The summer is in full swing and this month we’re encouraging you to don your favourite ice-cold tipple, sit back in the deckchair and catch our latest interview with journalist-come-media entrepreneur (who has the best name in the business!) Here Bird tells us about the heroic people who inspire him and what his new venture is all about.
Name: Bird Lovegod
Publication: EthicalMuch.com and The Yorkshire Post
Twitter handle: @EthicalMuch @BirdLovegod
How did your career in journalism unfold?
Totally unplanned. I still don’t call myself a journalist. Most of the writing I’ve done has been for publications I’ve created myself, in print and digital. I’m more of a media entrepreneur than a journalist. Having said that, I do write a weekly business column for the Yorkshire Post newspaper, which I enjoy.
What inspires you the most?
People. Especially people who attempt the almost impossible, or people who do humanitarian work especially. Heroes of mine include Oscar Schindler (German industrialist and a member of the Nazi Party who is credited with saving the lives of 1,200 Jews during the Holocaust by employing them.), absolute legend, and Jesus, he did pretty good. Maximilian Kolbe is another hero, and Patron Saint of Journalists, as it happens, he volunteered to give his life in Auschwitz, taking the place of another man who had been sentenced to death. Heroic. True to his beliefs and authentically lived. Much respect.
What kind of stories particularly interest you?
Acts of great heroism by ordinary people. Acts of small kindness by ordinary people. Acts of people, doing good, in the world. This is what has led me to set up EthicalMuch.com, a social site where good deeds win prizes and raise donations for charity.
What’s the best story you’ve ever received?
Hmmm. The next one you send me? (Cue laughter from Ellie and encouragement for another answer…)
That’s too tough to answer, there’s so many great feel-good stories over on EthicalMuch…
What are some of your goals for the future?
I’d love to see a million good deeds on the EthicalMuch platform. To save a life, personally. To save a life on every continent.
What are some common myths or challenges about a career in journalism?
That you need to be accepted as a journalist, by a media company, to do it. Just be one. Be creative with it. Sculpt the news.
What do you believe makes a great story?
Engaging the mind and soul, whilst maintaining an accessibility, a familiarity. The ability to relate to the subject, to see one’s self in them, and them in one’s self.
What kind of publications do you enjoy reading?
I’m travelling to Cambodia in October so I’m enjoying reading the Phnom Penh Post in preparation. And of course, the Yorkshire Post, especially on a Tuesday.
How do you cope with the stress of tight deadlines?
It doesn’t stress me anymore. I tend to not work to them, or just to press on, for example if the work needs approving by an agency before printing, I pass them that stress of having to work to the same deadline as me!
Outside of work, what do you like to do in your spare time?
I enjoy archery, paintball, community theatre (being in the performance) and I think I might get into white collar boxing as well.
What piece of advice would you give to people wanting to pitch their business to you?
Join EthicalMuch.com and post away!
Finally, what’s your favourite thing about Yorkshire?
Hmmm, this changes day to day, season to season. Currently I’m enjoying the number of easy to access tennis courts!
Join the MacComms team in supporting charities and seeing the positive ripple from good deeds well done by joining Bird’s new venture, Ethical Much https://www.ethicalmuch.com/
