About Tess
I’ve been fortunate in my career to have multiple jobs I’ve loved. I’ve also had the great honor and pleasure of delivering the news to millions of American radio and podcast listeners over my years as a veteran journalist. I spent 11 years as an anchor and reporter for public radio’s Marketplace and also anchored NPR’s Weekend All Things Considered. I recently served as host and senior producer of the “As We Work” podcast at The Wall Street Journal, as well as co-hosting the podcasts “Pandemic Economics” and “The Pie” for the University of Chicago. My colleagues have honored me with multiple national journalism awards, including the 2019 Gracie Award for Best Host/Anchor, and the 2019 Edward R. Murrow Award for Continuing Coverage, both for the show I created in the aftermath of the catastrophic Camp Fire. I’ve been a contributing writer to The New York Times, The Guardian, and Quartz, among other national and international publications. But as you’ll notice from this website, I’m also an avid photographer! And I traveled solo for three years to 20 countries throughout Asia and the Middle East. My favorite part of that adventure? Learning to scuba dive. I now live in my hometown of Portland, OR, with my two adopted cats, India and Jordan.
I’m probably on a road trip right now.
Parrott Family Christmas
This is one of the stories I produced for After Paradise, the show I created in the aftermath of the catastrophic Camp Fire in Northern California. I wept in the studio after this interview, but also felt a sense of hope for the community.
A Few of My Favorite Stories from the Last 10 Years
Grand Park
One of my favorite parts of the job of hosting a show is when you get to go outside the studio and report in the field. This was a fun one, playing in fountains at a brand new park in downtown Los Angeles in this story for Marketplace.
Tears for Fears
I tried to keep my composure on this one. But I couldn’t help myself and totally fan-girled over Kurt Smith and Roland Orzabal.
Free Fruit?
In the 14 years I lived in Los Angeles, I always wondered: can I eat the fruit from that tree that’s hanging into the sidewalk? So I decided to go out and get some answers.
Global Sand Grab
This is one of the few stories I did in the three years I spent living in Southeast Asia. I had no idea until I started to report this story that sand… yes, simple sand… was one of the most valuable and endangered commodities in the world. The story sent me into the depths of poverty-stricken Cambodia, and the gleaming high-rise state of Singapore.
Thanksgiving in Los Angeles
If you’re not hungry right now, you will be after listening to this three-part piece interviewing some of LA’s best chefs, in their kitchens, about their Thanksgiving feasts.