Surviving the News Cycle: Strategies for Long-Term Resistance

Messy Liberation: Feminist Conversations about Politics and Pop Culture

In this episode, we explore the challenges of staying engaged in activism without burning out. We discuss the emotional toll of activism, the importance of balancing activism and self-care, and how to navigate political exhaustion while maintaining momentum. We also unpack the role of joy in activism, strategies for self-preservation in social justice work, and why finding community in political resistance is essential. If you’ve been struggling with activist energy management, political fatigue, or feeling overwhelmed by the news cycle, this conversation offers tangible ways to stay hopeful and engaged.

Discussed in This Episode:

• How to stay engaged without burning out in activism
• Strategies for managing activist burnout and avoiding burnout as a changemaker
• The emotional toll of activism and how to handle it
• Why resisting white supremacist urgency culture is essential for sustained activism
• The role of joy in activism and how to stay hopeful in a chaotic world
• Navigating political exhaustion and self-preservation in social justice work
• How to find community in political resistance and why it matters
• Mental health and activism: managing activist energy and avoiding despair

Resources Mentioned:

• Indivisible
• Working Families Party
• “How to Keep House While Drowning” by KC Davis