Internationally acclaimed artist, poet, author, comedian, and speaker, Alok Vaid Menon joins PRETTYSMART! They share: 
What it was like being bullied as a child and how it impacted them.
Their daily relationship with self acceptance and self hatred.
How transitioning is not about gender for them.
Why they feel the most beautiful when they are telling the truth.
How we are politicizing just being and the impact of that.
Why they think so many people are triggered by the concept of transgender rights.
Their thoughts on color!
Why we all need to be more curious and have more fun.
What dopamine dressing is and how it's beneficial for all of us!
Gendering in fashion and why we should degender it.
How we are all just souls playing dress up.
Questions to ask yourself every day to lead to a happier and more fun filled life.
Why we have to announce progress and look at small changes as big triumphs. 
Why self forgiveness has been the hardest lesson for them.
Why they say their earnestness is their most controversial identity.

Follow Alok on Instagram here! 

Internationally acclaimed artist, poet, author, comedian, and speaker, Alok Vaid Menon joins PRETTYSMART! They share: <ul class="ul1"> <li class="li2">What it was like being bullied as a child and how it impacted them.</li> <li class="li2">Their daily relationship with self acceptance and self hatred.</li> <li class="li2">How transitioning is not about gender for them.</li> <li class="li2">Why they feel the most beautiful when they are telling the truth.</li> <li class="li2">How we are politicizing just being and the impact of that.</li> <li class="li2">Why they think so many people are triggered by the concept of transgender rights.</li> <li class="li2">Their thoughts on color!</li> <li class="li2">Why we all need to be more curious and have more fun.</li> <li class="li2">What dopamine dressing is and how it's beneficial for all of us!</li> <li class="li2">Gendering in fashion and why we should degender it.</li> <li class="li2">How we are all just souls playing dress up.</li> <li class="li2">Questions to ask yourself every day to lead to a happier and more fun filled life.</li> <li class="li2">Why we have to announce progress and look at small changes as big triumphs. </li> <li class="li2">Why self forgiveness has been the hardest lesson for them.</li> <li class="li2">Why they say their earnestness is their most controversial identity.</li> </ul> Follow Alok on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/alokvmenon/?hl=en">here! </a>

There are celebrity interviews, and there are life-changing conversations. On Question Everything, you get both. Journalist Danielle Robay has a rare gift: she makes people feel safe + seen enough to tell the truth. Every week, she draws out the stories the world's most fascinating people rarely get to tell– the heartbreaks, the risks, the controversies, the beliefs they had to unlearn to become who they are and every now and then, their thoughts on the Bravoverse. You'll come for their story. You'll leave rethinking your own.

--------

Danielle is also the creator of the bestselling QUESTION EVERYTHING card game series, which has sparked connection in thousands of living rooms around the world, and the co-executive producer and host of Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club, alongside Reese Witherspoon. Dubbed "The Queen of Questions," she brings both heart and rigor to every conversation — a background in political science, a Gloria Steinem Fellowship, and a mentorship under Larry King, whose legacy of curiosity and connection she's carried forward across more than 8,000 hours of interviews with icons from Taylor Swift to Malala Yousafzai.

There are celebrity interviews, and there are life-changing conversations. On Question Everything, you get both. Journalist Danielle Robay has a rare gift: she makes people feel safe + seen enough to tell the truth. Every week, she draws out the stories the world's most fascinating people rarely get to tell&ndash; the heartbreaks, the risks, the controversies, the beliefs they had to unlearn to become who they are and every now and then, their thoughts on the Bravoverse. You'll come for their story. You'll leave rethinking your own.
--------
Danielle is also the creator of the bestselling QUESTION EVERYTHING card game series, which has sparked connection in thousands of living rooms around the world, and the co-executive producer and host of&nbsp;Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club, alongside Reese Witherspoon. Dubbed "The Queen of Questions," she brings both heart and rigor to every conversation &mdash; a background in political science, a Gloria Steinem Fellowship, and a mentorship under Larry King, whose legacy of curiosity and connection she's carried forward across more than 8,000 hours of interviews with icons from Taylor Swift to Malala Yousafzai.

