VOLUME VIII

September 2024

Welcome to Sol-Caritas' captivating exploration of the minds of extraordinary individuals. In this exclusive interview, we invite you to delve deep into the thoughts, experiences, and perspectives of Liz Faublas-Wallace, a distinguished journalist and storyteller whose career spans over 28 years in media and production. Her journey is one of authenticity, heart, and human-centered storytelling. Join us as we uncover the intricacies of her life, passions, and the evolution of her storytelling approach, blending personal connection with professional objectivity.

Together, we'll reflect on unforgettable interviews from the over 1,400 individuals she’s met, focusing on the resilience of her subjects and the trust she fosters through her work. We’ll also explore the importance of maintaining integrity in today’s fast-paced media landscape, balancing viewership pressures with factual reporting.

Prepare to discover the power of vulnerability, how one emotional interview transformed a life, and learn from her mastery of crafting engaging content for diverse audiences. This conversation will leave you inspired and enlightened by Liz Faublas-Wallace’s remarkable journey and insights into the future of storytelling.

From the BK to the HTX

Liz Faublas-Wallace

With nearly 28 years in the industry, how has your approach to storytelling evolved, and what have been the most significant changes you've observed in journalism and media production?

My approach to storytelling has always been focused on human interest; getting to the core of every narrative. I write from the heart, striving to make the "who" and "why" truly matter. With each story, I consider who my readers are. Once I determine who I might (and want to) reach, the process becomes very personal. More importantly, no matter how close I get to a subject, I do not lose objectivity. It’s definitely a balancing act, but you can have a deep attachment to a story while remaining realistic about the subject.

I believe that writing requires an intense level of respect and purpose. If I'm writing news, I focus on delivering accurate information. If I'm writing to inspire, I choose words and emotions that resonate. This style of storytelling takes time; it is intentional and meticulous. It's a process; you write, step away to let the work breathe, and return with a fresh perspective to ensure you've captured the essence of the story.

I take the same approach with media production, video editing, and when I am editing a book or article. The beauty of a good story is in the details, the nuances, and the layers that add depth to the narrative. Unless you are reporting breaking news, or jammed up against a deadline, there is no reason to rush the process. When you appreciate the effect a well-written, well-produced, or well-edited story can have on an audience, you understand why a thorough work ethic is the only choice.

You've interviewed over 1,400 people from all walks of life. Is there a particular interview that stands out to you as especially impactful, and why?

I enjoyed the interviews I conducted over the years. Honestly, it is nearly impossible to pick just one. They all impacted me. I know that sounds like a simple answer but consider this; I’ve interviewed people from every walk of life. CEOs, economists, actors, small business owners, young children, priests/clerics, nuns…I can go on, and it’s difficult to choose a single defining experience. 

The stories I remember most are the ones where victims trusted me enough to share their pain, and many times, their recovery from an awful experience. I have spoken to men who were victims of clerical abuse, and interviewed guests on my show “The Other 99 T.Y.M.E.S: Count Your Blessings” who overcame challenges that might have leveled some folks! The show was one of my greatest accomplishments. It was adapted from the book my husband Carlos Wallace authored, and it was the first time he and I collaborated closely on a production. We learned from each other, challenged one another, and created something exceptional. I am grateful to everyone who opened up to me in the two seasons the show aired and showed me and our audience what true faith and testimony look like. I mean for real! 

As someone who has anchored over 300 hours of live television, what are the key skills that have helped you maintain composure and deliver compelling content in real-time?

I have a great deal of respect for what I do, the companies I represent, and my ability to deliver the news. Even in the early stages of my career, I never questioned my ability to present the news. I understood that everything I said from that desk had to be right. My content had to be researched, vetted, and factual because people trusted me to provide information they could believe.

You move the needle in a newscast. Someone out there is taking what you say and forming an opinion, considering an option, and judging a person or situation. While you can’t be responsible for what someone believes or what actions a person takes based on the news, as an anchor, writer, producer, and reporter I had to make sure I did not provide the wrong information! That is a huge responsibility. 

There is a shortage of Integrity in news these days. It’s as if journalists are afraid of challenging, pressing, and pushing for the truth because of this “cancel culture” or they are obsessed (and driven by) the desire for “clicks.” Yes, I understand the importance of viewership, revenue, and staying ahead of the competition. None of that is lost on me; it’s a business. However, there are not the ONLY reasons we report.

I also try to be ready for whatever may happen. When I was prepared, I was more confident in front of that camera. If that prompter fails, I will have notes. I practiced pronouncing words so I didn’t stumble. I avoided cold reads by reviewing my copy before heading to the set, and I wrote my scripts so I did not get tripped up. 

I verified and checked EVERYTHING so it did not come back to me.

I probably did not catch everything, but it was not for lack of preparation! 

