The System for Everything

What if the key to transforming your city was simply showing up? For many of us, local politics and civic engagement can feel like a world reserved for career politicians, polished extroverts, or people with endless free time. But what if I told you that you could make a meaningful impact in your community without quitting your day job or becoming someone you're not? 

In this episode, I spoke with Laura Vola, former candidate for city council in Carrollton, Texas, about what it really looks like to get involved locally. Laura stepped up with zero political experience. She simply had a fierce belief in showing up for her community. Whether you're thinking about running for office or just wondering what it means to engage more deeply, Laura’s story offers a roadmap that's equal parts inspiring and incredibly practical.

This episode is brought to you by The Entrepreneur's Death Folder:

If your business couldn’t run without you, that’s a problem—a haunting your assistant from the beyond kind of problem. That’s where the Entrepreneur’s Death Folder comes in. It’s your digital contingency plan: all your logins, contacts, workflows, and need-to-knows in one tidy, shareable place.
Less spooky, more smart. Because peace of mind is the ultimate productivity tool.

Buy Now >>

In this episode:

• Getting on the ballot is easier than you think.
• Shared calendars, reminders, and support systems kept Laura’s campaign (and life) running.
• You don’t need experience to get involved. Start small and show up.

Find It Quickly:

00:17 - Meet Laura Vola: A Dynamic Community Leader

01:17 - College Memories and Reconnecting

01:58 - System Reboot: Quick Reset with Laura

04:07 - Laura's Journey to Running for Office

04:27 - Deciding to Run: The Moment of Truth

06:44 - Navigating the Campaign Trail

08:41 - Balancing Life and Campaigning

13:12 - Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

17:21 - Getting Involved Locally: Practical Tips

20:47 - Post-Campaign Reflections and Staying Involved

24:46 - Lightning Round: Local Civic Favorites

Connect with Laura

lauraforcarrollton.com

instagram.com/lauraforcarrollton

Connect with Julie:

Website: dallasgirlfriday.com

Instagram: @thesystemforeverything

If you've ever hovered over the "Buy Now" button with a pit in your stomach and a credit card in hand, this episode is for you. In this episode, I sat down with my personal financial advisor, Michelle Taylor who founded Women in Wealth, to talk about the messy, emotional side of business spending.

From $997 unopened courses to aspirational hires we’re not ready for, we unpack how to tell the difference between a smart investment and a comparison-fueled expense. Michelle brings over a decade of experience in wealth management and shares both tough love and practical systems for spending with confidence, not guilt.

This episode is brought to you by The Entrepreneur's Death Folder:

If your business couldn’t run without you, that’s a problem—a haunting your assistant from the beyond kind of problem. That’s where the Entrepreneur’s Death Folder comes in. It’s your digital contingency plan: all your logins, contacts, workflows, and need-to-knows in one tidy, shareable place.
Less spooky, more smart. Because peace of mind is the ultimate productivity tool.

Buy Now >>

In this episode:

• Why spending can feel like action, but isn’t always
• A simple ROI test for that shiny new course you’re eyeing
• How to build a budget (or “spending plan”) you’ll actually stick to

Find It Quickly:

• 01:07 - System Reboot: Fun and Games
• 03:00 - Understanding Spending Guilt
• 04:53 - Smart Business Spending
• 14:26 - Building a Flexible Budget
• 18:57 - Dealing with Past Spending Mistakes
• 21:49 - The System Shut Down

Connect with Michelle

• womeninwealth.co
• talkwealthy.com
• instagram.com/women_in_wealth

Connect with Julie:

Website: dallasgirlfriday.com

Instagram: @thesystemforeverything

What if your calendar wasn’t just for managing time, but for protecting your energy?

In this episode, I sit down with Christi Johnson, business strategist, podcaster, and founder of the Dream Biz Lab. She helps creative and neurodivergent entrepreneurs build businesses rooted in joy, sustainability, and brain-friendly systems.

Christi shares how hitting a $10K month almost cost her her mental health, how discovering she had bipolar 2 disorder reshaped her entire workflow, and the non-negotiables she's implemented to build a life-first business. From no-meeting weeks to white space for late-night brainstorms, she breaks down exactly how she structures her day to work with her ADHD brain, not fight it.

This episode is brought to you by The Entrepreneur's Death Folder:

If your business couldn’t run without you, that’s a problem—a haunting your assistant from the beyond kind of problem. That’s where the Entrepreneur’s Death Folder comes in. It’s your digital contingency plan: all your logins, contacts, workflows, and need-to-knows in one tidy, shareable place.
Less spooky, more smart. Because peace of mind is the ultimate productivity tool.

Buy Now >>

Three Key Takeaways:

• Boundaries aren't about restriction, they're about expansion. Learn how Christie created calendar systems that protect both her time and energy.
• Your body sends signals. Christie shares how anxiety became her clue that something needed to change.
• Not every day is productive, and that's okay. Learn how to build grace, curiosity, and flexibility into your business structure.

Find It Quickly:

• 00:17 - Meet Christi Johnson
• 01:01 - System Reboot: Fun and Personal Questions
• 02:55 - Christi's Journey: Realizing Unsustainable Work Habits
• 05:56 - Building a Sustainable Work Structure
• 09:21 - Managing ADHD in Business
• 13:37 - Setting Boundaries and Finding Balance
• 17:30 - Christi's Latest Offerings and Where to Find Her
• 18:30 - Movie Review: Companion Starring Jack Quaid

Connect with Christi:

• Website: christijohnsoncreative.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/christijohnsoncreative
• Podcast: christijohnsoncreative.com/podcast

Connect with Julie:

Website: dallasgirlfriday.com

Instagram: @thesystemforeverything

If your brand colors (or messaging) don’t spark joy, it’s time for a reboot. This week on System for Everything, I’m joined by Dakota Hersey, founder of More Than Creative. After growing a successful photography business, she’s back to her first love—helping small business owners market and sell their talents authentically. 

Dakota doesn’t just design brands that look good. She helps creatives and service providers build brands that make content creation feel easy, client communication feel seamless, and the whole marketing process feel a little more like you. She’s passionate about bringing marketing back to its original purpose: to connect, communicate, and serve.

This episode is brought to you by The Entrepreneur's Death Folder:

If your business couldn’t run without you, that’s a problem—a haunting your assistant from the beyond kind of problem. That’s where the Entrepreneur’s Death Folder comes in. It’s your digital contingency plan: all your logins, contacts, workflows, and need-to-knows in one tidy, shareable place.
Less spooky, more smart. Because peace of mind is the ultimate productivity tool.

Buy Now >>

Find It Quickly:

• 01:23 - System Reboot
• 03:21 - Building a Brand That Feels Like You
• 09:36 - Creating a Cohesive Client Experience
• 13:54 - Collaborative Rebranding and Marketing Strategies
• 16:40 - Sustaining Your Brand Presence
• 24:19 - System Shut Down

Connect with Dakota:

• Website: morethancreative.co
• Instagram: instagram.com/morethancreative.co
• Instagram: instagram.com/dakotaherseyphotography
• Podcast: open.spotify.com/show/2mMUHHCACRx71ETK4P4PGV

Connect with Julie:

Website: dallasgirlfriday.com

Instagram: @thesystemforeverything

What if your most honest, messy self is your greatest writing superpower? In this episode, I sit down with Jamie Varon, bestselling author, essayist, and creative force, to crack open what it really takes to write the book that only you can write.

Jamie has built a body of work that’s at once personal and deeply resonant—from her viral essays to bestselling nonfiction to novels. We unpack how she developed her voice over a decade of trial and error, her ritualistic approach to writing even when the ideas feel impossible, and how she navigates outside expectations while keeping her art grounded.

You’ll come away with intimate access to her creative process, permission to let your work be messy, and inspiration to keep writing even when you doubt.

This episode is brought to you by The Entrepreneur's Death Folder:

If your business couldn’t run without you, that’s a problem—a haunting your assistant from the beyond kind of problem. That’s where the Entrepreneur’s Death Folder comes in. It’s your digital contingency plan: all your logins, contacts, workflows, and need-to-knows in one tidy, shareable place.
Less spooky, more smart. Because peace of mind is the ultimate productivity tool.

Buy Now >>

Find It Quickly:

• 01:09 - Meet Jamie
• 02:14 - System Reboot
• 04:44 - Writing Process and Inspirations
• 16:39 - Navigating the Publishing Industry
• 25:14 - Navigating Trends and Authenticity
• 26:58 - Writing Rituals and Consistency
• 28:41 - Inspiration and Creative Containers
• 31:43 - Transitioning from Social Media to Novels
• 34:19 - Embracing Personal Growth and Change
• 36:38 - The Journey of Self-Work and Writing
• 42:47 - Promoting New Work
• 44:35 - Literary Inspirations and Recommendations

Resources Mentioned:

• What Alice Forgot - https://amzn.to/41OPAJt
• Big Magic - https://amzn.to/47FqfFB
• Save the Cat! Writes a Novel - https://amzn.to/47FqfFB
• The Phantom Tollbooth - https://amzn.to/3VetjAZ
• The Westing Game - https://amzn.to/4mdYyY4
• Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine - https://amzn.to/3IjBRDO
• The Happy Ever After Playlist - https://amzn.to/42sygdg

Jamie's Books

• Radically Content (Book) - https://amzn.to/46hcpGP
• Radically Content (The Journal) - https://amzn.to/4piAA0o
• The Alchemy Within - https://amzn.to/4gk6uWp
• Main Character Energy - https://amzn.to/3VeyqkQ
• Charlie Quinn Lets Go - https://amzn.to/3VKj4EC

Connect with Jamie:

• Website: jamievaron.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/jamievaron
• Facebook: facebook.com/jamievaron

Connect with Julie:

Website: dallasgirlfriday.com

Instagram: @thesystemforeverything

If you're hustling so hard that your soul has taken a backseat, you’re going to want to hear this. Today I’m talking with Juliana Tomlinson, a wedding photographer, speaker, and business coach, who had one of the most successful years of her life professionally, yet the hardest emotionally.

She booked her dream weddings, launched big programs, but also hit burnout so severe she didn’t even recognize the warning signs. We talk about how comparison, over‑commitment, and never saying “no” can lead to running on fumes, and what it really looks like to redefine success from the inside out.

Three Key Takeaways:

• How to spot the warning signs of burnout before you crash.
• The systems & habits that actually help.
• Why your business goals should serve your life goals.

This episode is brought to you by The Entrepreneur's Death Folder:

If your business couldn’t run without you, that’s a problem—a haunting your assistant from the beyond kind of problem. That’s where the Entrepreneur’s Death Folder comes in. It’s your digital contingency plan: all your logins, contacts, workflows, and need-to-knows in one tidy, shareable place.
Less spooky, more smart. Because peace of mind is the ultimate productivity tool.

Buy Now >>

Connect with Juliana:

Website: julianatomlinsonphotography.com

Program: julianatomlinsonphotography.com/elevate

Instagram: @julianatomlinsonphotography

Instagram: @julianatomlinsoneducation

Connect with Julie:

Website: dallasgirlfriday.com

Instagram: @thesystemforeverything

Ever wondered why you dread building your email list? What if I told you it's not about spam—it’s about showing up with heart, humor, and strategy?

In this episode, I chat with Dawn Richardson—the product education manager at Flodesk, former software engineer, wedding photographer, and all‑around tech‑meets‑creative powerhouse. She shares how she helps entrepreneurs build email systems that feel authentic, not icky.

This episode is brought to you by The Entrepreneur's Death Folder:

If your business couldn’t run without you, that’s a problem—a haunting your assistant from the beyond kind of problem. That’s where the Entrepreneur’s Death Folder comes in. It’s your digital contingency plan: all your logins, contacts, workflows, and need-to-knows in one tidy, shareable place.
Less spooky, more smart. Because peace of mind is the ultimate productivity tool.

Buy Now >>

3 Key Takeaways:

• Reframing email marketing from sleazy to service: it lives in your subscriber’s inbox (not the public feed), and they're asking to hear from you.
• Tools you’ll love: why Dawn’s Mac‑chooser quiz and countdown‑timer opt‑ins outperform generic freebies—and what you can do today to start using them.
• Automation with personality: welcome sequences, segmentation, and cleaning your list—done with your voice, so it always feels human.

Find It Quickly:

• 01:16 - System Reboot: Fun and Personal Questions
• 03:03 - Email Marketing Fears and Misconceptions
• 05:06 - Personal Experience with Email Marketing
• 08:36 - Effective Email List Growth Strategies
• 13:23 - Email Marketing Frequency and Best Practices
• 17:42 - Cleaning Your Email List
• 18:29 - The Entrepreneur's Death Folder
• 19:04 - Bringing Your Voice into Automations
• 19:29 - Creating an Engaging Welcome Sequence
• 22:56 - Segmenting Your Audience Effectively
• 26:41 - Building Real Relationships with Subscribers
• 31:09 - Getting Started with Flodesk
• 33:56 - Systems Shut Down

Mentioned in this Episode:

• Flodesk - Use Julie's Affiliate Code for 50% Off Your First Year of Flodesk
• @flodesk

Connect with Dawn:

• @itsdawnrichardson
• Techsavvycreative.com

Connect with Julie:

Website: dallasgirlfriday.com

Instagram: @thesystemforeverything

Some episodes entertain. This one will change you. Dr. Gregory Fried’s story is not just about surviving 9/11—it's about everything that came after. As the Executive Chief Surgeon for the NYPD, he wasn’t just a witness; he was a first responder standing at the very edge of collapse. What he saw, what he carried, and what he still remembers is etched into every word of this conversation. Let me introduce you to my father-in-law.

