Aleen Dreksler, co-founder and CEO of Betches Media, joins Simone to reflect on how a $12 WordPress blog created with her childhood best friends grew into an unprecedented cultural force. She shares the origin of Betches’ iconic voice, the leap from pre-med to comedy, the fears and freedoms of coming out of anonymity, and the creative and financial discipline that fueled the company’s 15-year evolution. Aleen also opens up about redefining ambition and learning to trust her own voice, before she and Simone rewind the biggest pop culture moments of 2025, from Bennifer’s breakup to Beyoncé’s historic Grammy win, Taylor Swift's engagement, and the unforgettable Coldplay jumbotron scandal. 

Aleen Dreksler, co-founder and CEO of Betches Media, joins Simone to reflect on how a $12 WordPress blog created with her childhood best friends grew into an unprecedented cultural force. She shares the origin of Betches&rsquo; iconic voice, the leap from pre-med to comedy, the fears and freedoms of coming out of anonymity, and the creative and financial discipline that fueled the company&rsquo;s 15-year evolution. Aleen also opens up about redefining ambition and learning to trust her own voice, before she and Simone rewind the biggest pop culture moments of 2025, from Bennifer&rsquo;s breakup to Beyonc&eacute;&rsquo;s historic Grammy win, Taylor Swift's engagement, and the unforgettable Coldplay jumbotron scandal.&nbsp;

The Bright Side, the hit podcast from Hello Sunshine, is back for a brand new season! Every Monday, join Emmy nominated host, Simone Boyce, as she brings you a dose of culture and inspiration - with celebrity interviews, the latest in health and wellness, smart takes on pop culture, and real conversations with women doing amazing things. The Bright Side is a destination for joy and connection; the show is designed to inspire, educate, and empower women as they navigate everyday challenges and live life to the fullest. 

The Bright Side, the hit podcast from Hello Sunshine, is back for a brand new season! Every Monday, join Emmy nominated host, Simone Boyce, as she brings you a dose of culture and inspiration - with celebrity interviews, the latest in health and wellness, smart takes on pop culture, and real conversations with women doing amazing things. The Bright Side is a destination for joy and connection; the show is designed to inspire, educate, and empower women as they navigate everyday challenges and live life to the fullest.&nbsp;

The Bright Side: A Hello Sunshine Podcast

The Voice of a Generation: How Betches Became a Cultural Force with Aleen Dreksler

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/f0e71ea2-0236-43c6-a932-b3a10138e98d/transcript

It feels like everyone is talking about self care these days. But what's it actually supposed to look like? If you ask the TikTok algorithm, you'll get a lot of 12-step skincare routines, bullet journals and red light masks. But is self care really just about what you buy? Today, our guest Dr. Pooja Lakshmin is going beyond consumerism to talk about how we can add value to our lives...without swiping our credit cards. She's unpacking key lessons from her bestselling book REAL Self Care—from effectively setting boundaries, letting go of self-judgement, and using gratitude to get through even the darkest times. 

It feels like everyone is talking about self care these days. But what's it actually&nbsp;supposed to look like? If you ask the TikTok algorithm, you'll get a lot of 12-step skincare routines, bullet journals and red light masks. But is self care really just about what you buy? Today, our guest Dr. Pooja Lakshmin is going beyond consumerism to talk about how we can add value to our lives...without swiping our credit cards. She's unpacking key lessons from her bestselling book&nbsp;REAL Self Care&mdash;from effectively setting boundaries, letting go of self-judgement, and using gratitude to get through even the darkest times.&nbsp;

It feels like everyone is talking about self care these days. But what's it actually supposed to look like? If you ask the TikTok algorithm, you'll get a lot of 12-step skincare routines, bullet journals and red light masks. But is self care really just about what you buy? Today, our guest Dr. Pooja Lakshmin is going beyond consumerism to talk about how we can add value to our lives...without swiping our credit cards. She's unpacking key lessons from her bestselling book REAL Self Care—from effectively setting boundaries, letting go of self-judgement, and using gratitude to get through even the darkest times. 

Self-Care Is a Lie We’ve Been Sold—Dr. Pooja Lakshmin Explains What Actually Heals Us

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/570823ef-41a9-4dac-9c71-b3db00f75115/transcript

In this episode of The Bright Side, Simone Boyce talks with endocrinologist and Weightless author Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen about GLP-1 medications, food noise, hormones, and why “eat less, move more” doesn’t work for so many people. From epigenetics and menopause to muscle preservation and long-term health, this conversation reframes weight loss as body recomposition—and replaces shame with science.

In this episode of The Bright Side, Simone Boyce talks with endocrinologist and Weightless author Dr.&nbsp;Rocio&nbsp;Salas-Whalen about GLP-1 medications, food noise, hormones, and why &ldquo;eat less, move more&rdquo; doesn&rsquo;t work for so many people. From epigenetics and menopause to muscle preservation and long-term health, this conversation reframes weight loss as body recomposition&mdash;and replaces shame with science.

In this episode of The Bright Side, Simone Boyce talks with endocrinologist and Weightless author Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen about GLP-1 medications, food noise, hormones, and why “eat less, move more” doesn’t work for so many people. From epigenetics and menopause to muscle preservation and long-term health, this conversation reframes weight loss as body recomposition—and replaces shame with science.

Understanding GLP-1 Medications: Hormones, Menopause & the Science Behind the Headlines with Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/2d9fef19-f9f2-4d6b-b032-b3d300fc10ea/transcript

The Bright Side is off this week, but we wanted to revisit one of our favorite episodes. Back in September, Simone sat down with Emmy-nominated actor Karen Pittman. She touched hearts last summer with Netflix's Judy Blume remake, Forever, and in the fall, she shook things up in the fourth season of The Morning Show on Apple TV+. After three seasons of watching Karen's character, Mia Jordan, follow the company line even at her own peril, the UBA executive is coming into her own and taking what's hers. It's a thrilling arc for a dynamic character, and one that Karen knows well. Acting was her second-act career, one that she fought for amid the ups and downs of her personal life. After grinding in the business for 20 years, Karen says it's the journey that she appreciates; a journey that has helped her leave imposter syndrome behind and take more risks — in life and her career. You can stream the fourth season of The Morning Show anytime on Apple TV+.

The Bright Side is off this week, but we wanted to revisit one of our favorite episodes. Back in September, Simone sat down with Emmy-nominated actor Karen Pittman. She touched hearts last summer with Netflix's Judy Blume remake, Forever, and in the fall, she shook things up in the fourth season of The Morning Show on Apple TV+. After three seasons of watching Karen's character, Mia Jordan, follow the company line even at her own peril, the UBA executive is coming into her own and taking what's hers. It's a thrilling arc for a dynamic character, and one that Karen knows well. Acting was her second-act career, one that she fought for amid the ups and downs of her personal life. After grinding in the business for 20 years, Karen says it's the journey that she appreciates; a journey that has helped her leave imposter syndrome behind and take more risks &mdash; in life and her career. You can stream the fourth season of The Morning Show anytime on Apple TV+.

Replay: Karen Pittman on The Morning Show's Wild New Season and Leaving Imposter Syndrome Behind

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/e14b24bd-97eb-491d-befd-b3cc0120384a/transcript

The Voice of a Generation: How Betches Became a Cultural Force with Aleen Dreksler

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