Public Health Policy Reporting

The Fragile Generation, New Jersey Monthly

This special report in the September 2016 New Jersey Monthly Education issue traces the astronomic rise in life-threatening pediatric allergies and shows how it has changed the public school experience in New Jersey. It was later cited in “Climate Change and Human Health: A Review of Allergies, Autoimmunity and the Microbiome” (Ray & Ming, 2020) in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

Cannabis Conundrum (New Jersey Monthly & Editor’s Pick on Longreads)

This special report in the November 2014 New Jersey Monthly Top Doctors issue examined the Christie administration’s mishandling of the state’s new medical marijuana program. It was chosen as an “Editor’s Pick” on Longreads.com, and used as evidence in the federal medical marijuana court case “US vs Schweder,” and won third place in Magazine Reporting from the New Jersey Society of Professional Journalists.

New Jersey’s Dental-Care Gap (New Jersey Monthly)

This special report in the July 2016 New Jersey Monthly Top Dentists issue investigated the state’s oral health care gap for low-income families. It also included a side story, For Special Needs Population, Dental Care is a Struggle.

More Health & Medicine

Mindful Classrooms: Teaching Kids to Cope, One Breath at a Time (NJ Monthly)
The Mystique of Sleep (NJ Monthly)
Growth Business: Inside Montclair’s Medical Marijuana Dispensary (NJ Monthly)
Kula for Karma: Yoga for At-Risk Groups (NJ Monthly)

Outdoor Recreation

Taking the Plunge with New Jersey’s Extreme Canoers (NJ Monthly)

A profile on New Jersey’s small community of whitewater canoers, a personal favorite.

Agri-Cycling: Gearing up for Tour de Farm (NJ Monthly)

An essay full of misadventures about trying Tour de Farm, a road bike tour to different farms in New Jersey (long before any real personal experience with biking or cycling).

The Ultimate NJ HIking Guide (NJ Monthly)

An editorial team project. Joanna is the woman in purple in the feature image.

Axe Your Worries Away at Stumpy’s Hatchet House (NJ Monthly)
Chasing Waterfalls (NJ Monthly)
Roughing it Without the Rough (NJ Monthly)

History

Fairy Tale Fortresses: Castles of New Jersey (NJ Monthly)

Another personal favorite and the result of a pitch. Joanna hopes to write a coffee table book someday about the castles of New Jersey.

A Tree Grows in Jersey: History of Rockefeller Center Christmas Trees (NJ Monthly)
A Utopia Goes Down in Flames (NJ Monthly)
Hercules Powder Company Kenvil Works: The Blast That Rocked NJ (NJ Monthly)
Environmentalist Poet Joyce Kilmer: Rooted in Mahwah (NJ Monthly)
Presidential Timber (NJ Monthly & Monmouth University Magazine)

Food & Drink

Farm to Market: A Day with Central Valley Farm (NJ Monthly)
Local Farms, Locally Funded (NJ Monthly)
Serving Innuendo: Cups Frozen Yogurt (NJ Monthly)
Oasis in the Food Desert: Camden City Garden Club (NJ Monthly)

Pop Culture Features

King of Fantasy: George R.R. Martin (NJ Monthly)
Charlie Puth: Rumson’s Pop Prodigy (NJ Monthly)
How An ABC Family Show Tackled Campus Rape In An Honest & Real Way (Refinery 29)

Innovative Small Business Profile

Sole Men: Rago Brothers & The Luxury Leather Industry (NJ Monthly)

Interviews

Q&A with George R. R. Martin, author of A Song of Ice and Fire (NJ Monthly, online only)
Q&A with Noelle Skodzinski, editor of Cannabis Business Times (NJ Monthly)
Q&A with Patti Stanger, reality star, Millionaire Matchmaker (NJ Monthly)
Q&A with Rob Fusari, music producer (NJ Monthly)
Far East Movement, artist (video interview, MTV Iggy)