https://www.postgrads2025.comRSS Feed for PostgradsenThu, 17 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://youtu.be/JPtCb2Ah7GE?si=PxN9oZbp896cxKS0Welcome to Postgrads — In each episode, we sit down with Columbia Journalism School graduates to explore what comes after the degree — the jobs, the pivots, the dreams, and the unexpected turns. In today’s episode, we’re joined by Hope King, a former business and economy journalist as well as the creator and the host of her podcast Macro Talk. King will share with us her story growing up as an immigrant and her advice to the young generation about their career choices, also, a story about interviewing the Chinese businessman Jack Ma. Interviewer: Zhuoya Ma Guest: Hope King Camera: Danny Liu Edit: Danny Liu/Zhuoya MaThu, 17 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://youtu.be/JPtCb2Ah7GE?si=PxN9oZbp896cxKS0https://youtu.be/zOCsxbFFnUg?si=g1AXxhdybBlT2yvbIn today’s episode, we’re joined by Carmen Cusido, a Communication Professional Freelance writer based in New Jersey, as well as a mental health advocate. Cusido will share with us her path through different careers, as well as her long time battles with eating disorders. Trigger warning: from 12:43: discussions of severe depression, loss of loved ones, anorexia and other eating disorders Interviewer: Zhuoya Ma Guest: Carmen Cusido Camera: Danny Liu Edit: Danny Liu/Zhuoya Ma Referenced work： Egg freezing: https://wearemitu.com/wearemitu/culture/opinion-egg-freezing-fertility-post-roe-america/ Severe depression: https://www.newsweek.com/i-tried-take-own-life-when-mom-died-1677628 Eating disorder and Latino culture: https://remezcla.com/features/culture/the-weight-we-carry-unpacking-eating-disorder-sin-verguenza/ YOUTUBE CHAPTERS 00:00 start 00:13 beginning 00:48 upbringing 01:58 different journalism school experience 03:25 Columbia J school - foreign reporting 04:16 preferred beat 05:27 speech writer 06:17 influence of education 09:06 educating the others 10:10 bilingual translating accuracy 11:08 rapid fire question 12:36 eating disorder+depression 21:25 the biggest misconception about mental health 24:33 book writing 26:03 monologue - leave a message to past and future self 26:56 ending 💡 About Postgrads: Postgrads is a video podcast founded by Zhuoya Ma and Danny Liu, spotlighting Columbia Journalism School graduates carving their path after graduation. Each conversation dives deep into career choices, creative pivots, and the reality of building a meaningful life in media. 📬 Want to be featured or collaborate? Email us at zhuoyama79@gmail.com #postgrads #columbiajournalismschool #freelancer #mentalhealthFri, 15 May 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://youtu.be/zOCsxbFFnUg?si=g1AXxhdybBlT2yvbhttps://youtu.be/6Vbpfnx05ZAIn today’s episode, we’re joined by Marisa Marcellino, a Columbia Journalism School adjunct professor, and a long-time sports reporter who just finished her work at the Winter Olympics. Marcellino will tell us her growth as a reporter, as well as her experience reporting the winter Olympics. referenced work： Team USA’s women’s hockey team: https://www.nbcolympics.com/news/running-gelato-and-gold-medals-qa-four-golden-ladies-team-usa-womens-hockey With Jessie Diggins: https://www.nbcolympics.com/news/olympian-jessie-diggins-using-her-voice-climate-advocacy-who-am-i-not-care With Gus Schumacher: https://www.nbcsports.com/olympics/news/growing-up-with-glaciers-cross-country-skier-gus-schumacher-finds-solace-in-climate-advocacy YOUTUBE CHAPTERS: 00:00 start 00:12 beginning 00:45 Columbia learning experience 01:49 comparison between studying and teaching at Columbia University 02:21 work experience - day reporter at News12 04:45 thoughts on distances travelled 07:46 sports reporting 10:01 how to prepare interviews 12:24 adjunct professor at Columbia Journalism School 14:52 rapid fire questions 17:20 2026 Winter Olympics 20:31 sports and politics 21:55 female strengths in sports and sports news 23:46 2028 Los Angeles Olympics 25:14 monologue 26:21 ending 💡 About Postgrads: Postgrads is a video podcast founded by Zhuoya Ma and Danny Liu, spotlighting Columbia Journalism School graduates carving their path after graduation. Each conversation dives deep into career choices, creative pivots, and the reality of building a meaningful life in media. 