‘No Breaking News, Just Breaking Conversations’: A Look Inside HuffPost Live’s Attempt To ‘Democratize Media’

Once described as “unflusterable,” Menendez’s skills played out most famously during an interview with the ranting conspiracy theorist in Alex Jones. But she also sees the outlet as a sort of freewheeling newsmagazine, showcasing human interest stories without the massive edits and enormous production value.

“We put flesh and blood on the data,” she says while recalling a particular segment she did on “the new face of poverty.” Rather than talk to economists and other experts about poverty in America, Menendez spoke directly to those who represent the status itself: one homeless woman who lives in a van with her daughter made her way to a coffee shop with wi-fi just to share her story; another woman was a former ad executive whose life has been turned upside down.

In some ways, Menendez says, “we create homegrown pundits” by reaching out to people who have intimate knowledge of their subjects but aren’t necessarily your standard expert with a platform.

Another host, Josh Zepps, comes from the polar opposite background as Menendez. As a former entertainment host and comedian in Australia, “ebullient funny man” Zepps brings snark and equal-opportunity skepticism to political and entertainment stories.

After watching several of his segments, it becomes clear that Zepps’ background plays a role in his willingness to rag on any guests who spew talking points or generic platitudes.

Host Mike Sacks is the one host with a background primarily in print. Prior to joining the network, he was Huffington’s Supreme Court correspondent and his penchant for the brainier side of the news comes through during his segments.

Sacks expresses his love for how HuffPost Live allows him and the community to “live in the nuance” – to explore and pick apart subjects in a way that cable news never can. He also doesn’t shy away from the “wonkier” subject matter, emphasizing that “even though the guests’ hearts may not be racing, their brains likely are.” He says that’s his guiding philosophy behind dealing with the less-polished guests who sometimes grace the screen.

HuffPost Live’s host all seemingly lean liberal, except for the hire of Abby Huntsman – daughter of moderate Republican former Gov. John Huntsman and a frequent guest on CNN. For her, “cable news is a passive experience,” whereas her online outlet offers “ten-plus ways for viewers to engage.”

“The conversation continues even after the segment ends,” she explains, noting that viewers still discuss on Twitter and in chat boxes long after the guests disappear off-screen. She is especially motivated by how the format gives her – as producer and host – along with the community members “a stake in the game” by allowing such interactivity during what would normally just be a conversation between guest and host.

Perhaps the most well-known among the hosts is Marc Lamont Hill, a fixture on cable news. You may recognize him from his many battles with Bill O’Reilly on Fox, as well as his panel appearances on CNN.

Having been a cable news pundit for so long, as well as host of the syndicated Our World with Black Enterprise, Hill has intimate knowledge of what he calls the “pro-wrestling match” that is cable news conversations. “There’s a good guy, a bad guy, and we have to watch you duke it out,” he says of the cable format before noting how thankful he is for HuffPost Live allowing him a space to “talk with” as opposed to “talk at.”

Addressing potential criticism that most people won’t care what the network’s “average Joes” have to say about major issues, Hill says, “We bring on people with relevant opinions. Even if you’ve never written a letter to the editor, you’ve read them.”

He genuinely believes people like to see this sort of exchange. “I have no doubt that this is the future,” he asserts.

Of course, whether or not that’s true will likely go unanswered for quite a while. As with most new ventures, time will tell. But based on how much these hosts believe in what they do, you’d never have any doubts.

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This is an opinion piece. The views expressed in this article are those of just the author.