Latest News
Meredith Rollins is the local writer behind Malcolm Gladwell’s Pushkin Industries podcast “Medal of Honor: Stories of Courage.” The series highlights recipients of the nation’s highest military award for bravery, sharing their extraordinary acts of valor and sacrifice. Season two was released this summer and Rollins reveales that a third season is on its way.
Photo by Aly Morrissey
SHARON, Conn. — After 20 years as a magazine editor with executive roles at publishing giants like Condé Nast and Hearst, Meredith Rollins never imagined she would become the creative force behind a military history podcast. But today, she spends her days writing about some of the most heroic veterans in United States history for “Medal of Honor: Stories of Courage,” a podcast produced by Malcolm Gladwell’s company, Pushkin Industries.
From her early days in book publishing to two decades in magazines and later a global content strategist for Weight Watchers, Rollins has built a long and varied career in storytelling.
“I’ve learned a lot with each career shift, but the higher I went up the masthead, the less it was about writing and editing,” said Rollins. “I missed the creative process.”
While the podcast isn’t her first writing project, it marks her first foray into audio storytelling.
“During the pandemic I used to listen to mostly true crime podcasts when I was doing the laundry, driving my kids somewhere or working in the garden,” she said. Now Rollins gets to write one, and approaches each episode with awe and a reporter’s curiosity.
After 30 years of friendship with Malcolm Gladwell, the pair decided to collaborate on a project that would combine their shared journalism roots with stories that celebrate bravery and courage.
“Malcolm approached me about a project, and he was looking for a subject that he believed would really bring people together in this fractured political time we’re going through,” said Rollins.
Enter “Medal of Honor.”
The podcast’s namesake is the highest U.S. military decoration for valor, awarded for “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.” Each episode brings to life the story of a Medal of Honor recipient — often with the cinematic pacing and emotional resonance of a feature film.
“Medal of Honor” released its second season this summer, and production on a third season is underway. While Season One was narrated by Gladwell himself, Season Two introduced a new voice with firsthand experience. J.R. Martinez is a former U.S. Army soldier, author, motivational speaker and winner of Dancing with the Stars Season 13.
Writing for two very different narrators, Rollins said, has been both a challenge and a joy.
“As we’ve gotten to know each other and gotten deeper into this project together, I can almost predict how J.R. will react to certain moments,” she said. “He brings so much heart and humanity to the stories.”
Both her father and father-in-law served as Marines, but Rollins said military history was never top of mind until Gladwell pitched her the idea.
“The deeper you get into a subject you don’t know about, the more excited you get about it,” she said. “It’s been a way for me to learn about the incredible sacrifice woven into our country’s history.”
Rollins approaches each episode of “Medal of Honor” by looking first at the act of sacrifice itself, which she describes as “a moment that often happens in a flash.”
She dives deep into research, gathering biographical details from their upbringing and motivations to the circumstances that led them into combat. She then recreates the atmosphere of the conflict, setting the scene with vivid historical detail.
“These men would tell you they were just average guys,” said Rollins. “And if you believe that, then you have to believe we’re all capable of that same bravery or selflessness. It has really shown me the incredible courage we all have, and our ability to do right in the world.”
Keep ReadingShow less
The Amenia Zoning Board of Appeals voted on Nov. 3 on a resolution allowing area variances for duplexes that were recently constructed at 8 and 14 Powder House Road.
Photo by Leila Hawken
AMENIA — By a vote of 4-1, the Amenia Zoning Board of Appeals approved applications for undersized lot variances for newly constructed duplexes at 8 and 14 Powder House Road.
Following months of consideration, the ZBA took the action at a special meeting on Monday, Nov. 3.An earlier application, withdrawn in 2024, had envisioned multi-family homes, but the current applications had reduced the plans to two-family homes.
The single negative vote was cast by ZBA member Craig Meili.
ZBA attorney Robert Stout reviewed the drafted resolutions that would formalize the approval, indicating that the lots are served by town water, but not sewer. The lot sizes were found to be similar to those of neighboring properties across the road.
Discussion before the vote largely sought clarification of the site map.
Keep ReadingShow less
The Amenia Fire Company on Mechanic Street in Amenia.
Photo by John Coston
AMENIA — The Amenia Fire Company will hold its monthly Pancake Breakfast at the Firehouse on Mechanic Street on Sunday, Nov. 16, from 7:30 to 11 a.m.
The meal is all you can eat with a menu of pancakes, French toast, eggs and omelettes, home fries, bacon, sausage and beverages. You can eat in or take out.
The firehouse is located at 36 Mechanic St., Amenia. Adult plates are $12, Seniors/Under 12 are $11.
For information call 845-373-8352
Keep ReadingShow less
Amenia Town Hall on Route 22.
Photo by Nathan Miller
AMENIA — Residents who have talent to dust off or brush up should plan to attend Open Mic Night at the Town Hall auditorium coming up on Wednesday, Nov. 19, and continuing monthly every third Wednesday. Register at 6 p.m. to perform. Performances will begin at 6:30 p.m. and end at around 8 p.m.
The program is sponsored by the Amenia Recreation Department. A variety of talents are welcome, whether it be music, comedy, poetry, or whatever. Free soft refreshments are included. Invite friends and family to this fun night.
loading
