Version 1

Lindsay Marie Morris is a novelist and journalist based in Los Angeles, bringing a dynamic storytelling voice to both her historical fiction and her nonfiction work. Inspired by her Sicilian-American roots, her debut novel, The Last Letter from Sicily, traces a World War II–era story of love, resilience, and family secrets that spans continents and generations. Her second novel, Beneath the Sicilian Stars, returns to this pivotal moment in history, following a family divided between California and Sicily whose lives are forever changed by the war, forcing them to confront questions of loyalty, belonging, and sacrifice. A graduate of Marquette University with a B.A. in Communications, Lindsay began her editorial career in magazine publishing. When she's not writing, Lindsay leads author talks and workshops on personal storytelling and historical fiction, coaches writers, visits book clubs, and interviews Italian culture and history ambassadors.

In this episode, we discuss how she got her start in journalism, pivoting to narrative fiction writing, how she went from a short story about her grandparents to two novels, how her writing style is different in novels than articles, her unique publishing story, speed writing her second novel in just a few months, her favorite and most challenging parts of the process, and advice she has for writers who want to write stories inspired by their lives. 

Follow Lindsay on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsaymariemorris 

Check out Lindsay’s website: https://www.lindsaymariemorris.com/ 

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Mike Sealy is a leadership strategist, coach, inclusive culture expert, and author of three books: Leadership in Action, The Belonging Shift and Mindset Unlocked. With over 20 years of senior leadership experience leading teams across global organisations like Microsoft, BBC, HP, and Informa, he now empowers leaders, learners, and dreamers to overcome self-doubt and unlock their true potential. As co-founder of X-INC Global, Mike helps individuals and organisations build confidence, drive inclusion, and lead with purpose. His book “Mindset Unlocked” is all about how to silence self-doubt, overcome Imposter Syndrome, and step confidently into your potential.

In this episode, we discuss who imposter syndrome affects, why it doesn’t go away even after you accomplish your goals, why quitting can sometimes be a good thing, why “fake it til you make it” isn’t helpful, coping mechanisms, and more. 

Follow Mike Sealy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sealymike/ 

Check out Mike’s website: https://xincglobal.mykajabi.com/rise-and-lead

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Whitney Dueñas Richardson is a marketing strategist, entrepreneur, and founder of Global Sprouts, a children’s cultural learning company turning playtime into a passport. With a background leading digital campaigns for brands like ADT and Builders FirstSource, Whitney blends creativity with data-driven strategy to craft meaningful experiences. Her journey, from surviving a near-fatal car crash to becoming a mother and business owner, fuels her mission to help families raise globally curious kids through storytelling, culture, and connection.

In this episode, we talk about developing curiosity and a global mindset in children, Whitney’s upbringing in Guam, why empathy through cultural understanding is so important, what goes into designing every Global Sprouts box, the line between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation, why she finds travel so inspiring, and more. 

Follow Global Sprouts on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/globalsproutsbox/ 

Follow Whitney on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whitfromguam/ 

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Lauren Remesi is a self-taught founder and creative director of Cut From The Same Cloth, a small independent womenswear brand based in Seattle, WA.  What began at her kitchen table, has grown into a made-to-order label that brings back the artistry to fashion. Lauren uses thoughtful design and small batch production to create pieces that tell stories and create statements.  Her work reflects a commitment to slowing down, creating with purpose, and redefining what modern, conscious fashion can look and feel like.

In this episode, we discuss starting her brand Cut From the Same Cloth, the benefits of being self-taught in fashion, designing in 3D, ethical slow fashion, how she makes her made-to-order clothing, the important stories and meaning behind her pieces, and more. 

Follow Cut From the Same Cloth on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cutfromsamecloth/ 

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Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/waverlycolville 

Melly Adkins is the mind and heart behind Merci Dema, a New York-based brand rooted in emotional storytelling, intentional design, and vulnerable luxury. Born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Melly’s journey has been anything but linear—and that’s precisely what makes his work so dynamic. After earning a B.A. in Legal Studies from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Melly went on to receive both a J.D. and an LL.M in Entertainment, Art, and Sports Law from the University of Miami School of Law. After practicing law, a car ride with his sister helped him start a spiritual journey that led him to starting his fashion brand Merci Dema. Fueled by a deep appreciation for people, music, food, sports, travel, and pop culture, Merci Dema folds lived experience into design, exploring what it means to feel, to fall, to remember, and to rise. Now based in NYC at 35, Melly is fully leaning into his creative aspirations, merging legal precision with emotional expression. Whether through a tear-shaped logo or a hoodie turned tote bag, Merci Dema makes space for truth, style, and storytelling—with designs that don’t just say something, they feel something.

In this episode, we talk about starting Merci Dema after years of being an attorney, the one question his sister asked him that made him change his career, his spiritual and emotional journey, believing in himself, how travel inspires him, the intention behind all his pieces, his design process, why his clothing is looser fit, the balance between utility and non-utilitiy in his clothing, what “vulnerable luxury” means, and more.

Follow Merci Dema on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/merci_dema/ 

Follow Melly on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mel_ice4/ 

Merci Dema’s website: https://mercidema.com/ 

Subscribe to Version 1's substack: version1podcast.substack.com/ 

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Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/waverlycolville 

Madina Akavova is a design entrepreneur and founder of UNEVEN - a collectible furniture brand rooted in bold aesthetics, artistic influence, and business precision. Originally from Western Siberia and now based in Madrid, she brings a strategic, global approach to the world of independent design. Her work challenges conventional paths in the industry by blending creative vision with sharp entrepreneurship, building a brand that dares to stand out.

In this episode, we talk about Madina’s start in the furniture design industry, how she moved from Russia to Spain, the challenges of launching her own furniture company, how furniture design works, why she loves asymmetry and how she incorporates it into her pieces, what parts of the world she travels to for inspiration, how she balances comfort with function, and how she wants to expand the UNEVEN brand. 

Follow Madina on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madina.akavova/

Follow UNEVEN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uneven.objects/ 

Subscribe to Version 1's substack: version1podcast.substack.com/ 

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Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/waverlycolville 

Taylor McKinnon and Aaron Haxton are the co-founders of Mr. Charlie’s – the irreverently joyful, plant-based fast food brand on a mission to feed people with love and purpose. Taylor’s journey from homelessness on the streets of Los Angeles to co-founding one of the most buzzed-about vegan restaurants in America is a powerful story of second chances, creative resilience, and community-driven impact. With Aaron’s background in visual storytelling and experiential branding, they built Mr. Charlie’s as a living art project disguised as a burger joint — one that makes you laugh, think, and feel seen. Driven by a deep commitment to sustainability, inclusivity, and irreverent design, they are reimagining what fast food can be — joyful, ethical, and anything but ordinary  In this episode, we talk about how Aaron and Taylor met, how they created the concept and design behind Mr. Charlie’s, why eating plant-based is important, how they give people who need a second chance a role at Mr. Charlie’s, what it’s like working with your best friend, and much more. 

Follow Mr. Charlie’s on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrcharlies/ 

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Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/waverlycolville 

Dana Gaydon is a Southern California based brand and lifestyle photographer with over 20 years of experience capturing colorful, personality-driven stories. Her approach blends color psychology, personality frameworks, and storytelling to create images that feel authentic, joyful, and impactful. At the heart of her work is a mission to help clients show up confidently through visuals that truly reflect who they are. In this episode, we talk about Dana’s love of color and vintage things, how inspiring Southern California is for her, how she color matches or color clashes, how she helps people feel comfortable and find confidence in front of the camera, how she incorporates personality types and astrology into her shoots, and more. 

Follow Dana on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dana_gaydon/ 

Check out Dana’s website: http://danagaydon.com/ 

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Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/waverlycolville 

Jessica Richards is the founder of 12th house, whose focus inspires brands + private clients alike to explore, express, and identify as their highest selves through radical authenticity, vulnerability, and alignment. Working as a guide, Jessica leads her clients through curated experiences meant to profoundly shape those seeking deeper meaning and forge stronger identities through both style and substance. Jessica’s love of divination + the metaphysical realm have always greatly inspired her work; having incredible resonance now as she pursues new ways to present “what’s out there” to seekers looking to align with their highest potential, through spiritual wellness guidance + bespoke meditations and affirmations. Jessica graduated from Boston University with a degree in Magazine Journalism, and has been additionally certified from the Fashion Institute of Technology. With an extensive career in fashion trend forecasting and design, she serves as a noted industry expert, featured across international media outlets, including the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, VOGUE, ELLE, New York Magazine, and more. Additionally, Jessica is a certified spiritual wellness coach and meditation + mindfulness instructor.

In this episode, we talk about Jessica’s journey into trend forecasting, how she developed her interest in astrology, tarot, and spirituality, how she combines both in her work, trends she is seeing now and their historical tie to astrology, her creative process when it comes to styling and trend forecasting, and how to get started learning about astrology and divination. 

Follow Jessica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicaxrich/ 

Check out Jessica’s website: https://the12th.house/  

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Jen Ruiz is a lawyer turned full-time travel writer and entrepreneur. She’s a bestselling author, TEDx speaker, and award-winning journalist. Jen has been featured by Forbes, The Washington Post, and named a Top Latina Travel Expert by The Points Guy and Mitú. She’s the solo female traveler behind Jen on a Jet Plane and aims to encourage others to stop waiting and start living. We talk about how she balanced working full-time as an attorney while pursuing travel writing and content creation on the side, her processes when it comes to writing articles, blog posts, and books, the business side of writing, adventures with her new puppy, and how to stay focused and not compare yourself to others. 

Follow Jen on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenonajetplane/ 

Check out Jen’s website: https://jenonajetplane.com/ 

Subscribe to Version 1's substack: version1podcast.substack.com/ 

Follow Version 1 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/version1podcast/

Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/waverlycolville