On this episode, we’re joined by Rebecca Worby. Rebecca is the editorial director for Reasons to Be Cheerful.

Reasons to Be Cheerful is a non-profit website and newsletter founded by the musician and artist David Byrne. And it is what it says it is- reporting on news that should make you feel good. Many of these reasons to be cheerful come in the form of smart, proven, replicable solutions to the world’s most pressing problems. Their newsletter has 135,000 subscribers and the stories in it literally span the globe.

Rebecca talked about her journalism path, which includes getting a masters degree in creative non-fiction, and time as an editor of travel guides. She explained what makes a story appropriate for Reasons To Be Cheerful and provided examples of the kinds of stories they like.

1)Make America Rake Again – A story about trying to wean people off gas-powered leaf blowers

2) One from Vilnius, Lithuania – about “Befriend Vilnius” a program that provides mentorship to Ukranian migrants.

3) How student journalists are stepping up to fill news deserts

4) Unfamiliar fish helping fight food insecurity

And we discussed a piece she wrote for Lithub.com, linking together several crimes – vandalism in national parks, the stealing of Native American artifacts on public lands, and dismantled sculptures.

Rebecca's salutes: Hellgate and High Country News

Thank you as always for listening. Please send us feedback to journalismsalute@gmail.com,

Visit our website: thejournalismsalute.org

Mark's website (MarkSimonmedia.com)

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On this episode, we’re joined by Jay Boller. Jay is co-owner and editor of Racket. RacketMN.com is a writer-owned, reader-funded alternative journalism source for news, arts, and culture in Minneapolis. He has previously worked for the Minneapolis Star Tribune and City Pages. Racket was founded in August 2021.

Jay talked about his journalism origin story and Racket’s origin story. He shared examples of his work, including pieces on a day at a megachurch’s moneymaking event, potential environmental pollution near Lake Superior, the closing of a popular McDonald’s, and the troubles of Minneapolis Public Radio.

Jay also explained how starting a writer-owned, reader-funded journalism business is challenging and not necessarily for everyone.

Jay’s salute: Minnesota Reformer

Thank you as always for listening. Please send us feedback to journalismsalute@gmail.com,

Visit our website: thejournalismsalute.org

Mark's website (MarkSimonmedia.com)

Tweet us at @journalismpod.

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On this episode, we’re joined by Itto Outini. Itto and her husband Mekiya run the website, The Datekeepers. This online platform operates under the idea that stories move mountains and that we need to see better stories about humanity and people overcoming extraordinary odds to make contributions to the world.

I should note that Itto is blind. She has a degree in applied linguistics from Mohamed V University in Rabat Morocco and a masters in journalism and strategic media from the University of Arkansas. She is writing a book, Blindness is the Light of My Life. Her backstory is remarkable.

Itto talked about her origin story and some of the notable stories she’s written, like one about a blind cricketer and another about how immigrants have to deal with remittances for family and friends. She also shared how some people are more willing to open up to her because of her being blind and how she comes up with story ideas.

Itto’s salute: Nicholas Kristof

Thank you as always for listening. Please send us feedback to journalismsalute@gmail.com,

Visit our website: thejournalismsalute.org

Mark's website (MarkSimonmedia.com)

Tweet us at @journalismpod.

Subscribe to our newsletter- journalismsalute.substack.com