The Backstory

Byard Duncan: Investigative Reporting From a Consumer Protection Angle

In this episode, we spoke to investigative reporter Byard Duncan about how he got his start in investigative journalism, his approach to public records requests, and the difference between reporting for podcasts and print publications. For over a decade, Duncan has been investigating businesses, tech companies, and government institutions from a consumer protection angle. His two recent investigations for Type exemplify his work exposing the harms done to regular people. In partnership with Reveal, Duncan reported on the understaffing crisis at 911 dispatch centers, which has left hundreds of thousands of callers waiting on hold during emergencies. And for Bloomberg Businessweek, he investigated BusPatrol, a tech company partnering with municipalities across the country to ticket drivers using AI-powered cameras attached to school buses. "911, Please Hold:" https://typeinvestigations.org/investigation/2026/05/26/911-please-hold/ "The AI School Bus Camera Company Blanketing America in Tickets:" https://typeinvestigations.org/investigation/2026/04/28/the-ai-school-bus-camera-company-blanketing-america-in-tickets/ Transcript: https://typeinvestigations.org/backstory/2026/06/18/the-backstory-byard-duncan/ Type Investigations is a newsroom for independent investigative journalists. For our latest, subscribe to our newsletter: www.typeinvestigations.org/subscribe

Max Rivlin-Nadler: Behind the Scenes of Courts of Contempt

In this episode, we sat down with Hell Gate co-founder Max Rivlin-Nadler to discuss “Courts of Contempt,” an in-depth investigation into the New York City judicial system. “Courts of Contempt:” https://courtsofcontempt.hellgatenyc.com/ Transcript: https://www.typeinvestigations.org/backstory/2026/05/21/the-backstory-max-rivlin-nadler/ Type Investigations is a newsroom for independent investigative journalists. For our latest, subscribe to our newsletter: www.typeinvestigations.org/subscribe

Adam Federman, Tanvi Misra, and Kathryn Joyce: Lessons from One Year of Reporting on Trump

This past January, ahead of Donald Trump’s second inauguration, we sat down with reporting fellow Adam Federman, former Ida B. Wells fellow Tanvi Misra, and In These Times Investigative editor Kathryn Joyce to discuss what they thought would be the most pressing issues on his administration’s agenda. As we wrap up year one of Trump’s second administration, we invited Adam, Tanvi, and Kathryn back to talk about how the year has gone, the challenges they’ve faced reporting amidst an increasingly hostile administration, and how they think things will develop going forward. "ICE Is Using Courthouse Cells for Lengthy Detentions:" https://bit.ly/4pwvux8 "I Am Not Afraid:" https://bit.ly/4oL5YDf "The New College Gambit:" https://bit.ly/4a82uHr Transcript: https://bit.ly/4a66cRQ

Liset Cruz: Reporting on Medical Deportations

In this episode, we sat down with Ida B. Wells fellow Liset Cruz to discuss her new investigation, "When Hospitals Act Like ICE," produced in partnership with The Nation. Cruz talks about what inspired her investigation, how she connected with sources affected by the practice, and her advice for journalists who want to report on immigration. "When Hospitals Act Like ICE:" http://bit.ly/3UQP5ur Transcript: http://bit.ly/41Wn1cU Type Investigations is a newsroom for independent investigative journalists. For our latest, subscribe to our newsletter: www.typeinvestigations.org/subscribe

Drew Hawkins: Reporting on the Shortage of Trauma-informed Nurses in the Gulf South

In this episode, we sat down with Drew Hawkins to discuss his new investigation, “Trauma-informed nurses help sexual assault survivors. Most hospitals in the Gulf South don’t have them," produced in partnership with Gulf States Newsroom. Hawkins talks about what inspired his investigation, how the SANE shortage has affected the nurses themselves, and how he approached working with a source who survived a sexual assault. “Trauma-informed nurses help sexual assault survivors. Most hospitals in the Gulf South don’t have them:" https://bit.ly/4m1I7Pm Transcript: https://bit.ly/45dEbnh Type Investigations is a newsroom for independent investigative journalists. For our latest, subscribe to our newsletter: www.typeinvestigations.org/subscribe