We recently had the chance to connect with Chae’ Jones and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Chae’ , thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
I lost track of time when I’m watching a show or movie, dancing, and reading a book, or just talking about a movie, show, or book I’m passionate about is also where I find myself again. My safe place has always been in the stories or worlds I watch/read or losing myself to the beat of song. In those moments, I feel the most myself. They give me time to think or take a break from all the stresses of the world so that when I come out of it, I’m ready to face the hard things. Also helps me find perspective in some cases.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am an actor, content creator, writer, and podcast host of “The Media That Makes Us.” The podcast is about how the media shapes who we are. I wanted to talk with individuals who have shaped media but also learn about the media that shaped them. So many have tried to tell me who I am, what my story is but no one can tell you who you are unless you let them. I grew up in a small time where I always felt I didn’t fit in. I was also too loud or too much. No one could put me in a box and I didn’t want to be in one. My passion and purpose comes from wanting to create stories and tell stories for the next young person that will help them when they need it. The way it helped me.
I have a tendency to use pop culture references a lot as that’s what taught me to stand up for the things I believe in even when it’s not always the easiest choice. To know what’s right and wrong, to be curious, to ask questions, Art has always and will always be inherently political. It’s meant to be a commentary on the world around us. That also means criticizing the things we love when they are wrong because that’s what they taught us to do.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
I spent a lot of times at the movies growing up. Seeing all kinds of movies. It felt like home being in a movie theater watching all these different stories with different themes, lessons and messages within them. In them it showed me that I don’t have to believe what people tell me who I am. I get to decide that. It taught me the resilience, empathy, determination, power of reading and the written word. It taught me to find power in my own voice and story. It showed me different perspectives and broadened my worldview which is important.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Chae’ never stop being who you are. You don’t need to fit in because you the world doesn’t need more people that fit into it. The world needs all your quirks, light, and too muchness. They need your ability to dream and curiosity. It’s a unique brand of magic that you bring and that is a very good thing.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
Storytelling not just in the stories we tell but the music we create which is its own form of storytelling. I think the most important thing within my culture is our ability of storytelling. Passing along the stories of our culture and experiences, bridging the generational gaps and community that we have so that they are never lost to us.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope the story they tell about me after I’m gone is that I left an impact on their lives. Whether big or small. I hope they remember that I might not have done everything perfectly, I did everything with the hope that I could bring a little light to their life while I was here.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aspoonfulofchae/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu9gBGl9b4g7v4sF1Ms_RBIM0NzlLee0T&si=tdEi8tID3RgVpaH7
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@aspoonfulofchae?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
