“I'm so grateful for the abundance that is happening despite the challenges in my life, which are plenty.” — Dara Erck

This episode is your invitation to reframe your relationship with scarcity, in your creative process, work, and how you see yourself. I’m joined by Dara Erck, founder of Sam + Leo, the first all-natural wellness vitamin brand devoted to kid and teen mental health.

Dara shares the BTS of building a brand while navigating challenges like divorce, solo parenting, moving, rebranding, and rebuilding after her thriving Amazon channel was unexpectedly deactivated.

She also discusses her relationship with manifestation and intuition, and how she used aligned strategy and being open to the possibilities to grow her brand, including being named a finalist in Whole Foods’ program for emerging brands.

Dara reminds you that even when things feel hard or unclear that you have the power to keep going and to take note of the abundance around you (big or small) to create your own solutions and pave your own unique path forward.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or on your favorite podcast platform while you cook, clean, or create. Get the full show notes + transcript here

Questions to Reflect On:

Sit with these questions: Journal, them on a walk, create a voice note, chat with a friend, or sit with a cup of tea and think about them.

Leave a comment below or connect with us on Instagram @chefcarlacontreras & @shopsamandleo to share your takeaway from the episode.

1. Where in your life are you being invited to think creatively and strategically right now?

2. Is there something that you want to create or manifest?

xo Carla

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Disclaimer: Always seek the counsel of a qualified medical practitioner or other healthcare provider for an individual consultation before making any significant changes to your health, lifestyle, or to answer questions about specific medical conditions. This podcast is for entertainment and information purposes only.

This episode of Behind the Scenes is about sustainable visibility with Pinterest, AI, and social search. I’m joined by Meagan Williamson, a Pinterest marketing expert, certified business coach, and trained psychologist based in Canada.

We explore how Pinterest, often misunderstood as “just another social platform,” is actually a visual search engine, a quiet superpower, helping your work get discovered by people who are already looking for it.

Meagan shares the power of “social search,” the shift in user behavior where audiences are seeking answers and inspiration not only on Google but also on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.

We also dive into how AI can support your business—not as a replacement for creativity, but as a tool to clear bottlenecks, repurpose your ideas, and give you back the spaciousness to focus on the work only you can do.

This conversation is about sustainable growth, discoverability, and creating content that keeps working for you long after you press publish. Join the Pinterest Growth Challenge 9/22-9/27 to learn how Pinterest can work for you!

xo Carla

PS: This post is free preview of what paid subscribers access with Press Publish Club. See the full post on Substack

Join My Community:

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Disclaimer: Always seek the counsel of a qualified medical practitioner or other healthcare provider for an individual consultation before making any significant changes to your health, lifestyle, or to answer questions about specific medical conditions. This podcast is for entertainment and information purposes only.

"Creativity gives us the opportunity to look at things from a more playful perspective.” — Cecilia Tement

This episode of Behind the Scenes is an exploration on how creativity opens a direct line to your higher self. I’m joined by Cecilia Tement, soul life and business awakening mentor, divine channel, and song healer.

Cecilia walks us through a Guided Higher Self Practice you’ll want to return to again and again. She also reminds you that you don’t need to force it, fix it, or prove anything to anyone. You just need to return to yourself.

Cecilia & I are both doing live Playdates inside Deb D.'s REPlay Summer Podcast Party, running August 1st through 10th.

Join Cecilia live at 12:00 pm EST on Wednesday 8/6 for, Whispers from Within and join me on Saturday 8/9 at 12:00 pm EST for the Creative Moon Planner Workshop (replays available).

xo Carla

PS: Head to Substack to receive the show notes, journal prompts, resources, and more!

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Disclaimer: Always seek the counsel of a qualified medical practitioner or other healthcare provider for an individual consultation before making any significant changes to your health, lifestyle, or to answer questions about specific medical conditions. Note: Save this mediation practice for when it’s safe to close your eyes. This podcast is for entertainment and information purposes only.