Behind the Scenes of the iHeart Podcast Awards

Summary

Naked Beauty Podcast Summary: Behind the Scenes of the iHeart Podcast Awards

Host: Brooke DeVard
Guest: B.A. (Producer)
Release Date: March 17, 2025

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1. Celebrating Success at the iHeart Podcast Awards

Brooke DeVard shares her exhilarating experience of winning the Best Beauty and Fashion Podcast at the iHeart Podcast Awards held in Austin, Texas. The recognition marks a significant milestone for the Naked Beauty podcast, which Brooke launched in 2016 to foster raw and unfiltered conversations about beauty, self-care, and wellness.

[05:27] Brooke DeVard: "I am feeling pretty incredible. I feel like we have such a great community in the Naked Beauty planet family..."

B.A., Brooke's producer, reflects on the surprise and validation that came with the win, emphasizing the uniqueness of their achievement as an independent podcast led by black women in a predominantly large-scale industry.

[06:02] Brooke DeVard: "It was not computing in my mind that I won for my category. I was shocked."
[06:16] B.A.: "I think two things happen. I think, one, your brain wants you to not be disappointed. So it's like, better almost to go into something not expecting a win..."

2. The Journey of Building Naked Beauty

Brooke delves into the origins of Naked Beauty, highlighting the podcast's mission to move beyond superficial discussions and engage in meaningful dialogues about culture, identity, and self-expression. She acknowledges the unwavering support from her team and loved ones, attributing the podcast's success to collaborative effort and community engagement.

[05:57] B.A.: "Yes. I loved your Instagram caption. You said, it's nice to be nominated, but it's even better to win."

3. Transitioning to Full-Time Podcast Production

In a pivotal moment, Brooke announces her transition from a full-time corporate role in market research to dedicating herself entirely to her podcast production agency, Moyo Media. This shift underscores her commitment to nurturing Naked Beauty and expanding its impact.

[11:17] Brooke DeVard: "I left my full time corporate job as a market researcher... So I'm now a full time award winning podcast producer."
[11:55] B.A.: "I think it's smart to start something on the side while you still have the, you know, full time employment. Just proof of concept."

4. Behind the Scenes: Preparing for the Awards Show

Brooke and B.A. recount the meticulous preparations leading up to the awards ceremony, from selecting outfits to managing the logistics of attending a high-profile event. Brooke details her first-time experience on the red carpet, leveraging her social media savvy to navigate the excitement and nerves.

[13:12] B.A.: "She is a beauty and style expert that I've programmed to help you through any fashion or beauty or skincare moment, big or small."
[16:09] Brooke DeVard: "I feel like that's half the battle with a red carpet moment where you're being photographed. You want to look like you're luminous."

5. The Award Show Experience: Emotions and Highlights

The night at the awards show was filled with memorable moments. Brooke describes the surreal feeling of seeing Naked Beauty's logo on the stage, capturing her initial disbelief and subsequent joy. B.A. highlights the significance of their win amidst larger networks and well-established podcasts, reinforcing the podcast’s cultural impact.

[19:00] B.A.: "The show was fun. It was like a very fun show. I was stressed because I didn't know that I was not going to give a speech if I won."
[19:52] Brooke DeVard: "I did play the role of Blue Ivy in that moment to be like, hello, we won. What did it feel like seeing the, like, new cover art up there?"

6. Celebrating with the Team and Community

Post-award celebrations included an official after-party and an energized after-after party at Soho House Austin. Brooke and B.A. emphasize the importance of networking within the podcasting community and the joy of celebrating their success with both their immediate team and fellow podcasters.

[21:16] Brooke DeVard: "The after party was fun because it was like that entire room of podcast people now, plus champagne and food and music..."
[22:36] B.A.: "This is like the Oscars for podcasts, right? Didn't she say that?"

7. Balancing Motherhood and a Thriving Career

Both Brooke and B.A. discuss the challenges and triumphs of managing motherhood alongside their professional aspirations. Brooke shares personal anecdotes about preparing for the event while expecting her baby, underscoring the feasibility of juggling multiple roles with planning and support.

[24:21] B.A.: "For anyone who's listening to this, who is in a motherhood journey trying to build their career and build their brand while also being a mom, it's difficult, but it's possible."
[25:29] Brooke DeVard: "It's like, you know what? Maybe I'm not too tired to go out ever. Maybe I really need to be maximizing these moments."

8. Inspiring Persistence and Self-Belief

In the concluding remarks, Brooke and B.A. offer heartfelt encouragement to listeners, emphasizing the importance of perseverance, consistency, and believing in one's own ideas. They highlight their journey from humble beginnings to award-winning status as a testament to what dedication and passion can achieve.

[27:44] Brooke DeVard: "If there is something that you want to do, you can achieve, literally anything you can conceive you can achieve."
[28:37] B.A.: "If you are asking yourselves such specific questions, like, should I be a writer? Should am I worthy of telling this story? The answer is probably yes."

9. Acknowledging the Community

Both hosts express immense gratitude to their listeners, team members, and supporters who have contributed to the podcast's growth and success. They recognize that the community's engagement and support are the driving forces behind their achievements.

[29:07] Brooke DeVard: "Closer to my dream."
[29:14] Unknown: "So if you're looking for a gift for the food lover in your Life, head to goldbelly.com and get 20% off your first order with promo code gift."

Note: The final segment includes an advertisement, which is omitted from the summary as per instructions.

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Key Takeaways:

• Naked Beauty embodies authentic conversations about beauty and self-care, setting it apart in the podcasting landscape.
• Winning the Best Beauty and Fashion Podcast at the iHeart Podcast Awards is a testament to the podcast's cultural relevance and impact.
• Transitioning to a full-time role in podcast production highlights the viability of pursuing one's passion with dedication.
• Balancing multiple roles, including motherhood, is achievable with strategic planning and support systems.
• Persistence, consistency, and community support are crucial elements in achieving personal and professional milestones.

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Notable Quotes:

• Brooke DeVard on the podcast's mission:

  "I wanted to create what I couldn't find. And over the years and over time, it has grown..." [27:44]

• B.A. on not expecting the win:

  "I wasn't expecting it because I know how these things usually go and we are not always rewarded or recognized for our work..." [06:16]

• Brooke DeVard on betting on oneself:

  "If there is something that you want to do, you can achieve, literally anything you can conceive you can achieve." [27:44]

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This episode of Naked Beauty offers listeners an intimate look into the triumphs and challenges of building a meaningful podcast. Brooke and B.A.'s candid discussions provide inspiration and practical insights for aspiring podcasters and anyone striving to make their passion their profession.

Transcript

[Brooke Devard]

Foreign.

[B.A.]

This is Brooke Devard and you are listening to the Naked Beauty Podcast. When I started naked beauty in 2016, I had no idea what the show would become. But what I did know was I was not hearing the kind of conversations I wanted to hear. I was not hearing the raw, unfiltered conversations with women about beauty and self care. So I bought some equipment, I sat down at my living room table with women I admire, and I started asking questions. What became very clear was that beauty wasn't superficial. It wasn't going to be something where I ran out of topics or I was going to be scrambling for a new angle every episode. This was an opportunity for people to either educate me and the listeners, share their personal story, their personal truth, give us inspiration about how they choose to express themselves, talk through something difficult they've worked through. This was a show that I knew I would be creating for years and years and years to come. And so to get the recognition from iHeart of Best Beauty and Fashion Podcast is phenomenal. We're all sitting in this gorgeous theater in Austin, Texas, and up there on the screen it says Best Beauty and Fashion Podcast. And there is the Naked Beauty Podcast artwork. And I was sort of like, what? You know, like the Beyonce reaction gif from the Grammys where I was, I mean, I truly. It was not computing in my mind that I won for my category. I was shocked. And the reason I was so excited about the win was because it's not just a win for me. I think my win is so much larger than me. So when I think about one, my incredible team, the fact that B.A. my producer, was there with me at the award show meant everything to me because we work across time zones. You know, we work mostly on zoom, sending texts, sending emails. We don't get to spend time together irl. So it felt so good to celebrate that with her. Bridget, on the social team, who I've been working with on Naked Beauty Planet for about three years now. Salaam, my project manager, Alexa, who's been building out the YouTube presence for naked Beauty. Kayleen, who edits the video podcast clips. Like this small group of scrappy, hardworking women that come together to make Naked Beauty possible. I mean, that is like, for us to be there in that room with those nominees is a big deal. And then there are the people that aren't on, you know, the direct Naked Beauty team, but support me so much. My parents who have never for a second made me doubt this journey that I'm on. My brother, my brother was one of the very first people that listened to every single episode of Naked Beauty. This is back 2016, 2017, 2018. And he would give me notes and feedback every episode. He would send me people, oh, you should talk to her. She would be interesting. My husband, who is so patient with his help and just, I mean, he has helped me figure out my podcast setup every time we've moved to a new place. Okay, you should put your mic here. This is a better adapter to buy. He's given me feedback on every single big decision I've had, whether it's the branding for Naked Beauty, whether it's even just the choice to stay independent. Like, my husband has truly been my rock through all, all of this and has always supported me. I even found myself feeling overcome with gratitude for my managers when I worked in corporate, who knew that I had the podcast and who supported me in it as long as, of course, it was not worked on during company time. But who supported me in it, who affirmed me in it, who told me to keep going? There have just been so many people in the past, almost 10 years that have helped me grow to where I am today, which of course comes to the ultimate, ultimate audience that I have to thank, which is you all for listening, being part of your days, being in your ears as you go about your daily commutes, as you do chores at home, that means everything to me. It is truly an honor and privilege to be part of your day. And I always hope that the stories that I'm telling here impact you for the better, teach you something new. My hope has always been that Naked Beauty uses beauty as the entry point for larger conversations about culture, about identity, about self expression, about self love. And I'm so moved by the feedback from the community about the show and what the show means to them, and that's what keeps me going. This past weekend, being in Austin, Texas, during South by Southwest to attend the I Heart Media Podcast Awards was so special. And as I mentioned, I got to experience it with my incredible producer, mba. She is going to join me on the mic now where we are going to break down our whole experience, end to end. I still can't believe we won. I'm so happy and excited that we won. It felt so good to hold that award in my hands, like it just felt real. But I didn't experience it alone. In ba My incredible producer, who's been with Naked Beauty for the past two years, was with me every step of the journey of that night. So she's going to join me on mic to Do a breakdown and reminisce on what the night was like. Okay. Our triumphant return from Austin. How are you feeling?

[Brooke Devard]

I am feeling pretty incredible. I feel like we have such a great community in the Naked Beauty planet family, and just my friends and the wonderful black women around me will not let me cut the celebration short. Like, they are all like, no, but how did it feel? No, it's so amazing. So it feels really, really good. And I feel like we're both getting a chance to, like, suck it all in.

[B.A.]

Yes. I loved your Instagram caption. You said, it's nice to be nominated, but it's even better to win.

[Brooke Devard]

Oh, yes. Well, I feel like we both went into this. Like, you know what? This is such an honor. We felt like it was affirming to get that nomination. I remember seeing celebrating the nomination.

[B.A.]

It really is an honor to be nominated. And one of the things that I really didn't want misconstrued, I would say to people, like, I'm not expecting to win, which is slightly different from not feeling like you deserve to win. Not expecting it is different than feeling like you don't deserve it. And the reason why I wasn't expecting it, I think there are so many reasons. One, I feel very validated in being not alone in my lack of expectation, because every single person who got up to that podium, what was the first thing that they said?

[Brooke Devard]

I didn't expect this. Didn't see this coming.

[B.A.]

Every single person. And I. You know, I watch lots of award shows, and I. People always say that when they win an award, like, I didn't expect this. And it kind of just seems like a trite, fake, humble thing to say. But I think it's true. I think two things happen. I think, one, your brain wants you to not be disappointed. So it's like, better almost to go into something not expecting a win, so that if you do win, it's like a pleasant surprise. But I also just think, and you can back me up here. Being in that room, seeing how far podcasting has become, seeing what an industry there is around podcasting, for us to be there as pretty much the only two black women in the room, for us to be there as an independent podcast really meant something. And it was eye opening, because as you see these shows going up and winning, they talk about their huge teams and they're thinking, you know, thank you to the Vox Network. Thank you to dear media. Thank you to. They have these support systems around them, and. And when I think about Naked Beauty, our little mighty but scrappy team. And I think, and be it specifically about how hard you have worked the past year. I mean, how hard we've all worked the past year, our team. It's incredible. But I wasn't expecting to win because I know how these things usually go and we are not always rewarded or recognized for our work, even though we know the cultural impact.

[Brooke Devard]

Right.

[B.A.]

That's the Julia Fox quote. You know, I know the influence, I know the impact, and I know the vibes and. Right.

[Brooke Devard]

Like, we know.

[B.A.]

But. But to have it recognized by a third party legacy institution is not always expected.

[Brooke Devard]

Right. And I think that word institution is probably the key there. Like, people probably don't even realize that Naked Beauty is an independent show. There's no sort of network behind us. And on top of that, all of us are really doing multiple things at once. So no one is really working full time, quote, unquote, Naked Beauty. So for us to be in the room with NPR and the New York Times and VOX and the people who are making my favorite Murder, who have insane, insane audiences, was a huge, huge deal. I definitely started to understand, like, the magnitude of where we were once we sat down and like, the lights got low and like, Joe Manganiello shows up to start off the show. And I was like, oh, wait, this is a. This is like a real thing.

[B.A.]

Yes, yes. And Mel Robbins, what did she say in her speech? She said we had something like 47 million listeners last month. Some. Some insane number, but it's also motivation. And I hate to be that person that's like, immediately like, okay, you win. And it's like, back to work. But, like, it is motivation to grow and to be bigger and bigger. But yeah, that's like, it was. It was such a nice surprise. It felt so affirming. We've both had CR years because although we won at the 2025 I Heart Podcast Awards, this nomination came from the 2024 year. I was pregnant all of 2024, pretty much, yeah.

[Brooke Devard]

You were pregnant that entire year. We were doing live events, we were recording with people in la. We were recording with Kelly Rowland in New York the next week, and then having wonderful collaborations with Sir John that were in person live shows in Los right after that. Like, the amount of zipping back and forth across the country to show up and tell all these different types of stories was insane. And then I moved from New York to D.C. in September. And so we're like, increasing the momentum. We know we've got like, Issa Rae coming down the pike, and I'm also Packing up a U haul at the same time and you're about to give birth to your baby girl. You know, it's funny because in the moment it probably was supremely stressful, but I also couldn't have it any other way. Like everything, everywhere, all at once.

[B.A.]

It's because we love what we do, which is also a privilege. It's such a privilege to be part of people's routines, to be in their ears to tell these stories. It's not draining when you love the work. I also want to like. Drumroll, please. Can we announce to the Naked Beauty audience your shift in employment status?

[Brooke Devard]

Oh yes, yes. I left my full time corporate job as a market researcher. I feel like this is like the meme of black women. You meet black women, they're going to do something spectacular and then they actually just do like three other spectacular things. But yeah, this whole time that I've been working on Naked Beauty, I've also been juggling a full time career in corporate market research and marketing strategy. And I left that job to run my podcast production agency called Moyo Media full time. So I'm now a full time award winning podcast producer.

[B.A.]

Yes, yes, we love to see it. And I think it's also just a good reminder. I feel like I've talked on this podcast before about betting on yourself going full time on the thing that you're passionate about. I do think it's smart to start something on the side while you still have the, you know, full time employment. Just proof of concept. We love a proof of concept. But once you bet on yourself and you go all in a hundred percent on the thing you felt like you were here to do on what your dream is, it is such a powerful shift. It is such a powerful shift. I've seen the shift in my work since focusing on Naked Beauty full time. So I'm so excited for you to become even greater at production than you already are.

[Brooke Devard]

This felt like a really iconic way to sort of kick off my full time production career. And you best believe award winning will be going in the email signature or something. So I can remember every day. But I want to know more about your like day of because we actually got ready and like did our whole glam and everything separately. And I just saw you appear with the hair and the dress and the everything, the look for the red carpet. So what was it like for you second time around leading up to the show?

[B.A.]

You know, I love putting together a look. It's truly a joy for me. It's like the event is Nice. But also putting together the actual look is what's exciting. I worked with my friend Sarah J. Who is the designer behind Tongro Studio, who, fun fact, designed the very first Naked Beauty logo back in 2016. And she's like, on the third episode of Naked Beauty. She's based in Senegal. And, you know, my body postpartum is different. Nothing that I have fits, and I've just been having a hard time with fit of things. So she was like, I just launched Couture for Tonger. I will make you something custom, like, send me your measurements. We were doing video messages back and forth on WhatsApp. She's, like, working with Taylor's and Dakar to get it made. We're doing sketches. She's doing AI renderings. I'm like, oh, my gosh. It's all coming together. She had these gorgeous oversized cowrie shell earrings. Like, these gold cowrie shell earrings. So I was like, okay. The gold accessories are amazing. There's a Schiaparelli ring that I saw at Neiman's, and I kept in touch with the salesperson. Shout out to Patrick, and, like, we would literally text about it. I'd be like, I'm still thinking about the ring. He's like, well, it's still here if you want it. And I was like, this is my moment to get the ring. I've admired Schiaparell jewelry from afar for a long time, and I was like, this is the time to take the plunge. That felt like a really fun addition. I got this gold chrome manicure. I got the shoes. It was the whole look and moment. And I did a cobalt blue eyeliner, which I feel like is, like, my good luck charm. Blue eyeliner. And I remember you were choosing between two dresses. Your dresses were beautiful. And we both decided to do black dresses with volume and interesting silhouettes.

[Brooke Devard]

Yeah. So here's the thing is, like, this was my first ever red carpet for first awards show, and I also love to put together a look, but usually it's, like, for a friend's wedding. And this time, I knew we would be photographed, and I knew that I was gonna be photographed next to you, and I knew that you would show up, like you were gonna be. You were gonna be really put together. And it's funny, too, because there was definitely such a variance in what people were wearing. Like, we showed up, and I was like, oh, we are definitely the fashion and beauty girls.

[B.A.]

Yeah.

[Brooke Devard]

So, yeah, I decided to go with a similar vibe as you. A little black dress. Kika Vargas. I got it. A couple of years ago for my birthday and it has served me so well for a good, like black tie or dressed up event. And it's short. I'm only 5 2, so I love a good a mini that packs a punch. And I feel like that's also your vibe based on your outfit and the one that you Wore back in 2020.

[B.A.]

Yes, yes, I do love a short dress, but I also love structure. I'm really liking dresses that have because it's because I have no hips of my own that have this like exaggerated hip shape. I think that that's really nice. And like, I love a dramatic sleeve. The black dress can be boring, but with the right accessories and proportions, it becomes really interesting.

[Brooke Devard]

Okay, Brooke, do you want to know something that I have not told you until this very very moment about my award show look?

[B.A.]

Please tell me because it was spectacular.

[Brooke Devard]

I used Vivivian Vogue, your AI guys.

[B.A.]

This is one of the things I'm proudest of creating in recent memory. If you go to my Instagram profile at Brooke Devart, there's Vivian Vogue. It's literally in my bio. If you tap on her, you can start dming with her. She is a beauty and style expert that I've programmed to help you through any fashion or beauty or skincare moment, big or small. She's literally so helpful.

[Brooke Devard]

She gave me a couple styling options and I went with bold lips and heels as my go to. So I had the dress. I ran to Nordstrom rack and got some silver Steve Madden heels. They're actually two toned, which I loved. And then I had some Vivienne Westwood earrings that I had gotten on Poshmark a while ago. So I was like, vivienne, you helped me so much.

[B.A.]

How did you feel walking the red carpet? First of all, it's interesting to hear you say it was your first awards show and first red carpet carpet. Because usually those two don't go hand in hand. Right? Like you're like my first award show. And also I'm walking the carpet as a, as you know, part of the show that's nominated. How did you feel with all of the Getty photographers? Look here, look here. To your left. To your right.

[Brooke Devard]

It was a little nerve wracking, I will say. I do think that years of taking selfies did prepare me for this. So if anyone ever tells you that your Instagram photos and your selfies are frivolous, tell them you're getting ready. Tell them you're getting ready for your moment. Because I felt like I knew how to pose. I knew What I wanted my face to look like. It was stressful but not overwhelming. And I do believe the photos prove that. We ate.

[B.A.]

We. We really did. The photos look good. I'm gonna have to post them on our Instagram so people can see. But. And the skin was glistening. I use the Dion Libra body glaze. Dion Libra is a small, Atlanta based, black owned skincare brand. The founders are married. They are incredible. It's this gorgeous, this oil serum hybrid that gives your skin the most gorgeous glow. I had that all over my chest and my legs.

[Brooke Devard]

I feel like that's half the battle with a red carpet moment where you're being photographed. You want to look like you're luminous. I used the clear body oil, which I layered with the naked beauty scent. And that clear body Claire is also black owned. Leslie, the wonderful, amazing, incredible Leslie, who's the formulator, made this delicious. It feels like a spa moment in a body oil. I like to use it usually after the shower, but it worked perfectly for this occasion.

[B.A.]

Yes. So we go in and immediately you start seeing people you recognize. There was Sophia Bush. There was Kyle McLaughlin of Sex and the City fame. But he's also kind of in the podcasting world now. Ed Helms. Who else was there? Chelsea Handler. So you start these kind of bold names, the show starts. The show was fun. It was like a very fun show. I was stressed because I didn't know that I was not going to give a speech if I won. So they announced Beth. Best beauty and fashion podcast in a series of like five other wins. So it was like Best pop culture podcast. It flashes on screen. Best cooking podcast. I saw Ina Garten's face. Best fashion and beauty podcast. And then it said naked Beauty and the logo was on the screen. But I was like, I didn't. I like, really didn't know what was happening. That's why I say I felt like that Beyonce, you know, reaction gift of like, what? And you were like, you won, friend. Like, that's you. Like, that's our show up there.

[Brooke Devard]

I did play the role of Blue Ivy in that moment to be like, hello, we won. What did it feel like seeing the, like, new cover art up there?

[B.A.]

That was very exciting. You know, I always say with everything, it's like when you do things with intention and take your time, it always pays off. Because once it's out there, it's out there. It's like, I think about how much time I spent on the naked beauty bottle. I see that bottle every day when people are tagging it, you know, when it's on my dresser, if I had rushed through that process or settled for, you know, version four, when I think about the scent and how many versions of it we create, it's like at cover art, I spent an insane amount. The COVID art that you all are probably looking at right now as you listen to this. It was like finding the right photographer, the right glam, shooting it, working with Madison and her team on the logo and the color palette, and it just, like, felt good. And it felt like a great representation of the brand, but it was also a little bit out of body. But then after we realized that we won, I feel like we looked at each other, we smiled, we hugged, and then it was like, all right, now I guess we can drink now. We can right now we can, like, really enjoy ourselves. We got really nice messages from the team at ACAST that was there to support us. And the show finished. Las Culturistas won Podcast of the year, which is very exciting because I've listened to that show. They started it in 2016 as well, which is when I started. And then it was time to go to the after party.

[Brooke Devard]

Yeah, the after party was fun because it was like that entire room of podcast people now, plus champagne and food and music, and everyone's kind of letting loose and actually getting to know each other. And it was so cool getting to actually meet some of the people behind the shows that won and were nominated with us. It felt like we were in, like, a little class of our own.

[B.A.]

Yes. I mean, podcasters do what we do with headphones in, in isolation. Like, some of us are recording in closets. I can't tell you how many intros I've recorded in my closet. It's like, it is not this glamorous industry. It's not like, like, you know, if you're an actor in Hollywood, you have all of these events. And so I think someone who won, she was like, this is like the Oscars for podcasts, right? Didn't she say that?

[Brooke Devard]

Yeah, she did. And she's right. Like, there's really nothing else like it in terms of the sort of industry wide recognition, which is part of why this means so much. And it's fun because when they're saying, like, best beauty and fashion, but there are so many beauty and fashion podcasts out there, and there were so many beauty podcasts there that we got to meet some of our peers. So it's really like this industry cross section that you really wouldn't get anywhere else.

[B.A.]

Yes. I'm like, I hope that we can somehow go again next year. You know, Like, I just feel like be there just as like an attendee. So that was the after party in between I did, you know, I, I called my family and let them know that they. I won. My mom screaming in a restaurant. Mavi, my husband had already broken the news to him that I won. So by the time I told him, he was like, I know, dad already told me. But leading up to the award show, he kept asking me, like, are you going to get the trophy? And I'm like, I don't know if I'm going to get the trophy. He's like, why don't you know? I'm like, well, someone else is deciding. And he's like, why wouldn't they give it to you? I'm like, well, it's, you know, some of this is subjective, but either way I'm going to be happy whether I come home with the trophy or not. But he was happy for me. My parents were very happy for me. My husband's very happy for me. I mean, everyone was very happy. It was great to text the naked beauty group chat and let everyone who works on the show know that we are the winner. So it was really fun to have that moment celebrating with people who weren't there. Then after the kind of more corporate after party setting, we got to do the after after party at Soho House Austin, which blast. I needed that. I needed the ass shaking on the dance floor. I needed to hear the Outkast and the Beyonce and the Trina and the, you know, like, I needed that moment too, because the official after party was great, but it's still, you know, you still have to have some sort of professional decoration, right?

[Brooke Devard]

Yeah, there's etiquette to the official after party. And then once we were at Soho House Austin, the version of Brooke that has been in the house with a baby for the last several months was like, was gone. She was no longer there. Brooke was on the dance floor in the heels.

[B.A.]

In the heels, buying drinks. I actually for the first time had to dump out my breast milk because I'd had, I think like four drinks at that point, which is much more than I really ever normally drink. But it was so fun to just be on the dance floor. And I also just think, you know, for anyone who's listening to this, who is in a motherhood journey trying to build their career and build their brand while also being a mom, it's difficult, but it's possible. I had to overcome a lot of things around, like, okay. How am I going to, like, pack and bring my breast pump? And there's so many things that you have to. Concessions, you have to make sacrifices you have to make with your time. Of course. Just like, trying to record, you know. You know, even for today's schedule. I had Mavi's parent teacher conference at school today. It is something that I feel like I want to talk more about because I don't know that I've had a lot of models of women who are building their career and juggling motherhood at the same time. And I don't want to make it seem like it's easy, but just for people to know that it's very, very possible. You just have to plan and make concessions where you can.

[Brooke Devard]

Yeah. Watching you run around, network, look fabulous, pump in a photo booth, come back out, and then go to the after party really gave me some things to think about because I'm like, you know what? Maybe I'm not too tired to go out ever. Maybe I really need to be maximizing these moments.

[B.A.]

Yes. No, it is possible. And I think that's actually just, like, a good thing for us to close out on in terms of both of us building the careers we want for ourselves. I started Naked Beauty a long time ago and have been building, building, building slowly on the side. Right. This is definitely an instance of your side hustle becoming your main hustle. But I was creating something from the heart. I always wanted to hear these conversations. I always felt that there was more to beauty than I was able to find anywhere else. I wanted things with depth, and. And that's when I felt I had to create what I couldn't find. And over the years and over time, it has grown, I've been able to bring on great resources like you. I've been able to bring on, you know, Bridget to help with social, Alexa to help with YouTube. Kayleen to help with video editing. Salaam to help with project management. The past year, even layering on an admin to help me with my calendar. I did not start with any of these things at all. I was editing everything myself. I was in GarageBand. I was making my own clips on Imovie. I was uploading everything. I mean, I did everything myself for a long time because I did not have any resources. I did not have any income coming in. But I kept doing it because it's something that I loved, and I knew that other people were connecting with it and resonating with it. And the community support is what has pushed me to continue year after Year after year. This is a very nice acknowledgment. It's not the end all, be all, but. But for everyone listening, if there is something that you want to do, you can achieve, literally anything you can conceive you can achieve. You just have to, like, continue to work at it and just get better and better and. And be consistent and you can achieve it.

[Brooke Devard]

Yeah, I feel like, I mean, similar. I was looking back at my journals after the awards ceremony, and there was an entry from five years ago where I was asking myself all these questions because I wasn't happy at my job. And I was like, am I going to be living here forever? Am I going to stay in this job forever? Should I become a producer? Am I meant to work in entertainment? And those are such specific questions to be asking that, like, I'm glad that I just took the shot to do it and figure it out and start making podcasts. So if you're asking yourselves such specific questions, like, should I be a writer? Should am I worthy of telling this story? The answer is probably yes. The ideas in your head and in your heart. So, like, cultivate it.

[B.A.]

Yes, absolutely. Such a great note to end on. Thank you again to all of the listeners. None of this would be possible without your support, without the fact that you share this podcast with people that you care about. You send episodes to your sisters, to your friends, to. So many people have shared the podcast with their mom, and I'm like, it's. I love hearing from people that are like, I listen and my mom listens. The support is really what has brought us to this point, and I'm so grateful.

[Brooke Devard]

Closer to my dream.

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