Episode 11: Show Notes

Our guest today truly believes that to find your “sweet spot” or the thing that will allow you to have that “flow” is to do things your way. Simply copying and pasting won’t rocket you to where you want to go, it might just make you miserable instead. We are thrilled to welcome Kelly Wood; an LA native and third-generation hairstylist known as The Blowout Queen. Kelly has been building her business for over ten years and has grown to premium pricing, allowing her to prepare to take a global sabbatical (in the next year!) Today, we chat about Love Island (UK only!) Season 6; the show has a special place in both our hearts, we also touch on the evolution of Kelly’s pricing and she shares valuable insights on how to increase the prices in your business and discover your true worth as a business owner. Kelly unpacks what she has planned for the future as a business owner and creative and lays out great pieces of advice for budding women, and women of color, entrepreneurs. Thanks for tuning in, enjoy!

Key Points From This Episode:

• We are introduced to the wonderful Kelly Wood.
• Kelly shares her gateway reality TV shows.
• Reality TV shows she’s excited about today: Love Island UK Season 6.
• The Love Island backstory (for those who don’t know!)
• What we love about Love Island. 
• Kelly’s favorite couples from Season 6. 
• Where she would love to come in if she had the opportunity to join Love Island.
• We share what reality TV show we would go on if we had the opportunity.
• How Kelly flipped reality TV lessons into business and career wins.
• Kelly unpacks her journey of becoming a third-generation hairstylist. 
• The evolution of her pricing: how it rolled into the premium services and prices category.
• A golden takeaway: realizing your true worth. 
• Looking to the future: what Kelly has planned as she evolves as a business owner and creative.
• Advice to other budding entrepreneurs (women and women of color). 
• What reality TV shows listeners to explore. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Kelly Wood on Instagram (@kellywxxd)
Kelly Wood on Instagram (@kellynicolegotsoul)
Kelly Wood on TikTok (@kellynicolegotsoul)
MTV Cribs
MTV The Real World
MTV Pimp My Ride
West Coast Customs
Love Island UK (Hulu)
Love Island UK Season 6 (Wiki Fandom)
Big Brother (Season 1)
Selling Suns

Thank you so much for listening to The Giving You Everything Podcast! Would love it if you could leave me a review on Apple or Spotify, so I can continue to reach more people!

Also, feel free to follow me on Instagram or learn more about me and my services at www.victoriawhittaker.com

We drop episodes every other Tuesday! See you in two weeks!

Let’s be honest, managing money is incredibly difficult. More often than not, we know what to do but we don’t have the mindset to put it into action! Today on the Giving You Everything Podcast, Jessica Baier joins us to discuss her incredible business, Habit Money, and her favorite reality TV show, Below Deck. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about the captains, crew, and incredibly interesting dynamics of Below Deck and how reality TV helps Jessica wind down. We delve into her business, how she started it, the difficulties she’s faced, how she approaches fund-raising and partnership, and her goals for Habit Money and her career. Jessica even explains the importance of separating your self-worth from what you are producing in your business before telling us what she values in Habit Money (and the people she likes to bring on board). Finally, our guest shares some insightful advice for budding female entrepreneurs. To hear all this and be inspired to trust your gut, press play now! 

Key Points From This Episode:

• Jessica tells us about herself, her upbringing, her college experience, and being a founder.
• How she got into reality TV, Below Deck, the dynamics, and our favorite people on the show. 
• Why reality TV helps Jessica wind down and disconnect from her work. 
• Jessica tells us about her business, Habit Money, and how she started it. 
• The biggest hurdles Jessica faced starting Habit Money, especially as a female entrepreneur. 
• The importance of trusting your gut and separating your self-worth from your output. 
• How Jessica approaches fund-raising and partnership. 
• The kinds of people she wants to bring into her business and why she values diversity. 
• Our guest’s main goal for Habit Money and what drives her in her career. 
• Jessica shares advice for female entrepreneurs about trusting their guts! 
• Why listeners should be watching Sister Wives. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Jessica Baier on LinkedIn
Jessica Baier on Instagram
Habit Money
Below Deck
Sister Wives
Victoria Whittaker
Victoria Whittaker on Instagram
Victoria Whittaker on LinkedIn
Giving You Everything Podcast

Thank you so much for listening to The Giving You Everything Podcast! Would love it if you could leave me a review on Apple or Spotify, so I can continue to reach more people!

Also, feel free to follow me on Instagram or learn more about me and my services at www.victoriawhittaker.com

We drop episodes every other Tuesday! See you in two weeks!

Welcome to another episode of the Giving You Everything Podcast! Today’s guest is at the forefront of the mission to take Muslim communities in the USA from ‘surviving’ to ‘thriving’ through stories, communities, and art. Arij Mikati is the Managing Director of Culture Change at Pillars Fund. In this episode, we delve into Arij’s favorite reality TV show, Love is Blind, her favorite season, what she would wear if she was asked to join the show, her hopes for future seasons, and more! She even tells us about the multiple offers to join a Muslim matchmaking TV show that she has declined before telling us what reality TV has taught her. We then delve into Arij’s non-linear career, all about Pillars and what they do to reflect the truth of Muslim communities. Our guest even shares words of wisdom about creating boundaries around what you share on social media. Finally, Arij leaves us with advice about being in the driver’s seat of your life. You don’t want to miss this one so press play now!

Key Points From This Episode:

• An introduction to today’s guest, Arij Mikati, and an overview of her career. 
• Why America’s Next Top Model was her gateway into reality TV. 
• Love is Blind, Chicago season two and its cast, and declining reality TV offers. 
• What Arij would wear if she were ever on Love is Blind and her hopes for future seasons. 
• How reality TV has taught Arij the importance of being able to pivot and have a plan B. 
• Arij tells us about her non-linear career path and how it helped her end up at Pillars. 
• What Pillars is and how they reflect the truth about Muslim communities. 
• Why Arij has stopped justifying her community defensively and how it’s made her work better. 
• Maintaining boundaries on social media and what she feels comfortable sharing. 
• Words of wisdom about taking charge of your life and being the best at what you do. 
• Why Arij suggests that we should allow ourselves some guilty pleasure TV sometimes. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Arij Mikati on LinkedIn
Arij Mikati Substack
Arij Mikati on Instagram
Arij Mikati on Threads
Pillars Fund
America’s Next Top Model on IMDB
Victoria Whittaker
Victoria Whittaker on Instagram
Victoria Whittaker on LinkedIn
Giving You Everything Podcast

Thank you so much for listening to The Giving You Everything Podcast! Would love it if you could leave me a review on Apple or Spotify, so I can continue to reach more people!

Also, feel free to follow me on Instagram or learn more about me and my services at www.victoriawhittaker.com

We drop episodes every other Tuesday! See you in two weeks!

By using your mind as your greatest asset, investing in your goals, and taking your passions beyond just a hobby, you can achieve greater success than you ever thought possible. This is the belief of today’s guest, Alexa Coyle, former professional soccer player, marketing coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks, and co-founder of The Female Edge – a business providing resources and services for women athletes with a mission to empower them to find their "edge" and achieve their goals, both on and off the field. Tune in as we discuss the empire (and the drama) that the Kardashians have built, how Alexa moved her idea for her business into action, the marketing strategies that appeal to Gen Z, and Alexa’s suggestions for forging meaningful partnerships and sponsorship deals. Don’t miss this episode full of fun takes and practical advice for building an authentic brand!

Key Points From This Episode:

• A look at Alexa’s background and her favorite gateway reality TV shows!
• What The Kardashians can teach us about overcoming hardship and being vulnerable.
• Catching up with Kim, Kourtney, and Khloe: notable moments from the last two seasons.
• Delving into some of the latest drama, including Kim and Kourtney’s Dolce & Gabbana feud.
• Reality TV lessons on following your passion that Alexa has applied in her business.
• How Alexa took The Female Edge from passion to action with her co-founder, Toni.
• Why you don’t need a certain amount of money or followers to get started.
• The organic reach The Female Edge has been able to achieve through word of mouth.
• Insightful advice for letting your business “naturally evolve.”
• Authenticity as a key component of meaningful sponsorships and partnerships.
• Tips for appealing to younger generations with your marketing content.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

The Female Edge
The Female Edge on TikTok
The Female Edge on Instagram
The Female Edge Podcast
Alexa Coyle on LinkedIn
Alexa Coyle on Instagram
The Kardashians
The Bachelor
The Bachelorette
Foot Soldiers Park
Victoria Whittaker
Victoria Whittaker on Instagram
Victoria Whittaker on LinkedIn
Giving You Everything Podca

Thank you so much for listening to The Giving You Everything Podcast! Would love it if you could leave me a review on Apple or Spotify, so I can continue to reach more people!

Also, feel free to follow me on Instagram or learn more about me and my services at www.victoriawhittaker.com

We drop episodes every other Tuesday! See you in two weeks!

Today is a very special episode, with only one special guest, and that is me, Victoria! I thought I’d use today’s episode to tell you a little bit about my background and the origins of my passion for reality TV, followed by three key tips for building something new in 2024! I get into the core influences that shaped my identity, from growing up surrounded by the beautiful San Bernardino mountains to the many strong female figures in my life, to the fascination I felt for reality TV shows — and the deep sense of empathy and understanding I took from them. Today’s episode wraps up with insights on what I’ve learned about listening to your inner voice, overcoming limiting beliefs, and finally taking that leap and starting something new. Join me for a nostalgic look back at my list of formative reality TV shows, plus key advice on how to start off the new year on the right foot!

Key Points From This Episode:

• A special solo episode with me, your host, Victoria Whittaker!
• Growing up in the Inland Empire and the city of San Bernardino.
• A quick overview of my background working in education and business.
• Insight into my work as a coach; plus my upcoming mastermind and retreat!
• Embracing my heritage and how this has shaped my identity.
• The origins of my fascination with reality TV.
• Reflections on the sense of empathy and understanding I took from watching reality TV.
• How I’ve brought these lessons into my work with people.
• Three key pieces of advice for anyone looking to move forward in 2024.
• My warmest holiday wishes to you, my wonderful audience, I couldn’t do this without you!

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Southern Charm
The Real World
Road Rules
Date My Mom
Laguna Beach
The Real Housewives
Teen Mom OG
Desperate Housewives
Married at First
TLC
A Wedding Story
A Baby Story
Platinum Weddings
Sister Wives
Victoria Whittaker
Victoria Whittaker on Instagram
Victoria Whittaker on LinkedIn
Giving You Everything Podc

Thank you so much for listening to The Giving You Everything Podcast! Would love it if you could leave me a review on Apple or Spotify, so I can continue to reach more people!

Also, feel free to follow me on Instagram or learn more about me and my services at www.victoriawhittaker.com

We drop episodes every other Tuesday! See you in two weeks!

Are you interested in the idea of cultivating an empowered mindset to step into a life overflowing with confidence, happiness, fulfillment, and success? Then do not skip today’s episode and guest Katie Wee! Katie is a mindset coach, actress, writer, public speaker, and wellness retreat leader. In our conversation today, we dive into a wide range of topics from building a community touch-point around the drama-filled reality TV show Survivor, to how Katie grew up with Bikram yoga practices. We then delve into the journey of how Katie ultimately came to build her mindset coaching and empowerment business. Katie shares the emotional story of dealing with and healing from the trauma she experienced as a child. Please note that this episode carries a trigger warning for sexual abuse. She also shares wildly empowering insights around manifestation and how you hold the choice to weave your own story in life. Be sure not to miss out on all this and so much more! 

Key Points From This Episode:

• Katie tells us about building a community around Survivor.
• Her favorite episodes, moments, and participants
• Why Katie could never be a participant on Survivor. 
• Her pick for this season’s Survivor champions. 
• The parts of Survivor, in Katie’s opinion, that she would be good at. 
• How Katie, and her parents, got into [Bikram] Yoga.
• Who Katie would invite to Happy Camp from the cast of Survivor. 
• She stresses the importance of remembering what truly matters.
• Katie guides us through the entire origin story of her coaching business and the inception of Happy Camp. Trigger Warning: for listeners who wish to avoid Katie’s account of sexual abuse, please skip the audio between [0:41:10] and [0:45:00].
• The journey of Happy Camp and navigating the challenges and mindset shifts.
• Weaving your own story in and through life’s data points. 
• Katie’s advice to other women looking to start something new or get into entrepreneurship. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Katie Wee
Katie Wee on Instagram
Happy Camp
Virtual Happy Camp
Survivor
Fixer to Fabulous
The Bachelor
The Bachelorette
Bikram Yoga
Victoria Whittaker
Victoria Whittaker on Instagram
Victoria Whittaker on LinkedIn

Thank you so much for listening to The Giving You Everything Podcast! Would love it if you could leave me a review on Apple or Spotify, so I can continue to reach more people!

