Learning Resources

The full companion workbook from Near + Now Indianapolis — notes pages, prompts, and worksheets from the day.

A quick checklist for when the work isn’t flowing quite as well as it should — built for Near + Now Indianapolis. Download PDF

Peer-tested ideas for building workflow documentation your team will actually open, trust, and keep current — from a Near + Now Idea Lab conversation.

Answer two quick questions and we'll point you to a tool worth trying. The best pick is the one your team will actually open, not the fanciest option.

NC Local's Laura Lee, who led Blue Ridge Public Radio through Hurricane Helene, walks you through building an editorial workflow plan before you need it — mapping roles, setting up communication, prioritizing coverage, and keeping your team safe.

Bec Feldhaus Adams (Louisville Public Media) and Ryan Van Velzer (Appalachia Mid + South Newsroom) on managing workplace conflict productively and working happily alongside — even befriending — your “work nemesis.”

The lessons Bec Feldhaus Adams and Ryan Van Velzer took two hard years to learn, summarized — a companion to their Near + Now session on turning a work nemesis into a colleague, and eventually a friend.

Small workflow experiments that can add up to real gains in focus and energy — built for Near + Now Indianapolis.

Frameworks for leading through overlapping crises without burning out your team — built for Near + Now Indianapolis.

A practical framework for building and sustaining a healthy newsroom culture — built for Near + Now Indianapolis.

A quick-reference guide for telling normal newsroom growing pains apart from signs something's really wrong — a Near + Now Indianapolis bonus resource.

A short self-audit for taking stock of your newsroom's culture — a Near + Now Indianapolis bonus resource.

A spreadsheet template for logging how your work time actually breaks down — a Near + Now Indianapolis bonus resource.

Key terms to help you follow the conversation and decide what matters — built for Near + Now New York City. Download PDF

Mike Reilley covers LLM basics, prompt design, and responsible use — built for Near + Now New York City. Watch Recording

PMJA's Idea Lab gave journalists a judgment-free space to ask questions and talk honestly about AI's impact on their work and communities. The takeaway: no one is navigating this uncertainty alone.

In partnership with RJI's News Media Help Desk, this session covers strategies for managing AI bot traffic and choosing a sustainable path forward.

The full companion workbook from Near + Now New York City — notes pages, prompts, and worksheets from the day.

WNYC's Joe Hong on putting AI to work in the newsroom, with impact and audience trust in mind — from Near + Now New York City.

Google News Initiative on how AI is reshaping the news business — from Near + Now New York City.

NPR on what responsible AI use looks like in a working newsroom — from Near + Now New York City.

Practical, low-risk AI use cases for newsroom work — from Near + Now New York City.

Google's AI tools for research, content creation, and investigative reporting — from Near + Now New York City.

An editorial guidance exercise from the NPR-led “AI in Journalism: What Is Responsible Use” session — a Near + Now New York City bonus resource.

Hands-on exercises and prompts from Mike Reilley's “AI Basics for Journalists” session — a Near + Now New York City bonus resource.

A handout of digital AI tools, from “Cool Sh*t You Can Do with AI That Won't Get You Fired” — a Near + Now New York City bonus resource.

Step-by-step instructions for using ChatGPT and Claude, from “Cool Sh*t You Can Do with AI That Won't Get You Fired” — a Near + Now New York City bonus resource.

A hands-on exercise using Gemini's notebook tools, from “Cool Sh*t You Can Do with AI That Won't Get You Fired” — a Near + Now New York City bonus resource.

A self-guided learning plan for exploring AI tools further, from “Cool Sh*t You Can Do with AI That Won't Get You Fired” — a Near + Now New York City bonus resource.

A sample prompt library to jumpstart your own, from “Cool Sh*t You Can Do with AI That Won't Get You Fired” — a Near + Now New York City bonus resource.

Tips from peers about creating great promos.

Safety strategies for journalists covering high-risk beats — contributed by peers in the field.

What's working (and what isn't) for public media newsletters — straight from newsrooms doing it.

Peer ideas and strategies for making public affairs programming that actually connects with audiences.

Crowd-sourced strategies from editors across public media — the things that actually work day to day.

A tip sheet for journalists making the move into editorial leadership — what to expect and how to prepare.

Practical guidance for making the most of team time away — from setting goals to keeping it from going off the rails.

A tip sheet for building digital strategies that serve your newsroom's actual goals — not just the latest platform trend.

Where to look for outside resources when you need more capacity — and how to think about adding people or equipment without a hiring budget.

