Journalist | Video producer | Navy Veteran | Peace Corps Volunteer
Conflict IS communication.
Diplomats, mediators, and negotiators know that communication is key to meaningfully and successfully navigating conflict.
But, what about when conflict is an ever present feature of public dialogue, social media and the news?
The communication techniques that conflict resolution experts employ (and those that they avoid) have a lot to teach the rest of us about building trust when we choose to participate in the larger public discourse.
53% adults ages 18-34 APPROVE OF HOSTILE ACTIVISM
to drive change
The data is conclusive.
Public trust in news and information is plummeting,
and we need to take action.
70% of survey respondents
believe JOURNALISTS AND REPORTERS PURPOELY MISLEAD people by saying things they know are false or gross exaggerations
61% of survey respondents say their sense of GRIEVANCE is moderate or higher
Source: 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer.
Clients
"Jeff's expertise and masterful storytelling have breathed new life into our newsroom."
Jamie R.
"The concepts Jeff has introduced to our staff have revolutionized how we communicate.
Taylor M.
"Jeff doesn't just dump ideas, he gave me actionable communication techniques to improve my relationships on and offline."
Chris P.
Testimonials
CONTACT
Keynotes & Training
Adopting a service mindset from A-Z
There's a fairly new "gold rush" in journalism. It's promises include increased viewers, wealthy sponsors and fame. For the lucky few, they'll become celebrities. But, it's a Faustian bargain for the news organizations themselves. The price is ultimately distrust and discord. In this talk we'll discuss the ways to shore up news reporting while satisfying the growing demand for advocacy journalism.
Conflict-sensative Journalism Training
Minimizing harm is inarguably one of the most important ethical bulwarks of traditional journalism. Yet, in many ways it's the most intangible and hardest to measure. It requires a knowledge of conflict dynamics, conflict resolution and conflict communication. And, measurement comes in the form of increased trust.
Shaping the future of journalism
How people access news is fundamentally changing all the time. How can we keep up? The challenges are overwelming: artificial intelligence, disinformation, partisanship, social media algorithms and failing business models. There is hope. Information and solid reporting have lasting value. Navigating this future requires changing the norms and traditions to which we've clung.
m 952.237.9850
Lakeville, Minnesota
© 2025 Jeff Achen & Associates, LLC
Hi, I'm Jeff
Tune into the news, scroll through your social media feeds,
or open your inboxes and you’ll notice one pattern.
Conflict.
What can we do to better understand, navigate, and participate in public discourse without desending into destructive conflict? As a former journalist, digital strategist and video producer I've been fascinated by this question.
The tools of my trade have always been curiosity and the courage to step out of my comfort zone and into service.
I joined the U.S. Navy at 17, a formative experience in so many ways. Fast forward 9 years and I volunteered to serve my country yet again as a Peace Corps volunteer in Nepal. It turns out that my record of service has been key to building trusted relationships.
Over my career, I've worked in television as a news reporter, a print and digital journalist, a digital marketing strategist, and as an executive director of a nonprofit news organization.
I genuinely love to serve others. I deeply love public speaking, education and meaningful dialogue.