📬 Want to be featured or collaborate? Email us at zhuoyama79@gmail.com #postgrads #columbiajournalismschool #adjunctprofessor #winterolympics #sportsreporterFri, 01 May 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://youtu.be/6Vbpfnx05ZAhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAkd8LdI7yoWelcome to Postgrads — In each episode, we sit down with Columbia Journalism School graduates to explore what comes after the degree — the jobs, the pivots, the dreams, and the unexpected turns. In today’s episode, we’re joined by Alison Sun, a full time social creative producer at Microsoft and a former independent creative consultant. Sun will tell us her experience within the creative sphere, as well as the philosophy behind her documentary project. Interviewer: Zhuoya Ma Guest: Alison Sun Camera: Danny Liu Edit: Danny Liu/Zhuoya Ma referenced work： Dumbfoundead video: https://www.easternstandardtimes.com/episode/docs-dumbfoundead A Good Death: https://www.docnyc.net/film/shorts-doc-nyc-u-rebirth/a-good-death/ YOUTUBE CHAPTERS: 00:00 start 00:10 beginning 00:42 bachelor- University of Cincinnati 02:30 transfer from Chinese University 04:07 reason for dislike of the first job 06:52 postgrads experience 10:00 music artists wish to collaborate at the beginning 11:06 wants to see more Asian culture 12:47 rapid fire questions 14:04 short documentary - the good death 22:17 experience at Microsoft 24:23 monologue - what does creativity mean at AI era 💡 About Postgrads: Postgrads is a video podcast founded by Zhuoya Ma and Danny Liu, spotlighting Columbia Journalism School graduates carving their path after graduation. Each conversation dives deep into career choices, creative pivots, and the reality of building a meaningful life in media. 📬 Want to be featured or collaborate? Email us at zhuoyama79@gmail.com #postgrads #columbiajournalismschool #microsoft #socialcreativeproducerFri, 17 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAkd8LdI7yohttps://youtu.be/pL3H_Snh73YIn today’s episode, we talked with Tazbia Fatima, a full-time newsroom AI and automation engineer at Hearst Newspapers. Fatima will share with us her journey and the challenges of becoming a computational journalist in the United States, as well as the various journalistic projects that she has worked on. Interviewer: Zhuoya Ma Guest: Tazbia Fatima Camera: Danny Liu Edit: Danny Liu/Zhuoya Ma Producer: Zhuoya Ma Reference work: "Donkey Route":https://newlinesmag.com/reportage/modi-is-placating-trump-on-illegal-migration-despite-opposition-at-home/ Reporting Map: https://projects.thecity.nyc/thecity-coverage-map/ YOUTUBE CHAPTERS: 00:00 start 00:08 beginning 00:49 childhood - passionate about reading 02:33 choosing a career path 05:28 the difference between traditional and computational journalism 07:28 current job contents 07:58 projects 09:24 challenges at CJS 12:28 rapid fire questions 15:35 the city 19:57 the process of reporting undocumented immigrants 24:14 monologue - advice for newcomers 26:36 ending 💡 About Postgrads: Postgrads is a video podcast founded by Zhuoya Ma and Danny Liu, spotlighting Columbia Journalism School graduates carving their path after graduation. Each conversation dives deep into career choices, creative pivots, and the reality of building a meaningful life in media. 