Don't F*ck This Up

In this conversation, Lauren hosts Dr. Akilah Cadet for a heartwarming chat about the importance of embracing one's intersectionality and finding confidence in yourself. They go all in on talking through topics such as codeswitching, imposter syndrome, and the challenges faced by marginalized individuals in corporate environments. Dr. Cadet pulls from her personal experiences as a Black, disabled woman and offers advice on how to overcome self-doubt -- and seek validation from within. Lauren and Akilah dive into the meaning of autonomy over one's own domain, the freedom and limitless opportunities that come with starting you own company and even give some helpful pointers on dealing with termination. ;)  There are some hilarious - and relatable - stories on everything from dating to retail jobs, and themes of staying true, setting boundaries, and the power of clothes as a superpower. Lead with kindness – and buy Dr. Cadet’s book!  “I am limitless, and that’s the thing I love the most.” - Dr. Akilah Cadet Follow Don’t Fuck This Up on IG: @dontfckthisup.podcast Follow Lauren Alvarez on IG: @LaurentheAlvarez Follow Dr. Akilah Cadet on IG (and slide in those DMs): @changecadet Buy Dr. Cadet’s book, “White Supremacy Is All Around: Notes from a Black Disabled Woman in a White World.” here. Email the show at advice@dontfckthisup.com for your questions to be answered on an upcoming episode!

In this conversation, Lauren Alvarez interviews Chris Grdovic, Chief Partnerships Officer at Goldbelly. They discuss Chris's career journey, including her time at Food and Wine and her experience on the very first season of reality TV show, Top Chef. They also talk about the importance of collaboration, trust, and caring in building successful teams. Chris shares her insights on creating a fun and approachable environment in the food industry and highlights the significance of assuming the best in others, and they dive deep on her experiences working in the publishing industry, her transition to consulting, and why she chose to go back to full-time. Chris and Lauren emphasize the importance of building and maintaining a strong network, as well as the value of planning and setting goals. Tune in for some favorite eats, some highly recommended reads, and why assuming the best in others fosters positive and productive teams.  "Respecting the parameters of the person you're reaching out to, acknowledging their professional pursuit, and then asking for the favor, man, that's going to get you so much further." - Chris Grdovic Follow Don’t Fuck This Up on IG: @dontfckthisup.podcast Follow Lauren Alvarez on IG: @LaurentheAlvarez Follow Chris on IG: @grdovic Recommended books in this episode include:  'Setting the Table' by Danny Meyer 'Unreasonable Hospitality' by Will Gadara ‘Your Network Is Your Net Worth’ by Porter Gale 'Fast Forward' by Lisa McCarthy Email the show at advice@dontfckthisup.com for your questions to be answered on an upcoming episode!

In this episode, Lauren hosts fashion’s favorite spiritual stylist and the founder of AuraWear, Susanna Merrick. Susanna discusses her work as an aura reader and stylist, and how color can influence our energy and style choices. She shares her personal journey of discovering her gift of seeing auras and explains their connection to our energy and emotions, the power of color, and how it can be used as a tool for intentional dressing and self-expression.  With an emphasis on the importance of self-care and self-validation, Susanna’s work takes on a mission: to help people feel seen and understood. Lauren and Susanna discuss the impact of leveraging style as an anchor and support when feeling disconnected or going through transitions and Susanna answers listener questions on what to wear in various scenarios - from a ‘dont fuck this up’ job interview, to seeing an ex at a wedding! With over 5000 auras read, Susanna is all about challenging societal beliefs about fashion and dressing in a way that showcases your confidence and authenticity.  “You don't come to me because you don't know what to wear. You come to me because you're afraid of what you want to wear.” - Susanna Merrick Follow Don’t Fuck This Up on IG: @dontfckthisup.podcast Follow Lauren Alvarez on IG: @LaurentheAlvarez Follow Susana on IG: @aurawearnyc Book a reading or styling session with Susanna: https://aurawearnyc.com/ Email the show at advice@dontfckthisup.com for your questions to be answered on an upcoming episode!

It's time for season 2, and on this all-new episode of DFTU, Lauren welcomes Lisa Conn, CEO and Co-Founder of Gatheround, to share her insights on leadership, virtual spaces, and work-life balance. Lisa discusses the natural roles people play in challenging situations, the impact of virtual environments on behavior, and the importance of maintaining a positive attitude. She defines success, explores the motivation behind her ambition, and highlights the power of delegation in leadership. Lisa and Lauren go deep on the value of self-questioning, making virtual meetings more inclusive, how parenthood has influenced their leadership approach, and that one time Lisa decided to read the comments section. “Anchor yourself in how you feel today. Paint a picture of what you want to feel like in a year and then start to imagine what that looks like and work backwards.” - Lisa Conn Follow Don’t Fuck This Up on IG: @dontfuckthisup.podcast Follow Lauren Alvarez on IG: @LaurentheAlvarez Follow Lisa on IG: @lisapisapie Join a Gatheround Event: https://gatheround.com/community-events Learn more about Gatheround, a new kind of video meeting: www.gatheround.com Email the show at advice@dontfckthisup.com for your questions to be answered on an upcoming episode!

On today’s episode of Don’t F*ck This Up, Lauren welcomes stand-up comic and writer, Tamara Shevon. Tamara opens up about her spontaneous post-graduation move to Beijing - and how living in China led to her trying her hand at stand up comedy. We talk about the importance of putting in the work, having respect for the craft, and why you can’t cut corners in comedy, as well as distinguishing between overly critical comments and constructive feedback. Ever considered giving stand up a try? Tamara will tell you exactly like it is in this episode - and have you laughing out loud the entire way through.  “You can’t write it out verbatim. You can’t have a perfect script.” - Tamara Shevon Follow Tamara on IG: @teemair Buy Tamara’s albums on Bandcamp: https://tamarashevon.bandcamp.com/ Listen to Tamara co-host her pod: Pretty Bitchy  Follow Don’t Fuck This Up on IG: @dontfuckthisup.podcast Follow Lauren Alvarez on IG: @LaurentheAlvarez Email the show at advice@dontfckthisup.com for your questions to be answered on an upcoming episode!

This week on Don’t F*ck This Up, Lauren hosts a conversation with the Founder and Star Baker of Totally Sweet Baking, Brooksie Edmondson. Brooksie shares what it took to go from retail store manager with a vegan baking side hustle to full-time vegan baking company owner with a burgeoning list of wholesale clients. We discuss taking risks and having the right support systems in place, why growing your company is not always linear, and what it actually takes to make your passion into your full-time gig. Brooksie breaks down the true cost of your favorite treats, why she refuses to write on cakes, and finally spills the sprinkles on her favorite flavor of her famous pop tarts. Considering quitting your job? We’ve got a checklist for that, too. Listen in for the realities of small business ownership, stay for the excellent friendship vibes.   “I’m friends with all of my competitors.” - Brooksie Edmondson Follow Don’t Fuck This Up on IG: @dontfuckthisup.podcast Follow Lauren Alvarez on IG: @LaurentheAlvarez Follow Brooksie on IG: @totallysnax Follow Totally Sweet on IG: @totally_sweet_baking Order Totally Sweet Baking: www.totallysweetbaking.com Email the show at advice@dontfckthisup.com for your questions to be answered on an upcoming episode!

This week on Don’t F*ck This Up, Lauren hosts the CEO, Founder, and Inventor of Shhhowercap, Jacquelyn De Jesu Center. The multi-million dollar patent portfolio holder takes us through creating her wildly successful product and what it takes to build a brand that pulses and lives.  We talk about some important things: being intuitive, rising above the imitators, and the tension between being a ball-buster and being vulnerable. Plus, Jacquelyn divulges the types of people she surrounds herself with to be effective in the C-suite.   ““People call it authenticity, but that’s such a played-out word.” ” - Jacquelyn De Jesu Follow Don’t Fuck This Up on IG: @dontfuckthisup.podcast Follow Lauren Alvarez on IG: @LaurentheAlvarez Follow Jacquelyn on IG: @deejayzoo Follow Shhhowercap on IG: @shhhowercap Buy Shhhowercap: www.shhhowercap.com Email the show at advice@dontfckthisup.com for your questions to be answered on an upcoming episode!

In this week’s episode, Lauren hosts Jazerai Allen-Lord, sneaker icon and Founder of True to Size. Jazerai opens up about turning her passion for community, culture, and sneakers into a career and we discuss finding community in the early internet days. Jaz shares how she gained confidence through other’s beliefs in her abilities, and the pivotal coaching she received when starting her own agency. We also get personal, and the ‘Comeback Kid’ talks about the value of keeping some things private, why sentimental gifts matter so much to her, and the joy in giving her kids a front row seat to what it looks like to chase a dream.  “I firmly believe that if I’m in the position, I’m going to go balls-to-the-wall and just see what happens.” - Jazerai Allen-Lord Follow Don’t Fuck This Up on IG: @dontfuckthisup.podcast Follow Lauren Alvarez on IG: @LaurentheAlvarez Follow Jazerai on IG: @nerdlikejazzy Follow Jazerai on X: @jazzyrae Follow True To Size on IG: @tts.agency Work with True To Size: www.truetosize.com Email the show at advice@dontfckthisup.com for your questions to be answered on an upcoming episode!

This week, Lauren sits down with Karen Karch, the Founder, Creative Director, Designer, and Owner of Karen Karch Jewelry. Karen is all about defying convention: from being the subject of her own internship at Parsons and pioneering the “Dangerous Jewelry” movement, to her innovative approach to fine jewelry design and the evolution of her iconic bridal line.  We discuss the importance of learning the hard way, the challenge of setting trends, and the need to create one’s own creative bubble. Karen shares insights on knowing when it’s time for a change: whether it’s a neighborhood, a killer rebrand or shifting from brick-and-mortar to online retail.     “I had a strong sense of conviction that I was just doing it, and nothing was going to stop me.” - Karen Karch Follow Don’t Fuck This Up on IG: @dontfuckthisup.podcast Follow Lauren Alvarez on IG: @LaurentheAlvarez Follow Karen Karch on IG: @KarenKarchNYC Check out Karen Karch Jewelry: www.karenkarch.com Email the show at advice@dontfckthisup.com for your questions to be answered on an upcoming episode!

This week, Lauren sits down with marketing executive, confidence coach, tarot practitioner, and the founder of The Girl Mob, Yari Blanco.  Yari reflects on lessons learned during her year-long sabbatical, from navigating friend breakups and confronting her people-pleasing tendencies, to relinquishing the idea of control and changing her relationship with money.  We discuss being the hero - or the victim - in your own story, how to avoid self-sabotage, and the importance of risk-taking and having a toolkit. Yari lays out a legitimate guidebook to approaching a career pivot, and shares details on her recently launched confidence coaching practice. “Being a beginner is really f*cking hard, and it’s going to trigger the sh*t out of you.” - Yari Blanco Follow Don’t Fuck This Up on IG: @dontfuckthisup.podcast Follow Lauren Alvarez on IG: @LaurentheAlvarez Follow Yari Blanco on IG: @TheYariBlanco Learn about Yari’s offerings here Check out Yari’s writing here Email the show at advice@dontfckthisup.com for your questions to be answered on an upcoming episode!

On this week’s episode of Don’t F*ck this Up, Lauren has the opportunity to catch up with hairstylist and educator, Kate Schlicter. She’s the owner of Lost Hills LA and the founder of forthcoming haircare line, TOSL. They discuss Kate’s roots as a PNW punk rocker, her huge move to London, and the realities of training at industry juggernauts, Vidal Sassoon and Bumble and Bumble.  Though she never set out to own her own salon, Kate’s dedication to her craft and desire to build a community space were actually a perfect recipe for her to take the plunge. Ten years later, safe to say the plunge was meant to be!  “Let’s bring apprenticeships back. Let’s bring mentorships back.” - Kate Schlichter Follow Don’t Fuck This Up on IG: @dontfuckthisup.podcast Follow Lauren Alvarez on IG: @LaurentheAlvarez Follow Kate Schlicter on IG: @KateLostHills Check out Lost Hills LA: @LostHillsLA Book with Kate: www.losthillsla.com Email the show at advice@dontfckthisup.com for your questions to be answered on an upcoming episode!

It’s Episode 23 of Don’t F*ck This Up, and this week, Lauren sits down with marketing and brand strategist and the founder of The Curious Bird, Anjali Lewis. Anjali shares her career journey filled with pivotal moments and invaluable lessons - from fashion, to publishing and editorial, to planting a stake in the ground with her own consultancy.  We discuss what it means to build a career out of necessity, early bosses who saw our potential, and some memorable ‘cut-the-shit’ moments. Anjali reflects on her transformative ‘DFTU moment’, boundlessness vs. boundaries, and the thing a recruiter said that changed her perspective - and career - forever. Considering a move into consulting? We break that down, too. Tune in for actionable advice, navigational wisdom, and a recurring theme of fried chicken.  “I didn’t know what I wanted to do next but I knew how I wanted to feel: I wanted to be less stressed out.” - Anjali Lewis Download, review, and follow the podcast so you never miss an episode. Follow Don’t Fuck This Up on IG: @dontfuckthisup.podcast Follow Lauren Alvarez on IG: @LaurentheAlvarez Follow Anjali on Linkedin  Email the show at advice@dontfckthisup.com for your questions to be answered on an upcoming episode!

We’re back from the break, and this week’s episode of Don’t F*ck this Up is right on time for Valentine's Day, because it's all about pleasure. Lauren is joined by board-certified gynecologist, sex medicine and menopause expert, Dr. Karen Toubi. From vivid memories in 7th grade, where she declared her future as a gynecologist, to her unwavering commitment to revolutionizing women’s health, Dr. Toubi shares her heart-first decision to pursue a career dedicated to the most intimate parts of her patients' lives. We tackle topics like the orgasm gap, the failures of sex ed, innovative treatments like vaginal Botox and PRP, and the pain points of insurance. Tune in for an educational, exciting and much-needed conversation we hope will empower you to advocate for your own sexual health - and to maybe even have some fun in the process. “There’s a huge disparity in our sexual health, and no one is talking about it, but I’m talking about it.” - Dr. Karen Toubi Download, review, and follow the podcast so you never miss an episode. Follow Don’t Fuck This Up on IG: @dontfuckthisup.podcast Follow Lauren Alvarez on IG: @LaurentheAlvarez Follow Dr. Toubi on IG: @beverlyhillsgyno Book an Appt with Dr. Toubi: www.drkarentoubi.com Email the show at advice@dontfckthisup.com for your questions to be answered on an upcoming episode!

On this week’s episode of Don’t F*ck this Up, Lauren sits down with the incredible Jess Rona, entrepreneurial powerhouse and founder behind the multidimensional brand that is Jess Rona Grooming. You might have always wondered, what happens when you’re both a top improv talent and an award-winning groomer? Well, in Jess Rona’s case, you make a web series, film a library of educational content, open a brick and mortar, attract some amazing A-list clients, make incredible content, write a screenplay, create a product line, and win the hearts of LA’s cutest dogs - and their owners. No biggie. Jess and Lauren discuss finding focus - and making up for lost time, the challenges of hiring good people, and why diversifying your revenue stream matters (a lot!). Jess also dishes on her upcoming product line and what else she’s manifesting in 2024. Come for the inspiration, creativity and hard work, stay for the ASMR dog baths, signature slo-mo blowouts and stories of the grooming olympics. Download, review, and follow the podcast so you never miss an episode. Follow Don’t Fuck This Up on IG: @dontfuckthisup.podcast Follow Lauren Alvarez on IG: @LaurentheAlvarez Follow Jess on IG: @jessronagrooming Watch Jess' web series “For the Love of Dog”: https://jessronagrooming.com/loveofdog Email the show at advice@dontfckthisup.com for your questions to be answered on an upcoming episode!

On this week’s episode of Don’t F*ck this Up, Lauren is joined by negotiation coach and founder of The Finishing School, Alison Taffel-Rabinowitz.  An unstoppable force on a mission to revolutionize your job hunt game, Alison is all in when it comes to empowering individuals to unleash their storytelling prowess, land their dream jobs, and secure the bag - $1M in raises and counting! Alison and Lauren spill the beans on standing out in a competitive job market, negotiation strategies that start long before you receive an offer, and their differing opinions on cover letters. Plus, Alison shares ways to boost your confidence, stick the landing on networking, and claim the compensation you truly deserve.  Download, review, and follow the podcast so you never miss an episode. Follow Don’t Fuck This Up on IG: @dontfuckthisup.podcast Follow Lauren Alvarez on IG: @LaurentheAlvarez Follow Alison on IG: @alison.taffel.rabinowitz @thefinishingschoolco Connect with Alison on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taffel/ Alison offers one-on-one coaching, career development classes, and an action-oriented empowerment curriculum designed to combat the gender pay gap, one raise at a time. Stop leaving money (and benefits) on the table and register for www.thefinishingschool.co to learn how to earn more.  Email the show at advice@dontfckthisup.com for your questions to be answered on an upcoming episode!

