Where Ya At? SDSU's Journalism and Media Studies podcast

Tom Fletcher (1991-95) was just named the Senior Vice President of Partnerships for the Houston Rockets, after six years with the Phoenix Suns in business development and nine years with the Portland Trail Blazers in sponsorship.

Without knowing it at the time, Fletcher' sales career began as a student-athlete who hosted potential future Aztecs on the football team. He explains why his LinkedIn makes no mention of his time in t...

Trinity Alicia (2018-22) is a digital producer at The 74 focusing on Education, a freelance writer, the founder of Media Moments, and was one of the five founding members for SDSU's chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists.

Listen as Trinity describes how giving campus tours as a student helped develop her storytelling techniques, meet future coworkers at The Daily Aztec, and how an actor on a tour helped secure...

John Toma ('01) works for a drug and alcohol testing company by day. Then in the his spare time, he's created "That 80s Dude" brand with over a half million followers on Instagram, a blog on Substack, videos on YouTube, and is the author of an upcoming book titled, "Nostalgia Nation: The Definitive Chronicle of Growing Up GenX."

In this week's rad podcast, Toma explains when he turned something fun...

Brandon Stone (2006-08) joined KUSI-TV as an intern in February of 2008 while attending San Diego State University. Upon his graduation, he became a foot soldier in the Prep Pigskin Report army. His roles molded over the next few years, going from daily producer and photographer to his current roles of KUSI sports director and PPR producer.

Reflecting on his journey, Brandon shares finding out about the internship opportunity and im...

Natalie Terashima (2006-08) is a Senior Partner at Rachael Kay Public Relations, where she leverages her expertise in CPG brands, strategic communications, and the evolving media landscape to produce meaningful results for clients.

Her career at Rachael Kay began while still a student, thanks to a SDSU professor who setup a memorable meeting that Natalie fondly recalls. Natalie's never left the company. Whether it's using ...

Audra Stafford (1997-01) has covered news and entertainment in San Diego County for more than two decades and is currently a morning reporter and fill-in anchor for NBC 7 San Diego. 

Even though she always aspired to be a reporter, Audra was heavily involved in Associated Students as an undergrad. While most SDSU students have to leave the market and return years later, Audra explains her unique story from intern to writer/producer ...

Will Beall (1991-96) is a screenwriter whose writing credits include Gangster Squad, Justice League, Aquaman, Bad Boys: Ride or Die, and Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.

In his own words, Will explains his unique path to screenwriting. He wanted to be graphic artist as a kid, majored in English at SDSU, and joined The Daily Aztec newsroom because of a girl. He discusses the jailhouse interview with a murder suspect that changed his mind a...

David Cordero (1998-01) spent 15 years as a writer and editor in the newspaper industry, then two different layoffs ultimately led him to his current job of Communications and Marketing Director for the city of St. George, Utah. 

A shy kid who originally wanted to become an accountant, David tells the unique story of how the 1998 Padres success inadvertently led him to realize that he wanted a different career, then an advertisement...

Justin Quis Quis (1994-97) is the founder of Sacred Bev Native Wellness, a founding member of the MESA Foundation, and one of the newest members of the SDSU Alumni Board of Advisors.

A lifelong fan of Aztecs sports, Justin initially chose journalism as his major and worked his way up to become Sports Editor at The Daily Aztec. He vividly recalls approaching future NFL Pro Bowler La'Roi Glover on the sidelines before a game and ...

Maya AlZaben (2016-20) is a freelance fashion writer and researcher, and recently launched her own marketing/public relations agency Mayaverse PR.

In this week's episode -- co-hosted with current SDSU student Tessa Finamore -- Maya reflects on finding journalism after realizing that interior design was not for her, starting her own fashion/politics website as a student, her favorite SDSU classes and professors, and her decision...

Crystal Fambrini was named "Outstanding Graduating Student" at San Diego State University and has created a prolific career as an award-winning broadcaster, executive producer, model, writer, podcaster, entrepreneur and real estate investor and agent.

She enjoys working on multiple goals at once. Crystal's abundance of energy is evident as we review her career. She explains how she landed an internship and job at the ...

Omar Ruiz (1999-02) is a Host and Reporter for the NFL Network, a position he's held since 2012 following stops at three local TV stations and the NHL Network. Ruiz can be seen regularly on "The Insiders" and "NFL GameDay Morning."

On the eve of the Super Bowl, Omar shares how he was hired at the NFL Network, the advantage of only covering one sport, the balancing act working for a league-owned network, what...

The "Where Ya At?" podcast returns from the holiday hiatus and the leadoff guest this semester is Dr. Nathian Rodriguez, an Associate Professor and the Associate Director for the School of Journalism and Media Studies.

Dr. Nate gives updates on changes to the name of degrees, new JMS classes this semester, the trends for what careers JMS students want to pursue, an overview of his class on Audio Production and St...

Jeff Siembieda (1983-88) is the executive director of the Isleta New Mexico Bowl, the co-host of the "Opening Drive" sports talk radio show on KNML The Sports Animal, and a former television anchor and reporter. He's been honored as the New Mexico Sportscaster of the Year three times.

In a vast decorated career, Siembieda explains why he's most proud of the creation and longevity of the college football...

Brook Bentley (2007-11) is an Account Director at KPS3, a marketing agency where she specializes in identifying digital marketing opportunities, leading client relationships, and driving strategic initiatives to deliver seamless collaboration and impactful marketing solutions.

In this week's podcast, Brook reflects on arriving at SDSU as an Undeclared Major, why she chose Journalism and Media Studies, favorite memorie...

Rebecca Waer (1998-01) is an Emmy-nominated producer and storyteller who has worked on numerous TV series involving history, true crime and ancestry that have aired on A&E, Discovery, NBC, Travel Channel, HGTV & many more.

In this week's episode, we discuss the ethics involved in producing true crime series, how she learned the story of Billie Allen, the documentary she helped created about his controversial s...

Howard Stutz (1979-82) is a Senior Reporter who covers gaming, tourism, cannabis and sports business for The Nevada Independent, a revolutionary news site, a 501c3 nonprofit committed to transparent journalism.

In this week's episode, Stutz provides the back story of how he and his colleagues at The Las Vegas Review-Journal discovered the paper's new owner was Sheldon Adelson's family in 2016, why the family...

Nina Garin ('97) is a former Arts and Entertainment reporter/editor at The San Diego Union-Tribune and KPBS who is now the Associate Director of Marketing and Communications for The Old Globe theatre.

She got her start at The Daily Aztec and shared stories in this week's podcast about press junkets to New York and interviewing Madonna as a student journalist. Then how she got hired at the U-T, writing about the l...

Eric Winter (1990-94) is the President and Chief Operating Officer of TrillerTV, the latest stop in a decorated career where he's become one of the most successful sports business executives in the country.

In this week's podcast, we trace Eric's unique journey that started as an Africana Studies major and Daily Aztec sportswriter. Then how the connection he made as a student with former SDSU Senior Women&ap...