Podcasts about Refinery29

Alicia Richardson is the co-founder and managing partner of Crowd Access, the first independent measurement company creating a standard for experiential marketing. With 18 years of experience across advertising, media, sales, and measurement, Alicia has held roles at Undertone, OpenSlate, DoubleVerify, and Essence Ventures, where she helped lead sales across a powerful portfolio including Essence, Beautycon, Refinery29, and Afropunk. Today, through Crowd Access, she is helping bring clarity, accountability, and common language to an industry that has long relied on applause, attendance, and glossy recap reports instead of true performance measurement.This episode we discuss:Alicia's path from advertising and media measurement to building Crowd Access.Why experiential marketing has outgrown the language it borrowed from digital.The problem with measuring live events through attendance, applause, and surface-level engagement.Why brands need to define what success looks like before an activation is built.How Crowd Access is creating the first independent measurement standard for experiential marketing.The role of the Experiential Power Index, or EPI, in evaluating events and sponsorship opportunities.Why transparency, common language, and real-time measurement are critical to the future of the industry.How experiential teams can move from post-event “autopsy reports” to actionable insights while an event is still happening.Why agencies are often unfairly tasked with proving ROI without the right tools or shared metrics.How better measurement can help brands justify larger experiential budgets to CMOs, CFOs, and leadership teams.Follow Alicia and Crowd Access at:https://www.crowdaccess.co/https://www.instagram.com/crowdaccess/Thanks for tuning in. Check us out at https://www.instagram.com/markstephenagency/

Girl, you're not lazy and you're not broken, you're overworked and underplayed.In this episode, I satt down with Piera Gelardi, co-founder of Refinery29, creator of 29Rooms, and author of the brand-new book The Playful Way, for a conversation that cracked something wide open in me. Piera built one of the most iconic women's media brands of all time and sold it for over $400 million… then found herself sobbing on her apartment floor at what looked like the peak of her career. Why? She'd zipped herself into a "serious suit" and packed away the playful, curious, creative parts of herself to be taken seriously. Sound familiar, y'all? So many of us do the exact same thing with our healing, we turn self-love into one more job.Inside the Episode:Why "overworked and underplayed" may be the real reason you feel stuck, brittle, and disconnectedHow Piera used play to move through grief, anxiety, and panic (yes, "grief karaoke")Tiny practices, flash expression, the "wonder wander," the shake break, to bring play and self-love back into your everyday relationshipsReady to stop white-knuckling your way toward love? Apply for the Empowered. Secure.Loved Program VIP Program HereConnect with Piera:Grab Piera's book The Playful Way Connect with her: @PieraLuisa Website: pieragelardi.com].

Madison Utendahl returns to the show on the heels of an incredible career pivot and with her burnout in check. Madison has appeared as a guest on the show in her capacity as the Webby-Award-winning and Forbes 30 Under 30 director of the Utendahl Creative Branding Studio, and founding member of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Refinery29's 29Rooms, and Museum of Ice Cream. Today she arrives as the Founder of Utendahl Consulting, the magnetic voice behind BURNT on Substack, and a fractional CMO. Madison has proven that she can do it all, and her nervous system tells the story of what happens when she does. During our conversation, we talked all about what having massive ambition and a work ethic in overdrive costs and how she's healing in public. During our chat, Madison walks us through her earliest experiences with ambition, success, and burnout in school and work. She shared that she always knew she wanted more from life than others, and that she was willing to do whatever it took to achieve it. And while she has achieved incredible success, Madison has also learned difficult lessons about burnout and how it manifests itself in her body and mind. We talked about how she came to understand when she needs to take a step back and sometimes away from her professional pursuits and pivot to something new. Madison explained that this can mean a career change, shuttering a successful business, or trying non-Western therapies to find peace and healing. In this incredibly transparent conversation, Madison opens up about the highs and lows of building a fulfilling career and defining success on her own terms and with her mental health intact.Tune in as we discuss:(00:00) Welcome Madison(8:55) How Being Raised In New York Shaped Her Work Ethic(16:00) Her Burnout Triggers(17:50) Taking A Sequential Approach To Life(26:55) How Burnout Shows Up In Her Body(33:33) Experiencing Burnout As An Entrepreneur(40:20) Why She Turned Down A Multi-Million Dollar Opportunity(43:03) How She Ethically Closed Utendahl Creative(49:08) How She Became An Artist and CMO(50:45) Why She Turned To Non-Western Therapy(54:45) Dealing With Intergenerational Trauma & Anxiety(59:00) The Hoffman Process and Ketamine Therapy(01:08:14) How She Navigates Estrangement With Her Mother(01:10:25) Designing Her Day(01:24:01) When She Feels The Most BeautifulRate, Subscribe & Review the Podcast on AppleJoin the Naked Beauty Community on IG: @nakedbeautyplanetThanks for all the love and support. Tag me while you're listening @nakedbeautyplanet & as always love to hear your thoughts :)Check out nakedbeautypodcast.com for all previous episodes & search episodes by topicShop My Favorite Products & Pod Discounts on my ShopMyShelfStay in touch with me: @brookedevardFollow Ruth @madison.utendahl Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we are chatting with Vanessa Montgomery from https://astroallstarz.com/ (as always) Today's Astro charts are located at https://astromary.libsyn.com/ Vanessa is resident Astrologer at Glamour U.S with a weekly horoscope (since mid-2019), she has launched a horoscope column for News.com.au, and is a former resident astrologer for Whimn Magazine (which closed in June, find articles housed in Body+Soul Magazine) – She launched The Cosmic Eye Monthly Forecast for Astrology University Podcast which she co-anchored from 2019 through to 2023, returning with the occasional guest appearance. Her work has appeared in Vogue U.S, Elle, Cosmopolitan, Time Out London, Refinery29, Vice Broadly, The Fashion Journal, Traveller (Easy Jet Inflight Magazine), The Kit C.A, Bloom Mag, C & The Moon and more. As resident Astrologer, she launched a new and full moon Luna scope for Lunae Sparkling, Jan 2023, on the new moon in Aquarius. Her books Star Power, Cosmic Power, and most recently, Astro Power, Published by Quadrille, have generated over a million dollars in sales internationally. Art Museums like the Guggenheim N.Y have sold them + MoMA London – And stores from Anthropologie to Urban Outfitters. Link to Vanessa's Books https://amzn.to/4uJaSoc Amazon affiliate link, I could earn a small comission if you click the link Vanessa Montgomery Natal and transits for Star Power publication   Natal and transits for publication of Cosmic Power Natal & transits for Astro Power  

Most of us treat fun like a reward we have to earn — but what if play is actually the missing ingredient holding everything else together? First, ⁠Piera Gelardi⁠, creative entrepreneur and co-founder of Refinery29, shares how weaving playfulness into everyday moments can unlock creativity and connection. Then, organizational psychologist ⁠Mike Rucker⁠ makes the case that fun isn't frivolous — it's a habit, and building it into your life can genuinely change everything.

In this episode, we sit down with Arianna Davis Santana, Executive Editor of Digital at the TODAY Show, to explore what it really means to build a career at the center of modern media, and what ambition looks like once you're inside it.Arianna's career spans some of the most influential names in media: from Oprah Daily (formerly O, The Oprah Magazine) to the TODAY Show, where she now leads digital strategy and editorial direction while also appearing on-air to break down what's trending online.Before that, she helped launch OprahMag.com, the fastest-growing site launch in Hearst Magazines' history, and later helped lead its evolution into Oprah Daily.  She has also shaped editorial storytelling at Refinery29, where she wrote deeply reported features and personal essays centered on culture, identity, and the lived experiences of women.Across every chapter of her career, Arianna has been inside the rooms where modern media is shaped - interviewing icons like Oprah Winfrey, Hillary Clinton, Mariah Carey, John Legend, Will Smith, and more, while also building digital platforms that define what millions of people read, watch, and share.But this conversation goes far beyond titles.We talk about:-The evolution of ambition in modern media-What success actually feels like once you achieve what you thought you wanted-Why leadership sometimes requires a little “Miranda Priestly energy”-How authenticity, kindness, and authority can coexist in powerful women-And how AI, digital culture, and storytelling are reshaping the future of mediaArianna also opens up about the deeper lessons she's learned along the way, including how career setbacks, reinvention, and visibility all shape who you become when no one is watching.At its core, this episode is about rewriting success, redefining ambition, and learning how to lead without losing yourself in the process.  Connect with Arianna:Website: https://www.ariannadavis.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariannagabLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariannadavis/What Would Frida Do?: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/arianna-davis/what-would-frida-do/9781541646322/?lens=seal-pressTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ariannagdavisConnect with The Women On Top:Follow The Women On Top Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or anywhere you get your podcasts.  Subscribe for more empowering conversations and stories!Website: https://thewomenontop.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewomenontop Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewomenontoppodcast/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-lynn/

