Boonie shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Boonie, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
For me, it’s energy—hands down. I believe energy is a form of currency. Everything runs on it. How we show up, how we engage with others, how we build. It all starts with energy. I’m really intentional about the energy I bring into a space, because I know it has the power to shift the entire vibe, and honestly, that matters more to me than anything else.
You can be smart, and you can be honest, but if your energy is off, people feel that. I think of energy the same way we think of money: you can invest it, you can waste it, or you can multiply it. And I choose to operate in high, aligned energy, because that’s what fuels connection, impact, and longevity.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Boonie, the creator and host of The Boonie Breakdown podcast—your source for all things Responsible & Ratchet®. I’ve built a platform that creates space for conversations that are unfiltered, insightful, funny, and just the right amount of ratchet. Whether it’s exploring relationships, mental health, or pop culture, The Boonie Breakdown is about showing up fully and embracing the duality of being both grown and still a little wild.
Now in my eighth year of podcasting, I’ve released nearly 300 episodes and taken the show on the road with live experiences in cities like Raleigh, Atlanta, and Philadelphia. We just hosted the show in Baltimore on August 23rd at the Motorhouse. Up next: we’re bringing the energy home to New York on October 12th and you can live stream the show from anywhere.
What makes my brand unique is the freedom it gives people to laugh, learn, reflect, and let loose—all in one place. It’s a judgment-free zone that celebrates complexity, community, and authenticity. Look, we listen, and we don’t judge, well maybe a little! LOL!
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I really believed I was shy. I was the quiet kid in the room who didn’t think her voice mattered all that much. I often stayed in the background, convinced that being loud or taking up space just wasn’t for me.
But now? Whew. That couldn’t be further from the truth.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Absolutely. Being an indie podcaster isn’t always glamorous. You can be booking great guests, having incredible conversations, putting in the work, and still not see the numbers or visibility that others might get. It’s easy to fall into the comparison trap, wondering, “What’s the point if I’m not growing at the same pace as someone else?”
I’ve had those moments where I felt stuck, unseen, or just plain tired. But every time, I come back to why I started The Boonie Breakdown. It was never about chasing trends or going viral. It was about creating a space for real, raw, responsible ratchet conversations that weren’t happening anywhere else.
When I shift my focus back to the purpose—and the people who do show up consistently—I remember that impact isn’t always about scale. It’s about connection. And that keeps me going.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
The public version of me is real, but like anyone, the people closest to me get to see a more unfiltered version. I feel safer with them, so I can let my hair down a bit more, be softer in some ways, wilder in others.
But at the core? I am who I am, on the mic, on stage, or off. There’s no separate persona.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What will you regret not doing?
Honestly? Not buying Bitcoin when my kooky co-worker was begging me to back in 2012. He kept saying, “Just buy a little!” and I laughed it off.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thebooniebreakdown.com
- Instagram: @TheBoonieBreakdown
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/TheBoonieBreakdown
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBoonieBreakdown
