On today’s episode of Don’t F*ck This Up, Lauren welcomes stand-up comic and writer, Tamara Shevon. Tamara opens up about her spontaneous post-graduation move to Beijing - and how living in China led to her trying her hand at stand up comedy. We talk about the importance of putting in the work, having respect for the craft, and why you can’t cut corners in comedy, as well as distinguishing between overly critical comments and constructive feedback. Ever considered giving stand up a try? Tamara will tell you exactly like it is in this episode - and have you laughing out loud the entire way through. “You can’t write it out verbatim. You can’t have a perfect script.” - Tamara ShevonFollow Tamara on IG: @teemairBuy Tamara’s albums on Bandcamp: https://tamarashevon.bandcamp.com/Listen to Tamara co-host her pod: Pretty Bitchy Follow Don’t Fuck This Up on IG: @dontfuckthisup.podcastFollow Lauren Alvarez on IG: @LaurentheAlvarezEmail the show at advice@dontfckthisup.com for your questions to be answered on an upcoming episode!

This week on Don’t F*ck This Up, Lauren hosts a conversation with the Founder and Star Baker of Totally Sweet Baking, Brooksie Edmondson. Brooksie shares what it took to go from retail store manager with a vegan baking side hustle to full-time vegan baking company owner with a burgeoning list of wholesale clients. We discuss taking risks and having the right support systems in place, why growing your company is not always linear, and what it actually takes to make your passion into your full-time gig. Brooksie breaks down the true cost of your favorite treats, why she refuses to write on cakes, and finally spills the sprinkles on her favorite flavor of her famous pop tarts. Considering quitting your job? We’ve got a checklist for that, too. Listen in for the realities of small business ownership, stay for the excellent friendship vibes.  “I’m friends with all of my competitors.” - Brooksie EdmondsonFollow Don’t Fuck This Up on IG: @dontfuckthisup.podcastFollow Lauren Alvarez on IG: @LaurentheAlvarezFollow Brooksie on IG: @totallysnaxFollow Totally Sweet on IG: @totally_sweet_bakingOrder Totally Sweet Baking: www.totallysweetbaking.comEmail the show at advice@dontfckthisup.com for your questions to be answered on an upcoming episode!

This week on Don’t F*ck This Up, Lauren hosts the CEO, Founder, and Inventor of Shhhowercap, Jacquelyn De Jesu Center. The multi-million dollar patent portfolio holder takes us through creating her wildly successful product and what it takes to build a brand that pulses and lives. We talk about some important things: being intuitive, rising above the imitators, and the tension between being a ball-buster and being vulnerable. Plus, Jacquelyn divulges the types of people she surrounds herself with to be effective in the C-suite.  “People call it authenticity, but that’s such a played-out word.” - Jacquelyn De Jesu CenterFollow Don’t Fuck This Up on IG: @dontfuckthisup.podcastFollow Lauren Alvarez on IG: @LaurentheAlvarezFollow Jacquelyn on IG: @deejayzooFollow Shhhowercap on IG: @shhhowercapBuy Shhhowercap: www.shhhowercap.comEmail the show at advice@dontfckthisup.com for your questions to be answered on an upcoming episode!

In this week’s episode, Lauren hosts Jazerai Allen-Lord, sneaker icon and Founder of True to Size. Jazerai opens up about turning her passion for community, culture, and sneakers into a career and we discuss finding community in the early internet days. Jaz shares how she gained confidence through other’s beliefs in her abilities, and the pivotal coaching she received when starting her own agency.We also get personal, and the ‘Comeback Kid’ talks about the value of keeping some things private, why sentimental gifts matter so much to her, and the joy in giving her kids a front row seat to what it looks like to chase a dream. “I firmly believe that if I’m in the position, I’m going to go balls-to-the-wall and just see what happens.” - Jazerai Allen-LordFollow Don’t Fuck This Up on IG: @dontfckthisup.podcastFollow Lauren Alvarez on IG: @LaurentheAlvarezFollow Jazerai on IG: @nerdlikejazzyFollow Jazerai on X: @jazzyraeFollow True To Size on IG: @tts.agencyWork with True To Size: www.truetosize.comEmail the show at advice@dontfckthisup.com for your questions to be answered on an upcoming episode!

This week, Lauren sits down with Karen Karch, the Founder, Creative Director, Designer, and Owner of Karen Karch Jewelry. Karen is all about defying convention: from being the subject of her own internship at Parsons and pioneering the “Dangerous Jewelry” movement, to her innovative approach to fine jewelry design and the evolution of her iconic bridal line. We discuss the importance of learning the hard way, the challenge of setting trends, and the need to create one’s own creative bubble. Karen shares insights on knowing when it’s time for a change: whether it’s a neighborhood, a killer rebrand or shifting from brick-and-mortar to online retail.    “I had a strong sense of conviction that I was just doing it, and nothing was going to stop me.” - Karen KarchFollow Don’t Fuck This Up on IG: @dontfckthisup.podcastFollow Lauren Alvarez on IG: @LaurentheAlvarezFollow Karen Karch on IG: @KarenKarchNYCCheck out Karen Karch Jewelry: www.karenkarch.comEmail the show at advice@dontfckthisup.com for your questions to be answered on an upcoming episode!

This week, Lauren sits down with marketing executive, confidence coach, tarot practitioner, and the founder of The Girl Mob, Yari Blanco. Yari reflects on lessons learned during her year-long sabbatical, from navigating friend breakups and confronting her people-pleasing tendencies, to relinquishing the idea of control and changing her relationship with money. We discuss being the hero - or the victim - in your own story, how to avoid self-sabotage, and the importance of risk-taking and having a toolkit. Yari lays out a legitimate guidebook to approaching a career pivot, and shares details on her recently launched confidence coaching practice.“Being a beginner is really f*cking hard, and it’s going to trigger the sh*t out of you.” - Yari BlancoFollow Don’t Fuck This Up on IG: @dontfckthisup.podcastFollow Lauren Alvarez on IG: @LaurentheAlvarezFollow Yari Blanco on IG: @TheYariBlancoLearn about Yari’s offerings hereCheck out Yari’s writing hereEmail the show at advice@dontfckthisup.com for your questions to be answered on an upcoming episode!

On this week’s episode of Don’t F*ck this Up, Lauren has the opportunity to catch up with hairstylist and educator, Kate Schlichter. She’s the owner of Lost Hills LA and the founder of forthcoming haircare line, TOSL.They discuss Kate’s roots as a PNW punk rocker, her huge move to London, and the realities of training at industry juggernauts, Vidal Sassoon and Bumble and Bumble. Though she never set out to own her own salon, Kate’s dedication to her craft and desire to build a community space were actually a perfect recipe for her to take the plunge. Ten years later, safe to say the plunge was meant to be! “Let’s bring apprenticeships back. Let’s bring mentorships back.” - Kate SchlichterFollow Don’t Fuck This Up on IG: @dontfckthisup.podcastFollow Lauren Alvarez on IG: @LaurentheAlvarezFollow Kate on IG: @KateLostHillsCheck out Lost Hills LA: @LostHillsLABook with Kate: www.losthillsla.comEmail the show at advice@dontfckthisup.com for your questions to be answered on an upcoming episode!

It’s Episode 23 of Don’t F*ck This Up, and this week, Lauren sits down with marketing and brand strategist and the founder of The Curious Bird, Anjali Lewis. Anjali shares her career journey filled with pivotal moments and invaluable lessons - from fashion, to publishing and editorial, to planting a stake in the ground with her own consultancy. We discuss what it means to build a career out of necessity, early bosses who saw our potential, and some memorable ‘cut-the-shit’ moments. Anjali reflects on her transformative ‘DFTU moment’, boundlessness vs. boundaries, and the thing a recruiter said that changed her perspective - and career - forever. Considering a move into consulting? We break that down, too. Tune in for actionable advice, navigational wisdom, and a recurring theme of fried chicken. “I didn’t know what I wanted to do next but I knew how I wanted to feel: I wanted to be less stressed out.” - Anjali LewisDownload, review, and follow the podcast so you never miss an episode.Follow Don’t Fuck This Up on IG: @dontfckthisup.podcastFollow Lauren Alvarez on IG: @LaurentheAlvarezFollow Anjali on Linkedin Email the show at advice@dontfckthisup.com for your questions to be answered on an upcoming episode!

We’re back from the break, and this week’s episode of Don’t F*ck this Up is right on time for Valentine's Day, because it's all about pleasure. Lauren is joined by board-certified gynecologist, sex medicine and menopause expert, Dr. Karen Toubi. From vivid memories in 7th grade, where she declared her future as a gynecologist, to her unwavering commitment to revolutionizing women’s health, Dr. Toubi shares her heart-first decision to pursue a career dedicated to the most intimate parts of her patients' lives. We tackle topics like the orgasm gap, the failures of sex ed, innovative treatments like vaginal Botox and PRP, and the pain points of insurance. Tune in for an educational, exciting and much-needed conversation we hope will empower you to advocate for your own sexual health - and to maybe even have some fun in the process. “There’s a huge disparity in our sexual health, and no one is talking about it, but I’m talking about it.” - Dr. Karen ToubiDownload, review, and follow the podcast so you never miss an episode.Follow Don’t Fuck This Up on IG: @dontfckthisup.podcastFollow Lauren Alvarez on IG: @LaurentheAlvarezFollow Dr. Toubi on IG: @beverlyhillsgynoBook an Appt with Dr. Toubi: www.drkarentoubi.comEmail the show at advice@dontfckthisup.com for your questions to be answered on an upcoming episode!

On this week’s episode of Don’t F*ck this Up, Lauren sits down with the incredible Jess Rona, entrepreneurial powerhouse and founder behind the multidimensional brand that is Jess Rona Grooming. You might have always wondered, what happens when you’re both a top improv talent and an award-winning groomer? Well, in Jess Rona’s case, you make a web series, film a library of educational content, open a brick and mortar, attract some amazing A-list clients, make incredible content, write a screenplay, create a product line, and win the hearts of LA’s cutest dogs - and their owners. No biggie. Jess and Lauren discuss finding focus - and making up for lost time, the challenges of hiring good people, and why diversifying your revenue stream matters (a lot!). Jess also dishes on her upcoming product line and what else she’s manifesting in 2024. Come for the inspiration, creativity and hard work, stay for the ASMR dog baths, signature slo-mo blowouts and stories of the grooming olympics. Download, review, and follow the podcast so you never miss an episode.Follow Don’t Fuck This Up on IG: @dontfckthisup.podcastFollow Lauren Alvarez on IG: @LaurentheAlvarezFollow Jess on IG: @jessronagroomingWatch Jess' web series “For the Love of Dog”: https://jessronagrooming.com/loveofdogEmail the show at advice@dontfckthisup.com for your questions to be answered on an upcoming episode!

On this week’s episode of Don’t F*ck this Up, Lauren is joined by negotiation coach and founder of The Finishing School, Alison Taffel-Rabinowitz. An unstoppable force on a mission to revolutionize your job hunt game, Alison is all in when it comes to empowering individuals to unleash their storytelling prowess, land their dream jobs, and secure the bag - $1M in raises and counting!Alison and Lauren spill the beans on standing out in a competitive job market, negotiation strategies that start long before you receive an offer, and their differing opinions on cover letters. Plus, Alison shares ways to boost your confidence, stick the landing on networking, and claim the compensation you truly deserve. Download, review, and follow the podcast so you never miss an episode.Follow Don’t Fuck This Up on IG: @dontfuckthisup.podcastFollow Lauren Alvarez on IG: @LaurentheAlvarezFollow Alison on IG: @alison.taffel.rabinowitz @thefinishingschoolcoConnect with Alison on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taffel/Alison offers one-on-one coaching, career development classes, and an action-oriented empowerment curriculum designed to combat the gender pay gap, one raise at a time. Stop leaving money (and benefits) on the table and register for www.thefinishingschool.co to learn how to earn more. Email the show at advice@dontfckthisup.com for your questions to be answered on an upcoming episode!

On this week’s episode of Don’t F*ck this Up, Lauren sits down with the trailblazing Cindy Gallop. Cindy is a brand and business innovator, the Founder of Make Love Not Porn, the Founder and CEO of If We Ran The World, and is globally considered the Godmother of Sextech. As a fearless advocate for change in every industry she encounters, Cindy takes us on her journey of spearheading the social sex revolution. She sheds light on the untapped potential of an industry often shrouded in stigma, discusses the challenges she faced while seeking funding, and explains why she lives by the mantra "Don’t give a damn what other people think."Download, review, and follow the podcast so you never miss an episode.Follow Don’t Fuck This Up on IG: @dontfckthisup.podcastFollow Lauren Alvarez on IG: @LaurentheAlvarezFollow Cindy on IG: @cindygallop @makelovenotpornConnect with Cindy on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindygallopEmail the show at advice@dontfckthisup.com for your questions to be answered on an upcoming episode!

Episode 18 of Don’t F*ck This Up is here, and this week, Lauren hosts storyteller, creator and communications specialist, Mike Platco. We discuss his unexpected career path that took him from wrestling rings and calligraphy pens to Snapchat doodles, the TedX stage, and collaborating with Disney. Named one of the 50 most creative people in business by Fast Company, Mike shares why failure is always an option, the importance of enjoying your work, and the choices he made when burnout came knocking on his door. Follow Don’t Fuck This Up on IG: @dontfckthisup.podcastFollow Lauren Alvarez on IG: @LaurentheAlvarezFollow Mike on IG: @mplatcoConnect with Mike on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/platcoWork with Mike: www.mikeplatco.comTED Talk: If I could tell you how to become famous on social media. Email the show at advice@dontfckthisup.com for your questions to be answered on an upcoming episode!

Episode 17 of Don’t F*ck This Up is here, and this week, Lauren hosts an invigorating conversation with writer, creative director and cultural expert, Massaër Ndiaye. They hash out the realities of working cross-culturally - and across the globe, why chasing relevancy will never satisfy, and the importance of having diverse teams at all levels. Massaër also lets us in on what it’s like to move from Paris to Menlo Park, how he gained entry to the African Cup of Nations, and why courtroom fashion almost convinced him to pursue a career in law. Download, review, and follow the podcast so you never miss an episode.Follow Don’t Fuck This Up on IG: @dontfckthisup.podcastFollow Lauren Alvarez on IG: @LaurentheAlvarezFollow Massër on IG: @madsearCheck out Massaër's work: www.massaerndiaye.comEmail the show at advice@dontfckthisup.com for your questions to be answered on an upcoming episode!

Episode 16 of Don’t F*ck This Up is here, and this week, Lauren sits down with director, writer and producer, Gavin Bellour. They discuss his incredibly dynamic career straddling the commercial, editorial, content and advertising worlds, the happy accident that led to his first gig, and the struggle to find balance between being over- and under-prepared. Gavin also offers a hearty helping of advice to aspiring directors and folks looking to grow their professional networks, and why coming in with altitude and authority will always bring more impact. Download, review, and follow the podcast so you never miss an episode.Follow Don’t Fuck This Up on IG: @dontfckthisup.podcastFollow Lauren Alvarez on IG: @LaurentheAlvarezFollow Gavin on IG: @gavinbellourCheck out Gavin's work: www.gavinbellour.comEmail the show at advice@dontfckthisup.com for your questions to be answered on an upcoming episode!

Episode 15 of Don’t F*ck This Up is here, and this week it’s an incredible conversation centered around career, design, and choice with Abby Mills, Staff Product Designer at Faire, and the founder of Abby on the Internet. Abby and Lauren discuss how to go for things outside your comfort zone, the downsides of 100% remote work, and the important distinction between management and leadership. Plus, Abby shares how she leverages design thinking for everything from home renovations to sewing projects, what went into her decision to choose her design career over a career in content creation, and why she’s extremely specific about the brands that she partners with. Follow Don’t Fuck This Up on IG: @dontfckthisup.podcastFollow Lauren Alvarez on IG: @LaurentheAlvarezFollow Abby on IG: @abbyontheinternetConnect with Abby on LinkedinDownload, review, and follow the podcast so you never miss an episode.Follow Don’t Fuck This Up on IG: @dontfuckthisup.podcastFollow Lauren Alvarez on IG: @LaurentheAlvarezFollow Abby on IG: @abbyontheinternetConnect with Abby on Linkedin Email the show at advice@dontfckthisup.com for your questions to be answered on an upcoming episode!

Episode 14 of Don’t F*ck This Up is here, and this week we’re sitting down with Scott Kaylin, CEO and Founder of Kaylin + Kaylin Pickle. That's right, it’s The PickleMan himself! A lifelong entrepreneur and get-up-and-do-the-damn-thing-er, Scott takes us on his journey into Pickleland and why it’s never too late to try something new. Along the way, we talk about career reinvention, what led to his company going completely viral and why he means it when he says, “Happiness in every crunch”. So c’mon and climb aboard the pickle-shaped rocket ship that is Kaylin + Kaylin and let Scott serve you some inspiration – and a $3 pickle flight! Download, review, and follow the podcast so you never miss an episode.Follow Don’t Fuck This Up on IG: @dontfckthisup.podcastFollow Lauren Alvarez on IG: @LaurentheAlvarezFollow Scott on IG: @scottkaylinFollow Kaylin + Kaylin on IG: @kaylinandkaylinFollow Kaylin + Kaylin on TikTok: @kaylinandkaylinOrder your pickles here! www.kaylinandkaylin.comEmail the show at advice@dontfckthisup.com for your questions to be answered on an upcoming episode!

Episode 13 of Don’t F*ck This Up is here, and this week’s guest is none other than social media coach, educator, speaker and content creator, Jera Bean. She cracks open the tool kit - and the four types of secret sauce - on things she calls ‘messy action’, failing forward, and the vulnerability hangover. We talk about why social media isn’t fake, the importance of trial and error, and how to overcome people who are dedicated to misunderstanding you. Download, review, and follow the podcast so you never miss an episode.Follow Don’t Fuck This Up on IG: @dontfckthisup.podcastFollow Lauren Alvarez on IG: @LaurentheAlvarezFollow Jera on IG: @jera.beanFollow Jera on TikTok: @jera.beanLearn about Jera's Courses and Offerings: www.jerabean.comEmail the show at advice@dontfckthisup.com for your questions to be answered on an upcoming episode!

In Episode 12 of Don’t F*ck This Up, it's a dynamic, refreshing and can’t-miss conversation with engineering leader turned employee experience executive and coach, Ash Coleman, aka: Ash Your Tech Bestie. We’re pulling up with a full plate, so help yourself to a heaping spoonful of discussion around how to know if big tech is right for you, the problem with the term professionalism, and what it means to choose a career where you’re putting business strategy to human emotions and identities. Download, review, and follow the podcast so you never miss an episode.Follow Don’t Fuck This Up on IG: @dontfckthisup.podcastFollow Lauren Alvarez on IG: @LaurentheAlvarezFollow Ash on IG: @ashtechbestie Follow Ash on TikTok: @ashtechbestie Email the show at advice@dontfckthisup.com for your questions to be answered on an upcoming episode!

Episode 11 of Don’t F*ck This Up brings Lauren to a conversation with Dr. Desmond Wilson, MD, an internal medicine doctor and the founder of Silo Health, a concierge medical practice focusing on men’s health and longevity. Dr. Des shares what led him to starting his own practice, how telehealth can remove barriers for difficult conversations, and his experience of being the only Black male medical student in his class - and the resulting double-edged sword of tokenism. We also dive into the limitations of health insurance, and why he considers himself the QB on his patient’s journey to improved health. Hut! Hut! Download, review, and follow the podcast so you never miss an episode. Follow Don’t Fuck This Up on IG: @dontfckthisup.podcastFollow Lauren Alvarez on IG: @LaurentheAlvarezFollow Des on IG: @dr.desmd and on LinkedInLearn about Dr. Des’s practice: www.silo-health.com Email the show at advice@dontfckthisup.com for your questions to be answered on an upcoming episode!