Hidden Gems: Meet Stella Speridon-violet of Gut Instinct Media

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stella Speridon-violet

Hi Stella, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My love for creating is something I was born with. I remember at five-years-old being gifted a kid’s band set for Christmas and sitting down after dinner, teaching myself how to play piano and guitar. I spent the next 10 years in piano lessons, voice lessons and self-teaching myself piano.
My nana and my mom have been my biggest cheerleaders and could tell I was interested in the arts from a young age, and encouraged it. I’m so grateful for the access I had in my youth to self-expression. My nana would drive me every Wednesday for piano lessons and my mother would buy me new journals every time my old ones would get filled. The women in my life have taught me how to believe in myself and work toward those goals rather than waiting for them to happen or settling for a “safe” profession.
In late elementary/middle school I’d film and edit YouTube videos and gather my friends to make short films with. Once I finished editing, we’d get together with our parents to watch them. I’d put on neighborhood plays with costume changes, set design and musical numbers and get the community together to see my “production.”
To me, it’s never been about producing a masterpiece, but producing something that was made from love. Thinking outside of the box and allowing myself to believe in my ideas, regardless of what people think has always been my strongest suit, and I learned that from my mother.
I’ve had a difficult upbringing, I’ve put on many different faces and walked through unimaginable situations, but I feel like creating has always been my outlet, my escape from reality. And, I take a lot from the world around me, so in my eyes “bad” situations I’ve been through are just a step in my creative process.
When it comes to writing, I think it’s always been something I’ve loved to do, whether it’s a song I write in my bedroom or an article being released to the public. The first time I knew I had an impact with my words was in first grade when I won a poetry contest. I remember that feeling of everyone congratulating me, it wasn’t the acceptance I was craving, it was the understanding.
Throughout high school I involved myself in every creative outlet I could, and really took to choir and theater. During this time in my life I needed a place for self expression, and what better than through music and acting. In my free time I’d write, I still have all 10, completely-filled journals of my thoughts, poetry or just whatever needed to be documented.
When I was 17, I graduated high school and moved two hours away from home and decided to major in Journalism, which was a tough decision for me because I really had my eye on film and media. However, I continued to create short films in my spare time and focused on crafting my writing abilities.
That’s why when I was approached at nineteen by my online friend at the time, Natalie, to help start and write for ‘Gut Instinct Media’ I knew I had to put my all into it. It’s been an eye-opening year with ‘Gut Instinct Media’ and it has allowed me to connect with people through my words and uplift our writers to share their own narratives. It’s a gift and a privilege to be apart of a company that has become a safe space for both the audience and the writers.
Growing up in Arizona has always been a love-hate relationship for me. I long for city lights and constantly dream of New York, but Arizona has allowed me to grow with the people I love. And, as I’ve grown up, I’ve also seen Arizona, specifically Phoenix and Tempe, grow into cities full of inspiration. I love going to the First Friday Art Walks in Phoenix every month and being able to connect with creatives in the area. I think I’ve seen an exponential amount of love for the arts in Arizona in the past fifteen years and it is truly something special.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I don’t think any part of my life has been smooth, but it’s made me who I am today.
Up until high school I was religiously bullied for what I wore, what music I listened to, and honestly just existing. 7th and 8th grade were still some of the hardest years of my life because of how I was treated. However, it taught me to be kinder and to continue to be different because when I did try to fit in and wear the right things and listen to popular songs, I was still made fun of. So, it was a difficult learning curve growing up but I’m glad I was able to experience the lows because it’s made the high points in my life that much more enjoyable. And, as I get older these people that hated my guts are now reaching out or coming up to me in public to talk about what I’ve accomplished. It’s a bittersweet feeling.
Believing in myself and being able to tune out others is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. And, putting myself out there regardless of what others think is the strongest thing a person can do, and I’m so glad I’m able to do the same.
I’ve also struggled with family dynamics and parental relationships, learning how to navigate who my “family” is, will be a life-long journey of mine. I’ve realized this past year how much people can mean to you, and how sometimes building your own family, made up of people that love you is more important than who I share blood with.
I’ve been homeless, I’ve had $10 to my name and despite the odds I’ve been able to do something quite remarkable with ‘Gut Instinct Media’ and with my career at only 20 years old.
Professionally, a big obstacle I’ve overcome in college ultimately taught me a lot. At one of the best schools for journalism in the country, the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism, I’ve been able to grow as a writer and an individual. Being in a classroom with professionals and peers wanting to gain knowledge and dream big has been the most important and beautiful experience on my journey. I’ve had to put myself in uncomfortable situations, like covering stories on people I don’t agree with or having to work directly with organizations I don’t align with, but it’s made me see both sides and allow myself to empathize with other human beings.
Learning to communicate and have hard conversations is the biggest challenge of them all, but learning to adapt and understand has been the most rewarding lesson I’ve faced so far.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Gut Instinct was founded with the intention of fostering authentic human conversations in a media influenced society. As of today, we have 20 dedicated writers from across the world who craft and share their stories on our website. We cover everything from what it’s like to be a first-gen college student to the latest movie reviews. The versatility and vulnerability of ‘Gut Instinct Media’ is what sets it apart from other media companies and I think that’s why people love it.
As the co-founder and head writer I manage new and existing writers, edit pieces for digital publication, compose thoughtful articles, manage and plan in-person events and co-manage our social media accounts on Instagram and TikTok.
What I’m most proud of as we hit the one year mark of ‘Gut Instinct Media’ is how much our articles mean to our audience. Being able to be vulnerable on the internet and allow the world to connect and critique our articles is terrifying. However, when I get DM’s or messages about how much my articles mean to people, or how relatable my feelings are to others puts my anxiety-ridden mindset to rest. We want to build and maintain a community that can talk to each other and feel like they aren’t alone. And, we do that by sharing these stories, talking about what’s going on with the world around us rather than turning a blind eye.
I’m so proud of what we’ve built and I am so proud of our amazing team for believing in what Natalie and I believed in last November. I’m very excited for everyone to see what is next for ‘Gut Instinct Media’ and I cannot wait to continue shaping narratives and connecting through stories.

What makes you happy?
As a scorpio, I’m a very emotional person and tend to be highly sentimental, especially when it comes to happiness.
I’ve been blessed with the most amazing support system and people who I will have by my side for life, and I think that makes me the most happy. Life could feel like it’s falling apart, then I see my friends and it’s like all of the bad just goes away. I have known my best friends since high school, so growing up with these people and watching each other chase our dreams has been a beautiful experience.
In another sense, creating: writing, filming, editing, singing, and dancing all bring me happiness. Putting on a performance and showing the world how I feel has always put a smile on my face.
I also love to spend time with my dog Finn who has taught me a lot about what it means to be responsible as I transition into adulthood. And, spending time with my mother, who has taught me everything I know through her own personal journey never fails to make me cry tears of joy.
I would say overall, connecting with people and getting to know their stories and building my own community is when I’m my happiest. I truly don’t know where I’d be or if I’d be here at all if it weren’t for the people I love the most.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.gutinstinctmedia.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stellalviolet/
• Twitter: https://x.com/speridon_stella