Cultivated Conversations | Podcast on RSS.com

Cultivated Conversations

Cultivated Conversations

by Jen Proctor

Business Society & Culture

Season 1

Beyond the Deal: The People Powering Brand Culture

The business of partnerships has changed. What was once transactional is now deeply relational — and the best collaborations today are built on trust, creativity, and shared purpose. In this special panel hosted by Jen Proctor, CEO of Cultivated Entertainment, leaders across talent, brand, and management pull back the curtain on what makes a modern partnership truly work. Featuring: Lauryn Bosstick — Founder & CEO, The Skinny Confidential Chris Cavell — Senior Talent Executive - Talent Partnerships, Calm Noelle Cornelio — Partner, Majordomo Media Ikenna "IK" Ezeh — Partner, WME Zoe Gillespie — Head of Brand Strategy & Partnerships, Soft Shock Dunia McNeily — Talent Manager, 3Arts 🔔 Like, subscribe & join us for more behind-the-scenes insights! Follow Cultivated: instagram.com/cultivatedentertainment Follow Jen: instagram.com/jenproc Add Jen on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jennifer-proctor-55405b10 Email us: sayhi@cultivatedent.com

Being Human Is Still Good Business with Ikenna "IK" Ezeh

Ikenna "IK" Ezeh has built a storied career on both intellect and instinct. From law school to the top of WME, he’s brokered some of the most high-profile deals across sports, music, and entertainment, always with one guiding principle: people first. In this conversation, Jen and IK unpack how the brand world has evolved from transactional to relational, what makes a truly creative partnership click, and why human connection is still the most valuable currency in entertainment. They also dig into AI’s growing role in the industry, the art of negotiation, and what the next generation of talent (and executives) need to know to thrive. 🔔 Like, subscribe & join us for more behind-the-scenes industry insight every week! Follow Cultivated: www.instagram.com/cultivatedentertainment Follow Jen: www.instagram.com/jenproc Add Jen on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-proctor-55405b10/ Email us: sayhi@cultivatedent.com

From Wall Street to What Matters: Building with Intention with Tonna Obaze

From Goldman Sachs to launching her own purpose-driven agency, Tonna Obaze has redefined what it means to build with intention. Her work sits at the intersection of impact, strategy, and storytelling, helping executives, brands, and communities create lasting change. In this conversation, Jen and Tonna explore how to turn conviction into action, the courage it takes to leave stability for purpose, and why community remains at the heart of meaningful leadership. Tonna also opens up about her entrepreneurial journey, the evolving world of social impact, and the power of crafting a life that aligns with your values. 🔔 Like, subscribe & join us for more behind-the-scenes industry insight, every week! Follow Tonna: www.tonnaandco.com | linkedin.com/in/tonna-obaze-931b37128 Follow Cultivated: www.instagram.com/cultivatedentertainment Follow Jen: www.instagram.com/jenproc Add Jen on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-proctor-55405b10/ Email us: sayhi@cultivatedent.com

Celebrity Brands Done Right with Kristin Turner

Kristin Turner has spent her career at the intersection of celebrity, partnerships, and business. Heard of Kevin Hart’s tequila brand, Gran Coramino? That’s just one of the projects Kristin has helped bring to life. With more than a decade of experience in music, marketing, and PR, she's helping talent build businesses and brands from the ground up. In this episode, Jen and Kristin unpack what actually makes celebrity-backed brands succeed (or flop), why engagement matters more than follower counts, and how the best talent know their audiences better than anyone. Kristin also shares lessons from powerhouse female mentors, what it’s like navigating a male-dominated industry, and the importance of letting go of what you can’t control. 🔔 Like, subscribe & join us for more behind-the-scenes industry insight, every week! Follow Kristin: www.instagram.com/kristinjenee | www.tiktok.com/@kristinjenee Subscribe to Kristin's Substack: www.structuredchaosco.substack.com Follow Cultivated: www.instagram.com/cultivatedentertainment Follow Jen: www.instagram.com/jenproc Add Jen on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-proctor-55405b10/ Email us: sayhi@cultivatedent.com

Big Culture Energy with Lauren Mandel

From the NBC Page Program to Saturday Night Live to founding her own company, Disco Nap, Lauren Mandel has carved her own lane in entertainment. She’s produced award shows like the VMAs and People’s Choice, helped launch Las Culturistas’ Culture Awards, and continues to create visionary projects alongside some of comedy’s brightest voices. In this conversation, Jen and Lauren reflect on their Emmy-winning collaboration, the growing role of producers as creative partners, and how Disco Nap has become a hub for culture-shaping talent. Lauren also opens up about her entrepreneurial spirit, her creative process, and why she sees opportunity in an ever-changing industry. 🔔 Like, subscribe & join us for more behind-the-scenes industry insight, every week! Follow Lauren: www.laurenmandel.com Follow Disco Nap: www.instagram.com/adisconapproduction | www.adisconapproduction.com Listen to My Favorite Lyrics Podcast: https://linktr.ee/myfavoritelyricspod Follow Cultivated: www.instagram.com/cultivatedentertainment Follow Jen: www.instagram.com/jenproc Add Jen on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-proctor-55405b10/ Email us: sayhi@cultivatedent.com

