Meet Tynee Sims | Host/Producer of the Tynee Talks Podcast

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tynee Sims and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tynee, can you share the most important lesson you’ve learned over the course of your career?
The most important lesson I learned by creating the Tynee Talks Podcast, is that if you build it, they will come. What I mean by this statement is that, you may be afraid of starting that dream that has been tucked in your heart, because you fear people won’t like it, or no one will show up, or a plethora of other negative thoughts. However, please know that if you build it, start it, or create it, your message or intent will attract those it was meant for. Your family, or even your closest friends, may not like what you produced, not because it’s not dope, but they may not be your target demographic. Therefore, go for it, like connect 4; just do it like Nike, and shoot your shot like Kobe!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The Tynee Talks Podcast was birthed out of my desire to educate and entertain people, specifically, African-Americans, in a humorous and engaging way, from topics ranging from health, to relationships, and pop culture. As tragedy would have it, my mother died suddenly right before I turned 30 years old. Following her death, I moved across the country to Dallas, TX in 2015, and that was the catalyst for me starting the Tynee Talks brand. I got my start in radio, my Senior year of high school, where I worked for AM910 Radio Disney, in the promotions department. Back then, I was behind the scenes, but I always wanted to be on-air. After I completed undergrad, I decided to get a Master’s in communications. While in grad school, I interned in radio and television, still behind the scenes, My dream of being on air came to fruition, in 2013, when my co-host, Chuniq and I started a health talk radio show on Flint’s Club 93.7, in Flint, MI; the first FM talk show in the station’s history, entitled, Hood Health 101: Healthy living in Every Hood, for Everyone. After being on air for a few months, our show was cancelled. After that I kept trying to find a way to use my voice to educate, entertain, and uplift folks, especially Black folks. I reached out to an acquaintance, who works in radio and a producer for Sway in Morning, and I asked them about tips on how to branch out, and start a brand that has the same values as Hood Health. The advice that I was given was to broaden your name for the brand, “Hood Health” can be viewed as exclusionary. I took that advice and decided on Tynee Talks. My name is Tynee and I love to talk, simple and straight to the point, just like me! I was afraid of my voice, so I began as a writer for the Tynee Talks blog. After the sudden death of my mother, I used writing as an outlet. I would write in my journal and on Facebook posts. Through my Facebook posts, a friend of a friend suggested that I start a blog. The suggestion turned into reality in October of 2015. In 2016, I was approached by an old classmate(s/o to Grizz) to start a podcast with his new company, Dropsite Entertainment, I recorded a pilot episode, but it was an epic fail! Two years later in 2018, I was ready to debut my voice to the masses and really take podcasting seriously. I signed with Dropsite and began producing weekly shows on Spreaker.com. After a year, I wanted to branch out to more streaming services such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc… I decided to leave Dropsite and promote and maintain the Tynee Talks Podcast brand 100% myself. My biggest challenge was me!  Having talent, but being afraid to put myself out there. Afraid of what “they” may say or think, whoever, “they” is, but I had to remind myself that those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind (S/O to Dr. Suess). I was also insecure about not having the right camera, not being good with my makeup, not having equipment, and the list goes on and on. Focusing on what I didn’t have instead shining a light on all of things that I did have, had me lowkey stagnant. I overcame these challenges through prayer and realizing nobody was built like me; I’m Tynee Talks, I come with my own flavor, my own spin, and what I have to say is worth talking about. I learned that in building your brand, whether it’s starting a podcast, starting a business, or creating art, you must be your biggest cheerleader and promote yo damn self! I want the world to know that Tynee Talks is the Podcast that Educates and Entertains, remember Tynee Talks and You Listen! Tynee Talks is where you come to laugh and learn! I’m so excited about the many opportunities that are available to podcasters, as we are in the renaissance of podcasting.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take my bff to a few of my favorite spots in the DFW: Monday, we’re going to go shopping at the Galleria.  Tuesday, We’d go to Klyde Warren Park to chill, have a picnic and take in the scenery. Wednesday we’d go to Happy Hour at STIRR Dallas. Thursday we’d hit up Black Canvas for Open Mic Night and Friday we’d  hang out at my favorite bar with karaoke, The Hideaway. Saturday we’d close it out with some meditation with Yoga N Da Hood, for some outdoor yoga and then have brunch at Soiree Coffee Bar.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There’s nothing that brings me joy, more than a shout out! So, as I say at the end of every podcast: “In true Tynee Talks fashion, I’d like to give a shout out to: My Fiance` Terence who allows me to talk to him like it’s going out of style, my son AJ who thinks I talk too much, my sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and every teacher that let me talk in their classrooms without a write up; ya’ll are da real MVPs!”

Website: www.Linktr.ee/tyneetalks

Instagram: instagram.com/tyneetalks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Tyneetune

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tyneetalks

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0ZjAL6ibK3qoIgVPTdvROA

Other: I wrote a podcast guide. Tynee Talks Presents: The Easy Guide to Starting a Podcast by Tynee` Sims

Image Credits
Photos by Point Blank Media, LLC