Slow Simmer: Building a Business That Nourishes with Zoe Johnston

In this captivating episode, I sit down with Maria Vogel — writer, art advisor, and founder of Rococo Art Advisory — whose journey into the art world defies convention. From Pittsburgh to the pulse of New York City, Maria shares how she transformed her early passion into a purpose-driven career, reimagining what it means to engage with art.Her work is a portal — one that demystifies the art world and invites people in, not just as collectors, but as participants in a deeper cultural conversation. Through initiatives like Rococo Cinco and Club Rococo, Maria is breaking down barriers and building community — creating intimate, thoughtful spaces where connection, curiosity, and creativity take center stage.TOPICS COVERED:🎙️The beauty of nonlinear paths and self-trust in creative careers🎙️ What it really means to make art accessible, inclusive, and alive🎙️ Why storytelling (not sales) is the heart of her advisory approach🎙️ Balancing passion with practicality in building a career you love🎙️ How to align your career with your creative values and visionMaria’s story is a powerful reminder that there is no one “right” way in — only the way that’s true to you. If you’re an art lover, creative entrepreneur, or simply seeking permission to forge your own path, this episode will meet you where you are and inspire you to keep going. Guest Info:INSTAGRAMROCOCO ADVISORYCLUB ROCOCO MEMBERSHIP Get in Touch:Benshen.co WebsiteBenshen MembershipBenshen.co InstagramRate, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platform.

In this inspiring episode, I’m joined by Shirin Bueeler —a photographer, relationship weaver, and amplifier of melanated voices— who shares her raw and radiant journey into motherhood. From the challenges to the breakthroughs, Shirin offers deep insight and embodied wisdom for this rite of passage.In this episode, we explore the profound shift that occurs when women step into motherhood, and how it reshapes our identities, creativity, and relationships. We also talk about navigating societal expectations around what it means to be a “good mother” and staying true to ourselves in the process.TOPICS COVERED:🎙️ How motherhood opens new portals for creativity and self-expression🎙️ Navigating societal expectations around what it means to be a “good mother”🎙️ Finding balance between nurturing others and tending to yourself🎙️ How creativity and sensuality can thrive in motherhood🎙️ The power of building a circle of like-minded, heart-led women Guest InfoBorn in South Asia, raised in Europe, Libran ascendant Shirin was destined to play the in-between realms of things and act as a bridge builder between worlds.Originally trained in Western medicine, she incorporates her wealth of knowledge from over 20 years of practice, alongside ancient Eastern healing arts such as Reiki. Following the call for a more creative path, she transitioned to a career in visual storytelling as a photographer in 2022.Photographer, amplifier of melanated voices, teacher of the divine all things Venusian, relationship weaver, multi-passionate witch. Shirin is a multi-hyphenate whose most exciting journey remains being a mother.INSTAGRAMWEBSITE Get in Touch:Benshen.co WebsiteBenshen MembershipBenshen.co InstagramRate, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platform.

August begins under the golden fire of Leo season. Leo invites us to live from the heart instead of the head, to shine without apology, and to remember that joy is not frivolous, it’s power. But this Leo season isn’t just about outward radiance — it comes with a deeper invitation. With Saturn, Neptune, and Mercury all in retrograde, we're currently being asked to pair our fire with discernment. To burn away illusion. To clarify what’s true.Think of this month in Benshen as a sacred pause – it's not the time to push forward. It is a month to return inward and to root down to allow stillness becomes strength and refinement becomes power. Rather than hustling and running from one thing to the next, vision to vision, lesson to lesson August is in invitation to slow down and actually ask yourself, “What does my heart of hearts want?”As the month closes, the Sun moves into Virgo, ushering in a shift from passionate spark to grounded embodiment. We move from the roar of the heart to the rituals that sustain it.This August is a clearing — for your voice, your vision, and your path forward.Let it refine you. Let it renew you. Let it make you crystal clear.Begins August 9th | Join the MembershipGet in Touch:Benshen.co WebsiteBenshen.co InstagramRate, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Starting a business is never a straight line — and Zoe Johnston, founder of Spilt Milk Collective, knows this better than most. In this conversation, we talk about what it really takes to grow something meaningful: the doubts, the pivots, the wins, the challenges, and the deep trust in timing.We get into how Zoe built her culinary production company from the ground up — not by moving faster, but by listening more. She shares the risks she took, the personal shifts she made, and how aligning her business with her body’s natural rhythms changed everything.TOPICS COVERED:🎙️ How sobriety gave her clarity in both life and leadership🎙️ Building a support system and strong connections🎙️ Why working with your cycle isn’t just about hormones — it’s about strategy🎙️ The challenge of unlearning hustle culture🎙️ Why slowness is often the secret to sustainable creativityThis is an honest look at what it means to build something on your own terms and how success is really just creating an ever-changing recipe of what a more sustainable work/life balance should taste like.Guest Info:Zoe’s InstagramSpilt Milk’s InstagramSpilt Milk Collective WebsiteGet in Touch:Benshen.co WebsiteBenshen MembershipBenshen.co InstagramRate, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Get in Touch:Benshen.co WebsiteBenshen MembershipBenshen.co InstagramRate, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platform.

