Jay Schadler

Jay Schadler is a two-time Emmy Award-winning journalist, photographer, and artist whose career spans more than three decades in broadcast journalism and visual storytelling. Schadler served as a correspondent and anchor for ABC News, reporting for major platforms including "20/20," "PrimeTime," "Good Morning America," "World News," and "Nightline." He contributed special reports to National Geographic TV, Discovery, Bravo, and PBS, covering topics such as the Ebola virus, Bengal tigers in India, and investigations into international illegal wildlife trade.

Schadler is known for his series "Looking for America," in which he hitchhiked nearly 20,000 miles across the United States, interviewing and recording everyday people. The "Looking for America" segments pioneered the use of small video cameras and dash cams in cars and are often cited as early examples of reality television storytelling. His hitchhiking road stories later aired as a weekly television series called "TaleLights" for Bravo. Schadler has appeared on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" to discuss his experiences and the people he met on the road.

Throughout his career, Schadler has received numerous honors, including an Emmy Award for Outstanding Investigative Journalism for a "20/20" report on false claims by veterans receiving medical benefits for post-traumatic stress syndrome. He has also received the National Headliner Award, National Environmental Media Award, and UPI's Outstanding Individual Achievement Award, and was the first recipient of the Dennis Kauff Memorial Award for Boston's outstanding broadcast reporter. Schadler hosted "Justice Files" on Discovery Channel, leading viewers through real crime cases using video, actual participants, and eyewitnesses.

In addition to his journalism career, Schadler is recognized as a visual artist. His work has been described as influenced by Edward Hopper and Salvador Dali, capturing a space between reality and fantasy. He operated a studio and gallery in New England and designs custom pieces for interior decorators and architectural firms.

Schadler shares his experiences through keynote speeches focused on navigating major life transitions, drawing on his background in journalism, global reporting, and personal reinvention. His talks address topics such as anxiety, depression, and the challenges of moving from one stage of life to another, offering insights grounded in decades of frontline reporting and storytelling.