We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nicole Iizuka a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Nicole, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
The essence of the hero’s journey in The O.C. can be encapsulated in one iconic line from Season 1, Episode 4. Anna Stern nudges Seth Cohen (played by Adam Brody) with a simple but profound reminder: “Confidence, Cohen.”
We all wish there were a magic trick, shortcut, or device to unlock true confidence. But the truth, as inconvenient as it is, remains universal: you have to believe in yourself. Growing up in Los Angeles, I was immersed in a vibrant community of artists, storytellers, and dreamers, encouraged to pursue their passions. Yet, I also saw firsthand how chasing a dream without understanding how to ground it in reality could lead to frustration. Dreaming is only the beginning; the real magic happens when you turn those dreams into something tangible.
At a young age, I adopted a sense of urgency—maybe inspired by Mulan’s “make my own destiny” attitude, or maybe just by a gut instinct to leave nothing on the table. If I had a crush on someone, I told them, knowing the worst-case scenario was just a “no,” and I could move on. I tackled my fear of public speaking by joining Mock Trial and Model UN. I conquered my fear of heights by joining the diving team. Spiders? Okay, they’re still terrifying.
But facing my fears taught me a powerful lesson: fears are rarely as scary as they seem. The anxiety of failure far outweighs the sting of actually failing. Learning this early on was one of my greatest gifts—it freed me to embrace failure as part of growth. The truth is, you have to be okay with being your worst before you can be your best. Regrets? Those are just barriers that hold you back.
Confidence is often confused with ego, but they couldn’t be more different. My confidence stems from knowing my strengths, acknowledging my weaknesses, and surrounding myself with extraordinary, talented people I can learn from. I’m confident not because I know everything but because I don’t—and I’m always eager to keep learning. To be a true creative, you must remain a student of the world.
One piece of advice from my mother has stuck with me throughout my career: treat “difficult” people like puzzles to solve. Don’t write them off. Figure out what drives them, why they frustrate you, and how you can forge a functional relationship. Often, the people who challenge your confidence the most—rivals, bosses, or even nemeses—are the ones who teach you the most about yourself. By embracing this mindset, I’ve turned some of my toughest adversaries into lifelong friends.
And finally, passion. The saying, “Love what you do, and you’ll never work a day in your life,” can sound like a cliché, but I’ve always found joy in every job I’ve had. Whether it was washing dishes, catering events, or leading teams as a creative director and VP, I’ve discovered ways to connect my work to my personal mission: bringing joy, building community, and fostering education. Washing dishes or catering meant introducing people to flavors they’d never experienced. Organizing large-scale events meant creating spaces for like-minded individuals to connect. Creating content? That’s pure joy, shared with the world.
My confidence and self-esteem have been shaped by my upbringing, my education, a diverse range of professional experiences, and an unwavering passion for food and storytelling. They’ve taught me to embrace curiosity, navigate challenges, and keep evolving—always with a clear goal in mind: to spark joy and connection in everything I do.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Making people smile, step out of their comfort zones, and share meaningful moments over great food has always been at the heart of everything I do. I’m passionate about creating experiences that spark joy, foster connection, and inspire curiosity.
My professional journey began in the entertainment industry, where I worked at Spyglass Entertainment and MGM Studios, gaining invaluable experience in feature film development and production. From there, I transitioned to television, contributing to iconic series like MasterChef and Hell’s Kitchen. These roles gave me firsthand insight into the power of compelling content to bring people together, whether through the drama of competition or the shared love of food.
In my mid-20s, I pivoted just as platforms like YouTube and Facebook video began reshaping the media landscape. This “wild west” era of digital content opened an exciting chapter in my career, allowing me to create timely, innovative, and audience-driven work. At POPSUGAR Studios, I produced and directed a wide range of lifestyle content that resonated with diverse audiences. At Tastemade, I combined my love of food and travel with creative production to launch captivating branded campaigns. These experiences laid the foundation for what I do today: blending creativity and audience engagement to create content that feels both relatable and extraordinary.
Currently, as the Vice President of Content at REACT Media (REACT, People vs. Food, Bullseye), I lead incredibly talented teams in producing content that’s engaging, nostalgic, and often hilariously unexpected, reaching millions of viewers worldwide. Whether we’re challenging participants with unusual foods or capturing heartfelt reactions to trending topics, the goal is always to create shared experiences that people love to watch and talk about. I also take pride in fostering meaningful connections within our team and with our audience.
On a more personal level, my husband Kale and I poured ourselves into The Fernweh House (thefernweh.house), an Airbnb retreat in Wisconsin. This modern, Scandinavian-inspired riverside property was designed to bring people closer to nature and each other. With serene views of the Oconto River, an infrared sauna, and thoughtfully curated spaces, the home invites moments of relaxation and connection. To us, The Fernweh House is more than a place to stay—it’s a space where guests can create memories and recharge, away from the noise of daily life.
What excites me most about my work is the endless opportunity to innovate and grow. From my early days in film development to creating digital content and now venturing into hospitality, the common thread is a drive to bring people together through shared experiences. I’m focused on finding new ways to connect with audiences, experiment with fresh ideas, and celebrate creativity. At the same time, I’m exploring how I can build community and joy into physical spaces like The Fernweh House and future projects that blend hospitality and creativity.
Ultimately, everything I do—whether it’s leading a production team, hosting a show, or creating a sanctuary for others—is driven by a simple mission: to spark joy, foster connection, and inspire others to embrace new experiences. That’s what fuels me as a creative, a leader, and a host—and it’s what I’m excited to continue building in the future.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
1. Surround Yourself with People Who Challenge You to Learn and Grow
One of the best decisions I’ve made is seeking out and surrounding myself with people who inspire me, challenge me, and push me to think differently. Whether it’s a colleague with a completely different skill set or a mentor with years of wisdom, being around people who bring something new to the table has been invaluable. Growth doesn’t happen in isolation and it most certainly doesn’t help by surrounding yourself with yes men or clones—it thrives in environments where you’re constantly exposed to fresh ideas and constructive feedback.
My advice? Be intentional about the company you keep. Seek out mentors, collaborators, and even competitors who inspire you to be better. Don’t shy away from working with people who know more than you or challenge your perspective—it’s often in those moments that you learn the most. And remember, growth is a two-way street; offer your unique strengths and insights in return.
2. Face Your Fears Head-On
Don’t let fear be what stops you from going after what you truly want. Some of the most pivotal moments in my life have come from confronting fears—whether it was joining Mock Trial in high school to tackle public speaking anxiety, diving into digital media during its early, uncharted days, or navigating career pivots. Each time, I learned that fear is rarely as overwhelming as it seems, and the confidence you gain from facing it is immeasurable.
Start small but be consistent in confronting your fears. Whether it’s speaking up in a meeting or trying something new outside your comfort zone, take that first step. Acknowledge the fear, but don’t let it control you. Over time, you’ll realize that the act of facing your fears is more transformative than the outcome itself.
I met a guy back in the day who was doing a yearlong challenge called “Scare Yourself Daily” and he was blogging his experiences of confronting some new fear every single day. He was about a third of the way through his year and he shared with me that the anxiety of starting this was so much worse than how it felt mid-way through the project. Along the way he met so many new friends, found a whole world of new activities he now loves, and more importantly he was completely transformed by the end of his journey for the better.
3. Search for Silver Linings
And finally, it’s for sure a cliché but one that when embraced can do wonders for your outlook. There have been countless times that life didn’t go the way I hoped, but one of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is to look for the silver linings—what went right, what I can take away, and how I can move forward. This mindset has allowed me to approach challenges with resilience and optimism, transforming obstacles into opportunities.
If you approach all situations with an open mind and seek out the good, most of the time you’ll find it. Starting with that spark of positivity actually creates more positivity along the way. Optimism isn’t about ignoring reality—it’s about choosing to focus on what’s still possible and finding ways to make the best of it. This shift in perspective can make even the toughest setbacks feel manageable.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
Collaboration has always been a driving force in my work, and I’m constantly seeking opportunities to team up with passionate, creative individuals and brands. I’m particularly interested in working with content creators who are excited to build projects together—whether that’s developing new video formats, tackling bold creative challenges, or creating something entirely unique. I’m also eager to partner with brands, especially in the lifestyle, hospitality, and travel industries, to help them extend their reach and connect with audiences in fresh, meaningful ways. From digital campaigns to experiential collaborations, I love finding innovative ways to bring a brand’s story to life.
Additionally, I’m always on the lookout for emerging talent with charisma, comedic timing, and the ability to captivate audiences. If you’ve ever dreamed of being part of REACT or know someone who would shine in front of the camera, we’re always excited to welcome new faces to audition and join our incredible roster of talent.
If you’re a creator, brand, or aspiring talent and this resonates with you, I’d love to connect! Feel free to reach out via my LinkedIn profile, and you can audition for REACT by following the link on our instagram account @reactmedia. Let’s create something amazing together!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thefernweh.house/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolemiizuka/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicolemiizuka/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoleiizuka/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHEf6T_gVq4tlW5i91ESiWg
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