With a degree in Psychology from Montclair State University and a Minor in Creative Writing, hosting a podcast comes in easy for Ms. Sophie, the host of the popular The Haitian-American Dream podcast. She can write witty, engaging scripts for her podcast episodes, and work in some mental health and psychological insight into her topics for the benefit of her listeners. But even with these educational credentials, and creative abilities there are bound to be some challenges involved in running a digital platform. Let’s talk to the entrepreneur to find out how her educational background help her launch the Haitian-American Dream Podcast brand. And of course, about Haiti.
Kreyolicious: What’s the most helpful class you sat through in school that’s helping you right now in running your podcast?
Sophie/The Haitian-American Dream Podcast: Honestly, I had to think long and hard about this one. I would have to say my Intro to Film class which taught me how to do script writing. Being that I run my podcast all on my own, it is up to me to write the script, record it, and edit it like I mentioned earlier. So shout out to that class which was damn near 5 hours long but we got to watch movies so that was cool. I would also add pretty much every class I took because everything I studied in undergrad is basically manifesting itself into what I discuss on the podcast. So from Psychology courses to my African-American studies ones as well and pretty much all the other Creative Writing ones too.
Kreyolicious: What advice do you have for newbies?
Sophie/The Haitian-American Dream Podcast: To be honest I don’t even feel like I can offer much advice since I’m also just a newbie. However, the most I can say for sure is “Just get started,” and that’s coming from a procrastinator so listen when I say getting started is half the work. Also, stop stalling by claiming you don’t have the right materials to get started because the internet and my phone is all I use for my podcast and blog. You’ve got to make life work right where you are because that “perfect” moment we all keep waiting on to start this or that will never come. The perfect time only manifests when you finally begin working towards your dreams or goals so just get started with what you have and right where you are. Everything else you need and/or want will come when God/the universe sees that you are willing to work for what you desire even without the means that others may have to do that same thing. Thank you for the opportunity to share part of my story with the world through your platform.
Kreyolicious: How early in life did you find yourself attracted to journalism, tech and media?
Sophie/The Haitian-American Dream Podcast: As early as about maybe seven or eight, but it wasn’t until about eleven years old that I really realized I was seriously passionate about creating/writing. But, you know what’s funny? I just recently took some time to reflect and realized I’ve been obsessed with media [and] tech since I was a kid. Initially, I thought strictly writing was my thing, but I thought back to when I would create random story lines then record them on my family’s tape recorder. I was probably about eight-years-old recording those stories, but I would legit make the voices for each character and everything. I’m pretty sure those story ideas came from the excessive amount of daytime TV my siblings and I consumed from soap operas to talk shows. Speaking of talk shows, I actually always wanted to be a talk show host or radio personality which I guess would cover the basis of my interest in journalism. Though I do consider myself more of a creative writer and journalism always sound more serious to me like mainly news stories. Anyways, I’ve always had a little notebook with me where I would write story ideas & just random projects I wanted to work on. Even today, I still have a journal or three on me with a stream of ideas or writing.
Kreyolicious: You been to Haiti, pitit?
Sophie/The Haitian-American Dream Podcast: Pitit, I’m afraid to answer this because I don’t want to lose my Haitian card. But, honestly, not yet. I’ve legit been “supposed” to go since I was a kid. Sadly though, since my family is so huge it would have been a “choose one child to go” type of thing. I’m the seventh child, so you already know funds were a little limited (Laughter). Regardless, I do plan on going on some time this year. Not sure when but I’m speaking it into the air [so] that it will happen.
This concludes PART II of the interview with Sophie of The Haitian-American Dream Podcast. Did you miss PART I? You did! CLICK HERE to check it out!
CLICK HERE to visit the podcast’s Soundcloud page. Be sure to listen to all the episodes! | The Haitian-American Dream Podcast on Instagram | Sophie’s Blog
CLICK HERE to read about other podcasts hosted by folks of Haitian descent.
