This week we're schmoozing with Laura Galvan, Director of Social at Favorite Daughter and co-founder of Rummi Klub LA. If you've ever laughed at, screenshotted, or sent a Favorite Daughter post to your group chat, Laura's the one behind it. But she's also building something of her own, and this conversation goes deep into what it takes to land the dream job, work alongside Sarah and Erin Foster, and juggle two careers at the same time.

We start with the ICONIC Sushi Fumi story. Laura walked into the restaurant on Super Bowl weekend, saw a Favorite Daughter billboard, turned to her right, and Erin Foster handed her the clipboard. She schmoozed her shot, DM'd Erin, and three months later, got the offer letter. But here's the thing: she had no qualifications for the role. What she did have? Energy. Vision boards. And an unshakable inner knowing that it was all going to work out.

We talk about the power of vision boards, how Laura scripts her dream life in the present tense, and why she believes that if you desire something, it's already yours. We break down her exact process: the marble notebook from Staples, the categories (career, relationships, the woman I want to be), the scripting, the images of real couples she cuts out from Instagram (not stock photos), and the journal entries in between that show the trajectory of how her life panned out.

We also get into Rummi Klub LA, the game night brand she built with her best friend Marnie that went from 50 people and a 45 person waitlist to becoming the number one bestselling game brand on Revolve. Laura pitched Revolve without a product, got the PO, and then figured out how to manufacture it. She talks about why communities are the new influencers, how brands want to tap into IRL experiences, and why Rummi Klub is the ultimate soft Shabbos activity (no phones, just games, martinis, and meeting people).

On the Favorite Daughter side, we talk about what it's really like working for Sarah and Erin, why energy is more important than experience, and how she went from making TikToks in an empty apartment on a folding chair to running social for one of the coolest brands in fashion. We also get into must have pieces and why working with family is complicated but also inspiring.

We dive into LA versus New York, why she chose the West Coast, and what her dream day looks like. Plus, dating in your 20s and 30s, why she made a rule to never go on a date unless she felt excited, and how she met her boyfriend and deciding to make out with the next person who walked into the bar (spoiler: it was him, and he'd been staring at her since the first time they met).

This one's for anyone who wants to manifest their dream life, shoot their shot, build something from scratch, or just needs a reminder that energy, vision, and consistency are everything. Laura's proof that when you get clear on what you want and trust the process, the universe delivers.

THIS MIGHT BE MY FAVORITE EPISODE YET PLEASE LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS!!

Follow Laura on Instagram @laurarickii (two i's because it looks cooler) and Rummi Klub LA @rummiklubla.Let's get into it. Let's schmooze.

Chapters:
00:00:00 Welcome and Introduction to Laura Galvin
00:01:13 Growing Up in New York and Early Fashion Dreams
00:03:38 The Sushi Fumi Story: Landing the Favorite Daughter Job
00:03:56 Vision Boards and Manifestation: The Practice That Changed Everything
00:07:12 Energy Over Experience: Getting Hired Without Qualifications
00:16:00 Life as Director of Social at Favorite Daughter
00:22:33 Must-Have Favorite Daughter Pieces and Brand Philosophy
00:24:16 Building Rummy Club LA: From Game Night to Business Empire
00:25:21 The Power of Community Over Influencers
00:31:55 Pitching Revolve Without a Product and Becoming Number One
00:34:15 Why LA Over New York: Finding Peace on the West Coast
00:40:29 Managing Two Careers: Decompression and Soft Shabbos
00:43:30 Vision Board Deep Dive: The Exact Process
00:48:12 Breaking Free from the Blueprint and Final Thoughts
00:51:07 Dating in Your 20s and 30s: The Excitement Rule

This week we're schmoozing with Charlotte Bickley Meller. This conversation goes way deeper than fashion. We're talking about what it really means to choose a new faith, how she converted to Judaism twice (yes, twice), and why modern Orthodox women are actually some of the most empowered people she knows. We get into dating in your 20s in New York, why she left LA and came running back, and how meeting her husband at a London wedding turned into a Portugal plus one situation that changed everything.

We also dive into the beauty prep for her Monaco wedding (what worked, what didn't, and why salmon DNA was a disaster), her current routine (sunscreen, spray tans, and Laser Genesis), and why she's freezing her eggs this fall. Not because she has to, but because modern medicine is empowering and she wants to live her best life before kids enter the picture.

Charlotte talks about her career journey from Bergdorf Goodman buyer to content creator, why working with family is complicated, and how switching management right before her wedding became the catalyst for her entire 2.0 era.

We also talk about what makes a great relationship (spoiler: it's finding someone who supports your career and doesn't think content creation is cringe), why her husband is the yin to her yang, and how being married has actually made her more confident in her work. Plus, Upper East Side life, dream days in New York, why she still loves downtown, and Poppy the rescue dog who made her podcast debut.

This one's for anyone redefining religion in their 20s and 30s, anyone who's ever felt pressure to have kids on someone else's timeline, or anyone who just wants to know what it really takes to build a life and career on your own terms. Charlotte's energy is infectious, her story is inspiring, and her advice is so refreshingly honest.

Follow Charlotte on Instagram @chbickley and check out her Friends of Charlotte series on YouTube. Let's get into it. Let's schmooze.

Chapters:
00:00:00 Welcome and Introduction to Charlotte Bickley
00:00:46 Manifesting Success and Speaking on Podcasts
00:02:14 From Syracuse to Bergdorf Goodman: Career Journey
00:03:28 Working with Family and Ying to My Yang
00:04:16 Transitioning to Editor at Large at Daily Front Row
00:05:06 The Evolution of Magazines and Digital Media
00:07:09 Launching Friends of Charlotte Series
00:08:56 Content Creation 2.0 and Finding Inspiration
00:09:46 Switching Management and Shooting Your Shot
00:11:00 Marriage, Support, and Finding the Right Partner
00:12:23 LA vs New York: Why She Left and Came Home
00:14:39 Dating in Your 20s in New York City
00:17:14 Meeting Her Husband: From London Wedding to Portugal
00:18:31 Relationships, Growth, and Living Your Best Life in Your 20s
00:20:25 Discovering Judaism: From Syracuse to Conversion
00:23:07 First Conversion: Conservative Judaism During COVID
00:24:52 Second Conversion: Modern Orthodox and What It Means
00:27:27 Conversion Classes, Mikvah, and the Bet Din Experience
00:29:01 Judaism, Inclusivity, and Doing the Right Thing
00:33:05 Wedding Planning: Choosing Monaco Over the Hamptons
00:33:24 Beauty Prep for the Wedding: Treatments and Lessons Learned
00:35:38 Current Beauty Routine: Sunscreen, Spray Tans, and Laser Genesis
00:40:53 Honeymoon Dreams: Southeast Asia on the Ritz Carlton Yacht
00:42:56 Travel Bucket List: Montenegro, Montana, and Experience Driven Trips
00:46:47 Family Planning: IVF, Freezing Eggs, and Modern Medicine
00:48:52 Women's Health, Empowerment, and Taking Control
00:49:39 Modern Orthodox Women and Empowerment
00:56:09 Upper East Side Life and Dream Day in New York
00:58:54 Downtown Favorites and Why She Still Loves Downtown
00:59:27 Poppy the Rescue Dog and Closing Thoughts

This week we're sitting down with Allie DePinto, a Jersey girl who’s built her entire career on her own terms. From working the 5:30 am front desk shift at SoulCycle to now running her own social media business and working with some of your favorite brands like Phoebe Gates and PhePhe, Allie's story is proof that trusting your gut asking for the yes, and figuring the rest out later WORKS. 

We get into how she landed her first client (spoiler: she asked), how to price your services when you have no idea what you're doing, and why content creation is the most valuable skill you can offer right now. We talk about the decision to drop out of college, why having corporate experience before going freelance is so important, and how SoulCycle became the through line of her entire life, including how she met her fiancé.

On the influencer side, we talk about Allie's 2.0 era, the walk and talk content that's taking over her feed, and why she started treating herself like a client. We get into the truth about the algorithm (consistency over perfection, always), how to navigate brand deals and gifting without undervaluing yourself, and why over delivering is actually what gets you paid partnerships. Plus, the Taylor Swift SoulCycle April Fools campaign that went viral, pissed off instructors, and made it on The Toast. A true cultural moment.

Basically, this one is for anyone who wants to quit the 9-5, start something of their own, or needs a little reminder that you do not, in fact, need to do things the normal way.

Allie's energy is infectious, her advice is practical, and her story is proof that you don't need to follow the traditional path to build something incredible.

Also, our English bulldogs might be related, which is the most important takeaway from this entire conversation.

Follow Allie on Instagram @alliedepinto (three L's for now, two L's coming after the wedding). Let's get into it. Let's schmooze.

Chapters:
00:00 Welcome and Introduction to Allie DePinto
03:49 Building a Social Media Consultancy from Scratch
06:36 Landing Your First Client and Overcoming Rejection ( Terra Pilates, Phoebe Gates, PhePhe)
09:41 The Value of Corporate Experience Before Going Freelance
10:17 Content Creation: Your Most Valuable Asset
12:41 Pricing, Retainers, and Building Your Rate
16:18 The Decision to Drop Out of College
20:36 The Hustle Year: Working Multiple Jobs to Make It Work
22:14 Being Different and Following Your Own Path
28:05 SoulCycle Origins and Meeting Her Fiancé
32:48 Long Distance to Living Together: The Relationship Journey
43:16 The Allie 2.0: Treating Yourself Like a Client
46:32 Consistency Over Perfection: The Algorithm Truth
48:32 Brands Doing It Right: Dairy Boy and Building a World
52:40 The Taylor Swift April Fools Campaign at SoulCycle
1:00:47 The Freelance Financial Reality: Insurance, Taxes, and Structure
1:05:55 Brand Deals and Over-Delivering: The 2026 Strategy
1:08:35 Dream Brands and Manifesting: J.Crew and Beyond
1:09:25 Where to Find Allie and Final Thoughts

This week we're diving into something I've been wanting to talk about for six months: Kabbalah, spirituality, and consciousness. I'm joined by Lea Yordani, who grew up studying Kabbalah and is now a mentor at the Kabbalah Center in Midtown. We're breaking down what Kabbalah actually is (spoiler: it's not what you think), how it's transformed my life in the last 8 months, and how to make ancient spiritual wisdom digestible for your 20s.

We start with a grounding exercise because that's how we begin every Tuesday night class at the center. Then we get into the real stuff: What is Kabbalah? Is it a religion? Spirituality? Mysticism? How do you define the light? What does it mean to live in the 1% versus the 99%? And why does everyone keep saying "the creator" now?

We talk about the concept of tikkun (your personal spiritual correction), how all challenges are actually opportunities, and the four steps to shift from reactive consciousness to soul consciousness. We break down what it means to move from level one (victim mentality, to me) to level two (I know what I need to do but I'm scared, for me) to level three (I'm a vessel of light, through me). And why level three is where the magic happens.

Leah shares what it was like growing up in the Kabbalah Center, why she stepped away from keeping kosher and Shabbat in her early 20s, and how she redefined spirituality on her own terms. We talk about the difference between doing something out of fear versus doing it because it genuinely makes you feel aligned. And why consistency with spiritual practice is everything.

We also get into soft Shabbos (my new obsession), why I now live Tuesday to Tuesday, and how spirituality has completely shifted my energy. People keep telling me I have the best energy lately and honestly? It's the Kabbalah.

This episode is for anyone who's ever been curious about Kabbalah, anyone redefining religion and spirituality in their 20s, or anyone who just wants to understand what the hell I mean when I say "the light" or "99% versus 1%." We're making it digestible, we're making it real, and we're making it feel less intimidating.

Also, we recorded this in under an hour and it felt like five minutes because when you're fully present and tapped into consciousness, time literally moves differently. That's the whole point.

Follow Leah on Instagram @leahyardeni to learn more about Access Bars, energy work, and other tools of consciousness. And if you're in New York, come to Kabbalah class on Tuesday nights. You'll find me at table six taking five pages of notes in my Spiritually Hungry journal.

Let's get spiritual. Let's get conscious. Let's schmooze.

SCHMOOZERS, WE’RE SCHLEPPING OUT OF THE CITY. 

This week I’m joined by my friend Cara Lash founder of Caravan. Caravan is the ultimate hack to get from the concrete jungle into nature without the planning spiral. We get into why a Caravan trip is the ultimate soft Shabbos activity (no phone), what made her walk away from consulting to build this, and how what started as a tech platform turned into something way more an actual community, IRL, off their phones. 

We also get into the time she took 50 kids from camp to Alaska, because apparently that’s just a camp activity for her. If you’ve been craving a reason to put the phone down and get outside, this one’s for you.

Caravan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caravantripplan?igsh=cjUwbjl2cW00aWw3

Caravan TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@caravan.trip.plan?_r=1&_t=ZT-97PHF2rhQqL

https://www.instagram.com/schmoozingwithspan?igsh=MWJ1cHJ4bHc0Mmp4MA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

https://www.tiktok.com/@schmoozingwithspan?_r=1&_t=ZT-97PHBsoWwpi

There is, apparently, a very niche pipeline from being an individual sports counselor at camp to becoming a solo podcaster. Is it niche? Yes. Is it real? Also yes. Emma and I both started our podcasts the exact same week which feels less like coincidence and more like… KISMET. Bashert, perhaps?

And if you know, you know camp is my main personality trait and favorite place on earth. It’s where you skip the small talk, overshare immediately, and somehow leave with lifelong friends and at least three personality traits you didn’t have before.

That energy is exactly what this conversation feels like. And it’s also, in a very real way, what Emma built with Ghosted with Grief a grief podcast and online community that takes something heavy (loss, grief, healing, mental health).

We schmooze (obviously) about dating and how grief sneaks into your relationships whether you’ve processed it or not.

If you’ve ever been ghosted, gone through grief, or tried to date in a world where you have the loudest personality and depth.

If you ran the NYC Marathon in under three hours, slide into Emma’s personal DMs. Not Ghosted (that would be weird?)

It’s less interview, more two camp people turned podcasters having a very honest, slightly unhinged, deeply on-brand conversation about creating community. 

Follow Along On Socials

Sam’s Socials

TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@schmoozingwithspan?_r=1&_t=ZT-95zI4OkTs0z

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/schmoozingwithspan?igsh=MWJ1cHJ4bHc0Mmp4MA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Emma’s Socials

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@emmasloanezeig?_r=1&_t=ZP-95ywbIbYBFG 

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/ghostedbygrief?igsh=b3RmbW1rZm9jc3pr&utm_source=qr and https://www.instagram.com/emzeigs?igsh=MTk4NHY4cGpycnZ5bw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Apple: Ghosted

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1E9RJn2MWbP9x0LKARhEMF?si=sLn2nBHVQTupQyNpu2xpLg

Welcome to First Sip & Schmooze our new mini-series where we sit down with the founders behind the small brands you can’t stop seeing all over your feed.

You know those viral sourdough cookies blowing up on TikTok? The ones everyone is talking about from Sally to Brett Chody to Kelley Grace Mae? Yeah… those.

But here’s the wild part: this brand was actually the first thing I was ever gifted. And in this episode, I find out something that made it all feel a little too aligned I was the first person Jacqueline ever sent to KISMET.

Talk about a full-circle moment.

In this episode, I sit down with the founder behind the internet’s latest obsession to talk about what it really takes to build a brand that cuts through the noise. From going viral to selling out, we get into the behind-the-scenes of turning a simple idea into a must-have product.

But what makes this conversation even better? We’re basically living parallel lives. Both former tech girlies, both now working in the corporate podcasting world, and both figuring it out as we go just on very different paths.

We talk career pivots, taking risks, building something from scratch, and what happens after the internet decides you’re “that girl.”

If you’ve ever thought about starting something of your own or just want the story behind the cookies everyone’s freaking out over this one’s for you.

Sip with us. Schmooze with us. And meet the founder behind your latest obsession.