Also, feel free to follow me on Instagram or learn more about me and my services at www.victoriawhittaker.com

We drop episodes every other Tuesday! See you in two weeks!

Finding the balance between a career that you love and a creative outlet that brings you fulfillment can allow you to embrace who you truly are and feel complete. Today’s guest has managed to master this juggling act with her finance career, writing for Forbes, podcast, and unashamed love for reality TV. Ilona Limonata-Volkova joins us to discuss her favorite reality TV show, the Real Housewives of Atlanta, what it has taught her about life, the importance of representation in media, and so much more! We also discuss her podcast, Money Memories, and Ilona tells us about imposter syndrome when it comes to starting new ventures. Finally, our guest shares some sage advice about embracing our individual journeys. To hear all this and so much more, tune in now!

Key Points From This Episode:

• The sports Ilona has played throughout her life. 
• Ilona tells us about herself and what made her passionate about reality TV. 
• Why The Real Housewives of Atlanta is Ilona’s favorite and who the best housewives are. 
• The housewife Ilona would allow to manage her money (and who she wouldn’t trust!)
• What Ilona has learned from each of these franchises. 
• Insight into Ilona’s career and her podcast, Money Memories. 
• How she balances her full-time job and her podcast and how it makes her feel complete. 
• What Ilona likes to write about as a Fintech writer for Forbes and her biggest challenges. 
• How podcasting improves social skills and communication. 
• Ilona shares some advice for listeners about finding their own paths.  
• The wholesome reality TV show we should all be watching. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Ilona Limonta-Volkova on LinkedIn
Ilona Limonata-Volkova on Instagram
Ilona Limonata-Volkova on X
Money Memories Podcast
Ilona Limonata-Volkova Forbes Articles
‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta’
The Art of Money
‘The Junior Bake Off’
Victoria Whittaker
Victoria Whittaker on Instagram
Victoria Whittaker on LinkedIn
Giving You Everything Podcast

Thank you so much for listening to The Giving You Everything Podcast! Would love it if you could leave me a review on Apple or Spotify, so I can continue to reach more people!

Also, feel free to follow me on Instagram or learn more about me and my services at www.victoriawhittaker.com

We drop episodes every other Tuesday! See you in two weeks!

Show Notes:
Padel is an incredible sport that requires quick thinking and teamwork and today’s guest fell in love with it and even decided to open up her own padel business! Jessica Talbert is a tech user experience research manager who was inspired by some padel lessons in Spain to start Park Padel with her partner and best friend. In this episode, you will hear all about Jessica’s favorite reality TV show, ‘Too Hot To Handle’, why it’s so fascinating, and how she’s applied a spirit of fearlessness she has learned from the show in her life. We also discuss how she and her team started the business, the most exciting parts of the game, how they overcame challenges, working with two people so close to her, and more! She even discusses how she plans on bringing more women to padel through Park Padel before exploring her hopes for the future of her business. Finally, Jessica shares some words of wisdom for budding entrepreneurs. Thank you for tuning in! 

Key Points From This Episode

• What padel is, how she created Park Padel, and where the name comes from. 
• How Jessica and Victoria know each other. 
• What ‘Too Hot To Handle’ is all about and why it’s such an interesting social experiment. 
• Why Jessica fell in love with season two in particular and her favorite parts of the show. 
• What Jessica has learned from reality TV and how she applies that to her life and business. 
• The exciting part about starting Park Padel for Jessica. 
• Jessica tells us about her co-founders and what makes padel so special. 
• The challenges they have faced in the process of building this startup. 
• How Jessica has navigated working with her best friend and fiance (while living together!)
• How Jessica navigates leading as a woman of color. 
• Jessica’s hopes for Park Padel in the future. 
• Our guest shares some advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Jessica Talbert on LinkedIn
Jessica Talbert on Instagram
Park Padel
‘Too Hot To Handle’
‘The Ultimatum: Queer Love’
Victoria Whittaker
Victoria Whittaker on Instagram
Victoria Whittaker on LinkedIn
Giving You Everything Podcast

Thank you so much for listening to The Giving You Everything Podcast! Would love it if you could leave me a review on Apple or Spotify, so I can continue to reach more people!

Also, feel free to follow me on Instagram or learn more about me and my services at www.victoriawhittaker.com

We drop episodes every other Tuesday! See you in two weeks!

In today’s episode of the Giving Your Everything podcast, screenwriter, director, and coach Julia Meltzer joins us to share how she turned her success in the entertainment industry into a coaching business! Tuning in, you’ll hear about Julia’s life, her love of reality television, particularly ‘Southern Charm’, what reality TV has taught her and how she’s applied those things to her professional life, and so much more! We discuss her career in the entertainment industry and her passion for making storytelling more accessible through her coaching business. To hear all this and even get some great reality TV recommendations, press play now! 

Key Points From This Episode:

• How Victoria and Julia met. 
• How Julia got into reality television, why she loves ‘Southern Charm,’ and the premise of it.  
• Who her favorite ‘Southern Charm’ characters are and her thoughts on the new season. 
• Julia shares how reality TV has enhanced her professional life. 
• A little bit about Julia’s career, love for theater, transition to TV, and newest ventures. 
• Her goal to make storytelling more accessible to different kinds of people. 
• Why she likes working one-on-one with her coaching clients. 
• The first things Julia did before putting her coaching practice out into the world.
• Julia shares advice for aspiring creative female entrepreneurs about rejection and failure. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Julia Meltzer
Julia Meltzer on Instagram
Julia Meltzer on X
Southern Charm
‘Winter House’
‘Summer House’
‘The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’
‘The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City’
‘Below Deck’
‘Love Island Games’
Victoria Whittaker
Victoria Whittaker on Instagram
Victoria Whittaker on LinkedIn
Giving You Everything Podcast

Thank you so much for listening to The Giving You Everything Podcast! Would love it if you could leave me a review on Apple or Spotify, so I can continue to reach more people!

Also, feel free to follow me on Instagram or learn more about me and my services at www.victoriawhittaker.com

We drop episodes every other Tuesday! See you in two weeks!

Welcome to another exciting episode of the Giving You Everything Podcast. In this episode, we dive deep into the captivating journey of Ashley Menzies Babatunde, a dynamic entrepreneur whose path was shaped by her diverse experiences and the art of storytelling. Ashley is a lawyer-turned-storyteller on a mission.  She's the brains, heart, and soul behind No Straight Path, a podcast that dives deep into the human tales behind entrepreneurial success stories. In our conversation, Ashley shares the how and why behind her No Straight Path Podcast, why she’s so passionate about storytelling, and what inspired her growth as an entrepreneur. We discuss the valuable lessons from reality TV, storytelling as the core aspect of her work, building a business from a place of clarity and peace, and how to be an entrepreneur in your own way. Expect laughter, revelations, and maybe even a few surprising insights that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a reality TV enthusiast, or simply someone curious about the dynamics of turning passions into lasting success, this episode is for you. Tune in now!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Ashley’s diverse background, her college experience, and her entrepreneurial journey. 
• Why The Golden Bachelor is her favorite show and how it reflects her life experience.
• Lessons from reality TV that Ashley incorporates into her personal and professional life.
• The power of storytelling and how grief led her to start the No Straight Path Podcast.
• Transitioning from law into full-time podcasting and entrepreneurship.
• Being patient with yourself, testing your ideas, and why a business journal is essential.
• Following your inner compass and creating something that leaves you fulfilled.
• Hear about her plans for the future and the kind of impact she hopes to create.
• Strengths and virtues that Ashley leverages to be successful.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram
Ashley Menzies Babatunde on LinkedIn
No Straight Path Podcast
No Straight Path Podcast on Instagram
The Golden Bachelor
Married at First Sight
Married to Medicine
Victoria Whittaker
Victoria Whittaker on Instagram
Victoria Whittaker on LinkedIn
Giving You Everything Podcast

Thank you so much for listening to The Giving You Everything Podcast! Would love it if you could leave me a review on Apple or Spotify, so I can continue to reach more people!

Also, feel free to follow me on Instagram or learn more about me and my services at www.victoriawhittaker.com

We drop episodes every other Tuesday! See you in two weeks!