Second Life

Robin Berzin, MD, has become a modern voice in healthcare and wellness by creating Parsley Health. Its mission is to bring accessible, functional medicine to the masses, mixing Eastern and Western medical philosophies. Today, Parsley Health is the nation’s largest holistic medical service available nationwide via its telehealth offerings, plus in-person care centers in NY and L.A. On this episode of Second Life, find out how Berzin’s past careers—from paralegal to producer at Oprah’s Harpo Productions to co-founder of a healthcare communication platform to yoga healer—led her to reimagine health and wellness for everyone.

Brandon Maxwell is a creative force in the fashion industry. In 2015, after making a name for himself as a celebrity stylist and the fashion director for Lady Gaga, he became a celebrated designer with the launch of his eponymous line of luxury women’s ready-to-wear, worn by everyone from Meghan Markle to Jane Fonda to Oprah. Now, he’s expanding his fashion influence even further in his latest role as the creative director of Walmart’s elevated brands, Free Assembly and Scoop. In this episode, Brandon and Hillary discuss the many facets of Brandon’s creativity, his biggest takeaways from slowing down in 2020, and the perspective he’s bringing to his new role.To shop all of Brandon’s Free Assembly and Scoop picks from this episode, head to: https://www.whowhatwear.com/who-what-wear-podcast-brandon-maxwell

Known for her editorial eye and unique perspective, Aya Kanai has become a force in the fashion industry over the last 20 years. Kanai has held esteemed positions at notable publications, including Teen Vogue, Nylon, Cosmopolitan, and Amazon’s Shopbop.com, and eventually became the editor in chief of the U.S. edition of Marie Claire magazine. Today, Kanai is the head of content and editorial partnerships at one of the world’s largest visual-discovery and creator platforms, Pinterest. On this episode of Second Life, find out how Kanai went from working as a puppeteer to climbing the media ladder to ultimately manifesting her creative role at Pinterest, where she continues to share her voice and inspired style.

In the third episode of Who What Wear With Hillary Kerr, Hillary speaks with the stylist, fashion adviser, and image strategist, Meredith Koop, about her decade-long relationship styling Michelle Obama. Meredith takes us through her creative process of using fashion as a tool for storytelling—from the White House to the Becoming book tour to the 2021 Presidential Inauguration and beyond. Hear why she doesn't believe in fashion rules, the importance of a good zipper, and everything she plans to do next in her career. Then, Hillary is joined by her Who What Wear co-founder, Katherine Power, to talk through everything that went into creating Katherine’s fourth brand, the game-changing, clean, minimalist makeup line, Merit. 

Athena Calderone is a modern multidisciplinary creative—from interior designer and tastemaker to author and lifestyle expert—inspiring people to connect with thoughtfully designed spaces and culinary delights through her website EyeSwoon. She has also written two books, the James Beard Award–winning Cook Beautiful and best-selling Live Beautiful, and hosts the More Than One Thing podcast. But before Calderone was inspiring her community of over 600K to live and cook beautifully, she tried her hand at many other creative pursuits, including dancing, method acting, and modeling. On this episode of Second Life, hear about her circuitous route to uncovering her vocation at the intersection of food and design.

Our Spring Issue has arrived, and our cover star is four-time Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Phoebe Bridgers! Hillary and Phoebe discuss how aesthetics play a role in the musician’s persona and art. Phoebe shares her favorite products and brands, explains why she loves couture, pajamas, and bleaching her hair, and reveals how heavy that custom Gucci pearl rib cage she wore on SNL really was. Then, Who What Wear Editor in Chief Kat Collings gives us a deep dive into what else you can expect from this year’s Spring Issue, including a breakdown of our coveted trend report.

JJ Martin, the creative force and founder behind iconic Italian lifestyle brand La DoubleJ, has built a brand that exuberates her playful, bold energy and maximalist design eye. After spending 17 years as a journalist at notable international publications like Harper's Bazaar and WSJ, Martin decided to start her own brand, selling her curated vintage clothing collection. Today, Martin has evolved La DoubleJ beyond a fashion brand and into a lifestyle brand featuring mood-boosting home goods, accessories, and beauty products. On this episode of Second Life, find out how Martin tapped into her extensive global network and her creative strengths to manifest a brand that not only empowers people to be bold but that also embodies her soul.

Welcome to our new show, Who What Wear With Hillary Kerr! In our very first episode, Hillary sits down with two visionaries in fashion. First up is Law Roach, the image architect, a costume designer, and a judge on HBO Max’s Legendary. Law talks about his work for Zendaya—who he’s been styling since she was 14—Celine Dion’s fashion transformation of 2016, and his best tips for buying vintage. Then, designer Sergio Hudson takes us behind the scenes of his creative process in dressing women like Michelle Obama and Vice President Kamala Harris, who both wore his designs at the 2021 presidential inauguration. Plus, his best advice for creating the perfect ’fit and his thoughts on how the pandemic has forever changed the fashion industry. Head over to the Who What Wear With Hillary Kerr podcast page to subscribe now!

Dr. Deepika Chopra is one of a kind. Known as the Optimism Doctor, she is a visual imagery and media expert and the founder of Thing Are Looking Up. Chopra’s unique specialization and perspective fuses holistic practices with science-backed, “evidence-based manifestations” to help people cultivate their own sense of lasting happiness, resiliency, and success. On this episode of Second Life, find out how Chopra's many career paths—from interning at a punk music label to investment banking—helped her manifest a career in empowering others to unlock their ultimate potential, inner optimism, and self-worth. 

Julia Turshen, a best-selling cookbook author, reputable food writer, food advocate and founder of Equity at the Table, and podcast host, is defining what it means to be a modern, authentic author and food extraordinaire. Turshen has written three renowned cookbooks, winning prestigious awards like The New York Times best seller, Eater’s Best Cookbook of the Year, and Amazon’s Best Cookbook. Now, she’s releasing a fourth cookbook, Simply Julia, on March 2, highlighting her unique perspective on healthy comfort foods. On this episode of Second Life, find out how Turshen’s past life as a private chef influenced her voice and perspective and ultimately enabled her to fuse her passions of food and writing to create a beloved career.

If you’re familiar with astrology, chances are you have come across the exceptionally talented astrologer and New York Times best-selling author Chani Nicholas. Nicholas has dedicated the last 20 years to guiding people to live their life’s purpose through understanding astrology beyond their birth chart reading. Her brand has evolved into various platforms, including her website, Chani app, and book, You Were Born for This: Astrology for Radical-Self Acceptance,  where she connects astrology with current events, activism, social responsibility, and self-healing. On this episode of Second Life, find out how Nicholas was able to turn her passion into a career after holding multiple different jobs—from yoga therapist to bartender—and how she continues to learn and heal from astrology.

Grace Mahary is a woman of many accolades: international model, activist, and certified sommelier—to name a few. Mahary has become a familiar face on iconic designer runways, including Givenchy as an exclusive her first fashion week, Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton, and more. Through her vast travels as a model, Mahary witnessed firsthand the many communities experiencing energy poverty. Thus, she founded Project Tsehigh with the mission to provide sustainable and renewable solutions. In 2019, Mahary took a break from the runways to add yet another facet to her career when she became a certified sommelier and eventually a restaurateur. On this episode of Second Life, find out how Mahary continuously evolves her multi-hyphenate career and works to level out the playing field across every industry she touches.

New York Pilates Founder and Owner Heather Andersen knows a thing or two about a pivot. After injuries sustained as a professional dancer led her to the practice of Pilates, she became enthralled with the beneficial effects she saw in her own body. Soon, she became a full-time instructor, and she eventually saved enough to open a studio of her own. From one studio to six locations, building a cult-like following along the way, New York Pilates became one of the buzziest fitness studios in New York. But when the pandemic hit, Andersen was forced to pivot yet again. On this week’s episode of Second Life, hear how she’s built out her digital studio, widening the brand’s footprint and reaching a global audience—plus her best advice for entrepreneurs looking to get their own business off the ground.

In 2015, Rachel Drori saw a gap in the health and food industry and seized the moment to create something new that would change the way Americans ate daily. Drori founded Daily Harvest, a brand dedicated to making organic, healthy foods accessible and convenient—no matter your hectic work schedule. Since its launch, the brand has grown its offerings into 75 items across nine collections available nationwide that are prepackaged in 100% compostable and recyclable packaging and delivered directly onto your doorstep. On this episode of Second Life, find out how Drori used her past career in marketing at major companies such as Gilt Groupe and American Express to propel herself forward and build a brand that is making a difference.

Lilly Singh has proven to be a woman who can truly do it all—from being a comic and YouTube sensation with over 15 million subscribers to becoming a NYT best-selling author and actor. It’s no surprise she’s landed on lists like TIME’s Most Influential People on the Internet and Fast Company’s Most Creative People. In Singh’s latest role, she’s both center stage and behind the scenes as TV host and executive producer of NBC’s A Little Late with Lilly Singh, making her the only female currently on late-night television. On this episode of Second Life, find out how Singh went from studying psychology to finding happiness through content creation and letting go of her “plan B.”

Dr. Barbara Sturm, renowned aesthetics doctor, entrepreneur, and beauty innovator, completely transformed the beauty industry through her unique approach to science-backed skincare. In 2014, she launched her eponymous skincare brand, Dr. Barbara Sturm Molecular Cosmetics, which includes a diverse range of products sold in major retailers around the world and most importantly celebrates all skin types. On this episode of Second Life, find out how Dr. Sturm used a medical background in orthopedics as a basis for her skincare philosophy—one that’s garnered a cult-like following and made her one of the most sought-after beauty professionals in the world.

Kim Malek, the CEO and co-founder of iconic ice-cream brand Salt & Straw, has completely modernized the ice-cream industry by creating a brand whose ethos goes beyond the delicious dessert. Malek has built an unparalleled brand through a unique business strategy focused on building a community, supporting local artisans and farmers, and continually creating custom, one-of-a-kind ice-cream flavors. On this episode of Second Life, find out how Malek merged her past marketing careers at notable brands like Starbucks and Yahoo! to catapult her dream of starting an ice-cream business into a reality.

Elaine Welteroth is one of the most inspiring women in the media industry. She was named the youngest EIC at the helm of a major Condé Nast publication before becoming a New York Times best-selling author, award-winning journalist, producer, and television host. Welteroth is also a powerful voice in the movement of change, as she was recently appointed Cultural Ambassador for Michelle Obama’s When We All Vote campaign and now hosts a new podcast Built to Last, which amplifies the stories of Black founders, past and present. On this episode of Second Life, find out how Welteroth continually evolves her career while remaining grounded in who she is.

June Ambrose is one of fashion’s most influential stylists, costumer designers, and image architects and is now the creative director of Puma. Through her extensive years of experience, Ambrose has established a name for herself styling and creating custom pieces for notable clientele, including Jay-Z, Will Smith, Missy Elliott, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Alicia Keys, Lizzo, and more. Therefore, it may come as a surprise that Ambrose began her career at an investment banking firm. On this episode of Second Life, find out how Ambrose made a drastic career pivot, how she managed to get her foot in the door in the music and fashion industries to ultimately define culture through fashion, and everything she learned along the way.

World-class tennis champion Maria Sharapova is an absolute powerhouse. At a young age, Sharapova achieved the unthinkable: At age 17, she won Wimbledon, which was just the start of her tennis career. She went on to win five career Grand Slam titles, became the seventh female player in the Open era to complete the career Grand Slam, and was the first-ever female athlete to serve as the Russian delegation’s Olympic flag bearer. In February of this year, Sharapova announced her retirement, but her success doesn’t end on the tennis courts. Sharapova founded Sugarpova, a premium candy brand and strategically advises and invests in like-minded brands like Bala Bangles, Therabody, and Supergoop!. On this episode of Second Life, find out how Sharapova is evolving her career and using her past experiences to catapult into new business ventures.