Podcast
Off Script, On Brand
Hosted by Leslie Carvitto · EN
Off Script, On Brand with Leslie Carvitto is where creative women come to tell the truth — about building magnetic brands, authentic lives, and what it really takes to stay aligned along the way.
We go past the curated highlights and straight into the real stuff:
the pivots, the risks, the courage, the wtf moments, and the breakthroughs that shape who we become.
If you’re here for bold conversations with women doing life and business differently, welcome sister! You’re in the right place.
14episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Space Between Identity Shifts with Dante Amato
1w ago00:56:36Tap to summarizeWelcome back to another episode of Off Script, On Brand. Today I have the pleasure of chatting with Dante Amato - a mentor, speaker, facilitator, and the founder of The Community: a global community for women who are ready to create lives that feel aligned, meaningful, and fully their own.In this convo, we chat about identity shifts, nervous system safety, and what it really takes to evolve into the next version of yourself, especially when life looks “good on paper” but feels completely misaligned. Dante shares her journey of stepping out of the traditional business coaching space when she realised her work wasn’t just about strategy, it was about deeper inner transformation. What her clients actually needed wasn’t more tactics, but the courage, safety, and self-awareness to change. This episode is a grounded, honest look at what it means to outgrow versions of yourself, your work, and even the people around you, and how to navigate that without losing yourself in the process. In this episode, we discuss:The defining moment in her life when she had “everything” on paper but felt deep guilt and shame for not feeling happyWhy she made the intentional decision to step away from traditional business coaching to fully honour her deeper transformation workHow her own identity shifts and personal evolution that led her to support other women through theirsWhy identity shifts can destabilise certainty, and how women often respond by either freezing or becoming impulsively reactiveThe importance of making grounded decisions instead of reactive ones during times of changeWhy nervous system safety is essential when moving through big life transitionsHow she creates spaces where women feel safe enough to unravel, be seen, and reconnect with their truthThe belief that not everyone is meant to come with you into your next chapter—and why outgrowing people is a natural part of evolutionWhy she created a community specifically for women in their 40s navigating major identity and life transitionsDante Amato is a mentor, speaker, facilitator, and the founder of The Community: a global space for women ready to create lives that feel aligned, meaningful, and fully their own.Her work blends neuroscience, belief work, emotional intelligence, identity transformation, and grounded real-life strategy to help women reconnect with themselves and step into their next chapter with clarity, confidence, and self-trust.Through events, retreats, online programs, private mentoring, and her global community, Dante creates spaces where women feel seen, supported, challenged, and deeply connected—to themselves and each other.Her mission is simple: to help women stop abandoning themselves and create lives they are genuinely obsessed with—from the inside out.Connect with DanteInstagram: Instagram Website: The Community Inquiries: hello@danteamato.com
Transcribe →
The Woman Behind Takeawei Ceramics
3w ago00:51:16Tap to summarizeWelcome back to another episode of Off Script, On Brand. I’m your host, Leslie Carvitto, and today I’m sitting down with Chela Edmunds, the creative force behind Takeawei.Chances are you’ve heard of Takeawei — you may even have one of their beautiful mugs or bowls in your kitchen — but you probably don’t know the story of the woman who created it.Based on Victoria’s Surf Coast, Chela is a ceramic artist and designer whose work spans functional ceramics, glaze development, and small-batch collections. In this conversation, we explore Chela’s creative evolution — from working in New York’s fashion industry to building one of Australia’s most recognisable ceramics brands, as well as her IVF journey, becoming a mother, and how that’s shifted her creative practice. In this episode, we explore:• Chela's life and career in New York's fashion industry• The transition from textile design to ceramics after discovering pottery in Brooklyn• Returning to Australia and building a creative business from the ground up• Opening her own retail store in Melbourne• How the business evolved during COVID• Her IVF journey and becoming a mother at 40• The decision to grow her family from one to two • The realities of balancing motherhood and a creative business• Finding flow and protecting time for creativity• How her confidence as an artist and business owner developed over time• What life and business look like in this current seasonChela Edmunds is a ceramic artist and designer based on Victoria's Surf Coast and the founder of Takeawei, a practice specialising in functional ceramics, glaze development, and small-batch design collections.Her work is defined by a thoughtful approach to form, colour, and materiality, from the humble mug to expansive tableware collections and a growing focus on lighting for residential and commercial spaces.To follow along with Chela's work head to: www.takeawei.com and https://www.instagram.com/takeawei/Chela also hosts an AirBnB: airbnb.com/h/sunsetjanjuc
Transcribe →
Plot Twist: The Mic's on Me with Leslie Carvitto
4w ago01:08:36Tap to summarizeWelcome to Season 2 of Off Script, On Brand.We're doing things a little differently for this first episode. Instead of me asking the questions, my friend Julia (from Season 1, Episode 1) is turning the mic around and putting me in the hot seat.We talk about the winding path that led me here—from falling in love with photography as a kid, to leaving corporate life, building a business from scratch, navigating visibility, and sharing more of the personal experiences that have shaped who I am today.We also dive into entrepreneurship, vulnerability, growth, and one of the most personal chapters of my life: infertility. This one’s close to my heart. I’m glad you’re here. In this episode, we cover:Following curiosity, adventure, and my hunger for lifeBuilding a business through scrappiness, resourcefulness, and saying yes to opportunitiesThe corporate career I left behind and what came nextHow photography became my creative outlet and eventually my businessCreating safe, empowering experiences for women in front of the cameraThe off-script moments that have shaped my business journeyNavigating a season of growth, expansion, and reinventionWhat authentic visibility actually looks likeWhy business owners need to think beyond social mediaMy evolving relationship with vulnerabilityMy experience with infertility and the perspective I'm carrying todayFollow Leslie:www.lesliecarvitto.com@lesliecarvitto.photographyPS - I’m running a 5-Day Visibility Sprint! This is for founders, creatives, and business owners who want to get seen, take action, and build momentum - without burning out on social media. Over the week you’ll get daily visibility challenges to do in real time, and accountability and support inside a private group. This is all about expanding your ideas around visibility and what it can do to grow your brand. We kick off June 15th. Join here: https://www.lesliecarvitto.com/visibility-era
Transcribe →
Closing a Business & Redefining Failure
May 1100:53:53Tap to summarizeWhat happens when you’ve poured 6 years of your life into a business… and then have to let it go?Not pivot or scale back, but actually close the doors.In this episode of Off Script, On Brand, I sit down with Sian Murray, founder of Pleasant State, for an honest conversation about what that looked like.We talk about the reality of shutting down a business after years of building it from the ground up — the grief, the identity shift, the pressure to stay optimistic while things weren’t going well behind the scenes, and the moment she and her business partner admitted it was time to close.But this episode is also about redefining failure, untangling your worth from what you’ve built, and what happens when you stop gripping onto something because you’re scared to let it go.In this episode, we explore:• The emotional and practical reality of closing a business• The pressure of continuing to “show up” while struggling behind the scenes• Why optimism kept her going through the hardest seasons• The decision to be transparent with her community — and the response that followed• Motherhood, identity, and how her perspective has shifted• What “failure” means to her now• Moving into the next chapter with far less fearThis one is raw, reflective, vulnerable, and incredibly important for anyone who’s ever tied their identity to what they create.Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. PS — this is the final episode of Season 1 If you’ve been here since the beginning, thank you. You're a legend! And if you’re new here, welcome — there's another 9 episodes waiting for you to binge. To follow along on Sian's journey head to: https://www.instagram.com/sianleee/To work with Sian, email: sianmurray3@gmail.com
Transcribe →
The Reality of Growing a Purpose-Led Business with Kate Williams
