From behind the bar to center stage, pop powerhouse Jaimie Steck is rewriting the rules of what it means to go viral and still grind like hell. You've probably seen her hilarious One Time bar skits on TikTok — now she's stepping into her full pop star era with her latest single Red Rum and a music video that delivers choreography, spectacle, and serious star power.

In this raw, inspiring episode, Jaimie sits down with Meredyth to talk about:

• What it really takes to self-fund a music career in 2025

• How bartending became both survival job and creative goldmine

• Her obsession with true pop showmanship and why it's missing today

• The power of relentless self-belief and homegrown hustle

• How her content bridges generations — from teens to moms

• The behind-the-scenes drama, doubt, and drive that fuels her art

• Why being underestimated is actually her biggest weapon

Whether you've dreamt of making it big, or you're just tired of waiting for permission, this episode is a masterclass in creating your own stage — and owning it.

00:00 – Meet Jaimie Steck, her viral "One Time" series, and stepping into her pop star era 02:10 – Turning bartending chaos into TikTok gold 05:00 – Why she writes notes on shift and turns real stories into content 09:15 – Finding the balance between content and music — and going viral with both 10:40 – The problem with today's music scene and her mission to bring back the pop show 13:30 – Her first video shoot, low budget, high impact 16:00 – Why she pays dancers full price and refuses to cut corners 19:10 – Dealing with assumptions about "silver spoon" success 21:00 – Working double shifts to self-fund her dreams 23:20 – Red flags in the industry and breaking through anyway 26:30 – What it's really like going viral — and being recognised in real life 30:00 – How her bar job turned into a stage (literally) 34:40 – Viral videos, fake ID stories, and customer service chaos 38:15 – Her perfect creative storm: a job that lets her perform 42:10 – Why she's not looking for development — she's already done the work 44:45 – Meredyth's advice: hook them with a ballad, then show them the fire 46:10 – The business of being ready before the industry notices 49:30 – Her plan: more content, more videos, and the next big move 51:00 – Why you need to repost, comment, and support indie artists you love 53:00 – Final words on being deliberate, genuine, and ready for the moment

🔗 Connect with Jaimie Steck ✨ Facebook: @jaimiesteckmusic ✨ Instagram: @jaimiesteck ✨ TikTok: @jaimiesteck ✨ YouTube: Jaimie Steck ✨ Website: www.jaimiesteck.com

🔗 Connect with Meredyth Willits & the TikTok FAMOUS™️ Podcast ✨ Facebook: Meredyth Willits ✨ Instagram: @meredyth_willits ✨ TikTok: @meredyth_with_a_why ✨ YouTube: TikTok FAMOUS™️ Podcast | Meredyth Willits

🎙️ Hosted by Meredyth Willits, where viral fame meets raw reality. Subscribe, review, and stay tuned for more unfiltered stories from the creators who move us.

What happens when you walk away from the institution but not your spirituality? In this raw and powerful episode, Meredyth sits down with Rev Karla, an ordained interfaith and interspiritual minister with nearly 1 million followers across platforms. Known for her radical honesty and compassionate rebellion, Rev Karla opens up about religious trauma, deconstruction, reclaiming spiritual autonomy, and how leaving the church became the beginning of her real spiritual path.

Together, they dig into:

• The difference between being spiritual vs. doing spirituality

• Why deconstructing isn't the same as walking away

• The parallels between church trauma and toxic relationships

• Racism, patriarchy, and why white women must confront both

• How Christianity became weaponized for control

• Why the feminine voice is rising now more than ever

If you've ever felt like you didn't belong in the religion you were raised in or you're seeking a deeper, freer relationship with the divine, this episode will meet you right where you are.

00:00 - Meet Rev Karla, her journey to almost a million followers, and the power of raw authenticity 02:45 - How her grandson pushed her to try TikTok and what happened when she told the truth 05:10 - Spiritual breadcrumbs and why so many of us silenced our intuition as kids 09:00 - Breaking down deconstruction, leaving church vs. healing from indoctrination 12:30 - The loss of spiritual autonomy and how to reclaim it 17:05 - From Baptist abuse to Catholic exclusion, how church creates hierarchy and control 21:00 - The dangerous myth of "church is good if it does good" 23:50 - Spiritual wilderness, solitude, and what Jesus in the desert teaches us 27:30 - "Jesus is what is possible" — mystical vs. mythical understanding of Christ 30:00 - Releasing God from rules and reclaiming a personal connection to the sacred 36:00 - Why curiosity is essential for spiritual expansion and healing 39:50 - Spirituality is political — and so is deconstructing racism, whiteness, and patriarchy 44:20 - Matriarchy vs. patriarchy and the true purpose of collective power 50:00 - Raising anti-racist, spiritually conscious children 55:00 - Religion as a tool for control, spiritual bypassing, and the power of sitting in discomfort 01:00:00 - "You are not a good person because of church. You are good because you woke up worthy" 01:04:00 - Rev Karla's book and final reflections on the divine feminine, war, and what's next

🔗 Connect with Rev Karla ✨ TikTok: @revkarla ✨ Instagram: @revkarla ✨ Facebook: Reverend Karla ✨ Website: https://revkarla.com

🔗 Connect with Meredyth Willits & the TikTok FAMOUS™️ Podcast ✨ Facebook: Meredyth Willits ✨ Instagram: @meredyth_willits ✨ TikTok: @meredyth_with_a_why ✨ YouTube: TikTok FAMOUS™️ Podcast | Meredyth Willits

🎙️ Hosted by Meredyth Willits, where viral fame meets raw reality. Subscribe, review, and stay tuned for more real talk from the creators who move us.

In this powerhouse episode of the TikTok FAMOUS™️ Podcast, host Meredyth Willits sits down with Gabriella Gomez, former corporate marketing exec turned full-time TikTok live-streamer, currently ranked among the top 100 streamers in the U.S. every single day, and known for her intelligence, warmth, and marathon streaming sessions that bring in thousands of loyal viewers.

With a background working at iconic brands like Beats by Dre, Monster, and K-Swiss, Gabriella left the boardroom behind and now dominates a space many still don't understand, TikTok LIVE. From fashion-forward fit checks to community-centered conversation marathons, she's building a new kind of platform... one stream at a time.

Together, they unpack:

✅ What it takes to go from 9–5 to full-time live-streamer and why she walked away ✅ The secret art of not burning out while streaming 8–12 hours a day ✅ Why most streamers fail before they even begin ✅ How to handle gifting, stalkers, and streaming boundaries like a boss ✅ Why livestreaming is the new television and how brands still don't get it ✅ The real reason consistency matters more than charisma

Gabriella also opens up about…

✨ Being on live every day for a full year and what it taught her ✨ Her time working with Bella Thorne, Hugh Jackman, Denzel Washington, and Robert De Niro ✨ How she built an entire team culture around safety, strategy, and shared purpose ✨ The pressure of "niching down" vs. letting your audience show you who you are ✨ Why she's done chasing the algorithm and ready to launch her own talk show format

If you've ever dreamed of turning your voice into your brand or wondered if livestreaming was only for teenagers and gamers, this episode proves there's space for you to build, teach, lead, and earn. It's business. It's personal. It's the future of digital storytelling, and Gabriella is building it in real time.

00:00 Meet Gabriella Gomez: from marketing exec to TikTok livestream queen 01:20 Holding rank in a cutthroat, male-dominated streaming leaderboard 03:00 Her backstory in branding with Beats by Dre, Monster, DC Shoes & more 05:45 Leaving corporate America for content—when and why she jumped 08:10 What creators get wrong about consistency and stamina 10:30 How she built momentum through fashion content and daily livestreams 13:15 From Black Friday to battle rankings: building stream endurance 15:30 The gift economy: how streamers really make money on TikTok 17:40 What viewers want vs. what you think you need to give them 20:10 From Facebook Live to TikTok—how she learned to sell without burnout 22:00 Setting boundaries: why she calls it a "team," not a "family" 24:00 Coaching new streamers and decoding TikTok's ranking algorithm 26:45 What makes a streamer flame out—or stay on top 29:00 Audience fatigue, moderation, and keeping the stream safe 31:30 Streaming is the new TV: what brands still don't understand 34:00 Creating consistency for an audience that treats you like a show 36:00 Viewer delusions, limerence, and why streamers must protect themselves 39:00 When to teach, when to entertain, and when to pivot 41:20 Why TikTok shop isn't always the goal—and what's next instead 43:00 Could the Gabriella Gomez Show be the next Oprah moment? 45:00 Behind the scenes: live-streaming agencies, burnout, and brand deals 48:30 The art of subtle influence: cookies, clothes, and content that sells 50:15 Protecting viewers from themselves: gifting ethics and blocking boundaries 53:00 Livestreaming as purpose, platform, and a whole new career path 56:30 Final thoughts: risk, reinvention, and betting on yourself

