What do a corporate communications executive, a DJ, an Emmy-winning TV producer, a comedian, and a startup founder all have in common? After five incredible conversations, Julia Landauer steps behind the mic for a solo episode to unpack the themes that kept surfacing across every guest's journey. Despite their wildly different careers, each guest revealed remarkably similar lessons about ambition, resilience, relationships, and creating a meaningful life. In this episode, Julia shares the five biggest takeaways she's learned so far this season, including:* Why building a career is never linear and why reinvention is part of the process.* Why the people who succeed don't wait for permission to get started.* How authentic relationships become the greatest career accelerators.* Why personal growth often comes before professional success.* How embracing discomfort leads to confidence, resilience, and long-term fulfillment. Julia also gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to produce the podcast while balancing a full-time career, reflects on the moments that have challenged and inspired her, and shares why she feels more energized (and more humbled) than ever. If you're navigating a career transition, building something new, or simply looking for encouragement to take the next step, this episode is a reminder that you're never too old, it's never too late, and action creates clarity.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AI is changing the way we work, but who is shaping its future? This week, Julia sits down with Valerie Chapman, co-founder and CEO of Ruth AI, a platform using AI to help close the gender wage gap through personal branding, salary negotiation, and career advancement. After being laid off twice before turning 25, Valerie decided to stop waiting for opportunity and start building it herself. She shares how her unconventional path, from fashion modeling to social media strategy to startup founder, prepared her to launch a company tackling one of the biggest challenges facing women in the workplace today. Julia and Valerie discuss why women are adopting AI more slowly than men, what that could mean for the future of work, and why learning to use AI (even if you're skeptical) is becoming an essential career skill. They also dive into building a startup in stealth mode, creating community through women-focused AI hackathons, developing a personal brand that lasts, and the resilience required to keep showing up after rejection. Whether you're curious about AI, building your own business, or looking for practical ways to stay ahead in your career, this conversation offers an honest look at what it takes to create meaningful change while building something from the ground up. In this episode, you'll hear:
 Why Valerie believes women can't afford to sit out the AI revolution How two layoffs became the catalyst for founding Ruth AI The surprising career lessons she learned as a fashion model What "vibe coding" is and why it's opening doors for more founders Why personal branding is becoming more important in the age of AI How community-building has been central to growing Ruth AI The mindset shifts that help founders navigate constant uncertainty and rejection   You can find Valerie at https://valeriechapman.com, follow her on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok @valeriechapman, and check out Ruth AI at https://ruthapp.ai.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former stand-up comedian, writer, podcaster, and creator of the wildly popular @NYTVows, Selena Coppock has built a career by creating opportunities instead of waiting for them. In this honest conversation, Selena shares how a career in comedy evolved into writing, podcasting, consulting for television, and building an online community — all while keeping a full-time job that gave her the freedom to create without burning out. Julia and Selena dive into the realities of creative careers, the importance of genuine relationships, and why success often comes from unexpected places. Selena also reflects on stepping away from stand-up, the lessons that came from projects that didn't go as planned, and how humor continues to shape the way she approaches life. If you've ever questioned whether you're on the "right" path, this episode is a reminder that meaningful careers are rarely linear. And that making your own opportunities can be the most rewarding move of all. In this episode, you'll hear about:* Why keeping a day job actually fueled Selena's creativity* Building a career through relationships instead of gatekeepers* The story behind the viral @NYTVows account* How setbacks led to some of her biggest opportunities* Why she chose to step away from stand-up comedy* The creative process behind writing, podcasting, and comedy* Finding success on your own terms instead of someone else's Whether you're building a business, pursuing a creative passion, or simply figuring out what's next, this conversation is full of practical wisdom, humor, and perspective.   Find Selena at https://www.selena-coppock.com, @selenacoppock and @nytvows on Instagram, and listen to her special Seen Better Days: https://www.iheart.com/artist/selena-coppock-40239964/albums/seen-better-days-213578456.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lindsay Shookus spent 20 years helping some of the biggest names in entertainment shine on Saturday Night Live. But what happens when you leave the job that defined your identity? In this episode, Julia sits down with seven-time Emmy Award-winning producer, executive coach, and speaker Lindsay Shookus to talk about reinvention, resilience, and what it really means to bet on yourself. Lindsay shares the lessons she learned from two decades at SNL, from building trust with celebrities under intense pressure to developing the confidence to walk into rooms before she could talk herself out of it. She opens up about the emotional reality of leaving her dream job, navigating the uncertainty that followed, and creating an entirely new career centered around helping others lead with confidence. Together, Julia and Lindsay discuss why you're not meant to recreate your past successes, how to become more coachable, the importance of embracing discomfort, and the challenge of learning to actually enjoy the life you've worked so hard to build. This conversation is packed with practical wisdom, honest reflections, and reminders that growth often begins when you're willing to let go of who you've always been.   In this episode, we cover:* How Lindsay accidentally got her start at Saturday Night Live* The art of building trust and bringing out the best in people* Why feedback is a gift (even when it's uncomfortable)* The emotional challenge of leaving a 20-year career behind* Why you're not supposed to recreate your past successes* How to identify your transferable skills* The mantra Lindsay uses to combat defensiveness: "soften"* Building confidence by doing hard things before you're ready* Learning to be present instead of constantly moving the goalposts Buckle up for an honest conversation about ambition, change, and the resilience required to build a meaningful next chapter. Find Lindsay at www.lindsayshookus.com.      See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on If I’m Honest, Julia sits down with DJ, entrepreneur, investor, and creative strategist Mick Batyske for a candid conversation about building a career that evolves with you. From teaching himself how to DJ in college to performing for brands, celebrities, and global events, Mick shares the real story behind turning creativity into a sustainable business. He opens up about moving from Cleveland to New York, navigating uncertainty as a freelancer, learning how to market himself, and why relationships, not just talent, have shaped his career. Mick and Julia also dive into:* What it actually takes to build a long-term creative career* The pressure of constantly reinventing yourself* Why authenticity matters more than chasing trends* How he approaches networking and outbound pitching* The business side of freelancing and setting rates* The emotional highs and lows of performing* AI, creativity, and where DJ culture is headed next* Why adaptability is the key to longevity This episode is packed with honest insight for anyone pursuing an unconventional path, building something creative, or trying to stay relevant in a fast-changing world. Buckle up for an honest conversation about ambition, reinvention, resilience, and creating a career on your own terms.   Find Mick on Instagram @mick, check out his website https://www.mick.co, and read his Substack at https://mickbatyske.substack.com.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it take to reinvent yourself, professionally and personally, without losing trust in who you are? 

