Advertise on podcast: Samantha's West

This week's episode was supposed to be an introduction to our new intern Megan.  Naturally, I messed up the recording and was so lucky I could guilt my brother Scott to be my guest.  He was not prepared for the questions that I asked, which turned into an insightful conversation.  I first discuss group photos and how to look good in them and proper etiquette on posting across social media channels.  We talk about giving off positive energy and how a smile is an easy way of just looking good and happy.  We then dive deeper into the emotional side of FOMO and when it is and is not appropriate to post pictures that could offend loved ones.  Lastly, Scott defines the  phenomena that I am explaining as “flex culture” He uses his own personal stories as examples of being a young guy in the flashy Miami scene.  [9:00] If you just smile you are giving off happy energy  [14:39] Do you go out of your way not to post to not offend anyone? Or do you just do it because you are living your life? [17:00] Our parents really beat into us if you have nothing nice to say don’t say it at all  [23:58] If I don’t turn these things into motivation I’m going to consume myself and not be happy  Connect with Scott: https://scottlawrenceporter.com/ https://www.instagram.com/scottlawrenceporter/

I was introduced to Sam Jayanti through our mutual connections on HeyMama.  After playing a little geography and name games we realized we had some friends and a mutual love of dogs and tequila!  Sam  is the founder and CEO of ideamix and hosts the ideamix radio podcast.  She explains to us the difference between what her company does as coaches versus traditional counseling.  She explains that her coaches go through a lengthy vetting process and help their clients reach their goals.  We also speak a lot about group settings amongst women and what they prefer.  Lastly, we finish up our conversation as new yorker's speaking about our pandemic experiences.  Sam also shares her delicious tequila recipe and how it came to be!  [1:59] It is super important to stress that coaching is distinct from counseling  [6:41] Coaching small groups of women to overcome and identify their challenges in early stage companies  [10:30] I also love group settings. I thrive in hearing others stories and love to relate [19:37] Pandemic and lockdown in march 2020 took away distractions, you were with your family and that was awesome  http://www.theideamix.com/ideamix-radio https://www.instagram.com/theideamix/

I reconnected with a childhood friend this week, Thomas Raynor.  We grew up together in Long Island and both found ourselves drawn to NYC.  Thomas has worked his way through the wild world of PR with a theatrical lense. And we get to hear this eloquent takes on how he positively promotes national chains, and is excited that Netflix's is showing a more authentic take on young gay love.  Thomas talks about his childhood, his eagerness to get out of small town, and high school ideologies.   Next, he shares his take about the clients he works with and how to make them exciting and noteworthy.  He has a beautiful process of taking something that might be seen as ordinary, like a breakfast sandwich and making a whole conversation out of it.  Lastly, we get into the real talks around what it was like being a young gay man in his eyes.  We speak about stereotypes and how what was portrayed for him as “gay” wasn’t something he necessarily identified with.  Now, with more acceptance and exposure in the world he is excited for younger generations to feel heard and come into their own a lot sooner.  3:39 [ getting out of my hometown where high school could be tough at times] 8:45 [ How do we take a new breakfast item from a national chain and make it exciting, and get people to talk about it] 15:41 [You want to be authentic, and more importantly a source for light in the world] 20:45 [ I would have never seen this as teen, and I if I had I would have come into my own a lot sooner] 

I finally had an aligned calendar opening with powerhouse PR mama Morgan Canclini-Mitchell.  After multiple canceling due to covid, sick kids, and work woes we have an incredible convo that stems from the change of the PR world to what it looks like to be a mother and run a company.  Morgan explained how she went from intern to full-time position.  She mentions how she took on intricate and unique situations like helping clients per diem.  She has an incredible story while working in the literary world and being assigned as Michael Vicks in house PR person.  Her story starts right as he exits his prison sentence.  Now seasoned in the PR world and being able to take on her preferred clients, Morgan talks about her current (second) pregnancy and what boundaries she is putting up to ensure she actually takes a maternity leave this time.  Lastly, we end our talk discussing what the current world looks like pre, during and (maybe?) post covid. [8:46] Some of our clients don’t have a publicist, or the need for a full-time publicist. Can you help them get a magazine cover and so  on.  [12:13] They needed an internal publicist, and they asked if anyone had any experience.  I said I used to do PR for celebrities, and then we signed Michael Vick [25:05] I felt like with my first I didn’t take a real maternity leave [32:37] I wasn’t going anywhere with a newborn pandemic or no pandemic  https://twopr.com/ https://www.instagram.com/morganbenet/?hl=en https://m.facebook.com/twopr.nash https://twitter.com/morgancanclini https://www.linkedin.com/in/morgancanclini/

After what seems like months of laryngitis and colds, I can finally jump on the podcast solo to give life updates.  I'm vulnerable and extremely honest this week, speaking about how my anxiety has been at an all time high and hopefully the culprit is medicine interaction.  I share how my husband, Mike, navigates my moments and is so helpful.   Also, a few funny stories about my hysterical mother's boyfriend, Papi J, and how he is family friends with our previous podcast guest, Maureen Pollack. Lastly, I share some interesting news around my charity work, and how I actually might be much more techy than I think!  The top takeaways from the conversation: [00:46] giving me severe severe anxiety through the roof, if you know me you know that is how I came, or how I was made. [5:28] Mike knows me, and knows how to work my personality, or how to help me and sometimes that’s coddling and hugging and other times it's tough love. He tells me I need to be tough for West, and I get anxious when I drive in the car.  I tell myself West is in the car this is not about you, you have to be the best version of yourself  [10:02]  Of course my mom and Jeffrey were waiting to listen to my podcast with the sex toy lady. Turns out Maureen Pollack is good friends and neighbors with Jeffrey's son and daughter-in-law.   [12:41] It’s so funny when you take a step back and look how others might perceive you versus how you perceive yourself Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samanthaswest/

Veteran owned coffee brand, Altruistic Joe, seemed like a no-brainer to invite onto the podcast.  Little did I know, Jamie and Libby Jenks have way more going on than just yummy coffee.    Jamie served in the coast guard, in the search and rescue department.  His education was in entrepreneurship and no surprise after a few tours and moves around the country he opened a few businesses.  Operating with an extreme attention to detail, he opened up a hot spot restaurant in Sitka Alaska, imagine that!    After the Military, the couple asked themselves what was next.  They always knew that they wanted to have a charitable component to what they do.     Jamie and Libby work with small family farmers and are huge contributors (20% profits) to charity.  I’m excited to share their mission and some fantastic coffee tips too!   The top takeaways from the conversation: [1:46] I wanted to serve in some capacity and search and rescue was a cool way of doing it [5:48] Attention to detail was always there [7:08] We really wanted to have something to feed the soul and have a charitable nexus to it [22:43] Giving back charity we were passionate about, and also opening up the doors to people to contact us  Connect with Jamie: Altruistic Joe https://www.altruisticjoe.com/ https://www.instagram.com/altruisticjoe/ Charity Navigator https://www.charitynavigator.org/

Vanilla is a word that I don’t just use to describe the ice cream that I like.  I chat with Maureen Pollack, a mom, entrepreneur, orthodox jew, and groundbreaker in women’s sexual health and products. She invented The WaterSlyde, which is a patented aquatic stimulator and feminie hygiene product.  You can hear my shaking voice from the beginning of this podcast and the growth by just talking to her for a half hour. No wonder this insanely smart woman is an intimacy coach and keynote speaker.  We share laughs about my comfort level and naturally link the conversation back to family.  Maureen bases her comfort level by thinking “if it’s okay to share with my dad and kids I am comfortable standing behind it.”   Listen to her wild story about attending a porn award show and you will easily see how she is promoting women empowerment.  The top takeaways from the conversation: [1:53] Having society tells me there's something wrong with you know, pleasure or enjoying pleasure, you are a slut if you have sex, any of that stuff.  [5:14]  The power and beauty of being an entrepreneur is you get a voice and you have a choice.  [15:19] It's designed to be out, like do you put away your wine glasses? [19:13]  I guess our target or people who resonate really well with our sexual health products are girls, girls going off to college. And then we have 25 to 35, which they can have a little bit more of a disposable income and purchase what they want. But I always want it to be accessible. Connect with Maureen: https://lovabilityinc.com/ https://www.instagram.com/LovabilityInc/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYsHcpjqTMgJI5QlZtJvwIg https://twitter.com/LovabilityInc https://www.facebook.com/LovabilityInc https://www.pinterest.com/lovabilityinc/