✨ TikTok: @thegabriellagomez ✨ Instagram: @gabriellag0mez

✨ Facebook: Meredyth Willits ✨ Instagram: @meredyth_willits ✨ TikTok: @meredyth_with_a_why ✨ YouTube: TikTok FAMOUS™️ Podcast | Meredyth Willits

🎙️ Hosted by Meredyth Willits, where viral fame meets raw reality. Subscribe, review, and stay tuned for more real talk from the creators who move us.

In this heartfelt and hilarious episode of the TikTok FAMOUS™️ Podcast, host Meredyth Willits sits down with Tina Maddigan—Broadway actress, award-winning performer, and the original Sophie in Mamma Mia!—for an unforgettable deep dive into the chaos, glory, and resilience behind a life on (and off) the stage.

From curtain calls to character creation, Tina shares her incredible journey from being rejected as a theatre usher to leading a major Broadway show, the vocal cord injury that nearly ended her career, and how she reinvented herself online with viral characters, a crown-wearing alter ego, and a TikTok following that now spans across generations.

Together, they explore:

✅ What it really feels like the night your Broadway dream comes true ✅ How 9/11 changed the meaning of theatre for Tina and her audience ✅ The grueling, emotional, and funny truths of being a swing, standby, or understudy ✅ How Tina lost her singing voice—and why she came back stronger ✅ The evolution from Broadway to content creator to acting coach ✅ Why kids (and adults) need safe spaces to feel and express ✅ What it means to navigate motherhood, second acts, and finding your spark again

Plus, Tina dishes on:

✨ Meeting Hugh Jackman and Robert De Niro (spoiler: yes, there was waltzing and flirting) ✨ Why Paul Rudd is exactly as nice as you'd hope ✨ What Denzel Washington taught her about the real work of acting ✨ Her philosophy on helping kids embrace their weird, wonderful selves ✨ Why she created Stupid Face Studios to help others reclaim their voice

Whether you've dreamed of Broadway, lost your voice (literally or metaphorically), or you're simply navigating the next chapter of life—this episode will inspire you to keep stepping into the spotlight, however it shows up.

00:00 Meet Tina Maddigan, Broadway actress and viral creator 01:45 That moment when Mamma Mia! changed her life 04:00 What it means to perform during 9/11 06:15 How the cast supported grieving fans at the stage door 08:30 What swings, standbys, and understudies really do 10:40 Getting called to perform with no wig or costume prep 13:20 Life as a Broadway standby: Thai food, surprise stage time, and making it work 16:30 From vocal paralysis to TikTok comedy queen 18:40 Creating "The Queen" character and healing through laughter 21:10 How childhood loss shaped her creative voice 24:00 The surreal full-circle moment: rejected as an usher, cast as the lead 26:30 A year of callbacks and firing her agent 29:00 Balancing Broadway and motherhood 31:00 Why she walked away from NYC for family life 33:00 Losing her voice, fighting to get it back 36:45 The healing power of performance and persistence 38:15 Teaching kids today: acting, confidence, and safe emotional spaces 40:00 The bittersweet end of her son's marching band season 42:10 From Wedding Singer to Gypsy to whatever's next 44:30 Building Stupid Face Studios to help young performers shine 47:20 Her second act: creativity, coaching, and chasing new joy 49:15 The TikTok trap: social media shifts and staying true to yourself 51:00 Why she's proud of what she's done—and still dreaming 53:10 Podcasting, parenting, and rediscovering identity 56:00 Final thoughts: Everything is improv, so keep showing up

✨ Instagram: @tinamaddiganmayer ✨ TikTok: @tinamadlibs ✨ YouTube: TinaMadlibs ✨ Website: www.stupidface.com (Acting coaching + character work)

✨ Facebook: Meredyth Willits ✨ Instagram: @meredyth_willits ✨ TikTok: @meredyth_with_a_why ✨ YouTube: TikTok FAMOUS™️ Podcast | Meredyth Willits

🎙️ Hosted by Meredyth Willits, where viral fame meets raw reality. Subscribe, review, and stay tuned for more real talk from the creators who move us.

n this explosive episode of the TikTok FAMOUS™️ Podcast, host Meredyth Willits moderates a bold, no-holds-barred conversation between two fiercely opinionated voices from opposite ends of the political and cultural spectrum: Dr. Carole Lieberman, forensic psychiatrist and host of The Terrorist Therapist and Dr. Carole's Couch, and Chad Kultgen, comedian, writer, and co-host of The Necessary Conversation podcast.

