Starting a business rarely begins with certainty. More often, it starts with a pull you can’t ignore.

In this highlights episode of The Dean’s List, host Alison Dean curates powerful moments from founders, creatives, and operators who followed an instinct—sometimes obvious, sometimes practical—and chose to build before they felt ready. Together, these stories explore the leap from side idea to real thing, and the decisions that shape both the business and the person building it.

Across industries—from food and fitness to travel, technology, and creative work—these founders reflect on the tradeoffs that come with starting something new: learning in public, navigating uncertainty, and trusting momentum when the plan runs out.

Beyond origin stories, this conversation explores:
— How founders know when it’s time to commit
— Building without burning out
— Letting response, not perfection, guide growth
— Why alignment often matters more than timing

This episode blends ambition and care—and leaves us with a question worth sitting with:

If this conversation resonated, subscribe to The Dean’s List, share it with someone building thoughtfully, and leave a review with the moment that stayed with you.

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https://www.youtube.com/@itsofficialdeanslist/videos

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“Creativity is survival—and color is medicine.” 
Alison Dean and artist Taiga Bentley explore how motherhood, artistry, and community can transform wellness, purpose, and business.

In this vibrant conversation, Taiga shares how she turned a single baby quilt into a thriving creative business, navigated imposter syndrome, and built a community rooted in beauty, play, and purpose.

If you’ve ever wondered how to balance entrepreneurship, creativity, and family—or how to use art to nurture your wellbeing—this episode will inspire you to live and build in full color.

#TheDeansListPodcast #HouseOfTaiga #CreativeMotherhood #ColorTherapy #BuildingWell #momswhocreate #artaswellness #womeninbusiness #intentionalliving #creativecommunity

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Sebastien Lagree, creator of the world-renowned Lagree Method, joins host Alison Dean on The Dean’s List to share how his low-impact, high-intensity workout revolutionized strength training and wellness across 60+ countries.

In this episode, Sebastien opens up about his journey from aspiring actor to global fitness entrepreneur—and the mindset that turned risk into innovation. You’ll hear how he built a movement that’s transformed how we move, think, and feel about strength.

 In this episode:
• The evolution of the Lagree Method and its unique approach to fitness
• Building a brand with passion, persistence, and innovation
• How mind-body-spirit integration drives lasting wellness
• Lessons on risk, self-trust, and redefining success

Whether you’re a fitness professional, wellness enthusiast, or an entrepreneur looking for inspiration, this conversation will move you—in more ways than one.

 Follow The Dean’s List for more stories at the intersection of entrepreneurship, wellness, and building well.

Meta description: Sebastien Lagree shares how the Lagree Method revolutionized strength and wellness—plus the mindset behind building a global fitness movement.

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Cristina and Chris of Local Culture Ferments share their journey from farmers markets to national shelves—and what it really takes to grow a sustainable, gut-health brand with integrity.

In this episode of The Dean’s List, host Alison Dean dives into how the couple built a fermentation-focused food company rooted in transparency, wellness, and family values. Expect candid lessons on entrepreneurship, scaling, ethical sourcing, and staying true to your mission (even when it’s hard).

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Full episode + resources → www.officialdeanslist.com

Whether you’re a founder, foodie, or wellness seeker, this story will leave you inspired to build—and live—well.

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What if ice cream could be more than dessert? In this episode of The Dean’s List, Alison Dean sits down with Dan Sell and Casey Allen—the founders of The STIL, Idaho’s favorite ice cream shop—to explore how joy, community, and entrepreneurship all come together in a single scoop.

Dan and Kasey share the unfiltered story of building The STIL from scratch: starting with a “figure this sh*t out” checklist, learning on the fly with zero food industry experience, and discovering that integrity and intention are the sweetest ingredients of all.

Together, they dig into:

• Why not knowing “the rules” helped them reinvent ice cream
• The truth behind ingredient labels (and what’s actually in your scoop)
• How sourcing, scale, and community partnerships shape their business
• Why joy and shared experiences might be the ultimate wellness practice

Whether you’re a founder, a foodie, or someone who simply believes in the power of joy, this conversation is packed with inspiration—and a few surprising opinions on bubblegum ice cream.

 For more on The STIL: https://ilovethestil.com/  Follow on Instagram: @ilovethestil & @official_deanlist  More episodes of The Dean’s List: https://officialdeanslist.com

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In this episode of The Dean’s List, host Alison Dean sits down with Arielle de Martinez, founder of Subluna, to explore the art of building a wellness business rooted in intuition, resilience, and herbal wisdom. Arielle shares how she grew Subluna from kitchen-made tinctures to a global wellness brand, while balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship and redefining what it means to let go of hustle culture.

