BusinessCareersSociety & CulturePersonal JournalsArtsFashion & Beauty

Second Life

Hosted by Who What Wear co-founder Hillary Kerr, Second Life spotlights successful women who have made major career changes. Guests share lessons they've learned through fearlessly daring to pivot, and how they've used skills from their "first lives" to navigate their winding career journeys.

Play

Open in

46 episodes
a few times a week
Avg 43 min
English

Episodes 46

Newest Oldest Longest

All20 Unplayed20 In progress0 Played0

Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.

Today · 50 min
Hannah Cheng: Cofounder of Mimi Cheng's
Hannah Cheng is the cofounder of the frozen-dumpling brand Mimi Cheng's, but before she and her sister started their dumpling empire, Cheng was working at J.P. Morgan on the rates derivatives sales desk. While working in finance, Cheng frequently brought her mother's homemade dumplings into her office, where her coworkers begged for her to share. Upon realizing the demand for Taiwanese comfort food, Cheng and her sister decided to open a Taiwanese restaurant in the East Village in 2014, naming it Mimi Cheng's as an ode to their mom. The sisters then went on to open four more restaurants in New York City before expanding into the frozen-food space, which was their goal all along. Cheng and her sister recently made the decision to close the restaurant side of the business to focus on selling their frozen dumplings, and Mimi Cheng's is now available nationwide in Whole Foods, Bristol Farms, and many other retailers.
Thursday · 39 min
The Who What Wear Podcast: WWW20 Presents: Celebrity Hairstylist and Beauty Founder Jen Atkin on Building Her Hair Empire
This month marks Who What Wear's 20th anniversary! To celebrate, we're spending all of October with guests who have left an indelible mark on the fashion-and-beauty world and grown up alongside us over the past two decades. This week, Hillary is joined by her good friend Jen Atkin, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Ouai and Mane. Even if you're not familiar with Atkin, you've likely heard her name dropped by numerous guests on this show. Atkin has styled some of our favorite It girls' most iconic looks and founded two incredibly successful hair brands. But above all, she has been a champion of and mentor to other artists. Today, she chats all about building her hair empire; the behind-the-scenes details of some of her buzziest celeb looks, from Hailey Bieber to Bella Hadid; and the impact she has had on the hair industry. Watch this episode on our new YouTube channel, and be sure to subscribe!
October 26 · 56 min
Monica Padman Returns! The Cocreator, Cohost, and Producer of Armchair Expert Is Back
Monica Padman is the cocreator, cohost, and producer of Armchair Expert. In her first Second Life episode in 2021, Padman chatted about her early dreams of being an actress and how she transitioned from nanny to creative partner to Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard. Since her last episode, Padman has grown in her role as host and producer. She and Shepard continue to cohost Armchair Expert, and they were even nominated at the 2026 Golden Globes in the inaugural Best Podcast category. Padman has also been instrumental in adding numerous shows under the Armchair Umbrella, and she's even branched out into the true crime space with her podcast Beth's Dead, which is starting production for season 2. We recorded this special conversation in the studio, so if you'd like to watch this episode, make sure to check out the video version on Spotify.
October 21 · 48 min
The Who What Wear Podcast: WWW20 Presents: How "Accidental" Stylist Jason Bolden Became the Go-To for Everyone From Nicole Kidman to Cynthia Erivo
This month marks Who What Wear's 20th anniversary! To celebrate, we're spending all of October with guests who have left an indelible mark on the fashion-and-beauty world and grown up alongside us over the past two decades. This week, Hillary is joined by one of the most influential celebrity stylists working today: Jason Bolden. Bolden actually started styling "accidentally" back in 2011 after his good friend Gabrielle Union asked for help finding a look for an event. Today, he is a widely celebrated celebrity stylist who works with A-listers such as Nicole Kidman, Cynthia Erivo, Michael B. Jordan, and many more. He chats all about crafting his buzziest looks—from Kidman at the 2026 Met Gala to Erivo's jaw-dropping Wicked press-tour wardrobe. Plus, he shares his dream styling clients. Watch this episode on our new⁠ YouTube channel⁠, and be sure to subscribe!
October 19 · 50 min
Kristina Blahnik: CEO of Manolo Blahnik
Kristina Blahnik is the CEO of Manolo Blahnik. As the niece of acclaimed designer Manolo Blahnik, she grew up in the family business but never intended to work in it. Instead, Kristina studied architecture at the University of Cambridge and eventually had a practice of her own, where she worked for just under 10 years. In 2009 when her uncle Manolo Blahnik couldn't travel to the factories to develop the brand's new collection, Kristina stepped in and joined the family business full time. In 2013, she assumed the role of CEO, a position that she maintains to this day—although she prefers the title of "creative strategist." Since coming on board, she has expanded the business from two boutiques to 20, grown the Manolo Blahnik team from 26 people to over 250, and spearheaded major collaborations with brands such as Birkenstock and Balenciaga.
October 14 · 45 min
The Who What Wear Podcast: WWW20 Presents: Mandy Moore, From Teen Pop Icon to Award-Winning Actress
This month marks Who What Wear's 20th anniversary! To celebrate, we're spending all of October with guests who have left an indelible mark on the fashion-and-beauty world and grown up alongside us over the past two decades. This week, Hillary sits down in studio with iconic actress and singer Mandy Moore. Moore has been in the spotlight for over 20 years, from releasing her hit 1999 song "Candy" to starring in A Walk to Remember and This Is Us. Today, she reflects on getting her start as a teen pop star, her outstanding acting career, and her most memorable fashion moments from the past 20 years. Plus, she shares everything you need to know about her highly anticipated new show: The Land. Watch this episode on our new YouTube channel, and be sure to subscribe!
October 12 · 49 min
Danielle Pheloung: Cofounder of Phe Phe
Danielle Pheloung is a content creator and cofounder of the fashion brand Phe Phe. Before amassing a following on social media and starting her own clothing company, Pheloung worked in finance. She started her career as an analyst at Morgan Stanley and later transitioned to working for Goldman Sachs as a private wealth management associate. Meanwhile, her sister Brigette McHale, otherwise known as Acquired Style online, was experiencing immense success on social media. Encouraged by her sister's success, Pheloung decided to start posting on TikTok. She showcased her corporate style and daily life while working a demanding job. Eventually, Pheloung made the decision to pursue content creation full time, leaving her position at Goldman Sachs. She continued to grow on social media, and with her sister, she launched Phe Phe in 2025. Today, Pheloung continues to make content and run Phe Phe, which recently launched its workwear line, inspired in part by Pheloung's first life in the corporate world.
October 7 · 42 min
The Who What Wear Podcast: WWW20 Presents: Chriselle Lim, the Internet's Original It Girl
This month marks Who What Wear's 20th anniversary! To celebrate, we're spending all of October with guests who have left an indelible mark on the fashion-and-beauty world and grown up alongside us over the past two decades. To kick things off, Hillary sits down with Chriselle Lim, one of the original fashion content creators. Lim began her career as a fashion blogger and YouTuber in the late 2000s, and over time, she paved the way for creators like herself to become a respected part of the fashion industry. In this episode, she looks back on the last 20 years of her life and career, shares what it takes to have longevity as a creator, and explains how her dedication to storytelling in all forms has taken her from blogger to creator to founder and creative director of Phlur. Watch this episode on our new YouTube channel, and be sure to subscribe!
October 5 · 57 min
Rickie De Sole: Editor of Air Mail's Dress Code
Rickie De Sole is the editor of Air Mail’s style-and-fashion publication, Dress Code. De Sole started her career as a fashion assistant at Vanity Fair. After that, she moved into public relations at Prada, where she worked from 2007 to 2010. De Sole then returned to the world of fashion media at Vogue as a market editor, working her way up to accessories director. After, De Sole went to W Magazine, eventually becoming the fashion director before transitioning back to Vogue. There, she eventually gained the title of executive fashion director of Vogue.com. De Sole later pivoted to retail at Nordstrom, ending her time there as the VP fashion director. Throughout her career, she has also served on the board of companies such as Rent the Runway and Vestiaire Collective. Today, she leads Air Mail’s style publication, Dress Code, and serves as a senior adviser at Sandbridge Capital.
September 30 · 29 min
The Who What Wear Podcast: Denim Consultant Benjamin Talley Smith Returns to Talk Fall Trends and the New Guest in Residence Denim Line
