Barron’s Mackenzie Tatananni on her unexpected journey to financial journalism and finding creative outlets beyond breaking news

If you follow financial markets or breaking business news, you’ve likely encountered Mackenzie Tatananni’s work. The Barron’s Trending News Reporter covers fast-moving markets with a unique perspective informed by her background in English and Biopsychology. I recently connected with Mackenzie to learn about her morning routine for staying ahead of market moves, her transition from science to finance, how she handles the pressure of breaking news, and her thoughts on AI’s impact on financial journalism.

 Here’s what she had to say.

How do you typically kick off your workday as a financial news reporter covering fast-moving markets? Do you have any specific morning rituals that help you stay on top of breaking news?

During my morning commute, I check which stocks are moving the most in premarket trading. I begin my day quite early, a few hours before markets open, so I know I will likely be asked to explain why the top gainers and losers are rising and falling. I’ve also gotten in the habit of pre-writing earnings stories, or creating a framework with analysts’ estimates so I’m not scrambling at the last minute – this is usually done a day in advance.

You made an interesting transition from studying English and Biopsychology to journalism. What drew you to financial reporting specifically, and how has your background in science influenced your approach to covering markets?

I didn’t expect to end up in financial journalism, as you can probably guess! The skills I built covering breaking news and producing high volumes of content quickly lent themselves to this role. Many of the things that fascinate me about science have parallels in finance – the hard numbers, the analysis, the massive volumes of data. I found the fast-paced nature of the work very exciting and continue to be amazed by how sensitive the market is to headlines and sentiment. I’m fortunate that I was given the opportunity to make this transition, and that my team trusts me to get the work done.

Of all the stories you’ve reported on at Barron’s, which one stands out as most memorable or impactful to you personally, and why?

So far, one of the most memorable stories I’ve written would have to be my first-ever piece on quantum computing. I wouldn’t say it was my best work – it was my first attempt at covering a highly technical subject. I didn’t know I’d develop a beat in this area at the time. More than anything, it’s a testament to how random life is – you just fall into things. An opportunity opened up and I took it, and I’ve been able to engage my love for science and technology and incorporate this passion into my work.

What’s the most challenging aspect of covering breaking financial news and market trends? How do you navigate these challenges?

Balancing speed and accuracy is certainly difficult. There’s always the fear that I’ll make a mistake, be it spelling, grammar, or something even worse. Journalism is a very personal business – you’re putting a piece of yourself out there with each story you write. Everyone makes mistakes, no matter their line of work, but the idealistic view of journalists is that they’re beacons of accuracy and objectivity, so there’s added pressure. I’ve navigated these challenges by improving my ability to spot mistakes on the fly. You can’t leave it all up to your editors, who are juggling a thousand responsibilities at once. So I aim to reduce the strain on my colleagues as much as I strive to meet my own high standards.

Given your previous experience covering technology and AI, how do you see artificial intelligence changing financial journalism and market reporting over the next few years?

In the context of market reporting, I think AI will be used to automate certain types of work – possibly what I do. News outlets are always in competition to get stories out quicker than their peers. I can think of several that already use AI to summarize stock moves and earnings reports. It’s inevitable that the technology will become more widely used, so I think there are ways to leverage AI without replacing reporters – it might be used to save time by aggregating data, for instance. Of course, we’re envisioning a scenario where we don’t have to worry about hallucinations, and I can’t say we’re there yet. A lot of companies are embracing AI simply because their rivals are doing it, but most AI features are billed as a way to increase productivity, so I suspect any future applications will be closely tied to that.

What makes for a good relationship with PR professionals in your line of work? Are there specific approaches that you find particularly helpful or unhelpful when being pitched stories?

Communication is key. It’s so easy to let things fall to the wayside when you’re working under pressure and each new day is unpredictable. I strive to build relationships with PR professionals not just by staying in touch with my network, but by being myself. I’ve found this is the key to success as a media professional – beyond treating others with respect, you don’t have to be stiff and unapproachable. People respond well to openness and honesty.

Breaking news reporting can be demanding with unpredictable hours. How do you maintain work-life balance, and what do you enjoy doing outside of journalism?

Some would argue that I don’t maintain a work-life balance, but I’m getting better at it! I love what I do, so I often choose to work weekends or nights, even when I shouldn’t. But it’s important you don’t run out of steam – burnout is very real in this industry. I’m learning to take time for myself when I feel overwhelmed, whether that means exercising, spending time with friends and family, or doing other things I enjoy. Outside of journalism, most of my interests are tied to the arts in some way. I have a number of side projects and I’m trying to get back into poetry and podcasting, two of my favorites.

If you could interview anyone in the financial or business world, who would it be and what would you ask them?

My father works in the bond market and I would love to profile him. I never anticipated we’d both work in finance – words can’t express how much I look up to him and admire the effort he put in to get where he is today. Whenever I profile someone, I try to paint a full picture of their life, and I’d say the opportunity to connect with others is the coolest part of the job. I’ve found the most interesting story subjects aren’t always billionaires or high-profile public figures – in fact, I’d argue everyday people working in finance deserve to be heard just as much as a CEO. Who knows, their stories may be even more interesting.

What advice would you give to someone looking to break into financial journalism today?

Read A LOT. As someone with no prior experience in the field, I brought myself up to speed not just by following the markets, but by familiarizing myself with the jargon – I’d say that’s the highest barrier to entry. The same skills that are essential for any journalistic discipline apply to finance as well – curiosity, a willingness to learn, and the ability to keep your head in high-pressure situations. The last one becomes incredibly important, knowing the unpredictable nature of the market and how it can change on a dime. I’d also encourage budding financial journalists to develop an organization system that works for them – I’m still trying to find my own.

How do you see the landscape of financial news evolving, and what skills do you think will be most valuable for financial journalists in the coming years?

The 24-hour news cycle has completely transformed the way we work. I’m probably more exposed to it as a breaking news reporter, but readers have an insatiable appetite for content and constantly expect to have new stories at their fingertips. I’d only expect this pressure to intensify with the adoption of AI. In terms of skills, speed is essential – not only do we have to stay on top of changes in the market, but we’re already having to compete with AI, which can spit out a straightforward news story in a matter of seconds. With that in mind, accuracy becomes even more important. It’s inevitable that journalists make errors, but you have to take responsibility for every story you put out. Attention to detail – I’d say that’s a valuable skill, too.