EP 38 - It's All About Hours with Brooke DeVard Ozaydinli

Kara Brothers is working on not always getting it right. Which may be a bit of a challenge for the mother of two who, as the President of Starface, has spent nearly the last 4 years boldly ushering the company into cult-like success. Kara and I sit down and discuss what it means to honor all of her different facets, the loneliness of struggling with her mental health postpartum, and how honoring her childlike self with an insatiable sense of yearning keeps her going. (We both really geek out over one another…listen until the end for me embarrassing myself gushing over Kara and our “Ask A Cool Mom” segment)

Listen in to this LIVE Cool Moms X Swehl community talk exploring the unique ways we are collectively dismantling family structure bias. We are excited to be joined in a discussion led by Elise Peterson with Morgan Dixon, Tragik, Essence Harden, and Yaris Sanchez.

"I didn't have role models of mothers who pursued their dreams..." shares Céline Semaan in our latest episode of COOL MOMS. The mother and founder of non-profit Slow Factory is no stranger to creating a life that aligns with joy and purpose for herself, her children, and global family. Listen in as we bond over scorpio energy, Céline's practices in progress through stillness, and her dedication to building a world decentralized from money and with accessible education for all.

"If I could daydream it, I could make it happen," shares Ryan Norville on our zoom call that felt like two old friends reconnecting. The artist and owner of floral design studio, Oat Cinnamon, never thought she would be working with florals for a living. The Harlem born mom of two spent the beginning of her career being challenged with balancing corporate life and her personal, spiritual practices. Norville chose taking the path of integrity and intentional growth when she decided to bootstrap her business. Listen in as Ryan and I spend much of the call giggling, discovering parallels between our life philosophies and professional trajectories, and what it means to dream in order to create.

Samantha Duenas aka SOSUPERSAM can easily be described as limitless. The LA based, multi-hyphenate started her entertainment career as a professional dancer supporting artists like Miley Cyrus, Kelly Rowland, and touring with The Cheetah Girls. SOSUPERSAM, who pulled her name from her previous time spent in the days of blogging, has over 10 years of international DJing experience. Sam, paving the way for the modern female DJ, has built a bridge between the DJ booth, red carpet, and major ad campaigns. Listen in as we discuss co-parenting as both step and bio moms, navigating nightlife in motherhood, and the power of the pivot.

If you don't know Alejandra LaPilusa, then you absolutely know her work. Her aesthetic genius and talent as a wardrobe stylist and designer has been the driving force behind many famous faces. Most notably, Alejandra styled SZA's SOS album cover and tour looks along with countless magazine covers, music videos, and much more. As if that isn't enough, LaPilusa is also the co-founder and designer for Year of Ours, a women's activewear brand. In the midst of all of that, the LA native is raising her son, loving her husband, not cutting corners, and finding ways to honor herself and her Latina heritage. Tap in to this LIVE episode full of emotions, laughs, and anecdotes on iconic fashion moments!

Some people you just know you will connect with. That has always been my inclination about Founder and Executive Director of Hike Clerb, Evelynn Escobar. In our LIVE recording, Evelynn and I dive into prioritizing and recognizing life's theme and purpose, rebelling against a daily routine, and honoring her younger self by committing to the liberation of Black, brown, and indigenous women. Get comfortable and listen in, because talking to Evelynn is like meeting an old friend for the first time. Stay tuned until the end for an intimate "Ask A Cool Mom" segment.

We are back at Soho Warehouse in Los Angeles for an exciting LIVE recording with the magnetic Brooke DeVard Ozaydinli. Not only does Brooke innovate marketing at Instagram, she has created and hosts a top 1% globally shared podcast, Naked Beauty. Tune in as we share stories around the restorative nature of beauty, what it takes to build a successful platform, and her innate freedom to post without monitoring the perceptions of others. Listen to the end for an insightful round of questions from our live audience for "Ask A COOL MOM". 

Laura Stylez always knew from a young age she wanted to work in hip hop, however she never desired to be a mother. It was always about her career. Tune in as Laura shares the iconic story of leaving LA for New York where she would find herself answering phones at a radio station and eventually sit at the helm of one of the most successful morning shows in the country. Stylez shares how she navigated a high risk pregnancy and postpartum in the midst of a pandemic. Laura also speaks to how with a supportive partner, unexpected friendships, her co-hosts at HOT 97, and under the tutelage of wildly talented titans of the radio: Monie Love, Steph Lova, and Angie Martinez, her community supports her success on and off the air. 

We are back in New York and LIVE from Soho House! The multi-talented, Jillian Hervey, one half of the musical duo Lion Babe, joins us in person for a conversation full of laughs, synergy, and refreshing honesty. Jillian has always been a creative. In many ways she didn't have a choice. As the daughter of the iconic Vanessa Williams, Jillian grew up admiring her mother's dedication to her craft. The Parson's graduate and trained dancer eventually met her future life partner and bandmate Lucas Goodman, and the couple together have created a potent sound as Lion Babe. Listen in as Jillian intimately shares growing up as the daughter of a living legend, creativity has her continuous life line, and how motherhood has enriched her everyday.