Digest

This episode of the podcast features an interview with Audi Cornish, a prominent journalist and host of the "Assignment" podcast on CNN Audio. The conversation delves into Audi's personal and professional journey, starting with her parents' immigration from Jamaica to Boston in the early 1980s. Audi recounts the racial turmoil of that era, including the busing crisis, and how it shaped her understanding of race and class. She discusses the expectations and pressures placed on children of immigrant parents, particularly the emphasis on success and the lack of acceptance of failure. Audi shares her path to journalism, initially drawn to politics, economics, and women's studies before discovering her passion for writing. She reflects on the pressures faced by pioneers in various fields, drawing on her experience working for Barack Obama and his encounter with Sonia Sotomayor during her Supreme Court nomination. The conversation then shifts to the 2020 election and the emergence of Kamala Harris as a candidate. Audi discusses the resurgence of support for Harris, particularly among younger voters and voters of color, and the pressures she faces as a pathbreaker. She compares Harris to Obama and how their respective strengths and weaknesses align with their respective eras. Audi expresses her preference for audio journalism over print and television, valuing the power of voices and the ability to present stories in a more nuanced and authentic way. She discusses her decision to leave NPR and her subsequent move to CNN+, reflecting on the challenges of ambition and the constant need to raise the bar for herself. The episode concludes with a discussion of Audi's podcast "The Assignment," which features in-depth conversations with experts and individuals from various fields. She emphasizes the importance of breaking traditional journalistic norms and allowing guests to speak at length about their experiences and perspectives.

Outlines

00:00:00

Audi Cornish's Journey: From Jamaica to Journalism

This chapter introduces Audi Cornish and her background as a journalist and the child of Jamaican immigrants. It explores her parents' immigration to Boston in the early 1980s, the racial turmoil of that era, and the impact of the busing program on her life.

00:11:33

The Striving Nature of Immigrant Parents and Audi's Path to Journalism

This chapter delves into the expectations and pressures placed on children of immigrant parents, particularly the emphasis on success and the lack of acceptance of failure. Audi shares her initial interests in politics, economics, and women's studies before discovering journalism.

00:18:35

The Burden of Being a Pioneer and the Kamala Harris Phenomenon

This chapter reflects on the pressures faced by pioneers in various fields, drawing on Audi's experience working for Barack Obama and his encounter with Sonia Sotomayor during her Supreme Court nomination. It then discusses the resurgence of support for Kamala Harris and the pressures she faces as a pathbreaker.

00:31:49

Audi's Perspective on the 2020 Election and Her Preference for Audio Journalism

This chapter shares Audi's thoughts on the 2020 election, particularly the emergence of Kamala Harris as a candidate. It then explores her preference for audio journalism over print and television, valuing the power of voices and the ability to present stories in a more nuanced and authentic way.

00:48:34

Audi's Departure from NPR, the CNN+ Experience, and the Black Journalists Association Controversy

This chapter discusses Audi's decision to leave NPR and her subsequent move to CNN+, reflecting on the challenges of ambition and the constant need to raise the bar for herself. It also shares her perspective on the controversy surrounding the Black Journalists Association's invitation to Donald Trump for an interview.

00:57:25

Audi's Podcast "The Assignment" and its Unique Approach to Journalism

This chapter discusses Audi's podcast "The Assignment," which features in-depth conversations with experts and individuals from various fields. She emphasizes the importance of breaking traditional journalistic norms and allowing guests to speak at length about their experiences and perspectives.

Keywords

Q&A

• What were the main factors that led to Audi's parents' decision to immigrate from Jamaica to Boston?

  Audi's parents immigrated to Boston in the early 1980s due to political instability in Jamaica, which was experiencing a period of labor union and socialist movements that the U.S. government was wary of.

• How did the busing program in Boston impact Audi's life and her understanding of race and class?

  The busing program exposed Audi to a different lifestyle and socioeconomic environment, prompting her to question the nature of equality and equity. It also highlighted the challenges of navigating different worlds and the impact on her friendships.

• What are some of the pressures that pioneers in various fields face, and how did Audi's experience working for Barack Obama illustrate these pressures?

  Pioneers often face the burden of representing their entire group and the pressure to succeed, as failure can have a significant impact on the future of others. Audi's encounter with Sonia Sotomayor during her Supreme Court nomination highlighted the weight of these expectations.

• What are some of the key differences between Kamala Harris and Barack Obama as candidates, and how do these differences reflect their respective eras?

  Kamala Harris faces a different political landscape than Barack Obama, with a more diverse and progressive electorate. Her \"imperfections,\" such as her blended family, are seen as more relatable and modern, while Obama's \"perfection\" was more suited to his era.

• Why does Audi prefer audio journalism over print and television, and how does this preference reflect her journalistic philosophy?

  Audi values the power of voices and the ability to present stories in a more nuanced and authentic way through audio. She believes that television often simplifies complex issues, while print can lack the emotional impact of hearing someone's voice.

• What is the main point of view behind Audi's podcast "The Assignment," and how does it differ from traditional journalistic approaches?

  Audi's podcast aims to break down traditional journalistic norms by giving voice to experts and individuals from various fields, allowing them to speak at length about their experiences and perspectives. She believes that expertise is not limited to traditional sources and that everyone has a story to tell.

Show Notes