📬 Want to be featured or collaborate? Email us at zhuoyama79@gmail.com #postgrads #columbiajournalismschool #hearstnewspaper #aiandautomationengineerFri, 03 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://youtu.be/pL3H_Snh73Yhttps://youtu.be/OFE9TDaF-OQIn today’s episode, we’re joined by Tiffany Le, a visual verification news gathering producer at Reuters in Beijing and cofounder of the Poorlizter Show. Le will tell us her experience studying in the United States as an international student, and what she learned while reporting on the Poorlizter Show. Referenced work： The Poorlizter Show: https://b23.tv/YUZqDQ9 Interviewer: Danny Liu Guest: Tiffany Le Camera: Zhuoya Ma Edit: Danny Liu/Zhuoya Ma Producer: Zhuoya Ma YOUTUBE CHAPTERS: 00:00 start 00:12 beginning 00:43 learning journalism 02:15 reading list 04:30 reporting experience in the United States 07:30 Reuters work experience 09:10 rapid fire questions 11:25 poorlizer show 13:49 the duty of the newsroom 16:21 reporting on school protest - safety concerns 22:09 monologue - message for future self 23:26 ending 💡 About Postgrads: Postgrads is a video podcast founded by Zhuoya Ma and Danny Liu, spotlighting Columbia Journalism School graduates carving their path after graduation. Each conversation dives deep into career choices, creative pivots, and the reality of building a meaningful life in media. 📬 Want to be featured or collaborate? Email us at zhuoyama79@gmail.comFri, 20 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://youtu.be/OFE9TDaF-OQhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVkKliS7m98In today’s episode, we’re joined by Sushmita Pathak, a multimedia editor from Scientific American. Pathak will discuss her experiences reporting on scientific beats, as well as how AI should be utilized and represented in journalism. Referenced work： Retrograde Cricopharyngeus Dysfunction: https://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode/daily-misery-why-some-people-cant-burp-and-how-botox-comes-to-the-rescue/ Child Marriage in India: https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/11/05/931274119/child-marriages-are-up-in-the-pandemic-heres-how-india-tries-to-stop-them Vaccines in India: https://www.npr.org/2021/09/17/1038395212/indias-vaccination-drive-has-gathered-speed-but-theres-still-a-ways-to-go AI researches DNA’s dark matter: https://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode/decoding-dnas-dark-matter-with-ai-keeping-a-man-alive-without-lungs-and/ Interviewer: ZJ Yang Guest: Sushmita Pathak Camera: Danny Liu Edit: Danny Liu/Zhuoya Ma Producer: Zhuoya Ma 💡 About Postgrads: Postgrads is a video podcast founded by Zhuoya Ma and Danny Liu, spotlighting Columbia Journalism School graduates carving their path after graduation. Each conversation dives deep into career choices, creative pivots, and the reality of building a meaningful life in media. 📬 Want to be featured or collaborate? Email us at zhuoyama79@gmail.comSat, 07 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVkKliS7m98https://youtu.be/GGrcZbwfU4wIn today’s episode, we’re joined by Tavleen Tarrant, a newsgathering reporter from NBC news. Tarrant will discuss her role as a newsgathering journalist, and her experiences working on various recent breaking news. Referenced work： Allies Welcome: https://www.docnyc.net/film/shorts-doc-nyc-u-portraits/allies-welcome/ ICE agents blocked from Ecuadorian consulate: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/ice-agent-blocked-ecuador-consulate-minneapolis-trump-immigration-rcna256284 Grandma’s refugee journey: https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/features/2021/2/14/from-pakistan-to-india-tracing-my-grandmothers-refugee-journey ‼️New segment alert - Rapid Fire Questions starts now 19:15 Interviewer: Zhuoya Ma Guest: Tavleen Tarrant Camera:Danny Liu Edit: Danny Liu/Zhuoya Ma Producer: ZJ Yang YOUTUBE CHAPTERS: 00:00 start 00:15 beginning 00:59 influence of living in different countries 02:14 the inspiration of being a journalist 04:24 documentary - Allies Welcome 06:35 the difficulties of making a documentary 08:27 freelancing vs full-time employed 10:12 the duty as a newsgathering reporter at NBC News 12:39 breaking news 14:00 accuracy in the newsroom 14:42 latest article - ICE in Minneapolis 17:58 journalist's duty and external pressure 19:15 rapid fire questions 23:38 monologue 26:32 ending 💡 About Postgrads: Postgrads is a video podcast founded by Zhuoya Ma and Danny Liu, spotlighting Columbia Journalism School graduates carving their path after graduation. Each conversation dives deep into career choices, creative pivots, and the reality of building a meaningful life in media. 📬 Want to be featured or collaborate? Email us at zhuoyama79@gmail.comFri, 20 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://youtu.be/GGrcZbwfU4whttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAIkpXGPTCMIn today’s episode, we’re joined by Arshi Qureshi, a freelance journalist based in New York City who reports on politics, online extremism, crime and justice, and various other topics. Qureshi will discuss the process of fact checking, the difficulties she ran into while working in India, and abuses in jail system, H-1B policies, and other issues. referenced work： 401(k) funding ICE detention center: https://breakthroughnews.org/your-retirement-account-could-be-contributing-to-over-1-billion-invested-in-ice-detention/ Abuse in Allegheny County Jail: https://www.publicsource.org/allegheny-county-jail-sergeant-lawsuits-allege-abuse/ New H-1B policy: https://breakthroughnews.org/billionaires-funding-h-1b-backlash-anti-south-asian-racism-immigration/ Interviewer: Danny Liu Guest: Arshi Qureshi Camera: Zhuoya Ma Edit: Danny Liu/Zhuoya Ma Producer: ZJ Yang YOUTUBE CHAPTERS: 00:00 start 00:23 intro 01:00 necessary technique for investigative journalist 05:35 daily schedule 07:02 the difficulties of an Indian muslim female journalist 10:57 master's project - the abuse of a U.S. jail sergeant 15:40 workpiece - H1B work visa 18:25 the prejudice of U.S. pop culture towards Southasian 20:37 monologue 21:23 ending 💡 About Postgrads: Postgrads is a video podcast founded by Zhuoya Ma and Danny Liu, spotlighting Columbia Journalism School graduates carving their path after graduation. Each conversation dives deep into career choices, creative pivots, and the reality of building a meaningful life in media. 📬 Want to be featured or collaborate? Email us at zhuoyama79@gmail.comSat, 07 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAIkpXGPTCMhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnqsZzfz8O8In today's episode, we're joined by Tandy Lau, a public safety reporter for New York City Amsterdam News. Lau will discuss recent public safety stories in New York City, as well as how journalists can effectively address systemic racism in their stories. Referenced works: Oversentencing: https://amsterdamnews.com/news/2025/12/11/judge-decides-on-resentencing-for-bronx-father-andre-brown/ Chinatown jail: https://amsterdamnews.com/news/2024/08/15/will-chinatowns-borough-based-jail-save-lives-or-destroy-them/ Black and Asian relationships: https://wordinblack.com/2023/05/false-narratives-how-social-media-divides-asian-and-black-communities/ Interviewer: Danny Liu Guest: Tandy Lau Camera: Zhuoya Ma Edit: Danny Liu/Zhuoya Ma Producer: ZJ Yang 💡 About Postgrads: Postgrads is a video podcast founded by Zhuoya Ma and Danny Liu, spotlighting Columbia Journalism School graduates carving their path after graduation. Each conversation dives deep into career choices, creative pivots, and the reality of building a meaningful life in media. 📬 Want to be featured or collaborate? Email us at zhuoyama79@gmail.comSat, 24 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnqsZzfz8O8https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohA4F5vETXsIn today's episode, we're joined by Anna Oakes, a multimedia freelance journalist focusing on immigration. Oakes will share with us her experience reporting on the student protest in Columbia University and immigrant issues, as well as the ethics and nuances of romantic chatbots. Interviewer: Zijie Yang Guest: Anna Oakes Camera: Danny Liu Edit: Danny Liu/Zhuoya Ma Producer: Zhuoya Ma Referenced works: Bot Love - https://radiotopiapresents.fm/bot-love Feels Like Home - https://www.feelslikehomefilm.org/ Undue Process - https://theintercept.com/2025/05/10/columbia-library-gaza-protests-students-suspended/ 💡 About Postgrads: Postgrads is a video podcast founded by Zhuoya Ma and Danny Liu, spotlighting Columbia Journalism School graduates carving their path after graduation. Each conversation dives deep into career choices, creative pivots, and the reality of building a meaningful life in media. 