Travis Mayfield
KIRO Newsradio
Seattle, WA
What or who inspired you to become a journalist?
I grew up watching KING5 News in Seattle. Journalists like Jean Enerson, Mike James, Dennis Bounds, Lori Matsukawa, John Foreman, Linda Brill and so many more were my idols. I wanted to do what they did every day. I wanted to know what was going on and tell others about it. I wanted to interview interesting people. I wanted to make change in my own community by exposing the bad and highlighting the good.
What is your favorite story that you have written?
I’ve covered Presidents and politicians. I have interviewed countless celebrities from sports to television to the movies. But the stories that have always stayed with me at the everyday people facing life and not flinching. I will forever remember the father whose son died fighting a wildfire 25 years ago and whose story we told as he continued to fight for changes that have protected countless other firefighters. I will never forget the preschooler who saw his baby brother floating face down in the backyard pond and was able to run to get help and save his life. Or the LGBTQ+ people who fought so hard and for so long for marriage equality…seeing the arc of their success from a dream to a reality in the timeline of my career was beyond amazing. I have so many stories that I keep close to my heart and I’m lucky to have been able to tell them.
Do you feel like you have a dual responsibility for being queer and a journalist?
I think it’s the same responsibility, to be authentic, honest, fair and trustworthy. I think those things personally and professionally aren’t in conflict, but in concert.
Do you believe you have a role to play in helping preserve LGBTQ+ history and culture in your work?
I think I have a role in preserving history by recording the small parts of it I have witnessed. I think that my voice as a member of the LGBTQ+ community for my entire career has allowed me to speak up in newsrooms and demand we cover what was happening and who was making history in important ways. I think my own marriage and then the formation of our family and the birth of our children have paralleled many other stories in the community. By sharing our story with the audience, I hope we have been able to help break down barriers and let people see for themselves who we are and how we have all can have a place in this world together.
What keeps you passionate about journalism?
There are always stories to tell. There is always truth to be heard. There is always more to know. I’m lucky to have had a front row seat to life in my career and it’s bringing the audience along to see and hear and experience some of those stories for themselves that never ceases to move me.
What advice would you have for those wanting to become a journalist?
Ask a lot of questions and then listen. We live in a world where the ability to listen and truly hearing people -no matter your own opinions- seems to be disappearing. If you can genuinely hear other people, you are better able to tell their stories and bring that impact to your work and audience.
How has being a journalist impacted your personal life?
I believe it has made me a better human and citizen of my world. It has allowed me to see and hear so many different people and voices. I have more empathy and more understanding because of my career in journalism.
Do you have any future goals or projects you would like to share with us?
My journalism career is on a self-imposed hiatus. Our kids are young and still like having me around so being a stay-at-home dad is an incredible gift. I’m going to keep doing that for as long as I can. Otherwise, you can hear my occasionally on KIRO Newsradio filling in on Seattle’s Morning News or offering commentary on issues facing our community.
