What happens when a "no" from a major television network becomes the fuel for a global storytelling career? In a recent episode of the ArtyGras Podcast, host Sarah Lapierre sat down with Wilkine Brutus—award-winning journalist, poet, and founder of Maps and Diaries—to discuss his unconventional journey from the basketball courts of Palm Beach County to the digital airwaves of South Korea and beyond.

From the Court to the Camcorder

Before he was a fixture on South Florida’s NPR affiliate (WLRN), Wilkine was one of the best basketball players in Palm Beach County. But as his athletic interests shifted, a new passion emerged: archiving the moment.

Wilkine describes himself as an "80s baby" obsessed with the tangibility of memories. Whether it was carrying an 8mm camcorder through the streets of London or keeping a journal from age 14 to 25, Brutus viewed art as a means to capture the mundane and the massive alike.

"Art serves as a means to archive moments... creating art and writing is a way to encapsulate nostalgia."

Turning Rejection into Digital Influence

The turning point in Wilkine’s career came from an unexpected place: a rejection from MTV’s The Real World: Key West. While being a finalist and ultimately being passed over was a sting at age 20, it drove him to launch his own platform.

In 2010, he moved to South Korea as an English instructor and began documenting his life on YouTube. He quickly became a "Teacher YouTube" celebrity, amassing millions of views by sharing raw, human interactions—including a famous viral moment at a harvest festival in Jeju Island where he shared a beautiful cross-cultural connection over his dreadlocks.

The Journalist’s "Four Ps"

Now a respected journalist covering immigration, arts, and local culture, Wilkine credits his success to a framework he calls the Four Ps. For any creative feeling stagnant or overwhelmed, these principles offer a roadmap:

Purpose: Why are you doing what you’re doing?
Planning: Visualize the goal (Wilkine is a huge fan of whiteboards).
Persistence: The "grit" to push through when it gets difficult.
Patience: Giving yourself grace and understanding that success is relative.

Redefining Success as "Buying Time"

Perhaps the most profound moment of the podcast was Wilkine’s refusal to accept a traditional definition of success. Despite his accolades, he remains rooted in the reality of the human condition.

For Wilkine, success isn't just about a paycheck or social influence—it's about autonomy and joy.

Time: The ability to "purchase" time to spend with family or take a vacation.
Community Joy: Cultivating spaces where people feel seen and heard.
Legacy: Encouraging others to interview their parents as a form of "emotional estate planning."

Wilkine’s Local Recommendations

If you’re looking to experience the culture of Palm Beach County through Wilkine’s eyes, check out these "third places":

Flavors / Call Collect: A monthly pop-up event featuring vinyl DJs, karaoke, and a celebration of the Black diaspora.
Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens: A sanctuary for experiencing the art of nature and quiet reflection.
OTC: A local restaurant that has evolved into a hub for promoting local artists.