“Don’t Let Anyone Control You With Money” with Reese Witherspoon

25:07And honestly, it made all the difference. We didn't feel like tourists, we felt like neighbours. That's the kind of experience that stays with you. And it's exactly what makes hosting and travelling through Airbnb so special. It's about the generosity of opening your doors, sharing what you love and building community one stay at a time. Aspiration isn't just about success or ambition. It's about wanting to build a life filled with meaning, connection and generosity. When we invest in our neighborhoods, in our communities and even in how we welcome others into our homes, we're aspiring to a better way of living, one that's rooted in belonging.

25:46Make your getaway stay more special with local experiences and convenient services now on Airbnb. You know that feeling when you finally find the outfit. The one that makes you feel confident, radiant, and like you could walk into any holiday party like it's your own personal runway. That's exactly what Macy's free personal stylists are here for. Seriously, they can turn sometimes the stressful task of holiday dressing into something fun, festive, and totally personal. I don't know about you, but I've had my fair share of outfit block moments right before the big holiday party. And you know this, when you stand in front of your closet and nothing feels right.

26:27That's where a personal stylist can be a total lifesaver. They help you find that main character energy you've been dreaming of pulling out. The outfit that feels completely you, but just elevated. For me, it's usually something with a little sparkle or a signature color that I always love. And getting to work with someone who knows the brands you love and introduces you to some new favorites makes the whole process kind of magical. Macy's personal stylists are like fashion matchmakers. You tell them the vibe you're going for. Twinkly and glamorous, cozy with a little sparkle, sleek and polished, and they will pull together the pieces that make you feel like the best version of yourself.

27:09They know all the decadent details that make holiday outfits stand up. Sequins, lace, velvet, metallic, denim, bows, crystal, you name it. They know all the brands you adore too. Yvette Lafille, On Cezanne, Good American, Levi's Coach, Free People, Michael Kors, BCBG, Anne Klein, Donna Karen, and even some exciting new finds like a rose. And if you're thinking, I don't have time to run to the store, no worries. They can ship your selections right to you. Oh, and did I mention that you'll even get 20 % off your purchase from the first free session? It's like a little holiday treat for yourself.

27:45Plus, Macy's Parade of Deals is going on sale right now. So while your stylist helps you nail the outfit, you can also score amazing offers on jewellery, fragrances and accessories to complete the look. Each day, Macy's drops a hot new deal on a trending item, but only while supplies last. So it's a perfect time to add those finishing touches. So if you've ever had an outfit block moment before a big holiday event, trust me, I've been there. Macy's personal stylists make it easy and holiday fun to find something that makes you feel a little bit like you, but only more fabulous. Book a session online or in store with Macy's free personal stylist, and they'll curate everything from statement looks to the finishing touches.

28:29So fast forward, you create this incredibly dynamic, industry-changing company, and you end up selling the thing for nearly a billion dollars. So how do you know, or how did you know when it was the right time to sell? Okay. Well, timing is everything. As you know, market shift, valuations were really high in 21. It was a really crazy time. Media companies had a frothiness about them. And I thought, this is a good time to bring on a partner. And so we really went into that process. First of all, let me say, I was so grateful for my team because I had this vision, but it didn't work if I didn't have world-class executives around me.

29:14And I got these women to leave their cushy corporate jobs to do something entrepreneurial. And I said, I'm going to give you equity. And they didn't know what that meant. That could be a zero. Quite often is. More often than not. But not for you, Laura. No. And so when we got to the process, another, I'm all about intention, right? And knowing what I wanted from that process. I wanted the best result for my employees, my partners in this, who had believed in my vision and walked with me towards the school. And then I also wanted women in the world to know that their stories mattered and they are valuable.

29:56Women's stories are valuable. Mission accomplished. And that had never really been emphasized in my lifetime. I mean, it really was. It makes me want to cry. I could cry because I feel like there's one thing to set out to try to do something. It's another thing to do it. It's another thing to do it and bring everyone along with you. It's another thing to do it. Bring everyone along with you and make them a load of money at the same time. And so I think kudos to you, Rhys, because you've done something extraordinary with that company. And I've been, you know, in my research, reading a lot about you the last week or so.

30:36and I think it's really interesting because obviously, as you said, you sold at the top of the market. There's been a lot of news about your partner and some comments that have been made there and I think it's kind of interesting because again, you did what was right for you and for your partners and those women that left those cushy jobs. I think about little me starting in this business and going, okay, well, the only opportunity really was to be an actress but I probably would be more suited to be a producer or a writer or a director. Why so? I'm a team builder and I'm not an individual. You know, I'm more of a like, let's all get together and make this.

31:15And that wasn't something that was possible then. Yeah. In 1990 when I started, nobody was talking about female directors. There were no people. There were like three female screenwriters that were successful. When I started in the business, I think it was like 2 % of films were directed by women. Yeah, I don't think you can underestimate that because again, there's so much talk about it now. But it was a very different time then. And it's, again, so much credit has to go to you. But I do think what I love. And Shonda and Mindy. But it's important. You know, you built this company and you sold the company.

31:50And I just wonder what that feels like. Okay. It feels really good. It does. It felt like I was able to do something outside the Hollywood system that had historically been closed door to a lot of different people. So if you tried to have ownership, it was a no. If you tried to be a woman in charge, it was a no. If you were a person of color, forget it. So it just felt like it was breaking a lot of barriers. Yeah. And it was also saying there's a new way to do things. You can also look at things from a different vantage point and use things that you have inherently. That maybe, like, I think fame is like this.

32:27It's not my favorite part of my life, but I could use it towards my advantage. And you have to. Yeah. Yeah, it made so much sense. Is there any part of you that wishes that you'd kept full control of the company? No, I'm really happy with my partnership there. I'm really happy. I've had a great, it's been four years now of still working there and still operating. And it's just been, I've learned even more after selling it. What do you think you've learned since selling the company? Well, definitely reporting structures and all that stuff that I didn't understand. and I'm not sitting in the board meeting going, when they put up the P &L, I'm like, my brain takes a little nap.

33:13Like, I'm going to just stare at the ceiling for a second. And I know that makes me sound like a ditz, but I just know where I'm not additive. And I think one of the best things my friend Sarah Blakely always says is like, don't try to be something you're not. She tried to move into it, right? Yeah. Don't. Yeah. They're not, they didn't hire me to be the CFO. I'm not there to crunch numbers. Absolutely not. And you don't need to be all things. Like that's what I learned, I think, so early in my business journey, because I would walk into these board meetings and I'd feel like everything was on me.

33:49It's like, no, that's why you have a CFO. That's why you have a data person. Like I am not that. And it's so important to learn to lean into your strengths. And I think that all of the great business leaders we know, they happen to be really good at a handful of things and the rest you have to outsource. It's totally fine. But didn't you find as you built your companies, you start to absorb it like as osmosis. You sit on enough meetings. Now I feel completely, I could sit in your board meeting and know exactly what I'd ask. And it's taken me time, but now I feel like there's this feeling of you can't get in there, right?

34:29If you didn't go to business school, you can't start a business and you're never going to be successful and you're never going to sell it. And it's just, that's not true. It's just not true. Well, that's partly one of the reasons. Sarah Blakely, Whitney Wolf, heard at myself. We were all looking at each other one day and we were at one of these conferences. Look at us. You know, you were probably there too. And we're on and we just sat there and we're like, did you go to business school? She's like, no. Did you go to business school? No. Well, you know what it does? It gives you, listen, I think we all learn really differently.

34:54I am like super dyslexic and I learn very specifically because of that. And so I think that there's all different routes to take. And one of the main reasons I wanted to start this podcast is to show some of those ways and actually to show the exceptionality that comes from different people and different ways of thinking because it takes all sorts. And so I really just enjoy that what you bring is going to be very different to what I bring and where there's room for all of it. Yeah. And I think we need people who are out of the box thinkers to insert themselves in different ways. And, you know, and if you look around your company and you don't have an out of the box thinker, you're kind of at a disadvantage.

35:37Oh, you sure are at a disadvantage. So we had Tracee Ellis Ross on this show. Oh, I love her. I mean, she spoke so highly of you. She said that you give the best money advice. So I was like, apparently so. I was like, should I? I'm going to ask her. I am called the treasurer in some groups. You are? I'm like, yes, let's hear more about that. How are we making revenue and how are we allocating it? So what's the one thing that every woman needs to know about money? Oh my God, where do I start? One thing? Well, go on, give us it all. Well, first of all, I learned about money from doing things wrong.

