05/02/2025
Two interviews are currently in the editing phase, and three more are scheduled for next week.
This coming week is also finals week for me — and I’ll be graduating next weekend! I’m earning a Bachelor of Arts & Sciences in Communication, with a concentration in Broadcast Journalism and Public Communication Advocacy. I’m also finishing with two minors: one in Political Science and the other in Digital Media Technologies (Film & Production).
This past year, I made the decision to take Zfiles Podcast more seriously. It all began with my first interview with Representative Tarah Probst after an idea I had during an internship in DC over winter break. She is someone I’m incredibly grateful to for taking the time to speak with me and being my very first interviewee. At the time, I was just a girl with no platform, and yet she allowed me to interview her about her politics and her life — two deeply personal and often guarded topics. That interview helped shape the vision I had for what this podcast could become.
After that, I chose to take a year-long hiatus to intern in D.C. again and work in both government and multiple political campaigns. Also, I felt it would be unethical to continue interviewing candidates while actively campaigning for others. I felt like the best people in any positions when representing, working for or curating anybody are the ones who lived/worked in it themselves. I decided to involve myself more interconnectedly to feel more suited to speak with those now who are very much involved such as all the amazing guest I’ve had the pleasure to have on my podcast. As for another special thank you to Matt Long for being my second guest after that large gap… also believing in me and allowing me to grow with little to no references. During that year gap, I gained a deeper understanding of politics and the media’s role within it. I also made it a personal mission to become more politically neutral, so I could grow into a more well-rounded, transparent, and trustworthy journalist. My goal in every interview is that the audience cannot guess what my personal political affiliations may be. I don’t want to be a representation of that. I wanted to be able to step outside of my own perspectives and truly understand others’, then share those perspectives in ways that people from all walks of life can connect with. At its core, journalism exists to inform the public!!! not just a select few, but everyone. It’s meant to be inclusive, accessible, and rooted in truth. Journalism isn’t marketing, it shouldn’t be an advertisement of my own motive. The purpose of journalism isn’t simply to report events, but to create an understanding, connection, and awareness across communities. I believe journalism should make people feel seen, heard, and informed. It shouldn’t make anyone feel left out or overlooked. My goal is to create work that brings people in, not shuts them out. When journalism is done with care, clarity, and integrity, it has the power to unite us through knowledge, empathy, and shared experience.
Zfiles Podcast started in an old conference room, with its name scribbled on a whiteboard in marker. I used my phone, had zero audio equipment, and edited with iMovie. Now, I’m equipped with better software, gear, and ambiance. Sure, tech still fails me sometimes and I end up back on my phone, but the growth is undeniable. And I can’t wait to grow even more.
I have so many ideas for the future of Zfiles. After graduation, I’ll finally have more time, energy, and experience to fully pour into these platform. To everyone who’s been following me, I’m beyond grateful to you. To anyone scrolling through my page and wondering if this podcast is worth your attention: I hope you can see the potential I see in it. I invite you to follow along and witness my growth as a journalist. However, I still have a long way to go and there’s so many things I need to work on in various categories… but thank you for being part of the journey. I hope you stay to watch my grow.
