Manya Brachear Pashman

As a longtime award-winning religion reporter for the Chicago Tribune, Manya Brachear Pashman has chronicled two papal transitions from Rome, explained the emerging role of religion in American politics and investigated allegations of clergy misconduct. She also has hosted several podcasts including People of the Pod, The Forgotten Exodus, and Architects of Peace and is now working to revive a NJ PBS television series about religion, but in podcast form. From 2016 until 2019, she served as president of the Religion News Association. Her reporting has earned first place awards for excellence from RNA, American Academy of Religion, the Illinois Press Association, and the American Jewish Press Association. Manya earned a bachelor's degree from Appalachian State University and master's degrees in journalism and religious studies from Columbia University. In addition to the Chicago Tribune, she has written for Religion News Service, Moment Magazine, The Times of Israel, Time magazine, The Dallas Morning News, Beliefnet.com and the News & Observer in Raleigh, N.C.