(Almost) Reckless

A conversation with Bobbi Brown and Amy Smilovic. Bobbi is a makeup artist, entrepreneur, New York Times bestselling author, and the founder and Chief Creative Officer of Jones Road Beauty, one of the fastest-growing independent beauty brands in the country. Founded in 2020 alongside her husband Steven Plofker, Jones Road operates under 100% family ownership, with her son Cody serving as CEO. Bobbi is the author of nine bestselling guides to makeup and beauty, and most recently her first memoir, Still Bobbi: Lessons on Building a Beautiful Life. The memoir traces Bobbi's career from her early years as a New York makeup artist through founding Bobbi Brown Cosmetics in 1991, building the brand into a billion-dollar global business under Estée Lauder, and her departure in 2016. Bobbi is also the co-owner of The George, an independent boutique hotel in Montclair, New Jersey. Throughout the episode, Amy and Bobbi reflect on the long arc of their careers - the corporate pressures of working within a brand that bears your name, the scrappy and instinctive origins of building something new, and the role of authenticity in the businesses that last.

A conversation with Checka Propper and Amy Smilovic. Checka is the Head of Television at Color Force, the production company behind The Hunger Games franchise, American Crime Story, and Love Story — the limited series chronicling the relationship between JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy that became the most-watched limited series in FX history, accumulating over 65 million hours streamed in its first season.Throughout the conversation, Amy and Checka discuss what it actually means to build a career from curiosity rather than a plan — how a kid outside Philadelphia who struggled with learning disabilities found refuge in the patterns of television, and how that eventually became the instinct she uses to decide what stories are worth telling. They get into the adjectives Checka uses to evaluate everything from the shows she develops to the networks she develops them for, the difference between following a gut and being able to articulate why the gut is right, and what it looks like to produce one of the most culturally resonant shows of the year — its controversies included — alongside one of Hollywood's most singular creative forces. And because Amy and Checka's relationship began with a DM about personal style in the middle of a pandemic, when Checka felt like she had lost her sense of self somewhere inside a very successful career, the conversation ends where it started: with the question of who you are when the title gets stripped away, and what it takes to find your way back.

A conversation with Amy Smilovic and Garance Doré. Garance is a New York Times Best-Selling Author, renowned Photographer, and illustrator. In 2007 Garance began shooting street-style photography in Paris with a uniquely creative point of view, marking a shift in the era of highly calculated editorial "street" fashion photography to one characterized by a raw, personal, and unembellished perspective, changing the course of the discipline forever. Known to many as the original fashion blogger, Garance has no doubt had a significant influence on the way street style is captured today. In 2015, Garance released her first book, Love Style Life, a NYT Best-Seller, and a narrative journey through the various creative endeavors of her career, from photography to illustration to authorship. In 2022, Garance co-founded Doré, a French skincare line rooted in modernity, simplicity, and transparency. Throughout the podcast, Amy and Garance discuss the pivotal moments of her childhood, the ups and downs of her career in the volatile industry of fashion, and that which brings her ultimate happiness today.

A conversation with Daniel Dooreck and Amy Smilovic. Daniel is the Founder and Head Potter at Danny D’s Mud Shop, an independent ceramics company based in Los Angeles, California. What originally began as a side-hobby out of Daniel’s garage in Echo Park has blossomed into a lively brick-and-mortar store/workshop in East Hollywood where Daniel and his small team craft and design every day. Each piece is a one-of-one created by hand without the use of machines or molds, taking influence from the American West, traditional tattooing, and quirky illustrations collected by Daniel overtime. Select pieces from the Mud Shop can be found across the globe in specially chosen retailers from Tokyo to Toronto. Throughout this episode, Amy and Daniel discuss the unique path that has led Daniel to where he is today, connecting the dots between previous jobs, dreams, and hobbies to formulate the greater picture that is Danniel’s thriving career at present. The episode was shot and produced live in Danny D’s Mud Shop in East Hollywood, CA.

