Ann Friedman is a freelance journalist who lives in Los Angeles. She writes a weekly column about politics, culture and gender for New York Magazine. She also contributes to the Columbia Journalism Review, ELLE, The Guardian, Los Angeles Magazine, The Gentlewoman, among other publications. She’s the co-host of popular podcast Call Your Girlfriend and reviews books for New Republic and Bookforum. Ann understands the importance of developing your own voice. She understands how our shifting landscape has changed the way people consume media, and how having a personal connection and point of view as an author, allows readers an entry point to trust your voice. Those who trust Ann’s voice look forward to her beloved newsletter, The Ann Friedman Weekly, where she sums up everything she’s written, read, listened to and watched that week. Ann has a broad view of how to tell a story, embracing all sorts of methods from longform, to GIFS, to pie chart, to DIY publishing, she's inventive and knows how to turn it into a paycheck.
In this episode, we talk about the changing role of journalism, getting fired, the importance of building your future network, the perils of aging in the media world, and the importance of self-driven projects. If you’re a freelancer, don’t miss this episode.
“If you’re good you never stop building a network. It’s not a thing you do until you are ‘successful’ whatever that means. It’s a thing you do your whole career.”
RELATED LINKS:
- Ann's website
- Ann's famous newsletter
- Ann on Twitter
- "Shine Theory"
- Ann's podcast: Call Your Girlfriend
- Everything you need to know about GIFs as a journalist
- Real Talk from Your Editor (GIFs)
- GOOD magazine
ANN'S WRITING:
INTERVIEWS WITH ANN:
Name: Ann Friedman
Current City: Los Angeles
What are you listening to now? This is going to make me sound so pretentious, but I have been listening to a lot of Ethiopian jazz lately. It's good working music.
What film/book/show/piece of media changed you? I read Susan Sontag's journals (the first collection) when I was in a state of both personal and professional transition, and something about reading her unedited thoughts was really inspiring to me.
Who is your career role model? It's so hard to pick just one! I am a big fan of Rebecca Traister. She is a fantastic writer and original thinker who takes a long view and backs up her opinions with reporting-- without losing her voice. Also, she's kind to both her sources and to other journalists. It's hard to imagine her becoming embroiled in a petty Twitter fight, which is how you know she's really smart.
What is a tool you can't live without? This is so boring, but my iPhone. Of course.
How do you drink your coffee/tea? Coffee. Usually black.
What's your spirit animal? When I'm tired or hung over, I most identify with a baby giraffe that is still learning to walk.
MUSIC BY:
Our musicmaker is HINDS! Find them on Soundcloud, Bandcamp & Facebook.
Photo by Aarón Serrano
CREDITS:
- Produced by Sarah Ginsburg & Elaine Sheldon
- Sound design by Billy Wirasnik
- Illustration by Christine Cover
- Production Assistance by Alijah Case
CLIPS used in show: