Steve Schmidt, co-founder of The Lincoln Project, is a communications and public affairs strategist who has worked on numerous Republican campaigns, including President George W. Bush, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Senator John McCain. He joins Sophia on "Work In Progress" to discuss what led him into politics, the importance of truth and the consequences of not being able to tell what is real or fake, the business of selling hope, the pandemic, how to have conversations with people who don't share your opinions, and more. 
Executive Producers: Sophia Bush & Sim Sarna
Supervising Producer: Allison Bresnick
Associate Producer: Caitlin Lee
Editor: Matt Sasaki
Music written by Jack Garratt and produced by Mark Foster
Artwork by Kimi Selfridge
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Political Strategist Steve Schmidt

Work in Progress with Sophia Bush features frank, funny, personal, professional, and sometimes even political conversations with people who inspire Sophia about how they’ve gotten to where they are, and where they think they’re still going. These discussions stem from her "aha" moment of realizing you are allowed to be both a masterpiece and a work in progress, simultaneously.

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For over three decades, Grammy and Oscar-winning rockstar Melissa Etheridge has dazzled audiences across the globe. Now, she is lighting up the Broadway stage with her one-woman act. 
The rock icon joins Sophia to talk about her journey from a kid in the midwest with a guitar to a globe-trotting hitmaker, how her critically acclaimed stage show came about, the decision to open up about her son's passing in her memoir, and growing up in the '60s and '70s, and the consequences of coming out then versus now. 
Plus, Melissa is going on tour again this spring! How she feels about hitting the road again, and details about her upcoming special coming to Paramount+ soon.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Work in Progress: In Case You Missed It: Melissa Etheridge

When her country called, she answered. Mae Krier is a real-life Rosie the Riveter who, at just 17, left home to work in a factory and help her country during World War II.
The trailblazer and Congressional Gold Medal recipient shares her journey with Sophia, which spans the Great Depression, living through 17 American Presidents and contributing to the war effort by building bombers for Boeing during WWII. It's a riveting story from a member of the greatest generation.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mae Krier

Jesse Tyler Ferguson went from being a shy kid to being a successful actor on Broadway and the big and small screen . . . and now he's a successful podcast host too! Is there anything he can't do?
The actor joins Sophia to chat about his journey to becoming an actor, which started at the tender age of eight, how he feels now looking back on his "Modern Family" days, fun stories from the set, and juggling home and work life with two little ones at home! 
Plus, the scoop on his podcast "Dinner's On Me," including upcoming guests and favorite restaurants you should check out! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Work in Progress: In Case You Missed it: Jesse Tyler Ferguson

As a child, Luke Russert would grab a mic and narrate his surroundings, a habit that was not surprising given his parents' profession. His early exposure to journalism, growing up on sets and around politics, laid the foundation for his future career. 
Luke joins Sophia to share his experience growing up in the world of journalism and the impact the loss of his dad, Tim Russert, had on him. He opens up about delivering a eulogy to a room full of presidents and senators, forging his own career path, dealing with comparisons to his father, and the surprising advice he received that made him decide to walk away from the world of news for a while.
He also talks about his journey of self-discovery and coming to terms with grief which led to his book, "Look for Me There: Grieving My Father, Finding Myself," available now.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke Russert

Legendary actress Jane Fonda found her calling for activism in the 60s and never looked back. At age 86, she continues to pursue change with a contagious enthusiasm and necessary urgency. 
 
The Oscar winner joins Sophia for a conversation that explores her complicated childhood, her relationship with her father, and how she untangled herself from the pressures of Hollywood. A true work in progress, Jane also examines her resilience and where she hopes to improve in what she calls her final act.
 
These days, Fonda is busier than ever fighting climate change and invites listeners to join the Jane Fonda Climate Pac by texting JANE to 40506. For more information on the important work she’s doing, visit JanePac.com.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Political Strategist Steve Schmidt

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