The WPSPJ Podcast
Welcome to the podcast of William Paterson University’s chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, known as WPSPJ, where professional voices guide us and inspire our future. We spotlight the activities of the nationally recognized Society of Professional Journalists chapter at William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey. We are the reporters of today and tomorrow, dedicated to SPJ’s mission of diversity and democracy, and inspiring “successive generations of talented individuals to become dedicated journalists.”
Episodes
Darren Cooper, a longtime sports columnist for the USA Today Network, encourages aspiring journalists to record podcasts, create social media brands, and learn how to cover multiple sports. Hosts Matthew Goldman and Tommy Sherwood connect Cooper's advice to their own reporting for campus media at William Paterson University. This podcast was edited by Tommy Sherwood.
Connie Chung describes navigating her trailblazing career as a Chinese American woman in television journalism. Hosts Tommy Sherwood, William Gifford, and Julia Menn stress the importance of reporting accurately and fairly to develop credibility with audiences. This episode was edited by Tommy Sherwood.
Fatime Sela, a Willam Paterson alum who creates social media videos for the National Basketball Association, describes the rewards and challenges of working in the sports media industry. Hosts Matt Goldman and Will Gifford draw connections between Sela's journey and their own times in college. This episode was edited by Tommy Sherwood.
Anthony Locicero, a copy editor for the New York Post, walks through his duties, including editing stories for grammar and style, fact-checking, laying out pages, and writing headlines. Hosts Tommy Sherwood and Alexander Felix compare their expectations of a copy editor's role to the realities that Locicero described. This episode was edited by Tommy Sherwood.
The WPSPJ Podcast tours YES Network in Stamford, Connecticut, with graphics coordinator Seth Rothman, research manager Jeff Quagliata, and producer Mike Medvin. Hosts Tommy Sherwood and Daniel Karp discuss the importance of preparation and research in sports journalism.
Darla Miles, a reporter for Channel 7's Eyewitness News in New York, advises young journalists to leave themselves out of the stories they cover. Host Tommy Sherwood reflects on Miles's approach to social media. This episode was edited by Tommy Sherwood.
Lesley Visser describes the challenges that she faced as the first woman to cover the NFL and become an NFL television analyst. Host Tommy Sherwood reflects on Visser's advice for young journalists to develop confidence by learning about their beats. This episode was edited by Tommy Sherwood.
Veteran freelancer Matt Villano advises young reporters to advocate for themselves when interacting with editors. Hosts Tommy Sherwood and Patrick Groh stress the importance of developing a unique voice as a writer. This episode was edited by Tommy Sherwood.
Hosts Tommy Sherwood and Rochelle Estrada speak about the evolution in high school journalism with students Eliana Mendoza and Yadira Gonzalez from the Passaic Preparatory Academy in Passaic, New Jersey. This episode was edited by Tommy Sherwood.
Hosts Rochelle Estrada and Tommy Sherwood discuss the creation of a university archive that catalogs memorabilia from the seven-year history of the William Paterson Society of Professional Journalists. Search the digital archive here. This episode was edited by Terri Coppola.
Adam Scull, a former photo editor for Globe magazine who is now a reporter for WPRN public radio in Tampa, encourages young journalists to embrace hyperlocal coverage. Hosts Rochelle Estrada and Tommy Sherwood discuss reporting in their communities and refining their radio voices. This episode was edited by Tommy Sherwood.
The WPSPJ Podcast treks to a New Jersey Devils hockey game in Newark to shadow sportswriters Matt Blittner of Sportsology, Mike Morreale of NHL.com, James Nichols of New Jersey Hockey Now, and Ryan Novozinsky of NJ.com. Hosts Patrick Groh and Tommy Sherwood discuss how young reporters can navigate networking and time management. This episode was edited by Tommy Sherwood.
Kristy Flannery describes her unlikely journey from legal assistant to hockey reporter. Flannery, who covers the New Jersey Devils for the Hockey News, also discusses how new journalists can develop relationships with sources and and extend grace to themselves as they learn the media business. This episode was edited by Tommy Sherwood.
The WPSPJ Podcast heads to Long Island to shadow sports reporters during a Professional Women's Hockey League game at UBS Arena. Host Tommy Sherwood interviews journalists Jim Cerny and Denis Gorman about the importance of reading and writing consistently to prepare for jobs in news media. Later, coach Howie Draper describes the role the press plays in publicizing the upstart women's hockey league. This epi...
The WPSPJ Podcast tours the MLB Network studios with supervising producer Haley Costello. Hosts Ryan Cormier and Matt Wondoloski discuss opportunities for entry-level jobs and career progression at the network's hub in Secaucus. This episode was edited by Terri Coppola.
Scott Bakula, known for his roles in the television series "Quantum Leap," "Star Trek: Enterprise," and "NCIS: New Orleans," describes playing a magazine editor in an Off-Broadway musical named "The Connector." Dr. Nicholas Hirshon, the showrunner for the WPSPJ Podcast, hosts with Beatrice Amune, WPSPJ's former graduate student liaison. This episode was edited by Tommy Sher...
The WPSPJ Podcast heads to a Seton Hall University men's basketball game to shadow John Fanta, a play-by-play broadcaster for Fox Sports; Matt Loughlin, the host of a Seton Hall podcast and play-by-play announcer for the New Jersey Devils, and Adam Zagoria, who covers college basketball for NJ Advance Media. Hosts Patrick Groh, Andrew Herbst, and Tommy Sherwood discuss the passion and preparation of sports journa...
With students away on spring break, WPSPJ adviser Dr. Nicholas Hirshon previews upcoming WPSPJ Podcast episodes, including interviews with producers for MLB Network, sportswriters who cover the New Jersey Devils, a public radio reporter who used to be a supermarket tabloid photographer, and actor Scott Bakula, who plays a journalist in the off-Broadway show "The Connector."
We did it! Host Tommy Sherwood interviews SPJ President Ashanti Blaize-Hopkins about WPSPJ's selection as national campus chapter, and journalism students Rochelle Estrada, Andrew Herbst, and Rob Cardillo describe how our chapter has helped them. This episode was edited by Tommy Sherwood.
Lisa Napoli, a former correspondent for MSNBC, traces her career from interning at CNN to writing for the New York Times to field-producing for the Fox News Service. Host Robert Cardillo encourages aspiring journalists to take leaps of faith when hopping among media jobs. Cardillo edited this episode as well.
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