In this recorded live conversation, Mitch is joined by mental health professionals Ritu and Patricia for the second installment of their “political wellness” discussion—a space designed to help people navigate the emotional toll of living through a chaotic political moment.
The conversation begins with the stress surrounding the escalating conflict with Iran and the broader sense of fear, anger, and exhaustion many people are feeling. Ritu explains that much of the emotional overwhelm is amplified by a political communication tactic known as “flooding the zone,” where rapid, constant news cycles and shifting narratives keep the public in a state of anxiety and reactivity. Simply recognizing that strategy, she argues, can be the first step toward reclaiming emotional control.
From there, the discussion turns to how the nonstop media cycle can function almost like an addiction—driven by the brain’s craving for answers, certainty, or even a glimmer of hopeful news. The panel explores why people feel compelled to keep watching and how that cycle fuels stress and burnout.
Throughout the live, the focus remains on practical tools: acknowledging emotions instead of suppressing them, setting boundaries around news consumption, practicing self-care, and remembering that sustaining oneself emotionally is essential in order to continue helping others and particip
