QUESTION EVERYTHING

iHeartPodcasts

There are celebrity interviews, and there are life-changing conversations. On Question Everything, you get both. Journalist Danielle Robay has a rare gift: she makes people feel safe + seen enough to tell the truth. Every week, she draws out the stories the world's most fascinating people rarely get to tell– the heartbreaks, the risks, the controversies, the beliefs they had to unlearn to become who they are and every now and then, their thoughts on the Bravoverse. You'll come for their story. You'll leave rethinking your own.

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Danielle is also the creator of the bestselling QUESTION EVERYTHING card game series, which has sparked connection in thousands of living rooms around the world, and the co-executive producer and host of Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club, alongside Reese Witherspoon. Dubbed "The Queen of Questions," she brings both heart and rigor to every conversation — a background in political science, a Gloria Steinem Fellowship, and a mentorship under Larry King, whose legacy of curiosity and connection she's carried forward across more than 8,000 hours of interviews with icons from Taylor Swift to Malala Yousafzai.

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253 episodes
Updated Thursday

Episodes253

Newest first

May 11, 2023 · 54 min
Why Unpaid Labor Hurts More Than Just Mothers: with author Angela Garbes
Author Angela Garbes joins the pod today to dive deep into her book "Essential Labor: Mothering as Social Change" and discusses the economic, political and ideological systems that have shaped the way our society sees care work. She shares: Why care work and mothering is so undervalued in American society. How lack of compensation for care workers is a uniquely American problem. Mothering as a verb instead of a noun How the majority of Americans believe in more support for domestic workers/why our government does not represent us any longer. How both the wealth of our country and our views on care workers comes from slavery. The surprising median wage that nannies in America make and why we need to look at our own biases when it comes to paying them. Why being a care worker is life changing work. Why mothering is the earliest public health intervention we could have. How to remain hopeful when it comes to making changes to the system. If she thinks we will ever see paid family leave in America and what we have to do to get there. Follow Angela: https://www.instagram.com/angelagarbes/ Buy Angela's Book: https://www.amazon.com/Essential-Labor-Mothering-Social-Change/dp/0062937367 Thank you to today's podcast partners! OUAI: 15% off site wide when you use the code: PRETTYSMART Cozy Earth: Up to 35% off site wide when you use the code PRETTYSMART See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 4, 2023 · 57 min
15 Questions to Ask a Friend Going Through a Hard Time: with LaurelBox Founders Johanna + Denise
Worried about a friend? Or unsure of how to support someone going through a hard time? In honor Mental Health Awareness month, Danielle partnered with LaurelBox to create a free digital download to help us connect with and support friends going through a hard time. Here are 15 Questions: FREE DIGITAL DOWNLOAD: HTTPS://WWW.LAURELBOX.COM/PRODUCTS/GRIEF-SUPPORT-GUIDE-FREE-DIGITAL-DOWNLOAD Laurel Box is a female founded business – created by cousins Denise Wolfe and Johanna Mutz. They create heartfelt, personalized sympathy gifts for people who've experienced loss, to help nourish the hearts and support people going through a difficult season of life. We discuss: How to show up for someone going through a hard time What to say to someone in grief, morning, or struggling How Johanna's miscarriage played a role in creating LaurelBox While LaurelBox gifts are physical, they serve a much more emotional purpose. The language around grief The purpose of gift giving Shop LaurelBox: https://www.laurelbox.com/ Follow LaurelBox: https://www.instagram.com/laurelbox/ OUAI: 15% off site wide when you use the code: PRETTYSMART Cozy Earth: Up to 35% off site wide when you use the code PRETTYSMART See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 27, 2023 · 56 min
The Glam Gap + The Price of Admission in White America: with Token Black Girl Author Danielle Prescod
Danielle Prescod is the author of the bestselling book Token Black Girl and cofounder of 2BG Consulting which aims to help fashion and beauty brands and influencers on their anti-racism journeys. Before she moved out of NYC to New Orleans and published her book, she was a fifteen-year veteran of the beauty and fashion industry, most recently the style director of BET.com and previously held positions at Nylon, Elle, InStyle. She went to school in Greenwich, Connecticut, and was one of just three Black girls in her graduating class. She writes: "I remember that the reality of Blackness settled onto me like a terminal illness. I desperately wondered how I could get rid of it so I could just be like everyone else. It distressed me that I would never be 'cured' of it and could never escape it." She says it all got worse when she went to work in the fashion and beauty space. Her dieting became an eating disorder and her trendy workplaces re-created the racial traumas of her youth. So much of Danielle's book is about identity— the one you assume but also the one the world assumes for you. She writes "Your identity and self-awareness evolves slowly over time, both subtly and overtly in how you decide to show up in the world. But it can also be dictated, unfairly at times, by how the world sees you. that's especially true "if you find yourself to be a woman – and even more so if you find yourself to be a woman of color." Follow @danielleprescod and on TikTok @danielleprescod7 Purchase her book: bit.ly/3BxvshU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 20, 2023 · 55 min
Attach Your Style to Your Story: with Celebrity Stylist Karla Welch
Hollywood stylist and co-founder of "The Period Company," Karla Welch joins PRETTYSMART to share her journey as both a stylist to the stars and as an entrepreneur. She shares: How she went from working in restaurants to working in fashion. Why she believes she's always surrounded by a little bit of magic (and how that mindset has helped her). The stories behind some of the iconic looks she's created for some of the biggest stars (Hailey + Justin Bieber, Olivia Wilde, Sarah Paulson, Tracee Ellis Ross to name a few!) Her creative process behind dressing some of Hollywood's biggest stars + how she uses creativity as her compass. How she knows when she's got the right look on a client. What it was like being one of the first stylists to collaborate with big brands. Saying "YES" versus saying "NO" How to attach your style to your story. What inspired her to create "The Period Company" and their mission to end period poverty. Follow Karla: https://www.instagram.com/karlawelchstylist/?hl=en Support The Period Company: https://tinyurl.com/mryab98t Danielle's 1st Look Episode (NBC): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbOfn0nJN2A&t=247s https://theouai.com/: Use code PRETTYSMART for 15% off your entire purchase See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 13, 2023 · 1 hr 6 min
What Happens When Women Forget Themselves: with Steph Jagger, Writer and Life Coach
Steph Jagger is a bestselling author, life coach, and speaker. Her grandmother had dementia and her mother, early onset Alzheimer's. Steph says "my biggest fear is the fact that I live inside of a lineage of forgetfulness. I don't want to forget. I want to remember." We spend decades building a life and wanting to remember it all. We save photos, we take home movies. In her new memoir Everything Left to Remember, she explores what's left when our memories are taken from us. We discuss: What we learn about our own stories through our families stories. What do we lose when we lose our memories? Conscious Grieving vs. Unconscious Despair MOTHERING: The 4 archetypes of mother: QUESTION: what will I allow to be created through me? The 1 question Steph wished she asked her mother before her Alzheimer's diagnosis How to have hard conversations (anger vs. aggression) How tapping into her "inner mystic" allowed her to witness her mother's journey in awe How love and loss shapes us What it's like to be with a person you know you are going to lose Deep remembrance Bully energy and how to combat it (intimacy + connection) What it looks and feels like when women forget themselves + shapeshifting. "Pain travels through families until someone is ready to feel it." How to determine what pain is yours and what is someone else's to bear. Owning mortality, and how that makes you live differently. Buy Steph's Book: https://tinyurl.com/339zppbn Follow Steph: https://www.instagram.com/stephjagger/ Thank you to our sponsor of this episode: GREENPAN: go to GreenPan.us and use promo code PRETTYSMART and you'll receive 30% OFF YOUR ENTIRE ORDER plus free shipping on orders over $99. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 6, 2023 · 33 min
You Only Lose If You Quit: with Afro Unicorn Founder April Showers
April Showers is the first female, Black-owned business to own a licensed character brand in a major retailer. She is the creator of Afro Unicorn, a brand designed to represent the uniqueness of women and children of color in a truly diverse and inclusive fashion, selling apparel and accessories to toys, puzzles, books and more. Today she shares: How karma played a huge role in her success. What it's like having Disney and Star Wars as her main competitors. How she launched the brand amidst some of the hardest personal moments in her life. How she got into her first big box retailer. Why her approach is "All gas, no breaks." The surprising way she learned all about licensing her brand. Her visualization and journaling practices that helped her as she's built her empire. The most pivotal decision she's made in her business. Why she says you can go after exactly what you want. How she thought her life was going to end when she got pregnant because she hadn't seen a positive image of a single mother + how she feels about it now. The surprising lesson she has learned from her two sons. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 30, 2023 · 53 min
How to Manifest, For Real: with Psychic Medium Rebecca Rosen
World Renowned Psychic Medium and Best-Selling Author Rebecca Rosen joins PRETTYSMART to talk about her new book, "What's Your Heaven: 7 Lessons to Heal the Past and Live Fully Now." She shares: 3 tangible ways to raise your vibe + frequency. The one major thing that might be blocking you from manifesting the things you want. How to tell the difference between intuition + anxious mind thoughts. Who is Team Spirit? And how we can all utilize them to help us + guide us? A new way to reframe when hard things show up for us in life. What spirits want us to know while we are still living. Why meditation is key to help us tap into our higher self (and her advice if meditation is hard for you!) The one question to ask yourself before you make any decision. Reincarnation, soul contracts and soul groups: What they are and how they can help us better understand our life experiences. Why we don't have to wait to die to experience heaven. Follow Rebecca Rosen on Instagram at www.instagram.com/mediumrebeccarosen Buy Rebecca's book What's Your Heaven: https://tinyurl.com/45w42fyu See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 23, 2023 · 49 min
Spreading Kindness One Bracelet at a Time: with Little Words Project Founder Adriana Carrig
Adriana Carrig founded the original word bracelet– Little Words Project. What started in her parents basement has now grown to 40 employees, 7 locations, and huge brand collaborations with companies like Nike, Barbie, WNBA, Dunkin Donuts. Just like so many great companies, Adriana's was started from pain– she was bullied as a young person and wanted to inject the world with some more kindness. Although the company has grown and changed, that mission of kindness has sustained throughout. Despite doubters, Adriana hasn't changed her core perspective in the last decade of building her company. By staying true to her brand's values and taking bold, strategic risks, she's been able to serve the original customers who keep the brand growing year-after-year. She shares Why the key to taking on any tough project is to "just start beading" When she knew she really had something special (post sorority). How facing cruelty + bullying throughout her life inspired to build a brand of kindness. Why she breaks the stereotype that women are risk averse. How her brand continues to grow on the strength of the foundational original customer. Why copycat companies don't faze her at all. What it feels like to grow from a family-size business to dozens of employees. How she went from making her bracelets in her parents' house to the CEO of a multi-million dollar business See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 16, 2023 · 41 min
Do Men and Women Cheat For The Same Reasons: with Author Jo Piazza
Why do women cheat? Author, journalist, podcast host of the new series She Wants More, Jo Piazza tries to uncover the truth behind women's infidelity. Danielle and Jo listen to several clips of women's stories of affairs and discuss: Why is women's Infidelity is on the rise? The 4 different types of affairs Why women cheat vs. why men cheat: does Jo agree with Esther Perel's hypothesis: "men cheat out of boredom and fear of intimacy and women cheat out of loneliness and hunger of intimacy." How much does lying play into cheating? Is cheating forgivable? Does unequal household labor (chores) increase women's likelihood of cheating? What do we expect from our partners nowadays + what are we willing to outsource? (Is it OK to outsource sex?) 1 piece of love & marriage advice Jo has learned from her years of interviewing people + writing about relationships. What does the future of relationships and marriage look like? Listen to "She Wants More" on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-she-wants-more-107769177/ Follow Jo Piazza: https://www.instagram.com/jopiazzaauthor/?hl=en See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 2, 2023 · 49 min
What Happens "When Women Lead": with CNBC's Julia Boorstin
What happens WHEN WOMEN LEAD? What are the key commonalities of female leaders who thrived in spite of the challenges? Can some of your weaknesses actually trun into your greatest strengths? CNBC's Senior Media & Tech Correspondent Julia Boorstin wrote a book about it. She spoke with more than 120 female leaders, from Goop's Gwyneth Paltrow, Bumble's Whitney Wolfe Herd, Jenn Hyman (Rent The Runway), Lena Waithe and more to determine their strategies for success. Julia's had her finger on the pulse of tech and business as a correspondent for more than two decades. She launched and oversees the CNBC Disruptor 50. Currently CNBC's Senior Media & Tech Correspondent, she's also been a fixture at CNN Headline News. She's even worked for the State Department and Vice President Al Gore's domestic policy office. Needless to say, Julia understands leadership. She shares: What the 120 female leaders she interviewed all had in common Why do stock prices increase when a company has a female CEO? How to turn your weaknesses into strengths (example: CEO Jennifer Holmgren on negotiation) Why women are more likely than men to make swift decisions. How gratitude can make you money. Mentors vs. Peer to Peer mentorship. How the Mark Zuckerbergs and Elon Musks contribute to a myth of the "Male Visionary" or "Boy Wonder" How to ask tough questions. Julia's thoughts on New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's decision to step down. Buy Julia's Book: When Women Lead: https://amzn.to/3ekjT4Y See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 23, 2023 · 55 min
How To Go All-In on Your Dreams: with Shark Tank's Matt Higgins
How do you get to where you want to go—the dream job, the dream life? That's a big question we all ask ourselves. We know WHERE we want to go, but don't always know HOW to get there. Via engaging stories of some of the most successful people in the world as well as practical advice from Matt's own successes and failures, this book shows you how to win. The title speaks to a major theme in the book—overcoming fear. Matt explains how to break the patterns holding you back, and go after what it is you truly want. He says you must "burn the boats". Matt is an entrepreneur who has reached the pinnacle of 5 industries (Founder RSV, Investor (Gary Vee's largest investor), Guest Shark on Shark Tank, and executive fellow at Harvard Business School). You would probably never guess that he dropped out of high school. Matt shares: How you can throw Plan B away and go all in on your dream! Growing up in poverty and how it pushed him to make his first all-in decision The TWO TRAITS he looks for when investing in people What happens to people who don't take risks. How to get over fear of failure Cancer taught him to have greater compassion for himself, and others at work. Why the right life partner for you acts as a force multiplier How celebrities like Kim Kardashian + Tracee Ellis Ross + Scarlett Johansson that guest speak at his Harvard class have burned the boats. How the law of compound interest applies to ideas and achievements Buy Matt's Book Burn The Boats: https://tinyurl.com/bdzfvh55 Follow Matt: https://www.instagram.com/mhiggins/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 16, 2023 · 1 hr 4 min
Heartbreak: Unpacking The Pain + Learning From It: with Tefi Pessoa
With 1.6 Million followers, TikTok star Tefi Pessoa has built a community where she has become famous for her thoughtful and heartfelt advice on love, mental health, heartbreak and more. There's a reason she's been called the internet's BFF. Today she joins PRETTYSMART to delve deep into all things love, dating and heartbreak. She shares: Why men are who they are at 35. What she's learned from heartbreak. Why even after heartbreak love is still magical. How to not let heartbreak or bad relationships break your spirit. How she is able to never compromise who she is in relationships. Why it's helpful for her to enlist her tribe before she breaks it off with someone. What she finds she is really mourning when a relationship ends. Why some traits are not going to change in the person you're dating (and how to figure that out). When to listen if people tell you "you can do better". Navigating a breakup in the public eye. Why there's courage in normalcy. How men and women handle heartbreak differently. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 9, 2023 · 47 min
A Masterclass in Networking— How Being Radically Generous Pays Off: with PR Expert Rachel Rischall
We often frame modern relationships through a transactional lens, but what if instead of concerning ourselves with what we can get from somebody we ask ourselves what we can give? Rachel Rischall believes generosity for generosity's sake is ultimately the best way to form strong, valuable relationships. A 20-year vet in public relations, Rachel is the founder of Three PR (she's an EXPERT). She says her superpower is she can and will talk to anybody. She's an expert on finding ways to connect and help others. In the end, everybody comes out ahead. Rachel shares: Why she feels called to helping others as often as she can When to start being generous every day (it's first thing in the morning) Why introducing people to each other is an incredible gift How to overcome the cold e-mailing jitters (and the best way to follow-up when they don't email back) Navigating generosity in a world comfortable placing women in positions of service How to evolve professional connections into professional relationships See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 2, 2023 · 51 min
The Likeability Trap: with Alicia Menendez (Journalist)
After this interview aired I got messages from women all over the country. It seemed to have a domino effect inspiring book clubs, and other interviews with Alicia! Her book changed me and it gave me so much joy to hear that this conversation changed so many of you too. As it was one of the earliest episodes of the pod I felt it deserved a re-air: Award Winning Journalist + MSNBC Anchor Alicia Menendez explains how The Likeability Trap can keep women from achieving their ambitions. Women are stuck in an impossible bind known as the Goldilocks Conundrum: be nice, but not too nice. Talk about what you bring to the table without sounding like you're bragging. Strong women are often criticized for being cold, while warm women may be seen as pushovers." The constant chatter of how women lead impedes them from leading. In trying to be everything all at once women are straight up exhausted". But in being aware of The Likeability Trap, we can push up against it. Alicia gives us tactical tools to be more practiced in leadership, how to receive feedback, break free of the trap, and succeed as you are. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 26, 2023 · 49 min
Wordslut: Sexist Language + How it Shapes Us: with Linguist Amanda Montell
LANGUAGE + POWER, GENDER, RACE: Linguist and writer Amanda Montell is here to discuss reclaiming gendered insults, cursing, women's linguistic innovation, sexism in our language and owning your own voice. She is the author of two critically acclaimed books, Wordslut: A Feminist Guide to Taking Back the English Language and Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism She is also a creator and host of the hit podcast, Sounds Like A Cult. Today she joins PRETTYSMART to expand on her book Wordslut. She wants you to feel empowered by language instead of silenced by it. She shares: Why young women are the language innovators. Slurs and how so many of them were once ordinary words used to reflect femininity. How culture and language go hand in hand. Why marginalized communities use language as a form of power in culture (and why it is almost always co-opted by mainstream society). Why we need to stop calling out typos and grammar mistakes online. What it really means when we have to put a qualifier on a word. What term we can use instead of "hey guys" and why it's important to read the room when it comes to language. The power of reclaiming words vs. abolishing them. Follow Amanda here: https://www.instagram.com/amanda_montell/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 19, 2023 · 33 min
How to Build a Women's Media Empire: with Betches founder Sami Sage
Co-Founder of Betches, the hugely popular female-founded and led media and entertainment brand, Sami Sage is here to share her story from how Betches went from an idea one night in college to a full blown media company. She shares: How to start a company with friends Where the idea for Betches came from and what it was like in the early days of the brand. Why they have never taken money from investors. Why trial + error is important when you are building a business. Why she is so passionate about politics and the decision to create the Betcher Sup vertical to help inform others. Sami's pop-culture predictions on Kanye, Pete Davidson, Harry & Megan and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 12, 2023 · 47 min
No One is Going To Save You (and Other Life Lessons): with Nicco Annan
Actor, dancer, choreographer and star of the hit Starz drama P-Valley, Nicco Annan is bringing his magic to PRETTYSMART today. The Detroit-born actor refused to conform to a Hollywood template and instead has made a name for himself by embracing his individuality and following his intuition. His portrayal of Uncle Clifford (the revolutionary + beloved character) has earned him critical acclaim as well as nominations from the NAACP and independent spirit awards. Danielle + Nicco discuss: The meaningful lesson he learned in high school + how that has carried him in life. How being told he was too big to be a dancer helped him in the long run. Why it's important to use all of your gifts when trying to achieve your dreams. How he was held at gunpoint at 14 years old. How P-Valley is helping change how we view sex workers and strippers. The role of intimacy in playing Uncle Clifford and how Nicco approaches the masculine/feminine qualities of the character. What he's learned from playing Uncle Clifford and how he knows this role is bigger than him. (and why his character is so beloved + impactful) Why it's important that P-Valley has all female directors and the male gaze. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 5, 2023 · 50 min
How to Land Your Dream Job: with Cosmopolitan Editor in Chief Jessica Giles
As the Editor-In-Chief of Cosmopolitan, the largest young women's media brand in the world, Jessica Giles oversees the editorial for all of Cosmo's efforts across print, digital, video, and emerging platforms. Today she's sharing her journey in the publishing industry and offers up helpful and practical advice to help you get to where you dream of being in your own career. She shares: 3 specific tips to help you get promoted. Why passion is crucial in your career. Her number one tip to help you on future interviews. Why self education is so important on the job. What surprised her most about working at Vogue. What she's learned about leading and managing well. How Cosmo has evolved over the years and modernized its view of sex. Why asking for critical feedback (and being okay receiving it) is vital. What she's learned from the Cosmo readers and what she hopes her legacy to be. The best parts of working in a female driven environment. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 29, 2022 · 55 min
You Are a Lucky Person (Meditation for the New Year): with Mimi Bouchard
Mimi Bouchard is a meditation teacher, wellness influencer, and founder of Superhuman App. Listen to this walking meditation (and conversation with Mimi) to manifest the energy of your future— "you are a lucky person". See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 22, 2022 · 38 min
Combating the Loneliness Epidemic: with Julie Schechter
In 2017, the former US Surgeon General called loneliness a public health epidemic. It's been compared to a crisis on the scale of opioids or obesity. Some studies equate the health effects of loneliness with that of smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Julie Schechter is helping to fight the loneliness epidemic. She is the CEO and co-founder of Present and Small Packages, two companies focused on building stronger relationships and connections in a digital world. She provides insight on the modern paradox of technology: how something meant to bring us closer together has led to a lonelier population. Julie explains: How our everyday lives have lost the traditional structures that made us feel connected Why our relationships are typically dictated by proximity How the pandemic forced "hustle culture" to come to a halt and the lasting impact of pandemic loneliness Why technology has made us all feel lonely How losing your oldest friendships has the health impact equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day What kinds of technology can work to make us feel closer Why the simple act of noticing something in someone is so powerful See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.