The Bert Show: Vault - Interview with Deborah Norville

Date: October 31, 2025
Podcast: The Bert Show (Pionaire Podcasting)
Episode Theme:
A lively and personal conversation with acclaimed journalist and Inside Edition anchor Deborah Norville. The interview dives into her Atlanta roots, career ascent from local news to national prominence, memorable early career moments, and her ongoing commitment to philanthropy with the March of Dimes. Listeners get both inspiring and humorous stories, offering a behind-the-scenes look at Norville’s journey and her heart for service.

Episode Overview

The Bert Show welcomes Deborah Norville, tracing her path from Dalton, GA, to national television. The tone is informal, candid, and full of witty exchanges, delivering insights on broadcasting, philanthropy, and personal growth. A central focus is Norville's advocacy for the March of Dimes and its local campaign.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Deborah Norville’s Atlanta Roots and Early Career

[02:16-03:42]

• Deborah’s Origin: Born in Dalton, GA, attended University of Georgia (UGA).
  • Quote: “Yeah, I’m from Dalton. ...This is all home for me. It’s great to be back.” — Deborah Norville [02:25]
• UGA Experience: Playfully reminisces about the school’s reputation.
  • Quote: “It was one of Playboy’s top 10 party schools when I was there.” — Deborah Norville [02:37]
• Start in Broadcasting:
  • Began as an intern at WAGA (Channel 5) after being spotted by the station head’s wife while on a Channel 8 public TV program.
  • Quote: “He said, well, you know, she looks like she’s got some potential. And I got this phone call to come in and be an intern. I’m like, man, this is awesome.” — Deborah Norville [03:08]

2. First Reporting Assignment Anecdote

[03:00-04:20]

• Thrown Into the Deep End: Sent to report on the DeKalb County Fireman’s Family Picnic with minimal training.
  • Internal dilemma: honesty about lack of experience vs. seizing opportunity.
  • Quote: “I had like the little angel on one shoulder saying, Deborah, you must tell them you haven’t had news writing... And then the little one in the red suit on the other’s like, ah, shut up. If it’s important, they’ll figure it out.” — Deborah Norville [03:35]
• Behind-the-Scenes Realism: Colorful story about the cameraman “started smoking dope. Not kidding.” Led to humorous anxiety about being discovered by police dogs while interviewing the fire chief.
  • Quote: “Here I’m interviewing the fire chief and he smells reefer on me or something. ...These guys have been in burning buildings for 30 years. ...His olfactory glands are completely useless.” — Deborah Norville [03:55]

3. Ascending to National News

[04:20-04:38]

• Progression: From WAGA in Atlanta → Five years in Chicago → NBC Networks.
  • Quote: “It was a brief moment on the top and then we went slippery, slippery.” — Deborah Norville [04:32]
• Comparison: Tongue-in-cheek reflection on contrasts between career peaks and quirky fieldwork.
  • Quote: “You know what, they’re highs of different sorts, but equally thrilling.” — Deborah Norville [04:38]

4. On Hosting Inside Edition & Award-Winning Journalism

[04:48-05:27]

• Inside Edition Tenure: Seven years at the time—longest in her career—appreciates the variety and stability.
  • Quote: “I’ve now been there seven years. I’ve never worked anywhere that long in my life.” — Deborah Norville [04:53]
• September 11th Coverage Laurels:
  • The team won the Headliner Award for their work, beating major network resources with a small “class photo”–size staff.
  • Quote: “We did a little class photo of everybody who’d worked on the September 11th story. There were 12 of us in the picture.” — Deborah Norville [05:22]

5. Philanthropy: March of Dimes

[05:27-08:07]

• Walk America Event: Details about upcoming events, the registration process (it's free), encouraging community involvement.
  • Quote: “This is the big weekend. ...The walk here in Atlanta is going to take place over at Centennial Park. ...You can walk over there at 7:30 in the morning ...walk starts at 9:00.” — Deborah Norville [05:30]
• Personal Commitment: Shares gratitude for her healthy children, motivates action by citing Georgia's high infant mortality rate.
  • Quote: “Georgia has the seventh highest infant mortality rate in the country.” — Deborah Norville [06:18]
  • Quote: “Poor maternal health, not enough prenatal care, low birth weight babies. And that’s really what the March of Dimes main focus right now is, is to help premature babies not be born prematurely.” — Deborah Norville [06:20]
• Education Outreach: Highlights bilingual resources and educational efforts, especially in Spanish for expectant mothers.
  • Quote: “They have a whole education thing ...They’ve also got a Spanish language component. ...Hispanic mothers to be will get absolutely fabulous information.” — Deborah Norville [06:33]
• Authenticity of Involvement: She is genuinely engaged, not just lending her name.
  • Quote: “I think, you know. Anybody listening? Yeah, sure. We’ve all got problems ...But we’re here, we’re breathing ...which means you’ve been blessed in some way and there’s some way that you can give back.” — Deborah Norville [07:03]
  • Quote: “Even if you just give $5 ...$1 times everybody makes a huge difference.” — Deborah Norville [07:18]
• Call to Action: Registration and sponsorship details; group participation encouraged for raising funds.
  • Quote: “You guys would get together, you go as the Q100 Morning Show ...And you get people to sponsor you.” — Deborah Norville [07:48]
  • Quote: “It’s great. It’s so easy.” — Deborah Norville [08:07]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Her Local Roots:
  “I’m from Dalton... this is all home for me.” [02:25]

• Humor on Party School Status:
  “It was one of Playboy’s top 10 party schools when I was there.” [02:37]

• On Breaking Into Reporting:
  “They sent me up to Stone Mountain to cover the DeKalb county fireman’s family picnic ...the little angel on one shoulder saying... you’re not qualified ...the little one in the red suit... ah, shut up...” [03:35]

• Cameraman Anecdote:
  “So then we get in the news van and the cameraman started smoking dope. Not kidding.” [03:43]

• Comparing Career “Highs”:
  “They’re highs of different sorts, but equally thrilling.” [04:38]

• Journalism Recognition:
  “We beat Dateline and, you know, Dateline has such enormous resources. ...There were 12 of us in the picture.” [05:20-05:22]

• Giving Back:
  “Service is the rent we pay for living.” — Quoting Marian Wright Edelman [07:03]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:16] Deborah Norville’s Atlanta upbringing and UGA memories
• [03:00] Early TV gig and serendipitous break at WAGA
• [03:43] Wild first assignment: the smoking cameraman story
• [04:20] Career climb: Chicago, NBC, and different kinds of "highs"
• [04:50] Inside Edition: longevity and success, post-9/11 recognition
• [05:30] March of Dimes: event details, mission, and call for participation
• [06:18] Georgia’s infant mortality statistics and the impact of donations
• [07:03] Why service matters to Norville personally
• [07:48] How to get involved: zero registration, sponsorship method

Closing and Lasting Impressions

Deborah Norville’s interview radiates gratitude, approachability, and humor while providing a compelling call to service. Her stories—from the quirks of local reporting to prestigious national achievements—blend authenticity and fun. The episode ultimately revolves around aligning personal success with meaningful community contribution, inviting listeners to walk the walk for the March of Dimes and embrace their own opportunities to give back.

For more information on March of Dimes events:

• modimes.org
• 800-525-WALK
• Event info available at Q100Atlanta.com

Memorable Send-off:
“Let’s do it again tomorrow.” — Interviewer
“Okay. But you’ll have to come to Centennial Park because that’s where I’ll be.” — Deborah Norville [08:14]