How People-Pleasing, Perfectionism, And Burnout Are Actually Trauma Responses With Dr. Thema
What’s really holding you back from the life you want? In this powerful conversation, Emma Grede sits down with Dr. Thema Bryant — psychologist, author, and pastor — to unpack the hidden stories, unresolved trauma, and self-sabotaging patterns that keep us from thriving.
Together, they dive into:
Why so many of us are standing on our own wings — and how to stop.
The surprising ways fear of failure (and even fear of success) shapes our choices.
Why women are conditioned to shrink their power — and how to reclaim it.
The lingering scars of the pandemic we still haven’t healed.
Practical tools for setting boundaries, rewriting old narratives, and living whole.
Dr. Thema doesn’t just explain the psychology — she offers real steps for anyone ready to stop running, face the pain, and move from surviving to thriving. If you’ve ever felt exhausted, unworthy, or stuck, this episode will give you the clarity and courage to finally break free.
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Lessons from Hollywood’s Most Powerful Woman—And How They Can Help You (with Donna Langley)
If you’ve ever walked into a room and felt the weight of being the only one like you, questioned whether you could take bold risks without losing yourself, or wondered how to build a career on your own terms, this is your episode. We dive into the mindset shifts that helped Donna Langley rise from a small town childhood on the isolated Isle of Wight in England with no Hollywood connections to becoming one of the most powerful women in Hollywood. She opens up about the moments of doubt, the gut instincts that overrode the data, and the unpopular decisions that ultimately paid off. She worked on billion-dollar blockbusters like Oppenheimer, Fast & Furious, and Mamma Mia and built her career on resilience, decency as a superpower, and finding your voice in rooms where you’re outnumbered. In her first-ever podcast interview, Donna shares the leadership lessons that helped her champion underdog stories, turn unlikely ideas into global hits, and lead with integrity in an industry famous for chaos. Donna Langley is proof that you can start from anywhere, trust your instincts, and build the career—and the life—you want.
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Why Your Biggest Gambles Must Always Be On Yourself (with Kandi Burruss)
If you’ve ever felt the sting of being underestimated, been told your best ideas were too big, or wondered how to turn the next chapter of your life into a big win, this is your episode. We dive into the emotional highs and lows of being someone who refused to stay behind the scenes, the balance of motherhood and ambition and the gamble of betting on yourself when the stakes feel impossibly high.
You'll hear how Kandi navigated the heartbreak of deals that fell through, leaned into vulnerability to write songs that became cultural anthems, and faced the drama of 'Real Housewives' cameras while protecting her sense of self. Kandi gets real about being a Grammy winning hit maker crafting culture-defining hits like “No Scrubs,” launching businesses out of tough seasons, and the humility hack that keeps her grounded no matter how high she climbs. In this conversation, she shares the blueprint she’s built for making bold moves, trusting your gut, and using every platform—housewives drama, hit records, even home kitchens—to power a life that truly aspires.
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Aspire with Jessica Alba: Why It’s Time to Break Up with Perfection
If you've ever felt underestimated, struggled with mom-guilt, or wondered if it's possible to truly balance ambition and personal peace, this is your episode. We dive into the emotional costs of overachievement, building a business as a mother of three, the moments of doubt when everyone underestimated her, and the heartbreaks that shaped her perspective on success and leadership. This isn't just a story of entrepreneurship and resilience; it's also about vulnerability, intuition, and learning to let go of perfection. Jessica Alba gets real about the success, the global fame, and her journey building the mega-successful brand, The Honest Company. In this deeply personal and honest conversation, Jessica opens up about her transition away from the company she poured her heart into, revealing what it felt like to hand over her "baby" to others. Jessica shares the inside story of what really drove her to start The Honest Company—her health struggles as a child, an allergic reaction that terrified her as a new mom, and her fierce determination to protect families everywhere from hidden toxins. Jessica Alba is proof that the strength to evolve comes from being true to who you really are, even in the toughest moments.
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The Aspire Playbook: How Lucy Guo, a Rebel Girl in a Man’s World, Became the World’s Youngest Self-Made Female Billionaire
Emma sits down with Lucy Guo to uncover the incredible journey of how the daughter of immigrants from Fremont, California, became the world's youngest self-made female billionaire.
Unapologetic and refreshingly candid, Lucy offers practical insights into monetizing your passions, securing the equity you deserve, and maintaining authenticity while chasing your dreams. From being a 14-year-old computer hacker to co-founding Scale AI, a multi-billion-dollar tech powerhouse, Lucy shares how she navigated setbacks—including being sidelined from her own company—and reinvented herself to revolutionize social media.
Tune in for an inspiring and empowering playbook from Silicon Valley’s boldest rebel entrepreneur.
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Build the life of your dreams and learn from the world’s most successful people.
Emma Grede, one of America’s richest self-made women, wants you to make the most of your life. On ‘Aspire with Emma Grede', learn through thought-provoking conversations with some of the most successful and smartest minds on the planet, including goop founder Gwyneth Paltrow, investor, philanthropist and former chair of Starbucks Mellody Hobson and international bestselling author and “On Purpose” podcast host Jay Shetty. Each episode will unpack their habits, philosophy and strategies, covering career advice, well-being, psychology and of course how to win in business. The show offers personal stories, data-driven advice, real-world strategies, and the experience you need, to turn your dreams into reality.
Emma Grede is a founding partner and chief product officer of SKIMS and CEO of Good American. She also made history as the first Black woman to serve as an investor on Shark Tank.
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