Journalist Development Series

Lessons from an AI Expert:

• Daniel Scain shared insights on the role of AI in journalism, highlighting its potential as a tool for research, summarization, and content creation while cautioning against its limitations, such as bias and misinformation.

This session of the MVJ Journalist Development Series webinar series, moderated by Sam Kille and presented by Daniel Scain, delved into advanced Google search techniques to enhance investigative journalism. Daniel, a seasoned expert in digital research and investigative methods, shared actionable strategies to help journalists uncover hard-to-find information efficiently.

Daniel began by explaining how Google indexes the surface web—publicly available content—while emphasizing its limitations in accessing the deep web (content behind paywalls or requiring logins) and the dark web. Using the iceberg analogy, he illustrated that the surface web constitutes only a small fraction of the internet. This foundational understanding set the stage for exploring practical tools and techniques.

The session highlighted advanced search functions such as Boolean operators (e.g., quotes for exact matches, dashes to exclude terms), site-specific searches, and wildcard functions. Daniel also introduced tools like Google Alerts for monitoring topics in real time and reverse image search to trace image origins or verify authenticity. He addressed how to bypass personalized search results by using private or alternate browsers for unbiased data.

Designed as an interactive workshop, Daniel encouraged participants to engage actively, apply techniques to their own projects, and ask questions throughout the session. By focusing on hands-on learning, the webinar equipped journalists with essential skills to navigate Google’s capabilities more effectively. Watch the full webinar to learn how these techniques can elevate your investigative reporting!

Lessons from an Intelligence Analyst:

Aaron Hayman shared insights on the critical role of investigative journalism in uncovering hidden truths and holding power accountable.

The MVJ Journalist Development Series webinar, titled “Investigative Journalism: Getting the Most Out of Your Google Searches,” featured Aaron Hayman as the presenter and Katharina Briede as the moderator. Aaron, a seasoned expert with 15 years of experience in threat analysis and founder of Social Scout, shared advanced Google search techniques tailored for investigative journalists.

Aaron opened by explaining how Google indexes the surface web, which constitutes only a small fraction of the internet, while highlighting its limitations in accessing the deep web (content behind paywalls or logins) and the dark web. Using the iceberg analogy, he illustrated how most of the internet remains hidden beneath the surface, beyond Google’s reach. The session emphasized practical tools and strategies to enhance search efficiency.

Aaron demonstrated Boolean operators (e.g., quotes for exact matches, dashes to exclude terms), site-specific searches, and wildcard functions. He also introduced advanced features like Google Alerts for monitoring topics in real time and reverse image search to trace image origins.

Additionally, he addressed how to bypass personalized search results by using private or alternate browsers for fresh data. Designed as an interactive workshop, Aaron encouraged participants to ask questions and apply these techniques to their ongoing projects.

By focusing on actionable insights and hands-on learning, the webinar provided journalists with valuable tools to uncover hard-to-find information and improve their investigative reporting. Watch the full webinar to explore these essential skills in greater depth!

Lessons from a Naval Storyteller:

• Theresa Carpenter shared insights on the transformative power of podcasting as a tool for storytelling, connection, and advocacy, especially within the military and veteran communities.

The MVJ 2025 Journalist Development Series webinar, titled “The Power of Voice: Storytelling Through Podcasting for Journalists,” featured Theresa Carpenter as the presenter and Drew F. Lawrence as the moderator. Theresa, an active duty Navy commander and host of the Stories of Service podcast, shared her personal journey and offered practical guidance on launching and sustaining a podcast with purpose.

Drawing on nearly 30 years of military service and a background in public affairs, Theresa explained how podcasting became an outlet for deeper conversations and advocacy. Her show focuses on everyday people making an impact, particularly within military and veteran communities. She emphasized podcasting’s ability to foster connection, amplify underrepresented voices, and explore complex issues with depth and emotion.

