Asked By Ayana

Courtney White on succeeding as a blogger and attorney Nov 29, 2023

This week's episode features Courtney White (@courthousecouture) to discuss how she balances her job as an attorney with her fashion blog. Courtney walks us through how she got through law school with imposter syndrome, the struggles of practicing family law (CW: mentions of abuse), pivoting to corporate law, and launching her blog as a creative outlet. It's a great conversation, and I hope you enjoy the listen! Connect with her below:
Instagram
Website

Julia Dzafic on growing her online presence and creating a cookbook Nov 08, 2023

So excited to be joined by Julia Dzafic, the blogger behind @lemonstripes today! She's been blogging since 2010 and has a cookbook releasing next year. We discuss how she launched her blog and found success, dealing with unsolicited advice online, what cookbook writing is really like, and advice she has for aspiring creators.
Connect with Julia:
instagram.com/lemonstripes

lemonstripes.com

Danielle Bayard Jackson shares her journey to friendship coaching & book writing Oct 25, 2023

Danielle Bayard Jackson (@daniellebayardjackson) is on the show this week, and it's a delight! We discuss how she became a friendship coach, growing a social media audience, setting boundaries on the Internet, her upcoming book, and much more. Connect with her below:
http://betterfemalefriendships.com/

Lauren Maffeo shares how to write a book while working a full-time job Sep 06, 2023

This week's episode features Lauren Maffeo, an author and service designer for a government contracting firm (we discuss what that means). Lauren shares how she ended up in her career field and why she decided to write a book. She provides pointers for anyone who's trying to write a book while balancing other responsibilities — it's a must-listen for authors with full-time jobs. Connect with her below:
LinkedIn
Twitter
Her Book

Shannon Leyko on finding flexible work in motherhood Aug 23, 2023

Shannon Leyko (@shannonleyko) is on the show today! She's an author and ghostwriter, previously served as Miss New York, and has three young children. Shannon has a fascinating career journey, and we discuss how becoming a mother changed her view of work. We talk about how society often pits at-home and working parents against each other and how to break out of that mindset. Connect with her below:

Instagram

Blog

Book

Megan Mensink on founding pre-loved jewelry brand Folklor Aug 09, 2023

This week's episode is a treat! I'm joined by Megan Mensink, founder of Folklor (@_folk_lor), a Canadian pre-loved jewelry brand with a focus on sustainability. We discuss how Megan went from studying to be a doctor to her present-day role, how her love of consignment shops inspired Folklor, launching a business, and finding daily stability as a busy business owner.
online shop: folklor.ca

instagram: instagram.com/_folk_lor

Katie Crenshaw on going viral, parenting, and sharing her life online Jul 19, 2023

Katie Crenshaw (@katiemcrenshaw) is on the show today! She is a best-selling author, mental health advocate, and speaker. We talk about how she got her start blogging about motherhood, the chaotic experience that is going viral on the Internet, deciding how much to share online, and being the coolest mom ever because Taylor Swift recently liked her TikTok. Connect with Katie:
katiecrenshaw.com

instagram.com/katiemcrenshaw

Danielle Sinay on how she became a beauty editor at Glamour Jul 05, 2023

If you're an aspiring writer, this is the episode for you. Danielle Sinay is an associate beauty editor at Glamour, and we discuss how she landed the role. Also discussed: her experience writing for TV, dealing with writer's block, why you don't need a journalism degree to be a writer, and whether her job is *really* as glamorous as it seems.
Instagram: instagram.com/daniellesinay

Writing Newsletter: https://shorturl.at/frzNR

Tanorria Askew shares her journey from a corporate job to personal chef Jun 21, 2023

Tanorria Askew (@tanorriastable) is on the show today! She's a personal chef, food creative, public speaker, podcast host, and racial injustice change-maker based in Indianapolis. We discuss her experience on MasterChef that led her to quit her day job, where her love of cooking came from, and how she sets boundaries while doing social justice work. Follow her below:
Website
Instagram

Buy Staples + 5

Podcast

Chelsey Cox and Rachel Rector on starting an interior design firm Jun 07, 2023

Asked by Ayana is back after a six month hiatus, and I'm kicking off the new episodes with a good one! Chelsey Cox and Rachel Rector are the brains behind Chinotto House (@chinottohousedesign), a Florida-based commercial and residential interior design firm specializing in relaxed, creative and contemporary design. We talk about their personal design philosophies and how they became business partners and friends — and they answer some listener-submitted questions about interior design. Hope you enjoy the listen!
Connect with Chinotto House below:
https://www.chinottohouse.com/
https://www.instagram.com/chinottohousedesign/

Laney Schwartz on developing recipes that make cooking less intimidating Nov 01, 2022

I'm joined by Laney Schwartz (@lifeisbutadish) today! Laney has a fascinating story about how she became a successful food blogger. We talk about how she started blogging with her kids at home and turned it into a job, tips she has for people who want to learn to cook at home, and how to build an audience as a creator.
Use code AYANA for $100 off her course: https://www.lifeisbutadish.com/askayana/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/lifeisbutadish
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifeisbutadish

Aubrey Johansen on competing on Chopped as a personal chef Oct 05, 2022

Aubrey Johansen (@thatswhatsheeats) is on the show today! She's a personal chef to professional athletes and incredible recipe developer who recently competed on Chopped. We talk about it all — how she became a food photographer, building a social media presence, how she comes up with new ideas, and why she thinks it's important to make accessible recipes. Connect with her below:
instagram.com/thatswhatsheeats

thatswhatsheeats.com

Gulin Cetin on becoming a content creator while a PhD candidate Sep 14, 2022

This week, I'm joined by the fabulous Gulin Cetin (@coffeecupsandroses). She's one of the most creative people I follow online, and I loved getting to hear her story. We talk about how she became a full-time content creator while a Comparative Literature PhD candidate, where she finds inspiration and how she plans out shoots, and her thoughts on curated sharing vs. in-the-moment posts. Enjoy the listen!
Connect with her below:
instagram.com/coffeecupsandroses

https://www.tiktok.com/@gulincetin

Charlene Carruthers shares her path to becoming an award-winning filmmaker Sep 06, 2022

Welcome back to the show! After a quick summer break, we’re back and better than ever with an incredible guest. Charlene Carruthers (@charlenecarruthers) is a feminist activist, author, and filmmaker. We talk about her award-winning film The Funnel, her background as an activist, and why she became a filmmaker. You can connect with her below:

thefunnelfilm.com

instagram.com/thefunnelfilm

twitter.com/charlenecac

instagram.com/charlenecarruthers

Camile Lofters on leaving the classroom after 15 years of teaching Jul 07, 2022

After a brief hiatus, the podcast is back — and I'm joined by Camile Lofters (@inliteralcolor) to discuss leaving the classroom after 15 years. Camile is a brilliant educator who is passionate about teaching high school English and journalism, and she graciously shared her experience with me. We discuss how the pandemic changed schooling, what it's like for Florida teachers now that the classroom is being politicized, and her advice for teachers thinking about leaving their jobs. You can connect with her below:
instagram.com/inliteralcolor

inliteralcolor.com

Erin Andersen on helping people leave toxic work cultures Jun 14, 2022

One of my favorite parts of the show is learning about jobs I didn't know existed, and that's what this week's episode is all about! I'm chatting with Erin Andersen (@yourbrandnetworker) about her job as a career transition coach and LinkedIn marketing strategist. Erin became a career coach after leaving a toxic work environment herself, and now she helps people change careers. She shares resume and interviewing tips, the mental blocks that keep people from making much-needed career shifts, and how companies really feel about "job-hopping."

Connect with her below:

instagram.com/yourbrandnetworker

https://www.linkedin.com/in/yourbrandnetworker

Chloé Watts shares how she founded a successful digital strategy company Jun 07, 2022

This week, I virtually hopped across the pond to chat with the one and only Chloé Watts. She's the founder and CEO of chloédigital, the premier business development and digital strategy membership for creators. It's been a huge help to my business, so I was thrilled to chat with her.
We cover how she started her career as a self-taught designer, what keeps her motivated, what it's been like hiring a team to help grow the business, and why she prioritizes work/life balance. Our chat is a treat, and I hope you enjoy! Connect with chloédigital below:
chloedigital.com

instagram.com/chloedigital

Josie Bullard on dropping out of college to become a full-time content creator May 24, 2022

Josie Bullard (@josie.bullard) is on the show today! She's one of the first influencers I ever followed, and she has so many insights to share. We talk about her dropping out of college to become a full-time content creator and how that paid off, along with how she's been able to find success on multiple social platforms. Josie also shares her daily routine and advice for aspiring creators that you don't want to miss. Find her below:
instagram.com/josie.bullard

Tabitha Sewer on building a career as a full-time sewing content creator May 03, 2022

Tabitha Sewer (@tabithasewer) is on the show today (and yes, that's her real last name). She's a fashion and sewing content creator who specializes in creating colorful, vibrant clothing. We discuss her career journey — going back to school after leaving the military, how she fell in love with fashion, learning to sew, and getting past creative blocks. She also provides quick pointers for people like me who are clueless about sewing! Connect with her below:
instagram.com/tabithasewer

tabithasewer.com

Jess Kirby talks leaving Instagram, drawing boundaries, and the future of blogging Apr 26, 2022

I'm joined by the one-and-only Jess Kirby today, who's one of my absolute favorite bloggers to follow. We discuss how she got her start in the industry, her decision to walk away from Instagram in a few months, the boundaries she's drawn about sharing her daughter online, and staying politically minded as an influencer without feeling overwhelmed by the news. You can read her blog below:
https://www.jessannkirby.com

Marnely Murray talks becoming a pastry chef on Martha's Vineyard Apr 19, 2022

I'm chatting with Marnely Murray (@marnely_murray), a professionally trained pastry chef, food writer, and the co-founder of a digital marketing agency! We discuss how she moved to New York from the Dominican Republic to attend The Culinary Institute of America, how she started food blogging, and where she found her love of baking and cooking. Connect with Marnely below:
cookingwithbooks.net

instagram.com/marnely_murray

twitter.com/marnely_murray

https://www.tiktok.com/@marnely

Winter Dunn and Mikayla Bartholomew on telling Black stories through film Apr 12, 2022

Today is the first ever episode with multiple guests, and it's a treat. I'm chatting with Winter Dunn and Mikayla Bartholomew about Dear Mama, a short film that centers Black family, loss and hip-hop. Winter directed the short, and Mikayla stars in it. We discuss how they ended up in the entertainment industry, how Dear Mama materialized, the importance of telling Black stories, and the reception the film has received at festivals like SXSW. Connect with both of them and the film below:
instagram.com/dearmamafilm

instagram.com/itswinterdunn

instagram.com/carpeingdiem

Courtney Caldwell on building B2B app ShearShare Apr 05, 2022

I'm joined today by Courtney Caldwell, the co-founder and CMO of ShearShare. ShearShare — affectionately known as "HairBNB" — is an app that lets beauty professionals rent out their salon spaces, and it's available in more than 900 cities. Courtney has an incredible story about how she and her husband came up with the app (while eating at Chipotle!), how ShearShare survived the start of the pandemic, and what it's like to be a Black woman in the entrepreneurial space.
Follow ShearShare below:
instagram.com/shearshare

Lizzetth Bellot on advancing her career while a single mom Mar 29, 2022

Thrilled to introduce y'all to Lizzetth Bellot, the director of people operations at Light. Lizzetth has worked at companies like Curai, Dropbox, FireEye, and Facebook. She went back to school as a single mom to get her bachelor's and master's degrees and has worked in Silicon Valley since. We talk about the importance of networking, the example she's set for her daughter, and her goal to help women whose path may be different from the norm.

Connect with her here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizzetthbellot/

Natalie McMillan on becoming a full-time artist and jewelry designer Mar 22, 2022

I'm joined by the fabulous Natalie McMillan (@nataliemcm) this week! She's the founder and sole creative behind her self-titled lifestyle brand and focuses on unique and slightly off-beat pieces. We discuss how she got started with jewelry making, what it's like to make the leap to full-time entrepreneurship, why she doesn't feel the need to have a niche, and why she's outspoken about human rights as a business owner.
Follow her below:
instagram.com/nataliemcm

instagram.com/shopnataliemcmillan

Felicia Pride on becoming an award-winning filmmaker and TV writer Mar 15, 2022

I'm thrilled to be joined by Felicia Pride (@feliciapride) today! She is an author turned award-winning filmmaker and TV writer who has written for shows like Queen Sugar and Grey's Anatomy. She's also won accolades for directing tender, a short film, and producing Really Love, which debuted on Netflix as a Top 10 movie. Felicia moved to Los Angeles when she was 35 to pursue a screenwriting career, and the rest is history. We talk about how she tells stories that center Black women, what it really means to "make it" in Hollywood, and how she maintains her love of writing. Connect with her below:
instagram.com/feliciapride

twitter.com/feliciapride

instagram.com/itshoneychile

tendermovie.com

Janina Santillan discusses her path to creative director Mar 08, 2022

This week, I'm chatting with Janina Santillan. She's the director of creative marketing and brand strategy at East Olivia, a creative agency specializing in large scale floral installations. She shares what it was like to start her career in theater and how she ended up where she is today, advice for handling rejection, and the benefits of working for a small, women-led business.
Follow her and East Olivia below:
instagram.com/janinasantillan

instagram.com/eastolivia

shopeastolivia.com

Carmen James on her experience as a blogger and early childhood educator Mar 01, 2022

I’m joined by Carmen James (@thegoodcarmablog) for today’s episode! She’s the assistant principal at a Montessori school and a blogger. We talk about how education is becoming politicized (critical race theory, Florida’s “don’t say gay” bill, and more). She explains common misconceptions about Montessori education, and we also discuss how she became a blogger. Follow her below:

instagram.com/thegoodcarmablog

thegoodcarmablog.com

Zara Hanawalt on becoming a successful freelance writer Feb 22, 2022

This week, I'm chatting with Zara Hanawalt, a full-time freelance writer who's been published in publications like Glamour, Parents, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, The Huffington Post, and many more. We discuss how she became a successful freelance writer, what it's like to be underrepresented as a South Asian woman, how to pitch and find story ideas, and how to deal with rejection. She's a delight, and I hope you enjoy our conversation!
If you want to connect with Zara, she can be reached at zarahusaini00 [at] gmail [dot] com.

Austen Tosone talks content creation and passive income Feb 15, 2022

Happy Wednesday! I'm joined today by Austen Tosone (@austentosone), a fashion and beauty content creator, consultant and entrepreneur. We discuss it all — how she survived print magazine layoffs, what it's like to be consistent across multiple social media platforms, how to get over imposter syndrome when creating educational content, and how she's created streams of passive income. Follow her below:
https://www.instagram.com/austentosone/
https://www.youtube.com/c/austentosone

Malarie Burgess on using TikTok to dismantle diet culture Feb 08, 2022

Today I'm joined by Malarie Burgess, better known as @thejockscientist! They use humor and compassion to educate folks about the downfalls of diet culture and benefits of health at every size. We discuss her day job as an exercise physiologist, advice she has for people entering the industry, and the benefits of exercise that have nothing to do with weight. We also chat about how she deals with trolls and recovering from early 2000s diet culture.
Follow them below:
https://www.tiktok.com/@thejockscientist/
https://www.instagram.com/thejockscientist/

Nicole Lapin on becoming a money expert and best-selling author Feb 01, 2022

I’m joined today by the fabulous Nicole Lapin (@nicolelapin), who you may know from the Money Rehab podcast or from one of her best-selling books! We talk about tons of good stuff: how she started her career as the youngest anchor in CNN’s history, becoming a financial expert even though she didn’t have a good relationship with money growing up, and why she’s passionate about teaching women how to invest. We also spend time discussing paid miscarriage leave, a topic that’s near to both of us.

Follow her below:

http://instagram.com/nicolelapin

Ali Bonar shares her Shark Tank experience as a biz co-founder Jan 25, 2022

Pumped to have my friend Ali Bonar (@alibonar) on the podcast today! We discuss how eating disorder recovery led her to co-found Oat Haus, a brand that makes *incredible* granola butter. She shares what it's like to bootstrap a company, how she handles burnout, what Shark Tank is really like, and her thoughts on whether being an influencer is hard. Follow her + find Oat Haus below:
instagram.com/alibonar

granolabutter.com

Kar Brulhart on building a six-figure business during the pandemic Jan 19, 2022

Kar Brulhart (@karbrulhart) is on the show today! Kar is a coach, speaker, and Instagram expert. She's had the coolest career experience, including working at the United Nations World Food Programme. We talk about her becoming an Instagram strategist and starting her own biz in early 2020, how she went from 0 to 45,000 followers in a matter of months, and the importance of advocating for yourself as a business owner. Follow her below:
instagram.com/karbrulhart

https://kbbrandmarketing.com

Raven Gibson on how she built a brand that empowers Black women Jan 11, 2022

Thrilled to be joined today by Raven Gibson, founder of Legendary Rootz (@legendaryrootz) — one of my favorite small businesses. We discuss how the push to support Black businesses in summer 2020 felt overwhelming at the time, how she built a cohesive clothing brand without graphic design experience, and how non-Black allies can support Black businesses. Follow Legendary Rootz below:
legendaryrootz.com
instagram.com/legendaryrootz

Carmen Renee on finding confidence as a lifestyle and motherhood blogger Jan 05, 2022

Happy New Year! Our first 2022 episode features a chat with Carmen Renee (@carmenreneeblog). She's been blogging for about a decade and has the most fun tips and thoughts on hosting, fashion, home decor, and family life. We talk about how to know your worth as a creator of color, how she batches content strategically, and building a community online. Follow Carmen below:

carmenrenee.com

instagram.com/carmenreneeblog

Cassy Joy Garcia shares her best-selling author journey and genius meal planning approach Nov 16, 2021

Cassy Joy Garcia (@fedandfit) is on the show today! She's a New York Times bestselling author and recipe creator who makes meal prep less overwhelming. We talk about struggling with cooking at home and how to get over it, shifting from a full-time job to entrepreneurship, and why it's important to outsource things. Follow her below:

Web: fedandfit.com

IG: instagram.com/fedandfit
Cook Once Dinner Fix: https://bit.ly/3wPB8A9

Arielle Greenleaf talks all things sleep coaching Nov 09, 2021

Arielle Greenleaf, chief education officer and co-founder of Restfully, joins me today to talk about sleep coaching. She's a certified pediatric sleep coach and began her sleep consulting journey after struggling with her daughter's sleep schedule. We discuss her scientific approach to baby sleep, how people can find the right method, and why sleep training gets such a bad rap. If you're a new parent, this episode is for you! Follow Arielle:

restfullysleep.com

instagram.com/restfullysleep/

facebook.com/restfullysleep/

arielle@restfullysleep.com

Sacia Matthews shares her journey from high school teacher to award-winning wedding photographer Nov 02, 2021

Happy Wednesday, pod squad! Today, I'm joined by Sacia Matthews (@saciamatthews), an award-winning wedding photographer who started her career as a high school teacher. We talk about what it's like to work in a creative field as a woman of color, why she left education to become a full-time photographer, setting fair prices to make sure she's getting the compensation she deserves, and what it was like to work through a pandemic while pregnant with twins. Connect with her below:
instagram.com/saciamatthews

saciamatthews.com

hello@saciamatthews.com

Stephanie McNeal on covering the influencer industry for BuzzFeed News Oct 26, 2021

So pumped to welcome Stephanie McNeal (@stephemcneal) to the pod today! She covers internet culture and influencers for BuzzFeed News and took the time to share her thoughts on a few topics. Stephanie talks about how she decides which controversies to write about, why influencers get a bad rap, her predictions for the future of the industry, and her thoughts on snark forums like GOMI. Follow her below:
instagram.com/stephemcneal

stephanie.mcneal@buzzfeed.com

Christie Catan on leaving a consulting job to start a dog training company Oct 19, 2021

This week, I’m joined by Christie Catan, who’s the co-founder of Tails of Connection, which is an online dog training community. Christie has an incredible story about how she landed where she is currently, and I'm so glad she took the time to share it with me. We discuss how health problems in college changed her career trajectory, taking a leap of faith to start a company and being okay with failing, and how her relationship with her sheepadoodle transformed her mental health and led her to found her training company. Thanks for listening!
instagram.com/tailsofconnection

tailsofconnection.com
https://www.tiktok.com/@tailsofconnection

Ayana & Vagner talk full-time ministry, influencing, and their respective career journeys Oct 05, 2021

It's the 25th episode, so it's time for something special! My husband Vagner is on the pod today to chat about our respective career journeys. When we got married, he was a full-time worship leader at a church, and he now works at a software company. I never dreamed of being an influencer and thought I'd work in newspaper journalism my whole career. We talk about what it's like to pivot to a non-journalism job, how I share my life online while also having healthy boundaries, my thoughts on being a "ministry wife," where we've landed in our faith. Thanks for listening!
FOLLOW VAGNER'S MUSIC: instagram.com/boyhoodclubmusic

Elizabeth Holmes on becoming a royal family style expert and writing a bestselling book Sep 28, 2021

Excited to welcome Elizabeth Holmes, bestselling author of HRH: So Many Thoughts on Royal Style and creator of the SMT Instagram Story series, to the podcast today. We talk about her decision to walk away from her prestigious title at the Wall Street Journal and how she started chronicling the outfit choices of the Duchess of Cambridge (aka Kate Middleton) and the Duchess of Sussex (aka Meghan Markle). Elizabeth is truly a pleasure, and this is such a good episode. Follow her below:
INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/eholmes

NEWSLETTER: http://somanythoughts.bulletin.com

BOOK: https://bit.ly/2ZG6lJy

Kate Baer on writing poetry and advice she has for writers Sep 21, 2021

Hi there! New York Times bestselling author Kate Baer is today's podcast guest! I love her work and find it so moving, so I'm thrilled to have her. We discuss her writing process, how she started with erasure poetry, the work she did before coming a full-time writer, and the complicated emotions surrounding "mom guilt" as a working parent. Follow her and check out her work below:
https://www.instagram.com/katejbaer/
What Kind of Woman: https://bit.ly/3u6QSxd
I Hope This Finds You Well: https://bit.ly/3kqyWKS

Rachel Mansfield on how she fell in love with cooking while recovering from disordered eating Sep 14, 2021

I'm hanging out with Rachel Mansfield (@rachlmansfield) for today's episode! She's an incredible cookbook author and recipe creator who has a really cool story. We talk about how she didn't get into cooking until she was an adult and how she found a love for it while recovering from an eating disorder, why getting fired from a job made her decide to work for herself, and her recent exciting announcement that her husband is working full-time with her.
HER FAVORITE RECIPES:
Cashew Chicken Bowls: https://rachlmansfield.com/insanely-good-paleo-basil-cashew-chicken-bowls/
No-Boil Pasta Bake: https://rachlmansfield.com/the-easiest-no-boil-baked-penne-recipe/
Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies: https://rachlmansfield.com/insane-gluten-free-brown-butter-chocolate-chip-cookies/
FOLLOW HER:
instagram.com/rachlmansfield
https://www.tiktok.com/@rachlmansfield

Caroline Moss on her writing process, how much authors actually make, and podcasting Sep 07, 2021

Author and podcast host Caroline Moss is on the pod today, and our conversation is a treat! We talk about the pressure to always be productive and how to handle it, what it's like writing children's books, and how much authors actually make (hint: less than you think). Caroline also talks about how her podcast Gee Thanks, Just Bought It! came about. Thanks for listening!
Buy Hey Ladies!: https://bit.ly/3l5VI9J
Buy the Work It, Girl series: https://bit.ly/3BR3yuN

Follow her on Instagram: http://instagram.com/geethanksjustboughtitpod
Listen to the podcast: https://apple.co/3jTjHde

Lisa Respers France on covering all things pop culture for CNN Aug 31, 2021

Today, I’m joined by the one and only Lisa Respers France. She’s a longtime journalist who has worked at CNN for over a decade as a senior entertainment writer. She’s the queen of all things pop culture and graciously agreed to share her journey to her dream job with me. We talk about how she became a writer (the story involves Oprah!), her most memorable celebrity encounters, her tips for young journalists, and how she bravely decided to write about her dad’s battle with COVID.

Follow her on Instagram: instagram.com/lisafrance

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LisaFranceCNN

Read her newsletter: https://www.cnn.com/specials/pop-life-chronicles

Her dad’s COVID fight: https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/05/opinions/father-covid-19-death-grieve-france/index.html

Emily Amick on using Instagram to help people understand the news Aug 17, 2021

This week, I’m joined by Emily Amick, better known as @emilyinyourphone. She shares nuanced political opinions from a partisan perspective on her Instagram account, and I love learning new things from her. We discuss her time serving as counsel to Senator Chuck Schumer, going to law school and becoming an attorney for terrorism victims, and what daily average news consumption looks like. Thanks, as always, for listening!

Follow her Instagram: instagram.com/emilyinyourphone

Listen to her podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/weve-got-issues-with-emily-and-jess/id1572072422

Rep. Anna Eskamani on becoming the first Iranian-American elected in the Florida House Aug 10, 2021

I’m thrilled to welcome Rep. Anna Eskamani to the pod today! If you’re not familiar with her, you should be — she’s a progressive leader in Florida making a huge difference both in our state and our country. We talk about why she ran for office and flipping her seat in 2018, what it’s like to balance a full-time job with public service, and how she handles the racism and misogyny she faces. Thanks for listening, and follow Anna below:

facebook.com/annaforflorida

instagram.com/annaforflorida

twitter.com/annaforflorida

annaforflorida.com

Arielle Estoria on her creative journey to becoming a poet and writer Aug 03, 2021

Hey, friends! I’m back with another episode of Asked By Ayana, this time featuring Arielle Estoria (@arielleestoria). She’s a poet, speaker, author, actor, and model whose words bring me so much joy, and I’m honored to have her here. We talk about how she struggled at the beginning of her career, what content creation looks like for her, and how she’s navigated faith and deconstruction. Thanks for listening!

1:00: How she started writing

11:05: Arielle’s thoughts on a “big break”

16:50: The shift in opportunities she saw after the resurgence of Black Lives Matter last summer

25:30: Creating content she loves, regardless of what the Instagram algorithm says

Connect with Arielle below:

instagram.com/arielleestoria

twitter.com/arielleestoria

arielleestoria.com

Stephanie Hayes shares her thoughts on the evolution of journalism Jul 27, 2021

Stephanie Hayes (@stephrhayes) is on the pod today to talk about journalism! She got her career start 18 years ago at the Tampa Bay Times and has worked for the newspaper ever since. Stephanie is currently a columnist at the Times, and she shares her thoughts on why journalism is far from dead, along with her own journey to newspaper writing. Thanks for joining, Stephanie!
NEWSLETTER: tampabay.com/stephanie

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/stephrhayes
TWITTER: twitter.com/stephhayes

Yamel Belen talks being a doula and the importance of Black maternal health Jul 20, 2021

I’m honored to have Yamel Belen (@yamelbelen) join me to talk about Black maternal health and doula work. I’ve known Yamel for years and she helped me immensely both pre- and post-pregnancy, so I’m excited that she joined me. We talk about why doulas are important, my labor and delivery experience, and how to advocate for yourself while giving birth. I also share a bit of my postpartum story that I haven’t talked about before. She’s created an incredible resource for those who are expecting or trying to conceive — follow the link below to download the birth plan template!

