Naked Beauty

Madison Utendahl returns to the show on the heels of an incredible career pivot and with her burnout in check. Madison has appeared as a guest on the show in her capacity as the Webby-Award-winning and Forbes 30 Under 30 director of the Utendahl Creative Branding Studio, and founding member of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Refinery29’s 29Rooms, and Museum of Ice Cream. Today she arrives as the Founder of Utendahl Consulting, the magnetic voice behind BURNT on Substack, and a fractional CMO. Madison has proven that she can do it all, and her nervous system tells the story of what happens when she does. During our conversation, we talked all about what having massive ambition and a work ethic in overdrive costs and how she’s healing in public.

During our chat, Madison walks us through her earliest experiences with ambition, success, and burnout in school and work. She shared that she always knew she wanted more from life than others, and that she was willing to do whatever it took to achieve it. And while she has achieved incredible success, Madison has also learned difficult lessons about burnout and how it manifests itself in her body and mind. We talked about how she came to understand when she needs to take a step back and sometimes away from her professional pursuits and pivot to something new. Madison explained that this can mean a career change, shuttering a successful business, or trying non-Western therapies to find peace and healing. In this incredibly transparent conversation, Madison opens up about the highs and lows of building a fulfilling career and defining success on her own terms and with her mental health intact.

Tune in as we discuss:
8:55 How Being Raised In New York Shaped Her Work Ethic
16:00 Her Burnout Triggers
17:50 Taking A Sequential Approach To Life
26:55 How Burnout Shows Up In Her Body
33:33 Experiencing Burnout As An Entrepreneur
40:20 Why She Turned Down A Multi-Million Dollar Opportunity
43:03 How She Ethically Closed Utendahl Creative
49:08 How She Became An Artist and CMO
50:45 Why She Turned To Non-Western Therapy
54:45 Dealing With Intergenerational Trauma & Anxiety
59:00 The Hoffman Process and Ketamine Therapy
01:08:14 How She Navigates Estrangement With Her Mother
01:10:25 Designing Her Day
01:24:01 When She Feels The Most Beautiful

Rate, Subscribe & Review the Podcast on Apple
Join the Naked Beauty Community on IG: @nakedbeautyplanet
Thanks for all the love and support. Tag me while you're listening @nakedbeautyplanet & as always love to hear your thoughts :)
Check out nakedbeautypodcast.com for all previous episodes & search episodes by topic
Shop My Favorite Products & Pod Discounts on my ShopMyShelf
Stay in touch with me: @brookedevard
Follow Ruth @madison.utendahl
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is sponsored by smartwater®

Ruth E. Carter is a trailblazing costume designer known for her work on Malcolm X, the Black Panther films, Sinners, and so many more iconic works. She has been awarded Academy Awards, a BAFTA, a Critics Choice Award, the Costume Designers Guild Award, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. But before that, she was exploring Black literature and history in Black Studies-focused enrichment programs in her home state of Massachusetts. When she was a young adult, she was deconstructing clothing and taking notes from grunge scenes, citing Lisa Bonet and Madonna as early beauty and style inspiration. In our conversation, Ruth walks us through her life and career, explaining how the girl who dressed like a grunge artist would introduce Afrofuturism to the world.

During our chat, Ruth tells us about how she has always drawn on her interest in literary, dramatic, and visual arts to design on film sets. She shared the initial culture shock she experienced at her HBCU, Hampton, and how the theater department helped her blend her artistic sensibilities with the coiffed presentation of her classmates. Ruth detailed how she drew on these experiences in her first position in School Daze, and how her dedication led to the first of many creative collaborations with directors like Spike Lee, which would shape her career. Our conversation ranges from the specific way she employs the lessons her psychologist mother taught her, like gaining and keeping people's trust, to spending time with Tina Turner. We discussed so much of her portfolio, and what compelled her to begin archiving her designs, which now make up the traveling exhibition “Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design.” Ruth is open about her painstakingly detailed commitment to historical accuracy and how her early exposure to ideas about the future being a site of freedom and exploration shaped the visual identity for Black Panther.

Tune in as we discuss:
(03:35) The Sinners Award Season
(08:56) Exploring Malcolm X’s Time in a Massachusetts Correctional Facility
(12:50) The Loss of Personal Celebrity Style
(13:35) How The HBCU Experience Blew Her Mind
(15:15) Her Experience On School Daze And Working With Spike Lee
(23:55) Her Love Of Thrifting
(31:08) Deep Dive Into Her Experience On Sinners Set
(37:20) Deep Dive Into Her Experience On What’s Love Got To Do With It Set
(40:20) Met Gala Experiences And Thoughts
(43:50) Deep Dive Into Her Experience On B.A.P.S Set
(47:44) Early Introduction To Afrofuturism
(52:02) Her Favorite African Designers
(52:50) Ruth’s Personal Style
(54:30) The Power of Tailoring
(1:01:01) Maintaining a Calm Demeanor
(1:05:08) When Ruth Feels The Most Beautiful

Rate, Subscribe & Review the Podcast on Apple

Join the Naked Beauty Community on IG: @nakedbeautyplanet

Thanks for all the love and support. Tag me while you're listening @nakedbeautyplanet & as always love to hear your thoughts :)

Check out nakedbeautypodcast.com for all previous episodes & search episodes by topic

Shop My Favorite Products & Pod Discounts on my ShopMyShelf

Stay in touch with me: @brookedevard

Follow Ruth @therealruthcarter
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this very special episode of Naked Beauty, I had the privilege of talking to my grandfather, Calvin George Kemp, about his being 102 years old. He shared his experiences growing up in the segregated Vine City in Atlanta, Georgia. He explained how his father and other elders sheltered local children from the harsh realities of racism, and raised him in a community of Black people where he felt comfortable and safe. Things changed after he was drafted into the United States military, and he faced encounters no one should have. My grandfather, a brilliant and accomplished man, talked about rising in the ranks and fighting for the right to apply his skills and brilliance in Okinawa, Guam, and a host of other countries.

We talked about his memories of historic moments in American history that most people would only learn about in history books. My grandfather was open about the emotional toll of his experiences, including the joy of meeting my grandmother, who inspired him to step up his style. This conversation was a lovely reminder that “acting one’s age” is a choice, and that you can have a full and interesting life, so long as you commit to it. This conversation was intimate and revealing, and I’m excited to share his wisdom on how he’s managed to live a life filled with adventure and love for over a century.

Tune in as we discuss:
(0:10) Life at 103 Years Old
(1:20) What His 20’s Were Like
(1:50) 1940s Pop Culture
(3:30) Growing Up In Segregated Atlanta
(5:55) His Being Drafted Into The Military
(9:40) Encountering Mounting Segregation In The Military
(17:08) Initially Feeling Embittered By Racist Experiences
(21:44) Memories of Historic Black Events
(22:35) Voting For President Barack Obama
(26:40) Meeting His Wife of 45 Years
(27:30) Tips For Having A Long And Happy Marriage
(32:50) Having an Immaculate Personal Style
(37:20) What A Beautiful Life Means To Him

Rate, Subscribe & Review the Podcast on Apple

Join the Naked Beauty Community on IG: @nakedbeautyplanet

Thanks for all the love and support. Tag me while you’re listening @nakedbeautyplanet & as always love to hear your thoughts :)

Check out nakedbeautypodcast.com for all previous episodes & search episodes by topic

Shop My Favorite Products & Pod Discounts on my ShopMyShelf

Stay in touch with me: @brookedevard
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jeneé Naylor is an influencer, founder, and CEO who has been sharing her impeccable fashion taste with social media audiences for years. With over a million followers across Instagram and Tiktok, she has proven that she can translate her endless looks and inspiring personality across any medium and to any audience. Jeneé built her digital presence after being pushed out of a successful and stable six-figure C-suite career at Target. Always watchful, she had noticed the writing on the wall and was taking on brand deals to secure her future and build her reputation. Jeneé’s acumen paid off, and she is one of the most influential creators in the fashion industry.

