Women in Entertainment

Before she was an award-winning actress, Octavia Spencer wanted to be a producer, and that instinct to build, solve, and champion meaningful stories still guides her every move. In this candid and inspiring conversation, Octavia opens up about balancing genres, from comedy and horror to true crime, and why she gravitates toward projects that resonate deeply rather than simply spotlight her perform...

What happens when the story you thought had ended still has more to say? Bestselling author Laura Dave opens up about the evolution of her breakout hit The Last Thing He Told Me and its powerful sequel, The First Time I Saw Him . Sparked by the Enron scandal and written over the course of a decade, Laura reveals how she unknowingly crafted two books at once and why making her heroine a survivor, n...

What does it take to modernize a story people already love without losing its soul? Writer-producer Rachel Shukert joins Women in Entertainment for a warm, hilarious, deeply craft-forward conversation about building female-led worlds that feel timeless and true. From overlapping NYU memories (and the oddly permanent “NYU smell”) to her early career writing sharp, personal essays in the pre-social-...

Sara Bareilles has always known there’s a difference between writing songs because it’s fun, and writing songs because it’s how you make it through the day. In this episode, Sara opens up about the pivotal moments that shaped her path: a high school experience that shut her down creatively for years, the loneliness of studying abroad in Italy that revealed music as a lifeline, and the slow-build g...

Costumes aren’t just clothes; they’re storytelling, psychology, and world-building stitched into every scene. In this episode, three iconic designers - Lyn Elizabeth Paolo, Marylin Fitoussi, and Amy Parris - take us inside the real work behind the looks that audiences obsess over. From unexpected beginnings to defining “magic moments” on set, they share how a career in costume design is built: on...

What happens when a bestselling YA author bets on herself right as the world shuts down? In this episode of the Women in Entertainment Podcast, Stephanie Garber takes us behind the scenes of her first adult novel, Alchemy of Secrets , a project she sold in early 2020 and spent five years bringing to life. Known for the beloved Caraval universe, Stephanie shares the honest, strategic reasons she ma...

Jenna Santoianni didn’t grow up dreaming of Hollywood; she grew up without cable. But that outsider perspective became her secret weapon as she carved out a powerful career at the center of television’s biggest transformations. In this episode, Jenna traces her path from aspiring broadcast journalist to influential TV executive, beginning with early internships in development, a formative start at...

What does it take to “land the plane” on one of the most ambitious shows in modern TV and still keep it feeling human? In this episode, VFX Supervisor Betsy Paterson pulls back the curtain on joining Stranger Things for its final season and stepping into a world where every sequence is a high-stakes puzzle. Betsy walks us through the reality behind the spectacle: a long prep period shaped by const...

What happens when preparation meets opportunity — and suddenly you’re standing on set with legends? In this episode of Women in Entertainment, Kayla Wallace opens up about the life-changing experience of starring on Landman and finding her footing inside the expansive world created by Taylor Sheridan. Kayla shares what it felt like arriving on set in season one, from filming alongside private jets...

They may be called “YA queens,” but Julie Plec and Candice King know the truth: the stories that stick don’t belong to one age group. They belong to anyone who’s ever felt everything all at once. In this episode, Julie (the powerhouse behind The Vampire Diaries universe) and Candice (forever Caroline Forbes, now stepping into adulthood as Bess Sinclair in We Were Liars ) reunite to talk about what...

What happens when discipline, instinct, and lived experience collide? In this episode of Women in Entertainment, Diane Kruger joins us for a thoughtful, deeply honest conversation about the evolution of her artistry and herself. From her early training as a ballet dancer to discovering acting through theater school in Paris, Diane traces a nonlinear path into the industry, shaped by curiosity, ris...

What happens when a father and daughter, both navigating the entertainment industry at very different moments, decide to talk openly about the highs, the setbacks, and everything in between? In this episode, Tony Goldwyn and Anna Musky-Goldwyn reflect on working in Hollywood across generations, from early career momentum and inevitable slowdowns to finding creative confidence outside traditional p...

At just a few years out of high school, Isabella Esler has already lived a theater-kid fantasy: going from an open-call audition to booking her first professional job as Lydia Deetz in Beetlejuice , then carrying the role on a two-year national tour before landing on Broadway. In this heartfelt conversation, Isabella shares how one audition as a senior changed her life, leading to representation,...

