#MediaMonday – Balin Overstolz-McNair
Today’s #MediaMonday features Balin Overstolz-McNair, a reporter at KTAR News in Phoenix, Arizona.
So, Balin time to share!
Tell us how you got your start? Tell us your story!
I was a pretty bad student in high school. I had a lot of my own challenges to deal with, and I was better at following my heart toward the things I’m passionate about. Eventually that lead me to Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism after I secured federal aid. I graduated high school, moved out and got to work putting myself through school while working full-time. Neither of my (amazing) parents graduated high school, much less went on to college. So that’s something I did basically on my own.
Tell us how you came to start working in the media scene?
After working for AZ PBS through the Cronkite School program, “Cronkite News,” I felt a little lost. TV was not my thing, though respect to those who do it. Print looked fun but I ended up on a different education track, so that wasn’t going to be easy. Well, I ended up getting an internship at KTAR News and quickly found success here. What can I say? It doesn’t get more straightforward than radio.
Where did you grow up?
That’s a loaded question! I was born in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina and my parents split up pretty quickly. Don’t worry, they get along! But that also meant I basically lived in two places at once at any given time, so when my mom moved to Yuma, Arizona my dad went to Palm Springs, California. I’d go back and forth each week for a few years and later lived in Cottonwood and Globe, both here in Arizona. And I lived in Missouri for a few months, too! I like to think I grew up little by little at all of these places.
Where do you live now?
I’m here in Phoenix, Arizona, where I have lived four about 10 years now.
Favorite type of music?
I like all music under the right circumstances. But when I’m driving down the 101 after a long day at work, I’ll be bumping anything from Lynard Skynyrd to Chance the Rapper. Lately, I’ve been addicted to JPEGMAFIA, Kali Uchis and Childish Gambino. Also, shoutout to a great local artist I just saw named Morphia Slow!
Favorite color?
Green!
Three things readers would be surprised to know about you.
Oh boy, here we go: I’m left-handed, I’m TERRIFIED of heights and my name comes from The Lord of the Rings.
Do you take pitches? If so, any guidelines?
Yes! I’d love to hear what you have to share with me. Just remember I’m an Arizona reporter focused on our community, so it has to be relevant to Arizona. For me personally, I like to focus on homelessness and other social issues in my reporting.
What is the lead time you need for content or pitches?
The clock is always rolling, if you have something to share don’t hesitate to send it over. Doesn’t hurt even if I can’t use it. 🙂
What is the best way to reach you?
baloverstolzmcnair@bonneville.com or on Twitter.
And anything else you might want to add!
Peace and love, baby!
