2025 Upod Academy Videos
Media Bigwigs. Candid pitching advice. Only at Upod.
UPOD Video Bundles
Missed the last few Upod weekends? You can still catch every speaker.
Each bundle gives you 10 full sessions — that’s over 10 hours of standout insights, unforgettable talks, and practical tools for pitching the top media outlets and literary agencies.
Three weekends available. Full packages only (no individual sessions).
Fall 2025 — Package of 10
The Fall 2025 Upod Weekend featured top editors from The New York Times, The Cut, Los Angeles Times, Harvard Magazine, and more, alongside leading agents from WME and Curtis Brown. Over ten sessions, participants learned how to pitch smarter, build lasting industry connections, and chart a clear path to publication.
Laura Blake Peterson
Vice President, Curtis Brown Agency
Laura shared what agents look for in memoir, biography, literary fiction, mystery, suspense, women’s fiction and more + how to shape a proposal that stands out in today’s market.
Jay Mandel
Worldwide Head of WME Books
Jay spoke about the current publishing landscape, from international literary fiction to narrative nonfiction, investigative journalism and memoir, and what moves a project from inbox to contract.
Joanna Weiss
Editor, Harvard Magazine
Fascinating session that will get you assignments if you follow her clues. Joanna explained how Harvard Magazine works with freelancers, what kinds of stories resonate, and how to pitch research-driven, narrative-rich features for alumni publications beyond Harvard.
Jen Ortiz
Deputy Editor, The Cut (New York Magazine)
By popular demand, Jen returned to discuss assigning essays, features, and reported stories across culture, fashion, and nightlife—and what makes a writer someone she wants to work with again and again.
Marques Harper
Deputy Editor, The Los Angeles Times
Marques talked about L.A. Affairs, the Weekend section, and how he approaches features. He shared insights on tone, timing and why Modern Love isn’t the only option for love essays. A return Upod visit!
Stephanie Ponder
Editorial Director, Costco Connection
Another money maker if you follow her tips. Stephanie offered a rare behind-the-scenes look at one of the country’s largest-circulation magazines. She details what kinds of service stories work, how to land assignments and how to get paid well for them.
Tony Rotunno
Editor, Styles Desk, The New York Times
Tony unpacked how style journalism has evolved, what The Times looks for in pitches, and how freelancers can break through with stories about design, culture, and everyday aesthetics.
David Cohn
Director of AI Innovation, Advance Digital
We go deep on this one. It’s an intense session. David walked through how journalists can use AI responsibly, from prompt strategy to platform choice, and how editorial integrity can guide the use of fast-changing tools.
Patricia Kelly Yeo
Los Angeles Food & Drink Editor, Time Out North America
Patricia shared her path into food media, how Time Out commissions freelance work and what makes a restaurant or food story irresistible to editors.
Dina Gachman
Author, Journalist & NYT-Bestselling Ghostwriter
Dina writes for The New York Times, Texas Monthly, Slate, Vanity Fair, The New York Times Magazine, and more. Her book So Sorry for Your Loss was praised by Publisher’s Weekly as “a poignant, personal exploration of grief.” In this bonus one-on-one session, she and David discussed her craft, career path, and the realities of freelance journalism and ghostwriting.
May 2025 Sessions — Package of 10
Kate Cray
, Family Editor
,
The Atlantic
An editor for the Family section at The Atlantic, Kate assigns and edits stories about families, parenting, relationships, friendships, cultural trends, and more. She walks us through real pitches and tells us exactly how to land an Atlantic byline. It’s a stunning 55 minutes. May 2025.
Elizabeth Spiers
Journalist, Author, Founder, Badass
Elizabeth is a pioneering media strategist, journalist, and entrepreneur—founding editor of Gawker, NYT Opinion contributor, and co-host of Slate Money. In this powerhouse session, we talk thriving in today’s media landscape: pitching, podcasting, and building your own brand. One hour of pure media muscle. May 2025.
Kera Bolonik,
Editor-in-Chief,
DAME
Dame’s editor-in-chief was so widely praised by Upod writers who’ve worked with her that I had to invite her. She’s that rare kind of editor — one who commissions reported personal essays with depth, heart, and real cultural relevance. A joy to watch. May 2025.
Evan Ratliff
Atavist cofounder, Journalist, Podcaster, Author
As cofounder of The Atavist Magazine, Pop-Up Magazine, and the Longform Podcast, he’s been at the center of some of the smartest storytelling in media. As a writer, he’s seen it all—and he’s full of practical tips on reporting, pitching, and idea-hunting. And wait till you hear what shows up in his Google alerts!
