Welcome to ACCESS GRANTED

In this latest episode of Access Granted, Renato Paiva, the CEO of Access Youth Academy interviews Susan Taylor who shared her journey from growing up in New England to becoming a TV news anchor, highlighting her experiences in Edmonton, Hartford, Dallas, and San Diego. She recounted a significant hostage crisis incident where she negotiated with a hostage taker for five hours. Taylor transitioned to Scripps Health, where she produces YouTube videos and interviews doctors. She emphasized the importance of compassion and credibility in journalism. Taylor also discussed her involvement with Access Youth Academy, which supports low-income students in San Diego, and her excitement for squash becoming an Olympic sport in 2028.



Susan's Career Journey

• Susan recounts her visit to her cousin, a producer for NBC in New York, which sparked her interest in TV news.
• She describes her transition from the University of Colorado to Boston University, where she pursued a degree in public communication.
• Susan details her internships at an ABC station in Boston, which solidified her career path in TV news.
• She shares her first job in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, where she co-produced the opening and closing ceremonies of the Commonwealth Games.

Susan's Experience in TV News

• Susan discusses her early career in Hartford and Dallas, and her move to San Diego, where she worked as a reporter and anchor.
• She highlights her experiences in Miami and Los Angeles before returning to San Diego.
• Susan emphasizes the importance of being a reporter and producer before becoming an anchor, as it provides a comprehensive understanding of the news process.
• She shares her experiences of being in dangerous situations, such as being shot at and driving through wildfires, and how these experiences shaped her career.

The Hostage Crisis Incident

• Susan recounts a significant incident where she was involved in a five-hour negotiation with a hostage taker.
• She describes how the hostage taker called the newsroom, and she was tasked with negotiating with him.
• Susan shares how the hostage escaped through a second-story window, and the hostage taker later took his own life.
• She reflects on the experience, noting how it changed her perspective on interviewing and the importance of compassion in journalism.

Susan's Transition to Scripps Health

• Susan explains her transition from TV news to Scripps Health, driven by her desire to spend more time with her family.
• She shares her father's complicated heart surgery and the exceptional care he received at Scripps.
• Susan praises the culture of Scripps, describing it as a giving culture focused on patient care.
• She discusses her current role at Scripps, where she produces YouTube videos and interviews doctors, highlighting advancements in healthcare.

Susan's Involvement with Access Youth Academy

• Susan talks about her involvement with Access Youth Academy, an organization that provides academic and athletic opportunities to low-income students in San Diego.
• She emphasizes the organization's commitment to supporting students through college and into the workforce.
• Susan shares her excitement about the inclusion of squash in the 2028 Olympics and the potential for Access Youth Academy students to participate.
• She reflects on the impact of Access Youth Academy on its students, noting their academic and athletic achievements.

Susan's Message to Young People

• Susan encourages young people to go for their dreams, despite the obstacles they may face.
• She advises...