About The Course
Cultivating mindfulness in journalism
In a rapidly evolving media landscape, journalists face unprecedented challenges—from vicarious trauma and burnout to online abuse and a growing loss of public trust.
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the relentless pace and pressure of modern journalism, you’re not alone. This workshop is designed to support journalists and content creators by giving them tools to protect their mental and emotional wellbeing, avoid burning out, and continue telling true stories online.
Current Challenges in Journalism
Mental Health and Well-Being:
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Vicarious trauma, de-sensitization, burnout, and online abuse are all too common in our field.
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Journalists are increasingly experiencing moral injury, compounded by the relentless cycle of reporting and the lack of space to process experiences.
Loss of Public Trust:
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Misinformation, unambitious investigations, and a lack of diversity and inclusion have contributed to a widening gap between journalists and the communities they serve.
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The erosion of trust challenges us to reflect deeply on our purpose and the way we tell stories.
How Mindfulness Can Support Journalism
Mental Health as a Foundation:
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Meditation as a Tool: Regular mindfulness practice helps assess your emotional state, mitigate stress, and create space for reflective processing of each story rather than rushing from one to the next.
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Cultivating Discernment and Wisdom: Embrace non-duality and right action to navigate the ethical dilemmas of our profession, ensuring that your reporting remains compassionate and deeply human.
Sustainability vs. Burnout:
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By incorporating mindfulness practices into your routine, you can develop strategies to reduce the risks of burnout and moral injury, helping you sustain a long, healthy career in journalism.
Building Authentic Relationships:
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Learn how to engage with diverse community stakeholders in meaningful ways, fostering trust and mutual respect through thoughtful, inclusive storytelling.
What You’ll Gain: Learner Outcomes
By the end of the workshop, participants will:
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Understand the Theory and Origins: Gain an understanding of the foundational principles behind mindful journalism and its benefits for journalists, their subjects, and their audiences.
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Acquire Practical Tools: Develop tools to assess perceptions and make informed decisions throughout the editorial process, ensuring your work is as impactful as it is ethical.
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Cultivate Sustainable Practices: Adopt strategies to reduce burnout, moral injury, and trauma in journalism, allowing for a more reflective and resilient practice.
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Strengthen Community Engagement: Learn effective methods to build and nurture relationships with diverse communities, ensuring that your reporting accurately reflects the voices and experiences of those you cover.
Join a community of mindful journalists
This workshop is more than just a series of —it’s a collaborative journey. We’ll explore non-duality, right action, and the integration of mindfulness into every aspect of media making. Whether you’re a seasoned journalist or a content creator looking to adopt a more intentional practice, this workshop offers a compassionate and practical approach to navigating today’s media challenges.
If you’re ready to transform your media practice and cultivate wisdom in storytelling, we invite you to join us. Sign up today to reserve your spot, and become part of a community committed to creating impactful, ethical journalism that truly resonates.
For more details or to register, please contact us or drop us a message. Let’s work together to build a more thoughtful, resilient media landscape.
Embrace this opportunity to find a remedy for the pain points of modern journalism—and to rediscover the passion that drives you to tell meaningful stories every day.
Your Instructors
Michael Newman
Michael Newman is a TV personality, former journalist, event host, educator, and a certified mindfulness meditation facilitator. As a journalist he's served in notable roles such as Global BC's Community Reporter in Vancouver, and as host of Regional Emmy award winning documentary travel show New Mexico True TV. He has also been a practicing meditator since the age of 15, informing his worldview and approach to media. Michael’s overall mission is to use his relatable personality and mindful presence to create transformational media, as a platform to entertain, inspire, and connect people to new ideas and perspectives.
Sandra Hannebohm
Sandra Hannebohm is a journalist and digital producer. With ten years of experience in journalism and digital media startups, she has worked extensively in independent and nonprofit media including Lion's Roar, a non-profit Buddhist publisher. Sandra is a graduate of the Pre-launch Startups Lab by the Google News Initiative and LION Publishers, as well as the Entrepreneurial Journalism Creators Program out of the CUNY School of Journalism. She also publishes the Mindful Journalism newsletter for journalists and recovering news-a-holics.