I Have Cool Friends

Krista Williams is a motivational speaker and the co-host and co-founder of the Almost 30 podcast, a top-rated lifestyle podcast and media brand. Today’s episode is especially poignant and timely as Krista joins the show to tell Sam everything to expect as Sam prepares to turn thirty! Krista shares her personal and professional growth experiences and touches on everything from relationships and family to business and entrepreneurship. They discuss The Saturn Return and explain what it means for those transitioning from their late twenties into their early thirties. Sam gets as vulnerable and raw as she’s ever been on this episode, so you won’t want to miss this one!

Kelly Roach is a business strategist for six, seven, and eight-figure CEOs and a rapid results expert and highly skilled time-compression coach. She’s also a three-time best-selling author with another book on the way. Today, Sam and Kelly talk about Kelly’s incredible business journey, going from an entry-level sales rep to building a coaching company with seventeen locations and running a team of over one hundred people. Kelly shares how she helps entrepreneurs go from being the business to building and scaling the business through systems, infrastructure, and teams. They also discuss roadblocks and challenges Kelly has had to overcome throughout the years, why 2021 was particularly trying, and what the future holds for Kelly’s upcoming ventures.

Jaclyn Fu is the co-founder and CEO of Pepper, an unapologetic bra company for small-chested women. Pepper’s mission is to empower women to feel confident and beautiful with the body they have. Jaclyn launched Pepper in 2017, and since then has quickly grown it into a passionate community of underserved women who boldly refuse to be defined by their size. Today, Sam and Jaclyn talk about her inspirational entrepreneurial journey and her passion for helping women who are struggling with body acceptance. Jaclyn shares the incredible story of how she and her co-founder Lia received full funding only ten hours after launching their Kickstarter campaign. Jaclyn speaks to some of the challenges and obstacles she’s tackled throughout her journey, her responsibilities as CEO, and how she remains engaged with Pepper’s target audience.

Courtney Spritzer is the co-founder and CEO of Socialfly, the #1 women-owned and operated social media marketing agency in the world. Socialfly helps brands communicate and resonate with women on social media. Throughout Courtney's career, she has developed strategic social media plans for her clients and successfully implemented campaigns for 200+ companies and brands, including Discovery, WeTV, Conair, Girl Scouts, and Slimfast. Courtney is also the co-host of the Entreprenista Podcast, a weekly show featuring the stories of successful female founders and what it’s really like to run a business. Today, Sam and Courtney talk about being a multi-entrepreneur or, as Courtney calls it, an Entreprenista. Courtney recalls the decision to leave Corporate America to pursue her passion for helping women in business. They talk about the challenges of entrepreneurship and how to balance running multiple businesses while also taking the necessary time to relax and unwind. Finally, Courtney shares some of the best care

Jen Fraboni is a physical therapist by trade and entrepreneur at heart. She’s the creator of the Mobility Method and co-host of the podcast, The Optimal Body, a show that provides the body tips and Physical Therapy (PT) Pearls you need to help you understand your body, relieve your pains and restrictions, and answers to your questions. Today, Sam and Jen talk about Jen’s multifaceted career as a physical therapist, content creator, podcaster, brand manager, and entrepreneur. Jen talks about her belief that pain, balance, and pursuing your passion are all an ongoing journey. She opens up about the importance of giving yourself grace and the power of visualization and positive thinking. Finally, Jen debunks common myths about physical therapy and the human body.

Danielle Frank is the host of the Beauty Uncovered Podcast, your down-to-earth guide to all things related to beauty. Danielle is also a spokesperson for Olaplex and she joins the show to share her amazing journey to find happiness, confidence, and success. Today, Sam and Danielle get raw and vulnerable as Danielle opens up about how she overcame an abusive relationship in order to pursue the life she always dreamed about. Danielle talks about learning through failure and finding the courage to actualize her best and most authentic self. Sam and Danielle share their views on beauty and why confidence is a muscle that must be worked out regularly.

Julie Foster is a motivated, globally minded modern marketer and brand expert. She currently serves as the Vice President of Brand Marketing at EA Sports and has, like most great brands, an awe-inspiring story to go along with her success. Today, Julie talks about navigating and kicking butt in male-dominated fields like sports, tech, and entertainment. She speaks to her affinity for brand building, the dos and don’ts of branding, and the importance of pursuing passion with grit and tenacity. Sam and Julie touch on the subject of finding balance in the chaotic life that accompanies such high-profile jobs. However, it’s not all about the job for Julie, as she shares her thoughts on the importance of leaving a lasting impact on the people around you.

This week, Sam welcomes Caroline & Jake Danehy, co-founders of Fair Harbor, an apparel company that converts plastic waste from the ocean into functional swimwear. Last year, the brother-sister duo was honored for their work in fashion and sustainability with a spot on the coveted Forbes “30 Under 30” list. The siblings talk about their entrepreneurship journey and how they transformed a passionate hobby into a multi-million-dollar brand in a highly competitive industry. Caroline & Jake discuss the dynamic of working together and how each brings a unique perspective and different strengths to the organization. They touch on the impact that COVID-19 had on their overall strategy and provide some best practices for others looking to launch their own sustainability brand. Finally, Caroline & Jake discuss their three-pronged approach to building a culture centered on family.

In today’s episode, Sam is talking to fellow UCLA Bruin, Jen Schroeder. Jen is the founder of Jen Scho Catching and co-founder of The Packaged Deal, the number one softball clinic in the world. A softball player turned instructor, Jen empowers young female athletes to reach their competitive potential, build confidence, and connect to their best selves, on and off the field. Her mission is to develop and support girls as they pursue softball and grow into powerful athletes and women. Jen talks about her decision to leave a ‘safe’ career path to pursue her passion through entrepreneurship. They touch on the importance of building confidence and battling self-doubt. Jen talks about her latest project, The Packaged Deal, and why she chose to incorporate her friends and family members in her business. Finally, Jen speaks to how she balances all of her projects with being a new parent and provides advice for those who are looking to start their own entrepreneurial journey.

Fellow UCLA Bruin, Ally Courtnall is a two-sport athlete and National Champion who decided to pursue her dream of modeling upon graduation. After four attempts, she finally landed her dream modeling job as a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model. Tenacious and persistent don’t even begin to describe it! Ally discusses her journey, her passion for mental health advocacy, and finally landing that dream job…and what comes next.

Serial entrepreneur and former professional skateboarder Mikey Taylor is President and Managing Principal of Commune Capital, a private equity real estate investment firm. He started with the goal of educating the masses on financial literacy. Sam and Mikey talk about his entrepreneurial journey, from launching his own craft beer company to his real estate investment career. Mikey talks about why his propensity for risk-taking as an athlete has translated to success in the business world. They discuss strategies for saving money, investing and the mindset required to become a millionaire and even a billionaire! Finally, Mikey shares his views on finding balance with work, family and friends, and talks about his future goals.

Entrepreneur, progressive social facilitator, and Founder & CEO of Quilt, Ashley Sumner, has an intuitive ability to understand human nuances and to bring different kinds of people together. She transformed this natural talent into a career as a community architect for brands and institutions such as Newhouse, Wanderlust, Breakout, and OneRoof, ultimately laying the foundation for Quilt, a new kind of social wellness space to connect, share, and learn with others through daily conversations. Quilt believes that community is the greatest form of self-care. Sam and Ashley talk about Ashley’s burning desire to be in service to people, building community, and the importance of caring. Ashley shares her thoughts on inclusivity and why she chooses to approach conflict with education rather than punishment. Finally, Ashley speculates on the future of Quilt and welcomes and encourages all listeners to join the community and become Quilters!

Ryan Nece is a former NFL player and the co-founder and managing partner at Next Play Capital. He has been a professional athlete, successful entrepreneur, and disciplined investor. He’s also a fellow UCLA alumnus - Go Bruins! Today, Sam and Ryan talk about Ryan’s career path, what inspired him to launch Next Play Capital, and the value of fostering relationships. Ryan speaks to the ups and downs of entrepreneurship and shares why he chose to become a mentor for so many athletes transitioning into their careers outside of sports.

