Episode 85: A Chat With Palm Beach Jewelry Designer Cynthia Dillon

Born in New York, Cynthia Dillon grew up in Buenos Aires and Tokyo, and worked with international jewelers in America, Europe and the Far East.

Episode 84: If You Wrestle With These 4 Things, You Will Struggle In The Fashion Industry

In this conversation, Ally shares her journey in the fashion industry, discussing the challenges and realities of working in a world filled with transactional relationships and competition. She emphasizes the importance of resilience, guarding one's heart, and overcoming the pitfalls of coveting or being easily offended. Through personal anecdotes and insights, she provides practical advice for navigating the complexities of the fashion world while maintaining integrity and purpose.

Episode 83: Jade Toko On Why Gen Z and Millennials are Leading the Charge in the Secondhand Luxury Market

Jade Toko is a Paris based business development professional, specialized in sales strategy and B2B growth. She has helped premium brands expand and international companies to build long-term relationships that drive value. In this conversation she discusses the evolving landscape of the secondhand luxury market and its impact on the fashion industry. The discussion covers consumer behavior shifts post-COVID, the rise of eco-consciousness, and how luxury is being redefined as experiences over products. Toko also highlights the spending habits of the wealthy, the influence of global events on luxury spending, and the booming secondhand market, particularly among Gen Z and millennials. The conversation concludes with insights on the future of secondhand fashion in Africa and the role of technology in ensuring authenticity in luxury goods.

Episode 82: Tess Quesenberry On Her Four Habits for a Smoother Back-to-School Transition

In this conversation, Tess shares her diverse experiences in the medical field, emphasizing the importance of treating the whole person and establishing wellness routines for both children and adults, especially when going back to school. She discusses the significance of sleep, community, and nutrition, while also addressing the challenges posed by technology and the need for balance in life. She also provides practical advice for a smoother back-to-school transition and highlights the importance of patience in the medical profession.

Episode 81: Golfing At Antognolla Golf Course In Umbria, Italy

Ally shares her experiences as a lifestyle writer while traveling to Italy, particularly focusing on her love for golf. She discusses her journey from South Carolina to Perugia, her interactions with friends, and her plans to create content about her travels. She reflects on her long-standing relationship with golf, the lessons it has taught her, and her aspirations to improve her skills. The conversation highlights the personal growth and joy that come from pursuing passions and the importance of storytelling in lifestyle writing.

Episode 80: Cassandra Portee On Dealing With Being In A Critical Car Accident + Getting Cancer, Both In Her 20s

I sat down and interviewed my mom on being in a critical car accident at 22, then two years later getting diagnosed with thyroid cancer. She unpacks the emotions she felt and how she was able to get through these burdening moments at such an early age. Our dialogue explores themes of resilience, faith, and the importance of support during difficult times. Cassandra’s story emphasizes the fragility of life and the strength found in faith and relationships.

Episode 78: Kristin Pollock On Raising the Bar in Modern Dating

In this engaging conversation, Ally and Kitty discuss the challenges of dating in 2025, emphasizing how the bar has been set low due to societal changes, particularly the influence of social media. They explore themes of selfishness, the importance of accountability, and the necessity of establishing boundaries in relationships. The discussion also highlights the significance of self-reflection and personal growth in navigating modern love, ultimately advocating for a more mindful approach to dating and relationships.

Episode 77: Yes, Contribute To A Well Known Magazine, But Start Your Own Thing Too

Episode 76: The Fashion Roadman- His Thoughts On Fashion Month + If He Thinks Bezos Will Buy Condé Nast

In conversation 76, Ayo Ojo, known as The Fashion Roadman shares his unique journey into the fashion industry, discussing how he stumbled into fashion, the challenges facing London Fashion Week, and the evolving landscape of fashion journalism.

Episode 75: From Journalism to PR- Simon Buckby Discusses His Journey of Communication

In this conversation, Simon shares his journey from journalism to public relations, beginning his career as a TV reporter for the BBC and then later a correspondent for the Financial Times. He then switched sides to become the CEO of a high-profile political campaign, working on behalf of British prime minister Tony Blair. Simon discusses the evolving nature of crisis communication, the role of citizen journalists, and the skills necessary for effective communication in today's fast-paced world. Buckby also reflects on his experiences living and working in emerging markets, particularly in Southeast Asia, and the exciting opportunities that lie ahead in these regions.

