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I think you could probably go back and track the stages of grief, probably that is what I went through. But I think if you do it right, you end up at acceptance. And that's where I ended up. And that's not to say that I've fully accepted the idea that the golden toad is extinct. Personally, I do still hold out hope that it could still be out there in those forests." - Trevor Ritland This conversation is with Trevor Ritland, who—along with his twin brother Kyle—authored The Golden Toad . The book chronicles their remarkable journey into Costa Rica’s cloud forest, once home to hundreds of brilliant golden toads that would emerge for just a few weeks each year—until, one day, they vanished without a trace. What began as a search for a lost species soon became something much more profound: a confrontation with ecological grief, a meditation on hope, and a powerful call to protect the natural world while we still can. Links: SpeciesUnite.com Kyle and Trevor: https://kyleandtrevor.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adventureterm/ Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/222249677-the-golden-toad Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Golden-Toad-Ecological-Mystery-Species/dp/163576996…
Content provided by Robert Sterner. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Robert Sterner or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://ppacc.player.fm/legal.
On Assignment is a podcast about the people, practices, and ideas shaping the future of journalism. Produced by The Assignment Desk, each episode dives into the evolving world of local media, journalism education, news innovation, and the urgent fight against disinformation. From conversations about newsroom funding and emerging technologies to rebuilding public trust and reimagining community storytelling, On Assignment explores the challenges and possibilities facing today’s news landscape. Whether you’re a journalist, student, educator, or simply someone who cares about credible information, this podcast is your place to listen, learn, and stay connected to the mission of public-interest journalism.
Content provided by Robert Sterner. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Robert Sterner or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://ppacc.player.fm/legal.
On Assignment is a podcast about the people, practices, and ideas shaping the future of journalism. Produced by The Assignment Desk, each episode dives into the evolving world of local media, journalism education, news innovation, and the urgent fight against disinformation. From conversations about newsroom funding and emerging technologies to rebuilding public trust and reimagining community storytelling, On Assignment explores the challenges and possibilities facing today’s news landscape. Whether you’re a journalist, student, educator, or simply someone who cares about credible information, this podcast is your place to listen, learn, and stay connected to the mission of public-interest journalism.
Why do we keep scrolling through headlines that only make us feel worse? In this bonus episode of On Assignment , guest host Nari Han—a researcher who explores why people disengage from news and what brings them back—guides us through the emotional and behavioral terrain of doomscrolling . With insights from research at the University of California, Harvard Health, and the Steinman Institute, Han explains how our brains are wired for bad news—and how that constant exposure can leave us feeling anxious, disconnected, and even misanthropic. But there’s a way out. This episode explores how local journalism, solutions reporting, and creative engagement strategies are helping audiences move from information fatigue to civic joy . Han unpacks evidence-based approaches that rebuild trust, highlight community strengths, and foster participation—offering listeners practical steps to stay informed without becoming overwhelmed. If you’ve ever felt consumed by the news but unsure how to break the cycle, this is the episode for you. Produced by Robert Sterner for The Assignment Desk. Next up on On Assignment : The Power of the Crowd: Reimagining Community Storytelling Submissions .…
What if local news could do more than report problems—what if it could inspire action and connection? In this episode, host Liz Cochrane speaks with Nari Han about the growing disconnect many people feel when faced with a relentless stream of bad news. Together, they explore how the concept of "civic joy" offers a new path forward: storytelling that builds trust, reflects community resilience, and invites meaningful engagement. We explore: How constant negativity fuels disconnection The shift “upstream from news” toward actionable, human-centered information What “solutions journalism” looks like in local practice How storytelling can foster trust, civic pride, and agency Real-world ideas: community spotlights, story skill shares, and neighborhood idea labs Tune in to hear how reimagining the role of news can transform doomscrolling into a shared sense of purpose.…
In this special bonus episode of On Assignment , Malcolm Redd steps into the host chair to explore the financial future of local journalism. As advertising dollars vanish into the coffers of Big Tech, newsrooms are scrambling to find sustainable models—from reader-funded startups and journalist-owned cooperatives to nonprofit newsrooms and public benefit corporations. Drawing on examples from Defector to Lookout Santa Cruz, and from Canadian policy to U.S. tax credits, Malcolm breaks down the innovative ownership structures and funding strategies reshaping the local news landscape. It’s a wide-ranging look at who pays for the news now—and what it might take to keep journalism alive where it’s needed most.…