Birth plan template: bit.ly/ababirthprep

One Love Doula: instagram.com/onelovedoulaservices

Yamel’s Instagram: instagram.com/yamelbelen

Grace Semler Baldridge talks being the first openly queer artist to top Christian music charts Jul 13, 2021

Happy Wednesday, pod squad! Today's episode features Grace Baldridge (@gracebaldridge) who releases music under the name Semler. Grace topped the iTunes Christian charts with their incredible album Preacher’s Kid, and they're the first openly queer artist to do so. We talk about music, the American evangelical church, their experience as a queer Christian, and the exciting projects ahead. Thanks for tuning in!
1:30: How Grace got started with music

7:30: Unexpectedly gaining a following online

15:30: Growing up in a progressive Christian tradition

26:00: Deconstruction and being fully loved by God

instagram.com/gracebaldridge

twitter.com/gracebaldridge

Preacher's Kid on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2UbHhrg

Preacher's Kid on Apple Music: https://apple.co/3i6PMfh

Emma Cortes on leaving the aerospace industry to become a full-time blogger Jul 06, 2021

I'm thrilled to welcome Emma Cortes (@emmasedition) to the podcast today! After being laid off from her job in the aerospace industry last year, she became a full-time blogger and course creator. In the first half of 2021, she's already secured $100,000+ in brand partnerships. We talk about how she decided to pursue full-time blogging, why influencing is definitely a "real job," why she thinks it's important for women of color to be open about how much we're making, and more.
04:00: how her career first began

10:30: using business strategy as an influencer

14:00: being public about how much money she makes

26:00: being laid off from Boeing

33:00: her daily routine

Web: emmasedition.com

Instagram: instagram.com/emmasedition

Content Creatives Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/content-creatives-podcast/id1498009129

Courses: https://emmasedition.teachable.com/p/how-to-negotiate-paid-brand-collaborations/

Amber Fillerup on influencing and founding two successful businesses Jun 29, 2021

This week I'm joined by the wonderful Amber Fillerup (@amberfillerup) to talk about influencing, entrepreneurship, and what it's like being vulnerable online. Amber is a longtime lifestyle, beauty and family blogger and the founder of hair extension company Barefoot Blonde Hair and haircare line Dae.
08:30 - how she prioritizes family when working

15:30 - what it's like having people follow your life for years

19:50 - the harmful effects of purity culture

29:30 - what her daily routine looks like

instagram.com/amberfillerup

instagram.com/bfbhair

instagram.com/daehair

Mandy Moore shares how motherhood has changed her life Jun 22, 2021

I’m thrilled to welcome Mandy Moore (@mandymooremm) to the pod! She’s an actress, singer-songwriter, humanitarian, and all-around wonderful person who welcomed her first baby four months ago. We talk about balancing motherhood with work, pregnancy during a pandemic, what it’s like to play Rebecca on NBC’s This Is Us now that she’s a mom herself, and more.

06:45 - starting a career as a teenager

14:00 - not having your planned birth experience

21:10 - going back to work after a baby

27:00 - parenting and creating a daily routine

35:00 - balancing work while pregnant

38:00 - activism and speaking up about injustice

Hitha Palepu on balancing entrepreneurship, investing, writing, and motherhood Jun 15, 2021

What's up, pod fam! The incomparable Hitha Palepu (@hithapalepu) joins us for today's episode. She's an investor, entrepreneur, author, and blogger based in New York City. We talk about how she juggles all of her roles, brands and inclusivity, prenatal and postpartum depression, and not taking herself too seriously.
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06:10 - How she started working in the pharmaceutical industry with her dad
16:45 - A glimpse at how she chooses which projects to take on
18:30 - Diversity and inclusion in influencer marketing
25:45 - Being a South Asian woman in the industry
35:15 - Writing books on quick turnaround times
42:20 - What it means to grow up with privilege
44:00 - Prenatal and postpartum mental illness
⠀
Instagram: instagram.com/hithapalepu
⠀
Newsletter: 5smartreads.com
⠀
How to Pack: Travel Smart for Any Trip: https://bit.ly/3iOBYZ3
⠀
We're Speaking: The Life Lessons of Kamala Harris: https://bit.ly/3iI3Xtb

Chabeli Carrazana talks becoming a reporter and learning to write about grief Jun 08, 2021

This week’s convo is with Chabeli Carrazana, the economy reporter at the 19th News. She’s worked at both the Miami Herald and Orlando Sentinel, and you may have seen her asking Jen Psaki questions in the White House Briefing Room (casual!). We talk about how she got into journalism (6:00), what it was like to cover the Parkland school shooting and 2018 FIU bridge collapse (13:30), allowing yourself to be human as a journalist (18:00), covering NASA and the space industry (23:20), and writing publicly about grief (35:10).
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Parkland shooting survivor story: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/broward/article210553134.html
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Losing her grandfather to COVID: https://19thnews.org/2021/03/in-the-covid-ward-i-held-abuelos-hand-as-the-virus-took-him/
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Read her work: https://19thnews.org/author/chabeli-carrazana/
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Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/chabelih

Nicole Modic on leaving law to become a full-time blogger Jun 01, 2021

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Nicole Modic (@kalejunkie) who has an incredible story about quitting her job as a lawyer to become a food blogger. Nicole opens up about walking away from a prestigious role to pursue her dreams, and she gets honest about how struggling with an eating disorder impacted her journey.

