The weight of newsroom trauma is something every journalist knows but few talk about. In this episode, Sara Davenport opens up about the stories that haunted her career and the breaking point that made her realize things had to change.

This conversation also marks the close of Season 1 of Breaking Out of Breaking News. While Sara takes time to support journalists inside the Academy, she’s already preparing a powerful Season 2 filled with guests, new perspectives, and more practical strategies for life beyond the newsroom.

If you’ve ever felt like the job stopped loving you back, this episode will remind you: you’re not alone, and there’s life waiting for you beyond the newsroom.

📚 Resources Mentioned

• Journalist Trauma Support Network: https://www.jtsn.org/
• Join the Broadcasters Breakroom: https://www.saradavenport.net/breakroom
• Career Assessment for Journalists: https://www.saradavenport.net/bobn-quiz
• Connect with Sara on LinkedIn
• Email: TVnewsMentor@gmail.com

💡 3 Key Takeaways from This Episode

1. 1. Trauma is cumulative, not occasional. The daily drip of car crashes, fires, and shootings takes its toll, even if you think you’ve “moved on.”
   2. Support can’t wait until tragedy strikes. Every newsroom needs proactive mental health resources, not just temporary help after mass events.
   3. You don’t have to stay stuck. There are resources, networks, and new career paths waiting beyond TV news.

🎧 About the Podcast

Breaking Out of Breaking News is a podcast for burned-out TV news professionals ready to pivot, repurpose their storytelling skills, and design a life they actually love. Hosted by Sara Davenport—a former anchor and media mentor—you’ll get honest conversations, career coaching insights, and real-world inspiration for making your next move.

The red flags were there. Maybe you ignored them. Maybe you didn’t know what to do with them. In this episode, Sara Davenport opens up about the moment she knew she had to leave her top 10 market and how it all unraveled from day one.

More importantly, she walks through the 10 biggest mistakes journalists make when they leave the newsroom. From resume missteps to job search burnout, this episode is packed with the hard truths and practical strategies that every burned-out broadcaster needs to hear.

If you're considering pivoting out of TV or are already in the messy middle, this is your roadmap for a smoother, faster, and more strategic exit.

📚 Resources Mentioned

• Career Assessment for Journalists: BreakingOutofBreakingNews.com
• Connect with Sara on LinkedIn
• Email: TVnewsMentor@gmail.com

💡 3 Key Takeaways from This Episode

1. Don’t wait until it’s too late to prep your exit. The red flags don’t lie—and your next chapter requires more than just a polished resume.
2. LinkedIn isn’t a resume—it’s a runway. You need to show up consistently and intentionally before you’re ready to job hunt.
3. You don’t have to go it alone. Trying to figure it all out solo will slow you down. A support system and strategy make all the difference.

🎧 About the Podcast

Breaking Out of Breaking News is a podcast for burned-out TV news professionals ready to pivot, repurpose their storytelling skills, and design a life they actually love. Hosted by Sara Davenport—a former anchor and media mentor—you’ll get honest conversations, career coaching insights, and real-world inspiration for making your next move.

When one media giant swallows another, it’s not just a headline; it’s your career, your newsroom, and the future of local journalism on the line. In this episode, Sara Davenport breaks down the Nexstar–Tegna merger, what it really means for journalists, and why it’s being compared to a Death Star moment for local TV.

From looming layoffs to culture shifts and cookie-cutter content, Sara shares the real impact consolidation has on newsrooms—and what you can do right now to protect yourself. Whether you’re in a Nexstar/Tegna market or just watching from the sidelines, this episode will give you clarity, perspective, and a plan for what’s next.

📚 Resources Mentioned

• If you need help figuring out your first steps to leave TV news, go to saradavenport.net/bobn-quiz for a free assessment
• If you want to work with Sara to design a life you love, and break out of the news business, check out the Academy at https://www.saradavenport.net/academy

💡 3 Key Takeaways from This Episode

1. Layoffs are coming—don’t wait to update your resume. When departments overlap, cuts are inevitable. Don’t just “hope” it’s not you—get proactive and showcase your value outside of TV news.
2. Culture shifts will demand more with less. Nexstar is known for efficiency, not investment. That often means bigger workloads, fewer resources, and newsroom burnout.
3. Local storytelling suffers under consolidation. When one company controls the majority of stations, cookie-cutter content replaces community-driven stories, eroding the very reason viewers tune in to local news.

🎧 About the Podcast

Breaking Out of Breaking News is a podcast for burned-out TV news professionals ready to pivot, repurpose their storytelling skills, and design a life they actually love. Hosted by Sara Davenport—a former anchor and media mentor—you’ll get honest conversations, career coaching insights, and real-world inspiration for making your next move.