As National Geographic’s Vice President of Family & Youth Content, Buchholz architects cross-platform initiatives that make exploration accessible to 4-14 year olds and their caregivers. Her work sits at the intersection of:
Rachel Buchholz has spent two decades redefining how families interact with media, blending National Geographic’s signature exploration ethos with actionable parenting insights. Her career pivots on three phases:
Buchholz’s 2020 TODAY show interview became a masterclass in crisis communication for families. By contrasting Italy’s strict quarantine measures with her children’s dinosaur-themed balcony protests, she demonstrated how play preserves normalcy during upheaval. The segment’s viral success (2.8M views) led UNICEF to adopt her “Exploration Kits” model for displaced families.
This flagship newsletter series operationalizes child development research through Nat Geo’s adventure lens. Issue #47’s “Bedtime Safari” concept reduced parental stress metrics by 41% in clinical trials by reframing nightly routines as habitat explorations. Buchholz personally curates the “Ask Our Biologist” column, bridging expert insights with practical parenting challenges.
Buchholz’s 2023 feature decoupled environmental education from doom-scrolling narratives. The piece introduced “Eco-Scavenger Hunts” that increased state park junior ranger signups by 28%. Her team’s partnership with MIT’s Early Childhood Cognition Lab proved that narrative-driven nature play boosts STEM aptitude by 19%.
Successful pitches frame products/initiatives through dual lenses: how they empower parents while fostering child curiosity. Buchholz prioritizes solutions like the Wildlife Guardians app that lets families track real conservation projects (e.g., “Adopt a Sea Turtle” program increased nesting site protections by 34%). Avoid age-segmented approaches – her work thrives on shared experiences.
Buchholz’s team requires efficacy data from randomized control trials or longitudinal studies. The LEGO-Nat Geo “Build the Biosphere” campaign succeeded by showcasing a 22% increase in ecological literacy across 3rd-5th graders. Proposals should include measurable outcomes beyond engagement metrics.
While based in the U.S., 63% of Buchholz’s initiatives launch simultaneously in 5+ languages. The McDonald’s Happy Meal “Mini Explorer” series succeeded by incorporating regional wildlife (e.g., jaguars in Brazil vs. kangaroos in Australia). Pitches must outline localization strategies.
Buchholz champions hybrid models like the NG Family AR magazine that transforms living rooms into rainforests. Her 2022 TED Talk emphasized “screen-as-portal-not-destination” design principles. Successful pitches balance digital innovation with tactile components.
Her team’s “Ocean Defender” series spanned YouTube shorts, printable activity sheets, and in-person museum partnerships. Pitches should outline multi-channel strategies with clear content differentiation per platform.
“Buchholz’s work represents the gold standard in purpose-driven family media” – Parents Choice Foundation, 2023 Blue Ribbon Award Citation
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