Things No One Tells You

I’ve talked to a lot of people who’ve built something from scratch, but few have done it quite like Aliett Buttelman with Fazit. From modeling as a teenager to launching a beauty brand with a tiny budget and a bold idea, Aliett is the definition of scrappy, creative leadership. 

What started as an experimental product line born in a WeWork has grown into a viral beauty brand, Fazit. Aliett shares about a game-changing moment when Taylor Swift showed up wearing glitter freckles at an NFL game, and what she did to make the most of that moment.

In this episode, Aliett opens up about the grit it took to go all in, the clarity that came from rejection, and the powerful lessons she’s learning now as a young CEO at the center of a cultural wave.

 What You’ll Discover:

• Why early rejection was the best crash course in resilience (05:00)
• The story behind launching a brand with no plan B (06:23)
• How glitter freckles ended up on Taylor Swift’s face (21:00)
• What it really felt like to watch everything change overnight (24:00)
• The scrappy media blitz Aliett pulled off in 48 hours (25:00)
• What leadership looks like when you’ve never had a boss (41:00)
• The advice Aliett gives every aspiring entrepreneur (44:47)

From dorm room dreams to national headlines, Aliett’s story is a masterclass in trusting your gut to build something that feels like you, even when the road is unclear. If you’ve ever had a wild idea that wouldn’t let go, this one’s for you.

Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/xWyCH0ZluuI 

For a full transcript and blog post, click here: https://www.lindsaycz.com/show-notes/aliett-buttelman 

Connect with Aliett and Fazit on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fazitbeauty/

You may know Kadi Lee’s work, even if you don’t recognize her name. Her artistry as a colorist is behind some of the most iconic hair in Hollywood (yes, that Julia Roberts transformation). But what moved me most about this conversation was her honesty about what it took to build something of her own.

From Jamaica to Connecticut to California, from salon chairs to supper clubs, Kadi’s story is about building something that reflects your values, holds space for others, and still leaves room for rest. Kadi is candid about what it’s really like to grow a beauty business while staying grounded in her purpose, and she talks with me about what no one tells you about being the first to do it.

What You’ll Hear:

• The path from blog to beauty brand  (05:45)

• How Kadi’s childhood shaped her journey (08:49)

• Building a peaceful, intentional space for gathering (24:52)

• The moment Julia Roberts changed everything (30:27)

• What no one tells you about launching a product line (42:17)

• The quiet signs of stress that show up in our hair (01:06:15)

If you’ve ever dreamed of building a business that reflects your values, or wondered what happens when success still doesn’t feel like ease, this episode is for you.

You can watch this interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/vhiwaDGSfLM

For a full transcript and more, check out our blog post: https://www.lindsaycz.com/show-notes/kadi-lee-07

Check out more from Kadi Lee on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/highbrowhippie

Craig Melvin is no doubt a familiar face on one of TV’s most popular morning shows. In this episode, he shares what it’s like behind the scenes.

Some of the most common questions I get since he took the seat of Today Show co-host in January are what is it like, and how has it changed for him? Melvin and I talk about that and more, including the weight of visibility, the emotional demands of the job, and the unexpected peace he’s found through a hobby that has nothing to do with headlines. 

From the Today Show to his garage candle studio, Melvin shares what he’s still learning about ambition, identity, and finding meaning in daily life.

What You’ll Discover:

• The surprising workload beyond the show itself (08:33)
• What it really takes to stay prepared under pressure  (14:02)
• Protecting your peace while living publicly (14:33)
• Why Melvin values interviews with everyday people most (19:44)
• The emotional cost of ambition, and how he’s reframing it (21:29)
• A surprising new passion for candle-making (31:42)
• How creativity is helping Melvin reconnect with what matters (34:44)

This is a powerful reminder that even at the top, people are carrying invisible weight. If you’ve ever felt the pressure to keep it all together, Melvin’s honesty might just offer the permission you didn’t know you needed to find your own groove.

You can watch this interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/5pESGLeecaU 

For a full transcript and more, check out our blog post: https://www.lindsaycz.com/show-notes/craig-melvin-06  

Connect with Craig Melvin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/craigmelvinnbc/ 

When Brooke Baldwin lost her dream job, she didn’t expect to lose her sense of identity along with it. What came next wasn’t a clean pivot or a perfect plan. It has been a slow, deeply personal process of figuring out who she is without the title, the platform, or the external validation.

In this episode, Brooke talks with me about the shock of a career ending abruptly, the power of being cracked open, and how she finally gave herself permission to stop striving. I really appreciated how honest and open Brooke was about what she has learned and what she is still discovering.

