More Than One Thing with Athena Calderone

How do you describe Laila Gohar? Well, it turns out there are a lot of ways. She’s a cook, an artist, a designer-- a visionary. Laila’s edible installations explore food as an art form and a means of communication. With her whimsical, delicious, and totally one-of-a-kind work, Laila makes space for people to come together and just be themselves. In this episode of More Than One Thing, she sits down with Athena to talk about self-doubt, self-love, hard work, New York City, and finding inspiration in everything from traffic cones to dreams.

Daphne Oz is a best-selling author, award-winning television host, mother, and all around amazing chef. She is also one of the happiest people on the planet. Her enthusiasm for clean but delicious food and her heart-felt candor about everything from her struggles with weight loss to life as a new mom makes her the kind of girl you can’t help but love. Tune in to hear Daphne discuss her unconventional life, choosing joy, the power of living honestly, and getting a good old fashion case of the “Fuck-its.”

There really isn’t anyone like Naomi Watts. From starring in Oscar nominated films, to launching Onda, her clean beauty company, Naomi is one of those rare people who can wear many hats while remaining totally herself. But, like all of us, she has faced insecurity and doubt. While we know how her story ends, (King Kong, the Ring, Birdman, Mulholland Drive) in this episode of More Than One Thing, Naomi sits down to share where it all began. We talk about losing her father early, finding fame late, and discovering the confidence to say, “hey, I’m enough”. The road to success was lined with one no after another, but Naomi moved through rejection with the kind of grit and ambition that makes her an unequivocal powerhouse. Tune in to hear Naomi chat about identity, loss, and how she learned to trust in herself. As Naomi says, “nothing is a failure, it’s all growth.”

Welcome to Season 2 of More Than One Thing, the podcast that celebrates taking the road less traveled to find your passion and purpose. My own journey has definitely been anything but conventional. I’ve tried it all–– dancing, modeling, clubbing, yoga, acting. And while at the time those endeavors often felt like detours, perspective has shown me they were actually really important stops on the path that would lead me to EyeSwoon and life as my truest, most artistic, multi-faceted self. In this episode, my best friend Tali Magal is back to interview me about my personal story and how I navigated from lost to found. Spoiler alert! The secret was to stop trying to be someone else and start listening to the voice telling me I had something real to offer. I still don’t have it all figured out, but if I’ve learned anything from this crazy journey it’s that being bold, asking for help, and trusting your gut can get you farther than you could possibly imagine.

If I could use one word to describe Christene Barberich, it would be “visionary.” She saw the flaws in traditional women’s media, and created Refinery29 in response to that perceived need for inclusion and acceptance. In other words, she was made to sit at the helm of a global digital media brand. Listen to the latest episode of MTOT to hear Christene’s thoughts on becoming a mother at 49, the story behind Refinery29, and the power of an Instagram DM.

Not many people can say they went from pre-med, to paralegal, to stylist, except for Nausheen Shah. A Wisconsin native turned New Yorker, Nausheen’s story is one of fierce passion, determination, and bravery in the face of deep-seated tradition and family expectations. Determined to forge her own path, she entered the cutthroat fashion industry at the age of 25 and now works as a successful stylist, journalist, and designer. Listen in for her truly breathtaking story, plus an unfiltered, behind-the-scenes look at the fashion industry.

If you’re looking to remind yourself of what’s important in life, I suggest listening to my conversation with Waris Ahluwalia. An actor, jewelry designer, philanthropist, herbalist, wellness expert, and more, this big-hearted multi-hyphenate has mastered the art of exploring creative interests without judgement (or a plan). Tune in to hear him speak about the importance of trying anything and everything, listening to the universe, trusting your instincts, and living in the present moment.

As a stylist and designer, Colin King is a force to be reckoned with—his work lines the pages of Architectural Digest, T Magazine, Elle Decor, Vogue, Domino, Marie Claire, and more. But like so many of us, his path to success was more of a zig-zag than a straight line. He worked as a dancer, personal trainer, content creator, and social media manager in LA and NYC before falling into the interior design world. Tune in to hear Colin speak about the importance of self-acceptance, not knowing what you want to do, and just showing up for yourself (and every possible opportunity).

Hannah Bronfman’s career truly defies categorization—she’s a DJ, wellness guru, media personality, author, and more. But to me, she’s best described as a beam of light—she’s built her multifaceted career with confidence and grace, all while navigating life in NYC. Tune in to learn about her biggest professional setback, the importance of self-confidence, and how creating a fake assistant can get you where you need to go.