What happens when a journalist spends decades documenting the rise, fall, and rebirth of American cities—only to find himself at a turning point in his own career? In this episode of Boomer Banter, I sit down with veteran journalist and author John Gallagher to talk about his memoir, Rust Belt Reporter, and his reflections on journalism, storytelling, and legacy.
John spent over 30 years at the Detroit Free Press, covering urban transformation in Detroit, as well as some world events. He was there for the bankruptcy of Detroit, the fight against redlining, and even witnessed the fall of the Berlin Wall firsthand. Now, in his memoir, he shares what it was like to report on these historical moments while also navigating the changing landscape of journalism.
Together, we dive into:
✅ How journalism has changed from the 60s, 70s, and 80s to today
✅ The importance of storytelling in documenting history and shaping personal legacy
✅ What makes a good memoir—even if you don’t think you have “big” stories to tell
✅ The decline of print journalism and the rise of AI in news reporting
✅ Finding purpose after Retirement and navigating the transition into a new chapter
John also shares tips on memoir writing, why documenting your own life story can be transformative, and how writing can help us make sense of the past—and plan for the future.
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