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NPR’s Rachel Martin On: Surviving The News, Making A Huge Career Pivot, And Hosting A Metaphysical Game Show

Aug 14, 2024

Rachel Martin, co-creator and host of the podcast Wild Card, is a veteran NPR journalist with a rich background in news reporting. In this engaging conversation, she discusses the emotional toll of covering major events and her shift to a more introspective career. They dive into the challenges of adult grief, insomnia, and the importance of meditation for mindfulness. Rachel also shares insights on navigating life's big questions through her new podcast, blending humor and vulnerability while embracing change and exploring the vastness of existence.

01:11:48

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Rachel Martin

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Quick takeaways

Rachel Martin's departure from NPR highlights the profound impact of career fatigue and personal priorities on mental health and well-being.

The unexpected loss of her father prompted Rachel to reassess life’s meaning, emphasizing the fragility of existence and the importance of emotional wellness.

Rachel advocates for a journalism grounded in empathy and personal narratives, countering the oversimplification of complex issues in today's divisive political climate.

Deep dives

Career Pivot and Exhaustion

A significant career change can stem from a sense of exhaustion, as illustrated by Rachel Martin’s decision to leave her high-profile role at NPR’s Morning Edition. After years of covering intense news cycles, she felt spiritually and psychologically drained, losing the curiosity that once fueled her journalism. The pressures of raising young children while working in a demanding job further compounded her fatigue, prompting Rachel to reassess her priorities and overall mental health. Ultimately, this shift led her to pursue a new path with the creation of her podcast, Wild Card, where she explores deeper, more personal topics.

Create Your Own Meaning

01:18

Embrace Intellectual Humility

01:01

Intro

5min

A Journey Through the Exhaustion of News Reporting and Career Transformation

4min

From Journalism to Personal Reflection

22min

Meditation for Mindfulness and Sleep

7min

Navigating Change with a Playful Twist

7min

Navigating Life's Choices Through Reflections

18min

Navigating Empathy in News Consumption and Mortality

3min

Tattoos, Time, and Transience

11min

Celebrating New Beginnings

4min

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The radio stalwart addresses life’s biggest questions.

Rachel Martin is the co-creator and host of the podcast Wild Card, an interview game show about life's biggest questions. She invites notable guests to play a card game that lets them open up about the memories, insights, and beliefs that have shaped their lives.

Martin spent six years as a host of Morning Edition, and was the founding host of NPR's award-winning morning news podcast Up First. She previously hosted Weekend Edition Sunday. She served as National Security Correspondent for NPR, where she covered both defense and intelligence issues, and also worked as a NPR foreign correspondent. Martin also previously served as NPR's religion correspondent.

In this episode we talk about: