Media & Journalism Episodes

What Happens When a Reporter Stops Looking Away? For most people, curiosity lasts a few moments. For Matt Birkbeck, it became a life's work. Long before true crime podcasts dominated streaming platforms and documentary series filled television schedules, Birkbeck was chasing leads, knocking on doors, digging through court records, and asking questions others overlooked. His reporting led him deep into stories involving organized crime, political corruption, missing persons, financial...

Inside George Magazine: Lisa DePaulo on JFK Jr., Journalism, and Getting the Story Right That second call brought the Dunmore, Pennsylvania, native into one of the most influential media spaces of the 1990s. DePaulo shares what it was like to work with JFK Jr. as an editor, how he shaped her approach to reporting, and what he understood about the balance between access and restraint. She reflects on the culture inside George, where politics and celebrity met, and where strong journalism still...

How many ceilings can one woman break? Pat Mitchell stopped counting. In this episode of HarmonyTALK, host Lisa Champeau sits down with a true original. A woman who did not just rise through the ranks of media, she reshaped them. Pat Mitchell is a serial ceiling smasher. The first female president of PBS and CNN. The first woman to own and host a nationally syndicated daily talk show. And long before the titles, she was a young woman willing to risk everything to build a life that did not ...

Actress, singer, and producer Gabrielle Ruiz joins the HarmonyTALK podcast to share her inspiring journey from growing up in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas to performing on Broadway and starring in hit television shows. Raised in Edinburg, Texas, Gabrielle discovered her passion for the performing arts through public school arts education, while navigating life as a proud Mexican American artist. On HarmonyTALK, she talks openly about moving to New York City, facing rejection, and building re...

In this episode of Harmony Talk, host Lisa Champeau is joined by Lisa Bu who shares her inspiring journey from a young girl in China with dreams of becoming a gymnast and opera singer to a prominent figure in public media and TED Talks. She discusses the impact of media on her worldview, her experiences as an immigrant in the U.S., and her passion for writing, particularly her current project—a libretto inspired by a famous Chinese opera singer. Lisa emphasizes the importance of pursuing dreams,...

In this episode of Harmony Talk, host Lisa Champeau speaks with Laurie Stuart, the publisher of The River Reporter, a community newspaper that has thrived for 50 years despite the decline of local journalism across the United States. They discuss the history of the paper, its role in community engagement, and the challenges it has faced, including controversies and personal hardships. Laurie shares her journey from artist to advocate for local journalism, the importance of community dialogue, an...

Author Amy Ferris has just published a new memoir that lives up to its title-- Mighty Gorgeous, a Little Book About Messy Love.” From her home in northeastern Pennsylvania, Amy chats with Harmony TALK host Lisa Champeau about everything from dropping out of high school at age 15 to being nominated for a big award in Hollywood. But most significantly, Amy talks from the heart about how important it is to embrace who you are and how you got there. FOLLOW HARMONYTALK PODCAST @harmonytalkpodcast Jo...

First-time author Nancy Thode has written a biography of her mother, the writer Ann Head, whom Nancy describes as a woman “very much ahead of her time.” Ann Head supported her family through her writing, something very rare in the 1940s and 50s, and even in the 1960s. Her short stories were published widely by the magazines of the day, such as McCall’s and Colliers, and one of her novels, Mr. & Mrs. Bo Jones was made into a movie. She was a mentor to fellow writer Pat Conroy, who sang her praise...

He has one of the most iconic voices in Philadelphia sports history. On August 17, 1994, Marc Zumoff was named the television voice of the Philadelphia 76ers, fulfilling his childhood dream. His career spanned four decades and includes covering the Rio Olympics in 2016 for NBC, assorted assignments for Turner Sports, NBA-TV, the Philadelphia Flyers, Philadelphia Union and various other pro, college and high school events. He’s also been an anchor, producer and reporter and spent the first five y...

Brian Balthazar is a TV personality and executive producer who has built a career creating, producing, and appearing on some of the country’s most popular networks and programs. Brian has amassed more than 300 appearances as a television host, journalist, and pop culture guest on a variety of shows including The TODAY show, The Talk, Good Morning America, and more. This is a great peek behind the curtain from an entertainment professional who took a dream and made it into a successful career in...

In this episode of Harmony Talk, host Greg Frigoletto interviews Robert May, the creator of SenArt Films, who shares his journey from a small-town dreamer to a successful film producer and director. Robert discusses his early inspirations in film, his transition from being an EMT to the film industry, and the importance of storytelling. He reflects on his experiences at the Oscars and offers valuable advice for aspiring dreamers and doers. Key Takeaways: His films have won over 40 awards, inclu...

In this episode of Harmony Talk, host Lisa Champeau speaks with Luana Graves Sellars, a writer and cultural activist dedicated to preserving the Gullah Geechee culture. Luana shares her journey of discovering her heritage, the significance of Gullah traditions, and the historical context of the Gullah people as descendants of West African enslaved individuals. The conversation delves into the role of Colored Troops during the Civil War, the challenges of preserving Gullah land, and the importanc...

Just in time for the Wicked movie premiere, HarmonyTALK is thrilled to welcome Dan Micciche, the Music Director and Conductor of WICKED on Broadway. With over nine years working on this iconic production, Dan offers a unique look behind the curtain at what it takes to keep one of the world’s biggest shows running. Host Lisa Champeau dives into Dan's impressive career journey, from his start on Broadway in CHICAGO to his work across international tours, and the moments that led him to this incre...

Neil Genzlinger, writer at the New York Times sits down with Lisa Champeau to discuss writing obituaries, how he got his start in storytelling ,and his event Firelight: An Evening of Storytelling in the Woods at Harmony In The Woods. FOLLOW HARMONYTALK PODCAST @harmonytalkpodcast Join Our Mailing List: https://mailchi.mp/fa5d124c4e19/harmonytalk-mailing-list Instagram: https://instagram.com/harmonytalkpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/harmonytalkpodcast YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Ha...

He has one of the most iconic voices in Philadelphia sports history. On August 17, 1994, Marc Zumoff was named the television voice of the Philadelphia 76ers, fulfilling his childhood dream. His career spanned four decades and includes covering the Rio Olympics in 2016 for NBC, assorted assignments for Turner Sports, NBA-TV, the Philadelphia Flyers, Philadelphia Union and various other pro, college and high school events. He’s also been an anchor, producer and reporter and spent the first five y...

Robert May (Producer/Director/Writer) is a producer of independent films whose projects have collectively garnered over 40 awards including the Oscar, Bafta, Independent Spirit Award and Human Rights Award, to name a few. May produced The Station Agent, directed by then first-time director Tom McCarthy, which starred Peter Dinklage, Patricia Clarkson and Bobby Cannavale, The Fog of War (ErrolMorris), Stevie (Steve James), The War Tapes (Deborah Scranton), and Bonneville (Chris Rowley), starring...

Harmony TALK takes a look inside Dear Highlights with author Christine French Cully. Hear what kids have to say over the past 75 years-- you may be surprised!

Author Amy Ferris has just published a new memoir that lives up to its title-- Mighty Gorgeous, a Little Book About Messy Love.” From her home in northeastern Pennsylvania, Amy chats with Harmony TALK host Lisa Champeau about everything from dropping out of high school at age 15 to being nominated for a big award in Hollywood. But most significantly, Amy talks from the heart about how important it is to embrace who you are and how you got there.

Brian Balthazar is a TV personality and executive producer who has built a career creating, producing, and appearing on some of the country’s most popular networks and programs. Brian has amassed more than 300 appearances as a television host, journalist, and pop culture guest on a variety of shows including The TODAY show, The Talk, Good Morning America, and more. This is a great peek behind the curtain from an entertainment professional who took a dream and made it into a successful career in...

Harmony TALK takes a look inside Dear Highlights with author Christine French Cully. Hear what kids have to say over the past 75 years-- you may be surprised!

Neil Genzlinger, writer at the New York Times sits down with Lisa Champeau to discuss writing obituaries, how he got his start in storytelling ,and his event Firelight: An Evening of Storytelling in the Woods at Harmony In The Woods.