
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 8, 2020 • 53min
Ep. 62: A Conversation About Black Lives Matter, Being Anti-Racist, and What This Week Has Shown ft. Jada Jones
This week we have our first recurring guest, Jada Jones! She is a teenager, content creator, dancer, actress, and activist. She has been protesting for Black Lives Matter since 2016 and I am so excited to have her on to talk about the events that unfolded this past week, the protests, the Black Lives Matter movement, and the change she hopes happened. I hope this episode makes you feel like you're just sitting and chatting with a friend. I hope this week shows that we have a lot to learn and we need to take a second to listen. Have these conversations, educate yourself, and hold your friends accountable. Now go show Jada some love check out her amazing content. Jada's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/minwenjonesJada's podcast: HighKey Adulteen https://open.spotify.com/show/5ymPZGT3xhMtswkGE1A8LTJada's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jadajonesss/?hl=enAll funds from this video will be donated to EJI. Equal Justice Initiative: https://eji.org/ More information: Here are more places to donate: https://nymag.com/strategist/article/where-to-donate-for-black-lives-matter.html Justice for George Floyd petition: https://www.wecantbreathenational.org/ Justice for Breonna Taylor: https://www.standwithbre.com/ Arrabon (equips Christian leaders to engage in racial reconciliation within the church): https://arrabon.com/what-is-arrabon/--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/natalie-barbu/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/natalie-barbu/support Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-real-reel-podcast/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/natalie-barbu4/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 27, 2020 • 42min
Ep. 61: Productivity in Quarantine, Working Towards the Future in A Pandemic, and Working Remotely Forever ft. Natalie Barbu
Today is a solo episode! I am talking about productivity during quarantine and how being productive during a pandemic NEEDS to be talked about. Is it possible to achieve balance? Or is that a myth? Should we be productive or should we use this as time off? I also talk about being a future-driven person during a time where we have no idea how the future will go. And then I introduce Nat Chats- a potential new segment all about the future of the corporate work space. I loved talking about a random topic and would love to add this in. Let me know what you think.Where can you find us?Natalie's IG: @nataliebarbuIG: @therealreelpodcastJoin the private Facebook GroupBecome a supporter: https://anchor.fm/natalie-barbu/support--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/natalie-barbu/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/natalie-barbu/support Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-real-reel-podcast/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/natalie-barbu4/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 18, 2020 • 48min
Ep. 60: How To Start A Global Beauty Brand That You Believe In ft. Kopari Co-founder, Gigi Goldman
I interviewed Gigi Goldman. Gigi is one of the co-founders of Kopari Beauty, a non toxic and cruelty-free coconut powered clean beauty brand. In this episode we talk all about how Kopari Beauty got started, learning from your mistakes in business, using social media to market your product and so much more. Kopari Beauty is a brand that I genuinely use EVERYDAY and I am so excited to share this episode with you. Use code REALREEL20 for 20% off until May 31. Kopari Beauty on IG: https://www.instagram.com/KopariBeauty/Kopari Beauty’s Website: http://koparibeauty.comGigi’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/gigi.goldman/Where can you find us?Natalie's IG: @nataliebarbuIG: @therealreelpodcastJoin the private Facebook GroupBecome a supporter: https://anchor.fm/natalie-barbu/support--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/natalie-barbu/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/natalie-barbu/support Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-real-reel-podcast/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/natalie-barbu4/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 12, 2020 • 49min
Ep. 59: Creating A Sustainable and Mission-Driven Business Helping Out Human Trafficking ft. Christine Howell, Founder of Dear Survivor
In today's episode of The Real Reel Podcast with me, Natalie Barbu, I interviewed Christine Howell. Christine is the owner and designer of Dear Survivor, a sustainable fashion jewelry brand located in San Diego, CA. What makes Dear Survivor so special is that a percentage of all proceeds goes to the rehabilitation of human trafficking survivors. In this episode we talk about starting your own business with only $800, providing sustainable goods, finding the perfect manufacturing company and so much more! This is truly one of my favorite episodes and I know you all will be running to support this company and what they stand for after you listen!Dear Survivor IG: https://www.instagram.com/dearsurvivor/Dear Survivor Website: https://dear-survivor.comWhere can you find us?Natalie's IG: @nataliebarbuIG: @therealreelpodcastJoin the private Facebook GroupBecome a supporter: https://anchor.fm/natalie-barbu/support--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/natalie-barbu/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/natalie-barbu/support Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-real-reel-podcast/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/natalie-barbu4/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 4, 2020 • 49min
Ep. 58: Tips For Getting Your Dream Job even in a Pandemic, Networking, and Finding Investors in College ft. Sarah Wang
In today's episode of The Real Reel Podcast with me, Natalie Barbu, I interviewed Sarah Wang. Sarah is a fulltime hardware manufacturing engineer at Microsoft where she works on their cloud technology. In this episode Sarah gives such amazing advice on how to prepare for interviews, applying to work at big companies and preparing to pitch a product to inventors. Sarah has a wealth of knowledge on so many topics and I know you will be just as excited about this episode as I am.Sarah’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/swangxswang/Sarah’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXdLPr1DIGTTdvNEmCPOKvASarah’s Website: https://swangswang.comWhere can you find us?Natalie's IG: @nataliebarbuIG: @therealreelpodcastJoin the private Facebook GroupBecome a supporter: https://anchor.fm/natalie-barbu/support--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/natalie-barbu/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/natalie-barbu/support Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-real-reel-podcast/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/natalie-barbu4/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 27, 2020 • 50min
Ep. 57: Going to College at NYU, Working in Freelance Social Media, and Living in NYC During COVID-19 ft. Emily Anne
This episode is with Emily Anne, a food blogger turned lifestyle influencer living in New York City. We talk about her experience going to college in a big city and attending NYU, quitting your job to do social media full-time and the struggles with that, and living in New York City during a pandemic. We discuss these conversations candidly and we hope you feel like you're just listening in to a conversation with two friends talking about life! Emily's Instagram: @whatsemilydoing https://www.instagram.com/whatsemilydoing/ Where can you find us? Natalie's IG: @nataliebarbu https://www.instagram.com/nataliebarbu IG: @therealreelpodcast Join the private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2271117656542941/ Become a supporter: https://anchor.fm/natalie-barbu/support --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/natalie-barbu/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/natalie-barbu/support Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-real-reel-podcast/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/natalie-barbu4/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 20, 2020 • 52min
Ep. 56: All of the Relationship Advice with My Boyfriend + His Best Friend ft. Kian and Jack
Let's talk RELATIONSHIPS. We are giving our relationship advice that you submitted on our Facebook page + Instagram. Keep in mind, this is just OUR advice. Might not be the best, might not even be great. But if you want to listen to our thoughts, here it is! Also disclaimer: this will not be relevant to all relationships. We can only speak on our own experiences. Hope you enjoy!Stock up on PureWine like you do those wine bottles - use the promo code CORK20 to get 20 percent off your next purchase at drinkpurewine.com.Where can you find us?Natalie's IG: @nataliebarbuIG: @therealreelpodcastJoin the private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2271117656542941/Become a supporter: https://anchor.fm/natalie-barbu/support--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/natalie-barbu/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/natalie-barbu/support Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-real-reel-podcast/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/natalie-barbu4/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 13, 2020 • 55min
Ep. 55: How They Created An "Instagrammable" Bible and Starting a Faith Based Business ft. Brian Chung, Co-Founder of Alabaster Bibles
In today's episode of The Real Reel Podcast with me, Natalie Barbu, I interviewed Brian Chung. Brian is the co-founder of Alabaster Co, a faith based publishing company, dedicated to bringing creativity and imagery to the text of the bible. In this episode Brian and I talk about what it’s like to build a business from the ground up with no money and no investors. We also talk about starting a business with a friend, using influencer marketing and taking the leap of faith to make your side hustle your only hustle. This episode is different from all of the others and you don’t want to miss this one! Brian’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/brianchung/ Alabaster Co. IG: https://www.instagram.com/alabaster_co/ Alabaster Co. Website: https://www.alabasterco.com Where can you find us? Natalie's IG: @nataliebarbu IG: @therealreelpodcast Join the private Facebook Group Become a supporter: https://anchor.fm/natalie-barbu/support --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/natalie-barbu/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/natalie-barbu/support Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-real-reel-podcast/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/natalie-barbu4/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 6, 2020 • 1h 3min
Ep. 54: Being in A Long Distance Relationship, What You Learn by Living Together, and Planning a Wedding in a Pandemic ft. Bianca Franco and Collin Henderson
In today's episode of The Real Reel Podcast with me, Natalie Barbu, I interviewed such an amazing couple, Bianca Franco and Collin Henderson. Bianca is a YouTuber and digital creator and Collin is a film/music video director. In this episode we talk about planning a wedding, moving in together and tips for long distance relationships. We also talk about what it is like to put so much info online and how to deal with judgement and hate. This was one of the most fun episodes to record and I know you will all love it! Check out Zeamo by going to https://www.zeamo.com/explore and use code BARBU50 at checkout.Bianca’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/biancaxxfranco/ Collin’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/collinrhenderson/ Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/easywayorhardwaypod/ Bianca’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/fashionblogger11 Where can you find us? Natalie's IG: @nataliebarbu IG: @therealreelpodcast Join the private Facebook Group Become a supporter: https://anchor.fm/natalie-barbu/support--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/natalie-barbu/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/natalie-barbu/support Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-real-reel-podcast/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/natalie-barbu4/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 30, 2020 • 49min
Ep. 53: How Fay Afghahi Went from Being Editor-In-Chief of Elle Arabia to Starting A Hair Health Vitamin Company
In today's episode of The Real Reel Podcast with me, Natalie Barbu, I interviewed Fay Afghahi. Fay is the founder of KeraHealth Hair Vitamins. KeraHealth produces a naturally sourced supplement clinically proven to reduce hair loss. Fay and I talk all about starting your own business, the process of creating your own supplement and getting funding for your business. We discuss how she went from being the editor-in-chief of Elle Magazine Arabia and then taking the leap of faith to start KeraHealth with her husband. This episode is SO interesting and you’re all going to love it. Follow Fay on IG: https://www.instagram.com/kerahealthfay/ Follow KeraHealth on IG: https://www.instagram.com/kerahealth/ KeraHealth website: https://kerahealth.com/ Where can you find us? Natalie's IG: @nataliebarbu IG: @therealreelpodcast Join the private Facebook Group Become a supporter: https://anchor.fm/natalie-barbu/support --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/natalie-barbu/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/natalie-barbu/support Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-real-reel-podcast/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/natalie-barbu4/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices