"Hot Smart Rich" podcaster Maggie Sellers Reum received more than a major investment from "The Diary of a CEO" host Steven Bartlett. She also benefited from his thoughtful guidance during their partnership.

Sellers Reum explained that Bartlett assisted her in managing intense feelings of self-doubt by emphasizing how her work supports women in feeling valued and understood in their experiences.

She noted that the backing from Bartlett's media firm FlightStory boosted her standing in business circles. His support encouraged her to pursue bolder moves, including approaching model and actor Molly Sims at a gathering to secure an appearance on the show.

"I'm like, 'Molly Sims, I need you on my show. What would it take for you to please come on?' And she's like, 'You coming up to me.' And then she turned to her publicist, and she's like, 'Book time with her,'" Sellers Reum recalled. "Previous to Steven, I don't know if I would have had the confidence to interrupt her."

FlightStory has adapted elements from Bartlett's "The Diary of a CEO" approach for "Hot Smart Rich," which has broadened Sellers Reum's reach and connections with potential guests.

Sellers Reum recalled the moment Bartlett first contacted her. She was walking through New York's SoHo when a direct message appeared on her phone. The outreach came at a time when she struggled to generate revenue from her podcast.

"It just said something like, 'We're obsessed with what you're doing. My CEO absolutely loves you. And we'd love to chat further if you're interested,'" Sellers Reum said. "And I remember just being like, 'Is this actually really happening?' And I don't play games. I just responded right back, and I was like, 'I would love to chat.'"

Sellers Reum mentioned that finalizing the agreement required roughly four months, with Bartlett maintaining steady communication throughout the process.

"He would be speaking onstage in Singapore, and it would be three in the morning, and he would just pop on the Zoom for five minutes to make sure that I knew that he was involved in this and wanted it to happen," she said. "It was a dream come true."

Sellers Reum acknowledged that it can sting slightly to realize a male figure helped validate her venture. At the same time, she appreciated having someone treat her program as a serious enterprise rather than a casual hobby.

Discussions around ownership and creative authority formed a key part of the negotiations. Sellers Reum insisted on preserving her show's integrity as it expanded. Like other creators under FlightStory, she keeps control over guest selections and brand deals, a role now reflected in her title of editor in chief. She continues as the primary owner.

"I'm not the female Steven," she said. "I have my own identity, and that creative decision-making was really important for me to make sure I was going to be able to keep."