New transplants Kristen Aldridge and Seth Mattison spark success everywhere they go.
Though Kristen Aldridge and Seth Mattison are stars in their own right—she an Emmy-winning television journalist and he a globe-trotting speaker, consultant and author on workforce trends and business performance—the new Scottsdale transplants recently joined forces. “We have uniquely different skill sets,” Mattison explains, “but we realized we could build something remarkable together by each staying in our own lanes.” What resulted is Luminate, a media platform designed to inspire future leaders and unite insightful superstars.
The first season of Project Luminary With Kristen Aldridge, an original series featuring interviews with pioneers including Drybar’s Alli Webb and Sugarfina’s Rosie O’Neill, can be found there, along with videos from experts like Mattison, who enlightens viewers while sharing expert strategies. Each program inconspicuously sheds light on the couple’s chemistry, professionally and personally.
Not surprisingly, cameras played a big role in their Minnesota-based meet-cute. “I was on my very first TV assignment covering a local restaurant,” she recalls. “I spotted this gorgeous guy, [and] I knew that I had to interview him.” Mattison says he recalls seeing the beautiful brunette approach and “trying to think of the least cheesebally way I can somehow roll up and start a conversation with her.” Aldridge shared her business card, and Mattison’s subsequent contact resulted in a coffee date. Six years ago the couple married and eventually left their Minnesota home for Los Angeles. Yet Mattison says he was “jonesing for a little more room to roam,” so, last year, they, along with their Pomeranian and Samoyed, relocated to Scottsdale. “We call it peace and ease,” Aldridge says of their new life in Arcadia. “I don’t get stressed out [here].”
Occasionally, the couple can be spotted carb-loading at Breakfast Kitchen Bar or burning off their waffle intake spinning at Flywheel Sports and hiking Pinnacle Peak, but, mostly, they can be found hard at work, occasionally in California. Aldridge recently wrapped her second season (set to air in August) and has been busy creating a Lessons From Luminaries podcast and coffee-table book. Mattison says they are also planning Luminate’s first leadership retreat for high performers, set for next summer in Jackson Hole. Expect them to carry the torch for a long time coming.
Photography by: DYLAN + JENI, shot at Hotel Indigo Los Angeles Downtown
