Small Talk With Syd - The Podcast

This week I am chatting with Kennedy Crichlow & Mary Ralph Lawson of the amazing fashion label, Daily Drills. Their mission is to simplify getting dressed and blur the lines between workout-wear, lounge-wear, business-wear, and everything in between. These two best friends in the midst of the 2020 global pandemic decided to follow their instincts, combine their talents & take a leap of faith by designing a clothing brand. Their organic growth, along with some genius marketing ideas, allowed them to hit 1M in sales in their first year! Today they are no longer are brainstorming on the floor of their apartment but now have their own HQ in LA along with a growing team. The craziest part is that they are only in their mid 20s! They view all their customers like their friends & after chatting with them it became very apparent why they have been so successful. What I loved most was how transparent they are about how they grew their business. From the initial start up costs, to marketing tactics, to even

In this week’s episode I’m chatting with real estate agent & cast member on both Netflix’s Million Dollar Beach House on & Selling The Hamptons on Discovery Plus, Peggy Zabakolas. Peggy’s real estate career began back she was on Ryan Serhant’s first team on Bravo’s Million Dollar Listing. Now, about a decade later, she has made quite a name for herself in the world of New York luxury real estate. We talk about how she grew her own team, key tips on expanding her network, being a woman in real estate & even advice for first time home buyers. This episode has a little something for everyone so I suggest you tune in!  GUEST INFO: Peggy's IG Peggy's Profile Netflix's Million Dollar Beach House Selling The Hamptons Discovery+ LET'S MAKE SMALL TALK: Small Talk With Syd STWS Media WWW.SMALLTALKWITHSYD.COM

This week I'm chatting with celebrity stylist, Tiffany Briseno. Some of her clients include Kane Brown, Angus Cloud from Euphoria & oh yea Shawn Mendes - just to name a few! We chat about her organic journey towards becoming a stylist, where she draws inspiration from, what it's like working with celebrity clientele, how to make yourself stand out in an ultra competitive industry & of course some fashion tips. Tiff shares a few really fun stories but I think my favorite is the fact that she gets FULL credit for getting Shawn Mendes to wear a leather jacket. So be sure to shoot her a THANK YOU! If you want to hear the behind the scenes of working as a stylist or maybe are interested in learning this career path then be sure to tune in... GUEST INFO: Tiffany's IG Tiffany's Website Tiffany's Portfolio  LET'S MAKE SMALL TALK: Small Talk With Syd STWS Media WWW.SMALLTALKWITHSYD.COM

Hello 2022! This week I am chatting with an OG food influencer & native New Yorker, Jeremy Jacobowitz.  We talk about his former work as a television producer, being a personal assistant to celebrity chef Bobby Flay (this is a pretty funny story), designing the well-known mouth-watering food blog, Brunch Boys, & how today all of his past lives have come into one. We even go into how content creation has shifted in the past decade while providing some great insight along the way. So for anyone wanting to enter creative field, looking to start your own business or just searching for some amazing food recommendations this episode is definitely for you! GUEST INFO: Jeremy's IG Jeremy's TikTok Jeremy's YouTube LET'S MAKE SMALL TALK: Small Talk With Syd STWS Media WWW.SMALLTALKWITHSYD.COM

In my last episode of 2021 I am chatting with both a friend & fellow Long Island native Ms. Bella DeNapoli! Bella & I chat about it all including her recent experience being a contestant on NBC's The Voice Season 21 & what it was like working with Ariana Grande as her coach (no big deal) – something you don’t want to miss. But we also talk about her amazing journey of perseverance & the hard work it took to even get to this position in the first place.   We also discuss how she got on The Voice, her musical background & of course her exciting new music that is being released like her newest single “IDK”. So if you want to learn just a little more about this rising artist & hear some cool stories from a beautiful person be sure to tune in!  SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:  For listeners of the show, Calm is offering a special limited time promotion of 40% off a Calm Premium subscription at CALM.COM/smalltalk  GUEST INFO:  Bella's IG   Bella's New Single "ID