 SPECIAL OFFER: Get 10% off Subluna with code DEANSLIST → Shop here

Whether you’re a wellness entrepreneur, herbalist, or purpose-driven founder, or simply someone craving more intention in business and life, this conversation is full of insights to inspire your journey.

 For more on Arielle and Subluna: https://shopsubluna.com Follow on Instagram: @shopsubluna & @official_deanlist More episodes of The Dean’s List: https://officialdeanslist.com

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In this episode of The Dean’s List, Alison Dean sits down with Deanne Buck, CEO of Branwyn, the merino wool performance brand redefining sustainable fashion, women’s wellness, and conscious leadership.

From her beginnings as a lawyer and mountain climber to leading a mission-driven company, Deanne shares how Branwyn is challenging greenwashing, championing ethical sourcing, and rethinking what’s possible in your top drawer.

You’ll learn:

• Why merino wool underwear is softer (and more sustainable) than you think
• How to spot greenwashing in fashion and wellness brands
• What it means to lead a mission-driven company with integrity
• The leadership lessons Deanne brought from the mountains into business

If you’ve ever wondered what’s really in the clothes you wear every day—or how purpose-driven leadership can shape a brand—this conversation is for you.

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Follow The Dean’s List: [https://www.instagram.com/official_deanslist] | [https://www.officialdeanslist.com/]

Follow Branwyn: Branwyn.com

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Your toilet paper might be exposing you to PFAS and bleaching byproducts—every single day. Plant Paper co-founder Lee Reitelman shares how tree-free, unbleached TP can protect your body and the planet—and how to rebuild a better bathroom habit.

In this episode of The Dean’s List with Alison Dean, we uncover the hidden health and environmental costs of conventional toilet paper—and the design principles behind Plant Paper’s safer, more sustainable alternative. We dig into ingredient transparency, why “white = clean” is a myth, how virgin-tree pulp impacts forests, and practical ways to upgrade what you touch daily. 

Use Code "THEDEANSLIST" for 20% of your first recurring subscription order of Plant Paper (expires 2/23/2026)

What you’ll learn: 

• What’s actually in many toilet papers (PFAS, bleaching byproducts, additives)
• Why unbleached, tree-free paper matters for skin + planet
• The myth of “white means clean” and how design changes behavior
• Reading labels and spotting hidden chemicals in everyday goods
• Founder lessons: transparency, going big-box thoughtfully, and building loyal communities

Guest: Lee Reitelman, co-founder of Plant Paper
Host: Alison Dean, The Dean’s List — wellness × entrepreneurship

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What happens when you leave the “dream job” to follow your intuition—and build something better than you imagined?

In this soul-stirring episode of The Dean’s List, host Alison Dean sits down with Angie Banicki, a renowned tarot reader who walked away from a high-powered career in entertainment PR to build a business led by inner wisdom, symbolism, and music. Angie shares the steps she took to build her practice, the role of intuition in navigating major transitions, and how she helps creatives, CEOs, and entrepreneurs find clarity through tarot.

You’ll learn:

• Angie’s process for turning a spiritual calling into a thriving business
• How music and intuitive signs guide her clients’ next big moves
• Rituals for tuning into your inner voice
• Common mindset blocks that stop people from living their truth—and how to overcome them

This episode is for anyone building something meaningful—whether it’s a brand, a new chapter, or a deeper relationship with yourself.

 Learn more about Angie: http://www.angiebanicki.com Follow us on Instagram & Tiktok: @official_deanslist More: http://officialdeanslist.com

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Midwife Robyn Pool joins Alison Dean to share the raw truth about birth, business, and reclaiming autonomy—in the delivery room and in life. From building Push Birth Center to navigating hospital politics and family sacrifice, Robyn reveals what it really means to center care in both entrepreneurship and midwifery.

You’ll learn:

• What most people misunderstand about home birth
• How to choose and trust your birth plan
• The emotional weight of being “on call”
• Why “are you allowed?” is the wrong question—on every level
• How Robyn built a thriving birth business without savings or followers

If you care about power, presence, and wellness in the birth space (and beyond), this episode will shift your perspective.

 Learn more: pushmidwifery.com Follow us: @official_deanslist Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical/business advice.

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