Laura and Jess chat with branding expert Aldea Gerard about authentic marketing, creative growth, and building a brand that actually reflects who you are. Plus: author updates, retreat news, and a Beastie Besties story about turning a small side hustle into a thriving business.

In this heartfelt and high-energy episode, Laura and Jess reflect on gratitude, intentions, and what it really means to “settle in” without getting stuck. They share updates on upcoming events, including the Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP) Conference and their summer writing retreat, before welcoming authors Jess Novak and John Simone to the show. Together, they discuss publishing journeys, creative pivots, and the emotional stories behind their books, including Dare to Begin and Tex Simone: The Man Who Saved Baseball in Syracuse.

The episode wraps with cozy bestie life hacks, longtime friendship stories, and a touching “Beastie Besties” feature about building something meaningful together. It’s a warm reminder of the power of community, creativity, and growing alongside the people who support you.

In Episode 3 of Beastie Besties with J & Lo, the conversation centers on how mindset, stubbornness, and community shape our creative lives. The hosts are joined by branding and marketing expert Gina Matusen, who shares insights on author branding and websites, and radio veteran Gomez Adams, who talks about his book Your Caller Number Seven, Please Try Again. The episode also covers author events, retreats, AI in publishing, creative process tips, and a reminder that success often comes from showing up again and again with the right "herd" beside you.