Nydia Han is an Emmy award-winning journalist, 6abc’s consumer investigative reporter, and co-anchor of Action News Sunday mornings. She created the documentary series, #ThisIsAmerica, which takes a provocative and fresh look at who we are as Americans. We get to know her in 20 questions!
1.What’s the first thing you read in the morning?
News on the 6abc app, OF COURSE 😉
2. What was your first job?
My first news job was that of general assignment reporter in Pocatello, Idaho. I shot and edited a lot of my own stories and sometimes even set up my own live shots in our bureau. I crashed two station vehicles during my two years there. This Southern California native wasn’t used to driving on ice and in snow. I recall my first day on the job like it was yesterday. I was incredibly nervous!
3. Who has influenced your career?
My father. He always told me I have to find my passion and then figure out how to make a living from it. He is a constant reminder that feeding the soul is as important as feeding the body.
4. If you weren’t a ____ what would you be?
If I weren’t a journalist, I would be a concert pianist … or a pop star. At least in my dreams.
5. 3 qualities that have helped you in your career?
Perseverance, empathy, and eternal optimism.
6. Favorite perk of the job?
Hanging out with some of the best humans I know, particularly the incredible photojournalists I get to work with every day. It seems all of life’s problems have been solved during various therapy sessions in a live truck.
7. Worst part of the job?
Waking up at 4am every Sunday … and sometimes 3am on Saturday … and sometimes 2am Monday through Fridays! I LOVE anchoring the news once I’m up and moving but when that alarm clock goes off, it’s pretty brutal.
8. Change you’d like to see in your industry?
So many things, but one is more diversity in local newsrooms. Throughout much of my career I’ve been the lone Asian American voice among the news staff. We could use more varied perspectives, especially in top management, when deciding what to cover and how to approach our coverage. The other thing we need is more think time. We’re constantly on the go, meeting the next crazy deadline, furiously posting on social media, and chasing the next story. I think more think time could do us all some good.
9. How do you unwind after a bad day?
Hanging out with my children and husband and drinking a glass of wine. The kids really make me laugh and always offer such a fresh, innocent perspective.
10. What is your favorite ritual?
In the morning, it’s taking that first sip of coffee and eating whole grain sourdough AVOCADO toast. I also love our family bedtime routine, which entails reading with our children in bed, cuddling with them for a while, and then lots of hugs and kisses before we tuck them in for the night.
11. Who would you most want to meet?
Sandra Oh. She became my hero when she bowed to her parents and told them she loved them in Korean when she won her Golden Globe.
12. When do you feel the freest?
When I’m on vacation and unplugged.
13. Do you trust where life is taking you?
Hmmm … interesting way to phrase the question. While I believe in fate to some degree, I believe more in grabbing life by the horns and making things happen.
14. How much risk do you like taking?
It was easy to take risks when I had little to lose, and as a younger person, I took a lot of them. As the stakes get higher, I find myself more hesitant. That having been said, I like to think I have moments of bravery and boldness even now. And every time I do lean into the discomfort of risk, I’m glad I did!
15. What do you do in your downtime?
What is downtime? Haha, I do wish I had a lot more downtime. I would read … and read … and read … And play the piano.
16. Who’d you invite to a fantasy dinner party? Anyone dead or alive.
Madonna and Ali Wong.
17. When do you get nervous?
Sometimes right before speaking in front of a live audience. Yes, even now. It’s totally different from being on camera. And often the smaller, more intimate the audience, the more nervous I tend to feel, especially when I know people in the group. Although the MOST nervous I’ve felt in decades was right before my TEDx talk!
18. What would you like to leave behind once you’re gone?
Children who laugh a lot, find much for which to be grateful, and experience many moments of unbridled joy, who live an inspired, purposeful life and take on the responsibility to use their talents to make a positive impact on those around them.
19. What do you think about Love?
For it. Definitely. We need more of it.
20. What are you most grateful for, right now, in this moment?
My family.