310 | Reclaiming Your Online Sanity: A Social Media Plan for Polarized Times with Paul Zelizer

This week on the pod is our monthly solo episode with Paul Zelizer.  Paul is one of the first business coaches to specialize in working with social entrepreneurs and the host of the popular Awarepreneurs podcast.  He's also has a busy coaching/consulting practice where he works with impact organizations and does executive coaching with leaders.

This episode is sponsored by the coaching company of our host, Zelizer Consulting Services.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

5 Tips for Entrepreneurs Regarding Social Media and Mental Health with Paul Zelizer

NOTE: While it’s not perfect, we offer a transcript and the below summaries by Castmagic for those who are hearing impaired or who don’t find listening to a podcast enjoyable or possible.

You can read the full transcript of this episode here.

Key Topics & Bullet Points

I. Introduction to the Episode and Speaker

  • Paul Zelizer is the host and founder of the Awarepreneurs podcast

II. Paul's Relationship with Nature and Social Media

  • The speaker enjoys going to wild places in nature for restoration and rejuvenation

  • Social media fasts or breaks to disconnect from screens

  • Unplugging and engaging in life offline through various activities

III. Importance of Taking Breaks for Your Mental Health in Polarized Times

  • Taking breaks from social media in polarized times is crucial

  • Real weekend breaks without checking social media from a work perspective

  • Take periodic longer breaks, like a week off, to recharge and reconnect

IV. Paul’s Nature Experiences and Well-being

  • The speaker's love for trail runs in the mountains

  • The positive impact of being in wilderness areas without phone signal on well-being

  • Observations of positive changes in appearance and demeanor after breaks

V. Paul's Early Use of Social Media and Challenges

  • Speaker joined Twitter more than 15 years ago

  • Clients discussing social media overwhelm and its impact on mental health

  • Detrimental effects of excessive time spent on social media supported by research

  • Avoiding diving into charged topics on social platforms to prevent polarized conversations

VI. Five Tips for Navigating Social Media Skillfully

A. Establish Morning and Evening Rituals Without Social Media - Research showing the negative effects of starting the day with social media - Importance of creating wellness routines that don't involve social platforms

B. Prioritize Social Media Platforms Based on YOUR Goals - Differences in strategies needed for success on different platforms - Discouragement from investing in every platform and focusing on specific ones - Speaker's expertise in studying effective strategies on LinkedIn

C. Develop a Deep Dive Content Channel - Importance of creating a space for nuanced and multilayered conversations - Using social media to promote the content channel and notify followers - Providing a positive experience by discussing polarizing topics indirectly

D. Give Yourself Permission to Take Breaks - Importance of taking breaks, even when there are intense industry or client issues - Unplugging and engaging in restorative activities for mental well-being - Encouragement to build and create something, listen to inner voice, and engage in spiritual projects

E. Acknowledge the Connection Between Personal Well-being and Social Media - Clients recognizing negative consequences of social media on well-being and businesses - Challenges of handling incidents on social media and suggestions for handling them

VII. Using Podcasts /Content Channels for Complex and Nuanced Conversations

  • Podcasts as a platform for discussing complex issues with depth

  • Examples of thoughtful exploration of historical events on the speaker's podcast

  • Comparing depth and centered attention of podcasts to social media platforms

VIII. The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health

  • Correlation between high social media usage and mental health challenges

  • Negative effects of using social media first thing in the morning and late at night

  • Mental health challenges associated with frequent checking of social media

IX. Conclusion and Call to Prioritize Personal Well-being

  • Final reminder to prioritize personal well-being while engaging with social media

  • The Awarepreneurs podcast as a resource for complex and transformative conversations

  • Impact of social media on mental health and the importance of mindfulness and balance.

Paul Zelizer