9 to 5ish with theSkimm

Whether you’ve seen her as Donna on That ‘70s Show or as Alex on Orange Is The New Black, chances are Laura Prepon has been on your radar for years. But becoming a famous actress and director took serious hustle and determination. Laura sat down with us this week to talk about where that hustle comes from, and how she taps into her inner strength when she faces a setback. In this episode, Laura shares why she pushed herself to learn to direct (11:59), how she handles being told to “stay in her lane” (18:20), and why we need to cut ourselves some slack right now (28:15).Stay tuned at the end to learn about Frame, a female-founded mental wellness platform that makes it easier to connect with therapists - both digitally and in-person (when COVID-19 guidelines allow). Frame’s mission is to change the way people think about therapy. Want to be featured? Submit yourself or a friend here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Right now, it’s hard to think about what will happen next week, let alone next year. Enter Adriana Cisneros, the CEO of Cisneros, who told us she’s always thinking 50 years into the future. At a minimum. This week, she sat down with us to talk about why thinking (really) big picture is integral to her leadership style, especially in times of change. In this episode, Adriana shares what it’s like to balance personal and professional relationships in a family business (12:03), how she thinks about restructuring companies (16:43), and why companies need to lead by example during times of instability (26:04). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ratana Stephens has always been fiercely loyal to her instincts and her employees. This week, she walked us through how she and her husband built Nature’s Path from a local food favorite into a global enterprise. And why investing in her employees has been the key to creating a sustainable business. In this episode, Ratana shares how she brings empathy into the workplace (5:48), why common sense should not be overlooked (10:54), and what it’s really like to start a business with your spouse (19:01). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meg Whitman is a three-time tech CEO (think: she’s been in charge of eBay, HP, and now, Quibi). So she’s had experience leading a team through times of crisis before. This week, she told us how her past experiences have made her a “situational” leader. And how she’s applying those lessons to launching a new business during COVID-19.  In this episode, Meg shares how she’s being there for her employees as they all WFH (8:56), why you need to ask questions to get ahead (10:13), and what it’s like to launch her newest venture during a global pandemic (29:46). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As one of the most prominent tech executives in the world, Sheryl Sandberg’s professional and personal experiences have taught her how to be resilient. Even in the most difficult circumstances. This week, she sat down with us to talk about navigating the uncertainty of COVID-19, and how to have perspective even when it feels overwhelming. In this episode, Sheryl shares how to rally a team through hard times (10:39), her advice for building resilience at work and at home (14:15), and why it’s important to show emotion in the workplace (17:14). Plus, hear her best work from home tips and what TV show she’s binge-watching at home.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when we actually listen to our gut? Bestselling author and activist Glennon Doyle is no stranger to having deeply honest conversations with herself. And she sat down with Danielle this week to talk about her newest memoir, Untamed. She told us what happened when she freed herself of expectations others had for her. And how her life changed when she listened to her own inner voice. Plus, hear from surprise guests including Glennon’s sister, Amanda, and her wife (and Olympian) Abby Wambach. In this episode, Glennon shares what she learned about honesty from recovery circles (6:36), why companies should encourage “untamed” meetings (18:16), and what happens when we stop trying to please everyone (33:04). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Annie Lawless is the founder of not one - but two - successful businesses. She started her career as the co-founder of Suja Juice, one of the largest organic juice companies in the country. Now, she’s building a clean makeup empire with Lawless Beauty. Annie has become an expert in two different industries, and she gave us her tips on how to break into a new field. In this episode, Annie shares how she turns her anxiety into productivity (15:03), why you don’t need a business plan to start a business (17:40), and her advice on navigating partnerships (23:03). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Karlie Kloss is one of the most famous supermodels in the world. And she’s also an entrepreneur. She is the founder of Kode with Klossy, a free coding boot camp for girls across America. This week she joined us on the couch to discuss how her own curiosity drives every aspect of her career, from being a runway model to a role model. In this episode, Karlie shares how she overcame imposter syndrome (17:22), why her definition of mentorship has changed (25:40), and her tips for avoiding burnout (27:01). For the young women in your life who are interested in learning how to code, Kode with Klossy applications are now live for applicants aged 13-18. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Note to self: always bring a gavel to future meetings. Lydia Fenet always has one in her purse. She’s the Global Director for Strategic Partnerships at Christie’s, and the company’s lead benefit auctioneer. Even if you can’t carry a gavel around, she sat down with us to tell us how to apply our own “strike method” and command a room.  In this episode, Lydia shares how to start networking, even when you don’t know anyone in your industry (7:29), how she collects herself before a big negotiation (23:40), and how to get your boss invested in your career (24:52).You can also pick up a copy of Lydia's book for more of her career advice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we sat down with someone who knows a thing or two about making tough career decisions. As a career journalist, Gretchen Carlson has also become an advocate for equality and dignity in the workplace after she sued the former Fox News chairman, Roger Ailes, in 2016. Her bombshell lawsuit ignited national conversations about sexual harassment and has inspired her advocacy work. Most recently, she’s been fighting the use of mandatory NDAs through her new organization, Lift Our Voices. In this episode, Gretchen shares how she developed discipline early in her career (6:26), why she made the decision to “jump off a cliff” (17:44), and her advice for handling criticism (28:01).  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices