Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Amanda Denise. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Amanda , so great to have you with us and thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with the community. So, let’s jump into something that stops so many people from going after their dreams – haters, nay-sayers, etc. We’d love to hear about how you dealt with that and persisted on your path.
That’s a good question. Persisting despite the haters and nay-sayers can sometimes be challenging, but the most important thing you can do is believe in yourself. This is something I’m still working on. I’ve learned my dreams and goals may not always align with how others view me and that’s okay because I simply must live for me. So, how do I persist? Well, I’m constantly watching motivational videos and listening to uplifting podcasts, reading motivational books, journaling, surrounding myself with people who believe in me, support me, and encourage me, and most importantly choosing to have faith in God.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Absolutely! Well, I’m a news reporter who created a true crime platform called Cold and Untold.
I created this platform to hopefully bring some comfort to families throughout North Carolina whose family members have gone missing without a trace, or their murder remains unsolved.
Before becoming a news reporter, I worked as a courtroom clerk, legal assistant, and a paralegal. I earned a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice/criminology, a paralegal certificate, and a master’s degree in new media journalism. I was honored as valedictorian and with the “Course Director’s Award” for possessing work ethic and embodying the true spirit of Legal Aspects of Media for journalism.
My educational and professional background combined with my passion to help others led me to become highly investigative and inquisitive with conducting research through court documents, interviews, social media and more to create compelling narratives, but most importantly to continue raising awareness to cold cases that may have led to a dead end for law enforcement and families.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Wow, that’s another great question. The three most important skills that have helped me in my journey include persistence, active listening, and responding with empathy. Being an active listener and responding with empathy goes a long way in the field of journalism and are all essential to understanding people from all walks of life. These skills are key to telling the stories that matter most and helping to make a difference in the community. In terms of how to best develop and improve on the above skills, I’d say you must learn to have an open mind and “never judge a book by its cover.” And if you desire to achieve your goals and fulfill your purpose, persistence is key, and despite the number of “nos,” remember all you need is one “yes.”
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
Well, as creator and investigative reporter for Cold and Untold (which will eventually become a podcast), I’m hoping to collaborate with other true crime journalists, true crime content creators, active & retired law enforcement (specifically those who investigate or have investigated cold cases), forensic experts, victim expert advocates, and families of those who desire to put their loved one’s case back on the radar.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://coldanduntold.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coldanduntold/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coldanduntold
Image Credits
Stills: Original Cold and Untold Investigative Story
