Why are so many social media managers overworked, underpaid, and stuck in the client grind while others are building scalable, profitable businesses? Sam Schmidt breaks it down because she’s seen both sides.

After starting her career as a teacher, Sam transitioned into social media management, built a successful agency, and went on to mentor hundreds of social media managers on how to grow beyond just “doing the work” and start running real businesses.

This episode challenges the industry norms from underpricing and overdelivering to the pressure of doing everything, and replaces them with a smarter, more sustainable way to grow.

If you’re ready to stop guessing, start charging appropriately, and build a business that actually supports your life, this conversation will shift how you see everything.

What You’ll Hear:

Connect with Sam: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samschmidtsocial/?hl=en

Let's Connect:

What does it actually take to walk away from everything you’ve built and start over? Caroline Ciocca has done it more than once.

She’s the former CEO of Make-A-Wish Southern Nevada turned executive leadership coach, and in this conversation, she shares what it really looks like to navigate life’s in-between seasons from major career pivots to selling everything she owned and moving across the country.

This episode isn’t just about change. It’s about courage, identity, and giving yourself permission to evolve even when it doesn’t make sense to anyone else.

If you’ve been feeling stuck, questioning your next move, or wondering if it’s too late to start over, this is the conversation you need.

What You'll Hear:

Connect with Caroline: 

Let's Connect:

Welcome to The In-Between Podcast, where we have conversations that pursue growth, failure, and the in-between. Join your host, Kassidy Lynne, each week for a new conversation that will give you an inside look into humans who conquered the in between moments of their lives, because even those doing the damn thing, running the business, training for the marathon, or even just being a human go through the in-betweens and that is where we find growth.

Grab an iced coffee and join me as we dive deep into the in between.

Connect with Kassidy at https://www.kassidylynnesocial.com/

Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inbetweenconvos/

About Kassidy:

Kassidy Owen is the founder of Kassidy Lynne Social, a social media agency dedicated to helping brands express their authentic voice online. She views social media as a platform for building meaningful, lasting connections.


Driven by a passion for storytelling and purpose-led growth, Kassidy works with female founders and values-driven brands committed to making a positive impact in their communities. She also serves on the board of the Give Happy Foundation, supporting initiatives that foster joy and positive change.

Let's Connect:

Welcome to The In-Between Podcast. Today we have Makayla Hopper, founder and photographer behind MacMo Photo & Co., for a real conversation about entrepreneurship, community, and navigating in-between seasons. Makayla shares her journey from construction project management to going all-in on photography, the moment she almost sold her business, and how choosing vulnerability opened the door to deeper relationships and aligned growth. We talk about building a “business family,” trusting your instincts when things fall apart, and how a major setback — including a broken ankle during a pivotal season — completely reshaped the way she prices, structures, and sustains her work. This episode is a reminder that success isn’t just about hustling harder, but about consistency, community, and building a business that can support you through every season.

What You’ll Hear:

Makayla’s path from construction management to full-time photographer

The chaotic mastermind moment that sparked a powerful business connection

Why vulnerability builds stronger relationships than perfection

Almost selling her business — and the choice that changed everything

The lesson a broken ankle taught her about pricing and sustainability

Why photographers (and creatives) should price to replace themselves

How brand photography retainers create long-term value for small businesses

Why community and consistency matter more than momentum alone

Connect with Makayla:

@macmo.photo |https://www.instagram.com/macmo.photo/

Website: https://macmophoto.com/

Let's Connect:

@inbetweenconvos | @kassidy.owen

Welcome to The In-Between Podcast. Today we have, Rickelle Tallent, former competitive athlete turned sports dietitian and founder of Tallent Nutrition, to unpack what performance nutrition really looks like beyond restrictive diets and wellness trends. Rickelle shares her unconventional journey from psychology to nutrition, how working with former athletes shaped her passion for long-term health, and why fueling properly is about performance, recovery, and sustainability — not just aesthetics. They dive into common nutrition myths, the dangers of diet culture and supplement overload, the role of mindset in eating behaviors, and practical strategies for busy entrepreneurs and active individuals to improve energy, focus, and consistency. This conversation is a grounded reminder that nutrition is proactive care, not punishment, and that small habits compound into lifelong health.

What You’ll Hear:

How Rickelle defines an “athlete” and who performance nutrition is really for

Her path from psychology to sports nutrition and business ownership

Why restrictive diets fail active people long term

The impact of diet culture, supplements, and social media misinformation

Foundational habits to improve energy, recovery, and mental clarity

The powerful connection between mindset, food, and performance

Why proactive health choices matter more than reactive fixe

Connect with Rickelle:

@tallentnutrition | https://www.instagram.com/tallentnutrition/

Website: https://tallentnutrition.com/

Let's Connect:

@inbetweenconvos | @kassidy.owen

Today I’m sitting down with Polina Weidner, founder and CEO of The Marketing Model, to talk about quitting corporate with no plan, launching a business during the chaos of 2020 while pregnant, and how motherhood completely reshaped the way she works and leads. Polina shares the mindset that kept her going through uncertainty, why taking ownership of mistakes actually strengthened her client relationships, and the moment she realized her business needed to pivot so her life could breathe again. We get into her signature 3–3–3 rule for staying organized, the biggest marketing mistake entrepreneurs make (overthinking instead of posting), and how showing up authentically online creates real connection and growth. She also dives into the heart behind Mayko Made, her new community for moms in business designed to give support, strategy, and sisterhood in a season that often feels isolating.

