Life After News – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode, Brandon Lee joins us to share his journey from the television news to the healing art therapy. Brandon now leads Art of Our Soul, using art and music therapy to help trauma survivors—including convicted felons—heal through joyful expression.

We explore how the isolation of the 2020 pandemic led Brandon to a pivotal relapse that unlocked the door to unprocessed childhood trauma. Through art therapy, community, and compassion, Brandon not only rebuilt his life, but also created a program that is reducing recidivism and transforming lives behind bars.

💡 Key Takeaways

• Brandon’s transformation from anchor to art therapist is a story of resilience and purpose.
• Art therapy is more than creativity—it’s a powerful therapeutic tool.
• The COVID-19 pandemic became a personal reckoning for Brandon, sparking deep emotional healing.
• A joyful healing environment fosters emotional safety and deeper therapeutic impact.
• Art of Our Soul is making a measurable difference in reducing recidivism through creative programs.
• Addressing trauma and incarceration with empathy can shift societal perceptions.
• Holistic healing programs are gaining attention from insurers and advocates.
• Brandon’s upcoming documentary, Blank Canvas, seeks to humanize and elevate the stories of incarcerated artists.

📎 Related Links

• 🎨 Explore the art and mission of Art of Our Soul
• 📽️ Watch Blank Canvas, the documentary
• 📸 Follow Brandon Lee on Instagram: @brandonlee

🔗 Stay Connected with Life After News

• 🎧 Listen & Subscribe: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite platform
• 📺 Watch full episodes: youtube.com/@LifeAfterNews
• 📱 Instagram: @MrJasonBall & @LifeAfterNewsPod
• 💼 LinkedIn: Jason Ball
• 🗞️ Newsletter: Desert Dispatch – Read now
• 🏨 Stay: Old Ranch Inn — A boutique retreat in Palm Springs
• 📅 New episodes drop every Tuesday!
• 🙌 Love this episode? Share it with a friend.

🟣 Sponsored By: Chatmosa

Chatmosa.com isn’t just another chat app. It’s your go-to space for real connection—whether launching your own podcast, hosting a live stream, or hanging out in a curated digital lounge.

And yep—there’s a former news person behind the scenes. Stay tuned as we spotlight more about Chatmosa and how it’s reshaping community-powered media.

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.

🎧 Episode Summary

In this inspiring episode, Jason Ball sits down with broadcasting icon Jillian Barberie to revisit her remarkable career and the resilience that has shaped her journey. From a cultural awakening in Miami to groundbreaking success on Good Day LA, Jillian shares candid reflections on fame, loss, recovery, and rebirth.

She opens up about her breast cancer diagnosis, financial hardship, and particularly, the emotional and psychological toll of her IRS troubles, which she identifies as the hardest challenge she’s ever faced. Jillian speaks openly about how these experiences tested her at every level—and how she’s used creativity, community, and courage to rebuild.

This is a powerful conversation about embracing authenticity, staying present, and turning challenges into transformative growth.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Be Yourself: Jillian emphasizes the power of authenticity in standing out professionally.
• Cultural Awakening: Living in Miami was a turning point in Jillian’s personal and professional worldview.
• Career Highlights: Good Day LA was pivotal in establishing Jillian’s TV persona.
• Evolving Media: Social media changed how broadcasters engage with audiences.
• Life After Diagnosis: Breast cancer and recovery reshaped her identity and priorities.
• IRS Struggles: Her financial challenges with the IRS proved to be her most grueling life challenge.
• Support Systems Matter: Healing required community, therapy, and self-reflection.
• Creative Outlets: Art became a sanctuary during post-treatment life.
• Advice to Youth: Stay in the moment, be adaptable, and embrace life’s uncertainty.

🔗 Connect with Jillian

• 🎨 Art Portfolio: jillian-barberie.pixels.com
• 📸 Instagram: @askjillian
• 🎵 TikTok: @jillianbarberie

📣 Stay Connected to Life After News

• 📺 Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@LifeAfterNews
• 📱 Instagram: @MrJasonBall & @LifeAfterNewsPod
• 💼 LinkedIn: Jason Ball
• 🏨 Visit: Old Ranch Inn – A boutique retreat in Palm Springs
• 🗞️ Subscribe & Read: Desert Dispatch – our newsletter on storytelling and reinvention
• 📅 New episodes every Tuesday
• 🙌 Love the show? Share it with a friend

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.

🎙️ Life After News

Hosted by Jason Ball

Welcome to Life After News—the podcast where we dive into the extraordinary second acts of people who walked away from a life in local TV news to find something more.

