Amanda is one of those people who makes the world more beautiful, whether she's designing award-winning buildings or creating Mardi Gras costumes as the costume architect for the Nawlins Nymphs. But beneath the creativity is a thoughtful, intentional woman whose story is shaped by curiosity, culture, and community.

In this episode, we talk about how Legos and a Barbie Dream House sparked a career in architecture, what it was like growing up with Guatemalan roots in South Louisiana, the value of stepping outside your comfort zone, and why understanding how people think can completely change the way we work together. We also dive into adult friendships, taking care of ourselves before taking care of everyone else, family traditions, meaningful heirlooms, and why sometimes the smallest conversations leave the biggest impact.

Pour yourself a mimosa and join us for a conversation about designing not just buildings, but a life filled with purpose, connection, and creativity.

What if the best conversations didn't happen in a boardroom... or on social media... but over brunch?

Welcome back to Beyond Brunch.

This season, we're pulling up a chair with women who are building businesses, leading teams, creating art, raising families, reinventing themselves, and figuring it all out one chapter at a time.

We'll talk about ambition and anxiety. Identity and friendship. Career pivots, creativity, confidence, and the moments that changed everything.

You'll meet an architect who designs buildings and Mardi Gras costumes, a museum leader who knows exactly how to draw people out, a corporate executive who believes the best ideas start around the kitchen island with a great bottle of wine, a healthcare leader whose quiet confidence speaks volumes, and a friend who reminds us that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is simply be yourself.

No scripts. No perfect answers. Just honest conversations with remarkable women.

So pour yourself a mimosa—or whatever's in your cup—and join us.

I'm Rebecca Cooley, and this is Beyond Brunch.

Because life is better when we slow down, pull up another chair, and have the conversations that matter.

Season 2 starts now.

Brittany is a firecracker in the best way. She is accomplished, deeply involved in her community, and has an incredible ability to connect with people across generations, industries, and backgrounds.

In this episode, Brittany and Rebecca talk about ambition, resilience, and the experiences that shape us during our most formative years. After leaving Houston for New Orleans one month before Hurricane Katrina, Brittany had to adjust to a new city, culture, and way of life. Rebecca relates through her own move from a small Mississippi town to Dallas as a teenager.

They also explore what it means to build community, show up fully as yourself, and move through different rooms without losing who you are. Brittany shares the energy, confidence, and fresh perspective that have helped her build a successful career and bring people together along the way.

Grab a mimosa and join us for a conversation about growth, connection, and the story behind the accomplishments.

This episode is a special one — because Caroline isn’t just a guest. She’s my cousin, part-time roommate, coworker, creative sounding board, and longtime partner in whatever idea we’re dreaming up next.

Caroline is one of those people who naturally brings energy into every room she walks into. She’s endlessly creative, wildly optimistic, and somehow always ready to take on one more project, trip, dinner party, or big idea. But underneath all of that spark, we also talk honestly about growth, self-awareness, and what it looks like to evolve when life doesn’t follow a perfectly linear path.

We get into the realities of working together, living together, navigating boundaries, balancing ambition with authenticity, and why some of the most meaningful relationships are the ones that continue to stretch, challenge, and grow alongside you.

We also talk about creativity, branding, New Orleans, inspiration, community, and building a life that actually feels aligned with who you are.

This conversation is warm, honest, a little chaotic, and full of love — which honestly feels like the perfect way to close out Season 1 of Beyond Brunch.

Grab a coffee, pour a mimosa, and come brunch with us.

Cheers y’all 🥂

This week on Beyond Brunch, Rebecca sits down with Jessica — entrepreneur, adventurer, deep thinker, and one of the most unapologetically honest people in her circle.

What starts as a conversation about New York, career pivots, and working with family turns into a deeper discussion about identity, confidence, criticism, burnout, and learning how to come back to yourself after losing your way.

Jessica shares stories from her years living in New York, navigating ambition and failure, learning to trust her instincts, and building businesses alongside her brothers. Together, we unpack the importance of vulnerability, strong community, and surrounding yourself with people who challenge you instead of simply agreeing with you.

