An enlightening conversation with two women who have made it part of their life's mission to give people a better understanding of women who choose not to have children—and to dispel some of the myths that surround those decisions (Gosh, she must have had a terrible childhood...) Dr. Amy Blackstone is Professor of Sociology at the University of Maine. Her book Childfree by Choice (Dutton, 2019) offers a definitive investigation into the history and growing movement of adults choosing to forgo parenthood.  Meghan Daum is the author of five books, including the New York Times bestseller, Selfish, Shallow & Self-Absorbed: Sixteen Writers On The Decision Not To Have Kids. She has written for  magazines including The New Yorker, The New York Times Magazine and The Atlantic.  Meghan also hosts The Unspeakable Podcast.

SheSez with Linda Grasso

Why We Need To Better Understand Women Who Choose Not To Have Kids

10-time Emmy nominee Jerilynn Stephens, who heads up the hair department for The Voice (NBC) and Legendary (HBO Max), doles out advice on that thing we care so ridiculously much about: our hair. Topics include styles and remedies for thinning hair; advice for coloring your own hair; the best non-dye products for covering up grey; the latest in weaves and extensions; and the most comfortable, natural looking wigs. Jerilynn, who is a cancer survivor, also shares what she hopes will be a cautionary tale. When Jerilynn’s health began to fail, she (and her doctor) thought she was just experiencing symptoms of perimenopause or menopause, when her symptoms were actually due to ovarian cancer.

When Your Hair Just Isn't Cutting It

Photographer Sherry Rain Barnett has captured some of the most iconic legends in music— from rock to pop…from disco to punk: Prince, Sting, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, Joni Mitchell, Carole King, James Taylor, Judy Collins, Janis Joplin—the list is endless. In this episode, Sherry shares some of the stories of behind the images she's taken at live music venues over the past 50 years, and about her new book Eye of the Music: The Photography of Sherry Rayn Barnett: New York to LA, 1969-1989.  A visceral trip down memory lane, it is a stunning collection of more than 200 images of performers, all shot on film, some of which have never been seen.

The Stories Behind The Images Of Our Fave Singers & Bands w/ Photographer Sherry Rayn Barnett

Relationship expert Liz Pryor joins Linda for an exploration into the notion of having and being with a soul mate. Is there such a thing? How do you know if you are with yours? And: how to find one. Plus how to cultivate a soul mate-like relationship with your partner.

Are You With You Soul Mate?

Everyone, it seems, is using powdered collagen these days. Jennifer Aniston, the face of one of the more popular brands, glows in the ads. Nutritionists and social media influencers wax about its merits. But where is the proof—the research—that says edible collagen works for anti-aging? In this episode, Linda tries to find out, journeying from the National Institute of Health all the way to the University of Washington, where she discovers an expert in the field of collagen as it relates to the human body: scientist/biochemist David M. Hudson. Also discussed: topical collagen.

Does Powdered Collagen Really Work?

Tips and coping strategies for The Sandwiched Generation— middle-aged adults who are caring for both their aging parents and their own children—from Laurie James, author of  Sandwiched: A Memoir of Holding on and Letting Go. Laurie shares about her journey of raising four teenagers, while at the same time, caring for her mom who suffered from dementia. Laurie touches on the importance of support groups; how to choose a caretaker (and let one go); that delicate task of helping your parents get their affairs in order; dealing with siblings who have different opinions—and more. .

First Your Kids, Now Your Aging Parents: Grappling w/Caretaker Burnout w/Laurie James

For most of her life, actress Shannon Kenny Carbonell was on a mission: trying to become a famous actress. Though she underwent extensive training and education and ultimately became a successful working actress, she never quite achieved the status that she envisioned. And when, as the wife of actor Nestor Carbonell (Lost), she had two kids, everything changed. Shannon essentially lost her career drive. In this episode, Shannon candidly shares her struggles—the juggle of motherhood vs. career, the regret over taking herself out of the career game and how she finally came to terms with her decision, crafting a new story for herself—with new dreams—as a devoted wife and mother and an author. Shannon has written a new book based on her experiences:  All is not LOST: How I Friended Failure on the Island and Found a Way Home.  

How To Let Go Of Old Dreams & Create New Ones w Shannon Kenny Carbonell

Five-time Emmy award-winning costume designer Marina Toybina shares about her journey as the child of Russian immigrants who taught herself to sew at the age of 8—to becoming one of the most sought-after behind-the-scenes professionals in Hollywood. Marina dishes on everything from designing dazzling couture ensembles for the likes of Carrie Underwood and Britney Spears to her current gig: creating the elaborate, celebrity-concealing costumes for the FOX reality TV show The Masked Singer.

The Masked Singer Emmy Award Winning Costume Designer Marina Toybina

Megan Retterath, Chief Medical Officer of Next Health shares about the progressive practice of ordering and paying for your own diagnostic tests—tests which can assess things like vitamin deficiencies, gut health, micronutrient levels, diet issues, cortisone levels (stress) etc.  She also details some cutting edge treatments like stem cell injections, hormone therapy and IV therapy.   Next Health, which has outlets in New York and Los Angeles, typically treats people who aren’t getting relief or answers from traditional medicine. Or they simply want more  knowledge about their body and their overall health;  they don’t want to wait until they get sick or are in the ER to find out something is wrong with them. 

What The World's Most Progressive Women Are Doing For Health & Wellness

After a 30-year TV producing career which included co-creating The Daily Show, as well as Emmy and Peabody Awards, Madeleine Smithberg walked away from it all to follow her heart—literally. With a lifelong passion for food, Madeleine did something she'd dreamed of: she kicked off her own cooking show, Mad In The Kitchen, which seamlessly weaves together her love of cooking with her keen sense of humor. During the pandemic, she also moved from New York to Seattle to marry a man she hadn't seen in 20 years, the love of her life who broke her heart back in her twenties.  Madeleine also dishes on the early years of producing all those funny cooking segments for Late Night With David Letterman (remember those hilarious ones with Julia Child?); how she persuaded Jon Stewart to host The Daily Show; and how she helped discover several of today's biggest names in comedy like Stephen Colbert and Steve Carell.  Mad In The Kitchen has been featured on numerous national outlets including The Today Show. You can view and subscribe to it on YouTube here.   

The Daily Show Co-Creator Madeleine Smithberg Walks Away From Prolific Producing Career To Turn Camera On Herself

The Varsity Blues scandal blew the lid off the college admissions process two years ago this month. For many parents, the scandal underscored what they already were feeling: the process of getting your kid into a good college is not only challenging, it can be unfair — and even corrupt. With deferrals, postponements and no standardized testing, COVID has made the process even more challenging.  In this episode, college admissions experts Cynthia Muchnick and Jenn Curtis address how to best support your child through the  process as well as how the scandal and Covid have impacted it.  Cynthia and Jenn are the authors of The Parent Compass: Navigating Your Teen's Wellness and Academic Journey in Today's Competitive World— named the number one Best Parenting Audiobook in 2021 by Book Authority.    

Navigating College Admissions In A Post Varsity Blues Scandal & Covid World

In this episode I visit Le Minou in Beverly Hills, a health & wellness center aimed at improving the sexual experience for women, interviewing founder Leslie Busick and chief medical officer OB- GYN Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz. Leslie, who is 28, founded Le Minou after experiencing painful and dissatisfying sex. Le Minou's "spa menu" includes Votiva vaginal restoration, aimed at decreasing pain and The O Shot, aimed at enhancing pleasure. Also offered: free consultations and live online seminars. For $100 off your first treatment, use coupon code LEMINOUXSHESEZ. 

My Visit To A Sex Spa w Le Minou Founder Leslie Busick

40-percent of food in the United States goes uneaten and the majority of that wasted food is fresh produce. On this episode, we examine the growing problem of wasted fresh produce and the negative impact on the environment—from wasting our resources to filling our landfills to the dangerous methane gas emissions.  Andrea Collins, a sustainable food systems specialist for the National Resources Defense Council, joins Linda to discuss what  consumers can do to cut down on fresh produce waste—from refrigerator storage strategies to meal planning to composting. 

Wasted Fresh Produce: The Environmental Impact & How To Reduce It w Andrea Collins

After 30 years in the beauty industry, during which she founded 5 successful brands, Marcia Kilgore is now running what she believes will be her most successful venture yet. Beauty Pie is a subscription beauty club in which members have access to the highest end cosmetics and skincare products in the world at bargain prices. Members pay a monthly membership fee for backdoor access to some of the world’s best fragrance, skin care and cosmetics factories, many of which supply big-name luxury brands that go on to charge sky-high prices once they are stamped with their logo. By cutting out things like fancy packaging, celebrity endorsements and expensive ad campaigns, Beauty Pie is able to side step the huge mark up.  In this episode, Marcia shares how she came up with the innovative concept, how she sources the products all over the world and her 5 absolute favorite "desert island" skincare and anti-aging products. Plus why at 52, after having sold one of her companies (Bliss Spa) to LVMH for millions, the mom of two continues to push herself into the entrepreneurial arena.  If you want to give Beauty Pie a whirl, Marcia has offered a free one month membership to SheSez listeners. Just use the code SHESEZ.

A Beauty Industry Giant Wants You To Stop Paying $50 For A $5 Lipstick w Marcia Kilgore

Naturopathic doctor and acupuncturist Jannine Krause shares what you can do to slow down the aging process on your body. From switching from wine to tequila to eating certain herbs like oregano, Dr. Krause offers strategic suggestions for clean eating, body movement (break out of that exercise routine!) to avoid injury down the road and stress reduction. We also cover some of the latest trends—from juice cleanses to powdered collagen. Dr. Krause is also the host of  The Health Fix  podcast, aimed at encouraging listeners to take charge of their health and well being.        

How To Slow Down The Body's Aging Process w Naturopathic Dr. Jannine Krause

Journalist Linda Grasso hosts candid conversation with fascinating women about the things that matter most: happiness, health and purpose. SheSez is a master class for the modern woman. In her signature unabashed style, the well-known TV broadcaster showcases her seasoned interviewing skills, fueled by a keen sense of what women want to know. With thoughtful cadence and saucy humor, Linda peels back the layers on each guest, giving equal time to successes and failures. Interviewees come from many stages and walks of life, ranging from Fortune 500 executives to forward thinkers to illuminating women who just have it down. Each 30-40 minute episode offers tangible takeaways for the listener: the secrets to living as healthy as possible, getting what you want out of life and achieving success on your own terms.

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SheSez with Linda Grasso

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