Big wins for ‘A Little Bit A Lot’ podcast: Kristen Reynolds takes home three podcasting awards

FLINT, Michigan — Kristen Reynolds grew up hearing her father recall stories about how, since she learned to talk, she had a mouthful to say. She calls herself a “natural-born yapper” and jokes that her parents aren’t surprised she is now an award-winning podcaster.

Her podcast, A Little Bit A Lot, won three categories, including Best Solo Host and Podcaster of the Year, in the 2026 Black Podcasting Awards. She was also named a 2026 Signal Awards finalist in the Solopreneur Podcast category.

Reynolds combines stories of her personal upbringing with pop culture, mental health, adulting, and humor to create an inclusive virtual community that emphasizes relatability and safe spaces. Behind the microphone, she stays true to herself.

Moving from Flint to Flushing as a child after her parents divorced made her feel even more quirky and different from her peers. She grew up searching for a group where she felt seen.

“Flint can feel like a small place when you’re young, and it can be kind of an isolating experience. I didn’t have a lot of people my age that I had a lot of things in common with,” Reynolds says.

She also shares that healing her inner child involves connecting with others who share her experiences. One such thing is reading. “When I was young, I loved reading,” Reynolds explains. “Every time my mom got paid, we would ask her to take us to Borders, which was the local bookstore at the time. I was obsessed with books. It’s just something about escapism and all of it.”

Reading led to writing. “So, I thought if I loved reading books, maybe I should write. I remember writing stories and sending them to authors. I was in fifth grade and was getting feedback on my short stories from published authors who encouraged me to keep writing.”

But after college and work, “writing was not fun anymore.” After she graduated in 2018 with her associate’s degree in Applied Science, Reynolds started working in radiology and medical coding.

“I would be in my cubicle and filling my workday laughing and working while listening to my favorite shows. I found myself wanting to call into a show and give my two cents. One day, I decided I was going to do it myself. I was craving community and a safe space for Black girls who were quirky, who might like different things like anime or K-pop…things that [aren’t seen] as conventionally Black interests, and I found that. I found my community, and it complemented me,” Reynolds says.

She launched the podcast in 2023, and three years later she has seen so much success. “Originally, I started the podcast with my sister, but she decided podcasting wasn’t for her…we did it because we both love podcasts, and we are both very opinionated girls,” she says. “We have a lot of things to say, and there are a lot of people that agree.”

Podcasting also brought her creativity back. “I was on autopilot for so long, and A Little Bit A Lot woke up that creativity in me. I found that I enjoyed every step of the process.”

Looking back at who she was when she started the podcast, Reynolds knows that, “she would be proud. This podcast is the best thing that I have done for myself. I just went with it with no expectations other than just to be myself and have fun.”

A Little Bit A Lot has accumulated over 300,000 YouTube views and has a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts. Guests have included Julia Cili from season 16 of the reality TV show MasterChef, as well as Reynolds’ loved ones, like her sister and her partner. Much of her storytelling is inspired by her willingness to share her own story transparently.

On the show, she talks about her mother’s breast cancer survival story, her own mental health journey, and what it feels like to look back on her parents’ divorce as an adult by reading a memoir she wrote in high school. On other episodes, she reacts to popular TV shows or recounts why Dolly Parton was always invited to the cookout.

As for what she chooses to share, “I try to go with what is natural, and what feels right.”

Now, with her podcast, she leads a community of Black millennials and Gen Zers with similar nontraditional likes and interests. It’s led her to multiple awards, recognition, and a story about her favorite episode.

“Episode number 113. It’s called ‘Arianna Davis on her Acting Debut in NBC’s “Stumble,” Black Girl Representation & More!’ This one spoke to my inner child because I’ve always loved seeing Black girl representation and plus-size representation in the media that I consume.

When I watched ‘Stumble,’ I saw a Black, plus-size cheerleader on TV, and I immediately [became] obsessed. Seeing Arianna Davis play that role, and then starting the podcast, was such a big accomplishment for me. I also love any episode that features my sister because we started the podcast together. Even though she didn’t love hosting, she does like being a guest from time to time, and my audience really loves it when they see her,” Reynolds says.

As Reynolds continues to grow A Little Bit A Lot, she hopes listeners feel safe in the community she has created. She hopes audience members are encouraged by her authenticity and laugh along the way.

Episodes of A Little Bit A Lot drop every other Friday, and you can subscribe to the podcast newsletter here.

“Our arts & culture coverage is made possible by support from the Flint Institute of Arts.”