In this episode of Behind the Beacon, Chief Revenue Officer Daralyse Lyons and Owner & Publisher Emily Smith reflect on The Power of Participation, the June 2 community conversation co-hosted with the Doylestown Action League and moderated by Connor O’Hanlon. They unpack the themes and questions that surfaced during the event, including barriers, accessibility, civic engagement, and personal empowerment.

From technology gaps to language access, from paywalls to social‑media echo chambers, Daralyse and Emily explore the structural challenges that shape how people get information. They also speak candidly about the Beacon’s commitment to accessibility, the financial realities of keeping news free to read, and the evolution of the Beacon’s identity beyond its early “progressive” label.

This episode offers practical ways for community members to get involved, support local journalism, and help strengthen civic engagement across Bucks County.

Resources mentioned:

The Signal Podcast

The Beacon’s Voter Guide featuring the Committee of 70’s ballot‑builder widget

The Beacon x Technically collaborative series on digital voting accessibility

In this episode of Behind the Beacon, Daralyse Lyons and Emily Smith explore what it takes to run a newsroom when everyone’s working remotely. From Slack threads to late‑night strategy sessions, they share how the Bucks County Beacon builds culture, cohesion, and community even when its team is scattered across Pennsylvania.

Emily explains that remote work has been part of the Beacon’s DNA from the start. What began as a two‑person virtual startup has grown into a mission‑driven organization with full‑time staff, part‑time contributors, freelancers, and operations support.

She reflects on the Beacon’s evolution — and her decision to “jump off a cliff” by hiring Daralyse and others to strengthen revenue and sustainability. Daralyse expands on how the Beacon’s readers and supporters are not just an audience but an essential part of the newsroom’s extended team.

Together, they preview the Beacon’s upcoming five‑year anniversary celebration on Thursday, September 24 — a $5 community event inviting readers, donors, and reporters to gather in person to celebrate what’s been built and imagine what’s next.

If you’ve ever wondered how a small, remote newsroom can feel like a family, this episode reveals how connection, communication, and community make it possible.

Support independent journalism at buckscountybeacon.com/support‑the‑beacon

In this episode of Behind the Beacon, Daralyse Lyons and Emily Smith get real about something most newsrooms never talk about out loud: how local journalism actually pays its bills. As they explain in this episode, the difference between a thriving newsroom and a disappearing one is reader revenue.

They break down the collapse of the old newspaper model (funded by ads, subscriptions, and circulation) and explain why independent outlets like the Bucks County Beacon rely on reader revenue to stay alive.

Emily shares the behind-the-scenes math: The Beacon reaches 30,000 readers a month, but only a tiny fraction give monthly. And she talks about the emotional side of reader support: older residents on fixed incomes who write heartfelt notes when they have to cancel, community members who proudly give $10 a month because they believe in accountability journalism, and freelancers who deserve to be paid fairly.

Daralyse points out that readers who give even $5 or $10 a month (the price of a cup of coffee) are making a tangible difference in the Beacon’s bottom line.

They speak candidly about why recurring contributions matter more than one-time gifts: Grants are restricted. Ads fluctuate. But monthly support is steady, flexible, and allows the Beacon to plan, hire, investigate, and grow.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your contribution matters, this episode answers that question clearly: yes!

After listening to this episode, support the Beacon at https://buckscountybeacon.com/contribute/