The Art of Producing with Kristen Wong

From childhood living room pageants to producing some of the biggest cultural moments on screen, Kristen Wong has always known she was meant to create. Now a showrunner and co-founder of production collective Future Friends, Kristen sits down with Jen to talk about her path into the industry, the importance of listening, and how she balances creativity with production realities. They dig into her approach to nurturing ideas, building safe creative spaces, and working with icons while staying grounded in humanity. Kristen also shares the story behind launching Future Friends during a time of industry upheaval, and why collaboration and friendship remain at the core of her work. 🔔 Like, subscribe & join us for more behind-the-scenes industry insight, every week! Follow Kristen: www.instagram.com/kristenvonkoko Follow Future Friends: www.instagram.com/futurefriends.la Follow Cultivated: www.instagram.com/cultivatedentertainment Follow Jen: www.instagram.com/jenproc Add Jen on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-proctor-55405b10/ Email us: sayhi@cultivatedent.com

The Business of Creators, Brands & Community with Ronit Cohn

From the early days of YouTube to today’s creator economy, Ronit Cohn has been shaping the future of digital talent. As CEO and founder of Cohn Talent Group, Ronit brings a fan-first approach to management, guiding creators through brand partnerships, building communities, and turning viral moments into long-term careers. In this conversation, Jen and Ronit dive into what it takes to start your own business while balancing motherhood, why fan engagement is the key to sustainability, and how the rise of shoppable creators is transforming the industry. Ronit also shares the lessons she’s learned from navigating corporate culture to betting on herself, and what creators should look for when it’s time to seek representation. 🔔 Like, subscribe & join us for more behind-the-scenes industry insight, every week! Follow Ronit: www.instagram.com/ronitcohn Follow Cultivated: www.instagram.com/cultivatedentertainment Follow Jen: www.instagram.com/jenproc Add Jen on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-proctor-55405b10/ Email us: sayhi@cultivatedent.com

Balancing Talent, TV, and Parenthood with Dunia McNeily

From chemistry major to partner at Three Arts Entertainment, Dunia McNeily’s career is anything but ordinary. She’s navigated agencies, networks, and production companies before finding her home in management, where she now helps talent build businesses, brands, and global platforms. In this episode, Dunia gets candid with Jen about pivoting careers, what managers actually do, and the evolving state of television and brand partnerships. They also open up about the realities of being working moms in a high-pressure industry, the lessons learned from postpartum struggles, and the importance of setting boundaries and giving yourself grace. 🔔 Like, subscribe & join us for more behind-the-scenes industry insight, every week! Follow Dunia: www.instagram.com/dunia_mcneily Follow Cultivated: www.instagram.com/cultivatedentertainment Follow Jen: www.instagram.com/jenproc Add Jen on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-proctor-55405b10/ Email us: sayhi@cultivatedent.com

Slowing Down to Win with Erika Bennett

From YouTube, Instagram, and ESSENCE to launching her own Conscious Culture Collective, Erika Bennett has shaped culture from inside the platforms and out - and she’s learned that “busy” isn’t a strategy. In this episode, she makes the case for stillness as the most productive move of all, reframing success on your own terms. Jen sits down with Erika for a behind-the-scenes look at how the industry is changing and how to build a sustainable career within it. They dive into radical prioritization over scattershot hustle, meeting audiences where they actually consume (creators, streaming, and snackable formats), and why getting fluent in AI now will widen (not shrink) your opportunities. Erika also opens up about the life reset that followed a serious accident and how rest, boundaries, and joy became part of her operating system. 🔔 Like, subscribe & join us for more behind-the-scenes industry insight, every week! Follow Erika: www.instagram.com/erikajbennett Follow Cultivated: www.instagram.com/cultivatedentertainment Follow Jen: www.instagram.com/jenproc Add Jen on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-proctor-55405b10/ Email us: sayhi@cultivatedent.com

What Creatives Need to Know About Development with Lana Womack

From pitch decks to press tours, Lana Womack is in the room where it happens. As Head of Creative Development & Production at OBB Media, she’s helped shape everything from comedy specials to brand campaigns—and she’s doing it all while still in her 20s. In this episode, Jen sits down with Lana for a behind-the-scenes look at how shows really get made. They dive into the art of pitching, balancing creative vision with production realities, and what it means to build trust with talent and collaborators. Lana shares her journey from freelance hustle to full-time exec, plus the tools and mindset shifts that keep her grounded in an ever-shifting industry. Whether you’re a budding producer or just curious how your favorite shows come to life, this episode offers a masterclass in making it happen. 🔔 Like, subscribe & join us for more behind-the-scenes industry insight, every week! Follow Lana: www.instagram.com/lana.michiko Follow Cultivated: www.instagram.com/cultivatedentertainment Follow Jen: www.instagram.com/jenproc Add Jen on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-proctor-55405b10/ Email us: sayhi@cultivatedent.com

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