She Pivots

Victoria Lai has lived several careers in one lifetime: presidential appointee at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, entrepreneur, and now business advisor and nonprofit COO. But her biggest pivot came when she nurtured her passion for making ice cream on nights and weekends while working a serious government job. In this extra sweet episode, Victoria walks us through how a $25 Craigslist i...

In June 2002, fourteen-year-old Elizabeth Smart was taken from her bedroom at knifepoint and held captive for nine months, enduring abuse that would have broken most people beyond repair. Against extraordinary odds, she survived, and then she decided to step fully into the public eye; not in spite of what happened to her, but because of it. She has testified before Congress, helped author a Depart...

Today's guest is someone pretty special to Emily Tisch Sussman—it's her mom, Laurie Tisch. Laurie grew up as the only girl in a big, loud family full of brothers and cousins, navigating public scrutiny while quietly figuring out who she really was. She navigated the complexities to become a woman carved out an identity that was entirely, unmistakably her own.    On this special Mot...

Elmo, Big Bird, and Cookie Monster probably helped raise you, and the woman now leading Sesame Street traces her path there back to one transformative act: adopting her daughter Lily from China. Before joining Sesame Workshop, Sherrie Westin had already built a remarkable career at ABC News and as one of the highest-ranking women in George H.W. Bush's White House. On this episode, Sherrie shares h...

Kerry Docherty has spent her life being two things at once: the good girl the world expected, and someone far more complicated underneath. Co-founder and Chief Impact Officer of beloved B-Corp clothing company Faherty Brand, Kerry had a winding path, moving through Yale, human rights law, a mindfulness business, and a beach trailer selling swimsuits before landing somewhere she never quite planned...

At just 25 years old, Ali Truwit has already lived several lifetimes' worth of pivots. A Yale graduate and competitive swimmer, Ali was on the cusp of launching her consulting career when a shark attack during a celebratory beach vacation changed everything, costing her part of her leg and forcing her to reimagine her future. In this episode of She Pivots, Ali shares how she fought her way back to...

If you’ve ever watched Top Chef, you may know Carla Hall and her signature catchphrase, Hootie Hoo! But Carla didn’t start her career in kitchens. Before she became a beloved TV personality and celebrated chef, Carla was a CPA at Price Waterhouse who quickly realized her destiny was not in spreadsheets. What followed was a series of bold, joy-fueled pivots: modeling in Paris, launching...

Huma Abedin has spent decades at the center of American power, as Hillary Clinton's closest aide, Deputy Chief of Staff at the State Department, and Vice Chair of a historic presidential campaign. But when her personal life collapsed in the most public way possible, she faced a reckoning that had nothing to do with politics. In this episode, Emily talks with Huma about her remarkable rise through...

She Pivots is back for Season 5! If you’re new here, She Pivots was created by Emily Tisch Sussman, who made a major career pivot out of politics after having three kids in three years. She Pivots is dedicated to telling the stories of women who have pivoted in their careers due to a personal life event. And now we’re back with honest conversations about career pivots, personal reinven...

Every woman has a moment when everything changes. But what does it actually take to pivot? Season 5 of She Pivots premieres March 25th and we are SO excited bring you honest conversations about career pivots, personal reinvention, and the choices that shape our lives, so that you can be inspired to make your own pivots with confidence. Hosted by Emily Tisch Sussman, She Pivots is the podcast where...

This week marks a special moment on She Pivots—it’s our season finale, and Emily is joined by the incomparable Paloma Faith. On this episode, Paloma opens up about her boldest reinvention yet: pivoting from chart-topping singer and actress to author of her raw and bestselling memoir, MILF: Motherhood, Identity, Love and Fckery*. With her trademark candor and wit, Paloma shares the unfi...

Julie Wainwright’s career (and personal life) is a masterclass in resilience and reinvention, having seen Pets.com collapse on the very same day her marriage ended. On this episode of She Pivots, Julie opens up about the highs of leading companies at the forefront of the dot-com boom, and the devastating lows of reaching a personal professional rock-bottom on the same day. Rather than lettin...

Latham Thomas is changing the way the world thinks about birth, wellness, and motherhood. As the founder of Mama Glow, she’s helped families, including celebrities like Alicia Keys, Anne Hathaway, and Gabrielle Union navigate the journey to parenthood with knowledge, support, and joy. On this episode of She Pivots, Latham opens up about the birth of her son and the gaps in car...

Sloane Stephens is a Grand Slam champion whose career has been defined as much by resilience as by remarkable wins. On this episode of She Pivots , Sloane opens up about her journey from a late-blooming tennis prodigy to a U.S. Open champion, philanthropist, and entrepreneur. She reflects on navigating the grief of losing her father and stepfather at a young age, building balance and normalcy in a...

Elizabeth Sneed is the face and founder of Curvy Surfer Girl—a global body-positive movement empowering women of all shapes and sizes to find strength, joy, and belonging in the waves. But few would have guessed that she would make a career from the waves after she nearly drowned at fourteen. In this episode, Elizabeth shares her journey from a turbulent childhood in rural East Texas, to a h...

Sima Gandhi's professional resume reads like a blueprint for success—but her story reveals a far more complex reality. On this episode of She Pivots, Emily speaks with the entrepreneur, lawyer, and former Plaid executive in her first public conversation about the personal journey that reshaped her life. At the height of her career—helping lead one of Silicon Valley’s most success...

Michelle Betos spent over a decade breaking barriers in professional soccer, not just as a standout goalkeeper and National Women’s Soccer League Goalkeeper of the Year, but as part of the group of women that fought to build the league from the ground up. In this episode, she reflects on the grit it took to stay in the game when the pay was low, the resources were scarce, and the future of w...

Tony Award–winning actor and writer Sarah Jones has built a career blending culture, politics, and humor — all while embodying a kaleidoscope of unforgettable characters. In our final live episode recorded at the Aspen Ideas Festival, Sarah joins Emily for a conversation about her groundbreaking podcast, America, Who Hurt You? , which puts the nation on the “therapy couch”...

Zanny Minton Beddoes, Editor-in-Chief of The Economist , has carved out a remarkable global career in journalism and economics — one that spans continents and cultures. In this special live episode recorded at the Aspen Ideas Festival, Zanny joins Emily for a conversation about her unexpected path from a rural England farm to the helm of one of the world’s most influential publications...

Chanel’s President of Arts, Culture & Heritage, Yana Peel, has carved out a singular career at the intersection of art, innovation, AI, and global community building — all driven by her belief in the power of creativity to shape culture and spark change. In this special live episode recorded at the Aspen Ideas Festival, Yana sits down with Emily for a conversation about her unexpec...

Former National Security Advisor and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice has held some of the highest national security and domestic policy roles in the U.S. government — but her defining strength may be her ability to lead with both head and heart. In this special live episode recorded at the Aspen Ideas Festival, Ambassador Rice sits down with Emily for a deeply personal and u...

Charlotte Jones is the powerhouse Executive Vice President and Chief Brand Officer of the Dallas Cowboys — but her most defining moves have happened off the field. In this special live episode recorded at the Aspen Ideas Festival, Charlotte opens up about growing up in one of the most iconic families in sports, and what it’s really like to build a career inside a multigenerational fami...

Victoria Jackson is a beauty industry pioneer whose billion-dollar brand helped define the “no-makeup makeup” movement — but her most powerful pivot came far beyond the world of cosmetics. In this episode, Victoria shares how building her business from her garage was just the beginning of a life shaped by resilience, reinvention, and purpose. When her daughter was diagnosed with...

I’m so excited to be re-releasing my conversation with Joy Mangano to celebrate Joy: The Musica l, now on stage in New York City! I was thrilled to go see the show, a vibrant retelling of Joy’s extraordinary journey from single mom to superstar inventor. Known for creating the Miracle Mop and portrayed by Jennifer Lawrence in the hit 2015 film Joy , Joy Mangano is a true trailblazer. B...

Kaitlyn Joshua is a faith organizer and activist whose advocacy for reproductive freedom is rooted in one of the most painful experiences of her life. In this episode, Kaitlyn shares how what began as a planned pregnancy turned into a medical crisis—when she was turned away from the emergency room twice while miscarrying, left to suffer for months without care. This moment wasn’t just...