Dawn Wotapka reflects on a year of TBN Media Movers columns

Editor’s note: TBN columnist Dawn Wotapka has linked below to some of her best Media Movers columns this past year. Take some for a spin — they are, one and all, engaging looks into the lives and careers of journalism rock stars. Dawn is one, too — but there are certain guidelines about interviewing one’s self. 

Welcome to the first anniversary of the Media Movers column, a true milestone for this amazing labor of love. We initially started out with the goal of interviewing journalists, PR pros and other types of storytellers, but we’ve only done journalists so far. PR people: Your day is coming. We have to get through a few more reporters first!

We launched the column by chatting with Chris Roush, who understood the importance of business journalism long before the masses. (Chris was in education then, but he’s returned to more traditional journalism at Business North Carolina.) The next feature was Lou Carlozo, this site’s editor/publisher and the person who came up with the idea for Media Movers.

From there, we followed with television anchors, personal finance experts, freelancers, book authors, academics and other journalism pros. The goal is to hear from practicing journalists from a variety of outlets – not just the top tier. Sure, you’ve heard from the WSJ, Bloomberg, Reuters and CNN. But we’ve also learned about the up-and-coming  Messenger, and targeted pubs including MundoNow and Cord Cutters.  Who could forget URL Media, which aims to increase coverage of Black and Brown communities? The subjects have also been fascinating: We’ve talked to experts in cars, sports, casinos and commercial real estate.

One thing is clear: This field overflows with passion. Janelle Nanos spent a decade pursuing a story. Kelli Grant got her CFP designation to deliver better advice. As the Messenger’s Dawn Kopecki put it: “I cannot imagine a more intellectually challenging and fun job than the one I currently have.”

Writers also have fun, and we’ve really enjoyed hearing what happens after the famously intense deadlines. Roger Cheng likes Legos. Paul Glader coaches youth soccer. Bernie Kohn loves Bruce Springsteen. Sharif Durhams enjoys simple things that include sitting on porches and reconnecting with friends in Atlanta.

So, what’s next for Media Movers? More great interviews. We’ll branch out a bit to include younger pros, trade reporters, those who work with journalists and other interesting people.

To every person who has given us their time over the last year, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. It has truly been an amazing year.

Dawn Wotapka is the amazing TBN columnist and Wall Street Journal alum who has carried the Media Movers ball for a year now. We couldn’t be prouder. She resides in the Atlanta area and last we heard, remains an avid Peloton user. 

Know a great candidate for a future column? Email Dawn here: dwotapka@gmail.com