When getting started in any field, particularly one as unforgiving as journalism, having a mentor is essential. On today’s episode of “Who Built Me” series of the Biscuit CLT Podcast, we talk to Sarah Delia, the host and lead reporter of “She Says” and “The List” podcasts and arts and crime reporter at Charlotte’s public radio station, WFAE. Sarah was lucky enough to have a mentor help her grow. Now, she feels the drive to do that for others.

Sarah talks to us about the power of being present for others, for showing them respect by stopping and giving them our full attention. For Sarah, a woman named Martha did that for her. She was a reporter for WMRA, the NPR member station licensed by James Madison University.

Martha had no obligation to pay Sarah a moment of time, but after Sarah cleverly put herself in Martha’s path, Martha began to take Sarah under her wing and helped shape her into the journalist she is today.

The Who Built Me Series is sponsored by the Foundation For The Carolinas.