Unglamorous in the City

At 27, Jen Aks was invited to dinner with John F. Kennedy Jr. — and didn’t go. Not because she didn’t want to, but because years of self-doubt had convinced her she wasn’t smart enough to sit at the table. That moment became a turning point in a much bigger journey toward self-trust, confidence and learning to listen to what her body was telling her.   In this episode of Unglamorous in the City ,...

At 33, Drea Guinto was living in New York, thriving in her career and enjoying life when a breast cancer diagnosis changed everything. In this episode, Drea shares what it was like to lose the identity she knew, navigate treatment and survivorship, and eventually rebuild her life in a completely different direction. Today, she is the founder of Stellium, a wife, mother and nearly 10-year cancer su...

Reality TV may be called “reality,” but former NBC producer Lauren Nicholas has seen firsthand just how much can happen behind the scenes. In this episode of Unglamorous in the City , Lauren shares what producers really do to create storylines and drama for television — including scripted soundbites and manufactured conflict — and why appearing on reality TV can mean giving up control of your own...

Cori Cohen never set out to become a tech founder. But after seeing how difficult it can be to navigate healthcare while traveling abroad, she turned a personal concern into a business idea — and eventually into MyAbroadMDs, a global healthcare-preparation platform helping travelers know where to go and who to call if something goes wrong overseas.  In this episode, Cori shares the story behind th...

What does it really take to land the right job, make a career pivot or stand out in a crowded market? This week on Unglamorous in the City , I’m joined by Michelle Perchuk , founder and CEO of MTV Coaching and a former Wall Street headhunter who spent years recruiting for Silicon Valley clients and Fortune 1000 companies before becoming a career coach and advocate for job seekers.   Michelle share...

Raw. Unscripted. Unedited. After spending the past several months asking my guests about the parts of their lives people don’t always see, I decided it was time to answer some of those questions myself. In my first full solo episode of Unglamorous in the City , I get personal about the gap between how a life can look from the outside and how it actually feels to live it. I talk about loneliness an...

What happens when you’ve already built a successful career — but know you’re ready for something more? In this episode of Unglamorous in the City , Smitha sits down with Lorra Brown, assistant professor and director of the M.A. in Digital Communication at UNC-Chapel Hill’s Hussman School of Journalism and Media, for an honest conversation about ambition, reinvention, motherhood, career pivots and...

This week, Unglamorous in the City and Raegan Medgie’s Unscripted Turbulence collide for a special crossover episode — complete with martinis, plenty of laughs and some truly unglamorous TV news stories. For once, I’m the one answering more of the questions. Raegan gives me the space to share my own story — from breaking into television news and navigating rejection and career setbacks, to leaving...

Dating in New York City can be fun, exciting — and completely exhausting. In this episode of *Unglamorous in the City*, Smitha sits down with her friend Jaime Perris, founder and CEO of Minds Beyond Measure, for a candid conversation about what it’s really like to be successful, independent and single in NYC. They get into dating apps, outrageous first-date questions, why dating can feel like a jo...

What happens when the thing you love most is suddenly taken away from you? Addison LaBonte, founder and CEO of Sweet Addison’s, joins Unglamorous in the City to share the unexpected health journey that changed the course of her life. While training for her first marathon, Addison began losing feeling in her legs and was eventually told she may never be able to run normally again. After going glute...

What happens when you spend decades telling other people's stories? In this episode of Unglamorous in the City , I sit down with award-winning filmmaker and Terrebonne Productions founder Christiane Arbesu, who has spent more than 30 years producing documentaries, medical films, and human-interest stories that leave a lasting impact. Christiane shares the unforgettable moments that shaped her...

What happens when life doesn't go according to plan? In one of the most vulnerable conversations on Unglamorous in the City , I sit down with my longtime friend, Dina Coughlan, to talk about mental health, resilience, and rebuilding a life you never expected to have. Dina shares the heartbreaking story of being left at a psychiatric hospital by her parents, her journey through depression and...

Is it ever too late to reinvent yourself? This week on Unglamorous in the City , Smitha sits down with entrepreneur Marisa Costa , founder of Plum Talent & Strategy, to discuss why she left corporate America to launch her own business in her 50s—and why she believes your greatest chapter may still be ahead. Marisa shares how years of experience, career setbacks, and a desire for more control o...

Would you ever choose not to get legally married? In this episode of Unglamorous in the City , I sit down with entrepreneur and JNK Logistics owner Krista Parise for one of our most honest conversations yet. Krista opens up about building a business from the ground up, navigating divorce, balancing motherhood with leadership, and why she believes modern marriage deserves a second look. We also dis...

What if social media is making us feel behind because we're only seeing the highlight reel? This week, Smitha Rao is joined by Professor Anthony Palomba , a marketing expert and professor at the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business, for a conversation about success, consumer behavior, leadership, modern dating, and why genuine human connection matters more than ever. Togeth...

Have you ever been ghosted, rejected, divorced, dumped, or wondered why someone walked away? Here's something you might need to hear: It's probably not you. In this episode of Unglamorous in the City , I sit down with my friend Kelly Logan for an honest conversation about rejection, dating, career changes, taking risks, friendship, and learning to trust that life has a way of working out...

What happens when your life looks fine from the outside, but something doesn't feel right on the inside? In this episode of Unglamorous in the City, Smitha sits down with wellness entrepreneur and health coach Pam Rupprecht to discuss self-worth, personal growth, divorce, and the courage to put yourself first. Pam shares her journey from feeling disconnected in her marriage to building a life...

What do dating, business, friendships, and confidence all have in common? Knowing your worth—and being brave enough to say what you want. In this episode of Unglamorous in the City, entrepreneur Malir Burks and I talk about ambition, relationships, networking, self-worth, and finding the magic in life's most unglamorous moments. 🎙️ Episode now live on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and whe...

"If someone is intimidated by you, that's their problem—not yours." In Episode 3 of Unglamorous in the City, I sit down with entrepreneur, tech professional, and founder of SoniGal Jewels, Neha Multani. From building a business while working full-time to navigating mental health, dating, entrepreneurship, and societal expectations, Neha shares an honest look at what it takes to buil...

Welcome to Unglamorous in the City — a podcast about the real stories behind polished lives. Hosted by former TV journalist Smitha Rao, this show explores ambition, reinvention, relationships, career pressure, identity, modern adulthood, and the moments no one posts about on social media. In this first episode, Smitha shares the story behind why she launched the podcast, what “Unglamorous” really...