The Compassionate Newsroom

Dr. Kortni Alston Lemon

Welcome to "The Compassionate Newsroom" podcast, hosted by Dr. Kortni Alston Lemon, a former news director and television reporter turned happiness scholar. She trains news leaders and journalists on workplace well-being fueled by positive psychology. This podcast provides essential insights for news leaders and journalists on fostering resilience and compassion within the media industry. Join Dr. Kortni as she explores effective strategies to manage stress, mindfulness, and foster a positive workplace. With expert interviews, actionable tips, and evidence-based strategies this podcast is a must-listen for news professionals seeking to create a supportive and thriving workplace. Tune in to transform your newsroom environment. Subscribe now to catch every episode and start leading the change in journalism.

  1. E33 Remembering Rose Tibayan: One Year Later and the Scholarship Fund That Continues Her Compassionate Legacy

    ٩ يوليو

    E33 Remembering Rose Tibayan: One Year Later and the Scholarship Fund That Continues Her Compassionate Legacy

    Summary In this heartfelt episode, Dr. Kortni Alston Lemon reflects on her personal journey of grief following the loss of her mentor and friend, Rose Tibayan. As she navigates her emotions, she emphasizes the importance of pausing to honor one's feelings and the impact of grief on journalists. Dr. Kortni shares the profound lessons learned from Rose's life, her legacy of compassion, and the significance of supporting one another through loss. This episode serves as a reminder that healing is an integral part of the work we do, especially in the field of journalism. Takeaways It's okay to pause and feel what needs to be felt.Grief is not something you just get over; it's something you grow through.Living by the values of compassion and strength is essential.You don't have to carry grief alone; support is available.Honoring your grief is an act of strength, not weakness.Your well-being is your most important job as a journalist.Rose Tibayan's legacy continues to inspire and uplift others.Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is to give ourselves permission to pause.Mentorship can have a profound impact on personal and professional growth.Grief can deepen your compassion for others. Chapters 00:00 Navigating Personal Loss and Grief09:30 Honoring a Legacy: Rose Tobin's Impact Rose Tibayan Scholarship Fund    Rose Tibayan was an award-winning broadcast journalist and devoted member of the Asian American Journalists Association, who always sought to help younger journalists  grow and find success. Rose even wrote the book on the topic: “The Resume Tape Book,” a 700-page job-hunting guide for broadcast media that has helped countless people build their careers. And Rose knew the ropes, climbing the career ladder from TV markets in Guam, to Fort Myers, New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Milwaukee before settling down in Chicago, with her husband, Don Villar, the Secretary-Treasurer of the Chicago Federation of Labor — whom she met at an AAJA conference.   Rose passed away in 2024 after a 14-month battle with cancer, but her legacy as a mentor and supporter of young AAPI journalists and AAJA will continue with the Rose Tibayan Scholarship Fund.   Your generous gift during our fundraising drive will help us build an endowment to provide scholarships to support students and early-career journalists as they navigate a difficult industry.   Donate via PayPal with a message saying "Rose Tibayan Scholarship Fund" https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick...   Donate via check made payable to “AAJA Chicago” and mailed to: Chicago Federation of Labor Attn: AAJA/Tibayan Scholarship, 180 N Stetson Ave Chicago, IL 60601   Rose Tibayan Scholarship Facebook Page

    ١٢ من الدقائق
  2. E30 Certified to Care: Becoming a Mental Health First Aider in Your Newsroom

    ٢١ مايو

    E30 Certified to Care: Becoming a Mental Health First Aider in Your Newsroom

    Certified to Care Becoming a Mental Health First Aider in Your NewsroomPart 3 of 3 – Mental Health First Aid SeriesHosted by Dr. Kortni Alston Lemon In the final episode of this special three-part series, Dr. Kortni shares how Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training can transform newsrooms from the inside out. Drawing from her experience as a news director, happiness scholar, and certified MHFA Instructor, she explains how this evidence-based training equips journalists and news leaders to better recognize, respond to, and support mental health challenges within their teams. She also introduces her nonprofit, KALM – The Kortni Alston Lemon Media Institute for Workplace Wellbeing, and how it is certifying journalists across all platforms — from TV and radio to newspapers and digital — through the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. 💡 In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Why MHFA is a vital tool for journalists, editors, and newsroom leaders What the training covers — from recognizing trauma to responding in crisis How to lead with empathy using evidence-based mental health tools Why journalist well-being is a pillar of press freedom and democracy 🧾 MHFA Training Covers: Signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges How to interact with someone in a mental health crisis How to connect someone to professional help Expanded content on trauma, substance use, and self-care Special Pilot Rate: $100 (normally $170)Join the growing waitlist for upcoming sessions led by Dr. Kortni. 🔗 Learn More & Sign Up: 👉 www.kalminstitute.org Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Mental Health First Aid in Newsrooms01:34 The Importance of Supporting Journalists' Wellbeing03:39 The Birth of CALM: A Commitment to Journalists06:09 Training for News Professionals: Mental Health First Aid10:20 Creating Safe Spaces in Newsrooms12:54 The Role of Mental Health First Aid in Journalism14:22 The Connection Between Wellbeing and Journalism16:17 Empowering Journalists Through Mental Health Support

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  3. E29 Demystifying Mental Health First Aid:  What It Is and What It Isn’t

    ١٤ مايو

    E29 Demystifying Mental Health First Aid: What It Is and What It Isn’t

    Summary In this second episode of our three-part series, Dr. Kortni Alston Lemon—former news director turned happiness scholar and certified Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Instructor—breaks down the heart of MHFA and why it belongs in every newsroom. You’ll learn what MHFA is (and what it isn’t), how the ALGEE action plan works, and hear powerful examples of real newsroom situations where the training can save lives and protect mental well-being. Dr. Lemon also shares insights from groundbreaking case studies and voices of journalists directly impacted by systemic injustice and trauma. If you’ve ever wondered how to show up for your colleagues—or yourself—this episode is for you. 🔑 What You'll Learn: What MHFA is, and why it’s not therapy or a diagnosis A breakdown of the 5-step ALGEE action plan The power of listening nonjudgmentally in journalism Why journalists from marginalized communities face compounded trauma Why MHFA is urgent in today's political and social climate 📰 Case Studies and Conversations: CBS4 Denver: Black journalists share their experiences covering racism while enduring it personally👉 Read the full article AAJA (Asian American Journalists Association): Mental health challenges, cultural stigma, and the push for structural change👉 Read the article Providence St. Joseph Health: How 45 MHFA Instructors changed workplace culture Missouri Department of Mental Health: Over 37,000 trained, statewide impact, and what true community engagement looks like 💡 Key Quote: “Mental Health First Aid isn’t just a training—it’s a turning point. And our newsrooms can be next.” – Dr. Kortni Alston Lemon 📬 Get Involved: Learn more about MHFA certification and the upcoming pilot program for journalists through the KALM Institute for Workplace Wellbeing:👉 https://www.kalminstitute.org/  🎧 If this episode resonates with you, share it with your team. Because when we know how to help, we lead with empathy—and that changes everything.

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  4. E28 Why Newsrooms Need Mental Health First Aid Now

    ٧ مايو

    E28 Why Newsrooms Need Mental Health First Aid Now

    Why Newsrooms Need Mental Health First Aid Now Welcome to The Compassionate Newsroom! In this first episode of our three-part series on Mental Health First Aid, Dr. Kortni Alston Lemon shares why this life-changing training is a must-have in journalism today. From breaking news to burnout, journalists face extraordinary levels of stress, trauma, and emotional exposure—yet few are trained to recognize when colleagues are in crisis or how to respond. This episode dives into the urgent need for psychological safety in the newsroom and introduces the tools that can help change that. Dr. Kortni, a certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor and happiness scholar, also shares her own journey into MHFA training and how it connects to her mission of workplace well-being through positive psychology. 🔗 Resources Mentioned in the Episode: 🌿 Learn more about Mental Health First Aid and upcoming certification opportunities through the KALM Institute for Workplace Wellbeing:👉 https://www.kalminstitute.org/  📰 Read the article:“Why Newsrooms Should Champion Mental Health First Aid” by Sandra E. Martin, published by the Canadian Journalism Forum on Violence and Trauma:👉 Read the article here  💬 Episode Highlights: Why Mental Health First Aid is the “CPR for mental health” The role of journalists as first responders to trauma—and how to protect their well-being How newsrooms like the BBC and The Globe and Mail are leading the way The connection between MHFA and positive psychology principles in journalism A preview of what’s coming in Episode 29: The ALGEE action plan If this episode resonated with you, share it with a colleague or newsroom leader. Let’s make mental health part of the conversation—and the culture. 🧠💚 #MentalHealthFirstAid

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Welcome to "The Compassionate Newsroom" podcast, hosted by Dr. Kortni Alston Lemon, a former news director and television reporter turned happiness scholar. She trains news leaders and journalists on workplace well-being fueled by positive psychology. This podcast provides essential insights for news leaders and journalists on fostering resilience and compassion within the media industry. Join Dr. Kortni as she explores effective strategies to manage stress, mindfulness, and foster a positive workplace. With expert interviews, actionable tips, and evidence-based strategies this podcast is a must-listen for news professionals seeking to create a supportive and thriving workplace. Tune in to transform your newsroom environment. Subscribe now to catch every episode and start leading the change in journalism.