You might know Taraji P Henson as Cookie on “Empire,” or from her roles in movies like “Hustle and Flow” and “Hidden Figures.” But you might not know the rest of Taraji’s story. She’s always wanted to be an actor. But she didn’t take her passion seriously until she flunked out of precalculus in college. After school, she moved to Los Angeles to chase her dre ... Show More
Aug 10
Power Players: Leading, Growing, and Thriving Through Every Stage of Your Career
Clean energy powers 1.4 million American jobs, and most women who'd be great at them have no idea the door's open. In this special podcast episode, presented together with American Clean Power, theSkimm sits down with clean energy leaders (Kelly Veney Darnell, Melissa Peterson, a ... Show More
21m 41s
Apr 2026
Leah Solivan, Founder of TaskRabbit: "I would look at everything in my life and question, like, "Is there a solution here?"
Leah Busque Solivan is an engineer and entrepreneur. In 2008, she became a rising star of the gig economy when she quit her job at IBM to found TaskRabbit, the mobile and online marketplace that hooks you up with people to help with everything from picking up your laundry to buil ... Show More
36m 58s
Aug 2025
Phoebe Gates on Proving Herself Beyond Her Family Name
When Phoebe Gates started her company, Phia, her parents – yes, those Mr. and Mrs. Gates – wished her good luck and didn’t invest a penny. And while her last name lends it self to opportunities other people might not get. But instead of letting the nepo-baby convo overshadow her ... Show More
24m 51s
Mar 2024
In Her Shoes: Taraji P. Henson
Actor, producer, and entrepreneur Taraji P. Henson talks to Lindsay about her illustrious career, including her roles in Hustle & Flow, EMPIRE and, most recently, The Color Purple. Plus, Henson talks about her fight for equal pay in the industry, her work in mental health advocac ... Show More
18m 54s
Sep 2024
Taraji P. Henson on Using Her Voice
<p>Taraji P. Henson is an actress, producer and mental health advocate. Taraji has shined in roles like “Hidden Figures”, “Empire”, and her latest project, “Fight Night”. Throughout her life and career, Taraji has overcome naysayers, proving who she is and what she has to offer. ... Show More
32m 41s
Nov 2024
Tracee Ellis Ross talks Pattern Beauty, advocacy, and joy with Samira Nasr
Award-winning actress and founder of Pattern Beauty Tracee Ellis Ross didn’t see Black beauty being represented well in the market – so she built a company from scratch to fix that. In this episode, she shares entrepreneurial lessons with her longtime friend Samira Nasr, who is e ... Show More
24m 24s
Aug 2020
#34: Make Your Own Path with Hala Taha
Hala Taha had the hip-hop world at her fingertips as an intern at New York's Hot97, working pro-bono for Angie Martinez and meeting stars such as Jennifer Lopez, Drake and Chris Brown. But being passed over for a job she believed she earned soured her, resulting in her dismissal ... Show More
24m 11s