Meet Shawn-Caulin Young | Storyteller – Actor/Writer/Director/Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shawn-Caulin Young and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shawn-Caulin, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I grew up in the desert outskirts of Farmington, New Mexico, a reservation border town on the outskirts of the Navajo Nation. I grew up in a doublewide trailer as the only white kid in my neighborhood, as most of my friends in the area were of Navajo, Ute Indian, or Chicano descent. My father was a rodeo cowboy turned racehorse jockey who taught me the importance of integrity and hard work. Integrity is one of my core values. Growing up as an outsider with this perspective taught me a lot about marching to the beat of my own drum while finding compassion and trying to understand those different from me. As a non-binary queer kid growing up in the 90s, I found safety and comfort in the lives and stories of those who were outsiders like me. My production company, Blue Cowboy, was founded to champion those people. We specialize in diverse stories about the themes of identity and resilience from the underdog’s perspective. Coming from humble beginnings, I carry the lessons of my youth with me every day. It has inspired me to heal and be a place for those seeking to be heard and seen.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What sets me apart from others in my field is the unique perspective I carry, having grown up the way I did. A lot of my storytelling has been inspired by the perspectives of Hitchcock, Grisham, Stephen King, and John Wayne. You mix all that, and you get me as a storyteller. I love creating worlds for diverse perspectives to be heard and seen. I fought for a long time as an artist. I thought that I could only be one thing. Over the years, I found that the more I embraced the whole of me, the more opportunities came to me, and my authentic life emerged. I overcame challenges in my life by seeking new tools from mental health specialists as well as spiritual advisors. I think it’s essential for anyone in any field to learn how to regulate their nervous system so that they can communicate maturely and share the truth about who they are without fearing being disliked. It takes a lot of self-acceptance and love to get to that kind of place. I trust the way. Creativity speaks to me now. I know that my perspective and my voice matter and are greatly needed. I would want the world to know that my brand is one of authenticity, integrity, and embracing the unexpected. My goal is to create works of film and television that push the envelope and allow us to find more love and understanding for one another.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If I had a friend visiting me from out of town, the first place I would take them in Los Angeles would be Griffith Observatory for sunrise. The view is unbelievable and gives you a great perspective of the city. I would also take them to Barry’s Boot Camp for a workout, grab a bite from Superba in Venice, and then take them on a hike into the Santa Monica mountains for meditation. We would dine on all the burgers and tacos we could get. The last thing I would do with them is take them to a screening at the newly reopened Vista Theater in Los Feliz!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shout-out goes to everyone who has held space for me as an artist and human being. I can’t select one above others as each individual has been there for me in ways I can’t put into words. Without each person, I wouldn’t be who I am. But if I had to choose one, I would select Rev. Michael Bernard Beckwith. He is the leader of the Agape International Spiritual Center located here in Los Angeles, California. Through the teachings of Rev. Michael, I have found my compass, trust myself, and become the real me. Without that community and that environment, there is no way I would be the person I am today. I am forever grateful to him for showing me the path towards freedom.

Website: shawncaulinyoung.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawncaulinyoung/

Image Credits
Mason Trueblood Photography – https://www.instagram.com/mtruebloodphoto/