A conversation with Javier Peral and Amy Smilovic. Javier is a Music Director and Producer for a variety of creative industries spanning art, fashion, and design. Javier has been directing music for Tibi for over two decades, dating back to Tibi’s Spring 2004 Runway. Over the course of this time working together, Amy and Javier have struck a rapport only feasible through a relationship that spans 21+ years, one that allows for nearly frictionless communication through the medium of music, and an innate trust in each other’s vision and perspective. It is for this reason that Tibi has been able to successfully implement notable songs like Sweet Child O’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses, She’s a Rainbow by The Rolling Stones, and If You Could Read My Mind by Gordon Lightfoot. The two discuss how your work can keep you young, the fear in explaining one’s job description to others who may not understand, and the influence of others’ perception of “giving up” on your dreams. The episode was shot and produced live at 666 Studios.

A conversation with Malcolm Mitchell and Amy Smilovic. Malcolm Mitchell is a best-selling author, poet, founder of Share the Magic Foundation, and Super Bowl champion. After retiring from the NFL in 2019 after two years due to an injury, Malcolm was confronted with a career shift earlier than expected and altered his focus to being a full-time author, writing children's books and championing the importance of youth literacy through his "Read with Malcolm" initiative. In 2016 Malcolm published his first book, The Magician's Hat, followed by My Very Favorite Book in the Whole Wide World, which was published in 2020. Malcolm and Amy's paths first crossed at the tail end of his career with New England Patriots, and the two have remained great friends since. The episode was shot and produced live at 666 Studios.

A conversation with Beth Hutchens and Amy Smilovic. Beth is the Founder & Creative Director of FoundRae, a collection of fine jewelry, more specifically intently crafted modern heirlooms for self-expression. Beth and Amy have known each other for more than two decades, as Beth’s origins in the fashion industry began when she co-founded Rebecca Taylor in 1996. The discussion touches on Beth and Amy’s shared experience founding luxury clothing brands in the late 1990s, coming up together in the industry, and Beth’s change of course in 2015 when she ventured into the world of jewelry – the ups and downs, first principles of success, and most prominently, the biggest risks and their respective outcomes. The episode was shot and produced live in at 666 Studios.

A conversation with Ted Dennard and Amy Smilovic. Ted is the Founder & Head Beekeeper of Savannah Bee Company, an independent brand based in Savannah, Georgia specializing in elevated honey and honeybee products. He is reshaping the way we see bees - encouraging people to move beyond the commercialized image of the plastic honey bear and to instead appreciate the brilliance of the bees themselves. Amy and Ted’s shared upbringing on the small island of St. Simons Island, Georgia, guides the conversation, touching on the origins of Ted's fascination with beekeeping and the non-negotiables intrinsic to running an independent business, made complete by raw stories of failure and regret, as the intricacies of staying authentic are woven throughout. The episode was shot and produced live in at 666 Studios.

A conversation with Alex Zatarain and Amy Smilovic. Alex is the Co-Founder and VP of Brand & Marketing at Eight Sleep, the world's first sleep fitness brand. Born in the United States and raised in Tijuana, Alex's multi-cultural upbringing has led her down an incredibly diverse career path culminating in the creation of Eight Sleep in 2014 with her partner, Matteo Franceschetti, now valued at over 1 billion-dollars. The discussion covers a range of topics, from the significant influence of mentors at a young age and the investor/founder relationship, to the inner-workings of running a business with your significant other. The episode was shot and produced live in the Tibi Atelier.

Episode 01 of the (Almost) Reckless podcast features a conversation with Samara Cohen and Wendy Finerman, moderated by Amy Smilovic. Samara Cohen is the Chief Investment Officer of ETFs and Index Investments at BlackRock. Wendy Finerman is the critically acclaimed, Oscar winning producer of Forrest Gump and The Devil Wears Prada. The conversation touches on many points ranging from their views on overhyped skillsets and living a non-bifurcated life, to the difference between self-promotion and being yourself, rounded out by a short Q&A with the live audience.