As journalists, we spend most of our time catching up with breaking news. Interviewing experts, people at a scene other journalists, for the latest tips and stories, while checking libraries and databases for context. This week, we’re looking at alumni who are taking a step back to look at the process of how their characters, our society and themselves got to the points they’re at.

First up is summer 2012 production editor Scaachi Koul, who, try as we might, we can’t ignore—whether she’s yelling on Twitter or writing an honest, funny and often insightful piece. This week it’s the latter, as she recounts the bucket list she made at 11 years old and the awkwardness and embarrassment we face as we push ourselves towards our goals.

Next, former instructor Bill Reynolds wrote a short series of posts on his book, Life Real Loud: John Lefebvre, Neteller and the Revolution in Online Gambling. Reynolds opens up about his interest in the story, John Lefebvre as a main character, and the seven-year writing process.

Finally, spring 2007 editor Julia Belluz chats with sports nutritionist Matt Fitzgerald about diet cults, eating fads and how we got so stupid when it comes to food.

Do you have a piece that should be up here? Email the blog editor. And while you’re reading this, be sure to follow the Review and its wonderful masthead on Twitter. Feature image step backward designed by useiconic.com from the Noun Project. 

Wondering where our past writers are now? Well, you’ve come to the right place! This year, we’re keeping up with the Review‘s alumni and showcasing our favourite pieces of their current work.

First up this week, spring 2007 editor Julia Belluz interviewed Richard Preston—author of The Hot Zone, the non-fiction thriller about Ebola published in 1994—about how the virus has changed in the last 20 years and what scares him most about it today.

After you’re through getting your blood pumping with that interview, settle in and read former Review instructor Lynn Cunningham‘s vividly personal tale of why quitting smoking is a long, lonely battle, because we don’t consider it a true addiction.

Finally, winter 2011 chief copy editor Ashley Csanady brought a unique take to the aftermath of the attack in Ottawa, compiling some of the most moving photos from the day after and visually parsing speeches made by Stephen Harper, Thomas Mulcair and Justin Trudeau.

That’s it for now, be sure to check back in next week for another edition of the Alumni Essentials.

Do you have a piece that should be featured here? Email the blog editor. And don’t forget to follow the Review and its masthead on Twitter.