Breaking All The Rules

It's a mind-trip.

Have you ever been involved in something for such a long time, that when you decide to leave it, you feel kinda lost?

I spent more than 20 years of my life in TV News. If you count college (Temple University in Philadelphia, PA - GO OWLS!), you’re looking at about 25.

Starting at Temple Update - Temple’s student-run TV station and my first camerawoman, Joelle…see below…

During this time, I studied journalism and practiced the craft.

Once I graduated, it was time to build my style, celebrate wins, learn from the challenges, and push through all the adversity.

The professional journey began at Service Electric TV2 News in Allentown, PA. Yes, that’s FOX News Rich Edson with me. Back then, he was the sports guy…

Then WETM18 News (NBC) in Elmira, NY. Meagan Kolkmann is with me here…a MULTI EMMY AWARD-WINNING PRODUCER.

Yes, I’m so proud, I’m shouting. She recently left the biz, as well…

Newswatch 16 (ABC) in Scranton, PA - as the Poconos Newsroom Reporter…

The Weather Channel…

CBS2 News in New York City…

FOX5 News in New York City…powerhouses Kayla Mamelak (who left the biz) and Robert Moses - who continues to dominate with his storytelling…

and Channel 7 Eyewitness News (ABC7) in New York City…

Then…I realized I needed something MORE… pivoted… and created a podcast, Unscripted Turbulence ( make sure you subscribe on YouTube, follow on Apple, Spotify, and Instagram!). I’m sitting with Nelson Aspen - a most fabulous guest, friend, and former TV personality as well (are we seeing a trend here?)…

But during those last 25 years, a MAJOR shift happened: social media was created.

When I studied news, I was lead to believe it was supposed to be ahead of what was coming. It was supposed to be the “watchdog of the community”, have a pulse on what’s about to happen, what is happening, and alert the masses.

But when it came to social media…the news hit snooze one too many times.

As a TV News journalist, who put in the time to study and understand the proper way to tell a story ethically, fair, and balanced, it pains me to see “influencers” on social media trying to do what we do. And then - to have many followers trusting them over us.

I get it. People feel the news failed the people who consume it.

But have you ever thought about how the news failed those of us who DID IT AND STILL DO IT…who dedicated our lives to the mission of storytelling and uncovering the truth in an unbiased way? We are out there…in fact, you’re reading a newsletter written by one of them.

I walked away from TV News because it failed me. So I understand why viewers are tuning out as well. The thing is, I didn’t walk away from the mission. I decided to walk into something I can create that will still hit on all the pillars I believe to be considered journalism: storytelling, facts, impact, and creating change.

However, I’m also having to re-wire my brain.

The journalism is still there - but the way in which people want to hear it, read it, watch it, has changed. Why? SOCIAL MEDIA. Which means, I have to re-learn how to tell a story in a way that will grab attention and keep it for social media viewers. Because at the end of the day, that’s how most of us are getting our information, am I right?

A new TV friend - who is helping me through this learning curve and understands the transition - told me this: BREAK ALL THE TV RULES WE LEARNED IN JOURNALISM SCHOOL.

EVERY. SINGLE. ONE.

It’s hard to break apart something you’ve done for 25 years of your life. But isn’t this part of growth?

Speaking of breaking molds to grow - May’s Unscripted Turbulence gave us some courage to do just that.

Thank you, friends, for staying with me and encouraging me through DMs, posts, comments, likes, shares, reposts, texts, calls, meet-ups, and love. I see you, I hear you, I feel you.

Remember - COURAGE OVER COMFORT. And if it scares you, it usually means it’s FOR YOU.

Until next month - lean into the turbulence.

Raegan :)