Story + Rain Talks

We talked to the designer who, eighteen years ago, established and nailed an aesthetic that’s since soared in popularity. Exploding onto the scene with her leaf design made popular by Jennifer Aniston’s character in the film The Break Up, Jennifer Meyer creates and has created countless collectible pieces that define the day-to-day when it comes to modern iconic fine jewelry. Jen tells the story behind the leaf, how exactly she nabbed a much-coveted spot at Barneys New York, and making a gift for Alber Elbaz. We discuss how her father helped instill her strong work ethic from the day she stepped foot off Syracuse’s campus, and how one $500 a week PR job turned into a major magazine stint, and roles at Armani and Ralph Lauren. Jen shares her brand’s most game-changing moments, why slow and steady wins the race, and how staying in one’s lane can create success. She shares how she blindly chased the design ideas she’d had in her heart and soul… and also shares her philosophies for living life and building a brand with heart and soul. We get into the symbolism that’s core to the Jennifer Meyer collection and to Jen personally--- and her necklace that truly makes magic. There’s the Jennifer Meyer secret sauce as she describes it; you’ll hear Jen share her vision for being one with one’s jewelry. Also on the podcast, we dive into the waters of Malibu to discuss her newly-released fragrance collection, where even scent tells a story. We get an intimate peek at her Vogue Fashion Fund times, and her relationship with mentor Diane Von Furstenberg. We also talk connecting with her multigenerational customer, and how the people she surrounds herself with inspire her. Jen gives great advice for entrepreneurs and shares life lessons, words to live by, and why success means being at peace. Jen’s got a fantastic obsixed list of favorite things, including the key pieces she turns to in her own collection. Our conversations with creatives continue, as Story + Rain Talks to Jennifer Meyer.

Discover more + Shop The Podcast:

Jennifer Meyer Large Leaf necklace  

Jennifer Meyer Large Leaf earrings 

Jennifer Meyer Good Luck necklace 

Jennifer Meyer Diamond Wishbone necklace

Jennifer Meyer Mini Wishbone bracelet 

Jennifer Meyer Large Hammered Heart necklace

Jennifer Meyer candle 

Jennifer Meyer fragrance

Jennifer Meyer rollerball fragrance

Jennifer Meyer hand + body cream 

C + The Moon Malibu Made Body Scrub

Roe caviar

U Beauty The Super Hydrator

U Beauty The Plasma Lip Compound

Favorite Daughter Jamie sweater in black

Sp5der hoodie

Sp5der sweatpants

This week has us sitting down with the food expert whose recipes are splashed all over NYT Cooking. You'll hear about her three most-made meals, and her popular pasta hashtag and its collection of dishes. You'll also hear about how she went from cabaret singer to bartender to publicist, to working on actor-turned-vintner Kyle MacLachlan's Pursued By Bear wines. We talk about exactly when it was that Colu Henry took her deep dive into the culinary world, and her extensive background in creating and editing recipes. We get into the look, the feel, the food of Colu's two cookbooks to date, and how her romantic and robust storytelling sets her apart from the rest. Listen in to hear all about spending quality time with friends, a favorite restaurant to add to your list, and an Instagram memes account to go to for laugh. Discover where Colu buys her crab, and how an air compressor became a terrific tool in the kitchen.We talk being cozy and cooking on vacation, and why doing so tests one's creativity. On the podcast Colu shares stories around her writer-roots, and the future she's got waiting for her in the 1800's Nova Scotia farmhouse she and her husband are restoring themselves. Colu shares what it's like working with a spouse, a surprise discovered deep amongst the pages of one of her years of notebooks, and her Italian grandmother's influence. Get a candid and firsthand account about what it's like to be a woman working in food, and the pressure that exists to be a "bon vivant", but to look a certain way. We discuss stepping into her voice, and the details around her beloved Substack that make it worth reading and why it feeds Colu's own soul. We talk meat as an accessory, how turkey is the chicken that keeps on giving, and the tastemaker shares what tops her list of favorite things from books to condiments. Of course, we break down the best and chicest ways to feed a crowd including the masterful menus she has and is putting together for her birthday and for the holidays. Our conversations with creatives continue, as Story + Rain Talks to Colu Henry. Discover more + Shop The Podcast:

ColuHenry.com
Colu Cooks cookbook

Back Pocket Pasta cookbook

Rona Inao/Iso Tasting Wine Glasses

FLY BY Jing Chengdu Crunch Sauce

Pike Place Market Fresh Wild Dungeness Crab Meat

Ilia Color Block Lipstick in Flame

Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara

The Sicilian Inheritance by Jo Piazza

Girls They Write Songs About by Carlene Bauer

Bread Toast Crumbs cookbook by Alexandra Stafford

Pizza Night cookbook by Alexandra Stafford

House + Garden A Year in the Kitchen cookbook

Sezane Gaspard Cardigan

Sezane Otto Sweater

Sezane Basil Cardigan

If you don’t know, now you know. James Alsop, a one-time contestant on Bravo’s Step It Up And Dance, is now one of the entertainment industry’s most sought-after choreographers doing some of the most interesting work. James began her career as co-choreographer of Beyoncé’s videos, tour, and promotional materials for the multi-platinum selling records Who Run the World, Dance For You, and Love on Top. And we get into how she made her way into dancing with Beyonce, here. She also assisted in choreographing the huge hit  music video Booty by Jennifer Lopez. James has worked with Paul Thomas Anderson for the Haim music video Just A Little of Your Love, and after choreographing the entire season of Maya Rudolph and Martin Short’s variety series Maya + Marty, she was asked by Tina Fey to choreograph season three of the Emmy nominated series The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. A truly incredible body of work, and there's more. She most recently choreographed the Peacock musical TV series Girls5Eva starring Story + Rain cover star Busy Phillips, and UnPrisoned, the Tracy McMillan series starring Kerry Washington.  Then there’s Pose, the superbowl, the Dahmer series, Emily In Paris; the Gossip Girl reboot; and it was a dream come true when James worked on the Whitney Houston biopic, I Wanna Dance With Somebody. There are so many more projects to name. On the podcast we talk about that experience as well as her vision for The Devil Wears Prada musical, and being inspired by the ways people walk, for it. We discuss working through her feelings and her skillset to choreograph the upcoming A Transparent Musical, based on the Emmy award winning series from Amazon Prime. We talk living by the rule of rising to the occasion to be the best you can be, the time she surprised Beyonce, and the time she was at a party that changed her life, and that was shortly before Story + Rain's Editor in Chief and Founder, Tamara, met James. James loves to teach; we talk about her teaching style and philosophies, and her dancing style---"intricate, sexy, and groovy” is how she describes it. We talk all about sticking with the dream, and the opportunities that opened up after she decided to  “wake up and see who I really am every day”. Tired of hiding, James transitioned in 2015. From stories about mornings in the kitchen with her siblings singing and dancing with her mother blasting Luther Vandross, to when Tamara met and dressed James in LA on a Bravo ad campaign set and when she knew there was a superstar before her---you’ll be inspired. One of our favorite people, a one-of-a-kind talent, our conversations with creatives continue as Story + Rain talks to James Alsop. Discover more + Shop The Podcast:
Folllow James Alsop on Instagram
I Wanna Dance With Somebody 
Above And Beyonce Video Collection + Dance Mixes
Spare by Prince Harry The Duke Of Sussex

You will love this conversation about the latest and the best of the beauty industry with our next guests. We're talking to Violet Grey’s Founder, Cassandra Grey, and Sarah Brown, Executive Director of Violet Lab at Violet Grey, formerly of Vogue. This is a unique chat and a special treat, getting to talk to the esteemed experts together. VioletGrey.com, of course, is a content and commerce destination (we know a little something about that) for all things beauty, that so many of us love, known for its supremely-vetted, highest-quality product; product that Violet Grey helps to make most coveted. Go behind the scenes with us here, as you get an intimate peek at how Cassandra and Sarah collaborate and complement one another. We discuss the before and after of acquisition by Farfetch in 2022. You’ll learn all about exactly what Violet Lab and The Violet Code is, how it works, what makes for a great committee member, and how (and why) it was established. From Cassandra and Sarah, you’ll hear about their deeply cared-for customer, the Hollywood influence on Violet Grey content, and how celebrity beauty has evolved over the years. Cassandra tells her story of starting up, and Sarah shares what she gets to experience at Violet Grey that she hadn’t experienced previously in her career. Cassandra and Sarah share how they know when a new-to-market brand is doing something special, and we do an extremely deep dive into all the products, tools---and the artists and entrepreneurs behind them---that are making the biggest impressions on each of them…including what’s in their own current personal beauty and wellness routines today. Get a glimpse ahead at the future of beauty with some interesting insight into what’s set to start taking off and trending. Our conversations with creatives continue, as Story + Rain Talks to Cassandra Grey and Sarah Brown of Violet Grey.  Discover more + Shop The Podcast:

violetgrey.com

Westman Atelier Vital Skincare Complexion Drops ⁠⁠

Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick ⁠⁠

Westman Atelier Face Trace Contour Stick ⁠⁠

Westman Atelier Beauty Butter Powder Bronzer ⁠

Jillian Dempsey Cheek Tint ⁠⁠Chanel No 102 Foundation Blending Brush ⁠⁠

Brodo bone broth ⁠

Dr Loretta Universal Glow Daily Defense SPF 40  ⁠⁠

R + Co Bleu Essential Shampoo ⁠⁠

R + CO Bleu Essential Conditioner ⁠⁠

Eighth Day Regenerative Serum ⁠⁠

U Beauty Resurfacing Compound ⁠

U Beauty Resurfacing Body Compound

Lyma Laser 

This week we sit down with actor and artist Jemima Kirke to talk creativity, collecting, painting, inspiration, and more. With our latest cover star, we discuss her deeply artistic upbringing and how her experiences at schools, St Anns and RISDE, have shaped her. Jemima talks about the time when she learned to make art for different reasons, and why dreams shouldn’t be trusted. She shares deeply personal insights into her sisters Lola and Domino, and her perspective on what it is and isn’t, to be both a mother and an artist. On the podcast, for us Jemima colors in intimate corners of her studio space, and the look and feel of her home. We talk about who has collected her work, having artists as friends, life as a single parent, eating ice cream for breakfast, and enjoying time with her children. We get to the essence of why children’s costumes have a cherished place in her heart, and discuss her vintage + antique children’s collection, Orphan Darling, and her series of paintings, Scamp. Jemima gets into painting two people, her favorite piece of work to date, and setting her art free. We wrap with the vintage magazines and catalogs she keeps collecting, have a chat about pants versus dresses, and how she’s learned to practice self care these days. Then there’s the how and the what of her famous lip look, including a current favorite color, and all of the old films she's revisiting, and why. Our conversations with creatives continue, as Story + Rain talks to Jemima Kirke. Discover more + Shop The Podcast:

Scamp | paintings by Jemima Kirke 

@Orphan_Darling vintage + antique children's clothing by Jemima Kirke

Ice cream maker

Vintage Montgomery Ward catalogs

Vintage House + Garden

The 400 Blows film

Cleo From 5 To 7 film

Hermes Rose Boisé lipstick

A life’s dream was realized when Abigail Cook Stone’s company, Otherland candles, was acquired in June 2023 by Curio brands---the umbrella company behind Anthropologie’s famed Capri Blue candle with a fierce following. The founder and CEO of Otherland is as passionate about candles as it gets, and her success since 2017’s launch reflects that. On the podcast she shares just how she was introduced to candles, and how she went from a round of roles at Ralph Lauren to pitching her brand and starting up. Abigail explains how she gathered her research for how she was going to make her mark in an oversaturated space, creating candles that would look and feel like luxury, yet weren’t too precious to burn.  We get into the olfactive creative process, some little- known details around candle making and manufacturing, and of course, scent. We do a deep dive into story and scent, and Otherland’s most popular and most interesting ones. Abigail describes how a collection comes together, the one place that she gets all her best ideas,  her arts-immersive upbringing, talks about her own scent memories, and that it’s not necessarily about replicating scent memory, but about reinterpreting it.  We talk Otherland’s distinct artwork and how Story + Rain and Otherland share part of their brand build story. The entrepreneur lets us in on her biggest learnings, talks trends, candle culture, “me time”, and plans for brand expansion.  This, #Obsixed obsessions, and much more. Our conversations with creatives continue, as Story + Rain talks to Abigail Cook Stone of Otherland. Discover more + Shop The Podcast:

Otherland.com 

Otherland Crisp Cornflower candle 

Otherland Fallen Fir candle 

Otherland Extra Hour candle 

Otherland Canary candle 

Body vodka 

Tarka Oil Spicy Organic Ghee from Paro Foods 

Verilux Happy Light 

DRMTLGY sunscreen 

Supergoop Resetting Mist 

follow @storyandraintalks on instagram for our very latest drops + more pod content ⁠HERE⁠ | follow @storyandrain magazine on instagram⁠ HERE⁠ | follow our host + founder @tamarararappa ⁠HERE⁠ | discover, read, shop: fashion, beauty, wellness, tv + film, food, travel, interviews, + more on ⁠storyandrain.com

This week we’re catching up with Whitney Tingle, a trailblazer in clean eating and the power of food as medicine. She’s, of course, Cofounder of Sakara. It’s eleven years from launch, and today Sakara has culled a community of dedicated clients. In fact, on the podcast, Whitney reads one of the many notes she receives from customers who share just how Sakara has been life changing for them. Known for their plant-rich meal plans, innovative supplements, superfood snacks, and cookbook filled with the brand’s signature rainbow of recipes, Whitney shares special details around some of Sakara’s meal favorites, their best-selling metabolism super powder , our personal favorite—Sakara’s beauty and detox water drops---and more. We talk growing up with gardening and in Sedona, and here, Whitney lets us in on the depth of severity in her early health struggle story. She calls out the Big Apple for what she describes as a “catalyst” city, explaining that there couldn’t have been any other place where she and cofounder Danielle could have built their brand with a cult following. She shares her perspective on building a business and being an entrepreneur, hashes out the how in how many people’s diets are filled with what Whitney calls “one hundred versions of pizza”. We get into the specifics behind how the Sakara cookbook was established, and the brand’s visually stunning, plant-rainbow meals based on their 9 Pillars Of Nutrition. And speaking of stunning, we get into how Sakara has come to be a stand-out in terms of visual branding, a brand where fashion meets food, as Whitney says. Then there are the out-of-the-box (pun intended) ways in which Whitney uses Sakara meals in her own life that you’ll want to follow yourself. We know we do. We discuss some cool collabs with KORA and Erewhon, and how science is addressing the power of the mind and mindset when it comes to health and nutrition. Lastly –we’ve got 12 items from skin and hair care to meal prep shortcuts and what Whitney’s wearing for you---discussed in detail and shoppable in show notes, on StoryAndRain.com, and on Instagram, as always. Our conversations with creatives continue, as Story + Rain talks to Whitney Tingle of Sakara. Discover more + Shop The Podcast:
Sakara.com and 9 Pillars Of Nutrition

Sakara Beauty Water + Detox Water Drops

Sakara Metabolism Super Powder 

Sakara Metabolism Protein Super Bar 

Sakara Complete Probiotic Formula

Sakara Eat Clean Play Dirty Cookbook
Maya Kaimal Tikka Masala Simmer Sauce

Maya Kaimal Coconut Korma Mild Simmer Sauce

Living Libations Best Skin Ever Cleanser Moisturizer

Living Libations Shampoo

Living Libations Conditioner

Vintner's Daughter Active Botanical Serum

Vintner's Daughter Active Treatment Essence

Vintner's Daughter Active Renewal Cleanser 

Le Prunier Plumscreen SPF 31

The PureLift Lab Pure Lift Face

Outdoor Voices Exercise Dress

Magnesium Citrate

follow @storyandraintalks on instagram for our very latest drops + more pod content ⁠HERE⁠ | follow @storyandrain magazine on instagram⁠ HERE⁠ | follow our host + founder @tamarararappa ⁠HERE⁠ | discover, read, shop: fashion, beauty, wellness, tv + film, food, travel, interviews, + more on ⁠storyandrain.com

follow @storyandraintalks on instagram for our very latest drops + more pod content ⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠ | follow @storyandrain magazine on instagram⁠⁠ HERE⁠⁠ | follow our host + founder @tamarararappa ⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠ | discover, read, shop: fashion, beauty, wellness, tv + film, food, travel, interviews, + more on ⁠⁠storyandrain.com

This week we talk to a couple of tastemakers who built and are growing a brand that is changing the game in personal care products, creating a new era in self care. Known at their fragrance house for choosing to spend ten times more than Tom Ford Fragrances on raw materials, co-founder and Head Of Creative, Phil Wong, and Creative Director Taylor Okata of Hawthorne talk pouring style, love, and also respect for their customer, into each and every product they design. Hawthorne was founded when Phil and Co Founder Brian Jeong were sick of overusing outdated products made with cheap ingredients that pushed an outdated version of personal care products for men. With shared values and aesthetics, longtime friend and stylist Taylor joined the team, and on the podcast we talk all about their collaborative creative process---a process that includes the constant pulling of references, the building of moodboards, and tons of daily discussions. We discuss the Hawthorne trio’s experience with the products that had existed in the space before they got there, how the brand has culled their modern point of view, and the responses they receive when their customer discovers Hawthorne has multi-racial and Asian owners. We ask them all about how they roll deep in the candle game with their seven-candle offering, we get into their gifting customer, and working with Target and Nordstrom. The team talks about their love of and the importance of scent, having the best of testers in their friends, and they talk being in talks with a celebrity investor. We discuss diversity, category and gender, bravely breaking into the market, and more. As always, we wrap with what tops these trendsetters #Obsixed lists of current obsessions, but not before doing a deep dive into all the Hawthorne products, including greatest hits and personal faves. Trust me, after listening you’ll find yourself adding to cart and buying their bundles. Our conversations with creatives continue, as Story + Rain Talks to Phil and Taylor of Hawthorne. Discover more + Shop The Podcast:

Hawthorne.co

Hawthorne Mineral Wave Cologne

Hawthorne Gentle Sensitive Face Cleanser

Hawthorne Stain-Free Deodorant

Hawthorne Exfoliating Bar Soap

The Five Minute Journal

Silk pillowcase

Nike by Shygirl on vinyl

follow @storyandraintalks on instagram for our very latest drops + more pod content ⁠HERE⁠ | follow @storyandrain magazine on instagram⁠ HERE⁠ | follow our host + founder @tamarararappa ⁠HERE⁠ | discover, read, shop: fashion, beauty, wellness, tv + film, food, travel, interviews, + more on ⁠storyandrain.com

Enduring in everything from TV to film, on this week’s podcast, Story + Rain  cover star Jordana Brewster talks twenty-two years of Fast + Furious,  as the franchise motors through a milestone with billions at the box office, and latest film, Fast X. The beloved beauty and talent shares where she is at 43. She shares her thoughts on the crop of plum roles for females in their forties that interests her, how the entertainment industry has evolved, and who and what she loves to watch herself, specifically. She takes us on her long, wild ride as an actor, from starring in 1990’s favorite The Faculty to finding her way into the Ryan Murphy American Crime Story family. We discuss the corral of confidence she had as a kid that landed her those very first, life-changing roles, who she was as a student at Yale, posing for magazines then and now, and dating Mark Wahlberg in the days before social media. We talk wild days and nerdy days, and not dimming one’s light. Describing herself as a girl’s-girl, Jordana explains why it’s worthwhile to be friends with other working moms, dishes details about her relationships with her longtime Fast family, what she’s proud of most in making the Fast films, and she also shares stories about recent and upcoming projects, Who Invited Charlie?, and Neon, in which she plays a lesbian drug lord. She talks about what it’s like to be globally famous, what she wants for Mia and for Fast’s all-female spin off, what it means to practice self-care, how she maintains balance, and her favorites in everything from fashion to fitness, and more. Our conversations with creatives continues as Story + Rain Talks to actor and our stunning cover star, Jordana Brewster. Discover more + Shop The Podcast:
Watch Fast X
Fast + Furious 9 Movie Collection
Watch Who Invited Charlie?
Watch + own The Faculty
Watch + own American Crime Story: The People vs. O.J. Simpson
Denim skirt and Elena Linen Two piece from Reformation
Foam roller

follow @storyandraintalks on instagram for our very latest drops + more pod content HERE | follow @storyandrain magazine on instagram HERE | follow our host + founder @tamarararappa HERE | discover, read, shop: fashion, beauty, wellness, tv + film, food, travel, interviews, + more on storyandrain.com