Change is Coming… And a Podcast is Already Here

Summer of 2022 I shared a blog post on this site about the burnout I was experiencing. I had been feeling it for a while due to a lot of things. Projects that needed my focus, wedding planning, and a job that was requiring a lot from me mentally.

I’d been experiencing that burnout feeling for a long time, but I finally came to terms with it being real last summer. The wind had been completely knocked out of my sails when it came to making content online. I shared in the story to “take care of yourself because you can’t pour from an empty cup.” And that’s what I did. When it came to making content on this page and for my personal projects, I did the bare minimum. And I’m OK with that. If I would have tried to keep going and forcing it, it would’ve been inauthentic and I would have regretted it.

But I’m here to announce some changes. BIG changes.

I have officially put in my resignation from Townsquare Media in St. Cloud. I have spent seven wonderful years working for that cluster of radio stations as a DJ and content creator. It has been fulfilling and taught me valuable skills that I will carry with me forever. It has also brought countless incredible people into my life whom I am blessed to call friends. In my time there I managed to win multiple President’s Club awards on a local level, I had an air show that was ranked as #1 multiple times, and in 2020 I was even named the top 11 content creator in the entire company. I accomplished so much more than I could have ever dreamed.

But as Tom Petty once said, “it’s time to move on, it’s time to get going.”

I have accepted a position with Stearns County in the Administration Department where I will be filling a new position they have created as a Content Specialist. I’m very much looking forward to the new challenges and new people I will meet.

So what does that mean for The Small Town Tourist?

This change is actually a great one in terms of this page. This job will allow me a better work/life balance to focus on making the content I want for this page and the corresponding Instagram account (@thesmalltowntourist).

I have also launched a podcast to go along with this blog, which is called The Small Town Tourist Podcast. (I know, not the most creative name but it goes with the brand.) It is all about talking to people about the towns they live in and the stories they have to share about their experiences. I’m so looking forward to sharing conversations with the guests I have lined up, and the ones on my wish list.

Change can be scary, but I believe these changes are what is best for me long term, and I’m ready to face them head-on. I’m also really glad you are here with me for them.

Welcome to The Small Town Tourist, experiencing and exploring everything that makes small towns great. Let’s get to it.

Check out The Small Town Tourist Podcast here, or find it on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.