Today we’d like to introduce you to Shawnee Nichelle.
Hi Shawnee, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always been drawn to the mic.
As a kid, I would pretend to be a talk show host, using a hairbrush as a microphone and interviewing my stuffed animals like they were celebrity guests. I was obsessed with radio hosts and TV personalities—people who could hold your attention and make you feel something just by speaking. Even back then, I knew I wanted to be one of them.
In school, I took every chance I could to speak publicly—morning announcements, presentations, anything that gave me a few seconds behind a mic. But as I got older, the dream started to feel unrealistic. I didn’t have connections in the industry, and I assumed you needed expensive equipment or a full studio to even get started. So I put the idea on the shelf, thinking maybe it just wasn’t meant for me.
Then one day, I stumbled across a podcast that completely changed my perspective. The host casually mentioned how easy it was to start your own show—and I had a lightbulb moment. I realized I didn’t need anyone’s permission, a fancy studio, or a full production team. I just needed a mic, a quiet space, and the courage to hit record.
That’s how my podcast was born.
Starting it was one of the most empowering things I’ve ever done. It brought me back to that little girl with the hairbrush mic—but this time, it was real. I finally had my own platform to speak, share, and connect with people in a way that felt true to me.
For so long, I thought I needed someone else to give me an opportunity. But the truth is—I didn’t need a seat at someone else’s table. I built my own.
And now, I’m finally doing what I’ve always wanted to do.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Since launching my podcast, I’ve definitely faced my fair share of challenges. There have been lineup changes, unexpected mental health breaks, and the ongoing struggle of finding a solid, reliable team that truly believes in the vision. On top of that, I’ve had to learn how to juggle marketing, production, scheduling—basically wearing every hat at once.
And don’t even get me started on the money side of things—honestly, it’s like having a full-time job that *you* pay *to do.* But despite all of that, it’s still something I deeply love. It’s pushed me, taught me, and reminded me why I started in the first place.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m the creator and host of my own podcast—a space where I have real, unfiltered conversations that reflect life as it is, not as we pretend it to be. I specialize in storytelling, authenticity, and connecting with people on a deeper level, whether that’s through personal experiences, interviews, or shining light on topics that don’t always get talked about.
But I also love to laugh—and that’s a big part of what I bring to the table. Even when we’re diving into deeper or more serious topics, I always find a way to keep the vibe human, relatable, and often hilarious. Humor is healing, and I truly believe you can be vulnerable *and* crack up in the same sentence. That balance keeps things real.
What I’m most proud of is that I built this platform from the ground up. No network, no fancy production team—just me, a mic, and a whole lot of faith in the process. I’ve stayed true to my voice, even when it would’ve been easier to follow trends or water things down. That’s something I’ll never compromise.
What sets me apart is that I don’t pretend to have all the answers—and I don’t expect co-host(s), my guests or my listeners to, either. I create a space where it’s okay to be in progress, to not have it all figured out, and to laugh through the mess of it all. It’s honest. It’s raw. It’s funny. And it’s real.
This work has become more than just content—it’s community. And the fact that I get to show up as myself and have people connect with that? That means everything to me.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Authenticity, hands down—and right next to that, vulnerability.
I’ve learned that when you show up as your real self, flaws and all, people can feel it. They connect with it. I’m not trying to be perfect or polished all the time, and I don’t expect my guests or listeners to be either. I’m just trying to be *real*—and in today’s world, that’s rare and refreshing.
Being vulnerable—whether I’m sharing something personal or holding space for someone else to do the same—has been a huge part of building trust with my audience. It invites people in. It reminds them they’re not alone in what they’re feeling or going through.
At the end of the day, I believe people are craving connection, not perfection. And the more I lean into who I really am, the more impact I’m able to have.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehoneytrappodcast/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HoneyTrapPod/
- Twitter: https://x.com/thehoneytrappod?lang=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClB3hsHNWpoBAhX4tusMCaQ
- Other: https://www.pod.link/1473066372
