“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

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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

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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.

"Why not make yourself the main character?” — Deb D.

This episode of Behind the Scenes is an invitation to return to your knowing, trust your rhythm, and lead with intention. I’m joined by repeat guest Deb D. founder of the Be Her Collective, for a conversation that brings you back to center.

Together we explore what it means to reclaim your intuition, remember your truth, and step fully into heroine status Deb. D shares about creating her private podcast Becoming Her.

We talk about shedding side character energy and taking ownership of your story with clarity and grace and how intuition is more practical than mystical.

You’re invited to Deb’s REPlay Summer Podcast Party, running August 1st through 10th. She interviewed me and five other women on how intuition shapes our work.

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.

“Just go for it, let it go, and live your life true to yourself.” — Christine Fiorentino

This week’s episode is a reminder that creativity asks you to trust your inner voice, even before you’re ready. I’m joined by Christine Fiorentino, writer, recipe developer, culinary storyteller, and host of the YouTube series Beyond the Plate.

From teaching in a classroom to sharing food stories on camera, Christine reminds you that creativity is more than what you create, it’s also who you become when you decide that you’re going to go for it!

If you’re craving change but feel afraid to begin or if you’re in the middle of a transition and wondering what’s next, this episode is for you. It’s also your reminder and affirmation to come back to when things get challenging.

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.

What’s in This Episode:

Christine defines creativity as the method through which you express yourself most authentically and lean into the practices and places that connect you to your highest self.

She shares her personal manifestation ritual of writing letters to the universe, letting go of control, and how to be an active participant in the deliverance of your manifestations through aligned actions.

Christine tells her inspiring “I’m never coming back” story, and shares how saying goodbye to a 10-year teaching career opened the door to everything she wanted in her career (and life).

We also explore how spiritual tools like Reiki and grounding in nature have helped Christine reset her energy. Plus, how her fertility journey has deepened her relationship with flow, surrender, and self-trust.

Question:

What’s one bold move your creativity is calling you to make? Tag us on IG @chefcarlacontreras & @christinefiorentinoto share your reflections.

xo Carla

PS: Are you Substack curious? Listen to this podcast episode about building your new digital home on Substack. Or join us in Press Publish Club to learn one actionable marketing step per month here

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 is my sanctuary, it’s where I go to escape from all the darkness in the world.” — Kimberly Espinel

This week’s episode is a reminder that your creativity is not only a gift, but a way to tell your story. I’m joined by Kimberly Espinel, award-winning food photographer, food and prop stylist, author, and creator of The Little Plantation.

Through her camera lens, creativity becomes a sanctuary. It’s a way to cope when things get tough and a way to tell the powerful (and sometimes political) stories that make us, us.

Kimberly and I reminisce about the early days of sharing food photography online and celebrate how sharing what brings you joy can nourish both you and the people who experience your work.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or on your favorite podcast platform while you cook, clean, or create.

What’s in This Episode:

Kimberly shares her definition of creativity as the ability to weave heart into every detail. From recipe development, to lighting, and styling, there are opportunities to express joy throughout every step of the creation process.

Kimberly opens up about embracing a plant-forward, seasonal, and political approach to food, and how she uses her images to express deeper values and beliefs while celebrating the underdog.

You’ll also hear how she self-published her first book, Creative Food Photography after being rejected by traditional publishers. She listened to her community’s needs and trusted her own intuition.

She also share about the creation of her second book, How to Make Food Famous and invites you to rethink how you share your unique gifts in a creative ways.

Question: What story is your creativity telling right now? Tag us on IG @chefcarlacontreras & @thelittleplantation and tell us!

xo Carla

PS: Are you Substack curious? Listen to this podcast episode about building your new digital home on Substack. Join the Build Your Rising Substack Accelerator to share your creative projects and work in the world. Create, Launch, & Grow Your Substack

Listen to me on Kimberly’s podcast here

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.

Note: Some of these are affiliate links, I receive a small percentage of the sales. I appreciate your support of my Latina & women owned business.

"Creativity is just the willingness to experiment with things.” — Katie Commodore

This week’s episode is the reminder that creativity is both a question and an answer, a process of constant problem-solving, adaptation, and asking what’s next.

I’m joined by my dear friend, Katie Commodore, artist and educator at Clark University and Rhode Island School of Design.

From drawing and peyote stitch beading to embroidery and textiles, Katie explores new mediums while continuing to celebrate sexuality, intimacy, and everyday objects in her work.

Tune into this episode to learn how Katie translates erotic photography into woven tapestries and finds emotional release through beading rocks instead of throwing them at people (yes, really).

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or on your favorite podcast platform while you cook, clean, or create.

What’s in This Episode:

Katie defines creativity as the willingness to experiment, ask questions, and find your own answers. She spends a lot of time looking at and thinking about her work.

She shares her antidote to creative blocks, inspiring you to lean into your own simple creative projects when you're not sure what's next or how to move forward.

She highlights the importance of keeping personal series that no one else has ever seen, like how she paints her panties to honor each pair before retiring them.

Katie also opens up about how her creative process has shifted as she navigates life with MS, including how embroidery has become a surprising and liberating medium for reclaiming precision and presence.

Question: Have you tried a new medium or creative outlet lately? Leave a comment below or tag us on IG @chefcarlacontreras & @katiecommodore share with us.

xo Carla

PS: Are you Substack curious? Listen to this podcast episode about building your new digital home on Substack. Join the Substack Accelerator to share your creative projects and work in the world. Create, Launch, & Grow Your Substack

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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.

Tune in to this episode to remind yourself that you don’t have to be tied to social media 24/7 in order to grow your business, brand, or mission!

I'm joined by Chelsea Riffe, host of In My Non-Expert Opinion, a top 1% podcast known for transparency around business, creativity, and travel.

I attend her recent event, Pitch-A-Palooza, where I was blown away by the community, connection, and collaboration happening in the chat.

Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or on your favorite podcast platform while you cook, clean, or create. Full show notes & transcript here.

What’s in This Episode:

Chelsea explains how she doesn’t feel the creative activation happens until it comes out of her, whether that is verbally, through writing, drawing, creating pottery, or movement.

Chelsea defines creativity as an unbound sense of self-expression. Her current relationship to creativity thrives on expanding her community by interacting with what she calls other people’s “orbits”.

She compares the frustration of speaking into the void of social media algorithms where the conversation isn’t a two way street to the richness of a podcast interview, Substack feature, or guest teaching.

By tuning in you’ll learn how Chelsea overcomes creative blocks, how you can use pitching as a tool to boost your confidence, and how to think of IG more as a digital billboard (rather than a daily to-do).

Question: What’s an event, podcast, or brand you’d like to pitch yourself to? Tag us on IG @chefcarlacontreras & @chelseariffe to put it out into the Universe!

xo Chef Carla

PS: When two people’s galaxies collide, a whole new orbit is created! Want to create this magic for yourself? Join this round of Chelsea’s Pitch Perfect and do it alongside me. As a sweet bonus, I will give you a 30-minute 1:1 Quickie Content Audit.

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.

Note: Some of these are affiliate links, I receive a small percentage of the sales. I appreciate your support of my small Latina & women owned business.