Society for Features Journalism
@wearesfj.bsky.social
We are the storytellers. The Society for Features Journalism promotes, supports and celebrates the craft of storytelling in lifestyle and culture journalism. Find us at featuresjournalism.org.
The stories from this panel!
Between Mesfin Fekadu (our new SFJ president btw), Jonathan Landrum Jr., and Malcolm Venable — we were all one degree away from nearly every celebrity you can think of. They shared how they build trust with PR teams & how they ask the tough questions. #sfj2025
Between Mesfin Fekadu (our new SFJ president btw), Jonathan Landrum Jr., and Malcolm Venable — we were all one degree away from nearly every celebrity you can think of. They shared how they build trust with PR teams & how they ask the tough questions. #sfj2025
November 9, 2025 at 3:57 PM
The stories from this panel!
Between Mesfin Fekadu (our new SFJ president btw), Jonathan Landrum Jr., and Malcolm Venable — we were all one degree away from nearly every celebrity you can think of. They shared how they build trust with PR teams & how they ask the tough questions. #sfj2025
Between Mesfin Fekadu (our new SFJ president btw), Jonathan Landrum Jr., and Malcolm Venable — we were all one degree away from nearly every celebrity you can think of. They shared how they build trust with PR teams & how they ask the tough questions. #sfj2025
🏅 Honorable Mentions: @oregonian.com (@editorswindler.bsky.social,
@teresamahoney.bsky.social, and Vickie Connor)
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (kristinbrey.bsky.social & @schultzmedia.bsky.social)
@teresamahoney.bsky.social, and Vickie Connor)
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (kristinbrey.bsky.social & @schultzmedia.bsky.social)
May 23, 2025 at 2:10 AM
🏅 Honorable Mentions: @oregonian.com (@editorswindler.bsky.social,
@teresamahoney.bsky.social, and Vickie Connor)
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (kristinbrey.bsky.social & @schultzmedia.bsky.social)
@teresamahoney.bsky.social, and Vickie Connor)
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (kristinbrey.bsky.social & @schultzmedia.bsky.social)
COMBINED DIVISIONS: SOCIAL MEDIA PORTFOLIO
🥇 1st Place: @thebaltimorebanner.com - Instagram
🥈 2nd Place: @nj.com - Instagram & TikTok
🥉 3rd Place: @chicago.suntimes.com - Youtube Channel, X, & Instagram
🥇 1st Place: @thebaltimorebanner.com - Instagram
🥈 2nd Place: @nj.com - Instagram & TikTok
🥉 3rd Place: @chicago.suntimes.com - Youtube Channel, X, & Instagram
May 23, 2025 at 2:10 AM
COMBINED DIVISIONS: SOCIAL MEDIA PORTFOLIO
🥇 1st Place: @thebaltimorebanner.com - Instagram
🥈 2nd Place: @nj.com - Instagram & TikTok
🥉 3rd Place: @chicago.suntimes.com - Youtube Channel, X, & Instagram
🥇 1st Place: @thebaltimorebanner.com - Instagram
🥈 2nd Place: @nj.com - Instagram & TikTok
🥉 3rd Place: @chicago.suntimes.com - Youtube Channel, X, & Instagram
🥉 3rd Place: Hadley Green, @washingtonpost.com
🏅 Honorable Mention: Pat Nabong, Stefano Esposito, & Zubaer Khan, @chicago.suntimes.com
🏅 Honorable Mention: Pat Nabong, Stefano Esposito, & Zubaer Khan, @chicago.suntimes.com
May 23, 2025 at 2:02 AM
🥉 3rd Place: Hadley Green, @washingtonpost.com
🏅 Honorable Mention: Pat Nabong, Stefano Esposito, & Zubaer Khan, @chicago.suntimes.com
🏅 Honorable Mention: Pat Nabong, Stefano Esposito, & Zubaer Khan, @chicago.suntimes.com
COMBINED DIVISIONS: NARRATIVE VIDEO
A short (≤5 min) lifestyle or culture video using narrative tools.
🥇 1st Place: Lauren Raposa & Nyah Marshall, @nj.com
🥈 2nd Place: Vickie Connor, @oregonian.com
A short (≤5 min) lifestyle or culture video using narrative tools.
🥇 1st Place: Lauren Raposa & Nyah Marshall, @nj.com
🥈 2nd Place: Vickie Connor, @oregonian.com
May 23, 2025 at 2:02 AM
COMBINED DIVISIONS: NARRATIVE VIDEO
A short (≤5 min) lifestyle or culture video using narrative tools.
🥇 1st Place: Lauren Raposa & Nyah Marshall, @nj.com
🥈 2nd Place: Vickie Connor, @oregonian.com
A short (≤5 min) lifestyle or culture video using narrative tools.
🥇 1st Place: Lauren Raposa & Nyah Marshall, @nj.com
🥈 2nd Place: Vickie Connor, @oregonian.com
🥉 3rd Place: "Bad Watchdog," @marenmachles.bsky.social , Padmini Parthasarathy & @schwellenbach.bsky.social
🏅 Honorable Mention: "Silence in Sikeston," Cara Anthony, Zach Dyer, and Taylor Cook, @kffhealthnews.org @retroreport.org, and WORLD
🏅 Honorable Mention: "Silence in Sikeston," Cara Anthony, Zach Dyer, and Taylor Cook, @kffhealthnews.org @retroreport.org, and WORLD
May 23, 2025 at 1:57 AM
🥉 3rd Place: "Bad Watchdog," @marenmachles.bsky.social , Padmini Parthasarathy & @schwellenbach.bsky.social
🏅 Honorable Mention: "Silence in Sikeston," Cara Anthony, Zach Dyer, and Taylor Cook, @kffhealthnews.org @retroreport.org, and WORLD
🏅 Honorable Mention: "Silence in Sikeston," Cara Anthony, Zach Dyer, and Taylor Cook, @kffhealthnews.org @retroreport.org, and WORLD
COMBINED DIVISIONS: PODCAST – NARRATIVE 🎙️🎧
🥇 1st Place: "The Harvard Plan," Staff, @bostonglobe.com
🥈 2nd Place: "America's Toxic Tap Water Problem," @silviafosterfrau.bsky.social, Emma Talkoff, & Monica Campbell, @washingtonpost.com
🥇 1st Place: "The Harvard Plan," Staff, @bostonglobe.com
🥈 2nd Place: "America's Toxic Tap Water Problem," @silviafosterfrau.bsky.social, Emma Talkoff, & Monica Campbell, @washingtonpost.com
May 23, 2025 at 1:57 AM
COMBINED DIVISIONS: PODCAST – NARRATIVE 🎙️🎧
🥇 1st Place: "The Harvard Plan," Staff, @bostonglobe.com
🥈 2nd Place: "America's Toxic Tap Water Problem," @silviafosterfrau.bsky.social, Emma Talkoff, & Monica Campbell, @washingtonpost.com
🥇 1st Place: "The Harvard Plan," Staff, @bostonglobe.com
🥈 2nd Place: "America's Toxic Tap Water Problem," @silviafosterfrau.bsky.social, Emma Talkoff, & Monica Campbell, @washingtonpost.com
🥉 3rd Place: "Jersey Shore Quiz," Adam Clark and @katiekausch.bsky.social, @nj.com
🏅 Honorable Mention: "Seattle Pride at 50," Staff, @seattletimes.com
🏅 Honorable Mention: "Seattle Pride at 50," Staff, @seattletimes.com
May 23, 2025 at 1:51 AM
🥉 3rd Place: "Jersey Shore Quiz," Adam Clark and @katiekausch.bsky.social, @nj.com
🏅 Honorable Mention: "Seattle Pride at 50," Staff, @seattletimes.com
🏅 Honorable Mention: "Seattle Pride at 50," Staff, @seattletimes.com
SPECIAL PRODUCT – DIGITAL OR PRINT, DIV 3
Best non-regular feature; one-time or special edition.