• What it really felt like to walk away from CNN (06:50)
• The power (and pain) of being cracked open by loss (08:42)
• Why Brooke kept saying yes… until she finally had to say no (10:55)
• Navigating identity after a longtime career unraveling (16:10)
• Learning to see the signs, and to follow them (30:40)
• How Brooke found her way back to joy (34:55)

Brooke reminds us that you don’t have to have it all figured out, and how sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is stop chasing and start listening. 

This is a conversation about trusting your gut, finding the courage to pause, and choosing a different kind of success.

You can watch this interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/04a-kW__hvM 

For a full transcript and more, check out our blog post: https://www.lindsaycz.com/show-notes/brooke-baldwin-05  

Connect with Brooke Baldwin

Check out Brooke’s book Huddle: How Women Unlock Their Collective Power

Brooke’s Substack Unraveling - unravelingwithBrooke.Substack.com 

Find Brooke on Instagram: @brooke_baldwin

Read the Vanity Fair article referenced in the episode

Learn more about the American Woman with Brooke Baldwin project: https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2018/01/entertainment/american-woman/

I’ve talked to a lot of women about their careers—but what Neha Ruch said about “nailing the dismount” when leaving a job? That stuck with me, and I knew I wanted to learn more.

In this episode, Neha, the founder of Mother Untitled and author of The Power Pause, opens up about the quiet grief of stepping back from work, the invisible expectations placed on modern mothers, and the mindset shifts that helped her, and thousands of others, reclaim their career and life narrative on their own terms. She and I dive into the real stuff: the pressure to “lean in,” the fear of losing your spot, the quiet guilt that follows moms into daycare pickup lines and exit interviews.

Neha shares the practical strategies and hard-earned insights that help women take intentional pauses from work, stay connected to their ambition, and return with clarity, confidence, and strength.

What You’ll Discover:

• Why Neha traded a dream job for a different kind of fulfillment (18:30)
• How to talk about being “on pause” in a way that feels strong and self-defined (25:09)
• Why women need to start “nailing the dismount” when stepping back from a job (28:11)
• How motherhood can spark, not stifle, creativity and reinvention (38:01)
• Practical tools for navigating finances, identity shifts, and career pivots (47:18)
• Neha responds to listener questions about how to approach a pause (53:04)

Whether you’re a parent navigating your own pause, a partner trying to understand it, or simply someone rethinking what success looks like—this conversation is a guidepost. Neha's groundbreaking work is shifting how we view, understand, and talk about career pauses.

Neha doesn’t just talk about redefining ambition. She shows us how it’s done.

To connect with Neha Ruch, check out: 

The Power Pause site: www.thepowerpause.com 

Find Neha on Instagram @neha_ruch 

You can watch this interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Cibt65CEbzc 

For a full transcript and more, check out our blog post: https://www.lindsaycz.com/show-notes/neha-ruch-04

After Álex Palou won the Indy 500, I watched through the glass that separates the broadcast booth with victory circle, as Álex and his racecar were lifted up to the celebratory stage where professional photographers snapped countless rounds of images of Álex and his team celebrating the moment that no doubt changed their life.

I loved watching his wife Esther hand over their daughter Lucia to celebrate with her dad and I found myself wondering what he would do next – after this portion of pomp and circumstance was over. What would his reaction be behind closed doors? I knew he’d be exhausted, rolling in on a couple hours of sleep if he was lucky, but I was so grateful to sit down with Álex the next morning; hours after winning the Indy 500, I expected adrenaline and exhaustion. What I didn’t expect was how much heart he’d bring into that conversation and what his answer to the “thing no one tells you” highlighted about his family commitment.

This episode is about more than speed. It’s about the quiet sacrifices. The money burned on tires and fuel, the long days chasing a dream across continents, and the people who made it possible. 

From the stands inside Indianapolis Motor Speedway packed with Spanish flags to the emotional moment his father ran toward him on the track after his win, Álex opens up about the power of team, tradition, and staying level in the moments that matter most.

🎧 What You’ll Hear:

• Why winning the Indy 500 changes everything, even for a three-time champion (12:14)
• The emotional celebration that started with a run down the track (13:17)
• Álex’s family's sacrifice and what it really took to get here (19:03)
• What no one tells you about the hard seasons behind the podium (18:15)
• Lessons in pressure, presence, and not getting too high or too low (25:23)
• The surprising habits that keep Álex sharp (24:13)
• Bonus sneak peek into fascinating red carpet conversations (26:14)

Álex gives us a rare glimpse into the life of a champion, and the grounded perspective that might just keep him winning. He reminds us that greatness doesn’t just happen on the track. It’s built over years of figuring out how to show up day after day, amid failures and setbacks, even when no one is watching.

This one is for anyone who wants to know more about the moments that don’t make the highlight reel; check out Álex’s inspiring story.