When it comes to entertaining families, Dana Gordon’s family has personality to boot! Between her meat loving father and adorable girls, Dana’s Instagram account has become a pinnacle for positive and real vibes.  But it doesn’t stop there, Dana Gordon is the Founder & Jewelry Designer of Dana Rebecca Designs. Known for its handcrafted, luxurious and sophisticated design, Dana Rebecca Designs namesake collection, launched in 2007, is a reflection of third generation jewelry designer Dana Gordon's personal style, world travels and the special women in her life.  In this episode, we talk about her two girls and amazing family, how Covid has allowed her to spend more time with her parents, sharing more of her personal life on social media, her reaction to being chosen as one of Oprah’s favorite things and seeing her designs on people. We also chat about the unrealistic concepts of success portrayed on social media and how she is raising her girls.  “I want my girls to see what hard work looks like….I think it’s important for them to see stress, I think it’s important for them to see celebration, I think it’s important for them to see long hours and sometimes having to miss things. I think that’s all part of my journey of being an entrepreneur.”- Dana [28:45] The top takeaways from the conversation:[0:56] Dana on her father’s background as the first diamond cutter is Chicago and his love for traveling with red meat and packing other (very specific) snacks in his suitcase, just like Papa Chip! We bond about the long-standing Jewish appreciation of food and planning next meals.[12:28] How Covid allowed her to spend more time with her parents and she started sharing more of her personal life on social media.[23:16] She explains how she felt being chosen as one of Oprah's favorite things and seeing her designs on people.[28:08] She explains the unrealistic concepts of success portrayed on social media and how she is raising her girls. Connect with Dana: Dana Rebecca Designs: https://www.danarebeccadesigns.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danarebecca/

 When it comes to this podcast, it has transformed my life in ways that I have not expected. I am thrilled to announce that I attended Ossa’s podcasting production camp! It was two days of learning best practices and working with amazing women who also have their own podcasts.  In this episode,  I talk about my trip to California for Ossa’s camp and the reflections I’ve made in my personal life recently. Including some words from my 13 year old that blew my mind! Listen in to learn how I’m getting outside my comfort zone and regaining my confidence.  “It was an incredible, just happy feeling getting back and just wanting to hug and kiss them. And just being so appreciative to have them. Sometimes you just need to step away a little bit.”- Samantha [11:06] The top takeaways from the conversation: [1:26] I applied to a podcasting seminar on a whim, and was accepted! It took me outside my comfort zone and I left West alone with Mike for the first time in 4 years!   [2:40]  I reflect on family and in-law dynamics and how it has shaped how I express myself. [6:26] I realized the importance of having new experiences and discuss how I am regaining my confidence by making connections and learning how to make a branded podcast. [13:57] How I realized my 13 year old is more mature and rational than I realized! Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samanthaswest/

When it comes to living a positive and healthy lifestyle, Anastasia Ashley knows all too well the true meaning of it. She is a world-class pro surfer who started her career at the tender age of 5, winning her first competition at just 6 years.  In this episode, we talk about handling a professional sports career at a young age, having a successful morning routine, and how social media is changing the sports scene.  Listen in to learn how social media has expanded the surfing industry to allow more creativity and freedom to upcoming sportspeople.  “The purpose of social media is to be social and to connect with people and be a part of different communities.”- Anastasia [16:11] The top takeaways from the conversation: [2:53] Anastacia on becoming a surfer and taking on the responsibility of a professional at an early age.  [5:06] How the experience of being a well-traveled child shaped her as an adult.  [7:09] The importance of having a successful morning routine as a professional. [9:31] She explains her experience of being a doctor’s wife and how it aligns with her surfing career. [12:48] How the surfing industry has evolved over the years and the impact that has had on the sport. [14:07] The concept of role models and how social media is fast reshaping it.  [19:52] How times have changed and people’s dreams are no longer hindered by age.  [21:30] Anastacia on her other sports interests plus some previous accidents.  Connect with Anastasia: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anastasiaashley/ 

What does Gen Z want to buy? Dara Erck is the founder and creator of Sam + Leo, an amazing ungendered, all-natural body care line devoted to Gen Z with environmentally-friendly packaging.  Fellow boy mom, global health advocate, and dyslexia charities are the tip of her resume.  This entrepreneurial mama with philanthropic goals is changing our shopping habits and disrupting the body care industry in the best possible way.  Sam + Leo https://shopsamandleo.com/ https://www.instagram.com/shopsamandleo/

As an addition to the Hey Mama series, I chat with the lovely Carlye Morgan. She is the founder and CEO of Chalonne. Chalonne designs and produces luxury bands for Apple watches. Now, we’re not talking about run-of-the-mill apple watch bands, these beautiful bands are hand-crafted in France with the finest leathers, gemstones, and solid gold.    We chat about how Carlye has navigated her way through the business world while staying true to what is most important. We also talk about the partnership between Chalonne and Breast Cancer Research Foundation, for every strap sold on chalonne.com, they donate 4% of the purchase price to BCRF! Love it.    Chalonne https://chalonne.com/ https://www.instagram.com/chalonne.la/ Hydronique Hydration https://hydroniquehydration.com/ https://www.instagram.com/hydronique_hydration/