Episode 25: Philip Mauriello Jr, Host, California Underground
Flack Talk
Philip Mauriello Jr. started the California Underground Podcast in 2018 as an outlet for his interest in politics which started in 2004 during Kerry v. Bush presidential campaign. Six years, and hundreds of episodes later it has grown into a source of information and perspective for folks looking for something other than the mainstream messages polarizing our country. During this episode Philip and James talk about the divide between Republicans and Democrats. Philip gives his hot take on war, conservative influencers and what scares the California Republican Party. We also talk about some of...
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Episode 24: Jacqueline Sarkissian, Reporter, KTLA 5
Flack Talk
Jacqueline Sarkissian took an unconventional path through the fashion industry and reached journalism after a family-friend connected her with a television news anchor who became her mentor. Today this USC graduate, after stops at San Diego’s Fox 5 and other markets, is a reporter at KTLA 5 where she did her first internship on the assignment desk. Jacqueline who loves doing fun, experiential stories shares what it's like when your job in news gives you the chance to participate in Dancing with the Stars, cover the L.A. Dodgers opening day and ride a terrifying zipline! Jacqueline is a mom...
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Episode 23: Joe Little, Director of Storytelling & News Reporter, NBC 7 San Diego
Flack Talk
Joe Little has a big personality and a knack for using facts combined with great visuals and awesome interviews with people you can root for to report the news! Joe is the Director of Storytelling and a News Reporter for NBC 7 San Diego. He got into journalism to be a sports anchor, and later found himself in a Pennsylvania field reporting on the crash of United Flight 93 during the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks that changed our Country forever. During this episode, Joe gets into his college basketball career, how he came to hate sports journalism, why local news is better than the networks,...
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Episode 22: Karlene Chavis, Chief Meteorologist, CBS 8 San Diego
Flack Talk
Karlene Chavis’ parents must’ve been clairvoyant because when she was six years old, they told her she would be a meteorologist. They took her passion for earth science, the fact she played with dinosaurs instead of Barbies, and enjoyed the outdoors as signs that she was destined for greatness. Today, Karlene is the Chief Meteorologist for CBS 8 San Diego and the first black Chief Meteorologist in San Diego television history. On this high energy episode Karlene shares how she got to San Diego, talks about what it takes to report the weather, inspiring women in science, her favorite...
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Episode 21: Darren Nichols, Columnist, Detroit Free Press & Founder, DNick Media
Flack Talk
Darren Nichols' resilience is special. He’s been a journalist in Detroit, Michigan for three decades and in 2014 while working on the biggest story in Detroit history, he unexpectedly had a stroke. Darren was down, but not out. His determination and winner’s attitude saw him put in six hour days during rehabilitation – not a common practice. That hard work, and lunch pail mentality means he’s bounced back: started DNick Media, and today his opinions columns on the state of the Motor City grace the pages of the Detroit Free Press. Darren is Detroit’s son, and everyone is happy he’s...
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Episode 20: Dear San Diego Interviews James Canning, Host of Flack Talk
Flack Talk
and , the hosts of , recently invited me to be a guest on their show. I had a lot of fun talking about my career, cooking, painting, and Michigan summers. I am releasing my interview with Tony and Juan here on in case you want to learn some things about me you didn't know. Below is the Dear San Diego description from when my episode dropped. I hope you enjoy! James Canning Unveiling the Power of Crisis Communication: A Lesson from Detroit to San Diego Did you know that a regular guy from Detroit could end up in the heart of crisis communications, managing scandals for renowned...
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Episode 19: Humberto Gurmilan, Author & Former Telemundo Sports Anchor
Flack Talk
Humberto (Beto) Gurmilan became paralyzed at 15-years-old after diving off his surfboard. It changed his life, but it did not stop him from pursuing and achieving his dream of becoming a journalist. Beto at 24-years-old became a sports anchor at Telemundo San Diego and spent 14 years there behind the news desk in his wheelchair. Waves of Courage Overcoming Adversity by Harnessing the Courage Within is his new inspirational book that is available now. During this episode we talk about Quadriplegia, his career in journalism and continued passion for surfing and his foundation to help others with...
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Episode 18: Jennifer Kastner, San Diego Business Journal, Reporter
Flack Talk
Award winning journalist and San Diego native Jennifer Kastner after a 17-year career in television news – most recently with ABC 10 in San Diego – decided to try her hand at print journalism, and is now a reporter for the San Diego Business Journal. During this episode we talk with Jennifer about how and why she became an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), her story that went viral thanks to Saturday Night Live, using the bathroom while out in the field reporting, her favorite curse word, how she learned to fly like an eagle, and what it's like covering Artificial Intelligence, biotech,...
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Episode 17: Journalism Job Seeker Series – Deborah Brennan, Former County Reporter, San Diego Union-Tribune
Flack Talk
Deborah Brennan, a former County government reporter, at the time of recording had taken a buy-out from the San Diego Union-Tribune, after the paper was purchased by a news conglomerate. Her love of writing at an early age, and the formative writing done at her high school newspaper, along with an uncle who was a columnist propelled Deborah into journalism after graduating from U.C. Berkeley. Now a veteran reporter that has worked for the LA Times, LA Daily News, the Desert Sun and the San Diego Union Tribune, Deborah has covered the bread and butter of journalism – local government...
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Episode 16: Journalism Job Seeker Series – Ashlyn Lipori-Russie, Former Content Manager, Inewsource
Flack Talk
Ashlyn Lipori-Russie, a former content manager for San Diego-based Inewsource, at the time of recording had been laid-off after the non-profit news company she worked for reduced staffing. She says the job at Inewsource was her “dream job” that fell from the sky because it melded her passion for digital content marketing and journalism; and the lay-off blindsided her. She is a “California kid” who thought she wanted to be involved in politics, and even participated in her City Council’s youth commission, and then in college decided satirical political writing was her thing –...
info_outlineFlack Talk host James Canning explains that FLACK in some circles is a derogatory word and how he has taken back this taboo term and reengineered its meaning to be positive. Being a FLACK is a badge of honor according to James, and he is of the mind that more public relations professionals should embrace it.