QUESTION EVERYTHING

Behind every headline is a person + a deeper story. Question Everything with journalist Danielle Robay cuts through social media buzz to uncover the voices, ideas, and cultural moments that shape how we see the world. Each week, she asks bold questions that challenge assumptions and reveal the nuance behind the narratives, inviting you to look closer at the world, and at yourself. Because there's always more to the story.
——
Danielle is also the creator of the bestselling QUESTION EVERYTHING card game series, which has sparked connection and conversation in thousands of living rooms around the world. She's also the co-executive producer (alongside Reese Witherspoon) and host of Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club. With her signature curiosity—dubbed "The Queen of Questions"—and a background in political science, Danielle brings both heart and rigor to every conversation. A Gloria Steinem Fellow and mentee of Larry King, she's carried forward a legacy of curiosity and connection, interviewing icons from Taylor Swift to Malala Yousafzai in more than 8,000 hours of elevated conversation.

The Most Important Relationship is With Yourself: with ALOK

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/9a20a86a-facc-45c4-bac0-b38a01492a3c/transcript

Remember that time on Question Everything when Ginny Clarke said “return to office” ??? The internet was not happy. You all had a lot of thoughts, so we brought her back.

Ginny spent more than a decade recruiting executives at Spencer Stuart before leading executive recruiting at Google, which means she's spent years watching companies decide who gets hired, promoted, paid more and eventually overlooked. Now she's back to revisit the RTO debate, explain why she thinks loyalty can be a trap, and tell us what actually makes someone valuable when AI can write the job description and the resume.

In this episode:
Has Ginny changed her mind about return-to-office, or is she standing on business?
Why Ginny says showing up in person still gives you an advantage.
Why she says “loyalty … is a trap”
What you owe to a job that no longer values you.
How your body can let you know when it’s time to go.
Why “we're a family” may be the number one red flag at work.
If you’re back in the office, how to make it work for you.
Why remote work shouldn’t be a disappearing act.
What companies need to do to earn an employee’s trust.
How to beat AI at its own game when applying for jobs.
The difference between experience, skills and competencies, and why no one knows.
Why Ginny thinks your resume is probably focusing on all the wrong things.
The truth about “ghost jobs” and how 30% of job postings may not be real.
Why credibility at work means more than looking like an expert.
The interview mistake that can make or break your chances.
And the question Ginny thinks everyone should be able to answer: What are you actually good at?

Follow Ginny on Instagram here.

Visit Ginny’s website here.

Book Rec: The Man Who Broke Capitalism by David Gelles

Remember that time on Question Everything when Ginny Clarke said &ldquo;return to office&rdquo; ??? The internet was not happy. You all had a lot of thoughts, so we brought her back.
Ginny spent more than a decade recruiting executives at Spencer Stuart before leading executive recruiting at Google, which means she's spent years watching companies decide who gets hired, promoted, paid more and eventually overlooked. Now she's back to revisit the RTO debate, explain why she thinks loyalty can be a trap, and tell us what actually makes someone valuable when AI can write the job description and the resume.
In this episode:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Has Ginny changed her mind about return-to-office, or is she standing on business?</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why Ginny says showing up in person still gives you an advantage.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why she says &ldquo;loyalty &hellip; is a trap&rdquo;</li>
<li aria-level="1">What you owe to a job that no longer values you.</li>
<li aria-level="1">How your body can let you know when it&rsquo;s time to go.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why &ldquo;we're a family&rdquo; may be the number one red flag at work.</li>
<li aria-level="1">If you&rsquo;re back in the office, how to make it work for you.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why remote work shouldn&rsquo;t be a disappearing act.</li>
<li aria-level="1">What companies need to do to earn an employee&rsquo;s trust.</li>
<li aria-level="1">How to beat AI at its own game when applying for jobs.</li>
<li aria-level="1">The difference between experience, skills and competencies, and why no one knows.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why Ginny thinks your resume is probably focusing on all the wrong things.</li>
<li aria-level="1">The truth about &ldquo;ghost jobs&rdquo; and how 30% of job postings may not be real.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why credibility at work means more than looking like an expert.</li>
<li aria-level="1">The interview mistake that can make or break your chances.</li>
<li aria-level="1">And the question Ginny thinks everyone should be able to answer: What are you actually good at?</li>
</ul>
Follow Ginny on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ginny_clarke">here</a>.
Visit Ginny&rsquo;s website <a href="https://ginnyclarke.com/">here</a>.
Book Rec: <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-man-who-broke-capitalism-how-jack-welch-gutted-the-heartland-and-crushed-the-soul-of-corporate-america-and-how-to-undo-his-legacy-david-gelles/2fd03e52ed460c9f">The Man Who Broke Capitalism</a> by David Gelles

How To Make Yourself Irreplaceable At Work + AI Proof Your Career with Ginny Clarke

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/233d7ca7-98f5-41bf-916b-b4dc015325b2/transcript

Bolin called himself a celebrity stylist on MySpace before he’d styled a celebrity. Then the celebrities started calling. Today, he styles actor Morris Chestnut as well having worked with Danielle Brooks, Tyra Banks, Nene Lekes. He is known for seeing someone’s next before they can see it themselves. But success changed something. The man who once moved without asking permission found himself looking for approval. And while he was still dressing clients, his retail business was collapsing. He lost his home, his car, and his office. Most people had no idea. Celebrity stylist and House of Bolin founder J. Bolin joins Danielle Robay to talk about personal style, imposter syndrome, losing everything while looking successful, and what it takes to build again. In this episode he shares:
How a fake magazine helped J. Bolin book his first celebrity clients.
What styling Morris Chestnut taught him about helping a client take a fashion risk
Why success can make you seek approval, even if you started out fearless
The moment he walked into a wealthy client’s home with $20 in his bank account and questioned whether he belonged
How his retail business collapsed while he was still working as a celebrity stylist
Why clothes can become armor when your life doesn’t match the image people see
How J. Bolin approaches a rebrand: seeing a person’s “next,” never just their “now”
Losing his home, car and office while everyone thought he was thriving.
When clothes become armor instead of personal style.
Why he gives some of his best ideas away for free.
The fashion industry's dirty little secret.
Taylor Swift, Steve Harvey, Crocs and who J. Bolin wants to rebrand.
Why he shares styling ideas and mood boards before anyone hires him
Fashion industry gatekeeping, designer rejections, and what he’s learned from hearing no
His takes on Taylor Swift’s style, Steve Harvey’s fashion, Crocs
The $40 button down you need form Walmart

Follow Jason on Instagram here.

Visit Jason’s website here.

