What It's Like To Be a TV News Anchor and Reporter

When I was 28 years old, I packed up my things and moved to Billings, Montana to become a television news anchor and reporter.  I knew I was getting out of my comfort zone, but I had no idea how far.  The person who helped me through it–my colleague, Jonathan Marcus–is my guest on this episode.  We reminisce about our experiences working in local news; living in Montana; and realize that over the years we've both had the same idea: that we should write a screenplay or a novel–or something… because truly, as our experience working at KULR-8 showed us, the truth can be stranger than fiction.  From the one-armed cameraguy who prowled the Montana highways all night long looking for footage, to the inappropriate news director; from drinking on the job to getting hit on in local bars… you can't make this stuff up. And we didn't.  

In this episode:

• How Jon ended up in Montana (02:21)
• Elizabeth's initial impressions of the station (and of Jon) (04:04)
• Some of the craziness that took place at the station (09:28)
• How Jon saved Elizabeth her first time anchoring (13:10)
• Being recognized around town (16:00)
• Elizabeth's experience being critiqued for superficial qualities (23:03)
• What should you do if you want to get into the business? (28:48)
• Nerf ball in the newsroom + other stories (31:01)
• Jon's excellent renegotiation skills (34:20)

Want to know more about the podcast What It's Like To… ?

• Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
• Follow us on social media:
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn

Support the show

Most Recent Episodes

April 17, 2024

What It's Like To Embrace Tiny Living

Interest in "tiny living" is getting bigger.  But what is it, really--what are the benefits, and what do you sacrifice by "going small"?  Tiny house enthusiast Laura Lynch shares what inspired her...

Listen · 30:57

April 3, 2024

What It's Like To Summit Mt. Everest–Reprise

We're revisiting a popular episode from our archives this week!  It's not easy to get to the top of the world.  It takes a lot of training and determination, a willingness to endure pain...

Listen · 36:58

March 20, 2024

What It's Like To Travel for a Living

Lots of people say they “like to travel”... but most probably can’t claim they're “travel addicts.” Karen Gershowitz has earned that title by visiting more than 95 countries–many of...

Listen · 42:09

Load More Episodes

Elizabeth Pearson Garr Podcaster

Elizabeth Pearson Garr has spent a lot of her life asking questions. A daughter of a professor and a principal, as a kid she loved sitting at the “adult table” during their dinner parties so she could participate in the “real” conversations.

Elizabeth went on to graduate with honors from Harvard with a degree in History and Literature, and promptly attended professional cooking school to become a food writer. That led to various career opportunities, including becoming one of the first employees of the Television Food Network; writing/producing gigs at networks from PBS to E!; anchoring/reporting at the NBC affiliate in Billings, Montana; earning a graduate degree in Documentary Film & Video from Stanford University; and various and sundry other things. The through-line to all this has been curiosity. Elizabeth is a skilled interviewer who loves diving deep into research, finding connections, and telling good stories.

Elizabeth has a husband, two daughters, and a fluffy white dog who rarely leaves her side.