Discover the Journey Behind Elite Media Mastery
From Live TV to Media Mastery: How I Got Here
After graduating with my psychology degree, I faced the universal question: how was I going to make money? Reading about a Black anchorwoman one day sparked a realization—I enjoyed writing and television might be my path. The very next day, I reached out to a weatherwoman at a local station who generously mapped out exactly what I needed to do.
I immediately enrolled in television writing and production courses while securing a production internship. Within just six months, I had learned enough to create a resume tape and sent it to stations in Reno, Nevada. Surprisingly, one hired me! Lesson learned: Ask the question—you never know who will be willing to help.
Those early days were anything but smooth sailing. Our station had twice as many reporters as photographers, meaning we not only reported but handled writing and editing ourselves. The first time I delivered a live shot, I sat at the “flash cam” in the newsroom—without my script. Battling crippling stage fright with no safety net, I mumbled through the longest two minutes of my life before gratefully tossing back to the anchors. Lesson learned: There’s a first time for everything, and the mistakes you make then you’ll never make again.
Now, 30 years later, the industry has transformed dramatically. What was once controlled by a select few is now accessible to many—we’re all both consumers and producers of content. This democratization means nearly everyone can benefit from the skills that took me decades to develop. Anyone can build a brand, find their tribe, and monetize their knowledge. Lesson learned: None of this is easy, but if you choose to pursue it, it can be done.
Among my proudest achievements is being the first African American woman to co-host a network morning show on CBS. Interestingly, I didn’t feel like a trailblazer then or now—I was simply doing my job. But perspective allows us to step back from daily work and appreciate our accomplishments. Another true honor has been the opportunity to interview thousands of people—from politicians to celebrities to everyday individuals—learning something valuable from each conversation. Lesson learned: People are genuinely fascinating.
And that’s how we arrived here. The story continues!
René Syler
From psychology major to national television host, René Syler’s path to broadcast journalism wasn’t conventional. After changing course from her initial career plans, she worked her way up through local news, serving as a reporter and anchor in Reno, Birmingham, and Dallas before landing a coveted role as co-host of CBS’s *The Early Show*.
During her four-year tenure at *The Early Show*, Syler’s natural curiosity shone through in her interviews with prominent figures across politics, literature, and entertainment. She conducted conversations with First Lady Laura Bush both at The White House and in-studio, engaged with political leaders like Senator John McCain and Senator John Kerry, and interviewed acclaimed authors including Jeffrey Deaver and Walter Mosley. Her entertainment coverage featured memorable moments with stars like Russell Crowe, Jennifer Lopez, Tom Selleck, Antonio Banderas, Denzel Washington, Beyoncé, and Will Smith. In one particularly memorable segment, she spontaneously gave her blue shoes to American Idol winner Fantasia after the singer admired them during their dance together – though she admits her cooking segments were less successful.
Syler later expanded her reach as an author with *Good Enough Mother: The Perfectly Imperfect Book of Parenting*, published by Simon & Schuster, which led to the creation of her website goodenoughmother.com. Her television career continued to flourish as she hosted *Sweet Retreats* on The Live Well Network, showcasing vacation rental properties, and spent several seasons hosting *Exhale* on the Aspire Network.
Coming from a family deeply affected by breast cancer – both her parents are survivors – Syler made headlines in 2007 when she underwent a preventive mastectomy, a journey she shared on The Oprah Winfrey Show. This experience fueled her advocacy work as an ambassador for Susan G. Komen for the Cure, where she educates audiences nationwide about early detection and treatment. Her dedication to raising breast cancer awareness earned her a prestigious Gracie Allen award for her television series on the subject.