In this episode host Katherine Ashmore is joined by Patricia de Mesquita, an award-winning journalist and filmmaker whose remarkable career spans over two decades. Patricia has worked in some of the world’s most remote and challenging regions, covering critical topics such as radicalisation, child slavery, climate change, and life in conflict zones.
Her work includes:
✨ Gaining access to former members of Al Qaeda’s European terror networks in the aftermath of 9/11 for the BBC.
✨ Building trust and securing interviews with freedom fighters, militias, and jihadis around the world.
✨ Breaking groundbreaking stories for Panorama and Newsnight on topics such as intelligence gathering.
✨ Working on landmark series chronicling the evolution of political violence across the Middle East and Africa.
With a 15-year tenure as a producer for BBC News and Current Affairs and a portfolio of award-winning foreign affairs series, Patricia shares not only her extraordinary journey but also the mindset it takes to thrive in such a demanding field.
In this episode, Patricia discusses:
✨ Her path into journalism and how the media landscape has evolved.
✨ The unique challenges and opportunities of being a woman in journalism.
✨ Managing fear and trauma in high-pressure, often dangerous environments.
✨ Overcoming perfectionism and silencing the inner critic.
✨ The essential role of journalism and media literacy in combating misinformation today.
Patricia also offers invaluable advice for aspiring journalists, highlighting the skills needed to succeed in a fast-changing industry while emphasising the importance of self-care, humility, and emotional resilience.
This episode is perfect for: Anyone passionate about storytelling, curious about the media's influence, or eager to understand the mindset behind impactful journalism.
🎙️ Tune in now to be inspired by Patricia’s courage, wisdom, and dedication to uncovering the stories that matter most.
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To connect with Patricia on LinkedIn: Click here
Book mentioned: "Demon Copperhead" by Barbara Kingsolver
To download Katherine's free guide on maintaining motivation: Click here
For life coaching and to connect with Katherine:
https://linktr.ee/katherineashmore/
https://www.katherineashmore.com/
Email: [email protected] or Click here
All links
https://linktr.ee/themindsetexchange/
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Caution: rape and violence to women journalists is mentioned but no detail is discussed within this episode.
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Disclaimer
https://www.katherineashmore.com/katherine-ashmore-disclaimer/
Produced by Katherine Ashmore and recorded remotely.
©Katherine Ashmore 2026. All rights reserved.
#Journalism #Storytelling #MediaLiteracy #Podcast #MindsetExchange #WomenInMedia #Mindset #Growth #BBC #AwardWinningJournalism #Perfectionism #InnerCritic #Burnout