Accidental CEO Podcast

In a world that’s constantly online, are we losing what it means to truly connect? 

This week, Nata sits down with Sam and Elliot Archuleta, hosts of Something More Human and creators of the Return to Real Life event series—a growing movement that invites people to put down their phones and rediscover authentic human interaction.

In this conversation, we cover:

• Why phone-free spaces create the best conversations
• How to build meaningful friendships as an adult—even in a new city
• The real reason authenticity is non-negotiable for strong relationships
• How to curate your inner circle for growth and support

If you’ve been craving more depth and less distraction in your life, this episode will give you the mindset shifts and practical steps to make it happen.

Links and Resources:

• Something More Human
• Follow Sam & Elliot on Instagram: @somethingmorehuman

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How do you go from burnout in a corporate healthcare job to becoming an in-demand visibility marketing coach? Today’s guest, Michelle Kuei, shares the bold story of how a life-changing trip to Machu Picchu set her on a new path—and how she turned that journey into a thriving coaching business.

In this episode, we unpack:
 ✔ How Michelle used storytelling to build trust and attract clients
 ✔ Why personality is the foundation of personal branding
 ✔ Practical steps for increasing visibility and growing your business

If you’ve ever wondered how to get seen, heard, and hired without feeling fake or salesy, this episode is packed with actionable strategies you can implement today.

Resources Mentioned:

• Visit Michelle at Elevate Life Coaching
• Learn about ICF Certification

Ready to stop hiding and start leading? Hit play now.

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If you’ve ever sat on a train, in your office, or even in the shower and thought, Is this it?—you’re not alone. Today’s guest, Lisann Valentin, knows what it’s like to hit that wall. She went from Wall Street lawyer to actress on shows like Manifest and The Blacklist, and then pivoted again to become a certified spiritual coach.

In this raw and empowering conversation, Lisann and Nata dig into what it really takes to reinvent yourself at any age. Spoiler alert: it’s not about burning everything down—it’s about listening to that inner nudge (or scream!) and learning to trust your intuition.

You’ll hear how Lisann used journaling and meditation to navigate career pivots, why merging all your passions is not only possible but powerful, and how to overcome the fear of starting over—especially when the world thinks you’ve “made it.”

Takeaways:

• A midlife “crisis” can actually be your soul calling you forward
• Why intuition is a business strategy, not woo-woo nonsense
• How to take imperfect but intentional steps toward reinvention
• What to do when your biggest critic is YOU

Ready to stop white-knuckling life and start living it fully? Press play and prepare to see your next chapter in a whole new light.

Get to know more about Lisann Valentin here:
📲 LGValentin.com | @LisannValentin

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Aria Leighty is not here to play nice—and that’s exactly why you’ll love her.

In this episode, we’re breaking the “visibility means more social posts” myth wide open. Aria, founder of Show The F*ck Up Media, shares what it really takes to build a brand that people actually care about. Spoiler: it starts with showing up as yourself and building real relationships—not collecting business cards or cold DMing strangers.

We talk about what makes a networking event not suck, why she created The Plug newsletter for women of color and queer folks, and how diversifying your visibility strategy is the key to avoiding burnout.

If you’re over performative networking and cookie-cutter strategies, this episode is your permission slip to do things differently—and better.

Takeaways:

• The power of intentional, inclusive visibility
• How to host events that feel like belonging—not business
• Where to find aligned networking opps without scrolling endlessly

Resources:

• Follow Aria: https://www.arialeighty.com/ | https://www.instagram.com/arialeighty/

Let’s make showing up feel good again.

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In this episode of the Accidental CEO Podcast, Nata Salvatori sits down with Dana Johnson of Dana’s Desk to unpack the untapped power of Pinterest for creative entrepreneurs. Dana, a former wedding industry pro turned Pinterest strategist and online business manager, shares how she went from running events to running the back end of some of the most well-known creative brands in the wedding space.

They cover everything from how Pinterest acts more like Google than Instagram, why keywords and content matter way more than followers, and how to approach Pinterest as both a product and service-based business. Dana also opens up about her goals for scaling Dana’s Desk, the systems she swears by, and how you can make Pinterest part of your weekly workflow without adding to your burnout.

Whether you’re just starting out or finally ready to outsource your marketing, this episode is a masterclass in smart, sustainable visibility. Tune in for the tips—and stay for the strategy.

Takeaways:

• Pinterest is a visual search engine, not just another social media platform.
• Effective pinning starts with reverse engineering client problems.
• Create multiple pins for every blog or gallery.
• Sync your content across platforms, and use Pinterest’s newest features to drive traffic with less effort.

Stay inspired by today’s guest, Dana!
✨ www.facebook.com/danas.desk.nc | www.instagram.com/danas.desk.nc

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Tired of pretending burnout is just part of the job? In this week’s Accidental CEO, Nata Salvatori interviews Hayley Knight, the unapologetically bold co-founder of PR agency Be Yellow.

Hayley opens up about leaving a toxic 9-to-5 to build something radically different—an agency rooted in values, boundaries, and big impact. She shares how Be Yellow operates on 4-day workweeks, runs no-interruption focus hours, and still crushes client campaigns. The secret? Purpose-driven work and leadership that’s allergic to burnout.

You'll learn:

• Why boundaries are the real flex for entrepreneurs
• How to use LinkedIn to grow your brand (without being cringey)
• What makes a purpose-driven PR campaign actually work
• And how Hayley’s agency stays loud, bold, and very booked

If you’re tired of the hustle narrative and ready for something more sustainable—more you—this episode will hit hard.

Listen now, and don’t forget to leave a review or share with a friend who needs to hear it.

Stay inspired by today’s guest, Hayley!
👉 www.beyellow.life

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You’re busy—but are you actually growing? In this episode, Nata Salvatori exposes a trap that’s costing service providers time, money, and sanity: chasing busywork that feels productive but doesn’t move the needle. She walks through a clear, five-step growth path—from clarifying your offer, validating through real sales, delivering sustainably, building repeatable systems, to scaling confidently.

You’ll learn:

• How to spot and ditch “fake work”
• Why clarity beats complexity every time
• How to use real feedback to validate your offers
• Delivery tips that prevent burnout
• System creation that enables scaling
• How to honor your current phase of growth

📌 Ready to stop spinning your wheels and make real moves?
Map your phase, pick your next action, and don’t be afraid to ask for help:
👉  accidentalceo.co/coaching

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You don’t have to choose between thriving at work and being the mom your kids need. This week, I sat down with Laura Davis—time management strategist and founder of Time Management Academy—to unpack the myth of “having it all.”

Laura knows the struggle intimately: after going through IVF, she didn’t want to waste a single second. She built a business that helps women create time frameworks that actually work. No fluff. Just strategies rooted in mindset, capacity, and boundaries.

We talk about the hidden ROI of getting your calendar right, what it really takes to set business hours (even with toddlers running wild), and why time management is a revenue conversation.

If you’re a mom running a business—and tired of feeling like you’re always failing one or the other—this one’s for you.

Stay inspired by today’s guest, Laura!
📲 www.instagram.com/its.laura.davis | www.thelauradavis.com

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In this episode, we sit down with Ashley Paul, a veteran wedding planner and floral designer with over 15 years of experience. Ashley delves into her journey through the wedding industry, highlighting the significant changes she's witnessed and the lessons she's learned along the way.

Beyond her hands-on work in weddings, Ashley founded Ashley Paul Co., a virtual assisting company dedicated to supporting wedding professionals. Through services like deep dive calls and monthly CEO packages, she empowers creatives to focus on their passions while effectively managing their businesses.

Ashley emphasizes the critical roles of communication, time management, and customization in delivering exceptional service. She also offers invaluable advice for newcomers to the creative field: stay true to yourself, build connections within the industry, and remain open to continuous learning.

Tune in to gain insights from Ashley's wealth of experience and discover how to navigate and thrive in the ever-evolving wedding industry.

Takeaways:

• Ashley Paul's extensive experience and evolution in the wedding industry.
• The creation and mission of Ashley Paul Co.
• Strategies for effective communication and time management.
• The significance of customization in client services.
• Guidance for aspiring creatives entering the wedding field.

Get to know more about Ashley here:
📲 @ashleypaul_co + @caeventplanning

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In this episode of The Accidental CEO, Nata Salvatori sits down with Celeste Burns, a queer wedding photographer committed to creating safe, inclusive spaces for all couples. They unpack what most wedding vendors get wrong about working with LGBTQ+ clients—and how to fix it. From the language we use on our forms to the assumptions we carry into photoshoots, this conversation is a must-listen for any vendor who wants to do better.

Celeste shares her journey from photography student in New York to running a thriving business rooted in inclusivity and authenticity. You’ll hear real stories, client experiences, and practical tips to make your business truly welcoming. And spoiler alert: it's not about slapping a rainbow on your logo during Pride Month. It's about doing the real work, year-round.

Takeaways:

• Don’t assume gender roles—ask about pronouns and dynamics.
• Show diverse, real couples in your marketing.
• Understand that "coming out" isn't a one-time thing—vendors can make it easier.
• Educate yourself and others; build community, not just client lists.

Listen in and find out how you can be the kind of vendor that LGBTQ+ couples don’t just tolerate—but trust.

Get to know more about Celeste here:
👉 @celesteburnsphotography | www.celesteburns.com

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