36:12Yes. I don't know a woman, Emma. I do not know a woman who doesn't have a disaster financial story in her past. Facts. Whether it's her, her best friend, her sister, her mom, her grandma, her auntie, she lost all our money. Or she got divorced and she got stuck with the bill. Or whatever financial debt. So much debt. And so I listen to every podcast on finances. I am so interested in financial wellness for women. And just also a lot of what we learn is one course, three days in high school. We're lucky if you get three months. and that was the end of my financial learning. And then I became this woman.

36:55I was making money and I was a young mom and I did not save correctly. I'm in fine. I'm fine. But you mean you're fine. You're not like - I'm fine. I'm great. You're just like, are you not rolling in it like now? Like just fine. I didn't invest properly. I'm not saying that it wasn't, I'm completely fine and I did well, but I could have done amazing if I had learned a few things. And a lot of them are mindsets. Right. About saving, about the steadiness of the stock market and index funds and diversifying your portfolio and making sure that you're looking at treasuries and you're looking at bonds and yields and things that are pretty simple if somebody says them to you in a, like if you're a visual person, you see a visual chart.

37:44I'm a visual person. So every time I talk to people about finances, I need it laid out. I need it laid out and I want cute colors. Yes. I'm just being honest. Notes. I want a pleasing palette and a pie chart. Thanks. Damn right. We know what your business managers are doing. Making this very aesthetically pleasing presentation. They're like, can somebody do the pie chart for Reese? But I love that you say that because it is all pretty simple. But again, we're not always having those conversations and sharing the information. What's the best piece of money advice you think you've been given? Don't get into debt.

38:17do everything you can to not get into debt and pay off those credit cards or don't spend the money like it's yours. It's not yours, girlfriend. Yeah. And that was a really good piece of advice. Don't ever let somebody control you with money. Somebody says, I'll take care of it and I'll take care of you and I'll take care of this. That person could leave. That person can hurt you. you always keep your job your job is your life insurance my mom used to always say that to me and my mom went through some tough stuff in a marriage with finances really tough stuff and so did my grandma not in the marriage but in like a family structure I have this past of women not being taken care of financially and so I think and as a little girl it scars you like literally it's living inside me.

39:11It's in me so deeply and that's why I have a passion for helping women understand and also demystifying it you know. Yeah I feel like the demystifying piece is really really important. Do you are you the type of person that looks after everything yourself or have you kind of outsourced all of that to a team at this point? I have outsourcing but there's frequent check-ins. Same. Weekly. I'm the same. I like to have a enough of that you know it's like one hands on it all the time. Like I'm happy to let the experts be experting, but I need to like, I need it there. Yes. Yeah. I need it there. And then I also need checks and balances.

39:47I need to diversify things so that everything's not in one investment or one savings account. Yeah. But that's it. That's what I did for a long time. That comes from your upbringing. It's like, if nobody teaches you that, you don't know. And you're just like, okay, the money sits all here and it's safe, but it's like, it might be safe, but it's not growing. It's not doing it for you. Right. Right. And most people don't live in a way that savings is even part of their life. Okay. So I'm, I'm very realistic about that. Yes, you have to be. I grew up with my mom and my grandma always saying to me, I don't have any savings.

40:20You know, they did have, my mom has retirement because she worked her whole life doing three and four jobs, including being in the military and being a nurse and working at State University. But you have to think ahead and you have to think about saving as helping your future self. Oh, yes. Absolutely. What you don't spend today, you're saving for your future self. You're saving for 65 year old Emma who doesn't want to have to worry about the gas bill. Yes. Yes. Yeah. I want to relax as an old lady. Me too. Eventually at some point. No. I want to have a glass of wine and sit on a porch. A porch.

40:57I want to come on that porch. We're just going to sit there and tell our stories. Talk shit about all the like, you know. We're going to travel where we want to go. Oh. And our cute kids. Wouldn't it be joyful? Oh my God, we're going to have the best time. There you could be looking after us.

41:17every winter my skin starts to freak out dry patches tightness a few more fine lines showing up in the mirror it's like no amount of moisturizer can keep up that's why i started taking ritual hydrastera skin supplement it supports skin hydration from the inside out which makes so much sense when you think about it because sometimes surface products just aren't enough. After a few weeks on Hire Sarah, I started noticing my skin looked smoother and felt softer. It was like holding on to moisture better. And I really appreciate that Ritual is so transparent about what goes into their products. Everything is vegan, GMO free and tested for heavy metals and common allergens.

