and shares insights into the kind of sources she prefers to work with, the timing of pitches, and much more. She emphasizes the importance of a direct yet conversational approach in pitches and the benefits of providing exclusive or embargoed information. Join us as Maya provides a glimpse into...
Published 03/26/24
In this episode of Coffee with a Journalist, host Beck Bamberger is joined by John Hyatt, a staff writer for Forbes. John specializes in covering billionaires, finance, deal making, money and politics, and white-collar crime. During the conversation, John provides insights into his coverage of the wealthiest individuals in the world, how he produces the annual Forbes 400 list and the Forbes world billionaires list, and also sheds light on his inbox, the type of pitches he receives, and how...
Published 03/19/24
In this episode of Coffee with a Journalist, we sit down with Andrea González-Ramírez, a senior writer at The Cut. Andrea discusses her role at The Cut, her beat covering systems of power, and her approach to receiving pitches. She shares insights into managing her inbox, the types of pitches that catch her attention, and the kinds of sources she prefers to work with. Andrea also delves into her story approval process, her preference for communication, and her self-care practices. Join us as...
Published 03/12/24
In this episode of "Coffee with a Journalist," we sit down with Daysia Tolentino, the culture and trends reporter at NBC News. Daysia shares her insights on covering Internet culture and trends, emphasizing the importance of pitches related to online content and trends. She discusses the challenges of identifying true trends amidst the noise of the Internet and offers valuable tips for publicists looking to pitch to her. From her preference for data-driven pitches to her inbox management...
Published 03/05/24
In this episode, we sit down with Conz Preti, the senior editor for Freelancers at Business Insider. Conz covers a wide range of topics, including parenting, health, college life, and sex and relationships. Throughout the episode, she provides valuable insights for publicists and freelancers looking to pitch stories to Business Insider. From her inbox management strategies to her preferences for expert sources and pitch subject lines, Conz shares tips and advice to help you land your next...
Published 02/27/24
In this episode of Coffee with a Journalist, host Beck Bamberger sits down with Lucy Morgan, purpose editor and deputy website editor at Glamour. During the discussion, Lucy shares the inside scoop on her role, her hectic inbox filled with exciting and sensitive pitches, and her dedication to meaningful, women's empowerment content. She also talks about her preferences for phone interviews, paragraph-based pitches, and the importance of authentic, expert sources. Lucy dives into Glamour's...
Published 02/20/24
In this episode of Coffee with a Journalist, host Beck Bamberger gets into the nitty-gritty of the journalist-publicist relationship with senior technology reporter, Thomas Germain from Gizmodo. Thomas shares insights into the kind of pitches and emails he prefers, his pet peeves about pitches, his love for direct and succinct communication, and his preference for phone interviews over video. As the conversation takes a lighthearted turn, Thomas and Beck discuss the importance of respecting...
Published 02/13/24
In this episode of Coffee with a Journalist, our host Beck Bamberger chats with Melissa Daniels, the senior reporter at Modern Retail. Melissa shares insights on her process for handling the hundreds of pitches she receives daily and offers tips for effective pitching. She discusses her passion for covering retail, e-commerce, fintech, and home design, and provides valuable advice for publicists looking to build successful relationships with journalists. From inbox management to the kind of...
Published 02/06/24
In this episode of Coffee with a Journalist, we sit down with Sam Blum, a senior writer at Inc. Magazine. During the interview, Sam shares insights into his inbox management, building relationships with publicists, and what makes a compelling pitch. He also gives us a peek into his preferences on communication, news consumption habits, and the curious trend of surprise guests on video calls. Stay tuned for some candid advice and a few laughs in this milestone 200th episode.
Published 01/30/24
Welcome to another exciting episode of Coffee with a Journalist! Today, our host, Beck Bamberger, sit down with Anna Tingley, editor at Variety. In this episode, Anna shares insights into her role at Variety, her approach to covering e-commerce, and her preferences for receiving pitches. From her favorite types of pitches and how she structures her day, Anna gives us an inside look into the life of an editor at a top-tier publication. Tune in as she shares her thoughts on press events,...
Published 01/23/24
On this episode of Coffee with a Journalist, Telisha Bryan, managing editor of Crain's New York Business, shares valuable insights on how publicists and journalists can work together more effectively. From the importance of sending targeted pitches to tips on subject lines and embargoes, Talisha provides a wealth of knowledge for those looking to catch the attention of journalists. Tune in to hear her experiences and perspectives on building strong relationships with the media in the bustling...
Published 01/16/24
Welcome to this episode of Coffee with a Journalist! Today, we delve into an insightful conversation with Leo Schwartz, a reporter at Fortune who covers the global impact of crypto regulation, cybercrime, and all things blockchain. Leo shares his approach to handling a hectic inbox, his criteria for responding to pitches, his interest in covering Latin America, and his preference for exclusive stories. He also provides valuable tips for publicists and sheds light on his upcoming work. Join...
Published 01/09/24
In this episode of Coffee with a Journalist, host Beck Bamberger sits down with freelance travel and lifestyle writer Alesandra Dubin to discuss her experience in the world of journalism. Alesandra shares insights into the pitching process, her preferences for communication, and how publicists can build strong, lasting relationships with freelance writers. From the benefits of her Substack newsletter to her views on embargoed content and in-person meetings, Alesandra offers valuable advice...
Published 12/19/23
In this episode of Coffee with a Journalist, host Beck Bamberger sits down with Emma Hinchliffe, Senior Writer at Fortune and author of the Broadsheet newsletter.  Emma shares insights into her work covering women in business, gender issues, and the most important stories affecting women. She discusses the evolving landscape of women's media coverage, how she filters through pitches, and the importance of exclusive news for the Broadsheet newsletter. Emma also provides valuable tips for...
Published 12/12/23
In this episode of Coffee with a Journalist, host Beck Bamberger sits down with Ian Kumamoto, a contributing writer for HuffPost and various other media outlets. Ian shares valuable insights into his inbox management and what catches his eye when considering pitches. He discusses the importance of building organic and respectful relationships with publicists and how a personalized and identity-focused approach to pitches can make all the difference. Additionally, Ian highlights his love for...
Published 12/05/23
In today's episode, we have the pleasure of chatting with freelance journalist Jared Lindzon. Jared, who writes about the future of work for prestigious publications such as the Globe and Mail and Fast Company's Work Life section, joins our hosts, Jered Martin and Beck Bamberger, to discuss the ins and outs of pitching and working with freelance journalists like himself. From setting pitches aside to run past editors, to the importance of relevancy and data in a pitch, Jared offers a unique...
Published 11/28/23
Welcome to another episode of Coffee with a Journalist, the podcast that brings you closer to the journalists behind the headlines. In today's episode, we sit down with Aria Bendix, Breaking Health Reporter for NBC News. Aria takes us through her process of sifting through pitches, shares her preferences for subject lines, and provides valuable insights on how to make a meaningful connection with journalists. Join us as we dive into the world of health journalism and discover what it takes...
Published 11/14/23
Welcome to this week's episode of Coffee with a Journalist, where we bring you fascinating conversations with journalists and editors from top publications. In this episode, we have the pleasure of chatting with Hannah Orenstein, the deputy editor of Lifestyle and Wellness at Bustle. Hannah shares insights into the hectic world of an editor's inbox and offers some valuable advice for publicists trying to navigate the pitch process. She also surprises us with her secret, unconventional career...
Published 11/08/23
Welcome to Coffee with a Journalist! This week, we sit down with freelance science and technology journalist Andrada Fiscutean. Based in Bucharest, Romania, Andrada writes for publications like Ars Technica, Vice Motherboard, ZDNet, Nature, and CSO Online, focusing on cybersecurity and the history of technology. She shares her unique perspective on covering stories that most staff writers wouldn't consider and the benefits of being based in a lower-cost country.  She also opens up about her...
Published 10/31/23
Welcome to another episode of Coffee with a Journalist! In this episode, we have the pleasure of hosting Annalee Armstrong, the senior editor of Fierce Biotech. Fierce Biotech is a renowned trade publication that covers the latest news in the biotech industry, from drug development to cutting-edge scientific discoveries. Annalee shares insights on the hectic world of journalism, including the challenges of managing a flooded inbox, the importance of building relationships with publicists,...
Published 10/24/23