The Art of Becoming Podcast

In this episode of The Art of Becoming, I’m joined by Amalia Bussard — founder of East Pine Plant Shop and a nature artist who has spent the last five years building a sanctuary in Maine. We talk about what it actually looks like to channel a vision into reality, how to know when something in your business needs to be pruned, and why slow living isn’t a vibe — it’s a survival skill for ambitious women.She opens up about leaving the corporate playbook behind, recognizing the projects that look good on the outside but deplete you on the inside, and learning to trust the visions that have been guiding her since childhood. We get into the importance of pockets — small intentional moments of joy, presence, and quiet — and why the people you surround yourself with either help you trust your intuition or quietly erode it.Inside the episode, we discuss:* the visions Amalia has been receiving since she was a kid — and how she’s learning to channel them into reality through East Pine Plant Shop* her plant-as-life metaphor for knowing what to prune and when (and why “let go to let grow” might be the only mantra you need)* what slow living actually looks like in a fast-moving business, and why pockets of joy matter more than perfect days* how to spot the people who push your growth versus the ones projecting their own fear onto you* navigating change like the seasons — and why your nervous system needs the transition, not just the pivot* her advice for trusting your intuition when the world is making you doubt itAmalia’s perspective on building with intention, honoring your pace, and creating a world worth coming home to is the kind of conversation that changes how you see your own work. If you’ve been feeling pulled toward something bigger but haven’t given yourself permission to claim it — this one is for you.Connect with Amalia* Website: eastpineme.com* Instagram: @eastpine.plantshopConnect with Nicole* Website: thenicolehart.com* Substack: Built In Her Name* Instagram: @thenicolehartIf this conversation resonated, subscribe to The Art of Becoming, share it with a friend who needs to hear it, and leave a review to help other ambitious women find the show. Get full access to Built In Her Name at thenicolehart.substack.com/subscribe

In this very first episode of The Art of Becoming, I’m joined by Kaitlyn Parker — copywriter, brand strategist, and founder of Copy Uncorked, who has written for over 250 brands worldwide and is the woman behind much of my own brand messaging. We’re talking about what it actually looks like to evolve a creative business in real time — through industry shifts, AI’s arrival, and the personal seasons that change what success even means.Kaitlyn opens up about the year that changed everything: scaling her agency back to a more solopreneur model, becoming a mom, watching the creative industry recalibrate, and learning to use AI without losing the soul of her work.We talk about why pivots show up in the body before the brain, how to know when to tear something down versus tweak it, and what it means to “cheat time” by building a business that actually gives you more of it.Inside the episode, we discuss:* how 2025 became her most transformational year — and the signals that told her it was time to refine* the 4 D’s of productivity (do, delay, delegate, delete) and why most founders are operating with the wrong list* the rule of thirds — and why good days, bad days, and meh days are all part of the work* how building a personal brand changed how Kaitlyn sees her entire business ecosystem* her advice for using AI with integrity (and why most people are doing it wrong)Kaitlyn’s perspective on building with integrity, trusting your voice, and not getting lost in the pursuit of money over time is the perfect kickoff to this show. If you’ve ever felt the pull to scale back, change direction, or build something on your own terms — this conversation is for you.Resources & Mentions* Copy Uncorked — copyuncorked.com* The Essential Copy Course* Trust Yourself PodcastConnect with Kaitlyn* Website: copyuncorked.com* Substack: bykaitlynparker.substack.com* Instagram: @copyuncorkedConnect with Nicole* Website: thenicolehart.com* Substack: Built In Her Name* Instagram: @thenicolehart Get full access to Built In Her Name at thenicolehart.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to The Art of Becoming podcast — a show for ambitious women leading at the edge of their own evolution. Hosted by Nicole Hart, personal brand advisor and agency founder.Each episode features conversations with female leaders, CEOs, and industry innovators who have built something remarkable while continuing to welcome what’s next.Together, they explore ambition, reinvention, self-compassion, and how staying present in your own evolution creates space for who you’re becoming next.Explore more at www.thenicolehart.com Get full access to Built In Her Name at thenicolehart.substack.com/subscribe