I'm Jason Ball, and after an incredible 30-year career in local television news, I left the newsroom behind and started a new journey of reinvention. Like many others during the Great Resignation—sparked by the pandemic, social justice protests, a turbulent election, and even an insurrection—I felt the need to reassess what truly mattered. That decision led me to the Old Ranch Inn in Palm Springs, and now, to this podcast.

🧠 What We Explore

• The importance of journalism—and how to support those who stay or transition
• Reinvention after burnout and the pressure of deadlines
• The courage it takes to walk away and redefine success
• Second careers in art, coaching, business, and beyond
• Using newsroom-honed skills in deeply meaningful new ways
• Personal stories of healing, growth, and even beekeeping
• Small business and hospitality life—including our own journey buying and running a boutique hotel in Palm Springs

🎤 Sneak Peek: Meet Our First Guests

Brandon Lee – Founder, Art of Our Soul

Former Emmy-winning anchor turned healing visionary. Brandon shares how art and music therapy are transforming lives in the Arizona prison system—and how he’s using his journey of addiction recovery to train and empower others through creative expression.

Renee Washington – Executive Coach, Former News Director

Renee went from boss to coach. She’s taken the parts of journalism she loved—mentorship, development, leadership—and now helps professionals unlock their potential with the gift of time and mindset freedom.

Jillian Barberie – TV Personality

One of TV’s most vibrant personalities, Jillian opens up about leaving Good Day LA, overcoming cancer, issues with the IRS, and embracing a fully authentic new chapter. Expect unfiltered stories, Canadian nostalgia, and a killer Pamela Anderson impression.

Jackie Johnson – Former CBS2 Weather Anchor

Jackie stepped away from the green screen for gardening and motherhood. In this fun and heartfelt conversation, we talk about stillness, family life, and her clever new interactive project: “What’s the Weather? What’s for Dinner?”—where the forecast just might decide your meal.

📣 Stay Connected

• 🎧 Subscribe now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen
• 📺 Watch the video version on YouTube: youtube.com/@LifeAfterNews
• 📱 Follow on Instagram: @MrJasonBall and @LifeAfterNewsPod
• 💼 Connect on LinkedIn: Jason Ball
• 🏨 Visit us at the Old Ranch Inn: oldranchinn.com – our boutique escape in the heart of Palm Springs
• 🗞️ Subscribe to Desert Dispatch: desertdispatch.beehiiv.com – reflections on storytelling, second careers, and desert life
• 📅 Launch Date: The first three episodes drop Tuesday, May 20, with new episodes every Tuesday after that
• 🙌 Enjoying the show? Share Life After News with a friend, colleague, or fellow journalist ready for their next chapter

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.

🎙️ Life After News

Hosted by Jason Ball

Welcome to Life After News—the podcast where we dive into the extraordinary second acts of people who walked away from a life in local TV news to find something more.

I'm Jason Ball, and after an incredible 30-year career in local television news, I left the newsroom behind and started a new journey of reinvention. Like many others during the Great Resignation—sparked by the pandemic, social justice protests, a turbulent election, and even an insurrection—I felt the need to reassess what truly mattered. That decision led me to the Old Ranch Inn in Palm Springs, and now, to this podcast.

🧠 What We Explore

• The importance of journalism—and how to support those who stay or transition
• Reinvention after burnout and the pressure of deadlines
• The courage it takes to walk away and redefine success
• Second careers in art, coaching, business, and beyond
• Using newsroom-honed skills in deeply meaningful new ways
• Personal stories of healing, growth, and even beekeeping
• Small business and hospitality life—including our own journey buying and running a boutique hotel in Palm Springs

🎤 Sneak Peek: Meet Our First Guests

Brandon Lee – Founder, Art of Our Soul

Former Emmy-winning anchor turned healing visionary. Brandon shares how art and music therapy are transforming lives in the Arizona prison system—and how he’s using his journey of addiction recovery to train and empower others through creative expression.

Renee Washington – Executive Coach, Former News Director

Renee went from boss to coach. She’s taken the parts of journalism she loved—mentorship, development, leadership—and now helps professionals unlock their potential with the gift of time and mindset freedom.

Jillian Barberie – TV Personality

One of TV’s most vibrant personalities, Jillian opens up about leaving Good Day LA, overcoming cancer, issues with the IRS, and embracing a fully authentic new chapter. Expect unfiltered stories, Canadian nostalgia, and a killer Pamela Anderson impression.

