Story + Rain Talks

Meet the set decorator whose rooms you’ve fallen in love with for years. With over 35 years in the industry under her belt, Beth Kushnick diligently deals in the details with expert precision. Transforming blank slates into authentic spaces that can reveal an entire life in seconds, Kushnick did that and then some when she spent seven seasons as decorator for CBS’s huge hit, The Good Wife. Her work generated so much viewer interest that she was able to collaborate to create the first home décor license in television history with Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, and eventually created her own label, BAK Home, using her expertise to make the aspirational look she’s known for, attainable to customers. “Being fiscally responsible is maybe the biggest part of my creativity” Beth explains on our 146th episode, and she shares specifics around the thrill of when it all comes together. Many a client have counted themselves lucky to have the out-of-the-box thinker and deadline-driven design vet work on their homes; and on the podcast we discuss the differences between building a set and furnishing for real life. We run through her robust resume, going behind the scenes on Howard Stern’s famous biopic, Private Parts, to how she created upper crust culture for Reversal Of Fortune starring award-winning Jeremy Irons and Glenn Close, as well as many more projects. We talk Kushnick’s intimate connection to the city of New York and how its spaces and places have evolved, her greatest influences and mentors, being the best when it comes to budget, and the ardent advice she bestows upon the listeners of her podcast. We rake through recent work, from how Beth served up the supernatural for Patrick Wilson’s Insidious: The Red Door to how she applied authenticity to Yvette Lee Bowser’s Run The World, and when she worked on Katie Holmes’ Rare Objects. We go back to her start in theater, and on the iconic and original Little Shop Of Horrors. Then there’s the author she turns to when it comes to her craft, what’s world-class when it comes to wallpaper, and some for her favorite Amazon finds. Come along for this close look into the life of an artist who creates the vivid visuals we savor on screen. Our conversations continue as Story + Rain Talks to most talented most interesting, Beth Kushnick. Discover more + Shop The Podcast: Run The World on Prime Video Insidious: The Red Door on Prime Video Rare Objects on Prime Video The Good Wife on Prime Video The Good Fight on Prime Video Reversal Of Fortune on Bluray Private Parts on Bluray Art Is Life by Jerry Saltz How To Be An Artist by Jerry Saltz Clinique Aromatics Elixir Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops Zibeths Velvet Cane Back Dining Chairs Lands Downunder Italian Herringbone Throw Phillip Jeffries wallpaper Persimmons

This week we release our conversation with costume designer and stylist, Paolo Nieddu. Best known for the impact he made working on the hit series fabulously filled his colorful costumes---Lee Daniel’s Empire, we dish about details from the set: from key moments and how he dressed Taraji, to little-known secrets and the BTS nitty-gritty of how a stylist organizes and works with wardrobe. Paolo’s latest work can be seen on CBS’s smash The Equalizer starring Queen Latifah, the action series where the fashion is as fierce as its episode plot lines. On the podcast Paolo shares what he does to create the show’s eclectic style and exactly how he conceives of each character’s look----and we’ll be publishing that into a story you can shop on StoryAndRain.com. Then there’s an intimate deep-dive discussion about the magazine industry, being a fashion assistant and intern, and what it’s like to work at Interview. Paolo and our founder Tamara share the unique experience of having gotten their start at Andy Warhol’s iconic publication. Paolo traces back to his first days in New York and working at fellow Story + Rain Talks podcast guest Patricia Field’s legendary boutique, and how he first caught the style icon’s eye. He takes us on his career journey that begins with assisting Pat on a DKNY fashion show, to then working on a Sex And The City film, Confessions Of A Shopoholic, The Other Woman, and more. He talks working with Story + Rain cover star Andra Day on the award-winning Billie Holiday film, shares his take on what makes for a successful fashion assistant, how he researches and preps his projects, how he describes his signature aesthetic, being all about accessories, what he’s watching, collecting, and more. Our conversations with creatives continue as Story + Rain Talks to Paolo Nieddu. Discover more + Shop The Podcast: The Equalizer on Paramount+   Lee Daniels' Empire, season 1  Lee Daniels' Empire, season 2  Lee Daniels' Empire, season 3   Lee Daniels' Empire, season 4   Lee Daniels' Empire, season 5   United States v Billie Holiday   Baccarat champagne glasses  Sisley Paris Black Rose Cream Mask  Casa Dragones tequila Apple AirPods 

We’re excited about all the newness from one of our favorite writers and podcast hosts, (and reluctant actor), Jenny Mollen. She’s launching her new podcast, All The Fails, and added a new Substack, The Best Friend Experience. On this week’s episode we discuss everything we love about the one-of-a-kind Substack she shares with Diablo Cody, Can I Ask You A Personal Question? and get into all the details behind her can’t-put-it-down bestselling book, City Of Likes. We get Jenny’s take on the state of social media, and she gets specific about how it’s affected her own life. And it’s not surprising how funny she is when we ask her what it takes to find a following, and about the “vicious cycle” of her voice. We cut right into the openness and honesty at the core of her work, and its origin, and talk about the time when she was rallied to become a writer. Jenny shares what it takes to get the big ideas, the book she’s planning next,  and when to share and be vulnerable, and when to zip it. We discuss her book, Dictator Lunches, how she became The Lunch Lady, and what it’s like cooking in the kitchen with her husband Jason (involves lots of 90’s tunes). Pardon the cliché, but Jenny’s a girl’s-girl, so we ask her what she looks for in a friend and she talks about the kind of women who inspire her. We chat about Chelsea Handler, Jenny’s dear friend and our May 2021cover star, talk where to live, the best salad, seeking out seed oils, and dish about a designer’s dinner party. We’re gonna be honest, there was so much chatting, we had to cut things up and edit things out…talk about a best friend experience. Our conversations with creatives continue, as Story + Rain Talks to Jenny Mollen. Discover more + Shop The Podcast: All The Fails podcast Jenny Mollen on Substack Jenny Mollen + Diablo Cody on Substack City Of Likes by Jenny Mollen Shop vintage + donate @theshirtsoffmyback Dictator Lunches by Jenny Mollen Live Fast Die Hot by Jenny Mollen I Like You Just The Way I Am by Jenny Mollen Jason (Biggs') Red Sauce Juna Nightcap Sleep Gummies BonberiBonberi Mart sweatshirt Bonberi Body Harmony cookbook by Nicole Berrie  Vintage army shirt

The red carpet has one thing in common these days, and that’s Tyler Ellis. The daughter of iconic fashion designer Perry Ellis seems to be fulfilling her destiny by taking Hollywood by storm and with the expansion of her luxury handbag line. On this week’s podcast, we sit down with Ellis, raised in LA by her TV writer and executive mother, her famous father tragically dying in under two years after her birth, to talk the trajectory of the brand she’s proudly built. Tyler shares the major message she received, loud and clear, from the one and only Michael Kors, when and why she felt ready to take on her last name professionally, and the importance in understanding every aspect of business. You’ll hear Tyler’s perspective on the Perry Ellis legacy and learn more about the incredible story behind her birth and brand logo. We get into the intricate attention to detail found in every Tyler Ellis handbag and meanings behind it all, what she aims to deliver in her designs, and talk seasonless sensibility. Tyler shares details around the momentous moment when she purchased her own factory outside of Florence and embracing life as an “Italiano”. Tyler shares what it’s like to compete with other luxury brands, takes us behind the scenes in loaning her line to all those famous faces, and she explains nitty gritty behind exactly how a handbag hits the red carpet. We talk the art of the handbag and working with artisans, the importance in choosing brand partners that feel special and who understand her brand, charity work and life with balance, what six things she’s most into these days, and when it comes to carrying her bags, which celebrity poses positively perfectly. Our conversations with creatives continue, as Story + Rain Talks to Tyler Ellis. Discover more + Shop The Podcast: Tyler Ellis Veronica Clutch Tyler Ellis Stella Wicker Handbag Artist  Gregor Hildebrandt Sisley Eye Contour Mask Ginori 1735 handmade porcelain 100% Capri clothing

On our latest Story + Rain Talks podcast, our cover star, Cleo Wade, details the freedom that comes with being a poet. She’s someone who has always had a notebook with her, or napkins she’d write on, napkins with notes she’d often share with friends. Releasing two long-awaited books within one year, Cleo shares how she came to birth her November 2023 release, Remember Love. Feeling moved to write for this moment in time, the author and activist tells us she was interested in the ways in which we can claim and reclaim ourselves to live at a pace that she describes as deeply human, and NOT at the speed of wifi. We discuss her May-release children’s book, May You Love And Be Loved, and how the most important thing she aims to convey in her books for children is that we raise a generation of kids that asks them to go see the world and to know that “we’re all in this together”.  Along with a discussion about her artist parents and first intro to poetry, the New Orleans native says she was raised in part by the city itself, a place where its bon vivant inhabitants work in order to pay their bills, so that they can go to Mardi Gras. On the episode, Cleo describes her dedication New Orleans’ really specific way of living, a way of living she follows everywhere. We get into friendship, and how it has been the “gold” of her life. We talk about the importance in not living in idea-phase, about what work in the world of fashion has taught her, why her husband has been a huge source of inspiration. We tapped Cleo for her some valuable thoughts on social media and what her role on her platforms has been. We discuss favorite things, how to be a friend to yourself, and much more. Discover more + Shop The Podcast: May You Love and Be Loved: Wishes For Your Life by Cleo Wade Remember Love: Words for Tender Times by Cleo Wade  What the Road Said by Cleo Wade Heart Talk: The Journal by Cleo Wade Where to Begin by Cleo Wade Heart Talk by Cleo Wade House of Harlow 14k Gold Plated Thick Earring Huggie Hoop Set Wilder Mind by Mumford + Sons On Vinyl Goop Beauty All-In-One Super Nutrient Face Oil Rivet Utility Worker Stretch Short Sleeve Jumpsuit The Edna Lewis Cookbook by Edna Lewis and Evangeline Peterson G.Label By Goop O’Neill Silk Boy Button Down

This week we're talking to the superyacht captain with 33 years of experience who became a public figure in a flash when she began starring in Bravo's beloved Below Deck, the series that's famously found fans far and wide. We sit down with Sandy Yawn to talk about how she is creative in her work, and how she's built a stellar career on the sea. We discuss her early story and what led her to sobriety, and how the before and after of getting sober has contributed to her success. Sandy shares so many stories---from the biggest moments in her career, to behind the scenes on the series and with her crew, and we discuss production, whom Sandy sees as the client, when she's filming. She shares what it's like to be a woman in a male-dominated industry, and we ask her about her relationship with the vessel: the huge piece of intricate machinery that she is the boss of. Known for her nurturing, Sandy breaks down the hallmarks of an excellent leader, talks setting boundaries, resilience, her management style, and more. We talk bucket-list travel, and how she finds a sense of place in a life on the move. Sandy gets candid, 8 years in, about whether she was prepared for turning the cameras on and into her professional life, and the oversharing that the cameras beg for. This week's podcast gives you a look into Sandy's joy-filled heart, a peek into her plans for a new home, what her wedding will look like, and the boat she's eyeing for herself. We chat about why she wakes up each day filled with positive energy, but not before getting her to explain exactly how she does it: balancing being kind and generous and empathetic with commanding such respect. Our conversations with creatives continue, as Story + Rain talks to Captain Sandy Yawn. Discover more: Captain Sandy Yawn Below Deck Mediterranean on Bravo

We talked to the designer who, eighteen years ago, established and nailed an aesthetic that’s since soared in popularity. Exploding onto the scene with her leaf design made popular by Jennifer Aniston’s character in the film The Break Up, Jennifer Meyer creates and has created countless collectible pieces that define the day-to-day when it comes to modern iconic fine jewelry. Jen tells the story behind the leaf, how exactly she nabbed a much-coveted spot at Barneys New York, and making a gift for Alber Elbaz. We discuss how her father helped instill her strong work ethic from the day she stepped foot off Syracuse’s campus, and how one $500 a week PR job turned into a major magazine stint, and roles at Armani and Ralph Lauren. Jen shares her brand’s most game-changing moments, why slow and steady wins the race, and how staying in one’s lane can create success. She shares how she blindly chased the design ideas she’d had in her heart and soul… and also shares her philosophies for living life and building a brand with heart and soul. We get into the symbolism that’s core to the Jennifer Meyer collection and to Jen personally--- and her necklace that truly makes magic. There’s the Jennifer Meyer secret sauce as she describes it; you’ll hear Jen share her vision for being one with one’s jewelry. Also on the podcast, we dive into the waters of Malibu to discuss her newly-released fragrance collection, where even scent tells a story. We get an intimate peek at her Vogue Fashion Fund times, and her relationship with mentor Diane Von Furstenberg. We also talk connecting with her multigenerational customer, and how the people she surrounds herself with inspire her. Jen gives great advice for entrepreneurs and shares life lessons, words to live by, and why success means being at peace. Jen’s got a fantastic obsixed list of favorite things, including the key pieces she turns to in her own collection. Our conversations with creatives continue, as Story + Rain Talks to Jennifer Meyer. Discover more + Shop The Podcast: Jennifer Meyer Large Leaf necklace   Jennifer Meyer Large Leaf earrings  Jennifer Meyer Good Luck necklace  Jennifer Meyer Diamond Wishbone necklace Jennifer Meyer Mini Wishbone bracelet  Jennifer Meyer Large Hammered Heart necklace Jennifer Meyer candle  Jennifer Meyer fragrance Jennifer Meyer rollerball fragrance Jennifer Meyer hand + body cream  C + The Moon Malibu Made Body Scrub Roe caviar U Beauty The Super Hydrator U Beauty The Plasma Lip Compound Favorite Daughter Jamie sweater in black Sp5der hoodie Sp5der sweatpants

This week has us sitting down with the food expert whose recipes are splashed all over NYT Cooking. You'll hear about her three most-made meals, and her popular pasta hashtag and its collection of dishes. You'll also hear about how she went from cabaret singer to bartender to publicist, to working on actor-turned-vintner Kyle MacLachlan's Pursued By Bear wines. We talk about exactly when it was that Colu Henry took her deep dive into the culinary world, and her extensive background in creating and editing recipes. We get into the look, the feel, the food of Colu's two cookbooks to date, and how her romantic and robust storytelling sets her apart from the rest. Listen in to hear all about spending quality time with friends, a favorite restaurant to add to your list, and an Instagram memes account to go to for laugh. Discover where Colu buys her crab, and how an air compressor became a terrific tool in the kitchen.We talk being cozy and cooking on vacation, and why doing so tests one's creativity. On the podcast Colu shares stories around her writer-roots, and the future she's got waiting for her in the 1800's Nova Scotia farmhouse she and her husband are restoring themselves. Colu shares what it's like working with a spouse, a surprise discovered deep amongst the pages of one of her years of notebooks, and her Italian grandmother's influence. Get a candid and firsthand account about what it's like to be a woman working in food, and the pressure that exists to be a "bon vivant", but to look a certain way. We discuss stepping into her voice, and the details around her beloved Substack that make it worth reading and why it feeds Colu's own soul. We talk meat as an accessory, how turkey is the chicken that keeps on giving, and the tastemaker shares what tops her list of favorite things from books to condiments. Of course, we break down the best and chicest ways to feed a crowd including the masterful menus she has and is putting together for her birthday and for the holidays. Our conversations with creatives continue, as Story + Rain Talks to Colu Henry. Discover more + Shop The Podcast: ColuHenry.comColu Cooks cookbook Back Pocket Pasta cookbook Rona Inao/Iso Tasting Wine Glasses FLY BY Jing Chengdu Crunch Sauce Pike Place Market Fresh Wild Dungeness Crab Meat Ilia Color Block Lipstick in Flame Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara The Sicilian Inheritance by Jo Piazza Girls They Write Songs About by Carlene Bauer Bread Toast Crumbs cookbook by Alexandra Stafford Pizza Night cookbook by Alexandra Stafford House + Garden A Year in the Kitchen cookbook Sezane Gaspard Cardigan Sezane Otto Sweater Sezane Basil Cardigan

