Cynthia Sassi on Going All In and Betting Everything on Fabulous Arizona

Kaley O’Kelley on Career Whiplash, Resilience and Finding Purpose in Local News

In this episode of Off Deadline, Melissa DiGianfilippo of Proof Publicity sits down with Kaley O'Kelley of ABC 15 in Phoenix, a broadcast journalist whose career has been shaped by both extraordinary opportunity and deep personal challenge. Kaley shares what it was like to receive a last-minute call sending her to New York to fill in on Good Morning America, and the devastation of later learning that a long-term network opportunity was declined on her behalf without her knowledge. She opens up about navigating divorce while staying professional on air, crying in her car between shifts, and choosing forgiveness in moments that could have hardened her. She also explains why stories of hope, community heroes, and “angels among us” remain central to her work, and how telling those stories helped her find purpose in local news. Discussion highlights * Being unexpectedly sent to New York for Good Morning America * How quickly careers can change in broadcast journalism * Maintaining professionalism through emotional pain * Divorce and showing up on air anyway * Learning an opportunity was turned down without her consent * Choosing forgiveness after betrayal * Why hope matters in local news * Highlighting community heroes and life-changing stories * Finding purpose through storytelling Kaley’s episode is an honest look at resilience, grace under pressure, and the human side of journalism. 🎧 Listen now, watch on YouTube, and don’t forget to follow @proofpublicity for more episodes of Off Deadline. 📺 Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@proof-publicity [https://www.youtube.com/@proof-publicity] 🔗 Check out Proof Publicity → https://proofpublicity.com [https://proofpublicity.com/]

Paul Thompson on Truth, Tough Questions and Running the Phoenix Business Journal

In this episode of Off Deadline, host Melissa DiGianfilippo sits down with Paul Thompson, Managing Editor of the Phoenix Business Journal, for an honest conversation about journalism, leadership, and responsibility in today’s media landscape. Paul reflects on how covering crime early in his career shaped his approach to reporting, why journalists must chase difficult stories, and how newsroom debates help sharpen truth rather than dilute it. He also discusses separating emotion from reporting, managing pressure under deadline, and what business journalism gets right and wrong in the public eye. Discussion highlights * Finding his path into journalism * Early crime reporting and emotional resilience * Why tough questions still matter * Separating personal opinion from reporting * Editorial judgment and newsroom debates * Leading reporters under pressure * Business journalism and public accountability * Media trust, credibility and transparency * Technology, AI and the future of news Paul’s episode offers a thoughtful look at the responsibility behind editorial decisions and the leadership required to run a modern newsroom. 🎧 Listen now, watch on YouTube, and don’t forget to follow @proofpublicity for more episodes of Off Deadline. 📺 Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@proof-publicity [https://www.youtube.com/@proof-publicity] 🔗 Check out Proof Publicity → https://proofpublicity.com [https://proofpublicity.com/]

Cynthia Sassi on Going All In and Betting Everything on Fabulous Arizona

In this episode of Off Deadline, host Melissa DiGianfilippo [https://www.instagram.com/melissadflip] sits down with Cynthia Sassi [https://www.instagram.com/cynthiasassi], founder and publisher of Fabulous Arizona [https://www.instagram.com/fabulousarizona], the digital lifestyle publication spotlighting the people, places and brands shaping Arizona. Cynthia shares how she built Fabulous Arizona from the ground up, why she went all in on her business without a safety net, and how losing a job days before rent was due became a defining moment. She opens up about expanding into additional Fabulous markets, managing a growing team, balancing editorial integrity with brand partnerships, and staying focused on ROI for clients while protecting trust with readers. Discussion highlights * Studying marketing and consumer behavior * Discovering digital publishing early * Launching Fabulous Arizona * Going fully self employed * Losing a job days before rent was due * Why pressure fuels growth * Expanding into additional Fabulous markets * Managing teams and releasing control * Editorial integrity vs brand partnerships * Handling public criticism and improving on camera * What people misunderstand about digital publishing * The importance of relationships in business Cynthia’s episode is an honest look at risk, resilience and building a modern media brand without a safety net. 🎧 Listen now, watch on YouTube, and don’t forget to follow @proofpublicity for more episodes of Off Deadline. 📺 Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@proof-publicity [https://www.youtube.com/@proof-publicity] 🔗 Check out Proof Publicity → https://proofpublicity.com [https://proofpublicity.com/]

Michelle Glicksman on Editorial Judgment, Magazine Deadlines and What Makes a Story Worth Publishing

In this episode of Off Deadline, host Melissa DiGianfilippo [https://www.instagram.com/melissadflip] sits down with Michelle Glicksman [https://www.instagram.com/michelleglicksman], a 26-year media veteran and editor in chief behind multiple Arizona publications, including Scottsdale City Lifestyle and Chandler City Lifestyle. Michelle shares how writing shaped her career early on, why magazine journalism ultimately won over television, and what it truly means to be responsible for editorial judgment under real deadlines. She reflects on pulling a magazine cover just hours before press, selecting stories worth publishing, covering nonprofit and community voices, navigating AI in journalism, and how personal loss deepened her empathy as an editor and storyteller. Discussion highlights * Discovering her voice as a writer early in life * Moving from television to magazine journalism * Editorial judgment and covering unfamiliar beats * Interviewing Johnny Unitas without knowing who he was * Working with her daughter on a fashion shoot * Choosing nonprofit and community stories * Covering Arizona food, travel and culture * Pulling a magazine cover hours before press * Managing nonstop PR pitches * How AI is entering journalism * Personal loss and deeper empathy in storytelling Michelle’s episode offers a rare look at decision making, pressure and responsibility inside magazine publishing. 🎧 Listen now, watch on YouTube, and don’t forget to follow @proofpublicity for more episodes of Off Deadline. 📺 Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@proof-publicity [https://www.youtube.com/@proof-publicity] 🔗 Check out Proof Publicity → https://proofpublicity.com [https://proofpublicity.com/]

Catherine Anaya on the Career She Built and the Life She Refused to Miss

Catherine Anaya is a three-time Emmy Award winning journalist, longtime Phoenix news anchor, and the host of Horizonte on Arizona PBS. With more than 35 years in broadcast journalism, she has interviewed world leaders, built deep trust with viewers, and shaped how Arizona understands its most important stories. In this episode of Off Deadline, Catherine reflects on the career she built, the moments that changed her perspective, and the personal decisions that allowed her to stay present for the life she refused to miss. In this episode, Catherine shares: * How a college editor unexpectedly changed the direction of her career * The insecurity and constant movement behind television news contracts * Anchoring live during major breaking news and carrying the emotional weight of the job * How her work on Buddy Check 12 showed her the real-world power of journalism * Why she chose to step away from full-time television at the height of her career * How she redefined success after decades in the spotlight * Advice for journalists and high achievers navigating career crossroads This conversation is an honest look at ambition, impact, and the clarity that comes with choosing what matters most. 🎧 Listen now, watch on YouTube, and don’t forget to follow @proofpublicity for more episodes of Off Deadline. Guest: https://www.instagram.com/catherineanaya Horizonte on Arizona PBS: https://www.instagram.com/arizonapbs Host: https://www.instagram.com/melissadflip 📺 Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@proof-publicity [https://www.youtube.com/@proof-publicity] 🔗 Check out Proof Publicity → https://proofpublicity.com [https://proofpublicity.com/]