Introduction: A Morning in Motion
There’s something revealing about how people begin their day. For podcast host Tracy Rigdon, mornings aren’t just routines, they’re rituals of intention. In his recent sit-down with
Jana Angel, Jacksonville humanitarian, they unpacked more than just media credentials and TV appearances. Jana opened a window into a life shaped by purpose. Her life is steeped in compassion. She is driven by a relentless commitment to both people and principles.
This isn’t your typical celebrity Q&A or influencer fluff. Jana isn’t selling a gimmick. She’s selling heart—wrapped in grit, intellect, and experience. This conversation covered topics from animal rescue to Jacksonville development drama. It also tackled mental health advocacy and examined the future of women-led projects in 2025. The conversation went deep.
Beyond the Resume
Jana Angel may be best known as the co-host of River City Live on News4JAX. However, stopping there means you’re missing the soul of her story. She has held stints on Living Local, Fox 29, and Trending Today on Fox Business. She’s got the screen time and the resume. But her true power lies behind the scenes.
Founder of Posh Theory Media, Jana has redefined what modern media looks like for brands with a conscience. Storytelling isn’t a buzzword to her—it’s the connective tissue between community, commerce, and compassion. As she tells it, “If you’re not telling stories that matter, you’re just selling noise.”
The Human Behind the Highlight Reel
Jana and Tracy didn’t just talk shop. They talked people. One recurring theme was the importance of showcasing lives beyond job titles. Athletes, cheerleaders, first responders—these aren’t just roles. They’re human beings fighting internal battles, balancing community pressure, and pushing their limits.
Jana is a former professional volleyball player who spent five years competing in France. She understands what it takes to thrive under pressure. Her respect for athletic and community discipline bleeds through every anecdote. “Hard work isn’t optional. It’s the only way forward,” she says.
The Jacksonville We Deserve
Tracy and Jana didn’t pull punches when it came to local issues. Jacksonville is changing—fast. And not always for the better. The duo highlighted the controversial closure of Sunray Cinema. They pointed out underfunded homeless support systems. They called out what many residents whisper in frustration.
“We need a Jacksonville that doesn’t bulldoze culture in the name of profit,” Jana said. This involves showing up for first responders. It also means improving access to mental health resources. Moreover, it requires investing in communities beyond the developers’ blueprints.
Animal Rescue as a Mirror of Humanity
One of the most powerful segments of the episode came when Jana shifted gears to animal adoption. She wasn’t just plugging a cause. She was speaking from the trenches. Her love for dogs Hank and Reba isn’t performative. It reflects her belief that how we treat the most vulnerable defines who we are.
“Fostering saves lives. Supporting shelters saves dignity,” she emphasized. And she made a call to action: if you can’t adopt, donate. If you can’t donate, volunteer. If you can’t volunteer, at least share. Every bit counts.
Kindness Over Cutthroat Capitalism
In a world where “business as usual” often means exploitation and burnout, Jana offers a different model. She believes in ethical branding and sustainable growth. She called out shady practices in media and marketing. She didn’t name names but made it clear that profits without people are hollow victories.
Her brand of capitalism is compassion-first. “It’s not radical to center values in business,” she says. “It’s human.” That’s not naïve—it’s revolutionary.
Mental Health, First Responders, and the Systemic Blind Spot
The episode got raw when they hit on mental health. Jacksonville, like many American cities, is under-equipped. First responders suffer in silence. The homeless are criminalized instead of cared for. And the city’s priorities too often skew toward cosmetic upgrades over human support.
Jana doesn’t just rant. She organizes, advocates, and shows up. “Talk is cheap. Action is currency,” she said bluntly. Her call to action: prioritize trauma-informed systems and expand services for both the housed and unhoused.
Social Media with Soul
For Jana, social media isn’t just branding. It’s a bullhorn for justice. She leverages her platforms to lift up causes, highlight community efforts, and bring visibility to the invisible.
She explained how storytelling on platforms like Instagram and TikTok can drive real-world change. This is especially true for youth engagement. It also affects nonprofit visibility. “One viral post can fund an animal shelter. One share can save a life,” she said.
Values that Don’t Waver
Kindness. Love. Hard work. These aren’t just feel-good buzzwords in Jana’s world. They’re the foundation. Passed down through family, tempered by professional experience, and hardened through real-world trials.
“You don’t get to pick your core values like a playlist. They’re either in your blood or they’re not,” she told Tracy. And her blood runs deep with integrity.
The Atomic Blondes Revolution
In the final stretch, Jana lit up talking about her project with Stephanie Mack: The Atomic Blondes. It’s not about lipstick and likes. It’s about sisterhood, strategy, and storytelling. The duo wants to empower women through raw, unfiltered stories of resilience, leadership, and bold reinvention.
Think less Barbie, more battle-tested brilliance. This isn’t a brand. It’s a movement.
Conclusion: When Media Has a Soul
Jana Angel isn’t waiting for someone to hand her a platform. She built one—with backbone, grace, and a fierce sense of responsibility. Whether she is spotlighting a shelter dog or challenging systemic neglect, she amplifies female voices. One thing is clear: this woman leads with heart.
Jacksonville, and the media industry at large, would do well to take notes.
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