We recently connected with Evelien Kong and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Evelien, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

This is a tough question because there have been so many over two decades. But honestly, I’d have to say, my current one is my podcast Reppin. I say this because this project is fully mine, not any studio or network. It comes from my whole person, bringing my experience to create a series that I hope encourages an open dialogue and positive contributions, not just from me, but from my guests. I really hope it serves audiences. Also, my podcast has brought me incredible insights and lessons from leaders in various genres that I know will help me and my audience. And lastly, it’s brought me incredible people—my guests to the team behind the scenes—who have become friends.

So I have to say my podcast has been incredibly fulfilling creatively, professionally, and also personally.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I always dreamed about being in the entertainment industry. But being the only daughter of immigrant parents and not seeing anyone that looked like me on screen–the entertainment industry seemed light years away.

Early on, though, I realized if I really wanted it, it was something that I could do. I just had to get up and really work for it. I started my career as an intern at a daytime talk show and did everything an intern did–and also watched all the different producing teams and tried to absorb as much as possible. I learned more about the industry and fell in love with the weird hours, the people I worked with, and the projects we were doing. I was hooked and I knew it was going to be a life-long career. 25 + years later, I am a veteran television producer/director.

I’ve had the privilege of being a part of projects for MTV, WB, and Apple + and I’ve truly been so lucky to have the career of my dreams.

My life in the entertainment industry has also been the seed for my newest venture, podcasting. Using my experience from producing and directing, I’ve been able to create something all of my own, a new podcast called Reppin.

Knowing how to craft stories, connect with audiences, and have deep conversations with strangers has been something invaluable to this project. And because of the people I’ve worked with and the connections I’ve created throughout my career, I’m able to have some truly exceptional guests on Reppin.

While I’m still very actively involved in producing and directing, Reppin is allowing me to follow another passion. Breaking down the barriers between people in our society to find the universal thread that truly connects us. I was noticing that more and more, people were talking at each other, rather than talking to understand each other. We’ve devolved into a society of individuals that find it hard to connect with one another, because social media, the news, everything, only gives us surface-level glimpses into others’ lives. We are strongly influenced by stereotypes. But the conversations I was having behind the scenes with actors, guests, and your everyday person showed me we all have experiences that we can connect with and even learn from. If only we are able to get those stories out.

With Reppin I speak with interesting celebrities and other notable people, most of whom have grown up defying stereotypes, and I shed light on who they really are. I know I always walk away from the conversations with a new perspective on myself and life in general, and I hope that that is the impact I’m having on my listeners, too.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

It’s a privilege to be able to have a career doing what I love. It’s SUCH a gift that I’m able to be creative and produce content and be able to make a living. I get incredible opportunities to work with and alongside immensely talented people–on and off screen–and work on awesome projects. But the absolute best part of it is when I see the audiences connect with the show or materials that were produced. To know it’s resonated, inspired, empowered, provoked thought, or even created an experience for them. That is the absolute cherry on top.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Wanting to be in the entertainment industry sounded like a far-fetched dream. And it can be. You hear about all the challenges, the volatility, and the insane competition that exist in the industry. That’s intimidating–and by the way, all true.

On top of that, I am the sole daughter of immigrant parents who knew nothing about the industry. When my parents came to America, they didn’t know the language. My mom was laughed at when she wanted spinach for lunch but didn’t know the word. And culturally speaking, the expectation to succeed and have a stable life is what was to be strived for. Getting jobs in prestigious industries, being a doctor, attorney, that’s what my parents wanted for me. Seeing their only daughter dreaming of being a part of the entertainment industry, which seemed galaxies away and filled with people who looked like Tom Cruise or Michelle Pfeiffer was a wild, unattainable, and somewhat irresponsible dream. My parents had already broken barriers to pick up and go to another country and build a brand new life, but how was an immigrant’s daughter going to break into this exclusive industry?

So, there was that fear of not being able to have a sustainable career in an ever-changing industry, and that pressure of not wanting to disappoint my parents weighed very heavily on me.

To follow my dream, I knew I had to really go for it and work my hardest to overcome all of these things. And all in an industry where you mostly just hear “No.” But either because of fear, passion, or both, I kept going. I kept pushing to get opportunities, and when I finally got them, I made sure to be quiet, learn as much as I could, and be willing to do the work at the best of my ability. Now, even as a veteran 25 + yrs later, I still believe it’s important to stay humble, learn every step of the way, and always be willing to put the work in.     

Contact Info:

• Website: Reppin.tv
• Instagram: @reppin_podcast
• Twitter: @reppinpodcast
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8ANz_T8MlO6CkMPWM9TfOQ
• Other: My production company: www.SuburbanOutlawProductions.com