The System for Everything

At some point, many of us quietly stop trying new things. Not because we don't want to—but because we've gotten so used to being competent that being a beginner feels unbearable. This week, Julie sits down with longtime friend and leadership coach Thomas Renner to explore why adults avoid situations where they might be awkward, imperfect, or just plain bad—and what we're missing bec...

What if your audience has already told you exactly what they want? They're probably talking about it on Reddit. While most businesses spend hours brainstorming content ideas, Adrienna McDermott starts somewhere different: anonymous conversations between strangers. Because when people don't feel like they're being watched, they're often far more honest. Julie and Adrienna dive i...

Have you ever walked into a room only to be immediately asked where something is…while the person asking is standing closer to it than you are? If you’re the one who remembers doctor’s appointments, notices the milk is running low, signs the permission slips, buys birthday gifts, keeps everyone’s schedule in your head, and somehow becomes responsible for things simply because you noticed them firs...

Do you ever worry that you'll miss out on opportunities when you put boundaries in place? Today's guest, Hope Taylor, created a boundary that her audience now looks forward to it.  We live in a world that rewards constant visibility. Social media platforms push creators to post more, engage more, and stay online as much as possible. Entrepreneurs are told that if they step away—even brie...

What do a falling skirt, a Love Island soundbite, and a sick emoji have in common? According to storytelling strategist Akua Konadu: everything. They're stories that make an impact. In this episode, I sit down with Akua—host of the Unbreakable Business Podcast and a master of making micro-moments unforgettable. We talk about how the smallest, most awkward, or most seemingly mundane stories ar...

What if your biggest flaw was actually your best feature? It’s a question Molly McCauley had to ask herself—not just once, but repeatedly—on her journey as a neurodivergent entrepreneur.  Molly spent years navigating a system that never quite fit. Once she was diagnosed with ADHD and anxiety as an adult, she realized it's time to flip the script. Now she's helping others do the same. Thi...

Hot tip for maintaining adult friendships: Move to different cities, never ask who texted last, and consider a blood pact. That’s more or less the system Lauren and I have followed for 17 years—and it’s worked. Today, we’re breaking down how. In this episode of The System for Everything , I’m joined by one of my longest-standing friendships: Lauren Smart. She's a journalism professor, an arts...

If your idea of date night is whispering “ice cream and Netflix?” after the kids are asleep, this episode is for you. I sat down with Camille Whiting of Friday We're in Love , one of my long-time internet inspirations, to talk about how to keep connection, fun, and even spontaneity alive in a long-term relationship—especially when kids, jobs, and logistics are in full chaos mode. Camille and...

Have you ever walked into a room and felt like no one sees you—let alone remembers you? In today's episode, I'm joined by powerhouse business coach, speaker and marketing strategist Angelica Pompy, who helps creative women build profitable businesses with confidence and clarity. Listen in as we dig into how to “get in the room,” not just physically, but mentally, emotionally, and strateg...

Ever wish your team just got each other? What if the secret to a balanced, high-performing crew was hiding in plain sight—like in their temperament? In this episode of the System for Everything podcast, I talk with Ashley Ebert, a powerhouse in the wedding industry and the founder of The Abundance Group. After scaling her own wedding planning company into a multi-market million-dollar business, sh...

Ever wondered why you dread building your email list? What if I told you it's not about spam—it’s about showing up with heart, humor, and strategy? In this episode, I chat with Dawn Richardson—the product education manager at Flodesk, former software engineer, wedding photographer, and all‑around tech‑meets‑creative powerhouse. She shares how she helps entrepreneurs build email systems that f...

Have you ever felt like you're shouting into the void online, hoping for more than a like or a DM? You're not alone—and you're not doing it wrong. You're just building it backwards. In this episode, I sat down with my real-life brunch bestie, Laylee Emadi—a conference host, coach, and the founder of The Creative Educator Conference—to talk all things community-led business . La...

The system for taking a break without spiraling? It’s equal parts logic, emotion, and a little bit of chaos—and I’m walking you through all of it. In this episode, I’m sharing a very real, very honest look at what it feels like to step away from something you’ve built and care deeply about. As I prepare to take a short break from the podcast, I’m reflecting on what this show has meant to me, what...

What happens when you move somewhere new and have to rebuild your entire life from scratch? In this episode, I sit down with my real-life friend Meredith McAlister, who has moved across the country multiple times—from Massachusetts to Texas, California, and Wisconsin—and somehow managed to create community everywhere she goes. We talk about what it actually looks like to start over: the awkward co...

If your brand has ever felt like a bad haircut you can’t grow out fast enough, then this episode is for you. Today, I’m sitting down with Amanda Shuman, founder of Carrylove Designs, to talk about what it really means to build a brand that evolves with you.  From emo-era MySpace profiles to motherhood, pivots, and public reinvention, we’re unpacking how your personality isn’t a distraction, but in...

If your business disappeared the moment you stepped away… would anything be left? In this episode, I’m sitting down with Dennah Renee—brand photographer, business coach, and founder of The Quarter Co—to talk about what it really looks like to stop winging it and start leading your business like a CEO. Dennah shares her journey from overworked creative to intentional business owner, and we unpack t...

Systems are not always spreadsheets and SOPs. Sometimes they are latex, foam, fishing line, breath, timing, and a performer learning how to bring an inanimate object to life. In this episode, I sat down with director, performer, and designer James Ortiz to talk about the systems behind puppetry, the creative discipline required to build emotional experiences, and why practical artistry still moves...

What does it look like to offer a signature touch that no one else does? Luxury wedding photographer Britney Tarno has the full scoop on this. Not only does she deliver same-day sneak peeks of her weddings during the reception , but she does it without feeding hustle culture or burning herself out. Britney has been photographing weddings for over 16 years, and she’s built a signature system that a...

Need more balance? Simple. Just stop sleeping, stop eating, and stop having needs. Problem solved. That’s what productivity advice can feel like when you’re a working mom carrying the mental load of an entire household. In this episode, I sat down with business systems strategist Kate Rosenow to dismantle "Supermom" culture and talk about what actually supports women—not in theory, but i...

What if the reason you feel behind on content… is because you’re doing too much of it? And ineffectively. For years, entrepreneurs have been told that consistency is the key to growth. Show up daily. Post everywhere. Stay visible. Never miss a day. And while that advice sounds motivating on the surface, it often leads to exhaustion.  Somewhere along the way, many business owners stopped being CEOs...

Have you ever thought that scaling your business meant you had to leave behind the work that fuels you? In this episode, I’m joined by Emily Hewett, founder and CEO of A Well‑Dressed Home, a Dallas‑based interior design firm that has grown from a one‑woman practice to a thriving team of 20. We dive into how Emily transitioned from designer to leader, the systems that supported intentional growth,...

You don’t need to hustle harder the longer you're in business, but instead you need a business that can grow with your life. If you’ve ever quietly wondered how long you can actually keep going in weddings, today’s conversation will feel like an exhale.  I’m joined by Heidi Thompson, wedding business strategist and powerhouse behind Evolve Your Wedding Business , to talk about what sustainabl...

Delegation is often misunderstood in the entrepreneurial world. Many business owners associate hiring help with losing control, adding stress, or spending money without real results. If you’re asking whether you should hire, you’re probably already overdue. And not just hire… hire with intention. This week, we're joined by Abby Martinez to discuss how you can train a team that you trust. She’...

What do yogurt spills, Wi‑Fi outages, and negotiating Lego peace treaties have in common? They’re the realities of working from home as a mom. In this episode, I sit down with my dear friend and entrepreneur, Kayla Depoian to chat about how shes able to balance life as a mom of three (including twins) through realistic and flexible systems. Listen in as we laugh about parenting truths (like catchi...

If you’re explaining the tasks you’ve assigned with 17 voice memos, it’s no longer delegation — it’s performance art. Today’s episode is your wake‑up call and your roadmap. I sit down with Nata Salvatori of Accidental CEO, to break down how to hire before you feel ready, because your business can’t grow if it runs only when you are present. This episode is brought to you by The Entrepreneur's...