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Nostalgia and new beginnings: my Fox5 comeback

Finding closure.

Hey Friend,

This week brought me down memory lane, like you wouldn’t believe.

For the first time since I left the newsroom (over a year ago!), I stepped back into the Fox5 studio. But instead of an anchor, I was a guest. This was my first live TV appearance since my departure. And even though it was to a familiar place, being back in the studio again felt pretty surreal. 🤯

The night before the interview, my nerves took hold. So many questions were running in my head: how would I condense so much into just a four-minute segment? How would my old viewers receive me? Would this comeback make me want to return to my former career? As someone comfortable in the role of interviewer, being on the other side of it all after so much time away felt, if I’m being totally honest, daunting.

Despite the evening jitters and restless night, the morning brought my throwback routines: makeup, hair, and the perfect jewel-toned outfit to stand out on camera. When Robert and I drove to the studio, I felt more even, and as we entered the lobby, a flood of familiar faces greeted us. The security protocols, once second nature, now marked my changed status: I was a guest.

When I approached the 6th floor, nostalgia washed over me. This was my world for years: arriving before dawn, coffee in hand, preparing for intense live segments. But today, I was preparing my own thoughts, not questions for others.

In the greenroom, I was the one being mic'd up; no IFB necessary. An IFB is an earpiece that anchors use to hear cues and other important information from the producer. Oddly enough, the absence of that little earpiece was disarming, reminding me that I was here to speak, not to steer.

Walking into the studio, my former colleagues brought on the hugs and made me feel right at home. The segment, hosted by my former co-anchor Steve Chenevey and Marissa Mitchell, surprisingly felt like riding a bike.

From knowing what camera to look at to being mindful of the time because I swear I could almost hear the producer saying, "standby," "roll open," "last question," "15 seconds," "wrap and toss to break.” We discussed my pivot, the reasons behind it, and current events like the TikTok ban. The familiarity of the studio setup and the camaraderie made the jitters disappear.

After we wrapped, I toured the newsroom, peeked at my old desk, and shared laughs and updates with friends. Being back rekindled fond memories, but it also solidified my decision to leave. It reassured me that while I missed certain aspects of my previous role, my current path is the right one for me.

And get this — my segment on NBC4 Washington also aired that morning. We did a deep dive into the Pivot Playbook and explored all the insights you can gain from it.

Talk about a full-circle day!😮

Plus, there’s still time to join the waitlist. If you’re thinking about pivoting, this is definitely for you.

If you had asked me years ago if I'd ever leave Fox5, my answer would have been no without any hesitation. Yet here I am, having bet on myself and finding the journey incredibly worth it.

Don't be afraid to leave behind something wonderful for something with the potential to be even better. Embrace the possibilities that come with change, and trust that the best is yet to come. 🥰

Creativity thrives on embracing the unknown

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There is a kind of magicness about going far away and then coming back all changed.

Kate Douglas Wiggins

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