In the Wake of a Tragedy, a Newhouse Grad Regains Her Oratory Skills through Podcast Production
Erika Mahoney, a former National Public Radio news director and a graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, has created a podcast called "Senseless" to explore trauma, grief, and resilience following her father's death in the 2021 King Soopers mass shooting.
Mahoney's journalism training has deeply influenced her approach to producing the podcast. Her education provided her with professional skills in storytelling, interviewing, and ethical journalism that underpin the show's sensitive and nuanced exploration of shared trauma and community healing.
In "Senseless," Mahoney applies rigorous journalistic standards and storytelling techniques to navigate the difficult personal and communal subject matter. This enables her to create a space for authentic voices and empathetic narratives, fostering a community of support and resilience among listeners and participants.
The podcast goes beyond mere reportage; it embraces a deeply personal and investigative approach shaped by Mahoney's professional background. This synthesis of personal tragedy and journalistic expertise underscores the podcast’s power to connect listeners through shared experiences of loss and recovery.
Mahoney shares her personal journey from the day of the shooting through the trial and the years of grappling with grief and trauma. The podcast delves into the "web of pain," or the far-reaching impacts and unexpected connections that extend beyond the immediate victims of mass violence.
One of the unexpected discoveries in Mahoney's journey was finding love stories emerging from tragedy. The third episode of "Senseless" features Logan, a store employee who survived the shooting, and Olivia, who lost her mother in the attack. They eventually found each other and fell in love while processing their shared trauma.
Mahoney's transition from daily news reporting to long-form podcasting has allowed her to explore stories with unprecedented depth. She hopes people will take away from her podcast that it is possible to get on the other side of hard, difficult things and find joy again.
A podcast episode featuring Mahoney, titled "'Cuse Conversations," is available for listening, and a transcript of the podcast episode is also available as a PDF. Mahoney has learned how to find joy through the process of producing her podcast and sharing her story. She has discovered the power of patient storytelling, which has required a significant adjustment to her usual process but has proven transformative.
Mahoney's podcast, "Senseless," is not just about her story but also aims to show the world that the victims of mass violence were human beings who should not have had to endure such tragedies. The podcast was initially conceived as a way to honor Mahoney's father's memory but evolved into something much larger.
Mahoney would give it all back to have her father back, but she's learned to slow down, live boldly, and raise her voice. She feels a sense of pride; she's proud of the podcast and proud of herself for "getting back up after this." [Sources: 1, 3, 4]
- Erika Mahoney's podcast, "Senseless," delves into health-and-wellness, particularly mental health, by exploring trauma, grief, and resilience, demonstrating a strong commitment to personal growth and self-development.
- The podcast's lifestyle focus is evident as it shifts from hard news reporting to long-form storytelling, providing an environment for family dynamics and relationships to unfold and evolve.
- The educational aspect of "Senseless" is prominent, with Mahoney sharing her experiences to inspire career development and show that it's possible to find joy and move forward after hardship.
- By emphasizing the humanity of mass violence victims, "Senseless" also touches upon the importance of social awareness and community well-being, encompassing a broad spectrum of health-and-wellness, education, personal growth, and relationships.
