She Pivots

From child actor to Disney star to pop icon dubbed "Lesbian Jesus," Hayley Kiyoko built a career creating the representation she never had as a half-Japanese, queer artist. In this episode of She Pivots, Hayley opens up about becoming a community's symbol practically overnight while still figuring herself out, and how she moved from leading with fear to leading with confidence and self-love. She also shares how she found her fiancée, Becca Tilley, and reflects on the decade-long journey that culminated in her Girls Like Girls film and album—a project that started with high school heartbreak twenty years ago.

Sloane Stephens is a Grand Slam champion whose career has been defined as much by resilience as by remarkable wins. On this episode of She Pivots, Sloane opens up about her journey from a late-blooming tennis prodigy to a U.S. Open champion, philanthropist, and entrepreneur. She reflects on navigating the grief of losing her father and stepfather at a young age, building balance and normalcy in a sport that demands constant travel and pressure, and pursuing new goals - from higher education to a broadcasting career - while battling injuries. Beyond the court, she shares how founding the Sloane Stephens Foundation and launching her body-care brand, Doc & Glo, have allowed her to channel her values into impact, expanding her legacy far beyond tennis.   Be sure to subscribe, leave us a rating, and share with your friends if you liked this episode!   She Pivots was created by host Emily Tisch Sussman to highlight women, their stories, and how their pivot became their success. To learn more about Sloane, follow us on Instagram @ShePivotsThePodcast or visit shepivotsthepodcast.com.  Support the show: https://www.shepivotsthepodcast.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sima Gandhi's professional resume reads like a blueprint for success—but her story reveals a far more complex reality. On this episode of She Pivots, Emily speaks with the entrepreneur, lawyer, and former Plaid executive in her first public conversation about the personal journey that reshaped her life. At the height of her career—helping lead one of Silicon Valley’s most successful startups—Sima was privately navigating a painful and deeply complicated relationship with her family. Rather than break her, that experience pushed Sima to reevaluate everything: what she wanted from her life and how she defined success. In the midst of that personal upheaval, she launched her own company, channeling her energy into building something new while privately carrying the weight of her family estrangement.   Be sure to subscribe, leave us a rating, and share with your friends if you liked this episode!   She Pivots was created by host Emily Tisch Sussman to highlight women, their stories, and how their pivot became their success. To learn more about Sima, follow us on Instagram @ShePivotsThePodcast or visit shepivotsthepodcast.com.Support the show: https://www.shepivotsthepodcast.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tony Award–winning actor and writer Sarah Jones has built a career blending culture, politics, and humor — all while embodying a kaleidoscope of unforgettable characters. In our final live episode recorded at the Aspen Ideas Festival, Sarah joins Emily for a conversation about her groundbreaking podcast, America, Who Hurt You?, which puts the nation on the “therapy couch” to explore our shared values and cultural divides. She reflects on key moments that shaped her journey, from growing up in a multicultural, mixed-race family in Queens to performing on Broadway. Along the way, she introduces the audience to the many voices in her head (and on her stage), reflecting the diverse perspectives that make up America. Sarah also opens up about the role of social media in our disconnection and emphasizes the urgency of in-person connection.   Be sure to subscribe, leave us a rating, and share with your friends if you liked this episode!   She Pivots was created by host Emily Tisch Sussman to highlight women, their stories, and how their pivot became their success. To learn more about Sarah, follow us on Instagram @ShePivotsThePodcast or visit shepivotsthepodcast.com.Support the show: https://www.shepivotsthepodcast.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chanel’s President of Arts, Culture & Heritage, Yana Peel, has carved out a singular career at the intersection of art, innovation, AI, and global community building — all driven by her belief in the power of creativity to shape culture and spark change. In this special live episode recorded at the Aspen Ideas Festival, Yana sits down with Emily for a conversation about her unexpected path from Goldman Sachs to cultural leadership across continents. She opens up about moving countries for family, launching a foundation from scratch, navigating the new world of AI, and finding purpose by “committing rather than complaining.” Yana shares how she helped transform Chanel’s approach to art, from funding global cultural institutions to launching artist-tech incubators and AI collaborations. She also reflects on the power of shared experiences, the evolving role of artists in polarized societies, and why she believes artistic intelligence is the future of innovation.   Be sure to subscribe, leave us a rating, and share with your friends if you liked this episode!   She Pivots was created by host Emily Tisch Sussman to highlight women, their stories, and how their pivot became their success. To learn more about Yana, follow us on Instagram @ShePivotsThePodcast or visit shepivotsthepodcast.com.Support the show: https://www.shepivotsthepodcast.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.