May 400:56:47Tap to summarizeWelcome back to another episode (the second to last of season 1!) of Off Script, On Brand! Today's episode is with Retreat Yourself Founder and Director Kate Williams. In this episode, Kate and I talk about the journey behind building a purpose-led, multi-million dollar wellness brand, and the life experiences that shaped it. From spending seven years travelling the world after high school, to navigating a quarter-life crisis that led to a one-way ticket to Melbourne and a jump into corporate life, Kate shares how each chapter played a role in defining what she truly wanted, which is helping people actually enjoy their lives. This conversation dives into her core belief that tomorrow isn’t promised, and how that philosophy became the foundation of her brand. We also get into the realities of leadership and what it looks like to run a growing team as a deeply empathetic person. Kate shares openly about the challenge of separating emotion from decision-making, learning to compartmentalise stress, and leading a business without letting it consume her. In this episode, we explore:How forgoing university and seven years of travel shaped herThe quarter-life crisis that led to a one-way ticket to Melbourne and a move into corporateBuilding a team with flexibility and hiring from diverse walks of lifeThe challenge of leading as an empathetic person and making decisions without emotionLearning to compartmentalise stress while running a multi-million dollar businessBalancing business growth with being a present mother to her two young kidsHer intense season of burnout and how it reshaped the way she approaches life, work, and successNervous system regulation habits that helped her manage pressure and responsibilityWhy she's choosing to show more than just the highlights on social mediaFollow Kate & Retreat YourselfRetreat Yourself: retreatyourself.comRetreat Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retreatyourself_box/Kate's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katebuchannn/Use "OFFSCRIPTONBRAND" to get 20% off Retreat Yourself gift boxes!!
Transcribe →
When Life Forces the Pivot with Erin Reinboth
Apr 2700:57:30Tap to summarizeWelcome back to Off Script, On Brand. We took a short break, and I’m SO excited to be back in your ears. In this episode, I sit down with Australian contemporary artist Erin Reinboth to talk about building a creative life, navigating life-altering moments, and what it really looks like to turn your creative art practice into a business.From growing up surrounded by entrepreneurial parents who championed creativity from day one, to making intentional decisions about her career path early on, Erin shares how she’s always approached her work with both vision and strategy.But this convo also moves into a deeply personal chapter, the birth of her second son and his undetected heart condition, which changed everything for her and her family. During her time in the NICU, she found herself returning to sketching and drawing as a form of processing. That experience became a turning point, eventually leading her to painting and into her first solo exhibition.We talk about the misconceptions of being a full-time artist and building a multifaceted, sustainable business with multiple income streams and creative outlets.We also chat about identity, growth, and the power of environment, from surrounding yourself with people who expand what you believe is possible, to stepping into a more honest, and authentic version of who you are.In this episode, we explore:How growing up in an entrepreneurial, creative household shaped her pathChoosing textile design with a clear vision, and how being outcome-focused supported her early careerThe life-changing experience of her son’s heart condition at birth and how it shifted everythingReturning to art and having a solo exhibition after her time in the NICU The realities of doing art full-time and building a sustainable, diversified creative businessTurning 40, letting go of people-pleasing and feeling more herself than everRealigning representation and partnerships to reflect her valuesBuilding More House (a creative space for the community) and Create Club in Ashmore ArtsFollow Erin:Website: www.erinreinbothart.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/erinreinbothart/More House: https://www.morehousetorquay.com.auMore House Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/more_house_torquay/This episode is supported by Amanda Jane Copy.For business owners who are done overthinking every caption, email, and website tweak — if your brain’s full but your content isn’t converting, you need this.Clarity, structure, and someone in your corner → amandajanecopy.com. @amandajanecopy
Transcribe →
Art, Identity & Trusting Your Creative Flow with Jessi Rebel
Mar 3000:58:47Tap to summarizeWelcome back to Off Script, On Brand. In this episode, I sit down with Jessie Rebel, an artist, storyteller, and advocate, to talk about creativity as a pathway to healing, identity, and self-discovery.Jessi is a proud Wiradjuri person, living and creating on Wadawurrung Country. Their life has been shaped by a connection to Country and Sea Country, and both are strong influences on the works they create. Jessi has a background as a youth/social worker and also draws a lot of inspiration from interpersonal relationships and the intersection of all things. Jessi works collaboratively in community, engaging in murals and workshops with youth and students and loves bringing other’s stories to life through art. Jessi has recently graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Therapy and believes creativity and art has the power to heal the world, both within us and around us. In this episode, we chat about:Jessie’s personal and creative journey growing up Biripai Country How painting became a tool for processing their experiences working with at-risk youthThe influence of their Aunty Lisa Evans and the lesson behind not being given a piece of their art The moments she realised their work was growing into something bigger than they expectedTheir recent season shedding shame and confusion, and feeling more expansive and aligned in their art practiceThe impact of embracing their non-binary identity on their creative expressionTheir artist residency in Tasmania Reflections on why they stays in a full-time job and allows their creativity to exist without pressureThis episode is for you if:You’re exploring your identity and want to express it more fullyYou’re using (or want to use) creativity as a tool for healing or processingYou’re wondering if your “side creative passion” could become something biggerYou’re learning to trust your intuition and stop forcing your creativity Links & Resources: Jessi's websiteJessi's instagramYarrangany Exhibition: FRI 08 MAY—SAT 11 JULCurated by Jessi Rebel, this exhibition brings together First Nations artists from diverse countries, cultures, and nations, exploring identity as something relational and evolving. REGISTERWork With LeslieThe Visibility Shift waitlist is open! The Visibility Shift is a live 6 week course where we’ll tackle mindset, strategy, and practical steps to make sure your work and story get seen by the right people.Spots are limited—join the waitlist to be the first to be the first to get all the juicy details and jump in. https://lesliecarvittophotography.myflodesk.com/visibility-shift-waitlist
Transcribe →
From Caravan to Cookbooks: The Evolution of Natural Harry
Mar 2301:07:28Tap to summarizeWelcome back to Off Script, On Brand. In this episode, I sit down with Harriet Birrell - author, creative, and the founder of Natural Harry - to talk about releasing expectations, reconnecting with creativity, and redefining what’s actually sustainable in a season when life is very full. From building a brand rooted in sustainability, whole foods, and conscious living, to stepping away from social media entirely, Harriet shares the evolution of her work and herself.We dive into the internal pressure of figuring out your “next thing,” and how her decision to take a full step back from social media became a turning point. Without the noise, the expectations, or the need to post and perform, Harriet found herself returning to her first love — creating with her hands, working with textiles, and reconnecting with what lights her up. This conversation also explores the tension between creative ambition and surrender in motherhood. With two young children, Harriet shares how she’s shifted away from bigger projects and instead embraces smaller creative moments whenever she can.In this episode, we explore:The story behind Natural Harry and how Harriet’s values around sustainability and conscious living were shapedThe journey of creating her cookbooks, including the self-publishing process and navigating self-doubt and imposter syndromeThe pressure of constantly creating and consuming online, and what led her to take a full break from social mediaWhat that “big pause” revealed when she stepped away from the noiseLetting go of the need to define your “next thing” and releasing attachment to outcomesMotherhood, creativity, and the tension between ambition and surrenderEmbracing smaller, intentional projects in seasons where time and capacity are limitedThis episode is for you if:You’re a mother learning to balance creative ambition with surrender You’re feeling pressure to create your next creative project (but coming up blank)You’re craving space, slowness, or a reset from being constantly onlineYou want to create in a way that feels sustainable, grounded, and true to youResources & LinksWebsite: https://naturalharry.com.au/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natural_harry/Work With LeslieFeeling invisible while everyone else seems to be getting noticed? Time to change that.The Visibility Shift waitlist is open! The Visibility Shift is a live 6 week course where we’ll tackle mindset, strategy, and practical steps to make sure your work and story get seen by the right people.Spots are limited—join the waitlist to be the first to be the first to get all the juicy details and jump in.https://lesliecarvittophotography.myflodesk.com/visibility-shift-waitlist
Transcribe →
Curiosity Meets Connection at The Literary Lounge
Mar 1600:55:36Tap to summarizeWhat if the community you’ve been looking for doesn’t exist, so you build it yourself?Welcome to another episode of Off Script, On Brand, where I sit down with Temwani Mazaba, the founder of Melbourne’s Literary Lounge — a vibrant social space for readers, thinkers, and creatives.Temwani shares the story of building a community she couldn’t find herself, and how she’s crafting a space where curiosity, vulnerability, and meaningful conversation thrive. From poetry nights and social events to a bimonthly book club, she’s creating experiences that resist superficial small talk, and build deeper, emotional connections. We dive into how she balances leadership and hosting these events with self-care and nervous system regulation, filling her cup so she can show up fully without burning out. And her game-changing mindset around rest as fuel.This conversation is full of insights for ambitious creatives, community builders, or anyone craving deeper, authentic connections in a world that can feel noisy, disconnected, and surface-level. In this episode, we explore:How the Literary Lounge came to be, born from recognising the gaps in Melbourne’s creative communityThe power of authenticity, storytelling, and intentionality in cultivating safe, inclusive spacesBalancing service to others with healthy boundaries and self-care practicesMindset shifts about rest: why “rest is resistance” and how downtime fuels creativity Strategies for hosting events that foster curiosity, deep conversations, and authentic connectionRedefining belonging, embracing diversity, and encouraging others to step into leadership and vulnerabilityThis episode is for you if:You’re a creative who wants to build connection-driven experiencesYou’re navigating leadership and community-building without burning outYou’re rethinking rest, productivity, and how to fuel your own creative fireYou’re looking to create spaces that encourage curiosity, vulnerability, and deeper human interactionResources & LinksInstagram Tik TokSubstack: Temwani WritesWork With LeslieI offer personal brand photography for creatives and founders who want images that actually reflect who they are and the energy behind their work. Learn more about personal brand photography and my packages here: https://www.lesliecarvitto.com/personal-brand-photographyInstagram
Transcribe →
A Creative Career Without the Rulebook with Cait Miers
Mar 901:04:38Tap to summarizeWhat happens when you ditch the rulebook, back yourself, and create a creative career entirely on your own terms? Welcome to another episode of Off Script, On Brand, where I sit down with Cait Meyers — surf and fashion photographer, entrepreneur, and the visionary behind the Laugh Lines project.Cait wears a lot of creative hats, and we dive into the many projects she’s juggling and what it actually looks like to build a career that doesn’t fit into one neat box.Cait shares her journey from studying photography at Uni, to working with brands like Roxy and Billabong, and eventually getting a job photographing surf contests and athletes with the WSL. We talk about the pressure and adrenaline of photographing surf competitions, and her focus on capturing imperfect, authentic moments that make elite athletes feel relatable and human.We dive into career milestones, but more than that, we explore mindset, thinking outside the box, and trusting yourself when your path isn’t linear. Cait shares her desire to make a meaningful impact, especially for women and girls, and her determination and passion serve as a powerful reminder that living your wildest dreams and purpose is possible when you move from alignment and self-belief.In this episode, we explore:How her career in surf and fashion photography unfolded right after she graduated UniWhy thinking outside the box has been one of the biggest drivers behind her successful careerThe role self-belief and mindset played in helping her back herself throughout her careerHer philosophy of imperfect action — creating in real time rather than waiting for everything to be perfectThe moment she realised she wanted to make a bigger impact and be known for more than just photographyHer advice for photographers who want to stand out and get noticed in a crowded industryWhy building community, sharing knowledge, and growing the “girl gang” is so important to herThe story behind her new project Laugh Lines and how it came to lifeThis episode is for you if:You’re a creative who refuses to stay in just one laneYou want to build a career that’s outside the boxYou’re learning to trust your ideas and take imperfect actionYou want to stand out in a crowded industry instead of blending inFollow Cait: www.caitmiers.comwww.laughlines.com.au@caitmiersphotography@laughlinesprojectFollow Leslie: www.lesliecarvitto.com@lesliecarvitto.photographyIf you're building a brand and want magnetic photos actually reflect who you are and the energy behind what you do, I shoot personal brand photography for founders, creatives, and women doing things their own way! Learn more here: https://www.lesliecarvitto.com/personal-brand-photography
Transcribe →