This week, we are looking back at some of the most powerful, hilarious, and vulnerable moments from The Messy Parts. We created this episode with Hark Audio, gathering the standout clips that define what this show is all about: embracing the chaos and finding strength in the struggle.Whether you are new to the podcast or a day-one listener, this compilation features the wisdom you need right now. We revisit these conversations and more:Negin Farsad on finding the humor in social justice and the "messy" side of comedy.Fede Garcia on navigating communication and the power of perspective.Vanessa Barboni Hallik on the complexities of sustainable fashion and ethical leadership.Cindi Leive on redefining power structures and her journey through the media landscape.Ana Gasteyer on how you make your aspirations your identityTune in for a dose of inspiration, laughter, and real talk.Links: Check out Hark Audio: https://harkaudio.com/ Send us a textEmail us: hello@themessypartspodcast.com To stay up to date with The Messy Parts and get all the behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify or where ever you get your podcasts.Thank you for listening.

We're going back to our first episode: Katie Sturino is no stranger to reinvention—from fashion PR hustler to viral dog-momager to founder of Megababe and author of the new romcom Sunny Side Up. In the premiere episode of The Messy Parts, she joins Maryam to talk about building a self-funded brand, the real struggles behind the Instagram gloss, and how letting the "messy parts hang out" can be your superpower. They talk all things Ozempic, Oprah, body image, revenge-fueled motivation, and working with family. Katie also opens up about her purpose: helping women stop feeling bad alone—and start feeling powerful together.Show Notes: Guest: Katie Sturino – Entrepreneur, Author, Founder of MegababeFollow Katie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katiesturino/?hl=enFollow Katie on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@katiesturinoTopics Covered:Why revenge is her greatest motivator: "Success is the ultimate revenge"Moving to NYC and relentlessly pursuing her dream job at ChanelMaking her dog Toast Instagram-famous and recognizing unexpected opportunitiesStarting 12ish Style blog after discovering the power of body representationCreating Megababe: solving problems no one talks about (thigh chafe, boob sweat)Working with family: benefits and challenges of business partnershipsWriting "Sunny Side Up": transforming pain into a romcom after 9 yearsMeeting Oprah and sparking a national conversation about weight stigmaThe messy reality of entrepreneurship that podcasts don't shareDreaming big without limits and trusting your gutMentioned:ChanelDolce & GabbanaMegababe ProductsToast (her famous dog): DogMeetsWorld12ish Style blog"Sunny Side Up" (her novel)Today ShowOprah Special: Shame, Blame and the Weight Loss RevolutionTargetWeight WatchersOzempicIna Garten’s book, Be Ready When Luck HappensThe Longest TableSend us a textEmail us: hello@themessypartspodcast.com To stay up to date with The Messy Parts and get all the behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify or where ever you get your podcasts.Thank you for listening.

What does it really take to build a career across Saturday Night Live, Broadway’s Wicked, network TV, and music? In this re-release of one of our favorite episodes of The Messy Parts, Ana Gasteyer joins Maryam Banikarim to reveal the messy, unglamorous parts of showbusiness — like rejection, insecurity, and feeling like an outsider. Ana turned those realities into fuel for her creativity, and tells Maryam about the power of radical preparedness in auditions, why naming her goals out loud shifted everything, and how Martin Short's life-balancing method helps her navigate the chaos of life. Whether you’re an actor, artist, writer, or anyone chasing a creative dream, Ana’s insights on resilience and reinvention will resonate deeply. A warm, hilarious, and refreshingly honest conversation about ambition, belonging, and showing up for the life you want.Send us a textEmail us: hello@themessypartspodcast.com To stay up to date with The Messy Parts and get all the behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify or where ever you get your podcasts.Thank you for listening.

Is your path too messy for success? In this episode of The Messy Parts, Maryam talks to Rafat Ali, founder of Skift and one of the most quietly influential figures in digital media. This feels like a personal conversation, Rafat opens up about the parts of his journey most people never hear: stuttering as a teenager, feeling like an outsider in America, breaking down during intense life changes, and rebuilding through resilience. Maryam guides Rafat through the unexpected threads that connect his life — curiosity, delayed gratification, instinct, and the belief that nonlinear careers often lead to the most meaningful destinations. From surviving the collapse of his industry to navigating the COVID shutdown and a banking crisis, Rafat offers real insight for anyone struggling with uncertainty.Show Notes: ✍️ Stammering to Storytelling: How Writing Became His Superpower The childhood stutter, expanding vocabulary, and discovering writing as expression.🌍 From India to Indiana: Culture Shock, Baywatch & Belonging Rafat’s honest story of early loneliness, identity, and adjusting to America as a Muslim kid.🎙️ Why Push Through? Rafat on Life Phases & the “Two-Year Rule” How he decides when to persist vs. pivot — a core framework for careers and reinvention.💼 B2B Influence > Fame: Choosing a Niche and Owning a Sector Why Rafat sought influence over money—and how niching down fueled his career strategy.🧭 Contrarian Thinking & Global Lens: Seeing What Others Miss How being an outsider shaped his instincts, travel philosophy, and entrepreneurship.🔁 Career Compounding: Staying Put to Accelerate Growth His philosophy on long careers, loyal teams, and why job-hopping kills momentum.🌐 Influence Over Money: Why Rafat Chose Impact, Not IncomeRafat reveals the driving force behind his entire career: the pursuit of influence—not wealth👨‍👩‍👧 Family, Legacy & Belonging: The Emotional Skift India Forum The powerful story of bringing his mother to his Delhi conference and finally being “seen.”💥 When Everything Breaks: COVID, SVB Collapse & Leading Through PanicInside the near-death business moments—money running out, tears, resilience, and action. 🧠 Mental Health, Compartmentalizing & the Breakdown That Changed Him Rafat opens up about his recent mental health crisis, adopting a baby, and learning limits.Send us a textEmail us: hello@themessypartspodcast.com To stay up to date with The Messy Parts and get all the behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify or where ever you get your podcasts.Thank you for listening.

