In this episode of the EZ Conversations Podcast, I chat with Julie Rose, a seasoned radio journalist with 20 years of experience and a current podcaster. Julie shares her journey from public radio reporting to becoming a podcast host, detailing her transition to her hometown of Provo, Utah, to care for her parents and the subsequent disruption in her career. She candidly discusses her challenges with daily news consumption, the emotional toll it took, and her eventual burnout. Julie elaborates on the differences between radio and podcasting, particularly podcasts’ intimate, on-demand nature and the importance of building a personal connection with listeners. She also introduces her new podcast ‘Top of Mind,’ which seeks to provide nuanced, empathetic, and empowering news stories that challenge listeners to think deeply about complex issues. The conversation touches on the importance of conscious news consumption, recognizing emotional triggers, and the potential pitfalls and benefits of podcasting as a source of news and information.

Julie has been a radio journalist for 20 years, reporting for NPR local stations and network shows like Morning Edition and All Things Considered. For seven years, she hosted a daily live interview show on BYUradio and Sirius XM 143. Since 2022, she’s been the host and executive producer of Top of Mind with Julie Rose and, in 2024, began hosting Uncomfy: Sticking With Moments That Challenge Us. Both podcasts aim to help people become better citizens, kinder neighbors, and more effective advocates.

05:48 Introduction and Guest Background

07:10 Transition from Radio to Podcasting

08:52 Challenges and Adjustments in Podcasting

11:23 Building Trust and Connection with Listeners

13:17 Creating Engaging and Empathetic Content

18:30 Personal Struggles with News Consumption

22:45 Finding Solutions and Empowerment

28:52 The Decline of Traditional News Media

29:49 The Rise of Social Media and Attention Economy

32:22 The Echo Chamber Effect

34:19 The Potential of Podcasts

41:22 Mindful News Consumption

46:19 Taking Control of Your News Diet

53:18 Final Thoughts and Resources

Sponsors of the Podcast:

• BetterHelp: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://betterhelp.com/ez10⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for 10% off your first month of Therapy
• WeShape: https://weshape.postaffiliatepro.com/scripts/dcfogwyuk?a_aid=FurkhanDandia&a_bid=d7508fa8 for 35% all plans.
• Aura: https://aura.com/ez10 for a free two-week trial
• Plunge: https://plunge.com/ez
• Mint Mobile: ⁠https://trymintmobile.com/ez10⁠ for 15$ for an unlimited cell phone plan
• Mental: ⁠https://getmental.com/ez

If you would like to support EZ Conversations, here are all the ways you can do that:

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• LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/furkhan-dandia-macp-mba-072a8a1ba/⁠
• Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/EzConversations⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Or find Furkhan’s Book, Pursuit of Self Love: 30 Uplifting Messages and Reflections. The Kindle version is available on Amazon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.ca/Pursuit-Self-Love-Uplifting-Messages-Reflections-ebook/dp/B0C4D1XYL1⁠⁠⁠

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Furkhan Dandia Therapist and Coach

I am a men's coach, therapist, group facilitator, podcaster and author. My journey began five years ago when I was going through a separation. I found myself alone and in a shame spiral that our culture and society covertly exert on people due to the perceived "failure" of a marriage. Unfortunately, I personalized that message which led me to fall deeper into a hole, causing me to surround myself with people that did not serve me and engage in substance abuse. While seeking therapy, I was not making the wholesale changes I needed.

As part of my experience with therapy, I realized that I am not alone in the challenges men my age experience (I separated at the age of 34/35). I realized I could be a voice for men like myself and offer support in this space. In the middle of the pandemic, I applied for a Master's degree in Psychology to become a therapist. This change was a significant shift for me as I worked in the corporate world as an engineer. Once I leaned into the space of supporting other men, I also started a podcast to normalize these difficult conversations and started a men's group a year later with the support of a friend.

I thought I was giving something back when I started the men's group. However, I quickly realized I was getting substantially more from the connections I built than I initially anticipated. It was also something I needed because I was going through another breakup.

At that point, I also realized that I had not taken the time to heal, and I was outsourcing my healing through romantic relationships, substances, material acquisitions and superficial relationships. I decided to step away from the outgoing lifestyle and started to focus on my healing which was another phase of evolution for me on my journey. Over the last year and a half, I have become mindful of the people I spend my time with. I have cleaned my lifestyle of substances, toxic environments and behaviours. I have focused on my sleep, my health and my knowledge. I have improved my spiritual relationship with myself, which was lacking the most over the past five years. This is the best I have felt.

As part of my solitude journey and to find myself again, I also released a book encapsulating my journey, which I hope to share with others. My book is titled: The Pursuit of Self-Love.