She’s Smart

Maria Rowbotham
  • 5.0 (12)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The ”She’s Smart” podcast spotlights incredible women from various walks of life, from moms to professionals like scientists, therapists, and educators. Through fun, unscripted conversations, the show explores their personal journeys, motivations, and passions, offering inspiration and shared wisdom. With a lighthearted tone, it’s a space for women to connect, learn, and enjoy uplifting stories.

  1. 6H AGO

    Dr. Katie Takayasu – Is It Stress… or Is It Perimenopause?

    Perimenopause. Hormones. Anxiety. Sleep changes. Night sweats. Brain fog. If you’ve been wondering, “Is this just stress… or is something actually shifting?” — this episode is for you. Today I’m joined by Dr. Katie Takayasu, integrative medicine physician and founder of Wellness Insights in Darien, Connecticut. Dr. Katie blends traditional Western medicine with evidence-based complementary therapies — including nutrition, acupuncture, lifestyle optimization, and mind-body medicine — to help women navigate perimenopause and menopause with clarity and confidence. In this conversation, we break down: What perimenopause actually is (and why it can begin in your late 30s) The most common early symptoms — from anxiety to sleep disruption Why hormones fluctuate so dramatically during this stage What menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) really means today How strength training, protein, and stress management support long-term health And how to advocate for yourself if you feel dismissed Dr. Katie reminds us that this transition isn’t something to “just get through.” With the right tools and support, women can feel strong, steady, and informed through it.   https://wellnessinsights.com/   This episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider regarding your individual needs.

    43 min

  2. JAN 29

    Catherine Morrissey — Legacy in Motion

    Catherine Morrissey is the President of White & Warren, the luxury cashmere brand known for timeless essentials and uncompromising quality. In this episode, Catherine shares what it’s like to lead a heritage brand founded by her mother while guiding it into its next chapter — thoughtfully, intentionally, and with a deep respect for craft. We talk about Catherine’s path from Calvin Klein to the family business, how she’s helped modernize White & Warren without losing its soul, and the behind-the-scenes thinking behind the brand’s recent rebrand. Catherine opens up about navigating generational transition, scaling a business while staying detail-driven, and why evolution should feel like an invitation — not a disruption. Our conversation also explores the launch of new categories like Clubhouse and outerwear, how White & Warren is redefining everyday luxury, and what it means to create pieces designed for real life — versatile, lasting, and deeply wearable. Along the way, Catherine reflects on leadership, discipline, building strong teams, and how she finds balance in the midst of growth and change. This episode is a thoughtful conversation about legacy in motion, modern leadership, and the quiet confidence it takes to move forward with intention. whiteandwarren.com

    31 min

  3. JAN 15

    Ginger Richardson — The Power of Sauna, Cold Plunge & Community

    In this episode, I’m joined by Ginger Richardson, founder of Kiin Sauna, a mobile wood-burning sauna and cold plunge experience based in Fairfield, Connecticut. Ginger shares why she started Kiin, what it really looks like to build a business from scratch as a single mom, the physical and mental benefits of sauna and contrast therapy, the ancient roots of sauna culture, and how collaboration and community are at the heart of what she’s building. We also talk about fear, growth, reinvention, and what’s next for Ginger and Kiin. https://www.kiinsauna.com/

    35 min

  4. 12/18/2025

    Donnie Soddu – Energy, Intuition, and Modern Healing

    In this episode of She’s Smart, Maria sits down with Donnie Soddu, founder of High Light Rituals and a shamanic practitioner whose work bridges science, intuition, and healing in a truly thoughtful way. Donnie’s path is anything but linear. With a background in neuropsychology, research, and the corporate world, she once studied perception, sensory experience, and how humans understand reality—before eventually being called toward energy work, shamanic healing, and creating jewelry infused with intention. In this wide-ranging and deeply grounded conversation, we explore what shamanic practice really is (and what it isn’t), how energy can be infused into objects, and how intuition shows up in everyday life—often in ways we don’t immediately recognize. Donnie shares how motherhood became a turning point in her spiritual journey, why healing doesn’t have to look mystical to be meaningful, and how working with energy can bring clarity, calm, and balance rather than fear or overwhelm. This episode is not about having all the answers—it’s about curiosity, listening, and being open to the many ways we experience the world. Whether you’re spiritually curious, firmly science-minded, or somewhere in between, this conversation offers a refreshing, intelligent perspective on healing, intention, and connection. https://highlightrituals.com/

