Episodes

  • How to Turn Rejection into Your Biggest Advantage (Laney Crowell)

    How to Turn Rejection into Your Biggest Advantage (Laney Crowell)
    Feb 17 2026
    Today on Aspire, Emma sits down with Laney Crowell, founder and CEO of Saie – a brand that consistently has seven products ranked in the top ten at Sephora. Emma and Laney talk about what it really took to build Saie from scratch: the mindset shifts, the operational discipline, the hiring decisions, and the resilience required to scale without a traditional founder background. In this episode, Laney shares: Why rejection isn’t personal and how to use it as fuel What raising capital as a woman actually requires The importance of reference checks and hiring intentionally Why refining consistently beats rushing growth The importance of building a community alongside the brand The rewards and challenges of building a business as a new mother This episode is for anyone who feels “not qualified enough” or “not ready yet” and is building anyway. If this conversation resonated, leave a comment and subscribe for more honest conversations with founders, leaders, and builders on Aspire. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 14 mins
  • Why Execution Matters More Than The Right Idea with Issa Rae

    Why Execution Matters More Than The Right Idea with Issa Rae
    Feb 10 2026
    Issa Rae is entering a new chapter — not from the bottom, but from experience. After disrupting modern television with shows like HBO’s Insecure, building business across multiple industries, and creating some of the most culturally resonant work of the last decade, Issa sits down with Emma for a reflective conversation about power, execution, and what it really means to build something that lasts. Issa isn’t into chasing momentum. She’s moving discernment— navigating the industry on her own terms and only committing to work she genuinely believes in. In this episode, Issa opens up about: Why ideas are meaningless without execution The difference between visibility and real power What it means to “prove yourself again” — even at the top How she decides what not to do in this phase of her career Why money equals creative freedom, not validation The discipline of saying no, protecting her voice, and building on her own terms Her desire to continue to make people’s favorite content. Issa also reflects on leadership, ownership, and the responsibility that comes with influence — especially in an industry that feels like it’s regressing. This conversation is for anyone navigating a new chapter, resisting comfort, or learning that longevity requires a different kind of courage. What resonated most with you from Issa’s journey — her discipline, her clarity, or her refusal to rush? Share your thoughts in the comments and subscribe for more honest conversations on Aspire. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 18 mins
  • Mel Robbins: The One Thing That Actually Matters

    Mel Robbins: The One Thing That Actually Matters
    Jan 6 2026
    In this deeply honest conversation, Mel Robbins sits down with Emma for one of the most raw, generous, and energizing interviews she’s ever given. Fresh off the global success of The Let Them Theory and hosting one of the world’s biggest podcasts, Mel opens up about what’s really behind her “overnight” rise: 16 years of unseen work, fierce mission-driven clarity, and a relentless commitment to helping people live better lives. Together, Emma and Mel unpack everything from success, purpose, jealousy as a directional tool, and the truth about staying grounded when the world explodes around you. Mel shares the surprising mindset practices that changed her life, the one metric she actually tracks in her business, how to build something lasting in a noisy world, and why she believes your next chapter can begin today...no matter your age or circumstances. They also go deep on Mel’s new phase as an entrepreneur, the behind-the-scenes story of building her media company, and the launch of her first consumer product, Pure Genius, a clinical-grade protein shot years in the making. This episode is packed with wisdom, practical tools, and the kind of real talk that will keep you motivated this year. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN: -Why success is timing + mission + relentless consistency -How jealousy can reveal your true path -The #1 mistake creators and entrepreneurs make -The mindset shift Mel uses every single morning -How to stop obsessing about other people’s opinions -Why your biggest chapter may still be ahead of you -The truth about money, debt, and rebuilding from zero -How Mel built a top global podcast without chasing virality -The origin story behind Mel’s new product launch, Pure Genius What hit home for you? Leave a comment with your favorite moment or insight from Mel! And don’t forget to subscribe—it truly helps us grow this community and bring you more powerful conversations. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 28 mins