

Judy Smith
Founder of crisis management firm Smith & Co., advising high-profile clients. Inspiration behind the TV series ‘Scandal’ and co-executive producer.
Best podcasts with Judy Smith
Ranked by the Snipd community

Mar 25, 2025 • 39min
How the "Real" Olivia Pope Handles a Crisis
Judy Smith, founder of crisis management firm Smith & Co. and the inspiration behind 'Scandal,' discusses her career handling high-profile scandals. She shares her insights on the importance of honesty during crises and how she chooses which cases to take. Judy emphasizes the need for transparency and responsibility and addresses the challenges faced by Black women in Hollywood. With anecdotes from her work, she highlights the complexities of reputation rebuilding and the need for strategic planning in crisis management.

Feb 3, 2015 • 27min
a16z Podcast: Crisis Time -- What to Do When Things Go Sideways
Judy Smith, founder of Smith&Company and the real-life inspiration for Olivia Pope, teams up with Margit Wennmachers, partner at Andreessen Horowitz and co-founder of The Outcast Agency. They discuss how crises can transform corporate culture if handled correctly. Key topics include the importance of authentic apologies, transparent crisis communication, and tailored responses to restore trust after product failures. They highlight the critical role of leadership and cultural integrity in navigating crises, especially in the fast-paced tech landscape.