Ep. 206 - Kimberly sits down with multi-time tech entrepreneur André Swanston on the historic launch day of his groundbreaking cloud gaming platform, PHYND. Fresh off a massive nine-figure exit from his previous venture, True Optik, André is on a mission to completely democratize how we play video games on the big screen. In partnership with Samsung, PHYND is removing the heavy financial barrier of gaming by eliminating the need for expensive consoles and dedicated controllers—making high-quality gaming completely free and accessible right through your smart TV. André pulls back the curtain on the realities of entrepreneurship, including the gritty truths of raising capital as a minority founder, how being "pissed off" can be a powerful tool for motivation, and why failure is only finite if you refuse to quit. We also dive into his venture into professional sports as the founder of Connecticut United FC, and how he models a relentless work ethic for his children.

Chapter Timestamps:

0:22 - Introduction: Meet André Swanston & PHYND

0:52 - Inside Launch Day & The 2-Year Journey

2:04 - The Roots of André's Entrepreneurial Hustle

3:50 - The "Ahead of Its Time" First Startup

4:59 - The Pivot to Data & The 9-Figure Exit of True Optik

5:32 - The Brutal Realities of Raising Capital as a Minority Founder

8:22 - Using Rejection and Spite as Core Motivation

9:33 - "Failure is Finite": How to Overcome a Shut-Down Startup

10:37 - How True Optic Revolutionized Connected TV Advertising

12:09 - Bringing Professional Soccer to Connecticut: Connecticut United FC

14:46 - Highs, Lows, and Moving the Goalposts as a Founder

17:19 - Modeling the Hustle: Raising Kids in the Office on Christmas Eve

19:18 - The Origin of PHYND: Why Cloud Gaming's Time is Right Now

22:51 - Disrupting the Industry: Helping Indie Studios and Saving Families $600

25:48 - Host Game Requests (Mahjong & Sudoku on TV!)

27:14 - Curating the Library: Over 150 Games & The Beta Rollout Strategy

28:19 - Launching with Samsung at Games Beat & Juggling Family Milestones

29:40 - How to Access PHYND Today

PHYND: https://phynd.co/

PHYND on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@phyndgames

Join the ICONIC community: https://www.youtube.com/@iconicnationmedia

Follow Kimberly on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimberlylovi/

Ep. 205 - Join Kimberly for part 2 of her deep-dive with the incredibly talented and incredibly inspiring Charles Porter. Last week, we got to know Charles as a Duke football player turned Hollywood entrepreneur. Today, we go deeper into the mindset that makes Charles a survivor, a leader, and a beacon of hope. We discuss his career as an actor, a producer, and his battles with stage 4 Hodgkin's lymphoma. Discover how Charles uses the power of brainwashing, creates strict boundaries, and goes all-in on life to navigate his cancer journey.

Chapter Timestamps:

1:15 - Duke Football & The NFL: Transitioning from football to a new career path.

6:42 - Hollywood Bound: Charles' early years in LA, including his first job in marketing and landing a role on ESPN's "Beg, Borrow, or Deal".

10:11 - Producing & The Hollywood Grind: Shifting gears to producing and finding proactive ways to grow in his career.

13:17 - Stage 4 Cancer Diagnosis: Charles shares the poignant story of his cancer diagnosis, the physical symptoms he missed, and the emotional impact on his life and relationships.

21:55 - The Cancer Journey & Treatment: Charles discusses his experience with three bone marrow transplants, various treatments, and the emotional battle he and his family faced.

27:14 - The Power of the Mindset: Discover Charles' concept of "brainwashing for greatness" and how he used positive affirmations and visualization to stay strong during his treatments.

31:47 - Creating Strong Boundaries: The importance of choosing your circle wisely and ruthlessly protecting your peace. 38:39 - Dealing with Negative Perceptions: Charles' perspective on dealing with mischaracterization and character assassination.

41:40 - The Path to Wisdom & Peace: A discussion on ego, accountability, and his quest for a life of meaning and authenticity.

Follow Charles on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cfpgram/

And Black Bench Productions: https://www.instagram.com/blackbenchproductions/

Follow Kimberly on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimberlylovi/

Subscribe on YouTube Here: ‪https://www.youtube.com/@iconicnationmedia

Ep. 204 - In this powerful episode, Kimberly sits down with Charles Porter, a man of "many talents and mysteries." From his dual citizenship and elite football career at Duke University to a 17-year battle with Stage IV Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Charles shares a masterclass in resilience, the power of brotherhood, and a concept he calls "brainwashing yourself for greatness."

Chapter Timestamps:

0:44 - How Childhood Trauma Becomes a Gift

2:12 - Prep School: Exposure to a Different World

3:23 - Football at Duke University & The Power of Teamwork

4:44 - Why I Moved to Hollywood with No Plan

9:32 - Beg, Borrow and Deal: My Start in Reality TV

12:49 - The Bond of Brotherhood: "We Go Hard for Each Other"

16:04 - Pouring Champagne for Eddie Murphy & Celebrity Insight

19:13 - The Ari Emanuel Story: Hanging Up on a Power Agent

21:14 - The Diagnosis: Stage 4 Cancer at Age 30

23:44 - The Essence of Self: Stripped of Physical Identity

26:15 - Brainwashing Yourself for Greatness 28:47 - Parenting Through Chronic Illness

32:13 - The Power of All-In Boundaries 35:32 - Using Stoicism & Visualization to Heal

38:43 - Facing Sepsis: Protecting Your Mental Space

43:03 - Handling Mischaracterization & Character Assassination

45:33 - Charles's "Must-Read" Book Recommendations

Follow Charles on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cfpgram/

And Black Bench Productions: https://www.instagram.com/p/DPAOvZAEgK2/?img_index=1

Follow Kimberly on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimberlylovi/

Subscribe on YouTube Here: ⁨https://www.youtube.com/@iconicnationmedia

Ep. 203 - Are you feeling stuck in a loop of mundane routines, stale conversations, and "bored energy"? Kimberly pulls back the curtain on the personal framework she's been using to reclaim her vibrancy and creativity. Kimberly argues that we lose our "playfulness" as we age, but the secret to unlocking new levels of success—both personally and professionally—is intentionally becoming a beginner again. Whether it's picking up a pickleball paddle, diving into the strategic world of Mahjong, or mastering a new technical skill, Kimberly shares why being "bad at something" is actually the best way to grow. Tune in as she challenges you to embark on a 90-day journey of "failing forward," explains why in-person connection is the ultimate networking tool, and reveals the surprising hobby that inspired Steve Jobs—and is now on her bucket list.

Chapters

2:27 | Pillar 1: The Social Pattern Break (Physical Activity)

3:00 | Why Pickleball is a Game-Changer

6:36 | Beyond Pickleball: Ideas for New Physical Hobbies

7:28 | The Mahjong Craze: Why It's the Ultimate Networking Tool

9:44 | How to Start a Mahjong Group

13:17 | The Importance of Focus: Why Playing Sober Wins

16:20 | Pillar 2: The Amateur Mindset (Killing the Ego)

18:25 | The 90-Day "Fail Forward" Challenge

21:38 | Pillar 3: Cross-Training Your Brain (Technical & Strategic Growth)

24:48 | The Power of Combining Physical & Strategic Play

26:39 | Calligraphy and the Steve Jobs Connection

Follow Kimberly on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimberlylovi/

Subscribe on YouTube Here: https://www.youtube.com/@iconicnationmedia/videos

Ep. 202 - Kimberly sits down with her father, Rick Goldstein, for a mentor-to-mentee conversation on resilience, self-belief, and navigating life's most difficult chapters. Rick, a self-made individual who grew up in the tough neighborhoods of Brooklyn, shares his "Rickisms" and practical life lessons that have served as the foundation for Kimberly's own success and confidence.

Chapters

1:25 – Mentorship: Lessons on resilience and strength

3:45 – Maintaining self-confidence in difficult business situations

5:12 – Handling critics and toxic energy ("Screw them")

8:06 – Building self-esteem and the "game of life"

9:51 – Navigating grief: Losing a spouse and a mother

13:46 – The roots of independence and the Brooklyn upbringing

17:18 – How to handle fear and high-pressure situations

20:23 – The power of the "Rickism": Never mistake kindness for weakness

25:03 – Rick's educational path and career pivot

27:15 – Meeting Mom: How they knew it was "the one"

32:43 – Aging gracefully and health/fitness discipline

36:03 – The medical emergencies: Surviving the "widowmaker"

43:31 – Spirituality and the afterlife

46:37 – Fatherly advice: High expectations and character building

Follow Kimberly on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimberlylovi/

Subscribe on YouTube Here: https://www.youtube.com/@iconicnationmedia

Ep. 201 - In this episode of In Studio, Kimberly Lovi sits down with her "creative secret weapon," Shannon Laurine. Shannon is the lead photographer at Iconic Nation Media, but her journey started far from the lens. From growing up on the sets of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air to battling Lupus and returning to finish her degree 15 years later, Shannon's story is one of resilience and raw talent. They dive deep into what it actually takes to build an iconic brand, the "dirty" secret of high-end photo retouching, and why volume is king in the world of social media content. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or an established creator, Shannon's insights on "holding space" for clients and curating a consistent visual vibe are a masterclass in modern branding.

Chapters:

1:31 – Meeting the Visionary: Introducing Shannon Laurine

2:41 – Building the Studio: From Auto Body Shop to Iconic Space

4:58 – The "Tight-Lipped" Creative: Working under NDAs and Instagram "Collab" Drama

7:04 – More Than a Photographer: The Role of a Creative Director

8:32 – Roots in the Industry: Growing up on TV sets (Fresh Prince, Saved by the Bell)

10:41 – The Path to Creative Genius: From Makeup Artistry to the Camera

12:35 – Self-Taught Success: Failing Photography 101 and Mastering the Craft

14:40 – The Reality of Post-Production: Why High-End Editing Takes Time

16:14 – The Creative Process: How Shannon Curates a Brand's Identity

20:57 – The Second Act: Returning to School and Balancing 4.0 GPA with Motherhood

23:53 – Health, Lupus, and Resilience: Managing Autoimmune Challenges

26:49 – Protecting Your Peace: Journaling, Burning Rituals, and Energy Gates

29:15 – The "Underdog" Motivation: Helping Women See Their Own Beauty

32:14 – Photography Strategy: Why Volume Beats Perfection for Social Media

34:38 – Branding 101: Visual Consistency and Using Content Pillars

Follow Shannon on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonlaurine/

Shannon's portfolio: https://www.shannonlaurine.com/

Follow Kimberly on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimberlylovi/

Subscribe on YouTube Here: https://www.youtube.com/@UCmujZrnOwlh5_rcFdxZZT3w

Ep. 200 - Kimberly dives deep into the rise of video podcasting, why YouTube is no longer optional for growth, and how to balance professional production with raw authenticity. Whether you're a seasoned host or finally ready to hit record for the first time, this episode is your roadmap for strategy, mindset, and impact.

A note from Kimberly: In Studio is celebrating a massive milestone! It's the 200th episode, and I'm pulling back the curtain on my entire journey since 2020. From launching as a side project to becoming a full-time creator and studio owner, the podcasting landscape has shifted—and today, I'm sharing the "State of the Union" for creators.

Chapters:

01:03 – Episode 200: Reflections on a 6-Year Creator Journey

02:17 – The Rise of Video in Podcasting (And Why It Matters)

03:50 – How to Overcome the Fear of Being on Camera

06:32 – Building Trust, Authority, and Reach Through Video

07:48 – DIY vs. Professional Production: What's Right for You?

11:11 – Podcast Workflow Hacks & New AI Tools

12:19 – Why YouTube is Critical for Podcast Growth

13:09 – Introducing VIP Creators Day

15:17 – The Power of Niche Podcasting in a Crowded Market

20:04 – Using Your Podcast as a Networking & Authority Tool

Sign up for your VIP Creators Day here: https://www.iconicstudioshq.com/vip

Follow Kimberly on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimberlylovi/

Subscribe on YouTube Here: https://www.youtube.com/@UCmujZrnOwlh5_rcFdxZZT3w

In this episode, Kimberly sits down with longtime friend and media-tech powerhouse Melody Yazdanyar for a conversation that spans decades—from childhood soccer teammates to navigating the evolving worlds of advertising, gaming, and sports media. Melody shares her journey from early days in digital advertising to working across major acquisitions (AppNexus, Comcast, TransUnion), and now helping build PHȲND—a next-gen gaming platform designed for accessibility and scale. The two also reflect on their Super Bowl experience, the convergence of sports, media, and tech, and why the future of audience engagement is being rewritten in real time. It's equal parts nostalgia, insight, and forward-looking innovation.

Chapters:

2:00 – Super Bowl invite & media-side experience

4:00 – NYC story: Chanel internship & early career days

7:30 – Inside early digital advertising (AppNexus era)

9:30 – Evolution of media, mobile, and audience targeting

11:30 – Career journey through acquisitions & startups

15:00 – Transition into data & connected TV

16:30 – Gaming industry trends & current challenges

18:30 – Explaining gaming from a consumer perspective

19:30 – Introducing PHȲND: gaming via smart TVs

22:00 – Game types, accessibility & platform vision

24:30 – Marshawn Lynch partnership + brand storytelling

27:30 – Super Bowl celebrity moments (Bella Twins, etc.)

31:30 – Melody's story as a trailblazer (female football kicker)

36:00 – PHȲND launch details + how to join beta

Follow Kimberly on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimberlylovi/

Subscribe on YouTube Here: https://www.youtube.com/@UCmujZrnOwlh5_rcFdxZZT3w