In an interview with Northern Virginia Magazine, Geoff Bennett, co-anchor of The PBS NewsHour, chats about preparing for election coverage and juggling career and family in Northern Virginia.
You’ve been with PBS NewsHour for over a year now. How’s that going?
Incredibly rewarding. No matter where audiences find the NewsHour, the unwavering commitment to fair, careful, deep reporting remains the same. And so, in this crowded media landscape, our goal is constant: It’s providing our viewers with rich storytelling and the clearest understanding of the facts. It’s really a great privilege to get to serve as co-anchor.
How are you preparing for election coverage?
We will be covering it all. We’ll be at both conventions providing gavel-to-gavel coverage, and the cliché is true — this is arguably the most consequential election in U.S. history. And there is no historical comparison to this race, from the candidate vulnerabilities to the issues driving the election, like the affordability crisis, reproductive rights. Our No. 1 job is to help our viewers make sense of it all and understand how the candidates’ policies will affect them.
How do you juggle your career with your family life?
Co-anchoring the NewsHour is more than a job — it’s really a lifestyle. I’m constantly connected. My schedule is dictated by the news. Add to that, I’m raising a family, and there really is no such thing as work-life balance. For me, it’s really about work-life blending. I’m exceptionally grateful to my wife, who also has a fulfilling and demanding full-time job, for keeping this all afloat. She and small miracles help me make it through day by day.
What are some of your favorite things about Northern Virginia?
Northern Virginia is a place of deep cultural richness, with outdoor escape, and beyond that, boundless opportunity. But what I think has really set it apart is the strong sense of community. I think this region fosters a deep sense of belonging and connection. We’ve lived all over the country now. Northern Virginia is really special.
Any favorite spots?
I am an iced coffee afficionado. Misha’s in Old Town is a terrific spot. We are known to spend a summer Saturday on the Alexandria waterfront; usually it’s Mia’s Italian Kitchen in Old Town before darting over to Pop’s Ice Cream for water ice. Patsy’s in Tysons is a favorite, and Best Buns. Really any of the Great American Restaurants — they are unmatched in terms of service, consistency, and overall dining experience. And then what else? The weekends are well spent at Sky Zone Trampoline Park. There are so many incredible hikes close to home. Great Falls is a favorite. And then Mosaic Fairfax. They have a really impressive selection of shops, restaurants — Sisters Thai, and Gyu Shige Japanese barbecue. Those two restaurants are a must.
This interview with Geoff Bennett has been edited for clarity and length.
Feature image by Johnny Shryook
This story originally ran in our June issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
