The Next Wave Of Media Is Podcast Exclusives

ICYMI ⋆˚✿˖°

In a world overflowing with content, a podcast exclusive is more precious than gold (which, for the record, is sitting at $3,789 as I write this).

This week, the legendary Emma Watson appeared on Jay Shetty’s podcast and shared a story she’s never told before. If you’re feeling lost, unsure of what makes you happy, or stuck in your single era, it’s a must-listen. I’m calling it now: the next wave of podcasting will be driven by exclusives — if hosts can make them happen…

My exclusive this week? A peek behind the curtain: 30 days leading up to my secret wedding at home. Did I seriously just say that!? Yes!!!! I married the love of my life on August 28, 2025, the same date our parents both tied the knot.

I still remember writing the first newsletter about Lucky #3 and now I will never forget writing my first newsletter as his wife. Okay fine, I’ve written a few since — but this is the first time I get to celebrate with all of you as Mrs. Maggie Sellers Reum!!

This will be one of many conversations we’ll have, HSR. Like I said: nothing is off the table. I want to take you through the full journey — every decision, the proposal, the PMA, and the process that brought me here. And this week, I’m sitting down with my husband (aka Lucky #3) to record an episode together to explain what isn’t in the vlog to kick things off.

Because when I think about the meaning of Hot Smart Rich, it’s this: Bet on yourself. Believe in yourself. And know — deep down — that you're going to be okay in the end. In business, in love and in life.

You’ve helped me get to this point of true inner happiness and love. My hope is that this next chapter of mine helps you get there, too.

♡ I don’t want to buy alo yoga beauty products, but I might buy reputable beauty brands while shopping at alo yoga, which is why I love that Aritzia chose to partner with Salt & Stone vs. create their own.

♡ Everything is now filled with protein, including Starbucks protein lattes and protein cold foam. It was only a matter of time.

♡ Topless content raises $2.7M from a “secret investor”. The former CEO of Only Fans has co-founded Vylit, a new ai-powered, adult-friendly creator economy platform.

♡  The Devils Wears Prada marketing and/ or writing team needs a raise after staging a hugely successful stunt at the Dolce & Gabanna Show with Meryl Streep, Stanley Tucci and Simone Ashley filming a scene, acting as their DWP characters. Chef’s Kiss.

♡ The “it girl” founders and new wave of influencers like Arrae’s Co-Founder, Siff Haider of Arrae are obsessed with Louise Trotter debut’s collection for Bottega Veneta with a collection focused on "soft functionality", with structured clothes in supple, draped fabrics.

♡ MoldCo, the first clinician-led digital health platform standardizing mold detox as preventative care, has raised $8M in seed funding and I have a feeling we’re about to hear new podcast ad reads roll out on your fav podcasts with this one.

♡ Reese’s Book Club is following in HSR’s footsteps and building their community channel on WhatsApp. You can’t convince me any other community management platform is better and I think we’re about to see other big brands will follow suit.

♡ The global fem tech market is projected to reach at least $97 billion by 2030, yet it still receives less than 3% of all digital health funding, Michelle Battersby is here to change that as the new President of Peanut.

Do you feel like you need to change your relationship with your phone????? Are you addicted to social media? Does your brain hurt?

For anyone who feels like they’re struggling with a phone addiction, social media, and parasocial relationships with relationships with creators (or even your friends and family), you HAVE to listen to this episode with Harvard trained sociologist Caitlin Begg. It has totally helped me change my habits and how I approach spending time online. It’s a must listen and Angel Michelle Martina agrees!!!

When I sat down with Sheena Zadeh on the Hot Smart Rich podcast, I wasn’t talking to someone chasing her first viral moment. I was talking to a founder who has quietly compounded her way to building one of the most powerful beauty brands of our time.

Kosas didn’t start as a billion-dollar unicorn pitch. It started as a calling. Four lipsticks. $70K of Sheena’s own savings. A vision for olive-skin tones that the beauty industry had ignored. And a belief that makeup could, and should, feel like skincare.

Ten years later, Kosas is a $150M+ clean beauty empire, as reported by Forbes, profitable, global, and sitting right behind brands like Rhode and Neutrogena in earned media impressions. What struck me most wasn’t the scale. It was how Sheena scaled without ever falling for the myth of the silver bullet.

When Sheena talks about her first products, you realize how much intentionality she poured into them.