Overwhelmed, distressed or exhausted by The News?

You're not alone.

What people said after our first session

Feel clearer about what I want to change and found intentional reflection very useful thanks

A nice gentle segue into reflecting on my relationship with news

An interesting approach, a helpful way of thinking about the way we engage with media

Has made me more aware of my consumption and feel like I could actually do something about it

The News is part of a wider phenomenon of being over-exposed to media, in all its forms.

The News - a key part of our hybrid system of old and new media, including social media, can draw us into a kind of infomania, 24/7. The pace at which News comes at us can make it feel febrile - feverish, leading to fatigue and strong emotions.

It's not just our diet of news, which is often shocking and violent. There can be little space to process what we consume as news, as it can be hard to switch off.

Wicked Elephants invites you to join us for a pair of interactive workshops to explore the impacts of The News on our minds and bodies, and to explore tips that tap into our personal and collective wisdom to help us stay engaged, and somehow, healthy.

These sessions are not about the content of The News, per se, and its politics, rather, about the effect of news consumption and the challenge of staying balanced and creative in the face of it.

Joining Wicked Elephants for the workshop is Toni Hassan, a former news and current affairs reporter and producer, and a long-time news junkie. Toni has a Walkley Award for excellence in journalism. These days she is a visual artist and advocate for proactive screen-time mental health.

Who should come to this?

Anyone who reads and watches the news and wants to reflect on its impacts and wisdom for living well.

You’ll walk away with:

Connections and catharsis with others also overwhelmed by The News

A fresh perspective on contemporary news media and its effects on you as a news consumer

Sense-making and practical support around how to have a news and information diet to live well

What will happen?

Theory bursts - a look behind the news
Small group reflections
Lively and interactive exercises - Fun for serious people
Sharing and harvesting group wisdom

These events are standalone but build on each other.

Come to either one or both, ideally.