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She Pivots

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Join Emily Tisch Sussman as she sits down with a diverse group of women to explore how their personal experiences led to their pivot and eventually their success. She Pivots challenges the typical definitions of success and explores the role our personal stories play in our professional journeys. The series will celebrate those who have made bold moves with a view towards inspiring others to pursue their own non-linear paths. Be sure to subscribe and follow us on Instagram @ShePivotsThePodcast.

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  • 28 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 46 min
  • English

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  • S5 · E28
    Wednesday · 59 min

    Andrea Virgin: Widowed at 31, Rebuilding by Choice

    Andrea Virgin didn't set out to become a civil engineer or the leader of a major arts nonprofit. But after the 2008 recession hit her dance company, she traded her pointe shoes for a hard hat and built a new career in engineering—only to face devastating loss when her husband TJ died when their daughter was 4 months old. In this episode of She Pivots, Andrea shares how she rebuilt her life (twice), the surprising boardroom idea that grew into her current mission, her role Chair and CEO of The Center for Arts and Innovation in Boca Raton, and why creativity is necessary at all stages of life. Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to She Pivots 02:22 Childhood Memories and Early Dance Training 06:50 Cultural Influences and Family Dynamics 07:37 Balancing Dance and Engineering Studies 14:29 The 2008 Recession's Impact on the Arts 17:54 Pivoting to Civil Engineering 19:38 The Personal: Dating and Relationships 23:51 The Fateful Plane Crash 31:25 Navigating Grief and New Beginnings 37:03 Personal and Professional Growth 43:56 The Birth of a Creative Vision 52:01 Lessons from Andrea's Journey 57:39 Closing Thoughts 58:33 Podcast Production Credits Keep up with Andrea’s work at The Center at thecenterforartsandinnovation.org Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a pivot story, leave us a rating (it really helps!), and share this episode with a woman in your life who you think needs a little inspiration. She Pivots is a podcast created by host Emily Tisch Sussman to highlight influential women voices, share stories of bold career moves, and inspire women with interviews about career reinvention and how personal pivots can redefine professional success. Join our Substack community! Subscribe here for exclusive content and to connect with other pivoters: shepivots.substack.com Learn more about the inspiring women in our pivoter community by following us on instagram @ShePivotsThePodcast, and check out our website shepivotspod.com for resources and updates. She Pivots is proud to be an iheart podcast. Support the show: https://www.shepivotsthepodcast.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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  • S5 · E27
    September 16 · 49 min

    Chelsie Hill: How a Wheelchair Dance Team Went Global

    At seventeen, Chelsie Hill was a competitive dancer with her sights set on a career as a professional performer, until a car accident with a drunk driver left her paralyzed and changed everything overnight. Her first question to the doctor wasn't about walking again; it was whether she could still dance. On this episode of She Pivots, Chelsie talks about rebuilding her identity after the accident, the moment she decided to stop waiting for permission to chase her dream, and how she turned her own search for community into the Rollettes, a wheelchair dance team that's grown into one of the largest networks for women and girls with disabilities in the world. From performing in Kelly Clarkson's "Invincible" video to dancing at the opening ceremony of the Paris Paralympics, Chelsie shares how dance became the thing that carried her through the injury, marriage, motherhood, and building a space made for women like her from the ground up. Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to She Pivots 00:46 Guest Intro: Chelsie Hill 08:48 The Fateful Car Accident 13:54 Adapting to a New Reality 25:06 The Birth of the Rollettes 31:34 Navigating Dance in LA 37:30 Meeting Her Husband 39:10 Navigating Pregnancy With a Spinal Cord Injury 45:00 Building a Community of Disabled Moms 46:36 The Rolettes Experience 47:27 Reflecting on Chelsie's Journey 48:18 Podcast Production Credits You can follow Chelsie on Instagram @chelsiehill, and the Rollettes at @rollettes_la. Check them out at their website www.rollettesdance.com. Happy National Dance Day, and Happy Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month! Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a pivot story, leave us a rating (it really helps!), and share this episode with a woman in your life who you think needs a little inspiration. She Pivots is a podcast created by host Emily Tisch Sussman to highlight influential women voices, share stories of bold career moves, and inspire women with interviews about career reinvention and how personal pivots can redefine professional success. Join our Substack community! Subscribe here for exclusive content and to connect with other pivoters: shepivots.substack.com Learn more about the inspiring women in our pivoter community by following us on instagram @ShePivotsThePodcast, and check out our website shepivotspod.com for resources and updates. She Pivots is proud to be an iHeart podcast. Support the show: https://www.shepivotsthepodcast.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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  • S5 · E26
    September 9 · 42 min

