I’m Laken Bowles — an Emmy Award–winning content producer turned travel writer. After 15 years in digital news, documentaries, and video production, I left the grind behind to tell stories that dig deeper.
I grew up in Tuscaloosa, Alabama (Roll Tide!), built my career in Nashville, and eventually made my way west to Los Angeles — pulled by a lifelong love of film, the magic of storytelling, and the lingering question of my own “what if.” Now, through Uncharted Self, I’m exploring what it means to rediscover creativity after hitting burnout rock bottom — blending travel, nostalgia, and the cinematic texture of everyday places.
I don’t have a map for where this goes. That’s why it’s uncharted.
Portfolio:
In 2019, I had the chance to sit down with one of my all-time favorite character actors, the late L.Q. Jones. That conversation still stands out as one of the most meaningful interviews of my career — he was every bit as kind and sharp as I hoped he’d be.
Back in Nashville, I spent time around some of the Grand Ole Opry greats, including Jim Ed Brown. One project I’ll never forget was editing a video honoring his 50th anniversary as an Opry member — watching it play on stage at the Opry felt surreal.
When I moved on from NewsChannel 5, I lost access to many of my old bylines, but you can still find a collection of my work over on my Muck Rack profile.
Check out the samples below:
Written May 2019
L.Q. Jones Reflects on luck, Peckinpah, and the film he hasn’t made yet
Runtime 03:20
Jim Ed Brown
“Back In Style”
Music Video
Writing Samples from
NewsChannel 5
As curated by MuckRack.com
Runtime 04:12
Billy Henson
“In the Whispering Pines” Music Video
Highlights:
- Emmy Award, 2017 — Outstanding Digital Content in Interactivity.
- Produced digital coverage of major news events that drove record audience engagement.
- Directed an eight-person crew on a feature-length documentary that aired on Louisiana Public Broadcasting.
Skills:
Professional Experience:
Digital Content Specialist
October 2022 – Present
Guiding Light Health and Wellness
Partnered with a small business owner to improve SEO, growing visibility and audience engagement. Oversaw content creation and publishing on WordPress to keep the site fresh, consistent, and reader-friendly.
Senior Digital Content Producer
August 2019 – December 2021
WTVF – NewsChannel 5 Nashville
Managed a team of content creators, coordinating assignments and optimizing coverage of breaking news and trending topics. Collaborated with reporters and edited stories to ensure accuracy, consistency, and alignment with editorial standards.
Digital Content Producer
August 2013 – August 2019
WTVF – NewsChannel 5 Nashville
Wrote news stories and breaking alerts for NewsChannel5.com, distributed across mobile and OTT platforms. Managed the station’s social media presence on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Education & Certifications:
Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication
Middle Tennessee State University
Graduated summa cum laude with a concentration in Electronic Media Production and a minor in Film Studies.