Awards

National Educational Telecommunications Association • October 6 2025

Public Media Awards, Radio: Society & Culture Category

The National Educational Telecommunications Association Awards' Society & Culture category recognizes an exemplary creation of a structured radio presentation with dramatic impact of an event, condition, or situation of societal or cultural significance. Wonderland Radio Hour's award-winning Camp Meeker episode included my 5-minute voiced and produced feature about the history of summer camps along Bohemian Highway in west Sonoma County.

Investigative Reporters and Editors • April 5 2024

2023 Book of the Year

"["Inflamed: Abandonment, Heroism and Outrage in Wine Country's Deadliest Firestorm"] combined strong investigative journalism with captivating literary journalism, engaging the reader with strong storytelling. The authors included vivid descriptions of the subjects’ lives that helped the reader feel invested in the subjects. ...The book lets journalism do the talking."

National Indie Excellence Awards • June 19 2024

Winner: Regional Nonfiction, West

The National Indie Excellence® Awards (NIEA) recognized "Inflamed: Abandonment, Heroism and Outrage in Wine Country's Deadliest Firestorm" with its regional non-fiction prize for the west region. The book was also recognized as a runner-up in the caregiving division.

NIEA are open to all English language printed books available for sale, including small presses, mid-size independent publishers, university presses, and self-published authors.

Northern California Book Reviewers, Poetry Flash Readings, SF Public Library • September 7 2024

Finalist: General Nonfiction

Nominated for the Northern California Book Awards in the general nonfiction category, "Inflamed: Abandonment, Heroism and Outrage in Wine Country's Deadliest Firestorm" was recognized alongside authors Michael Lewis, Lisa M. Hamilton, Ethan Scheiner, and Gayle Greene.

Associated Collegiate Press • March 5 2025

ACP Best of Show 2022

Best of Show and a first place award for "Chronic Catastrophe" podcast, a four-part series focused on what living in a place with recurring natural disasters does to the mind, body and spirit of Sonoma County residents — and whether it makes sense to stay.

Underwritten by California Humanities Democracy and the Informed Citizen Emerging Journalist Fellowship.

California Humanities • April 27 2021

Fellow, Democracy and the Informed Citizen Emerging Journalist Program

Participating fellows received enhanced training in community-engaged journalism, podcasting, media literacy and mentoring from professional journalists. As part of the fellowship, students also conducted an in-depth reporting project on issues of regional importance to share with statewide audiences. "Chronic Catastrophe" was the program developed at Santa Rosa Junior College.

Journalism Association of Community Colleges • October 12 2021

Feature Writing, On-the-Spot, First Place

A review of the documentary, "Last Days at Paradise High," a documentary following English teacher Virginia Partain and two Paradise High School seniors as they limp through the waning days of childhood while navigating the complexities of fledging amid tragedy.

California Newspaper Publishers Association, Campus Division • December 13 2018

Writing, First Place

"Book by book: Building a post-fire identity."

Judges said: "Excellent read. The topic was compelling, but it was framed in an interesting, unique way that captured the reader's attention. The story was not overwritten, which is a danger with stories that carry a level of emotion or trauma. Instead, it was measured but had solid details with strong organization. Well done."

California Newspaper Publishers Association, Campus Division • October 30 2018

Profile, Second Place

"'All that education for nothing': One reporter recounts his path to the Pulitzer"

Judges said: "Well-shaped and engaging storytelling about a journalist's how and why."