New Adventures
A bit of personal news, as they say.
New adventures are about to begin as my two decades at ABC News come to a close this week.
Amid a pandemic that none of us ever expected, I was swept up in a wave of cuts across the Walt Disney Company. In this, I am hardly alone. Thousands of dedicated Disney/ABC/ESPN staffers found themselves in the same position as a result of the world being turned upside-down, and my heart aches for all of them.
While this news was unexpected, it’s a blessing in disguise that is opening exciting new paths that will allow me to pursue a number of passion projects and long-simmering ideas. More on that soon.
But first, a bit of gratitude. Reporting the news on television, radio and online has been a glorious ride that has taken me to virtually every state in the U.S. and to dozens of countries around the world. I have anchored national television broadcasts from the same studio where Peter Jennings, Diane Sawyer and Carole Simpson once sat. I got to work with some of the absolute best colleagues and friends in journalism, and am extraordinarily proud of the quality work we did together. The news never stops, and though I will miss working with them greatly, I’ll be cheering them on from the outside. I leave ABC with my head held high, proud of a strong record in journalism and my reputation solidly intact.
One of the best parts of this job is the thousands of people you meet along the way, and I’m especially proud that we were occasionally able to give voice to those who traditionally don’t have one.
"Don't talk to the movers and shakers of the world, talk to the moved and the shaken," as Peter Jennings once said.
My arrival at ABC was in large part thanks to my mentor and champion, the great Jack McWethy. Jack believed in me, and put his stellar reputation on the line by recommending me to the ABC bosses. Every day since, I have tried to live up to his high standards and make him proud, often asking myself “What would Jack do?” A picture of Jack (and Sam Donaldson, my old boss) hangs above my desk, and I hope he’s been watching this adventure unfold from above.
I am reminded of this quote from Jack, which he delivered during a commencement speech at his alma mater DePauw University in 2003:
"Never confuse your career with your life."
He could not be more right. So now, I am now going to take the time to find the perfect fit for my interests, passions, curiosity and skill set. There are still many stories to tell, things to learn and books to write. And hopefully, many more appearances on my favorite podcasts to talk “Star Wars”.
I am wildly enthusiastic and excited about wherever the future takes me next. In the meantime, I’ll be here. Hit me up on the social links or the email form, posted below.
Take care, and be well.
Clayton