Blue Sky

Many years ago, Jodie Jackson found herself in a deep depression.  As she worked to identify the causes her deteriorating mental health, she realized it had a lot to do with her excessive and indiscriminate consumption of news and information.  In the years since, she’s become a recognized expert on media literacy and a passionate advocate for understanding and managing our intake of news to protect our mental health. 

Chapters: 

01:12 Introducing Jodi Jackson  Jodie Jackson, an expert in the psychological impact of news on mental health, shares her background and the motivation behind her work in constructive journalism. 

02:27 The Personal Journey to Understanding News Impact  Jodie recounts her personal experience with anxiety and panic attacks, linking them to her news consumption, and how she sought out positive stories to shift her perspective. 

05:39 Understanding Negativity Bias  The conversation shifts to the concept of negativity bias, exploring how media exploits our natural inclination towards negative news and its effects on our perception of reality. 

10:15 Historical Context and Perspective  Jodie and Bill discuss the importance of historical context in understanding current events, emphasizing that our perception of the present can often be skewed by the news. 

13:01 The Power of Positive News  Jodie highlights the transformative power of focusing on positive news, drawing parallels between news consumption and dietary habits for mental health. 

14:29 Exploring Cognitive Biases  The discussion delves into cognitive biases like availability bias and confirmation bias, illustrating how they shape our beliefs and perceptions based on the information we consume. 

20:15 The Role of Media Algorithms  Jodie explains how modern media algorithms reinforce our biases by curating content that aligns with our existing beliefs, making it crucial to be aware of our media consumption habits. 

25:31 Staying Informed Without Overwhelm  Addressing concerns about staying informed, Jodie offers strategies to consume news mindfully, balancing negative and positive content to foster resilience. 

30:00 The Importance of Staying Informed  Jodie emphasizes the need to stay informed while maintaining mental resilience against negative news.  

31:20 Batching News Consumption  The discussion shifts to effective news consumption strategies, distinguishing between ‘just in time’ and ‘just in case’ information. Jodie advises focusing on relevant news that one can take action on, rather than overwhelming oneself with constant updates. 

33:44 Navigating Information Overload  Jodie shares insights on balancing positive and negative news, highlighting the dangers of excessive exposure to distressing events. She encourages listeners to engage with news that resonates with their interests and values. 

36:00 Understanding News in the Digital Age The conversation explores how today’s youth consume news differently, primarily through social media, and the challenges this presents in discerning credible information.  

39:10 The Role of Parents in Media Literacy  Jodie discusses the crucial role parents play in modeling healthy news consumption behaviors for their children.  

42:25 Mastering Your Mind  Jodie introduces her ‘Master Your Mind’ program, designed to help individuals train their brains for better emotional regulation and resilience. She explains how this program empowers participants to create a positive mindset intentionally. 

46:30 Closing Thoughts and Resources  In the final segment, Jodie reiterates the importance of viewing news as an invitation to knowledge rather than complete understanding. She encourages listeners to explore her resources, including her TED Talk and the ‘Master Your Mind’ course.