I am a freelance journalist, author and journalism instructor who is passionate about using the power of storytelling to positively impact change.
I believe every good article starts with a story, and I attempt to bring the personal element into all the pieces I write.
I have been a freelance journalist for over 20 years. My work has appeared regularly in dozens of the nation’s most highly read publications including The New York Times, Newsweek, The Atlantic, The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, AARP, Parents, Family Circle, Glamour and Good Housekeeping. I have also contributed several pieces, on-air, to public radio. Other publications I have written for include: Advertising Age, Automotive News, Scientific American, Redbook, Scholastic Parent & Child and the in-flight magazines American Way and Hemispheres. I started as an environmental reporter for the trade journal, Inside EPA in Washington, D.C. My background in the environment spiraled into many other areas, especially the automotive industry. But in my 20-plus years as a freelance journalist, my constant thirst for knowledge has sent me pursuing a host of disparate topics. And there’s not an issue that I don’t feel comfortable tackling. In a typical week, it’s not unusual for me to simultaneously report about the struggles that dementia caregivers face in the midst of a pandemic, travel deals in desert locations in the summer, a radiation oncologist who became a full-time figure skater at 53 and the impacts of rolling back fuel economy standards.
One of my most satisfying professional experiences was co-writing a Book, Making Up With Mom, which focused on generational differences between women and their mothers and how to resolve them. I spent a year speaking at numerous events around the country as part of the book publicity tour. I have spoken about other topics as well and relish the chance to engage with all types of audiences.
For over three decades, I’ve been co-teaching an environmental journalism class at the University of Michigan. I’m a founder of The Society of Environmental Journalists, an 1,100 member professional organization dedicated to enhancing the quality and quantity of environmental reporting. One of my public radio stories was part of a documentary, “Coal: Dirty Past, Hazy Future,” that won the prestigious Edward R. Murrow award. My articles have also received numerous awards from The Society of Professional Journalists Detroit Chapter.
Julie Halpert 