Episode 74: Austin Akers- International Election Observer and Communications Strategist

Austin is the co-Founder of Interscribe Global Communications Agency, which helps leaders navigate the complex intersection of politics and communications. He’s also an international election observer who's spent the last decade working across emerging democracies. His experience has taken him from observing elections in Albania and Georgia to working with global NGOs, think tanks, and advocacy groups on strategic communications challenges.

According to Austin, what drives his work are things he has witnessed repeatedly: democracy's biggest threats today aren't just rigged elections or authoritarian overreach, they're disinformation campaigns and the systematic erosion of trust in institutions. He has seen elections fail not because of ballot stuffing, but because credible voices couldn't effectively communicate their findings while bad actors dominated the narrative space.

Episode 73: Alison Rehill-Erguven the CEO of Cenomi Centers, the Largest Real Estate Mall Developer In Saudi Arabia

Alison is the CEO of Cenomi Centers. What Emaar is to Dubai, what Westfield is to London, or Simon Property Group is to the US, Cenomi Centers is to Saudi Arabia.

She brings over 25 years of extensive leadership experience across shopping malls and retail real estate globally. Leading the strategic growth and transformation of Cenomi Centers' portfolio, Alison oversees development, operations, marketing, and asset management functions. Prior to joining Cenomi, Alison was the CEO of Pradera Retail Asia, later integrated into Brookfield Asset Management, where she also served as Acting Head of Commercial Real Estate for Brookfield Properties China. She previously held leadership roles in Europe and Turkey and began her career in the United States with Simon Property Group and General Growth Properties.

In this episode Alison talks about what drives her, what she studies most about malls she walks into, the Saudi consumer, and the character trait that’s needed to be the CEO of a mall developer.

Episode 72: Inga Rubenstein: From Modeling To Ardent Art Connoisseur

Russian born, Inga Rubenstein is also American. She’s St. Petersburg, turned New York City, turned fashion model, turned ardent art connoisseur. I first met Inga in Florence, Italy by chance and have admired her style, and the way she holds herself in a reserved manner. In this episode we talk about her life in Russia, modeling, NY, art, and her philanthropic work.

Episode 71: Mary Senkowska On The Importance Of Having Confidence In Business & Creating Leadership Programs For Executives

Mary Senkowska is an international entrepreneur, executive coach, and single mother who has built her career bridging continents and cultures. As the founder of Creative Brain, she has spent eight years developing leadership programs for executives across 90+ nationalities, from her bases in the Netherlands, Malaysia, New York and now Poland. Mary's work focuses on the intersection of emotional intelligence and high-performance leadership, helping executives navigate uncertainty.

Episode 70: Sebastian Norena Opens Up About His Journey In Creating Impactful Luxury Experiences That Resonate

Sebastian Norena is a hospitality executive born and raised in Colombia, yet he has called the US home for a while now. He worked his way up from entry-level positions to management, corporate, and executive roles with Nikki Beach Worldwide and the Butter Group in New York City. His body of work includes experience in both major cities and international markets to generate successful and impactful brand messaging and revenue, that drive initiatives for his portfolio of clients. Working with the likes of Richie Akiva to produce experiences at Coachella, Paris Fashion Week, the Cannes Film Festival, Tribeca Film Festival, Art Basel Miami, amfAR Gala after parties, and Rihanna’s Fenty NYFW and PFW official after parties. Industry leaders seek out Sebastian, asking him to spearhead their projects and consult on a variety of branding and event-based projects, which led to the birth of his company KIP Hospitality, where he has worked with Mercedes Benz and the Academy Awards, scouting the talent for their events, bringing celebrities such as Mase, Guy Gerber, Paris Hilton, and Wycliff. Sebastian’s experiences and those he’s a part of resonate with consumers, media, and attendees and in turn, create long term returns and retention.

Episode 69: Pierre Houssney On The Ministry Needs In Lebanon

Pierre Houssney is a Lebanese-American who grew up in the US, between cross cultural ministry between Muslims and international students. But, today he calls Beirut home. Pierre has been in full time ministry with Horizons International (a mission organization founded by his father Georges) since 2006. While growing up he spent summers doing outreach in Lebanon, and spent a gap year doing ministry in Beirut.

Today, Pierre leads a team of nationals and missionaries, running centers of evangelism and discipleship throughout Lebanon, as well as a school for refugee children and the Middle East Center for World Missions.

I met Pierre in 2018 when I moved to Beirut and started serving with Horizons. I observed first hand is leadership, in finding solutions and bringing people together for the common mission of uplifting and sharing Jesus. In this episode we discuss the current need in Lebanon and how Horizons is responding to that need.

Episode 68: Matthew A. Swift- The CEO & Co-Founder of Concordia On Creating A Network Of World Leaders That Insight Change

Matthew A. Swift is the Co-Founder, President & CEO of Concordia. Matthew has grown Concordia into the leading nonpartisan global affairs membership organization dedicated to forming innovative cross-sector partnerships that address the greatest challenges and opportunities of our time, which bridge the divide between business, government, and non-profits to find market-based solutions to critical challenges. Matthew has led conversations with preeminent world figures from U.S. Presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Joe Biden; President of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan; former President of Colombia Álvaro Uribe; The Carlyle Group Inc. Co-Founder David Rubenstein; former White House Advisor Ivanka Trump; her husband Jared Kishner; and Uber (NYSE: UBER) CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi. Concordia’s summits have been held in New York City, Miami, Bogotá, Athens, Madrid, London, Porto, and Guyana.

Episode 67: Alessandro Sugar and Andrea Fabrizii On Bringing Italian and French Composed Works of Art Alive In Hollywood Films

During this year’s Cannes Film Festival, I met Alessandro Sugar and Andrea Fabrizii- as well as Alessandro’s siblings. Both Alessandro and Andrea are part of CAM Sugar, a catalogue that represents Italian and French soundtracks, with over 2,000 original scores. Music in their catalogue are found in Oscar winning films like La Dolce Vita, Il Postino, Mondo Cane, 8 ½, Amarcord, and more. Major international producers and directors pick and choose from the CAM Sugar archive with hundreds of samples and synchronizations from movies to fashion campaigns. Who can forget Jack Black in The Holiday, opposite Kate Winslet, where his character composed a song inspired by the late great Italian composer Ennio Morricone. Or, Quentin Tarantino introducing America to the film genre “spaghetti western,” in Once Upon A Time In Hollywood. This is the space that Andrea and Alessandro work in, they bring French and Italian composed works of art alive in films. And works by Italian and French composers from Ennio Morricone, Nino Rota, Riz Ortolani, and Alain Goraguer are in their library.

 At 24, Alessandro is head of CAM Sugar label, connecting the catalogue with the contemporary, through sync, sampling, and curations. He collaborates with a young team focused on bringing CAM Sugar's music to new audiences. Andrea is a gold digger for vinyl’s, tapes, and forgotten stories; as well as a musician, producer, communicator, and one of Italy’s leading Italian experts in the field of cinema and soundtracks. Doing A&R for the CAM Sugar label, Andrea oversees the editing and sound restoration of archival music, ensuring the renowned sonic quality of their releases. Also, a DJ, Andrea includes the works of Morricone, Stelvio Cipriani, Stefano Torossi, and others, which he highlights in his mixes for the CAM Sound System that’s performed at international festivals, listening sessions, clubs, and radio stations.

Episode 66: Vickie Samushonga Explains Why Fashion Should Be Looking at India

With a dual calling in fashion and the ministry, Zimbabwean born Vickie Samushonga works with fashion designers between Africa and India, connecting designers with manufacturers, fashion weeks, and exhibitions. When I sat down with Vickie, I didn’t think the conversation to be this engaging. She gave more than I was expecting. A woman who is able to tie her faith into her work, and have an impact in both areas is fascinating. She opens up about her journey in both fields, what African designers need most, and what India offers the fashion industry.

Episode 65: Yi-Hwa Hanna Shares Her Thoughts On The State Of Media

Yi-Hwa Hanna is an author and editor of a Middle East edition of a leading global travel magazine brand, based in Dubai. Her words have been published in a range of top-tier international and regional publications over the past 20 years, including Women’s Health, Men’s Health, Business Traveller, Grazia, Cosmopolitan, Harper’s Bazaar, Good Housekeeping, Etihad Inflight, and many others. She’s also an award-winning writer having won the 2023 Emirates LitFest Writing Prize. Her writing knowledge spans from lifestyle, fashion, beauty, technology, and business. In this episode she talks about her journey in media, how to navigate through the rough media climate, and the ways to pitch to an editor.