Anthony Ponce Quits NBC News to Drive for Lyft and Start New 'Backseat Rider' Adventure

CHICAGO, IL — Why would a guy quit a job as a TV reporter in one of the best news cities in the United States?

With a 5-month-old baby at home? And give up his health coverage, too?

Why, to drive a car, of course, and listen to his riders tell their stories.

That's what Anthony Ponce, 37, did last week when he packed up a box and walked out of the NBC 5 Chicago studios on July 24 after nine years on the air. He's driving for Lyft, the ride-sharing service, and recording interviews with his willing passengers. He told USA Today this is "totally DIY journalism."

Here's a video Ponce made to introduce his podcast and Lyft adventure.

He was driving for Lyft part-time and recording interviews while working for NBC. That will now be in his full-time gig. Media writer Robert Feder reports that Ponce left because he was passed over for NBC's morning news anchor job.

Ponce is the son of WTTW "Chicago Tonight" host Phil Ponce and brother of WGN morning anchor Dan Ponce.

Ponce told Kim Janssen, reporting for the Chicago Tribune, that he's inspired by podcasts like "This American Life" and "Serial," as well as Jerry Seinfeld's "Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee."

"My only income will be what I make from driving the car," he told Janssen.

His wife Maggie has given him six months to make this work.

Gulp.

follow Anthony Ponce and Backseat Rider on Facebook and on Twitter: @AnthonyPonceTV

"Backseat Rider" podcast begins in August