She worked in the belly of the beast as a reporter— in Washington DC — covering the Trump White House; a short internship that made Theresa Smith, now a teacher, a fly on the wall watching the frenetic competition for stories in the James Brady briefing room.

In this interview, and podcast I asked her what she learned from such an experience — what lessons could I pass on to my students in writing and publishing? What’s a ‘Lede’? How do you get readers to pay attention? Some amazing insights from someone who’s been there, reported that.
Listen to the podcast: