This week on Slay The Gatekeeper, I’m joined by Lara Acosta, creator, strategist, and one of the most trusted voices on LinkedIn. Lara has built a multi–six-figure business using one platform, one funnel, and a level of consistency most people only talk about.
In this conversation, Lara opens up about the posting habits, content styles, and small decisions that helped her grow an audience of hundreds of thousands, without trends, hacks, or cold outreach. She shares how she thinks about visibility, why simple posts outperform complicated ones, and how creators can stand out in a space where most people quit long before the results show up.
We go deep into discipline, niche clarity, momentum, and the email-first approach that drives most of her revenue. If you're serious about growing on LinkedIn, making money from your expertise, or building a brand that people remember, this episode will give you the spark and the direction.
03:10 The content style dominating LinkedIn right now (and why simple posts outperform polished ones)
11:20 How to use your own story when you don’t feel “expert enough”
15:50 The funnel that drives most of Lara’s revenue (LinkedIn → email → conversion)
23:40 Who benefits from building a personal brand, and who doesn’t
33:20 The posting rhythm that grows almost anyone within six months
38:05 Authority vs. relatability: why people buy from creators who feel “close,” not perfect
41:40 The trap of chasing big ideas and the one thing that actually moves a business forward
49:20 Why waiting to feel ready keeps creators stuck for years
58:40 Repetition, memory, and becoming known for something real
1:15:15 The origin story of Kleo: how a problem they had turned into a fast-scaling product
About Lara Acosta
Lara Acosta is a creator and entrepreneur known for her no-nonsense approach to personal branding and business growth. She has built multiple six-figure companies through organic content, a high-retention newsletter, and a simple conversion system that doesn’t rely on cold outreach or heavy sales tactics.
She is the co-founder of Kleo, an AI-supported content tool built by top LinkedIn creators to help entrepreneurs write better posts, store ideas, and stay consistent without overthinking.
Lara teaches creators, founders, and service providers how to grow with clarity, consistency, and a tone that feels like them, not a template.
Connect with Lara:

📱 Instagram: @laraacostar
💼 LinkedIn: Lara Acosta
🌐 kleo.so
🎙️YouTube: Lara Acosta
Stay connected with me
📧 Contact: courtney@smoothmedia.co
👍 Instagram: @courtlynnjohnson
💼 LinkedIn: Courtney Johnson
🎶 TikTok: @courtney..johnson

This week on Slay The Gatekeeper, I’m joined by Andrew Adams, speaker, coach, and self-mastery teacher, whose story of recovery and rebirth will stop you in your tracks.
After spending 12 years in addiction, Andrew rebuilt his entire life from the inside out. Today, he helps others do the same, guiding people to break patterns, let go of attachments, and find peace within themselves.
In this episode, Andrew shares the 5 cheat codes that helped him move from survival to self-mastery. We talk about how to spot the real source of your pain instead of just treating symptoms, how to shift your relationship with control, and why emotional intelligence is the difference between chaos and calm.
This conversation goes way deeper than surface-level healing or “feel good” advice. It’s honest, raw, and full of truth. If you’ve ever caught yourself in the same loop, feeling like change is out of reach, this episode will remind you how much power you actually hold.
01:04 The moment that sparked Andrew’s transformation
04:20 “The pattern is not the problem”: looking beneath the surface
09:10 How awareness shifts more than willpower ever can
13:45 Cravings as clues and what they reveal about your inner world
18:30 The illusion of control and learning to let go
23:05 Redefining emotional intelligence (and why monks might have it easy)
28:40 “Pain is sacred”: finding purpose in the hard seasons
34:15 Love as a healing frequency
39:20 Power × Purpose = Prosperity: the formula for a full life
About Andrew Adams
Andrew Adams is a high-impact speaker and self-mastery coach who helps people reconnect with their power through awareness, healing, and emotional intelligence. After overcoming more than a decade of addiction, he now teaches others how to turn pain into purpose and live from the frequency of love.
Connect with Andrew:

📱 Instagram: Andrew Adams
💼 LinkedIn: Andrew Adams
Stay connected with me
📧 Contact: courtney@smoothmedia.co
👍 Instagram: @courtlynnjohnson
💼 LinkedIn: Courtney Johnson
🎶 TikTok: @courtney..johnson

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Chris Lee, world-renowned transformational coach, speaker, and author, to talk about the profound inner work behind success, abundance, and self-mastery.

Chris has spent over 25 years transforming the lives of thousands of people worldwide through his workshops, coaching, and media appearances, teaching people how to live an abundant, prosperous life. He’s known for his direct yet compassionate approach that gets to the root of limiting beliefs and rewires your mindset for radical change.

We talk about the difference between having all the information (thanks ChatGPT) and transformation, why motivation alone isn’t enough, and how to break free from the victim mindset that keeps you playing small. Chris shares the habits, hacks, and perspective shifts that have shaped top performers, from redefining self-worth to mastering your self-talk and holding yourself (and others) to the highest standard.

If you’ve ever felt like you know what to do but can’t seem to do it... this conversation will completely change how you see yourself and your potential 🤞

03:05 The fear of “no”, and why you should ask anyway
08:40 What makes transformational coaching different from motivation
18:50 Information ≠ Transformation, why knowing isn’t doing
25:40 Healing your neural pathways and reprogramming your beliefs
33:00 The $100K personal development budget that changed everything
40:10 Ditch the drainers for dreamers and build a growth-minded circle
47:25 Feedback as a superpower for unstoppable growth
54:30 From victim to creator, reclaiming your power
1:03:10 The language shift that changes everything: “I have to” → “I choose to”
1:14:40 Living your dream now, not later

About Chris Lee
Chris Lee is a transformational trainer, coach, and speaker with over 25 years of experience leading workshops and seminars around the world. He has trained thousands of people through his signature programs, helping them create extraordinary results in business, relationships, and life.
He is the author of the bestseller Dile Yes! Ala VIDA, and the creator of The Torch Workshop, a leadership seminar for teens offered globally. Chris has led corporate trainings for organizations such as Coca-Cola, Unilever, Amgen, Procter & Gamble, and Miss America, and has been featured across Univision and Telemundo.
He is also a recurring guest on The School of Greatness podcast with Lewis Howes and continues to inspire audiences worldwide through his transformational work and speaking engagements.

Connect with Chris:

📱 Instagram: @chrisleemotivator

Stay connected with me

📧 Contact: courtney@smoothmedia.co
👍 Instagram: @courtlynnjohnson
💼 LinkedIn: Courtney Johnson
🎶 TikTok: @courtney..johnson

This week's episode features Jacqueline Snyder, designer, business strategist, and CEO and founder of The Product Boss. This conversation pulls back the curtain on how entrepreneurs turn creative ideas into brands that scale.
Jacqueline has helped over 2,000 founders launch product-based businesses, from small-batch makers to celebrity lines worn by Kim Kardashian, Carrie Underwood, and Gwen Stefani. She shares the cheat codes behind building a profitable brand: the habits that create momentum, the “Known For” method to choose your hero product, and the power of testing ideas before investing a cent.
We also dive into how consistency compounds growth, why people want to be told what to buy, and how investing in yourself changes everything.
If you’ve been sitting on an idea or second-guessing your next move, this conversation will light the fire to get started. Action takers are money makers! 💸
04:24 Consistency is what scales you
08:11 How to start a product-based business the smart way
09:22 The “Known For” method: how to pick your hero product
10:19 Inside celebrity brands: Jessica Alba, Gwen Stefani, and the power of authenticity
13:07 Why ideas fail, and how action takers turn creativity into cash
15:16 Test and Try: how to validate your product idea with $0
19:47 Bootcamps & challenges that actually convert
28:08 Tell people what to buy (and why it always works)
29:18 Investing in yourself and lifting your ceiling
About Jacqueline
Jacqueline Snyder, the visionary CEO and founder of The Product Boss, brings over two decades of expertise to the world of product-based businesses. As a first-generation American, she achieved global success with her own product business, Cuffs Couture, dressing celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Carrie Underwood and selling in 60+ stores worldwide, generating over $100k in its first year through using a multi-sales channel approach.
Combining her personal accomplishments with her background in fashion design, Jacqueline has guided over 2,000 fashion brands to success through one-on-one consulting. Known as the product-based business expert, she has generated over $10 million in course sales and helped over 80,000 product business owners surpass their goals. The Product Boss was also recognized as the 466th fastest-growing company in America by Inc 5000 and her podcast, The Product Boss Podcast, is among the Top 10 Apple Marketing Podcasts.
Connect with Jacqueline:

📱 Instagram: @theproductboss
🎙️ Podcast: The Product Boss: Business Coaching for Product-Based Female Entrepreneurs
🌐 Website: theproductboss.com
Stay connected with me
👍 Instagram: @courtlynnjohnson
💼 LinkedIn: Courtney Johnson
🎶 TikTok: @courtney..johnson

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Whitney Uland, writer, coach, and creator of How to Be Famous, to talk about building a life, brand, and income that match who you are.
We get into fame, creative flow, and why your “main character era” has more to do with energy than aesthetics. Whitney shares her cheat codes for success, from the millionaire morning habit that changed everything to why the world rewards people who decide they’re worthy before anyone else believes it. We also dive into the balance between structure and intuition in content creation, how to stop hiding behind strategy, and the kind of art that draws money, opportunities, and the audience meant for you.
If you’ve been manifesting but nothing’s landing, this conversation will help you step into the person you’ve been visualising! 🪞
03:30 How repurposing can reignite your creativity
05:10 The “make your bed” mindset and habits that build momentum
08:45 Turning burnout into flow and finding your creative rhythm
12:50 The viral post that hit 4M views, and what it revealed about vulnerability
16:00 Feminine vs. masculine energy in business and content
19:30 The sober-curious edge: how clarity fuels focus and success
24:00 Why discipline is the real love language of growth
32:10 Creating content as a tool for manifestation
36:00 Celebrity energy, magnetism, and becoming the person you’re posting about
39:30 The artist’s responsibility: creating with purpose and integrity
40:30 Fame, self-belief, and giving yourself the green light
About Whitney
Whitney Uland is a writer, actor, and coach helping creators embody confidence, self-belief, and purpose through storytelling and energetic alignment. Through her podcast How to Be Famous and her signature coaching, she teaches artists and entrepreneurs to merge vision with action and build influence rooted in authenticity.
Connect with Whitney:

📱 Instagram: @whitneyuland
🎙️ Podcast: How to Be Famous
Stay connected with me
👍 Instagram: @courtlynnjohnson
💼 LinkedIn: Courtney Johnson
🎶 TikTok: @courtney..johnson

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Nick Gray, entrepreneur, author, and community-builder, to talk about what it takes (and what to do) to get noticed, connect with the right people, and create opportunities out of thin air. Nick shares some of the most practical and refreshing networking advice you’ll ever hear, from why he offers free airport rides to founders, to how hosting meetups led to business deals, friendships, and even new companies. We talk about how to start before you’re ready, what to post when you’re stuck, how to turn fear into consistency, and why being generous with your ideas, time, and presence can open more doors than any marketing strategy!
If you’ve ever felt like you don’t know where to start or how to “get in the room,” this episode is your playbook 🤝
🔗 Mentioned in the episode
Courtney’s Fully Focused Retreat (October 19–22!)
4 days of co-working, wellness, and clarity in community.
Nick’s Resources:
* The Airport Rides Strategy — How generosity builds your network faster than ads
* How to Host a Great Meetup — Nick’s step-by-step guide to bringing people together
05:12 The mindset shift that helped Nick reach billion-dollar founders
07:50 How the *Airport Ride Strategy* created genuine friendships and opportunities
11:40 Hosting meetups that *don’t suck*, the “green day” rule and core group method
17:30 How to turn a small event into a profitable business asset
23:40 The behind-the-scenes blog Nick wrote about structuring half-day events
26:00 The “Friends Newsletter”, and why it’s still the most underrated networking tool
31:20 How sharing personal stories online builds a *category of one* brand
38:20 Consistency vs. optimization, and how to finally stop overthinking content
45:10 What “Minor League Famous” really means, and why you should aim for it
About Nick
Nick Gray is an entrepreneur, author, and community-builder based in Austin, Texas. He’s best known for founding and selling Museum Hack, a company that reimagined museum tours through storytelling and fun. He’s also the author of The 2-Hour Cocktail Party, praised by Atomic Habits author James Clear as “a must-read for anyone who wants to host a great event.” He’s been featured in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and New York Magazine for his creative approach to networking and connection.
Nick has built and sold multiple businesses, including a family aviation company, and now lives in Austin, Texas, where he writes, hosts events, and shares ideas through his popular Friends Newsletter, read by over 10,000 entrepreneurs and creatives. Today, he helps creators, founders, and business owners build stronger communities through simple, intentional gatherings.
Connect with Nick:

🌐 Website: nickgray.net
👍 Instagram: @nickgraynews
💼 LinkedIn: Nick Gray
Stay connected with me
👍 Instagram: @courtlynnjohnson
💼 LinkedIn: Courtney Johnson
🎶 TikTok: @courtney..johnson

In this episode of Slay the Gatekeeper, host Courtney Johnson answers listener questions from the comfort of her bed in a candid Q&A session. She covers everything from booking speaking gigs and building a personal brand to overcoming fear, imposter syndrome, and the struggle to price your work with confidence. Along the way, Courtney shares her own stories, lessons learned, and the strategies she uses to create content consistently while balancing work and play.

You’ll walk away with practical advice, relatable insights, and a dose of inspiration to help you grow as a creator and entrepreneur—without losing your sense of self in the process.

Never say “i don’t know what to post” again— Start your mornings with strategy and accountability in Sunrise Content Club. live zoom meeting weekdays at 8am CT with daily prompts, proven frameworks, and real-time coaching. Can’t make it every day? You’ll still have the prompts, replays, and community accountability to keep you consistent. Join here → ⁠https://stan.store/courtlynnjohnson/p/join-the-sunrise-content-club⁠

Courtney Johnson Socials:

Insta: ⁠@courtlynnjohnson⁠

Linkedin: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneylynnjohnson/⁠

Podcast: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/7oaV8L7rOBd878nlwydJrj⁠

Tiktok: ⁠@courtney..johnson⁠

Patreon: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/courtneylynnjohnson⁠

Newsletter: ⁠https://artisanal-originator-6888.kit.com/0e038bf26a⁠

Work with Courtney:

Level Up on Linkedin: ⁠https://maven.com/courtneyjohnson/personalbrand⁠

Short Form Video Accelerator: ⁠https://stan.store/courtlynnjohnson/p/get-started-with-this-amazing-course-2o7ml9sc⁠

In this episode of Slay the Gatekeeper, host Courtney Johnson welcomes Alannah Connealy, founder of Raena Health, for a candid conversation on women’s health and entrepreneurship.

They dive into surprising wellness insights—like aspirin for period pain, the power of progesterone, myths about cancer, the dangers of seed oils, and the nutritional role of gelatin—while weaving in Alannah’s personal journey, entrepreneurial lessons, and her upcoming book on rethinking cancer.

You’ll walk away with fresh health tips, business inspiration, and a deeper understanding of what it takes to build purpose-driven solutions that truly help women thrive.

About Alannah Connealy CEO & Founder of Raena Health — clean, effective hormone solutions for women.

Instagram: @alannahconnealy LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alannahconnealy Company: @raenahealth

Sign up at skedsocial.com/trial for your 14-day free trial.

Never say “i don’t know what to post” again— Start your mornings with strategy and accountability in Sunrise Content Club. live zoom meeting weekdays at 8am CT with daily prompts, proven frameworks, and real-time coaching. Can’t make it every day? You’ll still have the prompts, replays, and community accountability to keep you consistent. Join here → ⁠https://stan.store/courtlynnjohnson/p/join-the-sunrise-content-club⁠

Courtney Johnson Socials:

Insta: ⁠@courtlynnjohnson⁠

Linkedin: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneylynnjohnson/⁠

Podcast: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/7oaV8L7rOBd878nlwydJrj⁠

Tiktok: ⁠@courtney..johnson⁠

Patreon: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/courtneylynnjohnson⁠

Newsletter: ⁠https://artisanal-originator-6888.kit.com/0e038bf26a⁠

Work with Courtney:

Level Up on Linkedin: ⁠https://maven.com/courtneyjohnson/personalbrand⁠

Short Form Video Accelerator: ⁠https://stan.store/courtlynnjohnson/p/get-started-with-this-amazing-course-2o7ml9sc⁠