In partnership with the Trans Journalists Association
September 19, 2025 at 12:00 pm ET

When personal identity and professional beat intersect, journalism gains powerful depth. This webinar features journalists who report on issues that directly impact communities they belong to, such as reporters who are trans covering trans rights or reporters who are immigrants reporting on immigration. Join the Trans Journalists Association and the Institute for Independent Journalists in an honest conversation with reporters and editors who will share best practices for navigating these dual roles with integrity, empathy, and rigor. Learn how lived experience can inform reporting while upholding the highest standards of journalistic ethics and impact.

Speakers:
- Drew Costley - New Orleans-based freelance journalist and editor

- Denny Agassi - freelance journalist focused on LGBTQ+ rights

- Annabel Rocha - Chicago-based freelance journalist covering reproductive rights

- Ruxandra Guidi - Arizona-based independent journalist, creator of the podcast Happy Forgetting

Moderator: Adam Rhodes - IRE training director, freelance journalist, TJA board member emeritus

October 17, 2025 at 12:00 pm ET 

Find a home for your opinion pieces with this panel of editors who are eager to hear what you have to say! Join us for this FREE webinar on Oct 17, featuring opinion editors from Undark, Scientific American and more! Learn insider tips for crafting your pitch and strategies for making it stand out in a crowded inbox.

Speakers:
- Corinna Wu, senior editor for opinion & features, Undark

- Megha Satyanarayana - chief opinion editor, Scientific American

Moderator: TBD

November 14, 2025 at 12:00 pm ET 

Freelancers who work on a project basis have an enemy, and that enemy is scope creep. When a project balloons out of control, we can burn out and client relationships turn sour. Learn how to avoid this fate from a panel of veteran audio freelancers, sharing guidance that will come in handy for those working in any kind of medium. This discussion will cover how to negotiate a strong contract, how to manage shifting responsibilities on a project, and when to walk away.

Speakers:
- Dennis Funk, founder and editorial director of Written in Air 

- Isis Madrid, co-founder, Pizza Shark

- Lushik Lotus-Lee, Atlanta-based freelance producer and editor

Moderator: John Asante, LA-based independent producer

Dec 12, 2025 at 12:00 pm ET

It’s important to remember that as journalists, we possess a wealth of transferable skills that are in demand outside of the news world. In this webinar, meet a panel of professionals working in communications and content marketing, who can provide practical guidance on finding clients in these spaces. Learn how to break in, determine your rates and protect yourself from conflicts of interest. Leave with fresh contacts for flexing your freelancing in new directions.

Speakers: TBD

Moderator: TBD

January 26, 2026 at 12:00 pm ET

Speakers: TBD

Moderator: TBD

February, 2026 at 12:00 pm ET 

Speakers:
- Victoria Lim, Freelance Journalist

Moderator: TBD