Why Not Now? With Amy Jo Martin

Steven Kotler studied journalism, poetry, and writing in school. When he told others about his plans to conduct a neurobiological study, some literally laughed in his face. But Steven’s interviews with Flow State experts made him an authority on the subject, and he set out to help others reach peak performance.   He now works with entrepreneurs, athletes, and leaders of some of the biggest companies in the world, helping them reach this state of “Flow” to become up to 500% more productive. According to Steven, Flow is how you turbo boost your results beyond all expectations.   In this episode of Why Not Now?, Steven and Amy Jo talk about overcoming imposter syndrome, how to get into Flow and how living a “Flow” Lifestyle can bring more purpose and happiness into our lives. They also talk about the difference in mindset between peak performers and non-peak performers.   Steven tells Amy Jo that we have 5 major intrinsic motivators: curiosity, passion, purpose, autonomy, and mastery. To perform at our best, the

Nick Taranto is a former Marine turned entrepreneur. He was fired from his sales job when his boss found a business plan on his work computer, kick-starting Nick’s entrepreneurial journey.   Getting fired was a blessing in disguise. It was just the motivation Nick needed to create Plated, America’s first meal kit company. Nick and his co-founder ideated, grew, and then sold Plated to Albertsons for over $200 million.   On this episode, Nick tells Amy Jo that early entrepreneurs don’t receive a lot of external validation, so it’s extremely important to be internally motivated.   Nick loves building businesses that create good in the world so much that he launched a second product, HOP WTR, during the pandemic. HOP WTR is a healthy alternative to beer. It has zero calories, zero sugar, and no alcohol. It’s filled with adaptogens and nootropics that will help you destress and unwind without the next-day hangover. It even helped Nick lose the 20 pounds he had gained from drinking beer!   Nick is definitely an exp

Lisa Stone creates opportunities for women that they can take to the bank. She’s so passionate about championing women, particularly women of color, because extensive research supports the fact that diversity on teams is better for business.   After a career in journalism, Lisa founded BlogHer as a way to lift up the voices of women in response to a lack of awareness of great female writers. During the last 5 years of Lisa’s time as CEO, she was able to pay $50 million to 6,500 bloggers. Talk about opportunities that women can take to the bank!   In this episode, Lisa tells Amy Jo she realized she was never going to make a big enough difference in putting money into the wallets of women unless she went into private equity. She came to this conclusion because women manage only 1.3% of the institutions that make up this $69 trillion industry. Lisa became a Managing Partner of a Venture Capital firm. She’s passionate about the extensive research showing that the more diversity you have on an investing team, the

Jordan, Jake, and Jimmy DeCicco are three brothers with a great story. They founded what is now the $400 million company behind Amy Jo’s favorite morning drink, Super Coffee, from their college dorm room. In this episode of Why Not Now?, the brothers tell Amy Jo about the “boots-on-the-ground” days of the company. Jordan left his college athletic scholarship and Jimmy quit his job on Wall Street to fully commit to starting Super Coffee. They even did their own manufacturing in the company’s early days. The founders also chat about the steps the company took during the pandemic to not only increase their own sales, but to also help others. Jordan, Jake, and Jimmy tell Amy Jo about the values they share with the rest of the company. They realized the company needed more diversity, so they hired an ethics advisor. They also have an honest, vulnerable discussion with Amy Jo about the importance they place on mental health, and taking care of themselves even on their best days. The Super Coffee products are pac

Regan Walsh quit what she thought was her dream job after only a week. This earned her the nickname “One Week Walsh” and was the beginning of her journey to find more meaning in her life. Regan found a job where she worked more hours, but that she truly loved.   This is one of the many events in Regan’s life that inspired her book Heart Boss, a compilation of stories where she took action to turn the life she had been dreaming of into her reality.   Now, Regan is a Life Coach, a Speaker who roots fiercely for others, and a graduate of the Renegade Accelerator. She helps women who are asking “is this it?” reclaim their lives.   In this episode, Regan tells Amy Jo that we all deserve joy in whatever we do for the majority of our days. Regan says we shouldn’t punish ourselves by sticking in careers that no longer serve us. Working with powerful women everyday is what serves Regan.   Regan and Amy Jo also talk about having the courage to free yourself from obligations, having your own back, and telling your stori

Nicole Walters quit her 9-5 job live in front of 10,000 people. Talk about burning your boat! It may have seemed spontaneous, but Nicole had been dating her side hustle for a long time. In her words, she wasn’t quitting her job. She was hiring herself. Over the span of the last 5 years, Nicole has turned that side hustle into a multi-million dollar business. She helps entrepreneurs turn their big ideas into sustainable, debt-free businesses.   Nicole grew her community online by sharing everything from crying in her bathtub to a celebration after making $1.5 million in a weekend. Her new show, She's the Boss, is about how she juggles running a thriving business while raising 3 kids with her husband. On this episode of Why Not Now?, Nicole shares the productivity tips that are crucial to working 12-15 hour days while also finding time for her family. Nicole also tells Amy Jo that being her own boss allowed her to be more involved and present when dealing with a family health scare.   Learn more about Nicole

Carter Reum left his job at Goldman Sachs to pursue an entrepreneurial career because he was, in his words, “just young enough and just stupid enough, but in a good way, to think it was a good idea.”   Leaving the corporate world ended up being a great idea for Carter and his brother. They founded an innovative alcohol company called VEEV which sold to a multi-billion dollar strategic acquirer.   Carter now runs M13, an angel investment firm with a portfolio totaling over $137B in enterprise value and including companies like Lyft, Ring, Daily Harvest, and FabFitFun.   On this episode of Why Not Now? Carter and Amy Jo talk about investing in companies with products that can directly improve people’s lives, the importance of being a storyteller as an entrepreneur, and making the impossible possible.   Carter tells Amy Jo about his company’s policy that every new hire must pass the “Airport Test,” meaning you’d want to be stranded at the airport with that person, in order to preserve their team’s positive cultu

Leah Walters is the Head of Communications at monday.com.    In this episode, Leah and Amy Jo discuss how moving from New York to Tel Aviv, Israel led Leah to her Why Not Now? moment. She found herself having an identity crisis once she got to Tel Aviv, and wasn’t sure how to fully take advantage of the experience. Without any previous experience, she began applying for jobs in the tech start up industry which presented her with 3 very different options. One of those options would change the trajectory of her life and identity.   Leah and Amy Jo also talk about the impact a company's culture can have on its consumers. Leah shares how much she enjoys the impact monday.com can have on people's lives. In addition to added organization, she says the company's positive culture rubs off on monday.com's users.   Leah shares the journey of starting her family. She was a one-woman show and finding someone that could fill her roll while she was on maternity leave was a difficult task. You’ll get to hear the story of ho

Jamie Kern Lima is the Co-Founder of IT Cosmetics as well as the author of “Believe It.”   In this episode, Jamie and Amy Jo discuss Jamie’s Why Not Now? moment that is a story of resilience. Jamie was working as a news anchor and found herself in what she describes as “a season of setbacks.” She had developed a skin condition and had difficulty finding makeup that could help conceal it, while she was on camera. She learned that her skin condition doesn’t have a cure which caused her to go down a path of self doubt.   This path led her to the realization that if she can’t find makeup to help her, then there has to be so many other women with the same problem. With zero prior experience in the cosmetics industry, Jamie created IT Cosmetics.   Her first few years of business weren’t easy, and even after hearing no after no, she didn’t give up. Jamie had a gut feeling that she should approach QVC. After being told no multiple times she was finally given the chance to showcase IT Cosmetics on the network and it q

Amy Stanton & Amy Jo Martin explain everything you need to know about the new social media app, Clubhouse. Clubhouse is a drop-in audio only platform that can be described as part podcast, part zoom call, and part house party. It can be very confusing at first and you can quickly find yourself lost on the platform, but luckily we have Amy Stanton to be our guide.   Amy has been called “The Queen of Clubhouse”, and for good reason. She has learned more about the platform than most and is sharing everything she knows with us. She walks through creating your profile, finding people to follow, finding rooms and clubs that fit your interests, as well as starting your own clubs.   Amy also shares a few of her personal experiences using Clubhouse, from joining a room with Elon Musk, to hosting Katie Couric’s welcome party, and the most random room she’s experienced yet.   This may sound overwhelming and foreign but after listening to this conversation things will start to make sense and you’ll find yourself navi

In this bonus episode, we're diving into the Why Not Now? archives to revisit Amy Jo's conversation with Heather Allen. Heather Allen is the founder of Kaleidacuts. Heather used to be a school teacher, then started a greeting card company. That company didn't work out as she had planned, but her second company - Kaleidacuts - is thriving. She is living where her passion, purpose & skill collide. In this episode Heather talks through running a 7-figure company without a website, building a loyal and engaged community, following and honoring your internal compass, owning up to your mistakes and learning from them, designing what makes you happy and much more.   Follow Heather on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaleidacuts/   Learn more about the Renegade Accelerator:  http://www.renegadeaccelerator.com/   Get Amy Jo’s newsletter:  https://amyjomartin.activehosted.com/f/21   Follow Amy Jo… Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/amyjomartin/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/amyjomartin Facebook:  https://www

Special Episode: Vic Keller offers Renegade Accelerator Scholarships   In this episode, Vic Keller is back on the show and he makes a big announcement. He’s not just offering a Renegade Accelerator scholarship, there’s much more. Listen to learn the details and visit the scholarship page here to apply: https://amyjomartin.com/rascholarship. To learn more about the Renegade Accelerator program, head here: http://renegadeaccelerator.com/   Vic Keller is one of Amy Jo’s personal “investor mentors”. He has always supported the advancement of women in business, in fact he shares a very tangible, and unusual, story in this conversation. This scholarship is just another way Vic continues to walk the talk. In the Renegade Accelerator, Amy Jo shares some of the impactful learnings he has directly taught her.   The great thing about mentorship is that it’s transferable from generation to generation. Amy Jo is honored to pass on this mentorship to women in the Renegade Accelerator.   The scholarship is officially offere

We've got a bonus episode for you this week! We're diving into the Why Not Now? archives to revisit Amy Jo's conversation with Lauren Holiday. Lauren Holiday is our guest this week. Lauren is a 2-Time Olympic gold medalist & FIFA Women’s Soccer World Cup Champion. Amy Jo & Lauren have one of the most intense conversations we’ve heard on the Why Not Now? show. Lauren shares her journey from winning Olympic gold to winning the Women’s World Cup, to being diagnosed with a potentially life-threatening medical condition while she was 5 months pregnant. Lauren’s strength, perseverance, & love for her family shine through in this amazing conversation. Follow Lauren: https://www.instagram.com/laurenholiday12/   Learn more about the Renegade Accelerator:  http://www.renegadeaccelerator.com/   Get Amy Jo’s newsletter:  https://amyjomartin.activehosted.com/f/21   Follow Amy Jo… Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/amyjomartin/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/amyjomartin Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Amy

David Meltzer is the Co-founder of Sports 1 Marketing and host of The Playbook podcast.   In this episode, David and Amy Jo discuss his Why Not Now? moment when he decided to start his own company.   Between 2006 and 2008, David had lost 100 million dollars. More importantly, David said he hit emotional rock bottom. This moment caused him to look within and take inventory of his values. In doing so, he realized his new values didn’t align with his current job. He wanted to create a company that reflected this.   David talks about how he balances data and intuition. He views intuition as a muscle and shares ways to strengthen it.   He also discusses his relationship with time & when he chooses to use it as a factor to make decisions.   Learn more about David: https://dmeltzer.com/ Follow David on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidmeltzer/   Learn more about the Renegade Accelerator:  http://www.renegadeaccelerator.com/   Get Amy Jo’s newsletter:  https://amyjomartin.activehosted.com/f/21   Follow A

Jaclyn Lindsey is the co-founder & CEO of Kindness.org, as well as the co-author of “Be Kind: A Year of Kindness, One Week at a Time." (She's also a graduate of the Renegade Brand Bootcamp!) In this conversation with Amy Jo, Jaclyn talks about the steps involved in making a major pivot in her career. She shares exactly what she did to begin the process and how it evolved into her discovering what she wanted to do next. She shares how the simple act of sitting down and writing out the things she wanted to stand for led her to create a non-profit global organization rooted in kindness. Jaclyn also discusses the importance of kindness and the scientific research showing the positive impact it has on not only others but ourselves as well. Amy Jo and Jaclyn discuss how she's navigating the process of becoming the face of her brand and sharing her own WHY and brand essence, which led to starting the organization.   Learn more about kindness.org: https://kindness.org/   Learn more about the Renegade Accelerator:

Pankaj Shah is an Investor, Business Advisor, Founder of Finches, a global collective of thought leaders in early stage technology and Founder of Sparrows, a networking platform that allows you to humanize your professional life.   In this episode, Pankaj and Amy Jo discuss a Why Not Now? moment in which he decided to quit his job, sell his house, and go 103 weeks without a paycheck to start his first company. Pankaj shares the professional and personal sides of that journey, which includes the birth of his second child in the middle of it.   Pankaj has invested in dozens of companies and he discusses what he looks for in a founder when he’s deciding to invest in a company. He also talks about what he does to invest in himself as well as recognizing the difference between happiness and purpose.   Pankaj also talks about his new company, Sparrows. The platform was designed to allow you to share more of who you are rather than what you’ve done in order to humanize your professional life to make stronger connect

This week we're diving into the Why Not Now? archives and revisiting Amy Jo's conversation with Jules Webber.   Imagine having a baby, moving cities, going through a divorce and starting a new business that generated 6 figures all in ONE year. Life Coach and this weeks guest, Jules Webber did just that.   In this episode, Jules and Amy Jo discuss how Jules navigated those crazy twelve months. It started just after her divorce when she realized she was approaching an “all or nothing” moment. She decided to bet on herself and go all in on the career she’d been dreaming of.    In the first month Jules set a goal of making just enough money to pay the bills. Within 8 months she was making 6 figures.   Through all of this Jules made sure to stay focused on being a mother and taking care of herself as well. She shares how she was able to find value in herself as well as the steps she took to monetize that value.   Jules is a Renegade Accelerator alumni. She talks about the impact the Accelerator had on not only her

This week we're diving into the Why Not Now? archives and revisiting Amy Jo's conversation with Farryn Weiner. Farryn is an award-winning marketer and the founder of Farrynheight. Her resume includes Forbes 30 Under 30 recognition, and senior positions with Sweetgreen and Michael Kors.    At first glance, Farryn seemingly has it all: creative chops and leadership positions with high-profile companies. But Amy Jo and Farryn have a frank and honest conversation about balancing success while also seeking happiness.    In this episode, Amy Jo Martin and Farryn talk about the 3 decision-making filters Farryn uses in everything she does. Farryn also shares how she built her company from scratch, starting out with $2000 and using her apartment as her office.   Follow Farryn on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/jetsetfarryn/?hl=en Learn more about the Renegade Accelerator:  http://www.renegadeaccelerator.com/   Get Amy Jo’s newsletter:  https://amyjomartin.activehosted.com/f/21   Follow Amy Jo… Instagram:  https://

Meaghan Murphy is an Author, Editor, On-Air Personality & was recently named Editor-in-Chief of Woman’s Day magazine.   In this episode, Meaghan and Amy Jo discuss a recent Why Not Now? moment when Meaghan told herself, “If my new book becomes a New York Times Best-Seller, I’ll get the lightning bolt from the cover tattooed on my wrist!”. This If- Then-That approach soon became a wake up call that led her to the realization she needs to live in the present to be able to appreciate it.   Meaghan talks about her new book “Your Fully Charged Life”. She describes it as a radically simple approach to having endless energy and filling your day with yay. Living this way was something that Meaghan had to learn to do, and it wasn’t an easy journey.   Meaghan’s nickname was “Grumpy” as a child as she had a mostly negative mindset. She dealt with eating disorders, hospitalizations and the loss of her best friend at the age of 16. You’ll learn how she navigated this path, when she learned that happiness is a choice,

Some Incredible Words of Wisdom For You In 2021   Favorite moments from 2020! Welcome to Part 2 of the Best of 2020! We’re saying “see ya!” to 2020 and looking back on some of Amy Jo’s favorite interviews from this year.   In this episode, Amy Jo revisits conversations with New York Times bestselling author, Glennon Doyle, Former Disney Head of Innovation and Creative Executive, Duncan Wardle, and Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter, Jason Mraz.   These interviews are full of wisdom to guide you into 2021. They will help you have the courage to live truthfully, manifest your creativity and have the audacity to dream (and do) big. This is your year to go from idea to action.   Happy holidays and we’ll see you in the New Year!   Learn more about the Renegade Accelerator:  http://www.renegadeaccelerator.com/   Get Amy Jo’s newsletter:  https://amyjomartin.activehosted.com/f/21   Follow Amy Jo… Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/amyjomartin/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/amyjomartin Facebook:  https://www.f