Work in Progress with Sophia Bush

Andrew Yang, entrepreneur, author, philanthropist, non-profit leader, former 2020 presidential candidate, and a 2021 New York City mayoral candidate joins Sophia today to discuss his experience growing up in New York, what it’s like having immigrant parents, what he loves most about NYC, how he balances his life as a father and a politician, and what he’s learned working in nonprofits advocating both for the people and for better education policy. Andrew and Sophia have worked together on activist causes in the past, including the organization “Defeat By Tweet” and the initiative, “Win Both Seats.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s special bonus episode Sophia gives you an update on what is happening in the world of Work in Progress. She gives you some more details on the move to Wondery and the team that has helped put a new face on the show. Plus she answers some of your questions from social media.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hillary Rodham Clinton, former First Lady, U.S. Senator, U.S. Secretary of State during the Obama administration, and 2016 presidential candidate joins Sophia today to discuss her childhood, her inspirations, the pandemic, her documentary on Hulu, RBG, gender inequality, BLM, and criticism and misinformation. They also discuss going to an all women’s college and learning to live outside the trap of traditional roles, how women’s economic prosperity is necessary for our national prosperity, and how we still have a lot of work to do to keep things moving forward for women, black and brown people, and marginalized groups of all kinds.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are thrilled to announce that Work in Progress has joined forces with one of the biggest names in podcasting — Wondery. In season 2, you'll hear from some of the biggest guests we've ever had, including Hillary Clinton, Diane von Furstenberg, Andrew Yang, and many more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Glennon Doyle is an activist and thought leader, and founder of Together Rising. She joins Sophia on "Work In Progress" to share her story, discuss why we need to change the expectations we put on girls and how we raise them, and talk about her best-selling book, "Untamed."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Work in Progress, Sophia is joined by Dr. Edith Eger (@dr.editheger)! Dr. Eger is a highly sought after psychologist, author, and keynote speaker who survived the Holocaust as a teenage girl and went on to thrive despite the trauma she endured. Edie, as her friends affectionately call her, obtained her doctorate in psychology and learned to use her imprisonment at Auschwitz as a powerful analogy for the prisons we create in our own minds. Her mission is now to inspire others to discard their limitations and find renewal and freedom within themselves. After becoming a New York Times Bestselling Author with her memoir, The Choice, Dr. Eger wrote a hands-on guide to overcoming trauma that just came out this fall called The Gift: 12 Lessons to Save Your Life. Somehow between her busy clinical practice in La Jolla and her many speaking engagements, this energetic 93 year-old made time to sit down for a chat! On today’s episode of Work in Progress, Sophia and Dr. Eger discuss the power of thought, how the most obnoxious person can be your best teacher, why “How are you doing?” is a stupid question, and how love is what you do rather than what you say. Dr. Eger also shares her harrowing accounts of arriving at Auschwitz, being forced to dance for Josef Mengele, and how she found the spirit to survive it all within her own mind.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Work in Progress, Sophia is joined by David Whyte (@davidjwhyte)!!! David is an accomplished poet and associate fellow at Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford. He grew up in Yorkshire to an Irish mother and an English father, and his love of poetry and the natural world started early in his life. Rather than formally studying poetry and literature, David took a different path and earned a degree in Marine Zoology after being inspired by Jacques Cousteau. He was a natural guide in the Galapagos Islands and led tours into the Himalaya, and all of his adventurous travels ended up leading him right back to poetry. David has published several books of poetry and prose including The Bell and the Blackbird, Everything is Waiting for You, and The House of Belonging. He also has the unique credential of bringing poetry into the corporate world for the purpose of enhancing leadership.  On today’s episode, Sophia and David discuss the robustness of vulnerability, being ravished by the natural world, and how sometimes you have to start “undoing” yourself in order to progress. They also share ideas about destiny, finding yourself, and how poetry is “the language against which we have no defenses.” If you’ve been wishing to see a little more poetry in the world lately, then this episode is definitely for you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Work In Progress, Sophia is joined by Cindy Eckert (@cindypinkceo)!! Cindy is a serial-entrepreneur and highly vocal advocate for women, specifically in the areas of business and health. Over her impressive 24-year career in healthcare, Cindy created and sold two innovative pharmaceutical companies, Slate Pharmaceuticals and Sprout Pharmaceuticals. At Sprout, she forged a new path in women’s healthcare by creating Addyi, the first ever FDA approved drug for low sexual desire in women. After selling it for $1B only to see it shelved, she fought tooth and nail to get it back and make sure that it was made available for women against all odds. She now mentors and invests in entrepreneurs with ground-breaking ideas through her investment fund, The Pink Ceiling. This “pinkubator” helps women do what Cindy has already done herself: achieve big success, take command in male dominated industries, and truly change the world.   On today’s episode of Work in Progress, Sophia and Cindy discuss moving around as a kid, the importance of individuality in the workplace, and how the best way to change a problematic industry is to change it from within. They also explore the social conditioning of women around the subject of sexual pleasure, and why female sexual health is largely overlooked. This episode is about advocating for ourselves as women and demanding better. You’ll want to share this one with every woman you know.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Work in Progress, Sophia is joined by Natalie Portman (@natalieportman)!Natalie is known worldwide as an Academy Award winning actress, director, producer, and activist. Born in Israel, she immigrated to the US with her parents at the age of 3 and began auditioning when her family moved to New York. After her film debut in Leon: The Professional at age 12, Natalie has gone on to star in over 40 films. But Natalie is far more than a talented and successful actress. She has used her platform for extensive advocacy and activism, championing causes like the #TimesUp and #MeToo movements, animal rights, protecting the environment, Black Lives Matter, and many more. Proving that she really can do it all, Natalie recently published Natalie Portman’s Book of Fables, which retells classic children’s fables in a more modern and representative light.  On today’s episode, Sophia and Natalie discuss the 2020 experience, learning to act by acting, what it’s like to go to college when you’re already a movie star, and the unfortunate observation that the world tends to undervalue professions and skills that are stereotypically female. Natalie also shares how she faces the challenge of being a working mom while still making time for the causes she cares about. And she and Sophia touch on their mutual involvement in Angels FC, the national Women’s Soccer league franchise of which Natalie is a founder. Enjoy!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Work In Progress, Sophia is joined by Jenni Konner (@jennikonner)!Jenni is a television writer and producer who's worked alongside Lena Dunham as the co-executive producer and showrunner of Girls for all six of the hit show's seasons. She continued her partnership with Dunham on HBO's Camping while also working with her to create the popular feminist newsletter, Lenny Letter. Just last year, Jenni signed a multi-year overall deal with Fox 21 Television Studios, where she'll be creating, overseeing and producing various series for the studio's many platforms. On today's episode of Work In Progress, Sophia and Jenni discuss imposter syndrome, hippy progressive schools, the ins and outs of running a show, and how restaurant experience translates to producing. They also touch on Jenni's early career stints in development and as a Hollywood assistant, and how she forged her path as a TV writer under the mentoring wing of Judd Apatow. For anyone interested in the entertainment industry, this conversation really pulls back the veil and gets into all of the unseen work that goes into every production.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.