In this episode of If I’m Honest, Julia sits down with longtime friend Yasmin Shahida, Senior Director of PR at Oatly, to talk about career pivots, corporate communications, confidence, and the power of embracing discomfort. Yasmin shares her journey from broadcast journalism at CBS News to shaping brand storytelling at some of today’s most culturally relevant companies, including The Wing, Away, and Oatly.   They dive into what corporate communications actually means, how brands navigate culture and crisis moments, and why authenticity matters more than ever in a world driven by social media and trends. Yasmin also opens up about trusting your instincts, walking away from paths that no longer fit, and why “starting from scratch” can be one of the most powerful things you do for yourself.   Plus: food trends, caffeine-free living, NYC restaurant culture, manifestation, travel recommendations, and the mindset shifts that helped Yasmin build a career and life that feel aligned.   Buckle up for an honest conversation about ambition, reinvention, resilience, and learning to trust yourself through change.    Find Yasmin on Instagram and TikTok at @traveleatnyc and on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yasminshahida/  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Season 4 of If I’m Honest with Julia Landauer.
In this special kickoff episode, Julia shares the personal and professional journey behind the evolution of the podcast, from stepping away from a 20+ year racing career to rebuilding identity, purpose, and life outside the driver’s seat.   Julia opens up about the grief and uncertainty that came with leaving racing behind, the lessons she learned navigating corporate life at NASCAR, and why moving back to New York after a decade in Charlotte felt like coming home. She also reflects on the growth of If I’m Honest, from solo episodes about confidence, rejection, and external validation to candid conversations with incredible guests across industries.   Season 4 is entering a new era: honest, in-person conversations with people who are building meaningful things; businesses, careers, brands, art, communities, and lives they’re proud of. Expect conversations about ambition, setbacks, resilience, reinvention, and the realities behind long-term success.   This season features corporate leaders, creatives, founders, producers, athletes, scientists, and more, all sharing the lessons they learned while building something meaningful.   Buckle up. We’re just getting started.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As season three of If I’m Honest with Julia Landauer comes to a close, I share five impactful lessons I learned throughout 2024. From navigating corporate life to appreciating impressive personal moments among friends, I reflect on a year of growth and transition. I discuss why good communication is so tough (and how to improve it), the importance of cherishing your unique perspective, and the comforting reminder that everyone is learning on the fly. I also highlight how AI is transforming productivity and creativity and is something we should all be knowledgeable about. And I give a well-deserved shout-out to parents—true superheroes in my eyes.   As we wrap up the year and this season, I share some thoughts on living more presently and intentionally, and encourage you to check in with yourself as we head into the holidays. Thank you for being on this journey with me, and as always, thank you for letting me be honest with you.   Learn more about Julia Landauer at https://julialandauer.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on If I’m Honest, I sit down with Francesca Hogi, a former-lawyer-turned-matchmaker and love coach. A fellow contestant from Survivor Season 26, which is how we met, Francesca discuses her insights on redefining love and navigating modern dating. She shares how a turning point in her 30s inspired her to leave a life she didn’t love and jump into something new, even without a clear plan. We explore her lifelong fascination with love, her unique approach to matchmaking, and her thoughts on the current dating climate. Francesca also dives into her four dating archetypes (you can take the quiz at francescahogi.com!), her TED Talk on “The Fairytale Industrial Complex,” and why dating apps aren’t having their best moment. She also opines on why parents can sometimes be “better daters,” why women face more disempowering programming around love, and her concerns around AI and dating.   Learn more about Francesca at https://francescahogi.com/ and listen to her podcast, Dear Franny here https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-dear-franny-59510007/ You can also follow Francesca on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dearfranny/ and watch her TED talk https://www.ted.com/talks/francesca_hogi_true_love_and_the_myth_of_happily_ever_after   Learn more about Julia Landauer at https://julialandauer.com/  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sequel, the femcare company behind The Spiral Tampon, is the first company in 80 years (!) to redesign the tampon. Sequel was founded by Stanford graduates and athletes, and I’m joined by co-founder and CMO Amanda Calabrese on this week’s episode of If I’m Honest with Julia Landauer. We discuss how personal experiences with menstruation in sports led Amanda and her co-founder Greta Meyer to research other people’s relationship with tampons for a product design class at Stanford. With grants secured immediately after college to research and develop their vision, they identified an issue with traditional tampon shapes and re-engineered the design. As a woman co-founder for a women-focused product seeking venture capital funding, which is largely male-dominated, Amanda learned the importance of storytelling and personal branding as a way to connect with people. We also discuss Sequel’s incredible early partnerships with Stanford Athletics, Athleta, USL Super League, and Athletes Unlimited and their future athlete roster. Learn more about Sequel at https://www.trysequel.com/ Follow Sequel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trysequel and TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@trysequel You can follow Amanda Calabrese at https://www.instagram.com/apcalabrese/   Learn more about Julia Landauer at https://julialandauer.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.