Podcasts about PopSugar

Oisin O'Connor is the CEO and co-founder of Recharge, the leading subscription management platform powering 75% of all Shopify subscriptions. Under his leadership, Recharge has become a critical infrastructure partner for over 30,000 brands, reaching 100 million subscribers and $100 million ARR.In this episode of DTC Pod, Oisin pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to win with subscriptions in today's DTC landscape. He shares insider strategies for subscriber growth, optimizing retention, and leveraging Recharge's newest AI-powered tools to minimize churn. Oisin also shares specific benchmarks every brand should measure, real-world examples of subscription funnels that convert, and actionable experiments operators can run to unlock long-term profitability and scale.Episode brought to you by StordInteract with other DTC experts and access our monthly fireside chats with industry leaders on DTC Pod Slack.On this episode of DTC Pod, we cover:1. Evolution of subscriptions in physical product e-commerce2. How to spot and create product-market fit 3. Differentiators that set Recharge apart from early competitors4. The compounding power of subscriptions for long-term growth5. Unit economics, LTV vs CAC, and why retention is king6. What best-in-class subscription brands do differently7. Optimizing conversion funnels for subscriber growth8. Subscription benchmarks: churn rates, retention, and second order metrics9. Reducing churn with data, cancellation flows, loyalty, and rewards10. Automations and integrating Recharge with supply chain and 3PL operations11. Leveraging AI Concierge for customer retention and support12. Evolving customer experience and the need for seamless subscription management13. How Recharge guides merchants with data, support, and innovation14. Experiments and mistakes founders make launching subscription brandsTimestamps00:00 Oisin's background, founding story, and early agency experiments04:06 The rise of Shopify and the breakthrough with Recharge05:19 The subscription model: initial skepticism and quirky early adopters06:47 Technical challenges in enabling subscriptions on Shopify09:00 First major subscription brand success story10:15 Compounding growth through subscriptions11:36 Legacy brands and decades-long customer retention13:06 Building DTC businesses with sustainable unit economics14:37 Lessons from TV advertising history and the narrowing of scalable models16:29 Key traits of successful subscription businesses17:09 Product, recurring need, and conversion strategy18:27 Understanding subscriber value and optimizing acquisition19:26 Retention: keeping customers post-acquisition  19:52 High-performing brands and funnel design20:05 Subscription by default, offers, upsells, and cross-sells21:39 Conversion tactics from PDP to post-checkout22:38 Benchmarks for healthy churn and retention23:06 How top brands reduce churn and track performance24:58 Recharge tools: analytics, cancellation flows, Klaviyo integration26:41 Rewards and automations to boost retention27:33 Automate flows for backend fulfillment and logistics28:20 Launching AI SMS concierge for subscriber experience29:40 Reducing customer service friction and delighting shoppers32:15 Customer experience as a core differentiator34:04 The competitive subscription landscape: Recharge's position35:41 Product innovation, support, and actionable guidance37:16 Data-driven product innovation and merchant success38:04 The future of subscription, retention, and platform innovation40:38 Biggest mistakes founders make with subscriptions41:58 Experiments founders should run with Recharge42:58 Where to connect with Oisin for advice and mentorshipShow notes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more.  Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here.Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTokOisin O'Connor - Co-Founder and CEO of RechargeBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of CastmagicRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

New York Bridal Fashion Week just wrapped, and as a 2026 bride myself, I couldn't resist diving into all the fall 2026 wedding dress trends. From the boutonniere bride and boho bell sleeves to bubble hems, cape veils, and the peplum comeback, I'm breaking down the standout looks from designers like Galia Lahav, Oscar de la Renta, Danielle Frankel, and Monique Lhuillier — and deciding which trends feel timeless . . . and which might not make it past the honeymoon.Plus, I share my own bride-to-be dilemma: do I dress for the moment or for forever? And since every Dinner for Shoes episode has a bite, I'm taste-testing a slice of apple pecan crumb cake from Yuki's Bakery in Hoboken (because Nick and I won't be doing a traditional wedding cake, so now's my chance!). Trish even pops in for a sniff.Whether you're planning your own wedding, manifesting one, or just love a good bridal trend report, this episode is your backstage pass to fall 2026 bridal fashion with a side of dessert.THIS DINNERApple cinnamon pecan coffee cake from Yuki's Bakery in Hoboken, NJTHESE SHOESZara Faux Fur Sole Heeled SandalsTHIS OUTFITShop my lookGarage dressLovers and Friends jacketBaubleBar necklaceAstrid & Miyu jewelry setAgapée ring   THESE CHAPTERS00:00 INTRO02:54 THE OUTFIT BEHIND THE SHOES06:38 WHAT I LOOK FOR IN A WEDDING DRESS12:44 FALL 2026 WEDDING DRESS TRENDS29:49 WEDDING CAKETHIS PRODUCTIONis created, written, hosted, and produced by Sarah Wasilak.is creative directed and executive produced by Megan Kai.is tech supervised by Nick.includes photos and videos in chronological order by Sarah Wasilak, Suess Moments Photography, Popsugar, Galia Lahav, HILÁ, Ines Di Santo, Markarian, Oscar de la Renta, Viktor&Rolf, Jenny Yoo, Danielle Frankel, Savannah Miller, Monique Lhuillier, Nadia Manjarrez, Elie Saab, CINQ, Honor, KYHA, and LEIN.references charity Brides For a Cause, photographer Miranda Suess, and florist Laura Collins. is made with love.Dinner for Shoes is a fashion podcast for people who love food, hosted by editor Sarah Wasilak. With appearances by her cats, Trish and Kit, and agendas that almost always go to shit, we aim to dive into a discussion about fashion and style and break some bread in each episode. Dinner for Shoes podcast episodes are released weekly on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple. You can follow along for updates, teasers, and more on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. If there are any fashion topics you've been pondering or good eats you think Sarah should try, don't hesitate to send a DM or an email.Dinner for Shoes is an original by The Kai Productions.Follow Dinner for Shoes: @dinnerforshoes on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube Follow host Sarah Wasilak: @slwasz on Instagram Follow producer Megan Kai: @megankaii on Instagram Get in touch: dinnerforshoes@gmail.comTo make this video more accessible, check out YouDescribe, a web-based platform that offers a free audio description tool for viewers who are blind or visually impaired.

Original release date: May 18, 2020Connie Lo and Laura Burget are the founders of Three Ships (formerly known as NIU BODY), a 100% natural and vegan skincare company. They started the brand when they were both 23-years-old, with just $4,000 and a huge problem to solve. Their mission is to make natural beauty accessible for all women.Since launching 3 years ago, Three Ships is now carried in >350 retailers across North America, has thousands of 5-star reviews online, and has appeared in publications like ELLE, Popsugar, and Refinery29. We talk about starting their business when they were 23 years old, how they became co-founders, starting their business with just $4,000, how they built a following before they even launched a product, when they knew they were ready to take their side-hustle full-time, how they landed their products in large retailers, what they've learned about themselves as business owners, and so much more!This episode is packed with insights and motivational stories from two passionate female entrepreneurs dedicated to changing the beauty industry.00:00 Welcome to Made It Happen Podcast00:48 Meet the Founders of Three Ships Beauty01:45 The Journey to Starting Three Ships Beauty04:01 Early Challenges and Hustle11:00 Marketing Strategies and Growth13:42 Product Development Process17:40 Retail Expansion and Major Milestones22:43 Challenges and Lessons Learned34:00 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs36:30 Future Plans and Final Thoughts

Zeke Bronfman is the co-founder and CEO of The Absorption Company, a brand pioneering highly bioavailable supplements engineered for optimal nutrient absorption. With a background in health and wellness entrepreneurship—including a previous successful beverage exit—Zeke leads a team on a mission to address a major gap in supplement efficacy by focusing on real, measurable impact for consumers.In this episode of DTC Pod, Zeke details the journey of building The Absorption Company from inception to rapid retail success in outlets like Erewhon. He talks about the science behind absorption, launching with a powerful community-driven strategy, and the importance of brand-led product innovation. Zeke also offers practical advice on supply chain management, leveraging celebrity co-founders, and lessons learned about optimizing e-commerce for long-term growth.Episode brought to you by StordInteract with other DTC experts and access our monthly fireside chats with industry leaders on DTC Pod Slack.On this episode of DTC Pod, we cover:1. The founding story of The Absorption Company2. Why most supplements fail—and how absorption is the next frontier3. Creating a viral pre-launch private Instagram community4. Setting a brand apart with science-backed, lifestyle-driven design5. Early product development and MVP lessons6. Direct-to-consumer subscription as a growth engine7. Amazon, TikTok Shop, and the online channel mix8. The strategic approach to selective retail partnerships9. Managing the supply chain: co-packers, fulfillment, and scaling ops10. How to keep operations simple, resilient, and cost-effective11. Lessons in traffic acquisition: organic, paid, and influencer mix12. Celebrity founder advantages, limits, and effective deployment13. Funding, initial capital requirements, and brand investment14. Biggest founder learnings and operational takeaways15. What's ahead: innovation pipeline and future growthTimestamps00:00 Intro to Zeke Bronfman and The Absorption Company02:44 The absorption problem in supplements04:40 Why bioavailability is the future of wellness supplements06:11 Bringing the brand to life: Team, tech, and community-building07:47 The private Instagram launch strategy and viral pre-sale09:27 The power of exclusivity and early consumer engagement11:12 Product MVP and standout branding decisions13:26 Early sales strategy: DTC, Amazon, retail mix15:04 Why big-box retail isn't always the right move17:57 Scaling DTC: Subscription, platform choices, and LTV19:04 Driving traffic: Paid, organic, influencer, and celebrity co-founder impact20:38 TikTok Shop: Affiliate, Live, and what works (and doesn't)22:36 Capital, startup costs, and launching with impact25:32 Building a scalable supply chain and minimizing complexity27:25 Fulfillment operations and splitting inventory29:00 Entering boutique/strategic retail as a marketing lever30:52 Biggest learnings and missteps scaling Absorption Company33:13 Lessons using celebrity/influencer as a brand amplifier36:10 What's next: Upcoming innovations and business growth36:50 Where to follow Absorption CompanyShow notes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more.  Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here.Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTokEzekiel Bronfman - Co-Founder and CEO of The Absorption CompanyBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of CastmagicRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

Arielle and Dr. Thema discuss being the fullness of yourself despite the opinion of others. They discuss the homecoming journey for those who are often called "too much." Dr. Thema and Arielle discuss the journey of self-acceptance, freedom, love, and unfolding. The invitation to stop shrinking and begin embracing your authentic self is explored including Arielle's powerful poem for Wild Flowers from the book The Unfolding. Arielle Estoria (R-E-L EH-STORY-UH) (she/her) is a multi-passionate poet, actor, author, and speaker whose work lives at the intersection of storytelling and soul. With a mantra of “words not for the ears but for the soul,” Arielle creates transformative experiences through performance, poetry, and presence. A Sofar Sounds Los Angeles artist with over ten shows across California, Arielle has also worked as a teaching artist with Get Lit and facilitated writing workshops for incarcerated youth and adults, helping individuals tap into freedom through words. Her artistry has been featured in ESSENCE, POPSUGAR, OWN, and Well+Good, and she has collaborated with brands like Google, Lululemon, SKIMS, and TEDx. As both performer and facilitator, Arielle brings intentionality, connection, and warmth to every room she steps into, making her a sought-after voice for events, conferences, and creative communities worldwide.

Rachael's so excited to have Lorena on the show today! Lorena Hughes is the award-winning author of The Night We Became Strangers, The Queen of the Valley, The Spanish Daughter, and The Sisters of Alameda Street. Born and raised in Ecuador, she moved to the United States when she was eighteen to study fine arts and mass communication & journalism. Her novels have earned acclaim from outlets such as The Washington Post, Ms. Magazine, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, Woman's World, The Christian Science Monitor, BuzzFeed, PopSugar, and Bustle. The Spanish Daughter is an Amazon Editors' Pick, an Amazon Unforgettable Reads book club selection, and one of Reading Group Choices Most Popular Books of 2022. Her latest novel is The Night We Became Strangers. When she's not writing, she draws inspiration from her work as a family photographer.

In Dinner for Shoes episode 83, host Sarah Wasilak breaks down her all-time favorite movie outfits — from Penny Lane's bohemian spirit in “Almost Famous” to Julia Roberts's polka-dot dress in “Pretty Woman,” Zendaya's glittering gown in “Malcolm & Marie,” and the Olsen twins' early-2000s denim in “Holiday in the Sun.” Between fashion nostalgia and popcorn refills (specifically Trader Joe's Maple & Sea Salt Kettle Corn — because what else goes better with a movie marathon?), Sarah explores how these cinematic looks defined eras, shaped trends, and still influence what we wear today.This episode is sponsored by Golden West, the modern cowboy boot brand bringing ‘70s-inspired craftsmanship to your closet. Sarah's outfit — a Western-boho nod to Penny Lane herself — was styled with her favorite pair of Golden West boots.Follow Golden West on Instagram and TikTok.THIS DINNERTrader Joe's Maple & Sea Salt Kettle CornTHESE SHOESGolden West Forget Me Not BootsTHIS OUTFITShop my look  Zara topZara skirtZara necklaceMiscellaneous (unknown) earringsTHESE CHAPTERS00:00 INTRO00:44 THE OUTFIT BEHIND THE SHOES07:00 ICONIC MOVIE OUTFITS17:00 MOVIE POPCORNTHIS PRODUCTIONis created, written, hosted, and produced by Sarah Wasilak.is creative directed and executive produced by Megan Kai.is tech supervised by Nick.includes photos and videos in chronological order by Sarah Wasilak, British Vogue Pinterest, Miramax (Pulp Fiction), Golden West, Pinterest user @sophluvscoffee, Pinterest user @cherrywine, Pinterest user @aferraro834, Pinterest user @CynthiaCarolina8, Pinterest user @poopertrooper0975, Pinterest user @rawrphaella, Pinterest user @araeslo, Popsugar, Pinterest user @villhermin, New Line Cinema (Sex and the City), Pinterest user @melll_bby, Pinterest user @Olsen_Twins, Pinterest user @mariehangel, Little Lamb (Malcolm and Marie), Pinterest user @LadyStartdust422, The Weinstein Company (Factory Girl), People Pinterest, and Touchstone Pictures (Pretty Woman). references Wims Pocket-Tonic.is made with love.Dinner for Shoes is a fashion podcast for people who love food, hosted by editor Sarah Wasilak. With appearances by her cats, Trish and Kit, and agendas that almost always go to shit, we aim to dive into a discussion about fashion and style and break some bread in each episode. Dinner for Shoes podcast episodes are released weekly on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple. You can follow along for updates, teasers, and more on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. If there are any fashion topics you've been pondering or good eats you think Sarah should try, don't hesitate to send a DM or an email.Dinner for Shoes is an original by The Kai Productions.Follow Dinner for Shoes: @dinnerforshoes on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube Follow host Sarah Wasilak: @slwasz on Instagram Follow producer Megan Kai: @megankaii on Instagram Get in touch: dinnerforshoes@gmail.comTo make this video more accessible, check out YouDescribe, a web-based platform that offers a free audio description tool for viewers who are blind or visually impaired.

Today I want to share insights on the importance of being specific in brand messaging to stand out in crowded markets and effectively communicate your unique value.Welcome to a special five-minute mini marketing class where I share insights on revitalizing your marketing strategy as we transition from summer to fall. I discuss practical tips for setting quarterly goals, blocking dedicated time for content creation, and ensuring consistency in your marketing efforts. Tune in for actionable advice to kickstart your marketing and elevate your business this season! Tag me when you use these tips on Instagram or LinkedIn!In this quick bite-sized bonus solo episode you will learn: Find Your Niche - Even in broad fields like wellness or digital marketing, narrow down to a specific angle to stand out.Be Explicit - Clearly articulate the specific transformation you offer. Avoid vague promises; highlight concrete outcomes.Leverage Your Unique Strengths - Lean into your unique skills and experiences. By focusing on your specialized expertise, you'll attract the right audience and opportunities.Kim Rittberg was a TV news producer for a decade and trained thousands of people to be calm, cool and collected for live TV interviews. She also launched the digital video unit for Us Weekly leading to its $100 million sale, and was a video marketing executive at Netflix & PopSugar. She ditched corporate once she found herself working in the hospital delivery room. She now runs an award-winning company that helps real estate agents & business owners grow their leads, income and credibility with video and podcast. FREE DOWNLOAD: 10 Tips to Make Better Video In Less Time (To Grow Your Revenue) click hereFollow host Kim Rittberg on Instagram & Subscribe to Kim's YouTube Channel to Make Better Videos that ConvertSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

EPISODE 603 - Shannon Russell - Second Act Success - Leave unfulfilling careers to build joyful, purpose-driven businesses I spent over 16 years as a Television Producer overseeing multi-million dollar productions in New York City and Los Angeles working for companies like MTV, E! Entertainment, Yahoo!, Pop Sugar, A&E, TLC, etc.My second act began once I leapt into entrepreneurship and opened a franchise business serving families in my community, so I could be more present mom for my two kids. My business quickly grew to be amongst the Top 5 in the organization, and I successfully sold this business in 2024.While running my first business, I started Second Act Success® Coaching so I could help support women as they start a second act in life by changing careers to start a business.My focus as a business coach for women is to help others produce their best life, while finding the flexibility, freedom, and fulfillment they deserve.Now, I share my experience, as a television executive turned business owner with my clients, as we work towards their business goals.Book: Start Your Second Act - How to Change Careers, Launch a Business, & Create Your Best LifeThe ultimate guide to pivot with purpose, reinvent your career, and produce your best life. The career that once inspired you no longer fits your life, and a nagging voice inside tells you there's something more. When your mind, heart, and dreams no longer align with your current path, it's time to start your second act.Shannon Russell, a former TV producer turned entrepreneur and business coach, understands the fears and challenges of disrupting your carefully planned career and taking the leap into something more. Drawing on her personal experiences and the success stories of other women, she shares her proven three-step Second Act Strategy (reflect, research, realize) to guide you from where you are now to where you want to be.https://secondactsuccess.co/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

This week, I sat down with Minou Clark, CEO of RealSelf, to talk about leadership, culture, and why creativity is the secret weapon in business. Minou's journey is anything but traditional. From theater major to running digital growth at BuzzFeed, PopSugar, People, Yahoo, and Paris Hilton's 11:11 Media, before stepping into the CEO role at RealSelf.We cover entrepreneurship, digital strategy, and what it really means to lead with empathy. Minou shares how her theater background shaped her leadership style and built her emotional intelligence, and why she treats interns, CFOs, and board members exactly the same, holding radical transparency as her rule. She talks about rebranding RealSelf to modernize the experience while keeping its loyal community at the center, and why companies that resist change get left behind. We also dig into the gap between corporate excitement about AI and consumer distrust, and Minou's long-term vision for RealSelf beyond aesthetics to include wellness, nutrition, and mental health.If you're building a brand, leading a team, or just want to understand how empathy and bold change fuel real growth, this episode is packed with insights you can use. Listen now for lessons on leadership, digital growth, and why being authentic is the best strategy.

Danielle Kidney is the founder of The Creative Pack, a Los Angeles-based agency specializing in packaging design for CPG and DTC brands. With over two decades of experience in the industry—including work with Tesco and a diverse portfolio of well-known consumer brands—Danielle brings a wealth of expertise in every aspect of packaging, from strategy and brand storytelling to materials and production.In this episode of DTC Pod, Danielle breaks down the behind-the-scenes process of creating packaging that not only looks great but also delivers on function, compliance, and scalability. She covers everything from the earliest stages of design and competitor audits, to the nuances of materials, regulatory requirements, and print production. Danielle shares practical advice on how brands can avoid costly mistakes, streamline their supply chain, and create packaging that stands out both online and on the shelf.Episode brought to you by StordInteract with other DTC experts and access our monthly fireside chats with industry leaders on DTC Pod Slack.On this episode of DTC Pod, we cover:1. The importance of packaging in brand perception and sales2. Process: From initial idea to production-ready design3. Building a design brief and establishing project scope4. Competitive reviews and designing for hierarchy and function5. Balancing creative innovation with must-have regulatory details6. Collaborating with clients, manufacturers, and printers7. Prototyping, mockups, and unboxing experience8. Print technology, material choices, and cost management9. Regulatory review, legal claims, and compliance essentials10. Lead times, timeline planning, and pitfalls of rushing production11. Early-stage packaging vs. scaling up for retail and DTC12. Lessons learned: common mistakes and strategic tips13. Pricing, form factor, and packaging design as sales leversTimestamps00:00 Introducing Danielle Kidney & The Creative Pack05:42 The Creative Pack's client process: from idea to brief10:50 Balancing branding vs. functionality for sales and conversion18:03 Manufacturing realities: materials, dielines, and cost constraints24:39 Colors, mockups, and bringing digital designs to life26:22 Real-world costs of packaging mistakes and risk mitigation29:27 Regulatory musts: nutrition facts, barcodes, legal pitfalls35:10 Realistic timelines for packaging launches and scale40:33 Strategies for startups vs. brands scaling up43:23 Lessons learned and tips for optimizing packaging decisions50:20 Where to connect with Danielle and The Creative PackShow notes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more.  Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here.Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTokDanielle Kidney - Founder of The Creative PackBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of CastmagicRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

Meenakshi Lala is the CEO of UrbanStems, an online floral gifting company that designs, sources, and delivers high-quality, curated bouquets and gifts across the U.S. She brings over two decades of operational experience from leading brands in fashion and retail such as Alice + Olivia, Juicy Couture, and Elie Tahari. Her expertise in scaling complex businesses and building operational excellence now fuels UrbanStems' growth as a leader in the industry.In this episode of DTC Pod, Blaine and Meenakshi explore the complex world of DTC flower delivery: from sourcing stems globally, managing cold chain logistics, forecasting inventory, and reducing spoilage, to ensuring the end customer receives a high-quality bouquet every time. Meenakshi candidly discusses the challenges of seasonality, tariffs, international shipping, and why a robust brand and customer-centric approach are keys to thriving in today's fast-moving e-commerce landscape.Episode brought to you by StordInteract with other DTC experts and access our monthly fireside chats with industry leaders on DTC Pod Slack.On this episode of DTC Pod, we cover:1. The complexities of the floral industry and perishability2. The evolution of e-commerce in the flower business3. Building a robust and agile international supply chain4. Cold chain logistics and fulfillment center operations5. Planning, forecasting, and reducing spoilage in inventory6. Unique challenges: tariffs, customs, and unpredictable events7. Customer experience: packaging, instructions, and communications8. Curation, personalization, and expanding gifting moments9. Driving growth through brand, loyalty, and education10. Lessons learned in leadership and staying agileTimestamps00:00 Meenakshi's career journey and joining UrbanStems04:49 Key learnings from legacy brands and focus on brand ethos07:21 Operational challenges unique to the floral industry11:00 The evolution of flowers in e-commerce and UrbanStems' role14:28 How Urban Stems' supply chain is structured for freshness16:37 International sourcing, design, and bouquet assembly process18:27 Managing supply chain risks: tariffs and customs21:45 Inventory planning, spoilage, and matching supply to demand24:45 Supply chain as a business moat and high-precision operation25:36 Customer fulfillment: hydration, packaging, and experience28:34 Packaging complexities and spec sheets per SKU30:08 Lessons from moving from COO to CEO32:19 How operational expertise shapes strategic leadership34:17 Customer feedback and new initiatives at UrbanStems38:02 Growth channels: brand loyalty, curation, and gifting moments41:58 Biggest CEO learnings and future outlook43:51 Where to find Meenakshi and UrbanStems onlineShow notes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more.  Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here.Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTokMeenakshi Lala - CEO at UrbanStemsBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of CastmagicRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

How To Kickstart Your Marketing After Summer Realize that as you vacuum the sand from your car from summer it's also time to buckle down and return to marketing! Welcome to a special five-minute mini marketing class where I share insights on revitalizing your marketing strategy as we transition from summer to fall. I discuss practical tips for setting quarterly goals, blocking dedicated time for content creation, and ensuring consistency in your marketing efforts. Tune in for actionable advice to kickstart your marketing and elevate your business this season! Tag me when you use these tips on Instagram or LinkedIn!In this quick bite-sized bonus solo episode you will learn: How to focus your energy to hit your goals for this quarter (not the next 5 years)!Time management tools - what to do with your calendar each week to ensure you accomplish tour marketing tasksHow to avoid leaving amazing content unfinished and what scheduling tools to use to maintain consistencyKim Rittberg was a TV news producer for a decade and trained thousands of people to be calm, cool and collected for live TV interviews. She also launched the digital video unit for Us Weekly leading to its $100 million sale, and was a video marketing executive at Netflix & PopSugar. She ditched corporate once she found herself working in the hospital delivery room. She now runs an award-winning company that helps real estate agents & business owners grow their leads, income and credibility with video and podcast. FREE DOWNLOAD: 10 Tips to Make Better Video In Less Time (To Grow Your Revenue) click here Follow host Kim Rittberg on Instagram & Subscribe to Kim's YouTube Channel to Make Better Videos that Convert See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Natan Bershtel is the Director of Business Development at Pelagic, a fractional supply chain partner for growing brands and CPG companies. Before Pelagic, Natan spent nearly 20 years as a public school teacher before joining and eventually running his family's contract packaging business—where he worked with iconic names like Seed, Liquid IV, Celsius, and Element. After his company's exit, Natan teamed up with John Morgan to help brands avoid common operational pitfalls and build supply chains that scale.In this episode of DTC Pod, Natan breaks down what it takes to build a resilient supply chain at every stage of brand growth. He shares practical strategies to avoid common pitfalls, tips on sourcing the right partners, and insights on how successful brands approach manufacturing, fulfillment, and logistics. Natan also highlights why supply chain is core to a brand's success and how founders can create real competitive advantages by making supply chain decisions based on quality, relationships, and flexibility.Episode brought to you by StordInteract with other DTC experts and access our monthly fireside chats with industry leaders on DTC Pod Slack.On this episode of DTC Pod, we cover:1. Importance of supply chain in DTC and omnichannel brands2. Key players: sourcing, manufacturing, co-packers, 3PLs, and fulfillment3. Differences in supply chain needs for emerging vs. established brands4. Supply chain pitfalls and how to avoid them5. Vetting, relationship-building, and collaboration with your supply chain partners6. Overlooked areas of supply chain where founders lose time/money7. How to approach minimum order quantities and negotiations8. When to outsource fulfillment vs. doing it yourself9. Logistics of manufacturing, packaging, and distribution10. The impact of scale on supply chain decisions11. Using data and timelines to make faster, smarter choices12. Leveraging agency and partner networks for supply chain speed13. Why in-person vendor relationships are crucial14. How truly great supply chains build brand moatsTimestamps00:00 Intro and the state of supply chain in DTC01:40 Natan Bershtel's background and path to Pelagic02:24 Lessons from growing a contract packaging family business04:11 Why supply chain is the backbone of every brand05:28 The role of execution vs. creative vision in CPG07:09 How to find and vet the best manufacturing/packaging partners11:15 The agency advantage: getting reps and sharing supply chain intel12:41 Core players in bringing a product to market15:04 Aligning supply chain strategy with brand vision and goals16:56 Two playbooks for scaling: bootstrap profit vs. capital-intensive growth19:48 Timelines—how to ask supply partners the right questions21:41 How and when to ask for what you need from partners26:32 End-to-end product launch: manufacturing, packaging, and fulfillment28:42 When to move fulfillment to a 3PL (and when to keep it in-house)33:15 Tech and process innovation at leading 3PLs35:14 Strategic decisions: packaging, location, and unit economics38:58 Challenging assumptions and reviewing supply chain regularly42:08 Supply chain as brand moat and advantage44:13 Final tips: Always go in-person and build real relationshipsShow notes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more.  Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here.Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTokNatan Bershtel - Director of Business Development at PelagicBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of CastmagicRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

In this episode you'll learn:-1 Way to sound more confident-Exactly what to say and how to do it-When you can use this!Please FOLLOW the show and spread the word to your friends in person and on social! Grab the Freebies!-10 Secrets to Making Video That Makes You Money-How to Get Speaking Gigs Through Content -Follow host Kim Rittberg on Instagram & YouTube to Make Better Videos that Convert ClientsMeet Kim: Kim Rittberg runs an award-winning company that helps real estate agents & business owners grow their leads, income and credibility with video and podcasts. Before that, Kim was a TV news producer for a decade and trained thousands of people to be calm, cool and collected for live TV interviews. She also launched the digital video unit for Us Weekly leading to its $100 million sale, and was a video marketing executive at Netflix & PopSugar. She ditched corporate once she found herself working in the hospital delivery room as she gave birth (seriously!) and now she is committed to helping business owners, coaches, agents & consultants find your own balanced path and build a thriving business!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In Dinner for Shoes episode 78, host Sarah Wasilak breaks down the most controversial celebrity fashion campaigns — and what they say about the messy intersection of style, politics, and personal values.First up: American Eagle's “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans” ad, which is getting serious internet backlash. Sarah also covers two other headline-making moments:Miley Cyrus's recent Dolce & Gabbana eyewear ad, despite her 2017 criticism of the brand's politicsBella Hadid's pulled Adidas campaign tied to the tragic 1972 Munich Olympics attackFrom celebrity endorsements gone wrong to the question of how to respond when your favorite brands clash with your own beliefs, Sarah offers thoughtful and practical ways forward.And because controversy comes in all flavors, she also tackles the ultimate divisive topic: pineapple on pizza… for the first time ever.

Don't worry if you're at the beach and relaxing! But… there is a quick thing you can do - and should do - while you're relaxing that will pay dividends on your social media marketing. You can both relax and build a content library for you to create later.In this mini-marketing master class (less than 5 minutes!), you will learn:What to do during the summer for marketingWhat to film and how3 fresh ideas to film right now for social mediaSo when you're on your summer vacation, whether that's at a pool, at a beach, reading a book in your backyard, in an RV, bungee jumping, literally anything you're doing, make sure to capture that content in real time. You do not have a chance to get it later. Message me on Instagram if you want the video for “How to Film By Yourself.”Subscribe to my YouTube channel!Grab the Freebies!10 Secrets to Making Video That Makes You MoneyHow to Get Speaking Gigs Through Content Meet Kim: Kim Rittberg runs an award-winning company that helps real estate agents & business owners grow their leads, income and credibility with video and podcasts. Before that, Kim was a TV news producer for a decade and trained thousands of people to be calm, cool and collected for live TV interviews. She also launched the digital video unit for Us Weekly leading to its $100 million sale, and was a video marketing executive at Netflix & PopSugar. She ditched corporate once she found herself working in the hospital delivery room as she gave birth (seriously!) and now she is committed to helping business owners, coaches, agents & consultants find your own balanced path and build a thriving business!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Join Better Dad bulletin: https://better-dad-bulletin.beehiiv.com/subscribeSubscribe to the Dynamic Daddy YT channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DynamicDaddyGet ready to be inspired and empowered! In this episode, we sit down with Betina Gozo—Nike Global Trainer, fitness expert, and bestselling author of Women's Health Magazine's Woman's Guide to Strength Training and Human Kinetics' Women Muscle & Strength. With a passion for strength training and a mission to help people create lasting lifestyle changes, Betina has led workouts across the globe through Nike Training Club, Tonal, POPSUGAR, and Apple Fitness+.Join us as we dive into her journey, the power of movement, and the mindset shifts needed to build strength from the inside out. We'll also discuss her work as the host of Show Up With Betina and co-host of Beyond the Routine with her husband, Nic. Whether you're looking to level up your fitness or gain insight from a leader in the industry, this episode is for you!Tune in and get ready to show up and build strength—mind, body, and soul!

From the 1981 Boston sightings, to Steven King's monster, to John Wayne Gacy's horrific murders, we have plenty of reasons to loath these nightmare entertainers.Join the DARKNESS SYNDICATE: https://weirddarkness.com/syndicateIN THIS EPISODE: Why do clowns creep us out? We'll look at some of the reasons. We'll review real creepy clown sightings – it happens a lot more than you might think! Plus, we'll also look at some true cases of clowns committing crimes… and sometimes killing.ABOUT WEIRD DARKNESS: Weird Darkness is a true crime and paranormal podcast narrated by professional award-winning voice actor, Darren Marlar. Seven days per week, Weird Darkness focuses on all thing strange and macabre such as haunted locations, unsolved mysteries, true ghost stories, supernatural manifestations, urban legends, unsolved or cold case murders, conspiracy theories, and more. On Thursdays, this scary stories podcast features horror fiction along with the occasional creepypasta. Weird Darkness has been named one of the “Best 20 Storytellers in Podcasting” by Podcast Business Journal. Listeners have described the show as a cross between “Coast to Coast” with Art Bell, “The Twilight Zone” with Rod Serling, “Unsolved Mysteries” with Robert Stack, and “In Search Of” with Leonard Nimoy.DISCLAIMER: Ads heard during the podcast that are not in my voice are placed by third party agencies outside of my control and should not imply an endorsement by Weird Darkness or myself. *** Stories and content in Weird Darkness can be disturbing for some listeners and intended for mature audiences only. Parental discretion is strongly advised.SOURCES AND RESOURCES FROM THE EPISODE…“The Tamarac Square Clown” posted at DarkStories.org: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/yck74etk“Why So Serious About Clowns?” by Frank T. McAndrew for The Conversation: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2p9cd2hp; and Beth Forrester for Spirit Halloween:https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2p8s8m3h“Creepy Clown Sightings” by Matthew Dessem for Slate.com: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/5fdppc8j; Nina Young for Kidspot.com: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2p852r3b“Clowns of Crime” by Lauren Tousignant for The New York Times: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2p8thetd; Maggie Panos at PopSugar.com: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2p87t7hh; and from iHorror: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/7byrxnmv“John Wayne Gacy: Killer Clown” by Katie Serena for All That's Interesting: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/yc7465z8=====(Over time links may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)= = = = ="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46= = = = =WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2025, Weird Darkness.=====Originally aired: April 04, 2023NOTE: Some of this content may have been created with assistance from AI tools, but it has been reviewed, edited, narrated, produced, and approved by Darren Marlar, creator and host of Weird Darkness — who, despite popular conspiracy theories, is NOT an AI voice.EPISODE PAGE at WeirdDarkness.com (includes list of sources): https://weirddarkness.com/clowns

Brent Vartan is Managing Partner and Co-Founder at Bullish, a unique hybrid combining a branding agency and a consumer-focused venture fund. With decades of experience in brand strategy, Brent and his team have been early investors and builders behind some of the most iconic DTC and consumer brands of the past decade, including Peloton, Warby Parker, Casper, Harry's, Hu, Bubble, and more.In this episode of DTC Pod, Brent shares his perspective on what it takes to build generational consumer brands from the earliest stages. He discusses Bullish's hands-on investment approach, the importance of brand strategy as a growth mechanism, and what differentiates brands that become household names. Brent also breaks down real playbooks from companies like Sunday Lawn and Nom Nom, providing founders concrete advice on what it takes to build brands worth talking about—and worth buying.Interact with other DTC experts and access our monthly fireside chats with industry leaders on DTC Pod Slack.On this episode of DTC Pod, we cover:1. Bullish's hybrid brand agency and VC model2. What it means to invest as “first money” and why it matters3. The difference between building a business and building a brand4. Why customer lifetime value (CLV) trumps CAC and COGS5. Product-market fit: moving from awareness to lifetime value6. How Bullish supports brands like Harry's and Nom Nom in their earliest days7. Tactical advice for founders on capital raising and allocation8. Building brands for acquisition vs. IPO9. The playbook for becoming an acquisition target (what buyers actually want)10. The underrated power of innovation and product launches11. The role of cultural relevance in DTC brand building12. Real-world examples from Sunday Lawn, Peloton, Bubble Beauty, and more13. How great DTC brands focus on AOV, CLV, and brand loyalty14. Pitfalls to avoid around capital structure and loss of momentumTimestamps00:00 Introducing Brent Vartan and Bullish03:49 Bullish's track record and notable investments05:22 What makes Bullish different10:10 Investing as “first money,” how Bullish evaluates concepts13:19 Patterns Bullish looks for in breakout DTC brands16:09 Deep dive: Sunday Lawn's growth and strategy18:36 Positioning Harry's and building a hundred-year business21:04 Timelines, capital, and operational realities for breakout brands23:37 Building for acquisition vs. IPO: how strategies diverge28:57 What buyers are really seeking in DTC acquisitions31:47 Nom Nom's Mars acquisition and the power of niche audiences33:59 The importance of cultural relevance and taking creative “shots”35:32 Bubble Beauty: case study in innovation and customer engagement38:27 Finding the right capital structure and maintaining founder equity41:06 The risks of stalling momentum and overplanning43:33 Where to allocate raised capital: innovation vs. marketing46:20 Where to find Bullish, Brent's socials, and their newsletterShow notes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more.  Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here.Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTokBrent Vartan - Managing Partner & Co-Founder of BullishBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of CastmagicRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

Are your vendor spreadsheets quietly killing your profits and sanity? Fragmented sourcing isn't just an inconvenience; it drains time, eats into margins, and creates chaos you can't afford. Host Darla Powell talks with Lee Anne Blake, CEO of The Expert, about why many designers are frustrated with juggling numerous vendors and outdated processes. They discuss how client expectations have changed, with buyers wanting smoother, faster, more transparent experiences, and what it really takes to keep up without losing your personal touch or design integrity. You'll hear about the real challenges designers face when trying to manage a thousand-row spreadsheet of suppliers, the benefits of consolidating orders without sacrificing variety, and how emerging generations of designers are rejecting slow, clunky systems in favor of something easier. It's an honest look at the tradeoffs of stocking-dealer pricing, the risks of vendor instability, and what access to new brands can do for your creative vision and business growth. You'll learn: ✅ Why multi-vendor chaos is hurting your margins and your time. ✅ How shifting client expectations demands a more seamless buying experience. ✅ Ways designers can gain leverage with trade programs and consolidated checkout. ✅ What the future holds for sourcing, from better vendor access to stronger client trust. If you're an interior designer looking to grow your business while staying sane and profitable, this is the episode that's going to help you get there. Listen now and start taking control of your sourcing process before it controls you. (00:00) Intro and setting up the pain of fragmented sourcing. (02:42) What The Expert is and how it evolved from consultations to marketplace. (05:04) How designers can qualify for the consult roster and trade program details. (09:25) Addressing pricing, discounts, and competitive trade concerns. (13:19) Client transparency, design fees, and evolving expectations. (17:03) Generational shifts in buying behavior and the push for streamlined online shopping. (21:12) Future plans for expanding vendor access and improving designer tools.   About Lee Anne Blake   Lee Anne Blake is the CEO of The Expert, a leading online marketplace transforming how interior designers source and purchase high-end furnishings. With a career rooted in technology, marketplace growth, and media, she brings deep expertise in building user-friendly, scalable solutions that meet real-world needs. Prior to The Expert, Lee Anne led growth at Babylist, helping modernize the way new parents shop and plan. She's also held leadership roles at companies like Google, ShopStyle, PopSugar, and AOL, where she honed her ability to marry technology with seamless customer experiences. At The Expert, Lee Anne is focused on streamlining the often chaotic sourcing process for designers by offering a curated platform with over 180 brands and tens of thousands of products, all in one place with trade pricing and consolidated checkout. She's passionate about empowering small businesses, independent designers, and artisan makers alike, ensuring they have the tools and exposure they need to thrive in a changing, tech-driven world. Outside of work, Lee Anne is a dedicated mom who's no stranger to early mornings and the balancing act of career and family, making her deeply empathetic to the time pressures her customers face daily. Website Instagram  

In this episode, Tina sits down with Karolina Rzadkowolska, alcohol-free empowerment expert and author of Euphoric, to talk about what really happens when you change your relationship with alcohol. Karolina shares her powerful personal journey and the transformation that followed once she ditched alcohol, not out of rock bottom, but out of a desire for more. This conversation dives into the often unspoken truth: alcohol may be the very thing holding you back from your full potential. In this episode, you'll learn: - The physical and mental health benefits of giving up alcohol - How to navigate cravings and social pressure (without FOMO) - Actionable steps to start changing your habits today - Key mindset shifts to uncover your purpose beyond drinking - The role alcohol plays in keeping women feeling stuck - Healthy coping mechanisms to manage stress without numbing out - The biggest misconceptions about alcohol and wellness Connect with Tina Haupert: https://carrotsncake.com/ Facebook: Carrots 'N' Cake https://www.facebook.com/carrotsncake Instagram: carrotsncake https://www.instagram.com/carrotsncake YouTube: Tina Haupert https://www.youtube.com/user/carrotsncake Pinterest: Carrots 'N' Cake Hormone Testing & Nutrition Coaching https://www.pinterest.com/carrotsncake/ About Tina Haupert: Tina Haupert is the owner of Carrots ‘N' Cake as well as a Certified Nutrition Coach and Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner (FDN-P). Tina and her team use functional testing and a personalized approach to nutrition to help women find balance within their diets while achieving their body composition goals. Connect with Karolina Rzadkowolska www.euphoricaf.com Instagram: euphoric.af Facebook: Euphoric Alcohol-Free About Karolina: Karolina Rzadkowolska is an alcohol-free empowerment expert who helps intuitive women ditch alcohol and discover their greater purpose. She's worked with thousands of clients through her programs to change their drinking habit and unleash a new level of health, happiness, and potential to go after their biggest dreams. She is the bestselling author of the book, Euphoric: Ditch Alcohol and Gain a Happier, More Confident You (HarperCollins) and her work has been featured in the Huffington Post, The Sunday Post, Popsugar, Real Simple, Elite Daily and multiple TV shows. Karolina's passionate about helping you discover what really makes you happy outside of a beverage and design a life you love. She would love to hear from you at www.euphoricaf.com.

Experts Nicole Meier and Gretchen Schaffer, the duo behind Book Works, spoke to me about how to build a meaningful author platform, and how they empower authors through book coaching and branding expertise. Nicole Meier is a certified book coach and the author of four novels, as well as the host of The Whole Writer podcast for emerging writers. Her books have been recognized by Booklist, Refinery29, BookBub, and Popsugar.  Gretchen Schaffer, is a PR strategist with experience at Adobe, Microsoft, Meta, and Sony, who now helps authors build strong platforms and pitch strategies. Together, they guide fiction writers in establishing their brand, connecting with readers, and confidently pitching their work in the literary world. [Discover The Writer Files Extra: Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox at writerfiles.fm] [If you're a fan of The Writer Files, please click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen] In this file Nicole Meier, Gretchen Schaffer, and I discussed: Where the duo step in at the “deer in the headlights moment” for authors The overwhelm from the contradictory and ever-changing path to publishing Building a community one reader at a time The intersection of creative practice and career sustainability Why you need to go tell one person that you're a writer this week And a lot more! Show Notes: bookworks.co Book Works Substack Newsletter The Whole Writer podcast Book Works on Instagram Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rates of chronic illness, behavioral disorders, and neurodevelopmental challenges are rising rapidly among children, often tied to underlying gut dysfunction, nutrient deficiencies, and environmental triggers such as toxins and ultra-processed foods. Conventional treatments frequently overlook these root causes, relying instead on symptom management or medication. Functional approaches emphasize foundational lifestyle changes—clean nutrition, microbiome support, movement, sleep, and stress reduction—as powerful tools to restore health. Children are especially responsive to these changes, often experiencing rapid and dramatic improvements in behavior, mood, and physical symptoms. With education, testing, and family-centered strategies, parents can take simple, effective steps to help their children thrive. In this episode, I discuss, along with Dr. Elisa Song, Dr. Suzanne Goh, and Dr. Elizabeth Boham why a root-cause approach is just as important for children, as it is for adults. Dr. Elisa Song, MD is a Stanford-, NYU-, UCSF-trained integrative pediatrician, pediatric functional medicine expert, and mom to 2 thriving children - and she is on a mission to revolutionize the future of children's health. Dr. Song is the bestselling author of the Healthy Kids Happy Kids: An Integrative Pediatrician's Guide to Whole Child Resilience. Dr. Song created Healthy Kids Happy Kids as an online holistic pediatric resource to help practitioners and parents bridge the gap between conventional and integrative pediatrics with an evidence-based, pediatrician-backed, mom-approved approach. In her integrative pediatric practice, she's helped 1000s of kids get to the root causes of their health concerns and empowered parents to help their children thrive by integrating conventional pediatrics with functional medicine, homeopathy, acupuncture, herbal medicine, and essential oils. Dr. Song is chair of A4M's pediatric education and has lectured around the world at leading integrative and functional medicine conferences and premier parenting events. She has also been featured in hundreds of top podcasts, print and online media outlets, including the Wellness Mama podcast, BloomTV, Forbes, Healthline, MindBodyGreen, National Geographic, PopSugar, Parents, Motherly, Parade, Verywell Health, and New York Post. Dr. Suzanne Goh, co-founder and chief medical officer at Cortica, is a Rhodes Scholar and graduate of Harvard University, University of Oxford, and Harvard Medical School who has spent decades working with autistic children. Her work as a board-certified pediatric behavioral neurologist, behavioral analyst, neuroscience researcher, and author led her to create the Cortica Care Model, an innovative, whole-child approach that combines optimal medical treatment with the most effective strategies for advancing cognition, communication, and behavior. Dr. Elizabeth Boham is Board Certified in Family Medicine from Albany Medical School, and she is an Institute for Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner and the Medical Director of The UltraWellness Center. Dr. Boham lectures on a variety of topics, including Women's Health and Breast Cancer Prevention, insulin resistance, heart health, weight control and allergies. She is on the faculty for the Institute for Functional Medicine. This episode is brought to you by BIOptimizers. Head to bioptimizers.com/hyman and use code HYMAN10 to save 10%. Full-length episodes can be found here: How to Raise Healthy Kids: A Functional Medicine Approach The Surprising Causes of Autism & Why It's On The Rise Addressing The Root Causes Of Childhood Obesity

