When Meet the Press Looked Away — and Got It Right

In a media landscape obsessed with the political play-by-play, it’s easy to miss the deeper crises shaping our world. This week, Meet the Press broke that mold. Instead of breathlessly covering the latest political chess moves in Washington, they looked away and focused on something far more important in their panel — the loneliness epidemic plaguing America’s teens, driven largely by the overuse of smartphones and social media.

It was a rare moment of courage in a news cycle that too often prizes urgency over substance. While the political soap opera grabs headlines, it’s stories about our kids, their mental health, and the future we’re building—that truly matter.

Kristen Welker, the show’s moderator, did more than just steer the conversation, she opened the floor. She gave the all female panel of experts space to speak openly and offer real-world advice to families grappling with this issue. It wasn’t a typical Sunday show panel—it was a public service. And it showed what happens when we choose to focus not just on politics, but on people.

This kind of reengagement—on issues that matter, with voices that understand—could begin to restore something we’ve lost in our national conversation — compassion. As I’ve written before, the tone in Washington has become mean-spirited and unkind. But by giving airtime to real problems and meaningful solutions, Meet the Press offered a reminder that we can choose to lead with empathy, not just ideology.

We need more of that.