local storiesDecember 2, 2025

Check Out Taylor Doherty’s Story

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Doherty.

Hi Taylor, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started my podcast, originally called Taylor’d to You, right after college while commuting from my parents’ house in the Chicago suburbs to the city. I’d sit on the train listening to the podcast Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard, imagining I was the one interviewing guests, which honestly wasn’t far from my high school self using a hairbrush as a mic and pretending I was hosting E! News on the Oscars red carpet. I’ve always been wildly curious and obsessed with asking people about their lives. When I worked in hospitality and events, the part that lit me up was always the conversations (certainly not the spreadsheets….). So starting a podcast felt like finally giving younger me the mic she’d been training for since she could talk…. literally. The show has evolved with me, eventually becoming Taylor’d Takes with street interviews, festival coverage, and event hosting. Today I live in Madison, Wisconsin with my husband, recently quit my full-time job, and I’m putting all the chips on the table creating a new show format that I’m genuinely so excited about (stay tuned!!!). And I wouldn’t be here without my family who spent my whole life convincing me I could do anything. That unwavering belief is the fuel that gets me off the couch and taking my shot every. single. time.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I mean… when does it ever get smooth? In the beginning I’d get so frustrated when things didn’t go how I pictured. That video didn’t get the views I expected? Why hasn’t the show taken off yet? I used to let all of that get in my head.
But over time I finally took in my sister Madeline’s advice that the process is actually where the fun is. I should probably have that printed on my forehead at this point. But she’s right. The bumps are where the real fun happens, and I know my younger self is proud that I’m not just chasing this dream but learning to enjoy every chaotic step of the way. Learning equipment, battling Premiere Pro, pitching my show to potential guests, throwing myself into situations that made me uncomfortable, flying to the Sundance Film Festival solo and meeting my videographer on the spot, or having no videographer at all and treating a tripod like it was my ride-or-die for the day. Any of those moments could have been excuses to quit, and sometimes I did take the out. But looking back, they’re the moments I’m most proud of because they showed me I can handle so much more than I thought. And like I mentioned, whenever I was on the fence about going for “it,” my family were the ones saying you’re crazy if you don’t.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I like to think of my high energy and fearlessness as my superpower. It’s what allows me to walk into any situation or approach anyone for an interview without hesitation. I’m genuinely myself, and if someone doesn’t take to my personality or rejects me, I don’t get embarrassed. Yeah, maybe an OOOOF crosses my mind but I try to remind myself that not everyone is going to jive with me, and that’s okay. That mindset comes from my parents and is something I’m most proud of because it keeps me true to who I am and willing to go after things I might not attempt if I worried so much about perception. Sometimes I wonder if I should be more chill or hold back my energizer bunny mentality during interviews, but that wouldn’t be me. The feedback I get from guests is always about my energy and the thoughtful questions, sometimes the questions most people wouldn’t ask, but it comes from genuine curiosity. I take pride in the research I do because my guests are giving me their time. I want to honor that, so yes, I’m going to know your third cousin’s name and your high school yearbook quote. For me, it’s about putting myself in their shoes and experiencing their story alongside them. Being myself is what keeps me excited about chasing this dream.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
My father captured who I was as a child in his wedding speech when he said I always had a zest for life and that ever since my mouth could talk and my feet could walk, I have been racing toward the action like a wind-up toy that never runs out of batteries. My parents always had a camera on my sisters and me, so we are so thankful for the home videos that let me relive young Taylor…. and oh boy, she was a handful. My parents have said that chasing me around was basically a full-time job. I have always had a larger than life personality, constantly wanting to talk, talk, and talk some more. I love camaraderie, so team sports were my calling, especially softball. Naturally, I picked the position that talked the entire game. Enter my catcher era.

In high school, I took every radio and TV class offered, hosted a radio show with my friend Tori at 8am on Saturdays (prime time slot! Thanks Mr. Waite!), and spent my free time at home pretending I was Giuliana Rancic. Basically, any class with presentations or a camera, I was there. Written tests, math, science… I ran.

In my family, I’ve always been seen as the sensitive one. When I was younger, I didn’t like it and saw it as a negative. I wanted to be viewed as strong and someone who didn’t cry at the drop of a hat. Buuuut… could never me. As I’ve grown, I’ve realized it reflects how deeply I care about the people around me. That empathy is part of why I love conversations and connecting with others. It is something my guests notice too and it is what makes our conversations stand out. Without even realizing it, my curiosity, sensitivity, and talkative nature have quietly guided me through every chapter of my life. Well, maybe not so quietly….

Contact Info:

Image Credits
MADELINEXMEDIA
SPOKEN FRAME MEDIA
DARWIN HERRERA GONZALEZ
BRYAN BAXTER BARRIOS

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