Welcome to Gut Instinct

By Natalie McCarty

As the visionary founder and executive writer of Gut Instinct, it is both my privilege and responsibility to define the essence of this blog for you. Allow me to extend a warm welcome not only to you but also to my co-founder & head writer, Stella Violet, graphic designer, Axel Tamayo, and columnists, Néya Sridhar, Angelica Ruiz, Diana Vidals, Bruce Gregg, Maleah Puente, El Weiss, Venuki Mendis, and Liliana Chomsky — without whom, the compelling narratives and insightful perspectives that define the spirit of Gut Instinct would be impossible.

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.

Which brings me to the name: Gut Instinct. It was inspired by the phrase we often hear, and especially one that resonates with me personally, to “follow your gut instinct.” This name holds particular significance after a tumultuous year, during which I navigated major life changes, took risky leaps, and made life-altering decisions — all guided by my that little feeling in gut.

I place great importance on following intuition and heeding the convictions of the heart. Throughout my life, storytelling has held an immense significance. In the past year alone, I’ve explored various forms of creative expression — from songwriting for my band to novel writing about life experiences, filling three entire journals, scrapbooking, filmmaking, writing scripts, and even dancing ballet at New York University. Yet, one avenue I have yet to explore is blogging.

My aspiration for Gut Instinct is to cultivate a space where open dialogue can be freely explored. I deeply appreciate conversations centered around the shared human experience, recognizing that this is often the spirit that elevates critically acclaimed films, songs, and literature to resonate with audiences. There’s a profound beauty when individuals can take their personal experiences and articulate them in a way that transforms seemingly unique and ambiguous events — ones that may have felt isolating — into something not just relatable, but genuinely unifying.

Within the diverse narratives penned by my columnists, we will delve into personal stories encompassing the challenges of dating, navigating life’s complexities, exploring identity, forging career paths, and the unique experiences tied to our city locations — all while sharing a collective passion for media. From insightful movie reviews to commentary on the latest trends, Gut Instinct is an open space to engage in discussions about whatever captures the latest musings of our minds.

Welcome to Gut Instinct!

Xoxo,

Natalie McCarty