Life & Work with Rachel “Rae” Johnson of Raleigh

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel “Rae” Johnson.

Hi Rachel “Rae”, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Ever since I was young, I’ve always dreamed big and wanted to inspire those around me. Little did six-year-old me (who just started to sing) know, truly, how much of an impact I would make in my community.

As early as 14 years old, I was an assistant coach under the company of First Tee of Triangle to help kids around my age and younger have good values. Traits such as honesty, loyalty, and a hard work ethic.

Later on, I found myself moving from golf as my primary interest to the world of sailing. I always joked with my mom and dad (due to my expensive interest) that there was no way they could have 10 just like me. This joke stems from how, being an only child how much my parents wanted 10 more kids exactly like me, so this would be my response to tease them back.

My first paying job was when I was 16. I interned for three months in the summer of 2016 for former Attorney General and Secretary of State Rufus Edmisten. He gave the subpoena to Former President Nixon. I interviewed him for my president’s project on Nixon because I knew there had to be more to Nixon than just Watergate and a brief paragraph in my history book. Rufus is the reason my aspirations for interviewing people for a living seemed realistic and feasible. He remarked as much despite my being a high schooler! He stated that I asked him questions better than some interviewers who were paid to do it. This ignited a passion in me even more to have people‘s voices be heard.

Ever since I started singing when I was six, until this day, quite honestly, I’ve always been told that I’m soft-spoken. “I need a project more.” I want people to know that yes, as much as you should be heard with the volume of your voice, the volume is not what’s important. It’s what you say. It is quite alright if you’re not always loud, and the misconception that’s the only means of displaying confidence. No matter the case, you have something to say, and it is as valuable as the next person’s. Don’t feel that if you are too quiet or soft-spoken, like I can be myself, causing you to be deterred from sharing your story.

This is why on social media I go by “rachelthevoice” with the tagline, “your voice has heard”. In situations needed, I have gotten better about projecting my voice, such as when I’m instructing youth scouts for sailing. But I’ve learned to appreciate my voice and have even been told it is soothing to listen to.

When I gained the Quartermaster Award in 2021 (which is more rare to obtain in BSA’s Sea Scouts at .5%, while the Eagle Scout Award is at 1.2%). I was amazed and honored that all of the youth and adult scouts who were a part of my journey to get that award were willing to help me. Especially, for my two quartermaster events held in the winter of 2020. I don’t know many people other than this wonderful group of people who would be willing to kayak and canoe on the Neuse River and then build a fire pit within a week of each other in December in North Carolina!

I feel anytime I have a certification or award, whether it’s Lifeguarding or First-Aid or my Quartermaster Award and my newly received Congressional Gold Medal Volunteer Award it is not just me who earned it. Yes, each of these accomplishments I have earned, but also I feel they belong to the people who supported me to get to that point and is their award as well.

Now I am finishing out my undergraduate degree, graduating in May, at High Point University. I happily married to the love of my life since January who I met 10 years ago and started dating 5 years ago. Soon we are going move to Charlotte where he has secured a fun job which I’m so proud of him. He makes it easy to be proud of and I’m blessed to be loved and married by a man who is just as proud of me.

I’m looking forward to the adventures that lie ahead. Additionally, I am grateful for all of the events that led to who I am today. I hope to continue to inspire and grow other people around me. I know I will learn so much from them, as I hope they do from me. Most importantly, I will continue to display people’s voices. I want those who feel they don’t have a voice to feel heard. Everyone deserves to feel like their own celebrity and that their story is important.

A mindset that I admire is from Theodore Roosevelt, who is known for saying, “Speak softly and carry a big stick.”

Thank you for reading about my insights and some highlights of my life!
If you want to find out more about me, follow me on Instagram or YouTube.

Insta: rachelthevoice_origional
Youtube: rachelthevoice

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of my big struggles was last year, 2024, the entire year, being sick and causing the delay of my soon to gain accomplishment of graduation.

Back then, I convinced myself of lies with a terrible mindset that I let take root in my mind. Thoughts such as I was never going to accomplish graduation, and I didn’t deserve it, and this period being the darkest hour of my life, felt was an eternity long.

Thankfully, the wonderful people in my life, such as my close friends, were patient enough to let me reach back out to them when I felt comfortable enough to figure out the best way to describe what I was going through.

I’ve been diagnosed with seasonal affective disorder (SAD for short), and many other factors greatly affected me, causing me to drop out of any collegiate activity.

It feels quite vulnerable to state this in writing, but I want other people to take heart from this struggle of mine. Whether you have a type of depression or not. Whether you’re going through a hard time or just came out of a hard time, know this….

You are enough. You will always be deserving of God‘s love. You are deserving of the love from loved ones. It is OK to ask for help and you are never a burden.

Jesus even says for us to “cast our burns upon him,” We should not feel that we carry our problems on our own, though it’s so tempting to believe as much. Additionally, this is true even if you are the kind of person to place criticism and pressure on yourself constantly, as I can do, which was amplified last year.

My favorite verse that took me a while to believe the weight of its words again is Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but with prayers and thanksgiving give your requests to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am proud to say that I have hosted and edited four different podcasts.

My first one and the only one entirely on Spotify was called “rachelthevoice: the good news podcast”. It was my way to have people listen to positive things during COVID-19 in 2020.

In 2021, I started the still ongoing podcast, on YouTube since Season 2 (Season 1 on Spotify), the “Sunshine & Star Show” with my friend, Lauryn Green, as my cohost. She’s the “Star” & I am the “Sunshine”. We talk about our journey in life with college and how friends have impacted us. Also, the struggles of our generation, such as jobs and being a woman in this modern era.

On YouTube, in 2022, I started the “Hangover Sports Podcast” co-hosted with my friends, JP Grace and Max Gray. To clarify, JP came up with the name, ha! We all talked about our different sports interests, but mostly the boys talked about basketball and football. I occasionally chimed in with golf, but primarily focused on asking them questions.

My latest podcast series was in 2023 on YouTube called Instagram Christianity. I interviewed people of all ages, from the eldest being my grandma to the youngest being around my age, asking about their journeys with God. This is how Christianity looks today, especially in these modern times, with social media being so prevalent. Has anything changed, or just its presentation? I do have plans to revitalize this podcast with a second season, where hopefully I can interview people who are not Christians to gain their perspective on their beliefs.

I have also been a part of many short films, which are all added to an easy-to-find playlist on my YouTube channel. For these various projects, I have done camera work, special effects make-up, props, costuming, actress roles (on screen and voice over), and an assistant director. I am blessed to be part of their projects and to contribute in the ways I have.

I plan to use these skills for the future so my content can be the best it can be, and people’s stories are shown in the best light possible. I mean, literally, lighting is so important when filming anything! More so, good audio quality! Visuals are a lot more forgiving if slightly off than bad audio!

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
My favorite book since middle school has been “To Kill a Mockingbird” and the movie adaptation is one of those rare films that stays true to the novel storyline beats. It is hard to say of all time, but definitely up there for me is my full volume of every Sherlock Holmes story! I have read it front to back at least 3 times. I love reading a ton! My husband David has even been sweet enough to get me even more books than I am currently able to finish! My “to read” stack is bigger than my “completed” one. I am grateful to have a partner who supports my hobbies like this.

Apps, probably YouTube. If anything getting inspiration for editing styles and production value. Especially with influences on the more humorous 20-30 min side of relation channels like Charlotte Dobre who is from Canada. She focuses on family, wedding, and friend drama. Even a different corner of the YouTube algorithm to the big name brand of the Sidemen with their various channels. They are UK based with their main channel being an hour-2 hour uploads weekly on Sundays. My last big influence is certainly not least, especially in bettering our environment, Maya Higa. She also streams on Twitch with events and a 24-hour camera for her animals. She is the founder/owner of Alveus Sanctuary based in Texas. Honestly, she has inspired me to partner with/create my own non-profit Sanctuary one day!

Podcasts, on Youtube or Spotify. This first one is not strictly a podcast, but listen to it as if it is one, Smosh’s Reddit Stories on YouTube. These are uploaded every Saturday. Hosted by Shayne Topp he uses his psychology degree to advise along with 2 guests of that episode to any story read. Another one is an actual podcast, Sweet and Sour hosted by Lily Pichu and Pokimane. These two prominent women streamers bring their experiences with their jobs, unique cultures, and hobbies to the table with their insights. They catch up with their current events in life, talk about crazy stories from TikTok or their own experiences, and in the end, give advice to fans who submit a form asking for help. Lastly, the podcast I listen to is my husband’s “The Actors Journal” on Spotify. He takes you on a journey of his Professional Acting career and gives wisdom to anyone wanting to aspire to be a musical theater actor themselves. I am very proud of him and hope at least one person has been filled with hope and presses forward in this competitive career space.

Mostly, outside of what I already mentioned, my biggest influences are my family and friends with expanding my knowledge and looking at what I know in a different light to improve upon my skill set.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelthevoice_origional?igsh=bnEwYndmbjZ2ZGlt&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CTyWxHqmQ/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-johnson-3b29a2161?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rachelthevoice?si=7CndBmLSzIdB-7a_
• Other: https://youtube.com/@sunshineandstarshow?si=M5N3F3Yim4owdl_e