Off Deadline

She almost didn't answer the call. An unknown number, a voicemail from a Women's Wear Daily reporter, and one bold follow-up question turned into a summer internship in LA. That's the moment Christina Silvestri says split her career into before and after.

Christina is the editor in chief of Arizona Foothills Magazine, the state's longest-running luxury lifestyle publication, now marking 30 years. A Phoenix native and ASU Cronkite gr...

In this episode of Off Deadline, Melissa DiGianfilippo of Proof Publicity sits down with Kaley O'Kelley of ABC 15 in Phoenix, a broadcast journalist whose career has been shaped by both extraordinary opportunity and deep personal challenge.

Kaley shares what it was like to receive a last-minute call sending her to New York to fill in on Good Morning America, and the devastation of later learning that a long-term network opportunity ...

In this episode of Off Deadline, host Melissa DiGianfilippo sits down with Paul Thompson, Managing Editor of the Phoenix Business Journal, for an honest conversation about journalism, leadership, and responsibility in today’s media landscape.

Paul reflects on how covering crime early in his career shaped his approach to reporting, why journalists must chase difficult stories, and how newsroom debates help sharpen truth rather ...

In this episode of Off Deadline, host Melissa DiGianfilippo sits down with Cynthia Sassi, founder and publisher of Fabulous Arizona, the digital lifestyle publication spotlighting the people, places and brands shaping Arizona.

Cynthia shares how she built Fabulous Arizona from the ground up, why she went all in on her business without a safety net, and how losing a job days before rent was due became a defining moment. She opens up ...

In this episode of Off Deadline, host Melissa DiGianfilippo sits down with Michelle Glicksman, a 26-year media veteran and editor in chief behind multiple Arizona publications, including Scottsdale City Lifestyle and Chandler City Lifestyle.

Michelle shares how writing shaped her career early on, why magazine journalism ultimately won over television, and what it truly means to be responsible for editorial judgment under real deadli...

Catherine Anaya is a three-time Emmy Award winning journalist, longtime Phoenix news anchor, and the host of Horizonte on Arizona PBS. With more than 35 years in broadcast journalism, she has interviewed world leaders, built deep trust with viewers, and shaped how Arizona understands its most important stories.

In this episode of Off Deadline, Catherine reflects on the career she built, the moments that changed her perspective, and ...

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 ...

In this episode of Off Deadline, host Melissa DiGianfilippo (@melissadflip) sits down with @javiersototvto 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...

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 ...

In this episode of Off Deadline, host @melissadflipsits 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 th...

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 Publicityto share:

• How a viral chicken video ga...

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 DiGianfilipposits 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 tod...

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 Publicityto share:

• Why representation matters...

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:

• ...

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 Publicityto share:

• The firefighter training story that beca...

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 launch...

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:

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...