Apoorva Govind is the founder and CEO of Bestever, a platform focused on helping brands and marketers generate ad creatives powered by real performance data and advanced AI models. With a background spanning technical roles at Apple, Uber, and Nvidia, Apoorva brings unique insights into the intersection of technology and growth marketing.In this DTC POD episode, Apoorva and Blaine discuss how the AI toolkit for advertisers is evolving, the reality behind AI-generated ads, and why strategic inputs—not just rapid content production—drive sustainable brand results. Apoorva outlines how Bestever AI analyzes existing ad data to identify winning creative elements, then automates the production of new assets using the latest AI models. The episode also covers practical advice for early-stage brands on managing creative ops, what workflows will look like as AI video matures, and the future role of platforms like Meta in creative automation.Interact with other DTC experts and access our monthly fireside chats with industry leaders on DTC Pod Slack.On this episode of DTC Pod, we cover:1. Apoorva's background at Apple, Uber, and Nvidia2. The early vision and pivot of Bestever AI3. The role of AI in modern creative production4. Ad creative strategy vs. pure output volume5. Measuring ad performance with data-driven insights6. Practical workflow tips for early-stage brands7. When and how to leverage agencies8. How to analyze competitors and learn from top-performing brands9. Demystifying AI video: state of the tech in 202510. Building workflows to leverage multiple AI models11. How Meta and other platforms are automating creative12. The importance of creative analysis and transparent reporting13. Future trends for agency and brand marketersTimestamps00:00 Intro and Apoorva's technical background01:19 Apoorva's early career at Apple, Nvidia, and Uber03:04 Apoorva's take on Apple's iOS 26 glassmorphic UI and focus on AI06:09 Security, future, and mass adoption of self-driving cars13:30 Transition into ad creative, Bestever AI's founding, and early pivots18:31 How Bestever AI analyzes ad data to inform new creative20:49 Current state and skepticism around fully AI-generated ad content23:44 Meta's push toward creative automation26:56 Ad creative strategy for early and scaling brands35:24 How Bestever AI helps brands diagnose and double down on winning ads43:07 The reality of AI video: what's possible now and what's coming next46:18 Investing in workflows and abstraction layers for future-proof creative ops50:14 Where to connect with Apoorva and learn more about Bestever AIShow notes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more.  Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here.Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTokApporva Govind - CEO and Founder of BesteverBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of CastmagicRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

"What would you do if you had to choose between interviewing Taylor Swift and picking up your child from daycare?"Art welcomes Shannon Russell, who reveals the moment that changed everything. Eight months pregnant in a Times Square subway station, she chose family over interviewing Taylor Swift - a decision that crystallized her shifting priorities. What followed was a courageous journey of reinvention. From Hollywood television producer to successful entrepreneur and career coach, Shannon's story explores the profound impact of motherhood on identity and purpose. She shares her experience with postpartum depression, the isolation of losing her social circle, and the bold decision to uproot her family across the country.Shannon's transition wasn't linear. After leaving entertainment, she tried various paths - a toxic nine-to-five job, graduate school for teaching, before finally discovering entrepreneurship through a STEM education franchise. Her coaching business grew organically when clients began asking how she made such dramatic life changes. Now she helps women recognize their worthiness of pursuing aligned careers. "Give yourself grace," she advises, "and remind yourself that you're worthy of changing your current situation." Her story proves that sometimes the biggest disruptions lead to the most meaningful destinations.Shannon Russell is a Career Transition and Business Coach empowering women to leave unfulfilling careers and build joyful, purpose-driven businesses. She is the Author of Start Your Second Act: How to Change Careers, Launch a Business, and Create Your Best Life, a Speaker, and Host of the Second Act Success Career Podcast. Through her company, Second Act Success®, Shannon shares her journey as a television executive turned business owner. She spent over 16 years as a Television Producer working for MTV, E!, Yahoo!, PopSugar, A&E, and TLC before opening her own STEM education franchise. Her motto is "produce your best life." About The Show: The Life in Transition, hosted by Art Blanchford focuses on making the most of the changes we're given every week. Art has been through hundreds of transitions in his life. Many have been difficult, but all have led to a depth and richness he could never have imagined. On the podcast Art explores how to create more love and joy in life, no matter what transitions we go through. Art is married to his lifelong partner, a proud father of three and a long-time adventurer and global business executive. He is the founder and leader of the Midlife Transition Mastery Community. Learn more about the MLTM Community here: www.lifeintransition.online.In This Episode: (00:00) Opening: The Times Square Epiphany(02:20) Becoming a Mom: The Most Meaningful Transition(07:06) Learning from Children: A Two-Way Street(14:26) Postpartum Depression and Lost Friendships(18:00) Midlife Transition Mastery Ad(23:33) The Taylor Swift Moment and Career Pivot(35:26) Transition Mastery Coaching Ad(40:51) Tools for Transition: Grace and WorthinessLike, subscribe, and send us your comments and feedback.Resources:Website: https://secondactsuccess.co/Free resources: Career change tools and business-building guidesBook: Start Your Second Act: How to Change Careers, Launch a Business, and Create Your Best LifeSecond Act Success Career PodcastEmail Art BlanchfordLife in Transition WebsiteLife in Transition on IGLife in Transition on FBJoin Our Community: https://www.lifeintransition.online/My new book PURPOSEFUL LIVING is out now. Order it now: https://www.amazon.com/PURPOSEFUL-LIVING-Wisdom-Coming-Complex/dp/1963913922Explore our website https://lifeintransitionpodcast.com/ for more in-depth information and resources, and to download the 8-step guide to mastering mid-life transitions. The views and opinions expressed on the Life In Transition podcast are solely those of the author and guests and should not be attributed to any other individual or entity. This podcast is an independent production of Life In Transition Podcast, and the podcast production is an original work of the author. All rights of ownership and reproduction are retained—copyright 2025.

RJ Larese is Vice President of Talent and Influencer Marketing for Paramount Global. He works with digital creators and unscripted talent for all the iconic Paramount brands and franchises, finding them opportunities within scripted and unscripted content, brand partnerships, consumer marketing, events, and more. Prior to joining Paramount, he was a talent, casting, and development executive with over a decade of experience at networks, production companies, and publishers, including ABC, ATTN:, Endemol, ITV America, and PopSugar. RJ has also cast and developed shows for Bravo, E!, Lifetime, MTV, NBC, TLC, TruTV, and VH1. He's worked with brands ranging from Abercrombie and Fitch, Banana Republic, Delta, General Mills, H&M, Invisalign, Moose Akedo, Sephora, Target, and Ulta. In 2021, RJ was named an AdWeek Young Influential. In 2022, he was on the Variety Power of Pride list for his contributions empowering the LGBTQUIA+ community in the entertainment space. In 2023, he was named on LA TV Week's 40 Under 40 honoree list, backed by Broadcasting and Cable.

In which Savannah and Rachael talk about selling a book without an agent, and moving from non-fiction to fiction and using podcasts as research for jobs you haven't had (so smart!) Savannah Carlisle writes heartwarming romance novels with idyllic beach settings. Her stories transport readers to fun and quirky small towns where friends feel like family. Savannah jokes that she's living her own Hallmark movie because she's a former big city corporate attorney who now lives in a small beach town writing romance novels. Her debut novel, The Library of Second Chances, released in May 2024. Her latest release, The Summer of Starting Over, was published April 1, 2025. When she isn't busy at her laptop writing her next romance book, Savannah is a sports business reporter and freelance writer who writes under her legal name, Kristi Dosh. She's been a contributor to Forbes for more than a decade, and previously served as ESPN's sports business reporter. Her freelance writing portfolio includes Glamour, Men's Health, Woman's Day, The Washington Post, AARP, POPSUGAR and more. Her latest nonfiction book, The Athlete's NIL Playbook: The Complete Guide to Owning and Profiting from Your Name, Image, and Likeness, is out July 2, 2025.

Chris Koch is the founder and CEO of VO/D, a venture studio that partners with massive talent celebrities to build enduring CPG brands across DTC, e-commerce, and retail. With a background in sports, investment banking, and talent management, Chris brings deep experience in identifying consumer needs, pairing them with the right creators, and executing product-first brand launches.In this episode of DTC Pod, Chris walks through Void's venture model, emphasizing the importance of strong products over mere celebrity endorsement. He shares the inside story of 1Up Candy's rapid national retail rollout and outlines key frameworks for structuring talent partnerships, screening for true product-market fit, and ensuring long-term profitability in the saturated creator-led brand space.Interact with other DTC experts and access our monthly fireside chats with industry leaders on DTC Pod Slack.On this episode of DTC Pod, we cover:1. VO/D's Venture Studio Model  2. Partnering with Celebrities and Creators  3. Product-First Versus Talent-First Approach  4. Identifying Consumer Problems 5. Selecting The Right Talent  6. Talent as a Marketing Utility  7. Challenges in Sourcing and Engaging Talent  8. Social Following vs Purchase Influence  9. Structuring Talent Partnerships  10. Brand Launch Funding and Operations  11. 1Up Candy Launch Story  12. Retail Distribution Partnerships  13. Inventory Financing and Cash Flow  14. Creator-Led Marketing Strategies  15. Legal and Contractual Safeguards  16. Tips for Talent-Led Brands  17. VO/D's Future Direction Timestamps00:00 Chris's background & intro to VO/D03:35 Why Void is product-first, not just talent-powered05:04 An inside look at VO/D's venture studio model06:55 Talent as a utility & making brands that stand alone10:31 Challenges matching creators to authentic product opportunities11:28 Assessing conversion, reach, and fit in creator partners13:40 How 1Up Candy with FaZe Rug came together17:31 Disrupting candy with innovation and viral challenges20:33 Breaking into 4,000 Walmart stores & key retail strategy23:30 Operational realities of scaling fast (financing, supply chain, DTC vs. retail)29:18 How to structure talent deals: equity, vesting, and incentives35:17 Red flags and protective provisions in creator agreements40:08 What's next for VO/D: new categories, creator partners, and acquisition opportunitiesShow notes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more.  Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here.Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTokChris Koch - Founder of VO/DBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of CastmagicRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

As a woman in my fifties, I've felt firsthand the frustrations of stubborn weight gain, shifting hormones, exhaustion, and just not feeling like myself. So many of us are juggling careers, caring for family, and trying to be everything for everyone…right when our bodies are changing in ways no one ever prepared us for.That's why I invited Dr. Bindiya Gandhi to join me for a real conversation about what's happening in our bodies during midlife and menopause, and, most importantly, what we can actually do to support ourselves - physically, mentally, and emotionally. We cover everything from what practices are essential for women in this phase, to how stress, sleep, and shifting hormones play a role. And she shares the lowdown on medications like Ozempic and how to know if Hormone Replacement Therapy is right for you.."I don't think anybody should be scared or fear menopause. It can be a wonderful transition.” Dr. Bindiya GandhiKey TakeawaysMenopause Is a Natural (Not Negative) Transition Menopause isn't something to fear. With the right tools and resources, you can navigate this life stage smoothly and even thrive, rather than dreading it or suffering through it.Nutrition Basics The foods you MUST be eating to support your body and your metabolism.Essential ExercisesHow to maintain muscle mass and bone health, keep your metabolism active, and support long-term mobility and independence.Highlights08:36 Health Misconceptions 14:01 Nutrition Basics22:26 Hormones and the Diet Connection25:19 Stress and Cortisol30:37 Weight Loss Drugs and Hormone Replacement TherapyImportant LinksGrab your FREE Rev Up Your Metabolism Guide: Powerful Strategies for Women in Midlife, Menopause & Beyond to Fire Up Their Metabolism, Release Weight, and Reclaim Their HealthWebsite: SarahHaasWellness.comFacebook: Sarah Haas WellnessInstagram: SarahHaasWellnessYoutube: Sarah Haas WellnessDr. Bindiya Gandhi, is a double board-certified Integrative & Functional Medicine Doctor, who has helped thousands of women transform their overall health. She is the medical director at Revive Atlanta MD, a comprehensive clinic focused on total body healing, including decreasing inflammation, improving hormonal imbalance, helping women get pregnant, weight loss resistance, chronic stress, gut health and more.She has been featured on The Daily Mail, Fox5 Atlanta,The List TV Show CBS46, 11Alive, wsbtv, Popsugar, mindbodygreen, Washington Post, well+good, Vogue, Parade, Livestrong, HuffPost and more.Free Leptin Sensitivity Quiz: www.drbindiyamd.com/quizWebsite: www.drbindiyamd.comClinic: www.reviveatlmd.comTikTok, Instagram, Facebook: @drbindiyamdThanks for Listening:Thanks so much for listening to the Boss Body podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. 

My story and how I built my dream life as a full-time traveling astrologer.  Read my timeline here

Welcome back to Coffee with a Journalist! Today, we're joined by Chandler Plante, Assistant Editor of Health and Fitness at PopSugar, for a caffeine-fueled chat on media pitches, wellness trends, and how she manages a packed inbox. Chandler shares PopSugar's new editorial focus on women's wellness, what makes a pitch stand out (hint: be specific and authentic), and how social media shapes her content planning. Whether you're a publicist or just curious about life behind the scenes at a major digital outlet, this episode is full of sharp insights and practical tips. Pour a cup and tune in!

It could be argued that agents of capitalism have built the patriarchal system as a means to keep both men and women controlled and in line. But what if we broke free? What would happen to sex, love and freedom then? Dr. Kate Balesteri joins us to discuss what patriarchy actually is, how it hurts all genders, and how we (men, women and every gender) can take back our agency while heightening our authenticity and consciousness. You can find Dr. Kate Balestrieri at: https://www.modernintimacy.com/dr-kate-balestrieri-sex-therapist/ Facebook http://facebook.com/dr.katebalestrieri http://instagram.com/drkatebalestrieri Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@drkatebalestrieri Dr. Kate Balestrieri"s Bio: Dr. Kate Balestrieri, Psy.D., CSAT-S, is a Licensed Psychologist (Clinical and Forensic) in CA, FL, NY and IL. She is a Certified Sex Therapist, Certified Sex Addiction Therapist – Supervisor, and PACT III trained couples' therapist. Dr. Balestrieri earned her Doctorate of Clinical Psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology, Chicago, and completed her Post-Doctoral Fellowship though the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, with a concentration in Forensic Psychology. In over 16 years of clinical experience, she has conducted clinical and forensic evaluations, provided expert witness testimony in court, and been a treatment provider in clinical, forensic, and correctional settings. The Founder of Modern Intimacy, Dr. Balestrieri is a passionate advocate for mental, relational and sexual health. Throughout her work, Dr. Balestrieri focuses on helping people build resilience and recovery from what ails them to move from a position of pain or discomfort to one of thriving, holistically in their lives. A sex positive provider and human, Dr. Balestrieri is dedicated to helping people have a more expansive and integrated relationship with sexuality. Dr. Balestrieri is a regular contributor for PopSugar, Poosh, YourTango, Psychology Today, House of Wise and has been featured in many other publications. She is also the host of the Get Naked with Dr. Kate podcast, on which she discusses mental health, sex and relationships. You can listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio or anywhere you get your podcasts! How to find Sunny Megatron: Website: http://sunnymegatron.com Facebook http://facebook.com/sunnymegatron Twitter http://twitter.com/sunnymegatron Instagram http://instagram.com/sunnymegatron Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@sunnymegatron YouTube https://www.youtube.com/sunnymegatron American Sex Podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/2HroMhWJnyZbMSsOBKwBnk How to find Kate Loree: Website http://kateloree.com Instagram: http://instagram.com/opendeeplywithkateloree Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@opendeeplywithkateloree Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kateloreelmft Twitter http://twitter.com/kateloreelmft YouTube https://youtube.com/channel/UCSTFAqGYKW3sIUa0tKivbqQ Book referenced: How to find Sunny Megatron: Website: http://sunnymegatron.com Facebook http://facebook.com/sunnymegatron Twitter http://twitter.com/sunnymegatron Instagram http://instagram.com/sunnymegatron Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@sunnymegatron YouTube https://www.youtube.com/sunnymegatron American Sex Podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/2HroMhWJnyZbMSsOBKwBnk How to find Kate Loree: Website http://kateloree.com Instagram: http://instagram.com/opendeeplywithkateloree Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@opendeeplywithkateloree Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kateloreelmft Twitter http://twitter.com/kateloreelmft YouTube https://youtube.com/channel/UCSTFAqGYKW3sIUa0tKivbqQ Book referenced: What Happened to My Sex Life?: A Sex Therapist's Guide to Reclaiming Lost Desire, Connection, and Pleasure by Dr. Kate Balestrieri Open Deeply podcast is not therapy or a replacement for therapy. Open Deeply podcast is not therapy or a replacement for therapy.

Is altering your state of mind the key to deeper connection and high performance? In this episode, Dr. Alexandra Stockwell talks with the “Father of Biohacking” and Founder of Bulletproof Coffee, Dave Asprey, about how meditation, biohacking, and consciousness boost personal growth and improve relationships. Drawing from his new book Heavily Meditated, Dave shares tools like the “reset process” to clear emotional triggers, and explores how sexual energy deepens intimacy. He also explains how brief moments of discomfort can boost motivation. This conversation is full of practical tips to help you heal, connect, and perform better (in the bedroom and in your life).   Also in this episode: Biohacking & Mindfulness – How meditation and awareness boost your success and growth. Heavily Meditated – Dave Asprey's new book on using altered states for personal transformation. The Reset Process – A simple method to clear emotional triggers using gratitude and forgiveness. Sexual Energy & Intimacy – How desire and vulnerability deepen connection and expand consciousness. Short Bursts of Discomfort – The use of brief, intentional pain to boost motivation and mental strength.     About The Guest: Dave Asprey is the founder of Bulletproof Coffee, The Bulletproof Diet, the entire biohacking movement, and is often referred to as “The Father of Biohacking.” Dave is a four-time New York Times bestselling author, and author of the forthcoming book, Heavily Meditated: The Fast Path to Remove Your Triggers, Dissolve Stress, and Activate Inner Peace (Harper Collins, May 2025). He is the CEO of Upgrade Labs, and host of an award-winning top 100 podcast, The Human Upgrade (formerly Bulletproof Radio). A renowned leader in furthering the longevity movement, Dave's vision and collaborative work with renowned medical professionals, researchers, and innovative trailblazers has paved the way for groundbreaking ideas, techniques, and consumer products to improve mental and physical performance. Dave has been featured on hundreds of media outlets including: The New York Times, ABC/Nightline, Fox News, Real Simple, Inc., Fast Company, Vogue, PopSugar, Refinery29, New York Post, GQ, First for Women, Newsweek, Mashable, Financial Times, Forbes, AskMen, TODAY , CNN, Wired, Good Morning America, Bloomberg, and more.   Get his book, Heavily Meditated here: https://amzn.to/4kRtii9 Learn More about Dave Asprey: https://daveasprey.com/     Subscribe To The Intimate Marriage Podcast: Apple Podcast | YouTube | Spotify Connect With Alexandra Stockwell, MD: Website | Linkedin | Instagram   Get your copy of “Uncompromising Intimacy” by Dr. Alexandra Stockwell here: https://amzn.to/2ymI3Hl Download the first chapter of Dr Alexandra's bestselling book, “Uncompromising Intimacy,” here:  https://www.alexandrastockwell.com/book Cultivate your intimacy skills (without compromise) in Aligned & Hot Marriage, Dr. Alexandra's proven method for smart couples ready to love more fully:  www.alignedhotmarriage.com Join Dr. Alexandra's email list to stay connected. She shares inspiring stories, her latest insights and opportunities to learn with her:  https://www.alexandrastockwell.com/subscribe   This Podcast Is Produced, Engineered & Edited By:  Simplified Impact