What begins as a discussion about polarization quickly spirals into a raw, unfiltered debate on some of the most divisive topics in America today—from Trump and the 2024 election to mental health, gun violence, immigration, and the weaponization of the media.

Together, they unpack:

✅ Why "Trump Derangement Syndrome" is a clinical term—according to Dr. Lieberman ✅ How Chad's military upbringing and parenting shaped his views on authoritarianism ✅ Guns, school shootings, and what really drives violent behavior ✅ Why immigration is so deeply misunderstood (and manipulated) by both sides ✅ The role of trauma, fear, and identity in how people vote and engage online

And if that's not enough—this episode dives into…

✨ What makes people double down on beliefs instead of listening ✨ Whether liberals and conservatives can ever find common ground ✨ How TikTok, the media, and viral fame shape how we perceive "truth" ✨ What it's like raising kids in a politically chaotic America ✨ The difference between being right and being real

Whether you lean left, right, or somewhere in between, this conversation is a wake-up call for anyone trying to understand the psychology behind the chaos. No matter your views, it'll make you think—possibly yell—and maybe even change your mind.

00:00 Introduction to the TikTok FAMOUS™️ Podcast

00:45 Meet Dr. Carole Lieberman and Chad Kultgen

02:30 Dr. Carole defines "Trump Derangement Syndrome" as a real mental illness

04:50 Chad's take on Trump supporters and the illusion of safety

07:00 Guns, shootings, and why mental health is not the only factor

10:20 Can banning guns work, or is the issue deeper? 13:00 Dr. Carole's controversial stance on media and mass shootings

15:15 Chad on raising kids in a world of gun drills and fear 18:30 The real psychological toll of polarization 21:00 Why both sides feel like victims—and both are traumatized 23:40 How 9/11 shaped Carole's mission—and Chad's military context 26:10 Chad breaks down authoritarianism and American exceptionalism

29:00 Dr. Carole on immigration and the fear of losing "America" 31:30 Chad's perspective on cultural supremacy and xenophobia

34:00 Why people double down, not listen—fear vs. openness 37:00 The rise of social media echo chambers 40:00 Dr. Carole's work with patients who fear "liberal propaganda" 43:00 Chad on psychological manipulation, Trump rallies, and cult mentality 46:30 Are we addicted to outrage? 49:10 Dr. Carole on Biden, cognitive decline, and the 2024 race 51:00 Chad on voting, disillusionment, and teaching kids critical thinking 53:30 Why nuance doesn't trend—and why that's dangerous 56:00 Final thoughts: can real conversations still happen in America?

✨ Website: www.drcarole.com ✨ Podcast: The Terrorist Therapist | Dr. Carole's Couch ✨ Twitter/X: @DrCaroleMD ✨ Instagram: @DrCaroleMD

✨ Podcast: The Necessary Conversation ✨ Instagram: @chadkultgen ✨ Twitter/X: @chadkultgen

✨ Facebook: Meredyth Willits ✨ Instagram: @meredyth_willits ✨ TikTok: @meredyth_with_a_why ✨ YouTube: TikTok FAMOUS™️ Podcast | Meredyth Willits

🎙️ Hosted by Meredyth Willits, where viral fame meets raw reality. Subscribe, review, and stay tuned for more real talk from the creators who move us.

In this episode of the TikTok FAMOUS™️ Podcast, host Meredyth Willits sits down with the fierce, tiny, and unforgettable Maya Wanderlust — a full-time paramedic, viral TikTok storyteller, and truth-teller who's pulling back the curtain on what really happens when you call 911.

With her signature "Grodeo Rodeo" series, Maya brings raw, unfiltered dispatches from the frontlines — the chaos, the heartbreak, the resilience, and yes, the deeply human moments that don't make the headlines. Whether she's reviving someone in the back of a rig, wrestling with trauma (both hers and others'), or simply holding a child's hand as they take their last breath, Maya is proof that some heroes wear steel-toe boots and a body cam.

Together, they dive into:

✅ The childhood moment that led Maya to become a paramedic ✅ How a necklace from a car crash survivor shaped her mission ✅ The origin of her viral Rodeo Rodeo series ✅ Why she uses humor to tell the truth about trauma ✅ The power of storytelling in a system that often dehumanizes

Maya also opens up about:

✨ What it's like to be five feet tall and the most fearless person in the room ✨ Why many first responders bottle it up — and how she refuses to ✨ Her viral stories of walking into homes no one else sees ✨ The double trauma of watching people die and pretending it's normal ✨ Why she's not just saving lives, she's holding space for endings with dignity

This episode is raw, honest, emotional, and funny — just like Maya herself. If you've ever wondered what it really looks like on the frontlines, this episode will show you the view from inside the ambulance.

00:00 Welcome back. Meet Maya Wanderlust 01:00 Why she became a paramedic and the childhood moment that changed everything 03:30 The necklace, the car crash, and one unforgettable paramedic 05:30 The birth of the "Grodeo Rodeo" TikTok series 08:00 Chaos, icks, yucks, and the humanity behind the uniform 10:00 Maya's physical size versus the size of her spirit

12:00 Why you have to be big when you do this kind of work 13:30 The harsh realities of what paramedics really see 16:00 First responders and the trauma no one trains you for 18:30 Drugs, alcohol, and the real epidemic behind the epidemic 21:00 Why she doesn't judge people, and what most critics miss

23:00 What Maya learned from overdose cases and broken systems 25:00 Her personal take on Oxy, addiction, and societal denial 27:30 How it's not about blame, but about humanity 29:00 Her lightning-strike story and how EMS saved Meredyth 32:00 The role of paramedics in people's most fragile moments 34:00 Holding someone's hand may be all you can do — and it matters 36:00 Why some stories never leave you, and what she does with them 38:30 Maya's tattoo and how it keeps her grounded 40:00 A pediatric trauma call she will never forget 42:30 Doing the job when your heart is breaking 45:00 On grief, dignity, and doing your best even when it's not enough 48:00 Therapy in EMS — or the lack of it 50:00 Why first responders need each other to survive 52:00 Suicide rates, burnout, and the toll this job takes 54:00 Coping, compartmentalizing, and the need to talk 56:00 Medicaid cuts and what they really mean for rural communities 58:00 The future of emergency care, and why it should scare us 01:00:00 Her plea for empathy, systems change, and shared humanity

🔗 Connect with Maya Wanderlust ✨ TikTok: @mayawanderlust ✨ Instagram: @maya.lionheart ✨ Facebook: Maya Osby

🔗 Connect with Meredyth Willits & the TikTok FAMOUS™️ Podcast ✨ Facebook: Meredyth Willits ✨ Instagram: @meredyth_willits ✨ TikTok: @meredyth_with_a_why ✨ YouTube: TikTok FAMOUS™️ Podcast | Meredyth Willits

🎙️ Hosted by Meredyth Willits, where viral fame meets raw reality. Subscribe, review, and stay tuned for more real talk from the creators who move us.

In this episode of the TikTok FAMOUS™️ Podcast, host Meredyth Willits sits down with Jackie Blankenship, crowned Mrs. America 2022 and one of the boldest voices bringing awareness to what it means to be born intersex. Diagnosed with Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (CAIS), Jackie was born with XY chromosomes, but her body developed female because it couldn't respond to testosterone.

From growing up in silence to becoming a national pageant winner and social media educator, Jackie is turning curiosity into compassion and science into storytelling. This conversation sheds light on the gray areas of gender, identity, biology, and why representation matters more than ever.

Together, they unpack:

✅ What CAIS is and how it affects the body ✅ Why Jackie's natural hormone production came from internal testes ✅ The pressure to keep her diagnosis secret and the emotional toll ✅ How surgery, shame, and misinformation shaped her early life ✅ Her decision to speak out and use pageantry as a platform

Jackie also opens up about…

✨ Why removing her testes at 15 forced her into early menopause ✨ The trauma older generations with CAIS still carry ✨ How TikTok gave her the power to educate, advocate, and relate ✨ Her journey to motherhood through donor eggs and surrogacy ✨ The importance of accurate representation beyond extremes

Whether you've never heard of intersex before or you've been afraid to ask questions, this episode invites you to learn, listen, and expand your understanding of what it really means to live in the in-between. Jackie shows us that being different isn't something to fix, it's something to embrace.

00:00 Welcome to the TikTok FAMOUS™️ Podcast. Meet Jackie Blankenship 00:45 Diagnosed with CAIS at age 4 and born with XY chromosomes 03:00 Why her body developed female and the role of testosterone 05:30 Family history, generational trauma, and medical decisions 08:15 Undergoing surgery at 15 and forced into early menopause 11:20 Discovering the estrogen conversion process in her body 13:00 Secrets, silence, and being told to keep it private 15:30 Dating, disclosure, and why friendship came first 18:00 How she told her now-husband and built a family 20:00 Pageantry and using Mrs. America as a platform 22:30 Reactions from fellow contestants and production 25:00 Being hyper-feminine doesn't make you more valid 27:30 TikTok virality and her signature "Let's talk about it" videos 30:00 Why representation matters for ALL intersex people 33:00 The science of gender, testosterone, and chromosome variations 35:30 Children's books, education, and raising her daughter 38:00 The real dangers of politicizing identity and erasing stories 41:00 Advocating without shame and speaking for the unheard 43:00 Book bans, inclusion, and letting kids see themselves 46:00 The 40+ variations of intersex most people never hear about 48:00 Her message to parents, teachers, and listeners everywhere 50:00 Final thoughts. Belonging, biology, and building a more compassionate world

🔗 Connect with Jackie Blankenship ✨ TikTok: @mrsjackieblanks ✨ Instagram: @mrsjackieblanks ✨ Facebook: Jackie Blankenship

🔗 Connect with Meredyth Willits & the TikTok FAMOUS™️ Podcast ✨ Facebook: Meredyth Willits ✨ Instagram: @meredyth_willits ✨ TikTok: @meredyth_with_a_why ✨ YouTube: TikTok FAMOUS™️ Podcast | Meredyth Willits 🎙️ Hosted by Meredyth Willits, where viral fame meets raw reality. Subscribe, review, and stay tuned for more real talk from the creators who move us.

In this explosive and deeply personal episode of the TikTok FAMOUS™️ Podcast, Meredyth Willits sits down with Ashley Huffman Clark — known online as @trashley_anonymous — a former sex worker, recovering addict, prison survivor, bestselling author, and truth-telling TikTok creator with over 2 million followers.

Ashley's life story reads like fiction, but every wild chapter is heartbreakingly real. From growing up in chaos and surviving unspeakable trauma, to running drug rings, escaping violent situations, and facing down years of prison time, Ashley opens up about the path that nearly destroyed her — and the healing that brought her back to life.

Together, they unpack:

✅ What really drives glamorised sex work and the emotional toll it leaves behind ✅ How she transitioned from the streets to sobriety, authorship, and influence ✅ The psychological addiction to chaos — and what happens when peace feels foreign ✅ Why she shares her truth online, despite the backlash, judgment, and Reddit trolls ✅ How TikTok helped her process trauma, connect with others, and build purpose ✅ The hardest part of healing, including intimacy struggles and marriage challenges ✅ How writing her books became therapy, truth-telling, and redemption

Plus, Ashley shares:

✨ Her first horrifying encounter at age 12 that launched a life of survival ✨ How she was "addicted to the lifestyle" even more than the substances ✨ The moment she knew something bigger was coming in her life ✨ How her wife stood by her through recovery, TikTok fame, and relapse ✨ Her biggest regrets, proudest moments, and why she still struggles with being touched

This is not just a story of survival. It's a raw, riveting account of what happens when someone takes every scar, every near-death experience, every trauma — and turns it into a platform for truth and change. If you think you know what a "hooker's story" is, think again.

00:00 Meet Ashley Huffman Clark, TikTok's "Trashley Anonymous" 01:20 Ashley's childhood, losing her mum, and learning the truth about her parents 05:00 Her first experience with sex work at age 12 08:00 Why people think she's lying — and why she keeps telling the truth 10:15 Chaos, coping, and why she felt guilty for "making it out" 13:00 The moment she realised she was seen as "trash" 15:00 Family patterns, early grooming, and what she thought was normal 18:00 Her escape tactics, tricks, and criminal record 21:00 From nursing school to forging prescriptions and prison time 24:00 The addiction to sex work and why it was harder to quit than drugs 27:30 How TikTok helped her learn about trauma responses 30:00 Real talk on guilt, healing, and giving herself grace 33:00 Her psychic moment — "Something big is coming" 36:00 How she changed her language and started manifesting something better 39:00 Thoughts on glamorising sugar daddies and sex work online 42:00 Her message to younger girls being sold a fantasy 44:00 Why peace is hard when you've lived in chaos 46:00 Sharing her marriage struggles online and protecting her partner 49:00 Her struggles with intimacy and physical touch 52:00 The power of storytelling and how she writes her books 54:00 Meeting a fellow prison author who inspired her journey 56:00 What's next, staying grounded, and advice for others surviving the chaos

🔗 Connect with Ashley Huffman Clark ✨ TikTok: @trashley_anonymous ✨ Instagram: @trashley_anonymous ✨ Facebook: Ashley Huffman Clark 📚 Book: Tales Of A Hooker: Fuck Da Devil In $tiletto'z (Amazon)

🔗 Connect with Meredyth Willits & the TikTok FAMOUS™️ Podcast ✨ Facebook: Meredyth Willits ✨ Instagram: @meredyth_willits ✨ TikTok: @meredyth_with_a_why ✨ YouTube: TikTok FAMOUS™️ Podcast | Meredyth Willits

🎙️ Hosted by Meredyth Willits, where viral fame meets raw reality. Subscribe, review, and stay tuned for more real talk from the creators who move us.

In this thought-provoking episode of the TikTok FAMOUS™️ Podcast, host Meredyth Willits welcomes Joanna Johnson, better known online as @unlearn16, a Canadian educator, author, podcast host, and Gen X social commentator with over 3.5 million followers on TikTok. Known for her blunt takes, classroom chalkboard rants, and powerful calls to question what we've been taught, Joanna is on a mission to help us all unlearn the programming we've inherited.

Together, they explore:

✅ Why unlearning is just as important as learning ✅ How COVID created a creative explosion and connected communities ✅ The impact of politics, fear, and social media on personal identity ✅ Why so many Americans are resistant to travel, education, and change ✅ What it really means to "vote against your interests" ✅ Teaching Gen Z vs being a Gen X rebel ✅ The danger of performative allyship and why cancel culture misses the mark ✅ Why conversations, not takedowns, change minds ✅ The real reason people are clinging to the past instead of evolving ✅ Her book, podcast, TED Talk, and wild antique finds (yes, triptychs and chalkboards included)

If you've ever found yourself questioning what you were taught about politics, culture, gender, or identity — this is the episode for you.

00:00 Meet Joanna, aka @unlearn16, and her unlikely TikTok rise 02:30 Gen X on TikTok, nostalgia, and breaking free from adult boxes 05:00 From lip-syncing to thought leadership — how it all started 07:40 Why America's fear of travel is part of a bigger narrative 10:10 Chaos, COVID, and how people seek control 13:00 Fear-based culture, ego, and putting yourself in a "box" 15:00 Joanna's take on the rise of Trump after Obama 18:10 Why unlearning matters now more than ever 20:00 On critical thinking, indoctrination, and generational blindspots 23:30 Personal stories, family secrets, and cultural silence 25:40 Why "we all know someone" is part of the problem 27:10 Can we learn before it's too late? 29:00 Social media as a platform for real education 31:20 Letting go of ego, and being willing to say "I don't know" 33:30 Authenticity vs performative wokeness 35:00 What Unlearn16's book is really about 37:10 Behind the scenes: her writing process and TikTok style 39:40 Why conversations are better than debates 41:00 Teaching kids to question — and think 43:00 Triptychs, chalkboards, and all the vintage Gen X goodness 45:00 Thoughts on gender, dress codes, and being seen 47:00 Parenting, programming, and Gen Z challenges 50:00 Why performative culture is killing real conversations 53:10 Her TED Talk, podcast goals, and public speaking mission 55:30 "I can make people look stupid, but that's not the point" 58:00 What true allyship and curiosity really look like 01:00:00 From Adderall to Aunt Judy — let's talk about real addiction 01:02:00 When Roe fell and what Ruth Bader Ginsburg warned us about 01:05:00 Why the "angry woman" stereotype needs to die 01:07:00 Unlearning starts in your own backyard 01:09:00 Car payments, Adderall, bad behavior — it's all related 01:12:00 The story behind her new book and what comes next

