Breaking the Mold

Welcome back to breaking the mold podcast, the show where I speak to artists and creative entrepreneurs that broke the mold and built a life on their own terms.

Today im speaking to a podcast host i looked up to way before i started my own. Levi ozzy the host of Creative Ambiance. A show that highlights creatives in Los Angeles with the goal of sharing codes through conversation.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Breaking the mold on traditional networking. And moving from a transactional mindset to a relational one.
• Building your brand and letting it evolve
• Reinventing yourself

And so much more.

Thank you so much for being here. I can’t wait to hear what you think.

Allison Bagg is a sound healer, breathwork facilitator, intuitive guide, and artist based in Los Angeles. She utilizes many modalities to help clients penetrate their bodies, establish strong boundaries, and open portals to the magic and abundance within.

That was a description I found of Allison in one of the many article write-ups about her, and I just loved the way they encapsulated what she does along with some of her magical essence.

Allison is one of LA's leading sound bath facilitators, and that’s how I found her. Sound healing and sound baths are something that I’m still new to but that I deeply resonate with and believe in. I’m excited to take part in sharing her wisdom about:

• Breathwork
• Healing through sound
• The power of grief

To name a few 🌠

See more from Allison on Instagram.
Follow Breaking the Mold Podcast <3

Andy Nguyen is a serial entrepreneur who’s made noise in various industries, including real estate, streetwear, and the food and beverage industry. But he might be most well known as the “mash-up king in the food industry, ” as described by the Food Network. Or the face and founder behind the wildly successful “ Afters Ice Cream.”

With 30 locations in Southern California, Afters Ice Cream isn’t only one of its kind in its approach to business, branding, flavors, decor, and more. They’re also a social media phenomenon, with thousands of people regularly lining up for their store openings and events.

He’s also the innovator and founder behind many other unique food concepts, including Bored & Hungry, Matte Black Coffee, Portside Fish Co, Dough and Arrow, Banh Xeo Boys, and Trill Burgers.

Anyone who’s met Andy can attest to what a kind and inspiring person he is. So when he agreed to be on the podcast, I couldn’t be any more proud to take part in sharing his story.

I initially got introduced to him by attending an event K-swiss was hosting highlighting entrepreneurs, and Andy was one of the speakers. He was there representing his non-profit, Passion Chasers. Another effort he started to help the next generation of dreamers find their own entrepreneurial spark.

It was through hearing his story of feeling out of place growing up, the pressure he felt to follow a traditional career path and the ups and downs he had to go through before finding his stride, that I knew he was a perfect fit for the message I’m trying to spread with Breaking the Mold.

The hope is that people will hear a story like his and feel inspired to follow their own path.

In this episode, he walks us through his experience growing up, the growing pains he had in school while finding his way, how he got introduced and found success in the real estate appraisal business, only to discover his heart wasn’t in it and moving on to creating his streetwear brand IMKING. As well as the story behind the discovery, growth, and success of Afters Ice Cream.

He gives incredible insights and tips on:

• Defining what it means to create something culturally relevant
• The story behind his collaborations including; and how he structures those deals
• What he suggests for someone looking to test their own food concept
• His thoughts on food halls and CloudKitchens
• What he thinks goes into having a strong brand
• The hard times that go on behind the scenes of being an entrepreneur
• His plans moving forward and his new coffee shop with artist Joshua Vides, Matte Black Coffee

Follow Andy’s journey on Instagram @andythenguyen
Show Page: @breakingthemoldpodcast
Host Page: @alysa_scanzano

Iman Benet is a Culinary Artist, Writer, and Human Rights Activist.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Healing and raising your vibration through food
• Tuning and listening to your intuition
• How changing your environment can change your life
• How rest and a calm nervous system is the revolution

Iman curates and cooks for intimate dinners in LA that give back, give a farmer a seat at the table, and create a space for community and connection, all while tasting food that contributes to healing from within.

Follow @ImanBenet
Follow me @alysa_scanzano

Sign up for your seat at Iman’s table on Ritual. And let me know what you think of this episode by connecting with me on @breakingthemoldpod. 🧡

Kevin Ross is an American Muay Thai fighter and kickboxer who’s also competed in professional boxing, shootboxing, MMA, San Shou, and held the title of Bellator’s kickboxing featherweight world champion.

He's the former Inaugural Bellator Kickboxing Featherweight (145 pounds) world champion, WMC super lightweight (140 pounds) intercontinental champion, Super lightweight (140 pounds) WBC International championship Title, the Welterweight (147 pounds) WBC USA National championship Title, the FIDAM Welterweight (147) championship of Mexico and the United States Muay Thai Federation super lightweight (140 pounds) champion.

I first heard Kevin speak when he was on Joe Rogan’s podcast. I don’t generally click on the episodes that feature fighters assuming they'll be speaking about subjects I wouldn’t really relate to. But for some reason, on this day, I clicked on Kevin’s episode and was immediately struck by the depth and topics they were discussing when it came to choosing a life path.

Kevin described his struggle with alcoholism at a young age and lacking direction in life. Not knowing what he wanted to do, or if anything at all, but knowing he didn't want to follow what he called “ the conveyor belt” most people get stuck on—the structure of society and the expectations that a lot of people unconsciously end up following.

He expressed the exact frustrations I've felt and the motivator behind putting together a podcast called "Breaking the Mold."

Here are some of the highlights from our episode:

• The realities and inconsistency in a fighting career
• Breaking the boxes that society encourages us to go in, other avenues to success, and letting go of timelines.
• Depression and lacking clear direction: we discuss how success stories don't highlight the dark times people can go through when they’re trying to figure things out
• Fear and resistance to the things you want most
• The story of losing his first fight and the mentality and decision that came out of that

I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I enjoyed having this conversation.

You can follow Kevin’s journey @dasoulassassin

Breaking the Mold Podcast
@alysa_scanzano