On Location With Shannon Bream

Since its founding as our Nation’s capital in 1790, Washington D.C. has been the hallowed ground where some of the greatest leaders in history have charted the direction of our nation and ultimately the world. The men and women that comprise the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government wield tremendous power to affect the lives of millions of people for generations. Along with that power comes the temptation to use it for personal gain, which breeds the types of corruption that has given politicians such a bad reputation. In a recent Gallop Poll, politicians ranked second to last in a survey of the most trusted professionals.

For the past six years, Shannon Bream has been the Fox News Channel correspondent responsible for covering the Supreme Court in Washington D.C. It is a world away from Tallahassee, Florida where she was born and raised, and where she attended North Florida Christian High School. Shannon went on to Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia where she graduated with a business degree and then returned to Tallahassee to attend law school at Florida State University and interned with Florida Congressman Bill McCollum.

After graduating law school, Shannon moved to Tampa, Florida where she pursued a career in law, but it didn’t give her the fulfillment she desired. When an opportunity arose to work with a local news station, she made a career change. In 2001, after a year of working for an ABC affiliate in Tampa, she moved to Charlotte, North Carolina. She worked for a CBS News affiliate as a reporter for three years before moving on to Washington D.C., first working as a news anchor for an NBC affiliate and then to her current position with Fox News.

In May 2013, Shannon had the honor of giving Liberty University’s 40th commencement speech. She was the first female in the school’s history and also the first Liberty University graduate since its accreditation in 1980 to provide the keynote address.

We caught up with Shannon to find out how she integrates her faith into her profession and her views on Christian leadership.

1. TwoTen

You work in one of the most powerful cities in the world and meet powerful leaders every day. As you cover and learn about them, what, in your opinion, makes a good, effective leader?

1. Shannon Bream

I think it takes someone who is willing to listen to many different viewpoints, and then act on her own core principles. Real leaders try to be inclusive, but have to be decisive when circumstances demand action. The best leaders I know seem to be able to relate to people across the spectrum and to make them feel that their input is truly valuable. You also need a pretty thick skin!

"Real leaders try to be inclusive, but have to be decisive when circumstances demand action."Shannon Bream

1. TwoTen

Are there any distinguishing characteristics that they have or don’t have?

1. Shannon Bream

Strong leaders seem to be good at building coalitions. No one gets everything they want, but consensus often leads to workable solutions – where everyone has a stake in the ultimate outcome. Also, they aren’t afraid of legitimate criticism.

1. TwoTen

Is it difficult to cover someone that you are spiritually opposed to?

1. Shannon Bream

I never see that as a challenge. I’m sure I cover people all the time who differ from me on issues of religion, fiscal policy, foreign affairs and everything in between. My job is simply to get the facts on all sides of any issue and give them to our viewers. I let them draw their own conclusions. I find it fascinating to be able to interview someone who may be on a different page than I am on a given issue, simply to be able to understand his or her thought process.

1. TwoTen

You cover people that the majority of Americans think are crooks, liars, and cheats - why have you chosen to cover politics?

1. Shannon Bream

I can’t imagine a more interesting subject! What happens in Washington impacts every single American, and I want them to understand that. Every election, every Supreme Court ruling, every federal regulation – they all trickle down to how each of us lives our lives. Many politicians have an agenda that has nothing to do with what’s best for their constituents. Some truly operate from a place of principle and integrity. I want our viewers to know about both.

1. TwoTen

It is not politically correct to report the facts on some of the issues you report on, such as: same sex marriage, abortion, healthcare, and other issues. Politics, in general, can be a minefield for anyone willing to take them on. You seem to be unwavering when it comes to accurately reporting the facts on these issues. What gives you the strength and courage to remain vocal on your spiritual beliefs when reporting on issues such as these?

1. Shannon Bream

I do pray that the Lord will give me the skills and professionalism to do my job without ever sacrificing my own core values and convictions. I think He calls us all to be the best at what we do, in order to glorify Him. We should hold ourselves to a higher standard. As a reporter, that means I have to stick to the facts – whether I like them or not. Words are very powerful, and choosing them carefully has a lot of impact. We have many strong voices in our opinion division at Fox, so I leave the advocacy to them.

I’ve covered many elections and Supreme Court decisions that haven’t gone the way I as an individual had hoped they would. It’s important that I give viewers the facts and leave my opinions at home. I know I’m doing something right when I get emails from people accusing me of both leaning to the left AND leaning to the right. I find viewer reactions like that have much more to do with their own perceptions and biases.

I often find that some of the most heated attacks come my way simply because I report on an issue, regardless of the fact that I expressed no opinion on the story at all. I think all Americans should be concerned that there are people who think the media should be silenced from reporting facts.

1. TwoTen

Do you ever feel that you put your career on the line by sticking to your convictions?

1. Shannon Bream

I’ve truly never been presented with that choice. There is clear respect for differing viewpoints here at Fox News, and that’s not true at all news outlets.

1. TwoTen

While Christians can be some of the biggest critics on the way news is reported and the media in general, they can also do things that hinder the cause by being overzealous. What are some of the things Christians do that make you cringe?

1. Shannon Bream

It doesn’t benefit Christians when they vocally dole out heavy criticism and judge others without the rest of the message – God’s love. There has to be a balance. People will not care about what you have to say, until they feel that you care about them. It’s also critical that Christians are armed with facts and not just emotion. Yes, we are passionate about many issues, but if we come to the discussion ill-equipped we cannot hope to be persuasive.

"It doesn’t benefit Christians when they vocally dole out heavy criticism and judge others without the rest of the message – God’s love."Shannon Bream

1. TwoTen

Has being a voice of the cause of Christ cost you anything?

1. Shannon Bream

It has certainly opened me up to plenty of criticism over the years, but we were never promised an easy road. I find that people who attack you simply on the basis of your faith are either misinformed or illogical. Religious freedom is one of our most treasured rights. I think my faith calls me to love my neighbor as myself – not to agree with them 100% of the time.

1. TwoTen

What advice do you have for young, Christian women pursuing careers that are typically dominated by men?

1. Shannon Bream

Be prepared to play tough and smart. People will run over you if they don’t respect you. Be the most prepared person in the room, but don’t feel you have to sacrifice your femininity in the process. Choose your battles wisely. You don’t need to push back every time, so develop wisdom about when you should. Also, look for a good mentor. They’ve been through everything you’ve faced and will be able to give you real-life advice.

I have a Bible study group every week, filled with women who are navigating the realities of living and working in Washington. We give each other moral support.

1. TwoTen

To whom do you go for biblical counsel and wisdom?

1. Shannon Bream

Along with the women in my Bible study I find my Mom to be an incredible resource. I also have trusted female friends of all ages who are willing to stand in the gap when I need them. They are true blessings.

1. TwoTen

Do you have any scriptures that have been instrumental in guiding your life and career?

1. Shannon Bream

I’m a terrible flyer, so there are verses I cling to during my travels, and I find they work for the rest of my life too!

“I sought the Lord, and he heard my cries, and delivered me from all my fears.” – Psalm 34:4

“God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind.” – 2 Timothy 1:7

I’ve also learned a lot through physical pain and struggles. They made this passage absolutely come alive to me:

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9-11

1. TwoTen

You’ve had an unbelievable career up to this point. What lies ahead for you?

1. Shannon Bream

I really don’t know. I try not to rule out anything, and to trust that there is a plan much more important than anything I’ve dreamed up for myself. I’m a planner, so letting go of that is something I really struggle with. Life is unpredictable, and when I was practicing law I would never have guessed I’d end up where I am now.