Finding Meaning in the Noise – A Conversation with Julie Rose

Julie Rose Reveals Keys to Healthier Media Habits – And Better Conversations

This week's episode of Outrage Overload marks a significant milestone—it's our 50th numbered episode! That means we've been at this for 100 weeks, delivering thoughtful conversations aimed at lowering the temperature on outrage and exploring ways to engage in healthier dialogue. Every other week for nearly two years, we've looked into the issues driving polarization and offered listeners deeper analysis and balanced perspectives with amazing guests.

For this milestone episode, I'm excited to welcome award-winning journalist Julie Rose, host of Top of Mind, as she shares her own journey from newsroom burnout to a mission for deeper, more meaningful conversations. If you're tired of the daily news cycle that seems obsessed with simplicity, conflict, and polarization, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on how we can shift our media habits—and ultimately our thinking—toward more curiosity and nuance.

Julie talks about the pressure in media to oversimplify and frame every issue as a conflict, which only serves to further divide us. But rather than getting sucked into that pattern, she advocates for a new approach: what if we embraced discomfort, stayed open to opposing viewpoints, and dug deeper into complex topics? It's not easy, but as Julie explains, this is where real growth happens.

One of the key takeaways from our conversation is the power of mindful media consumption. Instead of skimming headlines or doomscrolling through the latest outrage, Julie suggests taking the time to engage deeply with one issue at a time. She also challenges us to intentionally seek out and engage with ideas we disagree with—not to change our minds, but to sharpen our understanding and become better advocates for our own views.

How realistic is this shift? Julie acknowledges the challenges, especially in a fast-paced, attention-driven media landscape. But she offers hope that if leaders—whether in media, communities, or social spaces—model this behavior, we can create a ripple effect that fosters healthier, more productive conversations.

A Quick Ask: As we celebrate 50 episodes and nearly two years of exploring these complex topics together, I’d love to hear how Outrage Overload has impacted you. Have any of the insights or conversations from the podcast changed the way you approach media, engage in political discussions, or think about polarization? How have you applied these ideas in your own life or community?

Please share your stories by replying to this email, posting on social media, or using the contact form on our website. Your experiences could inspire others in our community and potentially be featured in an upcoming episode or newsletter!

As always, we won’t give everything away. Tune in to hear Julie’s full take on how we can all play a role in breaking the media’s cycle of outrage and conflict. And don’t forget to check out her own show Top of Mind and its companion show Uncomfy for more inspiring discussions on these issues.

Discussion Point:
What’s one piece of news you’ve skimmed over recently, and how might your understanding of the issue change if you took the time to explore it in depth? Could engaging with an opposing perspective give you new insight? Share your thoughts below, via email, or join the conversation on social media.

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New This Week in Outrage Episode!

It’s everything the Outrage Overload podcast is not. It’s not edited. It’s not scripted. It’s lightly researched. It’s David and Lisa talking about this week in outrage, what was in the news, in the memes, and maybe finding some backstory with a humorous (at least to us) twist.