CULTIVATED CONVERSATIONS
CULTIVATED CONVERSATIONS
ALL EPISODES
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Cultivated Conversations goes behind the scenes of the entertainment industry with insider insights and unfiltered stories.
Hosted by Jen Proctor, each episode breaks down how authentic partnerships, cultural moments, and creative strategy shape what (and who) we see on screen. If you're navigating the creator economy, building a brand, or just curious about how Hollywood really works, this show is for you.
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"Ikenna ""IK"" Ezeh has built a storied career on both intellect and instinct. From law school to the top of WME, he’s brokered some of the most high-profile deals across sports, music, and entertainment, always with one guiding principle: people first.
In this conversation, Jen and IK unpack how the brand world has evolved from transactional to relational, what makes a truly creative partnership click, and why human connection is still the most valuable currency in entertainment. They also dig into AI’s growing role in the industry, the art of negotiation, and what the next generation of talent (and executives) need to know to thrive.
From Goldman Sachs to launching her own purpose-driven agency, Tonna Obaze has redefined what it means to build with intention. Her company Tonna & Co. sits at the intersection of impact, strategy, and storytelling — helping executives, brands, and communities create lasting change.
In this conversation, Jen and Tonna explore how to turn conviction into action, the courage it takes to leave stability for purpose, and why community remains at the heart of meaningful leadership. Tonna also opens up about her entrepreneurial journey, the evolving world of social impact, and the power of crafting a life that aligns with your values.
Kristin Turner has spent her career at the intersection of celebrity, partnerships, and business. Heard of Kevin Hart’s tequila brand, Gran Coramino? That’s just one of the projects Kristin Turner has helped bring to life. With more than a decade of experience in music, marketing, and PR, she's helping talent build businesses and brands from the ground up.
In this episode, Jen and Kristin unpack what actually makes celebrity-backed brands succeed (or flop), why engagement matters more than follower counts, and how the best talent know their audiences better than anyone. Kristin also shares lessons from powerhouse female mentors, what it’s like navigating a male-dominated industry, and the importance of letting go of what you can’t control.
From the NBC Page Program to Saturday Night Live to founding her own company, Disco Nap Productions, Lauren Mendel has carved her own lane in entertainment. She’s produced award shows like the VMAs and People’s Choice, helped launch Las Culturistas’ Culture Awards, and continues to create visionary projects alongside some of comedy’s brightest voices.
In this conversation, Jen and Lauren reflect on their Emmy-winning collaboration, the growing role of producers as creative partners, and how Disco Nap has become a hub for culture-shaping talent. Lauren also opens up about her entrepreneurial spirit, her creative process, and why she sees opportunity in an ever-changing industry.
From childhood living room pageants to producing some of the biggest cultural moments on screen, Kristen Wong has always known she was meant to create. Now a showrunner and co-founder of production collective Future Friends, Kristen sits down with Jen to talk about her path into the industry, the importance of listening, and how she balances creativity with production realities.
They dig into her approach to nurturing ideas, building safe creative spaces, and working with icons while staying grounded in humanity. Kristen also shares the story behind launching Future Friends during a time of industry upheaval, and why collaboration and friendship remain at the core of her work.
From the early days of YouTube to today’s creator economy, Ronit Cohn has been shaping the future of digital talent. As CEO and founder of Cohn Talent Group, Ronit brings a fan-first approach to management, guiding creators through brand partnerships, building communities, and turning viral moments into long-term careers.
In this conversation, Jen and Ronit dive into what it takes to start your own business while balancing motherhood, why fan engagement is the key to sustainability, and how the rise of shoppable creators is transforming the industry. Ronit also shares the lessons she’s learned from navigating corporate culture to betting on herself, and what creators should look for when it’s time to seek representation.
From chemistry major to partner at 3 Arts Entertainment, Dunia McNeily’s career is anything but ordinary. She’s navigated agencies, networks, and production companies before finding her home in management, where she now helps talent build businesses, brands, and global platforms.
In this episode, Dunia gets candid with Jen about pivoting careers, what managers actually do, and the evolving state of television and brand partnerships. They also open up about the realities of being working moms in a high-pressure industry, the lessons learned from postpartum struggles, and the importance of setting boundaries and giving yourself grace.
From YouTube, Instagram, and ESSENCE to launching her own Conscious Culture Collective, Erika Bennett has shaped culture from inside the platforms and out - and she’s learned that “busy” isn’t a strategy. In this episode, she makes the case for stillness as the most productive move of all, reframing success on your own terms.
Jen sits down with Erika for a behind-the-scenes look at how the industry is changing and how to build a sustainable career within it. They dive into radical prioritization over scattershot hustle, meeting audiences where they actually consume (creators, streaming, and snackable formats), and why getting fluent in AI now will widen (not shrink) your opportunities. Erika also opens up about the life reset that followed a serious accident and how rest, boundaries, and joy became part of her operating system.
From pitch decks to press tours, Lana Womack is in the room where it happens. As Head of Creative Development & Production at OBB Media, she’s helped shape everything from comedy specials to brand campaigns—and she’s doing it all while still in her 20s.
In this episode, Jen sits down with Lana for a behind-the-scenes look at how shows really get made. They dive into the art of pitching, balancing creative vision with production realities, and what it means to build trust with talent and collaborators. Lana shares her journey from freelance hustle to full-time exec, plus the tools and mindset shifts that keep her grounded in an ever-shifting industry.
Whether you’re a budding producer or just curious how your favorite shows come to life, this episode offers a masterclass in making it happen.
Jordyn Palos, founder and CEO of Persona PR, joins Jen for an unfiltered conversation on building a career rooted in relationships, resilience, and realness.
At just 25, Jordyn launched her own agency and quickly became one of the most trusted names in entertainment publicity, representing some of Hollywood’s biggest names while staying ahead of an ever-evolving media landscape. They get into everything from zero inbox strategies and TikTok-era talent to the impossible pace of PR, the pressures of motherhood, and what it really means to manage a public persona in the court of public opinion.
With zero chill and zero BS, Jordyn opens up about navigating failure, learning to lead, and why authenticity isn’t just a buzzword - it’s a business strategy.
Kim Nortman is a multi-hyphenate force. She's a lawyer turned entrepreneur, an AI innovator, business coach, and now, the principal and founder of Set Piece, a strategy and company transformation consultancy at the intersection of creativity and technology.
In this episode, Jen sits down with Kim for a thoughtful and energizing conversation on finding your purpose in a tech-fueled world, building businesses that center human connection, and redefining leadership through vulnerability.
What does a publicist actually do? And how has the job evolved in the age of TikTok, podcasts, and digital-first talent? In this episode, Jen sits down with longtime friend and PR powerhouse Kelly McWilliam, founder of Hi! Hello! PR, to unpack the reality behind red carpets, brand moments, and the power of storytelling.
From navigating layoffs and reinvention during the pandemic to launching her own firm, Kelly shares what it really takes to break through the noise, advocate for clients across mediums, and rewrite the rules of a changing industry. They also talk about why joy and alignment matter just as much as press hits - and what’s next for Kelly as she builds her own lane.
What do the Emmys, the Grammys, Obama’s inauguration, and your favorite variety show all have in common? Behind the scenes, Kerry Smith has helped make them legally bulletproof.
In this episode of Cultivated Conversations, Jen sits down with her longtime friend and powerhouse entertainment attorney Kerry Smith of Smith Entertainment Law Group (SLG). From navigating name and likeness rights to surviving strikes and industry shifts, Kerry breaks down how talent deals have evolved and why the art of negotiation is more human (and complicated) than ever.
Whether you're a creator, exec, or just love the business of entertainment, this episode pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to get talent to “yes.”
What does it take to run one of the most powerful digital content studios on the Internet? In today's episode, Jen sits down with Jacob Moncrief, the COO of Rhett & Link's Mythical Entertainment - the studio behind Good Mythical Morning, Mythical Kitchen, and one of the most sophisticated YouTube content machines today.
From his early days at MTV to producing with the Try Guys and scaling Westbrook’s unscripted slate, Jacob shares how digital creators are reshaping the rules of media and why smart money is flowing toward YouTube.
Behind every A-lister is someone making the numbers work. In this episode, Jen sits down with Anna DerParseghian, Managing Partner at PTD Business Management who’s spent decades quietly shaping Hollywood’s most powerful financial stories.
They talk about how business management all works, risk and resilience, and why understanding psychology is just as important as understanding contracts. From the evolution of deal structures to how creators should protect their assets, Anna shares practical wisdom and the mindset shifts that separate survival from success.
Orly Shani, an entrepreneur, TV host, and founder of Rocknot joins with Jen for a candid discussion on building a business that fits, embracing personal style, and staying authentic in the content economy.
From her early days on Fashion Star to launching a viral DIY into a thriving brand, Orly gets real about the behind-the-scenes hustle - and how navigating self-doubt and producing on her own terms inspires her to keep pushing in the industry. We get into the evolving dance between creators and brands, and what it really takes to cut through the noise while staying true to yourself.
Head of Unscripted & Docs at Fulwell Entertainment Phil Byron sits down with Jen for a no-holds-barred conversation on building talent-led projects, navigating cultural moments, and the wild ride of booking celebs.
From hustling in the early YouTube days to helping LeBron James build a storytelling powerhouse, Phil gets real about the business of making shows that matter - and how joy, collaboration, and timing play a role in every success.
The PR powerhouse behind Revolve, Cardi B’s latest launch, and some of the buzziest Coachella moments joins Cultivated Conversations for a Jen-packed episode!
Jennifer Walker, owner & co-founder of Walker Drawas, sits down with Jen for a no-filter convo on building a brand people actually care about, experiential and influencer strategy, and an insightful look at how creators are changing the PR game.
From surviving the 2020 industry shutdowns as two pregnant founders to unlocking viral moments in wellness, fashion, and culture, this episode dives deep into the art (and science) of making things pop in an ever-evolving media landscape.