How do you transform personal struggles into authentic brand messaging while building a business that truly reflects your values?

I'm so excited to share my conversation with Samantha Gold, founder of Motette—a modern baby and toddler essentials brand that's completely redefining the children's clothing space. Samantha's journey is deeply personal, shaped by her seven years of sobriety and her experience as a mom to two little ones just 19 months apart. What started as pure frustration with cheesy prints and uncomfortable baby clothes has blossomed into something extraordinary—a brand built entirely in public and co-created with a community of 1,500 moms who literally vote on everything from prints to product names.

From her upcoming mommy-and-me pajama line to her weekly "Motette Mom Crush" feature that celebrates women in her community, Samantha's approach to entrepreneurship is pure magic—grounded in faith over fear and community over competition.

Key Talking Points:
In this episode, we discuss…

• Why Samantha chose to share her 7-year sobriety journey on Instagram and how it became her superpower
• How Samantha turned product development into community engagement (even letting her community name the brand!)
• The magic of creating Motette completely in public and why transparency beats perfection
• Samantha's "faith over fear" moment leaving her CEO role to chase her entrepreneurial dreams
• Why two-way zippers matter at 2 AM and how bamboo fabric is changing the baby clothing game

Time Stamps:

[01:30] Introduction to Samantha Gold and her brand Motette
[03:45] Samantha's story and how sobriety is woven into Motette's brand values
[07:20] The decision to share recovery journey openly on Instagram
[12:15] Building community through recovery groups and authentic connections
[15:30] Co-creating Motette with 1,500 moms and the power of community input
[19:45] The sustainable and functional design philosophy behind Motette products
[23:10] Why bamboo fabric and its benefits for sensitive skin and sustainability
[26:40] The trademark journey and how "Motette" got its name using AI
[30:25] Expanding the brand message through elevated prints and thoughtful design
[34:50] Upcoming mommy-and-me pajamas and collaborative product development
[38:15] The "Motette Mom Crush" initiative and supporting other female founders
[41:30] Balancing entrepreneurship, motherhood, and staying present
[45:20] Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs: courage over fear and just start

Connect with Samantha Gold and Motette:

Website: Motette— Link Here

Social: Instagram | LinkedIn

Connect with Ashley Graham:

Thank you for listening! Don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter for more expansive content and stories here.

Follow Ashley Graham (@simplyashleygraham) and The Conscious Publicist (@theconsciouspublicist) on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Threads.

If you loved this episode and want to further support the show, please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcasting platform!

Apple | Spotify |

Copyright 2025 – The Conscious Publicist® – All Rights Reserved

Are you ready to transform your relationship with money and manifest the abundance you deserve?

In this high-frequency conversation, I sit down with the incredible Jacqui Vasquez, money mindset coach and manifestation expert, to uncover how our thoughts and feelings about money directly impact our ability to attract wealth. In this episode, Jacqui shares her personal journey from quitting her government job to launching her own flower shop while expanding her coaching business simultaneously. Through her inspiring story and practical advice, we explore how manifestation works, why your inner world creates your outer reality, and simple daily practices that can transform your money mindset without taking hours of your time.

Key Talking Points:
In this episode, we discuss…

• Jacqui’s manifestation journey from government employee to entrepreneur
• How to balance multiple passions without limiting yourself
• The power of affirmations and timer reminders for consistent manifestation
• Why your inner world directly creates your outer financial reality
• Simple 5-minute manifestation techniques anyone can implement
• The relationship between gratitude and receiving money
• How to maintain "happy money" energy in both receiving and spending
• Why embracing "mess" is essential to transformation
• Jacqui’s "Journal Your Business Profitable" workbook and methodology

Time Stamps:

[01:30] Introduction to Jacqui Vasquez and her money mindset expertise
[03:30] Jacqui shares her story of manifesting her way out of her government job
[06:15] Balancing multiple passions and embracing your multidimensional self
[10:45] How our inner world creates our outer reality
[13:20] Simple manifestation techniques for busy people
[17:40] The power of setting reminder alarms for affirmations and "dance parties"
[23:50] The 55x5 and 3-6-9 manifestation methods
[26:30] Introduction to Jacqui’s "Journal Your Business Profitable" workbook
[31:15] Bridging money mindset work with manifestation practices
[34:30] My personal story of clearing credit card debt through manifestation
[39:20] Treating life's challenges as lessons and stepping stones

Connect with Jacqui Vasquez:

Website: Jacqui Vasquez + The Pursuit to Happy— Link Here

Journal: Journal Your Business Profitable Workbook— Link Here

Social: Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | Clubhouse

Connect with Ashley Graham:

Thank you for listening! Don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter for more expansive content and stories here.

Follow Ashley Graham (@simplyashleygraham) and The Conscious Publicist (@theconsciouspublicist) on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Threads.

If you loved this episode and want to further support the show, please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcasting platform!

Apple | Spotify |

Copyright 2025 – The Conscious Publicist® – All Rights Reserved

How can women of color reclaim their financial narrative when traditional advice doesn't reflect their reality?

I sat down with Alejandra Rojas, founder, writer, and host of The Brown Way to Money Podcast. Alejandra shares her powerful journey of redefining money for women of color, challenging traditional financial advice that fails to acknowledge generational and cultural experiences. From discovering her pregnancy to transforming her business vision, Alejandra reveals how embracing childlike curiosity can help women of color reclaim their voices in the financial world and break free from limiting beliefs.

Key Talking Points:
In this episode, we discuss…

• How becoming a mother transformed Alejandra's business vision and mission
• The unique financial challenges Black and Brown women face through generational and cultural experiences
• Why traditional financial advice often fails for communities of color
• The five-layer process for identifying and overcoming limiting beliefs around money
• How embracing childlike curiosity can transform your relationship with money
• The Brown Way to Money methodology for achieving financial independence

Time Stamps:

[03:15] Alejandra shares how pregnancy changed her business perspective
[08:45] Why traditional financial advice doesn't work for communities of color
[15:20] Understanding the cultural context behind money beliefs
[20:40] Masterclass on identifying and overcoming limiting beliefs
[27:30] The five-layer process for addressing money blocks
[33:15] Bringing childlike curiosity back to business decisions
[39:50] Reframing how we think about financial milestones
[44:30] Information about Alejandra's platforms and resources

Connect with Alejandra Rojas:

The Brown Way to Money Podcast: www.brownwaytomoney.com

Limiting Beliefs Guide: Link Here

Social: YouTube | Instagram

Connect with Ashley Graham:

Thank you for listening! Don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter for more expansive content and stories here.

Follow Ashley Graham (@simplyashleygraham) and The Conscious Publicist (@theconsciouspublicist) on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Threads.

If you loved this episode and want to further support the show, please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcasting platform!

Apple | Spotify |

Copyright 2025 – The Conscious Publicist® – All Rights Reserved

Are you sacrificing your financial well-being to please others?

Over the last two episodes, we've been exploring how the most impactful leaders are those who break the mold and bring their authentic selves to their work—and this conversation is a perfect example of that message. I welcomed Natalie Bullen, founder of Unapologetic Wealth, to the podcast! Our conversation explores how entrepreneurs, especially women and people of color, can approach wealth building with authenticity and without shame. Natalie shares her personal journey through financial hardship to creating her business, which now empowers entrepreneurs earning between $100K and $2 million to make smart financial choices that lead to genuine wealth and freedom.

Key Talking Points:

In this episode, we discuss…

• The problem with hard work culture and why hard work alone doesn't create wealth
• How bankruptcy in her twenties despite "doing everything right" shaped Natalie's perspective
• Why financial systems often oppress women and people of color
• The importance of clearly defining your financial outcomes
• Finding the courage to be controversial and speak your truth in business
• Why authenticity creates deeper connections than maintaining a perfect facade
• Natalie's upcoming projects including digital products and a system for Facebook engagement
• The "Birthright" private podcast and its unique 5-minute daily format

Time Stamps:

[01:55] Ashley introduces Natalie Bullen and shares a personal story
[04:58] Natalie explains her business, Unapologetic Wealth, and its mission
[06:33] The personal catalyst that led Natalie to her wealth-focused business
[10:25] Why hard work doesn't create wealth and following the wrong financial advice
[13:47] Finding courage to share controversial perspectives
[17:21] The power of authentic connection versus false personas
[20:42] The shift toward valuing authenticity and vulnerability in leadership
[23:49] Natalie's upcoming projects and new activations for 2025
[25:26] Where to connect with Natalie and her "Birthright" private podcast
[27:50] The value of recording authentic, unedited content
[29:17] Why being liked is a "defunct currency" worth abandoning
[31:04] The responsibility entrepreneurs have to benefit from their own gifts

Connect with Natalie Bullen:

Website: www.unapologeticwealth.com
Birthright Podcast: www.unapologeticwealth.thrivecart.com/birthright-private-podcast
Social: Facebook | YouTube | Instagram

Connect with Ashley Graham:

Thank you for listening! Don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter for more expansive content and stories here.

Follow Ashley Graham (@simplyashleygraham) and The Conscious Publicist (@theconsciouspublicist) on Instagram, LinkedIn and Threads.

If you loved this episode and want to further support the show, please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcasting platform!

Apple | Spotify |

Copyright 2025 – The Conscious Publicist® – All Rights Reserved

Are you conforming to others' expectations rather than speaking your authentic truth in your content and storytelling?