In this episode I chat with licensed clinical psychologist and coach, Dr. Elizabeth Lombardo who is on a mission to help people get out of their own way to create a life they love. Dr. E is regular media contributor to outlets such as the Today Show & Good Morning America. She has personally helped celebrities (Shaq calls her his “head coach of happiness”) & high power performing executives, entrepreneurs and athletes to crush their inner critic and access untapped, practically limitless, reserves of potential. Dr. E just released her latest book “GET OUT OF THE RED ZONE." In its pages Dr Elizabeth Lombardo addresses the interplay between passion and stress. Dr E defines passion as, “having positive energy even in stressful times.” We all experience both, but knowing how to work with our passions and manage or utilize your stress is a game-changer. Be sure to tune in! SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS: For listeners of the show, you can get 15% off your first order when you go to Blueland.com/smalltalk GUEST INFO:

In this episode I'm chatting with comedian & tv writer, Lisa Curry (not to be confused with famous Australian swimmer lol). Lisa is an incredibly funny & talented comedian who is currently the opening act on the Jim Jeffries "Moist" tour.  With that, Lisa has quite the story & we get into it all! We talk about how she got her start in comedy, how she booked 51 shows in 9 countries across Europe all on her own, her experience in writing a debut comedy album (& getting Grammy nominated!), to even working as a writer on networks like NBC, TruTV & Comedy Central. We really do cover so much in this episode & it’s one you definitely don’t want to miss! Oh & I can guarantee some laughs! GUEST INFO: Lisa's IG Lisa's Website  Lisa's Comedy Album LET'S MAKE SMALL TALK: Small Talk With Syd STWS Media WWW.SMALLTALKWITHSYD.COM

In this episode I chat with Batsheva Haart. Some of you might know her from the hit show on Netflix, My Unorthodox Life, which tells the story of Julia Haart, Elite World Group CEO and a former member of an ultra-Orthodox Jewish community, and her children. On the other hand some of you might know her from TikTok where she has over 1.4M followers. Batsheva & I dive into her experience on the show, how she grew such a large social media following & what it takes to be a content creator. We also go into her personal life such as getting married at 19 & how she has been able to overcome all the obstacles that her marriage has faced. If you want to hear more be sure to tune in! SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS: For listeners of the show, Calm is offering a special limited time promotion of 40% off a Calm Premium subscription at CALM.COM/smalltalk Right now, you can get 15% off your first order when you go to Blueland.com/smalltalk GUEST INFO: Batsheva TikTok  Batsheva IG LET'S MAKE SMALL TALK: Small Talk Wit

In this episode I chat with Dr. Darcy Sterling who is a Relationship Expert and the host of E! Network’s Famously Single. She’s the former Global Ambassador of Tinder, and her private practice, Alternatives Counseling in New York City, specializes in helping people thrive in their relationships. In addition to providing counseling services, Dr. Darcy teaches online courses on the psychology and science of Love and Relationships: Her newest course tackles one of the biggest relationship challenges - JEALOUSY. With that said in this episode we go into it ALL - like the biggest problem men & women have when it comes to dating, how to navigate uncomfortable conversations with your partner, fighting in relationships & tons more! This is an episode everyone can learn from.  SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS: For listeners of the show, Calm is offering a special limited time promotion of 40% off a Calm Premium subscription at CALM.COM/smalltalk Right now, you can get 15% off your first order when you go to Blueland.

In this episode I'm chatting with Peng-Peng Lee who is a Chinese-Canadian Olympic gymnast & content creator. Peng made her gymnastics debut in 2004 at the age of eleven, competing in Elite Canada. Her gymnastics career quickly took off at a junior level, receiving multiple accolades. In 2012 she qualified for the Summer Olympics in London but unfortunately had to pull out due to an ACL injury. Not letting that keep her down, she went on to join the Olympic team as acting captain. Peng later turned to compete at the collegiate level where she dedicated six years as a UCLA Bruins gymnast. In 2018, she won the NCAA Balance Beam title and contributed two perfect tens to help the school clinch their seventh national title! When chatting with Peng I learned that her gymnastics career maybe wasn’t exactly what she had planned but that no matter what she always pushed through. Today she has taken all the lessons she has learned & has applied them to her other passions like content creation (3.1MM followers on

In this episode I'm chatting with Alix Greenburg who is the founder & CEO of Art Sugar. After working in the world of fine art for years, Alix was inspired to start a company that makes art affordable & accessible to everyone.  In other words, ArtSugar is a virtual gallery of affordable art prints & decor by Instagram-famous artists, curated by Alix to uniquely cater to social media-minded millennials and Gen Z. The company even donates proceeds from every sale to a selection of notable charities.  When it comes to capital, Art Sugar announced in July 2021 the impressive raise of a $500,000 seed round (this is a super cool story we talk about!). Plus, they have experienced impressive growth with an 80% increase in year-over-year revenue since March 2020 - during a pandemic! Today ArtSugar has attracted celebrity customers such as Lance Bass, Katherine Schwarzenegger, and Bella Thorne. If you want to learn more be sure to tune in! GUEST INFO: Art Sugar IG Art Sugar Website LET'S

In this episode I'm chatting with Mr. Oliver Trevena who has quite the resume. He is an actor, host, producer, philanthropist & entrepreneur. His career began working as a host for Young Hollywood in the early 2000s where he interviewed just about every A-list celeb. Then after years of interviewing so many actors it was time for him to step into the role himself (pun not intended). Some of his recent work includes The Rising Hawk & Grande Isle with Nicolas Cage & Kelsey Grammer. He also works behind the camera with his company Ollywood Media where he produces shows for networks like Awesomeness TV & has created content for major brands like AllSaints. Finally, Oliver is no stranger to the world of entrepreneurship. We discuss the brand, Cali Water, that he created with his best friend, Vanessa Hudgens (yes, that Vanessa) & some of the other companies he plays an active investor role in like DogPound & CLMBr (the fast-growing fitness brand alongside Jay Z, Lebron James and Pitbull).&nb

In this episode I'm chatting with TikTok star Fabrizio Villalpando aka The Moody Foody. Fabrizio shares the story of how he went from living in a van for 3 months to becoming a full time digital creator. While struggling with mental health & looking for a creative outlet he dove into the world of recipe development & video creation. All self-taught! Today he has over 800k followers on TikTok & has been featured Forbes, Food & Wine, the Daily Mail along with others. He’s known for his unique take on cooking videos as they have this laid back approach that will leave you feeling less stressed, relaxed & of course hungry! We really get into it all in this episode. The inspiration behind his work, how he got started, favorite recipes & more. So if you’re anything like me & are a bit intimated by the kitchen or maybe just feeling a bit stuck then this episode is one you need to check out.  GUEST INFO: Fabrizio's TikTok Fabrizio's IG LET'S MAKE SMALL TALK: Small Talk With Syd STWS M

In this episode I'm chatting with a true QUEEN, Nicole Rose Stillings, otherwise known as DJ Rosé or Nicole Rosé. We dive into how this Midwest babe became a NYC boss where she now uses her entrepreneurial experience of building a six-figure business to empower the next generation of badass women. Nicole truly has quite the resume from performing as a word-class DJ at Coachella, the Super Bowl & Art Basel to being a fellow podcaster. We also talk about her experience as cast member of the show, The Big Shot With Bethenny, & what she learned from working with Bethenny Frankel. Something you definitely do not want to miss! With all of that experience under her belt, Nicole decided to launch a mentorship program called “Queens of Creation” which is a three-month membership program which teaches ambitious women how to unlock confidence, build a strong mindset and manifest their dreams. If you are looking for some inspiration or some female empowerment this episode is definitely for you. GUEST INFO: 

In this episode I chat with Giordana Vogel who is a Holistic Health Coach & the Founder of the Miami based lifestyle brand De La Heart which offers meticulously curated content in of areas of wellness, beauty and health. In addition, the also offer a line of incredible products including their most well known product The Body Massage Tool which helps with lymphatic drainage (I am a HUGE fan!). This growing brand is one to keep your eyes on. In fact, they have received press from Vogue, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, The Today Show, Town & Country & Byrdie just to name a few. With that being said, Gigi is truly such a beautiful soul & the story of how this Colombian native found her path & true passion is one worth hearing! She says that real life & real women are her inspiration. She likes to keep it simple, honest, inclusive & fun! It's all about  mind, body & soul. Tune in for all the good vibes! SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS: Get 20% off your first order with Sakara by using the c

In this episode I chat with the iconic Alexa Matthews who runs the mouth-watering account @eatingnyc - the ultimate NYC restaurant guide. In 2014 Alexa began the account as a casual hobby but today it has become her full time job where she speaks to over 300k followers. She even has famous followers like Paris Hilton, Hailey Bieber & Ashley Benson just to name a few. In addition this NYC native was listed in 2016 as one of the top 30 people in food by AdWeek and has been featured by CNNMoney, Wall Street Journal, Cosmopolitan and Zagat, amongst others.  We also talk about her career journey, how she grew the account & eventually monetized it, the importance of pivoting as a content creator, the key ingredients to what makes a great restaurant & of course her favorite restaurant recs (which you don't want to miss).  Be sure to grab a snack & tune in! LET'S MAKE SMALL TALK: Small Talk With Syd STWS Media WWW.SMALLTALKWITHSYD.COM

In this episode I chat with Sarah Larson Levey who is the founder & CEO of Y7 Studio. With locations all over the country, Y7 Studio breaks traditional barriers to make yoga more inclusive & accessible. Its sweat dripping, beat bumping, candlelit yoga. I would know I’ve been a fan for years! With that, Sarah is truly a force to be reckoned with. In 2018 she made the cover of Inc. Magazine which showcases America’s 500 Fastest Growing Companies. She has also been featured in Entrepreneur Magazine's 100 Powerful Women Issue. Plus, she's collaborated with major brands like Free People, Gap Body & Athleta just to name a few.  Some of the topics we discuss are the inspiration behind the brand, advice on how to deal with stress, body positivity, motherhood, her move to Texas & so much more. Be sure to tune in! SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS: Get 20% off your first order with the Sakara by using the code SMALLTALK at checkout. You can also go to sakara.com/smalltalk. LET'S MAKE SMALL TALK: Small Talk With

In this episode I chat with the Creative Director of Cosmopolitan.com, Abby Silverman. Abby is responsible for leading the redesign & relaunch from concept to production of Cosmopolitan.com across the entire brands digital & social footprint. Additionally, that very redesign of Cosmopolitan digital inspired and changed the direction of Cosmopolitan print. Pretty impressive.  Abby I speak on different topics such as her career path to Cosmo, advice when feeling stuck in your 20s, the relevance of TikTok in the media space & more! Plus, we dive into more personal topics like dating & New York City lifestyle.  If you want to meet the Devil Wears Prada IRL be sure to take a listen! LET'S MAKE SMALL TALK: Small Talk With Syd STWS Media WWW.SMALLTALKWITHSYD.COM

In this episode I chat with the down to earth & gorgeous Emily DiDonato. Emily is an American Model with IMG Models & the Co-Founder of her new skincare brand, Covey. Emily takes us through the journey of how she first got discovered as a model to later making the Sports Illustrated Issue.  While the world of modeling can be an exciting one, it also has its challenges. With that we talk body image along with the changes Emily has experienced over the last decade. And of course we chat about her exciting new business venture Covey. An amazing brand that makes skincare easy with 3 tried-and-true essentials for a simple, everyday approach. EXCLUSIVE OFFER: Get 10% off of the Covey Routine by using the code SMALLTALK at coveyskin.com. SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS: Get 20% off your first order with the Sakara by using the code SMALLTALK at checkout. You can also go to sakara.com/smalltalk.  LET'S MAKE SMALL TALK: Small Talk With Syd STWS Media WWW.SMALLTALKWITHSYD.COM

Hey guys! It's been a MINUTE but I am BACK! I took some time off to strategize & figure out my next move going forward with the pod. With that, I am super pumped to get this thing going again. We have incredible guests lined up & I cannot wait for you guys to be a part of these conversations.  I thought it would be appropriate to start this podcast back up again with a solo episode. The last time I did a solo was January 2018 (lol) so I think it's safe to say that a lot has changed since then. In this episode I discuss where I am currently at, some lessons I have learned the past 2 years & I also give some tips/tricks on how to reach your goals.  As we dive into these conversations with my guests, I think it's really important for you  to feel connected to me, your host. I also hope to do more solo episodes in the future! Want to truly build a community with all of you. For now I hope you all enjoy! Now, let's make small talk... Syd, xo LET'S MAKE SMALL TALK: Small Talk With Syd ST