Who are you?

I'm Harry Cheadle, a Seattle-raised journalist who has worked in media for a decade and a half. My most prominent job was at Vice, where I was a senior editor covering topics ranging from national politics to labor to economics. More recently, I was the editor of Eater Seattle from 2023 to 2026. I've written for local outlets including the Stranger and Seattle Magazine, and national publications including the Daily Beast and the New Republic.

Why is there a paywall?

Firstly, I need money in order to produce this newsletter. I'll always have non-paywalled content for people who can't afford to subscribe, but I hope that if you like what I write and believe in my mission you will support what I do.

Secondly, I want to create a space that is a bit walled off from the rest of the internet where people can talk about issues facing Seattle. Too often, conversations on social media devolve into overheated rhetoric and attention farming. I hope the comment section and subscriber chat at the Muddle is a cooler, calmer antidote to what you see on Reddit, Nextdoor, or Instagram. A paywall serves as a way to keep trolls out. If you really want to say something mean or aggressive on one of my posts, I think you should have to pay me $8.

Do you accept freelance pitches?

No. If you're a journalist, I'm happy to grab a coffee or a coke or talk on the phone about which local outlet might be a good place for your story. If you are an advocacy group who wants me to cover a topic, email me and we can discuss — I won't put your op-ed in my newsletter, but I am eager to hear your perspective.

What is your policy on AI usage?

The Muddle is a one-person operation launched with zero money behind it, which means I am stretched pretty thin. I use AI to assist with tasks I don't have the time or skills to perform myself, including graphic design, web design, and copyediting. I also may use AI to help the research process — though you obviously have to make sure the AI is giving you accurate information, at this point AI is much better than traditional search for a lot of queries.

I do NOT use AI to write any of the words that appear on the Muddle, or generate ideas. AI, like the telephone or the internet, can be a useful tool for journalists, but it does not replace editorial judgement, on-the-ground reporting, or a human voice.

Can I advertise on the Muddle?

Maybe! Email me and we can talk.