41:59So I know I'm getting high quality ingredients without any of the weird stuff. Start Hire Sarah to support your glow without compromising on clean science. My listeners get early access to their Black Friday sale for 40 % off your first month at ritual.com slash Lacey Genius. That's ritual.com slash Lacey Genius for 40 % off your first month. Don't miss out on their best sale of the season. Okay, real talk. How is it almost 2026 and you're still paying rent without Bilt. We cannot have that. Bilt is the loyalty program for renters that actually rewards you for your biggest monthly expense, rent.

42:37I don't know about you, but paying rent is one of those things that just hurts, like watching your money disappear into the void. But with Bilt, you finally get something back for it. Here's how it works. When you pay rent through Bilt, you earn points that you can redeem towards flights, hotels, lift rides, amazon.com purchases, even fitness classes at places like SoulCycle, Barriers, or Core Power. You can also redeem towards things like rent credits, gift cards, or even a down payment on a home someday. Personally, I'd probably redeem my points towards flights for a weekend getaway perhaps.

43:12And beyond that, paying rent through Bill unlocks access to exclusive perks from over 45 ,000 merchants. So you're earning points at your favorite local spots and getting closer to that next reward. It's simple. Paying rent is just better with Bill. Join the loyalty program for renters at joinbill.com slash emma. That's j-o-i-n-b-i-l-t dot com slash emma. Make sure to use our links so they know that we sent you. Masterclass makes it so easy to learn from the best whenever and wherever it fits your life. Instead of losing time to endless scrolling, you can use audio mode on your commute or wind down in the evening with lessons that inspire and challenge you.

43:56Develop good repeatable habits with Atomic Habits author James Clear or strengthen your personal and professional relationships with help from renowned psychotherapist Esther Perel. With plans starting at just$10 a month, billed annually, you get unlimited access to over 200 classes taught by world-class experts from chefs to writers to business leaders. You can watch on your phone, laptop, or even on your TV. Download lessons to watch offline or listen on the go, whatever fits your schedule. And there's no risk. Every new membership comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Masterclass always has great offers during the holidays, sometimes up to as much as 50 % off.

44:40Head over to masterclass.com forward slash aspire for the current offer. That's up to 50 % off at masterclass.com slash aspire, masterclass.com slash aspire.

44:58I love that you say that so much is about mindset because I'm somebody that believes that mindset is everything. And so I want to talk to you a little bit about your mindset and also So, Reese and leadership, because you've clearly had to be and you've become an excellent leader to get to where you are. Do you have like, is there a leadership or a business philosophy that you have? How do you think about how you come into a room, how you lead people, or is it even something that you think about? I wasn't always a leader. I was part of a group. I never in high school ran for student office. I never wanted to be the person who raised their hand to run anything.

45:38That's crazy because I think of you so as like head of the school student, president. No, that was just a character I played in a movie once. Oh, damn. Is that where I got that from? I'm not Tracy Flegge. I'm not at all. So when my company came around, I'd had a lot of group dynamics. Filmmaking is a collaborative art. So we work with groups of 150 to 200 people per movie. And we're all working in concert to the same idea. And so I knew when I started my company, I wanted to have that same feeling, but I knew I had to be the director. And the director, the most successful directors I've ever worked with have very clear vision.

46:22They also don't micromanage people who are very good at their jobs. So you hire the best and let them do their thing, but keep reminding people core values, core values. So it's really important when you begin your company to do that core values exercise. Ours at Hills and Shine are optimism, humor, storytelling, a do-it-yourself culture where nobody's above any one thing or below any one thing. It's not hierarchical. And so they're defined and we can always go back and they're on the wall. So in case you forget, they're right there. I think one thing I always say, and I said this to my little kids, it came from motherhood.

47:00And you know, when you're like about to cross the street with your kids. Yeah. Okay, walk quickly, directly to the door of the grocery store. We're not wandering around. We're not walking in circles. We're not wandering off. Walk directly. And so I started saying to my kids when they were little, walk with purpose in the direction you're going. Oh, wow. And so when I started the company, I extrapolated that out to walk with purpose, right? We're walking towards a purpose of greater storytelling for women, greater recognition for female filmmakers and artists and authors. But also you start to notice people walk in the same direction with you.

47:36Oh, yeah. Especially when you have purpose. And especially when you have that level of clarity. Because I think one of the biggest jobs that you have as a CEO is to constantly reinforce those values, right? It's like, you know, as companies invariably do, hopefully they get bigger, more people come on board and you need to be that beacon that tells everybody where we're going. But I heard you, well, maybe I've read in an article that you say you have a bit of a problem with the word power. And when I speak to you, it's so clear that you are incredibly powerful and incredibly directional. Do you still have that in you?

48:11Power is just a hard word for me to handle because I think for years in Hollywood, I watched the abuse of power and power corrupting and also people assuming power when they hadn't really done the work to have the power. And I watched a lot of women defer to powerful individuals that didn't really know what they were doing or talking about. So it's hard. Power feels like an empty word to me. I think... Are you more comfortable with leadership? Leadership is a better word. Yeah. I think we have a lot of great leadership at Hello Sunshine. Starting with you. Starting with me, but my, yeah, my, I've really, I hired a really great leader.

48:55Well, because great leaders don't stay around not a great leader, so you have to be. Yeah. I'm saying that you are. Well, because you wouldn't have that many incredible people in that company if it wasn't super solid at the top. Yeah. And I'm very, I recognize their efforts and I really try, and I hope I do a good job of this, of constantly telling them I appreciate them and I appreciate their efforts. Even if something doesn't work the right way, I also appreciate when people take accountability for mistakes. I appreciate when people don't triangulate at a company or talk about another person, that we work together on problems.

49:32But Emma, I have learned an entire world of information in nine years that I've been doing this. Have you, um, have you failed? Have I failed? Yeah. Well, I would say, you know, when, when I had the company and I'd done, I had three Oscar nominations and eight Emmys for Big Little Lies, and I couldn't do anything but break even, that was a fail. And I thought there's something wrong here. That's when I called my friend and he helped me come up with a business plan. And that's when I hired Sarah Harden. But have we had fails? Sure. We've had some stuff inside the company that I feel like we tried things.

50:11It didn't work. Just in what? Certain verticals were doing really well five years ago, not doing as well right now. That's okay. I'd rather us try, but I'm really proud of the brand that we've built because I think it stands for something and consumers know what it means. Oh, yes, they do. You say Hello Sunshine, people are like, oh, I know what that is. Yeah. I mean, I wouldn't say everybody, but I would say, you know what's interesting? I went and spoke at a business school last year and all the young women ran up to me and they were like, oh my God, I love your company, I love your company.

50:44And all the guys were still sitting down. They were like, what company? I thought she was an actress. And you were like, And they were like, you don't know about our company? A lot of guys don't know about Hello Sunshine. Well, in fairness, it wasn't made for them. Yeah, it wasn't. They have everything else. That's true. But women consume more media than men. Women control more consumer spending. And I thought we need to do better for women. They need to have better offerings and see themselves in movies and television shows. The other unexpected outcome of the company that I really didn't know would happen is the financial gain for the authors.

51:25And that is a big touchstone for me because I've had, I've gotten letters, text messages, I feel like a picture of a key. And I'll say, what is that, honey? And she'll say, I was able to pay off my mortgage and buy this. I own my own home now. Game over. No. One sent me an acceptance letter to a college that I paid for my son to go to college. He's the first kid in my family to go to college. We're going to need more tissues. I mean, is there anything that could make you more proud and happy? I mean, surely not. No. No. No. Absolutely not. And these people are so deserving. And, you know, and the Hellistonsion has sold over$800 million of books.

52:08$800 million of books. I don't even know where to go with that. We don't even make any money off the book sales. What? We don't make any money off the books we choose. Do you want a tissue? No. No, she's good. I'm not going to cry anymore. I'm done crying. Wait a minute. What do you mean? You don't care. Wait a minute. What do you mean you don't make any money off the books? The book sales. No. So if we option the book and turn it into a movie, obviously we do. But I always imagined that you, that there'd be some kind of reciprocal. No. Back end. Royalty. No. We just market them. And we pick. I mean, it's a big deal.

