In Studio with Kimberly Lovi

Hosted by Iconic Nation Media

Business Entrepreneurship EducationInterviews guests

Website RSS feed

Episodes

221

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

About the show

Kimberly Lovi is a wife, mother and CEO. In this podcast we discuss all the ways we can level up in life from mindset, business, wellness and more. We discuss overcoming adversity, mindset and unpacking success stories of changemakers. We explore wellness routines, hacks and key insights from industry experts. We highlight bumps and bruises that we all encounter on our way to becoming the best version of who we are and aspire to be. Kimberly speaks with entrepreneurs, professional athletes, influencers, and friends around the globe. So buckle up and get ready to be entertained, educated and inspired!

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 5, 2026Episode 21745 min

Persian Hospitality, Family Roots, and Reimagining a Legacy with Rouz and Mehrnoush Yazdanyar

Ep. 217 - Kimberly welcomes siblings and old friends Rouz and Mehrnoush Yazdanyar to discuss their journey transforming Rouz's 20-year-old restaurant, Zen Bistro, into their new family-owned concept: Yar on the Lake in Westlake Village, California. The siblings share their family's story of immigrating from Iran in 1983 and losing their father shortly after. They discuss how their mother, uncle, and Persian heritage shaped their commitment to community, generosity, and hospitality. They also discuss the full transformation of their 20 year old restaurant. Over a 3.5-month renovation, the team revamped the entire space, introduced an elevated menu, and hired a brand-new staff under General Manager Tracy and an Executive Chef. Yar Menu & Drink Favorites: Drinks: Rouz highlights fresh-ingredient cocktails like the YAR Margarita and Saffron 75, while Mehrnoush praises their classic kettle martini and a refreshing gin-based cocktail (Mediterranean Muse). Food: Standout dishes include 14-day dry-aged branzino, in-house baked breads and pastries, "Yar chips" (zucchini and eggplant over tzatziki), fresh-made calamari, and a unique hen-of-the-woods mushroom dish. Chapter Timestamps: 1:03 – The Transition from Zen Bistro to a New Partnership 2:20 – How "YAR on the Lake" Got Its Name & Meaning 3:02 – The Emotional Story Behind Choosing the Space 4:46 – Navigating the COVID-19 Pandemic & Outdoor Patio 9:40 – Immigrating from Iran to Westlake Village 10:37 – Persian Hospitality & Rebranding the Restaurant 12:08 – Family Roots & Leaving Iran in the 1980s 14:20 – Overcoming Business Challenges & Building Team Culture 16:42 – Rouz's 20-Year Journey & The Renovation Process 18:24 – Hiring a Top-Tier Staff & Hands-on Training 22:43 – Building the Outdoor Community Bar & Dining Area 25:34 – Honoring Their Late Father & Mother's Generosity 28:18 – Personal Loss, Grief, and Keeping Memories Alive 32:53 – Reflecting on Human Rights, Freedom, and Iranian Culture 37:37 – Rapid Fire: Favorite Specialty Drinks & Cocktails 40:17 – Rapid Fire: Must-Try Menu Dishes (Dry-Aged Branzino, Breads, Dips) 43:41 – Closing Remarks & Where to Find YAR on the Lake Visit Yar on the Lake: https://yaronthelake.com/ See Yar on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yaronthelake/ Follow Kimberly on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimberlylovi/

July 29, 2026Episode 21615 min

Why Being Great at Your Job Isn't Enough Anymore

Ep. 216 - Kimberly addresses a critical shift for leaders and founders: delivering exceptional work behind the scenes is no longer enough if you remain invisible. Drawing from her own transition from corporate strategist and co-CEO to building Iconic Nation Media, Kimberly breaks down a five-part framework for moving from an invisible expert to a recognized authority. She outlines why credentials alone don't build trust, explains how personal branding elevates a corporate ecosystem, and offers practical strategies—like owning a bold point of view and creating repeatable intellectual property—to help executives build strategic visibility that directly grows their business. Chapter Timestamps: 1:18 - The Trap of Letting Your Work Speak for Itself 2:57 - Kimberly Lovi's Journey: PwC to Media Founder 5:32 - Corporate Brand vs. Personal Brand 6:39 - Unpacking the Iconic Nation Ecosystem 8:54 - How to Become Visible: Own Your Point of View 10:04 - Creating Repeatable Intellectual Property 10:36 - Visibility vs. Vanity Metrics 12:40 - Consistency Over Virality 13:25 - Message to Hiding Executives & Founders 14:45 - Closing Thoughts Follow Kimberly on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimberlylovi/ Follow Kimberly on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kimberlylovi Join the ICONIC Community: https://www.youtube.com/@iconicnationmedia

July 22, 2026Episode 21554 min

From Paralyzed to Walking: The Power of Forgiveness with Jaikishaan Sharma

Ep. 215 - Kimberly sits down with author, speaker, and mind-set coach Jaikishaan Sharma . After losing his job, buying a home, and welcoming a newborn daughter, Jackishan suffered a life-altering accident when he was hit by a speeding car as a pedestrian. Doctors gave him just a 5% chance of ever walking again . Paralyzed from the waist down, Jackishan plunged into financial hardship, severe depression, and suicidal ideation. However, a single transformative moment with his young daughter sparked a inner shift. Through intense mindset work, journaling, formal and informal mindfulness, water therapy, and sheer determination, Jackishan went from paralyzed in a wheelchair to standing back up on his feet. Today, he shares his roadmap to help others break through physical and emotional trauma. Chapter Timestamps: 1:48 – The Perfect Storm (Job Loss, New Baby & Mortgage) 5:19 – The Accident & Diagnosis 7:13 – Inpatient Rehab, Financial Stress & Depression 12:00 – Forgiving the Driver & Finding Healing 17:41 – The Turning Point & Mindset Work 25:15 – Journaling, Mindset Shifts & Keeping the Wheelchair 28:10 – The First Sign of Recovery (The Moving Toe) 29:54 – Priming, Mindfulness & Visualizations 33:58 – Standing Up & Surprising the Doctor 38:31 – The Emotional Breakdown & Gratitude for Family 42:18 – Walking Again & Transitioning Off the Wheelchair 43:40 – Finding Purpose & Helping Others Online 47:44 – Trauma Coaching & From Wheelchair to Dream Chair 51:24 – Redefining Success & Final Words of Wisdom 53:12 – Outro & Where to Connect Follow Jaikishaan Sharma: https://www.instagram.com/jaikishaansharma/ Follow Kimberly: https://www.instagram.com/kimberlylovi/

June 17, 2026Episode 21030 min

High-Maintenance Mom Disasters: Fake Hair, Bad Tans & Hotel Icks

Ep. 210 - After a long string of interview-heavy episodes, Kimberly is finally flying solo to get cozy with her listeners, pull back the curtain on the behind-the-scenes world of building Iconic Nation Media, and give a highly anticipated update on Summer 2026. In this episode, Kimberly recaps her very first mother-son trip to Indian Wells with her 10-year-old son, Carter. From a high-maintenance tennis tan emergency to navigating the complexities of trying to stay "hot and cute" around young kids, she shares all the hilarious highs and lows of the getaway. Kimberly also drops an exciting teaser about the upcoming launch of her podcasting course dropping at the end of June/beginning of July, offering a lower-cost way to get all of her insider digital-media knowledge Chapter Timestamps: 00:45 – Behind the Scenes: Balancing a Personal Brand vs. Iconic Nation Media 02:05 – Course Launch Announcement: How to Start a Podcast 02:54 – Summer 2026: The First-Ever Mother-Son Getaway with Carter 03:34 – High-Maintenance Emergencies: How Tennis Ruined My Tan 04:37 – Indian Wells Bound: Grand Hyatt Villa Review & Getting the "Ick" 06:26 – Road Trip Mom Hacks: Soccer Audiobooks & EV Vehicle Drama 07:53 – Meeting at El Paseo: The Tommy Bahama Food Journey 10:06 – Cabana Living & The Middle-Aged Lazy River Tutorial 11:35 – High-Maintenance Hair Strategy & Screen-Free Dining Games 13:00 – Water Slide Racing: Trying (and Failing) to Beat 10-Year-Olds 15:45 – Poolside Mahjong Triumphs & Sunscreen Milestones 17:12 – The Escalade Uber Blunder & Sunset Sea Bass at the Golf Resort 19:22 – Family Travel Wardrobe Dilemmas: The Red Versace Two-Piece 21:01 – The Noise Complaint Saga: Surviving 11:15 PM Gummy Realities 23:22 – Hotel Accountability: Demanding a $100 Resort Credit 24:08 – Early 40s Truths: Pajamas, Probiotics, and Mahjong at the Bar 25:01 – The Strict 2-Night Rule: Leaving the Vacation at Its Peak 27:31 – The Sleepaway Camp Debate: Overbearing Jewish Mother or Valid Concern? 28:50 – Wrap Up: Check Out the Blowout on YouTube & Connect on Socials Follow Kimberly: https://www.instagram.com/kimberlylovi/ Join the ICONIC Community: https://www.youtube.com/@iconicnationmedia

June 10, 2026Episode 20938 min

Demystifying CTV Ads with Matt McLeggon from Magnite

Ep. 209 - Ever felt like television advertising was a "black box" reserved only for massive corporations with six-figure budgets? Think again. The digital landscape has shifted dramatically, and the reality is that no company is too small for TV anymore. In this episode of In Studio, host Kimberly Lovi sits down with Matt "Legs" McLeggon, a 6'9" streaming TV expert from Magnite. Together, they pull back the curtain on Connected TV (CTV) and streaming advertising to prove how accessible, affordable, and incredibly powerful it is for creators, small businesses, and large brands alike. Matt breaks down complex ad technology into simple terms, using a brilliant "StubHub" analogy to explain how advertising space is bought and sold today. If you've ever wanted to see your business on the big screen but didn't know where to start, this episode is your ultimate guide. Special Thanks to Melody Yazdenyar from PHYND for making the connection! Chapter Timestamps: [00:00] - Welcome & Meet "Legs" [01:14] - Demystifying Magnite: The StubHub Analogy [02:18] - Streaming vs. Connected TV (CTV) [02:44] - The Evolution of TV Advertising [04:41] - Hyper-Granular Data & Targeting Capabilities [05:53] - Programmatic Ads & The Death of Minimum Budgets [07:44] - AI Built-In Advisors & Self-Service Tools [09:44] - Smashing the Creative Barrier with Generative AI [11:38] - Budget Realities & Mid-Funnel Strategy [13:50] - Technical Specs & Human Ad Review [14:50] - Campaign Horizons & Content Strategy [15:18] - Tracking ROI: Performance & Conversion APIs (CAPI) [17:28] - The Creator Funnel: Owning Your Audience Data [19:40] - Wrap Up & Where to Find "Legs" Explore Magnite: https://www.magnite.com/ Connect with Matt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattmcleggon/ Follow Kimberly: https://www.instagram.com/kimberlylovi/

June 3, 2026Episode 20836 min

Stop Marketing to Demographics! Why "Interest Media" is the Future of Ads with Joe Lige

Ep. 208 - Kimberly is joined by Joe Ligé, co-founder of CultureHiveMedia, to discuss his journey from music production in St. Louis to revolutionizing the advertising technology space in Los Angeles. Joe shares the powerful inspiration behind CultureHive, sparked by a controversial global ad campaign that highlighted a massive gap in cross-cultural understanding. The conversation delves into how modern advertising is shifting from rigid demographic boxes to Gary Vee's concept of "interest media". Joe breaks down how CultureHive's proprietary Cultural Relevance Score (CRS) utilizes contextual, privacy-safe AI to help brands, creators, and businesses optimize their marketing, avoid costly cultural blind spots, and authentically connect with audiences based on shared values and interests. Chapter Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome & Joe Lige's Journey from St. Louis to LA 02:00 – Transitioning from Music to the Early Days of Ad Tech 04:15 – A Suit in West Hollywood: The LinkedIn Connection that Changed Everything 06:10 – The H&M Controversy & The Spark that Founded CultureHive 08:15 – Redefining Culture: Why It's Not Just a Demographic 10:30 – How the Cultural Relevance Score (CRS) Flags Offensive Content 12:20 – Lessons from Joe's Grandfather: "Learning to See Without Seeing" 15:00 – Moving Past the Demographics Box into "Interest Media" 17:40 – The Authentic Tortilla Problem: A Real-World Marketing Example 20:15 – Finding Your "Why" & The 3 Ds of Life (Desire, Determination, Dreams) 22:10 – Contextual Targeting vs. Personal Identifiable Information (PII) 24:00 – How the CultureHive Platform Optimizes and Executes Cross-Channel Campaigns 26:15 – Self-Serve Tools for Smaller Creators & Wrap Up Demo CultureHiveMedia Here: https://www.theculturehive.ai/ Follow CultureHiveMedia Here: https://www.instagram.com/culturehivemedia/ Follow Kimberly here: https://www.instagram.com/kimberlylovi/

