Scams, Cash, and Fake Friendships with Lauren Gordon

This episode has been a long time coming. I’m joined by one of my favorite people in the world—Kim, who happens to be a User Experience Program Manager at Google. I may have slightly bullied her into doing this, the same way I scammed her into being a bridesmaid at my wedding. Kim leads the cross-functional research efforts for DORA (yes, that DORA report) and manages user research initiatives under Google Cloud. But before she became the boss lady she is now, she and I were teammates on the college debate team. We talk about how debate shaped our careers, our communication styles, and our ability to survive—and even thrive—in high-pressure environments. We share our most embarrassing tournament memories, how debate gave us the confidence to speak on stage and lead teams, and why the skills we learned as students are still paying off today. What We Talked About Why debate is the ultimate crash course in public speaking and critical thinking The skills from debate that help in corporate leadership, entrepreneurship, and sales Why confidence sometimes just looks like pushing through with butterflies in your stomach Funny stories from our debate failures (spoiler: someone misunderstood what “embargo” meant) Lessons in stamina, prep, and how debate tournaments are mental marathons The difference between persuasion and substance—and how you need both to lead effectively What happens when you have to argue for a side you don’t agree with How these skills make you sharper at work, in business, and in life If you have a kid—or know someone—consider encouraging them to join a debate team. It’s not just for nerds or aspiring lawyers. It’s a serious skill builder that opens doors, builds confidence, and gives you lifelong advantages. Whether you're heading into business or climbing the corporate ladder, debate can make all the difference. Also, starting this month, None of Your Business will shift from weekly to monthly episodes. I’ll be focusing some energy on launching a new podcast for location-independent business owners. But don’t worry, this show isn’t going anywhere—it’s just pacing itself better, the same way we learned to do in debate. Let's connect: Instagram: @karlastefan Website: karlasingson.com

2 Jun 57min

Let’s be real: the economy isn’t exactly throwing us a party right now. Groceries are up, essentials are feeling like luxuries, and even the most seasoned entrepreneurs are asking: What now? In this episode, I sit down with two of my favorite humans—Martin and Chelsea Matthews—to talk about what online entrepreneurs need to know as we move through (and maybe already in) a recession. Martin and Chelsea are financial educators, business owners, authors of Let’s Fight About Money, and founders of M Wealth Group, a financial consulting, investment, and insurance agency that helps people build “unbreakable finances.” They’ve worked with clients in 48 states, and they bring both strategy and heart into every conversation around money. What We Talked About: ✅ How to build an emergency fund (even if you’re starting from zero) ✅ Why investing in your own business may be smarter than buying stocks ✅ The mindset shift entrepreneurs need to make in uncertain times ✅ How couples can stay aligned financially (even if one loves risk and the other doesn’t) ✅ Weekly and daily money rituals that help keep your household and business stable ✅ Talking to your team about tough financial seasons without causing panic ✅ Teaching your kids about money without trauma or lectures Grab a free copy of their book Let’s Fight About Money: letsfightaboutmoney.com/ebook Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/karlastefan

5 Mai 52min

I'm BACK from my season break! Hope you didn't miss me too much. Here are some updates from being in Asia for five months, my top wedding tips, and a quick story on getting back to work and finding our next home in Mexico.    Would love to hear from you! :) What did you think of this episode?    Find me on Instagram. Find me on Facebook.

21 Apr 43min

If you’re someone who lights up at the smell of a simmering pot or feels nostalgic over a childhood snack, this episode is for you. Today, I sit down with the amazing Rosemary Kimani, co-founder of Authentic Food Quest—a platform dedicated to connecting travelers with cultures through local food and immersive cooking vacations. Since 2015, she and her partner Claire have explored the cuisine of 45 countries and over 290 food cities, spotlighting the kind of culinary experiences that go far beyond what's on the plate. We talked about everything—from soul-warming tomato stews in Argentina, surprise snail dinners in Vietnam, to the simple snack that bonded me with my mom. But more than just food, this episode dives into how meals open doors to connection, understanding, and even business growth. In this episode, we covered: Why food is never just food—it’s emotion, memory, culture, and connection How to deepen travel experiences by choosing what’s truly local How food melts walls in business settings and helps build real trust 3 food tourism trends you can use in your own business: authenticity, sustainability, and wellness The power of storytelling (even a $10 chocolate bar can go a long way) Why entrepreneurs should celebrate local culture through food—whether you're hosting clients, motivating a team, or building brand identity And if you’re someone who’s been dreaming of that once-in-a-lifetime foodie adventure, Rose shared all about Authentic Food Quest’s immersive cooking vacations in Italy and Greece. Think: homemade pasta with a real Italian nonna, cheese-making in the countryside, wine tastings, and dancing in the moonlight. Um—yes, please. This episode might just convince you to try that unpronounceable dish, recreate a family recipe, or book a food trip of a lifetime. And if you’ve been looking for a unique incentive trip for your team, a food quest might just be the answer. Share this episode with your foodie friends or your work bestie—especially if you’re dreaming of an unforgettable bite abroad.

24 Mar 1h

Today, I’m sharing all the unexpected lessons I learned from joining my first-ever golf tournament—with my husband. If you’ve ever thought about working with your spouse, cooking together, or picking up a hobby as a couple, this episode is for you. But let’s take it up a notch—how about competing together? Let me tell you, it was a ride. This episode is packed with:️‍♀️ The one thing that threw off our entire tournament experience—and how we recovered⚖️ Why balancing emotions in a relationship (especially during high-stress moments) is everything The hidden connection between optimism, energy, and winning at life (and business!) Why stamina matters more than skill in competitions—and how I learned this the hard way The simplest mindset shift that helped me stay focused and actually play better The power of community and why you should always connect with the people you meet in competitions And the best part—how all of this made me love my husband (and our life together) even more It was exhausting, exhilarating, and honestly, so much fun. And even if you’re not into golf, I hope this episode inspires you to try something competitive with your partner—whether it’s a friendly board game, a cooking contest, or, who knows, maybe even an Ironman (okay, probably not). Let me know what you think! Have you ever competed in something with your partner? DM me on Instagram—I’d love to hear your thoughts.

17 Feb 25min

As the new year rolls around, we are always faced with this sense of a fresh start. Optimism. New goals. New challenges. Somehow a better version of ourselves.    A few years have passed, and unfortunately we’ve also seen ourselves drift from who we intended to be. In fact, studies have shown that by January 17, most people already failed their “New Year’s Resolutions”.   What is up with this? After a while, I quit asking myself that, and sought the help of someone smarter than me. :)    Enter Josh Froc. Most young kids, around 5 years old, go through a (very annoying) phase of asking “why”. Over, and over, and over.    Josh never stopped. Today, he’s a certified Positive Intelligence Coach, and he helps people understand what motivates them, and what matters to them. He has spent years studying habit formation and behavioural change, and is hugely influenced by Dr. Benjamin Hardy. One of the problems he most loves to help with, is the secret anxiety that drives many high performers to be great- and turn that into the joy of challenge.    In this podcast episode, we discussed how most entrepreneurs treat the New Year in terms of goal setting, motivation, and perseverance. We talked about…   How entrepreneurs usually like going fast, always love to find the shortest way to go somewhere, and they always focus on moving forward, forgetting one very important thing…  Easy tricks to tick things off your to do box, whether it’s a day’s to-do list or a lifelong bucket list  Two strategies for starting the year with a positive mindset no matter what happened last year The surprising illustration of the scale of the human consciousness, and how you can use this to “demand feeling better” His best advice for overcoming resistance to new goals (and blaming the busy-ness of life) The simplest thing people almost never do, but is so useful…. When it comes to goal setting The power of vision x affirmation x accountability   Over the last 3 years Josh has run a morning club for entrepreneurs, starting at 5AM and helping them get clear on what matters, and start the day with positive momentum.    Get in touch with Josh and check out his 5-day Challenge, where you create a vision for your future that pulls your forward and identify with your future self. He also hosts the “Slow Productivity Club”, a mastermind group of entrepreneurs that is accountable, and starts the day right with momentum. Check out his work or connect with Josh directly here: https://www.instagram.com/mindshiftcoach_/

20 Jan 1h 7min

For a while now, I’ve always thought about the looming societal collapse brought about by porn. This started when I read about this OnlyFans chick setting out ads to attract 100 guys who want to have sex with her in one day.    That news was so shocking to me, and the more I delved into its story, it broke my heart how big the problem is. As luck would have it, I chanced upon an old friend at one of my favorite wellness spas in Playa, and learned that he helps men quit porn addiction and assists them in optimizing the other parts of their life.   My friend– Devin McDermott. He got into the porn addiction recovery industry after overcoming a 13-year addiction, which was extremely difficult for him, and then, after feeling how much his life improved because of that change (and all the other changes I had to make in order to successfully quit...) he decided he wanted to help others with it, too. Four years later, he has worked with over 125 guys from all over the world, and impacted thousands through his newsletter, MagneticMan.co.    I invited Devin to come on the pod to discuss this, and we’d love for you to sit with us and do a deep dive into this topic. We chatted about…    Surprising statistics about porn, married men with OnlyFans subscription accounts, erectile dysfunction in young men  How porn is worse than alcohol or drugs… even if you only “do it casually or rarely” Most common misconceptions about porn  How the masculine core is rooted in discipline, purpose, and mission, and if men cannot fix this, they will always be dissatisfied with who they are being  Addressing rationalizations for porn use, and easy mindset shifts How porn addiction bleeds through other parts of the man’s life  How to properly quit porn… and other bad habits in your life (big or small)  Resources, tools, and learnings in beating ANY addiction Success stories from Devin’s past clients…who are the people you would least expect to be addicted to porn   I had a really great time discussing this with Devin, and it was so refreshing to discuss this with the male perspective because I felt like it made our conversation more holistic.    Check out Devin’s work on X: https://x.com/devinmcdermot   Sign up for Devin’s FREE newsletter: https://magneticman.co/   If you need help with porn addiction or any digital vices, get in touch with Devin or check out his newsletter. It’s a great stepping stone to getting the help that you need, and there is no shame in getting expert help get you to your best potential. You deserve it. You deserve to get there. :)

13 Jan 1h 25min

What if you are 100% intentional on where you build your home, grow your business, and live your life? My views on picking a great home and designing it properly gave me a huge business breakthrough in 2017.  Listen to this episode to hear the story of how I tripled my income within 90 days of moving to a different home, and all my realizations from moving to different homes, in different countries, and different stages of my life.  If you like this episode, let me know on Instagram or Threads! :) @karlastefan

6 Jan 29min