Bestselling author Tia Williams (Seven Days in June, A Love Song for Ricki Wilde) sits down with Danielle Robay for a juicy, unfiltered conversation about love, dating, and why modern romance is more complicated than ever. From her days as the first Black beauty editor at Glamour to writing the books she wishes existed, Tia shares how her own experiences—including how dating a "charismatic psycho"—shaped her novels.
What modern women are craving in love stories and why "friends to lovers" isn't enough
The end of 'Build-a-Bear Boyfriends' – why she refuses to write women who raise men
Soft girl era vs. emotional labor: Why women still want to be "saved" (but in a new way)
How romance novels went from 'milky-thighed virgins' to complex, powerful heroines
Tia's real-life whirlwind love story (spoiler: she knew instantly!)
Her go-to beauty tip from her magazine days that actually works
The biggest mistake writers make when trying to capture romance

Follow Tia on Instagram

Grab a copy of Tia's latest book Audre & Bash Are Just Friends  here.

Book Reccomendation: The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

Bestselling author Tia Williams (Seven Days in June, A Love Song for Ricki Wilde) sits down with Danielle Robay for a juicy, unfiltered conversation about love, dating, and why modern romance is more complicated than ever. From her days as the first Black beauty editor at Glamour to writing the books she wishes existed, Tia shares how her own experiences—including how dating a "charismatic psycho"—shaped her novels. <ul class="ul1"> <li class="li2">What modern women are craving in love stories and why "friends to lovers" isn't enough</li> <li class="li2">The end of 'Build-a-Bear Boyfriends' – why she refuses to write women who raise men</li> <li class="li2">Soft girl era vs. emotional labor: Why women still want to be "saved" (but in a new way)</li> <li class="li2">How romance novels went from 'milky-thighed virgins' to complex, powerful heroines</li> <li class="li2">Tia's real-life whirlwind love story (spoiler: she knew instantly!)</li> <li class="li2">Her go-to beauty tip from her magazine days that actually works</li> <li class="li1">The biggest mistake writers make when trying to capture romance</li> </ul> Follow Tia on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tiawilliamswrites/?hl=en">Instagram</a> Grab a copy of Tia's latest book Audre & Bash Are Just Friends <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/audre-bash-are-just-friends/81d29bb85b72e809?ean=9780316511087&next=t&next=t"> here</a>. Book Reccomendation: The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

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.

QUESTION EVERYTHING

Tia Williams on What We Want Out of Modern Romance + Why She'll Never 'Raise a Man'

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/c486cf20-2fc0-4e63-a200-b38a013851bf/transcript

What if the version of success you’ve been chasing was inherited, not consciously chosen? In this episode, Brooke Taylor, former Google Marketing Lead turned career coach and author argues that many ambitious women are unknowingly suffering from what she calls “the success wound”: the belief that our worth has to be earned through achievement. From elite schools to prestigious careers, we’re taught to chase accomplishment as the path to freedom. But what happens when you finally get there… and still feel empty? Brooke opens up about how her own success nearly destroyed her career at Google and shattered her sense of self. She also details why achievement can become a coping mechanism, how comparison quietly shapes our identities, and why so many outwardly successful women are falling apart behind the scenes. Brooke shares:
Why high achievers often feel empty after “making it”
The hidden psychological cost of tying self-worth to achievement
Why success can quietly become a coping mechanism
The breaking point that led Brooke to leave Google and completely reevaluate her life
What Healing the Success Wound reveals about burnout, ambition, and identity
The difference between healthy ambition and trauma-driven hustle
The five types of unfulfilled achievers: Grinder, Pleaser, Hider, Seeker & Work Hard Play Hard
Why outward success doesn’t guarantee inner fulfillment
The surprising reason high-achieving women experience more anxiety and burnout
How perfectionism keeps women stuck playing small
Why curiosity (not confidence) may be the real key to healing
Why learning to make decisions with only 51% certainty can transform your confidence and self-worth
The dangerous lie behind “I’ll relax once I get through this season”
How to stop using productivity to prove your worth
Practical ways to rebuild self-worth without losing your ambition

Follow Brooke on Instagram @brookevtaylor

Be sure to check out Brooke’s book Healing the Success Woundhere

What if the version of success you&rsquo;ve been chasing was inherited, not consciously chosen? In this episode, Brooke Taylor, former Google Marketing Lead turned career coach and author argues that many ambitious women are unknowingly suffering from what she calls &ldquo;the success wound&rdquo;: the belief that our worth has to be earned through achievement. From elite schools to prestigious careers, we&rsquo;re taught to chase accomplishment as the path to freedom. But what happens when you finally get there&hellip; and still feel empty? Brooke opens up about how her own success nearly destroyed her career at Google and shattered her sense of self. She also details why achievement can become a coping mechanism, how comparison quietly shapes our identities, and why so many outwardly successful women are falling apart behind the scenes. Brooke shares:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Why high achievers often feel empty after &ldquo;making it&rdquo;</li>
<li aria-level="1">The hidden psychological cost of tying self-worth to achievement</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why success can quietly become a coping mechanism</li>
<li aria-level="1">The breaking point that led Brooke to leave Google and completely reevaluate her life</li>
<li aria-level="1">What Healing the Success Wound reveals about burnout, ambition, and identity</li>
<li aria-level="1">The difference between healthy ambition and trauma-driven hustle</li>
<li aria-level="1">The five types of unfulfilled achievers: Grinder, Pleaser, Hider, Seeker &amp; Work Hard Play Hard</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why outward success doesn&rsquo;t guarantee inner fulfillment</li>
<li aria-level="1">The surprising reason high-achieving women experience more anxiety and burnout</li>
<li aria-level="1">How perfectionism keeps women stuck playing small</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why curiosity (not confidence) may be the real key to healing</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why learning to make decisions with only 51% certainty can transform your confidence and self-worth</li>
<li aria-level="1">The dangerous lie behind &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll relax once I get through this season&rdquo;</li>
<li aria-level="1">How to stop using productivity to prove your worth</li>
<li aria-level="1">Practical ways to rebuild self-worth without losing your ambition</li>
</ul>
Follow Brooke on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/brookevtaylor/">@brookevtaylor</a>
Be sure to check out Brooke&rsquo;s book Healing the Success Wound <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/healing-the-success-wound-align-your-ambition-find-lasting-career-fulfillment-and-end-the-cycle-of-never-enough-brooke-taylor/4d7461464b866da6?ean=9780306836107&amp;next=t&amp;utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_campaign=%7Bcampaignname%7D&amp;utm_content=6443417794&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=16235479093&amp;gbraid=0AAAAACfld40RFQUvK6DtWPZK1DMguUsyQ&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwidXQBhAZEiwA4egw6FEDYbKPB5S40uHDbZp1O5C-25zVngbBN1UvB38XL0PlE9RuVN6S0RoCo6QQAvD_BwE">here</a>

Why High-Achieving Women Can Still Feel Empty With Brooke Taylor (ex-Google)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/899b66c3-9392-426a-8cd1-b458001ac12d/transcript

What if you did everything right… and still weren't seen? NBC News anchor and author Morgan Radford is the kind of person who makes you rethink in real time. From being rejected by every local news station she applied to becoming one of NBC's most trusted correspondents and anchors, Morgan shares the truth behind her success and the moments that almost broke her. Inspired by her debut novel Now Then, this episode centers on the question passed down through generations of women in her family: "Where can we go to be whole?” In this episode, Morgan shares:


The rejection letters she saved + the unpaid 2AM CNN internship that changed everything


Why success doesn't protect you from feeling unseen


The workplace moment she realized she could have a job, but not a career


What it costs to be "the only one in the room"


The love story that came back 12 years later + the pregnancy test she took that same night


Why motherhood made her see the world "in Technicolor"


The emotional inheritance passed down through the women in her family


What writing Now Then forced her to confront about identity and vulnerability


Her take on "fake news" and why journalism is at a breaking point


The line that stopped Danielle in her tracks: "Dreams aren't something you have. Dreams are something you build."

Grab a copy of Morgan’s debut novel Now Then here

Follow Morgan on Instagram @morgankradford

What if you did everything right&hellip; and still weren't seen? NBC News anchor and author Morgan Radford is the kind of person who makes you rethink in real time. From being rejected by every local news station she applied to becoming one of NBC's most trusted correspondents and anchors, Morgan shares the truth behind her success and the moments that almost broke her. Inspired by her debut novel Now Then, this episode centers on the question passed down through generations of women in her family: "Where can we go to be whole?&rdquo; In this episode, Morgan shares:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
The rejection letters she saved + the unpaid 2AM CNN internship that changed everything
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Why success doesn't protect you from feeling unseen
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
The workplace moment she realized she could have a job, but not a career
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
What it costs to be "the only one in the room"
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
The love story that came back 12 years later + the pregnancy test she took that same night
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Why motherhood made her see the world "in Technicolor"
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
The emotional inheritance passed down through the women in her family
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
What writing Now Then forced her to confront about identity and vulnerability
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Her take on "fake news" and why journalism is at a breaking point
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
The line that stopped Danielle in her tracks: "Dreams aren't something you have. Dreams are something you build."
</li>
</ul>
Grab a copy of Morgan&rsquo;s debut novel Now Then <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/now-then-a-novel-morgan-radford/7d1212bab2452180?ean=9780063457836&amp;next=t&amp;next=t&amp;affiliate=397" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://bookshop.org/p/books/now-then-a-novel-morgan-radford/7d1212bab2452180?ean%3D9780063457836%26next%3Dt%26next%3Dt%26affiliate%3D397&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1779407584790000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2x324u_zTU8VTbF6VgmzoL">here</a>
Follow Morgan on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/morgankradford/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/morgankradford/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1779407584790000&amp;usg=AOvVaw34XKmebaRgyhgsYRDBlCwR">@morgankradford</a>

