Interview with Matt Lillywhite
A content developer with captivating stories and a large audience on multiple platforms.
Non-members can read this interview for free using my friend link.
In this post, I share the script of an interview I enjoyed conducting with Matt Lillywhite, a long-term contributor to the Medium community and a supporter of ILLUMINATION Integrated Publications, loved by our writers and readers.
Several years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Matt before I established my publications on this platform. As a novice writer navigating unfamiliar platform features and rules, Matt stood out by highlighting my stories when the concept of highlighting was still foreign to me. His supportive approach sparked my interest in exploring his valuable content.
Eventually, Matt became a contributor to my publications, allowing me to forge a deeper connection and glean insights from his writing expertise. What truly captivated me, however, was Matt’s altruistic and witty approach to life and content creation. His ability to seamlessly blend humor with insightful commentary engaged readers effortlessly and entertainingly imparted knowledge.
This interview presents a unique opportunity for readers to gain insight into Matt’s fascinating life and writing journey, which has led him to cultivate a substantial audience. I use this communication tool for my readers to connect with these influential writers personally and explore potential collaborative endeavors.
Hi Matt, tell us a bit about your background.
Thank you for the opportunity. I grew up in a working-class family. We didn’t have a lot of money, and I was often criticized for having big dreams. All too often, I was told to stay in my lane and aim for something “more realistic.”
One common threat that defined all of my dreams was helping people. So, in 2016, I wrote and recorded a charity single for Cancer Research UK called “Beautiful.” For a few days, I ranked higher on the iTunes album chart than Ed Sheeran. From that point forward, I was determined to concentrate solely on making a positive difference in the world.
I was told to share my thoughts on a writing platform called Medium. So, every single morning, I got up, ate breakfast, and wrote a thousand words. Little by little, day by day, I saw more and more people interacting with my work. And after several years of hard work and studying Medium’s algorithm, I got to where I am today.
What are your hobbies?
I’ve always enjoyed going to the airport to watch planes take off and land. My girlfriend (who I met through Medium) also enjoys watching planes and identifying different aircraft types.
So it’s no surprise that a large portion of my writing income is used to fund new trips, travel to beautiful countries around the world, and convert online friendships into offline ones that will hopefully last a lifetime.
Needless to say, I enjoy reading.
Yes, I know you love reading, as evidenced in your stories. What are the top three books that affected your life?
1 — The Obstacle Is The Way by Ryan Holiday.
I’ve read this book dozens of times (and am grateful to have a signed copy). In it, Ryan Holiday describes how to use adversity as an opportunity to fuel a better life. According to Ryan, it doesn’t matter what happens to you or where you come from. It matters what you do with what happens and what you’ve been given.
2 — Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before by Julie Smith.
The best way to describe this book is a “mental health toolkit” to better cope with stress, grief, anxiety, etc. It’s also written by a licensed psychologist, and each chapter is written in a way that’s easy to understand.
3 — The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey.
As previously mentioned, I grew up in a working-class family where money was a taboo topic. It doesn’t matter if you love or hate Dave Ramsey. There’s no denying that his advice is perfect for people like my younger self — who needed tough love and an entirely different attitude toward personal finance.
As a side note: You can read many books for free as long as you have a library card. Most cities also have access to Libby, a free app where you can download eBooks and Audiobooks using your local library card. So, if you don’t already have one, get one and support your local library.
Why do you write on Medium?
I’ve never seen an online community with so many amazing people. 99.9% of the Medium writers I’ve spoken with are wonderful, kind-hearted people I’m proud to know. But, as much as I’d like to say that’s why I keep writing on Medium, it isn’t. I'm far from it.
A few years ago, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Like any son facing the possibility of losing their mother, I struggled to sleep, and my mind was filled with anxiety. Even simple tasks like taking a shower became more difficult. And in a short period, I felt as if I had hit rock bottom.
Reading about other people’s experiences with cancer helped me to feel less alone. There’s a light at the end of the tunnel, I realized. And it’s also possible to find hope when everything feels hopeless.
I wrote about cancer, anxiety, and other issues concerning mental health. And within a short period, I received dozens of emails from people expressing how a specific article had changed their lives. One person told me he was on the verge of ending everything. However, something I wrote helped him to see a reason to keep living.
If that’s not a beautiful reason to write on Medium, I don’t know what is.
I noticed that you built a large audience on NewsBreak. Please briefly share your experience on that platform.
I was fortunate to be an early adopter and successful content creator on NewsBreak. The platform approached me to contribute in 2020, and over the next few years, I built a sizable audience with over 70,000 followers and 100+ million views.
My large presence on NewsBreak also led to countless opportunities. I was given, for example, the chance to appear on national television to discuss the profound effects of lockdowns on mental health.
Looking back, my time on NewsBreak not only demonstrated my ability to captivate audiences, but also allowed me to use my platform to hold meaningful discussions about important societal issues.
What are your top five stories to share with your audience and why?
1 — Is This The Point Of Writing, Sharing Stories To Inspire Others?
I’ve always believed the most powerful thing in the world is the written word. A few years ago, I was sitting at my desk when I received a heartbreaking email. Someone was on the verge of ending their life. However, an article I wrote inspired them to keep on living. I don’t know how many tears I cried that day. Hundreds, I’m sure. Because the fact that something I wrote in my living room is the reason that someone is alive right now…. It inspired me to write every day and maintain a daily writing habit, even on the days that I don’t feel like it.
2 — If I Could Tell My Childhood Bully One Thing, It Would Be This
I got bullied in school as a child. Like many introverts, I didn’t have the courage or confidence to stand up for myself. So, writing this article felt like I was talking to my younger self or someone in the same situation. If I could go back in time and talk to my childhood self, I’d tell him that people are often mean because they criticize others to cover for their own insecurities. And, in a world where everyone has the potential to be mean, the best thing you can possibly do is be kind.
3 — “I Love You” Is The Most Beautiful Phrase In The English Language
It took a long time to write this article. My grandfather passed away one year ago. I remember sitting on the hills in the English countryside together, drinking hot chocolate, and talking about the good old days. We’d often look into a telescope, stare up at the sky, and wonder if aliens were on their way to visit Earth. Those were the good old days. Like anyone who has lost a loved one, I miss my grandfather. I often wish I could dial heaven on the phone and speak to him one last time. And, if I could, I’d tell him the three most beautiful words in the English language: “I love you.”
4 — I Took A Bus From New York To Miami — Here’s What Surprised Me
I’ve visited dozens of countries around the world. But instead of flying (like everyone else) from New York to Miami, I decided to travel overland and take the bus. To say that my family was worried would be the biggest understatement of the century. Every day, I received calls from worried loved ones asking if I’d been robbed, stabbed, or the victim of verbal abuse. However, I encountered some of the loveliest people I’ve ever met — and probably would’ve never met if I opted for the plane instead.
5 — I Didn’t Know What Gratitude Felt Like Until I Experienced Grief
I’ve dealt with a lot of heartache over the past few years. For example, one of my best friends, James, passed away after he fell onto the tracks and got hit by a train. Unfortunately, I can’t do or say anything to bring back my loved ones. However, I can honor their memory by prioritizing love, happiness, and living a life of no regrets.
Why did you join ILLUMINATION, and how did you find it so far?
I joined Illumination because it’s one of Medium’s most popular publications. Thousands of like-minded people, including myself, want to better ourselves, improve the quality of each article, and share fascinating stories. And since joining, I’ve met many talented writers whom I’m proud to call friends. Thank you for establishing this large writing community.
Who are the top ten writers you follow on Medium?
There are so many amazing writers on Medium that it’s difficult to choose only ten. However, after hours of thinking, I’ve come up with a list of my favorites: Ayodeji Awosika, Linda Caroll, Sean Kernan, Ryan Holiday, Ryan Fan, Katie Jgln, JoAnn Ryan, Kelly Eden | Essayist | Writing Coach, Benjamin Sledge, and Joe Duncan.
Tell us a bit about your education program to help new writers find their voice.
I’ve launched a Medium Mentorship Program to help aspiring writers get a head start on Medium. It includes detailed feedback to improve drafts, assistance with the submission process to large publications, and tips and tricks to increase the likelihood of articles performing well on Medium.
I also provide complimentary 1-hour calls so that we can review the progress and develop actionable steps to help interested people achieve their goals. But if they prefer, we can communicate solely via email.
Anyone who wants to consider joining my Medium Mentorship Program may contact me via the email in my bio, and we’ll have a conversation to see if they are a good fit.
And finally, what advice do you want to give to the new writers based on your experience?
Always find time to write. Even if it’s just 20 minutes a day, that’s better than nothing. I wish I followed that advice sooner.
For a long time, I couldn’t find the “perfect” time to write. Something or someone always demanded my precious time. But over the past few years, I’ve realized no “perfect” time exists. There never will be. Something, somewhere, is going to require my attention.
There’s always going to be a reason not to write. By changing my perspective and integrating writing into my daily routine, I built a full-time career on Medium. It started small.
I’d open the Medium app on my phone during train/bus journeys and write an extra paragraph or two. Instead of watching countless hours of YouTube each evening, I used that time to improve my craft and work on a new draft.
If you find the time to write every single day, you’ll notice the power of compound interest yields fantastic results (as long as you remain patient).
With a journalistic approach, Matt is very good at finding interesting facts and presenting them succinctly. Here are two stories that attracted my attention.
Thank you for reading this interview script. I invite you to explore the profile of Matt Lillywhite and read his humorous, informative, educative, and inspiring stories.
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