🥇 1st Place: "Feedme Magazine," Staff, @newsday.bsky.social
🥈 2nd Place: "Best of the Best," Staff, @bostonglobe.com
Best non-regular feature; one-time or special edition.
🥇 1st Place: "Feedme Magazine," Staff, @newsday.bsky.social
🥈 2nd Place: "Best of the Best," Staff, @bostonglobe.com
May 23, 2025 at 1:51 AM
SPECIAL PRODUCT – DIGITAL OR PRINT, DIV 3
Best non-regular feature; one-time or special edition.
🥇 1st Place: "Feedme Magazine," Staff, @newsday.bsky.social
🥈 2nd Place: "Best of the Best," Staff, @bostonglobe.com
Best non-regular feature; one-time or special edition.
🥇 1st Place: "Feedme Magazine," Staff, @newsday.bsky.social
🥈 2nd Place: "Best of the Best," Staff, @bostonglobe.com
UTILITY FEATURE PORTFOLIO, DIV 3
Three stories that break down everyday life with clarity & consumer focus.
🥇 1st Place: Andrea Sachs and @nataliecompton.bsky.social
🥈 2nd Place: Caroline Kee, @todayshow.com
🥉 3rd Place: @richardsima.bsky.social
🏅 Honorable Mention: Tiffany Acosta, @azcentral.com
Three stories that break down everyday life with clarity & consumer focus.
🥇 1st Place: Andrea Sachs and @nataliecompton.bsky.social
🥈 2nd Place: Caroline Kee, @todayshow.com
🥉 3rd Place: @richardsima.bsky.social
🏅 Honorable Mention: Tiffany Acosta, @azcentral.com
May 23, 2025 at 1:48 AM
UTILITY FEATURE PORTFOLIO, DIV 3
Three stories that break down everyday life with clarity & consumer focus.
🥇 1st Place: Andrea Sachs and @nataliecompton.bsky.social
🥈 2nd Place: Caroline Kee, @todayshow.com
🥉 3rd Place: @richardsima.bsky.social
🏅 Honorable Mention: Tiffany Acosta, @azcentral.com
Three stories that break down everyday life with clarity & consumer focus.
🥇 1st Place: Andrea Sachs and @nataliecompton.bsky.social
🥈 2nd Place: Caroline Kee, @todayshow.com
🥉 3rd Place: @richardsima.bsky.social
🏅 Honorable Mention: Tiffany Acosta, @azcentral.com
ARTS & CULTURE CRITICISM PORTFOLIO, DIV 3
A trio of A&E stories by the same writer — no editorials.
🥇 1st Place: @chrisrichards.bsky.social
🥈 2nd Place: @philipkennicott.bsky.social
🥉 3rd Place: Gemma Wilson, @seattletimes-rss.bsky.social
🏅 Honorable Mention: Sebastian Smee, @washingtonpost.com
A trio of A&E stories by the same writer — no editorials.
🥇 1st Place: @chrisrichards.bsky.social
🥈 2nd Place: @philipkennicott.bsky.social
🥉 3rd Place: Gemma Wilson, @seattletimes-rss.bsky.social
🏅 Honorable Mention: Sebastian Smee, @washingtonpost.com
May 23, 2025 at 1:45 AM
ARTS & CULTURE CRITICISM PORTFOLIO, DIV 3
A trio of A&E stories by the same writer — no editorials.
🥇 1st Place: @chrisrichards.bsky.social
🥈 2nd Place: @philipkennicott.bsky.social
🥉 3rd Place: Gemma Wilson, @seattletimes-rss.bsky.social
🏅 Honorable Mention: Sebastian Smee, @washingtonpost.com
A trio of A&E stories by the same writer — no editorials.
🥇 1st Place: @chrisrichards.bsky.social
🥈 2nd Place: @philipkennicott.bsky.social
🥉 3rd Place: Gemma Wilson, @seattletimes-rss.bsky.social
🏅 Honorable Mention: Sebastian Smee, @washingtonpost.com
GENERAL COMMENTARY PORTFOLIO, DIV 3
Three columns or essays by the same writer on any human interest or specialty topic.
🥇 1st Place: @yabraham.bsky.social
🥈 2nd Place: @laurayuen.bsky.social
🥉 3rd Place: @jaymichaelson.bsky.social
🏅 Honorable Mention:
@gustavoarellano.bsky.social
Three columns or essays by the same writer on any human interest or specialty topic.
🥇 1st Place: @yabraham.bsky.social
🥈 2nd Place: @laurayuen.bsky.social
🥉 3rd Place: @jaymichaelson.bsky.social
🏅 Honorable Mention:
@gustavoarellano.bsky.social
May 23, 2025 at 1:43 AM
GENERAL COMMENTARY PORTFOLIO, DIV 3
Three columns or essays by the same writer on any human interest or specialty topic.
🥇 1st Place: @yabraham.bsky.social
🥈 2nd Place: @laurayuen.bsky.social
🥉 3rd Place: @jaymichaelson.bsky.social
🏅 Honorable Mention:
@gustavoarellano.bsky.social
Three columns or essays by the same writer on any human interest or specialty topic.
🥇 1st Place: @yabraham.bsky.social
🥈 2nd Place: @laurayuen.bsky.social
🥉 3rd Place: @jaymichaelson.bsky.social
🏅 Honorable Mention:
@gustavoarellano.bsky.social
FOOD WRITING PORTFOLIO, DIV 3
Three stories, columns or reviews by the same writer on any food topic.
🥇 1st Place: @elenakadvany.bsky.social
🥈 2nd Place: Emily Heil, @washingtonpost.com
🥉 3rd Place: @hannaraskin.bsky.social
🏅 Honorable Mention: MacKenzie Chung Fegan,
@sfchronicle.com
Three stories, columns or reviews by the same writer on any food topic.
🥇 1st Place: @elenakadvany.bsky.social
🥈 2nd Place: Emily Heil, @washingtonpost.com
🥉 3rd Place: @hannaraskin.bsky.social
🏅 Honorable Mention: MacKenzie Chung Fegan,
@sfchronicle.com
May 23, 2025 at 1:41 AM
FOOD WRITING PORTFOLIO, DIV 3
Three stories, columns or reviews by the same writer on any food topic.
🥇 1st Place: @elenakadvany.bsky.social
🥈 2nd Place: Emily Heil, @washingtonpost.com
🥉 3rd Place: @hannaraskin.bsky.social
🏅 Honorable Mention: MacKenzie Chung Fegan,
@sfchronicle.com
Three stories, columns or reviews by the same writer on any food topic.
🥇 1st Place: @elenakadvany.bsky.social
🥈 2nd Place: Emily Heil, @washingtonpost.com
🥉 3rd Place: @hannaraskin.bsky.social
🏅 Honorable Mention: MacKenzie Chung Fegan,
@sfchronicle.com
May 23, 2025 at 1:39 AM
FEATURE BEAT WRITING PORTFOLIO, DIV 3
Three stories by the same writer on one feature topic, such as A&E, fashion, food, health, religion, technology or travel.
🥇 1st Place: @nataliecompton.bsky.social
🥈 2nd Place: Geoff Edgers, @washingtonpost.com
Three stories by the same writer on one feature topic, such as A&E, fashion, food, health, religion, technology or travel.
🥇 1st Place: @nataliecompton.bsky.social
🥈 2nd Place: Geoff Edgers, @washingtonpost.com
May 23, 2025 at 1:39 AM
FEATURE BEAT WRITING PORTFOLIO, DIV 3
Three stories by the same writer on one feature topic, such as A&E, fashion, food, health, religion, technology or travel.
🥇 1st Place: @nataliecompton.bsky.social
🥈 2nd Place: Geoff Edgers, @washingtonpost.com
Three stories by the same writer on one feature topic, such as A&E, fashion, food, health, religion, technology or travel.
