The Journal is where ideas come to life and stories find their voice. Here, you'll find thoughtful articles about arts, music, advocacy, and the nonprofit world, each crafted to inspire, inform, and spark conversation. It is a space for curious minds and changemakers, offering a blend of deep insights and fresh perspectives. Whether you are looking for bold ideas or quiet inspiration, the Journal invites you to pause, reflect, and connect.
TL;DR: You don't need a big budget to earn media coverage and build public trust. Focus on being useful, credible, and easy to work with. Reporters need sources who make their jobs easier than the ones with the biggest ad spend.
TL;DR: Chicago indie venue impact numbers matter most when they help the public and the media understand who a neighborhood is, and what it needs to keep going. If you have data, pair it with real, on-the-ground reporting assets (sources, context, and plain-English takeaways) that make coverage easier and more accurate.
Fact-Checking in the Age of AI
01/13/2026
TL;DR: An unconfirmed account of newsroom AI practices spread through secondary coverage and became accepted as fact. This moment illustrates how quickly accuracy erodes when verification fails and amplification takes over.
TL;DR: Being of service should guide media relations because it is both effective and the right thing to do. Treating journalists like marks and approaching outreach as a game of poker invites manipulation, erodes trust, and ends up hurting the client.
TL;DR: 2025 is still very much on fire. 2026 showed up with a fire extinguisher, good intentions, and mild panic. We are aiming carefully and hoping for the best.