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

Capt. Mark McDonough (24') attended SDSU in July of 2023, four years after joining the United States Marine Corps as a Student Officer at The Basic School. 

McDonough is a Public Affairs officer specializing in Communication Strategy and Operations, and attending SDSU for the Mass Communications program. 

In this episode, McDonough gives us a look into what leading Public Affairs looks like for a unit of the United States M...

Thomas Neumann (95') found his way to newsrooms all across the country. As the current Editor in Chief of Athlon Sports, a varied digital and print publication, Neumann leads reporters to strive for greatness. 

In this episode, Neumann discusses his journey through journalism and finding his balance with sports journalism. 

"Where Ya At?" is a podcast focused on the School of Journalism and Media Studies at San Diego St...

Rain Garcia ('24) is the CEO of Garcia Media Works, a social media and digital marketing agency. Garcia founded the agency shortly after graduating and now handles the social media for businesses across the country. 

In this episode, she talks about what a customized social media strategy looks like and the ups and downs of starting your own business. 

"Where Ya At?" is a podcast focused on the School of Journalism and ...

Elsa Sevilla is an Emmy-nominated journalist and filmmaker who took on SDSU as a Political Science and Media major. 

Sevilla is the creator of KPBS/PBS's long-running, award-winning docuseries, Historical Places. Sevilla is a TV storyteller and a journalist historian and speaks on documentary work, shaping media representation and what it means to have community support. 

"Where Ya At?" is a podcast focused on the Schoo...

Isabella Biunno ('25) is an aspiring occupational therapist on her way to UNLV. During her time at SDSU, Biunno worked her way up the ranks of the Daily Aztec to eventually become EIC. 

Biunno spent her time at SDSU in other psychology-centered extracurriculars, even setting up support programs for other occupational therapists and severely increasing the attendance of the occupational therapy club. However, she was also able t...

Deanna Mackey ('88) has been in and out of leadership positions her whole life. Currently, as the General Manager of KPBS, Mackey serves as a San Diego public media figurehead. 

In this in-person on on-camera episode of "Where Ya At?" Mackey chats with host Rami Alarian about what it means to be a CEO, how she got to where she is and what advice she has for modern journalists.

"Where Ya At?" is a podcast focused on t...

Brittany Cruz-Fejeran ('23) is a freelance photographer and co-founder of Daylight San Diego, a news organization for diverse communities, not just about them. Daylight San Diego is a news collective owned and operated by the workers that strives to empower San Diego's communities. 

Cruz-Fejeran has worked all around San Diego in different newsrooms, and in her episode, she talks about what led her to Daylight San Diego and the...

J. Fred Sidhu ('83) is a publicist for the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club and has decades of experience in the media relations/public relations field. 

His episode is filled with stories about the value of treating others with kindness and respect. Sidhu talks about his start at The San Diego Union-Tribune and why he's been drawn to sports and sports journalism for much of his life. 

"Where Ya At?" is a podcast focuse...

Antonio Morales ('12) is a football reporter for The Athletic, a sports-journalism department of the New York Times. 

In his episode, Morales recounts his experience reporting on USC and discusses his recent beat change to roster collection. 

"Where Ya At?" is a podcast focused on the School of Journalism and Media Studies at San Diego State University. Each week, during the Fall and Spring semesters, host Josh Suchon (...

Emely Navarro ('18) is a digital producer at Access Hollywood, an Emmy award-winning news producer and the founder & CEO of her own coffee company, Navarro Coffee Co. 

In her episode, she touches on her current work as a producer and her past work as a production assistant and how she has always felt a connection to pop culture and entertainment-focused media work. 

"Where Ya At?" is a podcast focused on the School ...

Allie Cone ('22) is a creative marketer in the alcoholic beverage industry, specializing in content creation, copywriting, and influencer marketing.

In her episode, she discusses digital marketing in the world of consumer packaged goods (CPG) and the importance of social media. Her time at SDSU was busy but productive, and has led her to where she is now. 

"Where Ya At?" is a podcast focused on the School of Journalism and M...

Josh Suchon ('96) is the founder and former host of the "Where Ya At?" podcast. Josh has interviewed 75 outstanding professionals in the realm of various communications fields and has inspired students to achieve their goals through his creations. 

In the first episode with new host Rami Alarian, Josh recounts his experience at SDSU, which led him on the pathway toward voice acting, sportswriting, radio work, play-by-play annou...

Madison Cadena ('25) is the outgoing Editor in Chief of The Daily Aztec and will soon be moving to Dayton, Ohio after graduating with a degree in journalism for a job as a producer with WDTN-TV.

In the final episode for the Spring 2025 semester, Madison reflects on her tenure guiding the venerable student newspaper, the biggest stories of the year, including the back-to-back huge news stories at SDSU that both occurred on ...

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 the NF...

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 one ...

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 into an organized full-fledged lov...

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 a machete ...

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/prod...