Racquel Goldy and Natasha Salehi are the entertaining and relatable duo known as the Millennial Girls. On their podcast, they share personal stories and behind-the-scenes fun from their experiences as Miami radio personalities. I am excited to have them on the blog to share their opinions and insights as millennials and women who work in media.

I asked them questions all about podcasting, millennial stereotypes, working in radio, and personal branding. We also discussed the topic of imposter syndrome. I hope you can learn something from my Q&A with the Millennial Girls; I know I did!

Let’s get into it, and let me introduce you to Racquel and Natasha!

About the Girls

Racquel hosted the afternoon drive-time radio show for Revolution 93.5 FM. In addition, she has covered red carpets as a correspondent for events like the Billboard Music Awards, iHeart Fiesta, and the Creative Arts Emmys. Her second passion project is creating Kpop Reaction Videos on YouTube.

Natasha graduated with a BA in Advertising. She started out managing social media for Revolution 93.5 FM. Then, she moved into a co-host spot on the morning show. Most recently, she was in the solo midday slot. Her second passion project is cooking live and sharing recipes on Instagram.

Q: Why did you start a podcast together?

A: Both being radio personalities in Miami, magic would happen when we would do things together, like getting featured in Billboard for our exclusive with Martin Garrix. We considered starting our own podcast on the side to “keep the dream alive”, so to speak, then the pandemic hit and we were let go from our jobs. We really had no other option but to create our own brand! 

With the podcast world booming, we felt this was the right place to keep ourselves relevant but also niche. As a radio personality, you are really only showing 20% of your “real” personality on-air. We knew this was a place to not take ourselves so seriously, and we wanted to be as real and relatable as possible.

We’re both experienced in public speaking, Natasha is the master editor for all things video/audio/social, and Racquel is the Queen of PR. So what better partnership right? That’s how the Millennial Girls Podcast was born.

Q: What inspired you to choose the name “Millennial Girls”?

A: Natasha woke up in the middle of her sleep one night at 3 am and texted Racquel “MILLENNIAL GIRLS”. Both being millennials, we felt it was broad enough to create a brand name as well as title our community made up of millennial females.

Q: What millennial stereotypes do you disagree with?

A: People think our generation is lazy and entitled, but in reality, we bust our butts to do what makes us happy, and that doesn’t necessarily mean a large paycheck! Not to mention we are the guinea pigs of social media which leads us to comparison culture.

Q: What millennial stereotypes do you agree with?

A: Having the confidence to question authority, achievement-oriented, and obsessed with technology. I mean we did create social media… Mark Zuckerberg, Kevin Systrom, Mike Krieger are all millennials.

Q: What has been your favorite opportunity that you’ve had through working in media?

A: Our greatest accomplishment was when we were given the opportunity to interview Martin Garrix shortly before Ultra and Miami Music Week. Our goal was to get an exclusive, and we did! The interview went viral on all EDM platforms including Billboard. 

Q: How do you view social media and personal branding in your field?

A: Social media and personal branding are part of your resume. Especially being in entertainment and radio, everything is based on how much engagement and how many followers you have across all platforms from YouTube to TikTok. If you don’t post on all platforms or don’t consistently post, unfortunately, you become “irrelevant”.

Q: Do you ever deal with imposter syndrome or comparison? How do you overcome it?

A: All the time. When you know you have to continuously post on social media, not only post, but also post great content, it’s so easy to fall into the trap of insecurity and comparison culture.

We overcome it by not concerning ourselves with other people and “cleaning out our social media closet” by unfollowing profiles that don’t motivate or inspire us. Instead of comparing ourselves to others, we compare our own content to our past content and ask ourselves if it’s better and more creative. If it’s not, we go back to the drawing board and improve ourselves.

Q: What advice would you give to others who want to start a podcast?

A: Starting a podcast that you want to ultimately build as a brand on your own is a lot of work and takes a lot of time. First and foremost, the podcast has to be entertaining and bring value.

You have to have the right equipment, acoustics, editing software/tools, decide where to host your podcast, outreach to potential sponsors, outreach to potential guests, get your audience to share, consistent social media promotion, weekly episodes, keep your numbers up and growing, find ways to start making an income whether it be through retail sales or collabs… it’s not easy.

If you’re in it for the long haul, have patience, are consistent, and are ok with not being an overnight success, then get on that microphone and start podcasting!

Q: Where can we keep up with you?

A: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Apple Podcasts, and on our website.

Q: Is there anything else that you would like to add?

A: Sharing, following, liking, commenting, reviewing, and subscribing are all ways you can support our podcast! We know it’s a lot to ask, but it’s a simple click, right?

Who knew that mushrooms and coffee could mix? I didn’t believe it until I tried the Reishi Maple Cold Brew from one of my favorite local shops, Bona Fide Juicery.

Upon the first sip, the drink was extremely smooth and delicious. It was the perfect mix of cold brew, coconut creamer, maple syrup, reishi powder, and cinnamon. If you are in the area, I highly recommend going to Bona Fide and trying it out! It has become one of my go-to orders there.

If you are not in the area or if you want an at-home option, this drink is pretty easy to replicate. All you need are a few ingredients and a touch of barista technique. A hand frother is also very helpful to have, but in a pinch, a whisk can work too.

To get started on my at-home Reishi Maple Cold Brew, I collected my pre-made Krum cold brew, Om Mushroom hot chocolate blend, Nut Pods original creamer, store-brand cinnamon powder, store-brand sugar-free maple syrup, and ice.

I used some Om Mushroom hot chocolate blend instead of reishi powder to give it a mocha taste. If you prefer, you can definitely use regular reishi powder!

The first step is to combine the reishi powder, creamer, cinnamon, and maple syrup. How much of each ingredient you use is really up to you and your taste buds. Personally, I used about a teaspoon of reishi powder, two tablespoons of creamer, a couple of shakes of cinnamon, and a teaspoon of maple syrup. I used my hand frother to mix everything up until I had a nice amount of froth and dissolved powders.

The next step is just adding your ice and cold brew to the mug you used to combine everything. If you want to get a little fancy you can also add a sprinkle of cinnamon on top, but that’s optional.

Last step: enjoy!

What did your taste buds think of this drink? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments or on Instagram. Let’s chat!

This week Starbucks began serving their holiday lineup. As the weather gets cooler, I find myself craving fun and festive drinks. Annually, I look forward to Red Cup Day.

In case you do not already know, Red Cup Day is the day that Starbucks hands out red cups with your holiday drink order. For me, it has become a tradition of sorts to wake up and go to Starbucks when it opens to claim my red cup and get my first sip of the holidays.

I love this year’s cup; the pattern is so simple yet so cute! To ring in the holiday season, I ordered a grande Caramel Brulee Latte with soy milk. It’s one of my favorite indulgent drinks.

Some of my other favorites are the Toasted White Chocolate Mocha and the Chestnut Praline Latte. I’d recommend giving them a try hot or iced. As we speak, I may or may not have placed a mobile order…

What is your favorite holiday drink? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments or on Instagram. Let’s chat!

With as much as I enjoy going out for coffee, it was easy to become a cafe regular with a regular order. But, eventually taste buds get bored. I never thought I would have “to many” Iced Americanos, but I did.

To get some new drink inspiration, I took to Instagram. I posted a simple Q&A poll with the question: “What’s your favorite Starbucks order?”.

I received so many unique responses. To my surprise, there wasn’t one customization or drink the same. I decided to commit my next few Starbucks runs to trying follower drinks. It was time to break out of my comfort zone and find some new favorites.

The first drink I tried was @ruby_mundok ‘s. She orders a Peach Green Tea Lemonade with Classic Sweetener.

I assumed I’d enjoy this drink. I love a good iced tea, and Starbucks Peach inclusion is delicious. I am happy to say it turned out to be as refreshing as I imagined. I’d recommend this to anyone looking for a fun summer drink.

The next drink I tried was @itsashleykramer ‘s: a Cold Brew with Dark Cocoa Almond Milk Foam.

This drink was a pretty recent addition to the Starbucks menu. I was definitely curious about it before, so I am glad I got the push to order it. The first thing I noticed was the gorgeous layers of the drink. After sipping, I was able to confirm that its taste lived up to its presentation. If you enjoy a cold brew with just a touch of sweetener this drink is for you.

On another Starbucks run, I decided to order @katesmovingmountains ‘ regular. She gets a Mango Dragonfruit Refresher with Lemonade and no ice. Also, she likes to add on a Marshmallow Dream Bar.

This was another new-to-me order. I really enjoyed the refresher; it had a kick of tartness, but just enough sweetness too. The Marshmallow Dream Bar was such a treat! It felt so light and cloud-like. I’d recommend this order combo to anyone craving a snack on the go.

Last but certainly not least, I received some follower suggestions of drinks that I have already ordered and loved too! For your enjoyment, here they are:

–Iced Green Tea Matcha Latte from @yaymeli.m

–Iced Carmel Macchiato with Soy Milk from @asantemarie

–Pink Drink from @anthonycattani

–Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew with Extra Vanilla from @katie.graace

–Iced Black Tea Lemonade from @catelynpicco

I hope this can inspire all of us to expand our personal Starbucks’ menus. I know mine has a few new additions. Thank you to everyone who participated in my poll and shared their favorites!

What is your favorite Starbucks order? Which follower drink would you try? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments or on Instagram. Let’s chat!

Collagen-based beauty products and powders have been growing in popularity. They offer an edible way to get better skin, stronger nails, and healthier hair. The idea is if you treat your inside well, then your outside will show it.

For a bit of background, Collagen is the main structural protein that we have in our bodies. We have it in our skin, bones, and muscles. It has an influence on our appearance and how our bodies work.

As we get older, our collagen breaks down faster than we can replace it. Collagen deficiencies can cause things like wrinkles and brittle nails/hair. This is where collagen supplements come in.

I wanted to see how the growing trend of edible collagen could work for me. Most collagen-based beauty products contain meat/fish, but I was able to find a plant-based option. Copina Co creates vegan collagen powders in three different flavors: original, cacao, and matcha.

I went for the matcha option. If you have been following along for a bit, you will know I cannot resist a good matcha latte.

To make the collagen-boosted drink, I combined the matcha powder with a warm cup of oat milk. I used my hand frother to really mix it, and then I poured the matcha over ice to complete my latte.

I found this drink to be the perfect addition to my morning routine. It is such a treat to enjoy after my workout, and it pairs well with my breakfast.

Aside from taste, I have also noticed some beauty benefits. My nails are actually growing healthier! Nail strength is something I have always struggled with; whenever my nails would grow to a decent length they would break. But, since I started drinking collagen (over a week ago) my nails have been thriving.

I am excited to see what other benefits I will see as I continue sipping. Just a couple days ago, I asked my Instagram community if they have ever used collagen and what they noticed. @betho_g said she had stronger hair and clearer skin. @milwaukeemomma experienced “thicker hair and nails.”

Have you ever used collagen products? What was your experience? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments or on Instagram. Let’s chat!

P.S. If you want to try out the Matcha Beauty Collagen Booster from Copina Co too, feel free to use my discount code “Roshak10” for 10% off! #ClubCopinaCo

If you are looking for an excuse treat yourself to a latte and a scone, here it is! The Tour de Coffee is a self-guided cafe crawl that was originally created by Erin aka @girlmeetsnewyorkcity on Instagram. To participate, you have to visit three cafes and order a drink/snack at each stop. The catch? No bathroom breaks are allowed.

I thought this sounded like a fun challenge to try out with my friend Ashley. We each had about 20 bucks and Apple Maps, so we were ready to go.

To take you along for the ride, I documented our journey vlog-style. I hope you enjoy our caffeinated adventure; maybe it’ll even inspire you to plan your own tour.

Where would you go on your Tour de Coffee? Dunkin’ or Starbucks? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments or on Instagram. Let’s chat!

Over the past couple weeks, I have been emailing with Julie Johnson. She’s a Texas resident, avid volunteer, and a teen-entrepreneur. In less than a month, she will be launching her own social media agency–Julie Johnson Creative. Her goal is to help businesses and individuals manage their various online platforms.

Social media, ironically enough, is how we got connected in the first place. I had so many questions for her. Owning your own business and being your own boss is a dream for many of us. Julie is making that happen at just 16.

We were able to *virtually* chat about what it’s like to be in her shoes and how she got started on her business journey. Along the way, Julie also shared some of her tips for aspiring entrepreneurs and insight on current social media trends.

Finding Her Passion

Julie explained that she discovered the world of social media marketing from being a content creator. When she was looking for ways to grow her own YouTube channel, she found a community of people that worked behind-the-scenes to help creators like her. From that point on, she knew it was an industry she wanted to get into. Social media marketing seemed to be the perfect blend of content creation and helping others; two things she adored.

But, she didn’t originally see herself in that world until after college. So why now? Well, Julie explained the impact current events had on her decision: “As soon as I noticed that companies were going out of business [during quarantine], I realized they had to move online in order to survive the economic downturn. I knew a lot about social media marketing from personal experience, internships, and courses…I felt that NOW was the right time to put those skills to use.” A strong need in the market presented itself.

Upon those realizations, Julie got to work defining her target audiences and conducting market research. She started planning out exactly what her business would be and how it would work.

