227: Carol Lin KNOWS Journalism, Identity, Love, Loss, and the Moments that Change Us

Award-winning journalist and author Carol Lin joins Randall Kenneth Jones for a deeply personal and revealing conversation about journalism, identity, ambition, love, motherhood, loss, curiosity, and the moments in life when everything changes.   Lin, a veteran television journalist who worked at ABC, CNN and Good Morning America, is the author of “When News Breaks: A Memoir of Love and War—a memoir” that goes far beyond the breaking-news stories that defined her career. It is a story about searching for identity, trying to prove yourself, learning when to let go, and discovering what really matters when life interrupts even the best-laid plans. Lin takes Randy inside the experience of anchoring live CNN coverage on September 11, 2001, describing what it was like to be at the center of breaking news as the unimaginable unfolded. But 9/11 is only one part of a much larger story. As Lin explains, the historic news events of her career serve as a backdrop to a more intimate journey: a Chinese American daughter trying to understand where she belongs, a journalist determined to establish her own identity, a woman balancing an all-consuming career with marriage and motherhood, and a mother writing a memoir as a gift to her daughter.   The conversation explores the complicated relationship between journalism and personal identity, including Lin's experience of repeatedly being mistaken for fellow journalist Connie Chung and what that revealed about race, gender and representation in American television news.   Lin also reflects on growing up as the daughter of Chinese immigrants and the lessons her father gave her about reading, knowledge and possibility. Her father's belief that reading could help her “know everything” became an important part of the person she would become.   Randy and Lin talk about the power of curiosity over assumption—and why asking someone about their experience can be more meaningful than pretending you already understand it. Lin explains why she doesn't want people simply to reach conclusions about the Asian-American experience; she wants them to be curious enough to ask questions and engage in genuine conversation.   They also discuss the deeply personal heart of When News Breaks: Lin's complicated love story with her late husband, fellow journalist Will Robinson, the choices they faced about marriage and starting a family, his devastating diagnosis while Lin was six months pregnant, and the difficult process of writing honestly about a relationship that was neither perfect nor simple.   For Lin, the book became an act of love—and ultimately an act of liberation.   The two also explore Lin's fascination with time, particularly the “before and after” moments that divide our lives into what existed before and what existed afterward.    Whether it's 9/11, a devastating diagnosis, falling in love, becoming a parent or confronting a life-changing decision, these moments become permanently embedded in our memories.   And because this is ON THE KNOWS, Randy ends with the question he asks every guest:   Carol Lin, what do you know?   Her answer is powerful: We are not defined by our worst mistake. Our lived experience carries us through difficult moments—and we can give ourselves grace.   This is a conversation about journalism, storytelling, identity, Asian-American heritage,women in television news, 9/11, marriage, motherhood, grief, resilience, curiosity, memoir, human connection and the power of words.   It is also a reminder that sometimes the stories that make the biggest impact aren't the stories we thought we were going to tell. This episode features: Carol Lin’s journey from daughter of Chinese immigrants to network television journalist. The search for identity — and what it means to be seen through the eyes of others. Breaking news and 9/11: Lin reflects on covering some of the most consequential stories of her career. The pressure to prove yourself in a competitive world of television journalism. Being mistaken for Connie Chung — and the challenge of establishing her own identity and credentials. The power of curiosity and why asking questions is more important than making assumptions. The complicated relationship between journalism and personal life, including career, marriage and motherhood. Love and loss: the deeply personal story of Lin’s relationship with her late husband, Will Robinson. Writing “When News Breaks” and the courage required to tell an honest story about an imperfect relationship. Motherhood and legacy: why Lin wrote the memoir in part as a gift to her daughter. The importance of time — and the life-changing moments that divide our lives into “before” and “after.” The surprising power of memoir to help readers see their own lives in someone else’s story. Giving ourselves grace and refusing to let our worst mistakes define us.