Theresa outlined essential steps for getting started, recommending journalists begin with clear goals, a simple equipment setup and a manageable schedule. She discussed tools like StreamYard, Buzzsprout, and social media to record, distribute and promote content. As her show grew, she expanded into video reels, blog adaptations and collaborative media partnerships.

A key theme was the intersection of journalism and advocacy. Theresa encouraged transparency about bias, while stressing the ethical responsibilities of podcasters. She also advocated for podcasting to be recognized and professionalized alongside traditional journalism, noting its growing influence in media and politics.

The session highlighted the value of storytelling as both a creative outlet and a service. Theresa reflected on the emotional rewards of giving others a platform and the power of voice to inspire change. For journalists looking to explore the podcasting space, she offered a compelling case for its accessibility, impact and potential to transform how stories are told. Watch the full webinar to explore how podcasting can elevate your journalism, amplify diverse voices and create deeper connections with your audience.

Lessons from drone operators:

• Jay Seidel and Jeff Grtichen shared their expertise on drone photography and how it enhances their photojournalism reporting.

The 2025 Journalist Development Series session, “Enhancing Visual Storytelling with Drones,” spotlighted the evolving role of drone technology in journalism, featuring veteran educator Jay Seidel and seasoned photojournalist Jeff Gritchen. Moderated by Jeff Rowe, the session explored practical applications, legal considerations, and the storytelling power of drone photography.

Jay, a U.S. Army and National Guard veteran and director of the Fullerton Drone Lab, shared how drone journalism can transform visual storytelling by providing unique perspectives. From wildfire coverage in California to economic disparity mapping, he emphasized the value drones bring in illustrating complex narratives. Jeff, a longtime staff photojournalist and certified drone pilot, reinforced this with firsthand accounts of using drones to capture everything from natural disasters to community development—always with an eye on including people to humanize his stories.

Both speakers outlined the need for FAA Part 107 certification for commercial drone use and stressed safety and ethical considerations. Jay, who also serves as an FAA Safety Team Drone Pro, recounted legal challenges journalists have faced, such as clashes with law enforcement over restricted airspace. They emphasized the importance of transparency, property owner consent, and community awareness to avoid privacy concerns and build public trust.

The conversation also touched on logistics and gear. Jeff endorsed the DJI Mavic 3 Pro as his go-to tool and highlighted the need to be field-ready with charged batteries and backup drones. For freelance journalists, they discussed per-project drone insurance, sometimes available for as little as $43 for $1 million in coverage, and how traditional providers like State Farm are beginning to offer policies tailored to drone operators.

In the latter part of the session, Ethan asked about developing drone journalism programs. Jay recommended incorporating drone coursework under multimedia or cinematography tracks to attract students, and offered curriculum materials to help educators get started. He stressed the importance of risk management planning and administrative buy-in.

Looking to the future, the presenters explored broader applications of drones, including 3D modeling, infrastructure inspection, and public safety. They also warned of potential disruptions from proposed FAA regulations on foreign-manufactured drones, underscoring the need for journalists to stay current on tech and policy changes.

The session concluded with a round of applause and an open invitation from both Jeff and Jay to reach out for advice or collaboration. As drone journalism continues to grow, their stories and guidance offered a compelling case for embracing the skies as a new frontier in reporting.

Watch the full webinar to explore how drone photojournalism can elevate your storytelling.

Lessons from a veteran strategist

Chris Marvin, founder of Marvin Strategies and a leading voice in veteran advocacy, brought a fresh perspective.

For the MVJ 2025 Journalist Development Series session, “Shaping the Veteran Narrative,” he challenged journalists to think critically about commonly used phrases like “Thank you for your service,” arguing that such expressions can feel hollow without context or genuine understanding.

Marvin also encouraged attendees to explore the “story of service” beyond the uniform, reminding them that veterans’ experiences don’t end with discharge. Instead, the transition to civilian life is a continuation of their narrative.

Highlighting his work on initiatives like Got Your 6, Marvin explained how authentic, nuanced portrayals of veterans in media and entertainment can challenge harmful stereotypes and close the civilian-military divide. His insights urged journalists to consider the long-term cultural impact of their reporting choices and to see veterans not just as former service members, but as full, complex individuals whose stories matter beyond combat.

