Tracy McMillan on Reinvention, Unprisoned & Writing What Hurts
What do TV news deadlines, Paris heartbreaks, and Oprah have in common? Tracy McMillan.
In this deeply honest, wildly inspiring conversation, bestselling author, TV host, and Unprisoned creator Tracy McMillan sits down with Jason Ball to talk about her journey from local news writer to viral sensation to Hollywood showrunner.
From writing copy for Tom Brokaw to creating her own Hulu series starring Kerry Washington and Delroy Lindo, Tracy proves one thing: You can reinvent yourself—and thrive.
In this episode:
📰 How a childhood paper route led her to TV news
🧠 The power of deadlines, structure, and NOT waiting for inspiration
🔥 The viral moment that launched a new career (“Why You’re Not Married”)
💔 Writing through shame, grief—and toward freedom
🎭 Seeing her life portrayed on screen by Kerry Washington
✈️ How a stranger on a plane became her husband… and inspired her next show
🧒🏽 Why your inner child might be your best co-star
📺 The behind-the-scenes of Unprisoned and what might come next
🧡 Favorite quote:
“It’s not about being good enough. It’s about being willing.”
👏 Whether you’re in the middle of a pivot, chasing a creative dream, or just wondering what’s next?—this one’s for you.
🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your shows.
📲 Don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe—it helps others find the pod!
📺 Family or Fiancé: https://www.oprah.com/app/family-or-fiance.html
🌐 Listen, watch, subscribe: https://lifeafternews.com/
📱 Follow: @MrJasonBall & @LifeAfterNewsPod
📅 New Episodes: Every Tuesday
💌 Love the show? Share it with a friend!
#LifeAfterNews #TracyMcMillan #Unprisoned #NewsToHollywood #TVWriting #ScriptedTV #ViralEssay #Reinvention #WritersLife #RelationshipAdvice #InnerChildHealing #OprahMoment #KerryWashington #DelroyLindo #CreativeCareer #JournalismSkills #ContentIsKing
Let Life After News inspire your next chapter. Because leaving the news doesn’t mean the story’s over—it means a new one’s just beginning.
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