Book Recommendation: The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks

Bolin called himself a celebrity stylist on MySpace before he&rsquo;d styled a celebrity. Then the celebrities started calling. Today, he styles actor Morris Chestnut as well having worked with Danielle Brooks, Tyra Banks, Nene Lekes. He is known for seeing someone&rsquo;s next before they can see it themselves. But success changed something. The man who once moved without asking permission found himself looking for approval. And while he was still dressing clients, his retail business was collapsing. He lost his home, his car, and his office. Most people had no idea. Celebrity stylist and House of Bolin founder J. Bolin joins Danielle Robay to talk about personal style, imposter syndrome, losing everything while looking successful, and what it takes to build again. In this episode he shares:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">How a fake magazine helped J. Bolin book his first celebrity clients.</li>
<li aria-level="1">What styling Morris Chestnut taught him about helping a client take a fashion risk</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why success can make you seek approval, even if you started out fearless</li>
<li aria-level="1">The moment he walked into a wealthy client&rsquo;s home with $20 in his bank account and questioned whether he belonged</li>
<li aria-level="1">How his retail business collapsed while he was still working as a celebrity stylist</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why clothes can become armor when your life doesn&rsquo;t match the image people see</li>
<li aria-level="1">How J. Bolin approaches a rebrand: seeing a person&rsquo;s &ldquo;next,&rdquo; never just their &ldquo;now&rdquo;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Losing his home, car and office while everyone thought he was thriving.</li>
<li aria-level="1">When clothes become armor instead of personal style.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why he gives some of his best ideas away for free.</li>
<li aria-level="1">The fashion industry's dirty little secret.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Taylor Swift, Steve Harvey, Crocs and who J. Bolin wants to rebrand.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why he shares styling ideas and mood boards before anyone hires him</li>
<li aria-level="1">Fashion industry gatekeeping, designer rejections, and what he&rsquo;s learned from hearing no</li>
<li aria-level="1">His takes on Taylor Swift&rsquo;s style, Steve Harvey&rsquo;s fashion, Crocs</li>
<li aria-level="1">The $40 button down you need form Walmart</li>
</ul>
Follow Jason on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/stylistjbolin/">here</a>.
Visit Jason&rsquo;s website <a href="https://www.houseofbolin.com/">here</a>.
Book Recommendation: <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-big-leap-conquer-your-hidden-fear-and-take-life-to-the-next-level-gay-hendricks/7a60712c6826e5a7?ean=9780061735363&amp;bkshp-astro=t">The Big Leap</a> by Gay Hendricks

How to Rebrand Yourself: with Celebrity Stylist J. Bolin

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/8ed9838f-17ec-403d-8036-b4d600503d42/transcript

At 22, Danielle Brooks was being chased through subway stations by Orange Is the New Black fans while still struggling to afford the life her new fame seemed to require. The series helped turn Netflix into a cultural force and made her recognizable around the world, but behind the success, Danielle was afraid to negotiate, afraid of being replaced, and increasingly willing to let other people decide what came next. Now an Oscar-nominated actor, Grammy winner, wife, mother, and host of the podcast The Intermission, Danielle gets strikingly honest about the money, rejection, faith, ambition, and self-doubt that shaped her rise + the power she’s finally ready to claim. In this episode, Danielle shares:


The reality of becoming globally famous before becoming financially stable


Why she was still riding the subway while Orange Is the New Black fans chased her through stations


How the women of Orange Is the New Black were paid compared with the young stars of Stranger Things


Why feeling replaceable kept her from negotiating for the salary she deserved


The moment she realized she had allowed someone else’s fear to direct her career


Why she put her dream of hosting on hold, even after buying her first camera with $356


How Orange Is the New Black helped build Netflix + why Danielle almost turned down the role of Taystee


What she negotiated behind the scenes when the show asked her to appear topless


The Hollywood rooms that made her wonder, “Am I supposed to be here?”


Why losing The Piano Lesson film role made her question God and consider quitting acting


The truth about having to audition for The Color Purple again after earning a Tony nomination for the same role


Why Danielle refused to let her ego cost her the role that earned her an Oscar nomination


What Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg’s approval awakened in “little Dani”


The career milestone that finally made her think, “I’m in this + I’m not going anywhere”


Why she could sing as Sofia or Mahalia Jackson but was terrified to sing as Danielle Brooks


How motherhood, marriage, and faith changed her relationship with ambition and control


The dating rules that helped her recognize her husband + the ones she immediately broke


Why she named her daughter Freeya and the freedom she hopes to pass down to her


Her new podcast, The Intermission, and why she’s finally sharing the parts of herself that acting allowed her to hide

Follow Danielle on Instagram here.

Watch Danielle on InnerMission here.

Book Rec: Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty

At 22, Danielle Brooks was being chased through subway stations by Orange Is the New Black fans while still struggling to afford the life her new fame seemed to require. The series helped turn Netflix into a cultural force and made her recognizable around the world, but behind the success, Danielle was afraid to negotiate, afraid of being replaced, and increasingly willing to let other people decide what came next. Now an Oscar-nominated actor, Grammy winner, wife, mother, and host of the podcast The Intermission, Danielle gets strikingly honest about the money, rejection, faith, ambition, and self-doubt that shaped her rise + the power she&rsquo;s finally ready to claim. In this episode, Danielle shares:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
The reality of becoming globally famous before becoming financially stable
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Why she was still riding the subway while Orange Is the New Black fans chased her through stations
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
How the women of Orange Is the New Black were paid compared with the young stars of Stranger Things
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Why feeling replaceable kept her from negotiating for the salary she deserved
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
The moment she realized she had allowed someone else&rsquo;s fear to direct her career
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Why she put her dream of hosting on hold, even after buying her first camera with $356
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
How Orange Is the New Black helped build Netflix + why Danielle almost turned down the role of Taystee
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
What she negotiated behind the scenes when the show asked her to appear topless
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
The Hollywood rooms that made her wonder, &ldquo;Am I supposed to be here?&rdquo;
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Why losing The Piano Lesson film role made her question God and consider quitting acting
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
The truth about having to audition for The Color Purple again after earning a Tony nomination for the same role
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Why Danielle refused to let her ego cost her the role that earned her an Oscar nomination
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
What Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg&rsquo;s approval awakened in &ldquo;little Dani&rdquo;
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
The career milestone that finally made her think, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m in this + I&rsquo;m not going anywhere&rdquo;
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Why she could sing as Sofia or Mahalia Jackson but was terrified to sing as Danielle Brooks
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
How motherhood, marriage, and faith changed her relationship with ambition and control
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
The dating rules that helped her recognize her husband + the ones she immediately broke
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Why she named her daughter Freeya and the freedom she hopes to pass down to her
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Her new podcast, The Intermission, and why she&rsquo;s finally sharing the parts of herself that acting allowed her to hide
</li>
</ul>
Follow Danielle on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thedaniellebrooks/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/thedaniellebrooks/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1790199820495000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2AfuY8GwDUJrSs4ia8pStA">here</a>.
Watch Danielle on InnerMission <a href="https://www.instagram.com/theinnermissionpodcast/?hl=en" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/theinnermissionpodcast/?hl%3Den&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1790199820495000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3QfEvo2aQ-H5CSybAtG6Ip">here</a>.
Book Rec: <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/think-like-a-monk-train-your-mind-for-peace-and-purpose-every-day-jay-shetty/e120a53c2029a553?ean=9781982134488&amp;next=t&amp;&amp;utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_campaign=dsa_nonbrand&amp;utm_content=%7Badgroupname%7D&amp;utm_term=aud-1721779758455:dsa-19959388920&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=12440232635&amp;gbraid=0AAAAACfld41M3wuzpOGhtuM76TYexvRiH&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwq8PVBhAKEiwA2i3SHZcDgeqKM9Fv-jx0jyChEfBuKMpmwvXg-6C1-4BJtcQLFid-CSQZthoCDKQQAvD_BwE" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://bookshop.org/p/books/think-like-a-monk-train-your-mind-for-peace-and-purpose-every-day-jay-shetty/e120a53c2029a553?ean%3D9781982134488%26next%3Dt%26%26utm_source%3Dgoogle%26utm_medium%3Dcpc%26utm_campaign%3Ddsa_nonbrand%26utm_content%3D%257Badgroupname%257D%26utm_term%3Daud-1721779758455:dsa-19959388920%26gad_source%3D1%26gad_campaignid%3D12440232635%26gbraid%3D0AAAAACfld41M3wuzpOGhtuM76TYexvRiH%26gclid%3DCjwKCAjwq8PVBhAKEiwA2i3SHZcDgeqKM9Fv-jx0jyChEfBuKMpmwvXg-6C1-4BJtcQLFid-CSQZthoCDKQQAvD_BwE&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1790199820495000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2iXIaE6qH8QYkxIDcO3Jec">Think Like a Monk</a> by Jay Shetty

What Does it Take to Be One of The Greats? with Danielle Brooks

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/e11c381b-a33e-4a98-ac02-b4cf00027117/transcript

The Most Important Relationship is With Yourself: with ALOK

In 1 playlist(s)

QUESTION EVERYTHING

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips