Work in Progress with Sophia Bush

Today on Work In Progress, Sophia is joined by Tony de los Reyes(@tonydlreyes). Tony is an inspiring visual artist who has been creating artwork that explores the complexity of the US-Mexico border for several years now. Beginning his immersion with big picture inspiration from Google Maps, his work has since evolved into a closer inspection of the border, the walls that have come to define it, and the physical space surrounding it. Tony’s work has been featured in many renowned galleries and museums such as LACMA, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, the Annenberg Space for Photography, and the New Britain Museum of American Art. On this episode of Work in Progress, Sophia and Tony dive deep into thoughts on artistic beginnings, how we react to tragedy, the power of art, and the importance of examining the lines that divide us.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Work In Progress, Sophia is joined by Jonathan Webb (@webbjonathan). Jonathan is an entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of AppHarvest (@appharvest), a company that is helping to turn his dream of a high-tech farming hub in Appalachia into reality. Before founding AppHarvest, Jonathan worked with the U.S. Department of Defense on one of the largest solar projects in the Southeastern United States. AppHarvest is building some of the largest indoor farms in the world, combining conventional agricultural techniques with today’s technology to grow non-GMO, chemical-free produce to be sold to the top 25 U.S. grocers. Jonathan strives to work alongside the hard-working men and women of Eastern Kentucky and build a resilient economy for the future.  On today’s episode of Work In Progress, Sophia and Jonathan discuss Jonathan’s childhood growing up in Kentucky, his time with the Department of Defense & the work he has done in the energy world, the Netherlands and its high-tech greenhouses, innovating the way we source energy, how to better bring people together and improve the agricultural future of our country and world, Jonathan’s company AppHarvest...and so, SO much more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Work In Progress, Sophia is joined by Shelley Sanders (@thelastlinela). Shelley is a jewelry designer based in Los Angeles and the founder and creative director of The Last Line - one of my favorite brands! Shelley’s career began in New York where she studied Fine Arts at Parsons School of Design before returning home to California to train with Master Jewelers in San Francisco. Shelley eventually returned to Los Angeles to begin her career as a jewelry designer, a role that quickly evolved into her becoming the head designer and creative director for dozens of celebrity jewelry brands and high-end jewelry houses, working with everything from gold to diamonds to precious stones. After being in the “biz” for almost two decades, Shelley created The Last Line - a direct-to-consumer fine jewelry business that pairs accessible pricing with stunning designs offering customers a mix of high and low, vintage and modern, done-up but dressed-down one-of-a-kind pieces. On today’s episode of Work In Progress, Sophia and Shelley discuss Shelley’s childhood growing up in LA, her journey through the design world, the jewelry industry, the ins and outs of starting and running a business, the role of social media in entrepreneurship today, Shelley’s company The Last Line...and so, SO much more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Work In Progress, Sophia is joined by Emma Grede (@EmmaGrede). Emma is an entrepreneur and the Co-Founder and CEO of Good American, a premium apparel label which promotes a healthy body ideal, with a full and inclusive size range. Emma also serves as the Chairman of ITB, a company representing brands' interests in the world of entertainment. In addition to her business ventures, Emma is a Board Member on Women for Women International, an organization that helps women survivors of war rebuild their lives, and a Board Member on Baby2Baby, an organization that provides children living in poverty, ages 0-12 years, with diapers, clothing, and all the basic necessities that every child deserves. On today’s episode of Work In Progress, Sophia and Emma discuss female choice and female empowerment, the importance of representation, the ego and how it relates to building and running a company, Emma’s early years growing up in London, her love of fashion, her career path and how she reached the level of success she has today, her company Good American...and so, SO much more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Work In Progress, Sophia is joined by Chris Meyer (@chrismeyerauthor). Chris is a former filmmaker and funeral homeowner, a writer, entrepreneur, and a licensed New York State attorney who has had a truly fascinating career path. Chris graduated from both Brandeis University and Vermont Law School where he earned a JD and a Masters in Environmental Law and Policy. However, having always dreamt of making films, Chris began his career by writing, directing, and producing a low budget film called "Black is White". After realizing that making a living as a filmmaker came with tremendous challenges, he took an opportunity in the funeral home industry and went on to own and operate multiple funeral homes. After years spent in the funeral home industry, Chris was inspired to write his first book, Life In 20 Lessons: What A Funeral Guy Discovered About Life, From Death, an introspective and heart-warming non-fiction story of love, loss, and living our best lives told from the perspective of a man who was constantly surrounded by death. Chris went on to write a second, recently published novel, The ‘Wood, a raw and powerful portrait of the inner-workings of the filmmaking industry. In addition to two successful novels, Chris is also a tech executive, most recently having built funandmoving.com, the world’s largest exercise platform for lively adults over sixty-five. On today’s episode of Work in Progress, Sophia and Chris discuss his early years growing up in New York, his less-than-traditional career path, his debut film “Black is White”, the experience he had building a life in Los Angeles, what he learned from owning funeral homes and how this led him to write his first novel...and so, SO much more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Work In Progress, Sophia is joined by Ambra Gutierrez (@ambrabgutierrez). Ambra is a Filipina-Italian model, humanitarian, and one of the first women to accuse former producer Harvey Weinstein of sexual assault. Ambra played an integral role in exposing sexual abuse allegations against Weinstein with her involvement in a sting operation alongside the New York Police Department​. Ambra has since become a vocal supporter of the #MeToo movement and uses her platform to fight back against flagrant abuses of power while helping to empower others through her involvement with various humanitarian organizations. She has partnered with Model Alliance’s Leadership Council which aims to help create a safe and fair work environment for other models, she works closely with Humanility which provides shelter and assistance to impoverished children worldwide, and she is involved with Safe Horizon, the largest victim services nonprofit organization in the United States, providing social services for victims of abuse and violent crime. Ambra continues to work tirelessly to encourage structural changes in the fashion industry that combat sexual harassment. On today’s episode of Work in Progress, Sophia and Ambra discuss what life was like for her following the Harvey Weinstein accusations, her childhood growing up in Italy, her experience with former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, how she got her start in the modeling industry and how her career has progressed, her efforts in fighting back against the gross abuse of power within the modeling industry...and so, SO much more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Episode 4 of our video series, Need to Know, where actress, activist, and host of the @workinprogress podcast, @sophiabush, sits down with experts to get the answers to your most pressing questions about life right now. Our guest today is the wildly impressive and inspiring Dr. Esther Odekunle. Esther is a biochemist, neurobiologist, and antibody engineer currently working as a scientist within the BioPharm Discovery department at GlaxoSmithKline where she is focused on exploring antibody selection as a first step in the drug discovery and development pipeline. Beyond her work as a scientist, Esther is directly involved in science communication and public engagement. She regularly speaks out on racism in academia and science and is passionate about using her platforms to uplift the marginalized & underserved while encouraging increased visibility of diverse STEM professionals. On today’s episode of Work in Progress, Sophia and Esther discuss Esther’s life growing up in the UK, her education and career path, her past work with starfish and future career goals for exploring unmet medical needs, systemic racism in the science community, how Esther is adjusting to working from home, the current pandemic...and so, so much more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, on a very special episode of Work In Progress, Sophia is joined by Mary L. Trump for an incredibly timely conversation with the election right around the corner. Mary is a psychologist, businessperson, and author. She is also the niece of current President Donald J. Trump. While Mary has largely remained out of the spotlight for most of her life, her recently published book, Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World’s Most Dangerous Man, thrust her into the spotlight following its release in July of this year. The New York Times bestseller casts a cold light on the many dysfunctions within the Trump family and the impact that they had on shaping the man that Donald J. Trump is today. On today’s episode of Work in Progress, Sophia and Mary discuss Mary’s early years growing up in New York, her parents, grandparents and family dynamics, her training and experience in clinical psychology settings, the pervasive toxic masculinity, and turbulence that existed within her family and the lasting impact that it had on the man that Donald Trump grew up to be...and so, so much more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Episode 3 of our video series, Need to Know, where actress, activist, and host of the @workinprogress podcast, @sophiabush, sits down with experts to get the answers to your most pressing questions about life right now. Our guest today is actively crushing boundaries placed on people in the STEM field, particularly marginalized populations - the brilliant and entertaining, Raven Baxter, aka Raven the Science Maven (@raventhesciencemaven). Raven Baxter is an internationally acclaimed science communicator and molecular biologist who works to progress the state of science culture by creating spaces that are inclusive, educational, and real. An entertainer and content creator, Raven is known for her unique style of combining science and music that teaches and empowers those in STEM and beyond and regularly speaks about innovation in science education and social change in STEM. Raven is the founder of Science Haven, a non-profit organization that operates at the intersections of science, education, and the public. Science Haven houses STEMbassy, a live web series that connects the public with science and technology professionals, and Black In Science Communication, a group that works to build relationships in the science community, equipping others with the knowledge and resources necessary to share science with the world in their own flavor. Raven has quickly developed a reputation as a strong voice in science education and has been recognized as a global influencer in several publications, including Fortune Magazine’s 40 Under 40 list for 2020. On today’s episode of Work in Progress, Sophia and Raven discuss Raven’s childhood, her experiences as a corporate scientist, underrepresentation in higher education and STEM, the current state of science culture, the mutation of the COVID virus and the importance of taking certain safety measures, Raven’s upcoming projects...and so, so much more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Work In Progress, Sophia is joined by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (@kirstengillibrand). Senator Gillibrand is a lawyer and politician from New York who's served in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Senator Gillibrand entered the world of politics in 2006 after winning a House of Representatives seat as a Democrat in a traditionally Republican region. She went on to fill the U.S. Senate seat in 2009 after being appointed by then New York Governor David Peterson and in 2010, Senator Gillibrand won reelection in a special vote, thus becoming the youngest elected member of the Senate at age 43. Throughout her time in the Senate, Senator Gillibrand has led some of the toughest fights in Washington - she has been a major supporter of gay rights, advocating for same-sex marriage and the repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, she has worked tirelessly for women's rights, improved healthcare benefits for 9/11 workers, and served on the Senate Agricultural Committee to fight against food stamp reductions to protect America’s families - and that’s just to name a few of the fights that she has taken on for all of us.On today’s episode of Work in Progress, Sophia and Senator Gillibrand discuss Senator Gillibrand’s childhood and the impact that her mother and grandmother had on her career and her propensity to lead, the range of issues that she has taken on in the Senate, the ongoing pandemic, what it’ll take to get real COVID-19 relief, the upcoming Presidential election...and so, SO much more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.