Most people think journalists are trained to stay detached, to report the story, and not feel it.
But what happens when the story breaks you?
In this episode we talk with journalist and researcher Louisa Ortiz Pérez, founder of the Media Resilience Network, who launched a groundbreaking survey exploring the emotional toll of journalism during the era of layoffs, audience distrust, and constant crisis coverage.
Louisa reveals what her data shows about:
🧠 Burnout, anxiety, and “moral injury” in the newsroom
💔 How layoffs and social media toxicity are reshaping reporters’ sense of purpose
🎙️ Why many journalists feel silenced, even in organizations built to tell the truth
🌍 And what needs to change to make journalism sustainable again
This conversation is candid, compassionate, and deeply human: a look at what it really means to do the work of journalism when the industry itself is falling apart.
How do we rebuild trust, without breaking the journalists who keep us informed?
00:00 - Start
02:11 - Jenna Remembers the Trauma of Sandy Hook
08:05 - Technology Changed the Game
11:08 - When You Are the Story
14:31 - You Shouldn’t Have to Shrug It Off
17:04 - Journalism Can Make You Sick
18:26 - Put Your Foot Down
22:37 - A Human Condition: A Play About Journalism
25:06 - Take the Veneer Off
27:28 - We Can’t Be Unseen
35:35 - Journalists Need 2 Things to Heal
44:49 - The Algorithm IS NOT Your Friend
48:08 - Only People Not Bots Can Do Journalism
52:29 - PTSD Should Be Recognized
55:15 - Why Did You Become a Journalist?
Media Resilience Network
https://mdrnet.org/
Take the Survey:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdAXBQMP8wgy_ecx2dh4WeqAb3fSUyIh8fndSkZrYBGR22yNg/viewform
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Most people think journalists are trained to stay detached, to report the story, and not feel it.
But what happens when the story breaks you?
In this episode we talk with journalist and researcher Louisa Ortiz Pérez, founder of the Media Resilience Network, who launched a groundbreaking survey exploring the emotional toll of journalism during the era of layoffs, audience distrust, and constant crisis coverage.
Louisa reveals what her data shows about:
🧠 Burnout, anxiety, and “moral injury” in the newsroom
💔 How layoffs and social media toxicity are reshaping reporters’ sense of purpose
🎙️ Why many journalists feel silenced, even in organizations built to tell the truth
🌍 And what needs to change to make journalism sustainable again
This conversation is candid, compassionate, and deeply human: a look at what it really means to do the work of journalism when the industry itself is falling apart.
How do we rebuild trust, without breaking the journalists who keep us informed?
00:00 - Start
02:11 - Jenna Remembers the Trauma of Sandy Hook
08:05 - Technology Changed the Game
11:08 - When You Are the Story
14:31 - You Shouldn’t Have to Shrug It Off
17:04 - Journalism Can Make You Sick
18:26 - Put Your Foot Down
22:37 - A Human Condition: A Play About Journalism
25:06 - Take the Veneer Off
27:28 - We Can’t Be Unseen
35:35 - Journalists Need 2 Things to Heal
44:49 - The Algorithm IS NOT Your Friend
48:08 - Only People Not Bots Can Do Journalism
52:29 - PTSD Should Be Recognized
55:15 - Why Did You Become a Journalist?
Media Resilience Network
https://mdrnet.org/
Take the Survey:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdAXBQMP8wgy_ecx2dh4WeqAb3fSUyIh8fndSkZrYBGR22yNg/viewform
When Interviews Go Sideways and The Collapse of Local News
Laid Off and Looking
1 hour 47 seconds
6 months ago
When Interviews Go Sideways and The Collapse of Local News
The Knicks stunned the Celtics and Jenna’s still recovering, but the show must go on!
This week, Jenna and Dom look at two viral interviews gone sideways- one with former NFL coach Bill Belichick, the other with White Lotus actor Walton Goggins and ask: where’s the line between fair game and off-limits?
Then, they catch up with Ben Max, an expert on New York City politics and former executive editor of Gotham Gazette. After the outlet paused operations due to financial issues, Ben pivoted to New York Law School, where he now leads the Center for New York City and State Law. He shares insights on the decline of local journalism, the rise of social media influencers, and why accountability reporting still matters. They also talk about New York politics, civic engagement, and how Ben balances public programming with hosting his podcast, Max Politics.
Timecodes:
Start - 00:00
Knicks-Celtics recap and Jenna’s recovery - 02:05
Knicks Shoes throwback with Michael Rapaport - 06:24
Where’s the line between fair game and off-limits (Bill Belichick and Walton Goggins)? - 09:27
Interview: Ben Max on NYC politics and local news - 20:23
Challenges in Local Journalism - 26:37
The Role of Social Media in News - 30:22
Transition to New York Law School - 34:20
Balancing Journalism and Academia - 38:06
The Importance of Local Accountability - 41:47
Ben's Passion for Basketball and Journalism - 55:47
Links for this episode:
CBS News Refutes Bill Belichick’s Claims About Awkward Interview Alongside Girlfriend Jordon Hudson
https://people.com/cbs-news-refutes-bill-belichick-claims-awkward-interview-alongside-girlfriend-jordon-hudson-11725394
Walton Goggins: Aimee Lou Wood? I’m not gonna have that conversation
https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/walton-goggins-white-lotus-interview-the-uninvited-m3dtdvjb7
Max Politics Podcast:
https://soundcloud.com/gotham-gazette-max-murphy
Ben Max Twitter (X):
@TweetBenMax
Laid Off and Looking
Most people think journalists are trained to stay detached, to report the story, and not feel it.
But what happens when the story breaks you?
In this episode we talk with journalist and researcher Louisa Ortiz Pérez, founder of the Media Resilience Network, who launched a groundbreaking survey exploring the emotional toll of journalism during the era of layoffs, audience distrust, and constant crisis coverage.
Louisa reveals what her data shows about:
🧠 Burnout, anxiety, and “moral injury” in the newsroom
💔 How layoffs and social media toxicity are reshaping reporters’ sense of purpose
🎙️ Why many journalists feel silenced, even in organizations built to tell the truth
🌍 And what needs to change to make journalism sustainable again
This conversation is candid, compassionate, and deeply human: a look at what it really means to do the work of journalism when the industry itself is falling apart.
How do we rebuild trust, without breaking the journalists who keep us informed?
00:00 - Start
02:11 - Jenna Remembers the Trauma of Sandy Hook
08:05 - Technology Changed the Game
11:08 - When You Are the Story
14:31 - You Shouldn’t Have to Shrug It Off
17:04 - Journalism Can Make You Sick
18:26 - Put Your Foot Down
22:37 - A Human Condition: A Play About Journalism
25:06 - Take the Veneer Off
27:28 - We Can’t Be Unseen
35:35 - Journalists Need 2 Things to Heal
44:49 - The Algorithm IS NOT Your Friend
48:08 - Only People Not Bots Can Do Journalism
52:29 - PTSD Should Be Recognized
55:15 - Why Did You Become a Journalist?
Media Resilience Network
https://mdrnet.org/
Take the Survey:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdAXBQMP8wgy_ecx2dh4WeqAb3fSUyIh8fndSkZrYBGR22yNg/viewform
