9 to 5ish with theSkimm

Jeni Britton Bauer eats ice cream every single day. While that's become a quarantine habit for a lot of us, it's actually a key component of Jeni's job. That’s because she’s the founder and chief creative officer of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, an artisanal ice cream company she started after dropping out of Ohio State. Jeni joined us this week to tell us why dropping out was the best thing she ever did. And how her hustle in the early days helped her create an ice cream empire. In this episode, Jeni shares why she knew she would be an entrepreneur when she was a kid (4:32), how her experiences starting out taught her how to run a business (11:27), and what it’s like to navigate a team through crisis (24:38). Stay tuned at the end for a spotlight on Sea Star Beachwear, a company making neoprene shoes and accessories so you can get your feet wet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Leslie Blodgett is a trailblazer in the beauty industry. She is the former CEO and founder of bareMinerals, a product she grew into an almost two billion dollar business. She sat down with us to talk about how she built a community of loyal customers before the age of social media. And luckily, she's also put those tips into her new book, “Pretty Good Advice.” It gives some pretty great advice. Including: “lead with laughter.” In this episode, Leslie shares how she hustled to break into the beauty business (5:32), why she built her television persona while being an introvert (12:39), and how she's leaned on a support system of girlfriends (22:10). Stay tuned at the end for a spotlight on Juju Supply, a company making jewelry, touchstones and totems to give you energy, spirit, resilience, and hope. Want to be featured? Submit yourself or a friend here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Claire Babineaux-Fontenot’s life changed in 2015. Because she received a cancer diagnosis from her doctor. Claire, a Walmart exec at the time, underwent treatment and realized she wanted to reconsider her career. She went on to become the CEO of Feeding America, the country’s largest domestic hunger relief organization. This week, Claire sat down with us to talk about how she found meaning in her career. And gave her advice on how you can do the same.In this episode, Claire shares how growing up with 107 (!) siblings impacted her leadership style (2:38), what goes down in that family group text (6:47), and how Feeding America is leading the fight against food insecurity (25:00).Stay tuned at the end for a spotlight on The Yes, a new app that’s reimagining how you shop online. Want to be featured? Submit yourself or a friend here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lori Gottlieb knows what it’s like to make a risky career move. Or four. Before becoming a bestselling author and therapist, Lori was a TV exec, then a medical student... and then a journalist. This week, Lori told us how she successfully navigated those transitions in her life. And how she helps her patients navigate those types of changes now. In this episode, Lori shares how to get comfortable with being uncomfortable (12:40), why we need to humanize each other in the office (23:25), and how to know when you should stop seeing a therapist (19:15). Stay tuned at the end for a spotlight on PUR Home, a company making green cleaning supplies for your home. Want to be featured? Submit yourself or a friend here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In an alternate universe, we’d be cheering in front of our TVs right now. Because the Olympics would be on. So while we wait for Tokyo 2021, we sat down with someone who knows a thing or two about winning a gold medal: Abby Wambach. She won two while she played for the US Women’s National Team. And the soccer star hasn’t slowed down in retirement. She’s now a bestselling author and an equal pay activist. In this episode, Abby shares what it was like to play with her idols, including Mia Hamm (12:45), how she’s developed her leadership style on and off the field (19:33), and why one night at the ESPY awards changed the direction of her retirement (27:49). Stay tuned at the end for a spotlight on Babyation, a company that’s unapologetically for moms. Their first product: a breast pump that’s quiet and discreet. Want to be featured? Submit yourself or a friend here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Betsey Johnson joined us on a special bonus episode of Skimm’d from The Couch. She first took the fashion industry by storm in the 1960s and became famous for her instantly recognizable designs. And for her cartwheels down the runway. Her new memoir, “Betsey”, is on sale now and gives readers an inside look at the woman behind the iconic label. And PS: she can still do a cartwheel and a split at age 77. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Judy Smith is the real-life Olivia Pope. Her life and career in crisis management inspired the making of ABC’s hit TV show “Scandal.” And Judy’s real-life clients include some of the most famous celebs, politicians, and Fortune 500 companies in the world. This week, she sat down with us to talk about how she tells it like it is. Even to some of the world’s most powerful people. In this episode, Judy shares how she started organizing press conferences at age 11 (4:00), why she’s always taken risks (24:58), and whether she actually calls her employees gladiators (29:58). Stay tuned at the end for a spotlight on Effie’s Paper. It’s a company creating lifestyle products for your desk, travel, and even your coffee habit. Want to be featured? Submit yourself or a friend here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tina Tchen is challenging companies to build better workplaces. As the CEO of Time’s Up, she’s focused on equality in the office. As a lawyer by trade, Tina has also been a political aide as chief of staff to former First Lady Michelle Obama, and the executive director for the White House Council on Women and Girls. She sat down with us this week to talk about how she creates impact at scale- and what it’s like to manage up when your boss is the First Lady. In this episode, Tina shares how she grew her confidence in a corporate setting (10:08), what it was like to be a single parent working in the White House (23:42), and her strategies for creating meaningful impact (28:30).Stay tuned at the end for a spotlight on arfa, a new consumer goods company that develops personal care brands based on close relationships with people who use them. And the customers aren’t just consumers - but actual stakeholders in the brands. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to a special bonus episode where we’re talking about one of our favorite topics: money. Claire Wasserman is the founder of Ladies Get Paid and host of John Hancock’s new podcast, “Friends Who Talk About Money.” This week, she sat down with us to talk about how she negotiates, the money myths she wants to dispel for women, and why you really need to start talking about money with your friends. Even if it’s awkward.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Teresa Carlson has closed negotiations around the world. As the head of the worldwide public sector for Amazon Web Services, she convinces government and nonprofit clients to commit to a major technology upgrade. This week, she told us how every no can be turned into a yes. And her surprising pro tip for negotiating at work? Write your own job description. We’ll explain. In this episode, Teresa shares why she actually switched her career from speech pathology to technology (3:50), how she deals with red tape (10:16), and her mindset going into every negotiation (18:07). Stay tuned at the end for a spotlight on Kanarys, a platform that fuels progress towards more diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace culture. Want to be featured? Submit yourself or a friend here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices