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Friends With Good Taste: Mike Wilkinson



Meet Mike Wilkinson, a content producer and editor based in New York City. Born and raised in Brooklyn—a rarity in a city filled with newcomers—Mike's journey into television news isn't just a career choice; it's a pathway to staying informed and making a meaningful impact. For him, the newsroom isn't just a workplace; it's a platform to connect, educate, and inspire.


Beyond what he does for work, Mike's personal interests speak volumes about his vibrant personality. When he's not shaping stories for the screen, you might find him indulging in activities that resonate with his inner child. Cocktails are his signature passion—whether crafting them himself or savoring expert concoctions. His love for fashion and unique fragrances further highlights his appreciation for individuality and personal expression.


What you do/where you’re located/why you do what you do?


I'm currently a content producer for a major financial news channel working on their political news show. I edit videos, create fullscreen graphics, catchy headlines, and detailed descriptions to summarize long interviews that are then published on our site.


I’m located in Brooklyn, NY (Born and raised, not many people living in NYC can say that) and I do what I do because I feel like working in television news is one of the best ways I can stay informed and help others.


What led you to your career now?


I always had an interest in media, and I guess you can say video specifically. I really enjoyed spending my free time watching TV and films growing up and I still do! My interest in news, however, came differently. I remember the death of Freddie Gray in 2015 and the news that he died from injuries related to police misconduct/brutality. I remember thinking, “how did this happen?”, “how could this happen?”, and began learning more intensely about American history and government to get a better understanding, and to hopefully share what I’d learn with others to inform, educate, and start conversations. 


What are you currently obsessed with?


I’m currently obsessed with matcha!! I’ve been drinking matcha lattes a lot and it’s been the BEST. Coffees don’t do me any good, but matcha is really everything. From lattes, to matcha flavored donuts, to even matcha fragrances! I’ve been really in my matcha bag. Also, I’ve been into mixology and I like to think I’m a world renowned bartender, even though I make drinks mostly in my apartment haha! Learning what alcohols pair well with which mixers, converting ounces to milliliters in my head, and even creating my own infused gins. It’s been a lot of fun!



What are you obsessed with that you don't own yet?


A house!! Let me get a brownstone please. No, in all seriousness, I’m obsessing over the Nike Zoom Vomero 5 sneaker! Specifically the “Pale Ivory Oil Green” color way. Women’s sneakers always have better colors than men's, and because I have big feet a lot of the times they don’t make them in my size, and if they do, it’s in extremely limited quantity so copping a pair is a struggle. 



What is your favorite trend right now?


My favorite trend right now is the 90s grunge & Y2K fashion! I love seeing everyone in baggy jeans or cargo pants and wearing patterns and stripes together. I’ve seen Ed Hardy slowly coming back and I’m excited to see how the girls are incorporating it in 2024. I have to admit sometimes it can be a mess to look at, but when it’s done right, it eats. It’s probably the nostalgia of the trend that makes me like it so much. 



What are some of your favorite places/things to do in NYC?


Hmmm. Do I gatekeep or do I share? 🤔 Some of my favorite places are wine bars, cocktail clubs, and Ethiopian restaurants. From Miti Miti, Honey’s, and Clover Club, I really enjoy a small intimate spot sipping a glass of wine or downing some frozen margaritas. I love a frozen drink. And I LOVE Ethiopian food! I limit myself to having it once a month so that way I’m excited to have it, make a day out of it, and really take in all the flavors of the dish and the atmosphere of the restaurants. My favorite Ethiopian places are Awash and Bunna Cafe.


Ethiopian food from Awash

When I’m not eating or drinking in New York, I enjoy walking around in nature (I mean NYC isn’t called the concrete jungle for nothing!) Seriously though, I like walking and running around Prospect Park sometimes playing Pokemon Go, and riding around Governor’s Island. I can spend days smelling fragrances at Scent Bar or checking out books at Greenlight Bookstore. Though most of my time you can catch me at Barclays Center, Terminal 5, and Brooklyn Steel at a concert. 


What is inspiring you right now?


This is a great question. As a gemini, my inspiration is always changing! Right now I’m inspired by people who just love what they do and enjoy doing it --- and on the flip side, people who made it to where they never thought they’d be.


Can you give us your REPORT? (Reading, Eating, Playing, Obsessing, Recommending, Treating)


Reading: American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins. I learned after I was gifted the book that there’s some controversy with the author, but the book is a rollercoaster of a read. I’m glued to it and am feeling bittersweet about finishing it because I’m enjoying it so much. 



Eating: PANCAKES! I’ve learned how to make the best shaped pancakes at home and I’ve added different fruits, and chocolate to make them even tastier. 


Playing: Pokemon Go! This may be lame to some, but I’ve been playing this game for a while now. I’m all about doing what my inner child wants lately, and Pokemon Go is fulfilling this! I missed out on a few years of the game so it’s nice to see pokemons I don’t recognize. The game has different challenges and new tasks every few weeks so it’s never boring. Later this summer I’m going to a festival and will be meeting people from around the world who play. I even have a group chat that’s only about this game LOL.


Obsessing: Tea scented fragrances! From Matcha scented, black tea, to a mix of a few different teas. I’m learning that me and tea fragrances go hand in hand. 🤝 “The Matcha 26” by Le Labo has been a fun fragrance to use this spring along with one of my favorites called “Mixed Emotions,” by Byredo, and my everyday fragrance “Molecule 01 + Black Tea” by Escentric Molecules.



Recommending: The TV & film junkie in me is recommending everyone to watch the newest season of Survivor! I really love mess, and this season has been incredibly messy. It’s great television! I love a backstab and a blindside. 


Treating: Myself to vegan pastries! From chocolate pistachio donuts, muffins, and even slices of cake I’m never gonna say no to something sweet!


I know you love music. What do you currently have on repeat?


Tyla’s self titled debut album has been playing NONSTOP. I can listen to that album wherever, doing whatever. This is old but Tinashe’s mixtape “BB / ANG3L” has never left my rotation. The song, “Uh Huh,” on that mixtape will make you melt! And Charli XCX’s “365 Partygirl!” I listen to that while running or working and it makes things so intense! I love it.


Any words of wisdom for the readers?


Best advice I can give is to be intentional. Be intentional with your energy --- who you chose to be spend time with, what you’re doing, what you say, etc. You are always growing and changing so some things that used to work for you may no longer interest you and that’s okay. Something’s wrong if all the same things that interested you at 21 are still your same interests at 30. 


Also find pieces of clothing that you love so they can become staple pieces of your wardrobe. That way you can wear them over and over again, styling it differently each time, so that way this new iteration of you is still maintaining your individuality. Learn which colors look best on you so you can always look and feel good. And lastly, learn what fragrances and fragrance notes you love so you can smell your best, and switch your fragrances every season or so to change things up!


Where can we find you?


You can find me on Instagram at @mikewilk_madeit.



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