We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Justin Shepherd a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Justin, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So, let’s start with a hypothetical – what would you change about the educational system?

I believe there’s a crucial aspect of our education system that needs reform: the approach to homework. Currently, our children spend around 7 hours a day in school, not counting any extracurricular activities they might participate in. After all of this, they’re expected to devote 1-3 hours every night to homework. This leaves very limited quality time for families to connect.

The issue with this system is that it inadvertently teaches children to prioritize work over the quality of life. It doesn’t promote a healthy work-life balance and can lead to burnout, even at a young age.

To illustrate, I have a personal experience from my own schooling. I remember countless nights when I was overwhelmed with homework, leaving me little time for family, hobbies, or even relaxation. This routine left me feeling drained and hindered my overall well-being. It’s not an isolated experience; many students face a similar struggle.

Considering that children already spend a significant portion of their day in school, it’s worth questioning whether we’re using the in-school time effectively. If, over the course of 7 hours a day, 5 days a week, for more than 180 days, we can’t adequately impart the necessary knowledge, it might be a sign that our educational system needs a reevaluation. A more balanced approach that values not just academic learning but also the personal and social development of students could better prepare them for fulfilling lives and careers.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I stumbled into the realm of content creation quite unexpectedly. Growing up in a toxic and narcissistic environment, the profound impact of that toxicity became apparent as I started my own family. A heartbreaking pregnancy loss, coupled with unsupportive reactions from my own mother—who had no interest in being part of my daughter’s or our lives—served as the catalyst for me to go no contact and break free from the toxicity.

Seeking an outlet for my emotions, I turned to TikTok to share my personal struggles. Little did I anticipate that my story would resonate so strongly, leading to unexpected virality. This experience, marked by healing and connection, fueled my journey as a content creator. However, a pivotal moment arrived with the Gabby Petito case, where I recognized familiar abusive patterns in Brian Laundrie’s behavior, prompting me to pivot towards covering true crime and current events.

In the course of my content creation, I’ve achieved some notable milestones. Using my platform, I’ve empowered individuals to break generational cycles and seek the help they need. Notably, during the Gabby Petito case, my followers and I flew aerial banners over the Laundries’ home, resulting in interviews and appearances in documentaries.

Yet, what I consider my proudest achievement is the creation and publication of ‘Boundaries,’ a children’s book aimed at fostering an understanding of limiting toxic influences and the significance of establishing healthy boundaries. Inspired by my own quest for resources when explaining the absence of my parents to my daughter, I discovered a void in the market for such materials. Recognizing that 26% of millennials and Gen Z are no contact with a family member, I collaborated with therapist friends to create a much-needed resource. ‘Boundaries’ not only addresses tough conversations about no contact but also instills the importance of setting healthy boundaries in families.

For those interested in this book, it’s available for order on my website at JustinOnTikTok.com. It brings me immense pride to contribute to breaking generational cycles and providing families with tools to navigate challenging discussions.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Building a social media audience isn’t an exact science, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. For me, the foundation of audience growth lies in authenticity, transparency, and, perhaps most crucially, integrity. My journey began by sharing poignant stories that resonated with others, narratives that served to remind viewers, and myself, that we weren’t navigating life’s challenges alone. This approach aimed to destigmatize holding individuals accountable, even if those individuals happened to be family members, fostering a normalization of open discussions.

As my content evolved, it shifted towards emphasizing the importance of due diligence, providing credible resources, and maintaining a commitment to accurate reporting and sharing. Integrity became a guiding principle, prioritizing personal standards over the allure of clicks, likes, and views. There were instances where I shared a story only to later discover inaccuracies for various reasons. Despite the popularity of these videos, I consistently prioritize integrity and credibility. In such cases, I make the decision to take down the misleading content and create correction videos to ensure that the audience is informed accurately. This commitment to transparency, even when correcting mistakes, reinforces the foundation of trust with my audience.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

Navigating the creative journey entails more than meets the eye, and often, non-creatives may not fully grasp the intricacies involved. A significant aspect that might go unnoticed is the considerable time and effort invested in researching and producing content. Juggling a full-time job, familial responsibilities, and various commitments, I prioritize carving out moments for meticulous research and content creation, extending my passion into a podcast titled ’50 Words for Murder.’

The life of a content creator is punctuated by sacrifices. Amidst the demands of daily life, finding the time and energy to weave narratives and present compelling stories requires a unique dedication. It’s a delicate balancing act, where the pursuit of creativity often clashes with the demands of a bustling, multifaceted existence.

Another facet that may elude non-creatives is the financial reality of content creation. Despite the seemingly endless stream of content on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, the financial returns for creators can be meager. Unlike traditional professions, where income is more predictable, content creators often rely on sponsorships, brand deals, or the elusive prospect of consistently garnering millions of views to generate substantial revenue.

The financial landscape is particularly challenging on platforms like Instagram, which offers no direct compensation to creators. Even on TikTok, where the potential for virality exists, financial stability remains consistently inconsistent. While the dream for many creators is to transition into full-time content creation, the reality often dictates otherwise. The financial uncertainties make it a less stable option, necessitating a delicate dance between passion and practicality.

In essence, the journey as a creative involves not only a commitment of time and energy but also a complex negotiation of financial realities. It’s a path laden with passion, persistence, and an unwavering belief in the transformative power of storytelling, even in the face of challenges that might not be immediately apparent to those outside the creative sphere.

Contact Info:

• Website: justinontiktok.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justinontiktok/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justinontikt0k/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/justinontiktok
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@justinontiktok
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@justinontikt0k