🎙️Breaking the Mould: Innovation, Risk, and Resilience with Sophia Smith Galer

In this compelling episode, award-winning journalist and digital innovator Sophia Smith Galer recounts the professional turning point that led her to leave the BBC for VICE, and eventually, into freelancing and founding her own tech venture. Sophia reflects on navigating institutional resistance, pioneering vertical video journalism, and building resilience in a traditional industry. Her story is one of bold risks, quiet determination, and unwavering belief in the power of innovation to reshape journalism for the digital age.

Key points

• Sophia’s “longest day” was making the decision to leave the BBC for a more creative, growth-driven role at VICE.
• She faced resistance at the BBC to her pioneering work in social video formats—despite demonstrable success. Ultimately she was validated by winning a British Journalism Award for Innovation of the Year for her TikTok reporting.
• After leaving VICE, Sophia went independent and created an AI-powered app called Sophiana (https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/sophiana-script-video-maker/id6742998989) to support journalists in producing vertical video content.
• She learned to trust her own data, instincts, and community of supporters while working under scrutiny and navigating systemic inequality.

Best quote: “Find the champions and the people near at the top of the hierarchy who can lift you up.”

Find Sophia on:

Website: https://sophiasmithgaler.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sophiasgaler
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sophiasmithgaler
X/Twitter: https://x.com/sophiasgaler
LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/sophiasmithgaler

Find Leah Brown FRSA here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leah-brown-frsa and @leahtalks_ on Instagram, TikTok, BlueSky and X.

If Sophia’s story chimed with you, why not subscribe to The Longest Day Podcast for more raw, real conversations with pioneers. And don’t forget to follow Sophia to stay updated on her forthcoming book on language, download new at Sophiana, and everything else in between!

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