Propel Regional Training Series – San Luis Obispo
Our inaugural Propel Regional Training in San Luis Obispo, in partnership with California Polytechnic State University.
Storytelling and the craft of journalism
The first offering in our Propel Regional Training Series, this training at San Luis Obispo brought our Propel Initiative aspirations to fruition. We were able to put our intentions into action and train nearly fifty journalists in storytelling and the journalistic mindset.
Joe Lambert on the power of story.
Lambert asks: when have you seen a story that changed the world?
Joe Lambert on story and connection between generations.
Steve Padilla discusses the importance of voice in feature reporting.
Steve Padilla discusses feature writing techniques.
Writing and group exercises help foster connection.
Taking notes and taking note.
Ernesto Aguilar on AI as a tool for enhancing reporting, not a replacement for good reporting
Ernesto Aguilar talks AI ethics and newsroom policies.
Martin G. Reynolds discusses Fault Lines and belonging in journalism.
Andrés Cediel discusses ICE abductions and lack of due process as one of many violations of the Bill of Rights.
A.C. Thompson (ProPublica/Correspondent & Producer, PBS FRONTLINE) showed how he followed ICE activity in Minneapolis in and went undercover to find white supremacist terrorist groups.
A.C. Thompson (ProPublica/Correspondent & Producer, PBS FRONTLINE) showed how he followed ICE activity in Minneapolis in and went undercover to find white supremacist terrorist groups.
Patrick Howe, Professor in the Journalism Department at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, demystifies data collection and visualization.
Presentations by award-winning journalists
Presentations by our award-winning faculty touched on sensitive and timely issues facing journalists, as well as the mechanics of AI use, data collection, and story craft. Sessions began with Joe Lambert (Chief Listener, Storyhost and founder of StoryCenter) presenting The Art of the Story, and how stories connect, humanize and inspire. Andrés Cediel (Visiting Professor of Visual Journalism, Arizona State University Walter Cronkite School of Journalism & Mass Communication) discussed how journalists are covering Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations, and how the current administration and its Department of Homeland Security imperil civil rights for journalists and all residents.
Maynard Institute Co-Executive Director Martin G. Reynolds presented on Fault Lines® in News Coverage, and Steve Padilla (Editor of Column One and Foreign Affairs, The Los Angeles Times) examined Writing Techniques You Need Every Day.
Maynard Alum Ernesto Aguilar gave an illuminating presentation on the ethical use of AI in sourcing, reporting and writing. Documentarian and investigative journalist A.C. Thompson (ProPublica / Correspondent & Producer, PBS FRONTLINE) showed how he followed ICE activity in Minneapolis in Caught In the Crackdown. and went undercover to find white supremacist terrorist groups in American Insurrection. Patrick Howe, Professor in the Journalism Department at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, demystified data collection and visualization.
Neethi Sansare Upadhye challenges participants to think about vertical video and social media use for news.
Neethi Sansare Upadhye on what makes a good social media video.
Getting comfortable with vertical video and broadcasting.
Julie Nicole Lynem dives into advanced interviewing techniques.
Ernesto Aguilar talks audio production.
Discussion on radio and podcast production and technique.
Professor Patti Piburn and Mustang Media Group Managing Editor, Jeremy Garza.
Ian James, Reporter, The Los Angeles Times, talks about the challenges and impacts of Environmental Reporting.
Ian James, Reporter, The Los Angeles Times, talks about the challenges and impacts of Environmental Reporting.
In-depth breakout sessions
Maynard alum Neethi Sansare Upadhye (Video Consultant / Former Senior Video Manager, The Washington Post) led an engrossing session on Digital and Social Media Video and Broadcast Production, and Julie Nicole Lynem (Assistant Professor, Journalism Department, Cal Poly, formerly the Washington Post) expounded on advanced interview techniques.
Maynard alum Ernesto Aguilar (Executive Director of Radio Programming and Content Innovation Initiatives, KQED Public Media) also led a breakout session on Radio Storytelling / Production and Podcasting with Patti Piburn (Associate Professor, Journalism Dept., Cal Poly & Adviser, KCPR 91.3 FM Cal Poly Radio). Ian James, reporter with The Los Angeles Times, explored the challenges to environmental reporting, and the importance of covering water, air and environmental destruction.
Office hours and coaching
With award-winning faculty including documentarians Andrés Cediel (PBS Frontline/visiting professor, ASU Walter Cronkite School of Journalism) and A.C. Thompson (PBS Frontline), and expert storytellers Steve Padilla (the Los Angeles Times) and Joe Lambert (StoryCenter), participants received in-depth breakout sessions and coaching in investigation and narrative craft.
Regional Roundtable
Moderated by Brady Teufel, professor and chair of the Journalism Department at CalPoly, our regional roundtable of local news leaders included:
- Moderator: Brady Teufel – Professor & Chair, Journalism Department, Cal Poly
- Joe Tarica – Editor, The San Luis Obispo Tribune,part of McClatchy Media
- Vandana Kumar – Publisher and CEO, India Currents
- Dave Lesher – Co-Founder & Director of Digital Democracy, CalMatters
- Esperanza Guevara – Managing Director, Latino Media Collaborative
- Brandon Brooks – Project Manager, California Black Media (CBM) / Founder/CEO, Rose Mary Communications, LLC
- Julian Do – Co-Director, American Community Media
Growing our Maynard Community
Participants of the Propel Regional Training Series are invited to join our Maynard Communities of Practice, a robust peer-to-peer support network with continuing mentorship by seasoned journalists and Maynard Institute faculty and staff.
This network of fellow journalists, editors and managers is designed to offer professional development opportunities, coaching, keynote speakers and camaraderie and peer emotional support.
Fast facts
Learn more about our past Propel Regional Training in partnership with California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo.
Trainings are led by award-winning journalists, storytellers, documentarians, editors and newsroom managers and are facilitated by Maynard Institute staff.
Faculty at our San Luis Obispo training included:
- Ernesto Aguilar – Executive Director of Radio Programming and Content Innovation Initiatives, KQED Public Media
- Andrés Cediel – Visiting Professor of Visual Journalism,
Arizona State University Walter Cronkite School of Journalism & Mass Communication/ Former Professor, UC Berkeley Graduate
School of Journalism - Patrick Howe – Professor, Journalism Department, Cal Poly
- Ian James – Reporter, The Los Angeles Times
- Joe Lambert – Chief Listener, Storyhost /Founder, StoryCenter
- Julie Nicole Lynem – Assistant Professor, Journalism Department, Cal Poly
- Steve Padilla – Editor of Column One and Foreign Affairs, The Los Angeles Times
- Patti Piburn – Associate Professor, Journalism Dept., Cal Poly & Adviser, KCPR 91.3 FM Cal Poly Radio
- Martin G. Reynolds – Co-Executive Director, Maynard Institute
- A.C. Thompson – Senior Staff Reporter, ProPublica / Correspondent & Producer, FRONTLINE [PBS]
- Neeti Sansare Upadhye – Video Consultant / Former Senior Video Manager, The Washington Post
Participants are invited to join our Maynard Communities of Practice for continued education, professional development and peer support.
The next Propel Regional Training will take place October 22-23, 2026 in Northridge, California in partnership with California State University at Northridge.
Check the page related to our Propel Regional Training at Northridge periodically and subscribe to our newsletter for updated information.
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