academic portfolio | journalism | creative media
writer, journalist, filmmaker, media educator, and graduate researcher
research agenda
oligarchic media power, usdoces representation, and edutainment: health and wellness communication
current research threads
- edutainment: health and wellness communication
- AI: community impact and environmental sustainability
- oligarchic media power
- Media trust, bias, and partisan interpretation
- usdoces*: U.S. Descendants of Chattel Enslavement Survivors; representation and erasure
- MAJE*: Media Arts, Journalism & Edutainment
- EDNA*: Ethical Decentralized Narrative Authorship
- Shadowyality*: Shadowyality and oligarchic media ownership
- Reality television and political power
- Podcasting and political influence
- MIndyTM health application development, communication and: epilepsy, familial cardiomyopathy, chronic illness, and post-concussion syndrome
- Evidence correction, media accountability, and correcting narrative harm
academic work
Academic work examines edutainment: health and wellness communication, AI: community impact and environmental sustainability, evidence-forward independent journalism, reality television and political power, podcasting and political influence, oligarchic media power, deepfakes, sports media strategy, and Birmingham baseball history through digital media analysis.
Original created research and manuscript concepts include MAJE* (Media Arts, Journalism & Edutainment), EDNA* (Ethical Decentralized Narrative Authorship), USDOCES* (U.S. Descendants of Chattel Enslavement Survivors representation and erasure), and Shadowyality* (Shadowyality and oligarchic media ownership).
Manuscripts in preparation include reality television and political power; podcasting and political influence; edutainment: health and wellness communication; oligarchic media power; deepfakes and newsroom verification; AI and local journalism; Mulga Mine historical recovery.
Methods and frameworks include mass communication research methods, content analysis, qualitative coding, survey design, literature synthesis, framing theory, cultivation theory, source evaluation, and media ethics.
myMIndyTM | Be Well Technologies, LLC
Your crew. Your control.
myMIndyTM
myMIndyTM is an independence-support and health-communication app concept created by Be Wrenn and developed through Be Well Technologies, LLC.
The project centers user-controlled check-ins, support-circle communication, privacy tiers, independence planning, and backup support for people navigating epilepsy, chronic illness, post-concussion syndrome, disability access, and caregiving transitions.
Epilepsy Foundation Shark Tank Competition
myMIndyTM was submitted to the Epilepsy Foundation Shark Tank Competition for review and feedback.
Competition feedback will be used as one part of the project's larger path toward responsible testing, research planning, partner review, and future beta development.
future beta interest
Apply to be considered for future myMIndyTM beta updates.
myMIndyTM is an early-stage concept and prototype. It is not medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, seizure prediction, or guaranteed emergency response.
teaching profile
media education: training, networking & strategy
teaching areas
- Multimedia news and digital reporting
- Edutainment, original programming, and media-audience development
- Networking, professional pathways, and finding the best fit in media
- Broadcasting and/or journalism
- Social media strategy and journalism ethics
- Media literacy, verification, and public trust
- Broadcast writing, audio production, and interviewing
- Documentary, public-interest media, and community-centered production
- Finding the best-fit media form for the message, audience, and evidence
teaching philosophy
Be helps students identify the media path, format, and audience strategy that fit their goals. Her teaching emphasizes edutainment, original programming, networking, broadcasting, journalism, and strategy.
professional practice
broadcast, digital journalism, film, radio, and public-health media
professional practice
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independent producer
Warner Bros. Discovery; independent media projects; pitching original concepts and programming; judging pitches for original programming; reality television development; treatments; production research.
independent digital journalist and contributor
NewsBreak; local news; entertainment; health; community; public-interest articles.
on-air talent and reporter
Summit Media radio; live updates; reporting; audience copy; promotions; community coverage.
writer and recruiter
Demand Media Studios / Studio D; digital article production; writer recruitment; editorial standards; audience research; online publishing workflows.
producer and talk show host
Cox Radio; radio production; live radio; guest research; boards; rundowns; local content; programming.
health communication contributor
Media for Health / UAB School of Public Health; BodyLove Radio Drama; BodyLove live radio; health communication; writing; hosting; producing; acting.
newsroom
NBC 13 newsroom; local television production; reporting environments; newsroom systems; field communication.
writer and producer
Turner Broadcasting / TurnerSouth; regional broadcast writing; production.
production assistant
Warner Bros. Entertainment Group; reality television production; guest coordination; set logistics; production operations.
executive creative director, director, and producer
Depth Perception Productions / BhamFilms; original documentary, narrative, public-interest, and independent media projects.
administrative supervisor, news director, and senior staff writer
University of Alabama at Birmingham; academic administration; health-science environments; news direction; senior staff writing; student media; records; staffing; departmental operations.
selected media work
film, radio, public-health media, and original production titles
film and social impact
Discipline vs Damage: A Survey of Alabama Violent Offenders; Life Back Documentary (Overcoming Adversity & Chronic Illness/Injury); Little Things Film (Overcoming Domestic Abuse); UAB Youth Violence Project.
radio and health communication
BodyLove Radio Drama; BodyLove live radio; Be On The Story Podcast; Saturday's with B; B's Buzz Entertainment and News Show / WBLZ Radio.
television and production
Blue Ribbon; This Week in the South; Warner Bros. Entertainment Group; Warner Bros. Discovery original programming development.
academic cv
selected credentials and public links
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works & works in progress
original programming written/directed by be wrenn:
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education
The University of Alabama
M.A. student, Journalism and Media Studies / Journalism and Creative Media.
University of Alabama at Birmingham
B.A. with honors, Communication Studies; Mass Communication-Broadcasting concentration; Communication Management minor.
honors and awards
- Red Bull Writer's Block, Best Documentary and Audience Choice
- Yellowbrick / NYU Tisch Film and TV Industry Essentials scholarship recipient
- Alabama Broadcasters Association, Producer
leadership
- MIndyTM app, Founder
- Familial Cardiomyopathy Network, Founding President
- UAB Film Club, Founding Chairman
- Momless Life Foundation, VP Media Relations
- Junior Achievement / JCCEO, Instructor
- NABJ, Member; NPPA, Member; SPJ, Member; AEJMC, Member; RTDNA, Member; NAB, Member; AMP, Member; Alabama Film Commission, Member; WIFT, Member
- Women in Film and Television Alabama, President
- Birmingham Women in Film and Television, Founding VP
- Birmingham Association of Black Journalists, VP Outreach