DESIGNING FOR DELIGHT: THE BALA WAY w/ the Co-Founder of Bala

THE SCIENCE OF TRUST w/ Seed´s Co-Founder

Meet Ara Katz, Co-Founder of Seed, the microbiome science company pioneering innovations in probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics. Seed’s work spans from gut and skin health to coral reef restoration—and even microbes in space. Before founding Seed, Ara worked in media, design, and tech. After a personal health experience reshaped her perspective, she set out to reimagine how science is communicated. In this episode, Ara shares how she and her team transformed microbiome science into a cultural movement, bridging the gap between cutting-edge science and everyday life. In this episode, we get into: * Why you can’t brand your way to trust * Seed’s anti–gatekeeping approach to knowledge * M- The most underrated ingredient in product design * Launching the first vaginal synbiotic and evolving women’s health * Why AI can be a tool for empowerment—not replacement. This is: The Science of Trust Welcome to the MADNESS. Connect w/ Ara Katz & Seed https://www.instagram.com/arakatz/ [https://www.instagram.com/arakatz/] https://www.instagram.com/seed/ [https://www.instagram.com/seed/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/arakatz/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/arakatz/] Connect w/ the MADWOMEN https://www.instagram.com/madwomen_studios/ [https://www.instagram.com/madwomen_studios/] https://www.tiktok.com/@madwomen_studios [https://www.tiktok.com/@madwomen_studios] https://www.instagram.com/miapokriefka/ [https://www.instagram.com/miapokriefka/] https://www.instagram.com/elissaodell/ [https://www.instagram.com/elissaodell/] www.madwomenstudios.com [http://www.madwomenstudios.com] 💌 Subscribe for new episodes 💌

THE ART OF LISTENING IN A NOISY WORLD w/ The RealReal's Chief Brand Officer

Meet Kristen Naiman, The RealReal’s Chief Brand Officer and the creative mind behind Kate Spade’s iconic Misadventure series with Anna Kendrick. Before The RealReal, she spent seven years at Isaac Mizrahi, styled Hanson (yes, the boy band), and began her career styling for Harper’s Bazaar, Teen Vogue, Paper, Nylon, The New York Times Magazine, and Rolling Stone. This MADWOMEN episode is about creativity. But it’s also about our roles in capitalism. Kristen’s philosophy? True creativity comes from noticing the world around you, surrounding yourself with diverse voices, and really listening. If you’re interested in… ✨ Sharpening your creative instinct ✨ Building the world you want to live in ✨ Challenging consumption cycles ✨ Creative leadership that lifts others up ✨ How a brand creates real value ✨ Why Misadventure became a viral phenomenon ✨ A secret way to use the The RealReal …then join us for this week’s episode. This is: The Art of Listening in a Noisy World: Capitalism, Creativity, and the Stories We Hear Welcome to the Madness. Connect w/ Kristen Naiman & The Real Real https://www.instagram.com/kristennaiman/ [https://www.instagram.com/kristennaiman/] https://www.instagram.com/therealreal/ [https://www.instagram.com/therealreal/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-naiman-26449528/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-naiman-26449528/] Connect w/ the MADWOMEN https://www.instagram.com/madwomen_studios/ [https://www.instagram.com/madwomen_studios/] https://www.tiktok.com/@madwomen_studios [https://www.tiktok.com/@madwomen_studios] https://www.instagram.com/miapokriefka/ [https://www.instagram.com/miapokriefka/] https://www.instagram.com/elissaodell/ [https://www.instagram.com/elissaodell/] www.madwomenstudios.com [http://www.madwomenstudios.com] 💌 Subscribe for new episodes 💌

DESIGNING FOR DELIGHT: THE BALA WAY w/ the Co-Founder of Bala

Meet Natalie Holloway, Bala’s Co-Founder, the brand that turned dumbbells into design objects and redefined what it means to move. After a career in advertising, Natalie and her husband, Max, launched Bala with one goal: to make fitness delightful. From the cult-favorite Bala Bangles to collaborations with Ralph Lauren, Spanx, and Pucci. Bala has become a global symbol of play, color, and creativity in wellness. In this episode of MADWOMEN, Natalie shares how Bala reimagined fitness—proving that design-led products do more than just sell. Why you need to listen (even if you don’t have a physical product), because we get into: * how design itself can be the product strategy * why rest and movement are essential to building something that lasts * the power of building your roadmap with your community, not just for them * knowing when to protect the vision—and when to walk away * saying no to influencers and yes to collaborations This is: Designing for Delight: The Bala Way Welcome to the Madness. Connect w/ Natalie Holloway + Bala https://www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/ [https://www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/] https://www.instagram.com/bala/ [https://www.instagram.com/bala/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-holloway-bab86521/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-holloway-bab86521/] Connect w/ the MADWOMEN https://www.instagram.com/madwomen_studios/ [https://www.instagram.com/madwomen_studios/] https://www.tiktok.com/@madwomen_studios [https://www.tiktok.com/@madwomen_studios] https://www.instagram.com/miapokriefka/ [https://www.instagram.com/miapokriefka/] https://www.instagram.com/elissaodell/ [https://www.instagram.com/elissaodell/] www.madwomenstudios.com [http://www.madwomenstudios.com] 💌 Subscribe for new episodes 💌

HOW TO BUILD A BRAND THAT SHAPES CULTURE w/ Bobbie’s Chief Brand Officer

Meet Bobbie’s Chief Brand Officer, Kim Chappell. She’s reimagining a culture that truly supports parents and kids, and the role brands play in it. The Bobbie brand has been honored by Time’s 100 Most Innovative Companies, the Webby Awards, and the Shorty Awards. Kim was named one of Forbes’ 50 Most Entrepreneurial CMOs. Before joining Bobbie, Kim was a journalist, and storyteller at Square, not a traditional marketer. That’s exactly why her approach works. She builds brands by making people feel, not by chasing metrics. From assembling her own desk in a basement to launching the first breastfeeding billboard in Times Square, Kim has helped turn Bobbie into a movement that’s redefining culture. Under her direction, Bobbie has launched bold campaigns featuring Meghan Trainor, Ashley Graham, Tan France and landed her product on Target shelves nationwide. If you want to shape where culture is headed, this episode will inspire you to: * Build lasting trust with your audience * Launch before you have a product * Turn followers into a true digital village * Avoid performative marketing * Lead with empathy—not just KPIs And added bonus, we unpack what it means to lead with your gut—reflecting on authenticity, noise, and staying inspired in an algorithmic world. This is: How to Build a Brand That Shapes Culture Welcome to the Madness. Connect w/ Kim Chappell + Bobbie linkedin.com/in/kim-chappell-3599415 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-chappell-3599415] https://www.instagram.com/kimgchappy/ [https://www.instagram.com/kimgchappy/] https://www.hibobbie.com/ [https://www.hibobbie.com/] Connect w/ the MADWOMEN https://www.instagram.com/madwomen_studios/ [https://www.instagram.com/madwomen_studios/] https://www.tiktok.com/@madwomen_studios [https://www.tiktok.com/@madwomen_studios] https://www.instagram.com/miapokriefka/ [https://www.instagram.com/miapokriefka/] https://www.instagram.com/elissaodell/ [https://www.instagram.com/elissaodell/] www.madwomenstudios.com [http://www.madwomenstudios.com] 💌 Subscribe for new episodes 💌

THE CHAOS, CRAFT, AND COST OF VIRALITY w/ Hearst Magazines's VP of Video

Meet Jason Ikeler, Hearst Magazines’ VP of Video and Creative Strategy. From Cosmo to Harper’s Bazaar to ELLE, Jason is likely the reason you can’t stop scrolling. He’s behind some of your favorite videos on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube—everything from celebrity interviews to fashion shoots. Jason has created hit series with stars like Billie Eilish, Julia Fox, and John Legend. In this episode, Jason takes us inside the chaos and craft of creating original content: * How to balance personal taste, ad $$, & audience expectations * Jason’s philosophy: “there are no new ideas” * Originality > Trends * Why Phoning It In became a viral hit w/ Billie Eilish, Julia Fox, etc * The role of failure * Where ideas come from (not from 15-person brainstorms) * What it really takes to get celebrities off script * The secret sauce that keeps Hearst at the center of culture This is: The Chaos, Craft, and Cost of Virality Welcome to the MADNESS Connect w/ Jason Ikeler https://www.instagram.com/jasonikeler/ [https://www.instagram.com/jasonikeler/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonikeler/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonikeler/] Connect w/ the MADWOMEN https://www.instagram.com/madwomen_studios/ [https://www.instagram.com/madwomen_studios/] https://www.tiktok.com/@madwomen_studios [https://www.tiktok.com/@madwomen_studios] https://www.instagram.com/miapokriefka/ [https://www.instagram.com/miapokriefka/] https://www.instagram.com/elissaodell/ [https://www.instagram.com/elissaodell/] www.madwomenstudios.com [http://www.madwomenstudios.com] 💌 Subscribe for new episodes 💌