Watch the full session to discover how journalists can reshape public understanding of veterans — one story at a time.

Lessons from a veteran advocate

Jean Payne, Navy veteran, corporate executive, and survivor of military sexual trauma, brought courage and candor to the MVJ 2025 Journalist Development Series session, “How to Cover Sexual Assault.”

Introduced by journalist and Air Force veteran Therese Garnier, Payne shared how her personal journey—from surviving childhood abuse and military sexual trauma to building a career in corporate leadership—fuels her mission to advocate for change. As founder and CEO of T.I. Verbatim Consulting, and author of the best-selling memoir Reclaim Your Worth, she has turned her story into a call for accountability and transformation.

Payne challenged journalists to recognize the weight their words carry when covering sexual assault. Too often, survivors are framed as victims without agency, or stories are reduced to sensational headlines. She urged reporters to approach these narratives with care, ensuring dignity for survivors while also investigating the systemic failures that allow abuse to persist.

Highlighting her advocacy work, Payne explained how survivor-led initiatives and policy efforts are reshaping the national conversation. Her insights pressed journalists to move beyond surface-level reporting, digging deeper into institutional accountability, cultural change, and the long-term impact of trauma.

Her message was clear: thoughtful, survivor-centered coverage has the power not just to inform, but to drive meaningful change.

Watch the full session to learn how journalists can report on sexual assault with empathy, accuracy, and integrity — amplifying voices that too often go unheard.

Lessons from a veteran journalist and headline craftsman:

David Bowman, who has won 31 headline awards, both individually and as part of staff entries, and written numerous magazine articles brought decades of newsroom expertise to the MVJ 2025 Journalist Development Series session, “Mastering the Art of Headlines.”

Introduced by a fellow veteran journalist, Bowman drew on his nearly 50-year career, from the Daily Breeze in Torrance, California, to editing roles at the Los Angeles Times and Seattle Times, to show how headlines can shape public understanding. With 31 headline awards to his name and bylines in major newspapers and magazines, Bowman has honed an instinct for titles that inform, intrigue and endure.

Bowman shared how his approach to headline writing blends creativity with discipline. He described how, even under deadline pressure, the best headlines emerge from clarity of purpose and empathy for the reader. Recalling his earliest wins in headline contests in the 1980s, he illustrated how the craft is both art and science, requiring precision, rhythm, and a willingness to revise.

He also challenged journalists to view headlines as more than marketing hooks. Done well, they are an extension of reporting, accurately reflecting stories without distortion or sensationalism. Bowman warned that misleading or overly clever headlines can erode credibility, especially in an era of misinformation and dwindling public trust.

Bowman emphasized the importance of newsroom culture in nurturing headline writers. He encouraged editors and reporters alike to create collaborative spaces for testing ideas, explaining that feedback and iteration sharpen the final product.

His message was clear: strong, ethical headlines don’t just grab attention, they reinforce journalism’s mission to inform, respect, and engage the public.

Watch the full session to learn how to elevate your headline writing — balancing creativity with integrity to build trust with your audience.

Lessons from a veteran scholar:

Dr. Jeffrey Blevins, an Army veteran and professor of politics and media at the University of Cincinnati, brought his legal and academic expertise to the MVJ 2025 Journalist Development Series session, “Taking It to the Streets: Covering Protests and Police in Public Spaces.”

Introduced by Fox News Digital reporter Hannah Ray Lambert, Blevins opened with a clear message: journalists have no more legal rights than the public when covering protests and understanding that reality is essential to staying safe and effective in the field.

Drawing from real cases across the country, he illustrated the murky legal landscape surrounding journalists who document protests and police actions. From arrests and pepper-spray incidents in Des Moines to the tragic injury of photojournalist Linda Tirado in Minneapolis, Blevins underscored how the absence of clear Supreme Court precedent leaves journalists vulnerable, even when they are credentialed and acting lawfully.