🥇 1st Place: @nataliecompton.bsky.social
🥈 2nd Place: Geoff Edgers, @washingtonpost.com
FEATURE WRITING PORTFOLIO, DIV 3
Three stories by the same writer from any combination of feature beats
🥇 1st Place: @brendankiley.bsky.social
🥈 2nd Place: Helena Andrews-Dyer, @washingtonpost.com
🥉 3rd Place: @wordsbykristin.bsky.social
🏅 Honorable Mention: @globepatty.bsky.social
Three stories by the same writer from any combination of feature beats
🥇 1st Place: @brendankiley.bsky.social
🥈 2nd Place: Helena Andrews-Dyer, @washingtonpost.com
🥉 3rd Place: @wordsbykristin.bsky.social
🏅 Honorable Mention: @globepatty.bsky.social
May 23, 2025 at 1:37 AM
FEATURE WRITING PORTFOLIO, DIV 3
Three stories by the same writer from any combination of feature beats
🥇 1st Place: @brendankiley.bsky.social
🥈 2nd Place: Helena Andrews-Dyer, @washingtonpost.com
🥉 3rd Place: @wordsbykristin.bsky.social
🏅 Honorable Mention: @globepatty.bsky.social
Three stories by the same writer from any combination of feature beats
🥇 1st Place: @brendankiley.bsky.social
🥈 2nd Place: Helena Andrews-Dyer, @washingtonpost.com
🥉 3rd Place: @wordsbykristin.bsky.social
🏅 Honorable Mention: @globepatty.bsky.social
🥉 3rd Place: John Williams, Nora Krug, & Sophia Nguyen, @washingtonpost.com
May 23, 2025 at 1:36 AM
🥉 3rd Place: John Williams, Nora Krug, & Sophia Nguyen, @washingtonpost.com
FEATURES SERIES OR PROJECT, DIV 3
Feature treatment of any lifestyle, A&E or news topic that has multiple parts.
🥇 1st Place: @realbrambo.bsky.social and @peggylowe.bsky.social
🥈 2nd Place: Staff, @bloombergbusiness.bsky.social
Feature treatment of any lifestyle, A&E or news topic that has multiple parts.
🥇 1st Place: @realbrambo.bsky.social and @peggylowe.bsky.social
🥈 2nd Place: Staff, @bloombergbusiness.bsky.social
May 23, 2025 at 1:36 AM
FEATURES SERIES OR PROJECT, DIV 3
Feature treatment of any lifestyle, A&E or news topic that has multiple parts.
🥇 1st Place: @realbrambo.bsky.social and @peggylowe.bsky.social
🥈 2nd Place: Staff, @bloombergbusiness.bsky.social
Feature treatment of any lifestyle, A&E or news topic that has multiple parts.
🥇 1st Place: @realbrambo.bsky.social and @peggylowe.bsky.social
🥈 2nd Place: Staff, @bloombergbusiness.bsky.social
SPORTS FEATURE, DIV 3
Feature treatment of any sports topic.
🥇 1st Place: @sallyjenx.bsky.social
🥈 2nd Place: Jason Wolf, The Arizona Republic
🥉 3rd Place: @stevepoliti.bsky.social
🏅 Honorable Mention: @dgambacorta.bsky.social
Feature treatment of any sports topic.
🥇 1st Place: @sallyjenx.bsky.social
🥈 2nd Place: Jason Wolf, The Arizona Republic
🥉 3rd Place: @stevepoliti.bsky.social
🏅 Honorable Mention: @dgambacorta.bsky.social
May 23, 2025 at 1:32 AM
SPORTS FEATURE, DIV 3
Feature treatment of any sports topic.
🥇 1st Place: @sallyjenx.bsky.social
🥈 2nd Place: Jason Wolf, The Arizona Republic
🥉 3rd Place: @stevepoliti.bsky.social
🏅 Honorable Mention: @dgambacorta.bsky.social
Feature treatment of any sports topic.