This Is Why Your Dreams Haven’t Happened Yet: Morgan Radford (NBC News) on the Rejection Letters She Kept + the One Yes That Changed Everything

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/54e0397a-2205-416c-b266-b4510000235e/transcript

Movement can change more than your body, sometimes it changes the entire direction of your life. In this episode of Question Everything, Robin Arzón, Vice President of Fitness Programming at Peloton, bestselling author, ultramarathon runner, entrepreneur, and host of the podcast Project Swagger, opens up about leaving behind a successful career in corporate law to build a life centered around movement, reinvention, discipline, and purpose. Robin shares her philosophies on burnout, ambition, motherhood, mental toughness, GLP-1 culture, and learning to live in the uncomfortable space between who you are today… and who you’re becoming next. In this episode, Robin shares:
How she went from corporate lawyer to one of the most recognizable faces in fitness at Peloton
Why women “should” themselves into burnout
The mindset shift that helped her reinvent her life
Her philosophy on discipline, motivation, and mental toughness
The productivity habits she uses to protect her energy and time
Her honest thoughts on GLP-1 medications and modern body image culture
Why motherhood made her more ambitious
The self-talk techniques that helped build her confidence
What endurance training taught her about resilience and mental toughness
Why your feelings “aren’t always telling you the truth”
Why she intentionally schedules “boredom” into her week
The question that helps her overcome imposter syndrome
How to create a life that feels expansive instead of performative
The wellness trends she thinks are actually worth the hype

Make sure to follow Robin on Instagram here and listen to her weekly podcast, Project Swagger.

Movement can change more than your body, sometimes it changes the entire direction of your life. In this episode of Question Everything, Robin Arz&oacute;n, Vice President of Fitness Programming at Peloton, bestselling author, ultramarathon runner, entrepreneur, and host of the podcast Project Swagger, opens up about leaving behind a successful career in corporate law to build a life centered around movement, reinvention, discipline, and purpose. Robin shares her philosophies on burnout, ambition, motherhood, mental toughness, GLP-1 culture, and learning to live in the uncomfortable space between who you are today&hellip; and who you&rsquo;re becoming next. In this episode, Robin shares:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">How she went from corporate lawyer to one of the most recognizable faces in fitness at Peloton</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why women &ldquo;should&rdquo; themselves into burnout</li>
<li aria-level="1">The mindset shift that helped her reinvent her life</li>
<li aria-level="1">Her philosophy on discipline, motivation, and mental toughness</li>
<li aria-level="1">The productivity habits she uses to protect her energy and time</li>
<li aria-level="1">Her honest thoughts on GLP-1 medications and modern body image culture</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why motherhood made her more ambitious</li>
<li aria-level="1">The self-talk techniques that helped build her confidence</li>
<li aria-level="1">What endurance training taught her about resilience and mental toughness</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why your feelings &ldquo;aren&rsquo;t always telling you the truth&rdquo;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why she intentionally schedules &ldquo;boredom&rdquo; into her week</li>
<li aria-level="1">The question that helps her overcome imposter syndrome</li>
<li aria-level="1">How to create a life that feels expansive instead of performative</li>
<li aria-level="1">The wellness trends she thinks are actually worth the hype</li>
</ul>
Make sure to follow Robin on Instagram&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/robinnyc/">here</a> and listen to her weekly podcast, <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/project-swagger-with-robin-arz%C3%B3n/id1877671240">Project Swagger.</a>

She Sent One (Imperfect) Cold Email… Now She Runs the Industry with Robin Arzón (Peloton)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/06c25ccf-259f-4d3c-b87e-b449015b4e63/transcript

Tia Williams on What We Want Out of Modern Romance + Why She'll Never 'Raise a Man'

In 1 playlist(s)

QUESTION EVERYTHING

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips