That's So Akiba

Sarah Akiba
  • 5.0 (9)
  • RELIGION & SPIRITUALITY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Fashion, hustle, and resilience—unfiltered. Hosted by Sarah Akiba—celebrity stylist and AWOM Foundation founder—this show dives into culture, faith, and empowerment. Episodes alternate between Sarah’s solo reflections and interviews with dynamic guests, from young AWOM mentees to industry icons who have shaped her journey, expect to learn the tools it takes to turn your struggles into your greatest superpower.

  1. 27. The Reality of Running a Social Media Agency | Lemon Pop's Leah Uzan

    FEB 10

    27. The Reality of Running a Social Media Agency | Lemon Pop's Leah Uzan

    What if building a successful business didn’t have to mean burnout, competition, or doing it all alone? Leah Uzan, co-founder of Lemon Pop Creative Agency, shares her perspective on women-led entrepreneurship, creative leadership, and building something truly meaningful. From growing up in Miami to working in hospitality, social media, and branding before it became a buzzword, Leah walks through the experiences that shaped her path — and how Lemon Pop was born during COVID and grew into a thriving agency with 40+ clients and a waitlist. Leah and Sarah get real about leading with intention, delegating under pressure, trusting your instincts, and building a business that actually reflects your values. They also talk motherhood, legacy, manifestation, and redefining success on your own terms — especially during life’s busiest and most demanding seasons. Leah opens up about her mother’s resilience, growing up around disability, and how learning to over-communicate became one of her greatest strengths as a leader. This episode is a reminder that ambition and heart can coexist, and that the most fulfilling success is built with integrity, intuition, and purpose. Learn more about Lemon Pop Agency: https://www.lemonpopcreative.com/ Follow along: https://www.instagram.com/lemonpopagency/ Follow Leah: https://www.instagram.com/leahesper/ Timestamps:  00:00 – You Can Do It: Confidence, Work Ethic & Having It All   03:00 – Welcome to That’s So Akiba + Meet Leia of Lemon Pop   06:00 – Growing Up in Miami & Early Creative Roots   09:00 – From Friendship to Collaboration: Building Together   12:00 – Lemon Pop’s Origin Story & Finding Purpose Through Work   15:00 – Work, Hustle & Redefining Balance   18:00 – Running a Growing Agency & Managing the Pressure   21:00 – Partnership, Trust & No Competition Between Women   24:00 – Giving Back, Purpose & Building Brands with Heart   27:00 – Behind the Scenes: The Reality of Social Media Work   30:00 – Staying Inspired Through Passion Projects   33:00 – Manifestation, Goals & Looking Ahead to 2026   36:00 – Friendship, Family & Creating a Strong Support System   39:00 – Motherhood, Timing & Trusting Your Intuition   42:00 – Shoutout to Strong Mothers & Generational Strength   45:00 – Turning Struggle Into Superpower: Communication & Grace   48:00 – Love, Healing & Chosen Family   51:00 – Gratitude, Reflection & Closing Thoughts   Follow Sarah:  Instagram:  @soakiba https://www.instagram.com/soakiba  Book The Spaces: https://bookthespaces.com/ Subscribe to That's So Akiba:  Podcast: Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3uPL2CvjHFO6nbk0Pe3FeA Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thats-so-akiba/id1793125684 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UC1kXcQdM_6vgbED6z6KPMpA

    52 min
  2. 26. Finding Faith, Purpose, and Healing | Meir Kay

    JAN 27

    26. Finding Faith, Purpose, and Healing | Meir Kay

    What if finding your way back to yourself isn’t about hustling harder, having all the answers, or being perfect — but about faith, presence, and a little more compassion? This week, Sarah sits down with spiritual teacher, speaker, and content creator Meir Kay for a real, open-hearted conversation about identity, faith, fear, and transformation. Meir opens up about the viral moment that introduced millions to his message — standing blindfolded in Union Square offering hugs as an Orthodox Jew during a time of rising antisemitism — and the fear, faith, and courage it took to show up anyway. From there, the conversation goes deeper, touching on depression, losing yourself, rebuilding faith, and how even our darkest moments can become unexpected sources of light. Together, Sarah and Meir talk about what it means to be a proud Jew in a complicated world, how to live with less fear, and why being human always comes before labels. Meir shares simple, powerful tools for grounding anxiety, building daily faith, and reconnecting with God — not through perfection, but through honesty, breath, prayer, and self-forgiveness. This episode is an invitation to come home to yourself. To remember that you are enough. To choose love — with boundaries. And to trust that healing your own life might just help heal the world too. Learn more about Meir Kay: http://linktr.ee/meirkay Follow  @MeirKay : https://www.instagram.com/meirkay Chapters:  00:00 Standing Proud as a Jew: The Union Square Hug Story 02:05 Rising Antisemitism & Choosing Love Over Defense 03:21 Blindfolded in Union Square: Fear, Faith, and Vulnerability 07:13 Facing Fear & Trusting God in Real Time 08:36 The Hugs That Changed Everything 09:04 Arab–Jewish Connection & Remembering We’re Family 14:24 What Faith Looks Like in Daily Life 16:16 Regulating the Nervous System with Breathwork 16:34 Tehillim, Prayer, and Ancient Wisdom 18:07 Speaking to God in Your Own Words 20:50 Losing Yourself, Depression, and Identity 23:58 Stepping Back, Numbing, and Hitting Bottom 26:52 Teshuva: Returning to Yourself and to God 27:54 Turning Darkness into Light 28:42 Pain as Purpose: Becoming a Messenger 31:56 Healing the Body, Healing the World 33:43 Technology, Addiction, and Awareness 34:46 Money, Trust, and Fear 36:39 “I Am Enough” and Breaking the Consumer Spell 41:33 Protecting Your Energy While Staying Loving 42:51 Daily Self-Care Practices That Actually Work 44:47 Looking Ahead to 2026: Purpose, Retreats & Growth Follow Sarah:  Instagram:  @soakiba https://www.instagram.com/soakiba  Book The Spaces: https://bookthespaces.com/ Subscribe to That's So Akiba:  Podcast: Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3uPL2CvjHFO6nbk0Pe3FeA Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thats-so-akiba/id1793125684 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UC1kXcQdM_6vgbED6z6KPMpA

    47 min
  3. 25. Finding Freedom and Fulfillment in 2026

    JAN 13

    25. Finding Freedom and Fulfillment in 2026

    What if the thing you are searching for this year is not more success, more productivity, or more answers — but deeper purpose? It's been nearly one year of That's So Akiba podcast - so why keep going? As listeners enter 2026, Sarah shares an honest conversation about purpose, inspiration, freedom, joy, and the power of community. From building businesses and hosting dinners to motherhood, relationships, and daily acts of kindness, this episode is an invitation to slow down, reflect, and choose a more intentional way of living. Sarah explores why people have always been her purpose, how giving to others creates fulfillment, and why joy is different from fleeting happiness. She opens up about shedding relationships and habits that no longer serve her, choosing worthy connections, and learning to show up fully for the people who matter most. Timestamps:  00:00 – Searching for purpose & inspiration 02:05 – Living life through inspiration (work, mindset, daily rituals) 02:55 – Why purpose matters right now 03:24 – Realizing work as fulfillment and purpose 04:10 – Community as purpose & making others feel good 05:10 – Acts of kindness & the ripple effect 06:15 – Shedding old traits: Year of the Snake → Year of the Horse 07:20 – Freedom, joy vs. happiness 08:15 – Finding your “why”: journaling, prayer, daily intention 09:35 – Small mindset shifts that transform your life 10:43 – Personal reflection: people as purpose & motherhood 11:50 – Building community (it starts with one person) 12:40 – Showing up better for family, not just work 13:05 – Choosing worthy connections 14:15 – Giving back authentically 14:55 – Entering 2026 with intention & purpose 15:25 – Subscribe, share & closing message Follow Sarah:  Instagram:  @soakiba https://www.instagram.com/soakiba  Book The Spaces: https://bookthespaces.com/ Subscribe to That's So Akiba:  Podcast: Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3uPL2CvjHFO6nbk0Pe3FeA Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thats-so-akiba/id1793125684 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@thatssoakiba⁩

