165 episodes

PRETTYSMART is a love letter to women with something to say: those with bold thoughts and inquisitive minds. In thought-provoking conversations with some of today’s most dynamic voices – from entrepreneurs and authors to politicians and celebrities – journalist Danielle Robay digs into the hearts, souls, and stories of people who put a new spin on Pretty.
Each week, they tackle a new idea, and hold up a mirror to our culture, asking questions about what works for us and what we can work to change. No topic is off limits – come as you are and join Danielle every Thursday to feel pretty inspired, pretty seen, and best of all: Pretty Smart.

PRETTYSMART PRETTYSMART

    • Arts
    • 4.9 • 222 Ratings

PRETTYSMART is a love letter to women with something to say: those with bold thoughts and inquisitive minds. In thought-provoking conversations with some of today’s most dynamic voices – from entrepreneurs and authors to politicians and celebrities – journalist Danielle Robay digs into the hearts, souls, and stories of people who put a new spin on Pretty.
Each week, they tackle a new idea, and hold up a mirror to our culture, asking questions about what works for us and what we can work to change. No topic is off limits – come as you are and join Danielle every Thursday to feel pretty inspired, pretty seen, and best of all: Pretty Smart.

    Transform Your Relationships: The Art of Listening with Julie Rice of Peoplehood & SoulCycle

    Transform Your Relationships: The Art of Listening with Julie Rice of Peoplehood & SoulCycle

    Julie Rice and Elizabeth Cutler founded SoulCycle in 2006 along and sold it in 2011 (for approximately 90 million dollars each). Now they have launched what they are calling a workout for your relationships- Peoplehood. 60 minute guided groups where you learn to speak freely and listen deeply. Julie joins PRETTYSMART today so share both about her entrepreneurial journey and why becoming a better listener as changed the trajectory of her life. She shares:
    How working in Hollywood really helped her when it came to creating SoulCycle. Why SoulCycle resonated and how it changed the game in creating exercise as a lifestyle. Why she chose to go back to work right after selling SoulCycle for 90 Million dollars.  Her new company Peoplehood - and why you need this “workout” for your relationships. Why she thinks we are all over our phones and coming to the end of the scroll. The one thing she does every week to “slow time”  that has changed every relationship in her life.  What higher listening is and how it helps you go from ego to empathy. Why you aren’t as good of a listener as you think you are - and some red flags to help you spot it. Why listening is a practice and how you can (and should!) strengthen it. The practices that changed her marriage and her business relationship with her co-founder. Follow Julie here
    Sign up for Peoplehood (in person or virtually) here

    • 49 min
    Life is for The Living: with Nora McInerny

    Life is for The Living: with Nora McInerny

    Nora McInerny is an author, speaker and host of “Terrible, Thanks for Asking” - a podcast that lets people be honest about the hard things in life. Nora lost her husband, Aaron when she was just 32 years old and is currently remarried and raising a blended family. Today she shares: 
    What it was like finding out her boyfriend had a brain tumor after about a year of dating - and why deciding to marry him was the best decision she ever made.  How she coped with grief and what she wishes she would have done differently. Why it’s so important to be honest with those close to you about how you’re doing. How she and her window’s family have maintained such a close bond and why that is sadly not always the case. How her current husband and kids make space for her husband who passed. How she continues to celebrate her husband Aaaron and keep his memory alive. How she has been able to use humor to deal with all of the painful things she’s experienced.  Why time is almost meaningless to her now. Dealing with extreme burnout and how she’s navigating it. Why she wishes she had more compassion for herself. Why Parenthood is the biggest examination of your own ego. Follow Nora here
    Grab a copy of Nora’s books here 
    Recommended books from Nora: 
    On Our Best Behavior -  Elise Loehnen The Four Agreements - Don Miguel Ruiz Man’s Search for Meaning - Victor Frankl  

    • 1 hr 6 min
    Releasing The Shameful Parts Of Your Story with Emmy-nominated writer Chelsea Devantez

    Releasing The Shameful Parts Of Your Story with Emmy-nominated writer Chelsea Devantez

    Chelsea Devantez is an Emmy-nominated writer, comedian, director, and host of the podcast Glamorous Trash. She was Jon Stewart’s Head Writer for Apple TV+'s The Problem with Jon Stewart and has also written for Not Dead Yet, Girls5Eva, and Bless this Mess, among others. Chelsea’s memoir “I Shouldn’t Be Telling You This (But I’m Going to Anyway) is out now and today she returns to PRETTYSMART to talk all about it! She shares: 
    Why courage for her to tell her story publicly was the last resort (but why she’s so glad she decided to do so!) Why it’s important to share real and relatable stories of domestic violence, and why there is so much red tape around survivors being able to tell their truth.  How her relationship with her mom was impacted by writing her own memoir.  What she learned not to do from all the other memories she’s talked about on her podcast. What it was like finding out she was conceived via a sperm donor when she was 14 years old.  Why it’s so important to tell young girls they are special and what that did for her as a kid.  The duality of resilience and why she’s learning to tell people when she’s not alright. Why the best people to help you in your career and life are right beside you. Her best tips for getting ahead in your career.  What makes the best kind of wedding and her relationship with her husband.  Links:
    Follow Chelsea here Grab a copy of her book here

    • 1 hr 6 min
    Stop Resisting Your Own Intuition + Live a “Yes, And” Life with Ego Nwodim

    Stop Resisting Your Own Intuition + Live a “Yes, And” Life with Ego Nwodim

    Comedian, Writer and star of Saturday Night Live, Ego Nwodim, joins PRETTYSMART! She shares:
    What it means to live a “Yes, And” life Auditioning for SNL even though she wasn’t sure she wanted the role (and the key reason she thinks she got the job) Life at SNL ( the most anxiety inducing days of the week) How Keenan Thompson helped her believe in her own intuition  How she balances her schedule and dating How she never even wanted to take improv in the first place How improv has helped make her a better person Follow Ego here
    Alexandra’s Consulting Website: https://www.alexandramandersonconsulting.com/

    • 50 min
    Embrace the Breakdowns + Build a Life and Business You Love with Kathleen Griffith

    Embrace the Breakdowns + Build a Life and Business You Love with Kathleen Griffith

    Author of “Build Like a Woman” +  award-winning, self-made serial entrepreneur,  Kathleen Griffith is here. She’s sharing everything you need to know about building both a life AND a business you love! 
    Kathleen works with Fortune 500 brands, directing more than $500M in marketing dollars and generating more than one billion dollars on behalf of clients ranging from NIKE to NBC Sports to Verizon. Her passion is to further the next generation of women entrepreneurs and help them architect the life of their dreams.
    She shares:
    The moment she knew she was “done and ready” to start living a louder more authentic life.  Why she chooses to celebrate breakdowns (and why you should too!) The X-factor women have when it comes to business. Why money is all about mindset (for real!) Her tips for success when paying for coaches or having a mentor aren’t an option. The common denominator in successful businesswomen.  Why it’s okay to be fearless and fearful at the same time.  Why we need to look at building a great life and a great business simultaneously instead of compartmentalizing them.  What Barbara Corcoran said about her book! Follow Kathleen here
    Grab her book here.

    • 51 min
    Release Stress and Trauma From Your Body (Get Out of Functional Freeze) Using Somatic Healing with Liz Tenuto (The Workout Witch)

    Release Stress and Trauma From Your Body (Get Out of Functional Freeze) Using Somatic Healing with Liz Tenuto (The Workout Witch)

    The Workout Witch, Liz Tenuto, joins PRETTYSMART to teach us how to release trauma and get rid of chronic pain through somatic exercises and therapy.  With a Degree in Psychology from UCSB, somatic certifications in Feldenkrais and Pilates with a specialization in injuries & pathologies, and 15 years of teaching experience, she's been changing the conversation around how trauma and anxiety affect the body for 15 years. She shares: 
    What it means if you scroll on your phone for an hour at night
    Her personal journey with chronic pain and how she discovered somatic exercises.
    Why any pain longer that does not heal after 3 months is trauma stored in the body.
    Signs you have stress stored in your body.
    How to differentiate stored trauma from muscle injury
    What a functional freeze is and signs that you are in one (and why it often mimics depression)  
    What parts of the body different emotions are stored in. 
    Why there’s an overlap between signs of ADHD and nervous system dysregulation from trauma. 
    Revenge Sleep Procrastination: What it is and what it means for your nervous system. 
    Why you should stop doing cold plunges. 
    Follow Liz on Instagram
    Explor Liz’s Online Courses

    • 45 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
222 Ratings

222 Ratings

PSantoro ,

It’s Pretty Smart to question everything

Danielle is more than a question-asker. She’s a personable, relatable LISTENER . She’s not afraid to admit she’s striving to be a better person, admit her perceived short-comings (I.E. saying no more often) while encouraging her listeners to look inside themselves and improve along with her. Now she’s breaking silence on egg freezing. She’s outspoken without being preachy. I root for her and she’s right on a lot of things, I.e. “today is a great day to have a great day!”

Lisa Pavic ,

Intrigued and inspired

Danielle explores topics that mean something to me and she keeps it entertaining. Her angle of “pretty _____” certainly connects to my evolving experiences as an educator, mom, wife, athlete, etc. Always feel like her show topics are great conversation starters with friends and colleagues and it’s an easy listen for my long walks.

Amc928 ,

Always inspiring

Discovered Danielle after she was a guest on Financial Feminist, and this has rapidly become one of my indispensable weekly listens. Her conversational style and choice of guests is unique, I always find myself learning something new!

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