Claim Ownership9 to 5ish with theSkimm
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The work advice you need, from women who’ve been there. Every week, join the co-founders and co-CEOs of theSkimm, Carly Zakin and Danielle Weisberg, as they help you get what you want out of your career by talking to the smartest leaders they know.
347 Episodes
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When Phoebe Gates started her company, Phia, her parents – yes, those Mr. and Mrs. Gates – wished her good luck and didn’t invest a penny. And while her last name lends it self to opportunities other people might not get. But instead of letting the nepo-baby convo overshadow her entrepreneurship, Phoebe shares why the pressure to live up to her family name actually is a positive thing.
In this episode, Phoebe also shares:
The values her parents instilled in her that have nothing to do with money or business
Why she started a business with her roommate-turned-best-friend-turned- co-founder
The most surprising founder skill she had to learn
Her number one tip for speaking with confidence in business meetings
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Leah Garcia’s career path has never been a straight line. It’s ben more like a rodeo loop. She grew up as the daughter of ranchers, went to college on a rodeo scholarship and became a pro mountain biker. All that happened, then she had a career as a TV sports reporter, and now, the founder of Nulastin, a cult beauty brand she launched with zero investors, no pitch deck, and plenty of grit. Today, Leah shares how she connected the dots between all of these seemingly separate careers – and how she had fun while doing it.
In this episode of 9 to 5ish, Leah also shares:
Why she loved the extreme nature of rodeoing and mountain biking
How she built Nulastin with zero investors and zero clue of how to pitch
The backstory of starting Nulastin in her 50s
Where boundaries end and burnout begins – and how she decides that
How she became comfortable with her lack of knowledge in business
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Trinny Woodall went from recovering from addiction in her mid-20s to becoming one of the most beloved authorities in style and fashion. She landed a lucky break with a weekly style column in London, then parlayed her expertise into the TV show What Not to Wear. Life threw her some curveballs, from mourning loved ones to going through 16 rounds of IVF. Today, Trinny gets real about the sacrifices she had to make around those private battles because of her self-employment status.
In this episode of 9 to 5ish, Trinny also shares:
Why she made herself try a stint in finance
Sacrifices she had to make for being self-employed
Why she only took three weeks of paid family leave after having her daughter
What she learned from having her business fail during the dot com bubble
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Norma Kamali started her career when women were expected to type memos in Mad Men-esque offices, not build their own empires. She came of age in 1960s New York City and since then, Norma's become one of the most influential names in fashion. Norma is responsible for iconic looks like Farrah Fawcett’s red swimsuit, the sleeping bag coat, and some of the earliest activewear, before “athleisure” was ever a thing. At 80-years-old, she’s showing no signs of stopping.
In this episode of 9 to 5ish, Norma also shares:
How a $29 flight and a basement boutique kicked off her career
What it took to walk away from a toxic business – and marriage
Why she took her brand to Walmart, even when people told her not to
How learning to ask for help changed her life
Why AI gives her a bigger creative high than anything else
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Author, businesswoman, designer, and chef Joanna Gaines used to let guilt and anxiety consume her. As a mom of five children, and as one half of one of the most successful lifestyle brands in the country, Joanna is now battling her burnout by letting go of those feelings. This week, we spoke to Joanna about that shift to free herself from the pressure of expectations and what it’s unlocked for her, professionally and personally.
In this episode, Joanna shares:
How she and Chip built a loyal and diverse audience
Why she still has a “small business” mindset, despite all her success
The realities of raising five children and running her business
How she’s dealt with the pressure of other people’s expectations – and her own
Her favorite activities that spark creativity
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Nili Lotan’s career didn’t begin on the runway. It started in corporate fashion, where she spent over two decades working at major brands like Ralph Lauren and Liz Claiborne. Then, in her late 40s — newly divorced, with a 9-year-old at home and two kids heading to college — she launched her namesake brand from the ground up. No outside investors or business plan. Just instinct, confidence, and a commitment to designing for real women like herself.
In this episode of 9 to 5ish, Nili also shares:
How she went from Israeli Air Force to the NYC fashion scene
Why she thinks every woman needs a good pair of jeans
The importance of betting on yourself, even when it’s scary
Why it’s never too late to start something new
How her own mom influenced her decision to be a working mom
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Thasunda Brown Duckett, the President and CEO of TIAA, had a “meteoric rise” in the world of finance. As the former head of Chase Consumer Banking, and now as one two Black women who currently leads a Fortune 500 company, she realized early on that “work life balance” was a myth. Instead, Thasunda lives her life like it’s a diversified portfolio, allocating time and shifting her investment in different areas. So over time, she always outperforms. Tune in to learn how.
In this episode, Thasunda shares:
How to live your life like “a diversified portfolio”
Her secret to building relationships at work
What it means to “rent your title, own your character” at work
Why she almost turned down her dream role
What you need to know to prep for retirement
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Sali Christeson actively suppressed her idea for Argent for years. She was killing it at her job at Cisco – she didn’t have time to start her own company. But after spending over a decade in male-dominated companies, where business casual was a non-negotiable, Sali realized that most women’s workwear just…wasn’t working. Sali tells the story of how she went from wearing pocketless pants to building Argent, a brand that actually works for the lives women lead.
In this episode of 9 to 5ish, Sali also shares:
How she set boundaries as an employee at Cisco – and how she implements those learnings as a founder
Why getting good at networking landed her investors and opportunities
How she teaches female founders to reclaim their power instead of give it away
Advice on how to advocate for yourself to be included in conversations
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After every election she’s covered, Abby Phillip has the same thought: I can’t do this anymore. It’s her mind waving a red flag – and a sign of burnout after months of chaos. Over the years, Abby’s had to navigate a fast-moving digital media world at the same time as some of the most divisive political chapters in our lives. Now, she’s sharing how she’s learned to push through – and the secret that helps her stay grounded in the madness.
In this episode of 9 to 5ish, Abby also shares:
How being a first-generation American influenced her career choice
Why she needed to fail at Harvard before considering journalism
How she made the most of an uncertain path at the then emerging outlet, Politico
The way she reframed getting continuously rejected from outlets
How she *really* felt about consequential coverage after the 2020 debates
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1When Cathy Engelbert found out she was pregnant, she resigned from a decades-long climb to becoming a partner at Deloitte. In her mind, being a good mom and a good exec couldn’t coexist. But one male colleague saw her potential — and told her so. That changed everything. Cathy stayed, asked for the flexibility she needed, and learned to advocate for herself. She went on to become Deloitte’s first female CEO. Now? She’s leading one of the fastest-growing sports leagues as WNBA Commissioner.
In this episode of 9 to 5ish, Cathy also shares:
How sports turned her from a shy kid to a bold leader
Why the environments of Deloitte and the WNBA actually aren’t that different
Her first 9-1-1 call as league commissioner – and the one trait that helped her get through it
Why implementing Deloitte’s paid family leave policy was the “most courageous thing” she’s ever done
One way she thinks the WNBA can be a model for the men’s leagues
Follow Cathy on IG: @wnbacommish
Follow Carly and Danielle on IG: @carlyanddanielle
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Dawn Staley helped Team USA’s women’s basketball team win gold at the ‘96 Olympics. It was the highlight of her career. Yet she fell into a depression that was so bad, she didn’t even want to look at a basketball. Nothing prepared her to process reaching such a milestone. She was left asking herself: now what? With a resumé is full of career-highs (hi, 3x national champ), Dawn says the real reward isn’t the trophy – it’s all the work it took to get there. Dawn gets into it all in her new memoir, "Uncommon Favor."
In this episode of 9 to 5ish, Dawn also shares:
How many shoes she has in her collection (sneakerheads beware)
Why she aspired to play in the NBA – instead of the WNBA – growing up
How the taboo nature of mental health stopped her from asking for help post-Olympics
Why she was insulted when approached for a coaching job
The one thing she wants to see change for women athletes this year
PS: Dawn’s memoir is out now.
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Melanie Masarin once pitched Glossier’s founder to do a pop-up at a former fried chicken shop. Her response? “I don’t get it, but I trust you.” It was a career-defining moment for her. Because getting approval from the founder meant she couldn’t afford to mess it up. Listen as Melanie shares why being given major responsibilities in her mid-twenties shaped her career. Plus, how it prepared her to start Ghia, the non-alcoholic apéritif that’s now a millennial bar-cart staple.
In this episode of 9 to 5ish, Melanie also shares:
Her food-centered core memories growing up in the French Riviera
The money-shock she experienced attending Brown University
The once-in-a-lifetime chance she had to design the Glossier flagship store
Her journey shifting from founder-to-CEO mode, and the difficulties that come with it
How pivoting Ghia’s launch strategy actually paid off
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Alice Waters never cared about making money. After more than 50 years in business, she still doesn’t. She opened her restaurant, Chez Panisse, with money that friends and family lent her. They had no expectations of ever seeing it again. It’s no surprise, given she’s sparked a slow food revolution where consuming food slowly and resisting the industrial food system is the name of the game. Some call her the “mother of the farm-to-table movement”. Alice says: it’s just the way things ought to be.
In this episode of 9 to 5ish, Alice shares:
The visit to a certain European country that changed the trajectory of her life
How disrupting the traditional hierarchy of kitchens kept Chez Panisse alive
Why she doesn’t care about money – and when she maybe should’ve
The last thing her mom said to her, and how having supportive parents shaped her career
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Karissa Bodnar once got advice from a peer – she needed real friends, not just “deal” friends. It wasn’t a dig. Entrepreneurship is lonely. And if Karissa was going to make it as a founder, she’d need friends who cared about her and not the number of zeros in her bank account. Karissa sits down with us to share how she found those kinds of friends, the time she got ghosted out of a big investment, and what she really thinks about those beauty influencer trips.
In this episode of 9 to 5ish, Karissa also shares:
Why she affectionately refers to herself a “dirt road diva”
How growing up in a small Washington town shaped her entrepreneurship
How the passing of her friend, Kristy, inspired her to start Thrive Causemetics
The lesson she learned from being ghosted by a potential investor
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Kristen Kish didn’t grow up dreaming of becoming the first woman of color to win Top Chef—or of one day hosting the show. She grew up in the Midwest as a Korean adoptee and those wins hadn’t crossed her radar. But with a little luck—and a lot of support—she got there. Listen as Kristen shares how one mentor changed everything by challenging her to think beyond day-to-day dinner service and chase a career she never thought was possible.
In this episode of 9 to 5ish, Kristen shares:
Who’s cooking she loves the most (chefs, they’re just like us)
The one woman who helped Kristen unlock her potential
What changed when she went from being a relatively broke chef to winning Top Chef
How she confronted her ego when writing her memoir, Accidentally On Purpose
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Geri Halliwell-Horner, aka Ginger Spice, practically invented girl power and forever holds a special place in our millennial hearts. In her twenties, she answered a magazine ad and ended up making pop history with the Spice Girls. In her thirties, she felt the pressures of “time lines” and adult-life creeping in. Welcome to the club. Listen as Geri shares how girl power carried her through her post-Spice Girls career.
In this episode of 9 to 5ish, Geri shares:
The DIY skills she used to create her iconic Union Jack dress
How she fought through insecurity during her time in the Spice Girls
How embracing her inner wisdom has guided her through her career
One thing she does to stay curious and challenge herself
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Tinx never set out to be known as “TikTok’s older sister.” But five years of real talk on taboo topics – dating in your 30s, botox, and having zero clue what to do in life – makes a name like that stick. Social media and influencing has gotten crowded since Tinx started posting on TikTok during COVID, and she admits she’s been rethinking her relationship to the internet and her business. Tinx shares how she's finding ways to build her career offline, thanks in part to her debut novel, Hotter in the Hamptons.
In this episode of 9 to 5ish, Tinx shares:
The difference between Tinx and Christina (yes, that’s her real name)
A boundary she has with the internet (that we could all use)
Why she only started feeling secure in her business this year
The main reason why not all influencers can sustain their career longterm
PS: “Hotter in the Hamptons” is out on May 6.
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Audrey McLoghlin’s peer once compared her to a cockroach that could withstand nuclear warfare. Weird compliment? Maybe. But Audrey says she was touched. She grew up with an alcoholic father and learned early to rely on herself, not a partner, to make ends meet. As a serial entrepreneur in fashion, she’s built her businesses through some of the toughest economic times—think: the Great Recession and COVID-19—proving resilience is her superpower.
In this episode of 9 to 5ish, Audrey shares:
Why “stranger danger” seemingly doesn’t exist in Ireland
How she went from engineering to entrepreneurship in her early 20s
The biggest thing she learned going through personal bankruptcy
Why she thinks entrepreneurs owning 100% of their company isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach
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Before Emily Oster became a go-to parenting expert, she was an econ professor waiting on a tenure decision at the University of Chicago. While waiting, she published Expecting Better, a book that moms-to-be consider to be a parenting Bible. She got rejected for tenure, then spent over a decade believing the book was a “professional mistake”. Parents everywhere beg to differ. Listen as Emily shares how she moved past the disappointment – and why it actually turned out to be the best thing for her career.
In this episode of 9 to 5ish, Emily shares:
Her weekly mileage as a marathoner (our legs are shaking)
Why she refers to herself as a “vagina economist”
How her kids react when she tells them she’s a “parenting expert”
Why she doesn’t shy away from disagreements around her research
Who’ll benefit most from ParentData’s newest vertical
Follow Emily on Instagram: @profemilyoster
Follow Carly and Danielle on Instagram: @carlyanddanielle
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Erin Burnett flirted with the idea of becoming a CIA agent one day, drawn to the undercover thrills. Instead, she crunched numbers at Goldman Sachs as a financial analyst, then pivoted to be a broadcast journalist. While she never became a secret spy or ran a Wall Street empire, she didn’t let her interests or skills collect dust. Listen as Erin shares how she fused her business knowledge with her world news obsession to land her daily primetime show, OutFront with Erin Burnett.
In this episode of 9 to 5ish, Erin shares:
The irony of becoming a TV news anchor despite growing up without cable
How she got the chutzpah to send a cold email asking to meet a CNN host
Her transition from economic to foreign affairs news, and how the former helped inform her new beat
Why she doesn’t regret taking 20 minutes out of her work day to show up for her kids
Her relatable answer to how much she’s able to prioritize her mental health
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Amazing interview! Congratulations for bringing Dr. Jansen on your show. A real feather in your caps.
I'm going to start a podcast called Skimm'd from the Lazy-Boy. 🛋️
I am a huge fan of the Skimm, but I would love to hear more from accomplished women in science and engineering. STEM is not just for men, and highlighting the amazing women who make strides in these industries will help others see that STEM careers are more attainable than they seem.
I love this podcast but the volume is really low so I cannot listen to it when I am commuting
Love this podcast channel! I’m definitely a Skimm fan. These bites of knowledge are a great compliment to the email newsletter!
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