She Pivots

Shazi Visram was a successful entrepreneur - but her son's autism diagnosis, coupled with her father's Alzhiemer's diagnosis - shifted her entire reality. On this episode of She Pivots, Shazi talks about her parents’ journey to the United States, her passion for visual arts, the inspiration behind Happy Baby (now Happy Family Organics), what it's like to be a member of the "sandwich generation," and what she is most excited about w...

Emily Hikade led a secret life for many years. As a diplomat turned CIA officer, Emily engaged in dangerous counterterrorism work, even as she built a family. But a life-altering, near-death experience changed her perspective, leading her to eventually pivot out of the CIA and create Petite Plume, a wildly successful pajama company. On this episode of She Pivots, Emily talks about being in a field dominated by men, how she leverage...

On the road for a 4th of July weekend getaway? Taking a long flight to a sunny destination? She Pivots has your travel playlist! We’re taking a look back into our archives to highlight three of our favorite–and most timely–episodes. Links below!

LISTEN TO ALLYSON FLEIX: https://link.chtbl.com/Allyson_Felix?sid=ShePivots_070324 

In advance of the Olympics, take a listen to Emily’s conversation with Allyson Felix, the world’s most ...

You may know Ilana from her award-winning TV series, Broad City, and her self-admittedly “wild” and “free” character, Ilana Wexler. However, Ilana has soared far beyond her character on the Broad City, writing and starring in her own movies, including Babes (in theaters now!!), releasing her own stand-up comedy special, and diving into political activism through the Generator Collective. On this episode of She Pivots, the comedian,...

Alexis McGill Johnson never had taking over Planned Parenthood on her life’s bingo card. But as a woman whose family tree is full of inspirational women, it’s no surprise that Alexis has been able to steer the organization through one of the most tumultuous times for women’s health care access. On this episode of She Pivots, Alexis shares the stories of her grandmother and mother who paved the way for her success, pivoting from tea...

Jennifer Esposito grew up in Staten Island, surrounded by the violence of the Mafia and dreaming of escaping and making it to the big screen. But it wasn’t until her recent film, Fresh Kills, that she was truly able to claim her career for herself and tell the stories of the human experience that she longed to share with the world. On this episode of She Pivots, Jennifer talks with Emily about the disappointments in he...

Shannon Watts had been a stay-at-home mom for five years when she turned on the TV to see horror unfolding at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut. After witnessing the aftermath of the murder of 20 children and 6 adults on that cold day in December, Shannon knew she had to channel her rage into action. What started as a Facebook page called One Million Moms for Gun Control eventually became Moms Demand Action, one of the l...

For the first 42 years of Julia’s life, she lived in a ultra-Orthodox community working as a teacher. But her decision to leave that community in 2013 set her on an entirely new course, launching shoe and clothing lines, writing a best-selling book, and becoming the star of her own reality TV show, My Unorthodox Life. In this episode of She Pivots, Julia reveals what life was like in the Haredi community, how a comment from her dau...

Fran Drescher is an American pop culture icon, having made her mark in the 1990s in the starring role of her sitcom, The Nanny. But Fran has faced her fair share of pain, too–pain that inspired some of her most impactful career pivots. In this special episode of She Pivots, recorded live at Lincoln Center, Fran discusses the inspiration for The Nanny, how she leveraged her international fame and personal fight with cancer to create...

Kelly and Norah were on very different life paths. Kelly was a model, who spent her free time volunteering with Head Start - an experience that opened her eyes to how many children lacked basic necessities, like properly fitting shoes. Norah was a lawyer at a high-powered New York City firm, who enjoyed engaging in pro bono work, especially in helping low-income women secure housing and other resources. But a dinner between the two...

Christy Turlington was only 14 when she started her modeling career - a career that has cemented her as one of the most legendary supermodels in history. But a near-death experience during the birth of her daughter changed the course of her journey. On this special Mother’s Day episode of She Pivots, Christy talks about the influences of her mother’s El Salvadoran heritage, her close relationship with Naomi Campbell, the founding a...

You may know Emelia Hartford from last year’s film, Gran Turismo, or from her YouTube channel, where she builds and customizes cars for over 1 million subscribers. However, the successful career in cars, social media, and acting didn’t happen overnight. In this incredibly candid episode of She Pivots, Emelia recounts how her father’s suicide–and subsequently finding cars as an outlet for healing–has shaped her life. She opens up ab...

Crystal McCrary McGuire is what one might call an icon (she has an And Just Like That character based on her!!) but her journey has been far from linear. An accomplished entertainment lawyer, writer, producer, director, and businesswoman, Crystal is now on to her latest venture with her son and NBA player, Cole Anthony. The two co-founded GameUp, an app for parents navigating youth sports. On this episode of She Pivots, Crystal sha...

Growing up in India, Chandrika Tandon broke with tradition to pursue her education and became a high-powered, glass ceiling-shattering partner at the consulting firm, McKinsey & Company. But a “crisis of spirit” led her to re-evaluate her life, leave behind her corporate position, establish her own company, while simultaneously pursuing her passion: music. In this episode, Chandrika talks with Emily about where she got her love...

Jo Piazza joins us this week to talk about her latest book, “The Sicilian Inheritance” that is sure to be the book of the summer. As a journalist, author, and fellow podcast host, Jo has learned to adapt to the growing influencer economy, pulling inspiration from women like the Kardashians to master the art of self-promotion. Emily and Jo chat about her new book (out now!) and how Jo may or may not have started the “mob wife” aesth...

Sali Christeson was in a fast-paced finance and technology career, but struggled with what many professional women have faced: lacking clothing options that were confidence-inspiring, comfortable, and bold. That’s why she founded Argent, which aims to redefine the modern women’s work wardrobe. In this week’s candid convo, Sali dives into her Turkish-Southern family background (including how her parents met in a Turkish bazaar!), wh...

This week, we’re thrilled to drop an episode from one of our very favorite podcasts, Hype Woman, featuring our own host Emily Tisch Sussman! Emily sits down with friend and certified hype woman Erin Gallagher to talk about her own pivots and what she’s learned from the highs and lows of it all. She recounts a conversation with a college advisor, where she was told that she was aiming too high; reflects on her desire at a young age ...

You may know Brooke Baldwin from her time on CNN, or, more recently, as the host of the Netflix hit reality show, The Trust: A Game of Greed. Like Emily, Brooke was taught that achieving success requires blood, sweat, and tears (literally). But as she’s grown - and pivoted! - her mindset has changed. In this candid convo, Brooke talks with Emily about hustling early in her career, the highs (and lows) of leaving behind a dream care...

On this special, very personal episode of She Pivots, Emily is joined by her sister, Carolyn Tisch Blodgett, the new owner of the women’s soccer franchise Gotham FC and the Founder and CEO of Next 3. As the world of women’s sports enters a new era, Emily and Carolyn discuss what it’s like to be co-owners of an exciting soccer franchise, playing a key role in transforming the future of women’s sports, and what it means for their own...