How do you turn fun into a career? In this honest, funny, and inspiring episode of The Messy Parts, celebrity event planner Marcy Blum tells Maryam how she went from living on a failed commune in Vermont to organizing lavish celebrations for LeBron James, Kevin Bacon, and countless billionaires, and why “fun” is her most powerful business strategy. Along the way, Marcy opens up about sexism in the culinary world, building her brand without a blueprint, and finding purpose after burnout. It’s a story of creativity, survival, and joy — the messy kind that makes a life worth celebrating.Key Moments🎭 From Bronx Kid to Performing Arts DreamerHow a bold teenager chased art, broke expectations, and followed her creative instincts.🏡 The Commune Years: Learning the Hard Way About Belonging & FailureThe Vermont commune experiment — and the messy lessons it left behind.🍳 From “Let’s Make a Deal” to Le Cordon BleuHow depression, a mother’s push, and Paris changed everything.👩‍🍳 Breaking Barriers in a Male-Dominated KitchenBeing one of the first women at the CIA — and facing sexism head-on. 🍽️ From Miserable Chef to Accidental EntrepreneurThe bizarre lunch that led to her first big break — thanks to Ed Koch.💡 Reinvention & Risk: How Marcy Accidentally Invented Wedding PlanningThe Tony Robbins insight that pushed her to quit misery and start her business.💰 The Pricing Wake-Up Call: Why It Took 25 Years to Stop Undervaluing HerselfMarcy’s candid money talk: from flat fees to millionaire weddings — and learning her worth.🥂 The Queen of Fun: Turning Every Party Into Living TheaterHow she brings joy, surprise, and connection into every event — even for billionaires.– 💬 Real Talk: Boundaries, Asking for Help & The Power of the Specific AskWhy vague “pick your brain” requests don’t work — and how to ask for help with confidence.Send us a textEmail us: hello@themessypartspodcast.com To stay up to date with The Messy Parts and get all the behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify or where ever you get your podcasts.Thank you for listening.

Kelly Kopp, is now known as “New York City Kopp,” influencer, photographer, tour guide But at 40 years old, Kelly lost everything—his house in the mortgage crisis, his restaurant job, his health (without insurance), and watched his best friend, Sandy, die of cancer. Sitting poolside in Orlando contemplating how people reach their breaking point, Sandy's death became his wake-up call to "go live." He moved to New York City with just a suitcase, discovered photography, and built a social media empire as "New York City Kopp." This raw conversation explores how devastating loss can become the catalyst for reinvention, the power of laser focus, and finding joy in the most unexpected places.Topic Covered The Years "Wasted" Doing What You Were Supposed To Do: Working as a manager in Orlando for about 8 years before his pivot.The Economic Earthquake You Didn't See Coming "I bought a house in Orlando... I ended up losing the house. And that was the beginning of the domino effect."When Your Body Sends An Invoice Your Career Can't Pay At 40, Kelly experiences chest pain and stress, goes to ER without health insurance, ends up in cardiac unit for a week with tests and a blockage scare requiring a stent.The Compound Crisis That Breaks The Formula: "It was just so stressful. I lost my job. I lost my house, I'm in the hospital... Everything was against me... I didn't think things could get worse, but they continued to get worse."When Loss Doesn't Care About Your Deadlines: "She got diagnosed with cancer and it was quick from diagnosis to her passing away... it was a huge, huge impact on me."The Crisis That Makes You Understand Why People Just StopThe breaking point: "There was a point where I was sitting at the edge of my pool looking in the pool thinking... I could understand how people could get to the point and be like, I just can't do it anymore."The Terror Of Reinventing Yourself When You "Should Have Figured It Out By Now." Being Your Own Hype Man When You're Running On Empty: "Sometimes I do have to motivate myself... I'll read some motivational books or something... watch something that's motivational... that'll kick me out of this little bit of a funk."The always-on problem: "In the back of my mind I'm thinking I could do a video right now... It is challenging because... I'm like, hold on one second. I just gotta do a quick photo. I gotta do a quick video."Show Notes: Follow Kelly on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newyorkcitykopp/#Follow Kelly on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newyorkcitykoppFollow Kelly on TikTok: https://www.instagram.com/newyorkcitykoppKelly Kopp Tours: https://newyorkcitykopp.com/Send us a textEmail us: hello@themessypartspodcast.com To stay up to date with The Messy Parts and get all the behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify or where ever you get your podcasts.Thank you for listening.

Could getting fired be the best thing that ever happened to you? In this deeply personal episode of The Messy Parts, journalist Brooke Baldwin sits down with Maryam to discuss her journey from heartbreak to healing after she was let go from her dream job at CNN. Brooke talks about speaking truth to power, walking through fear, and redefining success on her own terms. The two explore what happens when your identity is tied to your career — and how to rebuild when it all unravels. Whether you’re facing a layoff, a breakup, or a life transition, Brooke’s story will help you remember: sometimes losing it all is how you finally find yourself.Key Moments:Trusting Your Gut: When You Know Something’s OffBrooke shares how that inner “spidey sense” told her something wasn’t right at work—and why we so often ignore it.Kill Them with Kindnes💄How politeness and perfectionism can hold women back and the high cost of always saying yes.When Your Dream Job Stops Feeling Like One 💔Brooke reflects on how the news industry changed, and how her joy slowly faded at CNN.Being Sidelined and Staying Silent 🤐What it feels like to be removed from your own job and how masking pain becomes a survival skill in corporate culture.Speak Up (Before It’s Too Late) 🗣️Brooke reveals what she wishes she’d done differently and how to find the courage to speak up with both grace and strength.Fired but Not Free Yet 🔒The truth behind her on-air goodbye, the NDA that silenced her, and the emotional toll of pretending everything was fine.The Charade of the Perfect Life 🎭Brooke connects her workplace silence to her childhood, where appearances mattered more than truth.When It All Unravels: Career + Marriage 💥Two major endings collide, and Brooke learns that sometimes losing everything can be the start of becoming yourself.Make Your Own Money 💲Brooke explains how saving money over the years gave her the freedom to bet on herself after she was fired and her marriage fell apart.Healing at the Hoffman Institute 🌿A week of deep emotional work helps Brooke find clarity, courage, and connection after loss.Living Without the Armor ✨Brooke embraces her natural self, her truth, and the “messy middle”—and reminds us that the mess is life, so we might as well surrender to it.Send us a textEmail us: hello@themessypartspodcast.com To stay up to date with The Messy Parts and get all the behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify or where ever you get your podcasts.Thank you for listening.

Is your biggest mess also your best teacher? Broadway veteran Michael McElroy tells Maryam about his remarkable journey from rejection at Carnegie Mellon to leading Broadway casts and founding the award-winning Broadway Inspirational Voices. He and Maryam explore how to find purpose after burnout, the power of community and service, and what happens when you finally stop waiting for permission to begin. Michael opens up about identity, faith, and the messy truth behind resilience — reminding us that the hardest lessons can help us develop our greatest strengths.01:30 – 🙏 The Son of a Preacher: Growing Up in a Life of ServiceMichael reflects on his Cleveland roots, family faith, and how service shaped his art and leadership.06:30 – 💔 From Golden Child to Rejection at Carnegie MellonMichael shares the painful story of being cut from his college program — and what it taught him about resilience and self-worth.09:30 – 💪 The Do-Over That Changed EverythingWith his mother’s support, Michael fought his way back into the program, learning how to turn pain into purpose.14:00 – 🔄 Stop Reacting, Start ActingMichael’s breakthrough moment — learning how to reclaim power by responding with intention, not reaction.17:30 – 🎭 Teaching Life Through Art How Michael teaches young artists resilience, failure, and courage in an age of perfectionism.19:30 – 💡 Breakthroughs and BustsAs Michael’s star climbs in NYC, he is also reminded how unpredictable the business can be and that he can’t attach his identity or his worth to his job.26:00 – 🚀 Say Yes Before You’re ReadyMichael explains how leaning into side projects and passion work opened doors he never expected.29:00 – ❤️ Healing Through Helping — Founding Broadway Inspirational VoicesThe story behind his award-winning gospel choir and how service became a form of healing.37:00 – 🔮 The Little Voice That Changes EverythingMichael describes the quiet inner voice that guided him to teaching — and how to trust your intuition when it’s time to pivot.Send us a textEmail us: hello@themessypartspodcast.com To stay up to date with The Messy Parts and get all the behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify or where ever you get your podcasts.Thank you for listening.

Jonathan Merritt was a pastor’s son destined to preach — until he was publicly outed online and his life imploded. When faith, identity, and ambition collide — what do you do? Jonathan knows that question intimately. But through the wreckage came clarity, courage, and an entirely new way of living. In this candid episode, Jonathan tells Maryam how losing community, career, and certainty opened the door to authenticity, spirituality, and a renewed sense of purpose. Whether you’re navigating a career change, questioning what you believe, or trying to rebuild after loss, Jonathan’s story offers hope that healing starts with honesty — and that being messy is part of becoming whole.Key Moments00:01:45 – Growing Up in a Mega Church World 🙏Jonathan shares what it was like being the child of a famous Southern Baptist pastor — living under constant pressure to appear “perfect.”00:03:45 – Always Knew I Was Different 🌈Jonathan opens up about knowing from childhood that he was “different” — and how that difference was seen as dangerous in his community.00:10:15 – The High of Being Seen 👀Jonathan describes his early writing success and the addictive rush of external validation — and how it left him feeling empty.00:13:30 – Feeling Trapped in My Own Life 🌀 He shares how fear, faith, and career expectations left him feeling stuck — and how that became a lifelong trigger for anxiety.00:17:00 – Preaching What I Didn’t Believe 💔 Jonathan confesses that he preached sermons he no longer believed, torn between loyalty to his community and honesty with himself. He wonders what he really wants to do with his life, and how he might find the courage to make a change.00:21:00 – Outed — and Everything Changed ⚡️ The moment that shattered everything: Jonathan is publicly outed by someone he considered a friend, and forced to confront his family, his church, and his identity. Standing before thousands, he tells his truth — learning that vulnerability can invite compassion, not condemnation.00:27:45 – Courage Takes Time ✨ Jonathan gathers the courage to make the biggest change yet: he sells everything and moves to New York to pursue his writing career, a leap of faith that begins his rebirth and new life in alignment.00:34:00 – Finding Light in the Darkness Jonathan draws on his spiritual roots, explaining how there is always light in the darkness, and how this mindset can keep anyone from falling into a pit of despair — even through the hardest times.00:45:45 – Messy Is the New Strong 💫 Jonathan reflects on why he trusts “messy” more than “perfect” — and how real strength comes from embracing imperfection and truth.Send us a textEmail us: hello@themessypartspodcast.com To stay up to date with The Messy Parts and get all the behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify or where ever you get your podcasts.Thank you for listening.

At 22, Jaclyn Johnson landed her dream magazine job — until she realized it paid less than her rent. That rejection set off a chain of bold decisions: launching a fashion blog, being sued by a former employer, losing a job she moved across the country to take, and eventually starting her own PR/branding agency. Jaclyn tells Maryam how she turned fear into fuel and turned Create & Cultivate from a side hustle into a brand she eventually sold for $22 million. Along the way, she learned what women aren’t taught and don’t discuss in business, why women sometimes don’t support one another professionally, and the magic that can happen when they do. Jaclyn doesn’t sugarcoat the toll success can take — panic attacks, burnout, isolation — but she also shows how failure, when faced head-on, can be the greatest creative act of all.Key Moments*  “You can’t eat makeup.” Learn why saying no to underpayment was the first bold move that shaped Jaclyn's multi-million-dollar career. * If you want to run your own business, you need to understand every role first. An early magazine internship taught Jaclyn Johnson a lesson most entrepreneurs miss: sales runs the show. She realized editorial might look glamorous, but it’s marketing and revenue that keep the lights on — and that knowing how every piece fits together is what makes a great founder. * Her advice for anyone just starting out: believe in yourself enough to show up. You might not be the expert today, but you can be tomorrow. Confidence comes from action, not perfection.* Being the Squeaky Wheel Can Get You Fired — And Set You Free. Jaclyn Johnson shares how being the one who questions, challenges, and moves too fast ultimately got her fired… and turned out to be the best thing that could’ve happened. Her story is a reminder: sometimes getting fired just means you’re meant to be your own boss* Jaclyn shares the turning point when Create & Cultivate went from side project to full-blown brand. After one breakout event, major clients started reaching out — and she realized the momentum was real. Encouraged by a mentor to bet on herself instead of building for others, Jaclyn took the leap and never looked backSend us a textEmail us: hello@themessypartspodcast.com To stay up to date with The Messy Parts and get all the behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify or where ever you get your podcasts.Thank you for listening.

Think your biggest breakdown means you’ve failed? Journalist Danielle Belton was hospitalized multiple times for bipolar disorder while she was building her career. In this powerful episode, she opens up to Maryam about a childhood riddled with anxiety, falling into a deep depression after a failed marriage, and drinking tequila at work to power through panic attacks. Danielle hit rock bottom in her mid-twenties and moved home to her parents basement, where she started over and got a job folding sweaters at Macy’s. She tells Maryam how writing an anonymous blog during Barack Obama’s first presidential campaign led to other jobs that ultimately landed her a dream gig — editor-in-chief at HuffPost — and why she eventually walked away from it. Determined to defy the mental illness stigma, Danielle promised herself she’d live publicly with her illness no matter what. A raw, honest conversation about mental health, ambition, and resilience for anyone who’s ever thought their worst moment ended their shot at success.Key Moments00:00 – Danielle shares her promise to be open about bipolar disorder to show others there’s life after diagnosis.02:30 – She reflects on her anxious childhood, feeling old before her time and misunderstood by other kids.10:00– Danielle opens up about leaving a toxic marriage and reclaiming her ambition.11:30 – Danielle describes the physical ways her anxiety started to manifest13:00 – A raw confession about masking panic attacks with alcohol during her early reporting career.15:00 – The first of four hospitalizations for bipolar disorder — a turning point in accepting she needed help.20:00 – After her breakdown, Danielle describes the humiliation of moving back to her parents’ house and starting over — but also the seed of her comeback.22:30 – Her anonymous blog goes viral after Obama wins Iowa, launching her back into journalism.25:00 – A doctor’s advice pushes her to balance ambition and self-care as she tiptoes back into the working world33:00 – At The Root, Danielle battles depression but still rises to Managing Editor, proving high-functioning illness is complex.36:00– Danielle explains why she left her job as Editor-in-Chief of HuffPost to protect her team.40:30 –  Danielle’s closing advice: feel your pain, but don’t live there. Remember who you are, and gamble on yourself.Send us a textEmail us: hello@themessypartspodcast.com To stay up to date with The Messy Parts and get all the behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify or where ever you get your podcasts.Thank you for listening.

What if everything you were told about building a career was wrong? Financial expert and host of The So Money Podcast, Farnoosh Torabi, gets raw about the messy reality behind her success—from being forced to give up her dream schools to avoid debt, to getting fired twice, to drowning in $300K of business debt that forced her to sell her home.This isn't another "hustle harder" story. It's an honest conversation about the fears nobody admits: waiting for permission that never comes, taking rejection personally, feeling naked without a job title, watching friends with trust funds lap you, and chasing definitions of success that aren't even yours.If you've ever felt paralyzed applying to hundreds of jobs, ashamed about a layoff, or terrified of financial dependence, this one's for you. We're talking about the career stuff nobody warns you about—and what actually helps when things fall apart.You're not failing. The game just changed and nobody told you.Show Notes: Guest: Farnoosh Torabi, a financial expert, bestselling author, and host of the "So Money" podcast and “The Montclair Pod.”Learn More About Farnoosh: https://farnoosh.tv/Follow Farnoosh on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/farnooshtorabiSo Money Podcast: https://podcast.farnoosh.tv/The Montclair Pod: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-montclair-pod/id1785567683Topics Covered: The Debt-Versus-Dreams TrapThe Comparison Trap on Social MediaThe Paralysis of Permission-SeekingThe Rejection-Is-Death MindsetThe Job Application Black HoleThe Financial Dependence FearThe "Shiny Object" Definition of SuccessThe Layoff Shame SpiralEnding a Job Without Closure Entrepreneurial Debt DisasterSend us a textEmail us: hello@themessypartspodcast.com To stay up to date with The Messy Parts and get all the behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify or where ever you get your podcasts.Thank you for listening.

Brian Kelly (aka The Points Guy) has been obsessed with credit card and frequent flyer points since childhood. At age 12, his dad challenged him to book a family vacation using only points, and young Brian successfully got his entire family to the Cayman Islands for free.Fast forward to his twenties, and his credit was ruined. He had to resort to payday loans. As he says, "I was in survival mode." He walked to work because he couldn't afford the subway fare. His boss had to give him a raise just so he could dry clean his suits. Kelly understood he needed to solve his problems, so he tried various side hustles to make ends meet.One of those side hustles was starting a blog called The Points Guy. In a single day only a short time after he began the blog, Kelly made $125,000. Six months later, he hit his first million. Somehow, this hobby-turned-side-hustle had made him a multi-millionaire at 28 years old.It was a challenging, messy road. In this discussion, Kelly reveals the reality behind his meteoric rise: the toxic friendships, the fraudulent interior designer who stole from him, and the loneliness that comes with sudden wealth. He shares hard-won lessons about leveraging relationships, knowing your superpowers, and why most career decisions aren't actually binary. This is the unvarnished truth about building an empire from nothing.Key Takeaways From This EpisodeIdentify Your Strengths and Double Down: When Brian realized he couldn't compete on analytics with Ivy League graduates, he focused on what he was best at - relationship building - which became his competitive advantage throughout his career.From Financial Rock Bottom to Millions in Months: Brian went from taking payday loans and walking to work to making $125,000 in a single day through affiliate marketing - showing how quickly fortunes can change with the right strategy.Turn Your Biggest Expense Into Income: Brian transformed his company's travel expenses into personal profit by volunteering to put all recruiting trips on his credit card, earning massive points while helping colleagues.Side Hustles Can Scale Beyond Your Day Job: What started as a $500-1000/month blog became a million-dollar business in six months - Brian shows how to test ideas without quitting your main income source.Leaving Jobs on Good Terms for Future Opportunities: The Points Guy stayed three extra months at Morgan Stanley to properly transition his responsibilities, maintaining relationships that served him throughout his career.Research Hiring Managers, Not Just Job Requirements: Brian's interview success came from connecting personally with interviewers rather than just reciting qualifications - he'd research their backgrounds to find common ground.Build Senior Mentors as Career Insurance: When a colleague tried to sabotage him, Kelly's senior mentor at Morgan Stanley protected his job - provinSend us a textEmail us: hello@themessypartspodcast.com To stay up to date with The Messy Parts and get all the behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify or where ever you get your podcasts.Thank you for listening.

If you’re job hunting, eyeing a promotion, or just feeling burnt out—this conversation will remind you that your path doesn’t have to be traditional to be powerful. From bossy kid to bold career coach, Sam DeMase is redefining what leadership and success really look like—with empathy, authenticity, and purpose. In this episode, Sam shares her unconventional journey: from managing 70 people at a fast food chain straight out of NYU to building a business that empowers women to ask for more—more money, more respect, and more balance.Shaped by her experiences with toxic bosses, anxiety, and corporate pushback, Sam empowers others to navigate their careers with confidence, clarity, and self-trust.We dive into bridging generational gaps, debunking myths about Gen Z, and why empathy is essential in today’s workplace. Sam introduces “parallel pivoting,” the power of side hustles, and how to turn nontraditional paths into professional superpowers.Show Notes: Guest: Sam DeMase, Career Coach, author, and public speaker public speaker with a fast-growing community of 800,000+ followers on social mediaFollow Sam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samdemase/Follow Sam on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@apowermood?lang=enFollow Sam on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apowermood/Topics Covered: Growing up with strong female role modelsBeing called a bossy kid was her being a leaderA good manager means showing up authentically, making connections and having empathyWorking for One Fine Day, she moved into HR and found her superpower in peopleParallel PivotingFind your superpower - ask your friends/family and take assessment testsMessy Part of management is letting friends down if you can’t make change or firing peopleSam bridges the gap between Gen Z and Gen XSam starts a side hustle and gets written up for urging people to fight for equalitySocial Media as a job - being authentic garners the right audience and clientsNot forcing yourself to push through, and instead being honest makes people feel seen Job hopping is common - what matters is your impact at a company, not amount of timeJourney with anxiety and depression showing up in insomnia and trouble breathingSide hustles are a great way to build your dream career while having security Dealing with Toxic Bosses - document everything and focus on communicating what will make your work betterMentioned: Gap, One Fine Day, NYU, Columbia, StrengthsFinder Assessment, Clifton Strengths, authenticity, leadership, HR, TikTok, Instagram, ZipRecruiter, Forbes Business Insider, NBC Time, toxic bosses, Send us a textEmail us: hello@themessypartspodcast.com To stay up to date with The Messy Parts and get all the behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify or where ever you get your podcasts.Thank you for listening.

What happens when your toxic business partnership implodes and nearly 20 years of work vanishes while you're getting your hair done? Gwen Whiting, co-founder of The Laundress, opens up about the brutal reality behind building a successful brand, selling it to Unilever—and watching everything she created collapse.In this raw conversation, Gwen reveals how early tragedy shaped her resilience; surviving on credit cards for over a decade; why her career path was not marriage; and the devastating moment she became "the adopted child nobody wanted" after acquisition. From being dismissed as "too small to care about" to rebuilding what she believed was a tarnished legacy, Gwen shares the messy truth about starting over.If you've ever felt like you're building on shaky ground or wondered if you have the strength to rebuild after betrayal, this episode will remind you that sometimes losing everything reveals your true strength.Topics Covered: Armoring up and fighting for myself. Acting authentically/not transactionally, being honest.How to do very uncomfortable things and while knowing that your result isn't always gonna be good (and it may even hurt), and then go back the next day and do it again. Relationships are the key to my success.My career path was not getting married.  I wasn’t going to marry myself off.Lesson learned: have your own financial independence Keeping control, What gave me confidenceWhite man chinos: my worst nightmare.Show NotesGuest: Gwen Whiting, co-founder, The Laundress, founder, The FillFollow Gwen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gwenlwhiting/Follow Gwen on Substack: https://thelaundrylist.substack.com/Follow Gwen on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gwenlwhiting/?hl=enSend us a textEmail us: hello@themessypartspodcast.com To stay up to date with The Messy Parts and get all the behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify or where ever you get your podcasts.Thank you for listening.

Job opportunities in her industry faded away slowly and then all of a sudden. So Emma Rosenblum committed to her side hustle and found a way to pivot into a new career altogether – she wrote a book.  A literary agent rejected it as "too mean,” but she found a way through. Then, when her manuscript accidentally leaked to her real-life community (the location of the book) with real residents' names still in it, the small-town drama was intense. Now a full-time novelist obsessively checking LinkedIn daily, Emma reveals how her competitive nature and insider-outsider perspective fuel both her satirical writing and her ongoing anxiety about what comes next.Show Notes: Guest: Emma Rosenblum, Author, Editor in ChiefFollow Emma on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-rosenblum/Topics CoveredAnxiety, Financial Insecurity, Health Worries, Motherhood, Work-Life Dramas, Side Hustles, Writing and Publishing, Being CompetitiveMentionedGlamour Magazine, New York Magazine, Elle Magazine, Bloomberg, Bustle/Bustle Digital Group, Google, CAA, MetaKevin Kwan, Lucy Foley, Alexandra Machinist, Sarah Jessica Parker,Natasha Bedingfield, Allison Roman, Carlos Alcaraz Send us a textEmail us: hello@themessypartspodcast.com To stay up to date with The Messy Parts and get all the behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify or where ever you get your podcasts.Thank you for listening.

Tony Awards, Grammys, a Pulitzer Prize, Emmy Awards. Next to Normal, If/Then, Hell's Kitchen, and NY State of Mind. Tom Kitt traded a Wall St. job offer (and paycheck) to follow his passion, a life making music, but that decision didn't come without great cost. He spent five years developing his first Broadway show, "High Fidelity," and it closed after just 10 days, sending him into months of depression and self-doubt. In this raw conversation, Kitt reveals how creative heartbreak became his greatest teacher, why collaboration and his relationships saved his career, and how saying "yes" to risky projects—including an epic pandemic Times Square performance—keeps him creating against all odds. From getting fired from his first music job to creating Next to Normal. Kitt's story is a masterclass in resilience. He shares hard-won wisdom about navigating brutal Broadway reviews, managing creative input overload, and why failure at any age can still become your greatest launching pad.Topic Covered (with timestamps):05:27 – The Morgan Stanley choice: Nine interviews and choosing art over finance 07:19 – Early career struggles: Getting fired as a pivot moment 09:49 – Meeting collaborators: Brian Yorkey and Rita's introductions 12:18 – High Fidelity development: Five years from BMI workshop to Broadway 16:41 – The garage band approach: Cabaret performances and producer discovery 18:38 – When things go wrong: Boston reviews and Broadway closure after 10 days 20:00 – Recovery and community support: Friends reaching out after failure 21:14 – Next to Normal beginnings: Getting back on the horse 22:16 – Saying yes during pandemic: Times Square performance and Billy Joel collaboration 26:05 – Billy Joel impact: Childhood hero and Emmy-winning "New York State of Mind" 27:52 – Collaboration challenges: Working with long-time partners like Brian Yorkey 29:32 – Managing creative feedback: Trusting audience reactions over individual opinions 31:03 – Continuous learning: From SpongeBob to Shakespeare, staying curious 33:03 – Artistic purpose: Creating physical reactions and inspiring others 34:41 – Starting later in life: It's never too late, Billy Porter's example 36:03 – Future dreams: Film scoring and musical television series 36:24 – Rapid fire: Karaoke songs, reading list, and life adviceMentioned: Hell's Kitchen, Jagged Little Pill, High Fidelity, American Idiot, Next to Normal, If/Then, “New York State of Mind”: https://www.nycnext.org/ny-state-of-mindBrian Yorkey, Billy Joel, Billy Porter, Amanda Green, Jeffrey Seller, Kevin McCollum, Robin Goodman, Walter Bobbie, Green Day, Alanis Morissette, Times Square, Send us a textEmail us: hello@themessypartspodcast.com To stay up to date with The Messy Parts and get all the behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify or where ever you get your podcasts.Thank you for listening.

Feel like you're on the “wrong” path? Negin Farsad  (comedian, filmmaker, writer, actor, and activist) went from steady job as a NYC policy advisor to chasing laughs on lonely standup stages across the country.  As one of the few Iranian-American Muslim women in comedy, she’s built a career blending sharp political satire with deeply personal storytelling—using humor to tackle racism, sexism, and Islamophobia. From touring conservative towns with The Muslims Are Coming! to hosting Fake the Nation, Negin shares the messy leap from public policy to punchlines, turning passion into a paycheck, what it means to be a “social justice comedian,” and why she believes laughter is one of the most powerful tools for change.Topics Covered: Growing up Iranian-American in times of political hostility, and how early exposure to diversity while in Palm Springs shaped her worldview and comedic voiceThe leap from dual master’s degrees and a NYC policy advisor role to full-time comedy Navigating initial disappointment from parents over career pivots before earning their understanding and supportThe pressures and trade-offs of turning a passion into a paycheck—and how that changes your relationship with the work you loveBalancing motherhood, marriage, and career success while she and her husband both navigate “unstable,” gig-based artistic careersUsing humor to challenge stereotypes, defuse protests, and reframe Muslim identity in American cultureDiversifying her creative work across stand-up, film, writing, voice acting, activism, and unexpected gigs (including a psilocybin retreat)Mentioned: The Muslims Are Coming! (Documentary): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2788710/Once Upon a Mattress (Musical): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Once_Upon_a_Mattress Comedy Central: https://www.comedycentral.com/ Homeland (TV Series): https://www.sho.com/homeland Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me! (NPR): https://www.npr.org/programs/wait-wait-dont-tell-me/ TED Talks: https://www.ted.com/speakers/negin_farsad The Longest Table: https://www.longesttablecommunity.org/ Send us a textEmail us: hello@themessypartspodcast.com To stay up to date with The Messy Parts and get all the behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify or where ever you get your podcasts.Thank you for listening.

Ever feel like everyone else has it figured out while you're drowning in chaos? Sarah Personette's journey through Facebook, Twitter, and now Puck as CEO reveals the messy reality behind big-name success. She shares brutal truths about workplace bullies who wanted her gone, the isolating loneliness of leadership, and making gut decisions that horrified her father. From losing student elections repeatedly to navigating public failures at major tech companies, Sarah exposes how kindness became her secret weapon—not weakness, but a "structural force" that brought her back to three different companies. This raw conversation proves messiness and compassion can lead to extraordinary breakthroughs.Show Notes: Guest: Sarah Personette, CEO of PuckFollow Sarah on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-personette-4b71125/  Topics Covered: The childhood challenges that shaped her resilience and risk toleranceWhy losing multiple student elections didn’t stop her but from chasing leadership rolesThe career move her father called “the worst decision ever,” and why she took it anywayHow trusting her instincts guided her from job to job Navigating workplace hostility and choosing to lead for the many, not the few Taking a “gap year” to explore, connect, and clarify her goals. The importance of boundaries in balancing C-suite leadership with motherhood and marriage The importance of having a strong value framework Mentioned: Puck: https://puck.news/ Writers at Puck: John Heilemann, Dylan Byers, Julia Ioffe, Matthew Belloni, Baratunde Thurston, and moreStarcom MediaVest Group: https://www.starcomww.com/ Facebook (Meta): https://www.meta.com/ Twitter (X): https://x.com/ Hidden Potential by Adam Grant: https://adamgrant.net/book/hidden-potential/ Rotary International: https://www.rotary.org/en Whispering Angel Rosé: https://www.esclans.com/ Send us a textEmail us: hello@themessypartspodcast.com To stay up to date with The Messy Parts and get all the behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify or where ever you get your podcasts.Thank you for listening.

What do Prince, The Secret, and Colleen Hoover have in common? They all worked with Judith Curr to publish their books. Judith's career has been quite a trip: from selling her brother's engine block to a junk dealer in a very small Australian town. to selling Dior to pharmacies door-to-door, to revolutionizing book publishing—founding Atria Books, discovering tomorrow's bestsellers today, and now steering HarperOne into uncharted territory.  From Sydney to New York, Judith has made a career of calculated risks and bold bets. Ready to peek behind the curtain of modern publishing? Judith spills on talent-spotting, industry shake-ups, and why the future of books is more exciting than ever.Show Notes: Guest: Judith Curr, President and Publisher of HarperOne Follow Judith on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judith-curr-a72b80/ Follow Judith on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/judithcurr/?hl=enWhat You'll Discover:The career pivot that changed everything—from selling Dior lipstick to selling million-copy bestsellersHow a gutsy move from Australia to New York launched her American publishing empireInside the creation of Atria Books—the Simon & Schuster imprint that became a cultural forceHer secret sauce for spotting breakout authors (hello, Colleen Hoover!) before they explodeWhy she fights for underrepresented voices—and how it's reshaping the industryHer vision for HarperOne's future in our AI-powered, globally connected worldMentioned: Christian Dior: https://www.dior.com/en_us/beauty Simon & Schuster: https://www.simonandschuster.com/ Atria Books: https://www.simonandschusterpublishing.com/atria/ HarperOne: https://www.harpercollins.com/pages/harperonegroup HarperCollins: https://www.harpercollins.com/ The Secret by Rhonda Byrne: https://www.thesecret.tv/products/the-secret-book/Countdown to Riches by Rhonda Byrne: https://www.thesecret.tv/countdown-to-riches/ Send us a textEmail us: hello@themessypartspodcast.com To stay up to date with The Messy Parts and get all the behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify or where ever you get your podcasts.Thank you for listening.

Irina Novoselsky landed her first CEO gig at just 32 years old. She’s now CEO of Hootsuite, a social media management platform with 16 million users in 175 countries. Even though her career has been a rocket ship, she’s had a lot of messy parts and pivots that’s shaped who she is and how she operates. That includes being out of work for months at a time and really questioning whether she was ever going to get a job again. If you’ve ever felt like you were on the wrong path entirely, this episode is a must-listen. Show Notes: Guest: Irina Novoselsky, CEO of HootsuiteFollow Irina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irina-novoselsky/Follow Irina on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irinanovoselsky/ Topics Covered:Growing up as a refugee in NYC and embracing immigrant hustleCold-emailing her way into investment banking at 19Leaving prestigious finance roles to find her passionBecoming a first-time CEO at 32—and the identity shift it requiredThe power of relentlessness, self-belief, and learning out loudWhy she leads with authenticity (and uses emojis unapologetically!)How social media became her leadership superpowerFinding balance her way—and why she prioritizes sleep over everythingMentioned:Hootsuite: https://www.hootsuite.com/Outlive by Peter Attia https://peterattiamd.com/outlive/Send us a textEmail us: hello@themessypartspodcast.com To stay up to date with The Messy Parts and get all the behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify or where ever you get your podcasts.Thank you for listening.

