4. Becoming a Writer: Persistence, Rejection, and Purpose with Christiana Roussel

5. Waking Up To Find Confidence with Kennadi Register

In this episode of Aveline, Aleks Arwood sits down with hairstylist, content creator, and influencer Kennadi Register for an honest conversation about identity, confidence, social media, and becoming comfortable in your own skin. What started as a single viral outfit video quickly grew into a thriving online platform, but Kennadi shares how building a real community became more important than simply gaining followers. Together, Aleks and Kennadi talk about navigating comparison culture, finding personal style in a world full of trends, and learning to embrace growth without needing to have everything figured out. From mentoring younger girls through hairstyling and Young Life to dreaming about launching a future styling business with her sisters, Kennadi opens up about confidence, creativity, and the pressure young women face online today. This episode is a refreshing reminder that becoming who you are is a lifelong process and that joy, authenticity, and community matter more than perfection. Connect with Kennadi: https://www.instagram.com/kennadilaine/ Connect with Aleks: https://www.instagram.com/aleks.arwood/ [https://www.instagram.com/aleks.arwood/] Follow Aveline: https://www.instagram.com/avelinemagazine/ [https://www.instagram.com/avelinemagazine/] Explore more at: https://www.avelinemagazine.com/ [https://www.avelinemagazine.com/] If this episode stayed with you, share it with a friend who’s in her becoming too.

4. Becoming a Writer: Persistence, Rejection, and Purpose with Christiana Roussel

What does it really take to become a writer, build a creative career, and tell stories that matter? In this episode of the Aveline Podcast, Aleks sits down with award-winning writer Christiana Roussel to talk about storytelling, writing, mentorship, rejection, and building meaningful connections through creativity. Christiana’s work has been featured in publications like Garden & Gun, The Local Palette, and more, but her journey didn’t happen overnight. From being a stay-at-home mom to pitching stories for seven years before landing a major publication, she shares the real behind-the-scenes of becoming a writer and finding your voice. This conversation dives into: * How to start writing even if you feel “late” to it * The art of pitching stories and getting published * How to build authentic relationships and community * Dealing with rejection, ghosting, and persistence as a creative * Why curiosity is one of the most powerful tools you can develop * The role of storytelling in digital media, podcasts, and beyond If you're an aspiring writer, content creator, storyteller, or someone navigating a new season of life, this episode will encourage you to keep going, stay open, and trust that what’s meant for you will find you. This is more than a conversation about writing. It’s about becoming. Connect with our Guest today at: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/christiana-roussel-5751b747/?isSelfProfile=false Website: https://www.christianaroussel.com/ Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/christiana.roussel/ Connect with Aleks: https://www.instagram.com/aleks.arwood/ [https://www.instagram.com/aleks.arwood/] Follow Aveline: https://www.instagram.com/avelinemagazine/ [https://www.instagram.com/avelinemagazine/] Explore more at: https://www.avelinemagazine.com/ [https://www.avelinemagazine.com/] If this episode stayed with you, share it with a friend who’s in her becoming too.

3. Being Your Most Honest Self with Ella Ryan Cottrell

What if you didn’t have to choose just one path? In this episode of Aveline, Aleks Arwood sits down with Ella Ryan Cottrell—a college student, aspiring dentist, and emerging singer-songwriter—to talk about what it really looks like to navigate your 20s, pursue multiple passions, and embrace the uncertainty of becoming. Ella shares her journey as a first-generation college student studying regenerative bioscience while simultaneously stepping into the world of music. From losing herself in academics to rediscovering creativity, she opens up about identity, burnout, ambition, and the pressure to “have it all figured out.” This is a raw and honest conversation about: * Balancing passion and practicality * Navigating college expectations vs. reality * Pursuing music while building a stable career path * Finding your identity in your 20s * Letting go of the need for certainty * The power of mentors, creativity, and self-expression If you’re in a season of transition, questioning your next step, or feeling stuck in the “messy middle,” this episode will remind you that you don’t need all the answers to keep moving forward. You are allowed to be in the process of becoming. Connect with Aleks: https://www.instagram.com/aleks.arwood/ [https://www.instagram.com/aleks.arwood/] Follow Aveline: https://www.instagram.com/avelinemagazine/ [https://www.instagram.com/avelinemagazine/] Explore more at: https://www.avelinemagazine.com/ [https://www.avelinemagazine.com/] If this episode stayed with you, share it with a friend who’s in her becoming too.

2. The Sweet Side of Business: Building A Brand at 22 with Sophie Snyder

How do you turn a childhood passion into a thriving business—while still in college? In this episode of Aveline, Aleks Arwood sits down with Sophie Snyder, founder of Sophie Cheffy, a luxury wedding cake brand that started as a simple Instagram page in middle school. Now at 22, Sophie is not only running a successful business but also preparing to scale across Auburn University’s campus after winning a major entrepreneurial pitch competition. Sophie shares her journey from baking with her childhood best friend to building a brand rooted in intentionality, excellence, and service. She opens up about the realities of entrepreneurship as a young woman, including setting boundaries, overcoming overwhelm, navigating business logistics, and trusting God’s timing in uncertain seasons. This episode is for aspiring entrepreneurs, creatives, and anyone feeling behind or unsure of their next step. Sophie’s story is proof that you don’t need a perfect plan—you just need the courage to begin. In this episode, we talk about: * Starting a business as a teenager * Turning a passion into a profitable brand * Learning how to set boundaries in business * Navigating college and entrepreneurship at the same time * The power of mentorship and community * Faith, timing, and trusting the process * Scaling a business while maintaining quality If you’ve ever felt like you’re behind or unsure where you’re headed, this conversation will remind you: you’re exactly where you need to be. Subscribe for more conversations that remind you that you are still becoming. Connect With Sophie: https://www.instagram.com/sophie_cheffy/ Learn More about Sophie Cheffy: https://www.sophiecheffy.com/ Connect with Aleks: https://www.instagram.com/aleks.arwood/ [https://www.instagram.com/aleks.arwood/] Follow Aveline: https://www.instagram.com/avelinemagazine/ [https://www.instagram.com/avelinemagazine/] Explore more at: https://www.avelinemagazine.com/ [https://www.avelinemagazine.com/] If this episode stayed with you, share it with a friend who’s in her becoming too.

1. Welcome to Aveline: An Ode to Becoming with Aleks Arwood

There’s a season of life no one really prepares you for—the in-between. The space where you’re dreaming big, questioning everything, and wondering if you’ve somehow fallen behind. In this deeply personal pilot episode, Aleks Arwood introduces Aveline, a space created for young women navigating the messy middle of becoming. Through her own story, she opens up about feeling lost in college, battling comparison, and learning that clarity doesn’t come all at once. This episode is a reminder that you don’t have to have everything figured out to begin. That uncertainty doesn’t disqualify you—it means you’re in motion. Welcome to Aveline. You’re not behind. You’re becoming. Connect with Aleks: https://www.instagram.com/aleks.arwood/ [https://www.instagram.com/aleks.arwood/] Follow Aveline: https://www.instagram.com/avelinemagazine/ [https://www.instagram.com/avelinemagazine/] Explore more at: https://www.avelinemagazine.com/ [https://www.avelinemagazine.com/] If this episode stayed with you, share it with a friend who’s in her becoming too.