Aaron Nosbisch is the founder and CEO of BRĒZ, a cannabis social tonic beverage designed as an alcohol alternative that offers a euphoric, feel-good effect without the downsides of alcohol. He built his expertise in e-commerce from an early age, launching multiple internet brands and scaling previous ventures like MONQ (portable aromatherapy diffuser, 0 to $15 million in three years as CMO), and running Lucyd Media, the world's largest cannabis social advertising agency, which run 80% of meta ads for the cannabis space.In this episode, Aaron and Blaine explore how BRĒZ identified untapped demand, iterated their product to solve a genuine founder problem, and brought it to market with precision: leveraging lean startup methodology, subscription-first landing pages, micro-batch production, effective founder-led UGC creative, and meticulous customer service. They discuss cash flow realities, funding first runs, the role of retention in beverage DTC, and how direct-to-consumer momentum powers retail expansion and shelf velocity. Aaron also shares transparent insights on ad spend, internal ops, and the principles that fuel brand growth.Interact with other DTC experts and access our monthly fireside chats with industry leaders on DTC Pod Slack.On this episode of DTC Pod, we cover:1. Pillars of a Successful DTC Brand2. Challenges of Scaling Beverages DTC3. Early Stage Funding and Resources Management4. Supply Chain Processes in Product Launches5. Team Building, Finding the Right Partners6. Pre-Launch and Launch Strategies7. Testing and Iterating Ad Campaigns8. Founder-Led Content in Advertising 9. Guerrilla Strategies for Audience and List Building10. Media Buying, Optimizing CAC, and Scaling Spend11. Building AOV, Subscription, and Retention12. Customer Feedback and Iteration Cycles13. Importance of Timing and Market ReadinessTimestamps00:00 Introducing Aaron and BRĒZ05:06 The “alcohol alternative” white space and product vision13:21 Launching a DTC beverage: initial capital and inventory20:32 Validating demand, managing resource constraints25:44 First ads and sales: founder content, guerilla tactics34:07 Early CACs, ad budgets, and optimizing for LTV38:22 E-commerce vs retail: channel mix and growth phases46:50 Key takeaways & where to follow Aaron and BRĒZShow notes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more.  Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here.Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTokAaron Nosbisch - Founder and CEO of BRĒZBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of CastmagicRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

Marin Ištvanić is a partner at Inspire Brands, a boutique agency focused on paid social ads, primarily on Facebook and Instagram. He has personally spent over $150 million on Facebook ads for clients and internal brands, successfully scaling Inspire's own brand to $30 million in revenue by their third year.In this episode of DTC Pod, Marin shares his insights on growing brands profitably through paid social. He discusses the importance of achieving product-market fit, crafting compelling offers, and understanding unit economics. Marin also details his agency's creative testing process and how to efficiently scale winning ad angles from static images to videos to landing pages.Interact with other DTC experts and access our monthly fireside chats with industry leaders on DTC Pod Slack.On this episode of DTC Pod, we cover:1. Achieving Product-Market Fit2. Scaling Brands through Facebook Ads3. Product Differentiation4. How to Craft a Compelling Offer5. Subscription Products and Pricing Strategies6. Landing Pages for Facebook Ads7. Advertorials and Third-Party Content for Ads8. Whitelisting and Leveraging External Trust in Ads9. Ad Format Mix and Budget Allocation10. Advantage+ Campaigns and AI11. Scaling Ad Creative Production12. Testing Ad Variations and HooksTimestamps00:00 Marin's background and joining Inspire Brands 04:48 Importance of product-market fit and differentiation 06:50 Creating demand vs picking an established market10:34 What makes an effective offer and how to craft one12:41 Subscription models and free trial strategies16:59 $1K/day spend as indicator of product-market fit 18:36 Choosing the right landing page for your product 25:07 Whitelisting strategies and organic-looking content27:48 Typical budget allocation across ad formats30:29 Facebook's Advantage+ campaigns and AI features 33:23 Strategies for scaling ad creative24:44 Final tips: know your numbers and when to spendShow notes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more.  Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here.Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTokMarin Ištvanić - Partner at Inspire BrandsBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of CastmagicRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

In this episode, Tina chats with Kim Shapira, a celebrity dietician and founder of the Kim Shapira Method. Kim shares her journey from being a sick child to a functional nutrition expert, emphasizing the importance of understanding emotional triggers related to food. She outlines her six simple rules for sustainable health, covering topics like mindful eating, appropriate food portions, hydration, and sleep. The conversation also dives into gut health, the pitfalls of crash dieting, and fostering a positive relationship with food and the scale. Here's what you'll learn: - Why food is more than fuel - 6 simple rules for better health - The most challenging rule and why people struggle with it - Why feeling safe matters for health and weight loss - The real meaning of "eat what you love" and how to find balance without food rules or restriction - The connection between undereating, bloating, and constipation - Rethinking and improving your relationship with the scale This Is What You're Really Hungry For: https://rstyle.me/+6q7mC-oO1C03_Mo--8IXwg Connect with Tina Haupert: https://carrotsncake.com/ Facebook: Carrots 'N' Cake https://www.facebook.com/carrotsncake Instagram: @carrotsncake https://www.instagram.com/carrotsncake YouTube: Tina Haupert https://www.youtube.com/user/carrotsncake Pinterest: Carrots 'N' Cake Hormone Testing & Nutrition Coaching https://www.pinterest.com/carrotsncake/ About Tina Haupert: Tina Haupert is the owner of Carrots ‘N' Cake as well as a Certified Nutrition Coach and Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner (FDN-P). Tina and her team use functional testing and a personalized approach to nutrition to help women find balance within their diets while achieving their body composition goals. Connect with Reed Davis: https://www.kimshapiramethod.com/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kim-shapira TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kimshapiramethod Facebook: facebook.com/kimshapiramethod Twitter: twitter.com/kimshapira Instagram: instagram.com/kimshapiramethod About Kim Shapira: Kim Shapira M.S., R.D. is a celebrity dietitian, nutritional therapist, and author, with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Tulane University and a Master's degree in Human Metabolism and Clinical Nutrition from Boston University. Kim has spent over 25 years helping people lose weight and keep it off (with a giant emphasis on keeping it off), both in her private Los Angeles practice, in hospitals, sports clinics, addiction centers, and universities. When she's not helping her clients take back their relationship with food, she is a wife and mother of three children and three pups. Kim often appears as a guest expert for Yahoo!, Just Jenny, Sky News, Vanity Fair, Pop Sugar, and Podcasts, and will be happy to pop in and be a guest speaker for your book clubs.

Justin Sherlock is the co-founder and CEO of Caspian, an AI-native duty drawback platform designed to help brands navigate complex global trade and tariff environments. Prior to Caspian, Justin gained deep experience in finance and logistics at Flexport, where he led Flexport Capital, and previously had several years experience in private equity.In this episode, Justin breaks down the rapidly changing landscape of tariffs, duties, and global supply chains—especially relevant amid recent policy moves and volatile trade relations. He explains what customs brokers, tariffs, and duty drawbacks are, why these concepts matter for brands importing and exporting goods, and how most businesses are missing out on significant duty refund opportunities. Justin also offers real-world insights for DTC operators facing escalating tariffs, discusses strategies for mitigating increased costs, and shares how AI is making advanced trade advisory accessible beyond just Fortune 500 companies.Join us as a Guest on DTC POD: SUBMIT GUEST FORM HEREApply to join our DTC Pod Slack.On this episode we coverRising tariffs and global trade dynamicsSupply chain challenges for DTC brandsRole and importance of customs brokersDuty drawback: process and benefitsImpact of US-China tariff escalationTechnology and AI in trade complianceStrategies for brands to navigate tariffsTimestamps03:59 From Flexport to Caspian09:31 Customs Compliance11:11 Understanding Tariff and Duty Classification15:54 Trump's Tariff Strategy: A Provocative Move18:26 Debate Over Section 321 Provision22:46 "Supply Chain Opportunities and Challenges"25:03 Reshoring Critical Industries Strategy28:04 10% Tariff Impact on US Businesses32:53 Optimizing Supply Chain and Vendor Management36:22 Trade Predictions: Japan, Taiwan, India, Vietnam37:52 Geopolitical Isolationism and China's Rise41:41 "Navigating Duty Drawback Challenges"45:07 International Pricing and Tax Strategies48:07 Future of Supply Chain OptimizationPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more.  Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here.Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTokJustin Sherlock - Founder of CaspianBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of Castmagic

I'm your host and coaching teammate, Shauna Griffiths, and I'm grateful to bring you another conversation with an impactful leader. This edition features my dynamic, incredible friend - Dilan Gomih - making the case for well-being in the workplace. Dilan is a keynote speaker, human performance expert, and the founder of Dilagence, a company that empowers workforces to leverage the power of well-being as a performance strategy. Her work has been featured in Forbes, the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Business Insider, Oprah Daily, PopSugar, and PureWow. Having transitioned from finance to fitness, including working in management with world-renowned brands like Barry's and CrossFit, she made it her mission to break the myth that well-being and hard work are incompatible. She built Dilagence with the belief that physical, mental, and emotional well-being unlocks longevity in and out of the workplace. In addition to her work with Dilagence, Dilan is a guest lecturer at Harvard Business School, a ForbesWomen contributor, and serves as a strategic advisor to the Initiative on Workplace Inclusion at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth. She also enjoys ninja training and competed on American Ninja Warrior. This episode will give you new perspectives on well-being in the workplace for yourself and the people in your care. Within minutes of listening, you'll understand why I felt compelled to draft her as a official 2025 #LeadershipAthlete. Tune-in to also hear about: - Peak performance at work - Flexible wellness: Celebrating small wins - Prioritizing impact and joy  - Starting your day with your breath vs your phone - Multitasking: The human challenge - Mind-body connection for productivity - And more! We hope you enjoy this episode, and we look forward to hearing your feedback! LEADERSHIP IS A SPORT & IT'S GAMETIME.

Today I am joined by Lydia Menzies! Lydia  is known for her swoon-worthy table settings and her ability to connect the people that gather around those tables. Lydia knows that styling a fabulous table is a creative gift hostesses often love to share with others - and the goal of hospitality is creating a sense of happiness and belonging among the guests. Lydia is the 2025 Contributing Editor for table styling for Southern Lady magazine, and creator of The Supper Club community. Lydia is the author of her new lifestyle book, The Supper Club with Lydia Menzies. It is a gorgeous coffee table book full of tablescape ideas for year-round hosting! Lydia has been featured in Southern Living, BuzzFeed, GoodHousekeeping, Pop Sugar, among many others and has been asked to style for brands such as Martha Stewart for Staples, Breyers Ice Cream, Square, Mattel, Body Armor, and Netflix star, Julie McAllister. The Supper Club is Lydia's community that combines her passion of creative party themes with helping businesses claim the recognition they deserve. Lydia takes great pride in seeing everyone enjoy the benefits of kindness and camaraderie through creativity. Lydia lives in Athens GA with her husband and 2 golden doodles. She has a daughter and a son at Furman University.In this episode, Lydia and I talked about how she started blogging, the many amazing parties she has planned + executed, her community The Supper Club, her new book, and so much more! Lydia's WebsiteLydia's InstagramGreenville Humane Society Samaritan's Purse

Trying to figure out what you need to do to make your small business more ADHD-friendly? In today's episode, I sit down with ambitious outlier, Evan Sargent to discuss how she built a business that allows her to thrive, stand out from the competition and honor her ADHD attributes and gifts. With a background in graphic design and advertising, Evan transitioned from a fast-paced agency environment to the entrepreneurial world. Her company, Leap_Year Branding creates brand strategy and design for disruptive, service-based businesses, employing hyperfocused sprint days to deliver projects efficiently and collaboratively. Her innovative approach has been featured in Forbes, Crunchbase, Pop Sugar and more. Episode Highlights:Embracing ADHD in Business (00:00:01): Evan and I discuss the initial challenges and realizations that led her to work with an ADHD coach, ultimately embracing her unique brain to improve her business approach.Journey from Employee to Entrepreneur (00:00:50): Evan shares her transition from a career in advertising to freelancing, then to starting her own business, and how this shift allowed her flexibility and helped avoid burnout.Vision and Strategy with ADHD (00:21:15): Evan explains her innovative business model based on sprint days, eliminating inefficiencies she faced in traditional settings and how this dynamic approach leverages her ADHD traits.Overcoming Challenges as an ADHD Entrepreneur (00:11:37): This part of our conversation covers the struggle for structure after leaving traditional employment and the importance of having processes and support systems in place.Balancing Personal and Professional Life (00:16:15): Evan candidly discusses working with her husband, managing a household with three kids, and the personal growth she and her partner experienced through therapy and self-awareness.Future Endeavors and Adaptation (00:38:40): Evan shares her plans for evolving her business offerings, emphasizing business development as a new avenue, particularly in response to changing economic conditions.Fun fact about today's guest: Evan Sargent co-authored a book for young people called “We the People: the US Constitution Explored and Explained.” How timely is THAT? Connect with Evan Sargent:LinkedIn - Website - Contact Want to be part of the movement to help girls get identified with ADHD in childhood, instead of struggling for years before getting a “late diagnosis?” Join me in a mission to #FindTheADHDGirls by clicking on this link. © 2025 ADHD-ish Podcast. Intro music by Ishan Dincer / Melody Loops / Outro music by Vladimir / Bobi Music / All rights reserved.

I just landed my first ever TEDx talk. How did it happen? What now?In this short mini marketing episode you'll learn:How to get invited to speak on stagesThe crucial thing you must do to be a speakerEVERY FRIDAY 5-MINUTE MASTER CLASSES IN MARKETINGEvery Friday I drop a very short (less than 5 minute) video marketing tip to help you level up your business while sipping your coffee!Please FOLLOW The Exit Interview with Kim Rittberg podcast and spread the word to your friends in person and on social! Follow Kim on Social:InstagramLinkedin YouTubeGrab the Freebies!10 Secrets to Making Video That Makes You MoneyHow to Get Speaking Gigs Through Content Meet Kim: Kim Rittberg runs an award-winning company that helps real estate agents & business owners grow their leads, income and credibility with video and podcasts. Before that, Kim was a TV news producer for a decade and trained thousands of people to be calm, cool and collected for live TV interviews. She also launched the digital video unit for Us Weekly leading to its $100 million sale, and was a video marketing executive at Netflix & PopSugar. She's been featured in Forbes and Fast Company, and speaks on stages across the country. Kim ditched corporate once she found herself working in the hospital delivery room as she gave birth (seriously!) and now she is committed to helping business owners, coaches, agents & consultants find your own balanced path and build a thriving business!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the spotlight is Yasmin Angoe, the Anthony-nominated author of the critically acclaimed thriller Her Name Is Knight of the Nena Knight series, which has been optioned for a television series. Her Name Is Knight has appeared in the New York Times Book Review, OprahDaily.com, POPSUGAR, Nerd Daily, the Washington Independent Review of Books, The Guardian, and other platforms. Yasmin Angoe is a first-generation immigrant from Ghana, Africa, and in 2020 received the Eleanor Taylor Bland Award for Emerging Writers of Color from the organization Sisters in Crime.   We discuss:     >> Finding an agent >> Letting the story incubate  >> The sustainability of a series character  >> The psychographics of Nena Knight >> Life in Ghana, Africa >> Obligations of a black female author >> Etc.  Learn more about Yasmin Angoe here: https://yasminangoe.com Novelist Spotlight is produced and hosted by Mike Consol. Check out his novels here: https://snip.ly/yz18noWrite to Mike Consol at novelistspotlight@gmail.com

Peter Czepiga is the founder of Flighted, an agency that helps DTC brands profitably scale their advertising on platforms like Meta, TikTok, and Google. He also runs his own brand, Ando. Flighted has worked with some of the most popular DTC brands spending between $50-300k per month on ads.In this episode of DTC Pod, Peter shares his strategies for launching and scaling profitable ad campaigns on Meta for DTC brands. He covers how much to spend to prove out product-market fit, what types of creative work best, his approach to audience targeting, and how AI is impacting ad creative production. Peter also explains how DTC ad tactics can be applied to other business models like SaaS.Interact with other DTC experts and access our monthly fireside chats with industry leaders on DTC Pod Slack.On this episode of DTC Pod, we cover:1. Proving Product-Market Fit2. Setting up Ad Accounts for New Brands3. Budget and Assets Needed to Test Ad Creative4. Creative Strategies for Successful Ads5. AI in Ad Creative Generation6. Applying DTC Ad Tactics to Other Business Models7. Flighted's Agency Model and Client EngagementsTimestamps00:00 Peter's background in ecommerce and growth 04:08 What is takes to prove product-market fit with ads 09:57 Scaling ad budget after initial traction 13:32 What is Meta Advantage+ campaigns and when to use it16:10 How to manage ad frequency and exclusions19:31 Creative mix: formats, messaging, placements24:36 Messaging frameworks that resonate in ads27:43 Tips for sourcing and creating ad creative 32:31 AI-generated ad creative: potential and limitations 38:28 Applying D2C ad tactics to SaaS and other businesses 43:23 How Flighted works with clients 45:32 Wrap up; how to connect with PeterShow notes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more.  Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here.Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTokPeter Czepiga - Founder of FlightedBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of CastmagicRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

ATTENTION: If you listened to this episode, there's a gift for you toward the end...but you have to listen to the end to find out what it is! And it's goooood. You're welcome, babe. ___________________________________________________________Marissa is the founder / creator of WKS! She grew up and went to school in Northern VA. Her love for fitness started young (competitive gymnast + dance team member!) She moved to Charlotte in 2011, after making the Carolina Panthers TopCats and is a CPT and nutrition specialist through ACE. She focuses her fitness studies on cardio/interval training, resistance training, ballet barre, and Pilates. Marissa experimented with these different fitness genres and developed the signature trademarked and patent pending WKS methodology, incorporating cardio, strength training, and Pilates into one dynamic workout! She's been featured as a fitness expert in major publications such as Men's Health, Popsugar, and Cooking Light Magazine!  Marissa was also named one of Charlotte Agenda's “Top 10 Small Business Owners” in 2019. She has gone live on Instagram via Shape Magazine and Hollywood Life, showcasing the unique WKS workout with Sports Illustrated model, Olivia Culpo. The WKS curated methodology is used by the Carolina Panthers' TopCats, Miss USA, Miss Universe, and other prominent influencers and athletes to maintain peak performance. As the CEO of WKS, Marissa works with the management team to make corporate decisions, evaluates operational protocol, and navigates the strategic direction of the company.WKS is also a sponsor for the Topcats, so make sure to stop by and take a class to get in tip top shape for auditions!____________________________________________________You can follow Marissa @westkeptsecret and @mrswestisinthebuildingVisit https://westkeptsecret.co/ to book a class!

Welcome back to Cosmic Compass - the leading astrocartography podcast with your host, Helena! ☀️Today we're going to talk about timing in astrology, specifically understanding Saturn transits in astrology and what Saturn is here to teach us and WHEN! Let's tune into the cosmos

Rachel Sobel is an award-winning writer, author, speaker, do-over wife, mom to two girls, short-order cook, laundress, lunch packer, boo-boo kisser and chauffeur.  She was awarded Romper's 2020 People's Choice Award at Mom 2.0 and is a two-time finalist for Parenting Blogger of the Year in the South Florida Blogger Awards. She's the creator and cohost of the lifestyle podcast, Friends Without Benefits, with co-host Dale McLean, the in-arena host of the Miami Heat and host of their 2023 All Star Game.  She has work published in two anthologies, including Jen Mann's New York Times Best Seller, I Just Want to Hang Out with You. Rachel has written for HuffPost, Romper, Today Show Parents, PopSugar, ScaryMommy, Filter Free Parents, MommyNearest, Insider, She's Got Issues and more. She has appeared on NPR, The Doctors, The Tamron Hall Show and The Kelly Clarkson Show.Connect with Rachel:Web: whineandcheezits.comIG: @whineandcheezitsFB: @whineandcheezitsYT: @rachelsobel1882

POPSUGAR is right!

Tuck explains this year's Trans Day of Snack celebrations — which includes the opportunity to organize a Gender Reveal-funded gathering! — before chatting with Seattle Trans Joy's Jerika Che (they/them). Topics include: How do I organize a Trans Day of Snack event in my area? How do I choose a location? How can I spread the word? What safety measures might be helpful? Plus: Trans vegan donuts, potlucks, and emotional support cis? For more organizing tips and stories, listen to last year's episode with Jerika. Learn more about Trans Day of Snack via these PopSugar and Vice articles. (We also chatted with TDOS co-founder Lilith on Gender Conceal.) Organizing your own Trans Day of Snack event? Apply for a small grant at bit.ly/tdos2025. (Folks can send donations to @Tuck-Woodstock or PayPal.me/TWoodstock) CHICAGO! Gender Ordeal is coming to you! Tickets on sale now, please come hang out!  ~ Senior Producer: Ozzy Llinas Goodman Logo: Ira M. LeighMusic: Breakmaster CylinderAdditional music: “Beignet” and “Palms Down” by Blue Dot Sessions

Send us a textNikki Apostolou, known online as @recycledstardust, is a Native American model, beauty and skincare enthusiast, and a proud mom of three. Based in New York City, she shares her passion for beauty, skincare, fashion, and parenting across various platforms. On Instagram, she manages multiple accounts: @native_stardust, @recycledstardust focuses on beauty and skincare, while @fabulouslystardust highlights fashion, styling, family, and travel. On TikTok, under @recycldstardust, she shares content related to Native culture, body positivity, beauty, and skincare.  Over the past 12 years, Nikki has provided reviews on beauty, fashion, and the New York City lifestyle. She has also graced the runways of New York Fashion Week and has been featured in publications such as PopSugar, Insider, CNN, The Strategist, and Yahoo.   Join us as we go into Nikki's journey, exploring her experiences in the fashion industry, her role as a cultural ambassador, and her insights into beauty and self-expression.Nikki will be walking in New York Fashion Week 2025 for the designers Sky Eagle Collection and KwoselNightmares of the americas and the behill network are teaming up with the long hairs. These guys have amazing products and have spent the last 10 years building a strong positive community for men with long hair. Click on the link below and enter code "NIGHTMARES" at check out. https://thelonghairs.us/?dt_id=2267311&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabJB5dlPL-NcZi-o-2tRQDtsTRO8llxYt4qZ8m4u7raitbHK_qUexYIrb0_aem_noz8FSXZP2Ij6250h4po_QMerch store- https://indigenoustales.threadless.com/Email us at info@behillnetwork.com Also check out our Instagram -https://www.instagram.com/indigenous_tales/And our TikTok -https://www.tiktok.com/@indigenous_talesAmanda Bland Dallas area Bakeryinstagram - https://www.instagram.com/cupidsweetsbakes/Cupid Sweets- https://www.facebook.com/cupidsweets