T.J. Raphael

“Choose Purchase for its creative spirit.”

T. J. Raphael ’11 is a critically acclaimed investigative journalist, executive audio producer, and podcast host with 15 years of world-class experience with companies like Wondery, Sony’s Global Podcast Division, Slate Magazine, and WNYC Radio—the largest public radio station in America.

She’s responsible for creating multiple chart-topping investigative podcast series that have been heard by millions of listeners across the globe.

Raphael cultivated digital and print reporting and editing expertise with outlets like FOLIO: Magazine, The New York Daily News, The Village Voice, and The Legislative Gazette. She’s a dynamic media mind with a deep passion for storytelling.

How did earning a degree at Purchase contribute to your success?

My time at Purchase was extremely instrumental in shaping the trajectory of my career. My professors were former journalists who brought real-world experience to the classroom, and taught me the fundamentals of reporting, and the art of storytelling.

They encouraged me to take on internships that led me to question Madonna on a red carpet in Manhattan, report on a homicide in New York City, and cover the halls of power in the New York State Capitol. My professors gave me mentorship along the way, and I’m still in touch with many of them today, 15 years after graduation.

What did you love most about your Purchase experience?

I loved not only my classes and learning about the craft of journalism, but the culture on campus. There were so many artists and creative minds to bounce ideas off of—from politics to music, literature, and film.

The memories I have from my time at Purchase—from Zombie Prom, Culture Shock, and Pancake Madness, to hanging out with my roommates and friends on a Saturday night—will stay with me forever. I found a community that’s been with me as I’ve moved through my 20s and 30s.