📬 Want to be featured or collaborate? Email us at zhuoyama79@gmail.com #postgrads #columbiajournalismschool #multimedia #podcast #aichatbotSat, 10 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohA4F5vETXshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ghU0hlYEwEIn today's episode, we're joined by Vidhi Choudhary, a full-time business reporter at Morning Brew and Modern Retail. Choudhary will share with us her experiences working in both India and the United States, as well as her opinions on topics such as e-commerce and AI. Interviewer: Zijie Yang Guest: Vidhi Choudhary Camera: Danny Liu Edit: Danny Liu/Zhuoya Ma Producer: Zhuoya Ma 💡 About Postgrads: Postgrads is a video podcast founded by Zhuoya Ma and Danny Liu, spotlighting Columbia Journalism School graduates carving their path after graduation. Each conversation dives deep into career choices, creative pivots, and the reality of building a meaningful life in media. 📬 Want to be featured or collaborate? Email us at zhuoyama79@gmail.com #postgrads #ai #businessreport #morningbrew #retailSat, 27 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ghU0hlYEwEhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEPfL226_oAIn today’s episode, we’re joined by Claudia Gohn, co-founder of Grassroots magazine NYC and an adjunct assistant professor of Columbia Journalism School. Gohn will share with us her responsibility as a student journalist during the Columbia University encampments as well as her experience reporting on social movements and activism. Interviewer: Danny Liu Guest: Claudia Gohn Camera: Zhuoya Ma Edit: Danny Liu/Zhuoya Ma Producer: ZJ Yang 💡 About Postgrads: Postgrads is a video podcast founded by Zhuoya Ma and Danny Liu, spotlighting Columbia Journalism School graduates carving their path after graduation. Each conversation dives deep into career choices, creative pivots, and the reality of building a meaningful life in media. 📬 Want to be featured or collaborate? Email us at zhuoyama79@gmail.com #Postgrads #ColumbiaJournalismSchool #CareerAfterCollege #Journalism #MediaCareers #PostgradsLifeSat, 13 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEPfL226_oAhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5oUZ9HJkfQIn today’s episode, we’re joined by Flora Warshaw, an audio producer for SpyCast in Washington, D.C., and formerly an audio producer at Marketplace by APM. Flora will share how she discovered her true passion for audio production, her job-hunting strategies, and what it’s really like working in the audio industry after graduation. Interviewer: Zhuoya Ma Guest: Flora Warshaw Camera: Danny Liu Edit: Danny Liu/Zhuoya Ma Producer: ZJ Yang 💡 About Postgrads: Postgrads is a video podcast founded by Zhuoya Ma and Danny Liu, spotlighting Columbia Journalism School graduates carving their path after graduation. Each conversation dives deep into career choices, creative pivots, and the reality of building a meaningful life in media. 