Building Her Business

Julie admitted that it took a while to figure out all the details; it’s not just an overnight process. At first, she expressed her biggest challenge was not knowing where to start. She reached out to others in the industry for mentorship and advice. This helped her to be able to shape her business into what it is today. Julie was able to define social media management and consulting as her two main services.

Another thing that helped in the beginning was taking on free work to build her portfolio. This has led to paying partnerships. Julie is excited to open up conversations with more clients when she launches on June 1st.

She is also looking forward to all the plans she has for Julie Johnson Creative this summer. An entrepreneurship and business based podcast is in the works. PDF guides and online courses are additional content she aims to create. Julie also expressed her excitement for hiring a team and creating internship opportunities. Be sure to stay tuned!

Keeping Motivated & Inspired

A quote Julie mentioned as her favorite was, “If you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will.” She has reminded herself through stress and push-back that she believes in herself and has a vision for her business. Julie said her “why” is what really keeps her going; she recommends that any aspiring entrepreneur defines their “why”. Knowing why you started will be the reason you continue.

Julie also mentioned how her support system keeps her going. Initially she was hesitant to tell those close to her about her business. But, when she did family and friends congratulated her. She said she received so much support. Amazing things really can happen when you put yourself out there.

Learning While Creating

Most businesses are rapidly evolving during this time and social media always is. I was able to get an inside scoop from Julie on some trends to watch.

The first we discussed was IGTV. She described it as where YouTube meets Instagram. I believe that to be perfectly accurate. Julie said she discovered, through her work with clients, that IGTV videos reach a larger audience than just your Instagram grid. Video is growing. If you want to take advantage of it, IGTV is the place to create.

Another tip Julie shared was to utilize your Instagram stories as much as possible. According to her, “Viewers are more likely to watch your story than stalk your Instagram posts. You can also track immediate engagement on stories, including who views it.” It is good to know who is engaging with your content. It can help you define your audience.

If You Want to Start a Business…

Julie advises to think about things very realistically. It takes hard work and commitment to be an entrepreneur. You need to be aware of what you are getting yourself into. If it still seems like something you want to do, Julie says “find your passion and make a business out of it!”

Keeping Up with Julie Johnson

To learn more about Julie’s business, you can check out her website here. Also, feel free to visit her and say hello on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

If you know me IRL or if you have heard any of my podcasts, you may have read that title perfectly in my voice. It has been a catch-phrase in my vocabulary, and its major comeback is thanks to Blooming With Joy Tea.

Recently, I got the opportunity to work with this fun and family-run tea company. I’m a tea-lover (and self-identifying connoisseur), so this made for the perfect collaboration.

Blooming With Joy sent me over their New Blend Box; its a monthly subscription box that they curate with three different teas to try. As you will see, it even includes some extra goodies! When the happy mail came to my door, I couldn’t wait to unbox it.

Inside I found two trial size teas; I already sipped on the “Sanitea” blend and am looking forward to trying the “Cheeryful Heart” herbal tea. I also received a full size of their “Double Chocolate Chai” black tea (yum!).

A few lil candies were included in the box along with a cute card, it reads:

“To the Fairest of them all, Be kind. Be patient. Be generous. Be accepting. Be all of this things to yourself. That is were it begins.”

If that wasn’t sweet enough, the flip side includes descriptions of the teas that suggest pairing options and give even more kind words. I appreciated the thought and time that was put into the box; it truly is a tea tasting experience. I would recommend it to any tea-lover looking to explore.

Keep Calm & Brew On

You can check out the Blooming With Joy New Blend Box here; its only $14.99 a month with free shipping! Blooming With Joy is also active on Instagram and Facebook.

You can check out my unboxing video here to join me for a cup of tea!

A new year means new drinks to try on the Starbucks menu. Recently, they announced the addition of three dairy alternative sips. What is really unique is they all include blonde espresso rather than the traditional blend. This helps to create a smoother and sweeter caffeine fix.

As a self-endorsed coffee connoisseur and former barista, I thought I needed to offer my review. Maybe this was also an excuse for me to order three lattes at once, but I’ll let you judge that while I get my palate ready.

First Up, The Almondmilk Honey Flat White

This drink is *technically* not new, but it is now an official menu item. Before this was branded as such, you would’ve been able to order a regular flat white with the addition of honey and substitution of blonde espresso with almond milk. But, background aside, the “new” release does encourage the average consumer to try a dairy alternative (which I am very down for).

After I took a sip… I was very impressed. I enjoyed the foam which is characteristic of flat whites. The drink had a very, full bodied flavor. It was a fun, “nutty” drink.

Next, The Coconutmilk Latte

This drink has also existed before, except for the added cascara sugar in the new recipe. The blonde espresso and sugar streak do add something special that makes it a treat.

The only issue I could see this new menu item creating is because of it’s name; usually a coconutmilk latte would just mean a simple latte with a milk substitute and no additions. But hey, I still had to taste test it to make sure…

I enjoyed one sip…and then another…and then another. The drink was extremely smooth. It also had the perfect sweetness added in.

And Finally, The Oatmilk Honey Latte

Okay, fine, this one is actually pretty new for Starbucks. It’s the same deal as the first drink, but it has a different “milk” and foam ratio (in the future, we can talk more about the tedious details of flat whites vs lattes).

Oatmilk has not before been supplied to as many Starbucks locations as it is now. In my area, the local coffee shops were where I’d have to go if I wanted oatmilk. However, now I can get almost everything I want at Starbucks…Anyone else feel this way? Could this be the drink that helps corporate coffee take over? Only time will tell.

TBH this one didn’t initially impress me. Oatmilk has a thinner consistency which makes me appreciate it more iced. But, I will say after another try, I enjoyed the smooth flavor of honey with the blonde espresso. Being that I had a passenger seat full of Starbucks, I delivered this drink to another taste tester…she absolutely loved it.

So, Which One Should You Cash a Star Reward in For?

The drink that has my heart and payment from my Starbucks app is the Almondmilk Honey Flat White. The flavors in it and craft of the beverage really got me. Out of the three, it is the one I finished first, and I enjoyed every sip. In the meantime, it’s officially my favorite menu item, but I am excited to see what they come out with next.

Before ending up at my current jobs, I pulled espresso shots, steamed milk, and misspelled many peoples names. Being a Starbucks Barista entails way more than that of course, but in short that’s what I did. I loved it and enjoyed the unlimited drink perks. You see, if you work at Starbucks you can drink all the coffee you want on your breaks. This allowed me to get very creative with drink combos. I have compiled some of my favorite and most exotic caffeine fixes for you to try yourself.

Here’s the Order, Say it with Me…

“Can I get a Doppio Espresso Con Panna with one pump White Mocha?”.

Translation: “Espresso Con Panna” is simply an espresso shot with whip cream on top. “Doppio” is really just a fancy way of saying you want two shots. “White Mocha” is a white chocolate syrup; it is very thick and sweet, so just one pump is the perfect complement for the two shots of espresso. I enjoy this drink when I want 1) a quick caffeine boost and 2) something sweet.

“Can I get a Grande Starbucks Doubleshot on Ice, with half pumps, substitute Vanilla Syrup, and Coconut Milk?”

Translation: The “Starbucks Doubleshot on Ice” is a menu item that, depending on size, has way more than just two espresso shots. I won’t go into exacts, but just know you will be caffeinated.

“Can I get a [any size] Passion Tango Tea Lemonade, with half pumps, substitute Raspberry Syrup?”

Translation: The “Passion Tango Tea Lemonade” is pretty much a herbal tea version of an Arnold Palmer tea. Adding raspberry creates a fruity flavor profile. Half pumps of syrup ensure the flavor isn’t too much. It’s a very refreshing drink. This is a more summer go-to for me personally, but it can be enjoyed every season.

“Can I get a [any size] Iced Americano, with Raspberry Syrup, and Coconut Milk?”

“Can I get a Grande Latte, with three packs of Honey, Cinnamon Powder on top, and Coconut Milk?”

Translation: The best way to explain this one is by calling it a “Honey Latte”. “Honey Lattes” are on some other coffee shop menus, but they can be created at Starbucks with the recipe above. I always suggest coconut milk, but you can do any type of milk you like in this one. It’s a creamy and more “naturally” sweet latte. If you order smaller or larger, you can alter the number of honey packs accordingly.

“Can I get a [any size] Espresso Frappuccino with Coconut Milk?”

Translation: “Espresso Frappuccinos” are pretty much just a blended latte. I add coconut milk for some natural sweetness, but this drink can definitely be spiced up more. Add some syrups if you’d like. Add some caramel drizzle. There is a lot of room for customization.

Tip your Baristas & Sip On

I hope you can enjoy some of my favorite combos and get creative with your own! Comment or @ me on Instagram if you enjoy the drinks or have new hacks to share.

Cheers!