Three generations of Mossy Log editors in chief recently came together for a program aimed at diversifying public media: NPR’s Next Gen Radio. The program is a fast-paced, five-day multimedia workshop held at public radio stations across the country, including at Portland-based Oregon Public Broadcasting.
The Mossy Log’s current editor in chief, Emma Ambroziak BA ’25, was selected as one of five participants—out of over 40 applicants—to pitch a story profiling one person. With the help of a team of sound engineers, editors, and radio enthusiasts from across the country, Ambroziak created an audio and digital story around the program’s theme, “Moments of Truth.”
Ambroziak was joined by former Mossy Log editors Venus Edlin BA ’23, who served as a digital editor, and Hanna Merzbach BA ’20, who joined as a mentor. Both of them have also produced their own stories for the program in recent years.
Here’s a look at some of their stand-out moments in Next Gen Radio.
Emma Ambroziak BA ’25
Hometown: Golden, Colorado
Double Major: English and Hispanic Studies
How did you decide to join the Next Gen Radio Project?
I decided to apply to Next Gen because Venus [Edlin] reached out to me and Molly Robinson, our faculty advisor for the Mossy Log, and sent a link to apply. When I found out that I had moved to the final round of candidates, I had a week and a half to find someone willing to speak about their “moment of truth” and to pitch a story.
What story did you end up finding?
I ended up finding Charles Hyatt. He’s a rideshare driver in Portland and runs a media organization, The Portland Image. My car had broken down, and I took a Lyft with Charles to a doctor’s appointment. It was only a 13-minute drive, but by the end, I knew I wanted to interview Charles, and he was very willing. When we did the interview, we got to drive over the Marquam Bridge where he had this epiphany about how he could be part of creating more cultural celebration in Portland through storytelling.
What moments stood out to you?
Charles and his wife came to our Friday presentation at OPB, and we played the audio story and scrolled through the website. After everyone presented, Charles came to me with his arms wide open for a big hug. That meant so much to me to know that I had accurately and authentically portrayed who Charles was in a way that felt true to him and his family. That’s why journalism matters to me. It’s so rewarding to be trusted to help tell someone’s story.
What were some of your biggest takeaways from this weeklong experience?
I’m not tech savvy, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have the storytelling skills, the passion, and the motivation to produce an audio story. I also learned a lot about working with a team in a creative process. I’m used to creating alone, but it was really gratifying and eye opening to get to work with a team and see the care and passion that everybody showed up with.
How did your experience at Lewis & Clark help prepare you?
We don’t have a journalism program, so I largely credit my work at the Mossy Log and my three classes in creative nonfiction writing. Without the opportunity to learn from fellow student mentors and to begin publishing my work in the newspaper, I never would have built the skills and confidence to even consider applying for an opportunity like this.
How will this experience influence what you choose to do next?
I have a newfound appreciation for sound as a medium. I also feel more confident now that I’ll be able to find work as a journalist, and I trust that the universe will bring me to where I need to be.
Venus Edlin BA ’23
Hometown: San Jose, California
Major/Minor: Rhetoric and Media Studies/Dance
Why did you decide to join the Next Generation Radio Project?
I’m super passionate about journalism and storytelling. Back in 2023, when I first applied, I hadn’t done a ton of audio work, so I thought it was a great opportunity to widen my skill set.
What story did you work on?
For the 2022 program, I interviewed teenage climate activist Ada Crandall. We talked a lot about her radicalization, how she got involved in the Sunrise Movement, and key moments in her activism. One thing that stood out to me was how unseriously she had been taken by prominent figures in politics and adults. Because of that, you could tell she had grown up very quickly.
What were some of your biggest takeaways from this weeklong experience?
The idea of resilience has really stuck with me. You’re not defined by the mistakes that happen. What you are defined by is how you choose to rebound from them. Also, I learned about the importance of relying on your network. The Next Gen Radio group is a fantastic group of people who are really committed to getting new voices into journalism, and those are people who, once you go through the program, are going to be with you for life.
How did your experience at Lewis & Clark help prepare you?
I think having the venue for student journalism through the Mossy Log, and continuing that practice of storytelling, definitely prepared me to work on this project. It was a real privilege to get to come back and work as a digital editor on this last project at OPB, I got to use that editor skill set that I really honed as part of the Mossy Log. The rhetoric and media studies department helped as well, since I had learned about video editing, which is similar to editing audio.
How will this experience influence what you choose to do next?
I just keep finding new love for journalism and, ultimately, telling stories. I really love being an editor and engaging with content and with people’s journalistic work in that way. It uses my brain in a way that brings me such joy, and I think it’s super important.
Hanna Merzbach BA ’20
Hometown: Bend, Oregon
Major: International Affairs
Why did you decide to join the Next Generation Radio Project?
Back in 2020, I had just graduated from Lewis & Clark into the COVID-19 pandemic, and was beginning my career as a journalist. I jumped at the opportunity to build my audio storytelling skills through what was then a completely remote program. I used those skills to get my current job as a reporter at Wyoming Public Media, but I have traveled back to Oregon twice to mentor newer audio journalists in the Next Gen program, which is now largely held in person.
What story did you work on?
In July of 2020, I told the story about how a high school theatre program transitioned to virtual performances (which were unheard of back then), along with the lessons one student was taking with her to college. This year, I mentored a journalist, Jordan Hernandez, who told the story of an Indigenous woman who was formerly incarcerated and is now helping other women transition out of the prison system.
What were some of your biggest takeaways from this weeklong experience?
When I first joined this program, I was used to the “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” approach—largely teaching myself how to do all things journalism. It was eye-opening to be supported by such an incredible team. This is also where I fell in love with audio storytelling, which is what I’m proud to call my full-time job these days. There’s a kind of intimacy you can get by hearing someone’s voice that I don’t think you can get in any other medium.
How did your experience at Lewis & Clark help prepare you?
I would not be where I am today without the Mossy Log. Being about to come out of college with published articles helped me land a spot in the Next Gen program, as well as my first freelancing gigs and, later, full-time jobs. Lewis & Clark now has a legacy in the Oregon iteration of this program that I couldn’t be more proud of.
How will this experience influence what you choose to do next?
I learn new tips every time I attend one of these programs. For example, this time, I learned a lot about how to be intentional around framing stories, and defining people by their aspirations and contributions instead of their problems and negative experiences. I plan to carry this framework into my own work in public media.
Mossy Log
