A Million Likes

8. Steve McRoyal

Thu, 30 Dec 2021 12:30:21 GMT

Between finance and drug issues, Steve’s family dynamic was less than stable until his teenage years, which is also when he met the love of his life, Kimberly. Although the couple bonded early on, his going away to college put a strain on the relationship, as did an unplanned pregnancy.

Steve faced trials and tribulations with the loss of his younger brother, on top of the stress of having a new family. With everything going on, failure was not an option. As life got more complicated, the couple drifted. Eventually, a deep heart-to-heart turned their interpersonal and economic life around, and @millennialmarried was born.

Through the good, the bad, and the heartbreaking, the couple grew separately and together, sharing their lessons to an audience of over 400K.

This is Steve’s story.

Produced by Willa

Written by: Steve McRoyal

Executive producers: Magnus Ohman & Jeanette Ohman

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

7. Kimberly McRoyal

Thu, 30 Dec 2021 12:00:28 GMT

From an early age, Kimberly knew that she did not want to copy her parents’ relationship—between economic hardships, gambling issues, and plenty of chaos, she wanted something different: an equal partnership.

In spite of her best efforts to focus on school and create the future she wanted, she met someone, fell in love, and got pregnant just before graduation. However, this did not stop her ambition. With a growing family, plenty of ups and downs, and major relationship setbacks, Kimberly and her now-husband Steve, turned their experience into @millennialmarried—an account that’s all about relationship lessons, community, and marriage.

The couple struggled separately and together, but through it all, they found a love that worked for them, and that inspires so many others.

This is Kim’s story.

Produced by Willa

Written by: Kimberly McRoyal

Executive producers: Magnus Ohman & Jeanette Ohman

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

6. Tracey Ellison

Thu, 23 Dec 2021 10:00:36 GMT

Tracey never imagined that life would take her from her home country of South Africa to the United States, and that she would leave the world of business to run an Instagram account about the world’s most exclusive jewelry, but that’s just what happened.

From seemingly having it all in her early 20s and still shaking up her life, to once again getting a reality check about what really matters in her 50s, Tracey shares the unique trajectory that brought her to create @thediamondsgirl, and the lessons she learned along the way.

This is her story.

Produced by Willa

Written by: Tracey Ellison

Executive producers: Magnus Ohman & Jeanette Ohman

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

5. Lena

Thu, 16 Dec 2021 12:00:31 GMT

Lena’s life has been ridden with challenges—from growing up under the Communist regime in Ukraine, where she trained to be an Olympic gymnast and suffered side effects from the radioactive Chernobyl blast, to living with two chronic illnesses. In spite of the many struggles she encountered, she never gave up and continued to move through the world with almost superhuman perseverance. Along the way, Lena found love, solace in fashion, and grew her Instagram account (@panthere_instyle), which started out as an escape, to over 4 million followers.

Today, she is an advocate for those with hidden illnesses and an inspiration for living fully, even when the journey gets tough.

This is her story.

Produced by Willa

Written by: Lena

Executive producers: Magnus Ohman & Jeanette Ohman

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

4. Oscar Salinas

Thu, 09 Dec 2021 12:00:14 GMT

Though his early years were spent in a trailer park in a Minnesota town of just 500 people, Oscar always had big dreams. A creator at heart, he explored comic books as a kid, and from there, fell for the tech side of art. Yet it wasn’t until he stumbled upon a camera in college that his calling manifested. With no experience, Oscar set out to recreate the professional photos he was drawn to on Instagram. Self-taught via YouTube, he collaborated with fellow creators on portrait photography, through which he would eventually go on to travel the country, shooting along the way. His passion and career came together in one, yet Oscar’s love for the craft is what drives him. “Make sure you're happy with your work, and you're doing it for yourself,” he says with an earnest smile.

This is his story.

Follow Oscar on social media under @sotahboy

Produced by Willa

Written by: Oscar Salinas

Executive producers: Magnus Ohman & Jeanette Ohman

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

3. Shonda Mackey

Thu, 02 Dec 2021 12:00:57 GMT

Shonda’s childhood was a far cry from a picturesque family behind a white picket fence. From leaving an abusive home while still in elementary school, to struggling with body image issues in high school, her early years were filled with chaos. However, her outer world built up resilience within, and driven by a desire to take control of her wellbeing, Shonda turned to fitness. As her self worth grew, her newfound confidence brought her to modeling, and eventually to the world of social media, where she thrived.

Shonda’s tumultuous beginnings did not stop her dreams, in fact, they alchemized into an inspiring journey of self love.

This is her story.

Follow Shonda on social media under @queenofblood

Produced by Willa

Written by: Shonda Mackey

Executive producers: Magnus Ohman & Jeanette Ohman

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2. Kypree Taylor

Thu, 25 Nov 2021 12:00:16 GMT

When Kypree Taylor was 20 years old, things were looking bright. A kid from the hood whose father was killed outside his home when he was a young child, the odds had been stacked against him. But he had made a name for himself as a comic on social media, and with a manager, exciting comedy gigs lined up, and a steady flow of money coming in for the first time in his life, he was on the precipice of major success.

Six months later, he had lost his girlfriend, his social media identity had been stolen, and he had been arrested for tax fraud.

This is his story.

Follow Kypree on social media under @kidkypree

Produced by Willa

Written by: Kypree Taylor

Executive producers: Magnus Ohman & Jeanette Ohman

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1. Anh Lin

Thu, 18 Nov 2021 15:00:23 GMT

Anh Lin tells us the story of her journey from a humble mud hut in Vietnam to the backstreets of Los Angeles and beyond. For years, she found herself struggling with mental health and was surrounded by a family that crumbled under the tragedies of conflict, accident and illness.

Amidst the chaos, she turned to a self-destructive and self-absorbed lifestyle before finally finding her way back to faith, family, and her passion.

This is her story.

Follow Anh on social media under @girlandtheword.

Produced by Willa

Written by: Anh Lin

Executive producers: Magnus Ohman & Jeanette Ohman

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Million Likes – Trailer

Mon, 15 Nov 2021 21:00:51 GMT

They are the creators of social media accounts with millions of followers, and their content engages people all over the world. Things look perfect on the outside. But what’s behind the likes? Who are they really, and what do their individual journeys look like?

Each journey is unique, yet they all share one common theme — that nothing is as simple or perfect as Instagram leads us to believe. This is A Million Likes.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.