Podcast
Elevathers
Hosted by Elevathers · EN
Hosted by entertainment pros Amanda Booz and Krystal Vega, each episode dives into the real stories behind modern womanhood, from the highs of entrepreneurship and personal wins to the lows of heartbreak and self-doubt.
They break down trending topics, relationship dynamics, career pivots, and everything in between, all with honesty, humor, and a dose of sisterhood. Whether you're chasing your next level or rebuilding from scratch, this is your space to feel seen, supported and inspired.
El·e·vat·hers: /ˈeləˌvāt/hers/ Women who continue to transcend through the peaks and valleys of life's journey while maintaining authenticity and grace.
26episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Major Difference Between Creating and Ownership
Yesterday00:34:32Tap to summarizeMiami was doing what Miami does best: stacking major weeks on top of each other. Between Miami Swim Week activations and the American Black Film Festival closeouts, we were outside, on our feet, and paying the price the next day, including Amanda’s voice getting taken out by secondhand smoke. That “city never sleeps” pace is fun until it isn’t, and it’s the perfect lead-in to the bigger theme we can’t ignore lately: culture moves fast, and if you create something, the internet can run off with it even faster.We shift into the viral debate around Patrick Ta, Painted By Esther, and the question of who gets to trademark a trend, especially in beauty. We talk about why attribution matters, why “I was inspired by” hits different than “I own this,” and how a trademark or IP claim changes the stakes from vibes to finances. If you’re a creator, makeup artist, or brand builder watching your work get mimicked, this conversation is about more than drama, it’s about leverage and getting paid.From there we go practical: what protecting your intellectual property can look like, why trademarks can be tedious and slow, and how real-world examples like the Uggs naming story show what happens when ownership and public recognition split. We also speak directly to corporate creatives and interns navigating work-for-hire, where your best idea can become “company property” unless you move carefully. The goal isn’t paranoia, it’s clarity: protect what’s truly valuable, learn the business side, and don’t operate from scarcity because one good idea usually means you’ve got many more.If you enjoy these unfiltered breakdowns of culture, business, and creator rights, subscribe, share this with a friend who’s building something, and leave us a review so more people can find Elevators. Support the show
Transcribe →Finding Growth in Embarrassment
2w ago00:53:23Tap to summarizeWe bounce from pop culture chaos to real-life lessons, unpacking how hype, power, and money influence what people buy and what stories people believe. We keep it honest with our own not-so-elevated moments, then pull out the practical rules that help us move smarter in dating, work, and friendships. • reactions to the AP x Swatch collaboration and why some luxury collabs feel tacky • camping out, resale flipping and asking if the juice is worth the squeeze • Drake’s album run as business strategy and what contract leverage can look like • why credentials matter online and how to fact-check in an AI misinformation era • unserious date stories and the boundaries we wish we set sooner • “fly yourself out” culture and what we refuse to do for men • career cringe moments that taught us to stay ready for opportunities • harassment and disrespect toward women in media and why teams must speak up • girls’ trip money rules, splitting rooms and simplifying group payments • “luxury” purchases we regret and what we would do differently now If you guys have questions that you would love us to answer or funny things, because I'm like, there's so many more that we could even touch on. I would love for us to do this again. So you guys tap in the comments, hit us on Speakpipe, send us a message, voice, a voiceover, whatever it is that you want to send us to let us know what you guys want us to talk about to get to know us more. If you guys like this episode, like it, comment, subscribe, share, and all the things. Support the show
Transcribe →The Cost Of Being So Lucky With Les Alfred
3w ago00:49:51Tap to summarizeLuck looks glamorous from the outside, but we wanted to talk about what it really costs to build a big life. Amanda Booz and Krystal Vega sit down with Les Alfred, media entrepreneur and cultural storyteller behind She’s So Lucky (formerly Balanced Black Girl), for a podcaster-to-podcaster conversation about growth that actually lasts.Les shares how her podcast started with a simple idea at work, a mic from Amazon, and a decision to ship before she felt ready. We dig into why she’s never needed a viral moment, how a slow build creates real skill, and why corporate experience can be the best “paid training” for creators who want to run a serious business. Then we get practical about guest booking and pitching yourself: doing the research, leading with audience value, and understanding that a podcast is expensive to produce, with listeners and advertisers to serve.From there, things get real. We talk about the cost of success on relationships, the pressure to keep leveling up, and the wellness infrastructure that makes ambition sustainable. We also unpack dating when you’re public-facing, how to tell if someone likes you or the idea of you, and why boundaries on social media can protect your mental health more than another vulnerable post ever could.If you’re building something brick by brick and wondering when it “pops,” this one will steady you. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs the reminder, and leave us a review so more women can find the gems. Support the show
Transcribe →Let's Break The Habit Loop On This Monday
May 500:40:34Tap to summarizeYou can feel it when a habit stops being “just a thing you do” and starts shaping who you are. We sit down early and get honest about the patterns we’ve had to outgrow, from overthinking and people pleasing to staying up too late and waiting for the “right” time to start. The big takeaway we keep circling back to is identity: when you change how you see yourself, the behavior finally has somewhere new to land.We also dig into the real-world signals that a habit has to go: it makes your life inconvenient, it drains your energy, and it leaves you in that heavy loop of being mad at yourself. From there, we talk practical resets like protecting your sleep hygiene, putting the phone down long enough to own the first minutes of your morning, and building an environment that supports your goals instead of fighting them. Your circle matters too, because if the people around you don’t respect the direction you’re going, your progress will always feel harder than it needs to be.Then we zoom out into the wellness journey and what’s trending right now: community fitness, run clubs, wearable tech like rings and bands, LED masks, and even grocery helper apps (Yuka and Fig) for anyone trying to eat more anti-inflammatory. We share our cautious thoughts on injectable wellness like peptides and NAD, and we bring it back to the basics that actually move the needle: walking 10,000 steps a day for longevity and learning cycle syncing workouts across the menstrual, follicular, ovulation, and luteal phases so you train with your body, not against it.If you’re breaking a bad habit or trying a new routine, subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave us a review so more girls can find the conversation. What habit are you dropping next? Support the show
Transcribe →From Intern To Global Brand President At NYX & Here's How It's Done
Apr 2801:08:58Tap to summarizeShe started by packing boxes as an intern. Now she’s the Global Brand President of NYX Professional Makeup. Denee Pearson joins us for a candid, laugh-out-loud, notes-app-worthy talk about what it really takes to elevate in the beauty industry and in corporate life when you’re building from the ground up.We get into the career climb the unsexy parts and the strategic parts: how purpose and values can guide better decisions than chasing titles, what “knowing your worth” looks like in real salary negotiation conversations, and why your network matters as much as your résumé. Denee also breaks down a mindset shift we’ve all needed: perfection doesn’t make you promotable, progress does. Hard work is powerful, but only when it’s aligned with what the business actually needs and when you’re brave enough to be seen.We also talk visibility in the work-from-home era, authentic leadership (yes, even with crop tops), and “actions of manifestation” like acting like the role you want before you have it. Then we switch gears into culture and creativity: NYX campaigns, the Butter Gloss obsession, the NYX Body launch with Meg Thee Stallion, and the beauty trends we think are doing too much.If you’re serious about career growth, women in leadership, representation in beauty, and building confidence that lasts, press play. Subscribe, share this with a friend who’s leveling up, and leave us a review with the one move you’re making next. Support the show
Transcribe →What If Being Left Out Is The Point?
Mar 2200:36:24Tap to summarizeSupport the show
Transcribe →Inside The Hanifa Pause: Luxury takes patience
Mar 800:36:25Tap to summarizeThe internet loves a meteoric rise—and an even faster takedown. We open with a raw look at BBL reductions and what this reversal says about influence, body autonomy, and the unseen costs of surgical upkeep. Then we make a sharp turn into the realities of building a luxury brand: preorders that aren’t instant, production cycles that break if a batch fails quality control, and timelines shaped by global shipping and sourcing. The common thread is grace—how we treat women when they change their minds, and how we respond when a woman-led business hits turbulence.We get specific about Hanifa’s indefinite pause and why it matters. If you want quality fabrics, thoughtful tailoring, and designs made to last, you can’t expect fast fashion speed. We talk through what customers deserve—clear updates, realistic ETAs, refunds or credits when needed—and what founders must practice: proactive communication, courageous pauses, and the audacity to apologize once and move forward. Strong customer care is not fluff; it’s risk management and brand equity, especially when social media turns a delay into a dogpile.We also press on the double standard women, especially Black women, face in entrepreneurship. Underfunded yet over-scrutinized, they’re asked to deliver perfection with thinner margins and less grace. If we value diverse luxury and designers who cut for our bodies, we have to align our expectations with reality: fewer drops, truer prices, and timelines that protect quality. Along the way, we share practical tactics—“reach out before they reach out,” scale back to scale up, invest in service that solves—and a reminder that trends fade but craftsmanship endures.Hit play to rethink what luxury really costs, how trust is rebuilt after a miss, and why offering grace can be a competitive advantage. If this conversation moved you, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review to help others find the show.Support the show
Transcribe →S2 | EP 21: Exposure Becomes Currency & Conscience: ANTM Food For Thoughts
Feb 2500:46:42Tap to summarizeWe trade party recaps and food festival finds for a deep dive into the ANTM docuseries, weighing representation, power, and what accountability should look like on and off camera. We end with three takeaways on exposure, inclusion, and the value of attention.• balancing celebration with rest and refuel time• South Beach Food & Wine highlights and why experiences matter• DIY theater rental as a personal birthday idea• Netflix doc context: ANTM’s origins and intent• ratings pressure vs mission and who holds power• winners’ careers, mentorship gaps and model agency dynamics• brand control, celebrity aura and industry shifts• harmful shoots, standards, and consumer responsibility• legal lessons on ownership and protecting your work• modern path to success through creator platforms• final takeaways: exposure as currency, inclusion, attention valueGive the podcast a listen, share, subscribe, and pass our podcast along wherever you watch it or listen to itLet us know what you think in the comments after you watch these three episodesLike, comment, subscribe, talk to us on SpeakpipeSupport the show
Transcribe →S2 | EP 20: The Life You Want Starts With No
Feb 1800:37:16Tap to summarizeWhat if the life you want starts with the word no? We get brutally honest about how fast time is moving, why our priorities sharpened in our 30s, and the boundaries that keep our peace intact. From money to messages to nights out, we map the small decisions that compound into a calmer, happier, more intentional life.We start with a mindset reset: stop giving easy yeses and soft apologies that dilute your choices. If you take a job, go on a solo trip, or choose the gym over brunch, you don’t owe anyone a sorry. We also reframe “access”—who gets our time, our replies, and our presence. That means answering when we’re ready, skipping three-screen texts, and letting “let’s get together” go unless we genuinely mean it. Planned social energy beats being seen everywhere. An Irish exit can be self-care.Money and energy management run through it all. We cut overspending—not just cash, but patience and attention. We share real tactics: rewear your staples, find and use those forgotten store credits, and pick maintenance that fits your schedule and budget. Convenience isn’t always smart; sometimes it’s just a time-prioritization problem in disguise. We also call out a hard truth: busyness is not productivity. Every task should answer the question, what’s the return—revenue, rest, skill, or joy?There’s power in language, so we end on accountability. When someone apologizes for a real hurt, resist the reflex to say “it’s okay.” Let it sit, let it mean something, and decide what reconciliation really looks like. Growth is the throughline here—reintroducing ourselves as we evolve, protecting mental space, spending on what serves us, and living at a pace that feels human. If you’re ready to trade noise for intention and people-pleasing for peace, this one will meet you right where you are.If this resonated, tap follow, share it with a friend who needs the reminder, and leave a review so more people can find the show. Tell us: what are you no longer doing this year?Support the show
Transcribe →S2 | EP 19: Smart Love: Red Flags & Real Talk
Feb 1100:38:10Tap to summarizeWe pull apart the small, repeatable patterns that make or break modern dating: the partner who’s “nice on paper” but allergic to depth, the sleepover-without-a-title trap, and the way effort often fades the minute the chase is over. With Valentine’s noise all around, we ground the talk in practical, calm decision-making—how to enjoy romance without paying for it with your standards.Not everything is a red flag. PDA preferences vary, and some people truly communicate better at night. The key is context and consistency: defined intentions, visible effort, and repair after conflict. We share candid stories—love-bombing that went nowhere, nurturing without over-giving, and how to “sample the vibe” without giving away the whole blueprint. Privacy can be healthy; secrecy is not. Your partner’s world should know you’re real even if the feed stays quiet.If you’re navigating Valentine’s weekend, take what serves you and leave the rest. Believe patterns the first time, protect your time and emotional bandwidth, and choose the person who meets you in clarity, care, and accountability—on holidays and on regular Tuesdays. If this conversation made you think of someone, share it with them, and if it helped you, tap follow, leave a rating, and drop a review. Your support helps more listeners find a smarter way to love.CHAPTERS00:00 Intro02:12 Miami Date Night And Restaurant Takes04:54 Odd Valentine’s Day Origins06:23 Game Setup: He Loves Me Or Not07:22 The “Nice On Paper” Dilemma10:14 Sleepovers Without Titles13:47 Don’t Play House 16:32 Night-Only Texter Debate18:56 Who Plans The Dates21:37 His Schedule, Your Afterthought23:42 Conflict Avoidance And “Protecting Peace”25:37 Private Affection, Public Distance27:32 Privacy Or Secret Relationship29:02 Final Reminders For Valentine’s WeekSupport the show
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