Abbie speaks with Anna Maltby — health journalist, personal trainer, and author of the How to Move newsletter — for a conversation that pulls back the curtain on the fitness industry. At the heart of this episode is: what does look like to rebuild a relationship with movement that isn't rooted in shrinking, earning food, or “fixing” your body?They talk about how fitness media manufactures insecurity to sell us solutions, what people are unlearning when they come to weight-neutral movement, why decoupling exercise from aesthetics can temporarily leave people unmotivated (and what to do about that), and why your squat is probably fine.Tune in for more on:* The “body as business card” problem in fitness and nutrition* How magazine cover lines were engineered to exploit seasonal body insecurities* Anna's origin story: from Eat This Not That to anti-diet fitness journalism* The Refinery29 moment that changed everything (shoutout to Kelsey Miller's Anti-Diet Project column)* What people are unlearning: trusting their bodies, eating before workouts, modifications that aren't lesser* Why losing aesthetic motivation can feel like losing all motivation, and how to find intrinsic intentions* The importance of where you are in recovery before reintroducing movement* How to experiment with movement without judging yourself on the first try* The “you're doing it wrong” trend and why it's harmful even in anti-diet spaces* Body diversity and squat mechanics (yes, really)For more from Anna: https://howtomove.substack.com/https://www.instagram.com/howannamoves/Support the show: Enjoying this podcast? Please support the show on Substack for bonus episodes, community engagement, and access to "Ask Abbie" at abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe Apply for Abbie's Group Membership:Already been at this anti-diet culture thing for a while, but want community and continued learning? Apply for Abbie's monthly membership: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/circle-monthly-group Social media:Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcastFind Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellness  This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe

**APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN** Exclusive 2-Month Private Business Coaching Program: APPLY HERE (both established and new entrepreneurs use the same application) *serious applicants only please Feeling exhausted, mentally blocked, emotionally disconnected, uninspired, or burned out from constantly being "on"? In this deeply powerful episode, Tiffany sits down with Piera Gelardi, co-founder of Refinery29, author of The Playful Way, and creator of the Numa Luma app, to explore why so many ambitious adults lose touch with play, creativity, joy, imagination, and emotional freedom — and how that disconnect impacts everything from mental health and nervous system regulation to abundance, relationships, creativity, business success, and overall fulfillment. This conversation dives into the psychology of burnout, high-functioning anxiety, over-productivity, entrepreneurship pressure, and the emotional cost of constantly operating in survival mode. If you've been searching for how to feel inspired again, how to reconnect with yourself, how to stop feeling emotionally numb, how to get out of burnout, or why success still feels heavy even after accomplishing so much… this episode is going to hit deeply. RESOURCES MENTIONED:   Exclusive 2-Month Private Business Coaching Program: APPLY HERE (both established and new entrepreneurs use the same application) *serious applicants only please   Fast Track: 3 Weeks to Start Making Money From What You Know (EXCLUSIVE TO POSSE MEMBERS ONLY) >> Join the famous ProjectME Posse Business & Money Coaching Membership HERE NEW LIVE COURSE    Make More Work Less: The Money Relationship Healing & Manifestation Program GET THIS LIMITED TIME OFFER HERE   CONNECT WITH TIFF: Tiffany on Instagram @projectme_with_tiffany  Tiffany on TikTok @projectme_with_tiffany Tiffany on YouTube: ProjectME TV Tiffany's FREE Abundance Email Community: JOIN HERE > The Secret Posse Digest   CONNECT WITH PIERA GELARDI: Get Her Book: HERE Instagram: @pieraluisa NoomaLooma App:  DOWNLOAD HERE FOR FREE Inside this episode: • Why ambitious adults disconnect from joy, creativity, and play
 • The connection between nervous system health, emotional wellbeing, and abundance
 • How burnout culture impacts entrepreneurs, creators, and high-achievers
 • Why overworking can actually block creativity, intuition, innovation, and new ideas
 • The hidden emotional cost of constantly operating from pressure and performance
 • How play improves creativity, emotional regulation, inspiration, and fulfillment
 • The role curiosity and imagination play in personal growth and business success
 • Why some of your best ideas happen when you stop forcing outcomes
 • How to create a more aligned, fulfilling, abundant life without abandoning ambition
 • Relearning joy, creativity, emotional connection, and self-expression as an adult

One of the joys of my creative life is knowing other creative women, and growing alongside them. I'd followed Lydia Pang's work for years before we finally met in person in 2019—back when she was creative director at Refinery29, about to move to Portland to become creative director at Nike. Our first friend-date was at a restaurant in New York, in the middle of our younger hustle years—bold, ambitious, HUNGRY and painting on our lipstick every morning with a smile. I was in New York to record a Skillshare workshop, meet with my new PR team and record a live episode of Ctrl Alt Delete podcast at WNYC Studios. Life was different, then.It was so fun reconnecting for this conversation. Lydia dialing in from her home in rural Wales with her husband and young baby; me from my quiet leafy corner of London. I have always loved Lydia's confidence, one of those women who stands up tall, feet on the ground, rooted in herself. I had no doubt that her first book, Eat Bitter, would be excellent. She's a creative powerhouse: I could go on about her academic background studying at The Courtauld Institute of Art, or being a judge at various big industry awards like Cannes Lions, or running her own successful creative studio MØRNING—but basically, Lydia Pang doesn't do things by halves. The Eat Bitter project began as a self-published zine, and was available as a one-time pre-order back in 2020. It wasn't just recipes; it also embodied the “struggles of her Hakka ancestors… whose ingenuity produced a distinct food culture based on fermenting and foraging.” It gained traction, and people wanted more. Then, the publisher Chatto & Windus won a ‘competitive eight-way auction' to publish Eat Bitter as her debut memoir. It launches this week. Structurally, it has eight recipes from the ‘most painful and formative moments' of Pang's life—and there is a generosity of spirit, as though she's welcoming you into her home and laying it all out on a glorious platter to be shared and consumed. ‘Eat Bitter' is a Chinese proverb that means ‘to endure pain before tasting sweetness'—aka: we can do hard things and things take time. The idea of slowing down, enduring, surrendering. It is a book for our times. It's about burnout, grief and the aftermath of ambition. It's not just about food; rather, food serves as a metaphor for life stories, consumerism, and nutrition—or the lack thereof. Pang argues that we live in a culture of speed and convenience, and that the system perpetuates this insatiable modern appetite:“We live in a world that venerates optics and quick fixes over slowing down. Time is our enemy; it is stolen from us and yet it's our fault for letting it slip away. [..] The system doesn't want us sober and awake, thoughtful and reciprocal. No, it wants us to soothe ourselves with sugar that rots our teeth, so we're ready to be sold a dental package, distracted from the horrors that ensue and circle us.” - Eat BitterThe book is about finding nourishment again. Not in quick fixes, but rediscovering the things that stretch us, slow us down, encourage us to use our hands. We are so worried about ‘wasting our time' in our quest for validation that we forget to invest in things that don't show immediate results:“Eating bitter is not a ‘fix' you can throw money at; you will be challenged to pause and reflect. Simmer. Eating bitter is not something you can flash-fry and check off your list. You cannot excel at this.”Surely, Pang says, we shouldn't be afraid to do things that are ‘pointless'. We should waste more time trying stuff out. We don't always need to be productive. It's exhausting, really, how much of modern work-culture is all about gaming the system. Life ‘hacks'. AI. Shortcuts. Wanting everything to be a success immediately. She discusses how we are all missing out by trying to always cheat the system. Instead of networking, why not write a handwritten letter to someone you love? Instead of ‘happiness hacks', why not let ourselves feel our disgusting feelings?“Let me fester, for f**k's sake. Manifestation, goals, journaling, projecting (all things I've done with varying degrees of success) can be suffocating. [..] But eating bitter is not about training our minds to be and do and think better, day by day. I don't want to be a sunny person who always sees the opportunity, rather I want to be a feeling and fearless person.”Whether it's finding way her way back home after burnout, or finding ways to reconnect with her husband, or grieving a painful miscarriage, or overcoming health issues or heartbreak—eating bitter acts as the rudder, steering the ship back to sanity. Pang slowly heals by putting the productivity mindset down—and instead spends hours and hours making wontons with her father, spends time in the forest, puts the perfectionism down, lets herself unravel:“I had spent my entire existence achieving (and performing) the ultimate version of a best life, and I'd been addicted to the cortisol of it all. But now I was numb, burned out, sad that I was sad — my master plan had not served, and there was something shameful about that. [..] Looking back, it makes me smile that I thought I hid it. Of course my parents knew. But they simply accepted me and Roo, and they fed us.”Feeding each other is an act of love. The book is an ode to her family and their Hakka heritage. It's about family and food, yes—but more than that, it's about having the guts to be imperfect, messy and unapologetically yourself. It is about finding resilience in letting your ugly sides be finally seen. It's about how we care for each other when the chips are down.It is a gift to the reader when a fellow ambitious creative woman lets the mask purposefully slip, letting you in, showing the messy and vulnerable sides of coming out the other side of the girlboss era. I felt seen in her words. The ambition hasn't gone away, but it's definitely morphed into something else—something more solid and matured. Brené Brown really was onto something when she spoke about the ‘power of vulnerability', wasn't she?Pang said in our interview: “I wanted to be so perfect, and glossy and powerful, I wanted a vessel to put all of my ugly bits.” That's exactly what Eat Bitter is. In its raw ‘ugliness', it is a thing of beauty. I found the book emotional, brave, and eye-opening, and I highly recommend it.Thank you Lydia! Get your copy of Eat Bitter here.In this episode (available to listen to at the top of this post

You Can Follow Lucie Here:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luciebfink/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/luciebfink/The Real Stuff Podcast:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0TdvoWQBDY353htUa47qSp?si=1368f8ea280f4c74Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-real-stuff-with-lucie-fink/id1724982367 Website: https://luciefink.com/ Course: Youtube LaunchPad: https://luciefink.com/youtubeIn this episode, I sit down with Lucie Fink, a powerhouse creator, video producer, and entrepreneur who made her mark in digital media creating viral video series at Refinery29 before building her own brand and media company.Known for her creativity, storytelling, and ability to stay ahead of the curve, she's worked with major global brands and built a loyal audience across platforms, truly someone who understands what it takes to stand out in a crowded space. We get into the behind-the-scenes decisions, mindset shifts, and bold moves that completely changed the trajectory of her career, and how she went from working behind the scenes to building something of her own. We also dive into YouTube in 2026, what's actually working right now, what creators are getting wrong, and why so many people are still hesitant to start.Lucie shares powerful insights around growth, content strategy, and how to approach the platform in a way that sets you up for long-term success.If you've been feeling stuck, overthinking your next move, or wondering if it's “too late” to start… this episode is going to give you a whole new perspective (and probably the push you need to finally go for it).Want to join our Inner Circle? Email: team@sidewalkerdaily.com to learn more!This episode can be seen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4bNxTq9znuM

Today's guest is Lydia Pang, a creative director who led the cultural output at companies like Nike and Refinery29, before setting up her own explosively successful creative studio, MØRNING.In the past year, Lydia has also taken on two new roles: author and mother. Her new memoir, Eat Bitter, is told through 8 recipes from her Hakka Chinese heritage. It covers growing up in Wales, meeting her husband on MySpace, forging a creative career, moving to New York and getting drunk on the American Dream. It also charts a story of failure, miscarriage, burnout and rebirth.It's a rich and flavoursome conversation: we talk about the state of culture today, where the internet is heading next, what it takes to build a brand, write a book, and advice for building a creative career.If you enjoy the episode, then don't forget to subscribe to the Threads of Conversation newsletter, and follow along on Instagram and TikTok. Get full access to Threads of Conversation at threadsofconversation.substack.com/subscribe

Burnout and stress don't just drain energy, they drain connection. If you're in burnout, it can spike stress & anxiety and create real conflict & repair work at home. And here's the part most people miss: sometimes burnout isn't solved by “pushing harder” or even taking a break. Sometimes it's about play. Not childish, silly, or irresponsible play. But a playful mindset—curiosity, experimentation, levity—that changes how you experience your real life, in real time. In this conversation, I'm joined by Piera Gelardi to talk about burnout recovery through a lens most people never consider. Piera is a creative entrepreneur, artist, and the co-founder of Refinery29 and 29Rooms, and her work is all about helping people reconnect with joy, creativity, and aliveness. Together, we explore what happens when life gets so serious, so scheduled, and so responsibility-heavy that you lose touch with the parts of yourself that feel light, open, and fully alive. We talk about “play deprivation,” the difference between having fun and living playfully, and why recovery from burnout often has less to do with escaping your life and more to do with changing your relationship to it. You'll hear why humor as a coping mechanism can be surprisingly healing, how playful curiosity can shift conflict, and why the quiet boredom in relationship can sometimes be a sign that something important has gone missing. This is a warm, honest conversation about stress, connection, resilience, and what helps people feel like themselves again. We also get practical. Piera shares simple ways to bring more play into ordinary life, from finding the funny in hard moments to remixing daily routines, noticing beauty, and experimenting with small changes that make life feel less heavy. As you listen, I'd love for you to consider: What has gotten so serious lately? Where have you made joy conditional? And what might change if play was not something you earned after everything else was done, but part of how you cared for yourself all along? Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Why Play Matters for Adults 09:08 What Play Deprivation Really Looks Like 21:21 The Different Ways Adults Experience Play 30:11 How Humor Can Help You Cope 39:13 Wonder Wandering and Everyday Joy 41:16 Playfulness in Relationships 44:46 Why Play Is Fuel, Not Frivolous If you're noticing that stress has taken over your mood, your relationships, or your ability to enjoy your own life, this might be a good time to get support. You can book a free consultation with me or a member of my team, and we'll talk about what's been feeling hard, what you want to change, and what kind of support would actually help. We'll help you find the right counselor or coach so you can feel more grounded, more connected, and more like yourself again. xoxo, Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby Growing Self Upwork — and it's a sponsorship I said yes to because I actually use it. When you need specialized talent fast, Upwork gives you access to vetted professionals across 125+ categories, from marketing to web development to operations support. No long recruiting cycles. No guesswork. Just the right person, when you need them. Check it out at upwork.com — posting a job is free. Shopify — The all-in-one platform for building and growing your online business. Visit shopify.com/lhs to explore their tools and access exclusive listener discounts.OSEA - Amazing, clean, science-backed skincare made with the power of the sea. Use code LHS at oseamalibu.com for 10% off your first order

In this episode, we step into the often-invisible world of cultural scripts—the unwritten rules that shape what we see, what we ignore, and even how we work and create. We begin with the unforgettable story of world-class violinist Joshua Bell playing incognito in a D.C. metro station, and explore why only children stopped to listen.Our first guest, Oliver Sweet, head of ethnography at Ipsos and author of The Rules That Make Us, reveals how culture acts like an unseen operating system, shaping everything from our decision-making to organizational hierarchy and political divides. He guides us through the idea of the "cultural trinity"—identity, community, and belief system—as a tool for both diagnosing and transcending cultural divides.Next, Piera Gelardi, co-founder of Refinery29 and author of The Playful Way, describes her journey from childlike creativity to stifling seriousness—and how reclaiming playfulness became essential to her creative leadership. We unpack the tension between “the serious suit” and the playful mind, exploring practical ways to reignite curiosity and courage in ourselves and our teams.Whether you're a leader looking to shift the patterns of your organization or a creative feeling trapped in invisible routines, this episode offers a non-obvious playbook for noticing (and re-writing) the unwritten rules—without slipping into cliché or oversimplification.Five Key LearningsInvisible scripts govern not only our personal habits but also the way organizations function—most unconsciously inherited, rarely challenged.Cultural evolution now favors what's memorable and emotionally charged, rather than what's logical or true, shifting how influence and persuasion work in a social media-driven world.The "cultural trinity"—identity, community, and belief system—provides a framework for leaders to map and understand the real sources of alignment or division in teams and organizations.Playfulness is a resource, not a reward. Reintegrating play into serious work—in the form of curiosity, experimentation, and permission to make mistakes—is a non-negotiable for creative breakthroughs.Awareness precedes change: Only by noticing which rules we're following—by choice or by inheritance—can we begin to reclaim openness, creative potential, and genuine leadership.Get full interviews and bonus content for free! Just join the list at DailyCreativePlus.com.Mentioned in this episode:To listen to the full interviews from today's episode, as well as receive bonus content and deep dive insights from the episode, visit DailyCreativePlus.com and join Daily Creative+.The Brave Habit is available nowMy new book will help you make bravery a habit in your life, your leadership, and your work. Discover how to develop the two qualities that lead to brave action: Optimistic Vision and Agency. Buy The Brave Habit wherever books are sold, or learn more at TheBraveHabit.com.

I have been fascinated by today's guest ever since I came across a profile piece about her when I was working at Refinery29. I never got the chance to film a Lucie for Hire episode with her back then, but when we recently put a casting call out for people who have interesting jobs, Jen wrote in and the rest is history.Jen Glantz is a bridesmaid for hire. Brides from all over the country and beyond pay her to show up to their wedding, stand in the bridal party, and be the supportive best friend they needs on their big day. She attends engagement parties, bachelorette trips, and bridal showers. She memorizes a fake name, a fake backstory, and every detail of the bride's life so she can blend in seamlessly. In most cases, not even the person the bride is marrying knows she's been hired.What started as a half-joking Craigslist ad posted on a frustrated Friday night has become Jen's full-time business, with packages starting at $2,500, an hourly rate of around $200, and a team of bridesmaids she can send when she's double-booked. She's worked over 100 weddings since 2014 and the stories she has from those weddings are absolutely wild.In this episode, we talk about the many reasons why brides actually hire her; what the job really involves, the craziest things she's witnessed on the job, the ethics of the whole thing, and the emotional whiplash of stepping back into real life after a weekend undercover.I was absolutely riveted by this conversation and I think you will be too. And whether you could ever do something like this yourself or not, I promise you'll be thinking about it long after the episode ends.Find Jen:www.bridesmaidsforhire.comwww.jenglantz.comwww.instagram.com/jenglantz/Watch this episode in video form on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjmevEcbh5h5FEX0pazPEtN86t7eb2OgX To apply to be a guest on the show, visit luciefink.com/apply and send us your story. I also want to extend a special thank you to East Love for the show's theme song, Rolling Stone. Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealstuffpod Find Lucie here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luciebfink/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@luciebfink YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/luciebfinkWebsite: https://luciefink.com/ Subscribe to my free newsletter "The Lucie List" here: https://thelucielist.beehiiv.com/subscribeExecutive Producer: Cloud10Produced by Dear Media.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Piera Gelardi is a creative entrepreneur, speaker, and artist best known as the co-founder of Refinery29 and the visionary behind 29Rooms. Now the founder of Numa Luma and author of The Playful Way, Piera helps individuals and organizations tap into creativity, connection, and joy through the power of play. Blending art, business, and personal development, she brings a fresh perspective on how play can be a serious advantage in both life and work. On this episode we talk about: Why play isn't a reward for hard work—but the fuel behind it How to integrate a “playful mindset” into your daily work and leadership style The concept of “plork” and blending play with productivity How Piera overcame burnout by reconnecting with her creative instincts Balancing intuition with expert advice when scaling a business Top 3 Takeaways Play is not frivolous—it's a powerful tool that enhances creativity, resilience, and problem-solving in both business and life. You don't need to separate work and play; adopting a playful mindset can transform even the most routine or high-pressure tasks. Trust your intuition as a creator or leader, but use outside input as collaboration—not a replacement for your vision. Notable Quotes "Play is actually the fuel in your tank to do the hard work—and to do it with more creativity, connection, and joy." "In any moment, we can choose the pressured way or the playful way." "Why do you think you have to become a different person to get to the next level of success?" Connect with Piera Gelardi: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/piera-luisa-gelardi-3493336/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pieraluisa Other: Website: https://www.pieragelardi.com Nooma Looma App: Available for download Book: The Playful Way  Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency.  Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform.  Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A conversation with the Refinery29 founder and mind behind A Tiny Apt. about what midlife sharpens: your sense of what matters, what no longer fits, and how your surroundings affect your mood, sleep, and energy. Christene explains why small changes at home can reduce background stress, why reinvention feels more urgent with age, and how to make choices that reflect who you are now rather than who you used to be. Listeners will come away with a clearer way to think about editing their space, protecting their attention, and moving toward change without waiting for perfect conditions. It is a practical episode about building a life that feels more intentional, more livable, and less crowded by other people's expectations.Special Thanks to Our SponsorsLMNT Electrolytes: Our #1 electrolytes for optimal hydration, and their new 12oz sparkling cans are officially for sale online! Get a free Sample Pack of LMNT's most popular drink mix flavors with any purchase by using our link here. Find your favorite LMNT flavor, or share with a friend.Timeline Nutrition: Our favorite supplement for cell support and mitochondrial function. Listeners can now get 20% off their first Timeline purchase by using the code “AGEIST” at checkout at TimelineNutrition.com/ageist.Key Moments“And I'm gonna tell you, if you have trouble sleeping, paint your bedroom a dark color, because my husband and I feel like we are in a hotel room every night.”“I don't want to leave anything on the table. I want to make it to the end and just be like, I f***ing played that hand so well, and I didn't play it small. And that can be really scary, you know, especially when you feel like failure is more detrimental as you get older and harder to recover from.”“You don't have to conquer your goals overnight, but when you start moving in the direction of it, when you make that decision, it is like, miracles really do start to happen.”Connect with ChristeneA Tiny Apt. SubstackInstagramProfile Interview for AGEISTConnect with AGEISTNewsletterInstagramWebsiteLinkedInClick Here for the full interview transcript.Say hi to the AGEIST team!

Judith Martinez, Director of Social Impact & Inclusion at Rare Beauty, joins Amanda Ma, CEO and Founder of Innovate Marketing Group, to explore how purpose-driven brands create meaningful impact through experiential marketing. If you're a brand leader, event strategist, or marketer looking to create experiences that actually matter, this episode will shift how you think about experiential marketing. Tune in now!From annual mental health summits to timely virtual community conversations, Judith shares how her team designs events that meet people where they are, both online and offline. They unpack what it really means to build experiences rooted in empathy, inclusion, and real community care.About the guest:Judith Martinez is a strategist, speaker, and social impact leader reimagining what leadership and brand experience look like in a more human-centered world. She currently serves as Director of Social Impact & Inclusion at Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez, where she leads global initiatives at the intersection of mental health, community, and culture. She is also the Founder of InHerShoes, a nonprofit dedicated to catalyzing courage for women and girls in leadership and life. Over the past decade, Judith has worked across brand, nonprofit, and cultural ecosystems—collaborating with global organizations, creative founders, and purpose-driven companies to design experiences that move people, not just metrics. Her work bridges purpose and influence, guiding brands and leaders toward more meaningful, inclusive, and emotionally resonant impact. A proud first-generation daughter of immigrants and a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, Judith has been recognized for her work advancing cross-generational equity and human-centered leadership. Her insights have been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, Refinery29, and Entrepreneur, and she has spoken on stages ranging from USC Marshall to ENVSN Fest in New York. Through her podcast Imaginal Goo, Judith explores identity, creativity, and the quieter work of becoming—inviting leaders and creators to build experiences rooted in care, intention, and connection. Based in Los Angeles, she is committed to creating a world where courage is contagious and leadership feels more human.Follow Judith on LinkedIn!EventUp is brought to you by Innovate Marketing Group. An award-winning Corporate Event and Experiential Marketing Agency based in Los Angeles, California. Creating Nationwide Immersive Event Experiences to help brands connect with people. Learn more here!At Innovate Marketing Group, we've curated a collection of free resources designed to help you elevate your events and marketing efforts. Whether you're planning a company retreat or navigating the latest event trends, our tools, reports, and checklists are here to support your success and keep you at the forefront of innovation. Access them here!Follow us!Find us on ⁠⁠LinkedIn and Instagram and catch our latest episodes on the EventUp Podcast!Schedule a call if you're ready to take your next event to the next level.

Brooke DeVard has spent 10 years and 400+ interviews going deep on beauty — and she's figured out a few things. The Naked Beauty podcast host and Chief Content Officer at Refinery29 joins Molly and Emese for a conversation that's equal parts obsessive and refreshingly real. They get into the four habits she's noticed in every woman with genuinely great skin, why she thinks your morning makeup is actually a primer for your evening look, and the wellness trends she'd send straight to the trash. Plus what it was like starting a beauty podcast in 2016 when no one knew what a podcast was, how she thinks about beauty as self-expression rather than performance, and the Bio-Dance mask she swears by over everything else. A Sony Music Entertainment production.  Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts and follow us at @sonypodcasts  To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Piera Gelardi is a creative entrepreneur passionate about helping others reclaim creativity and possibility through the power of play. As the co-founder of Refinery29 and author of The Playful Way, Piera helps individuals and organizations rediscover something many of us have lost along the way: the courage to play.   Today, Piera shares how growing up in a small town in Maine shaped her sense of wonder, how building a global brand led to unexpected self-doubt and burnout, and how reclaiming play became her path back to creativity, connection, and joy. She explains practical ways to integrate playfulness into our daily lives and how small moments can shift perspectives, deepen connection, and bring more curiosity, wonder, and joy into everyday life.   My friends, if you've been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or like life has become more about checking boxes than actually living, this conversation is for you. You'll leave with a fresh perspective on how to break free from perfectionism, reconnect with your creativity, and find joy again in the small, everyday moments that make a life truly meaningful.

What if play isn't a distraction from productivity—but a powerful driver of innovation, creativity, and stronger teams? In this episode, John Jantsch talks with Piera Gelardi, co-founder of Refinery29 and author of The Playful Way, about how a playful mindset helps leaders unlock better ideas, build resilient workplace culture, and encourage experimentation without fear of failure. Gelardi shares practical ways to integrate play into meetings, marketing, and everyday collaboration so teams think more creatively and adapt faster to change. Learn how workplace playfulness can improve team performance, strengthen engagement, and become a lasting advantage for modern organizations. Today we discussed: 00:00 Piera Gelardi and The Playful Way 02:15 Science of Play at Work 03:59 Play Archetypes at Work 06:19 Playful Leadership Exercises 11:22 Building Refinery29 Through Play 12:43 Play in Company Culture 18:08 Reclaiming Play as Adults Rate, Review, & Follow If you liked this episode, please rate and review the show. Let us know what you loved most about the episode. Struggling with strategy? Unlock your free AI-powered prompts now and start building a winning strategy today!

What if the shame you carry isn't yours? What if healing begins with re-parenting yourself? In this episode of me&my health up, Dr. Tina Schermer Sellers reveals how generations were shaped by abstinence-only education, misinformation, and cultural fear — and how we can break free. ✨ Discover her framework for erasing sexual shame, learn how to nurture children with openness and compassion, and explore the dance of healing between parents and kids. 

In this episode of The Unfolding: Presented by The Loveland Foundation Podcast, host Rachel Keener is joined by Solonje Burnett, also known as the “Weed Auntie,” for a conversation on care, grief, and community.Solonje shares how the “auntie” archetype shapes her work, grounded in nonjudgment, guidance, and collective care, and how her experience in the cannabis industry centers education, advocacy, and destigmatization. Together, they challenge individualistic wellness culture and explore what it means for self-care to extend into community care.Rachel and Solonje also reflect on the loss of a parent, speaking to how grief reshapes connection, ritual, and daily life. Solonje shares the practices that support her, journaling, honoring family traditions, and staying connected to both solitude and community, while also making space for pleasure, boundaries, and more sustainable relationships.Throughout the episode, they name the realities Black women continue to navigate and the importance of showing up in tangible ways.Listen in for a thoughtful conversation on grief, care, and building community that holds.More about Solonje Burnett:Specializing in brand development, intersectional community building, pleasure activism and holistic wellbeing, Solonje Burnett is the Weed Auntie and Marketing Director at SASS. Weed Auntie centers cultivating moments of plant infused mindful connection + experience centric education. Here for people, plants and planet, her foray into eco-fashion launched in Spring 2025 with a limited edition, NYC produced hemp jumpsuit encouraging people to wear their weed. She has sat on the Advisory Board of CUNY's workforce development program, From Cannabis to Culinary as well as the board of Broccoli Magazine's Floret Coalition, anti-racist cannabis collective. Solonje has been featured in publications like the New York Times, them, Marie Claire, Forbes, High Times, Instyle, PAPER, Refinery29, Girl Boss, Black Enterprise, Atmos, Well+Good and VICE.–The Unfolding: Presented by The Loveland Foundation podcast is an additional resource not only to the public but also to our therapy fund cohort members. The Loveland Foundation therapy fund and resources are only made possible through support from our community. At The Loveland Foundation, we are committed to showing up for communities of color in unique and powerful ways, with a particular focus on Black women and girls. Our resources and initiatives are collaborative and they prioritize opportunity, access, validation, and healing. Since our founding, the Therapy Fund has provided financial support for therapy to over 13,000 Black women, girls, and non-binary individuals across the country.Links:Join The Abundance Collective: https://thelovelandfoundation.org/abundanceSupport the show: https://give.thelovelandfoundation.org/give/436656/#!/donation/checkoutFollow Solonje on Instagram: http://instagram.com/solonjeburnettFollow The Loveland Foundation on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelovelandfoundation/Visit the Loveland Foundation's website: https://thelovelandfoundation.org/Support the show