In today’s episode, Sam welcomes former athlete turned fitness trainer, Danyele Wilson. Danyele has a passion for coaching people to become the strongest, most powerful versions of themselves and she recently joined Tone and Sculpt as the app’s first US-based trainer. Sam and Danyele talk about practicing confidence, having a positive mindset towards fitness, and the ‘Do It For You’ mentality. They reflect back on their lives as athletes and open up about struggles with body image and how they overcame those challenges. Finally, Danyele discusses the importance of being genuine, open, vulnerable and, above all, grateful.

In today’s episode, Sam welcomes podcasting powerhouse, entrepreneur, and wellness influencer Angie Lee is the host of The Angie Lee Podcast, a show for the dreamer, the multi-passionate, the ADHD, the go-getter, the side-hustler, the entrepreneur, and the ambitious. Sam and Angie talk about brand building, remaining humble, and the challenges of entrepreneurship. They talk about their Enneagram Test results and how it affects multiple relationships in your life, from personal to professional.

Sam welcomes engineer, entrepreneur, advisor, and coach, Meha Agrawal. Meha is the founder of Silk & Sonder, a subscription-based service centered around wellness, productivity, and authenticity. Today, Sam and Meha talk about what inspired her to launch Silk & Sonder, the importance of physical and mental wellness, and the challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship. Meha speaks to the aspect of her company that she is most proud of, how she approaches hiring, and the value she places on trying, failing, and trying again.

Sam welcomes mental health advocate, Megan Gallagher. At just 25 years old, Megan has spoken at over seven hundred and fifty universities across the country, given three Ted Talks and appeared in outlets such as OK Magazine and Forbes. She also has a new mental health workbook for teenagers that includes pages filled with journaling sections, tips for creating a healthy classroom from home and how teens can become emotionally aware. Today, Sam and Megan talk about the importance of good mental health, how to curate a positive mindset, and the value of incorporating a daily routine. They discuss Megan’s passion for helping others, her struggles with anxiety, and why it is critical to find balance. Finally, Megan provides tips and advice for aspiring entrepreneurs who are looking to build their own authentic brands.

Sam welcomes founder and CEO of Right Rice, Keith Belling. RightRice is a next generation rice brand that launched in February 2019. Keith is known for his experience as a founder, leader, and entrepreneur of several innovative consumer companies. He is the co-founder and former Chairman and CEO of PopChips, a leading, better-for-you snack food business launched in 2007 and has launched other businesses, including an e-commerce company. In this episode, Sam and Keith talk about Keith’s entrepreneurial journey, what it takes to create a successful company, and how to stand out in a saturated industry. They discuss how to maintain a healthy work-life balance and what advice Keith would give to aspiring entrepreneurs looking to make their mark.

In today’s episode, Sam welcomes former Division-1 volleyball player, TED Talk speaker, social media influencer. and mental health advocate, Victoria Garrick. Since delivering her TED Talk in 2017, Victoria has become a leader in the mental health and body image advocacy space. After graduating from the University of Southern California in 2019, Victoria has traveled the country speaking on college campuses, hosting her hit podcast Real Pod, and creating daily content for over one million social media followers who follow her message and authenticity on self-care. In this episode, Sam and Victoria talk about Victoria’s journey from D-1 athlete to mental health advocate, the impact social media has had on the way we view ourselves, and strategies for overcoming body image issues and insecurities.

In today’s episode, Sam welcomes Matteo Franceschetti and Alexandra Zatarain, co-founders of Eight Sleep, the world’s first sleep fitness brand with a mission to fuel human potential through optimal sleep. Eight Sleep leverages thermoregulation, data, and technology to design products to restore individuals to their peak energy every morning. Eight Sleep has raised over $70 million in venture funding and has helped over 30,000 people get sleep fit with its hardware and digital products. Matteo is the co-founder and CEO of Eight Sleep, holds multiple patents in tech and health, and is a member of the Forbes Technology Counsel. Alexandra is the co-founder and VP of Brand and Marketing at Eight Sleep. In 2017, she was named by Forbes to the “30 under 30” list in Consumer Technology. In 2020, she was named by E! as one of the top 100 Female Founders.