Uploaded October 2024 | Updated September 2026, 3 hours ago

---

For this Connector Chat, we welcomed Usha Lee McFarling, national science correspondent for STAT, for a behind-the-scenes look at her writing process, interviewing tips, and more. McFarling is the winner of the 2024 Victor Cohn Prize for Excellence in Medical Science Reporting.

Joining her in conversation was Steve Padilla, writing coach and Column One editor for the Los Angeles Times. Padilla and McFarling talked about elements of great storytelling, how to blend narrative and science, and more, using a few of McFarling's award-winning stories as examples.

Find links to the stories discussed, as well as notes and recommended readings from Usha and Steve, here: connector.casw.org/connector-chat-tip-sheet-usha-lee-mcfarling-stat