danielle robay

Did you know that almost all athletic shoes on the market have been designed, researched and tested on men? When Lindsay Housman discovered this, she and her husband, founded Hettas, a company creating running shoes optimized for women.  Today, Lindsay joins the podcast to share why becoming a disruptor in this space is so important to her. We discuss:  Why women are left out of research for shoes (and so many other things) Why women’s feet are fundamentally different than men How wearing shoes designed for men impacts women's health.   How Hettas came to be and why she started this company much earlier than she thought.  Why it’s important to her to never settle for the status quo Founding, self-funding and running this company while currently working another full time job What she hopes to accomplish with Hettas and exactly how their shoes are different Why she believes women would be in sports longer if they had proper athletic shoes.  How women are treated so differently when it comes to raising venture capital.  Follow Hettas on Instagram here! Book Rec:  Strong is the New Pretty by Kate T Parker

Emily Bear captivated the world with her piano talent at just six years old. Now, at 23, she’s already a Grammy and Emmy-winning composer, producer, arranger, pianist, and singer-songwriter. Recently, she became the youngest person to score a feature film and is currently working on Moana 2. In 2022, Emily won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album for The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical, which she co-wrote with Abigail Barlow live on social media. The album soared to #1 on the U.S. iTunes pop charts within 1.5 hours of its release and reached the top 5 albums worldwide. This year, she toured as the pianist for Beyoncé's Renaissance tour. Today, Emily shares: The surprising moment her talent was discovered—and why she shies away from the “child prodigy” label. Leaving home at 16 to chase her dreams in LA: the challenges, the courage, and the adventure. How a life-changing meeting led to Quincy Jones becoming her mentor. The journey to becoming Beyoncé’s pianist on the Renaissance Tour—and the one terrifying moment she’ll never forget. An unexpected lesson from Beyoncé that reshaped her approach to music and performance. The story behind The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical, and why winning a Grammy was the last thing she expected. The struggle to be taken seriously as a young musician—and why that respect mattered to her. Why she aims to move people to tears with her music. Creating her own path when gigs weren’t coming—and her advice for others who want to do the same. Breaking barriers as a woman composer—and why she proudly performs with colorful nail polish and heels! Book Rec: Outliers by Malcom Gladwell

Dr. Jessica Shepherd is a board-certified OB-GYN and women’s health expert, dedicated to empowering women at every stage of life with a holistic approach to care.In this episode, Danielle talks with Dr. Shepherd about her newly launched book, Generation M, exploring women’s health, aging, and empowerment. Key takeaways include: Writing Journey: Dr. Shepard shares the challenges and rewards of publishing, likening it to a cathartic journey through “a thousand paper cuts.” Early Awareness: Why women should start thinking about menopause early, viewing it as a marathon, not a sprint. Perimenopause as Preseason: How do you know when you’ve entered Perimenpouase? Common signs to look for, from brain fog to sleep disturbances. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Debunking myths and discussing new, evidence-based practices. Importance of Muscle Strength: Building strength through resistance training as a foundation for longevity. Mindfulness and Stress Management: The significance of mental health and mindfulness practices for a smoother transition into menopause. Nutrition for Hormonal Health: Focus on a Mediterranean diet, balanced proteins, and fiber for long-term wellness. Dr. Shepherd’s secret to success Follow Dr. Shepherd here. Grab a copy of her book here.

Keely Cat-Wells is an entrepreneur and disability rights advocate that truly believes kindness can change the world. At 17, Keely was living her dream of attending a dance academy in London when she started experiencing health scares which led to multiple surgeries, medical malpractice and ended with a permanent ileostomy. It changed the trajectory of her life, and it led Keely to create monumental change for the disability community with the launch of her businesses C Talent and Making Space – both aimed at creating space for disabled talent. Most recently, Keely worked with disability rights advocate Sophie Morgan to get more disabled talent employed on NBC’s Paralympics coverage as well as a first look deal with Hello Sunshine. Today, on PRETTYSMART, Keely reflects on how she’s helping disabled artists and creators achieve their dreams and why starting her own business was the smartest decision she’s ever made. She shares: How she went from living her dream as a dancer to navigating malpractice and mistreatment by the health system at 17.  How her life changed when she realized that even though she may not live her original dream, she can still help others realize theirs. How she understands her own disability in the disability community. How she lost a job because of disability discrimination, and how it led her to creating her own agency for disabled artists: C Talent. That she’s made peace with the journey she’s currently on as opposed to what could’ve been.  The untapped power of the disability community, and how she’s trying to harness it to create long lasting change. What portrayals of disabled characters she’d like to see in Hollywood. The parallels between entrepreneurship and the lived experience of disability. How the mission of her company, Making Space Media, is to center the disabled voice. How people can be an ally to the disability community. What she’s learned from Gloria Steinham. How Making Space worked with NBC Sports to increase the employment of disabled people at the Paralympics. Follow Keely here Check out Making Space here Book Rec: Driving Forwards: An inspirational memoir of resilience and empowerment after life-changing injury by Sophie Morgan

Do you have imposter syndrome? You’re not alone—70% of people will experience imposter syndrome at some point, and today, Dr. Lisa Orbé-Austin is here to help us break free. As a psychologist, imposter syndrome expert, and bestselling author of Own Your Greatness and Your Unstoppable Greatness, Dr. Orbé-Austin dives deep into how imposter syndrome shows up in our lives—and, most importantly, how we can overcome it. In this episode of PRETTYSMART, she reveals: The subtle signs that imposter syndrome is creeping in The powerful link between self-worth and imposter syndrome Is there a link between imposter syndrome and perfectionism? How your upbringing shapes those feelings of self-doubt Are women especially vulnerable to imposter syndrome? Her personal experience battling imposter syndrome—even on the Today Show The two main cycles of imposter syndrome: overwork and self-sabotage How it impacts our personal lives and relationships Why marginalized groups are hit the hardest Simple steps to start loving yourself through it all Follow Dr. Lisa Orbé-Austin here Check out her latest book here Book Rec: The First 90 Days by Michael D. Watkins

She’s a Grammy-winning, multi-platinum rapper, singer-songwriter, Emmy-nominated actor, mother, philanthropist, and entrepreneur. You know her for the iconic hit Who’s That Girl? Now, Eve is here on PRETTYSMART, ready to finally answer that question. In her new memoir, she opens up like never before, giving us an intimate glimpse into her life and journey as she shares: How she knew she didn’t want a regular life and was destined for something big. How she never imagined her music career would go beyond just her debut album. Her experience with Ruff Ryders and how it differed from her experience with men in rap in general.  How she deals with fear and why it’s a constant companion in her life.  Working as a stripper for two months (and why she sort of regrets opening up about it in her memoir).  Her focus and “do or die” mentality.  When she realized her life had really changed. Her struggle with alcohol and how the realizations she had about that whie writing her memoir.  Her struggles with loneliness and depression even though she didn’t realize that was what it was at the time. Why she love the lyrical beefing between Kendrick Lamar and Drake. Her two favorite songs to perform. Her thoughts on women in rap now. Why Nicki Minaj being cast in Barbershop 2 sent her back to therapy.  How Jay z was an “Invisible Bully” and why she thinks those types of bullies are actually valuable.  Her Ectopic pregnancy, IVF, struggles to conceive and why becoming a mom at 43 has been so wonderful for her.  What has set her apart from others in the industry.  Why you should always be open to the pivot. Healing from her baggage from past toxic relationships when she started dating her now husband, Max When we will get new music (and if Fetish by Eve will ever return!)   Grab a copy of Eve’s Memoir “Who’s That Girl?” Here!   Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

At just 14, Taylor Hill became a full-time model, and by 18, she had booked the career-defining role of walking in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, becoming one of the youngest models to do so. Since then, Taylor has graced the covers of Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar and walked for fashion powerhouses like Versace, Chanel, and Dolce & Gabbana during Fashion Weeks in New York, Milan, and Paris. Now 28, Taylor is stepping into a new chapter as an entrepreneur, launching Tate & Taylor, a brand offering a holistic shopping experience for pet owners. On PRETTYSMART, Taylor reflects on her 14-year fashion career as a supermodel and the unconditional love driving her latest venture. She shares: How modeling helped her with her self confidence as a teenager. The difference between a good model and a great model. How showing off her personality helped her land a top modeling job as a Victoria’s Secret Angel. How the VS Angels became like big sisters to her. Why she respects Gisele Bündchen so much Learning how her self-image and self-worth needed to come from her and not her job. How her company, Tate & Taylor, was inspired by her late labradoodle, Tate, and his battle with cancer. How her late pet Tate was there for her when she needed him the most. The moment she knew she had a connection with her new dog, Salem. Her journey from fashion model to business founder in the pet industry. Follow Taylor here Check out Tate & Taylor here Book Rec: Many Lives, Many Masters by Brian L. Weiss, M.D.

Is your heart the key to the transformation you’ve been seeking? New York Times best-selling author, holistic wellness expert, and nutritionist to stars like Drew Barrymore, Reese Witherspoon, and Channing Tatum – Kimberly Snyder shares insights from her latest book, The Hidden Power of the Five Hearts, which maps out a path to personal transformation that can happen almost overnight.  Backed by decades of research from the HeartMath Institute, Kimberly shares: The 5 stages of the heart  The science behind heart-brain communication How achieving heart coherence can significantly impact everything from anxiety and depression to cardiovascular health. How to tap into heart intelligence, boost energy, and heal relationships Kimberly shares how an unexpected dinner led to meeting her husband and experiencing a life-changing "nonlinear leap" of love.  How we are digesting our feelings (literally and figuratively) Offers powerful tools to unlock more peace, clarity, and purpose in your life. The power of our hearts– from ancient wisdom to groundbreaking science. How to be magnetic, using your heart chakra (and the 40,000 neurons in our heart)! How to keep a warm heart  Follow Kimberly here. Grab a copy of Kimberly’s book here.

For over two decades, Emmy & Peabody Award winning Journalist, Sarah Spain has made her mark as a sports reporter. She’s spent over a dozen of those years at ESPN, working as a host, producer and writer. She’s also a radio host and hosts her own podcast “Good Game with Sarah Spain” on iHeart. Today she’s joining PRETTYSMART to share her journey from young athlete to award winning sports journalist. She shares:  Why it never occurred to her growing up that she could have a career in sports.  Why we need to do a better job talking to young girls about sports.  Her thoughts on the controversies surrounding sports and Trans athletes. What she’s had to put up with as a female sports reporter and how it has shaped her opinion of men.  Why she chooses empathy over anger when it comes to trolls on the internet.  How the skills she developed growing up playing sports helped her in her career. Why she’s not surprised that 94% of C Suite women at Fortune 500 companies were college athletes. .  Why she believes women playing sports is like giving the middle finger to the idea of women having one lane/only being allowed in certain spaces. Her thoughts on women’s professional sports  and why it’s taken so long for people to care more about them. Follow Sarah on Instagram  Listen to Sarah’s Podcast 

Curious about open marriage or ethical non-monogamy? In this episode, Molly Roden Winter shares her candid journey. At 35, Molly was a happily married teacher in Brooklyn with two young sons. But one night, feeling suffocated, she walked into a neighborhood bar and found herself desiring another man. What followed transformed her life and marriage. Molly reveals: The path to ethical non-monogamy and how she sought more than casual connections. How opening her marriage strengthened her bond with her husband. The self-discovery journey that came with navigating multiple relationships. The evolution of their open marriage, what’s worked, what hasn’t, and how therapy played a role. The impact of her open marriage on her sons and family. Why she felt compelled to write a book about her experience. The importance of children seeing their mothers as whole, fulfilled individuals. You can buy Molly’s Book, “More: A Memoir of Open Marriage” Here And follow her on Instagram here! Books: A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle, Anna Karenina Leo Tolstoy

Cat Lantigua is a first-generation Dominican-American author, community architect, podcast host and creative strategist helping to build spaces that foster soul-centered conversations and a sense of belonging. Today she joins PRETTYSMART to share all about her new book “Build It and They Will Come - A Guide to Architecting Intentional Community.” She Shares: How she learned to embrace herself as a kid even though she felt she was always standing out. How she manifested friendships that really allowed her to be herself.  Why it’s so important to leave room for spontaneity and get out of your routine if you’re looking to expand your community or become a different version of yourself. What led her to create the Goddess Council and bring people together in community. Why everyone is lonelier than we realize.  Why we need to get back to caring about other people’s pain.  How social media has made us forget that we are all human beings and her tips to get off line and into IRL. Her top tips for hosting a get together.  Why you have to push through the awkwardness of putting yourself out there (and off of your phone!)  Why true friendship and a community you feel safe in won’t happen until you really practice self love.  Follow Cat on Instagram @cat.lantigua  Her book “Build It And They Will Come.” is available here!

Julie Rice and Elizabeth Cutler founded SoulCycle in 2006 along and sold it in 2011 (for approximately 90 million dollars each). Now they have launched what they are calling a workout for your relationships- Peoplehood. 60 minute guided groups where you learn to speak freely and listen deeply. Julie joins PRETTYSMART today so share both about her entrepreneurial journey and why becoming a better listener as changed the trajectory of her life. She shares: How working in Hollywood really helped her when it came to creating SoulCycle. Why SoulCycle resonated and how it changed the game in creating exercise as a lifestyle. Why she chose to go back to work right after selling SoulCycle for 90 Million dollars.  Her new company Peoplehood - and why you need this “workout” for your relationships. Why she thinks we are all over our phones and coming to the end of the scroll. The one thing she does every week to “slow time”  that has changed every relationship in her life.  What higher listening is and how it helps you go from ego to empathy. Why you aren’t as good of a listener as you think you are - and some red flags to help you spot it. Why listening is a practice and how you can (and should!) strengthen it. The practices that changed her marriage and her business relationship with her co-founder. Follow Julie here Sign up for Peoplehood (in person or virtually) here

Nora McInerny is an author, speaker and host of “Terrible, Thanks for Asking” - a podcast that lets people be honest about the hard things in life. Nora lost her husband, Aaron when she was just 32 years old and is currently remarried and raising a blended family. Today she shares:  What it was like finding out her boyfriend had a brain tumor after about a year of dating - and why deciding to marry him was the best decision she ever made.  How she coped with grief and what she wishes she would have done differently. Why it’s so important to be honest with those close to you about how you’re doing. How she and her window’s family have maintained such a close bond and why that is sadly not always the case. How her current husband and kids make space for her husband who passed. How she continues to celebrate her husband Aaaron and keep his memory alive. How she has been able to use humor to deal with all of the painful things she’s experienced.  Why time is almost meaningless to her now. Dealing with extreme burnout and how she’s navigating it. Why she wishes she had more compassion for herself. Why Parenthood is the biggest examination of your own ego. Follow Nora here Grab a copy of Nora’s books here  Recommended books from Nora:  On Our Best Behavior -  Elise Loehnen The Four Agreements - Don Miguel Ruiz Man’s Search for Meaning - Victor Frankl  

Chelsea Devantez is an Emmy-nominated writer, comedian, director, and host of the podcast Glamorous Trash. She was Jon Stewart’s Head Writer for Apple TV+'s The Problem with Jon Stewart and has also written for Not Dead Yet, Girls5Eva, and Bless this Mess, among others. Chelsea’s memoir “I Shouldn’t Be Telling You This (But I’m Going to Anyway) is out now and today she returns to PRETTYSMART to talk all about it! She shares:  Why courage for her to tell her story publicly was the last resort (but why she’s so glad she decided to do so!) Why it’s important to share real and relatable stories of domestic violence, and why there is so much red tape around survivors being able to tell their truth.  How her relationship with her mom was impacted by writing her own memoir.  What she learned not to do from all the other memories she’s talked about on her podcast. What it was like finding out she was conceived via a sperm donor when she was 14 years old.  Why it’s so important to tell young girls they are special and what that did for her as a kid.  The duality of resilience and why she’s learning to tell people when she’s not alright. Why the best people to help you in your career and life are right beside you. Her best tips for getting ahead in your career.  What makes the best kind of wedding and her relationship with her husband.  Links: Follow Chelsea here Grab a copy of her book here

Comedian, Writer and star of Saturday Night Live, Ego Nwodim, joins PRETTYSMART! She shares: What it means to live a “Yes, And” life Auditioning for SNL even though she wasn’t sure she wanted the role (and the key reason she thinks she got the job) Life at SNL ( the most anxiety inducing days of the week) How Keenan Thompson helped her believe in her own intuition  How she balances her schedule and dating How she never even wanted to take improv in the first place How improv has helped make her a better person Follow Ego here Alexandra’s Consulting Website: https://www.alexandramandersonconsulting.com/

Author of “Build Like a Woman” +  award-winning, self-made serial entrepreneur,  Kathleen Griffith is here. She’s sharing everything you need to know about building both a life AND a business you love!  Kathleen works with Fortune 500 brands, directing more than $500M in marketing dollars and generating more than one billion dollars on behalf of clients ranging from NIKE to NBC Sports to Verizon. Her passion is to further the next generation of women entrepreneurs and help them architect the life of their dreams. She shares: The moment she knew she was “done and ready” to start living a louder more authentic life.  Why she chooses to celebrate breakdowns (and why you should too!) The X-factor women have when it comes to business. Why money is all about mindset (for real!) Her tips for success when paying for coaches or having a mentor aren’t an option. The common denominator in successful businesswomen.  Why it’s okay to be fearless and fearful at the same time.  Why we need to look at building a great life and a great business simultaneously instead of compartmentalizing them.  What Barbara Corcoran said about her book! Follow Kathleen here Grab her book here.

The Workout Witch, Liz Tenuto, joins PRETTYSMART to teach us how to release trauma and get rid of chronic pain through somatic exercises and therapy.  With a Degree in Psychology from UCSB, somatic certifications in Feldenkrais and Pilates with a specialization in injuries & pathologies, and 15 years of teaching experience, she's been changing the conversation around how trauma and anxiety affect the body for 15 years. She shares:  What it means if you scroll on your phone for an hour at night Her personal journey with chronic pain and how she discovered somatic exercises. Why any pain longer that does not heal after 3 months is trauma stored in the body. Signs you have stress stored in your body. How to differentiate stored trauma from muscle injury What a functional freeze is and signs that you are in one (and why it often mimics depression)   What parts of the body different emotions are stored in.  Why there’s an overlap between signs of ADHD and nervous system dysregulation from trauma.  Revenge Sleep Procrastination: What it is and what it means for your nervous system.  Why you should stop doing cold plunges.  Follow Liz on Instagram Explor Liz’s Online Courses

Friendship coach and author of “Fighting for Our Friendships,” Danielle Bayard Jackson, joins the pod to share practical strategies and thoughtful insights to help us in every area of our friendships. We discuss: The two questions every friend wants answered How to handle conflict in friendships as adults How to make friends as an adult Why friendships change depending on our life stages Why desire is important even in platonic relationship Friendship burnout and how to handle it How to know when it’s time to let a friendship go (and how to handle it) Gossip! Why it’s not ALL bad (and how to differentiate the two)  How to reframe what it means to be a good friend The direct line between female friendships and our physical, mental, and emotional health Follow Danielle here. Grab her book here. 

In Danielle’s first solo episode she dives into one of her favorite topics— conversation. She’s spent 13 years and over 3,000 conversing professionally (and countless hours talking personally lol). Combining both her professional and personal experience she shares 10 tips on how to be a great conversationalist!    The quality of conversation in so many ways determines the quality of our lives— use these tips to have better conversations and thus, better quality of life! 

Heidi Clements is a 63 year old writer, clothing enthusiast, storyteller. She’s also the incredible and inspiring @WelcometoHeidi on Instagram where she doles out no nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is life advice to her half a million followers who are mostly in their 20s and 30s. Today she joins PRETTYSMART to share her story + some of the lessons she’s learned in each decade. We discuss:  The impact she’s made on younger women and especially when it comes to views on aging  How she was able to live without shame and always stay true to herself How she got over caring what others think of her  Working with toxic women in the workplace and what that taught her Why she feels her 60s are a filled with joy (and what lessons we can learn from her to embrace that feeling) What the breaking point was for her to get sober in her 30s Why she doesn’t care about dating What she learned from losing her mother How she discovered her style in her 40s How she landed her dream job as a scripted writer in her 50s What she still struggles with today Follow Heidi on Instagram