Hot Girls Build Cults

In this episode, I sit down with Natalie Bernacchi and Emily Collins of CEO Besties to dive into how intentional community and focused execution can elevate ambitious women entrepreneurs. Together, they unpack the power of surrounding yourself with the right people, cultivating a resilient mindset, and building a business that grows sustainably.You’ll hear about:Creating powerful, supportive communities for women entrepreneursWhy focus and prioritization are the real drivers of business growthChapters00:00 Introduction to CEO Besties00:45 The Birth of CEO Besties05:14 The Evolution of Community Needs07:06 Understanding Overwhelm in Entrepreneurship09:18 The Power of Connection and Support12:10 Breakthroughs in Community15:09 Curating the Right Community17:59 The Difference Between Community and Mastermind18:59 Building Community: The Importance of Connection20:04 Learning from Experience: Failures as Growth Opportunities22:48 The Power of Focus: Momentum in Business24:44 Engagement Strategies: Keeping Members Active26:36 Surprising Transformations: The Impact of Community28:27 Personal Growth: Lessons from Leading a Community31:17 The Evolution of Business: Adapting to Change33:10 Future Aspirations: Growing the CEO Besties Community35:24 NEWCHAPTERConnect with usCEO Besties on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theceobesties/CEO Besties Website - https://ceobesties.comConnect with Megan -https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganliken/https://www.instagram.com/megan.liken/keywordswomen entrepreneurs, community building, CEO Besties, mindset, business growth, women supporting women, mastermind, virtual community, in-person retreats, entrepreneurial success

In this week's episode I sat down with Ari McDaniel an award-winning leader in startup and tech PR, known for turning under-the-radar founders into cultural movements people can’t help but join. She’s the creator of Cult Communications, a PR framework behind today’s most magnetic brands, and the founder of Cult Worthy, a network dedicated to scaling community-driven companies. We discussed her unique approach to building cult brands through community and narrative. Discover how PR can be a powerful tool for startups to create obsession, loyalty, and meaningful engagement in the modern digital landscape.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Cult Communications and PR for Startups03:08 Understanding Cult Brands and Their Unique Characteristics06:03 The Role of Community vs. Fan Clubs in Brand Loyalty09:02 The Importance of a Strong Brand Narrative11:59 Thought Leadership and Founder Visibility14:59 Innovative Community Building in Tech and AI17:57 Strategies for Deepening Brand Loyalty20:58 Cult Communications: Blending PR and Community Building23:58 Challenges in B2B Cult Branding27:24 The Human Element in Brand Communities28:56 Common Mistakes in Building Fan Communities30:15 Strategies for Engaging Fan Clubs32:08 The Rise of Software Influencers34:05 The Impact of AI on Cult Brands36:50 Evolving Communication in Tech38:01 The Full Scope of PR Beyond Media Relations41:31 Exclusivity and Belonging in Brand Communities44:29 The Irreplaceable Nature of Community in the AI Era48:45 The Future of PR and Community BuildingCultworthy Substack Connect with Ari on LinkedinConnect with Megan on LinkedinkeywordsCult brands, community building, PR strategy, startup growth, brand loyalty, narrative, social media, AI, brand storytelling, community engagement

In this episode I sit down with Johanna, a somatic therapist and coach with over seven years of experience in trauma healing, nervous system regulation, attachment theory, and inner child work.Johanna shares why she shifted from selling standalone courses to building Becoming Secure, a membership community designed to help women build self-trust and create more secure, grounded relationships.We talk about what wasn’t working with the traditional course model, what makes a community emotionally “sticky,” and how creators can design spaces where real transformation happens.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Johanna and Her Work01:00 The Journey to Somatic Therapy and Healing03:41 Evolution of Coaching Offers06:32 Building Community and Membership Dynamics09:07 Onboarding and Member Experience11:57 Creating Emotional Stickiness in Community14:44 Surveying and Understanding Community Needs17:01 Community as a Product vs. Support17:27 Fostering Community Engagement19:36 Building Meaningful Communities22:22 The Coaching Industry Landscape28:35 Creating Content and Community31:36 Evolving Coaching Models35:50 Facilitating Connection and TransformationJohanna's Instagram Healing Anxious Attachment Podcast Connect with Megankeywordscommunity building, coaching memberships, community software, engagement strategies, nervous system healing, attachment theory, somatic therapy, coaching industry

In this episode, I sit down with Megan Reed who is a Quantum Life + Business Coach, Best-Selling Author, Speaker, and Energy Healer here to help you own your weird and unleash your Main Character Energy. She’s the founder of the Creating Confidence® Society and the Book Baddies mastermind. She's on a mission to help people discover the magic of who they truly are so they can ditch their inner critic, get out of their own way, and unapologetically achieve their wildest dreams. She shares her journey from corporate to coaching, her innovative community-building strategies, and her successful book writing mastermind. Discover how to create engaging communities, support members effectively, and turn your expertise into a bestselling book.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Megan Reed and Her Journey03:01 Evolution of the Creating Confidence Society05:58 The Importance of Community in Coaching08:29 Adapting to Member Needs and Feedback11:38 Community as a Product vs. Support14:24 The Role of a Community Leader17:25 Innovations in Coaching Models20:18 The Book Baddies Mastermind Concept22:12 The Birth of Book Baddies23:38 Inside the Book Baddies Mastermind26:57 Creating a Supportive Writing Environment30:22 The Importance of Commitment in Writing33:27 Overcoming Challenges in the Writing Process36:33 The Role of Mindset in Writing38:57 Future Directions and Community Engagement42:30 NEW CHAPTER Connect with Megan ReedInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/heymeganreed/Website - https://heymeganreed.com/Connect with Megan Liken -https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganliken/https://www.instagram.com/megan.liken/keywordscoaching, community building, book writing, mastermind, personal development, online community, entrepreneurship, self-publishing, mindset, leadership

Rae Lambert, entrepreneur and CEO/co-founder of DNNR who previously built River, explains building real-world communities through curated six-person dinner clubs. She walks through why dinners work, how matching and pricing operate, pivot lessons from River, and creative uses like distributed tours and political fundraisers. The conversation highlights practical community-building tactics and scaling in-person experiences.

Kaylan Sliney, CEO and co-founder of MAGNETIQ and former corporate lawyer, builds platforms for co-creation and emotional loyalty. She discusses how brands create meaningful communities, the power of zero-party insights, and turning co-creation into measurable outcomes. Short takes on earning engagement, preventing performative moves, and making superfans active collaborators.

Becky Pierson Davidson, founder of Affinity Collective and ex-Head of Product at BossBabe, builds scalable membership and community products. She discusses the shift from content libraries to action-oriented programs. She explains onboarding for fast time-to-value, designing serendipitous member connections, and a framework for scaling connected communities.

SummaryIn this episode I sit down with Benzi Holler and discuss the practice of circling and authentic relating. We explore the art of circling as a group verbal mindfulness meditation, its impact on building empathy, and the dynamics of facilitating such spaces. Benzi shares insights on the challenges faced in circling, including power dynamics and the importance of maintaining a safe container. Our discussion also touches on the influence of circling on personal relationships and its potential application in corporate environments, emphasizing the value of vulnerability and connection in community building.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Circling and Authentic Relating03:09 Benzie's Journey into Circling06:01 The Impact of Circling on Relationships08:31 Circling's Role in Building Empathy10:22 Navigating Conflict in Circling12:33 Online vs. In-Person Circling15:04 Trust and Dependency in Circling17:57 The Importance of Staying Present20:40 Circling's Influence on Daily Life23:39 Empathy and Conflict Resolution through Circling26:04 Common Challenges in Circling28:20 Meeting Edges and Personal Growth30:40 Power Dynamics in Circling35:03 Scaling Circling Practices37:02 Closed vs. Open Circles39:21 Bringing Circling to Communities and WorkplacesConnect with MeganConnect with BenziKeywordscircling, authentic relating, mindfulness, community building, empathy, conflict resolution, vulnerability, personal development, leadership, group dynamics

Marcel Wijermars, serial entrepreneur who founded the Amsterdam Founders Club and created the Super Connected Founder mini-course. He recalls starting intimate founder dinners in Bali and scaling them into larger events. He explains building community while nomading, practical networking for introverts, mapping ecosystems when arriving in a new city, and why consistency and niche rituals keep founders connected.

Empowering Your Inner Hero: The Story Behind the Heroes JournalDiscover how The Hero's Journal transformed a simple idea into a thriving community-driven brand. Learn the secrets behind community building, product co-creation, and creating emotional connection through storytelling and shared purpose.In this episode, you will learn:The origin story of the Heroes Journal and its community-centric approachHow storytelling, frameworks, and product co-creation fuel engagementStrategies for turning customers into passionate community advocatesThe role of community metrics and how to measure true engagementThe importance of intentionality and higher purpose in sustaining communitiesInsights into launching storytelling themes and seasonal product updatesHow to handle community growth during unpredictable times like 2020Differentiating between loyalty programs and authentic community buildingHow to leverage feedback and co-create a delightful customer experienceThe evolving landscape of online communities and future trendsTimestamps:00:00 - Introduction to Hot Girls Build Cults and today's guest, Kyle Cole00:31 - Kyle's background and the inspiration behind the Heroes Journal01:13 - The pivotal moment: From a pitch to a startup success story02:11 - Scaling: From Kickstarter to millions in sales during the pandemic03:55 - Community growth during COVID-19: Going live and engaging directly06:13 - The power of doing the next right thing 07:48 - Creating a narrative universe around the journal with co-created lore09:29 - Strategic product updates: The multiverse story and new designs12:09 - Building products that embody larger ideals and collective identity13:03 - Balancing vision with customer feedback in product development15:08 - Launching new story themes: From Lord of the Rings to wizard adventures16:30 - The impact of stretch goals and Kickstarter's role in scaling community support18:25 - Customer support as community investment: The “Beanie Baby” moment20:43 - Stepping away: Maintaining a community beyond the founders’ involvement21:00 - The difference between free and paid communities: Value and trust22:58 - Building community around professional pursuits, like sports training27:51 - Community as a reflection of higher purpose: Mission-driven vs. mercenary mindsets30:02 - Systematizing community values and creating opportunities for co-creation32:08 - Combatting superficial loyalty programs with meaningful engagement34:36 - The importance of connecting community efforts to emotional and time value38:32 - The future of community: From online fatigue to intentional engagement in 202641:02 - Practical tips for entrepreneurs: Grounding communities in higher purpose43:05 - How to work with KyleResources & LinksKyle Cole on LinkedInHero's JournalMegan Liken on LinkedinThis episode offers actionable insights for entrepreneurs, community builders, and product creators aiming to foster authentic engagement and sustainable growth through storytelling and shared purpose.