Transcript
Speaker: Hi everyone, I'm Sarah Lynn. Welcome to the Thank You Ancestors podcast. I'm going to be using this first season of the podcast to talk to Midwest Filipinos. That's right, Filipinos who are born and raised here, people who have immigrated here, people who have a strong affinity for Chicago and the Midwest. My first guest is Irem Dato On.
Speaker: So he's a photographer, a social media expert, and a community builder online. um And he's just moved newly moved to Chicago. but We'll get to learn more about him and his journey through through this life. So check it out and let me know what you think. Hey, how are you doing today? I'm doing well. I'm doing well.
Speaker: Great. I'm so glad you could sit down with me for a couple of minutes and share a little bit about who you are, what you know, some of your expertise, some fun facts. um First of all, I was curious to know the story of your name. Oh, yeah. um So my aunt named me. ah it was It's like a biblical name, but at the same time ill also a play on um Maria. <unk> a My name is Maria backwards but also in the Bible ah there's a word or a name Aram and that's where it came from and they were just like oh let's put this I and then now it's Iram backwards. My full name used to be Iram Kimwell um so that those two names were together in the Bible and that's where they got it but played on the name Maria
Speaker: with my biological mom's name being Maria. So that's where it came from. Very Filipino way of naming someone. Right, right. We'll take some of this and some of that and flip it around. and Yeah, exactly. Yep, yep. Okay, so do you say your name, A -rum or I -rum? I -rum, like I and then a shot of rum.
Speaker: That's a good way to remember it. Okay. Very Filipino. Yeah, we like Rome. Right. Right. Yes, exactly. Um, so you're a photographer. Um, and one thing that's really interesting about photography is that, um, I've worked with a couple of photographers and sometimes you don't know them very well, but sometimes you do. But sometimes you are just meeting them on shoot that day. Um, yeah.
Speaker: What are some of the ways that you or your subjects have used to get somebody to be vulnerable in front of the camera? like Not a fake smile, like being real, whether it's sad, whatever mood it is. like yeah do you How do you do that?
Speaker: Um, it, it really happens before the shoot, like not just like in the communication in the email, but those first five minutes of view meeting first five to 10 minutes, maybe you're walking to the location or you met them at their car or you met at a coffee shop, buy them coffee, give them a way to warm up to you because they don't know you. I don't know them. Maybe the only communication we've had is digital. I never called them. We've messaged and that's it. So the best way is to really just connect with them at first and throughout the shoot I make jokes. And I do tell them, you said fake fake smile. I tell them to fake laugh because a fake laugh brings on a genuine laugh at the end.
Speaker: So bringing their personality out and asking them, and sometimes um bringing music if that's something um that they like. ah Sometimes also some people have brought ah some liquor or things that have calmed them, if whatever calms them. um I try to tell them bring that. But mainly if they don't have any other devices with them,
Speaker: It's just making a connection just like if they were my neighbor or they're my friend or I've known them for years because that makes a difference in the photos that we capture. And there are shoots that i I've had where it's more vulnerable than any other shoot that they but probably had. And same same thing, just connect with them, just talk about life with them and it will take you places.
Speaker: And your process yeah, that's really interesting cuz like when I've been the photographer so I'm also a freelance writer and sometimes as this media landscape is like you're tasked to do all of the things so it's like not only do I got to interview the source but I also got to take his photo and like make him look good like oh my gosh this is so much and so one thing I've tried to do like and and I remember one particular shoot like I had like a DSLR right And I could tell that even though he was a much taller person than me, he was felt intimidated by the camera. And I was like, just look at me. like This is not even here. like Just connect with me, and I'll worry about capturing it. Don't worry. yeah And that really set him at ease. um The other trick that I do, you mentioned music. um One photographer that I worked with,
Speaker: um or no, I think I heard this from somebody else. Yeah, my roommate, she was like, make a playlist. And I was like, that's such a good idea to make a playlist to like set whatever mood you're trying to channel. Yeah, in my questionnaire, I have what, what artists or what music are you listening to right now, so that I know if I remember to bring my speakers. If not, I just play it from my phone in my pocket, right? Because it gets them, it brings them somewhere else and takes them there, but in the space that you're in. The other thing that I've done is
Speaker: Taking photos of strangers. That's how I got myself to really be comfortable with rejection and helping people feel comfortable in front of a camera. Interesting. Yeah, even though like there's so much content on like, oh, I'm a street photographer. Can I take your photo? That is really how I started. And I did it in Hong Kong. No way! Yeah, I did it. um this is a challenge to myself in learning how to do portraits. And the first person that I took a photo of as a stranger apparently was a K -pop star in the mid 2000s. And I did not know, but I was ah was so nervous, like leading up to it. And even after I was like shaking, but by the time I did my fifth one, it was like normal.
Speaker: And so I learned how to communicate, to post someone I didn't know, for them to feel comfortable enough to have a genuine smile, to post genuinely, that was really how I learned how to do that. And from there, it just got easier as you as you go. Yeah. That's an interesting thing that like, both the photographer and the subject could be nervous.
Speaker: Correct. I'm, I'm always still nervous before I shoot. Yeah. Okay. Somehow as a subject that puts me at ease, like he's nervous too. Okay. We're just figuring it out together. One of my favorite things that I do with clients is I tell them to take a deep breath and then they do it. And after that I tell them, Oh, that was for me, not for you. And that cracks a joke because they're like, Oh my God, he's nervous too. Or he's needing to do that.
Speaker: I relate to the experience and I tell them, hey, me too. Cause then you're not this, you become this with them. You're on the same level. You're both people. Yeah.
Speaker: I love that, I love that. um I have another question. um It is about connection. ah So you are also a social media expert. I was curious.
Speaker: and You better own that. What are your top two recommendations for anyone with a social media account for people who are striving to feel more connected with their audiences?
Speaker: make content that you believe in, because if you don't, it shows. And this is something that my friend has told me as well. ah We were both working on social media and the way that we're creating content. And there was a product that I was like, oh, people would like this. I think this would be good content for people. But he told me, do you even use it? If you don't use it, if you don't believe in it, what like, it would be hard for you to create content with. So it's all about making content that you believe in. Because it will show that you
Speaker: are like it it exudes through the content that you know what you're talking about and you know the power of what you're talking about. um And I think it's all about that's one thing. And the other thing is um being consistent doesn't mean posting every day. Being consistent means showing up for yourself.
Speaker: when it might not be the day that you make content. Being consistent in the way that you're taking care of yourself and creating content, if that makes sense. Kind of being well ah in the way that you um show up to your community, to your social media, and for yourself. I tell that to people all the time. People say being consistent um is is important, but what does being consistent mean to you? Whether that's posting twice a week, maybe it's three times a week, but having those days that you take care of yourself and being consistent in that as well. Yeah, because I think the camera catches everything.
Speaker: like your voice, how do your eyes look? Have they got bags under them? Like, are you well rested? Are you okay, bro? People can tell. Exactly. Yeah, that makes a lot of sense. um Okay, so you're also your your your day job. You're an online community manager for Pexels, right? Correct, correct.
Speaker: um So when I think of online communities, I sort of think sometimes of like, don't read the comments on the internet, right? Like don't read the comments, but I actually like to read the comments. I was just wondering from like a manager, online community manager perspective, like, you know, inevitably people in the comments may have differing opinions strongly sometimes, like how do you,
Speaker: How do you, I'm doing this motion, but like, yeah how do you facilitate? I mean, you don't like, you're just like, and you're not just like, oh, delete that comment because it's negative or whatever. It's just like, people are going to argue, right? So like, how do you deal with that? There are times where I have deleted comments if they're,
Speaker: ah And this is coming from my personal page mainly, uh, like when I would post and sucks, but when I would post queer couples on my page, a lot of people still spew homophobia and that's when I would delete it. I would just delete it or I would delete and block them because they're like, you don't deserve my time. And these people don't deserve your time either. So.
