David Carr: So, I already was an admirer of yours, and when you got pushed out of your job...

A note from the editors: On Monday, Jill Abramson , former executive editor of The New York Times, and David Carr , culture reporter and columnist for that paper, spoke with Here & Now co-host Jeremy Hobson about journalism, competition, the new media landscape and more. What follows are highlights from their conversation.

I know you got run over by a truck and kept moving and then got up and ran a newspaper, but your willingness to kind of tilt into that, own it and keep moving. Is that just a decision you made, or that's who you are?

Jill Abramson: Just say fired.

DC: Thank you.

JA: I was fired.

DC: When you were fired out of your job. I just thought there was a rule that you would smile and wear beige and never use that word that you just used rather declaratively. I mean, people talk about leaning in to this and that, but that's a pile of crap right there. That's a big hatchet — and I know you got run over by a truck and kept moving and then got up and ran a newspaper, but your willingness to kind of tilt into that, own it and keep moving. Is that just a decision you made, or that's who you are?

JA: It's partly who I am, but I felt that I had devoted my career to telling the truth, and the truth was that I was fired, so it just seemed — what else? I wasn't going to — my kids are 31 and 29. I wasn't going to say, 'I've decided to step down to spend more time with my family.'

DC: Everybody dreams about sort of — I'm going to step off the hobbit wheel for a second and what'll it be like. But then you worry, what if the bell rings and I totally freak out and I'm not ready? I'm not in the thick of it? Any of that?

JA: Is the question: Have I freaked out?

DC: No. The question is: When news heats up and you don't have a --

JA: I miss it, sure.

DC: What parts?

JA: Well, I still read just as I always did. I see big stories that jump out at me that are not being covered. I mean, the chase first and foremost. I mean, I love big news stories. I don't feel like, gee, I wish I was running Ebola coverage. I don't. That should be obvious. But there are certain things — that I don't want to say what they are — 'cause I'm actually thinking about getting back into some writing and reporting.

On Ebola Coverage

JA: I heard you were asked a question just a few minutes ago about what your reaction to the media coverage of Ebola has been. And just now, as I am a consumer of the news and a teacher of journalism, but it's been disgraceful, I think, in many respects. I have to roll my eyes when today I'm reading all these stories about 'The Panic.' Well, who helped cause the panic? I mean, please!