UNCUT: Riffing with Peggy Holman
A jam session with a doyenne of documentation!
TRACK LISTING:
1. Intro
Rijon welcomes Peggy Holman and establishes their prior connections and shared interests.
Rijon introduces himself and Peggy Holman to the audience
References to Marv Weisbord (organizational development pioneer and jazz pianist)
Discovery of Peggy's work on journalism in Peter Block's "Activating the Common Good"
2. Journalism Origins and Evolution (03:00 - 10:00)
Peggy explains how a racially-motivated shooting in 1999 sparked her entry into journalism transformation work.
Connection between storytelling, appreciative inquiry, and journalism as cultural storytelling
Influence of Harrison Owen and Ann Stadler (Open Space methodology founders)
Development of the pivotal question: "How do we do journalism that matters in a world gone mad?"
3. Journalism That Matters Organization (10:00 - 17:00)
The evolution from informal gatherings to a structured organization bringing diverse journalism stakeholders together.
Expansion from print-only to including broadcast and digital media journalists
Introduction of the "journalism ecosystem" concept from community feedback
Growth of "engaged journalism" at the intersection of journalism and community
4. From "Spitting in the Wind" to Spreading Seeds (17:00 - 19:00)
Peggy describes how their work evolved from feeling ineffective to seeing widespread influence.
Partnership with Agora Journalism Center on "Experience Engagement" conference
Transition from isolation to connection through collaborative initiatives
The dandelion clock metaphor for how their ideas spread throughout journalism
5. Open Space Methodology and Diversity (19:00 - 27:30)
Discussion of how Open Space methodology created environments for authentic connection and addressing diversity in journalism.
Importance of crafting meaningful themes and invitations for gatherings
Story about confronting racial homogeneity in journalism conferences
The "Create or Die" convening with 75% participants of color to shift perspective
6. Community-Based Journalism Examples (28:00 - 32:30)
Exploration of innovative organizations putting community-centered journalism into practice.
City Bureau and the Documenters Project training community members as civic reporters
Growth of the Documenters model to over 20 locations nationwide
News Futures organization developing principles for local journalism transformation
7. First Amendment and Evolution of Journalism (32:30 - 36:00)
Peggy's framework connecting First Amendment freedoms to evolving journalistic practices.
Overlay of modern journalism practices onto constitutional freedoms
Shift from monocultural to multicultural approaches to news gathering
Fundamental transitions: from lecturing to listening, problems to possibilities
8. Open Letter to Journalism (36:00 - 41:00)
Discussion of a transformative document and the challenges of reaching modern audiences.
Origins of the Open Letter at the Pointer conference gathering
Examples of cross-generational collaboration between traditional and digital journalists
Challenges of diminishing attention spans and changing media consumption habits
9. Journalism Innovation and Orthodoxy (41:00 - 47:00)
Examination of how journalists are breaking from traditional practices to reach new audiences.
Journalists working with influencers to engage younger audiences
Challenging journalistic orthodoxy around objectivity and detachment
Solutions Journalism Network focusing on responses to problems, not just problems
10. Local Media and Citizenship (47:00 - 52:00)
Exploration of how local journalism can foster community connection and democratic participation.
NPR in Texas as an example of applying Open Space in challenging environments
Connecting short-form media to citizenship and local engagement
"Conversational literacy as a birthright" as a fundamental concept
11. Closing Thoughts (52:00 - 57:10)
The conversation concludes with a powerful question and mutual appreciation.
"What's a dangerous question to ask?" as a prompt for deeper reflection
Reaffirmation of "What is journalism that matters in a world gone mad?" as still relevant
Final appreciations and closing remarks between Rijon and Peggy