Data and analysis on representation across public media newsrooms — useful context for editorial decision-making.

WUSF Editor Amy Tardif shares tips and tricks for crafting story pitches that land.

What makes a narrative story land — stakes, character, conflict, scenes, impact, and arc — from a PMJA member storytelling meet-up.

Templates and frameworks for when news breaks and there's no time to plan from scratch.

A shared collection of breaking news plans from public media stations — real plans from real newsrooms.

Practical approaches to covering politically divided communities without amplifying division.

Jordan Gass-Pooré, creator of the award-winning Hazard NJ and Hazard NYC podcasts, shares open-source and OSINT tools for reporting on contaminated sites as federal cleanup funding faces cuts.

How to use The Marshall Project's national datasets, story toolkits, and reporting tools to build local criminal justice coverage — including prison staffing trends and deaths behind bars.

Tips for building a strong audio story when your reporting is document- and data-heavy — so you always have an answer when your editor asks what audio you have.

How framing, sourcing, and reporting choices can extend your story's reach from local to regional to national — with NPR editors and reporters.

From pitching an idea to interviewing, developing sources, and staying organized — a practical session for anyone looking to sharpen their investigative skills.

How to report on international developments affecting your local community — and how diasporas can be both a resource and an audience for your coverage.

Practical tips for turning your radio content into social-ready clips and posts.

Leaders from public media and beyond on top priorities for podcast creators and audiences — and where the industry is heading.

Newsrooms producing content for broadcast every day — here's how some are transforming it for digital podcast audiences.

From concept to publication: the storytelling tools and production decisions behind limited-series narrative podcasts, from reporters who've made them.

Podcast marketing leaders on how public media shows can find new audiences and stand out in an on-demand world.

How KCUR Studios turned podcast scripts into sold-out community events — and how you can do it without reinventing the wheel.

NHPR's Lauren Chooljian and editor Alison MacAdam on two years of reporting substance use disorder, sexual misconduct, and threats to press freedom — source management, trauma, ethics, and getting sued.

Minnesota Public Radio and WXPR share how VoterGuideOS streamlines candidate questionnaires and delivers personalized voter guides that build lasting reader and listener relationships.

How public media stations are using voter guides to fulfill their mission and attract new listeners and readers — with examples from WESA, SCPR, and WXPR.

How to integrate scientific evidence into election coverage — with SciLine.

How journalists, development teams, and leadership can align on funding messaging for in-depth election coverage — and how to spot potential funders in your daily reporting.

NPR Political Editor Megan Pratz on what stories are on NPR's radar, how to craft local angles that get national attention, and how to navigate the submission process.

A masterclass on backgrounding candidates using public records — property and business records, financial disclosures, and records requests — with MuckRock and Sunlight Search.

How public media teams are using AI tools to speed up production without compromising quality.

Specific workflow integrations that are saving time in public media newsrooms — with real examples.

A plain-language foundation for understanding AI — what it is, what it isn't, and how to use it ethically.

Guidance on building newsroom AI policies that hold up — with examples from public media organizations.

Data-driven insights on what makes headlines work — patterns from a massive analysis of public media content.

Resources, guidance, and community support for journalists navigating a career change or job loss.

For managers supporting staff through layoffs or restructuring — what to say, what to do, and what resources to offer.

Honest accounts and practical resources from journalists who have navigated layoffs in public media.

A look at what's changing in newsroom hiring — roles, skills, and expectations across the field.

Low-cost, high-impact ideas for keeping good people — from newsroom leaders who've figured it out.

Candid conversations with public media journalists about their career paths — the winding roads, the pivots, and the moments that shaped them. Includes the earlier Level Up series, same concept and same page.

How to cover complex, important topics in ways that actually reach and engage your audience.

Community-centered journalism strategies from 200+ practitioners. Free for members; $10 for non-members.

How public media journalists manage their online presence and personal safety in an era of high visibility.

A guided review of key operational legal needs — governance, compliance, data privacy, and more — using TrustLaw's assessment framework from the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

PMJA's ethical commitments for public media journalism — a shared foundation for the field.

Pre-conference sessions from the 2024 gathering at NPR HQ — election coverage, investigative reporting, podcasting, and more.

Session list is public — recordings require member login.

Recordings from the 2025 Kansas City conference Seeds of Innovation track — investigative audio, podcasting, entrepreneurial journalism, and more.

Session list is public — recordings require member login.

Sessions and recordings from the 2023 virtual conference.

Session list is public — recordings require member login.