Last month we introduced you to Her. This month, meet Him. What started as supporting his wife Lauryn Evarts Bosstick, her brand Skinny Confidential and co-hosting their podcast The Skinny Confidential: HIM & HER has blossomed into a media network where Michael provides a platform to dozens of strong female voices.
After tens of millions of downloads of their podcast, Michael started Dear Media, a podcast network where at least 80 percent of the shows are hosted by females. A large part of the reason is the influence of his grandmother Michiko. He shared a story in a touching social media post about her immigrating to the US with her husband after WWII and having three children – before his grandfather left them with nothing and his grandmother became a single mom who worked multiple jobs to support her family. It contributed to the respect he has for hardworking women. He also acknowledges the good business sense it makes. “I looked at charts and wondered why more women weren’t being represented in the space. So, the mission is to empower female voices.” It’s working. Dear Media went from six shows in 2018 to about 80 now.
And he’s just getting started. Michael says, “I’m like a dog chasing a car. I’m continually pushing the goal post.” Newly headquartered in Austin, Dear Media is currently opening studios here and hiring. “I’m investing what I can into people in Austin, into growth in Austin and people looking to get into the world of audio/digital outside of the Hollywood/New York box,” he says.
He’s also excited to raise his family here. A new father to 18-month-old Zaza, he says, “I love being a father, the baby was born in January 2020 and I did what most fathers do and went back to work after two weeks. Then the pandemic hit and I got to spend so much time with her I wouldn’t have otherwise and I’d never have known what I was missing. I was able to learn a lot about fatherhood I don’t think I would have otherwise.”
And on his other half he admits, “This is going to sound cheesy and like some Notebook stuff, but I met my wife when I was 12 and I knew then. I always knew I was going to come back to Lauryn.”
Go to https://dearmedia.com/ to find Michael and Lauryn’s podcast as well as a shows from a who’s who of amazing talent including Molly Sims and Emese Gormley, Victoria Garrick, Gabby Reece and more.