John Bednarski, the longtime sports editor of the Marietta Daily Journal and the Cherokee Tribune. With 19 years at the helm of a local sports desk and a past presidency of the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE), John brings a wealth of wisdom on how to survive—and thrive—in the changing landscape of sports journalism.

In this episode, John dives into the “bread and butter” of local news: high school sports. He shares why building trust with coaches, parents, and athletes is the secret to outperforming national outlets and how those relationships follow athletes all the way to the professional level.

Find the Lead Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcast at the link in our bio

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Guest: John Bednarowski, sports editor Host: Grant Turnage

David Carson has been a staff photojournalist at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch since 2000 and covered events from New York City during 9/11, presidential debates and wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. His photos are featured in the staff’s 2015 Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Photography and received a regional Emmy award in 2008. Most recently, he was a 2024-2025 John S. Knight journalism fellow at Stanford University, studying the impacts, both good and bad, of artificial intelligence on photojournalism and potential solutions for increasing public trust.

In this episode, Carson talks about the trajectory of his career to the present, analyzing AI’s increased presence and threat to journalistic integrity. From detection tools to ethical considerations, he explains how the power of AI can and should be harnessed for good.

Find The Lead podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts at the link in bio.

bit.ly/m/coxinstitute

Guest: David Carson, staff photojournalist at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 2024-2025 John S. Knight journalism fellow at Stanford University Host: Caroline Newbern

Freelance photojournalist Valerie Plesch, based in Washington, D.C., has documented a range of topics, including politics, refugee resettlement and immigration, through her photos. Valerie also serves as vice president of Women Photojournalists of Washington, whose mission is to educate the public about the role of women-identifying visual journalists and cultivate their professional success.

In this episode, Valerie talks about the changes faced within photojournalism in an ever-evolving digital age. She encourages journalists and photojournalists to never lose their curiosity and to continue learning from each story they go out to cover.

Find The Lead podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts at the link in bio.

bit.ly/m/coxinstitute

Guest: Valerie Plesch, freelance photojournalist Host: McKenna Edwards

As editor in chief of the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Leroy Chapman Jr. sits at the top of the newsroom, overseeing every aspect of life in Georgia. Chapman began his political journalism career in his home state, South Carolina, before moving to Atlanta and working his way through several different roles at the AJC.

In this episode, Chapman discusses the future of the AJC, particularly their digital future as the publication ceased producing printed newspapers in December of 2025. Leroy talks about meeting his audience where they are at and sees the future of journalism as increasingly more digital. He urges young, aspiring journalists to be adaptable, flexible and knowledgeable of this ever-changing field.

Find The Lead podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts at the link in bio.

bit.ly/m/coxinstitute

Guest: Leroy Chapman Jr., Editor in Chief at the AJC Host: Sophia Eppley

Jenni Watts, executive producer at CNN International, took an unconventional path into journalism. Beginning as a philosophy major at Auburn before moving into radio and eventually television. Her work spans environmental, cultural and technology features, with a career defined by adaptability and curiosity rather than following a linear path.

In this episode, Watts reflects on how her early career shifts shaped her approach to storytelling and why technical knowledge and strong interpersonal skills are essential in modern journalism. She also shares how covering the events of 9/11 solidified her commitment to the field, and offers advice to early-career journalists on embracing opportunity, staying curious and maintaining integrity as AI reshapes the industry.

Find The Lead podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts at the link in bio.

bit.ly/m/coxinstitute

Guest: Jenni Watts, Executive Producer at CNN International Host: Sidney Josephs

Samira Jafari works at the intersection of timeliness and truth. As the head of standards and practices at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, she guides journalists in “bringing light, not heat” to ensure ethical codes are followed and truth prevails. With more than 20 years of experience producing news content across broadcast and digital platforms at CNN and the Associated Press, Jafari works to balance editorial integrity with creative storytelling.

In this episode, we talk about determining newsworthiness, staying up-to-date on ethics codes, and building relationships with sources.

Guest: Samira Jafari, head of standards and practices at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Host: Alexis Derickson.

Drew Kann’s reporting has taken him to the critically dwindling Colorado River, the citrus farms of the rural South, and the nuclear reactors currently under construction in Georgia. While each story may focus on one geographic area, the core of Kann’s reporting lies in the environmental implications for the globe in its entirety. As a climate, environment and energy reporter at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, he intertwines written stories with immersive visuals and data analyses, focusing on the real, human impact of breaking and developing climate news.

In this episode, we talk about key Georgia climate trends, how to break down complex stories, and overcoming news fatigue.

Guest: Drew Kann, climate, environment and energy reporter at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Host: Alexis Derickson.

Bill Ruthhart interacts with the next generation of journalists on a daily basis. As a writing coach and editor for Career Programs at The New York Times, Ruthhart guides 30 newsroom fellows into their development as impactful reporters and writers. Growing up in a family of journalists, he previously spent time covering politics and government at the Chicago Tribune and Indianapolis Star. Ruthhart’s newsroom foundation now informs his oversight of countless journalists in their early career navigation.

In this episode, we talk about zeroing in on your niche, getting reps in early on in your career, and identifying perspectives and stories that may otherwise be overlooked.

Guest: Bill Ruthhart, writing coach and editor for Career Programs at The New York Times

Host: Alexis Derickson