danielle robay

When the world feels like it’s burning, some people retreat. Mandana Dayani builds. In this episode, Danielle sits down with the powerhouse behind I Am A Voter and Archewell, attorney, entrepreneur, and activist Mandana Dayani—a woman whose story spans war zones, boardrooms, and the front lines of cultural change. From escaping post-revolution Iran to advising the White House, launching viral civic movements, and leading Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s media and philanthropic company Archwell, Mandana shares the moments that shaped her and the values that keep her grounded, outspoken, and unshakably hopeful. Mandana shares: The childhood escape from Iran that shaped everything The guilt that became her fuel Why she left a “perfect” persona behind to tell the truth What it really took to launch I Am A Voter + why she’ll never stop The heartbreak of October 7th and what it revealed about her community How she built Our Campus United and The OCU Chronicle in response to rising antisemitism Why integrity is her personal compass and the question she asks herself every night Her experience working with Meghan & Harry—and what storytelling means at scale The power of reinvention, especially when you're already at the top And why she believes optimism isn’t naive—it’s necessary Follow Mandana on Instagram @mandanadayaniBook Recommendation:  The Way of Integrity by Martha Beck.  Learn more about her work at www.mandanadayani.com 

What happens after you build the life you always wanted? In Part 2 of this intimate conversation, Valeria Lipovetsky returns to open up about the messy, beautiful middle—marriage, motherhood, sex, ambition, and what it really takes to grow with your partner over time. She shares the honest truth behind her 12-year relationship, how becoming a mother in her early 20s shaped (and tested) her identity, and the quiet decisions that helped her rediscover herself—without blowing up her life. Valeria reveals: Why her marriage nearly broke under the weight of early parenting The new season she’s entering with her husband—and what changed Her personal “renaissance” and what it means to prioritize connection again Why she believes motherhood is the ultimate mirror The surprising (and hilarious) truth about sex after kids What she’s learned about boundaries, ambition, and giving yourself the big piece of chicken How she protects her peace while living a public life Plus, Danielle opens up about freezing her eggs, feeling like time is running out, and how a list of 1,000 questions (and a stranger's offhand comment) changed her life. This is part two of a two-part series. If you missed Part 1, go back and listen! Follow Valeria on Instagram @valerialipovetsky Book rec: A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle Grab the QUESTION EVERYTHING card game (updated edition)  

What does it take to build a life and career that’s fully, unapologetically yours? In this episode (part 1 of 2), Danielle sits down with entrepreneur and creator Valeria Lipovetsky for a conversation that’s less of an interview, and more of a mirror. They toss out the question cards, ditch the formal intros, and dive straight into the good stuff: ambition, motherhood, marriage, sex, social media, fertility, and the surprising superpower of asking better questions. Valeria shares: Why she never went to therapy—and what finally changed her mind The single moment that cracked open her authenticity Her unexpected (and poetic) obsession with secondhand shoes The timeline pressures no one tells women about—and what helped her reclaim her own The hardest season in her marriage—and how they’re finding their renaissance now Why her son taught her more about self-confidence than any book ever could Her honest take on growing a massive following while still feeling like she’s figuring it out The rules she broke to build a multi-million dollar business—and the one phrase that still haunts her from childhood This is part one of a two-part conversation—come back next week for even more. Follow Valeria on Instagram @valerialipovetsky Book rec: A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle Grab the QUESTION EVERYTHING card game (updated edition)

What does it take to lead the first American women’s Everest expedition, survive a near-fatal heart condition, and keep climbing into your 50s? For mountaineer, author, and speaker Alison Levine it all comes down to one thing: putting one foot in front of the other, even when you’re terrified. Alison joins Danielle to talk about the summit attempt that made her the butt of a late-night punchline—and the second attempt that helped her rewrite what success really means. In this episode, she shares how a childhood marked by isolation, medical setbacks, and grit shaped her into one of the most inspiring leaders on and off the mountain. Alison shares: How being born with a hole in her heart shaped her risk tolerance The story behind the first American Women’s Everest Expedition—and why they had to turn around 270 feet from the top What it felt like to fail so publicly—and what she learned when she finally reached the summit 8 years later The mantra that replaced “go big or go home” Why fear can be your best asset Her surprising leadership advice (hint: ego isn't the enemy) The unspoken voice every woman battles—and how to train it to speak differently Why the strongest teams honor each other’s limits What she learned dragging a 150-pound sled across Antarctica Why she just left her successful speaking career to write a one-woman show—and what’s at stake How being “the smallest one on the team” became her greatest asset The quote from Pitbull that reframed how she views failure Book rec: Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl Follow Alison on Instagram here.

Scooter Braun (entrepreneur, investor, former music manager) spent 23 years at the top of the music industry, guiding the careers of Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, J Balvin, and more. Then, he walked away. For the first time, he shares the real reason why—and the dream that pushed him to make the final decision. In this intimate conversation, Scooter reveals what success couldn’t fix, why he finally stopped running, and the reckoning that followed. In this episode Scooter shares:  Why he walked away after 23 years at the top of the music industry The vivid dream that told him to stay silent—and why he listened The real story behind Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, and Kanye West Are Taylor Swift’s “Vigilante Shit” lyrics really about him? The mask he wore as “Scooter” and his journey back to Scott Why he’s long felt misunderstood The insecurity that fueled his rise and what finally quieted it What he thinks people get wrong about power, fame, and winning The darkest moment of his life and the healing that followed How his divorce broke him + transformed him What it really takes to spot talent (and why it feels like falling in love) Why he believes karma isn’t punishment—it’s a teacher The one thing he wishes he’d done differently in his music career The one artist he says is wildly underrated What he really thinks about the TikTok-iszation of music and the future of the industry His vision for his future + the legacy he hopes to leave for his kids Follow Scooter Braun here. Book Recommendation: Many Lives, Many Masters

What does it take to design for billionaire homeowners, celebrities like David Goggins, and NFL owners—while staying grounded in soul and intention? For interior designer Nour El Nasrani, it's about more than pretty spaces. It’s about feeling. The Lebanese-born, Vegas-based founder of By Nour Design joins Danielle to share how she built a luxury design business from scratch, the spiritual side of design, and what our homes secretly say about us.  Nour shares: How she landed her first client. The unlikely moment that changed her career—and made her fire her own boss What it was really like designing for Navy SEAL David Goggins The unexpected trait she uses to win over high-powered clients (hint: it's not her design degree) Why she never starts with a Pinterest or style board—and the questions she asks instead He 5 rules for making any room look expensive (without spending a fortune) The #1 mistake people make when designing a room (you’re probably doing it) How to create a home that actually helps you de-stress Why mood matters more than trend Thee rule she breaks in every room she designs How she transformed Danielle’s apartment + what the inspiration was behind it! Plus, a hilarious round of “Smash or Pass: Beige Edition,” and the quote that guides her work: “If a place has a soul, it remains alive forever.” If you’ve ever wanted a home that feels more like you, this episode is your blueprint. Follow Nour on Instagram here. Book rec: Live Beautiful by Athena Calderone

Skye P. Marshall is an Air Force veteran, Hollywood actress, caregiver, and relentless dreamer. With no agent, no connections, and no backup plan, Skye left the military and a corporate cubicle behind to pursue acting + built a thriving career from scratch. This episode is about the radical belief that you don’t need permission to begin– just vision, discipline, and the courage to build it brick by brick. Skye shares: Why fear is a biological superpower + how to channel it How the Air Force trained her for acting more than any drama school What she learned doing 7 years of background work How she booked Matlock with no agent The reason she refuses to set a timeline for success The “red towel red carpets” that sparked her childhood dreams How she bought her mom a house while caregiving through dementia Why imagination is the key to reinvention The mindset shift that changed everything: from “acting” to being Why every job—even catering—can be a strategic career move And the mantra that carries her through it all: “Survive until you thrive.” Follow Skye P. Marshall here. Book rec: The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. Check out her film Daft State on Youtube, Amazon Prime, Apple TV!

