Media Gym was founded by longtime colleagues and friends Karen Kunkel Young, Ben Epstein and Tom Langan.
The founders first met nearly 20 years ago, as producers at the BBC in New York. During a casual catch up one evening, a shared observation emerged: people across various industries often struggled to tell their stories effectively. It became abundantly clear to Karen, Ben and Tom that storytelling skills are essential in today’s professional landscape and that their unique experiences in media meant they were perfectly positioned to help individuals develop those skills.
With a deep and abiding love for the storytelling process and expertise honed by producing hit TV shows for top media companies including Warner Bros. Discovery, Netflix, Disney and Paramount, they saw an opportunity to share these valuable skills with others. That’s when Media Gym was born—a venture dedicated to helping people tell their stories in a meaningful, impactful, and authentic way.
Our Story
Our Team
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Ben Epstein
Ben Epstein is an award-winning showrunner, producer, and director with over 20 years of experience creating unscripted content for top networks, including Discovery, CBS, and A&E.
Known for turning complex topics into compelling and relatable narratives, Ben has led teams on hit shows like American Pickers and Undercover Boss and created and helmed original formats—from pilots and specials to branded content.
Today as co-founder of Media Gym, Ben helps leaders and organizations harness the power of storytelling to crystallize their message, develop on-camera presence, and learn how to share stories that connect. He brings the same high standards, creative rigor, and attention to detail from television to the business world—equipping clients with the tools to communicate with clarity and impact.
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Karen Kunkel Young
Karen’s love for storytelling began as editor-in-chief of her high school newspaper, a passion that led her from America’s heartland to Boston University’s College of Communication—and then to a two-decade career shaping narratives for global audiences.
She’s created content and driven success for Netflix, NBCUniversal, Warner Bros. Discovery, National Geographic, and Shopify, leading multi-million-dollar productions as VP of Programming for ITV America. Her work has guided hundreds of on-camera personalities—from everyday people to celebrities—crafting stories that resonate across cultures and drive results.
As Co-Founder of Media Gym and an ICF Certified Coach, Karen helps executives, founders, and creative leaders amplify their influence, sharpen their message, and take bold career-defining steps. Her clients don’t just communicate—they connect, persuade, and lead with impact.
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Tom Langan
Tom Langan is a two-time Emmy Award-nominated Director of Photography and Producer with over 20 years of experience creating high-impact content for major broadcasters, including the BBC, NBC Universal, and Discovery. He has produced hundreds of hours of nationally and globally distributed programming across a wide range of formats and genres.
As Co-founder of Media Gym, Tom helps leaders and teams show up with clarity, confidence, and authenticity, on camera, in rooms, and when it matters most. He draws on deep production experience and a practical, human-centered approach to help clients communicate with impact.
Whether he's directing seasoned professionals or guiding first-timers through challenging moments, Tom brings a sharp eye, a steady hand, and the ability to make people feel prepared, grounded and at their best when the pressure is on.