Speaker: they don't deserve to be in the space that I've built. um And it's fine. And having boundaries in that, I think is still um it's still okay to do that. Like, this is what I've built. You're not going to be here and doing any of that garbage. Right. you can see yourself out because a lot of them would say like oh unfollowed cool thank you for letting us know um that you're homophobic but let's say there's more of a conversation if it if i know that it will not um that it's not offending anyone i'll have that conversation with them um and yeah i'm down to delete and i'm down to block um yeah and some people deserve it
Speaker: Um, but yeah, I think, so it's like a crisis management, right? Um, like a PR. Oh, here's something that's happened. I'm like, no, it's fine. Just delete and block them. Um, and I think it's all about the situation and the context of what's happening. Um, and there's time where you can have a conversation and you know that they'll talk to you. Um, and then there's times where.
Speaker: they're not going to listen and that's okay. Yeah. I'm so glad you brought up boundaries. Boundaries are helpful and healthy. Yeah. Especially in social media. Yeah. Definitely in the case of, I'm glad you brought that up, like hate speech, homophobia, like that's kind of like automatic, like you're out of here.
Speaker: yeah um And then what you said about context, you can kind of understand like, oh, this person doesn't know how that they're being offensive. Correct. Like, whether they're asking a question, maybe, or it's bringing a conversation. That means they're open, right? You can sense it, even in words, even though it might not have context, or deeper meaning.
Speaker: You can ask for it. You can see and investigate a bit more. And yeah. I'm also sometimes a troll, so I rile people up. And I keep going. And i just ask sometimes I just ask questions. I basically reflect back what they're saying, but in a question. So they keep talking. And it's bringing engagement into my post. So I'm fine with that. Yeah.
Speaker: I wonder if you've ever seen, maybe after we have this conversation, I'll send it to you. the the trans activist Alok. Do you know his? No, I don't know. Um, well, they're just an amazing, uh, very out person, um, an activist. And as, as you are that, if you're that kind of person, you get a lot of. one hundred city Yeah. Attracted to you. Um, and I feel like Alok just has this like really sensitive, but also truth telling way.
Speaker: to show people who they are. um Really amazing. I'll ah put it in the show notes. An example. ah Yeah. um Okay. So I have a couple other questions. ah We're filming this. You're in Chicago. I'm in Chicago. um And you're pretty new to Chicago.
Speaker: Yes, I am, about three months, exactly. yeah And you obviously chose the three best months of the year to come to Chicago. 100%. From Florida. Yes, exactly. It's too hot there. um yeah That's when I get my ah my seasonal depression is during the summer because I don't leave the house. And so how has your seasonal depression been this year?
Speaker: It's been way better. There's there's not one seasonal depression. I'm out. i I go outside. I walk around. I go to the beach. Yeah. That's great. That's great. I was curious to know what are the best three, three best meals you've had here so far? Three best meals. All right. So we have red hot ranch, double cheeseburger, and fries.
Speaker: You can't beat $7 .99. I don't know who else can beat that. Sorry, Small Cheval, but Red Heart Ranch. Red Heart Ranch all day. Yeah. um Just the sauce, everything, the price. Sometimes we get it delivered. It tastes different, but the fries are not as crispy. But it's still, the burger is like has had time to like condensate into itself. So that's like what makes it good. Just the edges are so crispy.
Speaker: um Boonies. They call it the Red Line Express, which is their play on Beagle Express. Oh, cute. It has, I think it's fish balls, shrimp, and lecheum kawali on top. So it just takes on the Beagle Express and turns it, makes it Chicago, kind of like a hipparito, but like Filipino. um Right. So that the, all of it, just the coconut milk, the Bagoong, all of the flavors together work well to where it's a memorable experience to me. Ooh, third one. I'm trying to figure that out. Trying to
Speaker: I think it could be a homecoming meal, maybe something you had at somebody's house, street festival, my ah a street festival at the, it was the summer, but I had the raclette on a baguette. Yeah. And I just remember the flavors, the gherkin, the,
Speaker: um the meat in there it just like and the raclette because it's stinky so like you're that's memorable um and it was like my first week in Chicago and that was one of the first things that I had so it's like a core memory that stuck um eating it on the side of the road in an alley Like what other city would you have be able to do that in? Um, and eating it during the summer, like it's like a winter thing, right? But it was delicious. It was a memorable sandwich.
Speaker: Yeah. Nice. Yeah. nice I think those are the three for me. That's a pretty wide range, but I see some things in common that you like. Uh, it seems like you appreciate appreciate richness in your food. Like.
Speaker: the richness of the coconut milk, the richness of the raclette, the cheese, um the richness of the cheeseburger. Yes, exactly. Don't give me bland food. I would not eat it. yeah i bought it I will regret buying it and would want to throw it up. Totally, totally. Yeah, no, you're in the right city if you like food. I think so, too. I think so, too. Yeah. Yeah. Why do you picked it? Yay! I'm so happy. I'm so happy. And like i'm I'm curious to see like how you fare with the winter and you know how that changes. You've lived in places with winter, right?
Speaker: Yes, I'm from Cincinnati. So like Filipino kid moving to Cincinnati. So a little bit, a little Midwestern in me with the winters, but Chicago winters is different than Cincinnati winters. So um it's Midwest without the wind, but I'll figure it out. Yeah, you'll figure it out. You're just gonna go to like some outdoor stores and get some layers and you'll be fine.
Speaker: I went to the brown elephant and got two jackets for 30 bucks. So that's all I needed. Good tip. Yeah, that's totally true. Go to your local thrift store. Thrift store, yes, yes. Consumption, conscious consumption. Exactly. It's always a good thing. um So you just mentioned that you moved to Cincinnati from the Philippines, is that right?
Speaker: Yes. That was when I was 12. I moved from the Philippines to Cincinnati. Yeah. Okay. So in the Philippines, where did you grow up? I grew up in Quezon City. So a little city boy at heart. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. um Well, since we're both Filipino and it's September, which is basically Filipino American History Month before, like one month before, it's like right there. um I would love for you to share one of your favorite memories of being Filipino.
Speaker: um
Speaker: This is an ongoing memory. My favorite is when Filipinos stare at each other. um You're like out in the streets and you're like sussing each other out. You're like, and you go, And then you go kababaya and like, after that, I think it's like, my wife, she's white, but she's learned that that's what Filipinos do. You suss each other out. Whether you're - To stare each other really hard. You're in Albany Park, you didn't know they're Filipino, but you still suss each other out. like Like, yeah, it's just that experience of like, you're joll you're in line at Jollibee and you're like,
Speaker: yeah like yes we're here but um especially when it's a random place or like you're in the middle of nowhere in georgia and you're figuring something out and you're figuring someone out and you're like you go from strangers to like let me help you out and like your family it's so weird when that happens i love it you flip it and it's like one time strangers and then you're like We're friends. We've known each other. And I think that's, it goes back to how I am in shoots working with strangers. I think it's because of that, weve it's part of our culture that we're able to relate fast with someone. Like um my grandma was here last week and we were crossing the road and a group of Filipina titas were walking with us. We didn't know they were.
Speaker: but they start we we were talking Tagalog to each other. They heard it. They mentioned something. We started talking for like a block. We talked and then they were like, see you later, see you later. But it was like, as if we've known each other for years. Yeah. And that's one of my favorite things about Filipinos is we just, and then you know. Right, right. It's like,
Speaker: Are you the Pinoy? Yeah. Filipino come back. Exactly. And then it's like, oh, where are you from? Or where exactly where in this place? I love how like it goes deeper and deeper and deeper. Oh, yeah, I know that barrio. Literally, I was at Walgreens getting a vaccine here. And the guy suss me out like the guy is like and then goes in to the room and is like are you Filipino it's like yeah he's like from where and then he goes illo illo and then i was like my grandpa's from illo illo and was like from pototan and he was like yeah i've been there i have some family there it just brings that in um just like we like instant coffee we like instant connection so yep
Speaker: I love being us. I love being Filipino. That's a good podcast title. hey Yeah, it could be. It could be. It could be. I have been thinking like, I don't know what the name of this podcast is, but that's okay. It'll it'll come out. Exactly. It'll come out. It'll come out. It'll come out. um Okay, a couple more questions. um Okay, so you're a native Tagalog speaker, yes? Yes.
Speaker: Yeah. Okay. Wait, do you speak any other Philippine languages? No, just Tagalog. I feel like I lost it. um But I would say I am native. Like oh when I was living in Cincinnati, I feel like I lost it because I barely spoke it oh for three years and then we moved to Orlando and there are more Filipinos. um So picked it back up when I moved to Hong Kong, there's a bunch of Filipinos. So kept using using it. So I feel like I'm ah weird to say English is my first language now and Filipino or Tagalog is my second language. But it was the other way around when I was but before 12. That's so interesting to like acknowledge that those identities are fluid too.
Speaker: Like it has to do with, it has a lot to do with the context of who you're around now. one hundred percent And like, oh, maybe you didn't have anybody to speak Ilocano or Tagalog with. So you, that kind of went to the wayside a little bit or, or went out of reach. yeah But then when you moved again, totally different context. So then you, it like kind of got reinvigorated.
Speaker: Exactly. Yeah, that's kind of what happened. And I think um I needed to go through that. And I think it's a very interesting third culture, third, third culture kid thing of like, being from a different space, because I would consider myself a 1 .5 gen immigrant because my my dad was here but I was brought in in the middle of like childhood teenage years to where I was still developing and still understanding the world and myself so this like third culture experience is so interesting to me um of like is that my native language is uh english my native language
Speaker: um Yeah, so there's my cat. I see. I just saw the little tail. um Yeah, I think it's like a ah fluid thing, as you said. Like it depends on where I am and who I'm with. Yeah. um When was the last time you went to the Philippines? 2018.
Speaker: um I was there for a wedding, my cousin's wedding. Oh, nice. Nice. So I sometimes get people to ask me this question um sometimes. I mean, and I think you probably already know this, that among Phil Ambs, who were like second or third generation, like born here in the States to Filipino parents, um it's kind of,
Speaker: I think sadly common for us to not know any Philippine languages or like Philippine languages are not spoken in the home. It's English. um And so having said that, um I've had friends who are like Phil -ams who are going to visit the Philippines for the first time. They don't, they don't speak Tagalog at all. Like they have kind of this like latent you know vocabulary, hearing listening vocabulary, but they can't speak it themselves. I was curious from your opinion, what are some key phrases, maybe like two or three key phrases that you would say are critical for anyone, but especially Phil Ambs, to know before traveling to the Philippines?
Speaker: um
Speaker: Don't even have to say anything. and then No words. You can converse with those and and you're good. Um, I feel like those are the two, is that phrases? This is all you need. Uh, especially if you're traveling with someone, teach them how to because then you're, you're conversing. Um, that's the only thing is that everyone looks at you. Um, but here.
Speaker: that's what I tell my friends if I go, they look, but I think um two words. I think understanding those is what you need to know. Phrases that trying to figure out what I use the most. Yeah, like like, you know, somebody's at the airport or at a restaurant, like,
Speaker: What are, you know, maybe meeting family for the first time. Yeah. Yeah. I think just using pull at the end of your sentences, even if it's English, that makes a big difference to the folks that live there because they know and understand what that means. But for you to really understand what that means. So it's just, uh,
Speaker: like a please, but it's not please, it's more of a gesture of respect to the person that you're talking to. And that makes a big difference, whether you're Speaking in English and just ending it with that makes a big difference um When you say yes to someone you say opo instead of oh um So understanding those of the use of context of bought and opo Even if that person is younger than you especially in in the Philippines we have Age ranking, I don't know what to like age respect respecting of age um and
Speaker: just calling someone Kuya and Ateh makes a big difference or adding if you want to be more non -binary and inclusive in the language since Kuya and Ateh are gendered. And I think understanding respect and how we culturally respect each other because that gives you perspective on how people respect each other here, which is almost non -existent in the culture. It's like you turn 18 and you're like, you can call your your mom by their first name. I feel like that's here in the Philippines, you'd get slapped. Oh my gosh. That reminds me of like when I was a kid, I had a neighbor who I used to play with and I remember her mom
Speaker: introduced me, introduced herself to me by her first name. And I was like, I feel uncomfortable calling you by your first name. Like not like auntie or mister or miss whatever. if you're looking um No, they were white.
Speaker: Yeah, exactly. But it was just like, and there was yeah like a deep conflict in me. I was like, I can't call you by your first name. Like, no. So my mom is white. Um, but the way that she brought me up is you, whoever it is, they're an elder. You call them uncle, aunt, whatever their name is, whether they're Filipino or white or whatever.
Speaker: Right. Doesn't matter. That's what you call them. They're an elder. You call them with an uncle or aunt. Like, raise me the way a Filipino would is like you call them your tito and tita. You don't call them by their first name. You don't call anyone unless they're younger than you or same age. And even that, it feels weird sometimes.
Speaker: Right, and also let's talk about the fact that it's sometimes hard to tell a fit the age of a Filipino. Exactly, exactly. Are you younger than me or older than me or we're around the same age? I don't even know. But I've been in situations where like we're in a group setting and like some people know each other and some people are new. And I'm sitting there thinking like this person has no idea that I'm 20 years older than them.
Speaker: I have no idea. And then and then ah I just bring it up like, oh, I'm curious. you know Because sometimes the clue is cultural context, right? Like some cultural things aren't like, oh, that band was too old for this person. or Yeah, usually music. you so Exactly. This TV show, they don't understand the reference. And so then you're like, oh, you might be 10 years younger than me. Yeah, you're bringing up Back to the Future in Goonies. And I'm bringing up something else like Jurassic Park. And I'm like,
Speaker: You just age yourself with pop culture. Usually pop culture. It's so interesting. Pop culture. Yeah, yeah. Age is what ages someone. Yeah. Right, right. So i I have definitely had the experience where, I mean, I kind of like when people quote me, because yeah like, it shows that they respect me. But I know others who are like, Oh, don't do that. I'm not that old, you know, and it's like, yeah It's a sign of respect. Yeah, exactly. Like, I should be calling you Atasara Lin, right? So that... Yeah. You can. i i I have that title with many people. Yeah, exactly. um But not Tita. No. That... Yeah. No, no, no, no. We're not there yet. um but No, we're not there yet. I feel like I'll be a Tita when I get into my like late 50s.
Speaker: then I'll be like, okay, you can call me Tita. That's cool. That one gray hair shows up. It's time.
Speaker: ah That is so funny. Well, I'm looking at the time, we we've been talking for 36 minutes and it's just absolutely flown by. um My last question is about you being an entrepreneur. um You're clearly um a hustler, ah ah somebody that can like jump in and figure it out, um just based on the stories that you were telling me about like going to Hong Kong and like taking photos of strangers, like wow, that's amazing.
Speaker: um I was curious, this year, well, however you want to, this year or these past couple of years, um as an entrepreneur, what are some key takeaways that you've learned? Like what are some key lessons that you're like, oh, that's a good lesson.
Speaker: ah Learn when to pivot or Uh, I guess the word is like be diverse in what you do. Cause if you never know where the economy will go, what, what will happen, just like what's happening now. Now, a lot of my friends are saying, Oh, I'm not getting a lot of bookings. I'm not getting a lot of this. So you just have to know where do you, can you grow as an entrepreneur in your skills? Maybe do something else that will help you grow. Cause if you're only doing the same thing over and over and over and over.
Speaker: When are you developing yourself? When are you developing the things that you're doing? Going from a photographer to maybe more of a creative director role. How do you make that happen? um How do you grow in your own skills? And how do you get better than what you did last year, six months ago?
Speaker: Um, so learning how to pivot or even diversifying the skills that you have so that you can go in many directions. Um, yeah and not just, and how have you um um, last year, uh, I started working with a bar student cocktail photography, food photography, um, moving away, not moving away, adding it.
Speaker: to my tool belt so that I can do something else that is still helpful in what I do and something that I was not necessarily the best at or good at. So now I can do portraits or I can work with restaurants. And there's plenty of those to go around. And if people start to to not have money, sometimes restaurants are still there and they need to bring people in and they need marketing. So I feel like um working with restaurants is still a good bet. um And also at the same time, knowing when to quit and it's okay to quit. oh So yeah. Good one. Yeah. How did you learn that one?
Speaker: i ah Working for a restaurant a couple of years ago um and You just start seeing things um that you're like, I don't know about this. I feel like I should just go. ah And it was the right decision because it led me to where I am and what I'm doing now. Yeah.
Speaker: Yeah. Yeah. I think knowing when to walk away is definitely a skill. So I feel like I've heard, all i I hear people say I stayed longer than I should have in relationships, in jobs. um Exactly. Any kind of situation where your boundaries are being crossed or like the alignment of values isn't there anymore. run Sometimes you can't fix it. Yes. 100%. Yeah. I think And it brings us back to boundaries and understanding who you are, what it means to be consistent for yourself, for your wellbeing, and for the people around you. um Because those are the people that will stay. The people that really care and understand and align with you. Because if they don't, they're not going to be there for five, two years. And they're probably not going to be there for you. So you can take care of yourself and the ones that care for you.
Speaker: That's interesting because it's reminding me about community and like sometimes there's community that's there for a short or a medium amount of time. And then there's the community that's there like your ride or dies that are like always there for you. Yeah, exactly. Interesting too. Yeah. um And that's what I do now is taking care of people.
Speaker: And making sure that they're well, I feel like that's what community work is Because I get people to be plugged in to be connected And I want to make sure they feel that I want to make sure they feel welcome and that we're glad to be here Even if it's an online community, right? How do you express? um That welcoming and inviting ah I guess space um for someone in online communities. And one of the things is to be their hero and being their biggest cheerleader, even if it's just one person.
Speaker: Oh, that's so cool. Yeah, because I feel like even in online spaces, people can definitely feel support, like, not just smashing that like button, or like leaving a comment, but like consistently following and reposting. And yeah um there are definitely ways like there are people that I know are like always like, Oh, yeah, they're my people who always like my my stuff on social, I'm like, yeah, they're my community. Yeah. And I think I said the wrong thing. I think what I tried to say is to be their biggest cheerleader and to make them feel like they're a hero. They're the main characters. They are. Because they are. We're all our main character in our own story. Yeah. I'm just a side character in your story.
Speaker: You can be my Gandalf, right? So in the hero's journey, that's part of that whole thing is that there's someone out there that's guiding you and helping you out. They might not be doing it for you, but they're helping you out and get to where you want to be. And that's, as a community manager, I feel like that's my role is you get them to where they need to go, even though you're not the one doing it for them.
Speaker: So you're the Gandalf. I feel like that is, uh, as a community manager, I feel like that's the role. And then you, and then you're like, you have a bunch of Frodo's and like Sam's. Exactly. And they just go on their own on their quest on their quest. Exactly. And some of those times you might not be there and they just keep going. Right. Right. And you just cyclically know, like they're still out there. Exactly. They're still on their journey.
Speaker: Yeah, they're still alive. Hopefully. Oh my gosh. Well, thank you so much for this conversation. I feel like I got to know you better, got some good tips. um And yeah, let's see how this whole thing turns out. Yeah, I'm excited.
