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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.

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47 episodes
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English

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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!
August 24 · 49 min
Isabella Hughes: Cofounder and Chief Revenue Officer of Better Sour
Isabella Hughes is the cofounder and chief revenue officer of the sour-gummy brand Better Sour. However, before founding her candy company, Hughes, who was born and raised in Hawaii, began her career in the arts, curating and coordinating exhibitions for a variety of organizations in the United States and UAE. She always had an interest in entrepreneurship, so in 2014, she started her first company—a Middle Eastern–inspired ice cream brand called Lezzetli. Around the same time, she came up with the idea for her second business, a Hawaii-grown herbal iced tea brand called Shaka Tea, which was acquired in 2022. After the acquisition, Hughes and her lifelong best friend Semira Nikou cofounded Better Sour. As daughters of Iranian immigrants who both grew up in Hawaii, Hughes and Nikou used their shared cultural backgrounds to inspire their flavors. Today, Better Sour is in over 4000 stores, including Erewhon, Whole Foods, and Sprouts.
August 19 · 30 min
The Who What Wear Podcast: Founder of Diotima and Creative Director of Proenza Schouler Rachel Scott Talks Carrying On the Legacy of a Brand
This week, Who What Wear Editor in Chief Kat Collings sits down in studio with founder of Diotima and Creative Director of Proenza Schouler Rachel Scott. They discuss landing her role at Proenza Schouler and how she carries on the brand’s legacy, from inspiration all the way to the runway. Plus, Scott shares what we can expect for Proenza Schouler’s showing at New York Fashion Week next month. Watch this episode on our new YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠⁠, and be sure to subscribe!
August 17 · 45 min
Dr. Jill Biden: Educator and Former First Lady
Dr. Jill Biden is an educator, author, and former first and second lady of the United States. Dr. Biden began her career as a high school English teacher, and although her husband, then-Senator Joe Biden, had grand political aspirations, she continued to teach and further her own education. She earned two master's degrees as well as a doctorate and has worked as a reading specialist, in a psychiatric hospital, and as a community college English professor, among other roles. After her husband became vice president and then president, Dr. Biden became the first first lady in U.S. history to hold a job outside of the White House during her tenure. You can watch this special episode on Who What Wear's YouTube here! Buy Dr. Biden's memoir, View From the East Wing, here!
August 12 · 33 min
The Who What Wear Podcast: Rudy Mance, Costume Designer for FX's Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette, on Re-Creating CBK's Timeless Wardrobe
This week,⁠ Hillary Kerr⁠ sits down with⁠ Rudy Mance⁠, the costume designer for FX's Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette. Mance's résumé includes shows such as Pose and American Horror Story, but today, he's diving into how he accomplished the high-pressure task of replicating and reimagining CBK's iconic wardrobe. On this episode, they discuss it all, from re-creating her timeless wedding dress using an original fabric swatch to sourcing vintage pieces from Japan and Philadelphia to perfect a look. Watch this episode on our new⁠ YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and be sure to subscribe!
August 10 · 56 min
Second Listen: Andrea Beaty: Award-Winning Children's Author
This week, we are giving a second listen to our very special episode with Andrea Beaty. Beaty is an award-winning children's author. Before she became known for her curious and clever characters in Rosie Revere, Engineer and Ada Twist, Scientist, she was on track for a career in STEM. In college, Beaty studied biology and computer science and then went on to work at a software company. It wasn't until she volunteered to write a tech support newsletter for a customer audience that she honed her skills as a writer and copy editor. She first tried her hand at fiction by writing stories inspired by the books she read to her kids before eventually getting published in the 2000s. Since then, Beaty's work has landed her on the New York Times Best Sellers list multiple times and has even been adapted into an award-winning Netflix animated series. She often credits her time as a technical writer as what gave her the skills to break down big concepts and life lessons for kids. Now, more than 20 years after writing her first book, Beaty shows no signs of slowing down. Since this episode's original release, Beaty released The Questioneers: What's That Color? in March of 2026 and her next book, The Questioneers: How Many Is That?, is slated to release in October of 2026.
August 5 · 40 min
The Who What Wear Podcast: Celebrity Hairstylist Adir Abergel Talks Crafting Charlize Theron's Stunning "The Odyssey" Press Tour Hair
This week, Hillary Kerr chats with celebrity hairstylist and Creative Director of haircare brand Virtue Labs Adir Abergel. Abergel works with the likes of Kristen Stewart and Nicole Kidman, but today, he's here to talk about Charlize Theron's The Odyssey press tour looks. From styling her gravity-defying bob to the exact products he uses on his clients' hair to achieve such flawless results, they cover it all. Watch this episode on our new YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠⁠, and be sure to subscribe!
