Work in Progress with Sophia Bush

Award-winning actress Jurnee Smollett is a veteran of the big and small screen, and she’s not even 40 yet! The actress started her career when she was still in diapers and won a Critics' Choice award by the time she was eleven years old. Now she’s turning up the heat with her new Apple TV+ crime drama, “Smoke.” No stranger to tackling complex roles, Jurnee joins Sophia to talk about playing a brilliant but troubled detective in her new show, including her prep and research, the behind-the-scenes process of creating a world for her character, and what it was like watching it in front of an audience for the first time! She also opens up about her divorce, early childhood acting experiences, overcoming major working mom guilt, and her relationship with her siblings.  New episodes of “Smoke” drop every Friday on AppleTV+.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Breakout star of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Bozoma Saint John joins Sophia at the Create and Cultivate Festival to share all the juicy details about trying to convince Sophia to join RHOBH!  Is there a chance Sophia would take Boz's offer seriously?    Then, Sophia turns the tables and digs into why Boz is not your typical 'housewife'.  Plus, parenting cheat codes you need to know and the secret to slaying in the boardroom and in life!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The current administration's environmental rollbacks are certainly disheartening, but there are folks like Former Governor Jay Inslee who are on a mission to defeat climate change.  Environmental advocate Jay Inslee joins Sophia to talk about the ongoing fight to protect our environment, the future of clean energy production, his entry into politics in his 30s, and how he was able to pass one of the strongest clean energy laws in the country. Plus, he shares personal experiences with climate-related disasters, the power of perseverance, and his work in progress. This is a chat full of hope that we could all use right about now!To learn more about the power of clean energy and how you can get involved, head on over to climatepower.us(http://climatepower.us/)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Changes are a part of life, and sharing one's experiences can help others navigate their life transitions. That's what philanthropist, businesswoman, and advocate for gender equality, Melinda French Gates, is hoping to do with her new memoir, "The Next Day."Get ready for a deeply personal conversation as Melinda joins Sophia to discuss her life, both in and out of the public eye. From her 'crisis of self' to her path to philanthropy, motherhood, and moving forward after her divorce, Melinda shares it all. Plus, she reveals her 'word of the year' and her work in progress!Melinda's book, "The Next Day: Transitions, Change, and Moving Forward," is out now.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of our favorite guests is back on the pod! Multi-award-winning actor, producer, director, and proud father David Oyelowo has been very busy in front of and behind the camera! Currently, he can be seen in his Apple TV+ series “Government Cheese,” and if you love the art of acting, this chat is not to be missed!    The actor joins Sophia for a revealing conversation about his new show and the long road to getting it made, being a forever student of acting and storytelling, the things you can’t learn in drama school, the sheer amount of rejection you will face in this industry, and the key to successfully pitching projects!    Plus, he chats about him and his wife being “half empty nesters,” how he feels about his son going to the same drama school he did, and his current work in progress!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Melanie Lynskey has viewers glued to their TVs with her on-screen work in Showtime's Emmy-nominated hit series, “Yellowjackets,” but she once thought the show would never get off the ground! The award-winning actress joins Sophia to discuss her ever-evolving career in Hollywood, women’s experiences in the industry, and why she thought nothing would come of “Yellowjackets!” She also opens up about overcoming her eating disorder, loving motherhood, why she goes to a psychic, and the deliciousness of being on a hit show in her 40s! Plus, Melanie revisits her time working with Kate Winslet on “Heavenly Creatures” 30 years ago, being obsessed with her hubby’s (Jason Ritter) show “Matlock,” and she and Sophia trade stories about meeting and fangirling over Megan Thee Stallion!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

True talent speaks for itself, and Micael Urie has it in droves! From playing fan favorite catty assistant Marc St. James on "Ugly Betty" to playing a hilarious narcissistic attorney in Apple TV+'s "Shrinking" to entertaining fans with his podcast and putting queer stories front and center with Pride Plays!  Actor, producer, writer, and director Michael Urie joins Sophia to chat about his acting journey, including a fascinating chat about the interesting relationship actors have with the camera, what he has learned from Harrison Ford on the set of "Shrinking," what it was like hosting the GLAAD awards, and working (playing) with his "Ugly Betty" co-star and real-life friend Becki Newton on the rewatch podcast "Still Ugly!"Plus, he shares the backstory on co-founding Pride Plays and putting queer stories center stage, what his younger self would think of his career, and what he believes is the greatest show ever!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You’ve seen the headlines, the news footage, and the online outrage about the ICE raids in LA, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass joins Sophia to give a real-time report on the State of the City.How did a small pocket of unruly protesters in one of the largest populations in America lead to military movement on city streets? Should law-abiding Angelinos be living in fear?Mayor Bass sounds the alarm on the daily departure from due process, and what could be next in the immigration sweeps happening across the country.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Activist and author Shannon Watts has an important message for women - it is not too late — and you are not too old! — to go after what you really want. The founder of Moms Demand Action is back on the pod with Sophia to chat about the inspiration and message behind her new book, "Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age." Shannon opens up about the turning point in her life, the phone call from Maria Shriver that led to her new book, and the inspirational stories from women living their most authentic lives.  Plus, real talk from Sophia and Shannon about living with ADHD, Michelle Obama's parenting advice, and the importance of practicing hope . . . especially through the next four years. "Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age" will be available for purchase on June 17. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Her motto in fourth grade was, 'If you can believe it and dream it, you can do it!' And Heather McMahan has done it! She's got a standup special streaming on Hulu right now, is on the road with her Bamboozled comedy tour, and is the host of her own popular podcast, "Absolutely Not!" The comedian joins Sophia to discuss life on the road, the inspiration behind her podcast, and why hosting awards red-carpet shows is the wildest experience ever, but she has a bigger goal in sight . . . hosting the big show itself - The Emmys! Yes, she's manifesting! Plus, Heather opens up about how losing her Dad impacted her comedy, how grief can expand one's capacity for joy, and how she knew her husband was the 'right one.'Heather's comedy special, "Breadwinner," is streaming on Hulu now, and for info on how to see her live and in person on her Bamboozled tour, visit heatherontour.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.