Who We Are
Our History
The Listening Post Collective (LPC) was established in 2013 by Jesse Hardman to adapt Internews‘s global expertise in community information mapping for the U.S. Through innovative strategies, LPC helps local media and community organizations address information gaps and empower underserved communities.
Our inaugural project in post-Katrina New Orleans rebuilt trusted information networks, pioneering the use of SMS for civic news sharing. This laid the groundwork for numerous successful civic media projects across the country.
We launched the Civic Media Playbook, a digital learning community, mirroring our 3-phase Civic Media Design process—Listen, Seed, and Cultivate. This platform provides tools, resources, and a collaborative network to map information needs and launch sustainable, community-driven civic media projects.
Our work demonstrates the power of community engagement in creating impactful, local journalism. We provide a proven framework to build resilient information ecosystems that directly serve community needs.
Our Values
Listening is our greatest tool
We start with listening. We ask questions that help us understand how we can be of service to communities.
Cultivating local power is essential
We help build power by providing tools and advice that help partners understand community needs and identify ways to help strengthen and sustain their work.
Being adaptable and responsive strengthens collaborations
There isn’t one tool, process, or approach in building news and information solutions for communities. We develop toolkits, playbooks and strategies that are adaptable and meet partners where they are.
Trust is earned
We earn trust by being transparent about what is driving our work, what we think, what we don’t know, and we show up for the people we work with.
Equitable media requires culturally relevant solutions and transformative investments
We help build power by providing tools and advice that inspires partners to understand community needs and identify ways to strengthen and sustain their work
Staff
Jesse Hardman
Founder
Jesse Hardman created the Listening Post Collective in 2013, and has worked for Internews around the world since 2007. He’s been a regular contributor to NPR, a print reporter and he did video too. He’s taught journalism everywhere from a state-of-the-art classroom in New York City to a van traveling Sri Lanka’s war zone. He’s created news startups in local communities and crisis situations. He’s fluent in Spanish, has a graduate degree in education from Harvard, is a proud dad, and is part of the Minnesota diaspora.
Carolyn Powers
Director of US Programs at Internews
Carolyn Powers is Director of US Programs at Internews and leads the operational and strategic direction of Internews’ signature US based program, the Listening Post Collective. In 2013, Carolyn worked with Jesse Hardman as he piloted Internews’ first program in the United States, Listening Post New Orleans and a few years later, Carolyn worked with Jesse to establish the Listening Post Collective. Prior to launching Internews’ US Programs department, Carolyn supported Internews internationally and served as Program Officer for Internews’ humanitarian, gender, health, and environmental programs, as well as Program Associate for the office of the President where she helped manage and oversee Internews’ organizational and Board related priorities. Carolyn is inspired by LPC’s incredible partners and excited by the growing opportunities for media justice and change. Carolyn is a graduate of Stonehill College and lives in Washington, DC.
Grace Northern
Program Officer
Grace Northern is a Program Officer with Listening Post Collective and handles all things related to the Civic Media Playbook. She works with members to show them how the Playbook can best support their local work. Grace has always valued and prioritized community engagement, from her work with civic educators in Illinois to her Peace Corps service in Costa Rica. While in Costa Rica, she spearheaded the country program’s social media team, elevating stories from local community members and volunteers. She holds an M.S. in Applied Community and Economic Development.
Bailey Orr
Program Associate
Bailey Orr is our Program Associate based in San Antonio, TX. She previously worked for the International Center for Journalists in Washington, D.C., where she helped manage journalism training workshops and capacity building initiatives. In her previous life, Bailey studied Russian language and literature at the College of William & Mary in Virginia and at Indiana University. She has also worked as a Russian teaching assistant and pre-K-12 tutor. In her free time, Bailey likes to read books, go hiking, and taste test her fiancé John’s kitchen experiments.