Nick Valencia Launches 'Nick Valencia News' Substack After Two Decades at CNN

Nick Valencia has launched a Substack, Nick Valencia News, after two decades at CNN. Valencia started out as a Video Journalist and then became an Associate Producer for “Inside Africa” before becoming National Desk Editor and Correspondent, where he led stories that matter to working people, immigrant communities, and everyday families for the past 12 years.

Meredith & The Media reached out to Valencia for comment, and confirmed PR pros can pitch him news for his Substack. He shared exclusively with M&TM:

“After leaving CNN, I adopted the mindset that things don’t happen to us, they happen for us. That shift in perspective made all the difference. Not long after, the History Channel offered me a short-term project that brought me to Los Angeles—just as a wave of social resistance was rising across the city. Like so many journalists, the work lives inside me. And there was an opportunity to show up, to be present, and to offer a platform to the voices in the streets who too often go unheard.

Since then, it’s taken on a life of its own. In just three weeks, my reporting has reached more than 5 million views across social media. I’ve launched a Substack, and to be honest, a month ago I barely even knew what Substack was. Now, I’m building a community of subscribers and followers who are deeply engaged with the stories we’re telling.

I don’t claim to have all the answers. But I believe in the power of showing up—especially right now, when accountability journalism matters more than ever. My plan is simple: take small bites of the apple. Start with stories I know and care about deeply. Then grow from there.

The beautiful thing about coming from legacy media is it showed us the world. Now, as an independent journalist, I get to decide how I show it back.”

More on Valencia’s initial exit: https://barrettmedia.com/2025/06/06/cnn-correspondent-nick-valencia-exits-after-nearly-20-years/

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