We talk about her practicing employment defense litigation (2:30), starting her Instagram account while home on maternity leave (12:30), how she told loved ones she was leaving law (17:10), how she approaches intuitive eating (21:45), and how her love of food helps her come up with recipes (28:30).

Follow her below:

instagram.com/kalejunkie

https://www.tiktok.com/@kalejunkie

kalejunkie.com

Caralyn Mirand talks becoming a curve model and fashion influencer May 25, 2021

Hey, pod fam! Today's episode features Caralyn Mirand Koch (@caralynmirand), a plus-size model and style blogger. She was the runner-up on Tyra Banks's "Fiercely Real Teen Model Search" reality show, which kicked off her modeling journey (02:20). We talk about not knowing what you want to do when you grow up (12:00), along with brands and size inclusivity (14:15). Caralyn also shares how she met her husband Brian and ended up hiring him (18:10), the legendary #ProperlyFittingBraClub (23:50), and how she stays disciplined working from home (30:45). Hope you enjoy listening!
You can find her online below:
http://instagram.com/caralynmirand
http://caralynmirand.com

Theresa Helmer on becoming an executive director at Disney Branded Television May 18, 2021

Happy Wednesday, pod fam! Today's chat is with Theresa Helmer, who's the Executive Director, Integrated Content Strategy at Disney Branded Television. We talk about her career path (fun fact: it includes a stint on the Taco Bell corporate social media team). Theresa offers insight into her daily workday and advice for people interested in networking. Hope you love the listen! You can learn more about Theresa and her role below:

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/theresa-helmer-promoted-exec-role-160048745.html

Tomi Obebe on making six figures as a micro-influencer Apr 27, 2021

This week, I’m chatting with Tomi Obebe, the full-time content creator behind GoodToMicha.com. We talk about being Black in a mostly white industry, how Tomi went from a pre-med student to a successful fashion blogger who now makes six figures, and whether being an influencer is actually hard work. If you’re interested in learning more about the influencer industry, you’ll find this episode insightful. Thanks for listening!

Follow Tomi below:

instagram.com/goodtomicha

twitter.com/goodtomicha

goodtomicha.com

Jess Massey chats about dropping out of grad school to start a business Apr 20, 2021

Jess Massey graciously agreed to hop on the pod to share what she calls a "dumpster fire" of a career journey. Jess changed her major multiple times in college, decided to become a speech language pathologist, and dropped out of grad school to start a now-popular productivity brand called Hustle Sanely. She has a lot of insight about pursuing your dreams, how a safety net can afford you the privilege of leaving a job, and having a supportive partner. Thanks for listening!
instagram.com/jessmmassey

jessicamassey.com

www.instagram.com/hustlesanely/

https:/hustlesanely.com

Lindsay Silberman talks becoming a full-time influencer and entrepreneur Apr 13, 2021

Lindsay Silberman (@lindsaysilb) joins the pod to share her journey from magazine editor to full-time influencer. We chat about what it’s like to leave a stable job to do your own thing, her thoughts on the influencer industry, and her experience founding a luxury candle brand that’s getting rave reviews from national media. Follow Lindsay below:

instagram.com/lindsaysilb

lindsaysilberman.com

https://www.facebook.com/groups/silbsquad/

instagram.com/hotellobbycandle

hotellobbycandle.com

Grace Atwood on becoming a full-time blogger and quitting your day job Apr 07, 2021

This week, I’m sitting down with my friend Grace Atwood (@graceatwood), the founder of a popular blog called The Stripe and co-host of the fabulous Bad on Paper podcast. We explore her journey to full-time blogging and the jobs she had before this one, including a few horror stories. Grace shares how she stays disciplined and how to navigate a flexible schedule. Hope you enjoy the listen! Follow Grace on the social channels linked below:

thestripe.com

instagram.com/graceatwood

instagram.com/badonpaperpodcast

Olivia Muenter shares her journey to full-time freelance writing Mar 31, 2021

Welcome to the first episode of Asked by Ayana! Today, we talk to Olivia Muenter (@oliviamuenter), a writer, editor and digital content creator. We cover what it’s like moving from a secure job to being full-time freelance and how she did it, along with how she started gaining freelance clients. You can follow Olivia on her social channels linked below.

instagram.com/oliviamuenter

oliviamuenter.com

oliviamuentercourses.com

Introducing Asked By Ayana Mar 22, 2021

Welcome to Asked by Ayana, a brand new podcast hosted by Ayana Lage (that's me)! I've always been fascinated with the idea of a dream job, mainly because I landed my perfect gig out of college and ended up not liking it. I was discouraged until I talked to friends and learned that many of us have the same experience. Join me as I interview talented creatives about their often-imperfect career journeys and what they've learned along the way. See you every Wednesday!

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