I felt inspired to continue my thoughts around conformity, especially the power and impact of refusing to conform when telling your story. To further reference the inspiration behind this episode, you can tune into the previous episode that sparked the thought. In this episode, I create a reframe around how breaking free from external standards allows us to own our unique identity and perspective in thought leadership. I shared my observations about the cost of conformity in our messaging and how authentic storytelling creates a genuine connection. I also shared a few practical ways to break free from the measurement trap that often leads us to create content for metrics rather than meaning.

Key Talking Points:

In this episode, we discuss...

• The cost of conformity in storytelling and thought leadership
• How genuine stories create deeper connections than performative content
• The challenge of maintaining authenticity in an AI-driven content landscape
• The biological and psychological impact of authentic communication
• How to speak your truth without filters as a revolutionary act
• Breaking free from the measurement trap and creating your own metrics of success
• Focusing on "resonance moments" over vanity metrics

Time Stamps:

[00:00] Introduction to the episode on conformity
[02:30] The cost of conformity in thought leadership
[05:15] Authentic storytelling vs. mass appeal content
[07:45] Thoughts on AI's impact on authentic messaging
[10:00] Speaking your truth without filters
[12:45] The hidden power of your unique voice
[15:30] Breaking free from the measurement trap
[17:45] Practical approaches to create authentic content
[19:15] Finding your micro-community of truth-tellers

Connect with Ashley Graham:

Thank you for listening! Don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter for more expansive content and stories here.

Follow Ashley Graham (@simplyashleygraham) and The Conscious Publicist (@theconsciouspublicist) on Instagram, LinkedIn and Threads.

If you loved this episode and want to further support the show, please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcasting platform!

Apple | Spotify |

Copyright 2025 – The Conscious Publicist® – All Rights Reserved

What happens when you stop conforming and start embracing your true identity?

I've been reflecting on a quote I wrote when launching Simply Ashley Graham: "Your human-centric story starts with the courage to break free from conformity and embrace your true identity." This has been on my mind lately as I lay metaphorical bouquets at the feet of my past selves and step into the transformative journey of motherhood. After two pregnancy losses last year, I'm now expecting a baby girl in August, and this transition has me seeing thought leadership through new eyes. I'm not the same person I was when I started in this space 14 years ago—none of us are static beings. We evolve, our stories shift, and that's the beauty of a human-centric approach. In this episode, I open up about how pregnancy has sparked clarity about my passion for helping others tell their non-conforming stories, and I share a simple practice to help you uncover the truth only you can tell.

Key Talking Points:

In this episode, I discuss…

• The power of recognizing and honoring past versions of yourself during major life transitions
• How pregnancy and the journey to motherhood has unlocked new perspectives and depths of reflection for myself personally
• Why thought leadership is a space that allows our message, story, and narrative to evolve as we evolve
• The intuitive interview approach I use to create transformative conversations with guests on the podcast
• How the discomfort of censoring yourself is actually a compass pointing toward authentic expression
• The difference between creating content that's "palatable to the masses" versus sharing your genuine truth
• A simple five-minute practice to begin exploring your own human-centric story

Time Stamps:

[01:15] My personal journey into motherhood
[02:30] Reflecting on 14 years in the thought leadership space
[04:15] How thought leadership allows for authentic expression without conformity
[05:45] The importance of recognizing we are not static human beings
[07:20] My intuitive approach to guest conversations
[08:40] How to own your human-centric story in a world of algorithms and comparison
[10:10] Recognition as the first step toward authentic expression
[11:30] The power of speaking your truth to attract the right audience
[12:45] A simple practice for exploring your own human-centric story
[13:30] Closing thoughts on transformation through storytelling

Connect with Ashley Graham:

Thank you for listening! Don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter for more expansive content and stories here.

Follow Ashley Graham (@simplyashleygraham) and The Conscious Publicist (@theconsciouspublicist) on Instagram, LinkedIn and Threads.

If you loved this episode and want to further support the show, please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcasting platform!

Apple | Spotify |

Copyright 2025 – The Conscious Publicist® – All Rights Reserved

Have you ever stopped to think about the everyday products you might be overlooking that could impact your health and the environment?

Preema Sarkar, founder of Solterra Tribe, shares her journey of creating a sustainable personal care brand that bridges Eastern wellness traditions with Western science. With a background in biotech and pharmaceutical regulation, Prima is challenging industry norms by focusing on the "overlooked" aspects of our daily routines—starting with lip balm.

In this illuminating conversation, she reveals why we should scrutinize our everyday products more closely than luxury items, how consumers can drive industry change, and the innovative ways Solterra Tribe is creating nutrient-dense, radically sustainable products.

