Washed Up Journalists

Episode Notes Author, educator and journalist Eileen Wirth grew up in a household where everyone loved to read (anything, even ketchup labels). Wirth recounts her early years as a pioneering woman of journalism, the value of one-on-one editing with students, the importance of having broad interests, and the skills needed to write (lots of) books.

Episode Notes David Krajicek emerged from a long line of bartenders and meatpackers to become a crime reporter and columnist for the tabloid-style New York Daily News. Krajicek explains what it was like covering the Gotti crime family, reporting on New York's citywide crime crisis, and how to deal with dentists who have hairy hands. He also discusses writing books, including his most recent effort, Dear Mama. Support Washed Up Journalists by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/washed-up-journalists Find out more at https://washed-up-journalists.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes Investigative journalists and book collaborators Jeff Testerman and Daniel Freed discuss their new book, Call Me Commander: A Former Intelligence Officer and the Journalists Who Uncovered his Scheme to Fleece America. Testerman was working for the St. Petersburg Times in 2009 when he latched onto the story of the U.S. Navy Veterans Association and its mysterious leader, Lt. Commander Bobby Thompson. Testerman and Freed recount their reporters' instincts about the story (20:00), the investigation into this supposed charity (28:00), the many unanswered questions about John Cody (44:00), and the process of collaborating on this soon-to-be-released book. Support Washed Up Journalists by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/washed-up-journalists Find out more at https://washed-up-journalists.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes Longtime newspaper cartoonist Tom Kerr recalls his early days cartooning in Australia, the adrenaline rush of a newsroom, chronicling the attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan, and some harsh days at the New York Post. He also explains why watercolor is his go-to medium and how he came to spend a decade illustrating McGruff the Crime Dog. Support Washed Up Journalists by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/washed-up-journalists Find out more at https://washed-up-journalists.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes Award-winning author Paul Hendrickson (Hemingway's Boat, Plagued by Fire, and others) joins the pod to explore his decades-long career as a Style section reporter at The Washington Post (1977-2001). He explains his obsession with finding the humanity in his subjects, writing through the use of storytelling pockets, the advent of the digital revolution, and inheriting his father's knack for metaphor. And much more. Support Washed Up Journalists by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/washed-up-journalists Find out more at https://washed-up-journalists.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes Ozark writer and executive producer Chris Mundy joins Episode 009 of Washed Up Journalists to recount the early days of his career as a journalist for Rolling Stone magazine. Mundy recounts times spent profiling celebrities such as Paul McCartney, writing cover stories on deadline, the art of composing scenes, and that time he got the cold shoulder from Oasis. He also explains how he made the transition from magazine writing to television. Support Washed Up Journalists by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/washed-up-journalists Find out more at https://washed-up-journalists.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes The best way to start 2020 is with an airing of grievances, which is exactly what previous guests James Fogarty and John Prescott do in this episode of Washed Up Journalists. They share and discuss the things that annoy them most in journalism, including misspellings, "shocking" news items, and a phenomenon called addictive telescopic syndrome. How many hot dishes can we cram into one podcast?Support Washed Up Journalists by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/washed-up-journalistsFind out more at https://washed-up-journalists.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes Longtime Warren Buffett columnist Steve Jordon joins Washed Up Journalists to discuss his time covering the legendary investor. Jordon expands on his dealings with Buffett and his time researching and writing his 2013 book The Oracle and Omaha. He also recounts his stint on the rewrite desk, the differences between book writing and daily journalism, and the curse of being tall.Support Washed Up Journalists by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/washed-up-journalistsFind out more at https://washed-up-journalists.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes Legendary photojournalist Dave Hamer joins Washed Up Journalists in Episode 006 to discuss the multi-state pursuit of American spree killer Charles Starkweather in the 1950s. Hamer also recounts his time working with a young Tom Brokaw, being one of the first American journalists on the ground in Vietnam, and the time he inadvertently led JFK's presidential motorcade to the airport. Support Washed Up Journalists by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/washed-up-journalistsFind out more at https://washed-up-journalists.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes In Episode 005 of Washed Up Journalists, Jennifer Savage connects with John all the way from Valencia, Spain. After a unique childhood in Alaska, Savage became a critical member of the team at Time, Inc., which started and eventually grew an impressive international portfolio. Savage explains how she helped develop business for publications such as Sports Illustrated, Fortune, TIME, InStyle, and People.Support Washed Up Journalists by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/washed-up-journalistsFind out more at https://washed-up-journalists.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes In Episode 004 of Washed Up Journalists, former producer John Prescott recaps a lengthy career in TV news. Once described by colleagues as the "Boy Wonder," Prescott interviewed Henry Fonda, schmoozed with movie execs at a Star Trek premier, and once sang on the street with movie star Gordon MacRae. This episode was recorded on location at the Prescott family compound. Support Washed Up Journalists by donating to the tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/washed-up-journalistsFind out more at https://washed-up-journalists.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes In Episode 003 of Washed Up Journalists, former Newsweek bureau chief Daniel Pedersen recaps a remarkable 25-year career in journalism. Pedersen was part of Newsweek’s coverage in November 1989 during the fall of the Berlin Wall. He also recounts his time running the Iowa Poll, covering the royal family, interviewing Margaret Thatcher and Ross Perot, and building a profile of Olympic Park bomber Eric Rudolph.Support Washed Up Journalists by donating to the tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/washed-up-journalistsThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes In Episode 002 of Washed Up Journalists, John sits down with longtime Arizona Republic reporter and columnist Charles Kelly. When Republic reporter Don Bolles was murdered in a 1976 car explosion, Kelly was one of the reporters assigned to the story. He recounts those events, along with his time protecting school kids from the notorious Zodiac killer, hunting down missing heirs, hatching unlikely cover stories with fellow reporter Randy Collier, and writing novels in retirement. This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes In Episode 001 of Washed Up Journalists, former reporter James D. Fogarty reminisces on a long career in journalism. Fogarty recounts his 11 years at a newspaper, his 20 years in corporate communications, his time as a national magazine stringer, and his 1979 Pulitzer Prize nomination for a series of stories that uncovered corruption in the Omaha Municipal Court System. Plus, what could possibly go wrong during an interview with activist Gloria Steinem?This podcast is powered by Pinecast.