Creating a Culture of Courage: Natalie McCarty Of Gut Instinct On How to Create a Culture Where People Feel Safe to be Authentic & Why That Helps the Bottom Line
An Interview With Vanessa Ogle
Lead by example. How can you ask your team to do something if you’re not willing to do it alongside them? That’s why you’ll always see me working at the writers’ level as well. We’re now at a point where some staff writers have stepped into new roles they’ve created themselves, expanding Gut Instinct with interdisciplinary approaches. I trust them to represent our brand authentically because I work with them as a peer, not just a boss.
In today’s social media filled, fast-paced world, authenticity in the workplace and in our personal lives has become more difficult to come by. Business leaders must focus on the bottom line of profits and corporate success, but does that have to be at the expense of the authenticity of their employees? I believe it is quite the opposite. I know from my own experience that a culture of authenticity allows the hiring of a team that will bring their all to the workplace. That fosters innovation, creativity, and a level of success that few companies dream of. Yet, fostering an environment where individuals feel secure enough to express their true selves remains a challenge. The importance of authenticity cannot be overstated — it is the foundation of trust, innovation, and strong relationships. However, creating such a culture requires intention, understanding, and actionable strategies. As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Natalie McCarty.
Natalie McCarty is the Founder, CEO, Editor-in-Chief, and Creative Director of Gut Instinct, a boundary-pushing media company rooted in real stories and honest conversation. A publicist by trade and a connector by nature, she brings people together through storytelling that blends culture, history, fashion, film, and music.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, she moved to New York to study Media, Culture, and Communications at NYU, before returning to LA to carve out her path in the industry. Her work is driven by a deep commitment to amplifying marginalized voices and building space for the kind of stories that challenge, connect, and don’t always get told.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dive into our discussion, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path?
I’ve always felt this pull toward the world and a deep commitment to making a real difference in it. Gut Instinct Media was built on the idea that stories are a force for change. I’ve always believed every voice matters, and when we bring them together, they create momentum you can’t ignore. That’s the heartbeat behind everything we do.
Right now, we’re living in a relentless wave of crises. The things happening in our world are inhuman, appalling, and heartbreaking. Quite frankly, it’s horrifying that there aren’t even words for it. How do you begin to articulate the atrocities of these times? Most days, joy can feel impossible; hope even more so. But even in the darkest moments, there’s light when people share their truth and their resilience. Humanity shows itself most clearly when everything becomes so broken. At Gut Instinct, the stories we share are meant not only to inform, but to heal, connect, and ultimately, inspire action.
I’m driven by connections: linking history to the present, people to the natural world, strangers to each other. And I feel lucky that Gut Instinct gives me the chance to do all of that while talking to people across the globe that I might never have met otherwise. The best part of this work is realizing you’re not alone in it, and that you’re not the only one who believes in this mission or its impact.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?
It’s not so much a single story as it is an amalgamation of invaluable experiences I’ve had because of Gut Instinct. Running a media company committed to community betterment and global justice has just opened doors I once only dreamed of. I’ve had the chance to collaborate with brands I admire, meet extraordinary people, and work alongside an incredible team of writers and creatives. Getting to do that every single day still feels completely surreal.
You are a successful individual. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
I’d say the three character traits that were most instrumental to my success are resilience, courage, and boldness. More than just my career, resilience really gave me my life. It truly feels so full circle to talk about it today of all days, because exactly two years ago, I was in an extremely difficult place mentally, navigating one of the hardest periods of my life. At that time, for the first time ever, I had felt truly directionless.
Not even weeks later, I made a conscious choice: I could either sit in my sorrow forever, or I could take action. I took a courageous gamble, moved back home, started a new job, and very quickly built a brand-new life for myself. That’s where the boldness comes in, for I didn’t care what anyone thought about my choices or how they might judge what I had once considered as a “failure.” Coming home and rebuilding allowed me to liberate myself from old cycles, gain true independence, and ultimately lay the foundation for Gut Instinct.
Gut Instinct originally grew out of candidly sharing the journey of that navigation and the balance and interplay of taking devastation and transforming it into a launching pad for growth. It became a way to work through what had happened to me while seizing what was now in front of me. And it’s that blend of resilience, courage, and boldness that continues to shape everything I do today.
Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the primary focus of our interview. Can you share a pivotal moment in your career or personal life when being authentic made a significant impact on your success or well-being?
Like I was just touching on, I know for a fact that there would be no Gut Instinct if I hadn’t followed my intuition and trusted myself. I also needed an outlet to process my own life experiences, and this quest to understand the world through its interaction with media and culture. Coming off of just having studied at New York University, I felt that hunger so deeply, and in response, I created a space that has now grown far beyond its original concept, which was, at the time, a kind of Carrie Bradshaw-esque exploration of the human spirit and condition, combined with critiques of film and music.
Over time, it’s evolved into what is now a full-fledged media outlet that engages with real-world events and highlights stories being overlooked by mainstream media. Gut Instinct has completely changed the way I interact with the world. It has become a transformative presence in so many lives, including my own. I couldn’t be more honored or moved by that. This space has given me purpose, direction, and a mission I care for with my whole heart. It is truly the best thing that’s ever happened to me. It is my lifeblood and my legacy. I would do anything for it, truly.
How do you navigate the challenges that come with encouraging authenticity in a diverse workplace, where different backgrounds and perspectives may sometimes lead to conflict?
There are no internal conflicts within our team because I deliberately hire and work only with people who align with our company’s values. Gut Instinct is involved in grassroots movements dedicated to supporting our surrounding communities, which is why I’ve intentionally built a team as diverse as possible. However, we don’t associate with bigots or white supremacists; our content isn’t for them, and it never will be. We also do not tolerate fascism or anything remotely sympathetic to authoritarian regimes. We will be remembered as being on the right side of history.
I want our writers to make a difference and have the space to cover a wide range of issues, bringing a variety of opinions and interpretations of media and culture. Each writer has a distinct voice and perspective, and I honestly feel that our audience can often identify who wrote a piece just from the title.
In terms of authenticity and diversity, our work is even more important in today’s climate, especially as the current administration often and vehemently expresses disdain toward companies with models like ours. That makes our commitment to amplifying voices and fostering critical conversations globally all the more essential.
Based on your experience and research, can you please share “5 Ways to Create a Culture Where People Feel Safe to be Authentic?” What strategies have you found most effective in fostering an environment where employees or team members feel safe to express their true selves, including their ideas, concerns, and aspirations?
1. Lead by example. How can you ask your team to do something if you’re not willing to do it alongside them? That’s why you’ll always see me working at the writers’ level as well. We’re now at a point where some staff writers have stepped into new roles they’ve created themselves, expanding Gut Instinct with interdisciplinary approaches. I trust them to represent our brand authentically because I work with them as a peer, not just a boss.
2. Consistent check-ins. It’s more than just asking, “Hey, where’s that article?” I make an effort to connect with everyone on a personal level, which helps us support each other not only professionally but also in our other endeavors. Those organic connections take the company to the next level and foster a sense of genuine community.
3. Be receptive to feedback. It’s not my way or the highway. I frequently open conversations for feedback and ideas from my writers, making sure we’re all on the same page and that I’m not missing actions I could take. I genuinely respect every single voice on the team.
4. Celebrate individuality. Every person brings a distinct perspective and set of experiences to the table, and we make space for that. For example, I allow writers and contributors to approach a story in their own way, and that freedom not only makes the work stronger but also reinforces that their authentic selves are valued.
5. Follow your Gut Instinct. It may sound on the nose, but this is a mantra I share with all our staff. Trusting your intuition — about projects, decisions, and creative directions — is not only a core principle for me personally, but it’s also a critical life lesson that empowers the entire team.
In your opinion, how does authenticity within an organization influence its relationship with customers, clients, or the broader community?
I think authenticity within an organization fundamentally shapes the relationships it builds with others. Customers invest in brands they know align with their values, clients work with companies they trust, and communities accept you when you are transparent about who you are, what you believe, and what you hope to achieve. That same principle applies internally. It’s how you attract writers, contributors, and graphic designers to commit to your initiative. People want to be part of something real, something they believe in.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)
I think Gut Instinct encapsulates the overall spirit of the movement we’re building. One area I’m especially passionate about, and would love to collaborate with more brands on, is land conservation, sustainable practices, and plant-based or vegan initiatives. These are all integral to my daily life and influence how I live as a consumer and interact with businesses and corporations. I’d love to use our platform to bring these values to a larger audience and create meaningful impact on a larger scale.
How can our readers further follow you online?
You can follow me on Instagram at @nataliekmccarty, and keep up with our growing mission at @gutinstinctmediaco on Instagram and @gutinstinctmedia on TikTok. We’ve just launched a few new initiatives, including a poetry workshop, and we’re expanding our multimedia production, so there’s plenty to look forward to!
Thank you for the time you spent sharing these fantastic insights. We wish you only continued success in your great work!
About The Interviewer: Vanessa Ogle is a mom, entrepreneur, inventor, writer, and singer/songwriter. Vanessa’s talent in building world-class leadership teams focused on diversity, a culture of service, and innovation through inclusion allowed her to be one of the most acclaimed Latina CEO’s in the last 30 years. She collaborated with the world’s leading technology and content companies such as Netflix, Amazon, HBO, and Broadcom to bring innovative solutions to travelers and hotels around the world. Vanessa is the lead inventor on 120+ U.S. Patents. Accolades include: FAST 100, Entrepreneur 360 Best Companies, Inc. 500 and then another six times on the Inc. 5000. Vanessa was personally honored with Inc. 100 Female Founder’s Award, Ernst and Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and Enterprising Women of the Year among others. Vanessa now spends her time sharing stories to inspire and give hope through articles, speaking engagements and music. In her spare time she writes and plays music in the Amazon best selling new band HigherHill, teaches surfing clinics, trains dogs, and cheers on her children.
Please connect with Vanessa here on linkedin and subscribe to her newsletter Unplugged as well as follow her on Substack, Instagram, Facebook, and X and of course on her website VanessaOgle
