TOBY SELLS.

Journalist · Filmmaker · Host

Good stories
move people.

I help organizations, destinations and businesses find the human story—and tell it through writing, video, photography and on-camera hosting.

Tell me about your project See selected work
25+ years telling stories50K+ social followersMillions of video views
Toby Sells in a State and Beale cap in front of the Tennessee flag
Based in Memphis · Working across Tennessee

How I can help

One storyteller.
Every way in.

You work directly with me—not an agency handoff. I report, write, shoot, interview, host and edit with one clear point of view.

01

Writing & journalism

Feature stories, profiles, annual reports, newsletters, website copy, donor stories, economic development and tourism content.

02

Video storytelling

From idea to final edit: documentary features, interviews, tourism films, social packages and event coverage.

03

Hosting & speaking

A prepared, energetic emcee, moderator, interviewer or on-camera host for events, television and public conversations.

04

Podcasts & audio

Podcast hosting, interviewing, production and story consultation grounded in years behind the microphone.

Selected work

Reported deeply.
Told clearly.

Stories about the people, places, businesses and issues shaping Tennessee and the South.

River of Trash coverMemphis FlyerRiver of Trash2026 Community Impact Report coverTech9012026 Community Impact ReportThe Spirits of Soul & Spirits coverMemphis FlyerThe Spirits of Soul & Spirits50th Anniversary coverAlliance Healthcare Services50th Anniversary

Video & State & Beale

Tennessee stories, made to be watched.

State & Beale explores the state’s culture, history, food and places through short-form video, long-form storytelling, photography and reporting.

“Toby totally ran with it, creating the concept for a video series and executing it brilliantly. He was a breeze to work with.”Melissa McMasters · Overton Park Conservancy
Visit State & Beale Watch on YouTube
State and Beale video storytelling services
Toby Sells seated outdoors

Meet Toby

A reporter’s curiosity. A filmmaker’s eye.

For more than two decades, I’ve covered Tennessee and the Mid-South—local government, economic development, culture, food, tourism and community life.

My work includes thousands of published stories, regular appearances on WKNO’s Behind the Headlines, hosting WKNO’s In Conversation With, live events across Memphis and original podcasts about news, history and the unexplained.

  • Award-winning journalist
  • Founder of State & Beale
  • Television, podcast and live-event host
Haint Blues book coverAlso by TobyHaint BluesStrange Tales from the American South

Have a story to tell?

Let’s make
something great.

Writing projects start at $500. Video, hosting and ongoing retainers are quoted around the shape of the work.

InstagramFacebookYouTubeTikTok