The Journey of Impact: Larissa's Evolution from Fashion Blogger to Digital Wellness Advocate

In the final episode of Beyond Her Campus, host Julianne welcomes Larissa May, founder and executive director of the nonprofit #HalftheStory. Larissa shares her journey from being a fashion blogger for the Her Campus Chapter at Vanderbilt University to becoming a leader in digital wellness advocacy. They discuss her early experiences in fashion and marketing, the challenges she faced with social media's impact on her well-being, and how these experiences inspired her to create #HalftheStory.

Larissa emphasizes the importance of storytelling and authenticity in creating meaningful impact and reflects on the challenges and rewards of founding a nonprofit. The conversation also delves into the importance of digital wellness and practical tips for cultivating a mindful relationship with technology, which listeners will find inspiring and actionable.

Larissa also shares personal anecdotes, such as early morning moments in college and major milestones like #HalftheStory’s 10-year anniversary, the passing of the Kids Online Safety and Privacy Act, and partnerships with Oprah, Melinda Gates, and Meghan Markle, illustrating the depth of her journey and commitment to her cause.

Creators and Guests

Julianne Skrivan
Host
Julianne Skrivan
Julianne Skrivan is a community builder and storyteller, with a passion for bringing people together to learn and grow. Currently, Julianne is the Director of Community at Her Campus Media where she oversees exclusive weekly newsletters, social media accounts, and launches innovative education efforts. She has worked on award-winning events and has appeared on multiple panels and podcasts relating to influencing, writing, and emphasizing how to create content in a way that feels genuine. Julianne holds a Masters in Communications from Johns Hopkins University, certificates in Women’s Leadership and Diversity & Inclusion from Cornell, and Political Science, Communications and Film & Media Arts degrees from the University of Utah. She lives in Salt Lake City with her dog and future-husband.
Allison Piwowarski
Producer
Allison Piwowarski
Allison Piwowarski is a seasoned media professional with over a decade of experience in digital content and brand strategy. She has driven significant audience growth and brand engagement by overseeing high-impact partnerships, special projects with A-list talent, and editorial initiatives across leading women's media brands. Allison has led teams in producing award-winning content and pioneered innovative approaches to storytelling through web, social, and audio platforms. As Director of Content Strategy at Her Campus Media, she currently spearheads audience growth and editorial initiatives, including events and partnerships with impactful social-first organizations. She is passionate about mentoring young content creators and specifically spotlighting and amplifying women's stories in new and emerging ways.
Cara Chiaramonte Johnson
Producer
Cara Chiaramonte Johnson
As Vice President of Community and Strategic Initiatives at Her Campus Media, the number one media and marketing ecosystem for college women, Cara Chiaramonte has spent the last near-decade scaling, developing, and managing HCM's campus and influencer communities and supporting its 50,000+ members plus tens of thousands of alumni launch their careers, find their confidence, build their personal brands, and more. Chiaramonte has produced award-winning, large-scale event programming both in-person and virtually, has secured and worked directly with A-list talent, and has partnered with major consumer brands to create one-of-a-kind brand ambassadorship and campus/influencer marketing campaigns. She is passionate about growing communities and businesses with impactful missions that strive to help push women's leadership forward and make the next generation more successful, safer, and smarter than the generations before them. Cara received her undergraduate degree in journalism from the University of Florida with minors in Women's Studies and Leadership. She currently resides in Tampa with her husband and their two dogs.
Kayla Goldman
Producer
Kayla Goldman
Kayla Goldman is an emerging event programming specialist and talent lead with a focus on curating digital and IRL experiences that resonate with Gen Z audiences. Since graduating from UMass Boston with a degree in Women's Studies, she has worked with high-profile talent, such as Hannah Berner, Tefi Pessoa, Alyah Chanelle Scott, Kelley O'Hara, Midori Francis, and more. Kayla is currently on the Events team at Her Campus Media, leading on programming and talent relations.
Larissa May
Guest
Larissa May
Larissa May is a digital wellness entrepreneur and the founder of #HalfTheStory, a non-profit dedicated to improving the next generation’s relationship with technology. Larissa founded #HalfTheStory after facing her own struggles with social media, and has spent the past 10 years driving the rapidly growing global movement towards digital wellness. As the first youth-led non-profit of its kind, #HalfTheStory is focused on progressing education and advocacy work surrounding social media and tech use. Through #HalfTheStory's evidence-based education program, Social Media U, young people across schools in the US and UK are taught the skills needed to have a healthy relationship with their screens and are empowered to understand and advocate for their digital health. Prior to #HalfTheStory, Larissa helped build some of today’s buzziest D2C brands, including Kin Euphorics and Otherland, winning the Business Insider Brand Marketing Rising Stars Award for her work. Larissa has been featured in the WSJ, TIME, Forbes, Vanity Fair, Refinery29, Good Morning America, The Today Show, and CBS This Morning.
The Journey of Impact: Larissa's Evolution from Fashion Blogger to Digital Wellness Advocate
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