One in five U.S. adults now get their news from social media creators — and that number is even higher for people under 30. So what happens when those creators start doing journalism? Maya Srikrishnan of the News Creator Corps and Becky Bullard of Democrasexy join Kroc Pod to talk accountability, authenticity, and why making democracy feel good might be the most radical civic act of our time. Together, they make the case that transparency beats neutrality, community beats institutions, and how civic engagement hits different when it feels good.

Find out more about this episode here:

• Democrasexy https://www.democrasexy.com/
• News Creator Corp https://newscreatorcorps.org/
• Trusted Creator Fellowship https://newscreatorcorps.org/programs/trusted-creator/

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Investigative journalism doesn't just hold power accountable — it shapes the communities we live in. In this episode of Kroc Pod, we sit down with Lorie Hearn, one of San Diego's most consequential journalists and the founder of inewsource, a nonprofit newsroom that has redefined what local investigative reporting can look like. Hearn traces her path from an early obsession with storytelling to decades on the frontlines of accountability journalism — then we dig into what it takes to earn public trust in an era of media skepticism, why community-powered journalism may be the most vital model for democracy, and how watchdog reporting is evolving in the age of AI.

Check out these links for more info:

inewsource: https://inewsource.org/

The Trust Project: https://thetrustproject.org/

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In this episode, we sit down with Sage Dobby to explore how innovative thinking can transform everyday products into powerful tools for environmental change. Sage is an entrepreneur, an MA candidate in Social Innovation, and a passionate advocate for sustainability. As the winner of USD’s 7th Annual Fowler Business Concept Challenge, she shares the story behind her venture creating biodegradable, plastic-free hair ties made from discarded pineapple leaves. She discusses the inspiration behind her idea, how the Kroc School has opened doors to new opportunities, and the role of the triple bottom line—people, planet, and profit—in guiding her work. With a background in STEM and a deep love for innovation, Sage is driven by a mission to make the world a more beautiful and sustainable place.

Website: ciaobellacollective.com

Instagram: @ciao_bella_collective

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