Aspire with Emma Grede
Emma Grede | Audacy
Build the life of your dreams and learn from the world’s most successful people.Emma Grede, one of America’s richest self-made women, wants you to make the most of your life. On ‘Aspire with Emma Grede', learn through thought-provoking conversations with some of the most successful and smartest minds on the planet, including goop founder Gwyneth Paltrow, investor, philanthropist and former chair of Starbucks Mellody Hobson and international bestselling author and “On Purpose” podcast host Jay Shetty. Each episode will unpack their habits, philosophy and strategies, covering career advice, well-being, psychology and of course how to win in business. The show offers personal stories, data-driven advice, real-world strategies, and the experience you need, to turn your dreams into reality. Emma Grede is a founding partner and chief product officer of SKIMS and CEO of Good American. She also made history as the first Black woman to serve as an investor on Shark Tank.
Episodes
Mentioned books
33 snips
Sep 23, 2025 • 31min
Plan Your Life Like a Business
On her birthday, Emma dives into a unique planning system for achieving goals. She discusses the five key questions that help clarify priorities and the importance of intentional planning. Learn how tiny, consistent actions lead to significant change and the science of building habits that stick. Emma also shares strategies for tracking progress and adapting plans through if-then scenarios for setbacks, making it a practical guide for anyone looking to enhance their career, health, or overall intention in life.
65 snips
Sep 16, 2025 • 1h 25min
From Video Store to Netflix Co-CEO, Ted Sarandos
Ted Sarandos, Co-CEO of Netflix, shares his inspiring journey from a video rental store to leading one of the most powerful companies in entertainment. He emphasizes the importance of taking bold risks and relying on gut feelings to make tough leadership decisions. Ted discusses why vision and values matter more than algorithms, the need for constant innovation, and the balance between supporting creativity and maintaining executive oversight. His insights offer a masterclass in resilience and ambition for anyone looking to advance their career.
38 snips
Sep 9, 2025 • 1h 43min
What We Can Learn from Failure with Ami Colé Founder, Diarrha N’Diaye
Diarrha N’Diaye, founder of the beauty brand Ami Colé, shares her inspiring journey as a Black woman entrepreneur who raised over a million dollars in funding. She candidly discusses the emotional toll of closing her brand while emphasizing resilience and the invaluable lessons learned from failure. Diarrha explores the importance of community, navigating retail dynamics, and the balance between motherhood and career pressures. Her insights offer a powerful message about redefining success and the significance of personal growth in the entrepreneurial journey.
94 snips
Sep 2, 2025 • 1h 44min
How People-Pleasing, Perfectionism, And Burnout Are Actually Trauma Responses With Dr. Thema
In a thought-provoking discussion, a psychologist reveals how unresolved trauma manifests as people-pleasing and perfectionism, impacting our lives. They explore the fear of failure and success that shapes our choices and holds us back. The conversation highlights the importance of overcoming societal conditioning that urges women to shrink their power and emphasizes the need for personal boundaries and self-care. Listeners gain practical tools for healing, setting boundaries, and transforming their relationships, providing clarity and encouragement for those feeling stuck.
68 snips
Aug 26, 2025 • 1h 17min
Lessons from Hollywood’s Most Powerful Woman—And How They Can Help You (with Donna Langley)
Donna Langley, Chairman of NBC Universal Entertainment, shares her inspiring journey from the Isle of Wight to Hollywood's pinnacle. She discusses the significance of resilience and intuition, revealing how bold decisions shaped her career. Langley highlights the importance of mentorship, diversity, and integrity in leadership, particularly for women in the entertainment industry. She offers insights into balancing ambition and motherhood while navigating societal pressures. With anecdotes from blockbuster projects, Langley proves that starting from anywhere is possible with perseverance and authenticity.
29 snips
Aug 19, 2025 • 1h 17min
Why Your Biggest Gambles Must Always Be On Yourself (with Kandi Burruss)
Kandi Burruss, a Grammy-winning songwriter and Broadway producer, shares her journey from humble beginnings to cultural icon. She discusses the emotional rollercoaster of pursuing big dreams while navigating motherhood and ambition. Kandi reveals her experiences with heartbreak in business deals and how vulnerability fueled her songwriting, crafting anthems like 'No Scrubs.' She emphasizes the importance of betting on oneself, maintaining humility, and using every platform available to build a fulfilling life.
101 snips
Aug 12, 2025 • 1h 30min
Aspire with Jessica Alba: Why It’s Time to Break Up with Perfection
Jessica Alba, a globally recognized actress and founder of The Honest Company, opens up about her journey of balancing ambition with personal peace. She shares the emotional costs of perfectionism and her struggles with mom-guilt. Alba reveals her transition from overseeing her company to exploring new avenues, reflecting on health challenges that fueled her entrepreneurial spirit. The conversation emphasizes embracing vulnerability, the importance of authenticity in leadership, and redefining success beyond conventional standards.
43 snips
Aug 5, 2025 • 1h 40min
The Aspire Playbook: How Lucy Guo, a Rebel Girl in a Man’s World, Became the World’s Youngest Self-Made Female Billionaire
Lucy Guo, the youngest self-made female billionaire and co-founder of Scale AI, shares her inspiring journey from immigrant roots in Fremont, California, to tech entrepreneur. She candidly discusses her experiences navigating the male-dominated startup landscape and the importance of resilience. Lucy offers practical tips on monetizing passions and maintaining authenticity. She also highlights the significance of community support, strategic pivots, and embracing technology to empower creators in the evolving economy.
17 snips
Jul 29, 2025 • 1h 41min
Aspire with Bozoma Saint John: Why Playing Small Is Sabotaging Your Success (and How to Stop)
Bozoma Saint John, a marketing powerhouse behind brands like Apple and Netflix, shares her inspiring journey of rising to success. She emphasizes the importance of trusting your intuition and highlights her mother's mantra that 'excellence is a baseline.' Boz discusses how shedding rigid plans opened doors to unexpected opportunities and explains the significance of self-advocacy, especially for women. Additionally, she talks about her commitment to empowering Black women in the beauty industry through her hair-care brand, Eve by Boz.
95 snips
Jul 22, 2025 • 1h 27min
The Aspire Playbook: How Allison Ellsworth Turned a Kitchen Experiment into a Billion-Dollar Brand
Join Allison Ellsworth, founder of Poppi and the driving force behind a billion-dollar beverage empire, as she shares her inspiring journey from kitchen experiments to a $1.9 billion deal with PepsiCo. Dive into her innovative branding strategies, the role of social media in skyrocketing her success, and the challenges of growing a business while maintaining personal balance. Allison also discusses the unique hurdles women face in leadership roles, making this a must-listen for aspiring entrepreneurs eager to turn ideas into impactful brands.
