This Gen-Z podcast is helping twenty-somethings navigate life, one slice at a time
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With over 550,000 followers on TikTok and her own cake business, life for Canberra/Queanbeyan local Ebony May (@ebonymaybakess) has been looking sweet.
After all, what 21-year-old can say that she’s gone viral on social media for her baking, has studied in both London and Bhuta, attended a French pastry course in Paris and volunteered on an organic farm in Italy?
But it’s the launch of her latest project that is the icing on top of a busy few years – R U O’Cake, a podcast serving slices of sweet observations, advice, chaos and comfort created in collaboration with her long-time friend May.
Covering everything from studying abroad to the importance of embracing lifelong learning, the podcast offers fresh perspectives on the challenges of modern life for twenty-somethings.
Friends for over a decade, the podcast was born from a hunger to create something young people could connect with as they navigate adulthood. But R U O’Cake isn’t a self-help podcast – instead, it’s designed to feel like a conversation with your best friend.
“We’re two young people still figuring out adulthood, and we certainly don’t have all the answers to life’s big questions,” explains Ebony.
“We hope that by sharing our authentic experiences and diverse perspectives on young adulthood, we create opportunities for listeners to feel seen, heard, or challenged in their own journey through their twenties.”
“Rather than preaching solutions, we’re simply two friends having honest conversations about the messy, beautiful reality of growing up.”
Inspired by her love of baking and May’s aptitude for psychology (who is currently studying abroad in the Phillipines and is hoping to become a music psychologist), the duo realised they could turn their joint passion of mental health into something tangible, taking the words “Are you ok?” to create the podcast name.
With several episodes already under their belt, Ebony says that they are tackling young adult life through three key themes: healing, exploration, and growth.
“As two Gen Zers, we know that our twenties are a crucial time for understanding ourselves better – the unique, the good, and the ugly. However, we’ve noticed there’s a lack of authentic representation of personal growth, especially on social media where there’s pressure to present the most “perfect” version of our lives,” says Ebony.
“Through our podcast, we want to create a safe space that sheds light on all versions of life, including the imperfect parts. We’re striving to create a community connected through authentic experiences of young adulthood.”
Rising to popularity on TikTok for posting recipes and sharing her experiences as a young business owner – Ebony registered her business at just 15 years old – using another platform to connect with young people feels like a natural next step for the young entrepreneur.
Currently in her third year of university, along with creating TikTok and podcast content, Ebony is also in the process of renting a commercial kitchen to run her cake business from.
Hoping to open her own brick and mortar cake shop in the future – one that would employee young women to offer them opportunities in marketing, sales, operations, customer service, and baking – she doesn’t have plans to slow down anytime soon.
Fuelled by sugar, spice and everything nice, it sounds like a sweet recipe for success.
