Christina Tosi, world-class pastry chef and founder of Milk Bar, joins the podcast to talk about the art of asking for help. They discuss the importance of true friends, the power of vulnerability, and the value of leanin
Creating a community of support and friendship, like Bake Club, can provide connection and laughter, offering intentional and free space for people to come together and be there for one another.
Asking for help is not a sign of defeat but an opportunity for growth, connection, and support, and being fearless in seeking and offering help can lead to greater experiences and achievements.
Deep dives
Bake Club: Creating a Community Through Baking
Christina Tosi, the entrepreneur behind Milk Bar, discusses the creation of Bake Club, a weekly gathering on Instagram Live where anyone can join to bake together. Bake Club provides a space for people to be intentional and free, offering connection and laughter. Through this club, Tosi aims to create a community of support and friendship, emphasizing the importance of showing up for one another. The concept of offering eight minutes of time to hold space for someone in need is highlighted as a meaningful way to be there for friends.
The Power of Asking for Help
Tosi reflects on her own difficulty with asking for help, attributing it to the cultural pressure to always be determined and self-reliant as an entrepreneur. However, she recognizes the importance of inviting others into her life for richer experiences and to achieve greater scale. Tosi underscores the need for fearlessness in both seeking and offering help, despite the fear of being vulnerable or burdening others. The conversation highlights that the act of asking for help is not a sign of defeat but an opportunity for growth, connection, and support.
Surprising People with Sweetness
Tosi's ability to surprise and bring sweetness into people's lives is highlighted as a defining characteristic. From her early childhood memory of her mother surprising her with warm candy to the creation of Bake Club and her work at Milk Bar, Tosi consistently aims to bring joy and magic to others. The insight is made that Tosi's creations and gestures go beyond mere commerce, as they capture the essence of caring, surprise, and bringing smiles to people's faces. Tosi's passion for spreading sweetness is seen as a core part of her identity and purpose.
Supporting Friends and Embracing Vulnerability
The importance of supporting friends and embracing vulnerability is explored through personal anecdotes. Tosi recalls a moment when she and a friend cried together during a difficult time, highlighting the deep bond that formed in that moment of vulnerability. The conversation unpacks the reasons why people may hesitate to ask for help, such as fear of burdening others or the link between vulnerability and perceived defeat. Tosi and Simon recognize the power of reaching out to each other and being present in times of need, emphasizing the value of emotional support and the honor of being there for a friend.
Christina Tosi is that kind of friend. She's someone I can trust with anything and someone I can cry with. She also happens to be a world-class pastry chef, a genius dessert maker, and the founder and CEO of Milk Bar.
We reflect on the art of asking for help and how sometimes all we need from a true friend is 8 minutes of their time.