Cody D. has built a reputation for asking the questions many journalists are hesitant to ask. As a journalist, producer, and media personality based in Birmingham, Alabama, her work sits at the intersection of culture, politics, and community storytelling. With experience spanning print, radio, television, and digital media, Cody has spent more than a decade sharpening a voice that is both direct and deeply rooted in Southern perspective.
A graduate of Syracuse University with a Master of Science in Communications, Cody continues to carve out space in modern journalism through fearless interviews, evolving digital storytelling, and an unwavering commitment to authentic reporting. Whether challenging public figures, covering local issues with national implications, or preparing for the launch of her upcoming podcast Beyond the Timeline, Cody’s approach reflects both adaptability and purpose.
In this conversation, she opens up about career pivots, navigating the realities of television news, the importance of reinvention in media, and why the South remains central to her storytelling.
You’ve worked across print, radio, TV, and digital. If you could name the biggest professional wake-up call, what would it be?
Cody D.: TV challenged me the most because I was hired to produce the midday show, and I had zero TV experience. Typically, you get some training in college, start off in a small market, and then work your way up. I started off in Birmingham, which is considered a top 50 market. That’s not the size market you want to be starting off in TV for the first time unless you have a boss that is actually going to take the time to really train you, which is rare in this business.
And I didn’t get that, therefore my time working in TV did not last long. However, I learned all the behind-the-scenes aspects of how local TV news worked, and I was challenged to really hone in on my writing skills.
Where did your commitment to journalism actually begin?
Cody D.: I knew in high school that I wanted to become a journalist or work in media when I wrote for the school paper. When I went to college and had to choose a major, journalism was a no-brainer.
When you’re choosing stories, what guides you more: the topic, the audience, or the moment?
Cody D.: Sometimes it depends on who I’m working for and who their audience is. If I’m working independently, it’s easy for me to discuss things that are happening locally, primarily because I previously reported on local issues, and there is usually a follow-up to what I’ve reported on before.
However, being able to reach a national audience is my goal, and a lot of times, I like to present facts and things happening in the country while giving an informed opinion based on that story.
Tell us about the Deion Sanders interview experience. What stays with you from that moment?
Cody D.: I had about a 15 to 20-minute conversation with Deion Sanders where I really challenged him on his critiques of HBCUs and the long-term plans he had with Jackson State University.
He really tried to dominate the conversation by not allowing a lot of room for follow-up questions. He wanted to say his two cents and leave the interview, I guess because that’s what he was accustomed to doing, but I wasn’t allowing that. It validated my belief that it doesn’t matter how “big” or famous a person is. If they agree to an interview, require them to give you the respect for a real conversation to take place.
In a crowded media landscape, what separates a “good” interview from one that really lands?
Cody D.: Two things: if I’m able to ask the question that people really want answered and if the person I’m interviewing is humble and willing to have an authentic conversation with me.
How do you keep your work feeling current without copying what everyone else is doing?
Cody D.: Always paying attention to trends and staying ahead of the curve. Right now, news creators are the thing that’s happening. If newsrooms are not finding a way to implement creative video storytelling into their ecosystem right now, then they’re already falling behind.
It’s the work that I’m currently doing, and I’ve been able to create really meaningful partnerships in my new era of video news creation.
Why do you keep centering Birmingham and the South in your storytelling?
Cody D.: This is where I’m from. A lot of people overlook the South, specifically Alabama, but so much of what is American culture was born here. Nothing moves in this country without the South.
What do you tell young journalists who want a career but don’t want to become complacent once they get in?
Cody D.: To be in this business and to stay in this business means not to just get a job and become complacent. It means constantly finding ways to reinvent what it is that you do that will also capture an audience.
Your audience will always be your stockholders. You want them to stay locked in with what you have going on long term. It’s a constant hustle, and the passion is what’s going to drive you.
What should readers expect next from you?
Cody D.: I’m launching a podcast soon, Beyond the Timeline, a show that goes past the social media posts and personas to uncover the real stories behind dynamic leaders, creators, and change-makers.
I’m excited to launch soon because I’ve been working on this for so long, and I haven’t had my own solo podcast in almost six years. I’m excited to reconnect with people through my own platform. I’m also continuing to work with organizations by telling meaningful stories around politics and culture.
Cody D. continues to prove that thoughtful journalism still matters. Through fearless conversations, evolving storytelling, and a deep connection to the South, she is building a platform rooted in authenticity, accountability, and impact. Whether reporting on culture, politics, or the people shaping today’s conversations, Cody remains committed to creating work that informs, challenges, and resonates long after the interview ends.
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