Shanetta McDonald is a somatic life coach, writer and mother who has been coaching women in recovery from eating disorders for over a decade. Drawing from 13 years of recovery and training in somatic practices, she helps women reconnect with their bodies, reclaim their stories and create lives rooted in clarity. She is the host of the podcast Your Body Knows and has appeared in Allure, InStyle, Essence and Refinery29.   We discuss topics including: Shanetta's Story of trauma and eating disorders Her mission to help black skin and brown skin women People, Places and Things- examples of tools that one can use Learning about IFS and her curiosity that helped her with her recovery The importance of setting an intention Stigma with self help amongst black and brown skin women   SHOW NOTES: www.shanettamcdonald.com (podcast) Your Body Knows www.therapyforblackgirls.com instagram.com/iamshanettamcdonald ___________________________________ If you have any questions regarding the topics discussed on this podcast, please reach out to Robyn directly via email: rlgrd@askaboutfood.com You can also connect with Robyn on social media by following her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review on iTunes and subscribe. Visit Robyn's private practice website where you can subscribe to her free monthly insight newsletter, and receive your FREE GUIDE "Maximizing Your Time with Those Struggling with an Eating Disorder". Your Recovery Resource, Robyn's new online course for navigating your loved one's eating disorder, is available now! For more information on Robyn's book "The Eating Disorder Trap", please visit the Official "The Eating Disorder Trap" Website.   "The Eating Disorder Trap" is also available for purchase on Amazon.    

Enjoy this special feed drop of our two-part investigative series 'Before Morgentaler: Making It Legal'. On June 24, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the case that legalized abortion in the country in 1973. The decision shocked many around the world, and has had folks wondering: could this happen here, at home, in Canada? And what led up to this historic moment in the U.S.? What are the real and current issues facing the state of abortion in Canada, and how can we make a difference? This two-part mini series is hosted by Sarah Sahagian, a feminist podcaster, writer, and non-profit executive living in Toronto. Her byline has appeared in such outlets as The Washington Post, The National Post, The Toronto Star, Refinery29, Romper, and Scary Mommy. In her previous life, she was a gender studies academic who studied parenting and mother blame. Sarah is also the co-host of Frequency Podcast Network's The Reheat. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Enjoy this special feed drop of our two-part investigative series 'Before Morgentaler Part One: Law Breakers'. This year marks the 38th anniversary of the Supreme Court of Canada's Morgentaler Decision. That landmark decision decriminalized abortion across Canada and turned the courageous Dr. Henry Morgentaler into a household name. As pivotal a part of Canada's abortion rights story as Dr. Morgentaler was, many of us are unfamiliar with the stories of woman-identified activists who fought alongside him to ensure people who didn't want to be pregnant wouldn't have to be. So, who were the women who fought for abortion rights – and even helped others access illegal abortions – before The Morgentaler Decision? This two-part miniseries introduces listeners to a few of those voices. Hosted by Sarah Sahagian, a feminist podcaster, writer, and non-profit executive living in Toronto. Her byline has appeared in such outlets as The Washington Post, The National Post, The Toronto Star, Refinery29, Romper, and Scary Mommy. In her previous life, she was a gender studies academic who studied parenting and mother blame. Sarah is also the co-host of Frequency Podcast Network's The Reheat. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

This week we present two stories from Black people who were dealing with the ramifications of our racist systems.Part 1: As a science teacher, Mamoudou N'Diaye was supposed to have all the answers, but he struggles to explain being Black in the USA. Part 2: Rhonda Key fights to be taken seriously by her white co-workers and students when she gets a job at a middle school. Mamoudou N'Diaye is a Mauritanian American comic, writer, filmmaker, activist, DJ, and former teacher. N'Diaye has been a correspondent for digital media companies Mic and Seeker, a creative comedy consultant for social justice nonprofits Color of Change, Hip Hop Caucus, The Center for Cultural Power, and The Center for Media and Social Impact, and a winner of 2019's Yes And Laughter Lab for his pilot, Franklin. He has written and appeared in the Comedy Central Original They Follow, written for Refinery29's After After Party, and is in post-production for the webseries Bodegaverse with Karen Sepulveda. N'Diaye is developing By Us, For Us, a late-night sketch/talk show centering Black voices, for Color for Change and Flyovers, a half-hour dramedy about being Black in the rural Midwest. N'Diaye holds a degree in cognitive behavioral neuroscience from the College of Wooster.Rhonda M. Key has served as a teacher and administrator in suburban, rural, and urban school districts throughout her career. Currently, she serves as Assistant Superintendent of Jennings School District. Under her purview as the former Principal/Director of Secondary Education-Community Partnerships, Jennings Senior High School achieved 100% graduation and job placements for the past three years. In 2014, Dr. Key was named one of Five Women to Make a Difference in the Decatur/Macon County area of Illinois. In March 2019 she was named Principal of the Year by the St. Louis Association of Secondary School Principals. Dr. Key is also the co-owner and founder of Key/Ming Educational Design LLC, educational consultant and co-author of articles regarding Urban Education. Dr. Key earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from Lincoln University, and she completed her educational specialist and doctorate from the University of Missouri-Columbia. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Most of us do everything we can to avoid rejection—but what if there are actually some positives to it?Writer and podcast host Alice Draper joins me to talk about why rejection hurts, what it can teach us, and how to build your “rejection resilience muscle.”We cover the difference between rejection and failure, why it's important not to let rejection stop you, and the surprising upside of hearing “no.”Alice Draper and the founder of the podcast guesting company, Hustling Writers and the host of the award-winning podcast "My Rejection Story".On her podcast, My Rejection Story, you can listen to bestselling authors like Whitney Goodman, Guy Winch, or Jesse J. Anderson share how they navigated the toughest periods of their personal and professional lives, and how this shaped the success they now experience today. Her words can be found in HuffPost, Business Insider, VICE, Refinery29.Some of Alice's favorite things include strong coffee, affordable travel hacks, and deep connections. She detests small talk, waking up early, and unnecessary jargon.https://www.linkedin.com/in/alice-m-draper/https://www.instagram.com/alicedraper/Tune in each week for practical, relatable advice that helps you feel your best and unlock your full potential. If you're ready to prioritize your health and level up every area of your life, you'll find the tools, insights, and inspiration right here. Check out Esther's website for more about her speaking, coaching, book, and more: http://estheravant.com/Buy Esther's Book: To Your Health: https://a.co/d/iDG68qUEsther's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/esther.avantEsther's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/estheravant/Learn more about 1:1 health & weight loss coaching: https://madebymecoaching.com/coaching 

AFH: Season 2, Episode 1Featuring Marjon Carlos (instagram.com/marjon_carlos)Marjon and Al get into career, relationships, identity, fashion, and sex in a fun and relatable, must- listen conversation.About the Guest:Marjon Carlos is an award-winning journalist, podcast host, and brand consultant, living and working in New York.Her passion for culture often puts her at the frontline of today's biggest stories, interviewing some of the most prominent names within media, including Cardi B, FKA twigs, Doja Cat, Gigi Hadid, Megan Thee Stallion, Sha'Carri Richardson, and many more. Her writing has appeared on the cover and within the pages of Vogue, Vanity Fair, i-D, ELLE, ELLE Decor, Essence, Wall Street Journal Magazine, Cultured Magazine, and HOMME Girls, and on Vogue.com, NET-A-PORTER.COM, W.com, ELLE.com, The Cut, Into The Gloss, Porter Magazine, Refinery29.com.In the fall of 2023, she evolved her IGTV advice show,“Your Favorite Auntie Show,” into a weekly podcast powered by Cash App. Having completed it's second season last year, the series featured Marjon in pot-stirring conversations with notables such as June Ambrose, Mara Hoffman, Real Housewives of New York Jessel Taank, and more. In addition to her editorial work, Marjon regularly collaborates with venerated brands as a creative consultant and brand partner. She is also the former Vogue Senior Fashion Writer and CUUP Editorial Director, where her work explored the intersection of style and culture--an outgrowth of her academic research in Gender and African American Studies at Brown and Columbia Universities, respectively.Marjon is currently working on her first book, a study on race and class, with Ballantine/Penguin Random House.Guest Info:Instagram Marjon CarlosFollow Me:Instagram: @afinehuman Shop Dame: dame.com This podcast was produced by aurielle sayeh, filmed by @thetellychannel, and powered by @dameproducts.