Key Talking Points:

In this episode, we discuss…

• Why Prima chose to focus on "overlooked" everyday products rather than high-end luxury items
• The surprising amount of lip balm humans consume annually (4-9 pounds!) and why we should scrutinize these products like food
• How Prima bridges Eastern wellness traditions with Western scientific innovation
• The journey to create Solterra Tribe's revolutionary water-dissolvable packaging
• How consumer choices can drive meaningful shifts in product standards
• The importance of simplicity in ingredients (Solterra's lip balm has just four ingredients)

Time Stamps:

• [03:10] Preema’s story of bridging Eastern and Western approaches to wellness
• [05:30] The concept of "overlooked" everyday products
• [08:45] Why lip balm deserves more scrutiny than we give it
• [12:20] The creative marketing approach to raise awareness
• [15:30] Why now is the time for this wellness revolution
• [19:15] Building a community around conscious consumption
• [23:40] Preema’s approach to educating consumers
• [27:35] The journey to create innovative dissolvable packaging
• [31:20] Challenges of creating change outside established systems
• [35:30] The four simple ingredients in Solterra Tribe's lip balm
• [38:15] Preema’s vision for the future of Solterra Tribe

Quotable Moments:

"We often forget that we have that power as consumers. The industry will shift where the consumers decide, and if it's inconvenient for consumers to make the right choice, then it becomes difficult." — Preema Sarkar

"Don't follow the study. Follow the money. Turmeric, ashwagandha, ghee - these things, there was no money when these were invented, when people were using it. The best form of data is real world experience, things that have been tested through time and tradition." — Preema Sarkar

"Take a harder look on your everyday products than your luxury items, which you use once a month, opposed to something you use multiple times a day." — Preema Sarkar

Connect with Our Guest:

Website: solterratribe.com

Social: @solterra.tribe on Instagram

Call-To-Action: Try Solterra Tribe's revolutionary ghee-based Lip Bloom with dissolvable packaging

Connect with Ashley Graham:

Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter for more expansive content and stories here.

Follow Ashley Graham (@simplyashleygraham) and The Conscious Publicist (@theconsciouspublicist) on Instagram, Threads, and LinkedIn.

If you loved this episode and want to further support the show, please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcasting platform!

Apple | Spotify

Copyright 2025 – The Conscious Publicist® – All Rights Reserved

Have you ever stood before your closet, staring at clothes that no longer feel like "you"? That moment of disconnect isn't just about fabric and fashion—it's about identity, transformation, and the stories we tell ourselves.

In this deeply personal and transformative conversation, we sit down with Tahirah Christine, a Los Angeles-based personal stylist and event producer who approaches fashion through the lens of psychology and self-discovery.

Tahirah shares how our wardrobes often contain beliefs and stories about ourselves that we've carried since childhood, and why clearing out items that no longer serve our current identity can be profoundly liberating. We explore the constant evolution of our bodies throughout life—from childhood to adulthood, through pregnancy, weight fluctuations, and aging—and how society fails to equip women with tools to manage these changes while still feeling beautiful.

Whether you're navigating significant body changes, feeling disconnected from your reflection, or simply seeking to infuse more intention into your self-expression, this conversation offers gentle wisdom about dressing for who you're becoming rather than who you've been.

In this episode, we discuss…

• How our wardrobes reflect our personal history and identity, and the freedom that comes from releasing items that no longer represent who we are.
• Navigating the constant evolution of our bodies throughout life and learning to dress for comfort and confidence at every stage.
• Moving beyond perfectionism and arbitrary timelines to appreciate and dress our current bodies with kindness.
• How intentional style choices can help align with and manifest the person you're becoming, rather than just "faking it."
• Maintaining self-identity while embracing motherhood, and using the act of getting dressed as a form of self-care.

• [02:15] Tahirah shares the story she wants to tell through her work this year
• [05:42] The psychological component of style and body perception
• [09:30] How Tahirah helps clients transform through style changes
• [13:45] The foundation of style: starting with your closet
• [17:20] The intimate experience of trying on clothes with a stylist
• [21:35] Breaking free from perfectionist traps and unrealistic timelines
• [25:10] Navigating body changes during pregnancy and motherhood
• [29:55] The difference between "cozy" and "comfortable" dressing
• [34:20] Scarcity mindset and limiting beliefs in fashion choices
• [38:45] The challenge of putting ourselves last as mothers and caregivers
• [42:30] Becoming vs. "faking it until you make it"
• [46:15] The importance of quality materials and sustainable fashion
• [50:40] Finding a personal style that evolves with you
• [54:25] Final thoughts and where to connect with Tahirah

Website: www.clothespetals.com

Social: @bytahirahchristine on Instagram and Pinterest

Newsletter: "Tailored to You" - featuring insights on designer drops, sales, and styling tips

Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter for more expansive content and stories here.

Follow Ashley Graham (@simplyashleygraham) and The Conscious Publicist (@theconsciouspublicist) on Instagram, Threads, and LinkedIn.

If you loved this episode and want to further support the show, please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcasting platform!

Apple | Spotify

Copyright 2025 – The Conscious Publicist® – All Rights Reserved