Conversations with Dana Edgerly Yates

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dana Edgerly Yates.

Dana, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My story is really about finding my voice, losing it for a little while, and then realizing just how powerful it could be.

After being laid off in 2023, I went through a period where I had to completely rethink what I wanted my life and career to look like. I returned to school to study communications and creative writing, and somewhere along the way, I realized that storytelling had always been the thing that made me feel most like myself.

That realization led me to create Hella Chisme, a podcast and media platform rooted in culture, community, identity, and real conversation. What started as a creative outlet with my best friend eventually became a solo journey, and I learned how to build, produce, host, and grow a show while also figuring out who I was as a creator.

Today, I’ve produced more than 100 episodes and built Hella Chisme into a award winning podcast show and a space where people can laugh, learn, share their stories, and have the conversations we sometimes only have behind closed doors. Alongside the podcast, I work in culture and belonging, creating programs and experiences that help people feel more connected in their workplaces and communities.

I’m still growing, still learning, and still figuring some things out but I’ve learned that my greatest strength is connecting with people and creating spaces where they feel seen, heard, and welcome. That’s what brought me here, and that’s what I want to keep building.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not. Building something from the ground up has come with plenty of challenges, especially financially. Funding a creative project while also balancing the realities of everyday life has forced me to be resourceful and intentional about where I invest my time and money. Marketing has also been a major learning curve. Social media is constantly changing, attention spans are shorter, and there’s always pressure to create content that will perform rather than content that actually means something. One of my biggest challenges has been learning how to adapt to those changes without losing the heart of what I want Hella Chisme to be.

There have been moments when I’ve questioned whether I’m doing enough or moving fast enough. But I’ve learned that growth doesn’t always look like going viral. Sometimes it looks like staying consistent, continuing to create, and remaining true to your voice even when the algorithm isn’t rewarding it.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My work lives at the intersection of storytelling, creativity, culture, and community. I’m a host, podcaster, creative, artist, and culture strategist, but at the heart of everything I do, I’m a storyteller. I’m interested in the stories people carry, the conversations we have behind closed doors, and the creative ways we can bring people together.

Through Hella Chisme, my Black queer-led podcast and media platform, I create honest, entertaining, and meaningful conversations around culture, identity, relationships, community, and lived experiences. I love taking a topic that might seem simple on the surface and digging deeper finding the humor, history, emotion, and humanity underneath it. I want people to feel like they’ve pulled up a chair at the kitchen table and become part of the conversation.

Creativity also shows up in how I build experiences. I’m passionate about visual storytelling, fashion, design, DIY projects, writing, producing, and creating environments where people feel something—not just consume something. Whether I’m behind a microphone, developing an event, creating content, designing something, or facilitating a conversation, I’m always thinking about how the pieces connect and how the audience experiences the story.

What I’m most proud of is building something that started as an idea into more than 100 fully produced episodes. I’ve had to learn how to write, host, produce, edit, market, create visuals, build a brand, navigate setbacks, and keep going even when resources were limited. That process has taught me that creativity isn’t just about having ideas it’s about having the courage and discipline to bring those ideas to life.

What sets me apart is the combination of my creativity and my ability to connect with people. I can be strategic without losing the human element, and I can make serious conversations feel approachable, entertaining, and personal. I’m not interested in creating just for attention. I want to create things that make people laugh, think, feel seen, ask questions, and hopefully feel a little more connected to each other.

For me, creativity is a form of connection. That’s the thread that runs through everything I do.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
There are a lot of ways people can work with me, and I’m always open to creative collaborations that align with the kind of community and culture I’m trying to build.

People can collaborate with me through Hella Chisme by becoming a guest, creative partner, sponsor, or contributor. I’m especially interested in working with artists, storytellers, entrepreneurs, community organizations, brands, and other creatives who have something meaningful to say or create. I also love collaborating on live conversations, events, creative projects, interviews, and content that brings people together.

Beyond the podcast, I bring a background in culture, community building, event production, storytelling, and creative strategy, so I’m also open to opportunities where I can help develop an idea from concept to experience.

And honestly, support doesn’t always have to mean money. Following Hella Chisme, sharing an episode, commenting, introducing me to someone, attending an event, or simply telling someone about the work can make a huge difference. Independent creative work grows through community, and I believe in building with people not just building an audience.

If you believe in what I’m creating and want to help me take it further, I’d love to connect. I’m always looking for the next person, idea, or opportunity that can turn a good conversation into something bigger.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://hellachismepodcast.buzzsprout.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hellachismepod/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hella-chisme-productions-764ab0390/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Hellachismepodcast
• Other: https://linktr.ee/hellachismepodcast

Image Credits
Shout out to my Husband for being my photographer.