Cultivate with Alex Canavan

CNY Women's Network
  • 5.0 (20)
  • Entrepreneurship

Success rarely happens overnight. Instead, it's cultivated over time through different experiences, relationships, and conversations. On Cultivate, host Alex Canavan — founder of the CNY Women’s Network — sits down with builders, creators, and visionaries to share the stories behind those experiences. New episodes drop every Monday. Ready to Cultivate? Hit the Follow button. Business and sponsorship opportunities - hello@alexcanavan.com

  1. 4h ago

    The State of Women-Owned Businesses in 2026

    In honor of National Women's Small Business Month, this one is just me, and it's a little different from our usual conversations. I'm sharing the story of how I stumbled onto The Scout Guide in a bathroom in Franklin, Tennessee, and why I think it could be a huge opportunity for someone in Central or Upstate New York. Then we dive into the real state of women's entrepreneurship in 2026: how far we've come since women needed a male cosigner to get a business loan, the incredible growth women-owned businesses are seeing today, and the gaps in revenue, capital, and mentorship that are still very much in our way. I close things out with the lessons this year taught me about building a business, including why growth and scale aren't the same thing, why entrepreneurship can be deeply unglamorous, and why sometimes the most entrepreneurial thing you can do is make the business smaller. Sources: Wells Fargo 2026 Impact of Women-Owned Businesses Wells Fargo 2025 Impact of Women-Owned Businesses (PDF) NWBC 2024 By the Numbers Forbes: More Women Own Businesses Than Ever Gusto 2025 New Business Formation Report Gusto: The AI Advantage (2025 data) QuickBooks Women Entrepreneurs 2026 U.S. Senate Small Business Committee Report, July 2023 MonitorDaily on Biz2Credit Women-Owned Business Study Cambridge Trust: Women and the Great Wealth Transfer WTXL: How women business owners cracked the glass ceiling NAWBO: 28 Years Ago, You Couldn't Get a Loan Without a Man MBE Magazine: $10 Trillion Revenue Gap If you are building something right now and wondering whether any of it is working — this one is for you. Happy National Women's Small Business Month. Go cross that threshold. New episodes drop every Monday. Ready to Cultivate? Hit Subscribe. This episode is brought to you by The Scout Guide, The Scout Guide is a national print and digital franchise publication spotlighting the best local small businesses Love your city? Make it your business. The Scout Guide is looking its next franchise owner. Their franchise model is creative, flexible, community-rooted, and woman-forward. It gives you the autonomy to build your own business on your own terms while being backed by a national network of editors and entrepreneurs. Learn more about owning The Scout Guide: https://thescoutguide.com/franchise/ Join us for Camp Collective, a weekend retreat for growth-minded women, November 13 to 15 at Vanderkamp. Use code CULTIVATE for $50 off your spot: https://luma.com/cny-k2uc Get your tickets to Cultivate Live on November 12 at Vanderkamp, an intimate evening featuring a keynote from Arel Moodie and a live podcast conversation with Jeff Knauss of Arcovo AI. Use code CULTIVATE25 for a special discount: https://luma.com/ebumpab6 📝 Follow Cultivate with Alex Canavan on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎥 Follow Cultivate with Alex Canavan on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apply⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to be a guest on Cultivate Connect with Alex Canavan, the host of Cultivate on her ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Diam Media Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

