Matt Vasilogambros - Political Journalist

What's Next? With Steve Blasen

Matt has been in Monterey working remotely while his partner completed her Graduate Degree at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies. Soon they will be off on a new adventure in La Jolla and I just had to get him on the podcast! Very much a product of the Midwest by way of Chicago, Illinois, he is very grateful for his upbringing that encompasses both Greek and American culture, which is very much his father’s doing. Matt remembers his father’s love of the United States and his appreciation for the opportunities available here. His father fled Greece in the 1960s immigrating to the United States, and worked hard to provide Matt the opportunity to pursue his dream of being a journalist. Matt watched All the President’s Men in the 8th grade, he knew he wanted to be a political journalist. As a graduate of Drake University in Des Moines, IA, Matt worked just as hard as his father had, Trying to get his foot in the door working minimum wage internships, writing for The National Journal and The Atlantic, and eventually making his way to Capital Hill. He spent about 10 years in Washington D.C. After years in political journalism, he had an opportunity to veer away from Washington and tour the country interviewing the working class and asking "How the economy at the time was affecting their lives". Covering stories of the working-class citizens brought him back to his roots, and he truly enjoyed telling their stories.

After the 2016 election, Matt was fried. Being an avid hiker, Matt and one of his co-workers hiked the Pacific Coast Trail starting in April 2017 and completing the hike in September 2017. From Trail Angels helping the two along the way to the challenges with nature, the experience has left a lasting and humbling impression on him.

I hope you enjoy this podcast! Originally recorded September 21, 2022