    Mandana Dayani: From Religious Refugee to Media Powerhouse

    Mandana Dayani grew up in Tehran during the Iran-Iraq war, in a Persian Jewish family that had been trying to flee since the 1979 revolution. She couldn't play in the park across the street, sirens were routine, and she had a gun pointed at her more than once before she was five. In 1987, her family escaped on a one-day visa, signing away their home and everything they owned to start over in New York with no English and little money. On this episode of She Pivots, Mandana takes us from that five-year-old holding her mother's hand through a career that took her from Rachel Zoe to running Prince Harry and Meghan's media company, scaling major brands across fashion, media, and tech, and co-founding one of the country's biggest nonpartisan voting organizations. She also opens up about the video she made after October 7th about her own childhood, which has now been watched more than fifty million times. Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to She Pivots 00:28 Guest Intro: Mandana Dayani 02:02 Who is Mandana? 02:51 A Childhood in War-Torn Iran 04:31 Growing Up As A Religious Refugee 14:18 From Lawyer to Fashion Brand Builder 19:27 Leaving Rachel Zoe 21:57 The Birth of I'm A Voter 30:26 Archewell 33:06 The October 7th Viral Video 38:55 Low Point to Launch 40:33 Reflecting on Mandana's Journey 42:00 Podcast Credits Learn more about what Mandana is up to on Instagram @mandanadayani or on her website www.mandanadayani.com Subscribe to her Substack All Of It at mandanadayani.substack.com Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a pivot story, leave us a rating (it really helps!), and share this episode with a woman in your life who you think needs a little inspiration. She Pivots is a podcast created by host Emily Tisch Sussman to highlight influential women voices, share stories of bold career moves, and inspire women with interviews about career reinvention and how personal pivots can redefine professional success. Join our Substack community! Subscribe here for exclusive content and to connect with other pivoters: shepivots.substack.com Learn more about the inspiring women in our pivoter community by following us on instagram @ShePivotsThePodcast, and check out our website shepivotspod.com for resources and updates. She Pivots is proud to be an iHeart podcast. Support the show: https://www.shepivotsthepodcast.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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  • September 4 · 46 min

    Remembering Gloria Steinem: 92 Years of Activism, Storytelling, and Travels

    In light of Gloria Steinem's passing this week, we are re-releasing our episode with her from earlier this year with a new intro reflecting on Gloria's life and legacy. This episode was recorded in February 2026, and originally released on Gloria's 92nd birthday. It honors her impact on our culture and on the lives of every individual she spent her life fighting for. Gloria dedicated her life's work to bringing people together across generations, identities, and movements to imagine a better future for everyone. In this special episode, Emily talks to Gloria about what inspired her activism, her early travels in India, her belief that change happens in inclusive circles and through storytelling, and the legacy she hopes to leave. Learn more about Gloria's life and Legacy at gloriasfoundation.org, and consider donating to support the incredible work they do. Chapters: 00:00 Personal Intro: Remembering Gloria Steinem 01:46 Gloria Steinem: A Feminist Legend 04:56 Gloria's Early Life 08:30 Gloria's Abortion and Her Fellowship in India 10:32 Early Career and the Playboy Bunny Exposé 14:49 The Birth of a Feminist Journalist 17:12 The Rise of a Feminist Leader 25:01 Feminism and Intersectionality 26:53 Gloria's Pivot Into Marriage 29:27 The Future of Democracy 35:14 Gloria's Home as an Hub for Activism 38:16 The Importance of Each Individual 42:05 Do You Think You'll Pivot Again? 44:47 Reflecting on Gloria Steinem's Life and Legacy 46:19 Production Credits Gloria’s Substack: https://gloriasfoundation.substack.com/ Gloria’s Instagram: @GloriaSteinem Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a pivot story, leave us a rating (it really helps!), and share this episode with a woman in your life who you think needs a little inspiration. She Pivots was created by host Emily Tisch Sussman to highlight women’s voices, share stories of bold career moves, and inspire women with inspirational narratives of how personal pivots can redefine professional success. Join our Substack community! Subscribe here for exclusive content and to connect with other pivoters: https://shepivots.substack.com/ Learn more about the inspiring women in our pivoter community by following us on instagram @ShePivotsThePodcast, and check out our website www.shepivotspod.com for resources and updates. She Pivots is proud to be an iHeart podcast. Support the show: https://www.shepivotsthepodcast.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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  • S5 · E25
    September 2 · 30 min

    Minda Harts: The Window She Jumped Out Of

    Minda Harts grew up working the counter at a Dairy Queen to help cover her family's utility bills, and she climbed her way to the corporate career she'd always dreamed of. But being one of the only Black women in the room wore her down in small ways that piled up over ten years, until she found herself sitting in a parking lot, crying, and neglecting her health despite having "made it." On this episode of She Pivots, Minda talks about the breaking point that led her to start a blog just to get her thoughts out–a blog that grew into the bestselling book The Memo, three more books, a film in festivals, and a teaching career at NYU. Recorded live in front of a room full of women media-builders at The Riveter's Gathering summit in Washington D.C., this conversation traces how Minda went from dimming her own light to building the trust-focused career she never had. As she put it: "I jumped out of the window of corporate America, and women caught me." Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to She Pivots 00:26 The Gathering: Women Supporting Women 01:03 Minda Harts: Trust Catalyst and Author 01:54 Introduction to She Pivots 03:36 Who is Minda? 05:25 Yasminda to Minda 06:54 The Journey to Corporate America 14:07 The Breaking Point 20:15 The Monday Memo: A Blog to Book to Film 23:41 What's Your Empire? 28:30 Reflections on Minda's Journey 29:43 Podcast Credits You can keep up with Minda at mindaharts.com and on Instagram @mindaharts. Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a pivot story, leave us a rating (it really helps!), and share this episode with a woman in your life who you think needs a little inspiration. She Pivots is a podcast created by host Emily Tisch Sussman to highlight influential women voices, share stories of bold career moves, and inspire women with interviews about career reinvention and how personal pivots can redefine professional success. Join our Substack community! Subscribe here for exclusive content and to connect with other pivoters: shepivots.substack.com Learn more about the inspiring women in our pivoter community by following us on instagram @ShePivotsThePodcast, and check out our website shepivotspod.com for resources and updates. She Pivots is proud to be an iHeart podcast. Support the show: https://www.shepivotsthepodcast.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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  • S5 · E24
    August 26 · 50 min

    Space Gal: The 100th Woman in Space

    Emily Calandrelli (more widely known as Space Gal) grew up in Morgantown, West Virginia, with no scientists or engineers in her orbit. She chose engineering for the paycheck, discovered a love of science communication along the way, and eventually became the first woman in the country to solo-host a national science show. On this episode of She Pivots, Emily talks about pitching adult science shows for a decade only to hear that networks didn't think their male-dominated audiences would relate to a female host; pivoting to create Emily's Wonder Lab (the Netflix show that made her a household name to millions of parents and kids); and turning the show's cancellation into two bestselling books and a thriving YouTube channel. She also opens up about announcing her second pregnancy via a weather balloon at the edge of space, fighting for a federal law after being humiliated by TSA over breast milk ice packs, and why she's finally letting herself scale back with baby number three. Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to She Pivots 01:44 Emily Calandrelli: The Space Gal 03:16 Navigating Academic Challenges 05:16 The Power of Progress Over Perfection 18:18 The Unexpected Path to TV Hosting 25:11 Breaking Barriers in Science TV 32:21 Balancing Career and Motherhood 33:55 The Cancellation of Emily's Wonder Lab 35:52 Balancing The Work 40:33 Parenting as a Scientific Experiment 45:28 Low Point to Launch 48:35 Closing Thoughts 49:37 Podcast Credits Keep up with Emily on Instagram @thespacegal, on YouTube @EmilysScienceLab, and on her website at www.thespacegal.com Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a pivot story, leave us a rating (it really helps!), and share this episode with a woman in your life who you think needs a little inspiration. She Pivots is a podcast created by host Emily Tisch Sussman to highlight influential women voices, share stories of bold career moves, and inspire women with interviews about career reinvention and how personal pivots can redefine professional success. Join our Substack community! Subscribe here for exclusive content and to connect with other pivoters: shepivots.substack.com Learn more about the inspiring women in our pivoter community by following us on instagram @ShePivotsThePodcast, and check out our website shepivotspod.com for resources and updates. She Pivots is proud to be an iHeart podcast. Support the show: https://www.shepivotsthepodcast.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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  • S5 · E23
    August 19 · 41 min

    Keli Lee: The Day Her Heart Stopped

    For over two decades, Keli Lee ran talent and casting at ABC and Disney, shaping shows like Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, and Modern Family while building the industry’s first program designed to get overlooked actors in front of the right people, helping launch the careers of Lupita Nyong’o, Chadwick Boseman, and Pedro Pascal. She created Disney’s first international studio from scratch, all while crisscrossing time zones between London, Australia, and LA for four years straight. And then her heart stopped, leading to eight days in the ICU that changed everything. On this episode of She Pivots, Keli talks about the night Viola Davis made history, the toll of nonstop work, how her father’s illness sent her looking into her own family history, and how that journey became the foundation for her brand Kurioscity, built to help others live with more intention. Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to She Pivots 00:28 Guest Introduction: Keli Lee 04:28 From South Korea to All Over the USA 10:08 New York City: If You Can Make It Here... 12:39 Getting Into Casting 18:17 Disney and Diverse Representation 27:26 The Toll: A Near-Death Experience 33:13 Pivoting to Women's Soccer Ownership 35:47 The Art of Identifying the Undervalued 39:37 Do You Think You'll Pivot Again? 40:49 Closing Thoughts and Show Information You can Follow Keli on Instagram @kelilee7 and you can scheck out her substack for Kurioscity at https://kelilee.substack.com/ Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a pivot story, leave us a rating (it really helps!), and share this episode with a woman in your life who you think needs a little inspiration. She Pivots is a podcast created by host Emily Tisch Sussman to highlight influential women voices, share stories of bold career moves, and inspire women with interviews about career reinvention and how personal pivots can redefine professional success. Join our Substack community! Subscribe here for exclusive content and to connect with other pivoters: shepivots.substack.com Learn more about the inspiring women in our pivoter community by following us on instagram @ShePivotsThePodcast, and check out our website shepivotspod.com for resources and updates. She Pivots is proud to be an iHeart podcast. Support the show: https://www.shepivotsthepodcast.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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  • S5 · E22
    August 12 · 47 min

