(Almost) Reckless

A conversation with Amy Smilovic and Liz Taylor. Liz is Ogilvy’s Global Chief Creative Officer, setting the creative vision for 120+ offices in more than 90 countries, in addition to agency networks DAVID, INGO and Grey. Under her leadership, Ogilvy has become the only agency ever to top both WARC’s Creative 100 and Effective 100 lists, alongside repeat Network of the Year accolades. Her work has also received several Emmy nominations, been featured at the Museum of Modern Art, on Billboard charts, in multiple Super Bowls, and among culture-topping lists like Fast Company’s annual World’s Most Innovative Companies and TIME Magazine’s Best Inventions. Liz is also the first-ever CCO to be top-ranked by Cannes, and the first woman to top CCO lists by The Drum and D&AD, to be named CCO at FCB, and to be appointed Global CCO at both Leo (Burnett) and Ogilvy. Throughout the conversation, Amy and Liz discuss the winding, accidental nature of her rise to the top of one of the world's most competitive industries, what it truly means to lead creative culture at scale, and why the most lasting work always lives at the intersection of commerce, craft, and genuine conviction.

A conversation with Amy Smilovic and Garance Doré. Garance is a New York Times Best-Selling Author, renowned Photographer, and illustrator. In 2007 Garance began shooting street-style photography in Paris with a uniquely creative point of view, marking a shift in the era of highly calculated editorial "street" fashion photography to one characterized by a raw, personal, and unembellished perspective, changing the course of the discipline forever. Known to many as the original fashion blogger, Garance has no doubt had a significant influence on the way street style is captured today. In 2015, Garance released her first book, Love Style Life, a NYT Best-Seller, and a narrative journey through the various creative endeavors of her career, from photography to illustration to authorship. In 2022, Garance co-founded Doré, a French skincare line rooted in modernity, simplicity, and transparency. Throughout the podcast, Amy and Garance discuss the pivotal moments of her childhood, the ups and downs of her career in the volatile industry of fashion, and that which brings her ultimate happiness today.

A conversation with Golnar Khosrowshahi and Amy Smilovic. Golnar is the Founder & CEO of Reservoir Media, an independent music company based in New York City. Founded in 2007 as a family-owned music publisher, Reservoir is the first female-founded and led publicly traded independent music company in the United States and has been twice named Publisher of the Year by The A&R Awards, and Independent Publisher of the Year at the Music Week Awards in 2020 and 2022. Their robust catalog includes historic works from legends like Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell, John Denver, Sheryl Crow, and Snoop Dogg, as well as current award-winning hits by Lady Gaga, Camila Cabello, Bruno Mars, and many more. Reservoir also hosts a roster of active writers and producers including Ali Tamposi, 2 Chainz, and Jamie Hartman, while maintaining a deeply influential position in the category of film music, owning scores by Hans Zimmer and those from The Lion King, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Dark Knight Trilogy, and more. Amy and Golnar discuss her path into the music industry and the origins of her love for the discipline, outlining how Golnar carved her successful niche in a cut-throat business, all the while remaining completely operationally independent.

A conversation with Daniel Dooreck and Amy Smilovic. Daniel is the Founder and Head Potter at Danny D’s Mud Shop, an independent ceramics company based in Los Angeles, California. What originally began as a side-hobby out of Daniel’s garage in Echo Park has blossomed into a lively brick-and-mortar store/workshop in East Hollywood where Daniel and his small team craft and design every day. Each piece is a one-of-one created by hand without the use of machines or molds, taking influence from the American West, traditional tattooing, and quirky illustrations collected by Daniel overtime. Select pieces from the Mud Shop can be found across the globe in specially chosen retailers from Tokyo to Toronto. Throughout this episode, Amy and Daniel discuss the unique path that has led Daniel to where he is today, connecting the dots between previous jobs, dreams, and hobbies to formulate the greater picture that is Danniel’s thriving career at present. The episode was shot and produced live in Danny D’s Mud Shop in East Hollywood, CA.

A conversation with Fran Camaj and Amy Smilovic. Fran is the Founder of the Gjelina Group, an independent hospitality brand based in Venice, California. Since opening the original Gjelina restaurant on Abbot Kinney Boulevard in 2008, Fran has slowly and naturally evolved his business into a beautiful ecosystem of interdependent creative endeavors and passion projects. After Gjelina came Gjelina take-away next door, then Gjusta Bakery (originally a commissary kitchen to support dinner service at Gjelina), then Gjusta Goods, Gjusta Grocer, Gjusta Flower Shop, Gjusta Apartment, the Gjelina Hotel, and now Gjelina restaurant outposts in NYC and Las Vegas. Throughout the discussion a new theme emerges, one that highlights the three phases entrepreneurs experience when building their own business as we learn about Fran’s journey in building a brand rooted in gut instinct and passion. The episode was shot live at Gjelina in Venice, CA.