Life After News
What happens when the newsroom lights go out—and life begins again?
Life After News explores the raw, funny, and deeply human stories of journalists who’ve walked away from the adrenaline of breaking news to reinvent themselves in surprising ways. Hosted by former TV news director Jason Ball, the podcast goes behind the headlines to talk with anchors, reporters, producers, and executives about identity, resilience, and what it takes to start over.
From career pivots to personal awakenings, these conversations reveal how the skills learned under deadline pressure translate into entirely new chapters of life. It’s not just about leaving the news—it’s about discovering what comes after.
Whether you’re in media, on the edge of a career change, or just fascinated by reinvention, Life After News is your invitation to listen in, learn, and maybe imagine your own next chapter.
Life After News
🎙️ From the Newsroom to Creating a TV Series Starring Kerry Washington, Life After News:
Tracy McMillan on Reinvention, Unprisoned & Writing What Hurts
What do TV news deadlines, Paris heartbreaks, and Oprah have in common? Tracy McMillan.
In this deeply honest, wildly inspiring conversation, bestselling author, TV host, and Unprisoned creator Tracy McMillan sits down with Jason Ball to talk about her journey from local news writer to viral sensation to Hollywood showrunner.
From writing copy for Tom Brokaw to creating her own Hulu series starring Kerry Washington and Delroy Lindo, Tracy proves one thing: You can reinvent yourself—and thrive.
In this episode:
📰 How a childhood paper route led her to TV news
🧠 The power of deadlines, structure, and NOT waiting for inspiration
🔥 The viral moment that launched a new career (“Why You’re Not Married”)
💔 Writing through shame, grief—and toward freedom
🎭 Seeing her life portrayed on screen by Kerry Washington
✈️ How a stranger on a plane became her husband… and inspired her next show
🧒🏽 Why your inner child might be your best co-star
📺 The behind-the-scenes of Unprisoned and what might come next
🧡 Favorite quote:
“It’s not about being good enough. It’s about being willing.”
👏 Whether you’re in the middle of a pivot, chasing a creative dream, or just wondering what’s next?—this one’s for you.
🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your shows.
📲 Don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe—it helps others find the pod!
📺 Family or Fiancé: https://www.oprah.com/app/family-or-fiance.html
🌐 Listen, watch, subscribe: https://lifeafternews.com/
📱 Follow: @MrJasonBall & @LifeAfterNewsPod
📅 New Episodes: Every Tuesday
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#LifeAfterNews #TracyMcMillan #Unprisoned #NewsToHollywood #TVWriting #ScriptedTV #ViralEssay #Reinvention #WritersLife #RelationshipAdvice #InnerChildHealing #OprahMoment #KerryWashington #DelroyLindo #CreativeCareer #JournalismSkills #ContentIsKing
Let Life After News inspire your next chapter. Because leaving the news doesn’t mean the story’s over—it means a new one’s just beginning.