📬 Want to be featured or collaborate? Email us at zhuoyama79@gmail.com #Postgrads #ColumbiaJournalismSchool #CareerAfterCollege #Journalism #MediaCareers #PostgradsLifeSat, 29 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5oUZ9HJkfQhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9w_I6fGTdYUIn today’s episode, we invited Alex Fang, who transformed from an economic reporter to a taxation lawyer. She will bring us through her academic journey — from her undergrad at Fudan, to her Master’s at Columbia Journalism School, to her Juris Doctor at Harvard Law School. Now, as a lawyer, as well as a translator and a poet, Alex will also share with us her contemplation of the present and the future. Interviewer: Zhuoya Ma Guest: Alex Fang Camera: Danny Liu Edit: Danny Liu Producer: ZJ Yang 💡 About Postgrads: Postgrads is a video podcast founded by Zhuoya Ma and Danny Liu, spotlighting Columbia Journalism School graduates carving their path after graduation. Each conversation dives deep into career choices, creative pivots, and the reality of building a meaningful life in media. 📬 Want to be featured or collaborate? Email us at zhuoyama79@gmail.com #Postgrads #ColumbiaJournalismSchool #CareerAfterCollege #Journalism #MediaCareers #PostgradsLifeSat, 15 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9w_I6fGTdYUhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umg7fnMiO20Content Warning: Rape, Sexual Assault 9:51-11:50 In this episode, we invited the editor of New Lines Magazine, Surbhi Gupta. Surbhi's articles focus on South Asian arts & cultures. In this episode, Surbhi will share with us her experiences working both in India and the United States, as well as the stories behind some of the articles she has written in the past. Interviewer:Danny Liu Guest: Surbhi Gupta Camera: Zhuoya Ma Edit: Danny Liu Producer: ZJ Yang 💡 About Postgrads: Postgrads is a video podcast founded by Zhuoya Ma and Danny Liu, spotlighting Columbia Journalism School graduates carving their path after graduation. Each conversation dives deep into career choices, creative pivots, and the reality of building a meaningful life in media. 📬 Want to be featured or collaborate? Email us at zhuoyama79@gmail.com #Postgrads #ColumbiaJournalismSchool #CareerAfterCollege #Journalism #MediaCareers #PostgradsLifeFri, 31 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umg7fnMiO20https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUkvFCHfH2IIn this episode, we invited freelance writer Madeline Reilly, whose articles focus on the competitive job market within the context of Generation Z. Madeline will share her experiences studying at Columbia University, how she discovered her niche within the industry, and her unique perspective on the journalism field. Interviewer:Danny Liu Guest: Madeline Reilly Camera: Zhuoya Ma Edit: Danny Liu Producer: ZJ Yang 💡 About Postgrads: Postgrads is a video podcast founded by Zhuoya Ma and Danny Liu, spotlighting Columbia Journalism School graduates carving their path after graduation. Each conversation dives deep into career choices, creative pivots, and the reality of building a meaningful life in media. 📬 Want to be featured or collaborate? Email us at zhuoyama79@gmail.com #Postgrads #ColumbiaJournalismSchool #CareerAfterCollege #Journalism #MediaCareers #PostgradsLifeFri, 17 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUkvFCHfH2Ihttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msJp3URIbdMIn this episode, we talked with Olivia Empson, a freelance journalist whose works have been featured in The Guardians, Vanity Fair, Reuters, and many more. Olivia shared her journey from Columbia Journalism School to full-time freelance journalist, from how she’s built her career, to what she learned about finding her voice after graduation. Interviewer: Zhuoya Ma Guest: Olivia Empson Camera: Danny Liu Edit: Danny Liu Producer: ZJ Yang 💡 About Postgrads: Postgrads is a video podcast founded by Zhuoya Ma and Danny Liu, spotlighting Columbia Journalism School graduates carving their path after graduation. Each conversation dives deep into career choices, creative pivots, and the reality of building a meaningful life in media. 📬 Want to be featured or collaborate? Email us at zhuoyama79@gmail.com #Postgrads #ColumbiaJournalismSchool #CareerAfterCollege #Journalism #MediaCareers #PostgradsLifeFri, 03 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msJp3URIbdM