In this week’s episode, I’m answering your questions and digging into something that comes up over and over again in my work: why social media feels so uncomfortable for so many people, and why that discomfort is often the very thing that leads to growth, opportunity, and money.
At its core, this episode is about visibility. But not in the “post more” or “just be confident” way it’s usually framed. We talk about visibility as a lived experience, the fear of being misunderstood, the pressure of being seen, the cringe that shows up right before momentum, and the internal resistance that makes people want to stop posting right when things are about to work.
One of my favorite parts of this episode is talking about how action creates clarity, not the other way around, and why most people stay stuck waiting for certainty instead of moving while things still feel messy. We also touch on creativity, procrastination, and the role your environment and community play in how safe it feels to show up.
02:45 Why visibility feels uncomfortable before it feels rewarding
06:18 Being misunderstood as a sign of growth
09:33 Why attention leads to opportunity (and money)
14:37 Speed, momentum, and moving before you feel ready
18:55 Fear, cringe, and staying in the game
23:40 Why most people stop right before things work
29:10 Consistency, identity, and long-term expansion
Stay connected with me
📧 Contact: courtney@smoothmedia.co
👍 Instagram: @slaythegatekeeper
👍 Instagram: @courtlynnjohnson
💼 LinkedIn: Courtney Johnson
🎶 TikTok: @courtney..johnson

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Lauren Douglas, founder, strategist, and creative leader, for a conversation that cuts straight through some of the most persistent myths women face in business.
At its core, this episode is about visibility. But not in the “be louder” or “be more confident” way we usually hear it framed, but as a real, practical skill women have to learn if we want to move forward in business, leadership, or creative work. We talk about why women are still promoted on proof, why staying quiet about your work has an expensive cost, and how the idea that “good work speaks for itself” keeps so many women stuck.
One of my favorite moments is when we talk about creativity coming back online through the body, not the brain, including one of my go-to cheat codes: putting on music from your middle school years and letting yourself move without overthinking. It’s simple, it’s human, and it works!
04:12 Why Women Are Promoted on Proof
08:35 The Real Cost of Staying Quiet About Your Work
12:01 Personal Brand Without Ego
17:48 Owning Mindshare and Mental Real Estate
18:55 Fear, Creativity, and Original Work
21:00 Play, Music, and Reconnecting With Creative Instincts
29:10 Purpose, Courage, and Career Seasons
About Lauren
Lauren is a founder, marketing and PR strategist, and creative thinker focused on helping leaders communicate with clarity and intention. Her work sits at the intersection of visibility, leadership, creativity, and modern career strategy. Through her agency and advisory work, she helps individuals and organizations articulate their voice, build trust, and create long-term impact.
Connect with Lauren
📲 Instagram: @laurentheseeker
Stay connected with me
📧 Contact: courtney@smoothmedia.co
👍 Instagram: @slaythegatekeeper
👍 Instagram: @courtlynnjohnson
💼 LinkedIn: Courtney Johnson
🎶 TikTok: @courtney..johnson

In this week's episode, I sit down with Whitney Lasseter, Founder and Visionary of ATMA Church, for one of the most expansive, honest, and nuanced conversations we’ve had on the show.
Whitney is a Bufo facilitator, ceremonial leader, and spiritual guide who works at the intersection of sacred medicine, trauma healing, and integration. Together, we ungatekeep a modality that is often misunderstood, quietly used, and rarely spoken about publicly, despite its profound impact on people’s lives.
We talk openly about why certain psychedelic and entheogenic medicines remain gatekept, especially among influential and high-profile individuals, and what happens when people step into this work with intention, preparation, and integrity. Whitney shares her personal journey, from a near-death experience and years of heartbreak to a deep spiritual awakening, and how her relationship with God, leadership, and service was completely reshaped along the way.
We also explore some of the most sensitive and important questions around this work, sobriety, addiction, legality, public perception, and the future of psychedelic therapy, without sensationalism or shortcuts. This episode is about depth, discernment, and why some of the most powerful tools for healing are still kept quiet.
If you’re curious about plant and psychedelic medicine, spiritual awakening beyond religion, or what conscious leadership actually looks like when no one’s watching, this episode is for you.
02:32 Why Bufo Is Quietly Used by Influential People
03:45 Letting a Journalist Inside Sacred Ceremony
06:10 Choosing Integrity Over Safety
08:45 The Near-Death Experience That Started Everything
09:45 “The Most Profound Experience of My Life”
10:31 Redefining God Outside of Religion
13:06 Why the Experience Is Fast—but the Work Isn’t
16:24 Facilitating Bufo for Her Own Mother
17:20 “This Is of God”
29:07 How This Medicine Changes Addiction and Sobriety
About Whitney
Whitney Lasseter is the Founder and Visionary of ĀTMA Church: All Tribes Medicine Assembly in Austin Texas, where she facilitates sacred medicine ceremonies and retreats focused on deep healing, spiritual awakening, and integration. With +7 years of experience guiding individuals through trauma, sobriety, and transformation, Whitney is known for her grounded leadership, integrity, and heart-led approach to this work.
Connect with Whitney
📲 Instagram: @whitneyofatma
💼 LinkedIn: Whitney Lasseter
🌐 atma.church
Stay connected with me
📧 Contact: courtney@smoothmedia.co
👍 Instagram: @slaythegatekeeper
👍 Instagram: @courtlynnjohnson
💼 LinkedIn: Courtney Johnson
🎶 TikTok: @courtney..johnson