01:14:00 Let's bring back MapQuest, Triptychs, and critical thinking 01:15:30 Final laughs, lessons, and why we all need to unlearn

🔗 Connect with Joanna Johnson (@unlearn16) ✨ TikTok: @unlearn16 ✨ Instagram: @unlearn16 ✨ Twitter: @unlearn16tweet ✨ Book: That's Not What This Book Is About available on Amazon ✨ Podcast: Unlearn16: Class Is In Session

🔗 Connect with Meredyth Willits & the TikTok FAMOUS™️ Podcast ✨ Facebook: Meredyth Willits ✨ Instagram: @meredyth_willits ✨ TikTok: @meredyth_with_a_why ✨ YouTube: TikTok FAMOUS™️ Podcast | Meredyth Willits

🎙️ Hosted by Meredyth Willits, where viral fame meets raw reality. Subscribe, review, and stay tuned for more real talk from the creators who move us.

In this gripping episode of the TikTok FAMOUS™️ Podcast, host Meredyth Willits sits down with Cory, known online as @cfh.unfiltered, a former combat sniper turned unfiltered political commentator with over 600,000 followers. From his early life on an Indian reservation and two combat tours in Iraq to challenging deep-rooted conservative beliefs, Cory's story is one of raw reckoning, personal transformation, and finding truth in the discomfort.

Together, they explore:

✅ The psychological trauma of warfare and killing ✅ What no one tells you about serving in Iraq ✅ Why patriotism can become dangerous ✅ The myth of American exceptionalism ✅ How education and love changed his worldview ✅ Why some conservative values persist in poor rural communities ✅ The dangers of militarizing cities and suppressing dissent ✅ How propaganda and fear control the population ✅ Cory's journey from conservative ideology to political awakening ✅ The power of voting, speaking up, and planting seeds of truth

Plus, Cory gets honest about:

✨ The role his wife played in breaking his old belief systems ✨ What made him finally start unlearning everything he once thought was right ✨ How growing up poor shaped his politics and values ✨ What he fears most for the future of America ✨ His hope that younger generations will keep questioning, resisting, and voting

If you've ever wondered what it's like to confront your past and speak out in a world that punishes truth-tellers, this episode is for you.

00:00 Meet Cory, from combat sniper to content creator 02:00 The brutal reality of killing in war 04:30 Psychological cost of warfare and dehumanization 07:20 Realizing the narrative about Muslims was false 10:10 Patriotism, propaganda, and who benefits 12:40 Young men, ego, and the myth of invincibility 15:10 How love and humility began to shift his thinking 18:30 Learning through discomfort and unlearning through love 21:00 The turning point conversations with his wife 24:00 Man vs. bear, and the discomfort of seeing your own darkness 28:20 Why Cory chooses honesty over performance 30:10 Four B Movement, social awareness, and responsibility 33:00 Why so many people can't self-reflect 35:40 Breaking the myth of being exceptional 37:10 Conversations that challenge our beliefs 40:00 The dangers of authoritarianism in the U.S. 43:00 The Second Amendment, tanks, and common sense 45:20 Rural poverty, lack of opportunity, and the rise in crime 48:40 What people misunderstand about tariffs, coal, and green energy 51:30 Education systems and outdated job pipelines 54:00 Why voting matters more than ever 55:30 The risk of not speaking up with friends and family 58:00 Personal story: arguing with his dad about Trump 01:00:00 Rural hospitals, Medicaid, and consequences that hit home 01:03:00 Militarizing U.S. cities, learning from dictatorships 01:06:00 What happens when we learn the hard way 01:09:00 Final thoughts and words of gratitude

🔗 Connect with Cory (CFH Unfiltered) ✨ TikTok: @cfh.unfiltered ✨ Instagram: @cfh_unfiltered ✨ YouTube: CFH Unfiltered

🔗 Connect with Meredyth Willits & the TikTok FAMOUS™️ Podcast ✨ Facebook: Meredyth Willits ✨ Instagram: @meredyth_willits ✨ TikTok: @meredyth_with_a_why ✨ YouTube: TikTok FAMOUS™️ Podcast | Meredyth Willits

🎙️ Hosted by Meredyth Willits, where viral fame meets raw reality. Subscribe, review, and stay tuned for more real talk from the creators who move us.