BBC Presenter Jennifer Bartram on Building Resilience, Confidence & Navigating Online Abuse in Broadcasting and the Digital World

In this episode of the emPOWER Podcast, Athene Parker is joined by broadcast journalist Jennifer Bartram for a powerful and deeply honest conversation about resilience, confidence, grief and navigating online abuse while working in the public eye.With more than twenty years on screen at the BBC, Jen reflects on a broadcasting career shaped by storytelling, communication and public connection. She also speaks candidly about the emotional impact of losing her father at a young age, growing up onscreen, and the personal toll of being targeted online.Together, Athene and Jen explore the knock to confidence that can follow public criticism and online abuse, the emotional resilience required to rebuild a sense of safety and self, and the intentional work involved in reconnecting with confidence after adversity.With warmth, intelligence and vulnerability, Jen shares her perspective on communication, visibility and emotional wellbeing in an always-on digital world alongside practical strategies for reducing overwhelm, grounding in real-life connection and protecting mental health while navigating social media and public-facing careers.Together, Athene and Jen discuss:Resilience and rebuilding confidenceOnline abuse and social media pressureMental health and emotional wellbeingGrowing up in the public eyeCommunication and storytellingNavigating grief and personal lossConfidence, visibility and self-worthDigital overwhelm and authentic connectionThis is a thoughtful and empowering conversation about resilience, communication and finding your footing again after difficult experiences, both personally and professionally.The chat is woven around a trip down a musical memory lane. Sit back, relax and enjoy. 🎧✨Track 1 – Bruce Springsteen - Dancing in the DarkTrack 2 – Smokey Robinson - Tears of A ClownTrack 3 – Radiohead - No SurprisesTrack 4 – Katy Perry - RawTrack 5 – Primal Scream - Moving On Up The emPOWER Breakfast - Jennifer Bartram Spotify Playlist Jen talked about a wonderful supportive Facebook community called Adults Bereaved As Children. A place where she has found empathy and support around her feelings of grief losing her father aged 16.For people with teens interested to read how social media is affecting young people Jen recommended The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt.Jen also offered practical ideas for creating healthier boundaries with technology, from grounding ourselves offline to removing the visual prompts that drive habitual scrolling.Jen’s Digital Wellbeing Tip: Turning on Greyscale (iPhone):Settings → Accessibility → Display & Text Size → Colour Filters → switch ON → select GreyscaleTo add a quick shortcut:Settings → Accessibility → Accessibility Shortcut → select Colour FiltersTriple-click the side button to toggle greyscale instantly.Jennifer Bartram, BBC journalist, broadcast journalist, online abuse, resilience, confidence, emotional wellbeing, women in media, mental health, grief and loss, communication skills, storytelling, public speaking, rebuilding confidence, social media pressure, emotional resilience, empowerment podcast, authentic leadership, digital wellbeing, navigating adversity, women in broadcasting Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.