Today we’d like to introduce you to Meagan Reynolds.
Hi Meagan, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
Growing up, I always dreamed of being a writer and pursuing something creative. That lead me to major in Television-Radio-Film at Syracuse University.
When covid hit, like many new college grads, I had no idea what I was going to do. I eventually started to study for the LSAT and planned on returning to Syracuse to attend law school. That plan was put on hold when I received an offer to work for iHeartRadio here in Nashville.
I took a chance on myself as I’d never been here, didn’t know anyone, and due to covid, couldn’t even visit before I moved. I told myself that if in 1 year I wasn’t happy, I could always revisit the idea of going to law school and perhaps even retake the LSAT… but 3 years later, I am still here!
On my 23rd birthday, I took a chance on myself again and launched my podcast, Not the Girl Next Door. What started as a passion project from a vulnerable, wounded place has since turned into a community that I’ve found so much love, encouragement, and confidence in.
The motto of the podcast “Life Isn’t a 2000s Rom-Com” is to serve as a reminder that as women, we don’t need to confine ourselves to the stereotypes placed on us. It’s a motto that so many people, not just women, can relate to.
Nashville has also reignited a love of photography, videography, and writing that along the way was stifled by life. It’s a city where I feel like not only have I become the best version of myself, but it’s allowed me to fully be myself with open arms. While I love and miss my family back on the east coast, and of course Italian Sunday dinners, Nashville has truly become home for me.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Oh gosh no. For starters, when I moved to Nashville I was completely starting my life over. It took a little over a year for me to feel completely settled, find a sense of community, and get a handle on the city.
When it comes to the podcast, I run it all myself. From audio to video to social media, I do it all. It has taken a lot of trial and error, and lots of hours spent on YouTube to teach me certain things about audio engineering, but with a lot of encouragement and help from fellow creatives, I’ve been able to make things happen.
Building this brand has forced me out of my comfort zone in so many ways, especially when it comes to being able to look inward and work on myself. It’s been the most mentally challenging but rewarding journey of my life. There have been so many times along the way when I contemplated giving up, but if my podcast can even help 1 person through a difficult time, it’s worth it to me.
I think the key to being successful in a creative endeavor is to recognize you never stop learning. Whatever you do, it is a craft and skill that you have to work at and seek to improve every single day. My creativity is part of who I am, and I never want to lose that part of myself again.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Not the Girl Next Door Podcast aims to help twenty-somethings everywhere navigate one of the most difficult periods of our lives. From love to loss, self-discovery, healing, and everything in between, our 20s are filled with the most grief out of any other period in our lives.
Episodes are released every Monday featuring different topics & conversations. The biggest compliment I get on the podcast is that it feels like a conversation with a friend, and that is exactly what I want. Just like the rest of my listeners, I am figuring things out as I go along. I am human. I make mistakes, but this podcast is essentially a living diary. It’s a scary feeling to be vulnerable in this way, but my ability to be vulnerable with others and empathize is truly a strength I’ve come to realize.
I also have had the opportunity, thanks to my role with iHeart, to work with incredible artists & photographers in the music industry. Day-to-Day I create content for both iHeartRadio and iHeartCountry’s social accounts, and it’s been a joy to learn this side of the business too. I’ve gotten to attend and document events like CMA Fest, CMT Awards, etc. all of which were absolute dreams come true for me.
Since these events, I started my creative page to document the photos & videos I take. I hope in the future to shoot more portraits & concerts, so for now, I take each opportunity as it comes.
I think what sets me apart from others is my empathy and compassion for others. I have always been a social butterfly, and I think the ability to connect with so many different people is what has allowed me to build the community that I have. I wear my heart on my sleeve, and I am proud of it.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
The industry changes not just yearly, but daily. When it comes to social media, TikTok has become a dominating force and it’s made creatives shift strategies to focus mainly on video content.
I don’t see podcasting going anywhere anytime soon. It’s a format that is so accessible and allows people to have their voices heard, and build communities they may not have had otherwise. I’m sure somewhere along the way another social platform will pop up. We already have seen it with the addition of Threads to compete with Twitter.
What I think is important for content creators to remember though is that not every piece of content will give you a high ROI. Sometimes we post a video that took hours and think for sure it’ll go viral, only for it to perform below average. It’s so frustrating and discouraging, but the algorithms on all these platforms change constantly.
The key to success is consistency. Post it, leave it, and move on to the next.
Contact Info:
- Website: notthegirlnextdoorpodcast.com
- Instagram: @meg_reynoldss, @notthegirlnextdoorpodcast, @megreynoldscreative
- Linkedin: https://linktr.ee/notthegirlnextdoor
Image Credits
Laura Ord and Mario Devon
