Today we’d like to introduce you to Natasha Renee.
Hi Natasha, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born in Cleveland, OH. I was the kid that was always different. Around the age of nine, I realized I could draw but I enjoyed writing more. I remember my first poem was about the sun and the moon. I don’t remember the exact words but I remember sitting up one night looking out the window and writing about what I saw.
When I was 13 years old, my stepfather died in a tragic accident at work and my mom moved to Bensalem, PA. While living in Pennsylvania, I stating writing more. At the age of 15, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer and died on August 17, 1999, I was only 16 years old but this day changed my life.
I moved to Virginia with my grandparents’ things were different the environment, people EVERYTHING. I was this kid that moved around from state to state not having balance while trying to fit in as a teenager. So poetry became my outlet. In 2000 at 16 years old my poem “Will I Ever See the Sun” was published. In college, I won a Poetry contest at Norfolk State University for Essence magazines College Tour. Things were good everything was coming together full circle. Then things changed on March 20, 2004, one of the best moments of my life. The birth of my son.
After I became a mother things changed for me. I set my dreams aside because I wanted to make sure I was the best mother I could be. At that time, I didn’t understand that I could still pursue my dreams; I just focused on my son. Four years later, I had my daughter and I was a single mom of two. I stopped doing the things I loved and focused on my kids. There were times that I thought my life as an artist was truly over. I was wrong.
In 2017 a local photographer/producer in Washington DC needed a writer for a video biography. I had never written for anyone else other than myself. This was something new. I did it!!! We worked together and I wrote “Hair She Goes”.
Listening and watching someone else read and speak your writing is such an amazing thing. I worked with them on a few other projects. In 2019 I wrote a promo video titled “To Create Beauty from My Tragedy”. For an artist who has had a speaking engagement at the Kenndy Center.
Currently, I am working on the third season of my podcast “Disaster Dating 101”. I started this while in quarantine. With no producing or audio experience, I took a chance. I’ve always been the person behind the scenes but now I’m ready for people to know me, Natasha Renee.
I take my audience through the disastrous journey of my love life and have a few laughs as my co-host and I discuss those bad dates and horrible relationships. I want people to know just because things may seem bad you will get through.
I never let the things in my life hold me down. I lost the ones I love the most at an early age. I learned from my mistakes and still learning. Life isn’t perfect, it’s what you make it. You have control of your happiness. Always remember there is a rainbow after a thunderstorm.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Nothing has ever been easy. My mom had breast cancer and she died when I was 16 years old. Losing my mother helped me when obstacles have been raised in my life. Creating the podcast has been a challenge. I am not tech-savvy. In the first season of the podcast, the audio wasn’t great but I pushed through.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a creator. The reason I say creator is because I’m an artist and writer. I’m most proud of my podcast Disaster Dating 101. At first, it was supposed to be a book. It would be about my dating experience. This book was fiction and I didn’t know how I wanted the book to end.
Being single at the time, I didn’t know if I wanted the main character to find her “Prince Charming” or remain single. That’s when I thought, hey let me create a podcast and just be REAL. I asked a friend who’s a licensed psychotherapist to be my co-host. We are discussing how dating is when you’re a single parent in your mid to late thirties. I wanted people to know that those bad dates and relationships don’t define you.
My podcast is different from others because I don’t point fingers. I admit my faults I poke fun at my horrible love life. But it’s okay because I know that I’ve helped someone get through.
I am also an editor and featured writer for NowPRmagazine.com based in NYC. I have a short story series called “Case of The Ex.”
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Find someone who is supportive and isn’t biased.
Contact Info:
- Email: natasharenee.info@gmail.com
- Website: https://linktr.ee/natasharenee
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natasharenee_thecreator/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/disasterdating101podcast
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLQkJTuGl2hJ2mCmqih4heA
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/60kGtrAqdZV2UBsD2TnYKb
