December 12, 2025 • 9 mins
On this episode, we’re joined by Dwuan Gandy II, creative director and communications leader with You Deserve More Media (YDMM)—a full-service media, storytelling, and public relations company committed to elevating nonprofits, grassroots leaders, and underserved communities through strategy-driven messaging and culture-forward content. Dwuan shares why equitable storytelling matters, what organizations get wrong about visibility, and how YDMM helps mission-driven work cut through the noise and reach the people it’s meant to serve.
🌐 You Deserve More Media: https://www.youdeservemore.media/ You Deserve More
📺 YouTube: @youdeservemoremedia YouTube
🔗 LinkedIn (YDMM): https://www.linkedin.com/company/ydmm LinkedIn
📸 Instagram (Dwuan): @dwuan.gandyii Instagram
🌐 You Deserve More Media: https://www.youdeservemore.media/ You Deserve More
📺 YouTube: @youdeservemoremedia YouTube
🔗 LinkedIn (YDMM): https://www.linkedin.com/company/ydmm LinkedIn
📸 Instagram (Dwuan): @dwuan.gandyii Instagram
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to Insight, a show about empowering our community. I'm
Lorraine Baller. Tomorrow, we're going to kick this off with
Dewan Gandhi the second. The second, Yes, ma'am, Founder and
CEO of You Deserve More Media, a creative agency dedicated
to amplifying underrepresented stories and helping brands, nonprofits, and influencers
shape powerful narratives. Through strategic storytelling, content creation, and digital
(00:23):
media coaching. Dewan helps individuals and organizations step into their
full visibility with confidence and authenticity. Well, let's let's talk
about how we met, all right, So you walk into
the radio station with food, and that's always a good
way to start ra yes, right, So first of all,
we'll get into that in just a second why you came,
(00:43):
but talk about what inspired you to create You Deserve
More Media and what gap did you see in the
way marginalized voices were represented in traditional storytelling?
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Yeah, thank you, thank you for that. So I think
it all started out with the main trio. It's me,
my partner, Zach Italian and Rob Neil. We all were,
you know, just South Jersey guys with a dream, coming
from a small town and a small part of the state.
A lot of times, we feel like people with dreams
it's harder to reach. And you know, you sit back
and you see other people live these dreams. You know
we can do that someday. So we decided to buckle
(01:15):
down and create a business called You Deserve More Media,
and from there we are able to create a platform
in a space for ourselves, but also for various others
to speak and be able to share their story and
get their stories out.
Speaker 1 (01:25):
Your platform focuses on helping people step into their deserved visibility.
What exactly does that mean to you? And why do
you think so many people struggle to claim their own spotlight?
Speaker 2 (01:35):
Wow, I think that. I think a lot of that
may have to do with just internal upbringing or just
internal nature. It's harder to really step out and boastfully
say that you deserve what you deserve and to say
That's why we represent with saying you deserve more media.
You deserve more whatever it is that you want to do.
So if it's food industry, if you want a branch
out working with us, if you want to branch out
in the fashion industry, whatever lane you want, you achieve it,
(01:57):
you reach for it. You deserve it, you can have it.
Speaker 1 (01:59):
You work with nonprofits, entrepreneurs, and everyday leaders to craft
narratives that resonate. What are some of the key elements
of a strong, authentic story that truly connects with audiences today.
Speaker 2 (02:09):
I think the greatest answer I can give is for
me personally, is relatability. I think there's what eight billion
people on this planet, and we are all so focused
on the differences of each other, and yet we always
overlook the similarities and how we are all very, very similar.
And so with that being said, I think similarity is
what connects all of us together. That's probably why I've
done very well with myself on social media, because I
(02:30):
decided to. I went through various different lanes throughout social
media trying to find content, and then I found relatability content.
And I think that's what made me skyrocket because so
many people around the world see my post and comment,
oh my god, I didn't know you went through that.
I thought I was the only one that experienced that,
people from all over the world. So that's the power
of social media, I think, is relatability.
Speaker 1 (02:49):
Let's talk about social media. It's constantly evolving so fast.
What are some common mistakes that you see people making
on social media and what strategies actually help them grow
their purpose instead of.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
The hype good question. I think what hurts them is
over consumption, just consuming not understanding that, and some people
may not understand when I say this, but social media
is the new TV. More people look at their phones
and various forms of social media, whether through other types
of screens and gadgets, but nevertheless it is the new TV.
So I do feel like if you construct your mindset
(03:21):
from just a consumption point of view to more of
a creative aspect, you're going to get more of a
different outcome of that.
Speaker 1 (03:28):
You've spoken about your own journey, the challenges, growth and
personal evolution that changed and shaped your work. How does
your personal story influence the mission and values behind you
deserve more media?
Speaker 2 (03:40):
I think a lot of that might just come from upbringing,
just hardships, trials and tribulations, and understanding that you are
not your burdens, you are not the suffering that you
might have endured. I think a lot of it is
what's meant to build you up and to shape you.
And it's the cheesy saying that everyone says, what doesn't
kill you makes you stronger. So I think utilizing that
and understanding that every trial and tribulation that you've been
given is a test for you to overcome, and then
(04:01):
you take that into the next challenge, into the next challenge,
and then you're able to flourish. And it doesn't mean
that you will not continuously go through hardship or you
won't go through hardship throughout your life, but you just
have more armor on you. But when you go through
those hard moments in life, and I just adopt that
and I just live that throughout everything that I do,
including social media and content creation. Yeah, and what I
believe in.
Speaker 1 (04:19):
That's such an important message. Just so often we are
faced with challenges and if we look at it as
an opportunity to learn and grow, then we do move forward.
But sometimes people get crushed, right, Yes, and they don't
see beyond their immediate pain. But it sounds like that's
what you're doing right now. And I also love that
you talk about deserved media and people are often taught
(04:42):
to be humble, right, but sometimes humble doesn't really work.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
That's very true. Yes, Yes, I think when people say
to be humble, it's often used as attactic to diminish
your gifts because obviously, yes, you want to have a
sense of humility, which is extremely beautiful and it's a
beautiful trait to carry to be humble, right, to have
a level of humility, however, you do need a level
a high sense of fierceness confidence. And if it appears
(05:08):
to be as you know, being boastful or braggadocious or
feeling like you're better than then maybe that's just your
insecurities of how you're perceiving it. But you have to
have a level of overseeing any obstacle because you're going
to have a lot of people that's going to try
to discourage you and try to deter you off your path.
So you have to really have that strong sense of
self and song strong sense of confidence that you know
(05:28):
you can overcome whatever.
Speaker 1 (05:29):
It's often hard for people to tell their stories. What
would you say to organizations or individuals who do feel
overlooked and unsure about how to tell their stories? What
would you say to them?
Speaker 2 (05:40):
It's a great question. The first thing I would say
is open your mouth and speak. I think that's the
hardest but yet the most empowering, and then eventually it
can become the most easiest thing. I think we are
all pent up with various stories, and I say it
like this. I was talking to a friend and he
was telling me a lot of his life's experiences and
I was like, man, this should be a movie because
it had so much adventure, ups and downs. This is
(06:03):
why I feel like in the movie industry there's so
many movies that's being remade or remastered or you know,
Part fifteen coming out. But if you really take the
time to listen to people's stories, a movie or a
book series can easily be created. We don't have to
keep coming up with renditions of different other movies and
TV shows. So I think if people just start speaking
out more and sharing more of what's inside, you're going
to have a wave of creativity just flowing all throughout.
Speaker 1 (06:25):
Yeah. I think it's often important to declare yourself, to say,
you know, this is who I am and hello world,
you know, because a lot of times, you know, people
are so modest that they walk into a room and
they forget to say, you know, this is who I am,
this is what I do, this is what I've accomplished.
And so I've learned that in my own life because
I used to be so modest. I'd walk into a
(06:45):
room and by the time the day was over, people
didn't know what I did. Until finally I have to
tell this story. This woman, I'll never forget her. Her
name was Johnny Walker, like the liquor, and she worked
for Island Records, and she was like a senior VAT.
And she said, you know, when you go into a room,
say you know, I'm Johnny Walker, I'm the senior VP
(07:07):
of Ellen Record. How you doing you know? And and
I really took that as a message. And now I
go in, I'm Lorraine Ballard Marlow. I'm the director of
News and Community in Farris for the six iHeart media stations.
And people just you know, they perk.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
Up absolutely right as they should, as they should right.
Speaker 1 (07:23):
So you have to you have to declare yourself and
share with the world who you are. And when that happens,
a lot of things open up. Absolutely well, I'm very
delighted to meet you because, as I implied at the
very beginning, we met as you came into the station
with food because of one of your clients. Yes, eat
with what is it? Oh?
Speaker 2 (07:43):
So the restaurant that we were that we're partnering with
is course, since in hadn't feel New Jersey fourteen Tanner
Street hadn't field New Jersey. Great spot. Mark's a great guy,
and you know we love them and want to support him.
So yeah, we're really friends with We're good friends with Buster.
Buster is a good guy. So I said, what better
way to bring you guys lunch?
Speaker 1 (08:00):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (08:00):
And there we go.
Speaker 1 (08:01):
Yeah, and it was a very good food, delicious, delicious, delicious,
and gave me an opportunity to meet somebody I hadn't
met before and have you tell your story. Thank you,
which is fantastic. Juwan Gandy, the second founder and CEO
If You Deserve More, a creative agency dedicated to amplifying
underrepresented stories and helping brands, nonprofits, and influencers shape powerful narratives.
(08:24):
If people want to get in touch with you, how
do they do that?
Speaker 2 (08:27):
Yes, so you can reach me on all of my
social media's at my name spelled out so it's DWUA
N Period Gandy g A N d Y Capitol.
Speaker 1 (08:36):
DOUBLEII Dune Gandy, the second founder and CEO If you
Deserve More Media, Thank.
Speaker 2 (08:41):
You, Thank you.
Speaker 1 (08:42):
We'll have more insight after these messages
Welcome to Insight, a show about empowering our community. I'm
Lorraine Baller. Tomorrow, we're going to kick this off with
Dewan Gandhi the second. The second, Yes, ma'am, Founder and
CEO of You Deserve More Media, a creative agency dedicated
to amplifying underrepresented stories and helping brands, nonprofits, and influencers
shape powerful narratives. Through strategic storytelling, content creation, and digital
(00:23):
media coaching. Dewan helps individuals and organizations step into their
full visibility with confidence and authenticity. Well, let's let's talk
about how we met, all right, So you walk into
the radio station with food, and that's always a good
way to start ra yes, right, So first of all,
we'll get into that in just a second why you came,
(00:43):
but talk about what inspired you to create You Deserve
More Media and what gap did you see in the
way marginalized voices were represented in traditional storytelling?
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Yeah, thank you, thank you for that. So I think
it all started out with the main trio. It's me,
my partner, Zach Italian and Rob Neil. We all were,
you know, just South Jersey guys with a dream, coming
from a small town and a small part of the state.
A lot of times, we feel like people with dreams
it's harder to reach. And you know, you sit back
and you see other people live these dreams. You know
we can do that someday. So we decided to buckle
(01:15):
down and create a business called You Deserve More Media,
and from there we are able to create a platform
in a space for ourselves, but also for various others
to speak and be able to share their story and
get their stories out.
Speaker 1 (01:25):
Your platform focuses on helping people step into their deserved visibility.
What exactly does that mean to you? And why do
you think so many people struggle to claim their own spotlight?
Speaker 2 (01:35):
Wow, I think that. I think a lot of that
may have to do with just internal upbringing or just
internal nature. It's harder to really step out and boastfully
say that you deserve what you deserve and to say
That's why we represent with saying you deserve more media.
You deserve more whatever it is that you want to do.
So if it's food industry, if you want a branch
out working with us, if you want to branch out
in the fashion industry, whatever lane you want, you achieve it,
(01:57):
you reach for it. You deserve it, you can have it.
Speaker 1 (01:59):
You work with nonprofits, entrepreneurs, and everyday leaders to craft
narratives that resonate. What are some of the key elements
of a strong, authentic story that truly connects with audiences today.
Speaker 2 (02:09):
I think the greatest answer I can give is for
me personally, is relatability. I think there's what eight billion
people on this planet, and we are all so focused
on the differences of each other, and yet we always
overlook the similarities and how we are all very, very similar.
And so with that being said, I think similarity is
what connects all of us together. That's probably why I've
done very well with myself on social media, because I
(02:30):
decided to. I went through various different lanes throughout social
media trying to find content, and then I found relatability content.
And I think that's what made me skyrocket because so
many people around the world see my post and comment,
oh my god, I didn't know you went through that.
I thought I was the only one that experienced that,
people from all over the world. So that's the power
of social media, I think, is relatability.
Speaker 1 (02:49):
Let's talk about social media. It's constantly evolving so fast.
What are some common mistakes that you see people making
on social media and what strategies actually help them grow
their purpose instead of.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
The hype good question. I think what hurts them is
over consumption, just consuming not understanding that, and some people
may not understand when I say this, but social media
is the new TV. More people look at their phones
and various forms of social media, whether through other types
of screens and gadgets, but nevertheless it is the new TV.
So I do feel like if you construct your mindset
(03:21):
from just a consumption point of view to more of
a creative aspect, you're going to get more of a
different outcome of that.
Speaker 1 (03:28):
You've spoken about your own journey, the challenges, growth and
personal evolution that changed and shaped your work. How does
your personal story influence the mission and values behind you
deserve more media?
Speaker 2 (03:40):
I think a lot of that might just come from upbringing,
just hardships, trials and tribulations, and understanding that you are
not your burdens, you are not the suffering that you
might have endured. I think a lot of it is
what's meant to build you up and to shape you.
And it's the cheesy saying that everyone says, what doesn't
kill you makes you stronger. So I think utilizing that
and understanding that every trial and tribulation that you've been
given is a test for you to overcome, and then
(04:01):
you take that into the next challenge, into the next challenge,
and then you're able to flourish. And it doesn't mean
that you will not continuously go through hardship or you
won't go through hardship throughout your life, but you just
have more armor on you. But when you go through
those hard moments in life, and I just adopt that
and I just live that throughout everything that I do,
including social media and content creation. Yeah, and what I
believe in.
Speaker 1 (04:19):
That's such an important message. Just so often we are
faced with challenges and if we look at it as
an opportunity to learn and grow, then we do move forward.
But sometimes people get crushed, right, Yes, and they don't
see beyond their immediate pain. But it sounds like that's
what you're doing right now. And I also love that
you talk about deserved media and people are often taught
(04:42):
to be humble, right, but sometimes humble doesn't really work.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
That's very true. Yes, Yes, I think when people say
to be humble, it's often used as attactic to diminish
your gifts because obviously, yes, you want to have a
sense of humility, which is extremely beautiful and it's a
beautiful trait to carry to be humble, right, to have
a level of humility, however, you do need a level
a high sense of fierceness confidence. And if it appears
(05:08):
to be as you know, being boastful or braggadocious or
feeling like you're better than then maybe that's just your
insecurities of how you're perceiving it. But you have to
have a level of overseeing any obstacle because you're going
to have a lot of people that's going to try
to discourage you and try to deter you off your path.
So you have to really have that strong sense of
self and song strong sense of confidence that you know
(05:28):
you can overcome whatever.
Speaker 1 (05:29):
It's often hard for people to tell their stories. What
would you say to organizations or individuals who do feel
overlooked and unsure about how to tell their stories? What
would you say to them?
Speaker 2 (05:40):
It's a great question. The first thing I would say
is open your mouth and speak. I think that's the
hardest but yet the most empowering, and then eventually it
can become the most easiest thing. I think we are
all pent up with various stories, and I say it
like this. I was talking to a friend and he
was telling me a lot of his life's experiences and
I was like, man, this should be a movie because
it had so much adventure, ups and downs. This is
(06:03):
why I feel like in the movie industry there's so
many movies that's being remade or remastered or you know,
Part fifteen coming out. But if you really take the
time to listen to people's stories, a movie or a
book series can easily be created. We don't have to
keep coming up with renditions of different other movies and
TV shows. So I think if people just start speaking
out more and sharing more of what's inside, you're going
to have a wave of creativity just flowing all throughout.
Speaker 1 (06:25):
Yeah. I think it's often important to declare yourself, to say,
you know, this is who I am and hello world,
you know, because a lot of times, you know, people
are so modest that they walk into a room and
they forget to say, you know, this is who I am,
this is what I do, this is what I've accomplished.
And so I've learned that in my own life because
I used to be so modest. I'd walk into a
(06:45):
room and by the time the day was over, people
didn't know what I did. Until finally I have to
tell this story. This woman, I'll never forget her. Her
name was Johnny Walker, like the liquor, and she worked
for Island Records, and she was like a senior VAT.
And she said, you know, when you go into a room,
say you know, I'm Johnny Walker, I'm the senior VP
(07:07):
of Ellen Record. How you doing you know? And and
I really took that as a message. And now I
go in, I'm Lorraine Ballard Marlow. I'm the director of
News and Community in Farris for the six iHeart media stations.
And people just you know, they perk.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
Up absolutely right as they should, as they should right.
Speaker 1 (07:23):
So you have to you have to declare yourself and
share with the world who you are. And when that happens,
a lot of things open up. Absolutely well, I'm very
delighted to meet you because, as I implied at the
very beginning, we met as you came into the station
with food because of one of your clients. Yes, eat
with what is it? Oh?
Speaker 2 (07:43):
So the restaurant that we were that we're partnering with
is course, since in hadn't feel New Jersey fourteen Tanner
Street hadn't field New Jersey. Great spot. Mark's a great guy,
and you know we love them and want to support him.
So yeah, we're really friends with We're good friends with Buster.
Buster is a good guy. So I said, what better
way to bring you guys lunch?
Speaker 1 (08:00):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (08:00):
And there we go.
Speaker 1 (08:01):
Yeah, and it was a very good food, delicious, delicious, delicious,
and gave me an opportunity to meet somebody I hadn't
met before and have you tell your story. Thank you,
which is fantastic. Juwan Gandy, the second founder and CEO
If You Deserve More, a creative agency dedicated to amplifying
underrepresented stories and helping brands, nonprofits, and influencers shape powerful narratives.
(08:24):
If people want to get in touch with you, how
do they do that?
Speaker 2 (08:27):
Yes, so you can reach me on all of my
social media's at my name spelled out so it's DWUA
N Period Gandy g A N d Y Capitol.
Speaker 1 (08:36):
DOUBLEII Dune Gandy, the second founder and CEO If you
Deserve More Media, Thank.
Speaker 2 (08:41):
You, Thank you.
Speaker 1 (08:42):
We'll have more insight after these messages
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