Episodes

  • Why Asking for a Raise Feels So Hard (and How to Do It Anyway) | Career Glow Up Series
    Nov 5 2025

    💌 Subscribe to our Career Glow Up email series to get all the tips, scripts, and strategies to help you grow your career this month. https://mailchi.mp/a4486f077c2f/careerglowup

    Let’s talk money.

    In this episode of WorkParty, Jaclyn Johnson and Marina Middleton get real about one of the hardest but most important conversations at work: asking for a raise. From when to ask to how to prepare, they break down what it takes to approach salary negotiations with confidence and results.

    We cover:
    • How to know when it’s time to ask for a raise
    • What to include in your pitch to make your case stronger
    • How to use data and market research to back up your ask
    • What to do if your manager says no
    • Why confidence and preparation can make or break your outcome

    If you’ve ever searched “how to ask for a raise,” “how to negotiate your salary,” or “how to get promoted,” this episode is for you.

    Join Us for 2026 World’s Largest Festival for Women in Business here: https://www.createcultivate.com/festival

    To follow along with Create & Cultivate:
    https://www.instagram.com/createcultivate
    www.createcultivate.com
    To connect with Jaclyn Johnson: https://www.instagram.com/jaclynrjohnson
    To connect with Marina Middleton: https://www.instagram.com/marinaamiddleton

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    10 mins
  • Jaclyn Shares Her Breast Cancer Journey and What She's Learned Along the Way
    Oct 29 2025

    This week on WorkParty, Jaclyn opens up about her recent breast cancer diagnosis and how a routine mammogram led to early detection. She shares what the process has looked like so far and the lessons she’s learned about listening to her body, advocating for herself, and staying proactive with her health.

    In this honest and deeply personal conversation, Jaclyn and Marina talk about what it’s like to navigate something life-changing while balancing work, emotions, and everyday life. They share why early detection matters, how to better understand your own body, and what it means to prioritize health even when life feels busy.

    Early detection can change everything. By sharing her story, Jaclyn hopes to encourage other women to take action, ask questions, and schedule that screening.

    Join Us for 2026 World’s Largest Festival for Women in Business here: https://www.createcultivate.com/festival

    To follow along with Create & Cultivate:
    https://www.instagram.com/createcultivate
    www.createcultivate.com
    To connect with Jaclyn Johnson: https://www.instagram.com/jaclynrjohnson
    To connect with Marina Middleton: https://www.instagram.com/marinaamiddleton

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    28 mins
  • How Motherhood Can Make You a Stronger Founder with Denise Vasi
    Oct 22 2025

    Motherhood doesn’t just change your schedule, it changes everything.

    This week, Jaclyn and Marina sit down with Denise Vasi, founder of Maed Beauty, actress, writer, and advocate for intentional living. Denise shares how becoming a mom reshaped her definition of success, what it took to launch Maed at Sephora, and how she learned to give herself grace through it all.

    In this episode, we cover:
    • How motherhood transformed Denise’s approach to ambition and self-worth
    • The real story behind launching Maed Beauty and landing in Sephora
    • The truth about balancing entrepreneurship and parenthood
    • Why giving yourself grace is key to leadership and sanity
    • The importance of slowing down after years of hustle culture

    If you’ve ever felt torn between chasing your goals and being present for your family, this episode will remind you it’s possible to do both.

    Join Us for 2026 World’s Largest Festival for Women in Business here: https://www.createcultivate.com/festival

    To follow along with Create & Cultivate:
    https://www.instagram.com/createcultivate
    www.createcultivate.com
    To connect with Jaclyn Johnson: https://www.instagram.com/jaclynrjohnson
    To connect with Marina Middleton: https://www.instagram.com/marinaamiddleton

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    25 mins
  • Reimagining Email: Authentic Marketing for the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
    Oct 15 2025

    They break down why email is still the highest ROI marketing channel and how to make it work for you — from writing subject lines that feel personal to creating automations that nurture your audience while you sleep.

    We cover:

    • Why email converts better than social media (and how to measure success)
    • How to grow your email list without feeling salesy
    • Tips for writing authentic, high-converting newsletters
    • Segmentation and automation 101: what to set up first
    • The balance between beautiful design and genuine connection

    Check out Flodesk here: https://flodesk.com

    Join Us for 2026 World’s Largest Festival for Women in Business here: https://www.createcultivate.com/festival

    To follow along with Create & Cultivate:
    https://www.instagram.com/createcultivate
    www.createcultivate.com
    To connect with Jaclyn Johnson: https://www.instagram.com/jaclynrjohnson
    To connect with Marina Middleton: https://www.instagram.com/marinaamiddleton

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    32 mins
  • From Solo to CEO: Building Your Team & Org Chart as a Founder
    Oct 8 2025

    On this week’s episode of WorkParty, Jaclyn Johnson and Marina Middleton dive into one of the toughest, and most important, aspects of building a business: your team. From first hires and org charts to evolving into a confident, effective leader, they break down the realities of what it takes to grow a strong company culture and why managing people is often the most challenging part of being a founder.

    They get candid about everything from early-stage hires and revenue-generating roles, to the pros and cons of remote work, how to delegate with trust, and why hiring the right person isn’t just about filling a title. Whether you’re navigating the challenges of managing a lean team, wondering when to build an executive layer, or trying to balance startup hustle with sustainable culture, you’ll hear hard-earned lessons and real-world insight from two seasoned entrepreneurs who’ve been there.

    Join Us for 2026 World’s Largest Festival for Women in Business here: https://www.createcultivate.com/festival

    To follow along with Create & Cultivate:
    https://www.instagram.com/createcultivate
    www.createcultivate.com
    To connect with Jaclyn Johnson: https://www.instagram.com/jaclynrjohnson
    To connect with Marina Middleton: https://www.instagram.com/marinaamiddleton

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    28 mins
  • Confidence at Every Stage: Fundraising, Leadership & Life Transitions
    Oct 1 2025

    On this week’s episode of WorkParty, Jaclyn Johnson and Marina Middleton are diving into what it really means to show up with confidence in work, leadership, and life. From fundraising and running a business, to navigating major personal transitions, they break down the challenges and mindset shifts, like moving from an employee to CEO and other things that shape how women lead and grow.

    They also get candid about the evolution of Create & Cultivate, the lessons learned from moving cities, and how owning your story can change both your personal and professional trajectory. Whether you’re pitching investors, building a team, or managing life’s big transitions, you’ll gain actionable insights, perspective, and encouragement to embrace your confidence at every stage.

    Join Us for 2026 World’s Largest Festival for Women in Business here: https://www.createcultivate.com/festival

    To follow along with Create & Cultivate:
    https://www.instagram.com/createcultivate
    www.createcultivate.com
    To connect with Jaclyn Johnson: https://www.instagram.com/jaclynrjohnson
    To connect with Marina Middleton: https://www.instagram.com/marinaamiddleton

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    23 mins
  • The Girlboss Reset: Founders Returning to Rewrite the Playbook
    Sep 24 2025

    This week on WorkParty Jaclyn Johnson and Marina Middleton return with an honest conversation about leadership, reinvention, and what it actually looks like to grow a modern business. From the evolution of the “girlboss” narrative, to the pressure of building both a brand and a personal identity online as a founder, they break down the realities many women in business face, but don’t always talk about.

    They also get into what’s changed at Create & Cultivate, the behind-the-scenes work that goes into the Festival, and how running a small team can still lead to big results. Whether you’re figuring out your next move, trying to stay visible while staying sane, or learning how to show up with confidence, this episode offers real perspective and plenty to think about as we approach this next season!

    Join Us for 2026 World’s Largest Festival for Women in Business here: https://www.createcultivate.com/festival

    To follow along with Create & Cultivate:
    https://www.instagram.com/createcultivate
    www.createcultivate.com
    To connect with Jaclyn Johnson: https://www.instagram.com/jaclynrjohnson
    To connect with Marina Middleton: https://www.instagram.com/marinaamiddleton

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    26 mins
  • The Myth of “Having It All” & Other Hard Founder Truths You Need: Live Q&A with Cyndi Ramirez
    Sep 17 2025

    In this special live episode of WorkParty, Jaclyn Johnson and Marina Middleton come to you from Palm Springs for the Blueprint Mastermind, joined by Cyndi Ramirez. Cyndi is the founder and CEO of Chillhouse, with a goal to modernize the spa industry. Together, they host a candid, no-holds-barred AMA answering anonymous questions from attendees on everything from building a brand, fundraising, rebranding after 10 years in business, to what really goes into launching a new product or strategy.

    Cyndi shares powerful stories about her biggest founder fails, including an ambitious Paris expansion attempt, and how an unexpected DM from Sophia Amoruso changed the trajectory of her business. Jaclyn and Marina reflect on their partnership and growth journey, diving deep into the leadership challenges, ego checks, and real-life lessons they’ve learned in building and rebuilding Create & Cultivate. From angel investing and team equity, to the emotional toll of entrepreneurship, this episode doesn’t shy away from the messy middle!

    Whether you're navigating a rebrand, scaling your business, or simply wondering if it's okay to not be in hustle mode 24/7, this conversation is packed with relatable insights and hard-earned wisdom.

    Connect with Cyndi: https://www.instagram.com/cyndiramirez
    Chillhouse: https://www.instagram.com/chillhouse/
    https://chillhouse.com/

    Join Us for 2026 World’s Largest Festival for Women in Business here: https://www.createcultivate.com/festival

    To follow along with Create & Cultivate:
    https://www.instagram.com/createcultivate
    www.createcultivate.com
    To connect with Jaclyn Johnson: https://www.instagram.com/jaclynrjohnson
    To connect with Marina Middleton: https://www.instagram.com/marinaamiddleton

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    38 mins