Stylized cartoon drawing of two women sitting on the floor, each holding a glass of wine. One has blonde hair and wears a red jacket, white crop top, and brown boots; the other has brown hair and wears a dark top, purple jacket, and black boots. Both women have unusual feathered eye accessories and are seated in front of a black background with the word 'Aodia' written above them.

The Founders

I founded Gut Instinct with the intention of fostering authentic human conversations. What has consistently moved me is the symbiotic relationship between media and society–how media influences society and, in turn, how societal dynamics shape the media. Recognizing this interplay, I find it crucial to ensure that the media we present is genuine and reflective of real experiences.

-Natalie McCarty

A young woman with long dark hair sitting in front of a wooden wall, wearing a red leather top and layered necklaces with pendants and beads.
  • Founder, CEO, Editor-in-Chief, & Creative Director | Distributor of Frat Magazine

    Based in Los Angeles, Natalie is building a multifaceted career as a publicist, entrepreneur, writer, and CEO. Always juggling new projects, she channels her creativity and grief into meaningful artistic ventures, earning the affectionate nickname "The People's Carrie Bradshaw" from her friends. Through her column and broader work, Natalie weaves together stories from her time in New York, offers career advice, raises awareness on political issues, celebrates the power of friendship, and analyzes film and media with a real-world lens.

    At the core of her mission is exploring how the media we create and consume shapes identity, perspective, and collective consciousness. She believes that film, music, art, and literature have the power to craft connections and bring people together.

Black and white portrait of a woman with shoulder-length hair, resting her chin on her hands, looking directly at the camera.
Digital illustration of a bunny with Gut Instinct typography
  • Co-Founder, Head Writer, & Event Coordinator

    Based in Phoenix, Stella is a current senior at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University studying Journalism and Mass Communication with a minor in business. She is making her mark in the world of journalism with both creative and strategic skills needed in today’s media landscape. As the co-founder and head writer, she hopes to inspire and inform her audience with impactful stories about community, conversation and culture.

    Known for her active involvement in the community, Stella is a familiar face at local events and a voice in local publications. She takes every opportunity to expand her experience and insights, and loves to step outside of her comfort zone. With a constant curiosity for the world around her, Stella always has something to write about. And, she focuses on sharing these stories to connect and resonate with readers.

Watercolor illustration of two girls holding hands, one with long brown hair wearing a gray hat, a white T-shirt, and a blue skirt, and the other with long blonde hair wearing a pink dress and red boots, standing next to an acoustic guitar.

Meet the Team

A woman with long blonde hair in a bow, lying in a vintage clawfoot bathtub with floral decoration, reading a book, with a towel draped over the side, and steam rising from the water.
A white plate with a burger with lettuce, tomato, cheese, and a beef patty, accompanied by French fries.
Colorful sketch of people, bicycles, and outdoor scenes with the phrase 'Gut Instinct' written in large cursive text.

Natalie McCarty

Black and white photo of two women posing closely together, one with platinum blonde hair and the other with dark hair, both making playful facial expressions with pursed lips.

“Our goal is to provide young creatives with opportunities to build a professional resume and have published articles. Creating a space that connects people and brings stories to light is a dream come true. Not just a dream, but our reality.”

As seen in Shoutout LA’s “Meet Natalie McCarty | Publicist, Manager, & CEO

GUT INSTINCT

GUT INSTINCT ⋆