What does it really take to build something iconic?
In Studio with Kimberly Lovi takes you inside candid conversations with the entrepreneurs, executives, athletes, creators and cultural voices shaping what's next in business, media, sports and entertainment.
Hosted by media entrepreneur and Iconic Nation Media founder Kimberly Lovi, In Studio goes beyond the polished success story to explore the decisions, risks, setbacks, strategies and pivotal moments behind extraordinary careers, companies and personal brands.
Drawing on Kimberly's own background in strategy, entertainment, finance, executive leadership and entrepreneurship, conversations combine sharp business insight with the personal stories you don't usually hear.
Expect conversations about building companies and brands, navigating media and culture, creating influence and opportunity, leadership, ambition—and what actually happens behind the scenes on the way up.
New episodes of In Studio with Kimberly Lovi. Watch on YouTube and listen wherever you get your podcasts.
Persian Hospitality, Family Roots, and Reimagining a Legacy with Rouz and Mehrnoush Yazdanyar
Ep. 217 - Kimberly welcomes siblings and old friends Rouz and Mehrnoush Yazdanyar to discuss their journey transforming Rouz's 20-year-old restaurant, Zen Bistro, into their new family-owned concept: Yar on the Lake in Westlake Village, California. The siblings share their family's story of immigrating from Iran in 1983 and losing their father shortly after. They discuss how their mother, uncle, and Persian heritage shaped their commitment to community, generosity, and hospitality. They also discuss the full transformation of their 20 year old restaurant. Over a 3.5-month renovation, the team revamped the entire space, introduced an elevated menu, and hired a brand-new staff under General Manager Tracy and an Executive Chef. Yar Menu & Drink Favorites: Drinks: Rouz highlights fresh-ingredient cocktails like the YAR Margarita and Saffron 75, while Mehrnoush praises their classic kettle martini and a refreshing gin-based cocktail (Mediterranean Muse). Food: Standout dishes include 14-day dry-aged branzino, in-house baked breads and pastries, "Yar chips" (zucchini and eggplant over tzatziki), fresh-made calamari, and a unique hen-of-the-woods mushroom dish.
Chapter Timestamps:
1:03 – The Transition from Zen Bistro to a New Partnership
2:20 – How "YAR on the Lake" Got Its Name & Meaning
3:02 – The Emotional Story Behind Choosing the Space
4:46 – Navigating the COVID-19 Pandemic & Outdoor Patio
9:40 – Immigrating from Iran to Westlake Village
10:37 – Persian Hospitality & Rebranding the Restaurant
12:08 – Family Roots & Leaving Iran in the 1980s
14:20 – Overcoming Business Challenges & Building Team Culture
16:42 – Rouz's 20-Year Journey & The Renovation Process
18:24 – Hiring a Top-Tier Staff & Hands-on Training
22:43 – Building the Outdoor Community Bar & Dining Area
25:34 – Honoring Their Late Father & Mother's Generosity
28:18 – Personal Loss, Grief, and Keeping Memories Alive
32:53 – Reflecting on Human Rights, Freedom, and Iranian Culture
37:37 – Rapid Fire: Favorite Specialty Drinks & Cocktails
40:17 – Rapid Fire: Must-Try Menu Dishes (Dry-Aged Branzino, Breads, Dips)
43:41 – Closing Remarks & Where to Find YAR on the Lake
Visit Yar on the Lake: https://yaronthelake.com/
See Yar on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yaronthelake/
Follow Kimberly on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimberlylovi/
29 Jul 2026
Why Being Great at Your Job Isn't Enough Anymore
Ep. 216 - Kimberly addresses a critical shift for leaders and founders: delivering exceptional work behind the scenes is no longer enough if you remain invisible. Drawing from her own transition from corporate strategist and co-CEO to building Iconic Nation Media, Kimberly breaks down a five-part framework for moving from an invisible expert to a recognized authority. She outlines why credentials alone don't build trust, explains how personal branding elevates a corporate ecosystem, and offers practical strategies—like owning a bold point of view and creating repeatable intellectual property—to help executives build strategic visibility that directly grows their business.
Chapter Timestamps:
1:18 - The Trap of Letting Your Work Speak for Itself
2:57 - Kimberly Lovi's Journey: PwC to Media Founder
5:32 - Corporate Brand vs. Personal Brand
6:39 - Unpacking the Iconic Nation Ecosystem
8:54 - How to Become Visible: Own Your Point of View
10:04 - Creating Repeatable Intellectual Property
10:36 - Visibility vs. Vanity Metrics
12:40 - Consistency Over Virality
13:25 - Message to Hiding Executives & Founders
14:45 - Closing Thoughts
Follow Kimberly on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimberlylovi/
Follow Kimberly on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kimberlylovi
Join the ICONIC Community: https://www.youtube.com/@iconicnationmedia
22 Jul 2026
From Paralyzed to Walking: The Power of Forgiveness with Jaikishaan Sharma
Ep. 215 - Kimberly sits down with author, speaker, and mind-set coach Jaikishaan Sharma. After losing his job, buying a home, and welcoming a newborn daughter, Jackishan suffered a life-altering accident when he was hit by a speeding car as a pedestrian. Doctors gave him just a 5% chance of ever walking again. Paralyzed from the waist down, Jackishan plunged into financial hardship, severe depression, and suicidal ideation. However, a single transformative moment with his young daughter sparked a inner shift. Through intense mindset work, journaling, formal and informal mindfulness, water therapy, and sheer determination, Jackishan went from paralyzed in a wheelchair to standing back up on his feet. Today, he shares his roadmap to help others break through physical and emotional trauma.
Chapter Timestamps:
1:48 – The Perfect Storm (Job Loss, New Baby & Mortgage)
5:19 – The Accident & Diagnosis
7:13 – Inpatient Rehab, Financial Stress & Depression
12:00 – Forgiving the Driver & Finding Healing
17:41 – The Turning Point & Mindset Work
25:15 – Journaling, Mindset Shifts & Keeping the Wheelchair
28:10 – The First Sign of Recovery (The Moving Toe)
29:54 – Priming, Mindfulness & Visualizations
33:58 – Standing Up & Surprising the Doctor
38:31 – The Emotional Breakdown & Gratitude for Family
42:18 – Walking Again & Transitioning Off the Wheelchair
43:40 – Finding Purpose & Helping Others Online
47:44 – Trauma Coaching & From Wheelchair to Dream Chair
51:24 – Redefining Success & Final Words of Wisdom
53:12 – Outro & Where to Connect
Follow Jaikishaan Sharma: https://www.instagram.com/jaikishaansharma/
Follow Kimberly: https://www.instagram.com/kimberlylovi/
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 55 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
77
Social presence
100
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
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