Lauren Cohen/Kwiatek’s Stories, Lessons & Insights

We recently had the chance to connect with Lauren Cohen/Kwiatek and have shared our conversation below.

Good morning Lauren, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Something outside of work that brings me joy is my family. I became a dog mom in 2020 to Pixel, but in 2024, everything changed when I became a human mom and gave birth to a child. Layla came into our lives and brought with her a kind of joy I didn’t know was possible.

There’s a narrative so many women are taught — that you have to choose between building a family or pursuing a career. I’m incredibly grateful to say: I get to have both. And not just one career, but two. All of which wouldn’t be possible without the unwavering partnership of my husband. We split the household responsibilities, the bills, the parenting, and the chaos of life with a toddler and a dog. We are a true team.

I tear up just thinking about being Layla’s mom. How in the world did I get so incredibly lucky to have such a remarkable person as my daughter? She’s truly one of a kind. Her light is undeniable, and is so bright that it radiates to everyone around her. People often ask if her constant smile is just good timing in photos, but then they meet her and see: that joy is real. That smile is just who she is. And it’s beautifully contagious.

My daughter is strong, brave, curious, silly, smart, kind, and endlessly adventurous. And I, alongside my husband, get the honor of raising her. We get a front-row seat to her growth, her wonder, and her dreams. Watching the world through her eyes is the greatest gift, and being her mom is the most extraordinary privilege.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a creative-led, data-driven leader and strategic disruptor operating at the intersection of Creative Direction, Talent Branding, Social Media Strategy, the art of motherhood, and uniquely Close-Up Magic.

In my full-time role as Social Media and Creative Design Manager at a Fortune 500 company, I lead the creative vision for our employer and talent brand. Rather than marketing products, I tell compelling, human-centered stories that position the organization as a destination for top talent. My role is both deeply cross-functional and full-cycle: I manage the entire creative process in Employer Brand from concept to completion, overseeing organic social strategy for LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok, developing ad campaigns, and supporting broader initiatives. I translate complex objectives into clear, actionable creative strategies, manage projects within scope and budget, and ensure consistency in voice, tone, and visual identity across all platforms. I collaborate closely with various stakeholders, where I build bridges across teams to ensure cohesive, effective storytelling at scale.

Outside of the corporate world, I’m also a professional close-up magician, performing both strolling and formal shows for corporate events, private gatherings, and intimate audiences.

What captivates me about close-up magic is its intimacy and spontaneity. Every performance is a conversation, a shared experience of wonder that is never the same twice. Using everyday objects like cards, coins, and borrowed items, I create moments that disrupt expectations and invite wonder. My style is rooted in connection, authenticity, and collaboration; I don’t perform at people, I create experiences with them. It’s not about being the center of attention; it’s about holding space for others to feel surprise, joy, wonder, and curiosity.

Whether I’m designing creative strategy or performing magic, my mission is the same: spark connection, challenge perception, and leave people with something real, and unforgettable.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I was creative, resourceful, sensitive, curious, and silly. I marched to the beat of my own drum. If I found myself at someone’s house with nothing to do, I was the kid who would spend hours making up treasure hunts, relay races, and board games. When the pilot announced on the loudspeaker that it was whale season, and the first person to spot a whale would win a prize, I was the four-year-old who drew a whale on a vomit bag just to be the first to say, “I saw it!” After all, the pilot never said it had to be a real whale. I was the five-year-old winning coloring contests and entering Oreo stacking challenges at the grocery store, only to walk away with an Oreo bubble watch as my grand prize.

At the end of 5th grade, my teacher handed out “Most Likely To” awards. Mine read: “Most likely to build a house out of colorful clay and live in it.” None of my classmates guessed it was me, but in that moment, I felt truly seen by my teacher, a small, yet significant reminder that, even then, someone saw me for me.

But growing up, I was bullied. I was told I should be interested in the things other kids liked, reading the same magazines, listening to the same music. Even though I was born to stand out, I was told to blend in. It’s common for kids to struggle with their identity, but I look back and realize how much of my sense of self I lost in those years. I wasn’t celebrated for being me. Instead, I was constantly reminded that who I was was not who I was supposed to be. I tried hard to fit in, but it never worked. I felt uncomfortable in my own skin, and others could tell. I was constantly exhausted from pretending to be someone I wasn’t.

It took until college at Western Washington University when I realized that I could just be myself and there would be people who liked me… for me. And I remember so vividly the exact moment when that clicked. Growing up in Los Angeles, labels mattered. In high school, I’d often go to second-hand stores to buy designer jeans, and one night, freshman year of college, I was wearing my “True Religion” jeans, and someone complimented them. I responded casually, “Thanks, they’re True Religions.” The person looked confused and asked, “True what?” In that instant, I realized something profound: what I wore didn’t matter. I could wear anything, and people would be drawn to me because of who I was, not the superficial elements.

Getting back into magic as an adult was a game-changer. I found my tribe, people who accepted me for who I was, quirks and all. I could share my terrible puns, talk about my mental health struggles, and express my interests freely. And the best part? We connected deeply, finding common ground in ways I’d never expected. Now, as an adult, I can proudly say I’ve returned to be the same creative, sensitive, curious, and silly person I was as a kid… before the world tried to tell me who I should be.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
It gets better. There are over 8 billion people on this planet, and somewhere out there, you’ll find your people. The ones who see you for who you truly are, the ones who click with your unique energy and spirit. You’ll connect with people who not only accept you, but celebrate you, and your quirks, your passions, and your authenticity. And when you find those connections, you’ll realize that the validation you sought for so long doesn’t come from trying to fit in, but rather it comes from embracing who you are.

You’ll get to pursue what truly brings you joy, not just what others expect of you. The dreams you’ve tirelessly worked toward and envisioned will finally come to life. And as you grow, so will your aspirations, becoming bolder, more ambitious, and even grander than you ever imagined.

More than anything, you’ll be surrounded by the people who truly matter, those who cheer you on, lift you up, and love you for the person you are. You’ll feel seen, heard, and valued in ways you never thought possible.

And here’s the most powerful part: you’ll get to pave your own way, not just for yourself, but for your family, too. You’ll show them that being true to who you are is the most important thing you can do. You’ll set the example of what it means to live authentically, to chase your passions, and to create a life that reflects your values. You’ll celebrate the people in your life for who they are, and will often say, “Thank you for being you.”

So, keep going. It may not always be easy, but the future you’re building will be so much brighter and happier.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What do you believe is true but cannot prove?
Magic is real. Magic isn’t something that you can touch or explain. People often label the things they don’t understand as magic, and while I’m not talking about magic in the literal sense, I’m referring to something deeper: non-literal magic. Those moments, experiences, and phenomena that spark awe, wonder, and unexpected beauty – things that transcend logic and defy explanation.

I’m talking about those moments that take your breath away, when the universe seems to align in ways you can’t quite describe. Like when you meet someone for the first time and instantly feel that undeniable connection, knowing you are meant to be in each other’s lives for a reason, a season, or forever. Or feeling the electric energy in a room, where everything falls perfectly into place.

I’m talking about the serendipitous moments that feel too perfectly timed to be mere chance, like bumping into someone in the exact place you needed them, or finding a solution to a problem you never even realized you had. Or the way a sunset, a song, a painting, or even an unexpected encounter can stir something inside you, revealing parts of yourself you didn’t know existed.

It’s the creative spark that strikes out of nowhere, at the most unexpected times – in the middle of the night, during a dream, in the shower, during your commute – when everything aligns as if the universe is guiding you.

How can you prove that magic exists in these moments? How do you quantify the feeling of awe that resonates deep within us, when there’s no trickery or supernatural element involved? How do you explain the emotional or spiritual impact that transforms an ordinary experience into something extraordinary? You can’t. Because magic isn’t something you prove. It’s something you feel. It’s the invisible force that makes life worth living; the spark that reminds us that, sometimes, the most powerful things can’t be explained, only experienced. And thankfully, you don’t need to prove something to believe in it.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When I’m gone, I hope to be remembered as someone who always strived to leave the world better than I found it. I hope my actions and presence made a lasting, positive impact, on people, on places, and on the moments I touched. I want to be someone who inspired change, who made others feel seen and valued, and who worked toward making the lives of those around me richer and more meaningful.

And when my loved ones are faced with challenges or tough decisions, I hope they find themselves wondering how I would have approached the problem, just as I often think of those who have passed and reflect on the wisdom they would have shared. I want to leave behind a legacy of thoughtful solutions and a spirit of curiosity, creativity, and kindness that continues to guide them long after I’m gone.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.MagicLauren.com and www.LaurenKwiatek.com
• Instagram: @explauren_life
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/magiclauren/

 

Image Credits
Daniel Severino, Martina Albertazzi, Ann Ferguson