Lindsay Shookus spent 20 years helping some of the biggest names in entertainment shine on Saturday Night Live. But what happens when you leave the job that defined your identity?

In this episode, Julia sits down with seven-time Emmy Award-winning producer, executive coach, and speaker Lindsay Shookus to talk about reinvention, resilience, and what it really means to bet on yourself.

Lindsay shares the lessons she learned from two decades at SNL, from building trust with celebrities under intense pressure to developing the confidence to walk into rooms before she could talk herself out of it. She opens up about the emotional reality of leaving her dream job, navigating the uncertainty that followed, and creating an entirely new career centered around helping others lead with confidence.

Together, Julia and Lindsay discuss why you're not meant to recreate your past successes, how to become more coachable, the importance of embracing discomfort, and the challenge of learning to actually enjoy the life you've worked so hard to build.

This conversation is packed with practical wisdom, honest reflections, and reminders that growth often begins when you're willing to let go of who you've always been.

In this episode, we cover:
* How Lindsay accidentally got her start at Saturday Night Live
* The art of building trust and bringing out the best in people
* Why feedback is a gift (even when it's uncomfortable)
* The emotional challenge of leaving a 20-year career behind
* Why you're not supposed to recreate your past successes
* How to identify your transferable skills
* The mantra Lindsay uses to combat defensiveness: "soften"
* Building confidence by doing hard things before you're ready
* Learning to be present instead of constantly moving the goalposts

Buckle up for an honest conversation about ambition, change, and the resilience required to build a meaningful next chapter.

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This week on If I’m Honest, Julia sits down with DJ, entrepreneur, investor, and creative strategist Mick Batyske for a candid conversation about building a career that evolves with you.

From teaching himself how to DJ in college to performing for brands, celebrities, and global events, Mick shares the real story behind turning creativity into a sustainable business. He opens up about moving from Cleveland to New York, navigating uncertainty as a freelancer, learning how to market himself, and why relationships, not just talent, have shaped his career.

Mick and Julia also dive into:
* What it actually takes to build a long-term creative career
* The pressure of constantly reinventing yourself
* Why authenticity matters more than chasing trends
* How he approaches networking and outbound pitching
* The business side of freelancing and setting rates
* The emotional highs and lows of performing
* AI, creativity, and where DJ culture is headed next
* Why adaptability is the key to longevity

This episode is packed with honest insight for anyone pursuing an unconventional path, building something creative, or trying to stay relevant in a fast-changing world.

Buckle up for an honest conversation about ambition, reinvention, resilience, and creating a career on your own terms.

Find Mick on Instagram @mick, check out his website https://www.mick.co, and read his Substack at https://mickbatyske.substack.com.

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What does it take to reinvent yourself, professionally and personally, without losing trust in who you are? 

In this episode of If I’m Honest, Julia sits down with longtime friend Yasmin Shahida, Senior Director of PR at Oatly, to talk about career pivots, corporate communications, confidence, and the power of embracing discomfort. Yasmin shares her journey from broadcast journalism at CBS News to shaping brand storytelling at some of today’s most culturally relevant companies, including The Wing, Away, and Oatly.

They dive into what corporate communications actually means, how brands navigate culture and crisis moments, and why authenticity matters more than ever in a world driven by social media and trends. Yasmin also opens up about trusting your instincts, walking away from paths that no longer fit, and why “starting from scratch” can be one of the most powerful things you do for yourself.

Plus: food trends, caffeine-free living, NYC restaurant culture, manifestation, travel recommendations, and the mindset shifts that helped Yasmin build a career and life that feel aligned.

Buckle up for an honest conversation about ambition, reinvention, resilience, and learning to trust yourself through change.

Find Yasmin on Instagram and TikTok at @traveleatnyc and on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yasminshahida/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.