From Michelin-starred kitchens in New York City to opening a restaurant in Bozeman, Chef Allison Fasano's career has been anything but conventional. In this episode of The Brief, Allison shares the journey behind her success, the lessons she learned working under some of the biggest names in the culinary world, and why her father's simple advice—"just say yes"—became the philosophy that transformed her life.

We dive into the realities of being a woman in professional kitchens, the leadership challenges that shaped her career, and what it was like competing on Food Network while building confidence in one of the world's most demanding industries. Allison also reflects on feeding more than 4,000 meals a week to first responders during COVID-19, why giving back has become central to her work, and how moving from Brooklyn to Bozeman changed the way she thinks about food, community, and success.

This conversation is filled with honest stories, hard-earned wisdom, and plenty of laughs—from Michelin-star restaurants and Bobby Flay to Montana ranches and margaritas. Whether you're building a business, chasing a creative career, or simply looking for the courage to take your next big leap, Allison's story is a reminder that some of life's biggest opportunities begin with a simple yes.

In episode five of The Brief, Liv sits down with touring bassist, vocalist, and entrepreneur Annie Clements for a conversation exploring what it means to build an ambitious career while learning to define success on your own terms.

After years of performing alongside artists like Sugarland, Maren Morris, and Jason Isbell, Annie shares her perspective on navigating the realities of the music industry while intentionally building a life rooted in creativity, family, and personal fulfillment in Montana.

Together, they discuss ambition, identity, burnout, motherhood, industry expectations, and the pressure many people feel to pursue a version of success they never stopped to question. Annie reflects on choosing a path that prioritized meaning over momentum and why success often looks very different than what people imagine from the outside.

This conversation explores what it means to pursue excellence, embrace changing seasons of life, and build a future that feels aligned with the person you are becoming.

In episode four of The Brief, Liv sits down with entrepreneur and hospitality leader Hillary Folkvord for a conversation exploring the quiet discipline behind building a life that looks composed from the outside.

As the founder behind Lady H and a longtime leader in Montana's hospitality industry, Hillary shares her perspective on boundaries, burnout, motherhood, personal branding, leadership, and the systems that allow her to balance multiple businesses while staying deeply intentional with her time.

Together, they discuss the pressure of online perception, the realities of maintaining a “buttoned-up” image as a woman in business, protecting personal relationships, and learning that success often comes not from doing more, but from knowing exactly where your energy belongs.

This conversation explores ambition, discipline, and the process of building a life that feels just as good behind the scenes as it looks from the outside.