Synopsis
theSkimm's co-founders and co-CEOs, Carly Zakin and Danielle Weisberg, started their company from a couch. Now theyre bringing it back to one, and inviting powerful female leaders to sit down and chat about everything from celebrating career wins to the worst advice they've ever received. Its an inside look at what its really like on the road to success. No BS, no sugarcoating.
Episodes
-
Tiffany R. Warren, SVP, Chief Diversity Officer at Omnicom: “Being a microphone for people who can't be in the room is an honor and a power that I take extremely seriously.”
24/06/2020 Duration: 45minTiffany 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 navigates the personal and professional aspects of her role (22:35), and her recommendations for allies at work (24:49). Stay tuned for a spotlight on Golde, a health and wellness company founded by Trinity Mouzon Wofford. Golde makes products that look good, taste good, and help you feel like your best self. Want to be featured? Submit yourself or a friend here.
-
Padma Lakshmi: “We're not taught to advocate for ourselves at the expense of maybe ruffling some feathers.”
17/06/2020 Duration: 36minPadma 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 she brings her sense of activism into the culinary world (18:13). Stay tuned at the end for a spotlight on Dogdrop, a flexible dog daycare center. Want to be featured? Submit yourself or a friend here. Note: This episode contains mentions of sexual assault that may be triggering for some listeners.
-
Loni Love, comedian and co-host of The Real: “I want people to be inspired.”
10/06/2020 Duration: 32minThis 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 (3:50), why she’s kept a journal throughout her life (5:35), and how to conquer self doubt (17:47). Stay tuned at the end for a spotlight on Jali Creatives, a digital marketing firm founded by Juana Jones. It’s providing free templates and resources to businesses who need it in the wake of COVID-19. Want to be featured? Submit yourself or a friend here.
-
Ariane Goldman, founder and CEO of HATCH: “Fear and ambition together is incredibly powerful.”
27/05/2020 Duration: 32minAriane 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 COVID-19 pandemic (4:20), her advice for turning your side hustle into your main hustle (10:06), and what it was like to start a company with a newborn (18:15). Stay tuned at the end of the episode for a spotlight on Soapply, a company on a mission to get soap in the hands of everyone who needs it right now. Every 8 oz. of Soapply is tied to a $1 donation that helps fund water, sanitation, and hygiene efforts around the globe.
-
Lindsay Peoples Wagner, Editor-in-Chief of Teen Vogue: “Empathy is everything.”
20/05/2020 Duration: 33minLindsay 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 (23:56). Stay tuned at the end for a spotlight on Weezie Towels, the “towel whisperers” redefining how you shop for bath and towel products. Want to be featured? Submit yourself or a friend here.
-
Jennifer Justice, entertainment exec and founder, The Justice Department: “I started seeing that when I advocated for people, it was different than other people doing it.”
13/05/2020 Duration: 35minJennifer 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 your own best advocate (26:38). Stay tuned at the end of the episode for a spotlight on Orenda Tribe, a vintage and upcycled textile business that has pivoted to provide critical aid to Navajo Nation during COVID-19. Want to be featured? Submit yourself or a friend here. This episode was recorded in February 2020, before theSkimm started working from home because of COVID-19.
-
BONUS EPISODE with Kaylin Marcotte, founder and CEO of JIGGY
07/05/2020 Duration: 16minWelcome 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.
-
Laura Prepon, actress and director: “People are going to tell you no. That cannot deter you.”
06/05/2020 Duration: 37minWhether 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 lane” (18:20), and why we need to cut ourselves some slack right now (28:15). Stay tuned at the end to learn about Frame, a female-founded mental wellness platform that makes it easier to connect with therapists - both digitally and in-person (when COVID-19 guidelines allow). Frame’s mission is to change the way people think about therapy. Want to be featured? Submit yourself or a friend here.
-
Adriana Cisneros, CEO of Cisneros: "I think when you have a crisis... it is kind of a unique opportunity to really think about what matters to the core of [a] business and rethink it.”
22/04/2020 Duration: 33minRight 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 restructuring companies (16:43), and why companies need to lead by example during times of instability (26:04).
-
Ratana Stephens, CEO of Nature’s Path: “When it comes to business and people, I'm a lioness.”
15/04/2020 Duration: 24minRatana 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 (19:01).
-
Meg Whitman, CEO of Quibi: “Leadership in crisis is about getting down into the trenches.”
08/04/2020 Duration: 35minMeg 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 launch her newest venture during a global pandemic (29:46).
-
Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook: “Resilience… it’s like a muscle, which means you build it.”
01/04/2020 Duration: 30minAs 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 important to show emotion in the workplace (17:14). Plus, hear her best work from home tips and what TV show she’s binge-watching at home.
-
Glennon Doyle, author: “Untame the companies.”
25/03/2020 Duration: 50minWhat 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 Wambach. In this episode, Glennon shares what she learned about honesty from recovery circles (6:36), why companies should encourage “untamed” meetings (18:16), and what happens when we stop trying to please everyone (33:04).
-
Annie Lawless, founder of Lawless Beauty and co-founder of Suja Juice: “When you take an investment, it's like a marriage.”
18/03/2020 Duration: 29minAnnie 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 business (17:40), and her advice on navigating partnerships (23:03).
-
Karlie Kloss, model and founder, Kode with Klossy: “You have to realize your limits.”
11/03/2020 Duration: 35minKarlie 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 (27:01). For the young women in your life who are interested in learning how to code, Kode with Klossy applications are now live for applicants aged 13-18.
-
Lydia Fenet, auctioneer and Global Director at Christie’s Auction House: “I realized I was making a third of what everyone else was making.”
04/03/2020 Duration: 35minNote 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 (23:40), and how to get your boss invested in your career (24:52). You can also pick up a copy of Lydia's book for more of her career advice.
-
Gretchen Carlson: “When you decide to jump off a cliff like that, you have no idea what's going to happen.”
26/02/2020 Duration: 35minThis 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 this episode, Gretchen shares how she developed discipline early in her career (6:26), why she made the decision to “jump off a cliff” (17:44), and her advice for handling criticism (28:01).
-
Lo Bosworth, founder and CEO of Love Wellness: “My body could just not manage the stress anymore.”
19/02/2020 Duration: 35minWe 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 start her company (16:56), and her advice about how to learn from failure (26:58).
-
Erica Williams Simon, entrepreneur and author: “The only way out of feeling stuck is to move.”
12/02/2020 Duration: 34minErica 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).
-
Coach Monica Aldama from Cheer: “Sometimes I have to mat-talk myself.”
05/02/2020 Duration: 34minIf 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 two (32:39).