9 to 5ish with theSkimm
9 to 5ish with theSkimm
theSkimm
CNN’s Abby Phillip on Breaking Through Burnout
38 minutes Posted Jul 2, 2025 at 12:30 am.
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Show notes
After every election she’s covered, Abby Phillip has the same thought: I can’t do this anymore. It’s her mind waving a red flag – and a sign of burnout after months of chaos. Over the years, Abby’s had to navigate a fast-moving digital media world at the same time as some of the most divisive political chapters in our lives. Now, she’s sharing how she’s learned to push through –  and the secret that helps her stay grounded in the madness.
In this episode of 9 to 5ish, Abby also shares: 
 
How being a first-generation American influenced her career choice
Why she needed to fail at Harvard before considering journalism 
How she made the most of an uncertain path at the then emerging outlet, Politico
The way she reframed getting continuously rejected from outlets
How she *really* felt about consequential coverage after the 2020 debates 
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