
The Real Reel
Let’s face it, we are all living in a digital age where we're constantly bombarded with comparisons and perfect highlight reels. Enter the Real Reel Podcast—a one-stop shop for some genuine, unfiltered realness. Join your host, influencer, YouTuber, and entrepreneur, Natalie Barbu, as she dives headfirst into the raw reality of adulthood. No more filters; Natalie’s on a mission to uncover the real struggles and triumphs that come with navigating the dating scene, relationships, friendships, finances, business, and everything in between. Tune in for some Reel talk every Monday as Natalie engages in raw and authentic conversations with Real people, including entrepreneurs, reality stars, content creators, and anyone who fits the "real deal" bill. Say goodbye to the Instagram facade, and let's embrace the beautiful (and almost always messy) journey of adulthood and growth together because, let’s be real, nobody really knows what they’re doing.
Latest episodes

Jun 7, 2021 • 59min
Recreating the Puzzle Experience and Getting on the Shark Tank Stage With Kaylin Marcotte
Episode 112: Imagine heading up to the cottage, opening the closet doors, and pulling out your favorite (and likely very outdated) childhood puzzle. After the dust settles and you’ve found a home for every little piece, you put it away and go on with your day. While on a digital detox and in search of a practical mediation tool, CEO and Founder of Jiggy Puzzles, Kaylin Marcotte, discovered a huge piece missing in the puzzle industry. On today’s episode, the two entrepreneurs discuss Kaylin’s experience bootstrapping an entire company completely solo, pitching her product on Shark Tank, and building a community of puzzle lovers — who would have thought?! Kaylin supports up-and-coming female artists by featuring their artwork on Jiggy puzzles and includes all the tools you’ll need to put your masterpiece up on the wall. Who doesn’t want to showcase all that hard work? Tune in to hear how Kaylin built her wings on the way down and rejigged the puzzle experience. Thank you so much for being a part of our podcast community! Please be sure to rate, subscribe, review, and of course, post to your highlight reel. Follow your host Natalie on Instagram @nataliebarbu and @therealreelpodcast to uncover the real reel. Follow Kaylin on Instagram @jiggypuzzles.Thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Check out these deals just for you: HELLOFRESH – Go to HelloFresh.com/realreel12 and use code realreel12 for 12 free meals, including free shipping Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 31, 2021 • 59min
Running a Business with Brothers and Making it to Forbes 30 Under 30 With Dylan Kim
Episode 111: You know when you meet someone and feel like you’ve known them forever? That is exactly what happened in this week’s episode with Brevite Backpacks co-founder Dylan Kim! You will hear the instant connection formed by Natalie and Dylan as they discuss company culture, family businesses, TikTok trials and errors, and what it’s like to be named Forbes 30 Under 30. Spoiler alert —there is no trophy. With the goal of bringing a family feel to his business, Dylan is a perfect example that running a company with your two brothers can actually work. As the company grows, the brothers are sticking to their mission and continuing to give back to the community to help create lasting change for the greater good. Tune in for some advice to live by and find out why this is one of Natalie’s favorite episodes. Thank you so much for being a part of our podcast community! Please be sure to rate, subscribe, review, and of course, post to your highlight reel. Follow your host Natalie on Instagram @nataliebarbu and @therealreelpodcast to uncover the real reel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 24, 2021 • 33min
Shifting Your Mindset and Using Rejection as Redirection
Episode 110: Ask and you shall receive! It’s time for another solo episode as Natalie shares her strategies for facing one of her biggest fears – rejection. Tune in to learn the lessons that have helped Natalie break through her personal and entrepreneurial fears including the important shift to start speaking kindly to herself. Not only does Natalie encourage you to ask yourself, “What’s the worst thing that could happen?” but more importantly, “What’s the best thing that could happen?” Just let that soak in for a moment. She also introduces a new segment that is sure to make you smile and feel a little gratitude. Whether you are starting your own company or just looking to face your fears head on, you’re going to need a pen and paper for this advice filled episode. Seriously, Nike had it right: “Just do it!” Thank you so much for being a part of our podcast community! Please be sure to rate, subscribe, review, and of course, post to your highlight reel. Follow your host Natalie on Instagram @nataliebarbu and @therealreelpodcast to uncover the real reel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 17, 2021 • 54min
Ep. 109: Starting One of the Fastest Growing Companies, Getting Acquired, and Breaking into an Industry First ft. Ali Grant
I interviewed Ali Grant, founder of Be Social, a digital communications group based in Los Angeles that specializes in influencer marketing. In this episode we talk about influencer marketing, starting a business at 23, and maintaining relationships. We also talk about being featured in Forbes, managing a team, and the steps of getting acquired. You don’t want to miss this one!Ali IG: https://www.instagram.com/aligrant/Be Social IG: https://www.instagram.com/besocialgroup/Where can you find us?Natalie's IG: @nataliebarbuIG: @therealreelpodcast--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/natalie-barbu4/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 10, 2021 • 1h 7min
Ep. 108: Creating the First Nut-Free Granola Butter, Using Influencer Marketing to Grow Your Business, and How to Land Your Products in Whole Foods ft. Ali Bonar
I interviewed Ali Bonar, Founder of Kween + Co. Kween + Co has created the world’s first delicious spreadable granola. In this episode, we talk about starting a business, using influencer marketing to your advantage, and getting your product into bigger chains. We also talk about the importance of being persistent, business finances, and asking for what you want. This is one of my favorite episodes and you don’t want to miss it!Ali IG: https://www.instagram.com/alibonar/Kween + Co IG: https://www.instagram.com/kweenandco/Kween + Co Website: https://kween.coWhere can you find us?Natalie's IG: @nataliebarbuIG: @therealreelpodcast--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/natalie-barbu4/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 6, 2021 • 57min
Ep. 107: Networking To Get Your Dream Job, How to Cold Email and Follow Up with People, and Getting a Job During a Pandemic ft. Ariel Oz
Today's episode I sit down with Ariel Oz, she shares style, wellness, career, and beauty tips with her community. Ariel has partnered with numerous brands to create content and spread brand awareness on her social channels. Ariel is also a Communications and Influencer Marketing Specialist who has previously worked with Laura Mercier, Luxury Brand Partners (Oribe Hair Care, Smith & Cult, R+Co, IGK and more) and L’Oreal for the Essie brand.We discussed:
Advice to someone who wants to follow her career path?
Managing a full-time job + personal brand
Finding a job during the pandemic
How to cold email and get a response
How to use social media to network in your career?
Ariel's website: arieloz.comAriel's Instagram: @arieloznycWhere can you find us?Natalie's IG: @nataliebarbuIG: @therealreelpodcastThe Rella Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0upQ6d6io0M1mXpyvTW9bS?si=ZxrtGN6JQs2XaFJshxjXlQ--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/natalie-barbu4/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 26, 2021 • 1h 11min
Ep. 106: How A Self-Made Entrepreneur Sold 2 Companies in 2 Years, Raising $42 Million Without Venture Capital, and Going From Filmmaking to Entrepreneur ft. Josh Landan
I interviewed Josh Landan, founder, and CEO of Ashland Hard Seltzer. Josh has an amazing entrepreneurial story, having sold two alcohol businesses in two different categories in under two years. He is a self-taught genius at capital raising, with investors like Lauryn Evarts, The Salty Blonde, Ali Grant, Chris, and Lauren Lane, actor Adam Devine among several others. Even after all that, he’s a super chill, regular guy.A couple of notable achievements:
Josh has raised over $42 million to date for his numerous businesses, without a VC
He just sold Ashland to Anheuser-Busch after only 11 months of building the brand
He sold his first business to Coors for $100 million
He started out as a surf filmmaker talk about going from being a filmmaker for 10 years to working in the alcohol industry.
If you want to hear about building a brand, the not pretty side of being an entrepreneur, and pushing past fear then this is the episode for you! Ashland IG: https://www.instagram.com/ashlandhardseltzer/Josh IG: https://www.instagram.com/joshlandan_/Where can you find us?Natalie's IG: @nataliebarbuIG: @therealreelpodcastMy new podcast all about social media, the Rella Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0upQ6d6io0M1mXpyvTW9bS?si=5KvndhxTSZKzOgp7eaCFiA--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/natalie-barbu4/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 21, 2021 • 1h 7min
Ep. 105: MEET MY CO-FOUNDERS!! How 3 Guys Started their Own Software Company ft. The Rella + Collab Team
I interviewed my new CO-FOUNDERS of Rella!! Rella is a new social media management tool that will help connect brands and influencers. JohnAnge, Connor, and Nick are the CEO, CTO, and COO of Collab Creative. Collab Creative is a hands-on team of experts who help make your dreams a reality by helping you create your mobile app, web apps, user experience design, and so much more. In this episode we talk about getting a startup off the ground, using your college connections, building a network and so much more. Don’t miss this episode! NEW PODCAST: https://open.spotify.com/show/0upQ6d6io0M1mXpyvTW9bS?si=MP2XqvtSSOuc-geZitsmLQ Collab Creative Website: https://collabcreative.co Rella Instagram: https://bit.ly/32E9QOF Sign up for the Beta version of Rella: https://bit.ly/3sCpPY4 TAKE OUR SURVEY: https://bit.ly/3auma8N Where can you find us? Natalie's IG: @nataliebarbu IG: @therealreelpodcast --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/natalie-barbu4/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 15, 2021 • 47min
Ep. 104: The Realities of Starting Your Own Business, Finding a Co-Founder, and Using TikTok to Your Advantage ft. Sandy Lin
I interviewed Sandy Lin, an entrepreneur, content creator and business owner. In this episode we talk about moving to the US and starting multiple businesses, finding the right co-founder and using TikTok to your advantage. Sandy also tells us some of her favorite resources for starting a business. You don’t want to miss this one!Small Business Tips IG: https://www.instagram.com/smallbusinesstips_/Sandy IG: https://www.instagram.com/bysandylin/Website: https://sbtcommunity.io/startWhere can you find us?Natalie's IG: @nataliebarbuIG: @therealreelpodcast--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/natalie-barbu4/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 5, 2021 • 51min
Ep. 103: Finding Your Direction in Life, Advice for Yours 20s, and Staying True to Yourself ft. Aileen Xu
I interviewed Aileen Xu, a content creator, YouTuber, and total girl boss. In this episode we talk about starting a singing YouTube channel and creating content you want to see more of. We also talk about staying true to you, listening to your body, and creating a workbook. I know you will all love this one!Lavendaire IG: https://www.instagram.com/lavendaire/Lavendaire Shop: https://shop.lavendaire.com/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=linktree&utm_campaign=my+stationery+shop%21Lavendaire YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-ga3onzHSJFAGsIebtVeBgLavendaire Lifestyle Podcast: https://www.lavendaire.com/category/podcast/Where can you find us?Natalie's IG: @nataliebarbuIG: @therealreelpodcast--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/natalie-barbu4/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices