Leslie Thompson's trajectory from a music major to a podcasting phenom is a classic case of talent meets tenacity. The Belmont University alumna, once a commercial voice major back in 2008, now orchestrates success through her role as associate producer for Christianity Today's podcast "The Bulletin" and her own creation "Niche to Meet You." According to a recent Belmont University article, her rise in the digital storytelling arena traces back to her foundational years under the guidance of mentors like Keith Mason and Dave McKay.
Her stint at Belmont was marked with proactive projects and a developing penchant for production. In an industry where your next gig is as stable as a X trend, Thompson's approach reflected a business savvy beyond her years. Her foresight was key, as she wasn't just singing tunes but managing sheet music and logistics, which would later translate into high-stakes podcast production. "I belong here," Mason had declared, per Belmont's dive into her story, and this affirmation perhaps anchored her during the uncertain genesis of her career.
At Christianity Today, Thompson's technical chops, honed in the basement of Wilson Hall, come into full play. Her experience managing sheet music for her senior year Commercial Showcase and coordinating photo shoots for her recitals were just the rehearsals for this larger stage. "The stories we tell each other matter," Thompson shared, mirroring the sentiment she picked up from a Malcolm Gladwell interview featured by Belmont.
The essence of Thompson's storytelling is captured in "Niche to Meet You," with its unique blend of Mr. Rogers' charm and the investigative allure of "Revisionist History." Her pursuit to mesh narratives within the nooks of quirky subcultures is smoothly executed, and her philosophy, drawn from the Catholic tradition of "evangelism by beauty," is to create work that hints at larger truths through its inherent quality. "I want people to be enticed by the idea, delighted by the idea, enjoy themselves, have fun and then suddenly find themselves crying," she told Belmont.
Thompson's professional network began to weave together during her time at the university, starting with a chance to sing backup for Chris Tomlin and being mentored by industry pros like Ed Cash. These connections laid down tracks for her post-graduation roles at Word Entertainment, with Keith and Kristin Getty, and eventually to Christianity Today. Alongside, she's been spinning plates as a freelancer, producing features for organizations like Nashville Public Radio and fleshing out the framework for online ventures like Hutchmoot for The Rabbit Room – managing to draw a 10,000-strong virtual crowd during the pandemic, no less.
Belmont was not just a launchpad for her career but also the venue of her personal life's unfolding. It's where she met her husband, a narrative as integral to her journey as the stories she crafts. The underlying theme of Thompson's tale? The most impactful paths are those we stumble upon, often with the help of a solid echo in the halls of Belmont: that you, indeed, belong.