What You'll Hear:

How Paulina quit corporate with no plan and matched her income in just months

Launching The Marketing Model during 2020 while pregnant and navigating major life changes

The mindset + ownership that helped her turn early mistakes into long-term client trust

How motherhood pushed her to pivot her business model for more sustainability and presence

Paulina’s 3–3–3 rule for staying organized without burnout

The biggest marketing mistake entrepreneurs make (and how to fix it fast)

The mission behind Mayko Made and why moms in business need real community now more than ever

Connect with Polina:

@polina.weidner | https://www.instagram.com/polina.weidner

@themarketingmodel | https://www.instagram.com/themarketingmodel

@maykomade | https://www.instagram.com/maykomade

Website: https://www.themarketingmodel.com/

Let's Connect:

@inbetweenconvos | @kassidy.owen

In this episode of In-Between, Kassidy sits down with Rhiannon Andersen, co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Steelhead Productions, to talk about leadership, resilience, and choosing joy through life’s hardest seasons. Rhiannon shares how she helped grow Steelhead by over 600%, why happiness is a conscious choice rather than a personality trait, and how her early career in social work shaped her values-driven approach to business. They dive into building award-winning company culture, giving back through the Give Happy Foundation, navigating massive business risk during the recession and COVID, redefining success beyond money, and learning to balance masculine and feminine leadership. This conversation is a powerful reminder that success isn’t just what you build — it’s how you live, lead, and show up through the in-between moments.

What You’ll Hear:

Why happiness is a choice — and how Rhiannon rebuilt her life around joy

Growing Steelhead Productions through recession, risk, and reinvention

What award-winning company culture actually looks like day-to-day

The power of giving back and building purpose into business

Redefining success beyond money, titles, and achievement

Navigating leadership, motherhood, and feminine vs. masculine energy

Advice for anyone stuck in an “in-between” season of life or business

Connect with Rhiannon:

@rhiannon_andersen | https://www.instagram.com/rhiannon_andersen 

@exhibithappy | https://www.instagram.com/exhibithappy/

@givehappyfoundation | https://www.instagram.com/givehappyfoundation/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhiannonandersen/

Let's Connect:

@inbetweenconvos | @kassidy.owen

Today I'm sitting down with Dr. Nona Djavid - entrepreneur, author, podcaster, and chiropractor who's on a mission to help people live what she calls an "unreasonable life." In this episode we dive deep into the difference between living a reasonable versus unreasonable life, and trust me, this conversation will make you question everything you thought you knew about success. Dr. Nona gets vulnerable about building a seven-figure business in her twenties while feeling completely burnt out and unhappy, that pivotal moment that changed everything, and why borrowed dreams will never fulfill you. We talk about the mechanics versus energetics of success, why most affirmations actually backfire because of neuro-tags, and her framework for achieving more by working less (yes, she works one week a month). Dr. Nona also shares why being addicted to struggle is keeping you stuck, how to rewire your nervous system for a new reality, and why doubt is actually a sign you're on the right track. If you've ever felt like you checked all the boxes but still feel empty, this episode is your wake-up call!

What You'll Hear:

Connect with Dr Nona Djavid:

@nonadjavid

https://nonadjavid.com/

Let's Connect:

@inbetweenconvos | @kassidy.owen

Welcome back to The In-Between podcast! Today I'm chatting with Shannon Russell, a career transition coach, author, and host of the Second Act Success podcast. In this episode we dive into what a "second act" really means and why it's never too late to start over. Shannon shares her powerful story of walking away from her dream job in television and the pivotal moment when she chose family over interviewing major celebrities. We talk about the messy in-between of figuring out what's next, why defining your "why" is the compass for everything, and how to strategically build a business while still working full-time. Shannon gets honest about imposter syndrome, the fear of what others will think, and why you don't have to have it all figured out to take the leap. Plus, we discuss why everyone should have something entrepreneurial on the side and how to stop living with regrets. If you're feeling stuck or wondering if there's something more out there for you, this conversation is your permission slip to explore!

What You'll Hear:

Connect with Shannon:

@secondactsuccess 

Second Act Success Website | https://secondactsuccess.co/

Second Act Success Podcast 

Let's Connect:

@inbetweenconvos | @kassidy.owen

Welcome back to The In-Between podcast! Today I'm sitting down with Bri Ramos - branding expert, fractional CMO, and co-founder of the PAUSE Retreat, a luxury retreat designed specifically for high-achieving women. Bri's been running The Buzz Brand with her sisters for 11 years, and honestly, she's a wealth of knowledge on all things branding, marketing, and identity. We get into her wild journey from being a teacher to accidentally falling into branding and eventually building a full-service agency. Bri gets real about the constant identity shifts that come with entrepreneurship and motherhood, why setting boundaries as a high-achiever is so hard (but necessary), and the importance of having a hobby that's actually separate from your work. We also dive into why storytelling will always beat following trends, how to lead with value instead of just selling, and why there's absolutely room for everyone in your industry. Plus, Bri shares what inspired the PAUSE Retreat and Community - a space for women to actually stop and refill their cups. If you're navigating your own identity shifts or just need permission to slow down, this conversation is everything! 

What You'll Hear:

Connect with Bri:

@bri.ramos__ | @thebuzzbrand_ |

Bri's Website | https://brianaramos.com/

The Buzz Brand Website | https://thebuzzbrand.com/

Let's Connect:

@inbetweenconvos | @kassidy.owen