Currently, she is the host of her own style show, Style Unlocked, co-founder of 12 PM, a lifestyle brand, and the stylish girlfriend of millions of fans. During our conversation, Jeneé takes us back to the beginning of her journey in St. Louis and her forays in the creative industry, from opening for Destiny’s Child to styling to becoming a make-up artist. Jeneé offers us a peek into her corporate life, how it ended, and the ways she took control of her future using her keen eye for fashion. With humor and transparency, we learn all about how the woman who once aspired to be Aaliyah’s backup dancer helped usher millions into the new digital age of fashion influencing.

Tune in as we discuss:

(3:55) Growing Up In St. Louis
(6:15) Opening For Destiny’s Child
(7:20) Exploring Styling and Make-Up Artistry
(18:20) How Jeneé Would Describe Her Style
(19:40) Signature Pixie System
(29:25) Why Confidence Is The Key To Every Look
(30:20) Style Rules She’s Rejecting
(33:20) Styling Tips for Busty Women
(34:35) Her Favorite Undergarments
(37:00) Must-Have Fashion Pieces
(41:00) How To Find Your Signature Style
(47:25) How Eyewear Became Armor
(53:49) Signature Make-Up Look
(59:15) Skincare Routine

Rate, Subscribe & Review the Podcast on Apple

Join the Naked Beauty Community on IG: @nakedbeautyplanet

Thanks for all the love and support. Tag me while you're listening @nakedbeautyplanet & as always love to hear your thoughts :)

Check out nakedbeautypodcast.com for all previous episodes & search episodes by topic

Shop My Favorite Products & Pod Discounts on my ShopMyShelf

Stay in touch with me: @brookedevard
Follow Jeneé @jeneenaylor

Products Mentioned:
Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base Moisturizer & Primer
Haus Labs Foundation
NARS Radiant Concealer
Benefit Cosmetics Precisely, My Brow
Westman Atelier Cream Bronzer Stick
Dior Forever Nude Bronzer
NARS Ethereal Aura Blush Palette
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural Powder
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray
Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder
Patrick Ta Eyeshadow Palette (Silver Case)
Hourglass Translucent Setting Powder
La Roche Posay Effaclar Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment
FENTY Skin Dew N Plump Hydrating Nectar Glow Serum
Tower 28 S.O.S Spray
YSE Beauty Your Favorite Ex Exfoliating Pads
Caudalie Vinoperfect Serum

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We gathered in NYC on the first Tuesday in May to debrief the 2026 Met Gala, and my wonderful guests did not hold back. We started with the artists behind two of our favorite looks: Coree Moreno and Sir John, who discussed their respective visions and approaches to hair and makeup for Chase Infiniti and Naomi Osaka. Then, Crystal Anderson and Sean Garette delivered rapid-fire hot takes on the night's best and worst looks — from Cardi B's "colonoscopy couture," to Beyoncé's sheer dress, Emma Chamberlain's Mugler moment, and more.

I was also joined by Darian Harvin, Recho Omondi, and photographer Steven Simioni to discuss why the Met Gala has lost some of its magic, how celebrity image control works behind the scenes, and the politics of Anna Wintour's guest list. Last but not least, stylist Ivy Coco and content creator Aston closed the show by speaking on body diversity, identity in fashion, and how social media has throttled people's willingness to take risks on the carpet.

This episode was made possible with support from 111 Skin, Merit, and MAC Cosmetics.

Watch the full Naked Beauty Live show on YouTube

Rate, Subscribe & Review the Podcast on Apple

Join the Naked Beauty Community on IG: @nakedbeautyplanet

Thanks for all the love and support. Tag me while you’re listening @nakedbeautyplanet & as always love to hear your thoughts :)

Check out nakedbeautypodcast.com for all previous episodes & search episodes by topic

Shop My Favorite Products & Pod Discounts on my ShopMyShelf

Stay in touch with me: @brookedevard
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.