(Almost) Reckless

A conversation with Amy Smilovic and Liz Taylor. Liz is Ogilvy’s Global Chief Creative Officer, setting the creative vision for 120+ offices in more than 90 countries, in addition to agency networks DAVID, INGO and Grey. Under her leadership, Ogilvy has become the only agency ever to top both WARC’s Creative 100 and Effective 100 lists, alongside repeat Network of the Year accolades. Her work has also received several Emmy nominations, been featured at the Museum of Modern Art, on Billboard charts, in multiple Super Bowls, and among culture-topping lists like Fast Company’s annual World’s Most Innovative Companies and TIME Magazine’s Best Inventions. Liz is also the first-ever CCO to be top-ranked by Cannes, and the first woman to top CCO lists by The Drum and D&AD, to be named CCO at FCB, and to be appointed Global CCO at both Leo (Burnett) and Ogilvy. Throughout the conversation, Amy and Liz discuss the winding, accidental nature of her rise to the top of one of the world's most competitive industries, what it truly means to lead creative culture at scale, and why the most lasting work always lives at the intersection of commerce, craft, and genuine conviction.

A conversation with Amy Smilovic and Garance Doré. Garance is a New York Times Best-Selling Author, renowned Photographer, and illustrator. In 2007 Garance began shooting street-style photography in Paris with a uniquely creative point of view, marking a shift in the era of highly calculated editorial "street" fashion photography to one characterized by a raw, personal, and unembellished perspective, changing the course of the discipline forever. Known to many as the original fashion blogger, Garance has no doubt had a significant influence on the way street style is captured today. In 2015, Garance released her first book, Love Style Life, a NYT Best-Seller, and a narrative journey through the various creative endeavors of her career, from photography to illustration to authorship. In 2022, Garance co-founded Doré, a French skincare line rooted in modernity, simplicity, and transparency. Throughout the podcast, Amy and Garance discuss the pivotal moments of her childhood, the ups and downs of her career in the volatile industry of fashion, and that which brings her ultimate happiness today.

A conversation with Golnar Khosrowshahi and Amy Smilovic. Golnar is the Founder & CEO of Reservoir Media, an independent music company based in New York City. Founded in 2007 as a family-owned music publisher, Reservoir is the first female-founded and led publicly traded independent music company in the United States and has been twice named Publisher of the Year by The A&R Awards, and Independent Publisher of the Year at the Music Week Awards in 2020 and 2022. Their robust catalog includes historic works from legends like Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell, John Denver, Sheryl Crow, and Snoop Dogg, as well as current award-winning hits by Lady Gaga, Camila Cabello, Bruno Mars, and many more. Reservoir also hosts a roster of active writers and producers including Ali Tamposi, 2 Chainz, and Jamie Hartman, while maintaining a deeply influential position in the category of film music, owning scores by Hans Zimmer and those from The Lion King, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Dark Knight Trilogy, and more. Amy and Golnar discuss her path into the music industry and the origins of her love for the discipline, outlining how Golnar carved her successful niche in a cut-throat business, all the while remaining completely operationally independent.

A conversation with Daniel Dooreck and Amy Smilovic. Daniel is the Founder and Head Potter at Danny D’s Mud Shop, an independent ceramics company based in Los Angeles, California. What originally began as a side-hobby out of Daniel’s garage in Echo Park has blossomed into a lively brick-and-mortar store/workshop in East Hollywood where Daniel and his small team craft and design every day. Each piece is a one-of-one created by hand without the use of machines or molds, taking influence from the American West, traditional tattooing, and quirky illustrations collected by Daniel overtime. Select pieces from the Mud Shop can be found across the globe in specially chosen retailers from Tokyo to Toronto. Throughout this episode, Amy and Daniel discuss the unique path that has led Daniel to where he is today, connecting the dots between previous jobs, dreams, and hobbies to formulate the greater picture that is Danniel’s thriving career at present. The episode was shot and produced live in Danny D’s Mud Shop in East Hollywood, CA.