🥇 1st Place: @sallyjenx.bsky.social
🥈 2nd Place: Jason Wolf, The Arizona Republic
🥉 3rd Place: @stevepoliti.bsky.social
🏅 Honorable Mention: @dgambacorta.bsky.social
🥉 3rd Place: Reia Li, The Arizona Republic
🏅 Honorable Mention: Celeste Hamilton Dennis & Florence Middleton, @kqednews.kqed.org
🏅 Honorable Mention: Celeste Hamilton Dennis & Florence Middleton, @kqednews.kqed.org
May 23, 2025 at 1:29 AM
🥉 3rd Place: Reia Li, The Arizona Republic
🏅 Honorable Mention: Celeste Hamilton Dennis & Florence Middleton, @kqednews.kqed.org
🏅 Honorable Mention: Celeste Hamilton Dennis & Florence Middleton, @kqednews.kqed.org
INCLUSION & REPRESENTATION IN FEATURES, DIV 3
Storytelling that centers historically under-covered communities.
🥇 1st Place: @ellyfishman.bsky.social
🥈 2nd Place: Staff, @kffhealthnews.org
Storytelling that centers historically under-covered communities.
🥇 1st Place: @ellyfishman.bsky.social
🥈 2nd Place: Staff, @kffhealthnews.org
May 23, 2025 at 1:29 AM
INCLUSION & REPRESENTATION IN FEATURES, DIV 3
Storytelling that centers historically under-covered communities.
🥇 1st Place: @ellyfishman.bsky.social
🥈 2nd Place: Staff, @kffhealthnews.org
Storytelling that centers historically under-covered communities.
🥇 1st Place: @ellyfishman.bsky.social
🥈 2nd Place: Staff, @kffhealthnews.org
May 23, 2025 at 1:26 AM
FIRST-PERSON NARRATIVE ESSAY, DIV 3
An essay or first-person story that demonstrates a sense of proportion and perspective.
🥇 1st Place: Lynzy Billing, @newlinesmag.bsky.social
🥈 2nd Place: michaelbrodeur.bsky.social
An essay or first-person story that demonstrates a sense of proportion and perspective.
🥇 1st Place: Lynzy Billing, @newlinesmag.bsky.social
🥈 2nd Place: michaelbrodeur.bsky.social
May 23, 2025 at 1:26 AM
FIRST-PERSON NARRATIVE ESSAY, DIV 3
An essay or first-person story that demonstrates a sense of proportion and perspective.
🥇 1st Place: Lynzy Billing, @newlinesmag.bsky.social
🥈 2nd Place: michaelbrodeur.bsky.social
An essay or first-person story that demonstrates a sense of proportion and perspective.
🥇 1st Place: Lynzy Billing, @newlinesmag.bsky.social
🥈 2nd Place: michaelbrodeur.bsky.social
NARRATIVE STORYTELLING, DIV 3
Honoring a single story told with literary flair.
🥇 1st Place: @mrdanzak.bsky.social
🥈 2nd Place: @skestenbaum.bsky.social
🥉 3rd Place: Staff, @bloombergbusiness.bsky.social
🏅 Honorable Mention: @wordbobby.bsky.social
Honoring a single story told with literary flair.
🥇 1st Place: @mrdanzak.bsky.social
🥈 2nd Place: @skestenbaum.bsky.social
🥉 3rd Place: Staff, @bloombergbusiness.bsky.social
🏅 Honorable Mention: @wordbobby.bsky.social
May 23, 2025 at 1:22 AM
NARRATIVE STORYTELLING, DIV 3
Honoring a single story told with literary flair.
🥇 1st Place: @mrdanzak.bsky.social
🥈 2nd Place: @skestenbaum.bsky.social
🥉 3rd Place: Staff, @bloombergbusiness.bsky.social
🏅 Honorable Mention: @wordbobby.bsky.social
Honoring a single story told with literary flair.
🥇 1st Place: @mrdanzak.bsky.social
🥈 2nd Place: @skestenbaum.bsky.social
🥉 3rd Place: Staff, @bloombergbusiness.bsky.social
🏅 Honorable Mention: @wordbobby.bsky.social