Mary Kate Polanin, The Good Newsroom’s executive editor, appeared as a guest on America Media’s “Jesuitical” June 4 podcast to discuss what makes good news and how the Archdiocese of New York’s digital news platform covered the recent episcopal transition.

The podcast is co-hosted by America Media Associate Editor Zac Davis and Executive Editor Ashley McKinless. Each episode features a guest who can bring a unique perspective on faith, culture, or current events.

A personal connection to the podcast

Polanin shared how, in a way, “Jesuitical” prompted her to consider working in Catholic media. She recalled attending a live taping of the podcast at America Media’s office while working in consumer marketing and public relations.

“I just remember looking at the two of you hosting the show, and it was like this mind-blowing moment of, ‘Wow, you can do that.’ You can take your communication skills and your passion for your faith and put together an amazing show that really inspires other people.”

When asked what the key difference is between working in the secular space and for the Catholic Church, Polanin said, “Now I’m selling a product that I actually believe in.”

The Good Newsroom’s mission

Despite the words “good” not often being associated with daily news headlines, Polanin shared The Good Newsroom’s mission not only to share the daily news of the Archdiocese of New York, but also to promote the Church’s response to current events. 

Citing the publication’s coverage of New York’s Medical Aid in Dying Act, she emphasized the strategic decision to publish stories of hope about how the Church in New York is responding to the needs and concerns of those in palliative care, while also closely following the legislation’s evolution. “The ‘good news’ is the Gospel,” she said. “The Gospel has both Good Friday and Easter Sunday.”

Another strategic decision by the publication is to deliver Spanish-language reporting through its Spanish sister brand, Buenas Noticias, citing the fact that it only makes sense, given that there are “2.5 million Catholics in the archdiocese and over a million are Hispanic.” This was before the archdiocese welcomed a new archbishop in February, Ronald A. Hicks, who is fluent in Spanish and has years of ministry experience in Latin America.

The Archdiocese of New York’s leadership transition

Polanin offered her perspective on what it’s like simultaneously to report on and undergo a leadership transition as significant as the conclusion of Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan’s tenure as archbishop. 

“Once the news was out, it was almost like canon law was this machine that just started churning. We just followed along and told the story and brought our readers along with us to explain exactly how each step of the process works.”

When asked about the archdiocese’s new shepherd, Archbishop Hicks, and how his appointment might represent a cultural shift in the archdiocese, Polanin declared she would put on her “Catholic hat” and say this is simply the work of the Holy Spirit.

“I think he’s really an archbishop chosen for the moment and meeting the moment.”

Listen to the full podcast here.