The Real Reel

Nat celebrates her 28th birthday by sharing 28 life lessons, covering topics like female friendships, faith, independence, personal growth, overcoming challenges, and the power of contentment. A heartfelt look at her journey so far and the blessings of growing older.

Episode 260: This week, Nat sits down with Rella’s co-founder and developer, Connor Boyce! Nat and Connor dig deep into Connor’s background, talking about how he went from graduating with an electrical engineering degree to becoming a self-taught software engineer. Connor explains how he never really saw himself working in electrical engineering and instead decided to start his own software consulting company. This decision led him to meet Natalie and start Rella, and, well, the rest is history! Connor walks us through the first step to learning a new skill and how reaching out and talking to people you admire who are already in the field is ultimately more valuable than just about anything. Oh, and Connor’s words of wisdom when learning a new skill? Fake it ‘til you make it, and confidence is key! Nat asks Connor for tips and tricks on how to create a work-life balance and how nurturing a working relationship is pretty similar to nurturing a real-life human relationship. Finally, Connor discusses what he thinks he’d be doing if he never met Nat and began his journey with Rella (and trust me, it is not what you think he’d be doing). If you’ve been considering a new skill but don’t know where to start, this episode is for you.Thank you so much for being a part of our podcast community! Please be sure to rate, follow, review, and of course, post to your highlight reel. Follow your host Natalie on Instagram @nataliebarbu and @therealreelpodcast.    Thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Check out these deals just for you:  OUAI - Get on your OUAI to save for the holiday. Go to theouai.com for 15% off sitewide and enter promo code REALREEL. Use code CONNOR at getrella.com for 51% off an annual plan! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast, Nat shares tips on staying motivated, the importance of consuming content, surrounding yourself with like-minded people, reverse engineering goals, and finding your 'why'. She emphasizes the value of rest, recognizing daily excitement, and taking that first step towards accomplishing your goals.

Nat discusses staying motivated, surrounding yourself with like-minded people, and 'reverse engineering' goals. She shares tips on finding your why and the importance of rest. The podcast covers impulsive decisions, personal growth, and embracing new experiences.

Episode 257: Feeling Hungry? You've come to the right place. This week, Nat's sitting down with George Arango, the creative force behind Mr. Eats 305, a food blog that's become a staple in Miami's dining scene and beyond. George gets candid about how his passion for Miami's cuisine transformed Mr. Eats 305 from a simple idea into a full-time career. With the introduction of Instagram Reels, George's platform exploded, allowing him to transition from a law school graduate to a celebrated food blogger. He shares the journey of growing his brand, the strategy behind his content, and how he's managed to keep his reviews positive, honest, and curated. George highlights the importance of authenticity, the impact of social media on food discovery, and offers advice to those looking to make their mark in the food blogging world.   Follow George on Instagram @mr.eats305 and visit their website at www.mreats305.com    Thank you so much for being a part of our podcast community! Please be sure to rate, follow, review, and of course, post to your highlight reel. Follow your host Natalie on Instagram @nataliebarbu and @therealreelpodcast.    Thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Check out these deals just for you:   OUAI - Get on your OUAI to save for the holiday. Go to theouai.com for 15% off sitewide and enter promo code REALREEL.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 256: In this week's episode, Nat chats with Bachelor alumni Susie Evans! Susie, a multi-faceted creative, shares her eclectic background, from her Virginia roots and global adventures to launching her own photography business. Her entry into the The Bachelor world was as unexpected as it was transformative, offering her a platform that propelled her into a career of content creation. Beyond the glitz, Susie opens up about her experience on reality TV, the mental health toll it can take, and reveals what really happens behind the scenes. She also gets real about navigating a relationship in the public eye, how she and fellow Bachelor alumni Justin Glaze got out of the friend zone, and the complexities of working together. Through it all, Susie's story is a testament to adaptability, resilience, and the unexpected paths life can take you when you embrace opportunity! Be sure to follow Susie on Instagram @susiecevans  Thank you so much for being a part of our podcast community! Please be sure to rate, follow, review, and of course, post to your highlight reel. Follow your host Natalie on Instagram @nataliebarbu and @therealreelpodcast.  Thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Check out these deals just for you:   OUAI - Get on your OUAI to save for the holiday. Go to theouai.com for 15% off sitewide and enter promo code REALREEL.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 255: On this week's episode, Natalie sits down with Caitlin Jaymes, a celebrity stylist and wardrobe organizer based in L.A. With a lifelong passion for fashion, Caitlin opens up about how her early love for style and organization morphed into a vibrant career. She shares details of her path to success, from unpaid gigs to styling high-profile clients like Madison Beer and Harry Jowsey, highlighting the crucial role of networking, seizing every opportunity, and the importance of embracing a fake it till you make it mentality. Caitlin has not only mastered the art of styling and closet organization but has also launched her own line of bikini bags and gives the inside scoop on how they came to be. She also shares her top styling and organizational tips, gets candid about the behind-the-scenes reality of working with celebrities, and so much more!  Thank you so much for being a part of our podcast community! Please be sure to rate, follow, review, and of course, post to your highlight reel. Follow your host Natalie on Instagram @nataliebarbu and @therealreelpodcast. Be sure to follow Caitlin @caitlin_jaymes   Thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Check out these deals just for you:   OUAI - Get on your OUAI to save for the holiday. Go to theouai.com for 15% off sitewide and enter promo code REALREEL.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 254: During her trip to LA, Nat had the opportunity to sit down with Steven Vigilante, the first employee and head of growth at OLIPOP, a digestive health drink now widespread and well known across the United States. After spending three years at a venture fund in San Francisco, Steven was drawn to the startup's mission of offering a healthier soda alternative and knew he had to be part of it. He details his transition from investing to the beverage industry, highlighting the importance of a positive work culture, effective networking, and the pivot to e-commerce during the pandemic as key factors in OLIPOP's success. Steven's journey from giving out samples in grocery stores to strategizing celebrity collaborations and digital marketing campaigns illustrates the dynamic role of growth in a startup setting. Through personal anecdotes and insights, Steven offers a behind-the-scenes look at the growth strategies of a successful health beverage company and shares candid advice for aspiring founders in the consumer space.   Thank you so much for being a part of our podcast community! Please be sure to rate, follow, review, and of course, post to your highlight reel. Follow your host Natalie on Instagram @nataliebarbu and @therealreelpodcast. Be sure to follow Steven @stevenparker_ and check out OLIPOP @drinkolipop   Thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Check out these deals just for you:   OUAI - Get on your OUAI to save for the holiday. Go to theouai.com for 15% off sitewide and enter promo code REALREEL.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 253: Coming at you live from Newport Beach, California, Nat is back and switching things up with a Q&A sesh! Before diving into all of your burning questions, Nat gets into her latest travel escapades and details the chaos of lost luggage and an unexpected shopping spree thanks to Alaska Airlines. She then gets into the questions and starts off by addressing why she's seemingly always racing against time at airports, her secret to balancing content creation with Rella, and the art of prioritizing for work-life harmony. Nat also shares her unconventional approach and insights when it comes to networking and offers heartfelt advice on moving forward from a breakup. She emphasizes the importance of independence, both in finances and relationships, and gives a loving nudge to those dreaming of ditching the 9-5 for entrepreneurship. This episode is packed with Natalie's personal insights, practical tips, and a generous dose of encouragement for anyone navigating life's ups and downs.  Thank you so much for being a part of our podcast community! Please be sure to rate, follow, review, and of course, post to your highlight reel. Follow your host Natalie on Instagram @nataliebarbu and @therealreelpodcast.  Thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Check out these deals just for you:   ZOCDOC - Go to Zocdoc.com/REALREEL and download the Zocdoc app for FREE. Then find and book a top-rated doctor today.  OUAI - Get on your OUAI to save for the holiday. Go to theouai.com for 15% off sitewide and enter promo code REALREEL.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 252: After numerous scheduling attempts, Natalie is over the moon to finally be sitting down with one of her inspirations in the founder space, Amanda Goetz, the founder of House of Wise CBD, to explore the complexities of womanhood and entrepreneurship. Amanda opens up about her humble upbringing in small town Illinois and her journey to becoming a first-generation college graduate and trailblazing business owner. They discuss the boxes women are put in by society, Amanda’s personal evolution through her "spin cycles" of life, the importance of taking intentional breaks to realign with your true self, and why finding what energizes you is a major key to success. Amanda also shares the struggles of divorce, the life lessons she's learned along the way, how she balances motherhood with her career, and so much more! This episode is jam-packed with wisdom for women in every phase of life. Enjoy!  Thank you so much for being a part of our podcast community! Please be sure to rate, follow, review, and of course, post to your highlight reel. Follow your host Natalie on Instagram @nataliebarbu and @therealreelpodcast. You can follow Amanda @goetzam and visit her website here!  Thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Check out these deals just for you:  ZOCDOC - Go to Zocdoc.com/REALREEL and download the Zocdoc app for FREE. Then find and book a top-rated doctor today.  OUAI - Get on your OUAI to save for the holiday. Go to theouai.com for 15% off sitewide and enter promo code REALREEL.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices