From a video rental store to a corner office at Netflix. Emma sits down with Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos as he reveals how he built one of the most influential companies in the world — and the leadership lessons he’s learned along the way.
You’ll hear Ted’s insights on:
Taking bold risks and trusting your gut
Making the toughest decisions as a leader
Why values and vision matter more than algorithms
How to keep innovating even when you’re on top
Ted’s story is a masterclass in leadership, resilience, and ambition for anyone looking to grow in their career or business.
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1:24:44
What We Can Learn from Failure with Ami Colé Founder, Diarrha N’Diaye
What does it really take to build a brand from scratch — and what happens when you have to close the doors?
In this candid conversation, Emma sits down with Diarrha N’Diaye, founder of the beloved beauty brand Ami Colé, to talk about the highs of launching a cult-favorite company and the heartbreak of shutting it down. Diarrha shares the behind-the-scenes realities of raising capital, entering major retailers, and navigating the pressure that comes with being one of the few Black women to raise over a million dollars in venture funding.
She also opens up about resilience, community, motherhood, and why failure can be the most powerful teacher of all.
If you’re an entrepreneur, a dreamer, or simply someone figuring out how to redefine success, this episode will leave you inspired — and a little braver.
To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy
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1:43:03
How People-Pleasing, Perfectionism, And Burnout Are Actually Trauma Responses With Dr. Thema
What’s really holding you back from the life you want? In this powerful conversation, Emma Grede sits down with Dr. Thema Bryant — psychologist, author, and pastor — to unpack the hidden stories, unresolved trauma, and self-sabotaging patterns that keep us from thriving.
Together, they dive into:
Why so many of us are standing on our own wings — and how to stop.
The surprising ways fear of failure (and even fear of success) shapes our choices.
Why women are conditioned to shrink their power — and how to reclaim it.
The lingering scars of the pandemic we still haven’t healed.
Practical tools for setting boundaries, rewriting old narratives, and living whole.
Dr. Thema doesn’t just explain the psychology — she offers real steps for anyone ready to stop running, face the pain, and move from surviving to thriving. If you’ve ever felt exhausted, unworthy, or stuck, this episode will give you the clarity and courage to finally break free.
To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy
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1:43:56
Lessons from Hollywood’s Most Powerful Woman—And How They Can Help You (with Donna Langley)
If you’ve ever walked into a room and felt the weight of being the only one like you, questioned whether you could take bold risks without losing yourself, or wondered how to build a career on your own terms, this is your episode. We dive into the mindset shifts that helped Donna Langley rise from a small town childhood on the isolated Isle of Wight in England with no Hollywood connections to becoming one of the most powerful women in Hollywood. She opens up about the moments of doubt, the gut instincts that overrode the data, and the unpopular decisions that ultimately paid off. She worked on billion-dollar blockbusters like Oppenheimer, Fast & Furious, and Mamma Mia and built her career on resilience, decency as a superpower, and finding your voice in rooms where you’re outnumbered. In her first-ever podcast interview, Donna shares the leadership lessons that helped her champion underdog stories, turn unlikely ideas into global hits, and lead with integrity in an industry famous for chaos. Donna Langley is proof that you can start from anywhere, trust your instincts, and build the career—and the life—you want.
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1:16:39
Why Your Biggest Gambles Must Always Be On Yourself (with Kandi Burruss)
If you’ve ever felt the sting of being underestimated, been told your best ideas were too big, or wondered how to turn the next chapter of your life into a big win, this is your episode. We dive into the emotional highs and lows of being someone who refused to stay behind the scenes, the balance of motherhood and ambition and the gamble of betting on yourself when the stakes feel impossibly high.
You'll hear how Kandi navigated the heartbreak of deals that fell through, leaned into vulnerability to write songs that became cultural anthems, and faced the drama of 'Real Housewives' cameras while protecting her sense of self. Kandi gets real about being a Grammy winning hit maker crafting culture-defining hits like “No Scrubs,” launching businesses out of tough seasons, and the humility hack that keeps her grounded no matter how high she climbs. In this conversation, she shares the blueprint she’s built for making bold moves, trusting your gut, and using every platform—housewives drama, hit records, even home kitchens—to power a life that truly aspires.
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Build the life of your dreams and learn from the world’s most successful people.
Emma Grede, one of America’s richest self-made women, wants you to make the most of your life. On ‘Aspire with Emma Grede', learn through thought-provoking conversations with some of the most successful and smartest minds on the planet, including goop founder Gwyneth Paltrow, investor, philanthropist and former chair of Starbucks Mellody Hobson and international bestselling author and “On Purpose” podcast host Jay Shetty. Each episode will unpack their habits, philosophy and strategies, covering career advice, well-being, psychology and of course how to win in business. The show offers personal stories, data-driven advice, real-world strategies, and the experience you need, to turn your dreams into reality.
Emma Grede is a founding partner and chief product officer of SKIMS and CEO of Good American. She also made history as the first Black woman to serve as an investor on Shark Tank.