If you don’t know, now you know. James Alsop, a one-time contestant on Bravo’s Step It Up And Dance, is now one of the entertainment industry’s most sought-after choreographers doing some of the most interesting work. James began her career as co-choreographer of Beyoncé’s videos, tour, and promotional materials for the multi-platinum selling records Who Run the World, Dance For You, and Love on Top. And we get into how she made her way into dancing with Beyonce, here. She also assisted in choreographing the huge hit  music video Booty by Jennifer Lopez. James has worked with Paul Thomas Anderson for the Haim music video Just A Little of Your Love, and after choreographing the entire season of Maya Rudolph and Martin Short’s variety series Maya + Marty, she was asked by Tina Fey to choreograph season three of the Emmy nominated series The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. A truly incredible body of work, and there's more. She most recently choreographed the Peacock musical TV series Girls5Eva starring Story + Rain cover star Busy Phillips, and UnPrisoned, the Tracy McMillan series starring Kerry Washington.  Then there’s Pose, the superbowl, the Dahmer series, Emily In Paris; the Gossip Girl reboot; and it was a dream come true when James worked on the Whitney Houston biopic, I Wanna Dance With Somebody. There are so many more projects to name. On the podcast we talk about that experience as well as her vision for The Devil Wears Prada musical, and being inspired by the ways people walk, for it. We discuss working through her feelings and her skillset to choreograph the upcoming A Transparent Musical, based on the Emmy award winning series from Amazon Prime. We talk living by the rule of rising to the occasion to be the best you can be, the time she surprised Beyonce, and the time she was at a party that changed her life, and that was shortly before Story + Rain's Editor in Chief and Founder, Tamara, met James. James loves to teach; we talk about her teaching style and philosophies, and her dancing style---"intricate, sexy, and groovy” is how she describes it. We talk all about sticking with the dream, and the opportunities that opened up after she decided to  “wake up and see who I really am every day”. Tired of hiding, James transitioned in 2015. From stories about mornings in the kitchen with her siblings singing and dancing with her mother blasting Luther Vandross, to when Tamara met and dressed James in LA on a Bravo ad campaign set and when she knew there was a superstar before her---you’ll be inspired. One of our favorite people, a one-of-a-kind talent, our conversations with creatives continue as Story + Rain talks to James Alsop. Discover more + Shop The Podcast:Folllow James Alsop on InstagramI Wanna Dance With Somebody Above And Beyonce Video Collection + Dance MixesSpare by Prince Harry The Duke Of Sussex

You will love this conversation about the latest and the best of the beauty industry with our next guests. We're talking to Violet Grey’s Founder, Cassandra Grey, and Sarah Brown, Executive Director of Violet Lab at Violet Grey, formerly of Vogue. This is a unique chat and a special treat, getting to talk to the esteemed experts together. VioletGrey.com, of course, is a content and commerce destination (we know a little something about that) for all things beauty, that so many of us love, known for its supremely-vetted, highest-quality product; product that Violet Grey helps to make most coveted. Go behind the scenes with us here, as you get an intimate peek at how Cassandra and Sarah collaborate and complement one another. We discuss the before and after of acquisition by Farfetch in 2022. You’ll learn all about exactly what Violet Lab and The Violet Code is, how it works, what makes for a great committee member, and how (and why) it was established. From Cassandra and Sarah, you’ll hear about their deeply cared-for customer, the Hollywood influence on Violet Grey content, and how celebrity beauty has evolved over the years. Cassandra tells her story of starting up, and Sarah shares what she gets to experience at Violet Grey that she hadn’t experienced previously in her career. Cassandra and Sarah share how they know when a new-to-market brand is doing something special, and we do an extremely deep dive into all the products, tools---and the artists and entrepreneurs behind them---that are making the biggest impressions on each of them…including what’s in their own current personal beauty and wellness routines today. Get a glimpse ahead at the future of beauty with some interesting insight into what’s set to start taking off and trending. Our conversations with creatives continue, as Story + Rain Talks to Cassandra Grey and Sarah Brown of Violet Grey.  Discover more + Shop The Podcast: violetgrey.com Westman Atelier Vital Skincare Complexion Drops ⁠⁠ Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick ⁠⁠ Westman Atelier Face Trace Contour Stick ⁠⁠ Westman Atelier Beauty Butter Powder Bronzer ⁠ Jillian Dempsey Cheek Tint ⁠⁠Chanel No 102 Foundation Blending Brush ⁠⁠ Brodo bone broth ⁠ Dr Loretta Universal Glow Daily Defense SPF 40  ⁠⁠ R + Co Bleu Essential Shampoo ⁠⁠ R + CO Bleu Essential Conditioner ⁠⁠ Eighth Day Regenerative Serum ⁠⁠ U Beauty Resurfacing Compound ⁠ U Beauty Resurfacing Body Compound Lyma Laser 

This week we sit down with actor and artist Jemima Kirke to talk creativity, collecting, painting, inspiration, and more. With our latest cover star, we discuss her deeply artistic upbringing and how her experiences at schools, St Anns and RISDE, have shaped her. Jemima talks about the time when she learned to make art for different reasons, and why dreams shouldn’t be trusted. She shares deeply personal insights into her sisters Lola and Domino, and her perspective on what it is and isn’t, to be both a mother and an artist. On the podcast, for us Jemima colors in intimate corners of her studio space, and the look and feel of her home. We talk about who has collected her work, having artists as friends, life as a single parent, eating ice cream for breakfast, and enjoying time with her children. We get to the essence of why children’s costumes have a cherished place in her heart, and discuss her vintage + antique children’s collection, Orphan Darling, and her series of paintings, Scamp. Jemima gets into painting two people, her favorite piece of work to date, and setting her art free. We wrap with the vintage magazines and catalogs she keeps collecting, have a chat about pants versus dresses, and how she’s learned to practice self care these days. Then there’s the how and the what of her famous lip look, including a current favorite color, and all of the old films she's revisiting, and why. Our conversations with creatives continue, as Story + Rain talks to Jemima Kirke. Discover more + Shop The Podcast: Scamp | paintings by Jemima Kirke  @Orphan_Darling vintage + antique children's clothing by Jemima Kirke Ice cream maker Vintage Montgomery Ward catalogs Vintage House + Garden The 400 Blows film Cleo From 5 To 7 film Hermes Rose Boisé lipstick

A life’s dream was realized when Abigail Cook Stone’s company, Otherland candles, was acquired in June 2023 by Curio brands---the umbrella company behind Anthropologie’s famed Capri Blue candle with a fierce following. The founder and CEO of Otherland is as passionate about candles as it gets, and her success since 2017’s launch reflects that. On the podcast she shares just how she was introduced to candles, and how she went from a round of roles at Ralph Lauren to pitching her brand and starting up. Abigail explains how she gathered her research for how she was going to make her mark in an oversaturated space, creating candles that would look and feel like luxury, yet weren’t too precious to burn.  We get into the olfactive creative process, some little- known details around candle making and manufacturing, and of course, scent. We do a deep dive into story and scent, and Otherland’s most popular and most interesting ones. Abigail describes how a collection comes together, the one place that she gets all her best ideas,  her arts-immersive upbringing, talks about her own scent memories, and that it’s not necessarily about replicating scent memory, but about reinterpreting it.  We talk Otherland’s distinct artwork and how Story + Rain and Otherland share part of their brand build story. The entrepreneur lets us in on her biggest learnings, talks trends, candle culture, “me time”, and plans for brand expansion.  This, #Obsixed obsessions, and much more. Our conversations with creatives continue, as Story + Rain talks to Abigail Cook Stone of Otherland. Discover more + Shop The Podcast: Otherland.com  Otherland Crisp Cornflower candle  Otherland Fallen Fir candle  Otherland Extra Hour candle  Otherland Canary candle  Body vodka  Tarka Oil Spicy Organic Ghee from Paro Foods  Verilux Happy Light  DRMTLGY sunscreen  Supergoop Resetting Mist  follow @storyandraintalks on instagram for our very latest drops + more pod content ⁠HERE⁠ | follow @storyandrain magazine on instagram⁠ HERE⁠ | follow our host + founder @tamarararappa ⁠HERE⁠ | discover, read, shop: fashion, beauty, wellness, tv + film, food, travel, interviews, + more on ⁠storyandrain.com

This week we’re catching up with Whitney Tingle, a trailblazer in clean eating and the power of food as medicine. She’s, of course, Cofounder of Sakara. It’s eleven years from launch, and today Sakara has culled a community of dedicated clients. In fact, on the podcast, Whitney reads one of the many notes she receives from customers who share just how Sakara has been life changing for them. Known for their plant-rich meal plans, innovative supplements, superfood snacks, and cookbook filled with the brand’s signature rainbow of recipes, Whitney shares special details around some of Sakara’s meal favorites, their best-selling metabolism super powder , our personal favorite—Sakara’s beauty and detox water drops---and more. We talk growing up with gardening and in Sedona, and here, Whitney lets us in on the depth of severity in her early health struggle story. She calls out the Big Apple for what she describes as a “catalyst” city, explaining that there couldn’t have been any other place where she and cofounder Danielle could have built their brand with a cult following. She shares her perspective on building a business and being an entrepreneur, hashes out the how in how many people’s diets are filled with what Whitney calls “one hundred versions of pizza”. We get into the specifics behind how the Sakara cookbook was established, and the brand’s visually stunning, plant-rainbow meals based on their 9 Pillars Of Nutrition. And speaking of stunning, we get into how Sakara has come to be a stand-out in terms of visual branding, a brand where fashion meets food, as Whitney says. Then there are the out-of-the-box (pun intended) ways in which Whitney uses Sakara meals in her own life that you’ll want to follow yourself. We know we do. We discuss some cool collabs with KORA and Erewhon, and how science is addressing the power of the mind and mindset when it comes to health and nutrition. Lastly –we’ve got 12 items from skin and hair care to meal prep shortcuts and what Whitney’s wearing for you---discussed in detail and shoppable in show notes, on StoryAndRain.com, and on Instagram, as always. Our conversations with creatives continue, as Story + Rain talks to Whitney Tingle of Sakara. Discover more + Shop The Podcast:Sakara.com and 9 Pillars Of Nutrition Sakara Beauty Water + Detox Water Drops Sakara Metabolism Super Powder  Sakara Metabolism Protein Super Bar  Sakara Complete Probiotic Formula Sakara Eat Clean Play Dirty CookbookMaya Kaimal Tikka Masala Simmer Sauce Maya Kaimal Coconut Korma Mild Simmer Sauce Living Libations Best Skin Ever Cleanser Moisturizer Living Libations Shampoo Living Libations Conditioner Vintner's Daughter Active Botanical Serum Vintner's Daughter Active Treatment Essence Vintner's Daughter Active Renewal Cleanser  Le Prunier Plumscreen SPF 31 The PureLift Lab Pure Lift Face Outdoor Voices Exercise Dress Magnesium Citrate follow @storyandraintalks on instagram for our very latest drops + more pod content ⁠HERE⁠ | follow @storyandrain magazine on instagram⁠ HERE⁠ | follow our host + founder @tamarararappa ⁠HERE⁠ | discover, read, shop: fashion, beauty, wellness, tv + film, food, travel, interviews, + more on ⁠storyandrain.com

follow @storyandraintalks on instagram for our very latest drops + more pod content ⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠ | follow @storyandrain magazine on instagram⁠⁠ HERE⁠⁠ | follow our host + founder @tamarararappa ⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠ | discover, read, shop: fashion, beauty, wellness, tv + film, food, travel, interviews, + more on ⁠⁠storyandrain.com

This week we talk to a couple of tastemakers who built and are growing a brand that is changing the game in personal care products, creating a new era in self care. Known at their fragrance house for choosing to spend ten times more than Tom Ford Fragrances on raw materials, co-founder and Head Of Creative, Phil Wong, and Creative Director Taylor Okata of Hawthorne talk pouring style, love, and also respect for their customer, into each and every product they design. Hawthorne was founded when Phil and Co Founder Brian Jeong were sick of overusing outdated products made with cheap ingredients that pushed an outdated version of personal care products for men. With shared values and aesthetics, longtime friend and stylist Taylor joined the team, and on the podcast we talk all about their collaborative creative process---a process that includes the constant pulling of references, the building of moodboards, and tons of daily discussions. We discuss the Hawthorne trio’s experience with the products that had existed in the space before they got there, how the brand has culled their modern point of view, and the responses they receive when their customer discovers Hawthorne has multi-racial and Asian owners. We ask them all about how they roll deep in the candle game with their seven-candle offering, we get into their gifting customer, and working with Target and Nordstrom. The team talks about their love of and the importance of scent, having the best of testers in their friends, and they talk being in talks with a celebrity investor. We discuss diversity, category and gender, bravely breaking into the market, and more. As always, we wrap with what tops these trendsetters #Obsixed lists of current obsessions, but not before doing a deep dive into all the Hawthorne products, including greatest hits and personal faves. Trust me, after listening you’ll find yourself adding to cart and buying their bundles. Our conversations with creatives continue, as Story + Rain Talks to Phil and Taylor of Hawthorne. Discover more + Shop The Podcast: Hawthorne.co Hawthorne Mineral Wave Cologne Hawthorne Gentle Sensitive Face Cleanser Hawthorne Stain-Free Deodorant Hawthorne Exfoliating Bar Soap The Five Minute Journal Silk pillowcase Nike by Shygirl on vinyl follow @storyandraintalks on instagram for our very latest drops + more pod content ⁠HERE⁠ | follow @storyandrain magazine on instagram⁠ HERE⁠ | follow our host + founder @tamarararappa ⁠HERE⁠ | discover, read, shop: fashion, beauty, wellness, tv + film, food, travel, interviews, + more on ⁠storyandrain.com

Take three deep breaths, and join our conversation with one of the most exciting creatives today, and it all starts with abundant appreciation. In an exclusive interview, we sit down with #1 New York Times Bestselling Author, Award-Winning Podcast Host Of On Purpose, Chief Purpose Officer of Calm, and Story + Rain Cover Star, Jay Shetty. This is a favorite, must-listen Story + Rain Talks episode, not only because Jay shares the spot-on words of wisdom he’s known for, but because we take on topics you might not have heard Jay tackle. We get into his brilliance for branding, how his extensive study of public speaking serves him today…and the time in his life when it hadn’t yet served him. He lets us in on the intimate ritual he shares with his guests before each of his podcast recordings, and the four pillars of intentionality embedded within all the work that he does---pillars Jay created when he first started his work---hidden and not publicly known, but that he shares in this intimate conversation with us, here. Jay gets granular about the different aspects of his brand, and the importance in individualizing each of his projects in look and feel and tone, for all of his vast and dedicated audience. When it comes to those On Purpose podcast episodes that we all can’t get enough of, Jay allowed us to pick apart his process, and on the podcast you’ll learn how his candescent conversations take shape. Here’s a hint: you might be surprised to find out that it’s way less polish, so much presence…and all about the "50|50".  We chat with Jay about his lifestyle, and about how and why he learned to pay more attention to his health. We discuss his routines and practices, and the things that top his list of current obsessions in the health and wellness space. Story + Rain, of course, makes them shoppable here, and in our shop on Instagram. Then there’s the sage advice: the book he recommends highly, a message to content creators about substance over form, one of the things that allows him to achieve laser-like focus, and why building relationships slowly is the way to work it. We take a large look at how Jay Shetty took his talent for talk on his recent Love Rules tour, a show peppered with all his personal loves, and where worldwide audiences felt his meticulously-assembled and powerful demonstrations of the magic in growth. We dissect his definition of creativity. And because he’s delightfully curious to the depths, we had to ask Jay to take us through exactly what his research process looks like, and it all starts with something he’s struggling with. This, and so much more on this very special episode. And hopefully more to come, when we catch up with our favorite creator next. He’s a true treasure for how he has and continues to transcend and transform wisdom and wellbeing, and because he puts more beauty and love into our world. Our conversations with creatives continue, as Story + Rain Talks to Jay Shetty. Discover more + Shop The Podcast: Subscribe to the Jay Shetty On Purpose Podcast 8 Rules Of Love book Think Like A Monk book Jay Shetty Book Bundle 40% on Calm App subscription to receive The Daily Jay daily meditations The Culture Code book by Daniel Coyle Rae Wellness Pre + Probiotic supplement Omni-Biotic Microbiome Restoration probiotic powder Clothing by Bode  Sony 1000XM5 Headphones in black follow @storyandraintalks on instagram for our very latest drops + more pod content HERE | follow @storyandrain magazine on instagram HERE | follow our host + founder @tamarararappa HERE | discover, read, shop: fashion, beauty, wellness, tv + film, food, travel, interviews, + more on storyandrain.com

Enduring in everything from TV to film, on this week’s podcast, Story + Rain  cover star Jordana Brewster talks twenty-two years of Fast + Furious,  as the franchise motors through a milestone with billions at the box office, and latest film, Fast X. The beloved beauty and talent shares where she is at 43. She shares her thoughts on the crop of plum roles for females in their forties that interests her, how the entertainment industry has evolved, and who and what she loves to watch herself, specifically. She takes us on her long, wild ride as an actor, from starring in 1990’s favorite The Faculty to finding her way into the Ryan Murphy American Crime Story family. We discuss the corral of confidence she had as a kid that landed her those very first, life-changing roles, who she was as a student at Yale, posing for magazines then and now, and dating Mark Wahlberg in the days before social media. We talk wild days and nerdy days, and not dimming one’s light. Describing herself as a girl’s-girl, Jordana explains why it’s worthwhile to be friends with other working moms, dishes details about her relationships with her longtime Fast family, what she’s proud of most in making the Fast films, and she also shares stories about recent and upcoming projects, Who Invited Charlie?, and Neon, in which she plays a lesbian drug lord. She talks about what it’s like to be globally famous, what she wants for Mia and for Fast’s all-female spin off, what it means to practice self-care, how she maintains balance, and her favorites in everything from fashion to fitness, and more. Our conversations with creatives continues as Story + Rain Talks to actor and our stunning cover star, Jordana Brewster. Discover more + Shop The Podcast:Watch Fast XFast + Furious 9 Movie CollectionWatch Who Invited Charlie?Watch + own The FacultyWatch + own American Crime Story: The People vs. O.J. SimpsonDenim skirt and Elena Linen Two piece from ReformationFoam rollerfollow @storyandraintalks on instagram for our very latest drops + more pod content HERE | follow @storyandrain magazine on instagram HERE | follow our host + founder @tamarararappa HERE | discover, read, shop: fashion, beauty, wellness, tv + film, food, travel, interviews, + more on storyandrain.com

Take a ride through the actor’s life and listen to our latest episode. Lily Rabe, who can currently be seen in David E. Kelley’s Love + Death on HBO Max, and on Shrinking on Apple TV +, is the daughter of prolific playwright David Rabe and celebrated actress, Jill Clayburgh, and we begin our conversation with her childhood spent near the stage. Watching the world’s greatest talent in rehearsals for her father’s masterpiece, Hurlyburly, Lily was bitten by the performance bug early on. We discuss her time as a dancer and how that turned to acting, life at Northwestern and her very fancy degree, and how life almost imitated art when she played a restaurant-employed actor for the film No Reservations. She describes why her heart belongs to theater and the “religious experience” that is performing Shakespeare In The Park. We discuss being a part of the Ryan Murphy American Horror Story family, and in a quick fire round, Lily talks playing Liz Cheney, the sheer joy she felt during The Undoing, why George Clooney is the happiest person, and why her role in his The Tender Bar opposite Ben Affleck was a favorite, and why George and Ben are, too. We discuss crafting the complicated relationship her character Meg has with Harrison Ford’s Paul in Shrinking, and we talk in detail about why embodying Betty Gore for Love + Death sometimes meant taking her home with her, for better or worse. Having worked with her husband Hamish over many years, Lily tells us why co-directing the soon-to-be-released film Downtown Owl whet their appetites for much more. And on the subject of  "more”, Lily tells us why she’s feeling so fulfilled…. so will simply take some more of that, please. We touch on Presumed Innocent, ahead for her on AppleTV+ and co-starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Ruth Negga. We talk about how paying attention to saying no helped build her brilliant career, and why she looks to feel compelled to play a part. And lastly, Lily shares her great taste with a long list of her most favorite obsessions. We hope you love our conversation with everyone’s favorite, Lily Rabe, just as much as we do. Discover more + Shop The Podcast:Watch Lily Rabe as Betty Gore in Love + Death  on HBO MaxWatch Lily Rabe in Shrinking on AppleTV+See Downtown Owl, co-directed by and starring Lily RabeCranberry-Lime PieKhaite The Danielle jeanKhaite The Evi sweaterKhaite The Jo sweaterKhaite The Mae sweaterShani Darden Skincare LED MaskShani Darden Skincare Triple Action Signature PeelShani Darden Hydration Peptide Creamfollow @storyandraintalks on instagram for our very latest drops + more pod content HERE | follow @storyandrain magazine on instagram HERE | follow our host + founder @tamarararappa HERE | discover, read, shop: fashion, beauty, wellness, tv + film, food, travel, interviews, + more on storyandrain.com

For this week’s podcast, we sit down with Mina Stone, the chef, cookbook author and restauranteur who mashes up fashion and art, with food. What could be better? Mina got her start working in fashion and at our friend Claude’s legendary magazine, Trace, and on the podcast, Mina discusses her early years, and how fashion turned to food when she was introduced to New York City’s art world. She tells us all about her first big gigs, what fueled her confidence, and the blind faith of youth that proved to be life-changing for her. We also talk about the early influences of home-cooked food and her Greek heritage on her cooking, her years of cooking for artists (and the title of her first cookbook) and how artists approach, perceive, value, and enjoy food. We get granular with Urs Fischer’s cuisine deep-dives, discuss the discovery of a list of Elizabeth Peyton’s loves and hates (tzatziki, yes; mesclun greens, no). And Mina recounts the details and impact of her work in recent years, working with and telling stories of food through the artists of MoMA PS1. She shares what she’s learned through her restaurant there, what she likes to wear in the kitchen, and her latest obsession with Caribbean culture and flavors. We get into the importance of color…in everything from food to her personal style, some tips and dishes for entertaining, and her brilliant list of favorite things. Discover more + Shop The Podcast:Mina's NYC at MoMA PS1Cooking For Artists by Mina StoneLemon, Love + Olive Oil by Mina StoneDaphnis and Chloe Greek Tea Gift SetAlex Mill jumpsuitsVacation SPF 30 Chardonnay OilMotherland: A Jamaican Cookbook by Melissa Thompsonfollow @storyandraintalks on instagram for our very latest drops + more pod content HERE | follow @storyandrain magazine on instagram HERE | follow our host + founder @tamarararappa HERE | discover, read, shop: fashion, beauty, wellness, tv + film, food, travel, interviews, + more on storyandrain.com

Story + Rain cover star Sophie Thatcher is an artist through-and-through. The Yellowjackets star immerses herself in acting, music, art, writing, and fashion. On episode 128 we discuss the importance of connecting to art, how it can be transformative, and Sophie’s vision for being as vulnerable and as chameleon-like as possible in her work. We discuss her being intense as a kid, how she’s been influenced by music, and also by growing up Mormon. We talk about the special relationship she has with her twin, a fellow artist, and their matching tastes. We get into the first time she was on set, her feelings about theater, and the things that inspire her very strong artistic and visual sensibility. We chat about finding home on the road, planting roots in Silver Lake, and falling in love with having a sense of place. Listen in for an intimate BTS discussion on all things Yellowjackets, the hit Showtime series currently streaming on Hulu, in which Sophie has the unique experience of playing the younger version of the older version of a character played by Juliette Lewis. Thatcher shares how sharing the role with Lewis has given her more confidence as an actor and fuel for pursuing all her artistic interests. She tells us about the impact a serious scooter accident had on how she played Natalie, and we dive into all the details of her season-two story lines. Sophie weighs in on the show’s discussions of belief system. And then there’s the cannibalism. Sophie  talks about the panic, out-of-body experience, disassociation, and “weird day” on set involved in shooting the season’s much-anticipated key scene, and more. You’ll hear about the June release of the Stephen King movie, The Boogeyman and her role in it, opposite Chris Messina, the music she paints to, how she makes music, and walks us through her home for her #Obsixed list of current obsessions. Discover more + Shop The Podcast: Stream Yellowjackets on HuluNovation SynthesizerSam Shepard: Seven PlaysDior Forever Couture Luminizer in Pink GlowYazuaki Shimizu Kakashi CDExuma's Life on vinylfollow @storyandraintalks on instagram for our very latest drops + more pod content HERE | follow @storyandrain magazine on instagram HERE | follow our host + founder @tamarararappa HERE | discover, read, shop: fashion, beauty, wellness, tv + film, food, travel, interviews, + more on storyandrain.com