Discover the real story behind Another Tomorrow with Vanessa Barboni Hallik, who left Wall Street for a mission in sustainable luxury fashion. In this candid interview with Maryam Banikarim on "The Messy Parts Podcast," Vanessa reflects on career pivots, making meaning from hardship, starting a business during COVID, and how purpose and authenticity drive her leadership. If you’re looking for a boost of inspiration, lessons for entrepreneurship, or an inside look at sustainable fashion, this conversation is unmissable.Show Notes: Guest: Vanessa Barboni Hallik, Co-CEO, Chair, Another TomorrowFollow Vanessa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessabarbonihallik/Follow Vanessa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanessaanabarboni/Follow Another Tomorrow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anothertomorrow/Topics Covered: Introduction & Vanessa’s early life: growing up in the MidwestCoping with family mental health & loss; the impact on resilienceShifting from architecture to economics & landing on Wall StreetFacing imposter syndrome, self-editing at work, and defining successQuitting (three times): career pivots, asking for what you want, and lessons learnedDiscovering sustainability and building Another TomorrowLaunching a brand as the pandemic hit: how to survive a sudden crisisMeditation, slowing down, and evolving as a leaderRedefining success, working with partners, and closing adviceRapid fire: favorite songs, reading list, surprising factsMentioned: Another TomorrowMorgan StanleyB CorpTM (Transcendental Meditation)BerkeleyCornell's programFarm to Closet modelSend us a textEmail us: hello@themessypartspodcast.com To stay up to date with The Messy Parts and get all the behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify or where ever you get your podcasts.Thank you for listening.

What happens after the dream job ends? In this deeply honest conversation, Maryam sits down with Fede García, who (in a matter of a few weeks) went from an award-winning Global Chief Creative Officer at one of the biggest agencies in the world to writing a vulnerable LinkedIn post about being fired. Together, they unpack the reality of ego, identity, burnout, and reinvention after “success.” Fede opens up about imposter syndrome, health battles, the creative grind, career pivots, and what it means to let go of titles and begin again—with joy, humility, and courage.Guest: Fede GarciaFollow Fede on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fedegarcia/ Topics Covered:Why he went public about getting firedLinkedIn’s performative culture vs. real storytellingCreativity and ego: navigating praise, loss, and self-worthHealth, dialysis, and the impact of chronic illness on a creative careerGlobal creative life: Buenos Aires → Tokyo → NYCBuilding vs. winning: What awards don’t tell youStarting over mid-career (and taking a ⅓ pay cut to do it)Beginner’s mindset: boxing, motorcycles, learning JapaneseLeaving the agency world without bitternessRedefining success and finding joy beyond the titleAdvice for Gen Z creatives navigating a chaotic marketThe importance of taste, perspective, and patience in the age of AIThe power of reflection, vulnerability, and owning your storyMentioned:Read Fede's original LinkedIn post (search under “Posts”)Send us a textEmail us: hello@themessypartspodcast.com To stay up to date with The Messy Parts and get all the behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify or where ever you get your podcasts.Thank you for listening.

Saturday Night Live, Wicked, American Auto, Sugar & Booze, many lifelong friendships, and close family relationships are just a few of Ana's string of incredible accomplishments. It turns out none of it was easy.  As she says, "It's not for the faint of heart." Even though creating and preforming for a living is "intoxicating and beyond fun" it's also "miserable and challenging."In this episode, Ana talks about how she gets over rejection in one night; how she's felt like an outsider her entire life (and used that to her advantage); why her best auditions were the ones where she was incredibly prepared and left everything on the table; how learning not to be afraid to talk about her own goals and aspirations seemed to make everything feel and work better; and the way the life balancing system she learned from none other than Martin Short helps to put everything in perspective for her.Send us a textEmail us: hello@themessypartspodcast.com To stay up to date with The Messy Parts and get all the behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify or where ever you get your podcasts.Thank you for listening.

What happens when you try nine different schools and still don't know what you want to do? Vicki Freeman, co-founder of the Bowery Group, shares her winding journey from serial student to successful restaurateur. After searching for her purpose through child psychology, fashion photography, film school, and art history, she discovered her calling was right under her nose - in the restaurants where she'd been working to pay the bills. Her story is about the power of persistence, recognizing opportunities when they appear, and how sometimes the thing you're "just doing for now" becomes your life's work.Show Notes: Guest: Vicki Freeman – Co-founder, Bowery Group (Five Points, Cookshop, Vic's, Shukette, Hundred Acres) Follow Bowery Group on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-bowery-group/posts/Follow Vicki on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vicki_freeman/?hl=enTopics Covered:Going to nine schools while searching for her callingWorking in restaurants as a "means to an end" while pursuing other dreamsThe Ralph Lauren breakthrough moment at age 19Her "looking up at the sky" epiphany in SoHo and the phone call that changed everythingOpening Vic's: sudden success and devastating failure after one yearLearning the business side at Columbus Bakery with ARCThe innovative approach to raising money for Five Points (selling shares vs. big chunks)Building community through restaurants: being there for neighbors after 9/11 and during COVIDThe Shukette transformation: backing chefs and shared visionWorking with your spouse in business: the challenges and magicCurrent challenges facing the restaurant industry post-COVIDMentioned:Cookshop, Vic's, Shukette (Bowery Group)Missy Robbins (Lilia, Misi)Jonathan WaxmanRuss & DaughtersRalph Lauren RestaurantsSend us a textEmail us: hello@themessypartspodcast.com To stay up to date with The Messy Parts and get all the behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify or where ever you get your podcasts.Thank you for listening.

What happens when you choose the "safe" path and it nearly kills your soul? Debra Martin Chase went from Harvard Law School to becoming the first Black woman producer with a major studio deal. In this episode of The Messy Parts, she shares her journey from corporate lawyer to Hollywood trailblazer, including the near-death experience that made her quit law, the weekend of initiative that launched her film career, and why Vernon Jordan told her she was "too old to start over." It's a masterclass in reinvention, taking risks, and betting on yourself.Guest: Debra Martin Chase - Producer, Entertainment Executive, Broadway Producer Follow Debra on: Instagram: https://tinyurl.com/bdhyj35x LinkedIn: https://tinyurl.com/36zh39tzIMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0153846/ Notable Productions: The Princess Diaries, Cinderella, Cheetah Girls, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, The Equalizer, A Strange Loop (Broadway), The Outsiders (Broadway), Purpose (Broadway)Topics Covered Harvard Law SchoolUSC Film SchoolVernon JordanNina Shaw Frank Price (Columbia Pictures)Doug McHenry (producer)Nina Jacobson (Disney executive)Pearlena Igbokwe (Universal Television)Denzel WashingtonWhitney HoustonMarc Platt (Broadway producer)David Stone (Broadway producer)Michael Dukakis campaignPrincess DiariesCinderella (Rodgers & Hammerstein)Cheetah GirlsSisterhood of the Traveling PantsThe EqualizerSend us a textEmail us: hello@themessypartspodcast.com To stay up to date with The Messy Parts and get all the behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify or where ever you get your podcasts.Thank you for listening.

Kass and Mike Lazerow sold their company for nearly $1 billion—and felt completely numb. In this episode of The Messy Parts, they share the brutal reality behind entrepreneurial success: kids struggling, health failing, friendships lost. Together with Maryam, they explore what radical transparency actually looks like when you strip away the corporate mask. It's a conversation about the hidden costs of achievement, the messiness of working with your spouse, and why showing your failures might be the most powerful leadership tool you have.Guests: Kass and Mike Lazerow -- Entrepreneurs, Investors, Authorshttps://kassandmike.com/Follow Kass and Mike on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kassandmike and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kassandmike/ Topics Covered:Personal stories of failure, discomfort, and growthThe hidden cost of successWorking with your life partnerThe parenting paradoxWhat "radical transparency" actually looks like in practiceThe emotional and cultural risk of telling the full truthCreating a work culture where "messy" is normalizedWhy leaders are still afraid of vulnerabilityThe power of being honest before the outcome is clearHow storytelling can be a leadership tool—not just a communications tacticThe difference between transparency and oversharingWhen to hold back (and how to do it without losing trust)Mentioned:Kass & Mike’s book, Shoveling $h!t: A Love StoryMark Benioff (Salesforce CEO) Gary Vaynerchuk Phish (band) eToroNorthwestern University Buddy Media Golf.comFurther Reading:Radical Candor by Kim ScottThe Power of Vulnerability – TED Talk by Brené BrownPsychological Safety in Teams – Google’s Project Aristotle – Research on why speaking up matters at work.The Tell by Amy GriffinArticles about Cambridge AnalyticaDying for Sex documentarySend us a textEmail us: hello@themessypartspodcast.com To stay up to date with The Messy Parts and get all the behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify or where ever you get your podcasts.Thank you for listening.

Cindi Leive has shaped the media world—from her tenure as Glamour's editor-in-chief to co-founding The Meteor. In this intimate conversation, she joins Maryam to talk about losing her mother young, surviving the “command and control” culture of Condé Nast, and building something new from the ground up. They explore the messy parts of starting over, raising kids in a digital age, the loneliness epidemic, feminism under fire, and why collaboration always wins. Cindi shares the lessons she’s learned (and is still learning) on how to stay hopeful, stay human, and rewrite the rules without losing your why.Show Notes: Guest: Cindi Leive – Journalist, Editor, Co-founder of The MeteorFollow Cindi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cindi_leive/?hl=enTopics Covered:Her lifelong passion for magazines (and what 17 Magazine meant as a kid)Growing up with a single mom scientist—and losing her at 19Compartmentalization, grief, and building self-sufficiencyWhat Condé Nast taught her (and what she had to unlearn)Leaving Glamour at its peak for something riskierHow The Meteor began in Gloria Steinem’s living roomFeminist storytelling in a fraught media landscapeRaising resilient kids in the age of AI and lonelinessLessons in entrepreneurship, imperfection, and asking for moneyWhy joy and collaboration matter more than perfectionMentioned:The Meteor (feminist media collective)Night of Solidarity, a Meteor specialSend us a textEmail us: hello@themessypartspodcast.com To stay up to date with The Messy Parts and get all the behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify or where ever you get your podcasts.Thank you for listening.

Katie Sturino is no stranger to reinvention—from fashion PR hustler to viral dog-momager to founder of Megababe and author of the new romcom Sunny Side Up. In the premiere episode of The Messy Parts, she joins Maryam to talk about building a self-funded brand, the real struggles behind the Instagram gloss, and how letting the "messy parts hang out" can be your superpower. They talk all things Ozempic, Oprah, body image, revenge-fueled motivation, and working with family. Katie also opens up about her purpose: helping women stop feeling bad alone—and start feeling powerful together.Show Notes: Guest: Katie Sturino – Entrepreneur, Author, Founder of MegababeFollow Katie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katiesturino/?hl=enFollow Katie on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@katiesturinoTopics Covered:Why revenge is her greatest motivator: "Success is the ultimate revenge"Moving to NYC and relentlessly pursuing her dream job at ChanelMaking her dog Toast Instagram-famous and recognizing unexpected opportunitiesStarting 12ish Style blog after discovering the power of body representationCreating Megababe: solving problems no one talks about (thigh chafe, boob sweat)Working with family: benefits and challenges of business partnershipsWriting "Sunny Side Up": transforming pain into a romcom after 9 yearsMeeting Oprah and sparking a national conversation about weight stigmaThe messy reality of entrepreneurship that podcasts don't shareDreaming big without limits and trusting your gutMentioned:ChanelDolce & GabbanaMegababe ProductsToast (her famous dog): DogMeetsWorld12ish Style blog"Sunny Side Up" (her novel)Today ShowOprah Special: Shame, Blame and the Weight Loss RevolutionTargetWeight WatchersOzempicIna Garten’s book, Be Ready When Luck HappensThe Longest TableSend us a textEmail us: hello@themessypartspodcast.com To stay up to date with The Messy Parts and get all the behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify or where ever you get your podcasts.Thank you for listening.

Whether you’re at the top, or striving to get there—you may have noticed the one thing people rarely talk about: how hard it is to achieve success. The Messy Parts is the answer—a podcast where you’ll hear about the twists, turns and pivots that shape extraordinary careers. The real messy parts along the way. Host Maryam Banikarim has been through it, so she gets it. Maryam has been a transformative leader across media, hospitality and tech. Her powerhouse resume features more than 20 years in the C-Suite at companies like Hyatt, NBC, and Nextdoor—and she has a vast, influential network to match. On The Messy Parts, she brings you unparalleled access to that network. Deeply honest, vulnerable conversations with Maryam—who is never afraid to ask the questions on everyone's mind. Join us as we get real, unfiltered, and messy.Send us a textEmail us: hello@themessypartspodcast.com To stay up to date with The Messy Parts and get all the behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify or where ever you get your podcasts.Thank you for listening.