How to Share Reporting

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“Good people bring out the good in people.” – unknown

A few years ago I took my kids to a gathering where they met a lot of grown-ups. They did a few minutes of chit chat with them all and then we went off to play.

After a few minutes, my son, Mr. D, who was three years old said to me, “Where’s the New Guy?”

It took some back and forth but I figured out he was talking about one of the many grown-ups he’d met, Steve Rubenstein. As a long-time reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle and a substitute kindergarten teacher, Steve had captured Mr. D’s interest. No surprise, Steve is full of great stories and delight for all ages.

Steve heartily embraced the new moniker. My daughter, Miss O, who was seven at the time, memorialized it by making a New Guy friendship bracelet for him.

I recently had the privilege of podcasting with Steve Rubenstein and I’m sure you’ll agree – Steve has an incredible knack for sharing stories.

In this episode of the How To Share podcast, we talk about the art of storytelling that resonates with all ages. Steve shares insights from his 50-year journalism career, including his unique experiences interviewing notable figures and the therapeutic journey of writing. Learn why 13 miles per hour is the perfect speed to encounter life and how to leave a lasting impact through the stories we tell.

Takeaways:

The Art of Storytelling: Steve emphasizes the importance of knowing what to leave out in storytelling, highlighting that most of writing is about omission rather than inclusion.

Interviewing Insights: Steve shares his approach to interviewing, focusing on asking questions that resonate with both the interviewer and the audience, and getting subjects off their prepared remarks.

Therapeutic Writing: Writing can be therapeutic, as Steve experienced when he wrote about personal moments, like dropping his son off at college, which helped him process emotions.

Life at 13 MPH: Steve’s cross-country bike trip taught him that 13 miles per hour is the perfect speed to encounter life, allowing for meaningful interactions and observations.

Human Connection: Despite the contentious times, Steve’s journey across America revealed that the country is full of wonderful people, emphasizing the power of human connection beyond politics.

This is a great episode filled with how to share stories. Steve’s storytelling will leave you charmed and ready to tell your own. I know you’ll love it.

Here’s a short clip to give you a taste of the great conversation with the witty and wise Steve Rubenstein:

Here are some ways you can listen and watch to the full episode:

Please listen, watch, provide feedback and subscribe.

48-How to Get Unstuck: Michael Yang on Saying Yes, Resilience, and Coming Alive – The Life of Try: Personal growth, one try at a time.

What happens when you say “yes” to an adventure? Host Wynne Leon talks with tech entrepreneur and author Michael Yang about his memoir Coming Alive on the Ride and the way motorcycle travel became both a literal journey and a powerful metaphor for personal growth. Michael shares how stepping outside your familiar environment can help you hear “life’s invitation” to dream, venture, and rediscover what makes you feel fully awake.Together they explore resilience through the Korean concept of han—the accumulated weight of difficult circumstances—and how setbacks can become fuel for perseverance. Michael reflects on immigrating from Korea at 14, building a life through gratitude and hard work, and learning (again and again) that rejection doesn’t have to be the end of the story.From riding thousands of miles with a lifelong friend to a memorable run-in with Steve Jobs at Macy’s in 1982, Michael’s stories remind us that courage grows through companionship and curiosity. They also discuss the Korean guiding philosophy of Hongik—living in a way that benefits all humankind—and how our bravest tries can ripple outward in ways we may not expect.In this episode, we cover:Why “accepting the invitation” is simple—but the road rarely runs straightHow to tell the difference between healthy risk and avoidable dangerHan, perseverance, and turning setbacks into strengthThe immigrant mindset: gratitude, effort, and going for opportunityFriendship as a confidence builder—on the road and in lifeCuriosity, rejection, and holding onto a vision (plus the Steve Jobs story)Hongik: living for the wider benefit and making a positive dent in the worldWhether you’re craving a literal road trip or a fresh start at home, this conversation will nudge you toward your next brave yes.The Life of Try is a personal growth and self‑help podcast about getting unstuck, navigating uncertainty, and choosing to try—even when it’s uncomfortable, inconvenient, or not your idea.Hosted by Wynne Leon, the show explores how real growth, reinvention, and discovery often begin not with confidence or clarity—but with a single attempt. Through thoughtful interviews, reflective conversations, and real‑world case studies, each episode examines what it looks like to keep going when doubt shows up, plans fall apart, or life forces a change you didn’t ask for.This podcast is for anyone who:Feels stuck or uncertain about what’s nextIs navigating change, burnout, or reinventionWants to live more intentionally without pretending growth is easyBelieves progress starts by trying—again and againThe Life of Try isn’t about hustle or perfection. It’s about learning as you go, surfacing what matters, and sharing what you discover along the way.If you’re ready to surf the uncertainty, outlast the doubts, and step into your own try‑cycle, you’re in the right place.Links for this episode:48-How to Get Unstuck: Michael Yang on Saying Yes, Resilience, and Coming Alive transcriptMichael Yang's websiteComing Alive on the Ride at Barnes & Noble, Amazon
  1. 48-How to Get Unstuck: Michael Yang on Saying Yes, Resilience, and Coming Alive
  2. 47-From Stuck to Momentum: Thomas Edison’s Method for Progress (Try, Learn, Improve, Repeat)
  3. 46: The Quiet Transformation That Changes Everything
  4. 45: The Life of Try: Alex Honnold Case Study
  5. How to Share a Reimagined Sci-Fi Trilogy with Dr. Wayne Runde

Links for this post:

As student gains bearings, father loses his by Steve Rubenstein (ping pong story mentioned in the podcast)

Steve Rubenstein, San Francisco Chronicle

(featured photo is Miss O with Steve and the New Guy bracelet)

50 thoughts on “How to Share Reporting”

  2. 13 mph sounds like a wonderful title for a book or memoir. Love the idea that this is right pace to experience life and the insight that biking is a great leveler and allows us to meet people and not seeing a specific political side.

    Had quite the chuckle at the jibe at your fearless leader and comparing him to kindergarten kids. Let’s not insult our kindergarteners now! 😝

    Good journalism is as much about the editing as it is about capturing the resonant details. Loved this conversation!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Oh, 13 mph as a title — that’s brilliant, Ab! The way you summed it up as a leveler – that’s a great observation.

      I’m still laughing about that comparison as well. One thing is clear – our fearless leader hasn’t changed much in 27 years. 🙂

      Thanks for tuning in, my friend!

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Wow his comment about how to connect with readers… It’s interesting that he really only responded once so as not to skew his perception. That not something I’ve ever thought about. As for your kiddo… I’m not surprised he has as many stories as you do 😅

    Liked by 3 people

  4. So good! I like the company you’re keeping in your “How to Share” platform, Wynne! I look forward to listening later…so nice to meet the new guy! 🥰

    Liked by 2 people

  10. Wow, his view of readers! I never thought to look at things that way, but he’s quite right. I need to remember his pointers for when I go in for rewriting my second draft.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I totally agree, Jen! And maybe even more important for blogging since we don’t have an editor to please or column inch limitations! Thanks for tuning in!

      Like

  18. 13 mph may be the perfect speed to encounter life, but I’d rather be going a little faster if I encounter wildlife. Especially if said wildlife has razor-sharp claws and teeth. The bigger those are, the faster I want to be going.

    Liked by 2 people

  19. I enjoyed this clip, Wynne, and I love the 13 mph takeaway, along with the “human connections beyond politics.” It’s so cute that Miss O made him a bracelet and he wore it. I’ll listen to the full podcast later tonight. Thanks for sharing! ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m glad you liked it. I hope you enjoy the podcast. I would think it likely that you read some of his bylines in the paper over the years given that you both have SF roots!

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  21. This was such a lovely read, Wynne. What a title to earn from a three-year-old. Steve sounds like one of those rare people who carry stories like lanterns, lighting the way for others.

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