Episode Overview

Title: "It's a calling," says Korva Coleman on reporting the facts every hour, every day
Podcast: Consider This from NPR
Date: December 27, 2025
Host: Tamara Keith
Guest: Korva Coleman (NPR Newscaster)

This episode spotlights veteran NPR newscaster Korva Coleman, exploring the relentless, behind-the-scenes commitment required to deliver hourly news updates at NPR. Through anecdotes and personal reflections, Korva discusses accuracy, pronunciation, the emotional toll of big news moments, and what keeps her and her colleagues motivated—especially as public media faces increasing challenges.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Art of Newscasting at NPR

• Ubiquity of NPR Newscasts:

  • Newscasts air every hour, 24/7, serving as the country’s top source for quick, reliable news.
  • "We're always here." – Korva Coleman (01:35)
  • NPR Newscasts are the #1 podcast in the U.S., with “The Daily” and NPR’s “Up First” trailing ("We leave them in the dust... But they're nice people." – 01:59 – Korva Coleman)

• Early Morning Routine & On-Camera Challenges:

  • Korva starts her day at 11:55 PM Eastern Time (02:21).
  • She faces unique “visual newscast” pressures, unlike radio predecessors:
    • "Carl, I know you're having a wonderful time in the afterlife, but you never had to find stockings in the middle of the night." – Korva Coleman (02:34)

Getting the Facts—and Pronunciations—Right

• Pronunciation Nightmares:
  • Korva is known for mastering difficult names and terms, searching for correct pronunciations by calling embassies directly.
  • Icelandic volcano “Eyjafjallajökull” was one such challenge:
    • "There was no way to look at that and even sound it out... You call the embassy." – Korva Coleman (04:53)
  • Another was the Malagasy president, earning her a literal crown:
    • "In honor of my getting it right, I was presented with a small paper crown." – Korva Coleman (05:42)

The Team Behind the Broadcast

• Small But Mighty Morning Team:

  • The early shift is covered with just three producers and editors, alongside the anchor.
  • "They are always hard at work… as Dave Mattingly and I are writing like the wind, the producer is looking ahead..." – Korva Coleman (06:08)

• Role of Editors:

  • Editors help with grammar and correcting factual errors, sometimes geographical:
    • "Once I put a major fire east of Manhattan, which of course would be the Atlantic Ocean." – Korva Coleman (06:47)

Defining Career Moments & Journalistic Integrity

• 9/11 Coverage (07:12)

  • Korva shares her experience anchoring during 9/11, delivering the pivotal first newscast as news unfolded:
    • "We had to experience it as well as report on it... your job is to show up at your job tomorrow morning." – Korva Coleman (07:43)

• Reporting on Presidential Vulgarity (08:54)

  • Navigating controversial language, the team’s process for vetting wording on live radio:
    • The copy went through multiple editorial and legal reviews.
    • "That is the most collaborative piece of copy I think I have ever written... By 9am that morning, we were ready to go." – Korva Coleman (08:56)

The Motivation: Journalism as Calling

• Endurance Amid Adversity:

  • Journalism at NPR is seen as a "calling" akin to other public good professions.
  • "I approach journalism as a calling, as some would say... I can't imagine not being a journalist, and I cannot imagine myself as anything other than an NPR journalist." – Korva Coleman (10:30)
  • Despite increased challenges for public media, a deep commitment to purpose and trust in listeners sustains her and her team.

• Shared Passion Across NPR and Affiliates:

  • Both the host and Korva reminisce about their work at affiliate stations, highlighting shared values and resourcefulness.
  • "We're all npr." – Korva Coleman (12:30)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the NPR Newscast’s Popularity:

  • "NPR newscasts are the number one podcast listened to in the United States, according to PodTrack. Number two is the Daily and we leave them in the dust."
    – Korva Coleman (01:59)

• On Getting up Early:

  • "Carl never had to match earrings to his jacket. Was he camera ready? No, he did not have to do that... you never had to find stockings in the middle of the night."
    – Korva Coleman (02:34)

• On Pronunciation Challenges:

  • "This was so impossible... it's like they never heard of vowels. There was no way to look at that and even sound it out... You call the embassy."
    – Korva Coleman (04:53)

• On Covering Historic Events:

  • "We had to experience it as well as report on it... your job is to show up at your job tomorrow morning."
    – Korva Coleman (07:43)

• On Journalism as Calling:

  • "I approach journalism as a calling... I cannot imagine myself as anything other than an NPR journalist. And because I feel I have this deep calling, that faith, that knowledge, that relationship we have with listeners is what sustains me through everything."
    – Korva Coleman (10:30)

Important Segment Timestamps

• [01:35] — Korva explains the constant presence of NPR’s newscasts
• [01:59] — On NPR Newscasts’ top podcast status
• [02:21] — Korva’s early start and visual newscast realities
• [04:53] — Strategies for correct pronunciations (Icelandic volcano, Malagasy president)
• [06:08] — Small morning production team
• [07:12] — Recalling 9/11 coverage
• [08:54] — The process of reporting presidential profanity
• [10:30] — Journalism as calling and what keeps Korva committed

Tone & Style

The episode blends reverence for the craft of journalism with the humor and humility of seasoned broadcasters. Korva’s candid stories evoke warmth, resilience, and the high standards upheld at NPR. There’s both a sense of solemn duty (especially during historic news events) and lighthearted camaraderie among newsroom colleagues.

Summary Conclusion

This episode offers an intimate look at the unwavering commitment of NPR newscasters like Korva Coleman—revealing the early hours, high standards, newsroom mishaps, and the sense of purpose that underpins their work. Especially amid funding challenges for public media, Korva’s reflections underscore not just a career, but a calling to keep the public informed with accuracy and integrity, hour after hour, day after day.