AI is rapidly changing the world of journalism — but is it for better or worse? 

Poynter Institute faculty member Al Tompkins and Chicago-based reporter Mills Hayes join hosts Carol Marin and Lisa Parker to discuss how AI is transforming story writing, newsrooms and the industry as a whole. The guests discuss how they utilize AI in their reporting, offering guidance for young reporters on how to use it and not abuse it. Produced by Sabrina Castle, music by Lucas Weisman. Listen.

"So You Want to be a Reporter" is a project of DePaul University's Center for Journalism Integrity & Excellence.  

Released September 28, 2025

For journalists getting into broadcast there is a lot to consider, and for Black women in particular, their hair is one of these things. Marion Brooks, Sela Estill and Ariana Allen have had to think about how their identities and hair will be perceived. Marion Brooks is an anchor and investigative reporter at NBC5 Chicago with over 25 years of on-air journalism experience. Sela Estill and Ariana Allen are graduate journalism students at DePaul University. Brooks, Estill and Allen join host Carol Marin to talk about whether natural Black hair is accepted in newsrooms and why the industry should be more inclusive. Produced by Monique Mulima with music by Max Duggan. Listen.

Released February 2, 2023

 

 

What does it take to report on politics? Dana Kozlov and Eleni Demertzis are two people who know. Dana Kozlov is a political investigative reporter for CBS2 Chicago with over 30 years of journalism experience. Eleni Demertzis started her career as a journalist but now works as a strategist and spokesperson for the Illinois House Republicans. Kozlov and Demertzis join host Carol Marin to talk about the skills needed to cover politics and what young journalists need to know.

Produced by Monique Mulima with music by Max Duggan. Listen

Released Nov 28, 2022

When Tahera Rahman left college in search of a television news career, she made it clear that she would be wearing hijab. That was not easy in a post-9/11 world that warned her of the difficulties in employment and potential target it would put on her, but she preserved. On February 8, 2018, she went on-air on WHBF-TV in Rock Island, Ill., as the first full-time television reporter in America to wear hijab.

 

She joins Carol Marin for our season finale to share her story and what it is like for her to be a pioneer for Muslim women in front of the watchful — and sometimes judgmental — eyes of the nation. 

 

This episode is hosted by Carol Marin and produced by Justin Myers with music by Max Duggan. Listen

Released Jun 12, 2022

 

Bill Whitaker is known across the nation for his work as a reporter on 60 Minutes. Heidi Wigdahl is an alumna of the DePaul Documentary Program and currently works as a multimedia reporter at KARE 11 in Minneapolis-St. Paul. Both were recognized by DePaul's Center for Journalism Integrity & Excellence on April 28th at the Center's annual awards banquet.

In this episode, we revisit the remarks they gave at the banquet about the power of mentors in journalism and the challenges facing reporters today. Whitaker and Wigdahl are joined by former FCC chair Newton Minnow, who received the Center's distinguished mentor award.

This episode is hosted and produced by Justin Myers with music by Max Duggan. Listen

Released May 16, 2022

What is it like to report on the front lines of war? Jackie Spinner and Kevin Tibbles know that answer all too well.

Spinner previously served as the Baghdad bureau chief for the Washington Post during the Iraq War and would sleep with a helmet over her head amid bombings. Tibbles recently retired as a domestic and foreign correspondent for NBC. He was with NBC for more than 25 years and went to cover wars around the world.

Spinner and Tibbles join host Carol Marin to share what life as a war correspondent is like and what young journalists who may aspire to follow in their footsteps need to know. Produced by Justin Myers with music by Max Duggan. Listen

Released May 5, 2022

The episode that's all about the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). On March 3rd and 4th, DePaul's Center for Journalism Integrity & Excellence held its annual FOIA Fellows conference. Two of our fellows shared their experience with FOIA and the biggest takeaways for them.

Carol Marin and Don Moseley, the co-directors of the Center, also sat down to talk about their journey to FOIA the Laquan McDonald story and what it's like to train new journalists in the art of FOIA.

Hosted by Justin Myers with guests Carli Luca, Tim Spears, Carol Marin and Don Moseley and music by Max Duggan. Listen

Released Mar 11, 2022