Find It Quickly

• 01:15 - Early Career and Becoming a Police Surgeon
• 02:45 - Rising Through the Ranks
• 07:13 - September 11th: The Day That Changed Everything
• 11:48 - Surviving the Collapse
• 20:33 - Escape and Rescue
• 27:00 - Arrival in Jersey City
• 27:15 - Hospital Recovery and Miscommunication
• 29:21 - Transfer to NYU and Initial Challenges
• 30:37 - Return Home and Medical Diagnosis
• 31:26 - Involvement in Recovery Efforts
• 33:46 - Health Concerns and Documentation
• 35:26 - Exposure to Toxic Dust
• 38:10 - Long-term Health Impacts
• 48:26 - Decision to Retire
• 52:02 - Reflections on 9/11 and Its Legacy

Connect with Dr. Greg

• gfriedmd.com
• Life on The Thin Blue Line

Connect with Julie:

Website: dallasgirlfriday.com

Instagram: @thesystemforeverything

What if the key to growing your business was actually less time online? That’s exactly what we’re diving into with today’s guest, Sarah Erickson, the intentional brand designer behind Sarah Ann Design. Sarah helps creatives build unforgettable brands without living on Instagram. 

We chat about the systems she uses to stay mostly offline while still booking dream clients, her Pinterest-first strategy that works 24/7, and the magic of personalized client experiences. If you’ve ever felt like visibility equals value, this episode is your loving but firm wake-up call.

3 Key Takeaways:

• The secret to an evergreen marketing strategy that doesn’t rely on social media
• How to build a systems-driven brand experience that speaks for itself
• The mindset shifts that help you resist the scroll and reclaim your time

Find It Quickly

• 00:14 - Meet Sarah Erickson: Intentional Brand Designer
• 01:25 - Collaborating on Templates: A Fun Project
• 03:18 - Assistive Reboot: Getting Out of a Bad Mood
• 05:51 - Running an Online Business While Staying Offline
• 10:38 - Effective Systems for Client Communication and Marketing
• 18:01 - Reclaiming Attention and Time from Social Media
• 21:28 - Promoting Sarah's Courses and Offerings
• 23:43 - System Shutdown: Romanticizing the Boring

Connect with Sarah

• sarahanndesign.co
• Pinning with Purpose
• Pinterest
• shop.sarahanndesign.co

Connect with Julie:

Website: dallasgirlfriday.com

Instagram: @thesystemforeverything

When you think of templates, do you picture robotic emails that suck all the personality out of your client experience? In this episode, we're joined by Colie James, a Disney-loving client experience strategist and host of the Business First Creatives podcast.

Colie shares why templates get such a bad rap (hint: it’s not the template, it’s how people use them), how to infuse your brand personality into even the most automated workflow, and why voice of customer research is your secret weapon for sounding relatable instead of robotic.

From her favorite must-have templates to the genius way she makes her automated emails feel like a high-touch experience, Colie proves that systems don’t have to mean stiff communication. Templates can actually help you be more personal, consistent, and stress-free.

3 Key Takeaways:

• Why templates often feel cold—and how to fix that
• How to capture your authentic voice (hint: start by talking out loud)
• The three templates every creative needs to have on hand

Find It Quickly

• 00:45 - System Reboot: Fun and Personal Questions
• 02:38 - The Power of Templates
• 04:15 - Infusing Personality into Templates
• 11:38 - Essential Templates for Creatives
• 15:50 - Encouragement and Final Thoughts
• 19:00 - Disney's Operational Excellence 

Mentioned in this Episode

• Dubsado
• HoneyBook 

Connect with Colie

• coliejames.com
• Email Like You Mean It
• Business-First Creatives
• instagram.com/coliejames

Connect with Julie:

Website: dallasgirlfriday.com

Instagram: @thesystemforeverything