Skimm'd From The Couch

Melissa Ben-Ishay built a brand using her superpowers. This week, we're talking about how to use your own and how to build a brand around your passion. Without getting tired of it. Cape, on.

This week’s guest puts the Melissa in Baked by Melissa. Melissa Ben-Ishay started her company when she was just 24 years old. And built it from a bite-sized storefront in Manhattan...to a nationwide e-commerce business. She talks to us about getting fired, working side-by-side with her brother, leveraging her superpowers, and all things cupcakes, of course.

Our guests this week – Today Show's Hoda Kotb, Savannah Guthrie, and Libby Leist – work prettttty closely together. We're sharing our tips on how to find the Hoda to your Savannah. And how to share success with the women on your team. 

Hoda, Savannah, and Libby are the all-female dream team of morning TV. Hear them talk about making history at NBC, getting nervous before big interviews, and why there's way more than one path to success in life. PS: Hoda had to leave halfway through to, you know, host another hour of TV. NBD. 

Joanna Coles says she doesn't cry at the office. But for some of us, it's kind of a thing. We're sharing some tips we've learned to keep it on the down low.

We're ending our first season with a force of nature, Joanna Coles. She’s the Chief Content Officer of Hearst Magazines. And author of “Love Rules: How to Find a Real Relationship in a Digital World.” She talks to us about why it’s more fun being in charge, what makes her feel insecure, and how apps have changed the dating world. Check it out, and we’ll be back with more soon. 

Things we can relate to: choosing the wrong major, wanting to change careers, not having the “right" experience for a new job. Today, we’re talking about how to sell yourself in order to make a career leap. 

ClassPass is a monthly fitness subscription service in over 50 cities worldwide. But this is no overnight success story. Founder and Executive Chairman Payal Kadakia talks to us about the versions of the brand that failed, and how it evolved into what we know today. In case that wasn't enough, she's also the Founder and Artistic Director of Sa Dance Company. Because hustle.

Meet our Bonus Episodes. Every Thursday, Carly and Danielle will answer your career questions, share their stories, and give you tips for finding success. Listen through to the end to find out how to be featured in the next ep. Our first one is about turning your side hustle into a business. Check it out. 

Pinch us, please. We sat down with Sara Blakely, aka the no. 1 person we’ve looked up to since the day we started theSkimm. She’s the Founder and CEO of Spanx – the billion-dollar shapewear company that she built off an idea and $5,000 in savings. She also started the Sara Blakely Foundation to help women in education, entrepreneurship, and the arts. Oh and very recently, she joined us as a minority investor of theSkimm. As we said, pinch us. 

This week, we’re talking to Jenny Fleiss. She co-founded Rent the Runway – the company that lets you rent designer outfits without having to drop some serious cash. She’s now the co-founder and CEO of Walmart’s tech incubator, Code Eight. Jenny talked to us about everything from being risk adverse to her worst day of work.

Our guest this week is making headlines. She just stepped down as President and CEO of A+E Networks. And is taking over as the CEO of Vice Media. Nancy's been on Fortune's 50 Most Powerful Women in Business and Hollywood Reporter's Power 100 List. She talked with us about her management style, her opinions on business school, and why her bathroom is her biggest work perk. 

Leandra Medine started her popular fashion website – Man Repeller – as a junior in college. She's a staple on Forbes' 30 Under 30 List. Is the author of "Man Repeller: Seeking Love. Finding Overalls." And provides daily entertainment to her audience through her blog and social media. Today, she opens up to us about self-doubt, the struggles of running a business, and what outfit screams 'I'm having a bad day.' 

Warning: This episode may cause mild to severe inspiration. This week, we're sitting down with a legend in the finance world, Sallie Krawcheck. She's the co-founder and CEO of Ellevest, the digital platform working to close the gender investing gap. Before that, she had top jobs at Citigroup and Merrill Lynch. She's also the author of "Own It: The Power of Women At Work." She talks with us about working in a man's world, why women lag behind financially, and getting fired. Twice. 

Get ready to be inspired. Today's guest is Reshma Saujani, Founder and CEO of Girls Who Code – the non-profit working to close the gender gap in technology. Before starting Girls Who Code, Reshma was the first Indian-American woman to run for Congress. She's also the author of multiple books, including "Women Who Don't Wait in Line." We had a no BS conversation with her about today's economy, growing up with immigrant parents, and the jobs you take to pay off student loans. 

Tina Brown made her name as the legendary editor of Vanity Fair. Now, she's the Founder and CEO of Tina Brown Live Media, which puts on the annual Women in the World Summit. She's also the author of the recently released book "The Vanity Fair Diaries." This week, Tina talks to us about imposter syndrome, working with Harvey Weinstein, and her fascination with Ivanka Trump. It's a must-listen.

For the very first episode, Carly and Danielle sit down with Whitney Wolfe Herd. She's the founder and CEO of Bumble – the dating app that lets women make the first move. The company has since expanded into Bumble BFF and Bumble Bizz. Today, Whitney talks to us about the fallout after leaving Tinder, why it's good to fail, and what inspired her to build something of her own. 

Meet our revamped career podcast, 9 to 5ish with theSkimm. We're bringing you the work advice you need, from women who’ve been there. Every week, join the co-founders and co-CEOs of theSkimm, Carly Zakin and Danielle Weisberg, as they help you get what you want out of your career by talking to the smartest leaders they know. New episodes drop every Wednesdays, starting July 21st. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss a single ep.