Jackie Johnson – Former CBS2 Weather Anchor

Jackie stepped away from the green screen for gardening and motherhood. In this fun and heartfelt conversation, we talk about stillness, family life, and her clever new interactive project: “What’s the Weather? What’s for Dinner?”—where the forecast just might decide your meal.

📣 Stay Connected

• 🎧 Subscribe now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen
• 📺 Watch the video version on YouTube: youtube.com/@LifeAfterNews
• 📱 Follow on Instagram: @MrJasonBall and @LifeAfterNewsPod
• 💼 Connect on LinkedIn: Jason Ball
• 🏨 Visit us at the Old Ranch Inn: oldranchinn.com – our boutique escape in the heart of Palm Springs
• 🗞️ Subscribe to Desert Dispatch: desertdispatch.beehiiv.com – reflections on storytelling, second careers, and desert life
• 📅 Launch Date: The first three episodes drop Tuesday, May 20, with new episodes every Tuesday after that
• 🙌 Enjoying the show? Share Life After News with a friend, colleague, or fellow journalist ready for their next chapter

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.

🎙️ Breaking News: Why Jackie Johnson Left TV & Started The Weather Chef

What happens when a lifelong dream collides with a life-altering reality? In this episode, Jason Ball talks with Jackie Johnson McBride, a former broadcast meteorologist whose journey took her from high-intensity newsrooms to the peaceful rhythms of small-town life and seasonal cooking.

From her childhood goal of becoming a meteorologist to navigating the high-pressure world of Los Angeles television, Jackie shares what it was like to step off the news set and into the world of motherhood. She opens up about the tough decision to leave her career, the unexpected joys of Santa Barbara life, and how a love of weather and food gave birth to The Weather Chef.

🌤️ Highlights:

• Jackie’s childhood dream: chasing clouds and careers
• The leap from meteorology to television broadcasting
• The grind of fast-paced news in Miami and L.A.
• Why she walked away from the camera to become a present mom
• The emotional pull of the newsroom—and why she still misses it
• How motherhood shaped her resilience and sense of identity
• The birth of The Weather Chef: where recipes meet weather patterns
• Seasonal eating and slowing down during the pandemic
• Staying authentic through life’s transitions
• Advice for young professionals: put in the work, and love what you do

🍴 Featured Links:

• The Weather Chef Website
• @theweatherchef on Instagram
• @jackiejohnsonla on Instagram

🔗 Stay Connected to Life After News

• 🎧 Subscribe: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your shows
• 📺 Watch: YouTube.com/@LifeAfterNews
• 📱 Follow: @MrJasonBall & @LifeAfterNewsPod
• 💼 LinkedIn: Jason Ball
• 🗞️ Read: Desert Dispatch — the newsletter on storytelling & reinvention
• 🏨 Stay: Old Ranch Inn
• 📅 New Episodes: Every Tuesday
• 💌 Love the show? Share it with a friend!

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.

🎙️ Life After News — Second Acts in Palm Springs

🧵 Episode Summary

In this conversation, Jason Ball sits down with fellow boutique hotelier David Rios to Palm Springs’ hospitality scene. David opens up about his journey from interior design to working on The Trixie Motel and renovating his own hotel The Velvet Rope.  Jason shares his journey from the newsroom to owning and operating Old Ranch Inn.

The day after this episode was recorded, a bombing at the American Reproductive Center rocked the Palm Springs community. The attack severely damaged dozens of surrounding businesses—including David’s hotel. Jason reflects on this tragic event and sets the stage for a powerful conversation about resilience, beauty, and the meaning of home.  Jason shares how listeners can support ongoing recovery efforts.

✨ Key Takeaways

·       🌴 Palm Springs is home to more than 80 boutique hotels.

·       🤝 Collaboration between local hotel owners enhances the guest experience and strengthens community ties.

·       📈 Success in boutique hospitality requires both smart marketing and authentic engagement with the community.

About the Bombing (May 17)

🎙️ Life After News pauses to acknowledge the tragic May 17 bombing at the American Reproductive Center in Palm Springs. The explosion not only impacted the clinic but caused severe damage to multiple nearby businesses, including David Rios’s The Velvet Rope.

This episode is a tribute to the strength of Palm Springs—and to the individuals like David who are rebuilding in the face of adversity.

🙌 How You Can Help

🏗️ Rebuild Palm Springs Fund

🏨 David Rios’s Go Fund Me 

🌐 Connect with David Rios

·       🖼️ Website: DavidRiosDesigns.com

·       📸 Instagram: @DavidRiosDesigns

🔜 Breaking News! Next on Life After News…

🎙️ Jackie Johnson McBride — Jackie has a big announcement, so we are dropping her episode on Sunday, June 1.   From forecasting storms to stirring the pot in the kitchen, Jackie Johnson McBride joins Life After News to share her remarkable journey from television meteorologist to The Weather Chef, a cool new interactive experience you going to love.

She and Jason explore reinvention, seasonal living, and life’s most unexpected transitions.

📅 Don’t miss this one — Sunday, June 1!

🔗 Stay Connected to Life After News

·       🎧 Subscribe: Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more

·       📺 Watch: YouTube.com/@LifeAfterNews

·       📱 Follow: @MrJasonBall & @LifeAfterNewsPod

·       💼 LinkedIn: Jason Ball

·       🏨 Stay: Old Ranch Inn

·       🗞️ Read: Desert Dispatch – the newsletter on storytelling & reinvention

·       📅 New Episodes: Every Tuesday

·       💌 Love the show? Share it with a friend!

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.

🎙️ Life After News

Building a Media Empire:  From News Reporter to Social Media Star

📝 Episode Summary (How She Did It)

In this episode of Life After News, Jason Ball dives into the practical playbook behind Lora McLaughlin Peterson’s transformation from local news reporter to digital content powerhouse. Best known for her brand Lorafied, Lora didn’t just pivot careers—she engineered a lifestyle business from the ground up by leveraging her newsroom skills, identifying a relatable niche, and mastering content strategy across platforms.

She began by posting simple, relatable content around budget-friendly living and modern home hacks—filling a gap she noticed in everyday media. By focusing on short-form video, tapping into platform trends, and remaining deeply responsive to her audience, she grew a loyal following.

Lora shares how she built Lorafied by:

• Using storytelling tactics honed in TV news to make her content stand out.
• Listening to her followers and using their feedback to shape her content roadmap.
• Turning authentic engagement into monetization, without compromising her values.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Career Pivot with Purpose: Lora left local news to spend more time with her family and build a career on her own terms.
• Creativity is Currency: Standing out in the digital space requires innovation, resourcefulness, and a clear voice.
• The Birth of ‘Lorafied’: Inspired by modern home economics, Lora's brand focuses on practical solutions and down-to-earth content.
• Community First: Building trust and connection with followers is more important than going viral.
• Money-Saving Wisdom: From affordable dupes to healthy fast food tips, Lorafied delivers value in every post.
• Authenticity Wins: Lora emphasizes being real and relatable as a cornerstone of her content strategy.
• Find Your Lane: Knowing and embracing your niche can unlock growth and opportunities.
• Monetizing the Mission: Turning influence into income takes strategic thinking, consistent effort, and business acumen.
• Small Business, Big Workload: Behind the scenes, running Lorafied is more demanding than any 9-to-5.

👥 Connect with Lora / Lorafied

• 📸 Instagram: @lorafied
• 🎵 TikTok: @lorafied
• 🌐 Website: lorafied.com

🔗 Stay Connected to Life After News

• 🎧 Subscribe: Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app
• 📺 Watch Episodes: YouTube.com/@LifeAfterNews
• 📱 Instagram: @MrJasonBall & @LifeAfterNewsPod
• 💼 LinkedIn: Jason Ball
• 🏨 Visit: Old Ranch Inn – A boutique retreat in Palm Springs
• 🗞️ Read: Desert Dispatch, our newsletter on storytelling and reinvention
• 📅 New Episodes: Every Tuesday
• 🙌 Support the Show: If you loved this episode, share it with a friend!

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.

🎙️ When Breaking News Hits Home: Ellen Leyva on Surviving the Eaton Fire

Veteran news anchor Ellen Leyva spent nearly 30 years reporting breaking stories — but nothing prepared her for when breaking news struck her own home. In this conversation, just weeks after her retirement from KABC, Ellen opens up about surviving the Eaton Fire, the emotional toll of seeing her community threatened, and how it redefined her understanding of the news she once reported.

Ellen also reflects on:

·       Covering the OJ Simpson trial, 9/11, and decades of history

·       Her enduring on-air partnership with David Ono

·       Balancing career and motherhood while anchoring the morning show

·       Early encounters with Justin Timberlake and Donald Trump

·       Why she walked away from the anchor desk

·       How painting, travel, and love are shaping her life after news

This is Ellen’s most personal story yet — raw, real, and revealing.

📌 Chapters
00:00 Ellen Leyva's Journey in News Broadcasting
08:58 Memorable Moments in Journalism
11:59 The Dynamics of Anchoring
15:00 Personal Life and Balancing Career
17:59 Life After Retirement and New Beginnings
21:30 A Serendipitous Reunion
23:07 Navigating Life Changes
23:46 The Eaton Fire Experience
28:01 Reflections on Retirement
32:10 Finding Peace and Purpose
35:03 The Art of Transition
38:07 Advice for Aspiring Journalists

👉 Follow Ellen on Instagram: @abc7ellen

🔗 Stay Connected to Life After News

• 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more
 • 📺 Watch full episodes: YouTube.com/@LifeAfterNews
• 📱 Instagram: @MrJasonBall & @LifeAfterNewsPod
• 💼 LinkedIn: Jason Ball
• 🏨 Visit: Old Ranch Inn – A boutique retreat in Palm Springs
• 🗞️ Read: Desert Dispatch – Stories of reinvention
• 📅 New Episodes: Every Tuesday
• 🙌 Love the show? Share it with a friend! Give us 5-star ratings!  

#EllenLeyva #BreakingNews #EatonFire #LifeAfterNews #NewsAnchor #WildfireSurvivor #WomenInMedia #RetirementJourney #DavidOno #TVJournalism #OJSimpsonTrial #911Coverage #JustinTimberlake #DonaldTrump #CareerTransition #AnchorLife #StorytellingMatters #LifeAfterTV #PersonalGrowth #Reinvention

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.

🎙️ Life After News  – Christina Pascucci: From Anchor Desk to Fire Zones, Senate Runs, and Global Impact

Buckle up. Christina Pascucci doesn’t play small. 💥

In this episode of Life After News, former Los Angeles anchor and reporter Christina Pascucci returns with a vengeance—and a mission. Less than two years after leaving TV news, she…

⚡ Ran for U.S. Senate while 5 months pregnant
 ⚡ Gave birth, then joined the California State Guard
 ⚡ Reported from the fire zone WHILE serving in uniform
 ⚡ Traveled to Yemen
 ⚡ Launched her own consultancy firm (🧭 Atlas)
 ⚡ Became a leading voice in foster care reform
 ⚡ Is now expecting baby #2—and maybe planning her next big move 👀

This is what happens when a journalist refuses to play by the old rules.

💬 She speaks truth on:

• The broken foster care system and how to fix it
• Why traveling with a baby changes everything
• The news assignment that finally broke her
• What journalists do BETTER than most politicians

📌 Featured nonprofit: The Change Reaction
📱 Follow Christina: @ChristinaPascucci

📣 🔗 Stay Connected to Life After News

• 🎧 Subscribe: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite platform
• 📺 Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@LifeAfterNews
• 📱 Instagram: @MrJasonBall & @LifeAfterNewsPod
• 💼 LinkedIn: Jason Ball
• 🏨 Visit: Old Ranch Inn – A boutique retreat in Palm Springs
• 🗞️ Subscribe & Read: Desert Dispatch – our newsletter on storytelling and reinvention
• 📅 New episodes every Tuesday
• 🙌 Love the show? Share it with a friend
• 🔗 Subscribe, share, and give us that ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ if you're feeling it.

#LifeAfterNews #ChristinaPascucci #TVNewsExit #CareerPivot #RunForOffice #CaliforniaPolitics #FosterCareReform #WomenInMedia #JasonBall #MilitaryService #FemaleEntrepreneurs #NewsToImpact #StateGuard #PodcastEpisode #DesertDispatch #NewsroomExit #ChangeReaction #JournalistsInPolitics #SenateRun #KTLAAlumni #LifeAfterTV #InspiredAF

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.

📺 In this special bonus episode, Jason Ball returns to KTLA, not as the news director, but as a guest. He sits down to share the inspiration behind Life After News, his personal journey away from the newsroom.

💬 In this episode:

• What it felt like to return to KTLA as a guest
• The moment Jason knew it was time to leave TV news
• The idea that sparked Life After News
• How the podcast is helping others redefine success after the newsroom

🎙 Whether you're a longtime friend from the industry or new to the Life After News community, this candid conversation is a powerful introduction to the mission behind the podcast.

🔗 Links & Resources

• Watch the full KTLA interview: KTLA Interview with Jason Ball
• Follow Jason on Instagram: @lifeafternewspod and @mrjasonball

📌Back to regularly schedule programming tomorrow with KTLA alum Christina Pascucci and her life after news.

🎧 If this is your first time here—welcome.
Hit follow, dig into previous episodes, and stick around for what's coming next.

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.