How She Does It

By Karen FinermanBusiness Entrepreneurship

How She Does It episodes

September 02, 2025Ep 56: Writing The Novel You Want To Read: Plus-Size Heroines & Pop Culture Commentary With Best-Selling Author Jennifer Weiner
Jennifer Weiner has a slew of bestselling novels to her name, including Good in Bed, In Her Shoes, Big Summer, and Mrs. Everything. The Breakaway and most recently, The Griffin Sisters’ Greatest Hits. Her stories are filled with complex women and vital female relationships (think sisters, best friends, mothers & daughters, etc.). And she is on a mission to give her plus-sized protagonists “main character energy,” which includes plenty of romance - and never having them undergo some kind of redemptive, weight loss makeover.
On this episode of How She Does It, Jennifer shares with Karen Finerman her path to becoming a full-time author, her relationship with money (including why she never wants to be without money in the bank and what she did with her first big advance). Plus, she explains how the unfair scrutiny of young, famous women in the 1990s and early 2000s (like Britney Spears, Jessica Simpson, and Carnie Wilson) inspired The Griffin Sisters’ Greatest Hits.
💬 In this episode, we explore:
The influence of Toni Morrison on Jennifer’s writing

Why Jennifer credits her career as a journalist for making her a better writer

Where Jennifer finds inspiration for her novels

The battles Jeninfer has fought with her publishers over her books’ cover images

The cultural impact of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic on body positivity and acceptance

What Jennifer tells fellow authors when their books are optioned to be made into TV shows or movies
Resources:
🔗 Visit Jennifer’s website
📸 Follow Jennifer on Instagram
📸 Follow the show on Instagram: @hsdipodcast
🎧 New episodes of How She Does It drop every Tuesday. Be sure to follow us so you never miss an episode.

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46 min
August 26, 2025Best Of: Leanne Morgan on Comedy, Career Pivots, and Making It Big After 50
We’re revisiting one of our favorite conversations from Season 1, Karen’s unforgettable sit-down with comedian and actress Leanne Morgan, who proves it’s never too late to chase a dream.
Leanne’s career didn’t just bloom; it exploded in her late 50s. At 57, she went viral, landed a Netflix comedy special that racked up millions of views, and took the stage across the country. Since we first aired this episode, she’s been named to the Forbes 50 Over 50 list, starred in a film with Reese Witherspoon and Will Ferrell, and most recently launched her own Netflix sitcom, Leanne, produced by Chuck Lorre.
In this candid and hilarious conversation, Leanne shares how she got her start selling jewelry at home parties — accidentally discovering she had the chops to make women laugh until they cried (or peed!), and how she carved her own path while raising three kids in small-town Tennessee.
✨ Topics Covered:
The unlikely way Leanne discovered stand-up — during in-home jewelry sales parties

Balancing comedy gigs with motherhood and midnight sets

Why Leanne almost walked away from comedy in her 50s

The big risk she took investing in social media (that changed everything)

What Reese Witherspoon told her about finding success later in life

How she keeps her sanity (and her eyelashes on) while touring three cities a weekend

What happens when she forgets her jokes mid-show — and how the audience saves her

The wisdom and humor she brings from generations of Southern storytellers
🔗 Resources & Links:
📲 Follow How She Does It on Instagram: @hsdipodcast
👩‍💼 Learn more about Leanne Morgan and her tour at leannemorgan.com
📸 Follow Leanne on Instagram: @leannemorgancomedy
👍 Follow Leanne on Facebook: Leanne Morgan Comedy
🎧 New episodes drop every Tuesday. Hit “Follow” so you never miss a moment.
💌 Join the HerMoney community: hermoney.com/subscribe

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38 min
August 19, 2025Ep 55: The Rise & Resilience of Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego
Kate Gallego was in her mid-30s, and her life, on paper at least, seemed to be going perfectly: she was serving on the Phoenix city council, married to a congressman, and newly pregnant after having tried for some time. But within a matter of months, as she recalls, “ my life just fell upside down all at once.”
Her marriage broke up, and her mother was diagnosed with late-stage cancer. Meanwhile, her dream job, the mayor of Phoenix, unexpectedly became available when the incumbent resigned to run for another office. At first, she was convinced the timing wasn’t right. But with the encouragement of her supporters (and once her son started to sleep through the night), she came to understand that timing is never perfect, and sometimes you just need to jump at an opportunity.
She ran and won that special election in 2019 at the age of 37. Mayor Kate Gallego, now in her third and final term, shares with host Karen Finerman what she is doing to future-proof her city, her approach to raising her son (and what he’s taught her), and how her mother’s illness motivated her to work to make life better for residents of Phoenix.
💡 In this episode:
Despite being a natural introvert, she’s learned to speak up and work a room

Why having an MBA has served her well as mayor

What role Phoenix is playing to protect national security and help your smartphones run safely

How she juggles raising her son with her ex-husband, who is now a U.S. senator

The steps the city of Phoenix is taking to make the city more livable in the heat
🔗 Resources & Links:
Follow How She Does It on Instagram
Follow Mayor Kate Gallego on Instagram
Follow Mayor Kate Gallego on LinkedIn
🎧 New episodes of How She Does It drop every Tuesday. Be sure to follow us so you never miss an episode.

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38 min
August 12, 2025EP 54: “And Just Like That”: How Crystal McCrary McGuire’s Life Inspired a TV Character
If you’re a Sex & The City fan, you know Lisa Todd Wexley (“LTW”), the stylish, accomplished New Yorker played by Nicole Ari Parker in And Just Like That. But here’s the real-life plot twist: Crystal McCrary McGuire — bestselling author, award-winning filmmaker, entrepreneur, and mom to NBA star Cole Anthony — inspired the character.
Crystal joins host Karen Finerman to share how she left a top New York law firm to pursue a creative life, from penning New York Times bestsellers to producing groundbreaking documentaries. She opens up about raising a pro athlete, building a youth sports platform with Cole, and the discipline it takes to balance career, family, and passion projects.
💡 In this episode:
"She Runs The World" - The Allyson Felix documentary on how the Olympian is changing the conversation on gender equality in sports

The perks and challenges of running a business with Cole Anthony

The daily practice she credits with transforming her into an artist

The surprising way she learned about her “And Just Like That” connection

The time management system that keeps her and husband Ray McGuire’s busy lives in sync
🔗 Resources & Links:
Follow How She Does It on Instagram
Follow Crystal McCrary McGuire on Instagram
Info on the Game Up App
🎧 New episodes of How She Does It drop every Tuesday. Be sure to follow us so you never miss an episode.

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47 min
August 05, 2025Ep 53: In-Demand Fashion Model and CEO: Pritika Swarup’s Busy Life
At 16, Pritika Swarup was planning to go into medicine. Then, on a family trip to Disney World, a modeling scout changed the course of her life. What followed was a whirlwind career walking runways, starring in global campaigns for Fenty Beauty, Ralph Lauren, and Athleta, and building an Instagram following of 1.2 million. But even as her career soared, Pritika stayed focused on school, graduating from Columbia University with a degree in financial economics.
Now, she’s the founder and CEO of Prakti Beauty, a line of Ayurvedic-inspired skincare products grounded in the wellness traditions of her Indian heritage. On this episode of How She Does It, Pritika opens up to Karen Finerman about the pressure to be perfect, what she’s learned from building a business, and how she’s grown into a more collaborative (and less self-critical) leader.
💬 In this episode, we explore:
Why she ditched traditional to-do lists for something way more effective

What she hopes to build with her recent signing to CAA

Her hardest lessons as a first-time founder

The surprising parallels between fashion and finance

And yes, her red carpet beauty routine—start to finish!
Resources:
Check out Prakti Beauty: www.praktibeauty.com
Follow Prakti on Instagram: @praktibeauty
Follow Pritika: @pritikaswarup
💬 Enjoying the show? Follow How She Does It and leave us a review. And don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode.