We talk about:

• ​Living in New York in your twenties
• ​Ambition and burnout
• ​The inner critic and perfectionism
• ​Working with family
• ​Leadership and communication
• ​Women in male-dominated industries
• ​Confidence, vulnerability, and self-awareness
• ​Financial literacy for women
• ​Building strong communities and friendships
• ​Learning to trust yourself

This episode is thoughtful, funny, reflective, and deeply honest — the kind of conversation that stays with you long after brunch is over.

Pour a mimosa and join us.

Cheers y’all. 🥂

Produced by Worthe Artists

What does “having it all” actually look like… and at what cost?

In this episode of Beyond Brunch, I sit down with one of my closest friends, Chrissy — trauma surgeon, wellness coach, new mom, and the person who keeps me honest when I try to overcommit (which is often).

We get into the real conversation behind balance, boundaries, and what it actually takes to build a life that feels aligned — not just impressive on paper.

Chrissy shares her journey from chasing achievement in medicine to redefining success on her own terms. We talk about burnout, people-pleasing, and the quiet realization that you don’t have to do everything to be enough.

This one is equal parts grounding and eye-opening — with a few mic-drop moments you’ll want to come back to.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why balance isn’t about doing it all — it’s about choosing intentionally
• The trade-offs no one talks about in high-achieving careers
• How to set boundaries without guilt
• The power of a simple morning routine (that actually sticks)
• “Triggers are treasures” — and what that really means
• Reframing setbacks with 3 simple questions
• Why purpose matters more than hustle
• The truth about success, money, and fulfillment

If you’ve ever felt stretched too thin, stuck in hustle mode, or unsure what actually matters — this conversation is for you.

Connect with us on Instagram: @beyondbrunchpodcast

Cheers y’all 🥂

     In this episode of Beyond Brunch, I sit down with one of my closest friends, Bec, for a conversation that spans over two decades of friendship, growth, and life transitions.We talk about what it really looks like to take a leap after 20 years in the same career, the mindset shift required to bet on yourself, and why failure might be the most underrated tool for growth.But more than that, this episode is about the evolution of female friendships—how they change, deepen, and ultimately become one of the most grounding forces in our lives.From navigating marriage, motherhood, and identity… to questioning expectations around relationships and success… this conversation is honest, reflective, and full of the kind of perspective that only comes with time.If you’re standing at the edge of a big decision, this episode is your reminder that you’re allowed to choose yourself.

What does it really mean to be confident… and where’s the line between owning your voice and being “too much”?

In this episode of Beyond Brunch, Rebecca sits down with Olivia — a bold, witty, and unapologetically herself sales leader navigating a male-dominated industry with confidence, humor, and a whole lot of self-awareness.

They dive into what it takes to build authentic relationships, how to read the room without losing yourself, and why not every opportunity — or person — is meant for you.

Olivia shares her journey from early career uncertainty to becoming a powerhouse in her field, along with honest insights on sexism in the workplace, the importance of resilience, and how confidence evolves over time.

The conversation also explores the beauty of community, the role of food in connection, and why New Orleans has a way of pulling you in and never letting go.

This episode is a reminder that confidence isn’t about being the loudest in the room — it’s about knowing who you are and showing up fully as her.

In this episode of Beyond Brunch, I’m joined by Sarah—designer, steady presence, and one of the most grounding people in my life. What started through work and mahjong somehow turned into one of those friendships that just makes everything feel more manageable.

We talk about what it really looks like to build a career (especially when it’s not linear), how to navigate pressure without losing yourself, and why perfection might be the very thing holding you back.

We also get into:

• Why the “meeting before the meeting” matters more than you think
• How to give and receive feedback without making it personal
• The difference between being busy and being effective
• Why 85% is often better than perfect
• How to create a life that actually feels balanced—not just looks like it

And maybe most importantly—how stepping into your 40s brings a level of clarity, confidence, and “I’m not doing that anymore” energy that we probably should’ve had all along.

This one is thoughtful, grounding, and full of those quiet realizations that stick with you long after the conversation ends.

Pour a mimosa (or something stronger)… and let’s get into it.

Welcome to Beyond Brunch.

Hosted by Rebecca Cooley, this podcast is all about the conversations that happen after brunch — when things get real.

From career and relationships to health, money, identity, and everything in between, Beyond Brunch brings thoughtful, honest, and sometimes unfiltered conversations to the table.

This trailer is your first taste.

Pull up a chair and stay awhile.