    Missy Tannen: From Stay-at-Home Mom to $250 Million Founder

    Missy Tannen spent five years teaching third grade and a decade as a stay-at-home mom before she ever thought about starting a company. But when she couldn't find bedding that was high-quality, ethically sourced, and traceable, she and her husband Scott started Boll & Branch out of pure frustration. On this episode of She Pivots, Missy talks about betting the family's life savings on an idea, borrowing against their own house even while sales were taking off, and what it took to scale from a garage operation to a 200-person company without losing what made it different in the first place. She's brutally honest about the mess behind the milestones (a full batch of ivory sheets that came out green!) and about running a family business—that’s now worth over $250 million—with her husband while raising their kids. Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to She Pivots 01:32 From Teacher to Entrepreneur: Missy Tannen 09:23 Stay-at-home-mom 13:04 The Birth of Boll & Branch 26:15 The Wall Street Journal Breakthrough 33:54 Growing the Business and Family Involvement 39:24 Building a Sustainable Supply Chain 41:25 The Power of Community 42:32 The Tariff Challenge 45:54 Reflecting on Missy's Journey 47:09 Production Credits Check out Boll & Branch at www.bollandbranch.com Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a pivot story, leave us a rating (it really helps!), and share this episode with a woman in your life who you think needs a little inspiration. She Pivots is a podcast created by host Emily Tisch Sussman to highlight influential women voices, share stories of bold career moves, and inspire women with interviews about career reinvention and how personal pivots can redefine professional success. Join our Substack community! Subscribe here for exclusive content and to connect with other pivoters: shepivots.substack.com Learn more about the inspiring women in our pivoter community by following us on instagram @ShePivotsThePodcast, and check out our website shepivotspod.com for resources and updates. She Pivots is proud to be an iheart podcast. Support the show: https://www.shepivotsthepodcast.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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  • S5 · E21
    August 5 · 59 min

    Amanda Kloots: What Nick's Death Taught Her About Living

    Amanda Kloots has never been able to keep her personal and professional lives separate, which is exactly why her story resonates. She's taken on so many roles: Radio City Rockette, Broadway performer, fitness entrepreneur, bestselling author, daytime TV host, and founder of the wellness brand, Proper. And every pivot she's made was sparked by something deeply personal: a divorce, a new marriage, a cross-country move, and the sudden loss of her husband, Broadway star Nick Cordero, to COVID in 2020. On this episode of She Pivots, Amanda talks about clawing her way back after losing her Broadway income, building a fitness business from scratch in LA, and how an Instagram Live during the darkest ninety-five days of her life turned into a movement she never could have anticipated. She opens up about grief cracking her life wide open, why she calls her divorce the low point she's most grateful for, and how she's carried every version of herself (dancer, teacher, founder, widow, mom) into the next chapter, including her new podcast and her role in Netflix's Let's Marry Harry. Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to She Pivots 02:05 Family Background and Childhood 03:33 The Broadway Dream Takes Shape 09:38 Navigating New York City and Early Auditions 18:30 The Radio City Rockette Experience 25:26 From Broadway to Fitness Entrepreneurship 33:49 The Struggle to Launch in Los Angeles 36:55 Nick's COVID Battle 40:50 Nick's Death and the Nation's Shock 46:51 Navigating Grief and Work 51:37 Future Plans and Aspirations 57:48 Reflections on Amanda's Pivots 58:51 Podcast Credits Be sure to check out Amanda’s new podcast (launching TODAY) called Good Grief with Amanda Kloots. Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a pivot story, leave us a rating (it really helps!), and share this episode with a woman in your life who you think needs a little inspiration. She Pivots is a podcast created by host Emily Tisch Sussman to highlight influential women voices, share stories of bold career moves, and inspire women with interviews about career reinvention and how personal pivots can redefine professional success. Join our Substack community! Subscribe here for exclusive content and to connect with other pivoters: shepivots.substack.com Learn more about the inspiring women in our pivoter community by following us on instagram @ShePivotsThePodcast, and check out our website shepivotspod.com for resources and updates. She Pivots is proud to be an iheart podcast. Support the show: https://www.shepivotsthepodcast.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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  • S5 · E20
    July 29 · 52 min

    Amanda Calabrese: Redesigning the Tampon for Athletes

    Amanda Calabrese was a middle schooler at a swim meet when she got her period for the first time. Her team captain told her to figure it out in thirty minutes or she was off the relay. That moment stuck with her all the way to Stanford, where she met her future co-founder Greta Meyer and started sketching what would become Sequel, the first tampon redesign in nearly a hundred years. On this episode of She Pivots, Amanda talks about the four-year fight to get a tiny piece of cotton past the FDA, why she treats the tampon as game-day equipment rather than something to whisper about, and how Sequel landed in locker rooms from middle schools to Audi Field, Yankees Stadium, and the Indiana Fever. Now a nine-time champion turned product design engineer, Amanda is on a mission to change how period care is talked about in sports and in every space where women show up to compete. Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to She Pivots 01:46 Amanda's Childhood in East Hampton 05:43 From Junior Lifeguard to National Champion 12:14 The Challenges of Periods in Sports 16:09 Amanda's Journey to Product Design 21:01 The Birth of Sequel and the Spiral Tampon 27:02 Overcoming Obstacles and Securing Funding 29:37 The Evolution of Tampon Design 35:44 The Power of Self-Awareness in Team Building 38:13 Navigating the Challenges of Fundraising 42:16 The Rise of Women's Sports and Sequel's Timing 48:12 The Future of Sequel and Period Care 49:46 Low Point to Launch 50:52 Closing Thoughts 51:44 Podcast Credits You can keep up with Amanda’s work with sequel at www.trysequel.com Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a pivot story, leave us a rating (it really helps!), and share this episode with a woman in your life who you think needs a little inspiration. She Pivots is a podcast created by host Emily Tisch Sussman to highlight influential women voices, share stories of bold career moves, and inspire women with interviews about career reinvention and how personal pivots can redefine professional success. Join our Substack community! Subscribe here for exclusive content and to connect with other pivoters: shepivots.substack.com Learn more about the inspiring women in our pivoter community by following us on instagram @ShePivotsThePodcast, and check out our website shepivotspod.com for resources and updates. She Pivots is proud to be an iHeart podcast. Support the show: https://www.shepivotsthepodcast.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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  • S5 · E19
    July 22 · 47 min

    Dystany Spurlock: The First Black Woman on the NASCAR Track

    Dystany Spurlock has been fast her whole life—and is now a She Pivots-sponsored NASCAR driver! This is She Pivots’ first-ever sports sponsorship, because we believe in Dystany’s ability to break records and win. From a Barbie Corvette and go-karts at five, to fighting her way onto the boys' football team in middle school, to setting a motorcycle world record in a sport built for anyone but her, Dystany is a powerhouse. Getting to NASCAR meant driving trucks, working flight attendant shifts, and living in her mom's RV while she waited for the call that would change everything. On this episode of She Pivots, Dystany talks about that winding road to becoming the first Black woman to race in NASCAR, the family that held her together through the hardest parts, and why she refuses to leave her signature face sparkles at the door. We also discuss what it means when little girls stop her in the grocery store to say they want to drive too and the details behind the She Pivots purple car she's racing in this week at Indianapolis. Chapters: 00:00 Guest Introduction: Dystany Spurlock 02:43 An Early Love of Racing 08:18 Breaking into Drag Racing 19:48 The Journey to NASCAR: Personal Obstacles 22:45 The Athleticism of Racing 27:52 The Impact of Being a Trailblazer in NASCAR 33:30 Dystany's Signature Sparkle Look 39:45 She Pivots Sponsorship of Dystany 40:28 Understanding the Racing Process 44:03 Low Point to Launch 45:40 Reflections on Dystany the Disruptor 46:52 Podcast Credits Tune in to watch the big race THIS FRIDAY, July 24th, at 5:30pm on FS1/Fox Sports App You can keep up with Dystany @dystanyspurlock on Instagram, and check out her Docuseries “Driven by Dystany: The Road to NASCAR” on Foxxtecca’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6q2OuXcHRf4w2pJxwqHP34rH8Iyprgcy Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a pivot story, leave us a rating (it really helps!), and share this episode with a woman in your life who you think needs a little inspiration. She Pivots is a podcast created by host Emily Tisch Sussman to highlight influential women voices, share stories of bold career moves, and inspire women with interviews about career reinvention and how personal pivots can redefine professional success. Join our Substack community! Subscribe here for exclusive content and to connect with other pivoters: shepivots.substack.com Learn more about the inspiring women in our pivoter community by following us on instagram @ShePivotsThePodcast, and check out our website shepivotspod.com for resources and updates. She Pivots is proud to be an iheart podcast. Support the show: https://www.shepivotsthepodcast.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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  • S5 · E18
    July 15 · 32 min

    Flavor Flav: The Hype Man for Women's Sports

    For the first time ever, She Pivots is flipping the mic to a man. Flavor Flav joins Emily for our very first "He Pivots" episode to talk about his work as a hype man for women's sports. From sponsoring the US women's water polo team (yes, he got in the pool) to throwing this weekend's three-day "She Got Game" celebration in Vegas for female Olympians and Paralympians the White House snubbed, Flav explains why he's become one of the loudest voices for female athletes who rarely get their flowers. He also opens up about cutting class to teach himself piano, chasing a real Grammy after his Lifetime Achievement win, bowling at the White House with Dr. Jill Biden, and why, nearly 40 years into his career, he still doesn't think he's made it to the top. Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to HE Pivots 00:28 Guest Introduction: Flavor Flav 02:22 Flavor Flav's Musical Roots 07:08 Reality TV and Flavor of Love 13:51 The Pivot to Supporting Women's Sports 18:53 In the Pool with the Women's Water Polo Team 22:52 The Birth of SHE Weekend 30:26 Closing Thoughts on Flav's Impact 31:46 Podcast Credits Keep up with Flavor Flav on Instagram @flavorflavofficial, and with SHE Weekend @flavorflavsshe. Learn more about SHE Weekend at sheweekend.com Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a pivot story, leave us a rating (it really helps!), and share this episode with a woman in your life who you think needs a little inspiration. She Pivots is a podcast created by host Emily Tisch Sussman to highlight influential women voices, share stories of bold career moves, and inspire women with interviews about career reinvention and how personal pivots can redefine professional success. Join our Substack community! Subscribe here for exclusive content and to connect with other pivoters: shepivots.substack.com Learn more about the inspiring women in our pivoter community by following us on instagram @ShePivotsThePodcast, and check out our website shepivotspod.com for resources and updates. She Pivots is proud to be an iheart podcast. Support the show: https://www.shepivotsthepodcast.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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  • S5 · E17
    July 8 · 48 min

    Carolyn Tisch Blodgett: Inside Women's Soccer's Biggest Year

    There's one guest Emily brings back every single season: her sister, Carolyn Tisch Blodgett. Carolyn's had one heck of a year: she's Governor of Gotham FC (who won the championship again this year!), and she represents the family's ownership stake in the New York Giants. In this episode of She Pivots, Carolyn dives into what it's actually like to build something as it's happening in real time, the bets that could've gone either way, and all the unglamorous stuff nobody posts about. The sisters get into the night Gotham flew to Kansas City as total underdogs, why the new locker room design has an L-shaped entrance, and what's coming this summer as Gotham takes on the Washington Spirit at Citi Field in front of what could be the biggest crowd in NYC women's sports history. Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to She Pivots 00:29 The Annual Carolyn She Pivots Episode 02:10 Navigating Women's Sports Ownership 04:01 The Importance of Media Deals in Sports 06:52 Women's Sports as an Investment Opportunity 13:01 Building the First Global Women's Sports Brand 18:57 Breaking into Culture 22:32 The Championship Win and Future Challenges 32:05 Investing in Player Experience and Facilities 35:21 Intentional Design for Women's Soccer 39:29 Lessons from the Giants: Fan Engagement 42:56 Making the Hard Decisions 45:27 Low Point to Launch 46:23 Do You Think You'll Pivot Again? 47:44 Closing Thoughts and Credits You can keep up with Carolyn’s work by following Gotham FC @gothamfc (gothamfc.com) or checking out Next3. Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a pivot story, leave us a rating (it really helps!), and share this episode with a woman in your life who you think needs a little inspiration. She Pivots is a podcast created by host Emily Tisch Sussman to highlight influential women voices, share stories of bold career moves, and inspire women with interviews about career reinvention and how personal pivots can redefine professional success. Join our Substack community! Subscribe here for exclusive content and to connect with other pivoters: shepivots.substack.com Learn more about the inspiring women in our pivoter community by following us on instagram @ShePivotsThePodcast, and check out our website shepivotspod.com for resources and updates. She Pivots is proud to be an iheart podcast. Support the show: https://www.shepivotsthepodcast.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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  • S5 · E16
    July 1 · 39 min

    Ana Huang: Consultant by Day, Erotic Romance Author by Night

    Ana Huang spent years living a double life: international relations scholar, Georgetown grad, geopolitical consultant by day, and secret romance novelist by night. She quietly uploaded chapters to Wattpad under a pen name no one in her life knew, and kept writing even as she built a conventional career that would make her immigrant parents proud. On this episode of She Pivots, Ana shares how COVID cracked her life open, how she taught herself TikTok before BookTok was even a thing, and how she built a community of millions one chapter at a time, all while still clocking in at her day job. She talks about the moment she finally told her family the truth, why she said no to major publishers when Twisted Love blew up, and what it means to bet on yourself. Her Twisted series has now sold over 25 million copies, been translated into 34 languages, and is headed to Netflix—and her new book, King of Gluttony, is out now. You can keep up with Ana Huang on her website anahuang.com, as well as on Instagram and TikTok @authoranahuang. Episode Chapters: 00:00 - Welcome to She Pivots 00:28 - Double Life to Literary Sensation 01:58 - Ana's Childhood and Cultural Identity 05:55 - Early Career and Secret Writing 12:14 - Rediscovering Writing During the Pandemic 13:38 - The Romance Genre and TikTok Success 24:24 - Self-Publishing and Traditional Offers 27:22 - Navigating Fame and Fan Expectations 31:16 - King of Gluttony and Future Plans 33:03 - From Low Point to Launch 34:51 - What Does Success Look Like Now? 36:32 - Do You Think You'll Pivot Again? 37:24 - Reflections on Ana's Writing Evolution 38:11 - Podcast Credits Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a pivot story, leave us a rating (it really helps!), and share this episode with a woman in your life who you think needs a little inspiration. She Pivots is a podcast created by host Emily Tisch Sussman to highlight influential women voices, share stories of bold career moves, and inspire women with interviews about career reinvention and how personal pivots can redefine professional success. Join our Substack community! Subscribe here for exclusive content and to connect with other pivoters: shepivots.substack.com Learn more about the inspiring women in our pivoter community by following us on instagram @ShePivotsThePodcast, and check out our website shepivotspod.com for resources and updates. She Pivots is proud to be an iHeart podcast. Support the show: https://www.shepivotsthepodcast.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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  • S5 · E15
    June 24 · 45 min

    Hayley Kiyoko: Lesbian Jesus

    From child actor to Disney star to pop icon dubbed "Lesbian Jesus," Hayley Kiyoko built a career creating the representation she never had as a half-Japanese, queer artist. In this episode of She Pivots, Hayley opens up about becoming a community's symbol practically overnight while still figuring herself out, and how she moved from leading with fear to leading with confidence and self-love. She also shares how she found her fiancée, Becca Tilley, and reflects on the decade-long journey that culminated in her Girls Like Girls film and album—a project that started with high school heartbreak twenty years ago. Happy Pride Month, Pivoters! Girls like girls is out NOW. See it in theatres and check out the companion Girls Like Girls album. Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to She Pivots 00:39 Guest Intro: Hayley Kiyoko 01:55 Hayley's Childhood 08:12 Early Music Career: Joining Stunners 13:26 The Birth of "Girls Like Girls" 18:27 20GayTeen: Music and Queer Identity 20:27 Music Industry Challenges 28:16 Hayley's Personal Identity Journey 34:33 The Journey to Film Direction 37:16 The Power of Representation on Screen 40:00 From Low Point to Launch 41:43 Do You Think You'll Pivot Again? 43:25 Reflections on Hayley's Journey 44:17 Podcast Credits Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a pivot story, leave us a rating (it really helps!), and share this episode with a woman in your life who you think needs a little inspiration. She Pivots is a podcast created by host Emily Tisch Sussman to highlight influential women voices, share stories of bold career moves, and inspire women with interviews about career reinvention and how personal pivots can redefine professional success. Join our Substack community! Subscribe here for exclusive content and to connect with other pivoters: shepivots.substack.com Learn more about the inspiring women in our pivoter community by following us on instagram @ShePivotsThePodcast, and check out our website shepivotspod.com for resources and updates. She Pivots is proud to be an iheart podcast. Support the show: https://www.shepivotsthepodcast.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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  • S5 · E14
    June 17 · 51 min

    Dr Sian Proctor: The Space Poet

    Dr. Sian Proctor grew up the daughter of a NASA hidden figure, with the stars in her sights until a pair of glasses at age fourteen seemed to close the door on her dream of becoming a military aviator. She kept reaching anyway, pursuing a career in geoscience and science communication, coming agonizingly close to NASA selection before receiving a rejection that sent her life in a different direction. In this episode, Dr. Sian Proctor talks about the long, winding road from that childhood dream to becoming the first Black woman to pilot a spacecraft; hitting a low point after a painful divorce; and the unexpected creative awakening that ultimately launched her to space. And once she got there, she did what she's always done: made art. Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to She Pivots 02:10 A NASA Legacy and Childhood Dreams 06:30 From Science to Education: Finding a New Path 08:09 The PhD Journey: Overcoming Obstacles 18:56 NASA's Rejection: A Turning Point 25:14 An Astronaut on Earth 31:13 COVID, Creativity, and Space Postcards 34:54 The Winning Ticket: A Fateful Announcement 40:28 Training and Launch: A Dream Realized 42:29 Creating Art in Zero Gravity 44:59 The Transformative Power of Earthlight 46:52 Pivoting Again: Professor, Astronaut, Artist 47:57 Low Point to Launch 49:51 Closing Thoughts 50:57 Podcast Credits Keep up with Space Poet on Instagram @drsianproctor and her website ​​https://space2inspire.art/ Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a pivot story, leave us a rating (it really helps!), and share this episode with a woman in your life who you think needs a little inspiration. She Pivots is a podcast created by host Emily Tisch Sussman to highlight influential women voices, share stories of bold career moves, and inspire women with interviews about career reinvention and how personal pivots can redefine professional success. Join our Substack community! Subscribe here for exclusive content and to connect with other pivoters: shepivots.substack.com Learn more about the inspiring women in our pivoter community by following us on instagram @ShePivotsThePodcast, and check out our website shepivotspod.com for resources and updates. She Pivots is proud to be an iheart podcast. Support the show: https://www.shepivotsthepodcast.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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  • S5 · E13
    June 10 · 54 min

    Hayley Paige: Reclaiming Her Name

    From the time she was a little girl, Hayley Paige knew exactly what she wanted to do: design wedding dresses. And she did it. By her early thirties she had a million Instagram followers, a recurring spot on Say Yes to the Dress, and gowns selling in hundreds of stores worldwide. And then she lost all of it. Her name. Her Instagram. Her right to design. Even her right to publicly call herself Hayley Paige. What followed was years of fighting in court, broke, locked out of everything she had built, just to reclaim what should have been hers from the start. And when she finally did, she turned that experience into something bigger, founding A Girl You Might Know Foundation and She Is Cheval to make sure other women don't have to go through the same thing. Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to She Pivots 01:29 A Childhood Dream Takes Shape 09:55 Breaking into Wedding Dresses 13:54 Building a Brand on Social Media 17:31 Personal and Professional: Wedding and Divorce 20:57 The Legal Battle Begins 31:57 Rebirth and Reinvention 36:02 Buying Back Her Name 42:02 Rebuilding After the Fall 45:54 Love and Resilience: Hailey's Personal Growth 49:25 Low Point to Launch 52:21 Reflecting on Hayley's Unique Pivot 53:11 Podcast Credits You can keep up with Hayley Paige on instagram @misshayleypaige, and check out her foundation at https://www.agirlyoumightknowfoundation.org/ Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a pivot story, leave us a rating (it really helps!), and share this episode with a woman in your life who you think needs a little inspiration. She Pivots is a podcast created by host Emily Tisch Sussman to highlight influential women voices, share stories of bold career moves, and inspire women with interviews about career reinvention and how personal pivots can redefine professional success. Join our Substack community! Subscribe here for exclusive content and to connect with other pivoters: shepivots.substack.com Learn more about the inspiring women in our pivoter community by following us on instagram @ShePivotsThePodcast, and check out our website shepivotspod.com for resources and updates. She Pivots is proud to be an iheart podcast. Support the show: https://www.shepivotsthepodcast.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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  • S5 · E12
    June 3 · 52 min

