We had the good fortune of connecting with Jehan D. Wilson, M.S. and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Jehan, what inspires you?
Inspiration can come in many forms.
I am irrevocably inspired by the thought of endless possibilities, the idea of being able to create and essentially being able to turn nothing into something.
I truly believe that greatness is inevitable, and in every room that I enter, I strive to be able to illuminate all environments.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
One element that sets me apart from others is my drive for knowledge and my consistency in always remaining teachable. I truly believe that you can learn something from every single person that walks into your life and I make sure of it with every connection that I make. Additionally, another aspect that sets me apart is my confidence in knowing that I have the power to “make the impossible inevitable.”
As a creative, something that I am most proud of is launching my podcast, UN•THERAPY, in July of 2021. Becoming a podcaster has been one of the most exhilarating things I’ve ever experienced. Podcasting was always something I thought about doing, but never something I imagined myself doing until it happened.
My podcast journey is probably super different from many others because it was a brainchild that was conjured up during a global pandemic. When I am not working my 9-5, I am a reality television fanatic, especially shows that are fixated on love and dating. Around July 2020, two things happened: I joined Clubhouse and began watching the newest season of Married at First Sight New Orleans. I know what you’re probably thinking. This is a super weird combo. So, as I began to watch Married at First Sight New Orleans, I would host Clubhouse rooms every Thursday after the show would premiere and act as a moderator for “live discussions” about what happened the previous night on the newest episode.
Over time the Thursday night Clubhouse rooms would grow, and more people started joining in on the discussions consistently. After a while, we had a dedicated group of listeners which eventually migrated into creating a Facebook group to host mini discussions outside of the live discussions every week. About 12 weeks into hosting “live discussions,” someone said to me, “Jehan, you should start your own podcast.” At that moment in time, I was flattered, but I knew deep down, I knew absolutely nothing about podcasting.
Weeks later, I began doing research on the best streaming platforms for podcasters, how to distribute, and overall, how to make a podcast successful. One week later, after I began my research, I hosted another “live discussion,” and there, I was able to identify co-hosts for my podcast. And then boom, UN•THERAPY Podcast, was born.
Every Thursday, a new episode is released, and the weekly discussions highlight trending topics in the news and media, pop culture, love, dating, mental health, and overall, strategies to become a better version of yourself.
The work that I do in the professional realm has truly helped me to ensure that my podcast was able to become a success. Outside of podcasting, I work as a Communications Strategist, Digital Media Consultant, and College Professor. Within the realm of being a college professor, I specialize in all things journalism and communications.
I’ve taught courses such as Intro to Broadcast Journalism, Pop Culture & Gender in the Media, Organizational Communication, and Research Methods in Communications. Due to my love of teaching In my spare time, additionally I partner with a local organization entitled Exchange For Change to teach inmates journalism courses. On the other end of the spectrum, as a communications strategist, I do a variety of things. I curate brand and marketing campaigns, media strategies, content creation, digital storytelling and specialize in crisis communication.Within my career, I have had many successes within all of my roles, and with each new endeavor, I have been able to elevate my skills way beyond anything I could’ve ever imagined. I was able to get to where I am now professionally by continuously pushing for what I want. Every “no” I’ve ever received within my industry I used it as a stepping stone to obtaining a “yes,” and continued to build.
Additionally, being a constant student in the classroom and in the real world has helped me tremendously.
In 2014 I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Broadcast Journalism from Florida A&M University. I then went on to receive my Master of Science in International Communications from St. John’s University in 2017, and a Master of Philosophy in 2020 in Public Policy & Administration. I currently have an anticipated graduation date of Fall 2022 to receive my Doctorate of Philosophy in Public Policy & Administration with a specialization in Crisis Communication.
When I think about hardships and challenges that I have overcome, I always think about the quote, “nothing in life is ever hard.” I truly believe that nothing attainable is “difficult,” it’s all about perspective and your viewpoint.
Anything that I have ever needed to overcome, and any challenges that I may have, I know that the solution is already within me, and can be resolved. Within all of the lessons that I’ve learned along the way — the most important aspect has been that everything will happen in due time.
One thing that I want people to know about me, my brand, my podcast, and my creativity overall is that it is infinite.
The greatness that I embody has no end, and every day I will continue to evolve and get better than I was the day before.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Okay, so boom… if my best friend is coming into town, as the resident foodie we would start the trip by hitting one of the best taco spots in South Florida, which I have dubbed that to be Naked Taco.
The next stop would be to go on a sightseeing tour in downtown Miami, then visit some museums and of course, hit the beach.
South Florida is a melting pot of culture, and I would use this trip as a mini world tour to experience all of the different cultural cuisines that the city has to offer.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
All of the success that I have achieved in my endeavors can be dedicated to my family, especially my parents and my two older brothers.
They’ve been there every step of the way for me, and have ensured me that everything that I want in life is attainable and that there is nothing that I cannot do.
My parents have been my driving force and my backbone from my first breath. They are the people that I know that I can always count on in all situations.
They’ve done the best job to reassure me when I’ve felt uncertain and have been my biggest motivators throughout all the phases of my life.
Website: https://anchor.fm/jehan-wilson
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/untherapypodcast/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/untherapypodcast/
Other: https://linktr.ee/UNTHERAPYPodcast untherapypodcast@gmail.com