ONA on Air

In the season two finale, we explore how the future has been part of ONA's past and present. For 12 years, futurist Amy Webb has given one of the most popular presentations at ONA’s annual conference, Tech Trends in Journalism. Her energy excites and inspires, and her ability to think through the strangest possibilities helps journalists ready for the future’s challenges. ONA on Air editor and McClatchy regional video editor and trainer Rachel Wise talks to Amy Webb about how she got involved with ONA, her mission and who will take over the Tech Trends presentation after the ONA19 conference. Episode S2E13 was produced by Rachel Wise of the ONA19 Audio Team. Music used in this episode is by Blue Dot Sessions.

Everyone’s path to journalism is different, and the internet and an increasingly diverse population have made those paths even more varied. J-school isn’t (and shouldn’t be) the only place where news organizations find talent. ONA on Air producer Andrea Gutierrez, who also works for KPCC public radio, chats with longtime journalism educator Michelle Johnson about supporting journalism newcomers. She has run the Student Newsroom and Innovation Lab at ONA’s annual conference for years and is passionate about training the next generation of journalists of color. We also hear from ONA19 speaker Priscilla Villlareal, better known as Lagordiloca, about non-traditional paths to journalism and how ONA can encourage people from different backgrounds and identities to enter the profession. Episode S2E11 was produced by Andrea Guiterrez of the ONA19 Audio Team. Music used in this episode is by Bonus Beats Blast 2011 at FreeMusicArchive.org.

In our previous episode, ONA co-founder Rich Jaroslovsky talked about how the association’s name could use an update. It was a placeholder after all — one that stuck around for 20 years! Just for fun, we sent ONA on Air producer and freelance audio journalist Ben Ellman to the ONA19 conference in New Orleans to hear attendees’ ideas for how they would rename ONA if they could. Music used in this episode is by Bonus Beats Blast 2011, FreeMusicArchive.org. Produced by Ben Ellman and Stephanie Serrano

The origin story for the Online News Association starts in the most relatable way: two journalists complaining about their newspaper’s corporate owners and the dismissive way journalists writing for the web were treated. In this episode, ONA on Air producer and host of the “It's All Journalism” podcast Michael O’Connell talks with ONA co-founder Rich Jaroslovsky at the ONA19 conference in New Orleans. They talk about why the association was started and what Jaroslovsky thinks is the future and challenge for ONA. Music used in this episode is by Podington Bear. Producer: Michael O’Connell

As you board your flights back home, the ONA on Air podcast team bids you farewell and good luck. We leave you with a few messages on what journalists at the conference say they're taking back to their newsrooms from ONA19. This episode is produced by Amanda Font and Olivia Allen-Price. Music used is by Blue Dot Sessions.

Should reporters from immigrant backgrounds strive for objectivity when covering immigration? This was a question that ONA on Air producer and freelancer Naina Rao has been wondering for a while. So at her first ONA conference, she decided to find answers from journalists at ONA19 who are doing just that – immigrants covering immigration. How do they think about objectivity? Music used in this episode is by Blue Dot Sessions.

Being a mother in the newsroom comes with its own challenges. In this episode, ONA on Air producer Stephanie Serrano talks with Kathrine Goldstein, creator and host of the Double Shift, a podcast about a new generation of working mothers. Goldstien lead a session at ONA19 called "Motherhood: Living It in Newsrooms, Covering It in the Word." Music used in this episode included "Dollar Theatre" by Alen Warshawsky and "Bird" by James pants under the Bonus Beat Blast 2011 album. Find the artists at FreeMusicArchive.org.

Reddit is an incredible way of getting in touch with sources who have unique stories and points of view. Reddit users are happy to interact with reporters, but the dynamic has to feel equal. In this episode, ONA on Air producer and freelancer Ben Ellman interviews Alexandra Ptachick, Audience Editor for Emerging Platforms at USA TODAY. She was one of the speakers at the ONA19 session titled "Reddit: The Highly-Engaging Content Source That You May Be Overlooking." Listen to the interview and the full session. Music in this episode is by Podington Bear. Find this artist on FreeMusicArchive.org.

Do you dread performance reviews? Is there someone in your newsroom that just doesn't get the 'X' in Latinx? This episode is for you! ONA on Air producer Erika Aguilar had a quick conversation with two presenters at ONA19 after their packed Friday session on how to have difficult conversations with your newsroom colleagues. Listen for tips, advice and the full session that was presented at ONA19. Special thanks to Destinée-Charisse Royal, Senior Staff Editor, Graphics, The New York Times and Luisa Ortiz Pérez, Executive Director & Co-Founder, vita-activa.org. Music used in this episode is by musician Peter Arcuni.

How do we report on people who don't fall into the traditional gender binary with dignity and respect for their identity? There was an email exchange on the Gaydio listserv in May that shows various newsrooms might identify drag queens in different manners (by their stage name versus given male name). In this episode, ONA on Air producer Austin Fast talks to journalists at the ONA19 conference in New Orleans about how they handle gender non-conforming sources and subjects. Music used in this episode is by Blue Dot Sessions. Special thanks to Margaret Schneider, an ONA Local organizer, Posey Gruener of Sound Effect, and Lori Todd of Cronkite News.

Is this your first time at an ONA conference? Not sure how to take it all in? You're not alone! ONA On Air producer Amanda Font (this is her first time, too) got the skinny on handling yourself and making the most of the conference from ONA board members Imaeyen Ibanga, and Benét Wilson, and former ONA board member Robert Hernandez. Music used in this episode is “Exotic” by Andrew Pekler and “Whispering Through” by Asura with Bonus Beat Blast 2011, which can be found on FreeMusicArchive.org.

We are in freakin’ New Orleans, ONA19! The weather is warm, the food is amazing, the music and style is so cool. In this episode, ONA19 Audio Team Co-Chair Olivia Allen-Price takes a tour of the city to find some of the fun things to see and eat within a few blocks of the hotel where ONA19 will be held. ONA’s got more guides for you at ona19.journalists.org. Tour the French Quarter for a break from networking, try some classic NOLA foods, and find quick lunches, dinners and drinks in the city. Music used in this episode is by Bonus Beat Blast. Special thanks to New Orleans resident and freelance videographer Philip Piedescalso for the interview and tour.

Get your phone. Get your bags. And get to ONA19 in New Orleans! The conference is about a week away and ONA can’t wait to see you there! Come for the tech trends and work tips. Be ready to have real conversations and be inspired! This podcast will highlight some of the conversations and sessions happening at ONA19, so you can participate even when you're following along at home. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and SoundCloud to get new episodes during the conference.

As you board your flights back home, the ONA on Air podcast team bids you farewell and good luck. We leave you with a few messages on what journalists say they're taking back to their newsrooms from #ONA18, and ONA Executive Director Irving Washington drops by. This episode is hosted by Erika Aguilar and produced by Olivia Allen-Price. Music used is by Broke For Free at FreeMusicArchive.org, and by musician Peter Arcuni.

Five students from historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) receive hands-on experience during the ONA18 Conference. In this episode, ONA on Air host Erika Aguilar talks with Michael Grant, lead mentor with the HBCU Digital Media Fellowship, about diversifying newsrooms; and HBCU Fellow Leah Proctor-Ford gathers opinions from ONA conference attendees about the firewall between a newsroom and its finance side.

Nicole Tung is a photojournalist born and raised in Hong Kong. Nicole primarily covers the Middle East, where her work often explores those most affected by conflict and the consequences of war. In this episode, ONA 18 Audio Team producer Camille Phillips talks with ONA 18 Video Team producer Christian Monterrosa about his interview with Nicole Tung.

Do you wish, as a man, you could be a better ally to your women colleagues in the newsroom? Did you miss The Male Allies Toolkit session at #ONA18? The ONA on Air team's got you covered. Producer Olivia Allen-Price talks with ONA 18 Video Team producer Alex Janin for recap. Music used in this episode is by The Mallets who can be found on FreeMusicArchive.org, and musician Peter Arcuni.

Being a journalist can be hard on your personal life, especially for parents. The ONA conference offers new mothers a place to nurse during the conference. ONA 18 Audio Team Chair Erika Aguilar talk to journalists at the conference that are juggling deadlines and babies.

On Thursday, one of the panelists from a session that discussed how journalists can be more inclusive of diverse communities in their reporting, made a recommendation that’s been written about a lot: “Capitalize the b in Black.” In this episode, ONA Audio Team producer Camille Phillips digs into that with ONA conference panelist Meredith Clark, Assistant Professor at the University of Virginia whose research focuses on race, media, and power. We also bring you the full panel discussion "Lessons from Black Twitter: Inclusive Reporting in Diverse Communities." Music used in this episode is by Peter Arcuni.

Each year, about half of the people who come to ONA’s annual conference are attending for their first time. And, there’s so much to do! Sessions, networking, training, parties and touring. ONA 18 Audio Team producer Evelyn Moreno spent the day gathering tips from other journalists on how to conference at #ONA18.

Breakfast tacos, Amy Webb, and Table Talks. These things and more are some of the cool stuff coming to you at #ONA18 in Austin! We're getting excited, so to kick off the conference week, ONA on Air host Erika Aguilar checks in with Trevor Knoblich, head of programming and events at ONA to get highlights of what's waiting or you! Music used in this episode was produced by artists Peter Arcuni, and Dulab at FreeMusicArchive.org

The Online News Association presents our new podcast – ONA on Air. We'll kick off this new program at our annual conference, ONA18 in Austin, TX, Sept 13-15. In this trailer episode, meet the four members of our volunteer audio team who will be on the ground and sharing insights from experts in the journalism industry. Music used in this episode is produced by Broke For Free, which can be found on FreeMusicArchive.org, and Peter Arcuni.