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Episode 132: Creativity, Healing & Building Empowering Communities with Elise Kutt of Mod Bettie
“I knew I wanted to do something creative every day for the rest of my life.” – Elise Kutt
Some conversations hit you right in the heart—and this one with Elise Kutt is exactly that kind of conversation. I’ve been looking forward to this interview for a while, and it was so worth the wait.
Elise is one of the most creative, generous, and insightful entrepreneurs I’ve met. She’s the founder of Mod Bettie, an empowerment portrait studio, and Naughty Bettie, a Grand Rapids-based lingerie boutique. She’s also a speaker, educator, and retreat leader—and in everything she does, she brings authenticity, vulnerability, and the kind of courage that inspires others to show up more fully as themselves.
We first met at a retreat in 2023, and I immediately knew she was someone I wanted to learn more from and share with my community. Her story touches on so many themes I care deeply about: the power of listening to our bodies, how creativity can transform pain into purpose, and what it really takes to build something that serves others and honors ourselves.
🎧 What to Expect in This Episode:
In this deep and wide-ranging conversation, Elise and I talk about:
✨ How an early “failure” led her to photography and the creative life
✨ Falling in love with herself through self-portrait work
✨ The evolution of Mod Bettie from a niche pin-up brand to an inclusive empowerment studio
✨ Why she opened a lingerie boutique—and the problem it solved for her clients
✨ The ways photography can support (and sometimes harm) the self-love journey
✨ Her pivot into retreat work and what creative flow has taught her about healing
✨ Letting go of a thriving studio after 10 years—and how she knew it was time
✨ Listening to her body’s “no” and following her intuition toward freedom
✨ A spontaneous creative idea during the episode you won’t want to miss!
From Self-Portraits to Self-Love
When Elise first picked up a camera, she didn’t know it would change her life—but she did know she wanted every day to feel creative. Starting with self-portraits in art school, she discovered that the act of photographing herself helped her see and love herself in a new way.
And that became the foundation of her work.
Her studio, Mod Bettie, grew into an empowerment portrait experience like no other—one focused on authenticity, inclusivity, and helping women feel seen and celebrated. Over the past decade, Elise built a thriving business and vibrant community, including #SquadBettie, one of the most supportive online spaces I’ve encountered.
“I Show Up As Myself—And I Want Others to Feel Safe Doing the Same”
Elise doesn’t just take photos—she co-creates transformation. In this episode, she talks honestly about what it takes to truly empower someone through photography. That means slowing down. Creating safety. And even turning away clients when she senses they’re not quite ready for the process.
She’s also deeply thoughtful about harm reduction, especially in the boudoir photography space, where things like weight bias and trauma insensitivity can cause unintended damage. She’s currently developing training materials for trauma-informed photography, in collaboration with mental health professionals.
This level of integrity and intention is just one reason Elise’s work is so powerful.
Listening to Her Body—And Making the Brave Call to Let Go
One of the most powerful moments in our conversation came when Elise talked about letting go of her beloved studio space. After years of building something beautiful and successful, her body started sending clear messages: it was time to slow down, take a sabbatical, and make space for personal healing and creative projects.
With the support of her mentor Kate Block, Elise did something many entrepreneurs are terrified to do—she chose to pause.
And that pause is already leading to new offerings: a self-portrait curriculum, deeper retreat experiences, and her dream of returning to gallery work after a decade of building for others.
Healing Through Creativity, Curiosity, and Play
Elise’s story is a powerful reminder that creativity isn’t just about making beautiful things—it’s about healing, self-discovery, and reclaiming the joy of play. Whether she’s photographing women, dancing around a camera in a Scottish field, or designing her next retreat offering, Elise models what it means to live a life filled with meaning, magic, and heart.
Who is Elise Kutt?
- Multi-passionate entrepreneur, speaker, educator, photographer, boutique owner
- Founder of Mod Bettie, an empowerment portrait studio
- Founder of Naughty Bettie, a Grand Rapids-based lingerie boutique
- Retreat co-host with Wandering Roots (over 20 hosted!)
- Named West Michigan’s Remarkable Woman of the Year in 2023
- Currently on a sabbatical year focused on personal projects, healing, and creative exploration
Connect with Elise:
📸 Website: modbettie.com
👯♀️ Facebook Group: #SquadBettie
📬 Substack: modbettie.substack.com
💌 Instagram: @modbettie
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Disclaimer:
This blog and podcast are for informational and educational purposes only. They do not constitute medical or mental health advice and are not a substitute for professional consultation or treatment.