SheSez with Linda Grasso

As a top executive at a scrappy tech start-up, Sharon Graves learned how to make tough decisions, manage a twenty-something staff and multi-task. She transitioned into full-time motherhood after the company was sold and was surprised to discover she loved it. But as her kids got older, Sharon realized it was time to make a move. Learn how Sharon's love of baking sparked her idea for a community hu...

Lizanne Falsetto launched her Think Thin empire in the mid 90s—based on a hunch: people wanted a high protein, low sugar energy bar that tasted great. Listen in on the story of how the former model and mom of two crafted a winning recipe in her own kitchen, learned to trust her instinct, and launched the company with her own money. And with the 2016 sale of Think Thin — for a reported 217 million...

Hear the story of how former producer Lisa Olin decided it was time to get out of showbiz and, with zero baking experience, made the bold move to open Cake Monkey Bakery . It may seem a bit radical, but Lisa saw a white space in the market: no one was selling mini-layer cakes. The line quickly expanded to gourmet Yodels and Pop Tarts—among other throwback treats—as well as gluten-free products. Li...

After being a college professor of psychology for 11 years, Angella Nazarian  felt the need for change. Learn how she decided to consciously "drop that story" and create the next one in her life: leading a women's group—all women who, like her, were interested in pivoting toward a more fulfilling life. At the age of 40, the mom of two then pivoted again, writing her first book, Life as a Visitor,...

Pediatrician JJ Levenstein was so popular that she had a wait-list for new patients. But personal fulfillment—that feeling of waking up each day and loving what you are doing—was missing. Plus, JJ was taking care of everyone but herself and feeling stressed out and run down. Learn how JJ turned her life around, closing her medical practice, going to culinary school and kicking off a career as a ch...

As an top executive at NBC, Tal Rabinowitz was responsible for developing comedies like The Mindy Project and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. But after nearly 20 years in the business, she was burned out. Learn how Tal got the guts walk away from it all—how she adopted a daughter, took some time off to recharge, and ultimately launched The DEN Meditation —a drop-in studio for guided meditation with thr...

Lynne Lear has accomplished something that very few people have done—aside from Oprah. She co-founded a school. Hear how the mom of two saw a need in her community, rallied a well-connected, capable group of peers, and raised 8 million dollars to build the private, non-denominational Vistamar High School in El Segundo, California. Once that was checked off her list, this dynamo made yet another pi...

Susan Feldman , co-founder of One Kings Lane , shares the story of how she came up with the idea for the on-line home interior and décor retailer, picked the perfect business partner, and kicked it off amidst the recession in 2007. It was quite the transition: Susan had worked for years a retail (apparel) executive but had no internet experience and minimal investment funds. From the moment Susan...

Trish Healy opens up about how she mustered the courage to leave her lucrative job as a corporate VP to realize her dream of adopting a daughter and then how she launched her own small business – WonderTent Parties . The "glamping" party planning company not only makes it possible for her to be around more for her daughter, Trish is now enjoying the ultimate icing on the cake: being able to give b...

Naomi Levy is a master of stepping over the roadblocks of convention. She was one of the first female graduates of The Jewish Theological Seminary's rabbinical school, and then went on found Nashuva , a spiritual outreach community for people interested in a non-traditional alternative for practicing the Jewish faith. Then Naomi set her sights on becoming an author. After hearing a rapid successio...

Shiva Rose has transitioned from actress to full-time mom to founder of a holistic skin care line in a way that makes reinvention look easy. Learn how her own battle with illness sparked her health & wellness blog, The Local Rose , and about how her fascination the beauty of Hawaiian women and their use of kukui nut oil ultimately led to her kicking off the Shiva Rose line . Shiva also shares some...

Karen Beninati started out her career as an independent movie producer. It was an exciting and rewarding job and she loved it but life interrupted. She had a baby and suffered from postpartum depression — losing self-confidence. Feeling like a change in location might be helpful, she moved to Portland, Oregon and that was where she came up with the idea for the innovative childcare center, weVilla...

Emmy award-winning TV news producer Tammi Leader Fuller walked away from a 34-year career to found Campowerment - a summer sleepaway camp-like experience—aimed at helping women find fulfillment and purpose. Discover how the mom of two got the guts to do it and how—even though she has had to dramatically scale back her life to follow her dream — her life now is the most fulfilling it has ever been.

Kathleen Buczko (), a self-described tech geek, was a successful digital strategist for many years. But her intense love of writing and her desire to "have a life," and be more present for her three kids, ultimately drove her to pivot—several times. Learn how this master reinventionista seamlessly moved from TV journalism to speechwriting to being a digital strategist and an entrepreneur and, most...

Donna Pohlad shares the story of how, after raising 3 children, in her hometown of Minneapolis, she founded the innovative, home hair color company dpHue . Donna takes us back 2011 when her idea was born out of her frustration of having to spend so much time and effort hiding her increasingly grey hair; how she traveled to Italy to meet with experts and create the product; how she teamed up with c...

Writer Susan McMartin enjoyed a successful career in Hollywood for 20 years, working on TV shows including Gary UnMarried, Californication and Another World. Then, right before she turned forty, amidst the rise of reality TV and the fall of scripted series, everything came to a screeching halt. Broke and about to give up, she did something that turned her life around: she tried something new. Toda...

Rose Eichenbaum dreamed of being professional dancer but fell in love, got married at 21 and soon had three children. Though she loved motherhood, she grappled with a growing sadness stemming from giving up her dream. Instead of stewing, she acted on it. Hear her insightful story of how, with one child still in the house, she diligently carved out time for herself to begin crafting her next chapte...

In her twenties, Lisa Kline was one of the most successful retailers in Los Angeles, with a store favored by the biggest celebrities of the day on swanky Robertson Boulevard. With each passing year, the business only grew—growth based on Lisa's uncanny ability to discover little known brands with huge potential. She ultimately owned and operated five trendy boutiques and a budding on-line business...

The breakup of a relationship inspired Los Angeles public relations guru Sarah Robarts to pick up a paintbrush again after nearly 20 years, returning to her love of painting. Turns out her talent not only remains in her 40s, it has blossomed. Hear the story of how the mom of two literally painted her heart out for a year in hehr garage and recently hosted her first gallery show—to rave reviews.

Sheila Nevins is one of the most powerful forces in showbiz. As President of HBO Documentary Films, Sheila has made some of the most fascinating documentaries ever made. Some of her recent movies include Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds, Nothing Left Unsaid, Diana, Our Mother. She has received 32 Emmy Awards (more than any other single person) and 26 Academy Awards—among o...

How Elissa Goodman  went from stay-home mom to Holistic Nutritionist and became a well-regarded cleanse expert with an A-list showbiz clientele and an entrepreneur. Her S.O.U.P. Cleanse home delivery program  and her uber healthy juices aimed at boosting immunity and thyroid health ( available at Erewhon ) have gained cult-like followings.

How Byrdie Lifson-Pompan left a lucrative career as a Hollywood agent to form the healthcare company, Clear Health Advisors . Hear the story of how she came up with an innovative idea, tapped her close girlfriends for support and feedback, went back to school, and now feels like she is making a difference in the world—guiding critically ill people and their families toward potentially life saving...

How Coco channeled her love of interior design and her writing skills into the Cococozy blog — named this year by Forbes Magazine  as one of the top ten social media influencers in the world. Holding on to her day job as a TV executive, learn how Coco worked on her "passion project" at home each night—ultimately generating a cult-like following—and spawning her own line of home furnishings.

Meet Bethany Ashton Wolf—a movie maker who is defining success on her own terms. Not satisfied as simply a successful indie screenwriter, Bethany held on to her dreams of not just writing but directing a major motion picture—and made it happen. Learn how she listened to her gut, stayed true to herself and defied the odds with the upcoming romantic drama, Forever My Girl .

The story of how Jess Weiner connected the dots in her early career—as well as the ones linking her passions— to form one of the most important socially conscious brand building firms in the country. Through life's inevitable disappointments and stumbles, hear how Jess held on to her authenticity and her convictions—and is now CEO of Talk to Jess . The consulting firm advises brands and organizati...