52:43The whole process picking 12 books a year. And we market them. and our whole team is behind it. And we have live events and we get people together and book clubs. My big vision was, how do we take the book club out of your grandma's living room? Oh, yeah. You sure did it. Because there's this great quote by this guy who just won the Pulitzer. His name is Percel Everett. He said, I think the most subversive thing you can do right now is belong to a book club. Because you're socializing ideas. Yeah, totally. Absolutely. I mean, listen, I'm a huge reader and it is probably, you know, it's up there with my biggest pleasures in life.

53:25What do you read? I'm so curious. I read so much. The problem with me is that I, right now I'm reading On Tyranny, so let's just know. But I go back, I go back to things like over and over again, but I'm kind of eclectic in my book taste. And, you know, I just feel like it's so good for the world that you do that, that you give this like other option to all the media and all the noise that's out there. Because there's something that's so good for us about when you can like dive into prose and get your head into something that you hold in your hands. I don't know. Oh, it's good for your mental health.

54:04It's good for everything, right? It's good for your memory. Yeah. It's good to change your neurological system just right before bed. It's good for your family. Like I have reading time in my home and it's like quiet. with those one, two, three, four kids. Oh my God. But they love it. And it's like, you're together, but you don't have to talk to them. Shut up. I loved reading to my kids when they were little. It's the sweetest. And my grandmother read to me. And it was just, it was a big, important, cozy time in my life.

54:35You know, I've tried a lot of supplements over the years, but Armour Colostrum has completely changed the game for me. Elite athletes, business moguls, high performers, they're all using it. And now I see exactly why. Colostrum is nature's first whole food, packed with over 400 bioactive nutrients that work at the cellular level. For me, it's not just about muscle, it's about recovery, energy, and feeling strong from the inside out. Since I started taking Armour Colostrum, I've noticed a real difference. My gut feels healthier, I recover faster after workouts, and even my skin and hair feel more vibrant.

55:11It's amazing how a bioactive whole food can support immune health, fuel performance, and help your body operate at its peak, all without artificial stimulants or synthetic junk. Armaclostrum is sustainably sourced, physician-founded, and every serving works like a blueprint for your body, supporting metabolism, lean muscle, and overall vitality. I take all four daily scoops, and it's become part of my routine that I just don't skip. We've worked out a special offer for my audience, receive 30 % off your first subscription order. Go to armor.com slash aspire or enter aspire to get 30 % off your first subscription order.

55:48That's A-R-M-R-A dot com slash aspire. If you're focused on becoming your best self, you'll love the new Peloton cross-training Tread Plus powered by Peloton IQ. This is Peloton's most elevated equipment that offers real-time guidance and endless ways to move, alone or with your favorite instructors. It's designed to help you break through the busiest time of year and stay consistent. This isn't just a treadmill, it's cross-training reimagined. Peloton IQ takes the guesswork out of your workout. It counts your reps, corrects your form, and even suggests when to increase your weights, helping you reach your goals more efficiently, stay motivated, and achieve peak performance.

56:30You can focus on your workout. Peloton handles the rest. And when you're ready to switch it up, the swivel screen makes it easy to move from a run to a strength session or stretch it out with yoga and Pilates. Every plan feels made just for you with instructors who match your mood, your vibe and your goals. Peloton helps you achieve more in less time. Let yourself run, lift, sculpt, push and go. Explore the new Peloton cross-training Tread Plus at onepeloton.com. You know, most nonstick cookware still contains harmful chemicals like Teflon and other PFAS, what scientists call forever chemicals.

57:08Studies show that just a scratch on your pan can release thousands of plastic particles into your food. That's why I love Our Place Cookware. Their four-piece cookware set is a total game changer. It includes two multifunctional always pans and two perfect pots in mini and full sizes. So you can sear, saute, fry, bake, boil, roast, steam, basically everything with just four pieces. And here's the kicker. Buying the full set saves you $150 versus buying pieces individually. Plus they all come in our place's signature gorgeous colors. I love how safe, toxin-free cookware doesn't mean sacrificing performance.

57:47That is key for me. Everything glides effortlessly, cleaning is a breeze, and I've been cooking all my go-to recipes in these pans. And it's not just me. These products are trusted by Michelin star chefs and have over 80 ,000 five-star reviews. Our Place is having their biggest sale of the year right now. Save up to 35 % off site-wide now through December 2nd. Head to fromourplace.com to see why more than a million people have made the switch to Our Place Kitchen and wear. And with their 100-day risk-free trial, free shipping and free returns, you can shop with total confidence. Shop the Our Place Black Friday sale right now, no code needed.

58:32I want to go back to just understanding the things that you've learned, because obviously you've had a company that's been sold, you've had a company that wasn't profitable. When you think about the big takeouts and what you'd like to people to understand, like what does that look like for you in having built and sold a company? What do you want people to know? I want people to know that this didn't happen when I was 21 or 22, right out of college. It took a long time to figure out how I was going to take all this knowledge about my business and all the relationships I've built and pivot into something that was more entrepreneurial.

59:08That I had an opportunity to start a company at 25 and I didn't know what I was doing. So sometimes the best things that happen in your life and when you get to boss up is when you've actually done the hard work of being every version of every person on set, you know, or in your business. You need to know your business inside and out. You need to know how it makes money, how it loses money, why you're valuable, why you're not valuable, how you can add value. If your business has taken a dip, you better know why. Where is the future of your business? Where's it going? So I read a ton and I try to keep up.

59:48Right now, I'm just buried in AI going, what's happening? And I'm talking to people and I'm meeting people who are tons of startups around AI. But you're going out of your way to immerse yourself so that you can understand and bring that into your business. Yeah. Bring it into my business and also help bridge the gap for people, whether that's for consumers or for my like-minded girlfriends who have their own businesses. We're all sitting here going, okay, what are best practices? Which companies are you using? How do we protect ourselves? Okay, well, how do we harness this for the greater good?

1:00:20How do we do this ethically without putting real artists out of work? It feels like you're still super ambitious. Are you? I don't know how to not be ambitious. It's a big part of my identity. How about you? Same. Yeah. Same. Could you stop? No. I feel like when we're 65 and on that porch, we'll be cooking something. You know, it'll still be going. We'll be like inventing the new supplements or something. Totally. Yeah. Like solving all our ailments. Totally. No, and I feel like that's part of, you know, it's so much part of my identity at this point. And I look at you and I feel like once you've done something, you know, you've proven to yourself that you can see a problem, you can solve a problem.

1:01:12You can make things so good for everybody around you. Like, why would you not look at other things? Why would you not continue to be expansive? Like, it might be in a different way. it might not necessarily be another company, but you are someone who has really made a big difference. And I don't understand why you would not want to do that again. Yeah. I also think sometimes there's a bigger, higher purpose to you being that person. You are who you are here. You are meant to be this person right now. You're meant to be this woman that people look up to and really listen to and you're fulfilling part of your life purpose.

1:01:53And I think if something else comes my way or I know about it or like I just wrote my first thriller. I never thought I'd write a book. I can't believe this. They literally told me, I feel like it was just like swooped in there at the last minute. It's called Gone Before Goodbye, right? Is this your first book? Yeah, first book. Exciting. And again, partnering with a master, Harlan Coben, who is just an incredible thriller writer who's written 90 million, like sold over 90 million books. What made you want to pivot again? First of all, 90 million books? He's sold so many books. Wow. And he's really big in so many.

1:02:30The book is being published in 22 different countries. That's not a book. And they sent me all the covers. I was like, what? But I'm really proud of it. Yeah. And it has a great woman at the center of it who is... Of course it does. Kind of re... I think it's reinventing the thriller genre and put it like, why isn't there a female James Bond or Jason Bourne? No. Can you think of one? I'm sure there is. But I thought international world and this woman who has this really distinct skill set. And I thought, I've always just come in to be in someone else's vision. Yeah. Right? My whole creative life.

1:03:06And I thought, what if I build the whole world? What if you did? Yeah. I did. I mean, I'm real. You're going to try. We'll see. I mean, how incredible. It really, really is incredible what you've done and what you've built. And I feel like you will inspire an entire generation to think that they can actually do something really, really meaningful and have it make the difference in so many people's lives. Because when I think about what you've done, that's the most impressive part of it, that actually it's touched so many people and you've done it with grace and with intention and you've touched people.

