We all know and love the mind of Shonda Rhimes. 

She’s the founder of Shondaland and the force behind so many beloved TV series including Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, and How to Get Away with Murder + Bridgerton.

In this episode, Shonda talks about the intentionality behind her shows and explains how having a diverse cast and crew wasn’t so much a matter of choice as it was simply inevitable. She talks about her “unaplogetically feminist upbringing,” and a family that gave their children what they needed to succeed in this world.

Indomitable as Shonda is, it hasn’t always been easy. Jess and Shonda talk about Shonda’s “Year of Yes,” the year in which Shonda said “yes” to the things that terrify her, and the memoir by the same name that she wrote about her experience. 

Shonda’s no stranger to Dominant Stories, and as one might expect from a prolific writer, she has powerful insights to share regarding how she challenged and changed them.

These days, Shonda is unapologetically herself, and still creating amazing television, such as the upcoming Netflix Original series, Inventing Anna. 

This incredible and inspiring conversation is a must-listen!

And to learn how you can support the next generation to have a positive relationship with beauty, visit Dove.com/selfesteem for academically validated tools to help parents, teachers, and mentors tackle tough topics ranging from bullying and poor body image to discrimination.

Please rate, review, subscribe and share Dominant Stories with everyone you know. 

If you want to learn more about Dominant Stories and how you can challenge and change them, visit jessweiner.com or follow Jess on Instagram @imjessweiner. 

You can also email us about your Dominant Stories and how you are changing them - podcast@jessweiner.com or leave us a voicemail at 213 259 3033