  2. Sep 28

    149: What Else Can This Be? ft. Eddie Brennan

    In this episode, host Alex takes the show on the road and films on site at Beak and Skiff Apple Orchards in Lafayette, New York for a conversation with Eddie Brennan — fifth generation co-owner and President of Beak and Skiff, 1911 Established, and Ayrloom — about what it really means to carry a legacy forward without losing what made it worth carrying in the first place. Eddie did not grow up planning to run the family business. He was born in Atlanta, grew up in Connecticut, Hawaii, and California, built a career at Bloomingdale's in New York City, and would not have even made the list of five people likely to take over a fifth generation apple orchard. Then his dad called. Again and again. And the vision of what Beak and Skiff could become was impossible to ignore. Under Eddie's leadership, the business has grown from a seasonal apple orchard generating 80 percent of its revenue in six weeks into one of the most recognized agricultural brands in New York State. 1911 Established saved the family farm by turning apples into award-winning hard cider and spirits. Ayrloom became the largest cannabis company in New York State by applying everything the family learned growing apples. And Apple Grove Adventure Park went from idea to open in eight months by removing six acres of trees his grandfather loved and betting on something completely new. This one was filmed on site. If you want the full experience, watch it on YouTube or Spotify. If you have ever been handed something bigger than yourself and wondered whether you were the right person to carry it forward — this is the episode for you. New episodes drop every Monday. Ready to Cultivate? Hit Subscribe. This episode is presented by Mooney Marketing Group. MMG is a full service advertising agency right here in Syracuse, and they are the team behind the launch of Apple Grove Adventure Park. They work with law firms, car dealerships, healthcare providers, banking institutions, home services businesses, and more, executing campaigns across Central New York, the greater Upstate market, and nationally. What sets them apart is that they combine serious media buying power with the latest AI tools to deliver results that actually move the needle. Learn more at mooneymarketinggroup.com, or start the conversation with my friend Jake Etoll directly at jake@mooneymarketinggroup.com. Get your tickets to Cultivate Live on November 12 at Vanderkamp, an intimate evening featuring a keynote from Arel Moodie and a live podcast conversation with Jeff Knauss of Arcovo AI. Use code CULTIVATE25 for a special discount: ⁠https://luma.com/ebumpab6 Learn more about our sponsors: Big River Film Co.: https://food.bigriverfilmco.com/ The Scout Guide: https://thescoutguide.com/franchise/ SUNY Oswego at Syracuse: https://ww1.oswego.edu/syracuse/ Join us for Camp Collective, a weekend retreat for growth-minded women, November 13 to 15 at Vanderkamp. Use code CULTIVATE for $50 off your spot: https://luma.com/cny-k2uc 📝 Follow Cultivate with Alex Canavan on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎥 Follow Cultivate with Alex Canavan on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apply⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to be a guest on Cultivate Connect with Alex Canavan, the host of Cultivate on her ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Diam Media Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

  3. Sep 21

    148: Your Best Chapter Has Not Started Yet. ft. Jennifer Bisson & Aimee Tarin

    In this episode, host Alex sits down with Jennifer Bisson and Aimee Tarin — Chief Legal Operating Officer and Chief Impact Officer of Nave Law Firm — for a conversation about what it really looks like to lead at the highest level behind the scenes, build a life you are proud of, and show up fully in both without apologizing for any of it. Jennifer came up through retail management, earned her paralegal degree with honors, spent nearly 20 years in the legal field, and joined Nave Law when it first opened its doors in 2018 with five or six people. She was promoted to CLOO in January 2026. She is also a 200-hour certified yoga teacher who cold-emailed studios until one took a chance on her — and she is now a permanent instructor. Aimee has more than 15 years of experience across operations, client experience, marketing, and organizational leadership. She walked into Nave Law before she was even an employee, was handed decision-making power on day one, and has since built the systems, structure, and accountability that allow a fast-growing firm to actually function. She is doing all of this with baby number two on the way. Together these two women represent something the Cultivate audience needs to see more of — what it looks like to grow into your power on your own timeline, lead with precision and purpose, and refuse to let age, motherhood, or anyone else's expectations define what is possible for you next. 💬 Topics we cover: What a Chief Legal Operating Officer and a Chief Impact Officer actually do — and why neither of them is an attorneyHow Nave Law grew from five people to one of the most recognized legal brands in Central New York and what these two had to do with itWhat it means to be an integrator and why every visionary leader needs oneAccountability dos and don'ts — and why it always starts with yourselfHow to approach a difficult conversation when your blood is boiling and you want to reactWhy there is never a perfect time for anything — career, motherhood, or a reinventionHow Jen made 50 her year — got promoted, became a yoga teacher, and called it just the beginningWhat it actually looks like to work for a leader who sees your potential before you see it yourselfThe limiting beliefs women carry about age and ambition — and what happens when you finally let them go If you have ever wondered whether your best chapter is still ahead of you — this is the episode for you. New episodes drop every Monday. Ready to Cultivate? Hit Subscribe. Connect with Dr. Amy St. Croix of Scolastico Educational Consulting Firm Learn more about owning The Scout Guide ⛺️ Learn more about Camp Collective⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, the weekend retreat for growth-minded women in Upstate NY ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use code ‘cultivate’ for $50 off your spot at Camp Collective: https://luma.com/cny-k2uc Connect with Jennifer Bisson Connect with Aimee Tarin Nave Law Firm 📝 Follow Cultivate with Alex Canavan on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎥 Follow Cultivate with Alex Canavan on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apply⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to be a guest on Cultivate Connect with Alex Canavan, the host of Cultivate on her ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Diam Media Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

