Meet Selena Marshae Carter of Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Selena Marshae Carter.

Hi Selena Marshae, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve always known I belonged in the world of entertainment. I’ve been deeply inspired by those who came before me—Nikki Giovanni, Oprah, and Shel Silverstein, to name a few. Their work helped me see the vision for my own path and gave me the courage to pursue it.

Following your dreams isn’t a fairytale—it comes with doubt, struggle, and moments where you question everything. But it’s also filled with growth, magic, and the kind of lessons that shape you into your best self. What keeps me going is knowing I’m walking the path I was meant to walk—and if others have done it, then why not me?

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I used to think that following your dreams meant life would somehow be perfect—but that’s not how it works at all. Achieving your dream doesn’t save you or fix everything. What it does do, though, is make life feel meaningful. It helps you keep perspective, focus on what really matters, and let the trivial things fall away.

One of my biggest struggles has been doubt. We don’t talk enough about what it takes to keep going when you’re unsure if you’ll make it, when you feel misunderstood, or when the light at the end of the tunnel feels invisible.

What I’ve learned is that the only way to truly find out what you’re made of is to keep moving forward. Surround yourself with people who inspire and root for you, trust yourself even when it’s hard, and be willing to reapply belief and confidence as many times as it takes.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
By day, I’m an Animations Producer, and all the time, I’m an actress and media personality. I love creating, connecting, and being part of projects that make people feel something—whether that’s inspired, seen, or just entertained.

I’m most proud of my podcast, You + Happy, which has over 100 episodes. I’ve built a community and had the opportunity to talk with so many inspiring, intelligent, and driven people who are each changing the world in their own way. I’m also really proud of the fact that I became a producer after years in the corporate world—it took courage and a lot of self-belief to make that leap.

What sets me apart is my mix of heart and humor. My goal is to make everyone feel a little less lonely in the world through the work I do. I’m thoughtful and intentional, but I also love to laugh and not take myself too seriously. I think people connect with that balance—it’s real, it’s human, and it reminds us that success doesn’t have to come at the cost of joy.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Absolutely! I think we’re in such an exciting time for entertainment and creativity. More and more people are creating on their own terms and cutting out the middleman. You don’t need permission anymore—you don’t need a big studio deal or a huge budget to make something magical or life-changing.

What’s beautiful about this moment is that we can find our audience and our people directly. The barriers are lower, the tools are accessible, and creativity is wide open. We don’t have to wait for someone to “let us in” anymore—we can build our own lane and thrive in it.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youplushappy/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selenamcarter/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@youplushappy
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@selena_marshae