Actress Jessy Schram has lived many lives on screen: iconic princess, brilliant doctor, and rom-com heroine. In this episode, she brings listeners inside the moments that shaped them all. She reflects on the early days of Once Upon a Time , when no one knew if the ambitious fairytale world would work, and the vulnerability of stepping into a beloved character while helping redefine her. Jessy also...

Candace Bushnell has spent decades writing women into the center of their own stories—and in this conversation, she brings us back to the electric New York City that inspired it all. From the early days of Sex and the City to the cult-favorite brilliance of Lipstick Jungle , Renee and Joss revisit the impact her work had on their own lives as young women finding their footing in Manhattan. For Can...

The creator economy is evolving at lightning speed, and in this episode, Spotter Chief Revenue Officer Jodie Stocker Kennedy offers a clear, grounded look at how the industry is changing in real time. As the company behind nearly a billion dollars deployed to creators - including names like MrBeast, Dude Perfect, GRA Dion, Ryan Trahan, and Colin & Samir - Spotter has rapidly expanded far beyon...

Go behind the scenes of Wicked: For Good with cinematographer Alice Brooks and co-writer/executive producer Dana Fox, who share the emotional, creative, and technical journey behind bringing this once-in-a-generation musical to the screen. From shooting both Wicked films simultaneously to building 17 soundstages, 73 sets, and even a full lake, Alice and Dana reveal how director Jon M. Chu’s vision...

Emmy-winning icon Kelly Bishop, best known as the sharp-tongued, scene-stealing Emily Gilmore on "Gilmore Girls", joins "In Her Words" by Women in Entertainment for a warm, witty conversation on legacy, longevity, and learning to say yes to new chapters. Kelly reflects on her extraordinary career from "A Chorus Line" to "Dirty Dancing" to "Gilmore Girls...

Actress and comedian Abby Elliott joins In Her Words to discuss her breakout role in the new Peacock thriller All Her Fault , her work on The Bear , and what she’s learned from balancing drama, comedy, and family in Hollywood. A former Saturday Night Live cast member, Abby opens up about navigating pressure as the youngest woman ever cast on SNL, the craft of creating depth in her characters, and...

Actor, writer, producer, and director Sarah Drew joins Women in Entertainment’s In Her Words to share how she’s carved her own path in Hollywood - from Grey’s Anatomy and Everwood to producing hit holiday films for Hallmark and Lifetime. Sarah opens up about stepping behind the camera, championing women-led storytelling, and balancing creativity, leadership, and motherhood. Tune in for an inspirin...

Award-winning actor, writer, and director Stephanie Koenig joins In Her Words to talk about her breakout role as Gwen Sanders in FX’s English Teacher, her recent Gracie Award wins, and the power of comedy that feels both sharp and heartfelt. She reflects on how writing her own material transformed her career, the art of physical comedy, and her next chapter behind the camera as a director. Koenig...

Overheard’s evolution from a viral quote account to a cultural juggernaut didn’t happen by accident. In this episode, Overheard VP and “Overheard Historian” Justyna Gawlik and globally touring comedian and host of Hot and Single, Stef Dag, share how they’ve built an authentic, community-driven digital empire that now spans multiple series, live events, and millions of followers. They discuss growi...

Bestselling author Kasie West joins In Her Words to talk about her journey from writing beloved YA novels like Sunkissed and P.S. I Like You to releasing her debut adult romance, We Met Like This . In this conversation, Kasie opens up about finding community as a writer, navigating the evolving publishing landscape, balancing traditional storytelling with modern technology, and why she’s proud to...

Lily Rosenthal is redefining what it means to live a creative, impactful life. A New York Times bestselling author, creator, and restaurateur, Lily shares how she’s blended storytelling, hospitality, and community into a multifaceted career that spans from writing hit children’s books with her dad Phil Rosenthal (Somebody Feed Phil) to leading the revival of Max & Helen’s, herfamily’s iconic L...

New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Weiner joins In Her Words to talk about her latest novel, The Griffin Sisters’ Greatest Hits , and the inspiration behind its music-infused world. We dive into how motherhood, guilt, and the many shapes of family fuel her storytelling, why she writes complex female characters, and what she’s learned from decades in publishing — from writing Good in Bed wh...