#24: In this episode of VDEOMKR, we sit down with Alexandra Vailas, Head of Brand at Bad Birdie, one of golf's most disruptive and recognizable apparel brands. With nearly two decades of experience spanning retail, consumer products, influencer marketing, creative leadership, and community building, Alex shares the lessons she's learned from building brands, leading teams, and reinventing herself along the way.

From becoming one of Pinterest's earliest power users to helping scale brands like Dyper and now leading brand strategy at Bad Birdie, Alex offers an honest look at what happens behind the scenes of successful companies—and why great brands are built on more than just great content.

The conversation also explores creativity, leadership, motherhood, personal growth, the future of influencer marketing, and why authentic storytelling matters more than ever in today's digital world.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• How Alex accidentally became one of Pinterest's earliest influencers
• Building a creative career before influencer marketing existed
• The evolution of Bad Birdie and what it takes to scale a disruptive brand
• Why brand awareness isn't always the problem—and what often is
• Creating a North Star that aligns an entire organization
• The future of influencer marketing and why authenticity is winning
• Leadership lessons from managing teams across generations
• The realities of entrepreneurship versus corporate leadership
• How Substack is creating new opportunities for creators and thought leaders
• Supporting women through career transitions, divorce, and personal reinvention
• Why creativity isn't about waiting for inspiration—it's about showing up daily

Whether you're building a brand, leading a team, creating content, or navigating a season of change, this episode is packed with practical insights and refreshing honesty about what it means to build a meaningful career on your own terms.

• To watch the show click HERE
• To connect with Alex Vailas click HERE 
• To connect with Carly Gilleland click HERE
• To follow The Good Vibe Media click HERE
• To visit The Good Vibe Studios click HERE

Produced by The Good Vibe Media

#23: In this episode of VDEOMKR, we sit down with filmmaker, creative entrepreneur, and founder of Mad Lads Media, Dash McDonald. From landing his first clients as a teenager to producing content for brands like Red Bull, FIFA, T-Mobile, and the Phoenix Suns, Dash shares the mindset, lessons, and relationships that helped him build a thriving creative business on his own terms.

Together, they dive into the realities of running a production company, navigating client relationships, building a trusted team, and staying relevant in an industry that's evolving faster than ever. Dash also shares how storytelling - not gear, budgets, or viral formulas - has been the driving force behind projects that have generated more than 250 million views.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Landing his first clients as a teenager
• How Dash built Mad Lads Media from the ground up
• Landing major clients like Red Bull and growing long-term brand relationships
• Why storytelling matters more than expensive gear
• Building a team of creatives you genuinely enjoy working with
• Lessons learned from failures, boundaries, and client management
• The future of AI and what it means for filmmakers
• Creating content that performs without sacrificing creativity
• Why creators are becoming the new brands
• The power of relationships in building a sustainable creative career
• A documentary project that created real-world impact in Arizona
• Advice for aspiring filmmakers trying to break into the industry

Whether you're a filmmaker, content creator, entrepreneur, or someone chasing a creative dream, you will love this conversation.

To watch the show click HERE
To connect with Dash McDonald click HERE
To connect with Mad Lads Media click HERE

To connect with Carly Gilleland click HERE
To follow The Good Vibe Media click HERE
To visit The Good Vibe Studios click HERE

Produced by The Good Vibe Media

#22: What does it take to build a thriving brick-and-mortar business in today's world?

In this special live episode of VDEOMKR, Carly celebrates four years of The Good Vibe Studios by sitting down with three powerhouse owners who know exactly what it means to keep the doors open, lead teams, adapt through challenges, and create spaces people genuinely want to return to.

From navigating rising costs and hiring the right people to embracing risk and protecting personal priorities, this conversation is packed with honest insights for entrepreneurs at every stage.

In this episode, we cover:

• The realities of owning and operating a brick-and-mortar business
• How to leverage digital marketing to drive in-person experiences
• What founders look for when choosing new locations
• The importance of systems, training, and creating a consistent customer experience
• How each panelist approaches hiring and team development
• Lessons learned from scaling multiple locations
• Why community and human connection are becoming more valuable than ever
• Setting boundaries and learning when to say "no"
• Daily non-negotiables that help founders stay grounded
• Ways consumers can intentionally support local businesses

Meet the panel:

Michael Roviello – Co-Founder of Optimyze, a wellness company focused on human optimization through therapies like breathwork, cold plunges, red light therapy, and recovery modalities. Optimyze has grown to four locations across the Valley.

