Matthew Shaer

Event poster for the paperback launch of There Is No Place for Us with Brian Goldstone in conversation with Josie Duffy Rice at Auburn Avenue Research Library in Atlanta, March 3 at 6:30pm, hosted by Charis Books.

Couldn't be more thrilled to share that the paperback launch of There Is No Place for Us will be hosted by Charis Books at the Auburn Avenue Research Library on Tuesday, March 3 at 6:30pm.

I'll be in conversation with the brilliant @jduffyrice.bsky.social—truly a gift—and I'd love to see you there.

ohhh ‘democracy dies in darkness’ was aspirational

Alexis Coe on You Never Forget Your First Podcast Episode · Origin Stories · 01/28/2026 · 34m

Sometimes you learn the most from writers working in very different disciplines than your own.

So: Huge thanks to @alexiscoe.bsky.social for agreeing to talk about shaking up the historical canon and the risks (and pleasures) of researching very dead white dudes: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/o...

Today in ICE/ice related metaphors

(h/t @maradavis.bsky.social for the screen grab)

Clint Smith on How the Word Is Passed Podcast Episode · Origin Stories · 12/03/2025 · 36m

And a favorite interview with @clintsmithiii.bsky.social about balancing family and writing career, and the importance of accessibility when it comes to works of history: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/o...

The Power of Private Museums The Equal Justice Initiative’s historical sites in Montgomery, Alabama, show what’s possible when history isn’t subject to federal funding cuts or executive orders.

In December, I traveled to Montgomery to visit the Legacy Museum, which traces the story of Black America from slavery to Jim Crow to mass incarceration. I wanted to understand how the museum & its affiliated sites were operating in a moment where so much of the history they present is under attack.

From the journalist’s book of psalms

Patrick Radden Keefe on Say Nothing Podcast Episode · Origin Stories · 09/24/2025 · 35m

And for the true narrative journalism nerds - for my fellow structure-obsessives - this conversation with @praddenkeefe.bsky.social about the reporting, research, storyboarding, and writing of his 2018 masterpiece, “Say Nothing”: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/o...

(steinbeck)

Some of the greatest writing advice every dispensed: “If a story is not about the hearer he will not listen. And here I make a rule — a great and lasting story is about everyone or it will not last.”

A few hundred protesting ICE at the Atlanta field office

Been waiting for the long form treatment of this one - what a story.

Connie Walker on Stolen: Surviving St. Michael’s Podcast Episode · Origin Stories · 09/17/2025 · 34m

Next up on this list: Pulitzer- (and every other kind of award-) winner @conniewalker.bsky.social on how she pitched, reported, and produced "Stolen: Surviving St. Michael's": podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/o...

I joined at the exact same time I ordered a Brick for my phone. We’ll see who wins in the end

Terrifyingly accurate depiction of the editing process by larskenseth.bsky.social

Local Reporting Network Fellow Remote, United States

Our Local Reporting Network is open again for proposals! We're looking for accountability journalism projects from around the country. We cover your salary (up to $80k plus a stipend for benefits) plus provide editing and other support. Apply here:

Brian Goldstone on There Is No Place for Us Podcast Episode · Origin Stories · 10/16/2025 · 31m

Now that I’ve finally dragged myself over to this app, I figure it’s time to share a few favorite Origin Stories interviews from last year, starting with this episode on the making of @brian-goldstone.bsky.social’s NYT best of the year/Obama-endorsed masterpiece: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/o...

My new @wired.com essay about how Trump's coup in Venezuela follows two particularly troubling patterns — Our long, poor history of interventions in Latin America, and Trump's uniquely crazy lack of planning: setshttps://www.wired.com/story/3-keys-understanding-trumps-retro-coup-in-venezuela/

We're hiring an Editor The 19th is hiring an editor to work closely with the editorial director to assign, shape, edit and publish stories to fulfill The 19th’s mission of serving women and LGBTQ+ people with timely, high-q...

really fantastic job opportunity for folks with editorial experience (relatedly, if y’all are ever in the market for a labor reporter, PLEASE lmk @19thnews.org!) 19thnews.org/19th-news-ed...

I'm putting together a piece about how much investigative journalism actually costs. If you are an investigative journalist and you're willing to share (not for attribution) what you make and how many hours (years!) you put in, my DMs are open. Estimates fine, just want to get a sense of it.

@charleylocke.bsky.social and I designed a class to help freelancers make more money from more sources, and have more fun doing it. Not just how to pitch, but how to find lucrative work, how to build community, how to manage your money. We’d love it you joined us. flyingsolofreelancing.com

He Tried to Protect His Son From Bullies. He Didn’t Know How Far They Would Go.

When his kid started getting bullied, Rick Kuehner pleaded for assistance from local police and school officials.

By the time help arrived, a different teenager was dead, and an entire Arizona community had been thrown into chaos.

Out this weekend in print: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/15/m...

The Track and Field Star Who Casually Shattered Race and Gender Barriers Mabel Landry Staton was one of the first Black, female long-jumpers in the history of the Olympics.

The most rewarding assignment of the year is almost always the one for the @nytimes.com mag's Lives They Lived issue. No exception in 2025. Mabel was a legend – grateful to her family for opening up about what drove her, on and off the track: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...