DiscoverWhat Now? with Trevor NoahJessica Alba Is Standing in Her Power [VIDEO]
Jessica Alba Is Standing in Her Power [VIDEO]

Jessica Alba Is Standing in Her Power [VIDEO]

Update: 2024-06-133
Share

Digest

Jessica Alba shares her unique perspective on navigating the entertainment industry, highlighting the challenges she faced as a young actress and the pressure to conform to a specific image. She candidly discusses the fanboy fantasy that often surrounded her roles and how she strategically countered it by engaging with female audiences. Alba's journey to creating Honest, a company focused on safe and effective products for families, is explored, revealing her passion for social justice and her desire to make a positive impact. The conversation delves into the complexities of self-worth and the struggle to find stillness amidst a demanding career and personal life. Alba's insights on therapy, particularly her experience with family therapy, offer a powerful message about breaking cycles and fostering healthier relationships. The episode concludes with a poignant reflection on the importance of embracing the unknown and finding meaning beyond external validation.

Outlines

00:00:00
Death Preferences

This Chapter begins with Jessica Alba discussing her preferences for how she would like to die, expressing a desire to die peacefully in her sleep rather than through violent means. She humorously elaborates on her preference for being stabbed over being shot, finding a strange intimacy in the act of being stabbed.

00:00:49
Jessica Alba's Return to Action

This Chapter marks the beginning of the interview with Jessica Alba, where she discusses her return to action films after a period of focusing on other ventures. She shares her experience growing up in a strict family that limited her exposure to certain media, leading to a profound appreciation for action films when she was finally allowed to watch them. Alba reflects on the emotional impact of her early acting roles and her excitement about returning to the genre.

00:02:10
Honest Company: A Social Justice Warrior's Journey

This Chapter delves into Jessica Alba's journey to creating Honest Company, a company that provides safe and effective products for families. She reveals her lifelong passion for social justice and her desire to make a difference in the world. Alba shares her experience lobbying on Capitol Hill and her belief that creating solutions is the best way to change habits and influence industries.

00:03:16
Letting Go and Finding Stillness

This Chapter explores Jessica Alba's decision to step away from Honest Company and her journey to finding stillness and self-worth beyond external validation. She discusses the challenges of letting go of a company that was a significant part of her identity and the importance of finding a balance between holding on and letting go. Alba shares her experience with therapy and her commitment to breaking cycles within her family.

00:03:44
The Power of Therapy and Family Dynamics

This Chapter focuses on Jessica Alba's experience with family therapy and her decision to involve her children in the process. She discusses the initial backlash she received for this choice and the importance of creating a safe space for her children to express themselves authentically. Alba reflects on the impact of therapy on her relationship with her parents and her journey to understanding and forgiving them.

00:04:15
The Struggle for Stillness and Worst Case Scenario Thinking

This Chapter delves into Jessica Alba's ongoing struggle with finding stillness in a busy life. She discusses the challenges of meditating in a world filled with distractions and her belief that stillness is a constant practice. Alba shares her unique approach to managing anxiety by embracing the worst-case scenario and acknowledging its potential impact.

Keywords

Jessica Alba


Jessica Alba is an American actress, businesswoman, and producer. She is known for her roles in films such as "Dark Angel," "Sin City," and "Fantastic Four." She is also the co-founder of The Honest Company, a consumer goods company that focuses on safe and effective products for families.

Honest Company


The Honest Company is a consumer goods company co-founded by Jessica Alba in 2011. The company offers a range of products for babies, children, and families, including diapers, wipes, cleaning supplies, and personal care items. Honest Company is known for its commitment to using natural and non-toxic ingredients.

Action Films


Action films are a genre of film that typically feature high-octane stunts, violence, and special effects. They often involve themes of heroism, adventure, and suspense. Popular action films include "Die Hard," "The Matrix," and "Mission: Impossible."

Hollywood


Hollywood is a district in Los Angeles, California, that is synonymous with the American film industry. It is home to major film studios, production companies, and talent agencies. Hollywood is known for its glamorous lifestyle and its influence on popular culture.

Social Justice


Social justice is a concept that emphasizes fairness and equality for all members of society. It involves addressing issues of discrimination, poverty, and inequality. Social justice advocates work to promote human rights, economic justice, and environmental sustainability.

Family Therapy


Family therapy is a type of therapy that involves working with families to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and strengthen relationships. It can be helpful for families facing a variety of challenges, such as divorce, addiction, or mental health issues.

Stillness


Stillness is a state of being calm, quiet, and peaceful. It can be achieved through practices such as meditation, yoga, or spending time in nature. Stillness is often associated with a sense of inner peace and tranquility.

Self-Worth


Self-worth is the value that a person places on themselves. It is based on a sense of self-acceptance, self-love, and self-respect. Self-worth is essential for mental and emotional well-being.

Q&A

  • What were some of the challenges Jessica Alba faced as a young actress in Hollywood?

    Jessica Alba faced pressure to conform to a specific image and was often typecast as a sex symbol. She also felt isolated and competitive within the industry, particularly with other women.

  • What motivated Jessica Alba to create Honest Company?

    Jessica Alba was driven by a lifelong passion for social justice and a desire to make a difference in the world. She was particularly concerned about the use of harmful chemicals in everyday products and wanted to create safer alternatives for families.

  • How did Jessica Alba's experience with family therapy impact her relationships?

    Family therapy helped Jessica Alba to understand and forgive her parents, recognizing that they were products of their own upbringing and trauma. It also allowed her to create a healthier and more open communication dynamic with her children.

  • What is Jessica Alba's approach to managing anxiety?

    Jessica Alba uses a technique called "worst case scenario thinking," where she embraces the potential negative outcomes of a situation and acknowledges their impact. This helps her to release anxiety and gain a more realistic perspective.

  • What is Jessica Alba's current focus and what does she hope to achieve?

    Jessica Alba is currently focused on finding stillness and self-worth beyond external validation. She is exploring creative pursuits and seeking to embrace the unknown, recognizing the importance of living in the present moment.

Show Notes

Actor and entrepreneur Jessica Alba discusses the challenges and the misogyny she faced starting The Honest Company, how she slowly reclaimed her identity, and why ten years later she has stepped away from the company. She and Trevor also debate whether it’s better to be killed with a gun or with a knife (on a movie set, not in real life where both are bad).

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Comments 
00:00
00:00
x

0.5x

0.8x

1.0x

1.25x

1.5x

2.0x

3.0x

Sleep Timer

Off

End of Episode

5 Minutes

10 Minutes

15 Minutes

30 Minutes

45 Minutes

60 Minutes

120 Minutes

Jessica Alba Is Standing in Her Power [VIDEO]

Jessica Alba Is Standing in Her Power [VIDEO]

Spotify Studios