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37 min
July 29, 2025Ep 52: The Business Behind Paris Hilton's Media Empire with Rachel Webber
Paris Hilton may have started as a reality star and tabloid fixture, but today she’s a powerhouse entrepreneur with one ambitious goal: to build a next-gen "Disney.”
And at the center of that mission is Rachel Webber, Chief Commercial & Brand Officer of Paris Hilton's 11:11 Media.
In this candid and energizing conversation, How She Does It host Karen Finerman sits down with Rachel to talk about her unconventional path—from writing term papers on Ally McBeal to running the digital team at Nat Geo, reinventing Playboy, and now shaping the future of pop culture through Paris Hilton’s media empire.
Rachel brings decades of experience building iconic global brands, and now she’s leveraging that to lead a multi-platform content, commerce, and community business powered by one of the world’s most recognizable names.
💡 Topics covered:
How a Kara Swisher podcast changed Rachel’s life

Why Paris Hilton is nothing like the character she played on The Simple Life

The story behind Rachel’s pivot from Nat Geo to Playboy

Why Rachel prefers OKRs to “hustle culture”
🔗 Resources & Links:
📲 Follow How She Does It on Instagram: @hsdipodcast
👩‍💼 Rachel Webber on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/webberrachel
🌟 11:11 Media on LinkedIn: 1111 Media
📸 11:11 Media on Instagram: @11.11media
🎧 New episodes of How She Does It drop every Tuesday. Be sure to follow us so you never miss an episode.

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42 min
July 22, 2025 Ep 51: From Yale Law to Happiness Expert: Gretchen Rubin’s Journey to Joy and Success
“I’d rather fail as a writer than succeed as a lawyer,” says bestselling author Gretchen Rubin — a realization that struck while she was clerking for Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. In this deeply honest and often humorous episode of How She Does It, Gretchen shares how chasing what she was truly interested in — power, money, fame, and sex — unexpectedly opened the door to a successful writing career.
Host Karen Finerman sits down with Gretchen to explore the winding path that led to The Happiness Project, a book that launched a movement and transformed Gretchen’s life. With over 3.5 million copies sold and 11 books published, Gretchen reflects on what success has really meant for her happiness, how she copes with life’s irritations, and why abstaining from sugar works better for her than moderation.
In this episode, Gretchen and Karen discuss:
✨ Why Gretchen left law for writing — and how she knew it was time
📘 The surprising ups and downs behind The Happiness Project
🧠 Why meditation isn’t for everyone (and that’s OK!)
🎯 The power of “choosing the bigger life” when making tough decisions
🥂 Why saving things “for a special occasion” might actually be wasting them
💪 The value of loving the drudgery in meaningful work
🍫 Abstinence vs. moderation — and how it plays out in daily life
📚 Plus: their favorite aphorisms from Gretchen’s new book, Secrets of Adulthood
Resources & More:
🔗 Visit Gretchen’s website
🎧 Listen to the Happier with Gretchen Rubin podcast
📸 Follow the show on Instagram: @hsdipodcast
🎧 New episodes of How She Does It drop every Tuesday. Be sure to follow us so you never miss an episode.\

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34 min
July 15, 2025Ep 50: Debby Soo on Leading OpenTable, Landing Impossible Reservations & Owning Your Ambition
Whether it’s brunch with your crew, a romantic anniversary dinner, or a buzzy new opening downtown, chances are you’ve tapped OpenTable to lock in that perfect reservation. This week on How She Does It, host Karen Finerman sits down with the woman behind the platform that seats 1.8 billion diners a year: OpenTable CEO Debby Soo.
In a wide-ranging and refreshingly candid conversation, Debby opens up about everything from navigating corporate leadership during a pandemic to what drives her relentless ambition. (Hint: It’s not just about power—it’s about freedom.)
🎧 Listen in as Debby shares:
How growing up the only child of immigrants shaped her, including learning how to code-switch and work harder than anyone else in the room.

The clever way she landed the CEO gig at OpenTable

Why she struggled in her early days in banking, and how she overcame it

How her approach to fixing problems has changed now that she’s a CEO

The game-changing advice from her executive coach that reshaped her leadership

The funny moment from the first date with her now-husband when she knew he was the one

What she told her 6-year-old after he bragged, “Both my parents are CEOs.”

And yes—how to actually score that impossible reservation
🎧 New episodes of How She Does It drop every Tuesday. Be sure to follow us so you never miss an episode.
Resources:
Follow How She Does It on Instagram: ⁠@hsdipodcast⁠
Follow Debby Soo on Instagram and LinkedIn
Keep up with the latest on OpenTable via Instagram and TikTok
Explore great restaurants on OpenTable online and the app.
… Does more financial confidence sound good to you, then you might want to try:
🚀 ⁠FinanceFixx⁠ – HerMoney’s 4 or 8-week Money Makeover financial coaching program that will help you get your finances on track!
📈 ⁠InvestingFixx⁠ – HerMoney’s investing club for women who are ready to learn market lingo, and grow their wealth. Your first month with us is completely free!

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48 min
July 08, 2025Ep 49: Growing Through Unexpected Change (live and on national TV!) with Jenna Bush Hager
We’re kicking off Season 2 of How She Does It with a powerhouse first guest: none other than Jenna Bush Hager, co-host of TODAY’s fourth hour, bestselling author, and founder of the new production company and publishing imprint, ⁠Thousand Voices⁠.
For nearly six years, Jenna and Hoda Kotb brought laughter, honesty, and heart to morning television. But when Hoda announced she was leaving the show, Jenna was suddenly faced with a major transition: stepping forward as the show’s solo anchor and leading an entirely new chapter — Jenna & Friends. Since then, she’s shared the screen with 50 different guest co-hosts (yes, 50!) while continuing to connect with audiences through joy, spontaneity, and total transparency.
In this candid and unfiltered conversation, Jenna opens up about:
The emotional moment Hoda told her she was leaving, how they said goodbye, and the generous way Hoda helped Jenna before she left

What it’s like “dating” 50 different co-hosts on live TV

Launching her production company and publishing imprint, Thousand Voices

Her secret for reading so many books every week

Her leadership style, learning to say “no,” and why you should always take the meeting

How she and her husband Henry balance work, parenting, and privacy
It’s the perfect conversation to kick off this season’s journey into how bold, brilliant women manage the messy, magical balance of work, life, and ambition.
Resources:
📌 Follow How She Does It on Instagram: ⁠@hsdipodcast⁠
📚 ⁠Conform by Ariel Sullivan⁠ hits shelves Fall 2025.
📌 Follow Jenna on Instagram:⁠ @JennaBHager⁠
📺 Follow ⁠@JennaandFriends⁠ and ⁠@ReadWithJenna⁠
🌐 Learn more at⁠ ThousandVoices.com⁠
🎧 New episodes of How She Does It drop every Tuesday. Be sure to follow us so you never miss a story.
… Does more financial confidence sounds good to you, then you might want to try:
🚀 ⁠FinanceFixx⁠ – HerMoney’s 4 or 8-week Money Makeover financial coaching program that will help you get your finances on track!
📈 ⁠InvestingFixx⁠ – HerMoney’s investing club for women who are ready to learn market lingo, and grow their wealth. Your first month with us is completely free!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
39 min
July 01, 2025Sizzle Reel: What’s Coming This Season on How She Does It with Karen Finerman
It’s time for another great season of How She Does It with Karen Finerman, full of insightful conversations with a diverse group of women leaders. Each week, Karen brings her perspective as a CEO and mother of four (and not to mention, a big WNBA fan) to these discussions about women, money, and power.
We’ll hear from influential women across business, entertainment, and sports, who share their own triumphs and challenges. You will come away from these episodes with insights and encouragement about how to navigate your own personal and professional life (and who doesn’t need that?) Guests for the new season include:
Jenna Bush Hager - TODAY Host & Founder, Thousand Voices

Debby Soo - CEO, OpenTable

Gretchen Rubin - NY Times Bestselling Author & Podcast Host

Pritika Swarup - Model and Founder & CEO, Pratki Beauty
And more! The new season starts on July 8th. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and share your favorite episodes.

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3 min

About How She Does It

From the publisher's feed

On every episode of HOW SHE DOES IT you’ll be listening in to a conversation with a female leader — leaders in all industries — who make their own space and build their careers in unique ways. How She Does It is about a woman’s place in the world and in the economy, but it’s also about our power, our emotions, careers, families, and so much more.