Madison Cadena ('25) is the outgoing Editor in Chief of The Daily Aztec and will soon be moving to Dayton, Ohio after graduating with a degree in journalism for a job as a producer with WDTN-TV.

In the final episode for the Spring 2025 semester, Madison reflects on her tenure guiding the venerable student newspaper, the biggest stories of the year, including the back-to-back huge news stories at SDSU that both occurred on Halloween, plus the impact of the paper's first faculty advisor.

Madison also explains the process of landing her first job, her future goals in the industry, and gives an overview on the state of student journalism.

"Where Ya At?" is a podcast focused on the School of Journalism and Media Studies at San Diego State University. Each week, during the Fall and Spring semesters, host Josh Suchon (Class of 1996) interviews alumni to learn about their experiences as college students, entering the workforce, key steps in their professional development, advice they'd give to current students, and details about how they covered a specific story.

Tom Fletcher (1991-95) was just named the Senior Vice President of Partnerships for the Houston Rockets, after six years with the Phoenix Suns in business development and nine years with the Portland Trail Blazers in sponsorship.

Without knowing it at the time, Fletcher' sales career began as a student-athlete who hosted potential future Aztecs on the football team. He explains why his LinkedIn makes no mention of his time in the NFL, what prepared him for life after his football career ended, why he thinks basketball has the ideal number of games for entertaining clients, and how close he came to a career as a police officer.

Hear directly from one of the NBA's top business minds on building relationships with athletes and clients, the power of sports to bring people together, and the impact of an old fashioned, hand-written message.

"Where Ya At?" is a podcast focused on the School of Journalism and Media Studies at San Diego State University. Each week, during the Fall and Spring semesters, host Josh Suchon (Class of 1996) interviews alumni to learn about their experiences as college students, entering the workforce, key steps in their professional development, advice they'd give to current students, and details about how they covered a specific story.

Trinity Alicia (2018-22) is a digital producer at The 74 focusing on Education, a freelance writer, the founder of Media Moments, and was one of the five founding members for SDSU's chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists.

Listen as Trinity describes how giving campus tours as a student helped develop her storytelling techniques, meet future coworkers at The Daily Aztec, and how an actor on a tour helped secure one of her first internships. Now she continues to help student journalists by organizing industry panels for Media Moments.

At The 74, a non-profit news website focusing on education, Trinity explains how immersing yourself in a beat develops story ideas, using charts and timelines to bring those stories to life, and keeping up with all the latest trends in her weekly education newsletter.

"Where Ya At?" is a podcast focused on the School of Journalism and Media Studies at San Diego State University. Each week, during the Fall and Spring semesters, host Josh Suchon (Class of 1996) interviews alumni to learn about their experiences as college students, entering the workforce, key steps in their professional development, advice they'd give to current students, and details about how they covered a specific story.

John Toma ('01) works for a drug and alcohol testing company by day. Then in the his spare time, he's created "That 80s Dude" brand with over a half million followers on Instagram, a blog on Substack, videos on YouTube, and is the author of an upcoming book titled, "Nostalgia Nation: The Definitive Chronicle of Growing Up GenX."

In this week's rad podcast, Toma explains when he turned something fun into an organized full-fledged love letter to GenX across various platforms, why nostalgia matters, and what GenZ can learn about living in their own "good old days" in the present.

John also details the process of creating his videos, avoiding copyright violations, and the importance of a catchy thumbnail and clever title for YouTube videos.

"Where Ya At?" is a podcast focused on the School of Journalism and Media Studies at San Diego State University. Each week, during the Fall and Spring semesters, host Josh Suchon (Class of 1996) interviews alumni to learn about their experiences as college students, entering the workforce, key steps in their professional development, advice they'd give to current students, and details about how they covered a specific story.

Brandon Stone (2006-08) joined KUSI-TV as an intern in February of 2008 while attending San Diego State University. Upon his graduation, he became a foot soldier in the Prep Pigskin Report army. His roles molded over the next few years, going from daily producer and photographer to his current roles of KUSI sports director and PPR producer.

Reflecting on his journey, Brandon shares finding out about the internship opportunity and immediately leaving class to get more information, the special bond the PPR represents to the San Diego community, and telling the various stories within high school football through changing technology.

Listen as Brandon gives tips on what he's seeking for future PPR interns, the quantity of PPR intern alums working full-time in the media now, and the organized chaos to get the show on the air every Friday night.

"Where Ya At?" is a podcast focused on the School of Journalism and Media Studies at San Diego State University. Each week, during the Fall and Spring semesters, host Josh Suchon (Class of 1996) interviews alumni to learn about their experiences as college students, entering the workforce, key steps in their professional development, advice they'd give to current students, and details about how they covered a specific story.

Natalie Terashima (2006-08) is a Senior Partner at Rachael Kay Public Relations, where she leverages her expertise in CPG brands, strategic communications, and the evolving media landscape to produce meaningful results for clients.

Her career at Rachael Kay began while still a student, thanks to a SDSU professor who setup a memorable meeting that Natalie fondly recalls. Natalie's never left the company. Whether it's using a machete herself to create corn crop circles for a campaign, or working with a Swedish oat milk company that took over minor league baseball, Natalie gives us the inside scoop of what it takes to succeed in PR.

Natalie also answers questions submitted by current SDSU students on internships, AI, combatting newsroom cuts, modern software tools, and the most rewarding aspects of working in PR.

"Where Ya At?" is a podcast focused on the School of Journalism and Media Studies at San Diego State University. Each week, during the Fall and Spring semesters, host Josh Suchon (Class of 1996) interviews alumni to learn about their experiences as college students, entering the workforce, key steps in their professional development, advice they'd give to current students, and details about how they covered a specific story.

Audra Stafford (1997-01) has covered news and entertainment in San Diego County for more than two decades and is currently a morning reporter and fill-in anchor for NBC 7 San Diego.

Even though she always aspired to be a reporter, Audra was heavily involved in Associated Students as an undergrad. While most SDSU students have to leave the market and return years later, Audra explains her unique story from intern to writer/producer and eventually on-camera reporter.

She offers practical advice on covering fires and extreme weather in the field, having a purpose to stand-ups, demo reel tips, moonlighting to build up experience and contacts, and the hunger needed to excel in the modern television newsroom.

"Where Ya At?" is a podcast focused on the School of Journalism and Media Studies at San Diego State University. Each week, during the Fall and Spring semesters, host Josh Suchon (Class of 1996) interviews alumni to learn about their experiences as college students, entering the workforce, key steps in their professional development, advice they'd give to current students, and details about how they covered a specific story.

Will Beall (1991-96) is a screenwriter whose writing credits include Gangster Squad, Justice League, Aquaman, Bad Boys: Ride or Die, and Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.

In his own words, Will explains his unique path to screenwriting. He wanted to be graphic artist as a kid, majored in English at SDSU, and joined The Daily Aztec newsroom because of a girl. He discusses the jailhouse interview with a murder suspect that changed his mind about journalism and led him to become a police officer. We’ll delve into the crime novel he wrote on the side and unpack his extensive screenwriting career.

Will takes us behind-the-scenes of writing Aquaman, pitching himself to Eddie Murphy for Axel F, a desire to stay true to beloved characters, and the unique formula for writing the upcoming Road House 2.

"Where Ya At?" is a podcast focused on the School of Journalism and Media Studies at San Diego State University. Each week, during the Fall and Spring semesters, host Josh Suchon (Class of 1996) interviews alumni to learn about their experiences as college students, entering the workforce, key steps in their professional development, advice they'd give to current students, and details about how they covered a specific story.