Taking Five

Starting a podcast wasn't the easiest thing I've ever done, but here we are, wrapping up Season 2, and I'm so proud of what Taking Five is becoming! In this episode, I'm sharing some behind-the-scenes moments of what it was like to start, fine-tune, and eventually trust what was happening naturally. I talk about what it looked like to loosen my grip, and why the messy, fumbling parts are necessary...

In this episode, I'm chatting with Nicole Hart, the founder and personal brand advisor behind Heart Brand Studio. Nicole helps women get crystal-clear on their mission, claim the seat only they can claim, and show up in the world in a way that feels true to them. We talk about what it really means to build a personal brand from the inside out, why hiding behind your business brand is costing you m...

In this episode, I'm joined by Hayley David Wilson, founder of Money Rebel, a business development and education hub for women entrepreneurs. Hayley spent nearly a decade scaling a customized cleaning company from a college dorm room in Iowa before walking away at its peak to build something that checked more than just the money box. We talk about what it really looks like to leave something that'...

In this episode, I'm joined by Krista Reynolds, a photographer of 19 years who recently uprooted her entire life—her business, her family, and her rhythms—to move from Minnesota to Arizona. Krista shares what it's like to run a business while raising three kids (plus fostering four more), teaching nine fitness classes a week, and juggling every client request that came her way. We talk about the s...

In this episode, I'm joined by Kaileen Elise Sues, a podcast host, mother, and intuition coach who's redefining what success looks like on her own terms. Kaileen shares her journey of self-discovery through motherhood, and how becoming a stay-at-home mom challenged her to question everything she thought she knew about achievement, creativity, and purpose. We talk about what it's like to carve out...

In this episode, I'm sitting down with Dalia Soles of Design Assisted, an interior design operations expert who's experienced some serious personal and professional transformation over the past year. Dalia gets real about what it's been like to navigate the shifts in her business while prioritizing her mental health, strengthening her marriage, and learning to create more space for stillness and p...

Welcome to Season Two of Taking Five! In this solo episode, I'm getting into why I structure this podcast, and honestly, most of my goals in seasons instead of committing to something open-ended and indefinite. If you've ever started something with excitement only to watch it fizzle out halfway through, I'm sharing why having a finish line changes everything, what I did during the pause between Se...

Hi friends! In this season finale, I'm taking a moment to pause and reflect on the journey we've shared inside Taking Five. What began as a small creative project has grown into something so meaningful, thanks to the conversations I've had with each guest and the stories you've shared with me along the way. In this episode, I'm revisiting some of my favorite takeaways from the season—from the quie...

In this episode of Taking Five, I'm joined by Xanthe Appleyard of Oh Sierra, a social media strategist, content creator, and writer who's made it her mission to bring more ease and authenticity into the digital space. We chat about what it really looks like to build an intentional, sustainable rhythm in your creation practice. Xanthe shares how she balances structure with spontaneity, makes space...

In this conversation, I sit down with Brooke Stoll, a strategic consultant for interior designers who's built her business around clarity, community, and intentional growth. Brooke shares her journey from corporate to entrepreneurship, and how learning to say no to misaligned work, outdated pricing, and unnecessary pressure opened the door to more aligned opportunities and impact. We also get into...

In this episode of Taking Five, I'm chatting with brand designer and creative business owner Maggie Reina of Viola Hill Studio about building a business that prioritizes space. Space to create, to think, and to live fully. Maggie shares her journey from corporate designer to studio owner, reflecting on how she built her business around systems that give her more time freedom. We explore what it lo...

In this episode, I'm joined by Samantha MacKinnon (aka Strategy by Sam), an operations strategist who wears many hats: fixer, planner, and big-picture thinker. We dive into the world of CEO Days and why they're so much more than vision boarding and big dreams. Sam makes the case for bringing data into the room and shows us how tracking the right numbers can unlock more clarity and time freedom. We...

In this episode, I'm joined by Kaitlyn Parker from Copy Uncorked, a copywriter and agency owner who's walked through maternity leave, scaled her team up (and back down), and leaned into new tools to support her work. We talk about how becoming a mom reshaped her vision of success, and why giving yourself permission to pivot is sometimes the smartest business move you can make. We also get into: Th...

Welcome to the first episode of Taking Five! I'm Luz, and I created this show as a place for creative entrepreneurs to exhale. Think of it as a coffee break with friends who get it. I started this podcast because I know how messy and overwhelming the middle of business can feel. We're wearing all the hats, juggling all the roles, and sometimes it feels like we can't come up for air. This is your r...