We were lucky to catch up with Olivia Smith recently and have shared our conversation below.

Olivia, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

From my years at Good Morning America, ABC News, CNN and 60 Minutes, I saw how powerful storytelling could amplify voices, shape perceptions and create meaningful connections. However, I also witnessed experts and entrepreneurs struggle to communicate their message effectively to the press. They had the knowledge and passion but at times lacked the confidence and strategy to navigate media successfully. That’s when I realized I could help.

With my husband and business partner, Michael Murray, we founded Media Consulting Coaches to bridge the gap between expertise and exposure. Our goal is to equip clients with the skills they need to own their narrative, whether on camera, on stage or in high-stakes interviews. We work with executives, influencers, journalists and major organizations like the University of Southern California to help these professionals refine their presence and amplify their message.

We specialize in on-camera presentation, public speaking, executive coaching, media pitching, content creation as well as AI tools and strategy. Through personalized coaching, we help clients build confidence, grow their skills and become media-ready. Whether you need to perfect an interview, deliver a compelling speech or craft a story that resonates, we provide the guidance to make it happen. At the heart of our mission is transformation—helping people go from hesitant to confident, from unnoticed to unforgettable.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’ve always been drawn to uncovering the truth and telling impactful stories. My journey in journalism started when I was 15 years old and reported a front-page exposé for my town’s newspaper about a rat problem on the local high school campus. That experience fueled my passion for investigative reporting and set me on a path to work in the news. I’ve covered everything from breaking news to human interest pieces, always with a focus on delivering stories that matter.

Through my years in the industry, I noticed a common challenge: so many professionals struggled to communicate their stories effectively. They had incredible insights, but they weren’t prepared for interviews, press opportunities or public speaking. That’s why I started Media Consulting Coaches. Our mission is to help clients master media, own their narrative and elevate their brand. We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach—our coaching is highly customized to meet each client’s specific needs.

What sets us apart is our real-world experience in high-stakes media environments. I’ve been on both sides of the camera, and know exactly what it takes to navigate press interviews, deliver powerful speeches and create compelling content that resonates. I’m most proud of the transformations we see—clients who once felt uncertain or unprepared now stepping into the spotlight with confidence. At the end of the day, our work isn’t just about media training—it’s about helping people tell their stories in a way that makes a lasting impact.

How’d you meet your business partner?

My husband and co-founder, Michael, and I first crossed paths in 2016 at ABC News in Los Angeles. We had both worked out of the New York office at different times, so didn’t meet until I moved back home to L.A. He saw me unpacking my camera gear the first day and came over to say hello. We became good friends, and eventually fell in love. Our shared passion for storytelling led us to launch our company, Media Consulting Coaches.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I recently pivoted from working as a full-time journalist to focusing more on generative artificial intelligence. I’m also an adjunct professor at the University of Southern California (USC) and have taught journalism there for seven years. This year, I’m creating the university’s first-ever AI and journalism course. My expertise in AI has also led us to incorporate it into our client offerings at Media Consulting Coaches. If you want to learn AI or integrate it into your work, we can help you.

The transition from journalism to tech took time, but there is significant overlap between the two: information, knowledge, writing, editing, research, verification, ethics, data analysis and storytelling. I’m really enjoying the experience and plan to continue integrating it into my services through my consulting company.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.oliviasmithonline.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livnews/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LivNews/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/livnews/
• Twitter: https://x.com/LivNews
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LivNews
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/media-consulting-coaches-glendale

Image Credits

Jason Goode