Q&A With Madi Baldwin – The Inspiring Girly Behind Gen Z Girlies Podcast
Photo courtesy of Esther Ellyn
This is an interview done with Madi Baldwin of Gen Z Girlies, read her story below! If you, or anyone you know, would like to be highlighted in The Zillennial Zine, shoot us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com or DM us on Instagram!
Q: Tell us your story! Where did you begin and how did you reach the caliber you’re currently at?
A: Building community has always been something I’ve been passionate about. I grew up around small college campuses and was always aware of the deep levels of relational connectedness that there was between students. Then, in my own junior year of university, I has to opportunity to be an RA to a floor of 35 women and was able to experience and build that type of community for myself. That’s when I knew that connecting people and connecting with people was something that I wanted to pursue.
Over the next few years, as I graduated from university and started to navigate what it looked like to build a career and make friends, I realized that there was little advice or information coming from my peers in a similar stage of life. All the advice I could find was from people much older than I was who felt out of touch with what Gen Z (me!) really needed to hear. Then one day, I was in the car driving on my way to Starbucks and looking for Gen Z podcasts when I randomly typed “Gen Z Girlies” into the search bar to see if it would bring anything up. It didn’t. And that’s when Gen Z Girlies was born!
Since then, it’s been quite a journey getting the Gen Z Girlies podcast up and running but I’ve found that when you keep pushing and stop focusing on what others around you are saying– that’s when things really start to grow.
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Q: What makes you love what you do? Would you call it your passion?
A: I love doing what I do because it’s exactly the kind of content that I was once looking for myself. I love getting to connect with and hear other Gen Zers’ life & career stories and then to get to share those with the world.
There are parts of my work that are absolutely my passion and then there are parts that just have to get done. I always think it’s important to note that there is always going to be an aspect of whatever you are doing that might not be your favorite thing– but that sometimes the boring tasks are worth it in order to get to do the part that you love.
Q: What are some accomplishments or milestones you’ve reached lately?
A: Currently, I’m in the process of hiring my first intern for the Gen Z Girlies Podcast which is so, so exciting. I think that adding another member to the team will be exceptionally beneficial and will really push Gen Z Girlies to expand in new and better ways. As well, Season 2 of the Gen Z Girlies Podcast just premiered on February 21st and I am so excited for all the amazing guests who are going to be featured this season!
On a more personal note, a poem I wrote was recently featured in Ethel Magazine, this past summer I completed my first three month solo trip covering 8 different countries, and I’m just about to (1 month left) graduate from my Masters degree program! I have a few other projects in the works at the moment, as well, and I’m excited to see those come to life in the next bit.
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Q: Tell us about Gen Z Girlies!!
A: Gen Z Girlies is a podcast created specifically for Gen Z women and non-binary folk to get insider info on how other Gen Zers have managed to leverage their skills and talents to build careers and lives that they love.
On Gen Z Girlies we don’t just talk about where people are at but HOW they got there. And how you can do it too! We cover career fields spanning everything you can think of. So far we’ve interviewed lawyers, poets, journalists, musicians, freelancers, entrepreneurs, and more!
As well, I’m exceptionally excited about where Gen Z Girlies is growing towards. I am currently exploring some options on how to expand Gen Z Girlies from just a podcast to a wider community for Gen Z women and non-binary folk. So make sure you keep checking in on when that happens and how you can get involved!
Q: Do you have any advice for someone who is starting their own small business?
A: Cultivate resilience within yourself! You will have to keep pushing and keep believing in yourself even when things get hard. Sometimes you will have to keep working at it for much, much longer than you thought you would have to. You are absolutely capable of doing whatever you set your mind to, but know that it may come with sacrifices.
I always say, “you can do anything, but you can’t do everything.”
Q: What do you want our readers to know about you and your podcast?
A: Anyone is welcome! No matter who you are or where you come from – you are so welcome!
Gen Z Girlies is specifically targeted toward women and non-binary individuals but that doesn’t mean men can’t listen/get involved! If you feel at home with Gen Z Girlies, we want you here.
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Q: Anything else you would like to add?
A: The promises you make to yourself are the most important ones. If you keep those promises, you will accomplish things beyond your wildest dreams. Also, if you have listened to the Gen Z Girlies podcast or told someone about it – thank you!! We wouldn’t be here without people like you.
Go Check Out Madi Baldwin & Gen Z Girlies Podcast!
Instagram: @madi_baldwin @genzgirliespodcast
Spotify: Gen Z Girlies
Website: Gen Z Girlies
Twitter: @genzgirlies