60 seconds with devon townsend: “the real differentiator is connection, not volume.”

hot take: people – not computers – still say the coolest stuff. this series is dedicated to the soundbites, aha! moments & stories that are undeniably human.   

The best way I can describe Devon Townsend is this: he's a breath of fresh air. From the second our team met him at Wake Forest SPS's Wake360 weekend in Charlotte last October, we just wanted to spend more time with him. He is bright and excited, smart and funny. He's also one of the most "people-person" people you'll ever meet. People like him are so rare and special. 

Devon is standing in that in-between season right now – he comes from a solid track record of content creation experience, he recently finished rigorous graduate work at Wake SPS, and he's finding his next career path. He’s handling it with patience, intention, and honesty. Once again, people like him are so rare and special. 

Devon is a gem of a human being, and we're excited to bring some of his humanity to you in this Q&A. 

– meg

toth shop (ts): You have a lot of experience on multimedia platforms from podcast host to social media creation. In your experience, what makes a story most effective in what can be a very crowded digital space?

Devon Townsend (DT): When Oprah Winfrey ended her monumental talk show in 2011, she shared one insight that has stayed with me: after interviewing thousands of guests, she realized there is a universal need for validation. She said, “Everyone simply wants to know, ‘Do you hear me? Do you see me? Does what I say mean anything to you?”

When I hosted my podcast, that idea guided everything I did. My goal was to choose topics, usually centered on entertainment, society, or cultural news, that allowed both my guests and my listeners to see themselves in the conversation. I wanted anyone tuning in to feel a sense of connection, to relate in some way, and maybe even walk away with something that helped them grow socially, emotionally, or mentally. Because in a crowded digital space where anyone and everyone can have an opinion, the real differentiator is connection, not volume. 

I saw my role as more than a host, but as someone responsible for creating a space where people felt heard, seen, and reflected back to themselves. My hope was that listeners would leave each episode feeling that their experiences, questions, and emotions were shared, understood, and worth talking about.

That’s the power of validation.

ts: What’s your favorite interview you ever conducted or wrote about? 

DT: I recorded an episode called “What’s Your Curse?” where I invited guests to share pieces of their family history by shining a light on their generational curses. One guest opened up about a pattern of infidelity on his father’s side and his determination to break that cycle so he could be a better husband and father to his own growing family. Another guest spoke about her long‑standing estrangement from her mother and her desire to create a healthier dynamic when she eventually has children of her own.

I challenged listeners to reflect on their own “curse” and consider how they might break those patterns before passing them on to the next generation. The episode ended up becoming one of the top three most‑downloaded in the podcast’s history.

It remains one of my favorites because it asked my guests to be vulnerable—to open up in ways that were uncomfortable but ultimately therapeutic. It created space for people to acknowledge their own struggles while giving others permission to do the same. That’s the kind of conversation that stays with you.

ts: You recently completed your master’s in communication! How did the program shape your approach to storytelling or communication? 

DT: This journey of obtaining my master’s expanded my understanding of what it truly means to represent an organization. Every message carries the voices of not just the company, but the many pillars you’re speaking for as a unit. As a communication specialist, it’s essential to advocate for both internal and external stakeholders: partners, executives, consumers, employees—the list is long but every group matters. You’re representing a brand that, more often than not, already has a deeply rooted story, and it becomes your responsibility to protect and elevate that reputation with intention and clarity.

This program shaped my understanding of just how critical communication is within organizations. Communication influences culture, guides decision‑making, and builds trust from the inside out. It taught me that effective communication isn’t just about delivering information but it’s about being on the same page, building connections, and ensuring every voice feels acknowledged. And that’s the kind of communicator I’m committed to being moving forward.

ts: What kinds of stories do you want to tell next – and for who? 

DT: I’ve been seriously considering restarting my podcast and rebuilding it from the ground up. The 411 Podcast began after constant nudges from friends who believed I should have my own show. I loved choosing the topics and hearing from listeners who wanted more. Most of the stories I covered reflected whatever was happening in the news that week, and I often invited guests to dive into those conversations with me.

If I don’t return to hosting my own show, I’d love to work for a company with a mission rooted in uplifting women, amplifying Black voices, or addressing meaningful social issues. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t put this out into the universe: I can absolutely see myself telling stories for entertainment platforms—whether that’s on the radio or even hosting a show like Entertainment Tonight. 

ts: Every person we interview answers this same question last – Mile 18 is generally considered to be one of the hardest miles in a marathon. You’re hitting a wall. You’re forced to dig deep. What’s mile 18 in your line of work or at a point in your career, what do you tell yourself when you find yourself in the middle of a mile 18?

DT: Mile 18 is a place I haven’t reached yet. While everyone else seems to be deep into the race, I’m still fighting just to get admitted. I’ve struggled to get my foot in the door professionally, and it’s discouraging. I go to a job that doesn’t fulfill me because it keeps a roof over my head. I’ve earned three degrees, yet I still can’t seem to find solid footing in a field that will take me. And as I get older, it’s hard not to feel like my chances are slipping.

So what do I tell myself when I’m in a moment like that? I remind myself to keep putting one foot in front of the other. Dwelling on the negative doesn’t serve me, and I can’t control what’s outside my hands.

Life is hard. Adulting is harder. But I am worthy. I’m worthy of more and I hold onto hope because without hope, what else is there to look forward to?

I’ll continue to fight for the professional career of my dreams, but until then, all I can do is hope for a better future.