261: Katie Morell: "Here's Why AI Won't Ever Replace Excellent Journalism"
Katie Morell’s “origin story” starts with being encouraged to journal by her Mom, then grew into going to journalism school at Michigan State, a detour into PR, a breakthrough into freelancing writing, and then finally where she is now, sitting at the helm of a boutique executive consultancy. We talk about how curiosity and strong questions translate into business impact, why AI changes the vehicle not the value, and why in-person off-sites create real energy, attention, and cohesion.
👤 About the Guest
Katie Morell is a strategic facilitator and executive advisor who helps leadership teams break circular debates and leave with clear plans. After 20 years as a journalist interviewing executives and founders, she now designs strategy sessions, off-sites, and executive roundtables for clients like Meta, Prezi, and Nextiva. She’s based in Bend, Oregon and co-leads a peer group for Bend-based business organization called Opportunity Knocks.
🧭 Conversation Highlights
- Journalism as a mindset: curiosity, diligence, and asking questions people do not want to answer
- Her career pivot: income anxiety after journalism school, then freelancing and a bridge into consulting and advising
- Transferable skills for business: how facilitation blends interviewing with “holding space” and reading room energy
- Why in-person off-sites still win: attention, body language, cohesion, and leader buy-in
💡 Key Takeaways
- Curiosity plus doubt beats jaded certainty. The goal is to ask questions that make people pause and think.
- Journalism skills travel: critical thinking and investigative habits work inside strategy, leadership, and teams.
- AI may commoditize writing, but excellent research, fact-checking, and judgment still matter.
- In-person matters when it’s intentional: leaders set the tone, distractions are reduced, and energy changes outcomes.
❓ Questions That Mattered
- How do you maintain conviction without getting captured by your own viewpoint?
- What makes a “good question” in facilitation, and how do you create space for input from others?
- Is journalism best seen as a W2 job, or as a transferable skill set and mindset?
- What will AI change in writing and journalism, and what will it not replace?
🗣️ Notable Quotes
- “Journalists can’t do a good job without a million percent curiosity.”
- “In person you can tell people’s body language.”
- “The vehicle has changed, the journalists haven’t.”
🔗 Links & Resources