This week, Hillary sits down in studio with denim expert Benjamin Talley Smith. Talley Smith is a denim designer and consultant who works with the designers at your favorite brands—such as Khaite, Reformation, and J.Crew—to develop their denim lines. Today, he's chatting all about the new denim line he worked on for Gigi Hadid's brand, Guest in Residence, and his top trend predictions to look out for this fall. Watch this episode on our new YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠⁠, and be sure to subscribe!
September 28 · 50 min
Casey Lewis: Creator of After School
Casey Lewis is the creator of the Substack newsletter After School. However, before she was writing to an audience of tens of thousands, Lewis was writing about youth trends on her blog Teen Fashionista. Later on, she started at Teen Vogue as an intern, and over the course of her time there, she worked her way up to senior digital editor. She left Teen Vogue to create Clover Letter, a daily newsletter for teen girls, which gained traction quickly and eventually got acquired by AwesomenessTV. Lewis then transitioned to a senior editor role at New York magazine, but she missed writing. So in 2021, she put in her notice and started her youth-trend Substack publication, After School. Today, she continues to write her newsletter to dedicated readers, makes accompanying content on Instagram and TikTok, and uses her expertise in youth trends to consult businesses, from early-age startups to Fortune 500 companies.
September 23 · 33 min
The Who What Wear Podcast: Designer Christian Cowan Unpacks His Buzzy NYFW S/S 27 Show
This week, Hillary chats with designer Christian Cowan about his buzzy spring/summer 2027 collection and showing at New York Fashion Week. They discuss his biggest inspirations, the brand's evolution over the past few seasons, and the countless celebrities who can't get enough of his designs. Plus, he shares whether or not bridal is on the horizon. Watch this episode on our new YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠⁠, and be sure to subscribe!
September 21 · 52 min
Second Listen: Lili Reinhart: Actor, Producer, and Founder of Personal Day Skincare
This week, we are giving a second listen to our very special episode with Lili Reinhart. Reinhart is an actor, producer, and founder of the skincare brand Personal Day. She knew she wanted to be an actor from a young age and spent her tween and teenage years auditioning, self-taping, and begging her parents to let her finish schooling online so she could concentrate on her craft. At 19, she was cast as Betty Cooper on the hit CW show Riverdale and spent the next seven years in a nonstop filming and production cycle. During this busy period of life, she still found time to pursue outside projects, publishing a book of poetry in 2020 and founding a production company. When Riverdale ended in 2023, it allowed her a moment to pause and consider what she wanted to work on going forward. Since then, she’s been developing projects with her production company that ignore the mainstream in favor of tackling topics like mental health. She’s taken on a few acting projects, like the TV series Hal & Harper, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival last month. She also spent two years developing her skincare line, Personal Day,and has been receiving great reviews for its nonirritating formulas and effective solutions for acne-prone skin. Since this episode’s original release, Reinhart’s career has continued to thrive, and her latest project, The Love Hypothesis, premieres on September 23.
September 16 · 27 min
The Who What Wear Podcast: New York Fashion Week S/S 27 Recap: Opulent Textiles, Unexpected Jewelry Styling, and Deconstructed Tailoring
This week, Who What Wear senior fashion editor Anna LaPlaca and Associate Director Kristen Nichols headed straight from their final shows to the studio to recap all things New York Fashion Week. They dive into it all, from their most anticipated shows to designers on the rise to the trends to look out for come spring. Plus, they reveal the best color to incorporate into your spring wardrobe. Watch this episode on our new YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠⁠, and be sure to subscribe!
September 14 · 55 min
Annie Meyers-Shyer: Author and Creator of "This Oak House"
Annie Meyers-Shyer is the creator of the social media phenomenon and book This Oak House. However, before embarking on a renovation project that would turn her into an "accidental influencer," Meyers-Shyer started her career in the fashion industry. She first worked for InStyle magazine and then Harper's Bazaar. For a period, she transitioned into the tech space as the fashion director of MySpace, but she soon returned to the traditional fashion space, working in PR at Chanel. After working at Chanel for six years, she left to focus on being a mom full-time. When her mother-in-law moved out of her Los Angeles home, Meyers-Shyer decided she wanted to take on the home and, thus, a renovation project. She documented her journey on Instagram for her friends to stay updated, and what began as a small, casual account blossomed into a community of over 200,000 followers. Today, she has taken her renovation journey and documented it in a book called This Oak House, which releases tomorrow.
September 9 · 39 min
The Who What Wear Podcast: Coach Creative Director Stuart Vevers on NYFW Prep, the Gen Z Coach Craze, and Designing Cult-Favorite Bags
This week, Hillary Kerr is joined by the prolific creative director of Coach: Stuart Vevers. Vevers has had a wide-ranging career, from his first job at Calvin Klein in the 1990s to his roles as creative director at both Mulberry and Loewe. He talks all things Coach, including the brand's legacy and its upcoming New York Fashion Week show—which is happening today! Plus, he shares how he approaches designing for the younger generations and why he thinks the Tabby and Brooklyn bags have gained cult followings. Watch this episode on our new YouTube channel, and be sure to subscribe!
September 7 · 52 min
Jess Rona: Founder of Jess Rona Grooming Salon and Shmoop
Jess Rona is a content creator, the founder of Jess Rona Grooming Salon, and the founder of the new dogcare brand Shmoop. Before she had her own dog-grooming empire, Rona dreamed of becoming an actress. At 18, while pursuing her acting dreams, she got a job as a dog bather at PetSmart in Los Angeles. While working this job, she slowly began to learn how to groom as well. She took a break from dog grooming to move to New York City and start doing improv at the Upright Citizens Brigade. She ultimately returned to Los Angeles and began dog grooming once again, even participating in grooming competitions. Eventually, she opened her own grooming business out of her garage, transitioning into being her own boss. Then, her slow-motion dog-grooming videos on social media began to go viral, which helped her business take off. She moved her grooming salon to a brick-and-mortar location in Larchmont Village, and now, Rona is about to launch Shmoop, "a beauty brand for every dog."
September 2 · 42 min
The Who What Wear Podcast: Sterling Point Costume Designer Marissa Schwartz on Acing Gen Z Style and Where to Shop the Characters' Looks
Marissa Schwartz is the costume designer behind the hit new Amazon Prime Video series Sterling Point. The show has gained acclaim for its fresh perspective on the YA genre and its commitment to representing its Gen Z characters authentically in the dialogue, the acting, and, of course, the outfits. In this episode, Schwartz shares how she approached dressing each of the characters and which brands she leaned on—from Chanel to Bode to Still Here—to help tell the story. Watch this episode on our new YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠⁠, and be sure to subscribe!
August 31 · 54 min
Roxana Saidi: Founder and CEO of Táche
Roxana Saidi is the founder and CEO of Táche. However, before she founded her pistachio-milk brand, Saidi graduated with a degree in marketing and got her first job out of college in public relations in Los Angeles. She then founded a social media agency that eventually grew into a creative and brand strategy agency called Rx Social. She later moved to New York and transitioned into consulting, but while on a trip with her family, she was struck by an idea for a brand offering nut milk made from pistachios, which were a staple in her Middle Eastern household as a child. Her research proved that pistachio milk could be more sustainable than almond milk and more nutritious than oat milk, so she started Táche by experimenting in her kitchen and launched the brand in 2020. Táche quickly found its way into high-end cafés and grocery stores, such as Erewhon and Sprouts, and the brand recently entered Whole Foods with its three-ingredient pistachio milk.
August 26 · 38 min
The Who What Wear Podcast: Is the Era of Overproduced Weddings Finally Over? Wedding Expert Sunna Yassin Shares Where Wedding Trends Are Headed in 2027
This week, Who What Wear Editor in Chief Kat Collings chats with Sunna Yassin, an expert on all things weddings and cofounder of Bash Please. Yassin was one of the creative minds behind Alex Cooper's stunning destination wedding in 2024, and today, she is talking about where wedding trends are headed in 2027. Perhaps the most notable shift? Couples are moving away from overproducing their weddings, instead focusing on guest experience and making the details feel personal. Yassin shares how to achieve this level of authenticity through the invites, table arrangements, food, florals, and more. Watch this episode on our new YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠⁠, and be sure to subscribe!

Showing 1–20 of 46 episodes