On this week’s episode of Don’t F*ck this Up, Lauren sits down with the trailblazing Cindy Gallop. Cindy is a brand and business innovator, the Founder of Make Love Not Porn, the Founder and CEO of If We Ran The World, and is globally considered the Godmother of Sextech.  As a fearless advocate for change in every industry she encounters, Cindy takes us on her journey of spearheading the social sex revolution. She sheds light on the untapped potential of an industry often shrouded in stigma, discusses the challenges she faced while seeking funding, and explains why she lives by the mantra "Don’t give a damn what other people think." Download, review, and follow the podcast so you never miss an episode. Follow Don’t Fuck This Up on IG: @dontfuckthisup.podcast Follow Lauren Alvarez on IG: @LaurentheAlvarez Follow Cindy on IG: @cindygallop @makelovenotporn Connect with Cindy on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindygallop Email the show at advice@dontfckthisup.com for your questions to be answered on an upcoming episode!

Episode 18 of Don’t F*ck This Up is here, and this week, Lauren hosts storyteller, creator and communications specialist, Mike Platco. We discuss his unexpected career path that took him from wrestling rings and calligraphy pens to Snapchat doodles, the TedX stage, and collaborating with Disney. Named one of the 50 most creative people in business by Fast Company, Mike shares why failure is always an option, the importance of enjoying your work, and the choices he made when burnout came knocking on his door. Follow Don’t Fuck This Up on IG: @dontfuckthisup.podcast Follow Lauren Alvarez on IG: @LaurentheAlvarez Follow Mike on IG: @mplatco Connect with Mike on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/platco Work with Mike: www.mikeplatco.com TED Talk: If I could tell you how to become famous on social media. Email the show at advice@dontfckthisup.com for your questions to be answered on an upcoming episode!

Episode 17 of Don’t F*ck This Up is here, and this week, Lauren hosts an invigorating conversation with writer, creative director and cultural expert, Massaër Ndiaye. They hash out the realities of working cross-culturally - and across the globe, why chasing relevancy will never satisfy, and the importance of having diverse teams at all levels. Massaër also lets us in on what it’s like to move from Paris to Menlo Park, how he gained entry to the African Cup of Nations, and why courtroom fashion almost convinced him to pursue a career in law.  Download, review, and follow the podcast so you never miss an episode. Follow Don’t Fuck This Up on IG: @dontfuckthisup.podcast Follow Lauren Alvarez on IG: @LaurentheAlvarez Follow Massër on IG: @madsear Check out Massaër's work: www.massaerndiaye.com

Episode 16 of Don’t F*ck This Up is here, and this week, Lauren sits down with director, writer and producer, Gavin Bellour. They discuss his incredibly dynamic career straddling the commercial, editorial, content and advertising worlds, the happy accident that led to his first gig, and the struggle to find balance between being over- and under-prepared.  Gavin also offers a hearty helping of advice to aspiring directors and folks looking to grow their professional networks, and why coming in with altitude and authority will always bring more impact.  Download, review, and follow the podcast so you never miss an episode. Follow Don’t Fuck This Up on IG: @dontfuckthisup.podcast Follow Lauren Alvarez on IG: @LaurentheAlvarez Follow Gavin on IG: @gavinbellour Check out Gavin's work: www.gavinbellour.com Email the show at advice@dontfckthisup.com for your questions to be answered on an upcoming episode!

Episode 15 of Don’t F*ck This Up is here, and this week it’s an incredible conversation centered around career, design, and choice with Abby Mills, Staff Product Designer at Faire, and the founder of Abby on the Internet.  Abby and Lauren discuss how to go for things outside your comfort zone, the downsides of 100% remote work, and the important distinction between management and leadership.  Plus, Abby shares how she leverages design thinking for everything from home renovations to sewing projects, what went into her decision to choose her design career over a career in content creation, and why she’s extremely specific about the brands that she partners with.  Follow Don’t Fuck This Up on IG: @dontfuckthisup.podcast Follow Lauren Alvarez on IG: @LaurentheAlvarez Follow Abby on IG: @abbyontheinternet Connect with Abby on Linkedin Download, review, and follow the podcast so you never miss an episode. Follow Don’t Fuck This Up on IG: @dontfuckthisup.podcast Follow Lauren Alvarez on IG: @LaurentheAlvarez Follow Abby on IG: @abbyontheinternet Connect with Abby on Linkedin  Email the show at advice@dontfckthisup.com for your questions to be answered on an upcoming episode!