May 27, 2026Episode 20732 min

Strategy on the Future of Gaming with the Director of Gaming at Samsung

Ep. 207 - What does it take to navigate the massive, ever-changing landscape of the gaming industry? In this episode of In Studio, Kimberly sits down with Isaac Sundsted, Director of Gaming Strategy and Partnerships at Samsung, to break down the future of entertainment, cloud gaming, and the impact of AI on game development. Isaac shares his fascinating "scenic route" into the tech world—starting as a professional sign language interpreter, moving into elite management consulting at Accenture, launching cloud initiatives at Xbox, and now shaping the future of Connected TV (CTV) gaming at Samsung. They dive deep into the highly anticipated launch of Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6), why mobile gaming dominates the revenue charts, and a brilliant psychological networking trick inspired by Benjamin Franklin. Plus, Isaac gives his raw, realistic take on how AI is actually shifting the workflow for modern gaming studios. Whether you're a hardcore gamer, a tech enthusiast, or looking for masterclass career advice on embracing ambiguity, this episode is packed with nerdy greatness. Chapter Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction: Grand Theft Auto VI & Mobile Gaming Dominance 00:30 - Welcome Isaac: From Seattle Gray to Marina del Rey 01:10 - Management Consultant Relics: The Story of the Black Accenture Business Card 02:00 - Isaac's Scenic Route: 8 Years as a Sign Language Interpreter 03:40 - The Core Thread: Connecting People & Breaking Barriers 04:50 - Embracing Ambiguity & Finding Meaning in Business 06:10 - Making the Leap to Xbox & Campus Culture 07:30 - Navigating Cloud Gaming & Personal Investment in the Industry 08:35 - How Big is Gaming? The Massive Launch of GTA VI 10:15 - The Psychology of Gaming: Benjamin Franklin's Favor Tactic & Skinner Boxes 12:50 - Gaming Industry Trend Predictions: Post-COVID Corrections & Smart TV Expansion 15:30 - The Future of Console Wars & Expanding to Non-Core Markets 17:00 - The Rise of CTV (Connected TV) Native Gaming with Find 18:10 - Breaking Down the Market: Mobile vs. Console vs. Cloud 19:15 - The Truth About AI in Gaming: The 0 to 80% Efficiency Shift Follow Isaac on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isaacsundsted/ Join the ICONIC community: https://www.youtube.com/@iconicnationmedia Follow Kimberly on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimberlylovi/

May 20, 2026Episode 20630 min

Cloud Gaming: Free, Controller-less, & Ditching the Console with André Swanston (PHYND)

Ep. 206 - Kimberly sits down with multi-time tech entrepreneur André Swanston on the historic launch day of his groundbreaking cloud gaming platform, PHYND. Fresh off a massive nine-figure exit from his previous venture, True Optik, André is on a mission to completely democratize how we play video games on the big screen. In partnership with Samsung, PHYND is removing the heavy financial barrier of gaming by eliminating the need for expensive consoles and dedicated controllers—making high-quality gaming completely free and accessible right through your smart TV. André pulls back the curtain on the realities of entrepreneurship, including the gritty truths of raising capital as a minority founder, how being "pissed off" can be a powerful tool for motivation, and why failure is only finite if you refuse to quit. We also dive into his venture into professional sports as the founder of Connecticut United FC, and how he models a relentless work ethic for his children. Chapter Timestamps: 0:22 - Introduction: Meet André Swanston & PHYND 0:52 - Inside Launch Day & The 2-Year Journey 2:04 - The Roots of André's Entrepreneurial Hustle 3:50 - The "Ahead of Its Time" First Startup 4:59 - The Pivot to Data & The 9-Figure Exit of True Optik 5:32 - The Brutal Realities of Raising Capital as a Minority Founder 8:22 - Using Rejection and Spite as Core Motivation 9:33 - "Failure is Finite": How to Overcome a Shut-Down Startup 10:37 - How True Optic Revolutionized Connected TV Advertising 12:09 - Bringing Professional Soccer to Connecticut: Connecticut United FC 14:46 - Highs, Lows, and Moving the Goalposts as a Founder 17:19 - Modeling the Hustle: Raising Kids in the Office on Christmas Eve 19:18 - The Origin of PHYND: Why Cloud Gaming's Time is Right Now 22:51 - Disrupting the Industry: Helping Indie Studios and Saving Families $600 25:48 - Host Game Requests (Mahjong & Sudoku on TV!) 27:14 - Curating the Library: Over 150 Games & The Beta Rollout Strategy 28:19 - Launching with Samsung at Games Beat & Juggling Family Milestones 29:40 - How to Access PHYND Today PHYND: https://phynd.co/ PHYND on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@phyndgames Join the ICONIC community: https://www.youtube.com/@iconicnationmedia Follow Kimberly on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimberlylovi/

May 13, 2026Episode 20534 min

Stage 4 Cancer: Brainwashing Yourself For Greatness with Charles Porter Part 2

Ep. 205 - Join Kimberly for part 2 of her deep-dive with the incredibly talented and incredibly inspiring Charles Porter. Last week, we got to know Charles as a Duke football player turned Hollywood entrepreneur. Today, we go deeper into the mindset that makes Charles a survivor, a leader, and a beacon of hope. We discuss his career as an actor, a producer, and his battles with stage 4 Hodgkin's lymphoma. Discover how Charles uses the power of brainwashing, creates strict boundaries, and goes all-in on life to navigate his cancer journey. Chapter Timestamps: 1:15 - Duke Football & The NFL: Transitioning from football to a new career path. 6:42 - Hollywood Bound: Charles' early years in LA, including his first job in marketing and landing a role on ESPN's "Beg, Borrow, or Deal". 10:11 - Producing & The Hollywood Grind: Shifting gears to producing and finding proactive ways to grow in his career. 13:17 - Stage 4 Cancer Diagnosis: Charles shares the poignant story of his cancer diagnosis, the physical symptoms he missed, and the emotional impact on his life and relationships. 21:55 - The Cancer Journey & Treatment: Charles discusses his experience with three bone marrow transplants, various treatments, and the emotional battle he and his family faced. 27:14 - The Power of the Mindset: Discover Charles' concept of "brainwashing for greatness" and how he used positive affirmations and visualization to stay strong during his treatments. 31:47 - Creating Strong Boundaries: The importance of choosing your circle wisely and ruthlessly protecting your peace. 38:39 - Dealing with Negative Perceptions: Charles' perspective on dealing with mischaracterization and character assassination. 41:40 - The Path to Wisdom & Peace: A discussion on ego, accountability, and his quest for a life of meaning and authenticity. Follow Charles on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cfpgram/ And Black Bench Productions: https://www.instagram.com/blackbenchproductions/ Follow Kimberly on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimberlylovi/ Subscribe on YouTube Here: ‪https://www.youtube.com/@iconicnationmedia

May 6, 2026Episode 20448 min

Stage 4 Cancer: Brainwashing Yourself For Greatness with Charles Porter

Ep. 204 - In this powerful episode, Kimberly sits down with Charles Porter, a man of "many talents and mysteries." From his dual citizenship and elite football career at Duke University to a 17-year battle with Stage IV Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Charles shares a masterclass in resilience, the power of brotherhood, and a concept he calls "brainwashing yourself for greatness." Chapter Timestamps: 0:44 - How Childhood Trauma Becomes a Gift 2:12 - Prep School: Exposure to a Different World 3:23 - Football at Duke University & The Power of Teamwork 4:44 - Why I Moved to Hollywood with No Plan 9:32 - Beg, Borrow and Deal: My Start in Reality TV 12:49 - The Bond of Brotherhood: "We Go Hard for Each Other" 16:04 - Pouring Champagne for Eddie Murphy & Celebrity Insight 19:13 - The Ari Emanuel Story: Hanging Up on a Power Agent 21:14 - The Diagnosis: Stage 4 Cancer at Age 30 23:44 - The Essence of Self: Stripped of Physical Identity 26:15 - Brainwashing Yourself for Greatness 28:47 - Parenting Through Chronic Illness 32:13 - The Power of All-In Boundaries 35:32 - Using Stoicism & Visualization to Heal 38:43 - Facing Sepsis: Protecting Your Mental Space 43:03 - Handling Mischaracterization & Character Assassination 45:33 - Charles's "Must-Read" Book Recommendations Follow Charles on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cfpgram/ And Black Bench Productions: https://www.instagram.com/p/DPAOvZAEgK2/?img_index=1 Follow Kimberly on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimberlylovi/ Subscribe on YouTube Here: ⁨https://www.youtube.com/@iconicnationmedia