Lori Leibovich (‘97)
Lori Leibovich (’97) has worked in digital media since she was a student at the J-School in the mid- 1990s. Since 2021, she has led the Well desk of The New York Times where she oversees a team of 35 journalists who cover all aspects of health and wellness.
Bonnie Eslinger (’98) asked Leibovich about her North Gate memories, how she spends her time away from work and for words of advice for journalists just starting out. Leibovich also disclosed she’s on her own health and wellness kick: strength training. “I’ve been using weights at home for the past eight months and in my mid-50s, I’m stronger than I’ve ever been in my life,” she said. “I highly recommend it.”
What is one memory you hold from your time studying at the J-School?
I traveled to Las Vegas nine times during my second year at J-School for a class project where we reported on all aspects of what was then the fastest growing city in America. (I covered the growing network of megachurches in Sin City). I had a blast with my classmates as we ate at terrible all-you-can eat buffets and stayed at cheap, sketchy hotels. The project became a book, “The Real Las Vegas: Life Beyond the Strip,” which was edited by our legendary professor David Littlejohn.
Is there a particular off campus spot (i.e., place in nature, cultural spot, restaurant, bar or coffee shop) that you remember fondly from your time in Berkeley?
I made daily trips to The Cheese Board for warm rolls with butter and jam. I also loved power walking in the Berkeley Hills with my dear friend and classmate Andrea Lampros, who is now the communications director at the J-School!
Where do you presently live? What do you enjoy doing when you have free time?
I’ve lived in Park Slope, Brooklyn, since 1998 when I left the Bay Area. I love running in Prospect Park, seeing live music all over the city and spending time outdoors in Upstate New York. I also love reading fiction and memoir every chance I get.
What advice do you have for someone just starting their journalism career? Or what’s a good piece of journalism advice you’ve received in your career?
My advice for aspiring journalists: Learn how to report in every medium, particularly video. Stay curious and persistent. The best advice I received was to try to work with your heroes. That’s what actually brought me to the J-School – I wanted to learn from magazine legend Clay Felker who was a professor there. If there’s a journalist whose career you admire, try to work where they work. Then ask if you can be their mentee.
What’s next on your professional to-do list?
I would love to create a Well podcast.