Hello Brave Friends! On this episode, #240, we are hearing about the experience of another Thriving Disabled Adult, April Lockhart. April is the founder of Disabled& and an advocate for the disabled community. She is a contributing fashion editor at Marie Claire and a member of the Hello Sunshine Collective. April has been featured in Vogue, The Cut, Byrdie, Refinery29, Who What Wear, and Fast Company, among others. Her 2023 debut at New York Fashion Week walking for Victoria's Secret's adaptive line, along with her work modeling for Anthropologie's adaptive collection, solidified her status as a trailblazer in both the fashion industry and advocacy space. In 2025, April was featured on Forbes' 30 Under 30 list.In this conversation with Susanna Peace Lovell and Jessica Patay, April Lockhart shares her journey from hiding her limb difference to becoming an advocate and influencer in the disability community. She discusses the pivotal moments that led her to embrace her identity and the positive responses she received after sharing her story on social media. The discussion highlights the importance of authenticity, community, and the role of social media in amplifying disability representation. She also touches on the criticism faced within the disabled community and the need for a shift in how disability is perceived, advocating for a narrative that celebrates aspiration rather than mere inspiration.Find April Lockhart on IG, TikTok and Youtube.Find our first book from We Are Brave Together here.Find FULL episodes and clips of our podcast on Youtube here.Brave Together Podcast is a resource produced by We Are Brave Together, a global nonprofit that creates community for moms raising children with disabilities, neurodivergence, or complex medical and mental health conditions. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to preserve and protect the mental health of caregiving moms everywhere. JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here. Donate to our Retreats and Respite Scholarships here. Can't get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube. Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: jpatay@wearebravetogether.org If you have any topic requests or if you would like to share a story, leave us a message here. Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance! Disclaimer

Matty Dalrymple talks with Laura Goode about REIMAGINING SUCCESS THROUGH SELF-ADVOCACY AND COLLABORATION, including how authors can build supportive writing communities, strategies for finding the right mentors and artistic partners, overcoming comparison and competition in the writing world, and how redefining success can strengthen your writing practice and your confidence as an indie author.   Interview video at https://bit.ly/TIAPYTPlaylist  Show notes, including extensive summary, at https://www.theindyauthor.com/episodes-all    If you find the information in this video useful, please consider supporting The Indy Author! https://www.patreon.com/theindyauthor https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mattydalrymple   Laura Goode is the author of a collection of poems, Become a Name, and a YA novel, Sister Mischief, which was a Best of the Bay pick by the San Francisco Bay Guardian and a selection of two ALA honor lists. With director Meera Menon, she wrote and produced the feature film Farah Goes Bang, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and won the inaugural Nora Ephron Prize from Tribeca and Vogue. Her nonfiction writing on intersectional feminism, female friendship, motherhood, gender, and race in culture, TV, film, and literature has appeared in BuzzFeed, New Republic, New York Magazine, Longreads, Elle, Catapult, Refinery29, and elsewhere. She received her BA and MFA from Columbia University and currently teaches at Stanford University, where she was honored with the 2025 Walter J. Gores Award, Stanford's highest award for excellence in teaching.   Matty Dalrymple is the author of the Lizzy Ballard Thrillers, beginning with ROCK PAPER SCISSORS; the Ann Kinnear Suspense Novels, beginning with THE SENSE OF DEATH; and the Ann Kinnear Suspense Shorts. She is a member of International Thriller Writers and Sisters in Crime. Matty also writes, speaks, and consults on the writing craft and the publishing voyage, and shares what she's learned on THE INDY AUTHOR PODCAST. She has written books on the business of short fiction and podcasting for authors; her articles have appeared in "Writer's Digest" magazine. She is a Partner Member and Team Member at the Alliance of Independent Authors.

Today's guest is Nikki Vargas, an undeniable force in the worlds of travel, storytelling, and women's empowerment. Originally from Bogotá, Colombia, Nikki is a two-time published author and the voice behind the bestselling memoir Call You When I Land, a deeply personal exploration of identity, belonging, and becoming. Her work has been widely recognized by Glamour, Real Simple, and Good Morning America. Nikki is also the author of Wanderess, an evergreen women's travel guide praised by Forbes and Refinery29 for its thoughtful approach to exploration and self-discovery. Beyond the page, she serves as Senior Digital Editor at Fodor's Travel and is the founder of Unearth Women, a groundbreaking magazine dedicated to amplifying women's stories from around the globe. In this episode, we dive into Nikki's journey as a writer, editor, and entrepreneur, the power of travel as a tool for self-expression, and what it means to take up space as a woman, both creatively and professionally. Nikki brings a global perspective, deep intention, and an unwavering commitment to storytelling that uplifts and connects. This conversation is an invitation to reflect on where travel has taken you, and where it might lead you next.   Connect with Nikki:  Follow her journey at @niknakvargas , or on her website. Get a your copy of Call You When I Land and Wanderess.    Connect with Ariel:  Follow her on @wander_lounge. Sign up for the newsletter to learn travel tips and to get details about our upcoming group trip to Greece here.   

In this magical start to the new year, host Kat sits down with her dear friend—psychic medium, curator, and author Sarah Potter. As we step into 2026, Sarah shares wisdom from her life-changing new book, Sober Magic: Using the Tarot and Ritual in Your Journey Away from Drinking. Together, they explore the deep intersection of art and spirituality, discussing how to navigate the "party culture" of the art world while honoring your boundaries. Sarah opens up about her transition from full-time art curator to professional witch, the power of "Glamour Magic" to armor yourself for difficult social situations, and why asking for help is a brave creative act. Plus, we dive into a Tarot forecast for 2026! Sarah reveals why this is a "Magician Year," filled with manifestation power, and how you can harness this energy to create the life (and art) you desire. Whether you are sober, sober-curious, or simply seeking a spiritual reset, this episode is a nourishing guide for your soul.   Key Takeaways: Sober Magic: How to replace the "ritual" of drinking with nourishing spiritual practices like Tarot and altar work. The Art World & Alcohol: Navigating gallery openings and networking events without the crutch of a drink. Glamour Magic: Using fashion and intentional adornment (like heirlooms or specific colors) as spiritual armor. The 2026 Forecast: Why 2026 is the "Year of the Magician" and what that means for your creative potential. Embracing Discomfort: Why sitting with uncomfortable feelings is actually a superpower for artists.   About the Guest: Sarah Potter is a psychic medium, Tarot reader, and professional witch based in New York City. A former art curator, she now uses her intuitive gifts to help clients craft their dream lives through color magic, ritual, and Tarot. She is the author of Sober Magic and the creator of the Cosmo Tarot deck for Cosmopolitan. Her work has been featured in Refinery29, InStyle, and Teen Vogue.   Connect with Sarah: Book: Sober Magic Instagram: @iamsarahpotter Website: iamsarahpotter.com Substack: iamsarahpotter.substack.com   Mentioned in This Episode: The Witch Wave Podcast with Pam Grossman Create! Magazine's Winter Solstice Issue (Curated by Sarah Potter)   Supported by Create! Magazine: Join the Community: createmagazine.co/collective Submit Your Work (Women's Issue): createmagazine.co/call-for-art Subscribe to our Substack: createmagazine.substack.com

Re-Release! Today on the podcast, we have a great conversation with  narcissism expert Dr. Ramani Durvasula. Dr. Ramani is a licensed clinical psychologist. She has spoken at various universities and institutions including Coca-Cola, Amazon, and Universal Studios. Dr. Ramani is a sought-after expert with appearances on the Today Show, Red Table Talk, and Vogue's "Open Minded" series with Kendall Jenner. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Men's Health,BBC, USA Today, Refinery29, and more. She discusses narcissism on her popular YouTube channel, on social media as @DoctorRamani, her popular online program on healing from narcissistic abuse, and as the host of the podcast Navigating Narcissism with Dr. Ramani. Her fourth book will be released on February 20th and is a transformative guide titled: It's Not You: Identifying and Healing from Narcissistic People. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Decade Project is an ongoing One Heat Minute Productions Patreon exclusive podcast looking back at the films released ten years ago to reflect on what continues to resonate and what's ripe for rediscovery. The third year being released on the main podcast feed is the films of 2015. To hear a fantastic chorus of guests and I unpack the films of 2016 in 2026, subscribe to our Patreon here for as little as $1 a month. In the latest episode, I catch up with a dear friend, Lindsey Romain (writer, former journalist and phenomenal movie mind), about one of the great community movies, SPOTLIGHT.Lindsey Romain is a contributing writer for INSIDER, a former news reporter for Teen Vogue, and currently writes for a number of outlets, including Vulture, Thrillist, Refinery29, and Nerdist.NERDIST: https://nerdist.com/author/lindsey-romain/ One Heat Minute ProductionsWEBSITE: oneheatminute.comTWITTER: @OneBlakeMinute & @OHMPodsMERCH: https://www.teepublic.com/en-au/stores/one-heat-minute-productionsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/one-heat-minute-productions/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Send us a textWe all know about our Saturn return, but there are more planetary transits that impact us over the course of our lives, and understanding them can empower us and prepare us for more self-discovery. In this episode of CosmicRX Radio, we sit down with Narayana Montúfar to discuss her book, Written in Your Stars: Use Your Saturn Return, Pluto Square, and Other Planetary Cycles to Become Your Best Self, embracing change, and how cosmic events shape our lives.Narayana Montúfar is an astrologer, artist, and Akashic Records reader who finds inspiration in the symbolic language of astrology. She is the author of ‘Moon Signs: Unlock Your Inner Luminary Power' and ‘Written in Your Stars'. Between 2011 & 2023, Narayana served as the Senior Astrologer of Astrology.com & Horoscope.com, and her work has been featured in numerous lifestyle publications like Vogue, Teen Vogue, Refinery29, InStyle, Brit+Co, Bustle, Pop Sugar, Women's Health, Romper, and more. She was also featured as one of Medium.com's Authority Magazine 2020's Strong Female Leaders, Destig Magazine's Top Artists to Collect in 2020, and one of Vogue's 13 Astrologers to Follow in 2021.  

Today's guest won't surprise you if you read the introduction to Rich Girl Nation, which recollected the 2018 event that made me think personal finance might not be solely for people with brown bananas and pocket protectors. Lindsey Stanberry, founding editor of Refinery29's Money Diaries turned media entrepreneur, joins me for the penultimate episode to talk about: Why most conversations about money are really about time What she learned about our culture from monitoring the Money Diaries comments section Leaving a job, even when it means sacrificing financial security for emotional security What's really driving our “obsession with FI/RE” The dark side of optimization Subscribe to my weekly newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://moneywithkatie.com/newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get your copy of Rich Girl Nation, one of Barnes & Noble's Best Business Books of 2025:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.moneywithkatie.com/rich-girl-nation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Transcripts, show notes, resources, and credits at: https://moneywithkatie.com/the_mwk_show/lindsey-stanberry-judge-hide-admit/ — Money with Katie's mission is to be the intersection where the economic, cultural, and political meet the tactical, practical, personal finance education everyone needs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is our NEW RELEASE review podcast, ONE HOT TAKE.Synopsis:An intimate exploration of family, memories, and the reconciliatory power of art.Lindsey Romain is a contributing writer for INSIDER, a former news reporter for Teen Vogue, and currently writes for a number of outlets, including Vulture, Thrillist, Refinery29, and Nerdist.NERDIST: https://nerdist.com/author/lindsey-romain/ One Heat Minute ProductionsWEBSITE: oneheatminute.comTWITTER: @OneBlakeMinute & @OHMPodsMERCH: https://www.teepublic.com/en-au/stores/one-heat-minute-productionsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/one-heat-minute-productions/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Last week, you heard Part 1 of my conversation with Maya McHenry, where she opened up about her years-long journey with endometriosis. What you didn't get to hear until now is the moment at the end of that interview when I brought up her sister, Lyric McHenry, who I knew personally from our time working together at Refinery29.What unfolded next is one of the most emotional recordings we've ever had on The Real Stuff. Maya shared, in the most intimate and detailed way she ever has, the story of losing Lyric in 2018 — the shock of it, the media whirlwind, the unanswered questions, the guilt, the grief, and ultimately the strength she's had to find in order to survive it.In this episode, Maya talks about the last time she saw her sister, the moment she received the phone call that changed her life, and what it was like to navigate unimaginable pain while also protecting her family and correcting the damaging narrative the media created around Lyric's story. She shares how grief shows up years later and how she's learned to stay connected to Lyric through small signs, laughter, memory, and purpose.We also talk about the extraordinary fellowship Maya built in Lyric's honor at Stanford — a program that now helps young creatives access opportunities that would otherwise be financially out of reach. Hearing how she transformed such deep heartbreak into something that actively changes lives is extraordinary.If part 1 of my interview with Maya was about chronic illness, resilience, and self-advocacy, part 2 is about love, loss, legacy, and the ways we keep the people we've lost alive. This conversation meant so much to me, both as someone who knew Lyric and as someone who believes that grief doesn't end — it just changes shape. I am endlessly grateful to Maya for trusting me, and for trusting all of you, with this part of her story.Donate to the Lyric McHenry Community Arts Fellowship here: https://www.lyricmchenry.com/donateThe Endometriosis Foundation of America: https://www.endofound.orgFollow Maya: https://www.instagram.com/mayamchenry/Sponsors:Magnetic Me: If you're a parent or shopping for one, visit MagneticMe.com now, and new customers will receive 15% off!Timeline: My friends at Timeline are offering 20% off, just for my listeners! Head to timeline.com/realstuff to get started.Storyworth: Right now, save $10 or more during their Holiday sale when you visit Storyworth.com/REALSTUFF Seed: Get ahead of the New Year with a routine that helps you now by going to Seed.com/REALSTUFF and use code REALSTUFF to get 20% off your first month.Watch this episode in video form on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjmevEcbh5h5FEX0pazPEtN86t7eb2OgX To apply to be a guest on the show, visit luciefink.com/apply and send us your story. I also want to extend a special thank you to East Love for the show's theme song, Rolling Stone. Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealstuffpod Find Lucie here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luciebfink/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@luciebfink YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/luciebfinkWebsite: https://luciefink.com/ Subscribe to my newsletter "The Lucie List" here: https://thelucielist.beehiiv.com/subscribeExecutive Producer: Cloud10Produced by Dear Media.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, I'm sitting down with Maya McHenry — a model, publicist, philanthropist, and board member of the Endometriosis Foundation of America — for a conversation I've been wanting to have on this show for a long time.Maya's been deep in this advocacy work for years, and it's clear why—in today's interview, she shares just how much trauma and hardship she's been through. In our conversation, Maya walks me through the first time she ever experienced an “endo episode,” when the pain was so severe she passed out. She shares how she spent years being dismissed by doctors, misdiagnosed, and told that her symptoms were “just anxiety.” Hearing how long she suffered before finally getting a diagnosis was heartbreaking, especially knowing that her story isn't unusual. Many women wait 7–10 years for answers, and Maya brings so much honesty, clarity, and compassion to this topic.We also talk about how chronic illness impacts mental health, how trauma can intensify physical symptoms, and the tools she's learned to use when her flares hit without warning. Maya's vulnerability in sharing what this disease has taken from her and how she's learned to advocate for herself is incredibly powerful.At the end of the conversation, I asked her about her sister, Lyric McHenry (my former coworker and friend from Refinery29 who tragically passed), and what Maya shared with me was so emotional and so profound that I realized it deserved its own full episode.So today's episode is only Part 1, focusing on Maya's endometriosis journey.Next week, you'll hear Part 2, where Maya opens up about grief, healing, and the beautiful ways she continues to honor Lyric's legacy.This is one of the most meaningful conversations I've had on The Real Stuff. I hope it brings comfort, insight, and validation to anyone who has ever felt overlooked or unheard in the medical system.The Endometriosis Foundation of America: https://www.endofound.orgFollow Maya: https://www.instagram.com/mayamchenry/Sponsor:CLEARSTEM: How to claim your free Hydration Heroes Mini Kit: Go to CLEARSTEM.com, add the Hydration Heroes Mini Kit plus $75 of other CLEARSTEM products to your cart, and enter code REALSTUFFHH at checkout — the kit is yours for free! Offer ends December 2nd.Watch this episode in video form on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjmevEcbh5h5FEX0pazPEtN86t7eb2OgX To apply to be a guest on the show, visit luciefink.com/apply and send us your story. I also want to extend a special thank you to East Love for the show's theme song, Rolling Stone. Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealstuffpod Find Lucie here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luciebfink/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@luciebfink YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/luciebfinkWebsite: https://luciefink.com/ Subscribe to my newsletter "The Lucie List" here: https://thelucielist.beehiiv.com/subscribeExecutive Producer: Cloud10Produced by Dear Media.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kelsey Miller is a culture writer based in Brooklyn, New York. She is the author of international bestseller, I'll Be There For You (2018), a pop-culture history of Friends, and the memoir Big Girl (2016). Her work has been featured in New York Magazine, Glamour, Medium, Women's Health, Vulture, Entertainment Weekly, Literary Hub, Refinery29, A Cup of Jo, and more. OLD MONEY is her first novel.Learn more at kelseymiller.com Special thanks to Net Galley for an advance review copy. Intro reel, Writing Table Podcast 2024 Outro RecordingFollow the Writing Table: @writingtablepodcastEmail questions or tell us who you'd like us to invite to the Writing Table: writingtablepodcast@gmail.com.

What happens when one of your dearest friends also happens to be one of the people you admire most in your professional world? That's exactly the conversation I get to have today—and I couldn't be more thrilled.This week's guest on the Cracking Open podcast, Nicole Meier, isn't just a brilliant creative—she's family. We've raised our kids together, navigated the loss of our parents side by side, and cheered each other on as our careers evolved. She's been a confidant, a mentor, and, without exaggeration, a savant in her craft.Nicole is a certified book coach, developmental editor, and author of four novels whose work has been featured by Booklist, Refinery29, BookBub, and PopSugar. She hosts The Whole Writer podcast for emerging authors, and is a co-founder of Book Works, where she and her partner combine book coaching and branding insight to guide writers to expand their creative community and connect with ideal readers.✨ In this episode, Nicole shares how she found her way back to creativity while raising three kids (including twins!), supporting aging parents, and juggling all the roles so many of us know too well. Once her kids were in school, she made a powerful choice: to reclaim her voice. Writing became her lifeline—and along the way, she discovered lessons in commitment, boundaries, and courage.✨ She also gets real about resistance—the sneaky excuses that keep us from doing the work we're meant to do. Whether it sounds like, “I'll start when the kids are older,” or “I don't want people to judge me,” Nicole reminds us that resistance is just fear in disguise.✨ This conversation is packed with practical wisdom—how to structure your creative day, silence your inner critic, and build your confidence through simple daily actions.And here's the beautiful truth Nicole offers: creativity isn't a luxury or a someday dream. It's a vital practice that keeps us connected to who we truly are.So grab a pen and paper for this one—you'll want to take notes. Whether you're a writer, entrepreneur, parent, or simply someone ready to stop making excuses, this episode will remind you that your creative spark never left you. It's just waiting for you to choose it.

