Lauren Milford
Photo provided by Lauren Milford, credit: Jennifer Silverberg
5(ish) Questions for is a chance to discover and learn about St. Louis Creatives, Community Champions, and, well, just interesting people in and around our city. It's a deep dive into what they love and where their passion lies. It's an opportunity for all of us to see our region from a different perspective. This written interview is a peek into their lives and their outlook on St. Louis.
Meet Lauren Milford, a dedicated writer, editor, and video producer residing in Richmond Heights, is working on her first novel. She aims to foster human connection through her narrative endeavors, valuing authentic, compassionate storytelling. Inspired by St. Louis' vibrant growth and collaborative creative community, she appreciates nature for perspective and enjoys hot yoga, reading, and board games in her leisure time, advocating against the concept of guilty pleasures.
Hi, Lauren, tell us a little about yourself!
I’m a writer, editor and video producer. Until recently, I was editor of theSTL.com; I left that role to pursue my longtime dream of writing a novel. I live in Richmond Heights with my husband, two kids and dog.
Why do you do the work you do?
I can’t imagine doing anything else! I feel like I have to write in order to process and understand. And I’ve always been very curious, and love that interviewing gives me a chance to ask questions and hear people’s stories.
Photo provided by Lauren Milford
How did you get started?
I started my career in medical publishing, then transitioned to working in marketing and communications at Saint Louis University. I’ve always loved writing and editing, but in my marketing and communications role I grew to love video storytelling. I know a lot of people think of the written word and video really differently, but they’re both storytelling, and figuring out how to weave the threads of the narrative is the same thought process, with different delivery methods for the end result.
After leaving SLU, I freelanced in both writing and video production for many different outlets including theSTL.com, and took over as editor of the site in March of 2020.
What impact are you making, or hope to make?
My hope is to connect people through storytelling. Stories are how we understand each other and see one another as humans with contradictions and complexity. I think that’s even more important in a time when many people are divided and flattened into two-dimensional versions of themselves online.
What are some unique or innovative approaches you take?
I wouldn’t say that it’s completely unique, but when I’m interviewing someone and/or working with a photographer or video crew, I think it’s important to remember that everyone is a person first, and making sure they feel comfortable, seen and valued is more important than anything else.
And it’s not just a means to an end, but I believe the results – the stories, photos and video – turn out better when you have that trust from your partners throughout the process.
What are some of your goals for the next year, or the next 5 years?
As someone who’s always been overly goal oriented, I’ve been working on shifting that mindset, because focusing too much on the next thing doesn’t allow me to really be in the current moment. We only get one life, and I want to be present as much as possible. I also want to be open to the opportunities that come into my path, rather than close myself off from a possibility because I’m too set on something else.
That being said, I would definitely love to finish writing this book and find a home for it in the world, and continue growing as a creative.
Photo provided by Lauren Milford, credit: RJ Hartbeck
What inspires you about St. Louis?
The drive of so many people working to do great things here. From DreamBuilders4Equity to Ready Readers to Bold Xchange, it is so inspiring to meet people who have the vision to create change, and the energy and commitment to make it happen.
I also think that kind of energy is contagious. When I see our new soccer team winning game after game, a new exhibit on hip hop and contemporary art opening at the Saint Louis Art Museum, the plans for the new zoo park, imaginative new exhibits at the History Museum, the development of the Grove and all the restaurants there, the development in Midtown in the last 10 years, the Foundry, the Armory... There are definitely problems in St. Louis but all of this growth makes me feel hopeful about the direction its headed.
What is unique (or great about) about the creative scene in STL?
The creatives I’ve met and worked with in St. Louis are so collaborative. When I became really interested in video, I was able to learn how to produce and edit thanks to the friends I made, who were so generous in sharing their time and knowledge with me. I’ve been blown away by the work of so many different writers, photographers and video crews and feel lucky to have learned from them.
What is a favorite neighborhood or favorite thing about the place you live or work?
In my current Richmond Heights neighborhood, it’s the trees. There are so many massive old trees, and I walk to Oak Knoll Park several times week; there’s a little nature trail that my dog and I love to wander through. Nature is the quickest way I know to gain perspective and remember that whatever I’m worried about is just a tiny speck in the universe.
Before I moved to Richmond Heights, I lived in the Central West End and in Dogtown, so I had the privilege to walk and run from my place to and through Forest Park on a daily basis for 13 years. I love it so much, especially the lesser-known spots and trails.
I also love spending whole weekends in nature, camping with my family – not something I ever thought I’d say, until we bought a camper in 2020 – but the time to be together with each other, disconnected from everything else, is a true gift. We have so many amazing state parks in Missouri that are just a short drive from St. Louis and make it easy to do camp just for a weekend.
What’s your current cultural obsession?
I just went to the Beyoncé concert and my mind was blown by her creativity. She is an amazing artist, and I’ve never seen anything like that show.
I loved season two of The Bear. It was so stressful at times, but so good.
The New York Times games section has a new game in beta mode called Connections that has been so fun to play every day. I try to do their Spelling Bee game most days, and Worldle every once in a while, too.
Photo provided by Lauren Milford, credit: Jennifer Silverberg
What do you do in your spare time?
I love to do hot yoga. I tried it for the first time this year and I was hooked; it feels amazing to sweat it all out in 105 degrees. I love doing something that makes me turn off my brain, and it’s hard to think about my to-do list when I’m soaked with sweat, working on getting into crow pose.
I’m always reading at least one book… I just started Barbara Kingsolver’s Demon Copperhead, after finishing Ann Patchett’s Tom Lake, which I loved. I’ve been in a book club that meets every six weeks for almost seven years.
I play board games (my favorite is Wingspan) or outdoor games like Kubb or croquet, usually with family. We are lucky to have lots of family nearby who are also great friends.
What’s your guilty pleasure?
Hot take: I don’t think there should be guilt for whatever you find pleasure doing! I feel like guilty pleasures are disproportionately associated with women, like my friends who watch the Real Housewives. But I don’t hear a lot of guys talking about their guilt for fantasy football or how much time they spend watching golf. That being said, I do spend more time on Instagram and Reddit than I should. Gotta work on obeying those screen time limits that I set for myself.
Photo provided by Lauren Milford, credit: Jennifer Silverberg
About STL.org
Driven by a mission to discover and share our favorite parts of the community, STL.org is a nonprofit effort to advocate, support, and promote creativity in the St. Louis region. Help us by subscribing to our newsletter and YouTube channels, sharing with your friends, and sending us your favorite stories and characters that are enriching our city.
Content and video production are supported by creators and private donors within the St. Louis region. Support local!
