Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Mandy.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Erica. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I spent more than a decade as a broadcast journalist and TV news reporter before leaving to start The NewsWorthy. After studying journalism in college, I worked my way up in TV news from a small Missouri town, where I made $10/hour as a part-time reporter, to working as a staff reporter in Los Angeles — the second largest news market in the country.
I most recently reported for CBS in LA, but as I watched the industry change, news consumption habits evolve and heard from so many friends who were tuning out news completely because they felt it was too “depressing” and “overwhelming,” I knew I had a choice: continue on the traditional path or take a risk and start something new. I chose the latter to provide an alternative that addresses important issues without arguing pundits and nonstop bickering, while also injecting positivity and hope into daily news consumption. This, along with a quick, convenient format, keeps people coming back.
I’m proud to say that listeners have told me they feel less anxiety about news and have better conversations because of the show. Some have even told me they finally feel informed enough to vote for the first time.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Of course not!
I wore every hat in my first TV job and worked crazy hours, which at times could be overwhelming. I was not only the reporter but also the driver, the videographer carrying 50lbs of equipment, the editor using outdated/broken technology, the writer, producer, social media manager – you name it! I can look back now and be thankful that I learned so much in those first few years, but I had plenty of doubt about making it to the next level.
I remember one particular day in that first job where I was driving and running around for the story and finally rushed back to the newsroom just in time to jump in front of the camera. I felt utterly unprepared, and so when the anchor pitched it over to me, I said, “Um…. um…. um….. (mumbled a few sentences) BACK TO YOU.” I was mortified and in tears. Thankfully, YouTube wasn’t big yet.
Still, I kept showing up and improving, and just a few years later, I was moving to a top 30 market (Portland, Oregon) for the next step in my career. A few years after that, I landed a job in the second largest news market in the country: Los Angeles.
Then, after 10+ years as a professional broadcast journalist and TV news reporter, that’s when I decided to make the major change and launch The NewsWorthy. People told me I was crazy to leave a “dream job’ and steady salary, but I knew I would regret it if I didn’t at least try.
Launching and running The NewsWorthy has also been a bit of a roller coaster. The first year of business was about testing the concept and learning a ton about the business side of things. I felt like Beyonce one day and a joke the next. Thankfully, I kept going and ultimately decided to stop wasting energy on doubt and simply re-evaluate progress at specific times. As I start my third year of business, I’m so grateful I stuck it out. The NewsWorthy is growing quickly, and I feel so excited for where it’s going next!
The NewsWorthy – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from others?
The NewsWorthy is a daily news podcast that provides all the day’s news in less than 10 minutes in what I call a “fast, fair and fun” way. I use my years of experience as a broadcast journalist to provide a credible roundup of the news, while also putting my own twist on it through a variety of stories and friendly voice. Finally, we make sure to look at multiple news sources for each story to ensure we stay unbiased.
I’m most proud when I talk to listeners who say they feel more informed and less anxiety because of the show.
We launched before many other daily news podcasts that now exist, but we still offer something unique. We provide more stories (8-12) in less time than most and also cover more topics, from politics to tech to entertainment with each episode. We use a more casual, friendly tone to describe the news and work hard to bring multiple perspectives in one place. The NewsWorthy is still one of the few daily news podcasts with a solo female host.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I define success in a few ways:
1) Growth. Most successes don’t happen overnight, so one of the key indicators that you’re moving in the right direction is growth. For me right now, that means audience growth (well, personal growth too! I’ve learned so much these last couple of years).
2) Feedback. When I started to hear from listeners about how much they enjoyed and valued The NewsWorthy, this was also a sign that our work was making a difference. That’s the best type of success!
3) Sustainability. In order to take The NewsWorthy beyond its first year, I had to make more money and hire a team. Once that happened, it was a success because it meant I could continue to operate and inform the audience without going broke or burning out!
Of course, the specifics of each success marker continue to evolve at each stage and year of business. I fully believe in both celebrating your wins and successes, while also pushing toward new goals and milestones.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theNewsWorthy.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/ericamandynews
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/ericamandy
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/.theNWpodcast
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