"Why?"

If I had to tell someone what my most-asked question is, why would definitely be my answer. For as long as I can remember, I have asked that simple (yet sometimes annoying) question about anything and everything. I should probably do you, listener, the favor of answering my favorite question. Why did I create this podcast?

You can find a partial answer to this question on the About page; I recommend you take a look at it if you have some time. I'm going to spend the rest of this post talking a little bit about my story: how I went from a graphic designer to a connoisseur (or at least a wannabe connisseur) of public relations stunts.

My journey started as a graphic design student. I loved design because of the visual expression and artistic value. However, I felt out of place as a design student; the processes of making digital art was one of production and often involved keeping to myself. I struggled as an idea-driven person: I wanted to make my visions come to life and often struggled with wanting to jump from idea to idea without real completion. Graphic design was enjoyable, but I felt like my life in the graphic design world would consist of constantly pushing out the design choices of others and never getting to share my ideas. I knew I needed a change. Enter: strategic communications.

What is strategic communication? I like to say it's like marketing mixed with design and psychology. While a definition beyond that is a bit harder to lock down, a helpful article from Arkansas State University explains that in the business world, it's pretty much who you're sharing information with, what you're saying, and how you're choosing to say it. What is your company all about? Who is your target audience? How are you letting your target audience get to know you? All of these questions are asked and answered through strategic communication.

Now, back to me. As a poor undergrad feeling lost in my major, strategic communication seemed to be the path to go down next. Instead of working with the what (creating content based on a brief) I would get to work on the why (actually writing said brief). I wanted to help share ideas and creative vision with others; strategic communication would allow me to do just that.

Did you know that about 80% of college students change their majors? If you're like freshman me and the thought of switching your major makes you queasy, know that you're not alone. "Will I fall behind?" and "what will others around me think?" are legitimate questions. But trust me when I say it may be the best decision you'll make in your college career. College is partially about learning to do what you love. So, if you have the time and resources, I would highly recommend a major in your life change (pun intended).

In my new program, I learned so much about how communication impacts the way we see the world. In one particular class, I started learning about the origins of public relations and how it caused a shift in the way we think of marketing today. One lecture talked about the origin of bacon as a breakfast food and I was honestly shocked that bacon was the result of a successful marketing campaign. Thus, the first inkling of You'll Believe Anything was born.

We normally thinking of public relations and propaganda as sinister politcal tactics to control our minds. The reality is that sometimes PR is just... silly. I wanted the opportunity to share what I've learned about some ridiculous strategies, hopefully inspiring a laugh and curiosity along the way.

If you too are interested in knowing why, I hope you'll follow me along this journey.