Extra arms make for extra tales, higher work, and extra enjoyable, so it’s been a pleasure including new reporters to the Billy Penn group over the previous month.
Violet Comber-Wilen and Julia Binswanger are the latest additions. Violet is a basic task reporter, and Julia will cowl meals, drink, and Philly tradition — every part from the humanities to our customs, charms, and angle. She’ll be busy.
To allow you to get to know them, we requested them just a few questions.
What have been you doing earlier than becoming a member of BP?
Julia: I’m a Medill grad and was working as a contract reporter and producer in Chicago. I lined trending arts and tradition information for Smithsonian Journal, writing about artwork museum exhibitions, auctions, archaeology information, and extra. I additionally labored carefully with LWC Studios, producing podcast episodes for a sequence on Latina well being in Chicagoland. As well as, I hung out at WBEZ, curating their cell app and writing tradition items.
Violet: Earlier than becoming a member of BP, I spent two years working full-time as a basic task reporter for Indiana Public Broadcasting — Indiana’s collaboration of NPR and PBS stations. I produced radio, digital, and TV content material for every part from schooling payments passing out of the state legislature to Medicaid unwinding’s impact on Indiana residents and cross-county transportation challenges. I additionally led numerous panels and shows on civic and media literacy, anchored and hosted a video sequence navigating Indiana’s state authorities web site, and labored carefully with group members and our engagement group to write down tales immediately regarding viewers wants.
If you’re not reporting and writing for BP, what do you love to do?
Julia: I wish to play music. How effectively is up for debate. I’ve a few guitars, a banjo, a ukulele, and a keyboard in my home. I by no means go to the common health club, however I do love the climbing health club. I additionally love studying, in addition to each excessive and low-brow tv. I’m at the moment watching Severance and Traitors, and I’d be glad to speak to anybody about these exhibits at any time.
Violet: I’m an enormous runner outdoors of labor. I’ve been operating for over 10 years now, and I’m now engaged on my purpose of operating a half marathon in each state. I’ve accomplished 4 to this point, and I can be checking off Pennsylvania and New York as 5 and 6, respectively, with the Love Run Half Marathon in March and the Brooklyn Half Marathon in April. I’ll be operating my first full marathon in November proper right here in Philly.
What’s your favourite Philly reminiscence?
Julia: I grew up right here and used to stroll across the Wissahickon with my household and canine. I’m excited to get to do this once more.
Violet: My mother and father met in Philadelphia whereas working at The Previous Metropolis Tavern — a restaurant that has since closed. I grew up listening to this story about their connection right here. My favourite reminiscence has been visiting the positioning of this previous restaurant, together with different previous residences and social spots my mother and father hung out in. I like studying about my household’s historical past and imagining my mother and father’ expertise within the metropolis round my similar age.
What do you want reporting on?
Julia: I like speaking with artists about their concepts and beliefs behind a bit of labor. It’s at all times fascinating to listen to what it means to them personally, in addition to on a larger cultural degree. Additionally, I’m excited to cowl scrumptious bites within the metropolis. Meals is tradition, and I feel the Philly meals scene is among the finest components of the town.
Violet: I get pleasure from a superb combine of significant and relaxed tales. I like figuring out my viewers can profit from the knowledge I’m sharing or the subject I’m reporting on and I feel it’s particularly necessary to spotlight points which will historically be neglected.
Do you’ve gotten a favourite story you’ve reported?
Julia: My dad has an amputation, and I acquired to write down a area of interest story in regards to the psychological well being advantages of creative prosthetic limb covers. Prosthetic covers will be expensive and aren’t usually lined by insurance coverage. I discovered a prosthetic technician who creates them and offers them out without spending a dime. This story was enjoyable to write down. I had a private reference to it, and it was one of many first I revealed after grad college.
Violet: My favourite story with BP to this point has been my sequence (right here’s half 1 and half 2) following up on UArts workers and the place they’re eight months after the college’s closure. Given the abrupt closure of the college, it has felt significant to share the tales of assorted alumni, workers, and college of the college and provides them a platform to share their ideas and considerations.