The Daily Stoic

Fix Your News Diet NOW (Before It Breaks Your Brain) | John Avlon (PT. 1)

183 snips
Sep 24, 2025
John Avlon, a seasoned journalist and historian known for his work at CNN and The Daily Beast, discusses the importance of a balanced news diet in today’s chaotic media landscape. He emphasizes the value of local journalism and shares insights from Abraham Lincoln, highlighting leadership, empathy, and the necessity of humor in politics. Avlon examines how history repeats itself and the role of optimism in pro-democracy movements, urging listeners to confront history rather than erase it.
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ADVICE

Curate Your News Diet

  • Curate your news diet instead of marinating in misery from constant headlines.
  • Subscribe to local papers and a few diverse national outlets to stay informed without spiraling.
ADVICE

Support Journalists You Trust

  • Vote with your eyeballs and financially support journalism you trust, including local outlets and independent Substacks.
  • Back reporters and writers directly so quality reporting can survive algorithmic fragmentation.
INSIGHT

News Deserts Fuel Fragmentation

  • News deserts deepen polarization because lack of local reporting pushes people into fragmented, algorithmic realities.
  • That fragmentation makes communities easier to manipulate and undermines civic engagement.
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