If you live in Chicago, you might recognize today's interviewee's voice. As the South Side Bureau reporter for WBEZ, she covers everything from violence to politics to activism to housing and more. Next week she is releasing a new book, The South Side: A Portrait of Chicago and American Segregation, which is timely as many people consider Chicago's separation and violence to be a microcosm of the country's greatest struggles. In her book, Natalie illustrates the life of south side communities through the stories of people who live in them. In addition to the new book and her radio work, Natalie's work has been published in Essence, the Chicago Sun-Times and the Chicago Tribune and  co-authored the books Deconstructing Tyrone: A New Look at Black Masculinity in the Hip-Hop Generation and The Almighty Black P Stone Nation: The Rise, Fall and Resurgence of an American Gang. Follow her here!

What does a book allow you to do that you can't accomplish in a radio project or feature article?
Mainly, I have more space. Public radio allows for nuance and more time than most broadcast outlets (of which I'm grateful.) But a book has a longer shelf live. Book writing allows more voices and a thread to tie everything together. I also am a recovering newspaper reporter. A book will never be the next day's fish wrap.

How did Roland Burris convince your parents to let you attend Howard (and why did they need convincing?)
As a Howard alum, and trusted neighbor, he worked on my father about why Howard was great. My dad had tried to bribe me with a car if I went to University of Illinois-Champaign -- cheaper, closer to home. I wasn't having that. I visited Howard and fell in love. Mrs. Burris and a high school history teacher (whose daughter was at Howard) joined in on the 'it takes a village' to get me to Howard. Of course, my younger sister went and there was no committee to convince my father. Ha.

I just worked on a story about 'up and coming' neighborhoods in Chicago and wondered at times if I was promoting gentrification. What do you see as the line between integration and gentrification?
Gentrification is displacement and replacement of people. Smart development makes sure existing residents reap the new benefits and aren't isolated or marginalized as changes come to a neighborhood.

You've lived and worked in Detroit, which people often cite as a future version of Chicago. Do you think that's an apt comparison (or warning?)
I have a soft spot for Detroit and think it's an amazing news town that should be covered more. I cringe at the warnings though -- and that's not a slight on Detroit even though the city has a lot more trouble than Chicago. Detroit's been a one-horse industry town whereas Chicago has more diversity in industry. I also think when people make that comparison, they don't know much about the history of either city and say it as a scare tactic shrouded in race.

What's the best piece of early reporting or writing advice you received that you use to this day?
Print out your story and read it aloud (or under your breath) before you send it to your editor. You catch more mistakes than reading it on the screen.

What advice do you most frequently give to young reporters?
Join professional organizations, network, write handwritten thank you notes after job interviews, hustle, intern as much as possible, learn from mistakes.

What do you typically listen to when you're not on the job?
As I type answers to these questions, I'm listening to J-Dilla and A Tribe Called Quest radio on Pandora.

How often do people nerd out when they discover you're an NPR personality? Is there a specific type of person who gets excited about that?
I joke that I'm a celebrity among nerds. I say that lovingly. Oh, I can't forget cab drivers. If they drop me off at the station, they get very excited.

When you have friends in from out of town, where do you like to take them?
Drinks at Gilt Bar or Maria's in Bridgeport or Violet Hour. Harold's. Publican. Drives throughout the South Side. House parties.

You took part in something I'm strangely fascinated by--Chicago Magazine's Most Eligible Singles issue. Did being in that affect your romantic life at all?
Not at all.

How does it feel to be the 414th person interviewed for Zulkey.com?
I enjoyed the unexpected questions! I also feel the bar is high to try to sound somewhat witty. Not sure I succeeded.