1:03:46You've entertained us while you're doing it. You sold it. You made the money. I mean, it's just like so many great things. But the best part about it is that people will watch you and go, I could do that. I hope so. I hope there's so many more Hello Sunshines. I really want some little girl right now to be hearing this podcast and go, I can do that. If Reese can do that, I can do that. Oh, she will. Oh, a million percent. I'm so happy. I love that you're here. Thank you so much. This has been so nice. It's heaven. Like heaven to speak to you because you're the least disappointing person on the planet.

1:04:24Wait, do you have disappointing people on your podcast? Well, you know, you run into them every now and again. I'm not going to lie. Maybe not on a spy with Emma Greed, but you know, not everybody is as cute and sweet as they seem on the screen. It's hard to interview certain people. You're doing a great job because it's also a different skill. Oh, it's a totally different skill. Well, they hate me because I don't do any of what's on that card. They're like, that's not what you're supposed to say. All right, let's move on to rapid fire. What is the first thing you do when you wake up? Feed the dog.

1:04:52And then make coffee and then wake up my son for school. In that order. Yes. I love that. Last thing you do before you go to bed? Kiss my son good night and take a bath and then go to bed. And I read. I read in the bath. You read in the bath? Or I listen to podcasts. What podcast are you listening to, Ruth? I aspire with Emma Green. What are you currently aspiring to in your business life? To help women bridge this technology gap. We're in a really interesting time. I want to help women bridge the gap. I think that's a great and very noble cause. And what about in your personal life? To have hobbies that I don't turn into businesses.

1:05:34Okay. Good luck. I want to know what kind of hobby are you going to have? Well, right now I make chocolates. Oh, that's good. It's really fun. Are we packaging these chocolates? Did I just say? Now Emma's trying to turn it into a business. Okay, sorry. I'm just doing it. I'm in a glass shower. With a ribbon or something. I mean, you're in Nashville. You got it. It's really fun. No? Amazing. And what is a book that changed your life? So many books changed. The Measure of Our Success by Marian Wright Edelman. It's a beautiful book. And she was this activist who marched with Martin Luther King. And she started the Children's Defense.

1:06:12She's probably the foremost advocate for children's rights in America. And she wrote this letter to her sons on their 18th birthday about how to be a good person. Check it out. It's powerful. I'm immediately going to check that out. Yeah. What is something that you valued when you started out that you no longer value? Other people's acceptance. I mean, it's nice. it's nice when people are rooting for you, but it's okay if they're not. And what is something that you value deeply now that you didn't when you first started? Understanding other people's intentions. Thank you, my darling. Yeah. This was excellent.

1:06:50You're the best. Oh, that was fun. Thank you, Emma.

1:06:58If you're loving this podcast, be sure to click follow on your favorite listening platform. While you're there, give us a review and a five-star rating and share an episode you love with a friend. We'll be so grateful. A Spy with Emma Greed is presented by Odyssey. I'm your host, Emma Greed. Our executive producers are Corinne Gilead-Fisher, Derek Brown, and me. Our executive producers from Odyssey are Maddie Sprung-Kaiser, Leah Reece-Dennis, Asha Saluja, and Jenna Weiss-Berman. Stephen Key is our senior producer. Sound design and engineering by Bill Schultz. Angela Peluso is our booker. Original music by Charles Black.

1:07:33Video production by Evan Cox, Kurt Courtney, Andrew Steele, Carlos Delgado, and Arnie Agassi. Social media by Olivia Holman. Special thanks to Brittany Smith, Sydney Ford, my teams at The Lead Company, and WME. Maura Curran, Josefina Francis, Hilary Schuff, Eric Donnelly, Kate Hutchinson-Rose, Tim Mecole, Sean Cherry, and Lauren Vieira. If you have questions for me, you can DM me at aspirewithemagreed. greed is spelled g-r-e-d-e that's aspire a-s-p-i-r-e with emma greed or you can submit a question to me on my website emma greed.me

1:08:16look we get it you can hardly go anywhere or do anything these days without hearing ai this or ai that and if you're like most people when it comes to ai you're impressed but have a few uh concerns But what if AI was used not as a tool to replace people, but as a way to help understand people better? AI from SurveyMonkey is designed to do just that. From crafting the perfect survey, which is harder than you might think, to analysis that digs deep, finds patterns, and surfaces trends quickly, SurveyMonkey's powerful suite of AI capabilities makes it faster and easier than ever before to get insight from real people, helping you make confident decisions for your business.

1:08:57Try it today at surveymonkey.com slash Emma.