Name: Violet Gonda Jim Bettinger by JSK Journalism Fellowshps
Duration: 30 min
Description: Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Rz_s5vBFY7zG1buQwz2jerOTHmLpTkTEFlS3mExf4DE/edit?usp=sharing

In this compelling talk from 2016, Astro Teller, director of Alphabet’s moonshot factory, X, explores how embracing failure fuels groundbreaking innovation. He shares how a culture that rewards audacity and transparency can systematically drive progress, turning ambitious ideas into reality. Teller discusses the importance of pre-mortems, rewarding teams for shutting down projects, and creating an environment where failure is seen as an opportunity for learning rather than a setback. As we revisit this talk, its lessons remain as relevant as ever, offering valuable insights for anyone looking to foster bold thinking and transformative breakthroughs.

The episode first aired on April 20, 2016


Astro Teller (Alphabet’s X) - Celebrating Failure Fuels Moonshots [ETL Looks Back]

In this JSK Voices conversation, Denby Fawcett (1969) and Pablo Gonzalez (2004) discuss pivotal transitions in their journalism careers. For Fawcett, it was the shift from writing for the Women’s Page to covering the Vietnam War. For Gonzalez, it was the humbling experience of transitioning from reporting in Spanish to English.

Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jn163pjh31gNuQSvoqVusHL7jw4w3FE09T4S4hHrPtk/edit?usp=sharing

Denby Fawcett and Pablo Gonzalez

Justin Kan is an entrepreneur and investor best known as the co-founder of Twitch. In this conversation from 2021, Kan shares candid insights on the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of resilience, self-awareness, and personal well-being. Reflecting on his journey—from founding Twitch to reassessing his motivations—he discusses the challenges of chasing external success and the shift toward finding fulfillment in daily habits, mindfulness, and meaningful work. His perspective highlights how true satisfaction comes not just from achievements, but from aligning one’s work with personal values and well-being.

The episode first aired on October 6, 2021.


Justin Kan (Twitch) - Finding Fulfillment in Entrepreneurship [ETL Looks Back]

Payal Kadakia's 2022 conversation feels as relevant as ever, highlighting the enduring importance of authenticity in strong leadership. In this episode, the founder of ClassPass and the Sa Dance Company shares how integrating her full identity—as both a dancer and a business leader—was crucial to her success. Kadakia discusses the importance of listening to your calling, making values-driven decisions, and resisting the pressure to conform to conventional paths. Her insights on aligning passion with purpose, overcoming failure, and redefining success make this episode a must-listen for anyone aiming to build something meaningful while staying true to themselves.

The episode first aired on February 16, 2022


Payal Kadakia (ClassPass) - Bringing Your Whole Self to Your Venture [ETL Looks Back]

Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Rz_s5vBFY7zG1buQwz2jerOTHmLpTkTEFlS3mExf4DE/edit?usp=sharing

Violet Gonda Jim Bettinger

In this episode of the IRE Radio Podcast, Bloomberg reporters Eric Fan and Zachary Mider take you inside the investigation that earned them the 2024 Phil Meyer Award. Their winning work, “How Thousands of Middlemen Are Gaming the H-1B Program,” (published July 31, 2024) explored new data developments that showed a pattern of certain staffing and outsourcing firms exploiting the U.S. H-1B visa lottery system. Along with Fan and Mider, Bloomberg journalists Denise Lu and Marie Patino co-authored the project. 

Production credit: Graduate editorial assistant Nakylah Carter hosted the episode. IRE editorial director Doug Meigs edits the podcast. We are recorded in the studios of KBIA at the University of Missouri School of Journalism.

Music credit: Thoughtfulness (De Wolfe Music)

2024 Philip Meyer Award winner: “How Thousands of Middlemen Are Gaming the H-1B Program”

In this 2016 conversation, Bonny Simi—Olympian, airline pilot, venture capitalist, and entrepreneur—explains how success is built on curiosity, creativity, and the courage to take risks. While in her role with JetBlue, Simi shared how setting bold intentions, building transferable skills, and leveraging parallel career moves shaped her unconventional career. Her insights aren’t just for entrepreneurs—they serve as a reminder that this mindset can be applied to any area of life. With advice like taking risks with confidence and being open to non-traditional paths, Simi—now the president of operations for Joby Aviation—highlights the power of small steps, resilience, and trusting the journey.

Bonny Simi (Jet Blue & Joby Aviation) - An Entrepreneurial Mindset—Applied to You [ETL Looks Back]

In this episode of the IRE Radio Podcast, two judges for the 2024 IRE Awards share a behind-the-scenes look at their committee’s selection process. Judges chose winners and finalists from a pool of 546 entries across 19 categories. IRE announced the contest results on April 16, 2025. Featured guests: Contest Committee Chair and Emmy-winner Walter Smith Randolph (executive producer of investigations at CBS New York) and Paroma Soni (IRE Board member and Politico data and graphics reporter).

Production credit: Graduate editorial assistant Nakylah Carter hosted the episode. IRE editorial director Doug Meigs edits the podcast. We are recorded in the studios of KBIA at the University of Missouri School of Journalism.

Music credit: Thoughtfulness (De Wolfe Music)

2024 IRE Awards: Behind the scenes

Among the alumni conversations in the JSK Voices collection is one between JSK Executive Director Dawn Garcia (1992), Director Emeritus Jim Bettinger (1983), and Director Emeritus Jim Risser (1974). In their conversation, they talk about how their time as fellows changed them and how the fellowship has evolved over the years.

Transcript: https://bit.ly/3EYzuEV

Dawn Garcia, Jim Bettinger and JimRisser: Fellowship

Stanley Tang was a junior at Stanford when he started to explore technology solutions for small businesses. Working with local shops got him thinking about food delivery, and while at first the idea didn’t seem scalable, the ingredients for DoorDash began to come together. Recounting how DoorDash’s growth spanned many ups and downs including global crises, Tang shares how resilience is built from pivotal moments, and how leaning on core values in times of stress was instrumental in the success of what is now a $75 billion company

Stanley Tang (DoorDash) - Scaling the Unscalable

Based at Stanford University in Northern California, the John S. Knight Journalism Fellowships supports diverse journalists from around the world who are creating solutions to journalism’s most urgent problems.

We focus on helping these journalism leaders succeed as effective change agents, improving the access to information people need to create and sustain democratic communities.

Violet Gonda Jim Bettinger

JSK Journalism Fellowshps

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