You can watch this interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/0K4zv9MBGvQ

For a full transcript and more, check out our blog post: https://www.lindsaycz.com/show-notes/alex-palou-03

Check out more from Álex on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexpalou/

I’ve seen a lot of talent in my career. But meeting 16-year-old Cooper Ramsey at an Operation Homefront event? That moment stuck with me.

Cooper’s already performing on big stages, releasing original music, and capturing fans across the country. But what makes her story unforgettable isn’t just her rising career. It’s the courage behind the spotlight. The decision to leave her hometown. The quiet moments when the dream felt scary. The way she’s learning to trust her voice. And use it.

She opens up about ambition, anxiety, friendship, and what it’s really like to grow up chasing something big.

What You’ll Discover:

• What it means to know your dream by age 10 (00:10:59)
• The decision to move to Nashville and leave everything behind (00:21:04)
• Behind the scenes of building a music career at 16 (00:26:23)
• OCD and anxiety as part of her story, not the whole story (01:03:15)
• Using songwriting to connect and create space for others (00:42:56)
• The truth about friendship, loneliness, and staying grounded (00:33:00)

There’s something about Cooper’s story that reminds me how brave it is to be young and clear-eyed about who you are. Her voice, her presence, and her heart…it all shines. 

If you’ve ever chased something that felt a little too big, a little too fast, and absolutely worth it anyway, this one’s for you.

For a full transcript and more, check out our blog post: https://www.lindsaycz.com/show-notes/cooper-ramsey-02 

To watch this conversation, check us out on YouTube: https://youtu.be/hyhXQMRe0Do 

Connect with Cooper Ramsey

Find Cooper on socials @cooperramseymusic

Check out Cooper’s website: CooperRamsey.com

Listen to Cooper’s music on Spotify

You’ve seen the finish lines. The photos. The trophies. But I’ve always been curious about what no one tells you about the time after the spotlight fades.

That’s why I wanted to sit down with Brian and Jamie Hernandez. Brian had just pulled off one of the biggest wins of his career—but what stuck with me wasn’t the race. It was everything that came next. The drive home. The shift from jockey to dad. The way he and Jamie navigate a life built around fast horses, full calendars, and a deep commitment to each other and their family.

In this conversation, Brian and Jamie opened up about the emotional highs, the everyday tradeoffs, and the behind-the-scenes partnership that makes it all work. It’s a story about staying grounded while chasing something big—and building a life that matters even more than the win.

What You’ll Discover:

• What it actually felt like to win the Derby… and then head home to real life (10:37)
• Jamie’s view from the home front, and what she wishes more people understood (18:14)
• How they’re raising kids with a rhythm shaped by both racing and presence (19:40)
• The invisible labor behind the public spotlight (22:05)
• What keeps them connected while chasing something big  (37:10)

There’s something about Brian and Jamie’s story that reminds me of all the quiet, unsung moments that happen off-camera. The balancing acts. The family dinners. The deep love that doesn’t make headlines.

If you’ve ever wondered how to stay grounded while chasing something big, this one’s for you.

Follow Brian on Instagram

Also, do not miss a special clip (41:18) with the horse trainer whose name has become synonymous with greatness, D. Wayne Lukas. And to see more about the special part of his life he revealed to me in when we talked, check out this amazing blog post made possible by his wife, Laurie, who shared with some of Lukas’s work with us.

If you’ve ever wondered how to stay grounded while chasing something big, this one’s for you.

Check out my blog post, “Horse Trainer D. Wayne Lukas’s Unexpected Poetry and Perspective.”

For a full transcript and more, check out our blog post: https://www.lindsaycz.com/show-notes/brian-and-jamie-hernandez-01 

To watch the video version on YouTube, click here: https://youtu.be/FKSZ875cbKs

I’ve spent years telling stories from the sidelines and the studio. But the ones that stick with me? They’re the moments that happen off camera. The stuff no one prepped for. The things no one tells you.

This podcast is about those moments.

Things No One Tells You is where we talk about what it really feels like to live through the big stuff: dream jobs, family life, addiction, grief, reinvention. I’ll be sitting down with athletes, entertainers, experts, and friends to have the conversations we often save for behind closed doors.

Join me every Thursday, starting June 12th, for stories that are honest, a little messy, and deeply human.

You can follow me on Instagram @lindsaycz to keep up with the latest. To watch this trailer, check it out on YouTube: https://youtu.be/DdkoN6ilxRQ. You can also follow my YouTube channel to watch the interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@lindsaycz.

Subscribe to Things No One Tells You wherever you listen to podcasts to join us. This is just the beginning, and I’m thrilled to have you on this journey with me.