Self-proclaimed “YouTube nerd” Andrew Mark Henry ’10 went from watching YouTube videos to creating his own channel with more than 110,000 subscribers.
How did that happen? A history graduate, he realized few videos online covered religion through the lens of sociology, anthropology or history. Taking it upon himself to fill the void, he began his own successful channel titled “Religion for Breakfast” with a mission to improve viewers’ religious literacy.
Pursuing a Ph.D. in religious studies at Boston University, Henry has no shortage of material to fill each episode. The channel has seen great success. “I’m pursuing the media career as [my channel] has grown into its own mini media company,” he said.
Additionally, Henry works for magazine and multi-platform publisher, The Atlantic. Launching an online discussion forum analyzing global events about religion, the company hired Henry to manage the project.
“I would scour news outlets looking for the top stories around the world about religion and then lead discussions with the community about these topics,” he said.
Since the project’s recent completion, Henry has moved to The Atlantic’s YouTube team. Implementing his skills, he manages operations of the channel. “I do everything from moderating comments to strategizing about the channel’s growth with their new YouTube series, ‘The Idea File,’” he said.
Henry credits Messiah’s history department with preparing him for his career. Praising the faculty, he said, “The professors taught me how to think historically, how to analyze primary source documents, how to craft an argument and how to write clearly.”
Messiah Professor of History John Fea returned the compliment, saying of Henry, “He is one of the most innovative young public scholars working today.”
Henry is studying abroad in Jerusalem through Boston University’s Ph.D. program as a research fellow at the Albright Institute for Archaeological Research. Seated at the epicenter of three major religions, he has no shortage of content. With plans to return to the U.S. in March, he says he is content with anything that gives him the opportunity to write about and teach religious studies, whether in academia or the world of media.
— Sarah Stubbe ’21 and Jake Miaczynski ’20