    16 min
  4. 24. 10 Years of AWOM Girls Club: The Impact of Sisterhood

    12/30/2025

    24. 10 Years of AWOM Girls Club: The Impact of Sisterhood

    What if the thing that saved you… was simply being seen? In this emotional, full-circle episode of That’s So Akiba, Sarah Akiba sits down with Izzy Gleeson and Melody Buzzi — AWOM Girls Club Alumni — to reflect on how a girls mentorship program that began nearly 10 years ago became a lifelong sisterhood and a turning point for their lives. Sarah shares the story of starting AWOM Girls Club at local schools as a mentorship program designed to help young women become the strongest versions of themselves — not through perfection, but through truth, resilience, empathy, and support. And the most powerful part? The girls became the leaders. The students became the teachers. The community kept growing. Timestamps:  00:00 – Intro  00:39 – Meeting during COVID + starting AWOM Girls Club on Zoom 01:20 – What is AWOM Foundation + how Girls Club began (10 years!) 02:35 – Why Melody joined (popular loner + craving real girl friendships) 03:45 – Why Izzy joined (sports + clubs + leadership energy) 06:55 – The AWOM Girls Club Fashion Show (“runway of life”) 11:30 – Students becoming teachers + growing into leaders 16:20 – Why Girls Club wasn’t just a club — it was family 18:15 – What Girls Club helped them overcome: insecurity + mental health 19:49 – Social media pressure + makeup, hiding, depression 20:45 – Journaling as healing + “I wasn’t alone” 29:19 – Izzy’s goals: 2026 vision + photography + mental health reset 37:40 – Melody’s struggle after high school + bad habits + alcohol 42:42 – Closing message: community, love, and never giving up Learn more about AWOM Foundation & AWOM Girls Club: https://www.awom.org/ AWOM Girls Club was created under AWOM Foundation (Angel Watching Over Me) to give teen girls the one thing they often don’t get enough of: a safe space to be real mentorship through the hardest years tools for confidence, emotional growth, and self-worth community that feels like family. Follow Sarah:  Instagram:  @soakiba https://www.instagram.com/soakiba  Book The Spaces: https://bookthespaces.com/ Subscribe to That's So Akiba:  Podcast: Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3uPL2CvjHFO6nbk0Pe3FeA Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thats-so-akiba/id1793125684 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@thatssoakiba⁩

    42 min
  5. 23. Building a Business That Feels Like Home | Papa, Thanks So Much | Aloni Matzon

    12/16/2025

    23. Building a Business That Feels Like Home | Papa, Thanks So Much | Aloni Matzon

    Building a business isn’t just about the product—it’s about the people, the passion, and the process. Aloni Matzon and Sarah Akiba, together with their partners, opened Papa, Thanks So Much, a coffee and matcha shop that’s as intentional as it is inviting. In this episode, Aloni shares the behind-the-scenes story of bringing this dream to life—from navigating the whirlwind of opening a new venture to balancing family, faith, and fun. He offers insights on partnership, communication, and creating a space that feels like home. What you’ll hear in this episode: - Behind-the-scenes of launching a new venture and navigating the whirlwind of entrepreneurship - Lessons on partnership, communication, and intentional living - How small details—from the perfect coffee and matcha to a curated playlist can transform a space - Embracing imperfection, enjoying the ride, and leaning on those who matter most Visit Papa, Thanks So Much: 3 N Federal Highway, Dania Beach, Florida 33004 Follow @papathankssomuch https://www.instagram.com/papathankssomuch/ Follow  ⁨@AloniMatzon⁩ : https://www.instagram.com/alonimatzon/ Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro  05:00 – Papa, Thanks So Much origin & early momentum 10:00 – Coffee, matcha, and intentional design choices 15:00 – Partnership dynamics & communication in business 20:00 – Parenthood, presence, and personal growth 25:00 – Masculine & feminine energy in relationships 30:00 – Future plans, podcast goals & Papa opening details Follow Sarah:  Instagram:  @soakiba https://www.instagram.com/soakiba  Book The Spaces: https://bookthespaces.com/ Subscribe to That's So Akiba:  Podcast: Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3uPL2CvjHFO6nbk0Pe3FeA Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thats-so-akiba/id1793125684 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thatssoakiba

    31 min
  6. 22. Unmasking Valeria Lipovetsky: Feminine Flow, Motherhood & Creativity

    12/02/2025

    22. Unmasking Valeria Lipovetsky: Feminine Flow, Motherhood & Creativity

    What if the version of Valeria Lipovetsky you think you know is only half the story? In this raw and intimate conversation,  Sarah  sits down with her close friend — creator, entrepreneur, and mother — Valeria Lipovetsky, to dive into the parts of her life she rarely shares publicly. From immigrant-household survival mode… to therapy breakthroughs… to redefining femininity, creativity, partnership, and identity — Valeria opens up about the inner work behind her success and why she’s rewriting the rules of what it means to be a woman who leads, creates, and loves. Follow Valeria on social media:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@valeria.lipovetsky Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/valerialipovetskyblog/ Podcast: https://www.notalonepod.com/ What we talked about:  00:00 – Welcome Back & Big News 01:00 –  Introducing Valeria 03:00 – Timing, Schedules & Surrendering Control 03:30 — Growing Up in an Immigrant Household 05:00 – Therapy & Emotional Awareness 06:40 — The Breaking Point: “I Hit Capacity” 07:40 — The Need to Constantly Evolve 09:20 — Protecting Her Marriage Through Boundaries 10:00 – Creativity & Work-Life Balance 15:00 – Success, Leadership & Authenticity 15:45 — Learning Through “Bad” Choices 16:20 — Redefining Leadership 17:30 — The Magic of Being the Same On & Offline 20:00 – Motherhood & Family Dynamics 25:00 – Career Identity & Public Presence 30:00 – Cycle Syncing & Feminine Flow 35:00 – Curiosity, Inspiration & Portfolio Living 40:00 – Seasons of Life & Growth ❤️Follow Sarah:  Instagram:  @soakiba https://www.instagram.com/soakiba  Podcast: Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3uPL2CvjHFO6nbk0Pe3FeA  Book The Spaces: https://bookthespaces.com/

    39 min
  7. 21. The Real Story Behind Kasa Karly’s Million-Dollar Jewelry Empire

    10/28/2025

    21. The Real Story Behind Kasa Karly’s Million-Dollar Jewelry Empire

    People think being creative is fun all day — but as Karly Doehla from Kasa Karly reveals, it’s hard work, grit, and faith that build an empire.  Karly is the powerhouse founder who joins That’s So Akiba with Sarah Akiba to talk about how heartbreak led her to start her jewelry brand from scratch — and how it grew into a million-dollar business. From selling jewelry on a fold-out table to creating the viral Samara earring, Karly opens up about motherhood, marriage, and what it really takes to stay creative, authentic, and resilient. In this episode: - The real story behind Kasa Karly’s million-dollar success - How creativity can be both beautiful and exhausting - The viral rise of the Samara earring - Marriage, compromise, and lessons in love - The hard truths of being a mom and entrepreneur Timestamps: 00:00 The Exhausting Reality of Creativity 02:57 Navigating Marriage and Commitment 06:03 The Wedding Experience: Expectations vs. Reality 08:55 The Birth of Casa Carly: A Journey of Resilience 11:56 Lessons Learned from Setbacks and Growth 24:33 Celebrating Milestones and Achievements 27:42 Building a Strong Brand Identity 30:47 The Power of Authentic Connections 32:48 Transformative Experiences Through Jewelry 36:28 Overcoming Struggles and Embracing Change 40:33 Inspiration from Family and Personal Growth 42:55 Living Life with Joy and Flexibility Learn more about Kasa Karly: https://kasakarly.com/ Follow Karly: ⁠ ⁨@KasaKarly⁩ ⁠ Kasa Karly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kasakarly/?hl=enPersonal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatkarly/ Follow Sarah:  Instagram:  @soakiba https://www.instagram.com/soakiba  Podcast: Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3uPL2CvjHFO6nbk0Pe3FeA  Book The Spaces: https://bookthespaces.com/

    43 min
  8. 20. Faith. Consistency. Grit. Legacy's Manning Sumner Built A Movement

    10/14/2025

    20. Faith. Consistency. Grit. Legacy's Manning Sumner Built A Movement

    What does No Days Off really mean? For Legacy founder Manning Sumner, it’s not about fitness — it’s about faith, consistency, and becoming your best self. From waking up at 3:50 AM to pray, train, and lead, to expanding No Days Off Water nationwide, Manning shares what drives him to keep moving even when motivation fades.He opens up about creating spaces that inspire connection, the intentional design behind Legacy, and why motivation doesn’t come from waiting—it comes from movement. He also talks about fatherhood, faith, and the importance of finding peace in gratitude.  TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Introduction to No Days Off and Legacy Fit 02:58 The Importance of Persistence and Genuine Connections 06:08 Navigating Generational Differences and Respect 09:05 Creating Unique Spaces for Connection 11:55 Expansion and Growth of No Days Off 15:02 The Philosophy Behind No Days Off 15:30 Overcoming Daily Struggles 18:15 Morning Routines and Motivation 22:07 The Role of Faith in Life 24:42 Transforming Pain into Strength 30:07 Influences and Inspirations Resources: https://link.me/manningsumner ⁠ @TheBigDawgsWithManningSumner ⁠  Learn more about  ❤️Follow Sarah:  ✅Instagram:  @soakiba https://www.instagram.com/soakiba  ☑️Podcast: Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3uPL2CvjHFO6nbk0Pe3FeA  📅Book The Spaces: https://bookthespaces.com/

    32 min
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Trailers

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Fashion, hustle, and resilience—unfiltered. Hosted by Sarah Akiba—celebrity stylist and AWOM Foundation founder—this show dives into culture, faith, and empowerment. Episodes alternate between Sarah’s solo reflections and interviews with dynamic guests, from young AWOM mentees to industry icons who have shaped her journey, expect to learn the tools it takes to turn your struggles into your greatest superpower.

Information

  • Creator
    Sarah Akiba
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Sarah Akiba
  • Show Website
    That's So Akiba

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