Last week, I had the pleasure of joining NR readers in our NRPLUS-only Facebook group for an Ask Me Anything discussion. I had a great time answering questions about my reporting, the stories I’ve covered, and the broader cultural and political issues facing the country.

Here are a few highlights from the conversation:

Q: What has been the most shocking thing you’ve learned or uncovered as a journalist so far?

A: Back in December, I reported on a survey given in Seattle-area schools that collected extremely personal information from young students. That information was then shared with third-party groups, unbeknownst to parents.

The survey covered topics such as sex, gender, and drug use, and one question specifically asked students whom they would be most likely to have a crush on. The piece was made possible in part by a parent who shared the information with me and was willing to be interviewed on the record. It also required rigorous fact-checking and research, and I’m grateful to my editor for helping me be especially diligent with that part.

I was proud of the piece because it highlighted a concerning practice in these schools and, hopefully, helped move the needle regarding parental rights and consent. You can read it here.

Q: What are the prospects for ridding ourselves of woke ideology and DEI, and anathematizing them sufficiently so that no one is tempted to try to embrace them again?

A: I do think that, overall, there seems to be less of an appetite for woke ideology and DEI. We saw Bud Light, for example, experience a dramatic drop in sales after using a transgender influencer to promote its products in 2023.

In my opinion, the best way to rid the country of this ideology is to shed light on it, especially when Democratic lawmakers and elected officials prioritize these issues over things Americans actually care about. The more we can highlight their uneven focus on woke issues (for example, politicians focusing on the anniversary of George Floyd’s death over Memorial Day), the more people will hopefully become frustrated with the ideology and its prominence in society.

In terms of squashing the issue for good, only time will tell. But if we can find a way to make this not simply a Republican or conservative issue, but an American issue, that is how we get people from all sides of the political spectrum on board. There will always be people who disagree, but hopefully they become the minority sooner rather than later.

Q: What’s your favorite topic to cover? What do you find most difficult to write about?

A: My favorite topic to cover is the progressive capture of K–12 education. Because I’m based in the D.C. area, so many of the most egregious examples of woke ideology in schools are in my own backyard. Everyone knows kids in school, or has kids in school, so these stories hit close to home and should be of interest to every American.

That being said, this topic can also be difficult to report on because school districts are often adamant that what they are doing is justified. It can also be difficult because, when schools prioritize ideology over student safety and health, the stories are frustrating and sometimes hard to hear.

Balancing parents’ stories and reports, which are often, and rightly, passionate, with whatever the school says can be a thin line to walk. But I care deeply about the issue, so it’s always exciting to cover a bad policy or event and hopefully shed light on it, incite some sort of change, or at least force the district to defend whatever craziness it is promoting!

I had a great time answering questions from NRPLUS members and appreciated the thoughtful discussion. If you’re an NRPLUS member and haven’t yet joined the private Facebook group, you can do so here. It’s a great place to connect with fellow readers, participate in conversations like this one, and hear directly from NR writers and editors.

If you’re not an NRPLUS member, there’s no time like the present to join the crew. Memberships are currently 60 percent off — so just $4 a month. I hope to see you at the next AMA!