Natalie is a proud journalist who thrives as a host and producer, emcee and speaker, digitally syndicated advice columnist, content creator, media strategist, and more.

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She currently produces and hosts "Facts Over Fear," a digital interview series on Substack that cuts through misinformation, challenges fear-based narratives and explores the facts shaping our world.​

 

She currently hosts and produces “Week in Focus” for the Pennsylvania Capital-Star, a Harrisburg-based nonprofit news site. Her previous series for the outlet, “Facts Over Fear,” won a Keystone Media Award in 2024. 

 

She is also the co-founder of an award-winning digital media consulting and content production services to clients nationwide through her firm, XSquared Media.

In May 2025, Natalie collaborated with WQED and launched  “Destination with Natalie Bencivenga,” a five-part series about the importance of immigrants in our communities. She served as host and executive producer through her independent media company, Benci Productions LLC. That same year, she received a prestigious Aggie Award from The Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation recognizing her commitment to social justice and equity in journalism.

In 2023, she launched “In Conversation with Natalie Bencivenga,” a live radio show that aired Saturdays from 2 to 5 p.m. on 100.1 FM and AM 1020 KDKA. The show ran through 2025. 

 

Natalie produced and co-hosted “In Other News,” the first podcast for NEXTpittsburgh, alongside acclaimed journalist Tony Norman. 

 

She is also a regular contributor to “Talk Pittsburgh,” KDKA’s afternoon talk show, with her segment, “Ask Natalie.”

From 2023 to 2025, she served as a professional fellow at Duquesne University’s Yoder Institute for Ethics and Integrity in Journalism and Media, helping build the foundation of the institution. In 2022, City & State PA recognized her as one of four influential Pittsburghers changing the city through media, art and activism.

From 2021 to 2023, she produced and hosted “After Hours,” a weekly Instagram Live series for Pittsburgh City Paper featuring interviews with political candidates running for office. 

In 2020, she was named to Pittsburgh Magazine’s 40 Under 40 and received Multiplying Good’s One in a Million Award for her work on “Five Minutes With,” which ran for 76 episodes during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Also in 2020, Natalie won a Golden Quill for the podcast “The BROADcast,” which she co-produced and co-hosted.

 

Since 2015, she has written the nationally syndicated “Ask Natalie” advice column for Universal Press Syndicate. 

She earned her Master of Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh in 2013. She was accepted to medical school in 2008 but declined in order to pursue creative endeavors. She holds two bachelor’s degrees from the University of Pittsburgh in Biology and Philosophy.

She is frequently sought nationwide to emcee events and moderate panels, and is available for speaking engagements on a variety of leadership topics. ​

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To keep up with Natalie, subscribe to her Substack, Facts Over Fear, for original interviews with policy experts, changemakers and political leaders. ​

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Follow her on Instagram, LinkedIn, Bluesky, Threads and Facebook at @NatalieBencivenga. 

 

Subscribe to her YouTube channel: @Natalie_Bencivenga