August 3 · 58 min
Second Listen: Renee Montgomery: Vice President and Part Owner of the Atlanta Dream
This week, we are giving a second listen to our very special episode with Renee Montgomery. Montgomery is the vice president and part owner of the WNBA team the Atlanta Dream. Before owning the team, Montgomery was a WNBA player on teams including the Dream, Minnesota Lynx, and Connecticut Sun. Before that, she played division one college basketball at the University of Connecticut. After 11 years as a professional WNBA player, Montgomery opted out of the 2020 season to focus on social justice and activism before retiring from the WNBA in 2021. Shortly after retiring, Montgomery became the first former WNBA player to be an owner and vice president of a team. Today, Montgomery continues to serve as part owner and vice president of the Atlanta Dream and runs her own clothing brand, C Suite 21, and the media production company Think Tank Productions.
July 29 · 38 min
The Who What Wear Podcast: Celebrity Stylist Micaela Erlanger Talks Dressing Lupita Nyong'o for Her Ethereal "The Odyssey" Press Tour
This week, Hillary Kerr chats with celebrity stylist Micaela Erlanger about crafting Lupita Nyong'o's looks for The Odyssey press tour. Erlanger shares how she drew inspiration from Greek mythology and Nyong'o's two characters in the film (Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra) to determine the perfect silhouettes and color palette for her looks. Plus, she chats all about her Emmy nomination for The Kelly Clarkson Show and everything that goes into styling for live TV. Listen to Erlanger’s Second Life episode! Watch this episode on our new YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠⁠, and be sure to subscribe!
July 27 · 57 min
Second Listen: Claudia Sulewski: Founder of Cyklar
This week, we are giving a second listen to our very special episode with Claudia Sulewski. Sulewski is the founder of Cyklar, a bodycare brand that bridges the gap between luxurious self-care and efficacious formulas. Before becoming a beauty founder, Sulewski was one of the original beauty YouTubers. She started her YouTube channel when she was just 13 years old, under the name BeyondBeautyStar, posting makeup tutorials, vlogs, and other lifestyle content. By the time she graduated high school, she’d grown a massive following that allowed her to monetize her content as an official YouTube partner and make her hobby her full-time job. Sulewski’s status as an internet sensation reached new heights when Teen Vogue tapped her to host the publication’s YouTube channel as a red carpet correspondent. Her years of experience shooting and editing her own content and using herself as talent for her creative vision were also crucial when she expanded into traditional acting and directing. She’s gone on to lead a successful career on and off camera since getting her start on YouTube, booking roles for hit shows like Shrinking and directing music videos for her fiancé, Grammy Award–winning artist Finneas O’Connell. Her career has now come full circle with Cyklar after years of filming GRWM videos and self-care routines for her millions of loyal followers. Since Sulewski was on the show, Cyklar has officially launched in Sephora and gone viral on social media several times over. Be sure to check our Instagram, @secondlifepod, for updates on our return date.
July 22 · 25 min
The Who What Wear Podcast: Celebrity Stylist Molly Dickson on Dressing the New Elle Woods
This week on The Who What Wear Podcast, Hillary Kerr chats with celebrity stylist Molly Dickson, whose client roster includes the likes of Lana Del Rey, Sydney Sweeney, Sadie Sink, and, most recently, Lexi Minetree on her Elle press tour. Today, Dickson’s giving us the rundown on everything that went into dressing the new Elle Woods—from paying homage to Legally Blonde on the red carpet to pulling inspiration from early 2000s Reese Witherspoon. Plus, she shares the perfect Y2K pieces she pulled from Witherspoon’s personal archives. Listen to Molly’s previous episode here! Watch this episode on our new YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠⁠, and be sure to subscribe!
July 20 · 55 min
Cassandra Morales Thurswell: Founder and CEO of Kitsch
Cassandra Morales Thurswell is the founder and CEO of Kitsch. However, before starting her haircare and accessories brand, she founded several entrepreneurial endeavors: She opened a restaurant and boutique with her mother, launched a jewelry business, worked at a clothing store, and managed a cupcake shop. She then transitioned to running a series of small businesses, including a spray-tanning company and an inspirational-quote scarf brand, before taking a job designing jewelry for retailers like Forever 21 and Urban Outfitters. At age 25, she started Kitsch with $30,000 in savings and a handmade hair tie. The brand gained traction, and today, Kitsch generates over $500 million in annual revenue, is in 32,000 retail stores across 92 countries, and is the largest self-funded, female-owned beauty brand in the world.
July 15 · 20 min
The Who What Wear Podcast: Everything You Need From the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale With Fashion Director Linda Cui Zhang
This week on the Who What Wear Podcast, Who What Wear Shopping Director Bobby Schuessler sits down with Nordstrom Fashion Director Linda Cui Zhang to talk about Nordstrom's 125th Anniversary Sale. Cui Zhang and Schuessler give the full rundown on everything from the trends in the 9 to Know section to the 50 new brands debuting in the sale. Plus, Cui Zhang is sharing the one item she would recommend everyone buys from this year's sale. Make sure to shop Nordstrom's 125th Anniversary Sale, starting July 18. Watch this episode on our new YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠⁠, and be sure to subscribe!
July 13 · 55 min
Lauren Wang: CEO and Founder of The Flex Company
Lauren Wang is the CEO and founder of period-product brand The Flex Company. Before even graduating college, Wang held several positions. At just age 15, she freelanced as an HTML website builder. Then during college, she took classes at night while working for IBM and Coca-Cola on their respective marketing teams. A couple years after graduating college, she moved to San Francisco to work in tech at companies such as Autodesk and Upwork. In 2013, after many years of struggling to find period products that worked for her, Wang came up with her initial idea for a better period product. She spent the next year researching the menstrual-hygiene industry, and in 2015, she quit her corporate job to found Flex. In October of 2016, the company began shipping its first product: the Flex Disc. As the company continued to grow, it released its Flex Cup product line and expanded into new categories, and Wang was named an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year for the Los Angeles region in 2023.
July 8 · 29 min
The Who What Wear Podcast: "Elle" Costume Designer Sara Byblow on Storytelling Through Shades of Pink and the Legacy of Elle Woods's Style
This week, Who What Wear Editor in Chief Kat Collings sits down with Sara Byblow, the costume designer of the new Legally Blonde prequel Elle. They discuss keeping the legacy of Elle Woods's iconic style alive, sourcing more than 70 looks for young Elle's wardrobe, and the meaning behind different shades of pink in the show. Plus, Byblow shares which wardrobe staples carried over from Legally Blonde. Watch this episode on our new ⁠YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠, and be sure to subscribe!
July 6 · 57 min
Beatriz de los Mozos: Founder and CEO of Flabelus
Beatriz de los Mozos is the founder and CEO of the shoe brand Flabelus. Before founding her own brand, de los Mozos earned a law degree and a master's degree in comparative politics. She began her professional career in law in London and then transitioned to a legal startup, where she took on the role of sales manager and senior legal expert. However, after her doctor told her that she could no longer wear her favorite shoes due to scoliosis, she came up with an idea for a shoe that would be both comfortable and stylish. She set up a Kickstarter campaign, found a Spanish factory to produce her Italian furlane and Spanish espadrille hybrids, and Flabelus was born. Within five years, the brand expanded from an online-only model to selling in over 700 stores across 54 countries, as well as establishing a growing network of flagship boutiques.
July 1 · 28 min
The Who What Wear Podcast: The 2026 Who What Wear 100 Beauty Awards
For the third year in a row, the Who What Wear beauty editors have tested nearly 1000 products and tools and whittled them down to a list of their top 100 items to shop. The team tested for efficacy, innovation, and lovability across seven categories: makeup, tools, fragrance, hair, skincare, nails, and body. Beauty Director Erin Jahns is back on the pod to share her team’s findings, including four new special-recognition categories: Timeless Classic, Social Media Sensation, Worth the Investment, and High Impact, Low Price. Read the full 2026 Who What Wear 100 Beauty Awards story here! Watch this episode on our new YouTube channel, and be sure to subscribe!
June 29 · 46 min
Leigh Batnick Plessner: Chief Creative Officer of Catbird
Leigh Batnick Plessner is the chief creative officer of Catbird. Before landing at Catbird, Plessner graduated from Georgetown University with a degree in English literature and anthropology, and she worked at various DC coffee shops and as a cocktail waitress before landing a job in the children's room at renowned DC bookstore Politics and Prose. At the bookstore, she was eventually promoted to sidelines buyer, selecting everything for the store other than books. While in this position, she had the opportunity to go to various stationery shows, which prompted her to start a stationery brand of her own called Jezebel. In 2005, she met the founder of jewelry brand Catbird, Rony Vardi, at a stationery trade show. Soon after, she started working at the brand's storefront in New York. Eventually she transitioned out of running her stationery brand and into working full-time for Catbird. She grew with the company and now holds the role of chief creative officer, where she's responsible for the visual identity of the brand, including Catbird's partnerships with talent like Clairo and Phoebe Bridgers.
June 24 · 35 min
The Who What Wear Podcast: Special Episode! Stylists Wayman Bannerman and Micah McDonald Put Their Partnership to the Test and Share Met Gala BTS
Wayman + Micah are one of the most sought-after styling duos in the business, and their clients include Colman Domingo, Chase Infiniti, and Regina King, to name a few. In today's very special episode, the iconic duo sits down with Hillary to play a series of games related to their partnership and creative vision, from breaking down the behind the scenes from your favorite red carpet looks to dissecting sketches of their best Met Gala outfits. To get the full experience, watching the full-length video on our YouTube channel is recommended!
June 22 · 47 min
Irene Chen: Cofounder of Parker Thatch
Irene Chen is the cofounder of the functional luxury brand Parker Thatch. Before founding her own brand, Chen graduated from UCLA with a degree in political science and began her career in financial consulting. After a couple years in this field, she decided to pivot to fashion, an industry she'd always been drawn to. She first worked for Calvin Klein in its licensing department before transitioning to Donna Karan, where she worked her way up to become the director of product development. Upon meeting, she and her business partner and husband Matthew Grenby decided to start a business of their own, an e-stationery brand called iomoi. This brand went through multiple iterations—from e-stationery to physical stationery to homeware—before they landed on something that stuck. After the success of their first bag, Chen and Grenby decided to focus on functional luxury handbags and rebrand the company to what it's known as today: Parker Thatch.

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