September 16, 2025 • 33 mins
Deanna Radulescu shares her incredible journey from human trafficking survivor to successful podcaster, fashion designer, and soon-to-be magazine publisher. Her story demonstrates how resilience and determination can transform trauma into triumph.
• Overcame an abusive relationship and human trafficking situation as a teenager
• Built a 700+ episode podcast over six years that continues to grow in popularity
• Created her own fashion label and organized events against human trafficking
• Currently launching a luxury lifestyle magazine in the Chicagoland area
• Remarried after losing her husband and is building a new life
• Emphasizes the importance of authenticity in podcasting and business
• Believes in taking every call and meeting as opportunities can come from anywhere
• Hired a sales coach to help launch her magazine, showing the value of continued learning
• Approaches life with the philosophy that our past doesn't define our future
Take every call, take every meeting. You never know where it's going to end up. What's the worst that can happen? A meeting is not going to kill you. You have to think about what could possibly happen from this call or meeting and see where it goes.
Follow Deanna on social media at:
Youtube
www.youtube.com/@LabelFreePodcast
Instagram
www.instagram.com/deannamarie_lifestyle
https://www.facebook.com/LabelFreePodcast/
Thanks for listening to Diva Tonight! Please send a review of the show on https://divatonight.buzzsprout.com
I want to thank my Podcast Editor Sean McAndrew!
Thanks to Altered by Mom for sponsoring the music for the show
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Carlene Humphrey (00:02):
Hi, I'm Carlene and this is Diva.
Tonight I have a special guestwith me.
Her name is Deanna Radalescu.
Did I say that?
Right?
You got it, girl.
Yep, oh, my goodness, I got it.
I got all the things.
Remember All the things, allthe things it's trending right
(00:23):
now.
The word all the things, itthings it is.
So, deanna, she is podcast host, so your podcast is, it's label
, free to label free.
Label free yeah, you are afashion designer figure,
competitor, beauty queen.
See a little bit of you know.
See some of that right there,right now so why?
Deanna Radulescu (00:43):
thank you, you're welcome, I'm welcome to
maintain it for as long as I can.
Carlene Humphrey (00:48):
So we're just talking about the fact that your
name has changed, and so whatbrought on the name change?
Do tell, oh man.
Deanna Radulescu (00:59):
Yes, about a year and a half ago.
Carlene Humphrey (01:01):
A year and a half ago, wow, so congrats.
Yeah, I'm terrible withanniversaries okay, I'm terrible
with birthdays, I have to writeit down.
But in my agenda like, so who?
So he's the one that remembersthe dates and the anniversaries,
or yeah, and assumed oh my gosh, what if it wasn't a he right.
Deanna Radulescu (01:24):
No, it's he and yeah, he does, but I also
have it in my calendar.
So like I'm very reliant on mycalendar, like I'm sure most
people are these days, yeah,yeah.
Carlene Humphrey (01:35):
So as a fellow podcaster, how has podcasting
been for you in the last fewyears?
Deanna Radulescu (01:42):
So I've had my podcast now for six years.
I've exceeded 700 episodes andwhen I started it it was really
like a passion project becauseof my past.
I've got a lot of trauma, I'vegot a lot of things that I've
had to overcome and as I'vegrown it and I've really stuck
to the message, it has reallyresonated with people around the
world and I mean, even to thisday it's still getting
(02:06):
engagement, it's still verypopular.
People love it and I've justloved being in the space meeting
people like yourself, otherhosts, the guests, and it's been
kind of life-changing in theregards that I feel like at this
point to all the people I'vetalked to that I can have a PhD
Because I've talked to some veryincredibly intelligent people
and I've learned a lot along theway.
And I've talked to that I canhave a PhD because I've talked
to some very incrediblyintelligent people and I've
learned a lot along the way.
(02:27):
And you know, I've turned itinto.
I mean I turned it into kind ofa career.
I mean I've had so many I'vehad articles written about me.
I'm a marquee who's who inAmerica because of the work I've
done in the podcast.
So it has really led me down tosome pretty amazing roads.
Carlene Humphrey (02:41):
Yeah, and so I mean you are in Chicago land
proper.
So tell me, I think, the part.
Well, if we talk aboutpodcasting, how it's different
in the US, because of thenumbers obviously, and I use a
lot of American platforms.
As someone who is in Chicagowhat do you think makes a great
(03:02):
podcast, especially in the USwhen there's so many.
Deanna Radulescu (03:05):
You know I love that question because I
think what keeps coming up forme in today's world is
authenticity and like I've had acouple of guests on the show
that I could tell that theyweren't showing up authentic and
they really got zero engagement.
And I was talking to someone Ithink it was yesterday and she's
like yeah, I really lovepodcasts.
And she's like I never thoughtI really liked them and now I'm
(03:26):
getting into them and she's likeI don't even know why.
And I said you know what?
Can I tell you why I think thatyou would really like them?
It's because the ones thatyou're listening to you find
that they are authentic and youcan take it for face value,
instead of someone showing upplaying a part, playing a role
that's not real.
Because we are gettingbamboozled all day, every day on
(03:46):
social media, we're made tobelieve that this is the way
we're supposed to live, but it'swhen it's not reality.
And so when someone shows upauthentic, we are immediately
drawn to that because at oursoul and our center, we want to
connect.
The only way to connect withsomebody is if they're being
authentic.
Carlene Humphrey (04:03):
Yeah, yeah, and you know, it's true, it's
like it depends.
Like I mean, because you're apodcaster yourself, I'm sure you
have some podcasts that youlisten to when you have time,
and you know, for me, I think,as I'm doing this again, I
started this whole journey in2020, when everything slowed
down and I relaunched DivaTonight in December and I think,
(04:26):
as a result, the series this is40.
Yeah, like you said, like it'staught me so much and I've met
some very helpful people alongthe way and it's been a journey
Like it's so nice.
Yeah, like you said, when youmeet people who are authentic
and you can tell from theirenergy even though, like me and
you are, we're not in the sameroom right now, but I think I
(04:47):
can just tell, like, with yourexperience and your
professionalism, just how youcarry yourself, that says a lot
about you and you know who youare as a person, right, so thank
you.
Yeah, no problem with that beingsaid, you obviously have a
history, a journey, and, likeyou, are a true human
(05:08):
trafficking survivor, and Ithink that's something that
we've seen.
I've watched a fewdocumentaries and stuff and
obviously it's something thataffects people in a very
unpleasant way.
You know what I mean.
It's obviously traumatic and so, as someone who's survived that
, for anyone listening you knowwhat I mean.
It's obviously traumatic and so, as someone who's survived that
, for anyone listening, you knowwhat I mean, because obviously
(05:30):
we're talking about the podcast,but just your story and like
your journey to here and now,how has it gotten you to this
stage of your life?
Like because of your story.
Deanna Radulescu (05:41):
So there are many different levels of human
trafficking.
So mine was because of anex-boyfriend.
He was older than me.
I met him at 17 and just reallyexposed me to sex work and some
other things that were notexactly great experience.
You know a lot of drugs and Inever thought I'd ever talk
about it, right Like I try tokeep it undercover for as long
(06:02):
as I could.
So when I started this journeyI was like you know what?
I don't want any more skeletonsin my closet.
I want to be open and honestand hopefully I can help someone
along the way.
But I think I'm a very uniqueindividual where my inner
strength and my drive and mydetermination to not end up in
in the grave or you know any, orend up somewhere that wasn't.
(06:26):
I just knew that I needed, Iwanted a better path, and so he
ended up like beating me upreally bad.
He abducted me like, took meout into the middle of a field I
thought he was going to kill me, to be honest and stabbed me in
the arm.
One time he broke into where Iwas living and I actually had to
have a plastic surgery on myeye because he had like beat me
up and, like you know, lastlacerated the the my under my
eye and like I remember like howtoxic it was for me, cause when
(06:49):
we went to my mom took me tocourt to like we put them you
know, I filed a press charges.
I was crying like an idiotbecause you know that toxic
relationship is so addictivethat you don't like when it's
when you know that it's not thebest thing for you and you don't
want to let it go Like Icouldn't.
I, thinking back now I'm likewhy was I crying, like losing
this guy, like you know, like sodumb?
(07:10):
And here I am, you know, allthese years later and you know
just that experience I just I'm.
I'm happy that I had thewherewithal to know that there
was some, that I had a betterlife ahead of me, and I took
action to make that happen formyself.
I started reading self-helpbooks, I got into martial arts
and the martial arts reallyhelped me, just give me
discipline, confidence and justput me on a better path, and I'm
(07:34):
one that's followed my heart.
So, as I was working on myself,getting better and just trying
to recover and just get past thetrauma of that, amazing things
have happened.
Different opportunities pop up.
I met my late husband, who kindof was like a knight in shining
armor, so to speak.
Yeah, just life evolved fromthere.
(07:55):
I'm not ashamed of it.
It's part of my story and myjourney and I've done a lot of
things to spread awarenessaround it.
Like you know, you have achoice.
You don't need to be forced todo something, if something feels
wrong, to say so.
You know, and I think whenwe're so young, we're
impressionable and we can bemanipulated easy and it's hard.
(08:17):
You know that now, likehindsight, I know that now, but
when you're in the moment youdon't think that.
Carlene Humphrey (08:23):
Yeah, I think being able to talk about it is
takes like a lot of courage toeven do so, cause I think you
have to be at that stage in yourlife where you've healed from
it and that you can share yourstory, cause I think trauma for
many people, like myselfincluded I've never actually
(08:44):
talked about my trauma in anopen platform, but I think the
one thing is that what you knowthat's cliche, saying what
doesn't kill you makes youstronger and like toxic
relationships.
I don't know if, growing up,you were part of something
similar to that or if you didn'thave that example, but I find
like sometimes it's what you'reused to or what you know.
(09:05):
Yeah.
Deanna Radulescu (09:06):
Father was abusive.
My parents had a very toxicrelationship, so I was repeating
a pattern, absolutely.
Carlene Humphrey (09:12):
Yeah, yeah, that's interesting.
It's like we have to do all thework to break free out of that,
and so I think, like you said,that experience, although it was
horrible, so I think, like yousaid this this that experience,
although it was horrible, hasgotten you to a positive place
in your life and obviously it'smade you the person you are
(09:32):
today.
So, as someone who's I mean,you've worked in corporate
America, you're like you createda fashion, your own fashion
label, like you've done a lot ofthings, and I just want to ask
how do you think you've gottento those places in your career?
You know what I mean.
Like it's amazing, right Fromlike a really bad experience to
(09:55):
turning it around and doingsomething better as a result.
Deanna Radulescu (09:59):
I think, just like the determination to want
something better for myself,right and chasing my dreams,
like I'm going to chase whatmakes my heart happy and,
whether good, bad or indifferent, I'm going to decide to do that
.
And I always loved fashion, Iloved clothes.
I still do love clothes.
I'm a self-made fashionista andI will always love that side of
(10:25):
me.
And I wanted to.
When my husband was really sicklike that was also a very
traumatic experience Like he wasvery sick for the last couple
of years of his life and we wererunning several businesses
together I had to be hiscaretaker, I had to run the
businesses, I had to keep ourhouse together, you know, and
you're talking like a lot ofresponsibility, because we lived
in a mansion, we had theMercedes, the Ferrari, all the
(10:48):
toys, and so it's not like I'mmanaging a little home and all
these businesses.
I'm managing a large home, hishouse, our five businesses and
just trying to keep it together.
I became a shell of a personand so towards I knew he wasn't
going to make it.
I just knew that he was just,he was giving up.
He needed his third kidneytransplant and the last two and
(11:11):
a half years it was a steadydecline in his health and I was
starting to mourn him.
And so during that mourningperiod, I started becoming very
tapping into my dreams and, like, what am I going to do next?
Watching him lose his battle onlife really makes you check in,
like hey, like it makes yourealize, like what, like it
humanizes you, right, oh yeah.
(11:32):
So I just I started lookinginto how to start a fashion
label and I and I found a placein soho, new york, and I ended
up.
I went actually before hepassed, I went out there and
visited them just to kind ofunderstand their process, and
then, after he passed, I had towait for a little while and then
I eventually ended up investingin that.
I pursued that for a couple ofyears.
It was pretty successful in away, but it's a very tough
(11:55):
industry to break into and youhave to have very deep pockets
and I just did not have theresources to continue to chase
that dream.
But I can say that I did it.
I learned the value of branding.
I learned a lot about fashion,design, fashion production or
production in general in regardsto making clothes and just
pattern making your fit model,like all the things, all the
(12:19):
things, and so I did my lastcollection again, for it was in
june of 2019 I I posted an eventagainst human trafficking.
I had about 300 people, raisedabout 30 000, and that that was
my final collection and I kindof packed everything up and I
was like, okay, it's time tomove on so when you, when you
(12:40):
say like it's, it's hard tobreak in, I mean, fashion is
like, especially in the US,there's so many iconic names.
Carlene Humphrey (12:47):
We could go on the line of Christian tour, and
the list goes on.
And so how did you tap into it?
First of all, you said you haveto have deep pockets.
Deanna Radulescu (12:58):
I didn't tap into it because of that, into it
because of that, yeah, I mean,it's very cliquish and so, like
I was nobody, I'm thinking I'msomebody because, like I had
built this life with my latehusband.
So I'm like, oh yeah, noproblem, I'll be able to do it
Like I was super cocky and likeI'm starting from scratch brand
new business.
Nobody knows me, it doesn'tcare, it doesn't matter how cool
(13:19):
my logo is or how nice myclothes are.
Nobody knows me as a brand.
And that was extremely hard todigest.
And if I was to do it again, Iwould do it a lot more slower,
calculated, less pieces, maybe acouple pieces.
I would do it completelydifferent than what I did before
(13:40):
.
The way I did it with thatconsulting firm was a very old
school model, whereas in today'sworld you could launch a
fashion brand on social mediaand do very well with it a
couple of pieces at a time andjust grow from there.
Carlene Humphrey (13:54):
So, as as whoever's listening, and if they
are in that industry, like infashion, in terms of like
breaking out, like their, theirbrand, like, what do you suggest
?
What do you say to them?
Like you know, you said youstart a little bit slower, but
like, as you know, as someonewho's a designer or you, I mean
obviously you created this labelfrom your own ambitious side of
(14:18):
you.
So, like, where do they?
Where do they?
Deanna Radulescu (14:20):
start.
Where do they start?
Well, I mean, if they're adesigner, they they've already
started.
Yeah, yeah, the only experienceI had was sewing, making my own
clothes in high school andaltering clothes.
I didn't know how to make apattern, so everything I had to
do was sourced out.
So it starts with the vision,right, picking out the fabrics,
what you want that fabric to be,which was that came very easy
(14:41):
for me from the creative side.
But then having to implementthat into having a pattern maker
make the pattern for my visionand and then just evolve it from
there, and so there's a lot ofdifferent pieces.
So if someone is a designer,they probably already know the
amount of effort that goes intomaking one item yeah, right, and
(15:01):
so I I think, like you said,social media changes the game a
bit.
Carlene Humphrey (15:05):
You know what I mean.
Obviously we didn't have thatyears ago no, no diva tonight.
Glamour for your ears.
This is 40, a femaleperspective because of your
journey and the fact that Ididn't even realize that you had
like, from fashion to creatinga brand to now having a podcast,
(15:27):
right.
So is podcasting something thatyou primarily focus on?
Or do you have multiplebusinesses, Cause you clearly
have experience doing that fivebusinesses running them?
Running a household it's likemanaging a household, right?
Deanna Radulescu (15:45):
them running a household?
It's like managing a householdright.
I do very well when I'm busyProfessional multitasker.
So great question.
My podcast is kind of like awell-oiled machine at this point
.
I've got it set up very well.
I mean, I do make money off ofit.
I do not offer free guest spotsanymore just because of where
I've gotten it to I do.
I have my own proprietarypromotional process that I've
created that helps promote myguests because ultimately,
(16:09):
podcasting is a form ofmarketing and if anybody tells
you no, it's crap.
So if anybody has a little bitof a following, you need to show
up.
So for me, my brand is veryclear and I want to make sure
when I show up I'm open to talkabout my journey and I have a
lot to offer in terms of thingsthat I've done.
So I love that.
(16:30):
I used to release like fourepisodes a week.
Now I'm down to like two.
I have one regular segment andthen I have a celebrity segment.
So I have PR people reachingout to me all the time for
celebrities, are people reachingout to me all the time for
celebrities?
But now my new venture is I'mgetting ready to launch a luxury
lifestyle magazine here in theChicagoland area and that's been
(16:51):
a lot of work, a lot of work.
So that's my new thing, but itgoes kind of hand in hand with
the media side of things.
So I'm able to offer peoplethat advertise with me, that
want to be in my magazine, aspot on my show, which is pretty
coveted.
I mean, I have some incrediblepeople that want to be on my
show and I'm very blessed thatI've gotten to this point.
(17:16):
So I'm able to offer that inaddition to like hey, let's
expand into the community byhighlighting you in this
magazine, which is going intoonly a certain affluent
demographic.
So yeah, I never thought I wasgonna be a publisher, but here
we are.
Carlene Humphrey (17:28):
Here we are, the next chapter of your life.
Wow, unreal.
Deanna Radulescu (17:33):
The next chapter of your life.
I like that, yes.
Carlene Humphrey (17:37):
I mean you had many chapters right.
I mean, like we talk about likethe many layers to who you are
as a person and there are manylayers to you and I think that's
like all encompass pressurethat comes with being the oldest
child and I think that makesyou a little bit stronger in
(18:09):
that sense.
Do you see yourself as that,Like I mean, because you're the
oldest, like you feel likethere's a part of you that has
to prove something, Not to that,not to your siblings in any
kind of way, but I don't know.
I think there's this stigma,not the stigma, but I think
there's something to be saidabout the oldest child in the
family, Like there's some truthto that?
Deanna Radulescu (18:28):
I mean there's that's a great question.
I don't think anybody's everasked me that before.
To be honest, I I, because ofthe traumatic past, like my
father being a deadbeat, I waslike me and my mom like I was
like a surrogate parent, helpingher raise my siblings.
So when I started my own life,I feel like there's a lot of
resentment there.
I actually helped my mom buyher house.
(18:50):
I bought furniture, took mysisters on shopping sprees and
because of that role that I tookearly on, I do not have a great
relationship with them.
Now I don't talk to my sisters,I talk to only one of my
brothers, and it's because mylife has evolved and I've had
some traumatic things.
When my husband passed away, Ididn't make the best decisions.
(19:11):
I wasn't in a good placebecause I was spinning and I
recovered quickly.
It wasn't like I was out ofcontrol running the streets.
I made some bad decisions thatthey judged me for, and I think
that I've always just seen thisbetter life for myself that I
cannot.
So, number one, I want to provemyself Absolutely.
(19:33):
I want to prove that I'm worthyand I almost think that, oh,
they're going to love me againif I reach this level.
So there's a lot of those crazythoughts, but there's also
thoughts of like I just wantbetter for myself.
I want to leave this lifeaccomplishing as many things as
I can and just reaching thatthere's.
(19:53):
I have a vision in my head ofwhere I want my life to be when
I'm, when I'm done with all ofthis, and if, like, that's a
long ways away because I've gotway too much energy, I would go
bored.
I got a girlfriend who'syounger than me and she's like
I'm just trying to retire.
I'm like I don't know howyou're doing that, like I would
go crazy.
I need to be doing something.
And so, like there there'sthat's a multifaceted question
(20:16):
because there's you know.
Carlene Humphrey (20:17):
I just, yeah, there's many layers to my brain,
I'm a very scattered person, Iknow that and so, yeah, the
reason I asked you that questionand I don't even know why that
came up so, my friend, we alwaystalk about like you know life
and how you know how thingshappen, because she has a child
and I don't and I think I saidto her I think there's a reason
(20:40):
why I wasn't so focused on thatis because, like, similar to you
, I feel like I helped raise mysisters, even though I wasn't
their mom.
I was like their big sister,but I did a lot of things like I
had to, you know, take them todaycare and like find creative
ways to like have them have funin the summertime, because they
didn't, we weren't well off, andso I had to be like OK, let's
(21:02):
go to the library and that kindof thing.
We weren't well off and so Ihad to be like, ok, let's go to
the library and that kind ofthing.
And the reason I asked you thatquestion is because I feel like
, in terms of generationaltrauma or generational lifestyle
, that like we're passing thingson and I think, as someone
who's the oldest, like I'vealways, I never really saw
myself as a mom.
I've always I never really sawmyself as a mom.
(21:23):
I don't know if that will change, but I think it's that fully
loaded question that I asked youthere, because I feel like,
because you're so ambitious,because you're so determined to
leave your mark on the world.
I think that it's in yourgenetics some way.
It may not necessarily be thecase, but I feel like that's why
I asked you that question,because I'm just curious If you
(21:44):
be the case.
But I feel like that's why Iasked you that question, because
I'm just curious, if you arethe oldest, the middle, the baby
, like, you know just where youare in the family tree and what
has made you so resilient anddetermined to do whatever it
takes, regardless of whathappened, cause some people just
throw in the towel.
You know what I mean Like oh,yeah, yeah, so, yeah, so, but
yeah, getting back to the simplethings and like what makes you
(22:08):
happy.
First of all, because I mean, Idon't know if you've talked
much about your love life or thefact that you know you have
this other person who is yourperson, right, you got married
almost two years ago, so eventhat, yeah, I know.
Deanna Radulescu (22:22):
I think I was going to get married again.
Yeah, met him during COVID andwe met and we just have been
inseparable since and it's justbeen.
You know he's a police officer,which has been very difficult.
So unless you're a strongindividual, you're it's going to
be very hard for you to be witha police officer, because I
struggle with it.
Sometimes their schedules areall over the place.
(22:45):
They work too much.
He's the man that I never had.
That's a protector.
You know what I mean.
I mean that in the bestpossible way.
That's not what I'm looking for.
We fell in love.
Yeah, I mean I didn't think Iwas going to get married again
and I did.
He's just been an amazingindividual.
I love his family and just youknow, we just been building a
(23:07):
life together ever since.
Carlene Humphrey (23:09):
Yeah, and that's good.
No, that's amazing, that's sogood, it's helpful, for sure,
because you are the lady withmany hats Understatement,
understatement, right UnderUnderstatement, right,
understatement of the year, Iguess.
But I do want to ask you to bean entrepreneur, to be a great
entrepreneur.
What do you think is importantto getting to where you are now?
(23:32):
Like, I mean, you are abusiness person, of course,
Right.
Deanna Radulescu (23:38):
So I mean, I would consider myself a serial
entrepreneur at this point, andobviously not every venture has
worked out Like the fashionindustry.
I was like telling myself I'mgoing to be the next Chanel
pieces.
And that was a huge learninglesson.
I felt like when I decided tostop, I felt like a huge failure
, and when I think about it now,I think about how brave I was
(24:00):
to chase a dream and actuallytake that risk.
And so to be an entrepreneur isnot easy.
I think it's okay to take thoserisks because we learn
something along the way and wehave great stories to tell
afterwards, but you have to beopen to continuing to learn, to
be resourceful.
I just hired a sales coach forthe magazine because I haven't
(24:22):
been closing deals like Ithought I would at this point,
and I made this investment.
I essentially bought into afranchise, so it's not a brand
new magazine.
There's a lot of structurebehind it.
They do the distribution, theprinting, but I have to get it
off the ground.
If I don't get it off theground within a certain amount
of time, I lose my investment,and so it's been very stressful
(24:44):
why I'm not closing these deals.
I have to have so many tolaunch, and then it grows from
there right.
The hardest part is getting itlaunched, and so I'm coachable.
I don't know everything.
There's something perhapsthat's happening in my life that
is preventing me from closingsome of these deals, and so I
(25:05):
bit the bullet and I hired acoach, and now we're off to the
races and I'm hoping that thathelps move things forward and I
can get this launched the waythat I want it to.
Carlene Humphrey (25:14):
That's very interesting.
I'm glad that you brought thatup because I think I had a guest
, her name Debbie Kinney.
She said, like she's a coach,and she said you know, the best
athletes have a coach.
You know, like Michael Phelpshad a coach and so many athletes
before them and people who'vemade their stance in society,
they've they've done, they'vehad the vision to get there, but
(25:35):
obviously they needed coachingalong the way.
And so I guess with you, likegetting a coach, how long have
you had a coach?
And this is just something, Ijust hired him.
Deanna Radulescu (25:45):
I just hired him okay, but I I've worked with
him.
He's given me a couple freesessions before and he was a
guest on my show and I reallyliked his style and so like I
resonated with him and so heoffered this program recently
and it just came at the righttime for me.
It was just meant to be, so Ipicked the bullet yeah, timing
(26:08):
is everything.
Carlene Humphrey (26:08):
You're so right about that, I think.
When you write certain thingsdown, I have to tell you.
So, when I thought about theshow, I didn't think about the
series, but my gosh.
So the first two people on theshow, I wrote down their names
and it did happen.
So it's important, like youknow, when you have a passion
(26:41):
and something that you'resupposed to do, manifestation,
baby.
Yeah, yeah, totally.
I mean, I'm not, I'm learningmore about manifestation, as I'm
, as I'm, like you said, readingthe books and doing the things
Right, and so, even just talkingto you, I, I, I see the energy
in you and like I'm feeling itactually in a way where it seems
(27:02):
like this is something thatyou're supposed to be doing and
you're on your way Right and so,yeah, you're definitely
coaching.
You know what I mean.
It's like the energy Someonesaid that to me.
It's all about the energy andlike energy.
You feel, yeah, and I'm learningmore and more, like when my day
is off and when it's not.
But there's one thing I do wantto ask.
(27:24):
So how, how did this magazinelike, the whole lot, the whole
idea?
How did that come about?
Was it like being at the rightplace at the right time?
Sure.
Deanna Radulescu (27:35):
Yeah, because of my podcast, because of, like,
my name that's out there, youknow.
I mean I've had a lot ofdifferent articles, magazine
features.
I get emails for all differentkinds of things, and so I
typically take every single call, because you never know what's
going to happen in that call,how, if they know someone you
can introduce you to, or, like Ido, I'll take every call, I'll
(27:58):
jump into every meeting, like,only because you never know
where it's going to go.
And so I got an email onexpanding my reach like oh hey,
we see that you're a podcast,we'd love to talk to you a
little bit more about expandingyour reach and you know, and
starting a magazine.
And so I did my due diligence.
I had several calls with them,I talked to other publishers in
the country and it took me abouta month before I said I decided
(28:22):
that I was going to do it.
So I made the investment, Iwent to training in Kansas City
and now here I am, boots on theground, meeting with people
every single day talking aboutthe magazine to get it launched.
Wow, it was not on my punchcard or my bucket list was not.
Carlene Humphrey (28:37):
I laugh because I I I totally got.
It was just like this is notwhere I thought it would end up,
right, you know what I mean?
It's crazy how like thingstranspire in the in in, yeah,
just when you least expect it.
So what you just said right nowjust made me think someone did
email me and I think I'llprobably give them the time of
(28:57):
day just to see where.
Or they email you for what?
Actually, yeah, they emailed me.
They're in the insurancebusiness and she's like oh, I
see your podcast and I actuallyshould send you that.
I think I'm going to send youthe information and then I'll
let you tell me what you think,because obviously you're Is she
wanting to be a guest on yourshow or is she looking to
collaborate?
(29:18):
No, she's looking to collaborate.
Good, yeah.
Yeah, she said they have theirown, like her and her husband
have a business and it's aninsurance business, and I guess
it's another opportunity for meto make money, I guess, in that
way.
But I haven't talked to them onZoom yet or anything, but yeah,
so they connected with methrough Instagram.
(29:40):
So, like you said, I'm alwaysvery-.
Deanna Radulescu (29:42):
Take the call, see where it goes.
Yeah, no matter what happens,you have to like that person,
right.
So you have to jump on a call,get to know them, understand a
little bit more about what theyare.
You know like how, like how youguys can collaborate in
whatever way that looks like ortheir idea, and then go from
there.
You know, then it doesn't workfor you per se.
Maybe they can, you canintroduce them to somebody else
or they can introduce somebodyto you.
(30:03):
Like you never know, like thatwhole, that whole like domino
effect that can happen after oneconversation, Because for me
I've had incredibleopportunities that have led to
beautiful places just by takinga phone call.
Carlene Humphrey (30:16):
And I think, like you know, we're all in our
heads.
I always think it's a good idea, but yeah, pull the trigger.
Deanna Radulescu (30:21):
Baby, you only live once.
Let me tell you something youdon't know what's going to
happen tomorrow.
Carlene Humphrey (30:25):
No, you're right.
You're right, I think.
I think there was a reason youare here right now talking to me
on this episode of Diva Tonight.
So, as the multifaceted,multilayered individual, miss
Deanna Kimball, Radalasku.
Radalasku.
Yes, yes, yes, I'm reading offthe thing.
(30:47):
I know it's okay.
No worries, yeah, it's hard tosay off the tongue Radalasku
Okay, no worries.
Yeah, it's hard to say off thetongue Rad Alasku, okay.
Final thoughts we didn't eventalk about 40.
We talked about everything else.
So I'm almost 50 girls.
So oh my goodness, wow.
So, as someone who's lived thedecade like, I mean, you're
almost.
You said you're almost 50.
So what advice do you have forthe 40 something or the women
(31:10):
going into 50?
You know what I mean, like youclearly have.
Deanna Radulescu (31:15):
What advice do I have?
So, like I've really embracedevery part of my, my journey,
right, you know, like I'm not,I'm not scared to say my age,
like I'm very proud of how old Iam, you know, I would just say
that like time keeps going byfaster and faster and faster.
So do not like this with thisemail, whether it might be
(31:37):
nothing, right, this call, don'tpass up an opportunity because
before we know it we're going tobe, you're going to be, 50,
then 60, 70, and then we have,then we're going to be, laying
on a bed as our last chapter iscoming to an end and we want to
look back and have stories totell and memories to look back
(31:58):
on and know that we tookdifferent risks that scared us a
little bit and excited us andmade us grow a little bit more
right.
And so what's the worst thatcan happen?
A phone call, a meeting is notgoing to kill you.
May it be aggravating andsomebody might waste a little
bit of your time, but you, thatcan happen.
A phone call, a meeting is notgoing to kill you.
May it be aggravating andsomeone might waste a little bit
of your time, but you can't gointo it.
Thinking like that, you have tothink well, what could possibly
happen from this call or thismeeting and see where it goes.
(32:20):
So that's always my advice Takeevery call, take every meeting.
You never know where it's goingto end up.
That's some good advice.
Carlene Humphrey (32:27):
I like it Well .
Thank you so much for takingthe time to share your journey
to here and now, and I wish youall the best with your launch.
Like when is it happening?
Do you even October?
Deanna Radulescu (32:40):
I'm halfway there, I'm halfway there.
Carlene Humphrey (32:43):
You're halfway there, so we might have to
bring you back when the biglaunch happens.
Sure.
Deanna Radulescu (32:48):
I'd love to.
Carlene Humphrey (32:48):
Yeah, for sure Sounds good.
I'm Carlene and this is DivaTonight with Deanna Radalasky.
Did I say that right?
Yes, I don't know.
Thank you, you're welcome.
Thank you so much.
Speaker 3 (33:09):
Diva Tonight with Carlene will be back.
Send us a message on Instagramat Diva underscore tonight.
Hi, I'm Carlene and this is Diva.
Tonight I have a special guestwith me.
Her name is Deanna Radalescu.
Did I say that?
Right?
You got it, girl.
Yep, oh, my goodness, I got it.
I got all the things.
Remember All the things, allthe things it's trending right
(00:23):
now.
The word all the things, itthings it is.
So, deanna, she is podcast host, so your podcast is, it's label
, free to label free.
Label free yeah, you are afashion designer figure,
competitor, beauty queen.
See a little bit of you know.
See some of that right there,right now so why?
Deanna Radulescu (00:43):
thank you, you're welcome, I'm welcome to
maintain it for as long as I can.
Carlene Humphrey (00:48):
So we're just talking about the fact that your
name has changed, and so whatbrought on the name change?
Do tell, oh man.
Deanna Radulescu (00:59):
Yes, about a year and a half ago.
Carlene Humphrey (01:01):
A year and a half ago, wow, so congrats.
Yeah, I'm terrible withanniversaries okay, I'm terrible
with birthdays, I have to writeit down.
But in my agenda like, so who?
So he's the one that remembersthe dates and the anniversaries,
or yeah, and assumed oh my gosh, what if it wasn't a he right.
Deanna Radulescu (01:24):
No, it's he and yeah, he does, but I also
have it in my calendar.
So like I'm very reliant on mycalendar, like I'm sure most
people are these days, yeah,yeah.
Carlene Humphrey (01:35):
So as a fellow podcaster, how has podcasting
been for you in the last fewyears?
Deanna Radulescu (01:42):
So I've had my podcast now for six years.
I've exceeded 700 episodes andwhen I started it it was really
like a passion project becauseof my past.
I've got a lot of trauma, I'vegot a lot of things that I've
had to overcome and as I'vegrown it and I've really stuck
to the message, it has reallyresonated with people around the
world and I mean, even to thisday it's still getting
(02:06):
engagement, it's still verypopular.
People love it and I've justloved being in the space meeting
people like yourself, otherhosts, the guests, and it's been
kind of life-changing in theregards that I feel like at this
point to all the people I'vetalked to that I can have a PhD
Because I've talked to some veryincredibly intelligent people
and I've learned a lot along theway.
And I've talked to that I canhave a PhD because I've talked
to some very incrediblyintelligent people and I've
learned a lot along the way.
(02:27):
And you know, I've turned itinto.
I mean I turned it into kind ofa career.
I mean I've had so many I'vehad articles written about me.
I'm a marquee who's who inAmerica because of the work I've
done in the podcast.
So it has really led me down tosome pretty amazing roads.
Carlene Humphrey (02:41):
Yeah, and so I mean you are in Chicago land
proper.
So tell me, I think, the part.
Well, if we talk aboutpodcasting, how it's different
in the US, because of thenumbers obviously, and I use a
lot of American platforms.
As someone who is in Chicagowhat do you think makes a great
(03:02):
podcast, especially in the USwhen there's so many.
Deanna Radulescu (03:05):
You know I love that question because I
think what keeps coming up forme in today's world is
authenticity and like I've had acouple of guests on the show
that I could tell that theyweren't showing up authentic and
they really got zero engagement.
And I was talking to someone Ithink it was yesterday and she's
like yeah, I really lovepodcasts.
And she's like I never thoughtI really liked them and now I'm
(03:26):
getting into them and she's likeI don't even know why.
And I said you know what?
Can I tell you why I think thatyou would really like them?
It's because the ones thatyou're listening to you find
that they are authentic and youcan take it for face value,
instead of someone showing upplaying a part, playing a role
that's not real.
Because we are gettingbamboozled all day, every day on
(03:46):
social media, we're made tobelieve that this is the way
we're supposed to live, but it'swhen it's not reality.
And so when someone shows upauthentic, we are immediately
drawn to that because at oursoul and our center, we want to
connect.
The only way to connect withsomebody is if they're being
authentic.
Carlene Humphrey (04:03):
Yeah, yeah, and you know, it's true, it's
like it depends.
Like I mean, because you're apodcaster yourself, I'm sure you
have some podcasts that youlisten to when you have time,
and you know, for me, I think,as I'm doing this again, I
started this whole journey in2020, when everything slowed
down and I relaunched DivaTonight in December and I think,
(04:26):
as a result, the series this is40.
Yeah, like you said, like it'staught me so much and I've met
some very helpful people alongthe way and it's been a journey
Like it's so nice.
Yeah, like you said, when youmeet people who are authentic
and you can tell from theirenergy even though, like me and
you are, we're not in the sameroom right now, but I think I
(04:47):
can just tell, like, with yourexperience and your
professionalism, just how youcarry yourself, that says a lot
about you and you know who youare as a person, right, so thank
you.
Yeah, no problem with that beingsaid, you obviously have a
history, a journey, and, likeyou, are a true human
(05:08):
trafficking survivor, and Ithink that's something that
we've seen.
I've watched a fewdocumentaries and stuff and
obviously it's something thataffects people in a very
unpleasant way.
You know what I mean.
It's obviously traumatic and so, as someone who's survived that
, for anyone listening you knowwhat I mean.
It's obviously traumatic and so, as someone who's survived that
, for anyone listening, you knowwhat I mean, because obviously
(05:30):
we're talking about the podcast,but just your story and like
your journey to here and now,how has it gotten you to this
stage of your life?
Like because of your story.
Deanna Radulescu (05:41):
So there are many different levels of human
trafficking.
So mine was because of anex-boyfriend.
He was older than me.
I met him at 17 and just reallyexposed me to sex work and some
other things that were notexactly great experience.
You know a lot of drugs and Inever thought I'd ever talk
about it, right Like I try tokeep it undercover for as long
(06:02):
as I could.
So when I started this journeyI was like you know what?
I don't want any more skeletonsin my closet.
I want to be open and honestand hopefully I can help someone
along the way.
But I think I'm a very uniqueindividual where my inner
strength and my drive and mydetermination to not end up in
in the grave or you know any, orend up somewhere that wasn't.
(06:26):
I just knew that I needed, Iwanted a better path, and so he
ended up like beating me upreally bad.
He abducted me like, took meout into the middle of a field I
thought he was going to kill me, to be honest and stabbed me in
the arm.
One time he broke into where Iwas living and I actually had to
have a plastic surgery on myeye because he had like beat me
up and, like you know, lastlacerated the the my under my
eye and like I remember like howtoxic it was for me, cause when
(06:49):
we went to my mom took me tocourt to like we put them you
know, I filed a press charges.
I was crying like an idiotbecause you know that toxic
relationship is so addictivethat you don't like when it's
when you know that it's not thebest thing for you and you don't
want to let it go Like Icouldn't.
I, thinking back now I'm likewhy was I crying, like losing
this guy, like you know, like sodumb?
(07:10):
And here I am, you know, allthese years later and you know
just that experience I just I'm.
I'm happy that I had thewherewithal to know that there
was some, that I had a betterlife ahead of me, and I took
action to make that happen formyself.
I started reading self-helpbooks, I got into martial arts
and the martial arts reallyhelped me, just give me
discipline, confidence and justput me on a better path, and I'm
(07:34):
one that's followed my heart.
So, as I was working on myself,getting better and just trying
to recover and just get past thetrauma of that, amazing things
have happened.
Different opportunities pop up.
I met my late husband, who kindof was like a knight in shining
armor, so to speak.
Yeah, just life evolved fromthere.
(07:55):
I'm not ashamed of it.
It's part of my story and myjourney and I've done a lot of
things to spread awarenessaround it.
Like you know, you have achoice.
You don't need to be forced todo something, if something feels
wrong, to say so.
You know, and I think whenwe're so young, we're
impressionable and we can bemanipulated easy and it's hard.
(08:17):
You know that now, likehindsight, I know that now, but
when you're in the moment youdon't think that.
Carlene Humphrey (08:23):
Yeah, I think being able to talk about it is
takes like a lot of courage toeven do so, cause I think you
have to be at that stage in yourlife where you've healed from
it and that you can share yourstory, cause I think trauma for
many people, like myselfincluded I've never actually
(08:44):
talked about my trauma in anopen platform, but I think the
one thing is that what you knowthat's cliche, saying what
doesn't kill you makes youstronger and like toxic
relationships.
I don't know if, growing up,you were part of something
similar to that or if you didn'thave that example, but I find
like sometimes it's what you'reused to or what you know.
(09:05):
Yeah.
Deanna Radulescu (09:06):
Father was abusive.
My parents had a very toxicrelationship, so I was repeating
a pattern, absolutely.
Carlene Humphrey (09:12):
Yeah, yeah, that's interesting.
It's like we have to do all thework to break free out of that,
and so I think, like you said,that experience, although it was
horrible, so I think, like yousaid this this that experience,
although it was horrible, hasgotten you to a positive place
in your life and obviously it'smade you the person you are
(09:32):
today.
So, as someone who's I mean,you've worked in corporate
America, you're like you createda fashion, your own fashion
label, like you've done a lot ofthings, and I just want to ask
how do you think you've gottento those places in your career?
You know what I mean.
Like it's amazing, right Fromlike a really bad experience to
(09:55):
turning it around and doingsomething better as a result.
Deanna Radulescu (09:59):
I think, just like the determination to want
something better for myself,right and chasing my dreams,
like I'm going to chase whatmakes my heart happy and,
whether good, bad or indifferent, I'm going to decide to do that
.
And I always loved fashion, Iloved clothes.
I still do love clothes.
I'm a self-made fashionista andI will always love that side of
(10:25):
me.
And I wanted to.
When my husband was really sicklike that was also a very
traumatic experience Like he wasvery sick for the last couple
of years of his life and we wererunning several businesses
together I had to be hiscaretaker, I had to run the
businesses, I had to keep ourhouse together, you know, and
you're talking like a lot ofresponsibility, because we lived
in a mansion, we had theMercedes, the Ferrari, all the
(10:48):
toys, and so it's not like I'mmanaging a little home and all
these businesses.
I'm managing a large home, hishouse, our five businesses and
just trying to keep it together.
I became a shell of a personand so towards I knew he wasn't
going to make it.
I just knew that he was just,he was giving up.
He needed his third kidneytransplant and the last two and
(11:11):
a half years it was a steadydecline in his health and I was
starting to mourn him.
And so during that mourningperiod, I started becoming very
tapping into my dreams and, like, what am I going to do next?
Watching him lose his battle onlife really makes you check in,
like hey, like it makes yourealize, like what, like it
humanizes you, right, oh yeah.
(11:32):
So I just I started lookinginto how to start a fashion
label and I and I found a placein soho, new york, and I ended
up.
I went actually before hepassed, I went out there and
visited them just to kind ofunderstand their process, and
then, after he passed, I had towait for a little while and then
I eventually ended up investingin that.
I pursued that for a couple ofyears.
It was pretty successful in away, but it's a very tough
(11:55):
industry to break into and youhave to have very deep pockets
and I just did not have theresources to continue to chase
that dream.
But I can say that I did it.
I learned the value of branding.
I learned a lot about fashion,design, fashion production or
production in general in regardsto making clothes and just
pattern making your fit model,like all the things, all the
(12:19):
things, and so I did my lastcollection again, for it was in
june of 2019 I I posted an eventagainst human trafficking.
I had about 300 people, raisedabout 30 000, and that that was
my final collection and I kindof packed everything up and I
was like, okay, it's time tomove on so when you, when you
(12:40):
say like it's, it's hard tobreak in, I mean, fashion is
like, especially in the US,there's so many iconic names.
Carlene Humphrey (12:47):
We could go on the line of Christian tour, and
the list goes on.
And so how did you tap into it?
First of all, you said you haveto have deep pockets.
Deanna Radulescu (12:58):
I didn't tap into it because of that, into it
because of that, yeah, I mean,it's very cliquish and so, like
I was nobody, I'm thinking I'msomebody because, like I had
built this life with my latehusband.
So I'm like, oh yeah, noproblem, I'll be able to do it
Like I was super cocky and likeI'm starting from scratch brand
new business.
Nobody knows me, it doesn'tcare, it doesn't matter how cool
(13:19):
my logo is or how nice myclothes are.
Nobody knows me as a brand.
And that was extremely hard todigest.
And if I was to do it again, Iwould do it a lot more slower,
calculated, less pieces, maybe acouple pieces.
I would do it completelydifferent than what I did before
(13:40):
.
The way I did it with thatconsulting firm was a very old
school model, whereas in today'sworld you could launch a
fashion brand on social mediaand do very well with it a
couple of pieces at a time andjust grow from there.
Carlene Humphrey (13:54):
So, as as whoever's listening, and if they
are in that industry, like infashion, in terms of like
breaking out, like their, theirbrand, like, what do you suggest
?
What do you say to them?
Like you know, you said youstart a little bit slower, but
like, as you know, as someonewho's a designer or you, I mean
obviously you created this labelfrom your own ambitious side of
(14:18):
you.
So, like, where do they?
Where do they?
Deanna Radulescu (14:20):
start.
Where do they start?
Well, I mean, if they're adesigner, they they've already
started.
Yeah, yeah, the only experienceI had was sewing, making my own
clothes in high school andaltering clothes.
I didn't know how to make apattern, so everything I had to
do was sourced out.
So it starts with the vision,right, picking out the fabrics,
what you want that fabric to be,which was that came very easy
(14:41):
for me from the creative side.
But then having to implementthat into having a pattern maker
make the pattern for my visionand and then just evolve it from
there, and so there's a lot ofdifferent pieces.
So if someone is a designer,they probably already know the
amount of effort that goes intomaking one item yeah, right, and
(15:01):
so I I think, like you said,social media changes the game a
bit.
Carlene Humphrey (15:05):
You know what I mean.
Obviously we didn't have thatyears ago no, no diva tonight.
Glamour for your ears.
This is 40, a femaleperspective because of your
journey and the fact that Ididn't even realize that you had
like, from fashion to creatinga brand to now having a podcast,
(15:27):
right.
So is podcasting something thatyou primarily focus on?
Or do you have multiplebusinesses, Cause you clearly
have experience doing that fivebusinesses running them?
Running a household it's likemanaging a household, right?
Deanna Radulescu (15:45):
them running a household?
It's like managing a householdright.
I do very well when I'm busyProfessional multitasker.
So great question.
My podcast is kind of like awell-oiled machine at this point
.
I've got it set up very well.
I mean, I do make money off ofit.
I do not offer free guest spotsanymore just because of where
I've gotten it to I do.
I have my own proprietarypromotional process that I've
created that helps promote myguests because ultimately,
(16:09):
podcasting is a form ofmarketing and if anybody tells
you no, it's crap.
So if anybody has a little bitof a following, you need to show
up.
So for me, my brand is veryclear and I want to make sure
when I show up I'm open to talkabout my journey and I have a
lot to offer in terms of thingsthat I've done.
So I love that.
(16:30):
I used to release like fourepisodes a week.
Now I'm down to like two.
I have one regular segment andthen I have a celebrity segment.
So I have PR people reachingout to me all the time for
celebrities, are people reachingout to me all the time for
celebrities?
But now my new venture is I'mgetting ready to launch a luxury
lifestyle magazine here in theChicagoland area and that's been
(16:51):
a lot of work, a lot of work.
So that's my new thing, but itgoes kind of hand in hand with
the media side of things.
So I'm able to offer peoplethat advertise with me, that
want to be in my magazine, aspot on my show, which is pretty
coveted.
I mean, I have some incrediblepeople that want to be on my
show and I'm very blessed thatI've gotten to this point.
(17:16):
So I'm able to offer that inaddition to like hey, let's
expand into the community byhighlighting you in this
magazine, which is going intoonly a certain affluent
demographic.
So yeah, I never thought I wasgonna be a publisher, but here
we are.
Carlene Humphrey (17:28):
Here we are, the next chapter of your life.
Wow, unreal.
Deanna Radulescu (17:33):
The next chapter of your life.
I like that, yes.
Carlene Humphrey (17:37):
I mean you had many chapters right.
I mean, like we talk about likethe many layers to who you are
as a person and there are manylayers to you and I think that's
like all encompass pressurethat comes with being the oldest
child and I think that makesyou a little bit stronger in
(18:09):
that sense.
Do you see yourself as that,Like I mean, because you're the
oldest, like you feel likethere's a part of you that has
to prove something, Not to that,not to your siblings in any
kind of way, but I don't know.
I think there's this stigma,not the stigma, but I think
there's something to be saidabout the oldest child in the
family, Like there's some truthto that?
Deanna Radulescu (18:28):
I mean there's that's a great question.
I don't think anybody's everasked me that before.
To be honest, I I, because ofthe traumatic past, like my
father being a deadbeat, I waslike me and my mom like I was
like a surrogate parent, helpingher raise my siblings.
So when I started my own life,I feel like there's a lot of
resentment there.
I actually helped my mom buyher house.
(18:50):
I bought furniture, took mysisters on shopping sprees and
because of that role that I tookearly on, I do not have a great
relationship with them.
Now I don't talk to my sisters,I talk to only one of my
brothers, and it's because mylife has evolved and I've had
some traumatic things.
When my husband passed away, Ididn't make the best decisions.
(19:11):
I wasn't in a good placebecause I was spinning and I
recovered quickly.
It wasn't like I was out ofcontrol running the streets.
I made some bad decisions thatthey judged me for, and I think
that I've always just seen thisbetter life for myself that I
cannot.
So, number one, I want to provemyself Absolutely.
(19:33):
I want to prove that I'm worthyand I almost think that, oh,
they're going to love me againif I reach this level.
So there's a lot of those crazythoughts, but there's also
thoughts of like I just wantbetter for myself.
I want to leave this lifeaccomplishing as many things as
I can and just reaching thatthere's.
(19:53):
I have a vision in my head ofwhere I want my life to be when
I'm, when I'm done with all ofthis, and if, like, that's a
long ways away because I've gotway too much energy, I would go
bored.
I got a girlfriend who'syounger than me and she's like
I'm just trying to retire.
I'm like I don't know howyou're doing that, like I would
go crazy.
I need to be doing something.
And so, like there there'sthat's a multifaceted question
(20:16):
because there's you know.
Carlene Humphrey (20:17):
I just, yeah, there's many layers to my brain,
I'm a very scattered person, Iknow that and so, yeah, the
reason I asked you that questionand I don't even know why that
came up so, my friend, we alwaystalk about like you know life
and how you know how thingshappen, because she has a child
and I don't and I think I saidto her I think there's a reason
(20:40):
why I wasn't so focused on thatis because, like, similar to you
, I feel like I helped raise mysisters, even though I wasn't
their mom.
I was like their big sister,but I did a lot of things like I
had to, you know, take them todaycare and like find creative
ways to like have them have funin the summertime, because they
didn't, we weren't well off, andso I had to be like OK, let's
(21:02):
go to the library and that kindof thing.
We weren't well off and so Ihad to be like, ok, let's go to
the library and that kind ofthing.
And the reason I asked you thatquestion is because I feel like
, in terms of generationaltrauma or generational lifestyle
, that like we're passing thingson and I think, as someone
who's the oldest, like I'vealways, I never really saw
myself as a mom.
I've always I never really sawmyself as a mom.
(21:23):
I don't know if that will change, but I think it's that fully
loaded question that I asked youthere, because I feel like,
because you're so ambitious,because you're so determined to
leave your mark on the world.
I think that it's in yourgenetics some way.
It may not necessarily be thecase, but I feel like that's why
I asked you that question,because I'm just curious If you
(21:44):
be the case.
But I feel like that's why Iasked you that question, because
I'm just curious, if you arethe oldest, the middle, the baby
, like, you know just where youare in the family tree and what
has made you so resilient anddetermined to do whatever it
takes, regardless of whathappened, cause some people just
throw in the towel.
You know what I mean Like oh,yeah, yeah, so, yeah, so, but
yeah, getting back to the simplethings and like what makes you
(22:08):
happy.
First of all, because I mean, Idon't know if you've talked
much about your love life or thefact that you know you have
this other person who is yourperson, right, you got married
almost two years ago, so eventhat, yeah, I know.
Deanna Radulescu (22:22):
I think I was going to get married again.
Yeah, met him during COVID andwe met and we just have been
inseparable since and it's justbeen.
You know he's a police officer,which has been very difficult.
So unless you're a strongindividual, you're it's going to
be very hard for you to be witha police officer, because I
struggle with it.
Sometimes their schedules areall over the place.
(22:45):
They work too much.
He's the man that I never had.
That's a protector.
You know what I mean.
I mean that in the bestpossible way.
That's not what I'm looking for.
We fell in love.
Yeah, I mean I didn't think Iwas going to get married again
and I did.
He's just been an amazingindividual.
I love his family and just youknow, we just been building a
(23:07):
life together ever since.
Carlene Humphrey (23:09):
Yeah, and that's good.
No, that's amazing, that's sogood, it's helpful, for sure,
because you are the lady withmany hats Understatement,
understatement, right UnderUnderstatement, right,
understatement of the year, Iguess.
But I do want to ask you to bean entrepreneur, to be a great
entrepreneur.
What do you think is importantto getting to where you are now?
(23:32):
Like, I mean, you are abusiness person, of course,
Right.
Deanna Radulescu (23:38):
So I mean, I would consider myself a serial
entrepreneur at this point, andobviously not every venture has
worked out Like the fashionindustry.
I was like telling myself I'mgoing to be the next Chanel
pieces.
And that was a huge learninglesson.
I felt like when I decided tostop, I felt like a huge failure
, and when I think about it now,I think about how brave I was
(24:00):
to chase a dream and actuallytake that risk.
And so to be an entrepreneur isnot easy.
I think it's okay to take thoserisks because we learn
something along the way and wehave great stories to tell
afterwards, but you have to beopen to continuing to learn, to
be resourceful.
I just hired a sales coach forthe magazine because I haven't
(24:22):
been closing deals like Ithought I would at this point,
and I made this investment.
I essentially bought into afranchise, so it's not a brand
new magazine.
There's a lot of structurebehind it.
They do the distribution, theprinting, but I have to get it
off the ground.
If I don't get it off theground within a certain amount
of time, I lose my investment,and so it's been very stressful
(24:44):
why I'm not closing these deals.
I have to have so many tolaunch, and then it grows from
there right.
The hardest part is getting itlaunched, and so I'm coachable.
I don't know everything.
There's something perhapsthat's happening in my life that
is preventing me from closingsome of these deals, and so I
(25:05):
bit the bullet and I hired acoach, and now we're off to the
races and I'm hoping that thathelps move things forward and I
can get this launched the waythat I want it to.
Carlene Humphrey (25:14):
That's very interesting.
I'm glad that you brought thatup because I think I had a guest
, her name Debbie Kinney.
She said, like she's a coach,and she said you know, the best
athletes have a coach.
You know, like Michael Phelpshad a coach and so many athletes
before them and people who'vemade their stance in society,
they've they've done, they'vehad the vision to get there, but
(25:35):
obviously they needed coachingalong the way.
And so I guess with you, likegetting a coach, how long have
you had a coach?
And this is just something, Ijust hired him.
Deanna Radulescu (25:45):
I just hired him okay, but I I've worked with
him.
He's given me a couple freesessions before and he was a
guest on my show and I reallyliked his style and so like I
resonated with him and so heoffered this program recently
and it just came at the righttime for me.
It was just meant to be, so Ipicked the bullet yeah, timing
(26:08):
is everything.
Carlene Humphrey (26:08):
You're so right about that, I think.
When you write certain thingsdown, I have to tell you.
So, when I thought about theshow, I didn't think about the
series, but my gosh.
So the first two people on theshow, I wrote down their names
and it did happen.
So it's important, like youknow, when you have a passion
(26:41):
and something that you'resupposed to do, manifestation,
baby.
Yeah, yeah, totally.
I mean, I'm not, I'm learningmore about manifestation, as I'm
, as I'm, like you said, readingthe books and doing the things
Right, and so, even just talkingto you, I, I, I see the energy
in you and like I'm feeling itactually in a way where it seems
(27:02):
like this is something thatyou're supposed to be doing and
you're on your way Right and so,yeah, you're definitely
coaching.
You know what I mean.
It's like the energy Someonesaid that to me.
It's all about the energy andlike energy.
You feel, yeah, and I'm learningmore and more, like when my day
is off and when it's not.
But there's one thing I do wantto ask.
(27:24):
So how, how did this magazinelike, the whole lot, the whole
idea?
How did that come about?
Was it like being at the rightplace at the right time?
Sure.
Deanna Radulescu (27:35):
Yeah, because of my podcast, because of, like,
my name that's out there, youknow.
I mean I've had a lot ofdifferent articles, magazine
features.
I get emails for all differentkinds of things, and so I
typically take every single call, because you never know what's
going to happen in that call,how, if they know someone you
can introduce you to, or, like Ido, I'll take every call, I'll
(27:58):
jump into every meeting, like,only because you never know
where it's going to go.
And so I got an email onexpanding my reach like oh hey,
we see that you're a podcast,we'd love to talk to you a
little bit more about expandingyour reach and you know, and
starting a magazine.
And so I did my due diligence.
I had several calls with them,I talked to other publishers in
the country and it took me abouta month before I said I decided
(28:22):
that I was going to do it.
So I made the investment, Iwent to training in Kansas City
and now here I am, boots on theground, meeting with people
every single day talking aboutthe magazine to get it launched.
Wow, it was not on my punchcard or my bucket list was not.
Carlene Humphrey (28:37):
I laugh because I I I totally got.
It was just like this is notwhere I thought it would end up,
right, you know what I mean?
It's crazy how like thingstranspire in the in in, yeah,
just when you least expect it.
So what you just said right nowjust made me think someone did
email me and I think I'llprobably give them the time of
(28:57):
day just to see where.
Or they email you for what?
Actually, yeah, they emailed me.
They're in the insurancebusiness and she's like oh, I
see your podcast and I actuallyshould send you that.
I think I'm going to send youthe information and then I'll
let you tell me what you think,because obviously you're Is she
wanting to be a guest on yourshow or is she looking to
collaborate?
(29:18):
No, she's looking to collaborate.
Good, yeah.
Yeah, she said they have theirown, like her and her husband
have a business and it's aninsurance business, and I guess
it's another opportunity for meto make money, I guess, in that
way.
But I haven't talked to them onZoom yet or anything, but yeah,
so they connected with methrough Instagram.
(29:40):
So, like you said, I'm alwaysvery-.
Deanna Radulescu (29:42):
Take the call, see where it goes.
Yeah, no matter what happens,you have to like that person,
right.
So you have to jump on a call,get to know them, understand a
little bit more about what theyare.
You know like how, like how youguys can collaborate in
whatever way that looks like ortheir idea, and then go from
there.
You know, then it doesn't workfor you per se.
Maybe they can, you canintroduce them to somebody else
or they can introduce somebodyto you.
(30:03):
Like you never know, like thatwhole, that whole like domino
effect that can happen after oneconversation, Because for me
I've had incredibleopportunities that have led to
beautiful places just by takinga phone call.
Carlene Humphrey (30:16):
And I think, like you know, we're all in our
heads.
I always think it's a good idea, but yeah, pull the trigger.
Deanna Radulescu (30:21):
Baby, you only live once.
Let me tell you something youdon't know what's going to
happen tomorrow.
Carlene Humphrey (30:25):
No, you're right.
You're right, I think.
I think there was a reason youare here right now talking to me
on this episode of Diva Tonight.
So, as the multifaceted,multilayered individual, miss
Deanna Kimball, Radalasku.
Radalasku.
Yes, yes, yes, I'm reading offthe thing.
(30:47):
I know it's okay.
No worries, yeah, it's hard tosay off the tongue Radalasku
Okay, no worries.
Yeah, it's hard to say off thetongue Rad Alasku, okay.
Final thoughts we didn't eventalk about 40.
We talked about everything else.
So I'm almost 50 girls.
So oh my goodness, wow.
So, as someone who's lived thedecade like, I mean, you're
almost.
You said you're almost 50.
So what advice do you have forthe 40 something or the women
(31:10):
going into 50?
You know what I mean, like youclearly have.
Deanna Radulescu (31:15):
What advice do I have?
So, like I've really embracedevery part of my, my journey,
right, you know, like I'm not,I'm not scared to say my age,
like I'm very proud of how old Iam, you know, I would just say
that like time keeps going byfaster and faster and faster.
So do not like this with thisemail, whether it might be
(31:37):
nothing, right, this call, don'tpass up an opportunity because
before we know it we're going tobe, you're going to be, 50,
then 60, 70, and then we have,then we're going to be, laying
on a bed as our last chapter iscoming to an end and we want to
look back and have stories totell and memories to look back
(31:58):
on and know that we tookdifferent risks that scared us a
little bit and excited us andmade us grow a little bit more
right.
And so what's the worst thatcan happen?
A phone call, a meeting is notgoing to kill you.
May it be aggravating andsomebody might waste a little
bit of your time, but you, thatcan happen.
A phone call, a meeting is notgoing to kill you.
May it be aggravating andsomeone might waste a little bit
of your time, but you can't gointo it.
Thinking like that, you have tothink well, what could possibly
happen from this call or thismeeting and see where it goes.
(32:20):
So that's always my advice Takeevery call, take every meeting.
You never know where it's goingto end up.
That's some good advice.
Carlene Humphrey (32:27):
I like it Well .
Thank you so much for takingthe time to share your journey
to here and now, and I wish youall the best with your launch.
Like when is it happening?
Do you even October?
Deanna Radulescu (32:40):
I'm halfway there, I'm halfway there.
Carlene Humphrey (32:43):
You're halfway there, so we might have to
bring you back when the biglaunch happens.
Sure.
Deanna Radulescu (32:48):
I'd love to.
Carlene Humphrey (32:48):
Yeah, for sure Sounds good.
I'm Carlene and this is DivaTonight with Deanna Radalasky.
Did I say that right?
Yes, I don't know.
Thank you, you're welcome.
Thank you so much.
Speaker 3 (33:09):
Diva Tonight with Carlene will be back.
Send us a message on Instagramat Diva underscore tonight.
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