In this episode of "On Assignment," host Liz Cochrane sits down with expert Malcolm Redd to explore the challenging landscape facing local news outlets in Central Pennsylvania. We dig into the broken business model that has traditionally funded local journalism. Malcolm explains how the old reliance on local advertising revenue has largely disappeared online, leaving newsrooms struggling to find ways to pay the bills. This has led to many local papers shrinking or even closing. We discuss the impact of these changes on our communities, including how social media, particularly Facebook, has become the primary source of news for many residents.... While convenient, this shift can sometimes mean less in-depth, fact-checked reporting. We also touch on how fewer than 4 in 10 Central Pennsylvanians feel "somewhat" connected to their community, a number that reliable local news can help improve1.... But it's not all challenging! Malcolm shares insights from community research about the search for sustainable solutions. The conversation goes "upstream from news" to look at building trust, centering solutions, and equipping people for civic action.... Listen in as we discuss promising new approaches, including: •Nonprofit or hybrid media models •Membership or community-based funding •Collaborative efforts among news organizations and community groups... •The potential of technology like AI to assist journalists •Focusing on solutions journalism and stories that build "civic joy"... •Rebuilding trust through relationships and transparency... This episode highlights that finding a sustainable future for local news isn't just about business models; it's about reimagining how news can serve and empower communities and is an invitation for everyone to help co-create what comes next.…
In this special supplemental episode of On Assignment , guest host Marianne Keller explores a growing crisis that’s quietly reshaping life in America: the expansion of news deserts — communities with little to no access to reliable local news. More than 3,200 newspapers have vanished since 2005. Jobs have disappeared. Local stories go untold. Government oversight weakens. And millions of people — particularly in rural, low-income, and minority communities — are left in an information void. We break down: What news deserts are and where they're spreading How a lack of local journalism harms democracy, accountability, and civic life The disproportionate impact on underserved communities Promising solutions: nonprofit newsrooms, philanthropic support, new ownership models, and policy innovations With insights from research at Northwestern, Columbia Journalism Review, Nieman Lab, UNC, and more, this episode dives deep into the consequences of vanishing local news — and what can be done to fix it.…
Where do people get their news—and what does that say about the health of our civic life? In this episode of On Assignment , host Gath Townsend is joined by media ecosystem expert Marianne Keller to unpack the findings of Central Pennsylvania first-ever Information Ecosystem Map. They explore how traditional and informal sources—from newspapers to Facebook groups—shape community connection, trust, and participation. Together, they discuss the decline of legacy news, the rise of social media, and the urgent need to reimagine local information systems for a more inclusive, connected, and action-ready future. 🎧 Topics include: News deserts and “information jungles” Rebuilding trust through relationships Why local voices and solutions matter How media can foster “civic joy” This episode is a starting point for anyone who believes local information should serve everyone —not just those already tuned in.…
Welcome to a special episode of On Assignment , where we explore journalism’s biggest questions and boldest challenges. Guest hosted by Jane Swisshelm, and today we’re asking: How can news organizations earn back the public’s trust? In a time of rampant misinformation, political polarization, and digital noise, trust in the media is at a critical low. But there are real, research-backed strategies that newsrooms are using right now to rebuild that connection with the public. We dive into: How transparency — like showing how stories are reported — boosts credibility. The power of “explain your process” tools and Trust Indicators. Why engagement and listening to communities fosters stronger relationships. The importance of accuracy, fairness, and authentically showing up in local news. And how “care” in journalism may be the next frontier in building lasting trust. With insights from the Center for Media Engagement, The Trust Project, Trusting News, ICFJ, the American Press Institute, and the Reuters Institute, this episode is packed with practical ideas for how journalism can not only survive — but thrive — by earning back your trust.…
In this episode of On Assignment , host Liz Cochrane sits down with information ecosystem expert Jane Swisshelm to explore a core issue at the heart of modern journalism: trust. Drawing from research and lived experience in Central Pennsylvania, they unpack why rebuilding trust in news isn’t just about delivering facts—it’s about fostering relationships, transparency, and shared community spaces. From “news deserts” to intergenerational gaps in media consumption, Liz and Jane examine how local connection, humanized storytelling, and civic dialogue can rebuild the social fabric that makes trustworthy information possible. This conversation highlights concrete ideas for journalists, educators, and communities seeking to reimagine local media in a time of deep division and digital disruption.…
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