    Patricia Delgado: From Principal Ballerina to Tony Award Winner

    Patricia Delgado: From Principal Ballerina to Tony Award Winner Growing up Cuban-American in Miami, Patricia Delgado found her love of performance early and spent seventeen years with Miami City Ballet, a decade of that as a principal dancer. But when she faced a series of injuries, she was forced to confront a question she wasn't ready to answer: what comes next? In this episode, Patricia opens up about the physical and emotional toll of stepping away from the only identity she had ever known, how she found her way into choreography alongside her husband Justin Peck, and what it meant to reconnect with her Cuban roots through the Broadway hit Buena Vista Social Club, leading her to be the first Latina to win a Tony Award for Best Choreography. Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to She Pivots 02:54 Patricia's Dance Journey Begins 08:43 First Introduction to Theatre 17:38 Navigating Ballet's Challenges 30:06 Patricia's Final Ballet Bow 38:22 Buena Vista Social Club 41:53 Tony Award Triumph and Its Significance 44:50 The Power of Visibility in Choreography 48:20 Embracing Change and Future Possibilities 50:22 Reflecting on Patricia's Pivot Story 51:22 Podcast Credits You can keep up with Patricia Delgado on Instagram @pattiedeldancer Don’t forget to tune into the Tony’s this Sunday, June 7th at 8pm on CBS and Paramount+ Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a pivot story, leave us a rating (it really does help!), and share this episode with a woman in your life who you think needs a little inspiration. She Pivots is a podcast created by host Emily Tisch Sussman to highlight influential women voices, share stories of bold career moves, and inspire women with interviews about career reinvention and how personal pivots can redefine professional success. Join our Substack community! Subscribe here for exclusive content and to connect with other pivoters: shepivots.substack.com Learn more about the inspiring women in our pivoter community by following us on instagram @ShePivotsThePodcast, and check out our website shepivotspod.com for resources and updates. She Pivots is proud to be an iheart podcast. Support the show: https://www.shepivotsthepodcast.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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  • S5 · E11
    May 27 · 35 min

    Heela Yang: The Unexpected Detour That Led to Sol de Janeiro

    Heela Yang built Sol de Janeiro, one of the most beloved body care brands, from her dining room, but her path there looked nothing like a typical business plan. After twelve years in corporate beauty following stints at Goldman Sachs and a Harvard MBA, she left New York for Brazil for love, only to find herself pregnant, isolated, and unable to do the work that had always defined her. A single afternoon on a beach, surrounded by women of every shape in a very small bikini she'd been talked into, changed everything. In this episode, Heela shares how that moment became the emotional blueprint for Sol de Janeiro, the cult-favorite brand that launched a craze for mists and body care and built a business around embracing your body and skin as it is, no matter what size or shape. Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to She Pivots 01:36 From Korea to America: A Cultural Shift 06:37 The Importance of Skincare in Korean Culture 09:16 Early Entrepreneurial Ideas 12:13 Moving to Brazil: A New Beginning 13:33 Pregnancy and Isolation in a Foreign Country 17:41 The Pivotal Beach Moment 23:19 Building a Brand Around Embracing Yourself 27:50 The Power of Being Welcomed, Not Just Accepted 29:10.440 Low Point to Launch 33:24 Reflecting on Heela's Journey 34:18 Podcast Credits You can check out Sol de Janeiro basically anywhere you get skincare or body care products– and keep up with what they’re up to on Instagram @soldejaneiro Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a pivot story, leave us a rating (it really helps!), and share this episode with a woman in your life who you think needs a little inspiration. She Pivots is a podcast created by host Emily Tisch Sussman to highlight influential women voices, share stories of bold career moves, and inspire women with interviews about career reinvention and how personal pivots can redefine professional success. Join our Substack community! Subscribe here for exclusive content and to connect with other pivoters: shepivots.substack.com Learn more about the inspiring women in our pivoter community by following us on instagram @ShePivotsThePodcast, and check out our website shepivotspod.com for resources and updates. She Pivots is proud to be an iheart podcast. Support the show: https://www.shepivotsthepodcast.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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  • S5 · E10
    May 20 · 45 min

    Victoria Lai: The Story Behind Ice Cream Jubilee

    Victoria Lai has lived several careers in one lifetime: presidential appointee at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, entrepreneur, and now business advisor and nonprofit COO. But her biggest pivot came when she nurtured her passion for making ice cream on nights and weekends while working a serious government job. In this extra sweet episode, Victoria walks us through how a $25 Craigslist ice cream maker and a promise to herself led to Ice Cream Jubilee, the award-winning DC-area business celebrated by Food & Wine, the Washington Post, and Thrillist, and what it felt like to eventually sell the business she'd spent nearly a decade building. She also opens up about her family's Chinese immigrant history and how it shaped both her flavors and her sense of purpose, and why she considers her latest pivot back to mission-driven work the most fitting chapter yet. Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to She Pivots 00:28 Guest Introduction: Victoria Lai 01:58 Childhood Memories and Family Influences 06:57 The Path to Law School and Government Work 10:58 Finding Inspiration in New York City 13:02 The Birth of Ice Cream Jubilee 26:36 Taking the Leap: From Government to Ice Cream 32:46 "Ice cream-preneurship" 36:07 Achieving Success and Letting Go 39:02 A New Chapter: Coaching and Personal Growth 44:18 Closing Thoughts and Gratitude 44:40 Podcast Credits You can keep up with Ice Cream Jubilee at their website, www.icecreamjubilee.com Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a pivot story, leave us a rating (it really helps!), and share this episode with a woman in your life who you think needs a little inspiration. She Pivots is a podcast created by host Emily Tisch Sussman to highlight influential women voices, share stories of bold career moves, and inspire women with interviews about career reinvention and how personal pivots can redefine professional success. Join our Substack community! Subscribe here for exclusive content and to connect with other pivoters: shepivots.substack.com Learn more about the inspiring women in our pivoter community by following us on instagram @ShePivotsThePodcast, and check out our website shepivotspod.com for resources and updates. She Pivots is proud to be an iheart podcast. Support the show: https://www.shepivotsthepodcast.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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