I write at least 12 stories per month for the Entertainment section of the Newark Star-Ledger, which is super cool as that’s the newspaper I grew up reading. It’s changed a lot since then, but my dad is still thrilled…
Author: Natalie
All in a day’s work: Writing about politics in India
Freelancing is about finding stories. It’s all hustle, pitching stories, getting rejected, pitching someone else. When I learned Milan Vaishnav was coming to his UPenn stomping grounds to speak about his book, “When Crime Pays: Money and Muscle in Indian…
An “accidental advocate”
I wanted to write about Trinity Neal and her family since I first met her and her mother at an LGBT conference in Philadelphia earlier this year. When “Delaware Today” accepted my pitch, I made plans to go to Delaware…
Manilow!
The Pompilio family have always loved some Barry Manilow. When I interviewed the man himself I told him that Fiona Mary Pompilio Savarese entered the world in Feb. 2008 while “Can’t Smile Without You” was playing and she remains one…
The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra and its first maestra
Conductor Xian Zhang is starting her second season as the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra first maestra. One highlight is “America, Inspiring,” a festival featuring the works of composers who found inspiration while visiting the U.S. Zhang, a naive of China,…
More from a ship in the Atlantic Ocean
Speeding back to the mainland U.S. with more than 3,000 people, more than 80 dogs, at least three cats and one squawking bird. I wrote about how people are spending their time on-board, featuring the Martinez family. Such great people.…
Live from St. Croix
Cruisecritic.com sent me to Puerto Rico Thursday to be on board Royal Caribbean’s Adventure of the Seas ship as it picks up evacuees and stranded tourists and delivers aid supplies. It’s been fabulous, talking to people and hearing their survival…
Breaking Bread; Breaking Barriers — for the AP
“Breaking Bread; Breaking Barriers” was a yearlong program at Philadelphia’s Reading Terminal Market that brought people of different backgrounds together for a meal featuring their cultural favorites, bridging differences one plate at a time. I was thrilled to write about…
Talking to Bill Medley
Bill Medley’s speaking voice is as deep and smooth as it sounds when he sings. He was fun to speak to. Read this story to learn how the band got its name. Good story. The Righteous Brothers bring soul and…
Two of the funniest moms I’ve ever talked to
If you haven’t seen any of the imomsohard videos, do so now. I’ll wait. I recommend the bathing suit one. These two L.A. comedians will make you laugh. Here’s how my interview with them went: imomsohard