Alexis Hurley
Literary Agent
InkWell Management
A longtime literary agent at InkWell in New York, Alexis gives us a crash course on publishing in a post-TikTok world. She reps a wide range of domestic projects, from literary and commercial fiction to memoir and narrative nonfiction. Across genres, she champions books that make us think, feel, and grow. Lovely and accessible. May 2025
Jim Dao,
Editor
ial
Page
Editor
,
The Boston Globe
The former New York Times Opinion editor now oversees op-eds, editorials, and the Ideas section at the Boston Globe. He’s on the lookout for fresh angles on big and small topics alike—sharp takes on everyday life, humor, illustrated pieces, and anything with a strong, original point of view. May 2025
Marisa LaScala
Personal Essays Good Housekeeping
Marisa oversees all things parenting, relationships, and pop culture. She’s especially drawn to personal essays that blend heart, humor, and a clear point of view—and she shows us how to shape a pitch into something unforgettable. May 2025
Louie Villalobos
Opinion Editor
USA TODAY
With fewer outlets publishing personal essays, it’s great to know editors like Louie Villalobos. As USA TODAY's Opinion Editor, he’s looking for personal narratives that offer fresh perspectives or challenge conventional thinking on important topics. You’ll love this guy! One hour. May 2025
Marianne Jones, Features Editor, Daily Mail’s “You” Magazine
Marianne commissions celebrity and non-celeb profiles, trend pieces, and other polished, lifestyle-focused features for the Daily Mail’s glossy weekly magazine. Tons of freelance opportunities. May 2025
Betsy Lerner
Literary Agent
Dunow, Carlson and Lerner
A top literary agent for more than 40 years, Betsy is also the author of the popular advice book to writers, The Forest for the Trees, among others. So many amazing ideas on pitching books, promoting books and living a great life as a writer. Kind and generous. May 2025
March 2025 Sessions — Package of 10
Meg Guroff
Executive Editor
AARP
Meg Guroff is one of my favorite magazine people. She assigns features, essays, and investigative work at AARP The Magazine and AARP.org, and is herself a talented author, writer and teacher. This is her second visit to Upod Academy.
Patia Braithwaite
Senior Editor
NYT Well Section
Patia Braithwaite is a senior staff editor at The New York Times’ “Well” section, where she assigns stories on all aspects of health and wellness. She details how to reach the high bar of publishing in The New York Times. Follow the clues! They’re all right here.
Zach Helfand
Staff Writer
The New Yorker
Zach is wrapping up his role as Talk of the Town editor at The New Yorker and transitioning to writing full-time for the iconic publication. While he’s no longer accepting Talk pitches, he offers invaluable insights into the art of crafting compelling ideas and stories. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to learn the secret Eustace Tilly (IYKYK) handshakes from one of The New Yorker’s top editorial voices.
Danielle Stein Chizzik
Deputy Editor
Town + Country
Danielle is Deputy Editor at Town & Country, where she's spent 14 years covering money, power, philanthropy, culture, health, travel, beauty, and all things .01 percent. But you might be surprised at what she’s looking for—stories on status anxiety, hidden cultures, stunning adventures. Massively invigorating.
Julia Rothchild
Managing Editor
The New Yorker
Julia has spent her career at The New Yorker and takes us on an insider’s tour of the editorial process, from idea meetings to published pieces. Her wisdom extends to pitching at all publications, so please take good notes!
Julie Pfitzinger
Essays Editor
Next Avenue
Julie Pfitzinger is the managing editor for Next Avenue's lifestyle coverage for the site’s “grownup” audience (45+). A bunch of happy Upodders got personal essay assignments straight out of this session. Let’s gooooo!
Patrick Healy
Deputy Opinion Editor
New York Times
Oh, what a session! Patrick is the New York Times’ Deputy editor of Opinion, and offers one of the most generous primers on writing op-eds at the highest level. What does it take to sell your intelligent take on a relevant topic? Patrick shows you the way. An all-time great Upod session.
Jancee Dunn
Health writer
New York Times
Jancee Dunn has always had the coolest gigs in the biz, dating back to the days we worked together at Wenner media when she was living the ‘Almost Famous’ life for Rolling Stone. As a health and wellness writer for The Times, she lives a supercharged version of the freelancer life: scouring for rare ideas, pitching like a champ and crafting pieces that make AI bots weep with envy. A fantastic hour.
Molly O’Neill
Literary Agent
The Root Agency
Want to sell a children’s book or YA novel? Molly is your person. She’s so enthusiastic and thorough in covering the process of proposing and developing an idea and pitching it to publishers that you will be emailing her even if you didn’t know you wanted to write children’s books! A session I keep thinking about.
Sam Farkas
Literary Agent
Jill Grinberg Agency
Actively seeking submissions across genres, Sam is clear here on what she wants, from grabby YA concepts to compelling grownup family histories and essay collections. If she likes something, she’ll work hard to get it sold. Watch to see if she’s a fit for your next book project.
Questions: davidhochman@mac.com
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