He explained that while the First Amendment protects free expression, the Supreme Court has not yet explicitly affirmed a right to record police in public. Lower federal courts have interpreted that right differently, creating uncertainty and risk for journalists in fast-moving protest environments.

Despite these legal gaps, Blevins stressed the social importance of recording public officials, pointing to bystander footage like that of George Floyd’s murder as a defining example of why documenting police activity matters. “This is a matter of public concern,” he said. “We should have the right to record as part of our duty to inform.”

His takeaway: journalists must balance courage with caution. Knowing the limits of legal protection, keeping a safe distance, and avoiding interference with police duties can help minimize risk while upholding the press’s essential watchdog role.

Blevins closed with a call for clarity: a Supreme Court ruling that would finally codify the right to record police in public spaces. Such a decision, he argued, would protect journalists, strengthen accountability, and reinforce democracy’s cornerstone: the public’s right to know.

Watch the full session to learn how to familiarize with local laws and properly cover police and riots.

Lessons from a veteran leader:

Bart Womack, retired Army first sergeant, crisis-response leader, and founder dedicated to preparing organizations for high-pressure environments, brought his decades of experience to the MVJ Journalist Development Series session focused on leadership, communication, and navigating uncertainty. Introduced by journalist Davis Winkie, Womack immediately grounded the discussion in lived experience, sharing how a career defined by responsibility for soldiers, families, and mission success shaped the way he communicates and makes decisions under pressure.

Drawing from pivotal moments in his military career, Womack outlined the human side of crisis leadership: preparation, presence, and the ability to communicate clearly when people are scared, overwhelmed, or unsure. He described how journalists, much like leaders in uniform, often find themselves in high-stress, emotionally complex environments where clarity and empathy matter just as much as accuracy. Throughout the session, he emphasized the importance of understanding people before the story, whether those people are service members, families, or communities affected by conflict, disaster, or rapid change.

Womack closed by encouraging journalists to approach their work with the same discipline and purpose that guide effective military leadership. He highlighted three takeaways: prepare thoroughly, ask meaningful questions that build trust rather than extract information, and never lose sight of the people behind the headlines. His message underscored that strong journalism and strong leadership share the same foundation: courage, consistency, and a commitment to serving others.

Watch the full session to learn how to tell trauma stories with trust and sensitivity.

Lessons from a lifelong wordsmith:

Joe Diorio, writer, editor, and creator of the newsletter A Few Words About Words, brought decades of newsroom, corporate communications, and freelance experience to the MVJ Journalist Development Series session, “Building Your Journalism Toolkit: Mastering Style Guides and Self-Taught Skills.” Introduced by fellow MVJ member Keith, DiOrio grounded the conversation in humility and curiosity, reminding participants that even seasoned writers rely on reference tools — and that looking things up is not a weakness, but a professional skill.

Drawing on interactive quizzes, pop-culture examples, and stories from across his career, Diorio explored how language evolves and why journalists must evolve with it. From dictionary additions like “5G” and “dad bod,” to AP Style datelines, emojis, and song lyrics, he demonstrated that grammar is rarely about rigid correctness and more often about context, audience, and intention. Throughout the session, he emphasized that clarity comes not from memorization, but from discipline, awareness, and a willingness to question assumptions.

Diorio also highlighted the power of word choice, showing how a single word can shape meaning, perception, and even public debate. He encouraged journalists to recognize language as personal, regional, and deeply human — and to approach writing not with fear of mistakes, but with respect for nuance and responsibility to readers.

He closed by reaffirming the value of journalism itself, offering a forceful defense of reporters at a time when the profession faces increasing skepticism and criticism. His message to veteran journalists was clear: writing matters, people read, and the work journalists do is a public service. The takeaway for participants was both practical and affirming — use your tools, trust your curiosity, and never forget that writing can be rigorous, responsible, and still deeply fun.

Watch the full session to explore how curiosity, style guides, and joy can strengthen your journalism toolkit.