Betsey Johnson joined us on a special bonus episode of Skimm’d from The Couch. She first took the fashion industry by storm in the 1960s and became famous for her instantly recognizable designs. And for her cartwheels down the runway. Her new memoir, “Betsey”, is on sale now and gives readers an inside look at the woman behind the iconic label. And PS: she can still do a cartwheel and a split at age 77. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 03, 2020•18 min
Judy Smith is the real-life Olivia Pope. Her life and career in crisis management inspired the making of ABC’s hit TV show “Scandal.” And Judy’s real-life clients include some of the most famous celebs, politicians, and Fortune 500 companies in the world. This week, she sat down with us to talk about how she tells it like it is. Even to some of the world’s most powerful people. In this episode, Judy shares how she started organizing press conferences at age 11 (4:00), why she’s always taken risk...
Jul 29, 2020•37 min
Tina Tchen is challenging companies to build better workplaces. As the CEO of Time’s Up, she’s focused on equality in the office. As a lawyer by trade, Tina has also been a political aide as chief of staff to former First Lady Michelle Obama, and the executive director for the White House Council on Women and Girls. She sat down with us this week to talk about how she creates impact at scale- and what it’s like to manage up when your boss is the First Lady. In this episode, Tina shares how she g...
Jul 22, 2020•41 min
Welcome to a special bonus episode where we’re talking about one of our favorite topics: money. Claire Wasserman is the founder of Ladies Get Paid and host of John Hancock’s new podcast, “Friends Who Talk About Money.” This week, she sat down with us to talk about how she negotiates, the money myths she wants to dispel for women, and why you really need to start talking about money with your friends. Even if it’s awkward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 16, 2020•17 min
Teresa Carlson has closed negotiations around the world. As the head of the worldwide public sector for Amazon Web Services, she convinces government and nonprofit clients to commit to a major technology upgrade. This week, she told us how every no can be turned into a yes. And her surprising pro tip for negotiating at work? Write your own job description. We’ll explain. In this episode, Teresa shares why she actually switched her career from speech pathology to technology (3:50), how she deals ...
Jul 15, 2020•34 min
Norah O’Donnell is the most-watched woman in news in the country. She is the anchor and managing editor of the 'CBS Evening News', making her the third woman ever to solo anchor a network evening broadcast. As she approaches her 1 year anniversary in the anchor chair, Norah sat down with us to talk us through the secret to her success. Think: a lot of preparation. And six newspapers a day. In this episode, Norah shares how she made a name for herself in large companies (4:30), her strategies for...
Jul 08, 2020•26 min
We all have questions about money. And Carmen Rita Wong had the answers for us on this week’s episode. She’s an author, personal finance expert, and the former host and co-creator of CNBC's On The Money, and has advised women around the country on how to take control over their finances. And in a total full circle moment, Carmen was also Carly’s first boss. In this episode, Carmen shares how she’s used her inner strength to break down boundaries (8:18), why women need to ask themselves tough que...
Jul 01, 2020•40 min
Julie Greenwald is a powerhouse in the music industry. She started out in the business as an assistant in 1992, and worked her way up to help build Def Jam Records. Now, she’s the chairman and COO of Atlantic Records. And she’s helped advance the careers of some artists you may be familiar with. Think: Bruno Mars, Kelly Clarkson, and Ed Sheeran... to name a few. In this episode, Julie shares why her work ethic set her apart (12:24), how she changed the culture at Atlantic Records (18:57), and he...
Jun 29, 2020•38 min
Tiffany R. Warren realized her calling early in life. She is the SVP, Chief Diversity Officer for Omnicom, one of the largest advertising and marketing networks in the world. She’s also the founder and president of ADCOLOR, an organization that champions and advocates for diversity in the creative and tech industries. But her work changing corporate culture actually began when she was a toddler. In this episode, Tiffany shares how her childhood set the tone for her career (6:54), how she navigat...
Jun 24, 2020•46 min
Padma Lakshmi has our dream job. She’s the host and executive producer of “Top Chef” and the upcoming series “Taste The Nation.” And her career has taken her all over the world to try the best food. But it’s also thrown her a few curveballs. Padma sat down with us this week to tell us how she became a serious player in the culinary world, and why her activism fuels her work. In this episode, Padma shares how she overcame imposter syndrome (13:30), why she’s a committed mentor (15:56), and how sh...
Jun 17, 2020•37 min
This episode was recorded on May 28, 2020. Loni Love brings effortless personality, confidence, and honesty to TV screens daily as the co-host of The Real. And the secret to her success: perseverance. Because her journey has taken many twists. She sat down with us to share how she's found her voice, onstage and off. You’ll also want to pre-order her new book, I Tried To Change So You Don’t Have To, at lonilovebook.com. In this episode, Loni shares how she learned perseverance from a young age (3...
Jun 10, 2020•32 min
Ariane Goldman is no stranger to taking risks. She climbed the corporate ladder for years before quitting to dive into fashion. She started HATCH, a company creating style solutions for pregnant women. And it’s now changing the conversation about maternity. But she founded the brand when no one was paying attention to the category. This week, she told us why she risked it to be the first mover in a new space. In this episode, Ariane shares her philosophy of leading with “human first” during the ...
May 27, 2020•32 min
Lindsay Peoples Wagner is the youngest editor-in-chief of a Condé Nast publication. She’s also the only Black female editor-in-chief of a major US fashion magazine. She sat down with us this week to talk about how hard work really does pay off. And about the changes she wants to make in the fashion industry now that she’s at the helm of Teen Vogue. In this episode, Lindsay shares how she leads with empathy (5:53), why she won’t stay complacent (22:36), and what the role of a mentor should be (23...
May 20, 2020•34 min
Jennifer Justice is an expert negotiator. As an entertainment attorney (for Jay-Z) and now as the CEO and founder of The Justice Department, she’s a pro at getting people what they deserve. Tune in for her best negotiation tips, and the number one mistake she thinks people make. Hint: don’t go in with your best offer. In this episode, Jennifer shares how she overcame her imposter syndrome (6:22), why she quit her job with no plan as a single mom of two-year-old kids (15:58), and how you can be y...
May 13, 2020•36 min
Welcome to a special bonus episode of Skimm’d from the Couch with a focus on small businesses. We’re talking to small business founder and CEO Kaylin Marcotte, who turned her nightly routine of puzzling into a business, JIGGY. And she was also employee number one at theSkimm. In this episode, Kaylin tells us how she turned her idea from a hobby into a business, what it’s like to become the boss, and why it’s important to prioritize your time as a first-time founder. Learn more about your ad choi...
May 07, 2020•17 min
Whether you’ve seen her as Donna on That ‘70s Show or as Alex on Orange Is The New Black, chances are Laura Prepon has been on your radar for years. But becoming a famous actress and director took serious hustle and determination. Laura sat down with us this week to talk about where that hustle comes from, and how she taps into her inner strength when she faces a setback. In this episode, Laura shares why she pushed herself to learn to direct (11:59), how she handles being told to “stay in her l...
May 06, 2020•37 min
Right now, it’s hard to think about what will happen next week, let alone next year. Enter Adriana Cisneros, the CEO of Cisneros, who told us she’s always thinking 50 years into the future. At a minimum. This week, she sat down with us to talk about why thinking (really) big picture is integral to her leadership style, especially in times of change. In this episode, Adriana shares what it’s like to balance personal and professional relationships in a family business (12:03), how she thinks about...
Apr 22, 2020•33 min
Ratana Stephens has always been fiercely loyal to her instincts and her employees. This week, she walked us through how she and her husband built Nature’s Path from a local food favorite into a global enterprise. And why investing in her employees has been the key to creating a sustainable business. In this episode, Ratana shares how she brings empathy into the workplace (5:48), why common sense should not be overlooked (10:54), and what it’s really like to start a business with your spouse (19:...
Apr 15, 2020•24 min
Meg Whitman is a three-time tech CEO (think: she’s been in charge of eBay, HP, and now, Quibi). So she’s had experience leading a team through times of crisis before. This week, she told us how her past experiences have made her a “situational” leader. And how she’s applying those lessons to launching a new business during COVID-19. In this episode, Meg shares how she’s being there for her employees as they all WFH (8:56), why you need to ask questions to get ahead (10:13), and what it’s like to...
Apr 08, 2020•36 min
As one of the most prominent tech executives in the world, Sheryl Sandberg’s professional and personal experiences have taught her how to be resilient. Even in the most difficult circumstances. This week, she sat down with us to talk about navigating the uncertainty of COVID-19, and how to have perspective even when it feels overwhelming. In this episode, Sheryl shares how to rally a team through hard times (10:39), her advice for building resilience at work and at home (14:15), and why it’s imp...
Apr 01, 2020•31 min
What happens when we actually listen to our gut? Bestselling author and activist Glennon Doyle is no stranger to having deeply honest conversations with herself. And she sat down with Danielle this week to talk about her newest memoir, Untamed. She told us what happened when she freed herself of expectations others had for her. And how her life changed when she listened to her own inner voice. Plus, hear from surprise guests including Glennon’s sister, Amanda, and her wife (and Olympian) Abby Wa...
Mar 25, 2020•50 min
Annie Lawless is the founder of not one - but two - successful businesses. She started her career as the co-founder of Suja Juice, one of the largest organic juice companies in the country. Now, she’s building a clean makeup empire with Lawless Beauty. Annie has become an expert in two different industries, and she gave us her tips on how to break into a new field. In this episode, Annie shares how she turns her anxiety into productivity (15:03), why you don’t need a business plan to start a bus...
Mar 18, 2020•30 min
Karlie Kloss is one of the most famous supermodels in the world. And she’s also an entrepreneur. She is the founder of Kode with Klossy, a free coding boot camp for girls across America. This week she joined us on the couch to discuss how her own curiosity drives every aspect of her career, from being a runway model to a role model. In this episode, Karlie shares how she overcame imposter syndrome (17:22), why her definition of mentorship has changed (25:40), and her tips for avoiding burnout (2...
Mar 11, 2020•35 min
Note to self: always bring a gavel to future meetings. Lydia Fenet always has one in her purse. She’s the Global Director for Strategic Partnerships at Christie’s, and the company’s lead benefit auctioneer. Even if you can’t carry a gavel around, she sat down with us to tell us how to apply our own “strike method” and command a room. In this episode, Lydia shares how to start networking, even when you don’t know anyone in your industry (7:29), how she collects herself before a big negotiation (2...
Mar 04, 2020•35 min
This week, we sat down with someone who knows a thing or two about making tough career decisions. As a career journalist, Gretchen Carlson has also become an advocate for equality and dignity in the workplace after she sued the former Fox News chairman, Roger Ailes, in 2016. Her bombshell lawsuit ignited national conversations about sexual harassment and has inspired her advocacy work. Most recently, she’s been fighting the use of mandatory NDAs through her new organization, Lift Our Voices. In ...
Feb 26, 2020•36 min
We feel like we know Lauren “Lo” Bosworth because we watched her grow up on television. But in the decade that’s passed since The Hills, she has also made a name for herself as an entrepreneur. She is the founder and CEO of Love Wellness, a company that makes clean personal-care products for women. And she’s got a lot of advice about how to make decisions and pivot your career. In this episode, Lo shares why she exercises caution on social media (8:32), how her health struggles inspired her to s...
Feb 19, 2020•35 min
Erica Williams Simon is a writer, host, and the CEO of Sage House media. Her new book reveals how she re-wrote her life story and shares how you can do the same. She walked us through how she makes tough decisions, starting with how she quit a perfect-on-paper job and moved across the country. In this episode, Erica shares how she learned to ask meaningful questions (4:12), how to manage the financial risk of leaving a job (14:47), and the art of crafting your story (20:02). Learn more about you...
Feb 12, 2020•35 min
If the phrase ‘mat talk’ means nothing to you, it’s time to watch Cheer on Netflix. This week, we sat down with the fearless leader of Navarro College Cheerleading, Coach Monica aka the Queen. She’s one of the most successful college coaches, with 14 national championships under her belt. And we want her to run our lives. In this episode, Monica shares how she holds her athletes accountable (12:42), why she applies her business background to coaching (18:40), and the latest on a potential season...
Feb 05, 2020•34 min
If you’re looking for some dinner inspiration, look no further than Food52. And this week, we sat down with its co-founder and CEO, Amanda Hesser. She’s had some of our dream jobs, including apprenticing in kitchens across Europe and writing about food for The New York Times. In this episode, she reveals how she turned her passion for cooking and writing into a company. Episode highlights: Amanda shares how she learned to trust her gut (8:57), why she struggled in corporate environments (11:34),...
Jan 29, 2020•28 min
Growing up in Islamabad, Shiza Shahid became interested in activism. And that interest propelled her to start the global nonprofit, the Malala Fund. Eight years (and Malala's Nobel Peace Prize) later, Shiza continues to make an impact through her angel fund and her line of sustainable cookware, Our Place. In this episode, Shiza shares why she created a secret summer camp for girls in Pakistan (11:17), her reaction when Malala won the Nobel Peace Prize (16:44), and her advice for employees lookin...
Jan 22, 2020•38 min
