Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Cansino.
Hi Megan, 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’ve always used writing to cope. It’s a way for me to form my feelings into something “tangible.” Because of this, I harnessed my love for the art of writing all through my life. I can remember exercising my tiny fingers in grade school with a pencil and how the feeling of crips paper lent to my sense of presence in this world. It calms me.
In the horrible first year of COVID, during lockdown, I lost two important people in my life back-to-back. The loss was to be honest, fucked up. I felt fucked up. All I could do was write. At the time, it was the only thing that made sense; probably because it was the only thing that I could control at the time.
My rage for writing pushed me to pursue further into the field. I became the editor-in-chief of my college magazine publication SUBSTANCE and then decided to throw my ball completely what I thought was out of field for me, towards the Los Angeles Journal.
I submitted a couple of articles to the LAJ and on Father’s Day in 2021, my articles were published. I felt so valiantly validated. I took hold of this feeling and because of my own determination, education, intelligence and self-belief, (I honestly didn’t think I would be recognized the way I have), was named the Editor-in-Chief of the Los Angeles Journal.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It’s been a journey against and for myself. I dealt with tragedy that I thought I could only read about, and I’ve been blessed beyond anything I could have wanted. Of course it’s been a shit show on the way to me, and a lot of it I’m still honestly dealing with. I’ve been diagnosed with severe PTSD, I’m in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy which has really changed my life. I can’t see myself ever giving up, that’s not an option for me.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The Los Angeles Journal has seen a lot of changes in the past couple of years. The ever-changing culture climate of L.A. offers so many stories to be heard, and we are here to document them. I believe that no story is too small or larger than life to receive coverage. We are known for covering articles based off the injustices of this city, personal stories of locals, where to find the best food as well as publishing works for aspiring writers and artists. We are a brand that promotes the idea that without community. we as Los Angelos would not have the beautiful city that we live in. Our culture-based publications stand firm in this. The Los Angeles Journal as reaches out beyond L.A. and seeks to appreciate this narrative wherever it can be found.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Finding peace. Whatever that may mean to me at the moment. When I can just breathe. I work hard to manage not just being a business owner and editor-in-chief. I am also a mother and wife; I am now taking care of my elderly father.
Sometimes I know that I work so hard, tired and exhausted to keep everything in check in my personal and professional life that my therapist tells me that I need to slow down at times. I can’t do that. I feel the need to make sure that everyone around me is taken care of. Knowing that they are gives me peace.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Lajournal.co
