Pretty Tough with Maria Sharapova cover art
Podcast · 21 episodes

Pretty Tough with Maria Sharapova

by Vox Media · English

Five-time Grand Slam champion, entrepreneur, and bestselling author Maria Sharapova brings her trademark intensity and drive to a weekly podcast that challenges how female ambition is defined and discussed. In each episode of Pretty Tough, Sharapova sits down with high-achieving women across industries for candid, wide-ranging conversations about their pursuit of excellence without apology. Inspired by Sharapova’s own journey as a world-class athlete and entrepreneur, the show serves as a space where discussions about peak performance, career strategy, wellness, and leadership aren't diluted by gender-specific expectations and where being gritty and being female aren't seen as contradictory states of being. New episodes drop Wednesdays. Part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.

Latest episodes

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Milk Bar Founder Christina Tosi on Building, Burnout and ResettingChristina Tosi (Milk Bar founder) discusses her “cannonball” approach to risk and failure, how she learned business by working “et cetera” roles at Momofuku under David Chang, and what it costs…30 Sep 2026 · 1 h 10 min · 24 chapters
Supermodel Carolyn Murphy: 73 Vogue Covers, Walking Away from Fame, and Finding Yourself at 53Carolyn Murphy discusses her long modeling career (73 Vogue covers), how she maintained individuality across major fashion brands, and why she stepped away from fame in the late 1990s—moving to Costa…23 Sep 2026 · 1 h 5 min · 28 chapters
Emmy Rossum on making Furious and Surviving an FBI Boot CampEmmy Rossum discusses treating acting like a “sport,” her career growth from early performance to long-running TV, and her transition into executive producing.16 Sep 2026 · 54 min · 19 chapters
Jenna Lyons on Leaving J.Crew and The Real Housewives to Reinvent HerselfJenna Lyons reflects on reinvention after leaving J.Crew (2017) and moving beyond fashion into TV, beauty, home decor, and brand strategy.9 Sep 2026 · 1 h 5 min · 27 chapters
Hannah Berner: Leaving Reality TV, Starting Giggly Squad & Finding Her ConfidenceHannah Berner’s journey from competitive tennis to stand-up/comedy, her pivot after reality TV (Summer House), and how she builds confidence and handles adversity.2 Sep 2026 · 59 min · 21 chapters
Lindsey Vonn Was #1 in the World When She Crashed. Will She Ever Race Again?Lindsey Vonn’s comeback after retirement, her 2026 Olympic downhill crash (ruptured ACL), and what it means to risk everything for one more shot—plus aging, pain, resilience, social scrutiny, and…26 Aug 2026 · 1 h 3 min · 31 chapters
Redefining Luxury: How Marie-Louise Sciò is Building A Resort EmpireMarie-Louise Sciò (CEO/creative director of the Pilicano Group) discusses redefining luxury through joy, time, and “quiet luxury,” while explaining how she modernized Hotel Il Pelicano without…19 Aug 2026 · 51 min · 22 chapters
Why Malala is Betting Big on Women's SportsMalala Yousafzai discusses identity beyond public expectations and her shift into sports investment, arguing women’s sports needs major capital and leadership at all levels (field, ownership,…12 Aug 2026 · 1 h 9 min · 29 chapters
Delphine Bellini on Reviving A Sleeping Beauty Into Fashion's Hottest BrandDelphine Bellini, CEO of Schiaparelli, explains how she revived the dormant “Sleeping Beauty” fashion house (folded ~60 years earlier) by honoring Elsa Schiaparelli’s surrealist heritage while…15 Jul 2026 · 44 min · 13 chapters
How Susie Wolff Took F1 Academy from Empty Tracks to Global PartnershipsSusie Wolff discusses resilience, calculated risk, and reinvention—moving from being a pioneering F1-era female driver to leading F1 Academy and building global partnerships to make the series viable…8 Jul 2026 · 1 h 9 min · 30 chapters
Misty Copeland Never Wanted to Stand Out. Then She Changed Ballet ForeverMisty Copeland discusses how ballet shaped her identity, confidence, and relationship to pain—especially through injuries, major career milestones, and her post-retirement performances (including the…24 Jun 2026 · 1 h 23 min · 35 chapters
Christine Dorfler: From Army Captain to the NFL’s CFOChristine Dorfler’s journey from D1 lacrosse and Army captaincy to becoming the NFL’s CFO, plus leadership, negotiation, sports betting integrity, Taylor Swift’s impact on NFL audiences, and the…17 Jun 2026 · 50 min · 28 chapters
Amy Astley on Working Alongside Anna Wintour and Building BrandsAmy Astley discusses redefining “good taste” in a borderless, digital world; her career building and refreshing major design brands; and how Architectural Digest evolved from a print lookbook into a…10 Jun 2026 · 1 h 15 min · 31 chapters
Ashley Graham: How AI, Plastic Surgery, and GLP-1s Are Changing Beauty StandardsAshley Graham discusses her journey reshaping beauty standards, her career milestones (Lane Bryant and Sports Illustrated), body image through pregnancy/postpartum, and her views on GLP-1s and AI’s…3 Jun 2026 · 52 min · 25 chapters
Dr. Becky: Raising Resilient Kids in an Overwhelming WorldParenting in an “overwhelming world,” focusing on emotional regulation, sturdy leadership (warmth + authority), boundaries, repair after mistakes, and tools like emotional vaccination and “wish”…27 May 2026 · 1 h 23 min · 33 chapters
Chelsea Handler: Unfiltered, Independent, and Always EvolvingChelsea Handler discusses telling the truth, staying independent, evolving through therapy and psychedelics, and rejecting societal pressure around marriage and motherhood; she also explains her…20 May 2026 · 41 min · 19 chapters
Willow Bay: Reimagining the Future of Women’s SportsWillow Bay discusses women’s sports impact, storytelling, and media power shifts—especially through her ownership of Angel City FC and her work at USC Annenberg.13 May 2026 · 46 min · 21 chapters
Gabriela Hearst: Redefining Luxury Without the HypeGabriela Hearst discusses redefining luxury through longevity, purpose, and sustainability, plus her creative philosophy and personal “biohacking” routines.6 May 2026 · 52 min · 22 chapters
Jeanie Buss: Inside the $10 billion Lakers saleJeanie Buss discusses the Lakers’ $10 billion sale (majority stake, 85%) and how she’s managed legacy, leadership, technology/marketing, and major roster decisions—especially the Luka Doncic…29 Apr 2026 · 1 h · 24 chapters
Zoe Saldaña: How I Became the Highest-Grossing Actor of All TimeZoe Saldaña discusses becoming the highest-grossing actor (box office) and how she built “pretty tough” resilience—balancing ambition, identity, and motherhood.22 Apr 2026 · 1 h 3 min · 25 chapters
Introducing Pretty Tough with Maria SharapovaMaria Sharapova launches her new podcast, Pretty Tough, and explains its premise: weekly conversations with “trailblazing women” about ambition, work ethic, and the ups and downs of achieving…14 Apr 2026 · 1 min