Rachel Rood
Supervising Producer “Sound of Ideas”Expertise: Public affairs topics, community engagement
Education: Chagrin Falls High School
Rochester Institute of Technology - Bachelor of Fine Arts, film
American University - Master of Arts, broadcast journalism
Favorite spot in Northeast Ohio: Dance party on the Goodtime III
Experience:
Rachel Rood is the supervising producer for Ideastream Public Media’s morning public affairs show, the “Sound of Ideas.” She has been part of the team since 2015, where she is best known for creating the award-winning community engagement series, the “Sound of Ideas Community Tour.” The tour has traveled all across Northeast Ohio, from Ashtabula to Sandusky, even aboard the Goodtime III, covering topics including the future of NASA Glenn, immigration, politics and racial division. She also produced the One Small Step series in partnership with StoryCorps which asked Ohioans from different political backgrounds to talk to each other civilly in the heat of the 2020 election. Rachel came to Ideastream from National Public Radio, where she was a producer for the flagship afternoon program, “All Things Considered.” Rachel grew up in South Russell and now lives in University Heights. She is also an adjunct journalism professor at Baldwin Wallace University.
Highlights:
- 2020 12 Under 36 Award recognizing Jewish professionals influencing the future of Northeast Ohio through professional and personal achievements, Cleveland Jewish News
- 2019 Ohio Society of Professional Journalists, Best Producer - Radio - “The Sound of Ideas Community Tour: Opioid Crisis in Lake Country”
- 2018 Ohio Society of Professional Journalists, Best Minority Issues Reporting - Radio: “The Sound of Ideas Community Tour: Race in Akron,” Ohio Society for Professional Journalists
- 2017 Press Club of Cleveland, Best Producer - Radio: “The Sound of Ideas: Sexual Assault in Northeast Ohio”
- 2018 Press Club of Cleveland, Best Radio Show: “The Sound of Ideas Community Tour: Race in Akron”
- 2017 Press Club of Cleveland, Best Radio Show: “The Sound of Ideas: Sexual Assault in Northeast Ohio”
Why trust Ideastream Public Media?
The mission of Ideastream Public Media is to be a trustworthy and dynamic multimedia source for illuminating the world around us. Our highest priority is providing news and information that is reliable and accurate, that is gathered with integrity and professional care and that is presented with precision and respect for the intelligence of our audiences. We are transparent about how we discover and verify the facts we present and strive to make our decision-making process clear to the public. We disclose relationships, such as with partners or funders, that might appear, but will never, influence our coverage.
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Supervising Producer Rachel Rood shares what Thanksgiving means to her and her family this year, and what "Sound of Ideas" show tradition she's looking forward to. -
TeamNEO lays out the state of the workforce, and projects some of the growing job trends in its newest report. -
We'll talk to a national education writer and the head of Ohio's largest teachers union about President-elect Donald Trump's campaign promises regarding education. -
A local constitutional expert and political expert will discuss the election's impact on the courts statewide and nationally. -
Ideastream Public Media reporters talk to voters at polling locations across the region about what issues or races brought them to the polls. -
A recent incident in the district is under investigation by Akron police after a video showed one officer striking a 16-year-old student three times in the head, while he and another officer attempted to arrest him. -
City of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County leaders are against the move, while the City of Brook Park mayor says it will help the region economically. -
The recent BW NEO Voter Voices poll found abortion a top issue after the economy in determining how Ohioans will cast their vote for president and other down ballot races. -
Cindy Hohl, the new ALA president, plans to focus on libraries' role in a democracy and protect access to information in her new term. -
The multi-million dollar project has been years in the making and includes new mixed-income housing, sidewalks, parks and on-site social services.
