Episodes

  • How Cosmo’s Youngest Editor-In-Chief Is Reinventing a Legacy Brand
    Jan 7 2026

    Cosmopolitan is one of the most recognizable brands in media with more than six decades of history. So what does it take to evolve a legacy title for a completely new generation of readers and platforms?

    In this episode, we sit down with Willa Bennett, the editor in chief of Cosmopolitan and Seventeen, to talk about the real work that goes into modernizing a brand that people think they already know. From redefining the core editorial mission to building platform-specific content to navigating rapid shifts in media, Willa shares how she approaches reinvention without losing what made Cosmo iconic in the first place.

    They get into:
    • What it means to lead a legacy brand through a cultural shift
    • How Cosmo balances reinvention with its long-standing identity
    • The editorial strategy behind connecting with multiple generations
    • Why curation, storytelling, and POV matter more than ever
    • How Willa thinks about leadership, mentorship, and building a creative team

    If you have ever wondered how major brands stay relevant or what it looks like to lead through change, this conversation pulls back the curtain on the strategy, focus, and intuition it takes to evolve an icon.

    Tune in for a conversation about reinvention, vision, and the future of women’s media.

    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
  • The Death of Originality: Why Social Media Feels So Boring
    Dec 17 2025

    Influencer culture is shifting, everyone is exhausted, and the internet just doesn’t feel as fun or as real as it used to.

    In this episode, Jaclyn and Marina unpack why so many women are hitting a wall with social media, what’s really behind the ad fatigue we’re all feeling, and how the pressure to be “best known” is impacting founders more than ever.

    They get into:
    • Why social media feels uninspired and overwhelming
    • How the pressure to perform success shows up differently for women
    • The tension between building a business and building a personal brand
    • The shift toward AI creators and why offline experiences are becoming more valuable

    If you’ve been feeling burnt out by social or craving something more authentic and creative, this episode will make you feel seen and might even give you permission to rethink how you want to show up.

    ✨ Tune in for a conversation that reminds you presence is more powerful than performance.

    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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    27 mins
  • The One System Every Entrepreneur Needs to Stop the Chaos and Start Scaling
    Dec 10 2025

    Running a small business means wearing all the hats — CEO, marketer, cashier, bookkeeper — and somehow still finding time to post on Instagram. It’s a lot.

    That’s why we’re so excited to talk to Kasturi Mudulodu, the President of Commerce at GoDaddy, who’s helping entrepreneurs bring all their moving parts together — online and offline — through easy-to-use payment and point-of-sale tools.

    In this episode, Kasturi joins Jaclyn and Marina to talk about simplifying the chaos, building confidence in your systems, and using technology that actually feels human-friendly. Whether you run a boutique, café, salon, or local medical office, this conversation will leave you inspired (and organized). Let’s get into it!

    Visit https://www.godaddy.com/payments/point-of-sale to learn more about GoDaddy Commerce.

    Listeners can visit this link - https://www.godaddy.com/offers/payments/best-pos-systems - to request a free smart terminal, including 2-day shipping.*

    *Note: Free Smart Terminal offered to merchants with confirmed in-person credit card transactions greater than $100K annually (avg. $8.3K/month) as shown in previous month’s processing statement.

    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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    24 mins
  • Why Making Friends as an Adult Feels So Hard with Liv Schreiber
    Dec 3 2025

    Liv Schreiber has built a business around something we all crave: real connection. This week she joins Jaclyn and Marina to talk about what happens when you stop trying to “network” and start genuinely connecting. As the founder of *Hot and Social* and *Camp Social*, Liv helps women find friendship, confidence, and opportunity in the most unexpected places.

    They get into:
    * How showing up solo can change your life and career
    * Why connection is the most underrated business strategy
    * The story behind building Hot and Social and Camp Social
    * What it really means to build a community that lasts
    * How friendship and business can actually go hand in hand

    If you’ve been craving deeper connections or looking to meet the right people in your life and work, this one will remind you that sometimes the best opportunities start with a simple hello.

    ✨ Tune in for a conversation that proves community is the strategy.

    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
  • Stop Networking and Start Building Real Connections | Career Glow Up Series
    Nov 26 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

    In this week’s WorkParty episode, Jaclyn and Marina unpack what networking actually looks like when you remove the pressure, ditch the performance, and focus on real connection. From navigating awkward rooms to following up with intention, they break down how meaningful relationships are built and why they matter more than any perfectly crafted pitch.

    In this episode, you’ll learn:

    • Why networking feels overwhelming for so many women and how to shift that mindset
    • How to make meeting new people feel natural instead of transactional
    • The power of warm introductions and why cold outreach rarely gets you in the room
    • Easy ways to take the pressure off yourself at events
    • How to nurture connections in a way that feels genuine and sustainable
    • The follow-up strategies that actually work
    • Why your most valuable career opportunities often come from the people you didn’t plan to meet

    Jaclyn and Marina also share personal stories of the moments that changed how they think about networking, plus the real behind-the-scenes of Connect, Create & Cultivate’s AI-powered matchmaking tool that helps you meet people aligned with your goals.

    If you’ve ever dreaded networking, felt awkward at events, or wondered how people build those “life-changing” career relationships, this episode will completely reframe your approach.

    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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    21 mins
  • The Skills You Need to Get Ahead In Your Career | Career Glow Up Series
    Nov 19 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

    In this week’s WorkParty episode, Jaclyn and Marina dive into what it really takes to grow your career beyond just showing up. They unpack how the most successful professionals treat themselves like assets, constantly learning new skills and adapting to what’s next.

    In this episode, you’ll learn:

    The difference between hard and soft skills and why both matter

    How to identify the skills hiring managers are looking for right now

    The T-shaped framework that helps you stand out in any industry

    Affordable ways to keep learning through courses, workshops, and real-world experiences

    How to ask your company to invest in your growth and make it a win-win

    They also share how microlearning and AI are changing the game for career development, plus their go-to strategies for staying relevant, creative, and confident at work.

    Whether you’re aiming for a promotion, thinking about a pivot, or just want to feel more energized about your job, 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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    24 mins
  • How to Build a Résumé That Gets You Hired | Career Glow Up Series
    Nov 12 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

    Recruiters spend just 6 seconds scanning your résumé before deciding if you’re a yes or a next. That means every word counts.

    In this episode of WorkParty, Jaclyn Johnson and Marina Middleton break down what actually makes a résumé and LinkedIn profile stand out in today’s job market. From what to delete to how to tailor your experience, they’re giving you the insider tips to help you land the job you want.

    We cover:
    • The résumé mistakes that might be holding you back
    • How to tailor your résumé for different roles
    • What recruiters really look for in the first few seconds
    • How to use LinkedIn to get noticed by hiring managers
    • Ways to make your professional brand impossible to ignore

    If you’ve ever searched “how to get hired,” “how to improve my résumé,” or “how to optimize my LinkedIn,” this episode will help you get your foot in the door and move to the top of the pile.

    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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    9 mins
  • 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