  4. Sep 14

    147: There's Nothing Like a Woman With a Plan. ft. Stephanie Cartin

    In this episode, host Alex sits down with Stephanie Cartin — co-founder of Entreprenista, co-founder of Socialfly, angel investor, author, podcast host, and one of the most generous community builders in the game — for a conversation about what it really takes to build multiple companies, scale yourself out of the work, and create a community that changes people's lives every single day. Stephanie co-founded Socialfly, an award-winning social media marketing agency recognized on the Inc. 5000 list, before building Entreprenista into a media platform and membership community of over 4,500 ambitious founders that reaches millions of women every month. She also co-founded Pearl Influential Capital, which was acquired by Cherub, and openly shares her personal journey with Multiple Sclerosis, infertility, and a complicated pregnancy that was featured on the Today Show — using her story to remind every woman that resilience is not a trait you either have or you don't. It is something you build. This conversation is equal parts business masterclass and permission slip. And it will leave every founder feeling a little less alone. 💬 Topics we cover: How Stephanie and her co-founder quit their corporate jobs on the same day and never looked backWhy surrounding yourself with people who are further ahead than you is the single fastest shortcut in businessHow a meeting with a direct competitor turned into one of their greatest business relationshipsWhy she never looks at selling community as selling — and what she does insteadHow to think about hiring so you stop trading high value time for low value tasksWhat she has learned about building in-person community and why the magic multiplies times 100 when you get in the same roomHow she manages depletion as someone who pours into others every single dayWhy all you can do is the best you can do each day and why that is actually enoughIf you have ever wondered whether the community you are building actually matters — or whether there is room for you in a world that already feels crowded — this is the episode for you. New episodes drop every Monday. Ready to Cultivate? Hit Subscribe. Join the Entreprenista League Learn more about The Scout Guide ⛺️ Learn more about ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Camp Collective⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📝 Follow Cultivate with Alex Canavan on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎥 Follow Cultivate with Alex Canavan on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apply⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to be a guest on Cultivate Connect with Alex Canavan, the host of Cultivate on her ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Diam Media Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

  5. Sep 7

    146: Building Brands Women Actually Trust ft. Sara Brooks

    In this episode, host Alex sits down with Sara Brooks — co-founder of Goldilocks, a CPG brand strategy and marketing consultancy, co-founder of Plainspeak, and one of the most respected voices in consumer brand building — for a conversation about the shift happening right now in how women consume, who they trust, and what it actually takes to build a brand they will actually buy. Sara founded Covet PR, which became one of the country's fastest-growing consumer agencies before being acquired by Power Digital in 2020, where she went on to serve as Chief Brand Officer. Over the course of her career she has partnered with more than 200 consumer brands — from pre-revenue startups to public companies — helping founders build brands that people actually care about. Now she is putting her own money, time, and reputation on the line with Plainspeak, a consumer wellness brand born out of a group chat between three women who were tired of being confused, overwhelmed, and over-marketed to. And it is already changing the conversation. This is the episode for every woman who has ever added something to her cart because an influencer told her to — and every founder who wants to build something she actually believes in. 💬 Topics we cover: Why influencer marketing is not hitting the way it used to — and what is replacing itHow Plainspeak was born out of a group chat and why that is actually a genius brand strategyWhy Sara believes picking a co-founder is as important as picking a spouseWhat the postal service disaster taught them about building real one-on-one relationships with customersWhy celebrity and macro-influencer brands keep failing — and what the smartest brands are doing insteadThe difference between a brand that gets a first purchase and one that earns a repeat customerWhat it actually looks like to do qualitative consumer research before you build anythingWhy gut and intuition will take you further than a business degree every single timeIf you have ever wondered whether the thing you are building actually matters to the people you are building it for — this is the episode for you. New episodes drop every Monday. Ready to Cultivate? Hit Subscribe. Check out ⁠Big River Film Co.⁠ ⛺️ Learn more about ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Camp Collective⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📝 Follow Cultivate with Alex Canavan on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎥 Follow Cultivate with Alex Canavan on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apply⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to be a guest on Cultivate Connect with Alex Canavan, the host of Cultivate on her ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Diam Media Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

  6. Aug 31

    145: The Show Must Go On. ft. Big River Film Co.

    In this episode, host Alex sits down with Nathan Cronk and Brian Harvath — co-founders of Big River Film Co., a nationally recognized production company that has spent the last decade helping brands tell stories that actually resonate — for a conversation about what it really takes to build a creative business. Not the aesthetic pics or highlight reel version. The real one. Before founding Big River, Nathan was documenting stories across East Africa and Eastern Europe, sleeping on floors, and betting on himself before he even knew what the bet would cost him. Brian spent three seasons on the Emmy Award-winning Netflix series House of Cards — not because he went to film school, but because he got cold feet at the dotted line, decided to figure it out on his own, and worked his way onto one of the most prestigious sets in the country one handshake at a time. Together they built something really special out of Central New York — and the journey to get here is one worth hearing. This is the episode for the creators, the freelancers, and anyone who has ever wondered what it actually looks like to build something of their own when the shoot goes sideways, the pipeline dries up, and there is no paycheck coming unless you go earn it. 💬 Topics we cover: How two guys with wildly different paths ended up building one of the most respected production companies in the regionWhat Brian learned working the set of House of Cards that no film school could have taught himThe mattress on the floor moment that became the foundation of Big River Film Co.What the financial reality of a creative business actually looks like — feast, famine, and everything in betweenHow their partnership dynamic works and why their work got dramatically better the moment they started doing it togetherWhat brands are getting wrong about content — and why the smartest ones are now shooting libraries, not commercialsThe near-death moment for the company and what it taught them about trust, resilience, and showing up anywayWhy neither of them subscribes to the rise and grind culture — and what they do insteadIf you have ever wondered what it looks like to build something creative, scrappy, and deeply intentional from the ground up — this is the episode for you. New episodes drop every Monday. Ready to Cultivate? Hit Subscribe. Check out Big River Film Co. Check out Ronald McDonald House CNY ⁠⁠⁠upcoming events⁠⁠⁠ ⛺️ Learn more about ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Camp Collective⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📝 Follow Cultivate with Alex Canavan on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎥 Follow Cultivate with Alex Canavan on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apply⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to be a guest on Cultivate Connect with Alex Canavan, the host of Cultivate on her ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Diam Media Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

  7. Aug 24

    144: Clear is Kind ft. Dr. Kristen Eichhorn

    In this episode, host Alex sits down with Dr. Kristen Eichhorn — Interim Provost, Dean of Graduate Studies, Interim Dean of the College of Business and Entrepreneurship at SUNY Oswego, published relational scholar, and co-author of Interpersonal Communication: Building Rewarding Relationships — for a conversation about what it really means to communicate well, why most of us are doing it wrong, and how fixing the way you talk to people can change everything in your business, your leadership, and your life. Kristen has spent nearly two decades at SUNY Oswego, growing from Assistant Professor of Communication Studies into one of the institution's most senior leaders — overseeing three roles simultaneously, growing graduate enrollment by 34%, championing lactation rooms in every campus building, and creating real access for the adult learners who were told the system wasn't built for them. She is also the current President of the Northeastern Association of Graduate Schools. And she did all of it by doing one thing better than almost anyone Alex has ever sat down with: she listened. This conversation is a masterclass. And it will leave you looking at every difficult conversation you've been avoiding very differently. 💬 Topics we cover: Why there is no perfect communicator — and what you're actually signing up for when you commit to getting betterThe single most common miscommunication mistake people make — and why most conflict has nothing to do with youWhy every issue in business and leadership ultimately boils down to a communication breakdownWhat it really means to be proactive with hard conversations — and why clear is kindHow to exercise the apology muscle — and why starting is always the hardest partWhat it took to create a culture where every woman at the table felt safe enough to speak upWhat one woman at a table means vs. six — and why that difference is transformationWhat Kristen has learned about stretching people — and why the best relationships are the ones that make you growIf you've been avoiding a hard conversation, carrying a miscommunication you never addressed, or wondering why your relationships keep hitting the same wall — this is the episode for you. New episodes drop every Monday. Ready to Cultivate? Hit Subscribe. Connect with Kristen on LinkedIn Check out Ronald McDonald House CNY ⁠⁠upcoming events⁠⁠ ⛺️ Learn more about ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Camp Collective⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📝 Follow Cultivate with Alex Canavan on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎥 Follow Cultivate with Alex Canavan on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apply⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to be a guest on Cultivate Connect with Alex Canavan, the host of Cultivate on her ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Diam Media Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

  8. Aug 17

    143: Why Not Have It Now? ft. Dr. Kaushal Nanavati

    In this episode, host Alex sits down with Dr. Kaushal Nanavati — Assistant Dean of Wellness at Upstate University, motivational speaker, author, and Integrative Family Physician — for a conversation about what human flourishing actually looks like, why our relationships are the mirror we're not looking in, and what it really means to fill your own cup before you pour into everyone else's. Dr. Nanavati has spent nearly four decades at the intersection of medicine, wellness, and human connection — helping people achieve real contentment and peace. Not the performed version of wellness we post about, but the quiet, rooted kind that holds when life gets hard. He does it with humor, storytelling, and the kind of tangible wisdom that makes you wonder why nobody ever taught you this before. This conversation goes deep — fast. And it will leave you looking at your relationships, your boundaries, and your relationship with yourself very differently than when you sat down to listen. 💬 Topics we cover: What human flourishing actually is — and why it's a mindset and a heartset, not a destinationWhy most people never name themselves as their most meaningful relationship — and what that costs themThe difference between being lonely and being alone — and why loneliness disappears once you actually like yourselfWhy boundaries are bridges, not wallsWhat it means to focus on input rather than outcome — and how that one shift creates sustained happinessWhy self-love isn't selfish — and what happens when you finally treat yourself like a guest worth a five-star dinnerIf you've ever poured yourself completely empty for the people around you and wondered why something still feels missing — this is the episode for you. New episodes drop every Monday. Ready to Cultivate? Hit Subscribe. Connect with Dr. Kaushal Nanavati Check out Ronald McDonald House CNY ⁠upcoming events⁠ ⛺️ Learn more about ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Camp Collective⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📝 Follow Cultivate with Alex Canavan on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎥 Follow Cultivate with Alex Canavan on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apply⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to be a guest on Cultivate Connect with Alex Canavan, the host of Cultivate on her ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Diam Media Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Trailer

5
out of 5
20 Ratings

About

Success rarely happens overnight. Instead, it's cultivated over time through different experiences, relationships, and conversations. On Cultivate, host Alex Canavan — founder of the CNY Women’s Network — sits down with builders, creators, and visionaries to share the stories behind those experiences. New episodes drop every Monday. Ready to Cultivate? Hit the Follow button. Business and sponsorship opportunities - hello@alexcanavan.com

Information

  • Creator
    CNY Women's Network
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    162
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © CNY Women's Network
  • Show Website
    Cultivate with Alex Canavan

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