One Cool Story: Tales from the University of Oregon’s School of Communication and Journalism

Episode 16: Polly Irungu, Creative Changemaker & Pro Photo-J Alum ’17

What does it take to go from being a student photographer to documenting history at the White House? 
In this episode of One Cool Story: Tales from the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication (SOJC), fourth-year public relations student Symone Moore sits down with SOJC alum Polly Irungu ’17—photojournalist, founder of Black Women Photographers, a photographer for Governor Wes Moore of Maryland, and former photo editor for Vice President Kamala Harris.
Polly shares how a social media internship with NPR jumpstarted her career, why you don’t need to live in a big city to make it big, and how she’s built a global network that empowers creators of color.
Stay tuned to the end for her One Cool Story—a memorable brush with a huge celebrity at the Grammys.
Listen to hear:
How Polly turned a passion for storytelling into a national platform.
What it’s like working in the White House.
Her advice for aspiring photographers and communicators.
Subscribe to the One Cool Story podcast: https://journalism.uoregon.edu/podcast Learn about the UO School of Journalism and Communication: https://journalism.uoregon.edu/Apply to the UO School of Journalism and Communication: https://sojc.link/SOJC-applyLearn more about Polly: https://journalism.uoregon.edu/eric-allen-award/polly-irungu 

Episode 15: Danny Pimentel, XR Expert & Empathy Engineer

What does it take to turn childhood wonder into cutting-edge research?
In this episode of One Cool Story: Tales from the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication (SOJC), journalism senior Julia Boboc sits down with Danny Pimentel, assistant professor of immersive psychology and director of the Oregon Reality Lab at SOJC Portland, for an inspiring and surprising conversation about the power of virtual and extended reality to shape communication professions.
Hear how an 8-year-old’s first virtual reality experience at Disney World led to a career exploring immersive media, nonprofit storytelling, and empathy through technology. Danny shares the story of his not-so-warm welcome to Eugene, his time at Sesame Street, and One Cool Story that takes us deep under the sea.
Tune in to learn:
How virtual reality is changing communication professions.
What drives immersive media research at the University of Oregon.
The path from graphic design to XR innovation.
Subscribe to the One Cool Story podcast: https://journalism.uoregon.edu/podcast Learn more about the Immersive Media Communication Master’s program at the UO School of Journalism and Communication: https://journalism.uoregon.edu/academics/graduate-programs/immersive-media 
Apply to the UO School of Journalism and Communication: https://sojc.link/SOJC-apply
Read a Q&A with Danny Pimentel: https://journalism.uoregon.edu/news/danny-pimentel-virtual-reality-careers 

Episode 14: Jackie Gutierrez, Goal-Getting Master's Grad ’21

How do you turn passion for soccer into a thriving media brand and a trip to the World Cup? 
In this episode of One Cool Story: Tales from the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication (SOJC), journalism senior Sophie Fowler sits down with Jackie Gutierrez, SOJC journalism master’s alum and founder of Women Kick Balls, a website dedicated to women’s soccer coverage.
Jackie shares how she crowdfunded her dream trip to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in New Zealand, why she launched a coffee business inspired by soccer, and how she built a community for fans and journalists around the world.
You’ll also hear her One Cool Story behind the site’s name—and her one piece of advice for women breaking barriers in male-dominated fields.
Listen to hear:
How Jackie turned her UO master’s experience into a global platform.
Tips for women in sports media and entrepreneurship.
The story behind her dual passions for coffee and soccer.
Subscribe to the One Cool Story podcast: https://journalism.uoregon.edu/podcast Learn more about the UO Multimedia Storytelling Master’s program: https://journalism.uoregon.edu/academics/graduate-programs/multimedia-storytelling Apply to the UO School of Journalism and Communication: https://sojc.link/SOJC-applyGet to know more about Jackie: https://journalism.uoregon.edu/news/jackie-gutierrez 

Episode 13: Regina Lawrence, Political Media Powerhouse & New Dean

Who is the new interim dean leading the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication? 
In this episode of One Cool Story: Tales from the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication (SOJC), journalism senior Julia Boboc sits down with Regina Lawrence, the SOJC’s new interim dean—and a nationally recognized scholar of political communication.
Before leading the SOJC, Regina dreamed of becoming a professional singer. Hear how her passion for storytelling, research, and civic engagement took her from the classroom to the SOJC’s Agora Journalism Center—and ultimately to the dean’s office.
You’ll also get to know the human side of leadership: her academic journey, her love of animals (especially cats—just don’t tell her dog), and what excites her most about the future of SOJC.
Tune in to hear:
How Regina Lawrence’s research shaped national conversations on politics and media.
The path from music to academia, and what she’s learned along the way. 
Why she thinks the SOJC shines bright among other communication schools. 
Subscribe to the One Cool Story podcast: https://journalism.uoregon.edu/podcast Learn about the UO School of Journalism and Communication: https://journalism.uoregon.edu/Apply to the UO School of Journalism and Communication: https://sojc.link/SOJC-applyDiscover the Agora Journalism Center: https://agorajournalism.center/ 

Episode 12: Heather Davis, Major-League Communicator-In-Chief

In March 2025, journalism major Sophie Fowler had the opportunity to chat virtually with Heather Davis, CEO of the Portland Timbers. The Timbers are an professional soccer club based in Portland, Oregon, and Heather’s job is to ensure they succeed both as a sporting organization but as a business. Listen in and learn how she found herself at the SOJC, what life is like as the leader of the Timbers, and how hard work helped her reach her career goals!
Each term, One Cool Story shares stories and experiences from a handful of SOJC faculty, students, staff, and alumni about life in Allen Hall, at SOJC Portland, and beyond. New episodes release each term, so be sure to subscribe wherever you’re listening so you don’t miss the next batch! To stay even more up to date with the SOJC, follow us everywhere at @UOSOJC or by searching for the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication.

Episode 11: Brian Bull, Broadcast Veteran & Tribal Storyteller

Brian Bull is freelance reporter for KLCC and NPR, substitute host for National Native News, and Nez Perce tribal member. Bull was also a professor at the SOJC, but decided to pursue his passion for reporting and tribal advocacy as a Senior Reporter for Buffalo's Fire shortly after this interview. His career is a fascinating one that spans several states. Listen in and learn all about it as he looks back over the career that led him to where he is today in a chat with SOJC journalism major Julia Boboc!
Each term, One Cool Story shares stories and experiences from a handful of SOJC faculty, students, staff, and alumni about life in Allen Hall, at SOJC Portland, and beyond. New episodes release each term, so be sure to subscribe wherever you’re listening so you don’t miss the next batch! To stay even more up to date with the SOJC, follow us everywhere at @UOSOJC or by searching for the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication.

Episode 10: Malya Fass, Journalism Senior & Audio All-Star

In this episode, journalism major McKenzie Leary sits down with fellow journalism major and senior Malya Fass, morning broadcaster at local NPR affiliate KLCC and member of this year’s cohort of the Charles Snowden Program for Excellence in Journalism. The two talk about how Malya became interested in journalism, what it’s like to be a morning broadcaster, how she’s pursuing her new passion in audio broadcasting via the Charles Snowden Internship, and much more.
Each term, One Cool Story shares stories and experiences from a handful of SOJC faculty, students, staff, and alumni about life in Allen Hall, at SOJC Portland, and beyond. New episodes release each term, so be sure to subscribe wherever you’re listening so you don’t miss the next batch! To stay even more up to date with the SOJC, follow us everywhere at @UOSOJC or by searching for the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication.
 

Episode 09: Alex Horwitch, Viral Video Virtuoso & PR Alum '12

In this episode, public relations senior and UOPRSSA president Jill Gray is joined virtually by SOJC alum Alex Horwitch, director of digital marketing for DreamWorks Animation. Horwitch reached notoriety when his acapella group became a viral sensation on the internet during the very early years of social media. After being discovered via Youtube, Horwitch’s career took off in a direction that he wasn’t expecting. It took more than going viral to succeed, however, and Horwitch credits the knowledge he gained at the SOJC for helping him take full advantage of the opportunity he was given. Learn all about Horwitch, his viral video, and how a social media class helped change his life by listening in to today’s episode! 
 
Each term, One Cool Story shares stories and experiences from a handful of SOJC faculty, students, staff, and alumni about life in Allen Hall, at SOJC Portland, and beyond. New episodes release each term, so be sure to subscribe wherever you’re listening so you don’t miss the next batch! To stay even more up to date with the SOJC, follow us everywhere at @UOSOJC or by searching for the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication.

One Cool Story Season 3 Teaser

Welcome to Season 3 of One Cool Story: Tales from the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication! Get a taste for this season's episodes by listening to this teaser!
Each term, One Cool Story shares stories and experiences from a handful of SOJC faculty, students, staff, and alumni about life in Allen Hall, at SOJC Portland, and beyond. New episodes release each term, so be sure to subscribe wherever you’re listening so you don’t miss the next batch! To stay even more up to date with the SOJC, follow us everywhere at @UOSOJC or by searching for the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication.

Episode 08: Camilla Mortensen, Fearless Captain of Local Journalism

In this episode, journalism major Sophie Fowler speaks with Camilla Mortensen, Pro Tem Instructor at the SOJC and new editor and owner of the Eugene Weekly. The two discuss Mortensen's post-grad career, how she arrived at the Eugene Weekly, what it's like being an SOJC instructor, the 2024 disaster that almost ended the Weekly, and the outpouring of support from across the nation that came after. 
Each term, One Cool Story shares stories and experiences from a handful of SOJC faculty, students, staff, and alumni about life in Allen Hall, at SOJC Portland, and beyond. New episodes release each term, so be sure to subscribe wherever you’re listening so you don’t miss the next batch! To stay even more up to date with the SOJC, follow us everywhere at @UOSOJC or by searching for the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication.