The most magnetic content I’ve ever shared wasn’t the most planned or polished — it was the most honest. In this episode, I break down why storytelling is the key to content that connects, converts, and builds real brand energy — and why this one shift can change everything for lifestyle creators.
To register for Magnetic Content Live, click here.
This week, a reel of me stepping out of a BMW in a formal dress—silent, composed, and fully in my presence—sparked an unexpected firestorm. The comments came fast: rude. Ungrateful. A bitch. A witch. Fat. All because I didn’t smile or thank the driver in a staged, editorial moment.
In this episode, I unpack what really happened—and why this kind of backlash is bigger than a reel. We’re talking about the rage that erupts when a woman refuses to perform politeness. When she’s confident without being grateful. When she dares to take up space without softening her edges.
Let this be a reminder: presence is powerful. And you don’t owe performance to be respected.
Luxury Rebellion, the website launches on June 10. Click here to get early access to get a closer look inside Mikaela's world.
What if everything changed the moment you showed up in full color?
Luxury Rebellion wouldn’t exist if I hadn’t gone to Trinidad Carnival. In this episode, I’m taking you inside the experience that cracked me open. The feathers, the freedom, the joy, the heat and how Trinidad Carnival helped me remember who I really am.
I share the three unforgettable moments that shifted everything, how I reconnected to my joy, and why showing up boldly in your body is a rebellion in itself.
If you’ve ever felt like you were performing for the world or holding back from your glow, this episode is your permission slip to live out loud.
Joy is a rebellion. Boldness is a birthright. And Carnival? It’s a portal.
And if you want to sign up for The Rebellious Woman, the presale ends Saturday, May 24. Click here to join.
In this episode, Mikaela reflects on the beauty and boldness of Bermuda Day — what it means, how it shaped her, and why honoring your roots is a deeply rebellious act. Whether you're from a small island or a big city, there’s power in remembering who you are and where you come from.
Click here to join The Rebellious Woman at the presale rate.
I didn’t pitch the New York Post. I was just living… and that was enough.
In this premiere episode of Luxury Rebellion Podcast, I share the story behind my unexpected feature in the New York Post — not for launching something, not for selling anything, but simply for choosing joy, pleasure, and presence.
I take you behind the scenes of the NYC trip that was just about taste - dining, exploring, living well - and how that led to national media coverage without trying to “go viral.”
This episode is about the power of being seen for who you are, not what you produce. It’s a love letter to the woman who knows her lifestyle is the story.
Your taste is your voice. Your glow is the pitch. Just live.
And to learn more about The Rebellious Woman, click here. Presale is open un til May 24!
In this episode, Mikaela Ian and guest Kristin White discuss creating an authentic brand, purchasing a bookshop, creating her dream career, activism, her pilot TV show and much more.
Highlights:
Defining Luxury as Freedom and Access to Resources
Kristin describes luxury as the ability to choose how she spends her day and access resources that allow her to enjoy life's pleasures.
Aligning Personal Brand with Business
Kristin emphasizes the importance of being unapologetically herself and aligning her personal brand with her business, which helped her attract the right audience and opportunities.
Transition from Youth Development to Owning a Bookshop
Kristin discusses her career shift from working in youth development to owning a bookshop in St. George's, Bermuda, which later evolved into a reflection of her personal interests and activism.
Connect with Mikaela:
Instagram: @mikaelaian
YouTube: Built For Luxury
Connect With Kristin:
Instagram: @itskristindotcom
Website: www.lonstoryshort.life
In this episode, we welcome Tahauya Jackson, a self-worth and comeback coach and the founder of the Hey Girl Heal community. Tahauya shares her personal journey of healing, the importance of self-worth, and redefining luxury as a state of peace and happiness.
Redefining Luxury (1:27)
The Healing Journey
Overcoming Shame and Building Self-Worth
Connect with Mikaela:
Instagram: @mikaelaian
YouTube: Built For Luxury
Connect With Tahauya:
Instagram: @tahauyatalks
In this episode of the Built for Luxury Podcast, we sit down with Aubrey Aluna-Ortiz, a financial advisor with 101 Financial based in Hawaii. Aubrey shares her unique perspective on luxury, emphasizing the importance of financial freedom, time, and location flexibility over material possessions. She provides insights into achieving positive cash flow, planning for major purchases, and making mindful spending decisions to build a life of true luxury.
Key Takeaways:
Connect with Mikaela:
Instagram: @mikaelaian
YouTube: Built For Luxury
Follow Aubrey Aluna Ortiz:
In this episode, Mikaela Ian and guest Brandi Nicole explore personal style, luxury, and the importance of fit in clothing.
2:35: Brandi discusses her unconventional journey into the fashion industry, transitioning from a career in education reform to personal styling and coaching.
4:42: Brandi shares her personal struggles with weight gain due to health issues and the impact it had on her confidence and wardrobe.
7:22: Brandi reflects on the intersection of style, fashion, and fit, emphasizing the importance of understanding one's body shape and proportions.
9:13: Brandi distinguishes between style and fashion, highlighting the personal nature of style and the pressure imposed by the fashion industry.
11:12: Brandi emphasizes the significance of fit in clothing, advocating for a focus on how clothes make individuals feel rather than adhering to specific sizes or trends.
13:53: Discussion on the misconception that fashionable clothing requires a hefty budget, with Brandeis stressing the importance of fit and personal style over brand labels.
18:39: Brandi challenges the notion of universal fashion "must-haves" and encourages listeners to consider their individual body shapes and preferences when selecting clothing.
22:35: Brandi shares her personal journey with body image and shorts, highlighting the importance of embracing one's body and challenging societal norms around clothing choices.
Note: Timestamps are approximate and may vary slightly in different podcast platforms.
Mikaela is hosting a free training on Sunday, May 5th at 11am EST called Luxurious Lifestyle Blueprint. She will share her three-step system to creating a luxurious lifestyle on your terms. Click here to register.
Connect with Mikaela:
Instagram: @mikaelaian
YouTube: Built For Luxury
Connect with Brandi:
Closet Edit Challenge (free)
The Style Society membership - waitlist
Style for Smart Cookies - free Facebook group
In this episode, Mikaela Ian addresses the lies you’re telling yourself as to why you can’t have a luxurious lifestyle:
Lie #1: It's All About Money: Addressing the misconception that luxury living is solely dependent on financial wealth. Mikaela emphasizes that luxury is subjective and can be attained through various means beyond monetary wealth. (2:05-4:43)
Lie #2: Life Circumstances: Mikaela challenges the notion that certain life circumstances, such as being a single parent or going through a major life transition, prevent individuals from achieving their desired lifestyle. She encourages listeners to prioritize self-care and pursue their aspirations regardless of external factors. (4:49-6:41)
Lie #3: It's Too Late: Discussing the common belief that age limits opportunities, Mikaela debunks this myth by citing examples of individuals who achieved success later in life. She urges listeners to challenge self-imposed limitations and embrace the potential for growth and fulfillment at any stage of life. (6:48-9:57)
Note: Timestamps are approximate and may vary slightly in different podcast platforms.
Connect with Mikaela:
Instagram: @mikaelaian
YouTube: Built For Luxury
Mikaela is currently building a new membership community called Luxurious AF. It’s for women who want to stop playing small and give themselves permission to create a luxurious life on their terms.
Click here to join as a founding member ahead of the launch and get special pricing: https://mikaelaian.simplero.com/purchase/205019-Luxurious-AF/special/DzeE4NJWmhSqfCPLbwu42Try
In this episode, host Mikaela Ian share five mistakes that are holding you back from creating a luxurious life on your terms.
Highlights:
Learn more about Built For Luxury Accelerator: https://mikaelaian.simplero.com/bfl
Connect with Mikaela:
Instagram: @mikaelaian
YouTube: Built For Luxury
In this episode, host Mikaela Ian interviews Francesca Murray of One Girl, One World, a content creator, travel host, and speake about luxurious travel experiences without breaking the bank, along with insights into Francesca's journey as a Black content creator.
Highlights:
Journey into the Travel Industry: Francesca shares her journey into the industry, highlighting her early days as a blogger when representation in travel media was limited.
Travel Style: She describes her travel style as "high-low," combining budget-conscious choices like Airbnb with occasional stays in luxury hotels, often leveraging points for such experiences.
Travel Hacks: Francesca advocates for off-season travel to access luxury experiences at lower costs, citing personal examples of affordable stays in premium accommodations.
Challenges as a Black Content Creator: Francesca reflects on the challenges and opportunities faced in the industry, highlighting shifts in representation and industry attitudes post-2020.
Connect with Mikaela:
Instagram: @mikaelaian
YouTube: Built For Luxury
Connect with Francesca:
Instagram: @onegrloneworld
Sign Up For I’m That Girl mini course: https://mikaelaian.simplero.com/thatgirl
In this episode, Mikaela Ian addresses the struggle with embracing a luxurious lifestyle despite financial capability, mom guilt and self-worth issues. Here are the highlights:
Personal Story: Mikaela shares her journey from a successful corporate career to entrepreneurship, revealing internal struggles with self-worth. 01:06 - 03:58
Identifying Self-Worth Blocks: Mikaela identifies low self-worth as the root cause of resistance to luxury living.03:58 - 06:10
Mom Guilt: Mikaela discusses how mom guilt can hinder personal indulgence, emphasizing the importance of self-care. 06:10 - 07:00
Overcoming Money Guilt: Encouragement to overcome guilt associated with spending money on oneself, stressing the importance of living in the present. 07:00 - 08:52
Embracing Worthiness: Mikaela urges listeners to challenge self-limiting beliefs and embrace their worthiness to pursue luxury living. 08:52 - 10:54
Note: Timestamps are approximate and may vary slightly in different podcast platforms.
Connect with Mikaela:
Instagram: @mikaelaian
YouTube: Built For Luxury
Sign Up For I’m That Girl mini course: https://mikaelaian.simplero.com/thatgirl
In this episode, host Mikaela Ian discusses the art of dating in a luxurious way with guest Emyrald Sinclaire, a love, relationship, and dating coach from Manifesting with Emyrald. They delve into various aspects of dating, self-indulgence, and attracting high-caliber partners. Here are the highlights:
Dating in a Luxury Way: Emyrald shares insights on dating from a luxury perspective, emphasizing the need to maintain standards and not lower them out of societal pressure or perceived pickiness.
Emyrald's Journey: Emerald discusses her transition into becoming a love and relationship coach, driven by her own experiences and mistakes in dating.
The Myth of "No Good Men": Emyrald challenges the notion that there are no good men out there, emphasizing the importance of mindset and self-development in attracting high-caliber partners.
Red Flags in Dating: Mikaela and Emyrald discuss red flags to watch out for in dating, including incongruence between words and actions, lack of emotional intelligence, and negative attitudes towards past relationships.
Overcoming Self-Worth Issues: Emyrald emphasizes the need for self-love and healing past traumas to overcome feelings of unworthiness and attract fulfilling relationships.
Unexpected Places to Meet High-Caliber Men: Emyrald shares surprising places her clients have met quality partners, including business class flights, health food stores, spas, hiking trails, and restaurants.
Connect with Mikaela:
Instagram: @mikaelaian
YouTube: Built For Luxury
Sign Up For I’m That Girl mini course: https://mikaelaian.simplero.com/thatgirl
Connect with Emyrald Sinclaire
Instagram: @manifestwithemyrald
Website: https://emyraldsinclaire.com/
Join the conversation on Instagram using #BuiltForLuxury and share your thoughts on creating and living a luxurious life. Remember to subscribe to the Built for Luxury podcast for more inspiring conversations on designing a life that feels luxurious and fulfilling.
In this episode of Built for Luxury, host Mikaela Ian invites guest Jasmine Chanelle, founder of the Mom to Mogul program, to discuss redefining luxury as a mother and designing a life that feels indulgent and fulfilling. They delve into Jasmine's journey of transition from being a mom, a business owner, and a wife to a newly single mom and entrepreneur, exploring the importance of freedom, self-care, and pursuing one's desires.
Key Points:
Redefining Luxury: Jasmine defines luxury as freedom - the freedom to spend time doing what one enjoys, without being tied to specific material possessions.
Breaking Free from Societal Norms: The conversation challenges societal norms and expectations, encouraging listeners to live life on their terms, whether it's in mindset, career choices, starting a business, dating, health and wellness, or managing finances.
Jasmine's Journey: Jasmine shares her personal journey of navigating through the challenges of the pandemic as a mother and business owner, highlighting the importance of freedom and self-care. She reflects on her transition from an unhealthy marriage, emphasizing the empowering experience of rebuilding her life from the ground up.
Embracing Self-Care: Both Mikaela and Jasmine discuss the significance of prioritizing self-care and breaking free from mom guilt. They emphasize the importance of taking time for oneself to recharge and be the best version of themselves for their children.
Choosing Yourself: The conversation underscores the importance of choosing oneself, whether it's in relationships, career paths, or personal fulfillment. They encourage listeners to recognize their worth and make decisions that align with their true desires.
Connect with Mikaela:
Instagram: @mikaelaian
YouTube: Built For Luxury
Download the Luxury Cheat Sheet: https://mikaelaian.simplero.com/mikaelaian
Connect with Jasmine Chanelle:
Instagram: @_jasminechanelle
Website: www.jasminechaelle.com
Join the conversation on Instagram using #BuiltForLuxury and share your thoughts on redefining luxury and prioritizing self-care. Remember to subscribe to the Built for Luxury podcast for more inspiring conversations on designing a life that feels luxurious and fulfilling.
Welcome back to Built For Luxury! In season two, we are welcoming guests and we also have a video version of the podcast! In this episode, host Mikaela Ian dives into the philosophy of "Built for Luxury" and how it can transform your life. She emphasizes the importance of focusing on oneself without guilt and shares insights on designing a life filled with self-indulgence and pleasure.
Key Points:
Introduction to the concept of "Built for Luxury" and its focus on self-indulgence and pleasure.
Breaking down the misconception of luxury as unattainable or expensive, emphasizing the feeling and mindset.
Encouragement to step out of comfort zones, take risks, and prioritize personal desires.
Exploring Mikaela's personal indulgences, from coffee rituals to beach days, highlighting the simplicity of luxury.
Clarifying that self-indulgence is not selfish but rather essential for personal fulfillment.
Practical tips for incorporating luxury and pleasure into daily life, from breakfast routines to beauty rituals.
Download the Luxury Cheat Sheet: https://bit.ly/3T8lZFJ
Purchase Mikaela Ian’s Manifest Your Luxurious Life guide: https://bit.ly/48JI43c
Connect with Mikaela:
Instagram: @mikaelaian
YouTube: Built For Luxury
Join the conversation on Instagram using #BuiltForLuxury and tag Mikaela Ian @mikaelaian. Remember to subscribe to the Built for Luxury podcast for more inspiring conversations on designing a life that feels luxurious and fulfilling.