Podcast Summary

Podcast: She’s So Lucky

Episode: The Truth About Being Authentic Online with Jaz Smith
Host: Les Alfred
Guest: Jaz Smith (@justjazzyidk)
Date: September 9, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode explores the realities of being authentic online, particularly as a woman content creator. Host Les Alfred sits down with influencer and podcaster Jaz Smith ("justjazzyidk") for a candid look at evolving in public, growing a platform in your 20s, the business behind creation, navigating changing friendships, therapy, and lessons in self-compassion. The conversation addresses the tension between sharing openly and maintaining boundaries, the emotional journey of personal and professional transitions, and practical advice for creators balancing authenticity and strategy online.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Navigating Growth and Change in Public

• Jaz reflects on her journey, from a real estate job she loved to being laid off during COVID—a catalyst that led her to move to New York, meet her husband, and grow her creator career.
  • "[Losing my job] was devastating... but after a while, I ended up moving to New York and having social media as a career because I got laid off... I never would have left. And my life turned out so much better..." —Jaz Smith (02:39)
• Both women emphasize how documenting life online allows growth and compassion for your younger self, even the cringey parts.
• Jaz discusses the challenges and benefits of her identity and brand being so closely tied to her as a person.

2. Sensitivity & Handling Criticism Online

• Both Les and Jaz describe being sensitive to feedback, learning to accept not everyone will like or understand them, and the journey from people-pleasing to self-acceptance.
  • "It's okay that not everyone likes me, and it would be a problem if they did." —Jaz Smith (05:46)
• Therapy is crucial for Jaz, helping her process reactions to online comments and not take things as personally.
  • "A lot of therapy... Probably actually did me a favor because I was forced to deal with things that I probably wouldn't have otherwise." —Jaz Smith (08:30)
• Avoidance and healing: The importance of addressing old wounds and choosing to deal with feelings instead of (fruitlessly) avoiding them.
  • "Avoiding those things, we're still carrying them... It shows up in a different way." —Les Alfred (11:43)

3. Boundaries, Authenticity, and Oversharing

• Jaz balances authenticity with boundaries: being real doesn’t mean sharing everything, but what she does share is genuinely herself.
  • "Being authentic isn't just oversharing. It's showing up as who you actually are. I may not give every detail of a story, but I'm still sharing the same story that I would share offline." —Jaz Smith (34:27)
• The rise—and challenge—of parasocial relationships online, managing fan expectations, and establishing necessary boundaries.

4. The Business and Strategy Behind Online Creation

• Jaz’s "Type A" personality manifests in her organization, including a much-discussed wedding content spreadsheet to balance capturing the day and being present.
  • "Whatever I can do to eliminate [stress], I will. The best way to limit it was a spreadsheet." —Jaz Smith (20:05)
• Jaz and Les share transferable skills from their corporate backgrounds, like negotiation, meeting deadlines, building professional relationships, and respecting collaborators’ time.
  • "I used to do property negotiations. A big part of handling my own stuff was negotiating—that’s what I did all day." —Jaz Smith (24:41)
• Both agree about the huge amount of behind-the-scenes work that goes into being a successful creator—organization, team management, and taking podcasting seriously as a business.

5. Podcasting: Passion, Profit, and Patience

• Jaz candidly shares it took two years before her podcast turned a profit and how she funneled her own money into it, contrary to the misconception that podcasting brings quick money.
  • "We were pumping our own money into [the podcast] for so long... We just broke even after two years of pain points." —Jaz Smith (29:04)
• Emphasize the importance of enjoying the process; passion keeps you going during the long stretch before success and monetary payoff.

6. Partnerships & Authenticity in Brand Work

• Partnerships work best when they align authentically with the creator's personal brand; audiences notice and appreciate genuine endorsements.
  • "It's important to have partnerships that actually align with you... When you're very consistent, it's cool to see your community be like, 'Finally, they noticed you.'" —Jaz Smith (36:22)
• The example of Jaz's long-running love for McDonald's, culminating in an authentic and celebrated partnership.

7. Seasons of Life: New Marriage, Pace of Work, and Satisfaction

• Jaz discusses newlywed life, setting boundaries at her wedding to prioritize her emotional wellbeing, and intentionally crafting an event that felt good for her and her husband.
• She is currently embracing a fast-paced, exhausting season, with the knowledge and intention that she will eventually slow down for family—but not before she feels ready.
  • "I enjoy being exhausted at the moment because it's not a forever thing. I want to look back and be glad I explored before I slowed down." —Jaz Smith (40:48)

8. Friendship Evolution and Adult Relationships

• Jaz and Les talk frankly about how adult friendships require intentionality, and how letting friendships go can be healthy.
  • "People grow as they should grow... Sometimes you grow apart and that's not a bad thing." —Jaz Smith (46:41)
• Building mature, honest friendships later in life is easier because both parties know themselves better and communicate openly.
  • "I've gotten to be such a better communicator as I get older—and with therapy." —Jaz Smith (49:43)

9. Accountability, Self-Awareness, and Internet Culture

• Both stress the value of being called in by friends, and self-awareness in recognizing and correcting missteps.
• Discuss the difference between meaningful accountability in relationships and performative online "accountability" or cancel culture:
  • "When people who love us hold us accountable, that's where true accountability can happen." —Les Alfred (52:49)
  • "I have a hard time with cancel culture. Do you actually care about the actual issue and want to see someone change, or do you just want to join the bandwagon?" —Jaz Smith (53:17)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "It's okay that not everyone likes me, and it would be a problem if they did. I'm not gonna please everyone, and I shouldn't." (05:46 – Jaz Smith)
• "The beautiful part of having [life] documented is you're able to look back at that version of yourself... It's healing a part of me every single time." (02:04 – Jaz Smith)
• "We were pumping our own money into [the podcast] for so long... We just broke even after two years of pain points." (29:04 – Jaz Smith)
• "Being authentic isn't just oversharing. It's showing up as who you actually are... I'm still sharing the same story that I would share offline." (34:27 – Jaz Smith)
• "[After therapy] I wanted to feel better, but I didn't actually want to do the work to feel better. Once I did that, life got so much better." (10:00 – Jaz Smith)
• "I have fantastic friendships, too. I've removed a lot of things that probably weren't good for me and added a lot that have been." (43:10 – Jaz Smith)
• "Enjoy being exhausted at the moment because it's not a forever thing... I want to look back and be glad I explored before I slowed down." (40:48 – Jaz Smith)
• "People are so quick to make content because they want money. You're not gonna be successful if you're only in it for the lifestyle." (32:00 – Jaz Smith)
• "Friendships are about proximity when you're young. As an adult, you get to choose, and that's really beautiful." (49:10 – Les Alfred)
• "When people who love us hold us accountable, that's where true accountability can happen." (52:49 – Les Alfred)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:01–02:28 — Introduction, Jaz’s early career and layoff, life changes
• 05:18–07:46 — The challenge of being your brand and handling negative feedback
• 08:07–11:19 — Therapy, sensitivity, self-acceptance as a creator
• 12:04–15:58 — Reflections on wedding, setting boundaries and expectations
• 19:27–23:56 — Behind the scenes: The organization and business of being a creator
• 24:41–27:58 — Transferable skills from corporate life, team structure, professionalism
• 29:04–33:18 — The reality of podcasting as a business: slow profit, persistence
• 34:23–37:40 — Authenticity, brand partnerships, the McDonald's example
• 39:54–42:49 — Embracing the current season, plans for slowing down
• 43:10–46:26 — Holistic happiness: friendships, love, not hinging fulfillment on one thing
• 46:41–51:42 — Friendship evolution, adult relationships, working with friends
• 52:08–54:09 — Accountability, self-awareness, internet callout culture

Final Thoughts

Les and Jaz deliver a rich, genuine discussion on what it truly means to be authentic online—both the joys and the messier, more vulnerable parts. They offer practical business insight, emotional wisdom, and real-life takeaways for creators, entrepreneurs, and anyone seeking fulfillment in multiple areas of their life. Through candid storytelling, they remind listeners that creating your own luck is a blend of self-reflection, intentionality, and embracing change—even when it’s uncomfortable.

Guest Links:

• Instagram/TikTok: @justjazzyidk
• Podcast: Delusional Diaries