LUCIE FINK REDEFINES DIGITAL MEDIA AS CEO, STORYTELLER, AND AUTHENTICITY ADVOCATE
BY EBBY MAGAZINE
Explore the journey of Lucie Fink, a media influencer reshaping the digital landscape with her groundbreaking podcast and authentic storytelling. From YouTube star to mental health advocate, she tackles taboo topics, empowering millions globally.
PHOTOGRAPH BY GRACE BRAAKSMA
“I’VE CONTINUED TO ALLOW MYSELF TO CHANGE AS A PERSON AND SHOW UP EVERY DAY AT THE STAGE OF LIFE I’M CURRENTLY AT.”
LUCIE FINK, LIFESTYLE HOST, MEDIA MOGUL, AND PROUD MOM
PHOTOGRAPH BY BRONSON FARR
In an era where authenticity reigns supreme, Lucie Fink emerges as a trailblazer, shattering the boundaries of conventional dialogue. With her groundbreaking podcast, The Real Stuff With Lucie Fink, she’s not just starting conversations; she’s revolutionizing them. Launched to resounding acclaim in February 2024, Fink’s podcast swiftly captivated audiences, positioning itself as a beacon of candid discourse in a sea of noise.
Week after week, Fink delves fearlessly into the most taboo topics, inviting listeners to embark on a journey of self-discovery alongside notable talents and experts. From intimate discussions about relationships and mental health to unraveling the complexities of finance and sexuality, Fink fearlessly navigates the depths of the human experience. But what truly sets her podcast apart is its inclusivity; by providing a safe space for listeners to dial in anonymously, she ensures that every voice is heard and every story matters.
But Fink’s impact transcends the confines of a podcast. As a multifaceted creator, she’s long been at the vanguard of digital storytelling. From her viral series on Refinery29’s YouTube channel, Try Living with Lucie and Lucie for Hire, to her myriad speaking engagements and TEDx Talks, she’s garnered accolades and admiration for her unwavering commitment to authenticity.
Yet her journey is more than just a tale of success; it’s a testament to resilience and reinvention. Departing from the corporate media world, Fink forged her path, founding Lucie Fink Media, Inc., a platform for groundbreaking content creation. As president and CEO, she’s redefining the media landscape and balancing motherhood’s demands with the relentless pursuit of excellence.
In an age inundated with influencers, Fink stands as a beacon of sincerity, championing vulnerability and empathy in every facet of her work. With a community of over 1.2 million devoted followers, affectionately known as “The Fink Fam,” she continues to inspire, educate, and empower one authentic conversation at a time. Join her as she embarks on a journey to normalize the taboo, redefine storytelling, and embrace the humanity that unites us all.
“SOMEONE SAID TO ME, “IT’S LIKE YOU’RE BUILDING A POOL IN SOMEONE ELSE’S BACKYARD.” THAT’S WHEN I REALIZED THAT I WANTED TO CREATE MY OWN EMPIRE AND BUILD UP MY OWN DIGITAL SPACES WHERE I COULD RETAIN AND MONETIZE OFF OF MY OWN IP LONG-TERM.”
As the CEO of Lucie Fink Media, Inc., you’ve navigated the transition from traditional media to building your empire. What inspired you to establish your own media company?
I was inspired to start Lucie Fink Media because I wanted to have the freedom and flexibility to work for myself, build my own schedule, and create content that I ultimately owned. I loved what I was doing at Refinery29, but I was working tirelessly to build up their platforms and create content for them to own and monetize off of for years to come. At that time in my life, someone said to me, “It’s like you’re building a pool in someone else’s backyard.” That’s when I realized that I wanted to create my own empire and build up my own digital spaces where I could retain and monetize off of my own IP long-term.
Your podcast, The Real Stuff With Lucie Fink, has been hailed as a refreshing take on taboo topics. What motivated you to create a platform for such candid discussions, and what impact do you hope it will have on your audience?
Above all, I wanted to create a podcast that sounded and felt different from other shows on the market. As an avid podcast listener, I felt like the listening experience was getting a bit repetitive; I kept hearing the same guests on multiple shows being asked the same questions and providing the same answers. I wanted to have conversations that pushed the boundaries of what people comfortably discuss in public and create something that audience members would find equal parts voyeuristic and entertaining. Another major pillar of the show is that I bring on audience callers for various episodes. That’s a fresh take on the podcast space, and I love that I can involve my community in that way. I’m hoping my listeners can see themselves reflected in the guests, feel more empathetic towards others, and recognize that we’re all having a collective human experience and going through similar things.
Balancing motherhood and a successful career can be challenging. How do you prioritize your time and maintain work-life balance in a fast-paced industry?
First and foremost, I can’t say I’m balancing anything “well” without pointing out our childcare support team that we have in place. My husband and I both work full-time, so we rely heavily on both sets of our parents, who live nearby, as well as our amazing nanny. I work for myself, so I am able to manage my own schedule; this allows me multiple touchpoints throughout the workday when I can see and play with my son. I can stop to have lunch with him or to play with him in the afternoon, but I can still absolutely retreat into my office if I need to be productive or take an important call. When it comes to work-life balance, I truly take things on a day-by-day basis. I see what’s on my schedule for that day, and I see how present I feel I can be around the house at that moment.
Can you share insights into your transition from a pre-med student to a prominent figure in the media industry?
As an undergrad at Johns Hopkins, I initially started as a pre-med neuroscience major, planning to become a doctor. Pretty quickly, I realized that most of the other pre-med students were feeling a lifelong “calling” towards medicine, while I simply saw it as an “interest.” I knew my heart was pulling me toward the entertainment industry. In all of my free time on campus, I was making videos for the school’s YouTube channel, performing in a cappella group, and heading back and forth between Baltimore and NYC for live appearances on NBC’s Today Show. Eventually, I realized that my love of media, performing, and communications outweighed my interest in becoming a doctor.
Throughout your career, you’ve been celebrated for your authenticity and ability to connect with your audience on a deeply personal level. How do you ensure your brand remains genuine in an era of curated content and influencer culture?
It’s really easy to look at other people’s content and fall into the trap of emulating someone else’s aesthetic and style. Often, when I’m feeling super uncreative, I notice myself doing that. But for me, it’s all about going back to the type of content that feels good not only to be creating but also to hit “post” on. It’s the content that feels so true to me (that it was pouring out of me as an art form) that typically resonates the most with my followers and receives the most engagement. Over the course of my career as a content creator, I’ve changed a lot. I’ve gone from living in New York City and dating my boyfriend to getting married, having kids, and buying a house in the suburbs. I’ve totally evolved, but I’ve continued to allow myself to change as a person and show up every day at the stage of life I’m currently at. Of course, you lose people along the way, but you also gain new people who identify with you in that season of life.
“ULTIMATELY, I WANT PEOPLE TO LISTEN TO THE PODCAST AND TO RECOGNIZE HOW HUMAN WE ALL ARE AND HOW WE’RE ALL GOING THROUGH THE STRANGE, BIZARRE EXPERIENCE OF BEING ALIVE AT THE SAME TIME.”
PHOTOGRAPH BY BRONSON FARR
You’ve proven yourself a versatile storyteller, hosting digital series and delivering TEDxTalks. How do you approach storytelling across different mediums, and what unique challenges or opportunities does each present?
No matter what piece of content I’m creating, I always think about storytelling. I think about content as needing a beginning, a middle, and an end… Where’s the rising action? The climactic moment? What’s the takeaway? Of course, some videos are just a short, silly trend. But as a creative writing major, I understand the art of the story arc. I look at different digital platforms as unique spaces. On platforms like Instagram or TikTok, the content is very short and digestible. On other platforms, like YouTube, it can be longform and more in-depth. I consider the platforms and their user experiences when I’m creating content. With short-form content for Instagram, I always make sure there’s a denser, more powerful caption. Whereas on YouTube, people want all those details in the video itself, and they don’t read the description box as often.
Could you share how your podcast and digital platforms have been instrumental in breaking down the barriers and misconceptions surrounding mental health and how they have become a beacon of hope for people struggling with mental health issues?
The podcast gives people a space to talk about taboo topics and helps listeners to recognize that they are never alone. I’ve heard from so many listeners that they’ve heard a guest say something that they really resonate with, that they’ve never told anyone before, or that they have never felt comfortable talking about themselves. Ultimately, I want people to listen to the podcast and to recognize how human we all are and how we’re all going through the strange, bizarre experience of being alive at the same time. For anyone who is struggling with mental health issues, I want to spotlight others who are going through similar things so that they can see themselves reflected and know they’re not alone.
Collaboration is significant in your work, as evidenced by partnerships with global brands like Under Armour and Clinique. What criteria do you consider when selecting brand partnerships, and how do you ensure they align with your values and mission?
Before working with a brand, I ask myself, “Is this a product that I personally would use or that I would buy for an important person in my life?” My favorite partnerships always have a positive message or a charitable/giveback component tied into the campaign. I try to think about the best possible way I can partner with brands to deliver the greatest impact. That being said, especially as you work with larger brands, not every brand is going to be “perfect” across the board; I don’t think creators should be held responsible for every mistake that a brand has made in their past. At the end of the day, we can only do our best to make sure we’re promoting the best possible products and companies that best align with our missions and values. I love working with brands as a creative outlet, but the main reason I do brand partnerships is so that I can continue to create the other content for my audience for free.
Your Instagram series, “Salary Secrets,” offers a candid glimpse into people’s occupations and salaries. Why do you believe it’s essential to destigmatize discussions around money, and how do you hope this series will contribute to greater financial literacy?
We can all agree that money is such a hot topic these days. It’s something that a lot of us think about incessantly, yet we don’t talk about it openly (even to some of the closest people in our lives). When it comes to my salary transparency content, I want people in various industries to feel empowered to ask for more or to charge their clients more. I also want them to know of other fields that are available to them if they don’t feel like they’re being properly compensated where they’re currently working. Above all, I want the entire topic of money and income to have less weight surrounding it. I want us to be able to talk about it openly as a society.
Looking ahead, what are your goals and aspirations for Lucie Fink Media, Inc., and how do you envision the future of digital storytelling evolving in the years to come?
In the near future, I want to host a lifestyle show. As I continue to transform as a creator, I’d love to focus on telling interesting human stories and bringing people together. With my communities and my social media following, I’d love to do more creative activations that allow me to connect with my community, whether it’s in-person or virtually. I don’t know how I envision the future of digital storytelling evolving, but I truthfully don’t want to know. I love the unknown. I love waking up every morning, checking my email, and seeing what interesting opportunity has landed in my inbox for the day. As I continue to grow in my role as a mother, I am going to keep working, and I just plan on riding the wave of life, deciding day-by-day how much time I’m feeling called to work versus doing other things.
What is your luxury for the soul?
What really soothes my soul is getting away. Getting out of my house and out into the world is so refreshing. I don’t have to be by myself and can happily do this with my family, but bursting out of my little “bubble” and being exposed to things that are happening in other parts of the world instantly reminds me of how much more there is to life than my little sphere and my little daily happenings. It orients me to the scope of life and makes me feel calmer and more grounded.
{ MANTRA }
“What’s the best that could happen? ”
I know people always ask, “What’s the worst that could happen?” But if you’re taking a risk and you’re trying something new, why not dream about the potential amazing outcomes of taking risks and putting yourself out there?
L U C I E F I N K