Fran Camaj, founder of the Gjelina Group in Venice, California, shares his entrepreneurial journey with Amy Smilovic. He discusses the evolution of his brand, from the original Gjelina restaurant to multiple thriving locations, emphasizing his gut instincts and passion. Fran reveals the challenges of learning to manage a business without mentors and the resilience required after setbacks like a fire in NYC. He highlights the importance of community authenticity, the creative constraints faced while expanding, and the value of real estate in driving his ventures forward.

A conversation with Javier Peral and Amy Smilovic. Javier is a Music Director and Producer for a variety of creative industries spanning art, fashion, and design. Javier has been directing music for Tibi for over two decades, dating back to Tibi’s Spring 2004 Runway. Over the course of this time working together, Amy and Javier have struck a rapport only feasible through a relationship that spans 21+ years, one that allows for nearly frictionless communication through the medium of music, and an innate trust in each other’s vision and perspective. It is for this reason that Tibi has been able to successfully implement notable songs like Sweet Child O’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses, She’s a Rainbow by The Rolling Stones, and If You Could Read My Mind by Gordon Lightfoot. The two discuss how your work can keep you young, the fear in explaining one’s job description to others who may not understand, and the influence of others’ perception of “giving up” on your dreams. The episode was shot and produced live at 666 Studios.

A conversation with Mara Hoffman and Amy Smilovic. Mara Hoffman is an Artist, and the Founder of Mara Hoffman, her independent, namesake label that she led as President and Creative Director for 24 years. As a prominent leader for sustainability in the luxury fashion industry, Mara decided to close her doors in the Spring of 2024, ultimately realizing that the best path forward in her environmental advocacy would be through a different lens. This episode is a journey through Mara’s career and a no-frills discussion, from Amy and Mara’s 50 years of combined experience, about the many foundational and deeply rooted issues that independent designers confront in pursuit of building a business based on principles and values that extend beyond just revenue and profit. This episode was shot and produced live at 666 Studios.

A conversation with Malcolm Mitchell and Amy Smilovic. Malcolm Mitchell is a best-selling author, poet, founder of Share the Magic Foundation, and Super Bowl champion. After retiring from the NFL in 2019 after two years due to an injury, Malcolm was confronted with a career shift earlier than expected and altered his focus to being a full-time author, writing children's books and championing the importance of youth literacy through his "Read with Malcolm" initiative. In 2016 Malcolm published his first book, The Magician's Hat, followed by My Very Favorite Book in the Whole Wide World, which was published in 2020. Malcolm and Amy's paths first crossed at the tail end of his career with New England Patriots, and the two have remained great friends since. The episode was shot and produced live at 666 Studios.

A conversation with Yasemin Demirci and Amy Smilovic. Yasemin is the founder and owner of The Store by Schneeweis, an independent, luxury boutique located in the heart of Vienna, Austria that has carried Tibi for just shy of 15 years. Since opening its doors in 2008, Schneeweis has come to represent the pinnacle of especially curated, luxury clothing and accessories in Vienna. The two founders compare and contrast their experience in the fashion industry and the differences within their specific niches, as well as the details behind the launch and creation of a new Viennese apartment in the Fall of 2025, in partnership with Yasemin and Schneeweiss. The episode was shot and produced live in Paris, France.

A conversation with Beth Hutchens and Amy Smilovic. Beth is the Founder & Creative Director of FoundRae, a collection of fine jewelry, more specifically intently crafted modern heirlooms for self-expression. Beth and Amy have known each other for more than two decades, as Beth’s origins in the fashion industry began when she co-founded Rebecca Taylor in 1996. The discussion touches on Beth and Amy’s shared experience founding luxury clothing brands in the late 1990s, coming up together in the industry, and Beth’s change of course in 2015 when she ventured into the world of jewelry – the ups and downs, first principles of success, and most prominently, the biggest risks and their respective outcomes. The episode was shot and produced live in at 666 Studios.