Burlington Free Press - Behind the Byline

Lilly St. Angelo, the urban change reporter, is the eighth and final guest on Behind the Byline, a podcast telling the stories of the staff of the Burlington Free Press hosted by summer intern Blaise Siefer. St. Angelo joined the Free Press in 2021 after graduating from Indiana University with a degree in journalism. On this episode, St. Angelo discusses her experience studying journalism, what it's been like to move to Vermont, and what challenges her on a day-to-day basis.

Jake Rousseau, a sports reporter, is the seventh guest on Behind the Byline, a podcast telling the stories of the staff of the Burlington Free Press hosted by summer intern Blaise Siefer. Rousseau joined the Free Press in 2021 after receiving a master's in journalism from the University of Maryland. On this episode, Rousseau recounts how he got his start in journalism, what attracted him to the Vermont sports scene, and his experience covering Olympic athletes for the Free Press.

April Barton, the youth forward reporter, is the sixth guest on Behind the Byline, a podcast telling the stories of the staff of the Burlington Free Press hosted by summer intern Blaise Siefer.  Barton joined the Free Press in 2019 after stops in Texas, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, New York, and Virginia. On this episode, Barton describes her former career as a broadcast journalist, why she's welcomed the move to print journalism, and a colored igloo that landed her significant attention.

Dan D'Ambrosio, the business and health care reporter, is the fifth guest on Behind the Byline, a podcast telling the stories of the staff of the Burlington Free Press hosted by summer intern Blaise Siefer.  D'Ambrosio joined the Free Press in 2010 after decades of experience at other newspapers in New England and the northwest. On this episode, D'Ambrosio discusses his lifelong affinity for biking, an interview subject that sticks with him today, and why Vermont is such a dynamic state for business. 

April McCullum, the digital innovation editor, is the fourth guest on Behind the Byline, a podcast telling the stories of the staff of the Burlington Free Press hosted by summer intern Blaise Siefer.  McCullum joined the Free Press in 2013 and has covered multiple topics including Burlington, state government, and Sen. Bernie Sanders' presidential campaigns. On this episode, McCullum describes her childhood in Vermont, why working for the Free Press is so special, and a memorable assignment that took her to several states out west.

  Brent Hallenbeck, the food, arts and entertainment reporter, is the third guest on Behind the Byline, a podcast telling the stories of the staff of the Burlington Free Press, hosted by summer intern Blaise Siefer.  Hallenbeck joined the Free Press in 1999 after over a decade at newspapers in upstate New York. On this episode, Hallenbeck explains how he fell in love with language, what brought him to Burlington, and why the local food and entertainment scene is special.  

  Elizabeth Murray, the former public safety reporter, is the second guest on Behind the Byline, a podcast telling the stories of the staff of the Burlington Free Press hosted by summer intern Blaise Siefer. Murray joined the Free Press in 2013 after earning degrees in journalism and history from St. Michael's College in Colchester. On this episode, Murray explains how she discovered a passion for journalism, an average day in her life at the Free Press, and her superpower. Since recording, Murray has left the Free Press for another job.  

On the first episode, Aki Soga, the newly appointed editor of the Free Press, joins the podcast. Aki has worked at the Free Press since 1991, having held multiple positions, including business editor, editorial page editor, and reader engagement editor.  Host Blaise Siefer, a summer intern with the Free Press, asks reporters and editors questions such as: What was your childhood like? How did you discover a passion for journalism? What brought you to Burlington, and more specifically, to the Free Press? What do you love about your job? What's challenging?