Jackie Jesko is a war correspondent turned filmmaker joins Danielle to unpack her new Hulu documentary on the life and legacy of Barbara Walters. But this isn’t just a conversation about one iconic journalist, it’s about the entire media ecosystem she helped create. Danielle has always wanted to be the millennial Barbara Walters, the kind of interviewer who could sit with heads of state, celebrities, and everyday people alike so it was incredibly fun to hear Jackie and Danielle explore: Why Barbara Walters was the original media gatekeeper How she reinvented herself after public “failure” Her strategy for booking presidents, dictators, and celebrities The underappreciated role of female ambition in shaping broadcast journalism How gossip, grit, and research became Barbara’s secret weapons Why Diane Sawyer sparked Barbara’s deepest insecurities The unseen emotional cost of being “the first” Why The View changed daytime TV forever The power of interviews as cultural time capsules And how Jackie unearthed never-before-seen footage that reintroduces Barbara in her own words If you care about storytelling, media, power, or pop culture…this episode isn’t just about Barbara Walters. It’s about the evolution of journalism, the complexity of legacy, and what it means to lead with questions. Watch Jackie’s film Tell Me Everything on Hulu.Book reccomendation: Audition by Barbara WaltersFollow Jackie Jesko on Instagram.

Maria Marlowe—acne nutritionist, author, and founder of GLO Biome—joins Question Everything to unpack the gut-skin connection, the skincare lies we’ve been sold, and how she reversed five years of breakouts with food (and even her gray hair). In a beauty culture obsessed with products, Botox, and quick fixes, Maria’s work is a radical return to root cause healing. In this episode, she shares: Why she believes acne is a blessing in disguise How she healed five years of breakouts in three months without meds The real reason your gut health might be causing anxiety, melasma, and eczema Why she’s skipping Botox and what she does instead (hint: face taping) What Sephora teens are getting dangerously wrong about skincare The common myths about oily, dry, and “combination” skin debunked Her thoughts on popular trends like snail mucin, collagen powders, and ice rolling What your poop, blood sugar, and cravings say about your skin How to spot supplement BS + what ingredients actually work Why “girl dinner” might be wrecking your gut The one food she says clears skin fast and how to eat for hormonal balance What to do during a breakout (including her 3-day Clear Skin Plan) The link between toxins, inflammation, and premature aging Why she believes skincare should be gentle and aging is not a flaw to fix This is a conversation about trusting your body, unlearning beauty industry noise, and healing from the inside out. Follow Maria here Glow Biome Probiotic

Celeste Headlee: journalist, bestselling author, NPR host, and one of TED’s most-watched speakers (31 million views+) has spent decades studying the art (and science) of conversation. But she didn’t always get it right. In fact, she says she used to be “the worst.” In this episode, Celeste shares how she rewired her communication style, what most people get wrong about connection, and the powerful tools anyone can use to become a better conversationalist. Celeste shares: How to start a conversation when you don’t know what to say Why the common advice about conversation (like “maintain eye contact”) doesn’t actually work The real difference between debate and discussion + why we’re confusing the two The surprising neuroscience behind great conversation (and why voice matters more than words) The truth about curiosity + how to practice it (even if it doesn’t come naturally) How neural coupling creates the feeling of being seen and understood What small talk really does for your brain + why it’s not so “small” after all The simple trick she uses to diffuse conflict and build connection in just 3 questions How to stop trying to “win” arguments and start learning from disagreement Why younger generations are craving connection more than ever (and what’s getting in the way) The power of follow-up questions + how they make people feel heard What we’re getting wrong about inclusion and how tiny micro-interactions create belonging Why performative listening is worse than not listening at all How to say “I don’t know” in a way that builds trust and authority Why smart people often struggle in conversation and what to do about it Book Rec:  Bleak House by Charles Dickens Follow Celeste Headlee here. Grab a copy of her book We Need To Talk here

Most people will be haunted by the words “what if?”—but not Sara Haines. She’s the witty and whip smart co-host on The View,  former anchor on Good Morning America and Today, Emmy-nominated journalist. In this episode, Sara opens up about the moments the world didn’t see; the less polished parts of her journey—the rejections, pivots, and quiet persistence that led her to one of the most iconic tables in television. Sara shares: The real story behind getting on-air at the Today Show (hint: it involves stalking someone on the subway) What happened when she finally got her name in the title... and then the show got canceled The identity whiplash of going from “fun girl” to “mom content only” The unexpected moment that nearly made her walk away from TV The emotional toll of being praised, passed over, and pigeonholed Her dream to be on Saturday Night Live and the moment she was actually parodied on it The surprising advice her husband gave that set her free: “Let go of the dream you never actually had” Why “being the person who tries” is her life’s north star. Featuring cameos from: Kristen Cavallari, Hoda & Kathie Lee, Kiki Palmer, Chris Brown, and a surprisingly pivotal moment with a Facebook intern. What it really means to try: when no one’s watching, when the outcome is uncertain, and when the voice in your head says “you’re not good enough.” Follow Sara here. Book Rec: She’s Come Undone by Wally Lamb

What if the answers to your biggest questions about your career, relationships, even your health are already inside you? You just haven’t learned how to access them… yet. In this episode, New York Times bestselling author and world-renowned intuitive Laura Day (beloved by Demi Moore, Brad Pitt, Fortune 500 CEOs, and Esalen attendees) reveals how to tap into your intuition and start creating the life you actually want. We unpack The Prism, her powerful system for breaking patterns, rewiring your reactions, and making clearer decisions, fast. Whether you're stuck in a loop, lacking confidence, or craving a breakthrough, Laura shows how small shifts can spark massive transformation. She shares: What intuition really is (and what it’s not) How to actually tap into your intuition (and why most people get it wrong) How to know what you actually want and how to go after it The real reason you keep repeating the same patterns What Laura says successful people (Oprah-level successful) all have in common Why trauma can sometimes be a doorway, not a dead end Why understanding is overrated + action is everything How to use your “Prism” to manifest the life you actually want How to tell if your “ego” is keeping you stuck—and how to fix it Laura’s wild experience with military-grade scientific testing on her intuition The difference between believing you're magical... and being the magic Follow Laura here.  Grab a copy of The Prism here.

Gabby Reece– former pro volleyball player, Nike’s first female signature athlete, co-founder of Laird Superfood, host of The Gabby Reece Show joins Danielle to talk about the real work of building a meaningful life. From the emotional tightrope of motherhood and ambition to the realities of aging, marriage, leadership, and letting go of people-pleasing, Gabby shares the lessons she's learned at every stage. What you’ll hear in this episode: How to build a life that won’t leave you full of regret What it means to “go first”—and how that philosophy shaped her life and career Her thoughts on Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka, and mental health in sports Her honest take on feminism, sport, and the sexualization of women’s bodies The quiet lie women are told about ambition—and how to design a life that actually fits What her volleyball career taught her about winning, feelings and how to take up space Why women in their 50s are calling it the “F.U. Fifties”—and what that really means What she teaches her daughters about ambition, self-trust, and body image. A behind-the-scenes look at her Nike shoe deal (the first of its kind for a woman) Wellness hacks she swears by (including the real reason she started drinking coffee at 45) The feminist contradiction she’s still wrestling with How marriage to Laird Hamilton has challenged and inspired her The quiet power of consistency, mentorship, and saying no without apology Follow Gabby here Listen to The Gabby Reece Show here.

What is culture—and who gets to shape it? Danielle sits down with cultural strategist and Cultique cofounder Linda Ong for a conversation that will change the way you see the world around you. From brand identity to the rise of private clubs, from “trad wives” to TikTok aesthetics, and the future of luxury. Whether you're a brand builder, pop culture lover, or just want to understand the world a little better—this episode will give you the tools to read between the lines of what’s NEXT. In this episode, we explore:  How to identify emergent cultural signals before they hit the mainstream What culture really means in 2024—and why it’s changing faster than ever  Are we living through the decline of American society? Linda weighs in  The "Cultural Curve" and how to know if something is emerging, dominant, or done Why AI can’t replicate culture—and what makes human creativity irreplaceable  Why Gen Z is full of contradictions—and what that tells us about the future  How Linda turned her personal pain into cultural intuition (and career superpower)  The future of luxury and why it’s shifting from exclusivity to experience Why your personal and professional lives are not separate—and never were The difference between analyzing culture and predicting trends—and why the former matters more Why understanding your brand’s cultural DNA is more important than ever The real reason “collabs” went from cool to cliché—and what’s replacing themThe science of why horror movies are trending (hint: it’s emotional regulation) Follow Linda Ong here.  Follow Sarah Jane Dhall here. Check out Cultique here. 

Karrueche Tran became a household name almost overnight—but for reasons that never told the full story. In this episode, she opens up about what it took to go from tabloid target to Emmy-winning actress and beauty founder, and the quiet resilience that helped her build a career and identity on her own terms. In this conversation, Karrueche shares: Why she almost quit acting—and the moment that changed everything How she handles rejection, auditions, and comparison even after winning an Emmy The power of staying graceful in a world that rewards drama Why she passed on reality TV—and how it protected her long-term career How she built Ruechi Beauty from personal pain points and self-care rituals The difference between money grabs and meaningful partnerships Her surprising take on dating, relationships, and love after heartbreak How therapy helped her identify old patterns—and choose better ones The pressure of the biological clock—and how she’s defining womanhood on her own terms Her beauty secrets, morning rituals, and the best skincare advice she’s learned on set Follow Karrueche here.  Check out Ruechi Beauty here.

Ken Cook is the President and co-founder of the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and has spent his life fighting for safer food, cleaner water, and tougher regulations to protect us—and our kids—from toxic chemicals. He’s reshaped U.S. food and farm policy and pushed back against the industries putting profits over people. In this episode, he shares: What the EWG really does—and how their site can help you make safer, smarter choices for yourself and your family. Why EWG chose to make science “buzzy”—and how it changed everything. The wild difference between U.S. and European product regulations (and why so many harmful ingredients are still legal here).The Dirty Dozen & Clean 15: the simplest way to know what produce to buy organic. How to find out what’s actually in your tap water—and what to do about it.What you need to know about PFAS (aka “forever chemicals”). Why “legal” doesn’t always mean “safe”—especially when it comes to beauty, cleaning, furniture, and home goods. How toxic chemicals are impacting kids—and why you should care.His go-to tips to make safer swaps without feeling overwhelmed. Why cracking a window might be one of the healthiest things you do today. How EWG is fighting to make organic food and safer products more accessible and affordable for everyone.The real reason companies are finally making cleaner, healthier options—and what role you play.   Book Rec: The Making of the Atomic Bomb by Richard Rhodes   Check out the EWG here and their consumer guides (safer beauty, tap water, sunscreen etc) here.   Check out Ken’s Podcast “Ken Cook is Having Another Episode” here!  

Danielle sits down with the powerhouse women behind 21 Seeds Tequila—Kat Hantas, Sarika Singh, and Nicole Emanuel—to reveal how they built a $160+ million brand from their kitchen. This is also happens to be Danielle’s FAVORITE (infused) tequila!  The journey from infusing tequila at home to becoming the No. 1 flavored tequila in the U.S. Why traditional tequila marketing missed the mark for women—and how they flipped the script The moment they knew 21 Seeds was bigger than just a fun side hustle Behind-the-scenes of their first disastrous production run and how they turned failure into momentum How they caught the attention of  Oprah, and the entire spirits industry. What it was like to have celebrities like Jessica Alba and Katie Couric organically fall in love with their brand How being outsiders in the spirits industry gave them an advantage over legacy brands The strategy that helped them land on the shelves of Whole Foods, Target, Trader Joe’s, and major liquor stores nationwide The lessons they learned from selling their brand to Diageo, the parent company of Casamigos and Don Julio Why moms make the best entrepreneurs and how motherhood prepared them for building a business The future of 21 Seeds and their advice for aspiring entrepreneurs who want to break into competitive industries If you love entrepreneurship, tequila, brand-building, and female founders shaking up male-populated spaces, this episode is a must-listen. Find out how these women called the shots—and changed the industry. Grab your limited edition Shot Callers card game here. Follow 21SEEDS here

Ashlyn Harris—World Cup champion, activist, mother, and the goalkeeper with the most saves in U.S. Women’s National Team history—opens up about the reality of high-performance culture, the addiction that almost consumed her, and why she walked away from everything she built to start over. Now, she’s in a new chapter—one that includes radical self-work, protecting her peace, and an unexpected love story. In this episode, Ashlyn shares: The moment she realized she was living a life that wasn’t hers & what she did about it How Adderall addiction almost derailed her career—and what pulled her out The moment she realized she was living a life that wasn’t truly hers What it really took to leave her marriage and start over The price of protecting your peace—and why it’s always worth it The shocking truth about women’s soccer’s pay gap (and why she was done fighting) How her friendship with Sophia Bush turned into something more What the media gets wrong about their relationship—and why she doesn’t care The hardest lesson she learned in therapy—and the question that changed everything Why she refuses to settle for an “average” life (and how it shapes her relationships) What elite athletes and Hollywood actors really have in common How she’s rebuilding her life—on her own terms The problem with hustle culture, and why true success is about more than just winning Her new podcast “Wide Open” – how she named it and the one episode she thinks everyone should start with! This is a conversation about reinvention and the radical act of choosing yourself—even when the whole world is watching. Follow Ashlyn Harris here Listen to her podcast “Wide Open with Ashlyn Harris” produced by iHeart Women’s Sports. New episodes drop weekly on Mondays, on the iHeartRadio app and anywhere you get your podcasts. 

Asma Khan—Michelin-starred chef, activist, and the woman who turned rejection into revolution sits down with Danielle Robay. Born into an Indian royal bloodline, Asma was told from birth that she was a disappointment—too dark, too fat, too unworthy. The extended family dismissed her. She was never meant to be a leader. But that’s exactly what she became. Now, she is the force behind Darjeeling Express, a London restaurant run entirely by South Asian immigrant women—home cooks, nannies, and housewives who had never worked in professional kitchens before. In this episode, Asma shares: The one sentence her sister told her as a child that changed her life forever Why she refuses to scream in the kitchen—and what male chefs get wrong about food How Darjeeling Express began in her home and became an international success The painful truth about losing friends after success (and how she knew it was time to walk away) How she convinced a banker to fund her dream—after getting laughed out of the room The surprising person who saved her when she hit rock bottom Why she chose to hire only South Asian immigrant women—and how they built something powerful together Why her scars are her greatest source of power The Hollywood A-lister who surprised her with bagels and became an unexpected friend\ Follow Asma Khan here  

What does it really take to build an urgent, bold, uncompromising life? In this unfiltered conversation, Bozoma Saint John—former marketing executive at Apple, Pepsi, Uber, Netflix, and Endeavor, and now founder of Eve—shares the hard-earned lessons in life, love, and career. From working with Spike Lee to making the career-defining call that helped launch Beyoncé’s solo superstardom, Bozoma opens up about the tough decisions, defining moments, and the mindset shifts that changed everything. In this personal episode, Boz shares: The cost of ambition—and why some sacrifices are unavoidable. Why chutzpah and naivete might be the secret formula for success. How to balance urgency and patience when building a meaningful career. The power of saying no and setting boundaries that protect your vision. Navigating grief, reinvention, and major life pivots—from marriage and loss to career shifts. The moment that changed Beyoncé’s career—and how it applies to you. Why being an outsider can be your biggest advantage. What it was like working alongside Spike Lee, Jimmy Iovine, Ari Emanuel, and Reed Hastings. Why she built her company, Eve, in Ghana instead of following the traditional playbook. Her unfiltered take on mentorship, money, and living without regrets. This episode is about making bold choices, owning your power, and refusing to play by anyone else’s rules. If you’ve ever questioned whether success is worth the sacrifice—or wondered how to build a career and life that’s fully yours—this conversation will change the way you think.Press play. You won’t forget it. Follow Bozoma here. Sign up for the Badass Workshop in your city here. Buy Eve by Boz hair here.