She’s Smart

In this episode of She’s Smart, Maria sits down with renowned neurologist and neuro-immunologist Dr. Sharon Stoll for a fascinating and deeply personal conversation about the brain—how it grows, changes, and what we can do to keep it healthy. Dr. Stoll shares her incredible journey into medicine, including how her own MS diagnosis during medical school inspired her to become a leading voice in neu...

This week on a very special Mother’s Day episode of She’s Smart, I sat down with my original role model—my mom, Mary. Mary shares stories from growing up in a big Spanish-Irish family in California, what it was like becoming a mom at 22, and how she managed to raise two daughters and a middle school classroom for over 30 years. They talk about love, marriage (50 years and counting!), raising kids,...

In this episode of She’s Smart, Maria sits down with Lauren Braun Costello—chef, author, and the voice behind It’s Lauren, Of Course. Lauren shares her unexpected journey from the high-powered world of Wall Street to food styling on national TV and building a loyal community through her honest, hilarious, and skillful approach to cooking. They talk about her leap of faith into culinary school, wor...

In this episode of She’s Smart, Maria sits down with Melissa Conner — powerhouse publicist, local mom, and Partner & Managing Director at Jennifer Bett Communications — the agency behind some of today’s most beloved consumer brands. From her early days in New York PR to co-founding JBC and scaling it into a 50-person agency working with brands like Magic Spoon, Parachute, Fashionphile, and MID...

In this episode of She’s Smart, we sit down with Maryclare Roos—mom of three, accidental archaeologist, and present-day steward of the Peter Thorp House, a 1739 farmhouse in Weston, Connecticut with a few secrets buried beneath the floorboards. Maryclare shares how a late-night real estate scroll led her family to the historic home that would change everything. Since moving in, she’s uncovered 18t...

In this episode of She’s Smart, Maria catches up with childhood friend and Olympic beach volleyball player Nicole Branagh. From growing up in Orinda, California, to competing on the world’s biggest stage, Nicole shares her inspiring journey from three-sport high school athlete to professional volleyball player and current ESPN analyst. Maria and Nicole dive into the power of community, the changin...

Ashleigh Owens is the Deputy Director at Shift, a global leader in advancing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights—and she’s also the lead singer of a local rock band. In this episode, Ashleigh joins Maria to talk about her incredible journey: growing up in a tiny beach town in Western Australia, working as a lawyer in Japan, navigating the world of international human rights, and...

In this episode of She’s Smart, Maria sits down with Eram Siddiqui, the founder of Hudson+Bleecker, to explore her remarkable journey from working in politics for Senator Debbie Stabenow and Senator Barbara Boxer to launching her own luxury travel accessories brand. Eram shares how her experience on Capitol Hill and her love for travel sparked the idea for stylish and functional travel pieces. She...

In this episode, we welcome fashion stylist, Hannah Spencer from Nineteen Pieces. Discover how Hannah has crafted a thriving business around the concept of always having nineteen essential wardrobe pieces to create a versatile closet. We explore the dynamic elements of fashion and style, including the transformative power of good tailoring, the impact of a standout coat, and innovative tips to rev...

Dr. Diane Mueller (sex and relationships) a naturopathic doctor, bestselling health author, international speaker, certified sexologist and host of The Libido Lounge podcast. Dr. Mueller is here to shake up everything we think we know about intimacy, desire, and long-term relationships. If you’ve ever felt like life, kids, and stress have put passion on the back burner, Diane is here to tell us wh...

On today's episode, we welcome Veena Dinavahi, the author of the powerful memoir, The True Happiness Company. Veena takes us through her deeply personal journey of breaking free from a controlling, self help cult and rediscovering her true self. In this candid conversation, she opens up about the emotional process of writing her memoir, the challenges she faced along the way, and the lessons she’s...

On today’s episode we welcome, Cori Adams. If you’ve been fortunate to secure a coveted spot to her Gold step aerobics class at the Westport Weston YMCA, you already know—she brings the heat, the energy, and the best beats that make you want to move. But before she became the queen of step, Cori built a career in the fashion world, working with brands like Mulberry and Welden. She’s got a story fu...

On today’s episode we welcome Jill Dunn, the powerhouse behind Jillin’ It, a matchmaking and dating service. Jill is a professional matchmaker, dating coach, and all-around love guru who helps people find real connections in this wild dating landscape. She started her journey after navigating the dating world post-divorce and turned her experience into a thriving business, matching hundreds of cou...

On today's episode we welcome Eva Amurri. You may know Eva as the creator of Happily Eva After, her lifestyle brand and blog where she shares everything from motherhood and home design to personal style and wellness. But beyond the perfectly curated spaces and smart, relatable takes on modern life, Eva is a powerhouse—an entrepreneur, a mom of three, and someone who has navigated reinvention in so...

Jessie Shaw and Jenn Sommerfield (co-founders of Fetch Rescue in Westport, Connecticut) These two women—and their amazing network—are working tirelessly to give  dogs a second chance at life, matching them with loving homes right here in our community. We’re talking about everything—from the magic of fostering and the real process of rescue, to debunking myths about shelter dogs and even tackling...

In today's episode we welcome Allison Wilson, founder of the Hope Project, a groundbreaking initiative offering support and healing to military families through holistic and innovative methods, including the use of psychedelics. Allison shares her deeply personal journey—from the challenges of life as a military spouse, navigating trauma, and losing herself, to rediscovering purpose and building a...

On today's episode we welcome, Julie Mountain and Dana Noorily, the dynamic duo behind The Granola Bar, a beloved café that started in Westport and has since grown into a local sensation. These two friends turned business partners share the incredible story of how a chance meeting at a kids’ birthday party sparked a journey that’s taken them from jars of granola to running multiple successful loca...

In this episode we welcome, Kavita Srinivasan. Kavita is a Parenting Coach, Trauma Healer, and Educator whose personal journey is nothing short of extraordinary. After a successful career as the Editor-in-Chief of Cosmopolitan Middle East, HELLO!, and Masala!, she took a brave leap to focus on her own healing journey. Battling postpartum distress and uncovering childhood trauma, Kavita transformed...

In this episode, we welcome Christine Dunst. Christine is the co-founder of Embody Wellness, a pioneering team of integrated, holistic nutritionists and health coaches. Christine shares insights into Embody's decade-long experience in offering personalized nutrition and health coaching. The discussion delves into sleep, stress management, and self-care rituals. Christine also discusses their work...

Welcome to a special holiday episode of She's Smart featuring Maria and her sister, Christina. The episode is filled with family stories, laughter, and cherished memories from their Christmas celebrations in California. Discover the magic and warmth of the holiday season through the eyes of two sisters who have shared a lifetime of adventures. Birthday gift links... Tea - Magic Hour https://clubma...

In this episode, we welcome Ashley Langer. Ashley is the founder of Business Socialistas, a community curated specifically for female entrepreneurs. Ashley is renowned for her expertise in community building and event strategy.  Ashley’s all about turning connections into collaborations, and today, she’s sharing her journey, her strategies, and the power of building a strong community. Business So...

In this episode, we have an inspiring conversation with Min Santandrea the Founder of Sant M Shoes. Min shares her journey from growing up in Korea to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the fashion industry.  Min opens up about her educational path, from an unexpected start to her career shifts from art history to fashion.  This episode is a testament to the power of determination and the belie...

In this episode, we chat with Elaine Frontain Bryant, Executive Vice President and Head of Programming at A&E, Lifetime, and the Lifetime Movie Network. Elaine, a pivotal force in television, shares insights into her illustrious career, revealing the inspiration behind her storytelling and programming strategies that have led to Emmy-winning hits. Elaine discusses her journey from formative ch...

In this episode, we welcome Michelle Ruiz, a contributing culture editor at Vogue and frequent cover story author at Vanity Fair. Known for her profiles on high-profile figures like Giselle, Bad Bunny, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. We dive into the nuances of choosing stories, the challenges and thrills of covering red carpets, and the dynamic world of the British royal family.  Disclaimer: Toward...

In this episode, we dive into the story behind ELEVEN11, a thriving accessories business with owner Anne Delorier. Anne shares the origins and evolution of her subscription box business. She discusses her motivation to start the business, the unexpected challenges she faced, and the eventual opening of a retail space. We chat about the importance of community, learning from failures, and balancing...