I interviewed a man during on my series and can say it was a  heart-wrenching experience. He cried, I cried, and everyone on set was crying.

He shared things I didn’t expect. I don’t think he even thought he would be that open. 

A few months passed after his episode aired, and I got a random call from him. I thought he was checking in to say hello. He told me that ever since the segment premiered, his life changed. He admitted that talking with me lifted a weight off his shoulders and he was able to free himself of pain, guilt, and fear. Well, we cried again!

When I hung up, I thought,  this is why it matters. It’s not about the awards, the lights, the cameras, the rubber chicken dinners with executives and heads of state. It’s because we as journalists have the power to make a positive difference in people’s lives on a huge platform. If that does not make it worth it, I don’t know what will.

Sometimes, it was that (and only that), that kept me in the media industry.

You specialize in creating content and managing social media platforms. How do you approach crafting content that resonates with diverse audiences in today's fast-paced digital landscape? 

Exposing myself to EVERYTHING.

I am a creature of habit by nature. I watch the same shows, listen to the same radio stations, and wear the same perfume. I like routines; it makes me feel comfortable and safe. However, that behavior is not conducive to growing in a business that must tap into current events, trends, and a current news cycle to function successfully. 

Admittedly, my husband plays a huge role in moving me out of my comfort zone.

I also incorporate a deep-seated desire to know my clients on a personal level. I learn their “voice,” I learn their behavior, I learn their business. I make it a point to understand their goals. When I have familiarized myself with their “why,” I go to work. 

I take social media management seriously. I am responsible for brands, images, and reputations; I can’t be cavalier about those things, so I immerse myself in the day-to-day complexities of posting, updating, and content management. I focus on designs, calendars, organization, planning, and marketing. 

As a content creator and manager, I have to be attuned to analytics and behavioral psychology (human behavior); tap into what is interesting to just about every generation (depending on who your client is and what they are selling). 

One thing I always ask a client before we work together is: “Why should anyone care about what you are writing, selling, promoting.” And that is not to be mean, it’s to stress there will be a ton of people looking to do what they do, thousands of authors with the same storyline, and hundreds of thousands of people with similar dreams and ambitions. My job is to identify and lock in on what makes them unique and interesting. 

What inspired you to transition from being an award-winning reporter and producer to also becoming a bestselling author, and how has that journey influenced your work in media? Life.

To be honest, I didn’t even realize I was transitioning from one career to another. I started as just a journalist. Then, I began writing as a freelancer—bios, press releases, speeches, books, newsletters, blogs. People would request content from me, and it came so naturally that I’d work on it during evenings, early mornings, or in my free time, all while holding down a full-time job as a producer, writer, anchor, etc.

Eventually, I grew tired of the grind. Working in a newsroom is brutal, toxic, and often thankless. The culture was (at least when I was there) male-dominated, with an energy to match—aggressive. The pay disparity was shocking, and the competition among colleagues was intense. What kept me going was my love for the news; I loved reporting, researching, and discovering something innovative. I absolutely loved presenting the news, bringing my personality and character to the forefront to share a message or story, hoping that my delivery would resonate.

It’s a lot more complicated than people think! It’s more than just reading a prompter or writing and producing a “story.” It’s a reflection of who I am; a testament of my thought process on display. Creating comes from my soul, and I no longer wanted to do that for companies that didn’t appreciate the effort it took to bring those narratives to life. They did their part—they paid me—but that wasn’t enough, especially for someone passionate about creating. So, I decided to do it for myself.

I started my own company, hired some talented people, and made a vow to create a fulfilling work experience at Million$Pen, Ink. So far, I haven’t had any complaints, so I’ll keep doing what I’m doing—and more—to ensure the business and the people we serve continue to thrive.

As a proud wife of a Navy veteran, how has your personal life influenced your professional work, particularly in the stories you choose to tell?

I can’t help but gush when I talk about my husband and my life as the wife of a Navy veteran and a proud union man. Being his wife has brought me into a new phase of life where I’ve gained an incredible "bonus" family, in addition to the family I’ve always had. I learn from them every day—lessons in love, nurturing, and how to be a role model for my daughters. I've learned to be wise in my decisions, and to carry myself with sophistication and class—though I’m not above getting a little "hood" when necessary! Being part of this family means I have to embody certain roles and stay true to the principles and values that both they and I expect from me and that I want to pass on to them.

My husband's commitment to his country and his union has shown me the importance of discipline, loyalty, and a deep love for community—things I didn’t fully appreciate earlier in my life. These qualities have taught me how to interact with others and, more importantly, how to reflect on myself. Self-reflection is a crucial part of who I am, and it’s largely due to my relationship with my husband that I can handle professional situations with a sense of strategy and professionalism, often removing emotion from my decisions to be unapologetically myself.

I’ve always had a certain level of confidence, but it was often overshadowed by imposter syndrome, fear, and doubt—mostly stemming from my upbringing.

However, I’ve been re-building my confidence, learning more about myself, and benefiting from the support of a husband who is incredibly confident and never hesitates to bring that out in me, even if it comes in the form of tough love sometimes. This has dramatically changed my perspective, and I am excited for this next phase of my life, embracing who I am. A lot of that growth is because of him—what he brings to my life and what we are to each other.

You've produced an award-winning show that impacted many lives. What was the inspiration behind the show, and what do you believe made it so successful?

As I mentioned earlier, the show "The Other 99 T.Y.M.E.S: Count Your Blessings" was adapted from my husband's book, “The Other 99 T.Y.M.E.S: Training Your Mind to Enjoy Serenity.” Of the three books he has written- “Life Is Not Complicated, You Are” was the first, and his most recent bestseller, “Why Sell Lies When the Truth Is Free,” a Pulitzer Prize-nominated work- “The Other 99 T.Y.M.E.S.” is absolutely my favorite. I relate because far too often, I have focused on the one thing that went wrong instead of being grateful for the 99 things that were going well, had gone well, or would go well. That mindset was so debilitating for me; it was limiting, and I couldn't grow with it.

When my husband wrote the book and our company began editing it, its message truly resonated with me. The stories, metaphors, and examples he incorporated were so powerful that with each one, I found myself saying, "Yeah, that's me” or “Oh, I need to do better” or “I see how this could be groundbreaking." 

I realized how much it could change a person’s perspective, making them more positive and faithful. What better way to expand the book's reach than to create a show where people could watch others living out what was written in it?

We pitched the idea to the Program Director at the station, and it was well received. We completed two seasons. After I left the company where it was being aired, we kept the rights. We still plan to do more with it. It was one of the best experiences of my life because it taught me a profound lesson: to be more grateful and more positive. That’s a lesson many people could benefit from.

The success of the show belongs to the people we interviewed. They were honest, open, and vulnerable, allowing me into their world and sharing things they likely hadn’t expected to reveal. That kind of honesty resonates with people. It gives life to feelings that others have but may not know how to express. When you can connect with something—whether reading it, watching it, or experiencing it—it leaves an indelible mark on you mentally, emotionally, and physically. 

A group of people who trusted me to share their stories in a way that could positively impact others was the driving force behind the success of “The Other 99 Times: Count Your Blessings.”

In your extensive career, you've managed to excel in various roles—reporter, producer, content creator, and more. How do you balance these different hats, and what drives your passion in each area?

I've learned that the most important thing for me is to discover who I truly am, rather than focusing on who I think I should be, what others want me to be, or how I want people to perceive me. This kind of self-reflection has taught me the importance of staying centered. When you're centered, you can ground yourself and become a strong foundation for projects to evolve and grow.

Once I realized that I couldn't continue moving from one project to another without being fully present, it became clear to me that if I didn't give 100% to my job, home life, or clients, everything would feel incomplete when all is said and done. And I never want anything in my life to feel incomplete. So, I've taught myself — even forced myself — to focus, plan, and become more strategic. It's still a work in progress.

That's where I am right now — continually working to ensure I am fully invested in whatever project I'm working on. When I see that I've crossed all the T's and dotted all the I's, left no stone unturned, and gave every project my all, I know that's what balance looks like.

Looking forward, what are some of the stories or projects you are most excited to pursue, and what message do you hope to continue sharing with your audience?

I put my writing aside for a while because I wanted to give 100% to my job, as well as to my home life, my marriage, and my children. However, I want to start writing again for myself and work on some personal projects to tell my own stories. I believe that would be deeply fulfilling. I always tell others that everyone has a story inside them, that everyone has a book in them. I feel like I have several more to write.

I'm immensely proud of my children’s books, the “You Have A Superpower” series. The books are intended to show young girls and boys that they have talent within that makes them special. Drafting the stories was cathartic, and helped me mentor through my publications.  

I will continue working with my husband on his film projects.

Our company is also heavily focused on him as a client. We manage his media relations, public relations, and image branding. It’s satisfying to steer a ship that helps him fulfill his dreams. I also encourage him to write more because he’s such an incredible writer, and I want to continue to support him in that journey.

Additionally, I want to work on becoming a better person, which may sound corny, but it's important to me. I strive to be a better mother and a more effective mentor.

I want to continue to build my professional development program. Our company has been remarkably successful with these events. I enjoy going into organizations and helping employees, managers, and executives find a better work-life balance and relate to their colleagues in ways that make the working environment enjoyable.

The sky's the limit. I’m blessed with an abundance of opportunities, and I plan to make the most of it, leaving a positive impact wherever I go.