John McDermott is a senior writer at Esquire specializing in the collision of finance, culture, and technology. His reporting illuminates how individuals navigate—and disrupt—systems of power, from corporate labyrinths to online communities.
“The most interesting stories live in the gaps between what’s legal, what’s ethical, and what’s human.”
We’ve followed John McDermott’s evolution from a freelance contributor to a prominent voice at Esquire, where his incisive storytelling dissects modern cultural and financial phenomena. His work blends investigative rigor with a knack for humanizing niche subcultures, from Reddit traders to pharmaceutical consumers. McDermott’s early bylines in Chicago Tribune and Inc. laid the groundwork for his focus on systemic quirks and individual agency within broader economic frameworks.
This viral piece explores a surreal corporate oversight where an employee remained on payroll without supervision. McDermott traces the subject’s journey from confusion to entrepreneurial success, using the case to critique bureaucratic inertia. The article’s blend of dark humor and structural analysis resonated with readers navigating post-pandemic workplace ambiguities, sparking debates about productivity theater and remote work accountability.
McDermott demystifies the GameStop short squeeze by mapping the collision of meme culture and high finance. Through interviews with retail investors and analysis of Discord communities, he frames the event as a populist challenge to institutional gatekeepers. The piece remains a touchstone for understanding how digital collectivism disrupts traditional markets, cited in academic papers on decentralized financial movements.
This MEL Magazine article navigates the polarized discourse around transgender athlete participation. McDermott interviews coaches, athletes, and advocates, presenting competing fairness frameworks without endorsing simplistic resolutions. The piece exemplifies his commitment to nuanced dialogue on culturally charged topics, balancing empirical data with ethical considerations.
McDermott gravitates toward stories where individuals or communities subvert traditional power structures, as seen in his WallStreetBets coverage. Pitches should highlight grassroots movements, unintended consequences of corporate policies, or personal finance strategies that challenge mainstream advice. Avoid generic market trends or institutional perspectives.
His Wegovy investigation underscores a fascination with morally ambiguous health interventions. Successful pitches might examine off-label drug use, wellness subcultures, or the intersection of medical innovation and societal norms. Steer clear of straightforward medical reporting or celebrity fitness routines.
From Reddit finance groups to OnlyFans creators, McDermott frequently sources stories from digital subcultures. PR professionals should identify clients with authentic ties to emerging online movements, particularly those demonstrating unexpected real-world impacts. Generic influencer campaigns lack the edge he seeks.
While McDermott maintains a low profile regarding industry accolades, his work’s cultural impact speaks volumes. The WallStreetBets article precipitated invitations to testify before congressional committees exploring retail trading regulations—a rare feat for magazine journalism. His pieces regularly feature in university curricula as case studies for modern media literacy.
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Personal Finance, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