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

"I can't say that in 34 years I have enjoyed my life in the way that I do now. That is the shift. That's the shift post-Hoffman. It's the shift of doing this work. It's the shift of my life." Six months before Madison Utendahl arrived at the Hoffman Process, she closed her business. The immediate question that came to her in the wake of closing it was, Who am I without this job? She'd realized that her company and her work had become part of her identity. Feeling a complete disconnect from herself without this company she'd worked so hard to build, Madison realized she needed to do something different. Therapy, something she'd done a lot of, wasn't going to cut it. She needed a serious change. She turned to Hoffman. In this engaging and spirited conversation, Madison leads us through the before, during, and after periods of her Hoffman Process experience. As we listen in, we're able to glimpse not only her journey, but some of the Process journey itself as seen through Madison's eyes. One of the significant negative patterns that Madison transformed was "control," one that plagues so many of us. In her brilliant words, she shares the big Aha! she had behind the transformation of this pattern, wisdom that's true for many patterns. Madison explains, "I learned at Hoffman that control was a survival instinct. If it was a survival instinct that meant I could unlearn it. ... I learned that young Madison, to no fault of her own, developed control to deal with her childhood."  A major takeaway from Madison's Process transformation is the realization that the Universe, or whatever you want to call it, has your back. As she says, "the unlock for me, post-Hoffman, is like realizing that God, the universe, whomever, has your back." So, go enjoy your life! More about Madison Utendahl: Madison Utendahl is a multi-hyphenate: founder, CCO, writer, and creative director who, above all, is tired of faking fine. She's the Founder of Utendahl Creative, a Brooklyn-based creative agency that has built brands for a lot of cool people. She's also the creator of BURNT, her popular Substack where she writes about burnout with equal parts humor and truth-telling. Madison is a two-time Webby Award winner, AdWeek 100, and Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, and has been on the founding teams of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Refinery29's 29Rooms, and Museum of Ice Cream. These days, she's less about chasing accolades and more about dismantling hustle culture's nonsense, one candid essay, brand, or conversation at a time. She lives in New York City with her husband, two dogs, and a cat who runs the household. Follow Madison on Instagram. Read her writing at Burnt on Substack. Find out more at madisonutendahl.com. Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify As mentioned in this episode: Madison's IG post about the closing of Utendahl Creative. April McDaniel - Listen to April on the Hoffman Podcast: Being Real With Yourself Hoffman Retreat Site in Connecticut - Guest House Hoffman Faculty: •   Claus Radlberger •   Marc Kaplan Ketamine Therapy Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Somatic Therapy Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) The Quadrinity... ...is a simple yet powerful model for understanding ourselves and our behavior, encompassing all four aspects of self: body, emotions, intellect, and spiritual self. The Quadrinity is our whole, integrated, balanced self, embodying all four aspects. Madison mentions the "Hoffman Questionnaire." This is the pre-Process assignment, required homework for attending Process. Our pre-Process assignment is due three weeks before the start of your scheduled Process. The assignment materials take approximately 10 hours to complete. Listen to Blake Mycoskie, Toms Founder, on the Hoffman Podcast: A Deep Surrender to Spirit Quad Check: A practice to support you in checking in with all four parts of your Quad...

This week, we chat with Ali Kriegsman! Ali is a writer, entrepreneur, and business strategist whose work lives at the intersection of brand building, storytelling, and sales. At just 24, she co-founded Bulletin, a retail technology company that reimagined how premium brands and retailers connect. Bulletin went on to be acquired by Emerald [NYSE:EEX], the largest B2B events company in the United States, in a $10 million deal.Since then, Ali has helped founders and companies raise more than $20 million in venture funding, secure profitable exits, and close major sponsorship and partnership deals. She's also the author of How to Build a Goddamn Empire, and her most recent fiction project, The Raise, which pushes the boundaries of traditional publishing by blending storytelling with cinematic, social, and direct-to-consumer elements to create an immersive brand experience.Ali has been recognized as a Forbes ‘30 Under 30' honoree and one of Fast Company's ‘Most Creative People in Business,' and her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur, Refinery29, The Today Show, and more✨ This episode is presented by Brex.Brex: brex.com/trailblazerspodThis episode is supported by Gusto, OpenPhone & Athena.Gusto: gusto.com/trailblazersOpenPhone: openphone.com/trailblazersAthena: athenago.me/Erica-WengerFollow Us!Ali Kriegsman: @alikriegs@thetrailblazerspod: Instagram, YouTube, TikTokErica Wenger: @erica_wenger

In this episode of the Gloria Chou PR Podcast, I reveal why right now is the golden opportunity for small businesses to land major press—without hiring an expensive PR agency.We're talking about gift guides, AI search visibility, and free PR tools that make pitching faster and easier than ever. If you've been waiting for the right moment to start PR, this is it.Whether you're a product-based founder, a one-person shop, or a busy parent building a brand, this episode shows you how to get featured in national media with zero ad spend.Why Gift Guides Are the #1 Way to Get Featured in Q4Gift guides aren't just for Christmas. Editors are actively building guides for every season—Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Graduation, Back-to-School, and beyond.By getting your product into these articles, you're meeting customers where they're already primed to buy. Even better? Gift guides give you lasting SEO that outlives paid ads and Instagram posts.How AI Search Is Creating a PR Gold RushMore consumers are turning to ChatGPT and AI search tools for product recommendations. That means if your brand shows up in credible media, you're signaling to AI that you're trustworthy and relevant.This window won't last forever—founders who act now can dominate search before the market gets saturated.Free and Accessible PR Tools Every Founder Should UseYou don't need a $5K/month PR agency to get results. In this episode, I share how small business owners are using tools like:Perplexity.ai → to uncover real-time trends and angles journalists care aboutChatGPT → to fine-tune pitches into clear, concise storiesEmail + LinkedIn → to reach editors directly, no insider contacts requiredAvoid These Costly PR MistakesYou don't need to:Send out tons of free samplesWrite vague, one-size-fits-all pitchesWait for the “perfect” time to startInstead, focus on clarity, relationships, and consistency.The CPR Method: Your PR RoadmapI walk you through my signature CPR Method, a framework that helps founders land not only media coverage but also wholesale opportunities.CPR = C: Credibility → your story and why you're legit P: Point of View → your unique angle R: Relevance → why now, why this outletFinal TakeawayThis is the most powerful moment in the last 10 years to start pitching your business. You don't need ads, agencies, or huge budgets.What you do need is: ✅ A clear message ✅ A relationship-first approach ✅ A repeatable systemIf other small businesses can land BuzzFeed, Refinery29, and Vogue, you can too.

In this week's episode of Beauty News and Views Perdita is saying goodbye to the brilliant online destination Refinery 29 which is sadly closing in the UK.We're also talking all things beauty advent calendars and wondering if this year's Liberty one might just be the best yet.We're also discussing mental health fragrances and Perdi has some great recommendations.

Entrepreneur and creative director Piera Gelardi shares how play, storytelling, and curiosity have shaped her journey — from Refinery29 to her upcoming book ‘The Playful Way' and beyond.

As we continue with our summer reruns, we decided to bring back an oldie but goodie that was one of our favorite episodes we've done in the last year. In this episode, Sara Tan joined us to talk all things makeup, skincare, and parenting. Sara is the global beauty director for Refinery29 and the host of the podcast Gloss Angeles. We got into some great conversations about or own relationships with makeup and beauty, as well as the how we want to help our daughters form their own with makeup.  We hope you enjoy this one as much as we did!   Super Mamás  IG: @_supermamas  Facebook: Super Mamás  Twitter: @_supermamas   Website: http://supermamas.com/    This is a Redd Rock Music Podcast  IG: @reddrockmusic  www.reddrockmusic.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are bring in a new era of Naked Beauty with this episode! As you may have seen, I am stepping into a new role as Chief Content Officer at Refinery29. This new role provides a great opportunity for reflection. In this episode, I discuss the four key lessons I've learned in my career thus far. I touch on the value of manifesting dreams, tactics for getting closer to your dream career in your current job, and the power we all have to choose how we show up in professional spaces. Listen for a reminder to trust your path, create with intention, and stay true to yourself. Thank you so much to the Naked Beauty community, as always, for your support! Rate, Subscribe & Review the Podcast on Apple Join the Naked Beauty Community on IG: @nakedbeautyplanet Thanks for all the love and support. Tag me while you're listening @nakedbeautyplanet & as always love to hear your thoughts :) Check out nakedbeautypodcast.com for all previous episodes & search episodes by topicShop My Favorite Products & Pod Discounts on my ShopMyShelfStay in touch with me: @brookedevard Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Glennon and Abby welcome their dear friend Cameron Esposito to discuss: 1. Cameron's brutiful relationship with her body–and how it feels playing a sexy TV role. 2. The way Cameron grew up using humor as self-defense and to become socially “valuable”–and the moment she wondered if comedy was no longer working for her.  3. Why Cameron says she's able to cry for the first time in 35 years.  4. How as a gender-nonconforming queer kid, Cameron felt “overnoticed”–and how being a comedian allows her to “hide in plain sight." 5. The rule Cameron and Glennon made to help them become better at friendship. CW: eating disorders About Cameron: Cameron Esposito is a queer, gender non-conforming standup comic, actor, writer and host. As a standup, Cameron has headlined tours and festivals nationwide and internationally. As an actor and host, Cameron has been seen across television and film, appearing in big budget films and beloved Sundance indies, and on Netflix, HBO, NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, Starz, Comedy Central, Logo, TBS, IFC, E! and Cartoon Network. Cameron's podcast, Queery, features hour long conversations with some of the brightest luminaries in the LGBTQ+ community, including Emmy and Grammy winning performers, Olympians, politicians, even an astronaut. Cameron's writing has been published by The New York Times, Vulture/New York Magazine, Vanity Fair, Bon Appetit, Refinery29 and more. Cameron's first book, Save Yourself, was an instant bestseller and is available in paperback March of 2022. Next up, Cameron is set to recur on the ABC series A Million Little Things and appear in HBOMax's Moonshot. Cameron lives in Los Angeles and likes to swim. TW: @cameronesposito IG: @cameronesposito To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices