Jackie Bruno and I go way back — she got her start at WWLP in Springfield, the same station where I landed my first job out of college. We've stayed connected over the years, watching each other navigate different chapters of this industry; so sitting down for this conversation felt less like an interview and more like two women finally saying the quiet parts out loud.

Jackie is a three-time Emmy Award-winning journalist, former Boston news anchor, Miss Massachusetts USA 2008, and the founder of Newsmaker Marketing. On paper, she had everything. But behind the scenes, she was running on empty — until she made the difficult decision to step away and put her mental health first.

On this episode of Mostly Together, Jackie gets refreshingly honest about burnout, identity, and what it really takes to rebuild when the dream you chased for years no longer fits who you are.

In this episode:

• Why she walked away from a 14-year career in TV news at the height of it

• What burnout actually looked like — and how a breakdown became a breakthrough

• Starting a business in two weeks (and why she didn't overthink it)

• The simple analogy that completely reframed her sense of self-worth

• The moment she realized "no one could pay me enough to feel that way"

• Letting go of what looks good… and choosing what actually feels good

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Connect with Jackie:

Instagram: @TheJackieBruno

Website: newsmakermarketing.com

Explore Mostly Together:

🌐 Website & episode archives: mostlytogetherpod.com

🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mostly-together/id1871317737

🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Q2TPERHFNgnapvuOQJqSx?si=093aff84cc6546c9

📺 YouTube: @mostlytogetherpod

Connect with Nicole:

Instagram & Facebook: @nicolenalepatv

Podcast IG & FB: @mostlytogetherpod