Meet Dave Schechter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dave Schechter and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi dave, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
When I speak to young people working in journalism, they often mention the long hours and stress, subjects I know well from nearly 47 years as a working journalist (including more than 26-plus in various capacities on CNN’s national news desk (in the boiler room, so to speak). From personal experience, I tell them of the dangers of letting the job become too much of their identity and letting the job interfere with giving family life the attention it deserves (and without which it cannot survive). I walked close to that line in my career. When I was single and a newspaper reporter, I thought nothing of the hours. When I worked as producer in CNN’s Jerusalem bureau, the time difference to the United States (and that Israel’s work week was Sunday-Friday) made extra hours necessary. My wife worked as assistant producer so there was overlap. As national weekend editor at CNN I came in on Saturday and Sunday at 6 a.m. and it was not unusual to leave at 6 p.m. And I would be woken up in the middle of the night if a story warranted. We had one child, then a second, and a third – and still I didn’t get it. The equivalent of a two-by-four to the side of my head wisened me up. Then came the day I was offered a promotion, to oversee U.S. news coverage at night. I did not sleep that night, thinking about the kids’ games and practices and school activities I would miss. The next morning I turned down the job and that was the end of my climb on the promotion ladder. That was one of the best decisions I’ve made. I might back slide a little while working on a freelance article, but nothing like years past. The point is: I admire those who don’t allow work to wash over the rest of life. Because the rest of life comes around once and you don’t want to miss it.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Speaking specifically about the book I have written, a work of historical fiction titled “A Life of the Party” (shameless plug: available at the usual online booksellers), one of my sons reminds me that writing the manuscript is as important an achievement as holding in my hand a copy of the (self) published book. The latter is the culmination of a 25-year project that began when my father handed me an inquiry he received from an academic, with a redacted FBI report enclosed. It took 25 years because, well, I was employed full-time with a news organization and then working as a freelance journalist, along with being a husband and father. As for challenges, I write in the introduction that I do not think I could have published the book while my father was alive, for reasons I explain therein. Another challenge was writing historical fiction itself, blending fact with historically plausible fiction. In journalism, making stuff up is a serious no-no, with consequences that can include loss of employment. So that was a mental hurdle. Along the way with this book I’ve learned that research is rewarding in itself, writing is work, and that it takes a certain amount of of chutzpah to think that you’re writing something that anyone other than yourself will want to read . . . so that when a reader tells you they enjoyed the book, you feel all the better.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I probably am too reliant on old standbys. When my youngest brother comes to town, he wants to eat at a meat-and-three, such as Mary Mac’s. I would ask my wife and children for dining and drinking ideas. I would suggest visiting the High Museum and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, as well as the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library, and if they are interested in a road trip, the Equal Justice Initiative museum and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama. If Atlanta United FC is playing, a trip to the Mercedes Benz Stadium. On almost any night, there is quality jazz to be found at various venues around the city.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Audrey Galex, my wife
Maayan, Eyal, and Ronen, our children

Website: https://daveschechter.com

Twitter: @daveschechter

Other: https://fultonbooks.com