Brooke Graves – CEO of Kaleidoscope Juice, a local juice and smoothie concept that has expanded to 8 Valley locations over the past 14 years. Brooke shares candid insights on leadership, motherhood, and building systems that support long-term growth.

Alex Bradberry – Founder of The Sparkle Bar, a beauty concept that has served the Scottsdale community since 2015. Alex opens up about resilience, reinvention, and creating experiences rooted in connection and confidence.

Whether you're dreaming of opening your own physical space, currently running one, or simply craving a behind-the-scenes look at what brick-and-mortar entrepreneurship requires, this episode delivers equal parts practical advice and inspiration.

About Studio Sessions:

Studio Sessions is a monthly live event hosted by The Good Vibe Studios, bringing together creatives, entrepreneurs, and industry experts for real conversations around creativity, business, and growth. For more information, visit www.thegoodvibestudios.com.

To watch the show click HERE

To connect with Michael Roviello click HERE

To connect with Brooke Graves click HERE

To connect with Alex Bradberry click HERE

To connect with Carly Gilleland click HERE

To follow The Good Vibe Media click HERE

To visit The Good Vibe Studios click HERE

Produced by The Good Vibe Media

#21: In this episode of VDEOMKR, we sit down with Camila Cardozo, Founder of Maria Camila Photo, an Arizona-based photographer, videographer, and brand strategist known for helping conscious entrepreneurs increase their visibility through authentic visual storytelling.

With more than a decade in the creative industry, Camila shares her journey from a self-taught photographer with a passion for storytelling to the founder of a thriving brand helping entrepreneurs increase their visibility through authentic visual content. The conversation explores the intersection of artistry, entrepreneurship, identity, marketing, and the power of being seen.

What We Cover:

• How Camila discovered photography as a teenager and taught herself the craft.
• The unexpected way cold outreach and relationship-building helped launch her career.
• Why authenticity is more than a buzzword and how it creates trust online.
• The role of branding, positioning, and visibility in attracting aligned clients.
• How personal stories can become a powerful business asset.
• The importance of representation and creating space for diverse voices.
• Lessons learned from entrepreneurship, burnout, and self-care.
• Why mentorship accelerated her growth as both a creative and business owner.
• How she approaches photography and video through strategy, storytelling, and emotional connection.
• Her thoughts on AI, creativity, and the future of visual media.

If you're building a personal brand, growing a creative business, or learning how to share your story with more confidence, this episode is for you.

Females Who Film amplifies the voices of women behind the scenes in film and media—sharing unfiltered conversations about craft, career, and carving your own path. Because visibility breeds possibility, and these stories deserve the spotlight.

To watch the show click HERE
To connect with Camila Cardozo click HERE
To connect with Carly Gilleland click HERE
To follow The Good Vibe Media click HERE
To visit The Good Vibe Studios click HERE

Produced by The Good Vibe Media

#20: What does it really take to turn creativity into a sustainable, profitable career?

In this panel episode, recorded live at The Good Vibe Studios, Carly sits down with three powerhouse creatives for a conversation about the realities of building a thriving creative business.

From working for free and building portfolios from scratch to learning how to price yourself, protect your value, market your work, and survive slow seasons, this episode pulls back the curtain on the business side of being creative.

Featuring:

• Risa Kostis — Celebrity wardrobe stylist, bridal stylist, and founder of The Rescue Kit Company
• Leila Parnian — Artist, DJ, and Owner of Parnian Furniture
• Mark Cowart — Phoenix-based filmmaker, director, cinematographer, and editor

Together, they unpack:

• The truth about “overnight success” in creative industries
• How to transition from passion projects to paid work
• Knowing your worth and handling pricing negotiations
• Why visibility and personal branding matter more than talent alone
• Creative burnout, inspiration, and getting out of a rut
• Financial mistakes creatives make early on
• Building confidence in your craft and charging accordingly
• Why networking and relationships are everything
• Balancing artistic integrity with making money
• Creating long-term sustainability as a creative entrepreneur

This episode is for the creatives chasing big dreams, building something from nothing, learning their worth, and figuring out how to turn passion into a profitable, sustainable career without losing the spark that made them start in the first place.

About Studio Sessions:

Studio Sessions is a monthly live event hosted by The Good Vibe Studios, bringing together creatives, entrepreneurs, and industry experts for real conversations around creativity, business, and growth. For more information, visit www.thegoodvibestudios.com.

To watch the show click HERE

To connect with Risa Kostis click HERE

To connect with Leila Parnian click HERE

To connect with Mark Cowart click HERE

To connect with Carly Gilleland click HERE

To follow The Good Vibe Media click HERE

To visit The Good Vibe Studios click HERE

Produced by The Good Vibe Media

#19: In this episode of VDEOMKR, we sit down with Dani Dufresne, an Emmy Award-winning executive producer and founder of The Auxiliary Co., for a conversation about the evolution of production, creative operations, agency culture, and building standout work in today’s rapidly shifting media landscape.

From learning to edit on actual film strips to pioneering a fractional production model that helps agencies scale smarter, Dani shares lessons from more than 20 years in the industry. Together, Carly and Dani explore the realities of production, the misconceptions around “organic” content, why intentional planning still matters, and how lean creative teams are reshaping the agency world.

They also dive into motherhood, delegation, burnout, creative leadership, saying no, SXSW energy, and why the future of creativity belongs to people who deeply understand the craft.

What We Cover:

•  Dani’s journey from film school to executive production 
•  Why learning the fundamentals still matters in the age of AI 
•  The biggest misconceptions about production & creative operations 
•  The rise of fractional production teams 
•  How smaller agencies can scale smarter 
•  Why “organic content” still requires intentional planning 
•  Delegation, leadership, and building strong creative teams 
•  Motherhood, boundaries, and learning to say no 
•  The future of storytelling, community, and creative work 
•  Why young creatives should “learn it the hard way” first

If you’re a filmmaker, producer, creative entrepreneur, agency owner, or someone building a creative business — this episode is packed with practical insight, perspective shifts, and honest conversation.

To watch the show click HERE
To connect with Dani Dufresne click HERE
To connect with The Auxilary Co click HERE
To connect with Carly Gilleland click HERE
To follow The Good Vibe Media click HERE
To visit The Good Vibe Studios click HERE

Produced by The Good Vibe Media

#18: In this episode of VDEOMKR, we sit down with David Navarrete, founder of Moneta De Sine and co-founder of Arizona Filmmakers, for a deep conversation about storytelling, entrepreneurship, burnout, AI, and building a thriving creative community in Arizona.

David shares his unexpected path from studying biology and pursuing neurosurgery to becoming a traveling filmmaker and creative entrepreneur. From working three jobs while building his production company to creating Arizona Filmmakers from scratch, this episode dives deep into what it really takes to pursue a creative career with purpose.

They also unpack:
- Why storytelling matters more than gear
- The realities of burnout in production
- Lessons learned from failed productions and client communication
- How AI is changing the creative industry
- The future of Arizona filmmakers and creative collaboration
- David’s upcoming scripted entrepreneurial series, The Elevator Pitch

This episode is packed with perspective, inspiration, and real behind-the-scenes insight for filmmakers, creators, and entrepreneurs alike.

To watch the show click HERE
To connect with David Navarrete click HERE
To connect with Arizona Filmmakers click HERE
To connect with Carly Gilleland click HERE
To follow The Good Vibe Media click HERE
To visit The Good Vibe Studios click HERE

Produced by The Good Vibe Media

#17: In this special Mother’s Day episode of VDEOMKR, Carly sits down live at The Good Vibe Studios with an incredible panel of women business owners, creatives, and moms for an honest conversation about motherhood and entrepreneurship.

From burnout and boundaries to business growth, marriage, identity shifts, and learning how to ask for help — this episode dives deep into the raw, behind-the-scenes realities that rarely make it onto social media.

Featuring:

• Matiana Gregory — Founder + Chief Creative Officer of Dang Fine Rentals and mom of two.
• Regina Steele — Integrative health coach, mom of three teenagers, and author of Mother Fcked*.
• Jadyn Heck — Founder of JHMovement, former professional dancer, and mom of two.

Together, they unpack:

•  How motherhood changes your relationship with work 
•  The sacrifices they’re no longer willing to make for success 
•  Building support systems that actually work 
•  Outsourcing guilt, laundry, and unrealistic expectations 
•  The pressure of “doing it all” 
•  Marriage, friendships, movement, and mental health 
•  Navigating different seasons of motherhood 
•  Why being “present” looks different for every mom 
•  The truth about social media vs. reality 
•  Advice for moms considering a second or third child 
•  What they wish more women knew about entrepreneurship and parenting 

This conversation is vulnerable, hilarious, emotional, and deeply validating for any mother trying to grow a business while raising a family.

Whether you’re in the newborn trenches, managing teenagers, thinking about motherhood, building a company, or simply trying to keep up with life - this episode will remind you that you’re not alone.

To watch the show click HERE

To connect with Jadyn Heck click HERE

To connect with Matiana George click HERE

To connect with Regina Steele click HERE

To connect with Carly Gilleland click HERE

To follow The Good Vibe Media click HERE

To visit The Good Vibe Studios click HERE

Produced by The Good Vibe Media

#16: This week on VDEOMKR, Carly sits down with Bella Hibbs, Owner and Casting Director at Good Faith Casting, for a conversation that goes way beyond auditions. We're talking 12+ years of casting experience, HBO pilots, Rob Schneider comedies, a conference empire she built because she refused to be made to feel like an outsider — and the real, unfiltered story of how she got here.

What we cover:

• How Bella literally grew up in casting — and the moment a bathroom break changed the trajectory of her career
• The big misconception about casting directors (hint: they don't have the final say, and that's actually a good thing)
• What Bella looks for in a self-tape and the #1 mistake actors make before they even walk in the room
• Her hot take on the future of film — AI, vertical dramas, and why she believes audiences are craving authenticity over algorithm
• The origin story of the Southwest Actor's Conference, now in its fifth year, born on a flight home with a glass of Chardonnay and a sister who said "then do your own event"
• Why Arizona's film scene is heating up and what the state's tax incentive actually means for local talent and the economy
• Bella's journey into therapy and EMDR and why she's talking about it openly
• Her advice for creatives trying to break into the industry without sending a single "can I pick your brain?" email

From building a business in Arizona’s growing film scene to hosting the Southwest Actor’s Conference, Bella offers a transparent, unfiltered look at the highs, pivots, and persistence it takes to succeed in the creative world.

To watch the show click HERE

To connect with Bella Hibbs click HERE

To connect with Good Faith Casting click HERE

To check out Southwest Actors Conference click HERE

To connect with Carly Gilleland click HERE

To follow The Good Vibe Media click HERE

To visit The Good Vibe Studios click HERE

Produced by The Good Vibe Media

#15: In this episode, we sit down with Charlie Paixao, founder of Spark Video, to break down one of the biggest misconceptions in the creative industry:

Not all content is created to convert.

If you’ve ever felt like your videos look amazing but aren’t actually driving business results… this conversation is going to change how you think about everything.

Charlie pulls back the curtain on what actually moves the needle for service-based businesses—and why so many creators (and business owners) are stuck chasing vanity metrics instead of real growth.

From building strategic video funnels to understanding the psychology behind buying decisions, this episode is packed with actionable insights you can apply immediately.

What You’ll Learn - 

•  The critical difference between branding and performance marketing (and why you need both—but not at the same time) 
•  Why views, likes, and followers ≠ leads (and what actually does) 
•  How to create an irresistible offer that makes people want to say yes 
•  The real reason your content isn’t converting—and how to fix it 
•  Why data > creativity when it comes to scaling a business 
•  How to use video to generate consistent, measurable leads
•  The power of customer journey mapping (and how it changes your entire strategy) 
•  Why simple content (even iPhone footage) can outperform high-end production 
•  The exact framework Charlie uses to help businesses go from inconsistent income to scalable growth 

This episode isn’t about making aesthetic videos—it’s about making smarter ones. 

Grab a pen and notebook - this one is packed with value! 

To watch the show click HERE

To connect with Charlie Paixao click HERE

To connect with Carly Gilleland click HERE

To follow The Good Vibe Media click HERE

To visit The Good Vibe Studios click HERE

Produced by The Good Vibe Media