Off Deadline

In this episode of Off Deadline, host Melissa DiGianfilippo sits down with Karen Dalessandro, a multi-award-winning broadcaster whose career spans more than four decades across Detroit, Chicago, Milwaukee and Phoenix. Karen shares how a high school radio booth sparked her passion, the advice that pushed her into country radio, and the “radio gypsy” lifestyle that shaped her early years.

She opens up about sitting in all 60,000 seats...

In this episode of Off Deadline, host Melissa DiGianfilippo (@melissadflip) sits down with @javiersototv to explore the personal and professional moments that shaped his career as one of Arizona’s most trusted journalists.

Javier shares stories from his childhood as a talkative kid, the internship that changed his life, the mentor who insisted he be hired, and the newsroom experiences that revealed his calling. He also opens up abou...

In this episode of Off Deadline, host Melissa DiGianfilippo sits down with @lexyromano, Emmy nominated host, performer and founder of Phoenix Finds Media, the platform spotlighting the stories of local businesses across Arizona.

Lexy opens up about transitioning from performing in NYC to building her own media brand, how she disarms nervous guests on camera, the cringe moment that taught her confidence, and the joy of helping small ...

In this episode of Off Deadline, host Melissa DiGianfilippo (@melissadflip) sits down with Catherine Reagor (@cathreagor), senior real estate reporter at The Arizona Republic, who has covered Arizona’s housing market for more than 30 years.

Catherine opens up about the stories that shaped her, the Great Recession’s lasting impact, and why fairness remains at the core of her reporting. She also clarifies what really happened with The...

In this episode of Off Deadline, host @melissadflip sits down with @nadinebubeck, publisher of Paradise Valley City Lifestyle Magazine, to talk about the heart of storytelling, the balance between motherhood and media, and the moments that shaped her legacy.

Nadine opens up about her most memorable interviews with icons like Charles Barkley and Michael Phelps, what “home” truly means to her, and how she’s built a thriving lifestyle ...

Melissa Anaya (@eatdrinkaz) has spent the last decade transforming EatDrinkAZ into one of Arizona’s most trusted food and lifestyle platforms. What began as a passion project turned into a viral brand — and a creative agency helping restaurants and hospitality businesses thrive.

In this episode of Off Deadline, Melissa joins Melissa DiGianfilippo (@melissadflip) of Proof Publicity to share:

• How a viral chicken video gained 50M+ v...

Before he became one of Arizona’s most recognizable voices, Mike Broomhead
was a working electrician chasing his brother’s rodeo dreams. When tragedy struck, everything changed. In this emotional and inspiring episode of Off Deadline, host Melissa DiGianfilippo sits down with the KTAR host and CW7 TV personality to explore how personal loss led to purpose — and why kindness and respect still guide his voice today.

• Losing his ...

Kristina Guerrero (@kristinaguerrero), former E! News correspondent and host of The List, has spent over 20 years in entertainment journalism. From red carpets in Hollywood to becoming the first Latina host on E! News, Kristina’s story is about breaking barriers and finding resilience.

In this episode of Off Deadline, Kristina joins Melissa DiGianfilippo (@melissadflip) of Proof Publicity to share:

• Why representation matters and ...

Corina Vanek, development reporter with The Arizona Republic, has spent a decade covering development, business, and the stories shaping Arizona’s growth. From breaking one of the state’s biggest scoops to facing scrutiny over controversial development stories, Corina has seen firsthand the impact journalism can have.

In this episode of Off Deadline, Corina joins Melissa DiGianfilippo of Proof Publicity
to share:

• How she bro...

Rachel Cole (@rachelcoletv1011), anchor and reporter with NBC 12 News, has spent over a decade covering Arizona’s biggest stories. From moments of raw vulnerability on assignment to the lighthearted bloopers that keep her laughing, Rachel has lived every side of journalism.

In this episode of Off Deadline, Rachel joins Melissa DiGianfilippo (@melissadflip) of Proof Publicity to share:

• The firefighter training story that became a ...

Mignon Gould is the Associate Editor of the Phoenix Business Journal and a longtime advocate for inclusive storytelling in business media. With a career that spans fashion journalism, entrepreneurship, and now business reporting, she opens up about reinventing herself—and why the stories that seem small often carry the greatest weight.

• How Mignon made the leap from fashion journalism to business news
• What it was like launching an...

Meteorologist and reporter Ian Schwartz of Arizona’s Family has spent nearly 20 years covering everything from blizzards and wildfires to quirky weather debates that blow up every Arizona summer. But behind the forecasts and on-air banter is a storyteller who’s seen the very best—and the very worst—of humanity.

In this episode of Off Deadline, Ian joins host Melissa DiGianfilippo of Proof Publicity to share:

• The emotional “Aloha ...

Johnjay Van Es co-host of the nationally syndicated Johnjay & Rich Show, joins Off Deadline for a hilarious, heartfelt, and completely unfiltered ride through his 25+ years in radio.

He opens up about:

• The wild Rod Stewart moment that catapulted his career
• How a call to Oprah's dad led to a surprise call from Oprah herself
• Pranking another radio station live on TV with a leaf blower 😅
• His most cringe-worthy on-air disaster...

What do undercover cops, a legal loophole, and one viral headline have in common?

 They all collided in a story that actually changed the law—and Sam Eifling was the reporter who broke it.

In this episode of Off Deadline, the Phoenix New Times Editor-in-Chief shares how a tip about Hawaii police officers legally having sex with sex workers turned into a national news frenzy. From a viral Associated Press headline to live NPR coverage...

How do you interview a grieving parent—or spend a week reporting on child drownings—without breaking down? Emmy-winning journalist Yetta Gibson of Arizona's Family opens up about the emotional toll of storytelling, the interview that changed her life, and the moment she almost walked away.

From covering tragedy to discovering Chef Jeff Henderson’s untold redemption story (before Oprah and Will Smith did!), Yetta share...

Ever been punched by a rock star? Journalist Greg Barr has—backstage, no less. In this episode of Off Deadline, the Phoenix Business Journal Editor-in-Chief shares two of the wildest stories of his career:

🎸 The time a chart-topping artist physically attacked him after a review.
⚖️ A shocking legal case involving a Black attorney defending a Ku Klux Klan leader—for free.

We explore:

• The wild side of music ...

He made her laugh—and she decided to live.

Brad Perry has spent 35 years on morning television, bringing joy to viewers across the country. But behind the upbeat persona is a man who’s weathered real storms—from covering hostage situations to facing the emotional weight of social media.

In this episode of Off Deadline, Brad shares the moment a viewer handed him her suicide note, how he learned to balance humor with heartbreak, and wh...

Russ Wiles has spent 45 years telling the story of business, investing, and Arizona’s economy—including 34 years at The Arizona Republic. In this episode of Off Deadline, Russ joins Melissa DiGianfilippo to talk about why he never left the business beat, how buying his first McDonald’s stock at age 12 sparked a lifelong interest in finance, and what it was like to learn semiconductors on the fly as TSMC reshaped Arizona’s economic ...

Inside the life of the Arizona's Family 3TV reporter —and what really happens behind the scenes.

Jaime Cerreta is more than a familiar face on Arizona’s morning news—she’s a storyteller with deep roots in the Valley and a heart that breaks wide open for her community. In this raw and honest episode of Off Deadline, Jaime joins Melissa DiGianfilippo to talk about the human side of journalism: the emotional weight of br...