Follow Along on Socials: 🍪🍸

Schmoozing with Span TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@schmoozingwithspan?_r=1&_t=ZT-91Y3jtiNclh⁠

Schmoozing with Span Instagram:

⁠https://www.instagram.com/schmoozingwithspan?igsh=MWJ1cHJ4bHc0Mmp4MA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr⁠

ORDER COOKIES on Hot Plate: http://hotplate.com/closetohomebakery⁠

Close to Home Bakery TikTok:

⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@closetohomebakery?_r=1&_t=ZP-95JblRAzIsh⁠

Close to Home Bakery Instagram: ⁠http://instagram.com/closetohomebakery⁠

On this episode of Schmoozing with Span, Ally shares how she turned the shutdown of her corporate job into the launch of Soirée Miami Beach, a six-figure-a-month resort wear brand loved for its style, sparkle, and attention to detail.

Along the way, we dive into OG moments meeting Madison Beer to a chaotic teen tour flight from Paris and silly childhood stories. These stories are equal parts hilarious, unfiltered, and surprisingly relatable.

From hosting brand trips to scaling a team, Ally gives a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to build a swim and resort wear brand. We also talk routines, resets, and our favorite shvitz + schmooze sessions at Othership, and why balance is key to long-term success.

If you’re into fashion, female founders, or scaling a creative fashion business, this one delivers both insight and laughs.

💖 Use promo code SAMXO15 for 15% off your Soirée Miami Beach order!

Follow Along on Socials:

Schmoozing with Span TikTok:Schmoozing TikTok

Schmoozingwithspan Instagram: Schmoozing Insta

Ally Nissan Insta: Instagram · allynissan5.8K+ followersAlly Nissan (@allynissan)

Ally Nissan TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@allynissan?_r=1&_t=ZP-94vr4KycsVr

Soiree Miami Beach Insta: Instagram · soireemiamibeach11.1K+ followersSoirée Miami Beach (@soireemiamibeach)

Soirée Miami Beach TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@soireemiamibeach?_r=1&_t=ZP-94vr37WjsUB

Soirée Miami Beach Website: https://soireemiamibeach.com

If you’ve ever been offended by being called the “personality hire” think again. I was invited on my friends brand trip to the Hamptons as the entertainment hire where I met the fabulous Sydney Silverman. She had the best energy and I told her about my podcast concept and now here we are full circle sitting on the POD!

Sydney had the dream job in the liquor industry the kind of role people don’t just walk away from. But at one point she found herself planning the brand trips for her liquor company while also being invited as an influencer on the events and realizing something had to give. Was it worth going all in?

What makes this episode different than all other episodes (no, not in a seder way, relax) is how much we cover from launching her 30-piece capsule collection with Dillards to long distance relationship between New York and LA New York and LA, BTS of fashion week chaos & and all the niche little debates in between Pio Pio vs Taco Bell important questions. 

It’s less interview, more real conversation.

FOLLOW ON SPOTIFY YOUTUBE APPLE TO GET NOTIFIED OF NEXT EPISODES ❤️❤️

Follow Along on Socials:

Sydney Insta: https://www.instagram.com/sydneysilverman?igsh=MWllZ3h2dXhmOGRhdQ==

Sydney TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@sydneysilverman_?_r=1&_t=ZT-94LD2UZZLDy

Schmoozing Insta:https://www.instagram.com/schmoozingwithspan?igsh=MjF2NHQwMDRuanBy

Schmoozing TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@schmoozingwithspan?_r=1&_t=ZT-94LD1DCxegv

Two years ago at SXSW, I met Alex Cooper.

She asked if we were sisters. For some reason, I said, “No, we’re just Jews.”

What started as a 2 minute interaction somehow spiraled into me going back on foot… 2 days later to hand deliver my resume like I was in a 2000s romcom.
No shame, Just vibes, chutzpah, and the audacity to believe I belonged at that desk.

And somehow… it got me an interview.

In this episode:

• The exact moment we met
• What the energy actually felt like
• Why I decided to go back
• What I said when I handed over my resume
• Whether I almost packed my bags and moved to LA
• And how this unhinged decision low-key became the origin story of this entire podcast

Because two years ago I was pitching myself to work there.

Now SCHMOOZING WITH SPAN is here. 

Stay until the end because the final twist?
I was really close to moving.

Share this so she sees it.
Let’s schmooze.