    1h 18m

  5. 12/04/2025

    Michelle Yun Mapplethorpe - Making Art Accessible

    In this episode, I sit down with Michelle Yun Mapplethorpe — Director and Chief Curator of the Katonah Museum of Art — for a conversation that opens up the world of art in the most accessible, inspiring way. Michelle shares her path through MoMA, the Asia Society Museum, global exhibitions, and creative work that has taken her around the world. We talk about how to truly see art, how to start collecting it, why galleries shouldn’t feel intimidating, and what a curator really does. We also explore the power of the senses, the magic of travel, and how art reflects the world around us. Plus, Michelle gives us a behind-the-scenes look at her current Shen Wei exhibition and a beautiful upcoming project tied to the 250th anniversary of American independence. It’s thoughtful, energizing, and full of insight. https://www.katonahmuseum.org/ https://www.bedfordnewcanaanmag.com/blog-posts/the-katonah-museum-of-art-you-cant-spell-museum-without-u-and-me

    45 min

  6. 11/20/2025

    Samantha Yanks - A Conversation About Purpose, Creativity & Community

    Today on She’s Smart, I sit down with media strategist and founder Samantha Yanks, whose 25-year career spans Vogue, O, The Oprah Magazine, Hamptons, and Gotham. We talk about her transition from legacy media to building The Connecticut Edit with her daughter, the importance of community, and why AI—when used intentionally—can actually amplify human connection. Samantha shares her perspective on intuition, reinvention, leadership, and creating work that people want to return to. It’s a conversation about purpose, creativity, and the power of women supporting women. https://www.theconnecticutedit.com/

    52 min
  7. Karen Ackley - A Life of Leadership, Service, and Extraordinary Purpose

    11/13/2025

    Karen Ackley - A Life of Leadership, Service, and Extraordinary Purpose

    Karen Ackley spent more than 30 years inside the Central Intelligence Agency, rising into the CIA’s Senior Intelligence Service — the highest leadership level in the Agency. She served as Deputy Chief of Station in Europe and the Middle East, Deputy Chief of Operations in the Counterterrorist Center, and Executive Assistant to the Director of the CIA. She later spent 28 months in Baghdad as the senior intelligence advisor to a four-star general, helping protect U.S. and allied forces. In this episode, Karen shares: How she was recruited into the CIA in college What it’s really like inside an Agency most people only see in movies Her experience working in a war zone The decisions and tradeoffs women make when careers become all-consuming Her story is bold, surprising, and deeply human.

    1h 11m
  8. Ellen Scherer Crafts - Storytelling, Strategy & Building a Creative Life

    10/23/2025

    Ellen Scherer Crafts - Storytelling, Strategy & Building a Creative Life

    In this episode of She’s Smart, Maria sits down with Ellen Scherer Crafts — producer, storyteller, and creative force behind the Emmy® Award-winning documentary Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street. Ellen shares her incredible journey from producing live boxing matches for HBO and Caesars Entertainment to leading global experiential events and founding Macrocosm Entertainment with her husband, Trevor. Together, they’ve built a career around heart, strategy, and storytelling — and Ellen’s insights on creativity, resilience, and collaboration are as inspiring as they are real. Now based in Weston, Ellen is channeling that same creative spirit into her podcast Yard to Table, a celebration of local living, food, and community. It’s a conversation about building something meaningful — at work, at home, and in the moments in between. https://macrocosm.tv/

    54 min
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Trailers

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

The ”She’s Smart” podcast spotlights incredible women from various walks of life, from moms to professionals like scientists, therapists, and educators. Through fun, unscripted conversations, the show explores their personal journeys, motivations, and passions, offering inspiration and shared wisdom. With a lighthearted tone, it’s a space for women to connect, learn, and enjoy uplifting stories.

Information

  • Creator
    Maria Rowbotham
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    44
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    She’s Smart

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