Join the Journey
Your Story
Belongs Here.
You don’t need a title, an award, or a following. You just need a story, one about showing up, getting through something hard, or making your corner of the world a little better. If that sounds like you, or someone you know, we’d love to hear it.
Why We Do This
The Best Stories Are the Ones Nobody’s Telling
Behind every strong community is someone doing the quiet work, the neighbor who shows up without being asked, the volunteer who’s been at it for years, the person who turned a hard season into something that helps others. These stories rarely make headlines. They should.
SunUp Stories exists to change that. Every episode is a real conversation with a real person, recorded the way you’d talk to a friend over coffee, no scripts, no performance, just an honest exchange about what your journey has taught you.
If you’ve ever thought, “my story isn’t a big deal” that’s usually exactly the story we’re looking for.
Guest Criteria
Who Makes a Great SunUp Guest
We feature people from every walk of life, the corporate world, medicine, teaching, nonprofits, PTAs, even young kids just starting to find their voice. There’s no single “type.” But a few things tend to be true of every guest we invite:
A Meaningful Story.
A personal journey, a challenge you faced and came through, or something you built or achieved that changed how you see things.
Real community impact.
You’re doing something, big or small, that’s making a positive difference where you live.
A perspective worth hearing.
You see something a little differently, and talking with you would leave a listener thinking.
You don’t need media experience. You don’t need to consider yourself a “storyteller.”
You just need to be willing to talk honestly about your life.
How It Works
Simple, Warm, and Nothing to Prepare For
01
Share a little about your story
Fill out the short form below. A few sentences is enough to start, we’ll take it from there.
02
We talk first, off the record
Before anything is recorded, Bharti gets on a call with you. No pressure, no cameras, just a real conversation to understand your story and make sure you feel comfortable.
03
We record the conversation
A relaxed, guided conversation, usually under an hour. You don’t need talking points. Bharti asks the questions; you just have to be yourself.
04
Your story goes out into the world
Your episode releases on YouTube and Instagram, where it can reach, and hopefully help, people well beyond your own circle.
01
Share a little about your story
Fill out the short form below. A few sentences is enough to start, we’ll take it from there.
02
We talk first, off the record
Before anything is recorded, Bharti gets on a call with you. No pressure, no cameras, just a real conversation to understand your story and make sure you feel comfortable.
03
We record the conversation
A relaxed, guided conversation, usually under an hour. You don’t need talking points. Bharti asks the questions; you just have to be yourself.
04
Your story goes out into the world
Your episode releases on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and Spotify, where it can reach and hopefully help people well beyond your own circle.
Ready When You Are
Tell Us a Little About Your Story
A few sentences is all it takes to start. There’s no wrong way to answer, just be honest.
Good to Know
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need any experience being interviewed or on camera?
No. Most SunUp guests have never been interviewed before. Bharti guides the whole conversation, and nothing is scripted or rehearsed.
How long does the interview take?
Most conversations run 45 minutes to an hour, plus a short pre-call beforehand so you know what to expect.
Is there a cost to be a guest?
No. Being featured on SunUp Stories is free, there’s no fee to apply or to appear.
Can I nominate someone else instead of applying myself?
Yes. If you know someone whose story deserves to be heard, you can nominate them using the same form, just let us know it’s on their behalf.
Where are episodes recorded?
Currently in the New York area, with remote recording available for guests outside the region.
Every Sunrise, a New Story
Somewhere in your community, right now, someone is quietly doing something worth talking about. Maybe that’s you. Maybe it’s someone you know. Either way, we’d love to hear about it.