We recently connected with Allie Russell and have shared our conversation below.
Allie, so great to have you with us today. There are so many topics we want to ask you about, but perhaps the one we can start with is burnout. How have you overcome or avoided burnout?
As a journalist, I avoid burnout by chasing things that really inspire me. Whether it’s diving into a story about an artist I admire or following a creative instinct for a future idea, I find energy in the work when it feels meaningful. I also try to balance intense periods of writing or editing with moments of rest to redirect my thoughts – listening to new music, reading other writers’ work, or even just stepping away completely for a while. Burnout tends to creep in when I lose sight of why I started, so I make it a habit to reconnect with the things that excited me about storytelling in the first place.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I’m the co-founder, editor, and lead writer of DISTRACTED magazine, an independent online music publication dedicated to highlighting rising artists, photographers, and unique stories within the music industry. What makes DISTRACTED special is that it’s rooted in real connection – everything we write about comes from genuine curiosity, admiration, or even just a conversation we can’t stop thinking about.
To me, the most exciting part is the freedom to create something that feels true to our taste and our own personal experiences. Whether i’m interviewing a band or writing a deep dive into an artist’s latest release, I love getting to amplify the music and people who deserve to have more eyes and ears on them. As a writer, it’s empowering to have a platform where storytelling comes first, and as co-founder, it has been incredibly rewarding to shape the identity of the magazine alongside my best friend.
Right now, we’re working on growing our audience, bringing in new voices, and publishing more galleries and editorial pieces. There’s a lot we’re excited to build – and we’re just getting started.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, the most impactful parts of my journey so far have been curiosity, resourcefulness, and the support of my friends and network. Curiosity is what got me interested in writing about music in the first place – it keeps me engaged, pushes me to ask better questions, and constantly introduces me to new sounds and perspectives. Resourcefulness has been key in building DISTRACTED from the ground up. When you’re running a small independent platform, you end up wearing a lot of hats, and figuring things out as you go becomes second nature.
But honestly, the biggest thing has been learning to lean on the people around me. Whether it’s brainstorming ideas over 4-hour FaceTime calls with my co-founder, reaching out to artists, or just texting a friend for feedback on a draft, I’ve realized how much stronger creative work becomes when it’s shared. My advice to anyone early in their journey would be: stay curious, stay scrappy, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Your network isn’t just who you know, it’s your collaborators, your cheerleaders, and often your biggest creative inspiration.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
The most impactful thing my parents did for me was believing in me and my ambitious goals, sometimes even more than I believed in myself. When I told them that I wanted to move halfway across the country to study music business in college, they were on board faster than I ever could have imagined. That kind of immediate support was what gave me the confidence to take such a big leap. Ever since, they’ve been there every step of the way, especially with DISTRACTED. They’re always the first to read what I publish, and they’ve never questioned the path I’ve chosen. I’m so grateful to have that kind of unwavering support behind me – it’s made all the difference.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://distractedmag.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/distractedmagazine/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandrarussell3
Image Credits
Logo created by Jessica Lopez
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