In this episode, we sit down with Gabby Cadet, a dynamic force in the fashion industry, with a career spanning some of the most prestigious retailers, publications, and fashion houses (Chanel and Hermes - just name a few). In addition to her impressive professional background, she is the founder of a unique fashion-meets-fitness platform, Moi, that brings together the style community to prioritize wellness. Through curated events in partnership with top fitness brands, Gabby creates immersive experiences that inspire movement, connection, and balance within the fashion world.Throughout the conversation, we dive deep into the intricacies of maintaining friendships, finding love, and the importance of self-reflection and accountability. TOPICS COVERED:The value of accountability in personal growth and relationshipsTrusting the timing of life and remaining patientThe importance of focusing on self-love and personal passionsHow to navigate changing dynamics in long-term friendshipsSetting boundaries in all areas of life as a form of practicing self-care Guest info:Gabby’s InstagramMoi InstagramGet in Touch:Benshen.co WebsiteBenshen MembershipBenshen.co InstagramRate, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Money can be a source of anxiety and shame for many entrepreneurs, especially those in creative fields. But what if we could change our relationship with finances and empower ourselves to take control of our business's financial health? In this episode, I sit down with Catherine Smith Licari, founder of The Small Business Planner, to discuss how we can overcome the fear and shame associated with money. Catherine shares her journey from the fashion industry to becoming a financial literacy advocate for creative entrepreneurs, offering invaluable insights on building a solid financial foundation for your business.Catherine emphasizes that financial literacy is simply learning a new language. She emphasizes there's no need to feel shame about not understanding financial terms but to show up with the same curiosity as when you're learning a new language. The key is to push through the initial discomfort and realize that this knowledge is attainable and can fundamentally change your business and life.TOPICS COVERED: Identifying a problem your product or service solvesUnderstanding why you're the right person to bring this solution to marketThe importance of finding the right financial professionals who make you feel respected and supportedHow to overcome the initial resistance to learning about financesThe value of asking questions and seeking clarity from your accountant or bookkeeperGuest Info:Catherine's InstagramCatherine's Website The Small Business Planner Get in Touch:Benshen.co WebsiteBenshen MembershipBenshen.co InstagramRate, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Your voice is your most powerful tool—whether you're in a meeting, pitching a brand, showing up on Instagram, or leading a room. In this episode, I’m sharing my best tips on how to find and refine your voice both in real life and online. If you’ve ever felt unsure how to show up clearly, confidently, and in a way that truly reflects who you are, this is for you.In this episode, we unpack what it means to find your voice, how to discovered the WHY behind your fears on sharing yourself with the world, and how to use creative practices so that you can speak with clarity, confidence, and authenticity.TOPICS COVERED:What “finding your voice” really means in your work and online presenceHow to overcome self-doubt and visibility resistancePractical tools to build confidence in your communicationTips for writing and speaking in a way that sounds like youHow to stay consistent across platforms without losing authenticityGet in Touch:Benshen.co WebsiteBenshen MembershipBenshen.co InstagramRate, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platform.

This month inside Benshen is an invocation of your wild, sacred self. The part of you that was never meant to be polished, pleasing, or proper. The part that prays under moonlight, that knows beauty as power, that remembers the body as the first temple.The Divine Untamed is a four-week journey of reclamation and return—into the mythic, sensual, and sovereign feminine. A remembrance that your rage is holy, your desire is divine, and your sensuality is not something to hide or fix—but to honor, feel, and express.WEEK 1 | THE AWAKENING: Living The Vision, Moving As FlameWEEK 2 | THE DESCENT: The 7 Gates of Venus + The Shadow as SacredWEEK 3 | THE SACRED FLAME: Inanna, Lilith and The Lineage of the DivineWEEK 4 | THE RECLAMATION: Power, Pleasure, and the Sacred Feminine Begins June 7th | Join The Membership Get in Touch:Benshen.co WebsiteBenshen MembershipBenshen.co InstagramRate, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Love, relationships, and personal growth - these themes intertwine in our latest heart-to-heart conversation with the incredible Rachel Saunders. As we revisit our journeys from to women in loving partnerships, we uncover the transformative power of self-acceptance and authenticity. Rachel also shares her inspiring transition from Rachel Saunders Ceramics to The Sanctuary, a digital haven for creatives and entrepreneurs. This pivot not only reshaped her career but also paved the way for a more aligned connections in all areas of her life. This conversation serves as a reminder that the journey to love often begins with loving ourselves first. We explore how setting clear boundaries, honoring our authenticity, and embracing vulnerability can lead to partnerships that feel easy, supportive, and deeply fulfilling. Whether you're single, in a relationship, or somewhere in between, this episode offers insights to help you cultivate more meaningful connections - with yourself and others.TOPICS COVEREDHow embracing our true selves attracts more authentic relationshipsThe importance of letting go of external validationRedefining societal expectations around partnership and marriageThe value of imagining both the dream and the reality of what we seekBreaking patterns and surrendering control to invite aligned experiencesGuest Info:Rachel's InstagramThe Sanctuary InstagramThe Sanctuary by Rachel Get in Touch:Benshen.co WebsiteBenshen MembershipBenshen.co InstagramRate, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platform.