10 Things with Good News Sunday Fairfield
It was one year ago that Paola interviewed Luke & Sofia Palisi for the IAFM inaugural issue, March 2021. The brother and sister duo had caught IAFM's eye because they were single handedly putting together a good news e-newsletter for their community—all while keeping up with their academic and extra-curricular responsibilities. Why? Because they felt strongly that everyone should have something to smile about. Today, we chat with Luke and Sofia to get an update on where life has taken them these past 365 days, and what their hopes are for the future!
THEN: Luke & Sofia Palisi, 2021
NOW: Luke & Sofia Palisi, 2022
JSH: What has been your most exciting story in the past year?
LSP: We have had many exciting stories. One of our favorites was an informative financial literacy series which spanned from our 49th – 54th editions. We learned a lot from doing it and we think our readers found it informative. Our best "good news" story was probably the article we wrote about Dennis Walter and his inspiring story. We met him at the town’s event last year.
JSH: Have you seen any trends in Fairfield’s “good news?” Community service stories, new businesses, heartwarming stories?
LSP: Yes, we have seen a rise of interest and attention for good news for example, we have been mentioned in the first select woman’s newsletter twice and in the Fairfield Citizen. Since we started, we have noticed new organizations that are spreading good news, just like you with In a Fairfield Minute. And a lot of people doing good around us who we have written about—like Al's Angels, Sandy Hook Promise, Nourish Bridgeport and the Bridgeport Farmers Markets Collaborative.
JSH: Have you received any fun comments from readers?
LSP: Every week we receive messages from our readers. We have some that give us feedback every week and some that give it when they really like the edition. For example, one of our readers emails us with feedback every week and he always includes something interesting. Like last week he responded with a riddle that we had to figure out.
JSH: What have you been up to outside of Good News Sunday Fairfield? New activities, hobbies, trips?
LSP: Outside GNSF we spend time with sports, swimming, martial arts, soccer, tennis and golf. We also play violin and chess. We just went skiing for the first time this winter. We also read a lot. I also listen to a lot of podcasts.
JSH: What stories are you working on now?
LSP: We are working on stories for our series on Women’s History Month focusing on everyday women that are making an impact on our life for good news and important women in our history for the research page.
JSH: Has anything changed abou the publication—new columns, social media platforms perhaps?
LSP: We have certainly changed the way we publish our newsletter. We have been doing an audible version of the newsletter on Spotify, Apple and other podcast platforms. We are also doing more interviews.
JSH: Any plans to change GNSF in 2022?
LSP: We want to do more interviews and write more in-depth content.
JSH: Have you interviewed anyone famous?
LSP: We have interviewed Fairfield’s First Select Woman, Andrew Beal who is a expert in cryptocurrency, Alex Vishno who is a movie director and editor, and Dr. Tamatha Fenster—the inventor of VoiceLove, well known gynecologist surgeon, and the winner of the 2022 Humankind Healthcare Worker of the Year!
JSH: Do each of you have a person you dream of interviewing?
LSP: I dream of interviewing Elon Musk because I admire all he has done, his perseverance and dedication. Sofia wants to interview Malala because she is very inspiring and made a big impact on our world.
JSH: Do you see yourself pursuing journalism as a career?
LSP: We don’t think that journalism will be our career but the skills learned here will help us later in at whatever job we choose.
