The Step

In each episode of “The Step” presented by POPSUGAR and SOREL Footwear, comedian Ego Nwodim sits down with an unstoppable woman to discuss what drives their personal hustle. From creating a more inclusive beauty industry, to redefining ‘success,’ or using their platforms to create change, these women will stop at nothing to achieve their dreams.

In this episode of “The Step” by POPSUGAR, presented by SOREL footwear, bestselling author Luvvie Ajayi Jones talks with actress Ego Nwodim about how improv changed her life, how she never quit in the face of so many “nos,” and how she wants to amplify POC voices with her platform. Ego is also working to bring improv to kids, thanks to the important lessons it taught her.  

In this episode of “The Step” by POPSUGAR, presented by SOREL footwear, bestselling author Luvvie Ajayi Jones talks with musician JoJo about never quitting, bringing about change through music, and slowing down to recharge. JoJo has started her own label, Clover Music, in the hopes of signing and developing new talent in the future.

"The Step" by POPSUGAR is taking the week off in honor of the election. Make sure you get out and vote!

In this episode of “The Step” by POPSUGAR, presented by SOREL footwear, bestselling author Luvvie Ajayi Jones talks with actress and musician Laura Marano, who is working with Equality Now to end human trafficking. Laura’s work with Equality Now began when she and her sister, Vanessa, were filming Saving Zoe, and the experience opened their eyes to an issue many are too afraid to speak out about.

In this episode of “The Step” by POPSUGAR, presented by SOREL footwear, bestselling author Luvvie Ajayi Jones talks with Lyndsey Scott, a supermodel and actress who doubles as a software engineer. As Luvvie points out, none of these industries are easy for a Black woman to navigate -- which Lyndsey knows first hand. Her experiences within them, though, have given her the courage to start speaking out about injustices she witnesses. 

In this episode of “The Step” by POPSUGAR, presented by SOREL footwear, bestselling author Luvvie Ajayi Jones talks with Alicia Garza, who is one of the founding members of the Black Lives Matter movement, alongside Opal Tometi and Patrisse Cullors. It’s been seven years since Alicia first wrote the Facebook post that would inspire a hashtag, then a movement, and here, she discusses how movements take serious time, and how having thick skin, but a soft heart makes it easier. From how she sees herself as an organizer, rather than activist, to the lessons she’s still learning, to her love of tequila and workouts that drive emotion, Alicia and Luvvie cover it all.

In this episode of “The Step” by POPSUGAR, presented by SOREL footwear, our host, Luvvie Ajayi Jones, sits down with model and activist Jillian Mercado, who happens to use a wheelchair. Together, they explore how her parents fostered her love of fashion and determination in the face of adversity, how our “otherness” can be one of our greatest strengths, and how she founded Black Disabled Creatives to help Black disasbled artists find jobs in 2020.

“The Step” by POPSUGAR, presented by SOREL Footwear, is a podcast for – and about – unstoppable women. And there’s no one more unstoppable than a woman who wants to inspire change. This season, we’re telling their powerful stories of women stepping up in their communities.

In this episode of The Step by POPSUGAR, presented by SOREL, celebrity stylist Kate Young sits down with Alli Webb, founder of the wildly popular Drybar enterprise of blowout bars. Alli is one of those true self-made success stories. She started out as a hairstylist and stay-at-home mom giving blowouts to clients in their homes before betting it all on the first Drybar location in the midst of the recession of 2010. Drybar now has over 130 locations, and Alli finds herself balancing her professional success with her own private personal losses.