Social Media and content creation can be, well, a bit ridiculous and rather pointless sometimes. Yup, I said it. There is SO MUCH content flying around that it is so hard to escape it, but all too often once you’re sucked in, you realize you’ve spend entirely too long consuming videos that provide little addition to your life or value in any way. And yet somehow, there are a few creators who are using their platform to not only entertain, but to subtly model the balance of fun and purpose.
One such creator, Ryan Trahan, is modeling that it can also be really wholesome too. His long form content on YouTube is such a great way to bridge the gap of the every growing fear of what might be on the screen. And when you’ve got a child, that fear of exposure only heightens. While his content is rather fun to watch, it’s his underlying messages that really hit home.
The penny series was a crazy challenge, and raised money for a great cause, but threaded throughout was quiet determination and a message that hard work and kindness can truly take you anywhere in life. The 1 Star Review series while sometimes cringeworthy in how awful the reviews are, has the message of hope and seeking out the positive along with the reminder that often times the review says more about the heart of the person leaving it than it does about the place/item/event being reviewed. THIS is the kind of content I can get behind my daughter watching and telling all her friends about.
And of course, let’s talk about the 50 States in 50 Days series. When I tell you our whole family was excited for each new “episode” I’m not even beginning to describe the joy it brought. (Seriously – if you haven’t watched it, stop reading this and go now and start!) From fun drinks to “Jammy Time”, JOYRIDE runs to actual runs, and quality time spent with his adorable wife, this series was so fun to watch as a family and cheer them on with every spin of the Wheel of Doom to raise even more money for St. Jude that seemed imaginable. The joy and gratitude emanating from both Ryan and Haley throughout the series was palpable. And in a world where most shows are focused on villainizing or sexualizing people, it was incredibly refreshing.
While his content is great, we can’t forget to mention his candy brand, JOYRIDE. The candy is actually quite tasty, and has was “better for you” ingredients than most of the stuff out there. Because let’s be real, you’re going to come across candy, why not pick the better option? The genius behind the JOYRIDE runs during the 50 states series made every trip this summer an adventure. (We’ve tasted just about every flavor, here’s our full reviews!) And the JOYRIDE Wheel of Doom Mystery Box at Target? Well played. Such a great marketing plan. Ryan is continually proving to be remarkably business savvy, and is doing it in a way that also gives back and aligns with a greater mission.
While he certainly is not the first, nor will he be the last, creator to have an impact in such a positive way, he & his brand have become such staples in our household that we just had to capture our support for him! It’s rare to resonate with a 9 year old and her 30 something year old parents; that’s when you know it’s struck a cord. His quiet faith is showing kids and adults alike the beauty in how action speaks louder than words often, and how loving others like Christ is filled with joy, compassion, and a whole lot of fun too!
