Eat My Words

Welcome to the Table: Do I Have to Get a Real Job?

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 09:45:00 -0400

In this week's episode, I catch up with an old friend from London, the incredible artist, Daisy de Villeneuve. She has collaborated with incredible brands like Moët & Chandon, Nike, Topshop, Zac Posen, Missoni, Kate Spade and more. She has written and collaborated on several books which are filled with her cheeky illustrations. We talk about her upbringing by an American mom and a British dad and how they fostered her creative side from a very young age. We talk about the highs and lows of making her living as an artist and how no-one in her family has ever had a "real" job. She is kind and creative and hilarious and I can't wait for you to get to meet her!

xx
Jo

Find Daisy at: http://www.daisydevilleneuve.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daisy_de_villeneuve/

Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywordsthepodcast?lang=en

Eat My Words Youtube: https://youtu.be/LWHXyEvH6TM
Eat My Words Website:https://www.eatmywordsthepodcast.com

Daisy's Bio:
Daisy de Villeneuve was born in London in 1975. She is half English and half American, she grew

up in the countryside in Kent and West Sussex. She attended Parsons School of Design in both

New York and Paris, studying Fashion Design and Fine Art, graduating with a BFA in Fine Arts.

Daisy has been working in her signature style of felt-tip pens since the age of three and has made

a successful career out of it. She has been commissioned by brands such as Moët & Chandon,

Globetrotter, Nike, Topshop, Zac Posen, Kate Spade, Clinique, Weleda, Habitat and Missoni. She

has illustrated for magazines such as British Vogue, Elle Decoration, Wallpaper*, The Sunday

Times Style Magazine, Elephant Magazine, The New York Times T Magazine, Grazia China, Elle

Girl Korea, i-D online and The Guardian.

Daisy’s work has appeared in department stores and boutiques around the world, including

Liberty’s London, Brown’s Focus in London, Shinsegae in South Korea, Colette in Paris and

Fashion Illustration Gallery at The Shop at Bluebird in both the King's Road and Covent Garden,

London.

She has exhibited in numerous cities across the globe including Athens, Tokyo, Milan and New

York. She has had solo shows at The Fashion and Textile Museum in London, The Laing Gallery in

Newcastle and at ARTREPCO in Zurich.

She wrote and illustrated the whimsical books, ‘He Said She Said’, and ‘I Told You So’, both

published by Pocko Editions in the U.K. and Chronicle Books in the U.S.A. ‘I Should Have Said’

was published by Hardie Grant in the U.K. and Rizzoli in the U.S.A. The V&A commissioned her to

illustrate their paper doll book, ‘Fashion Mash-Up’, published by Penguin Random House, as well

as attaining several of her illustrations for The Victoria and Albert Museum Prints, Drawings &

Paintings Collection.

Her work has been acquired by Soho House, The Groucho Club and The House of KOKO's,

London, for their art collections.

Since March 2021 she has been a regular contributor to the New York based podcast, Story +

Rain, illustrating their weekly guests.

Daisy is currently making artwork for a group Summer show, (BE)LONGING, in London in June

2026. Her most recent collaborations have been with the British brands, Marfa Stance & Manava

Collection.

—

Daisy has received a D&AD pencil award for Creative Excellence in Crafts For Advertising /

Illustration For Advertising for #sohonotsoso.

Welcome to the Table: It's the Idea that Matters

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 09:45:00 -0400

On this week's episode, I speak with Brooke Savona who is the founder of Flora Vintage and Gather, two brands rooted in nostalgia, community, and a deep appreciation for beauty and creativity. She also has background in fashion, including time working with Raf Simons at Calvin Klein and in Milan at Prada, where she developed a strong foundation in design, storytelling, and the emotional power of clothing.
We talk about our love of luxury fashion from a young age and how we both ended up at our dream companies before realizing that maybe they weren't the dream after all. We talk about how traditional school wasn't the path for her but that she became a student of art, design and business through her work experience. We also talk about learning to honor our own creativity and giving our ideas the respect they deserve. She tells the story of really betting on herself and throwing her hat in the ring for a job that changed her life forever.

I am so happy you are here and I hope you love getting to know her as much as I did!

xx
Jo

Find Brooke at: https://www.floravintage.co
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flora_vintage_/
https://www.instagram.com/__g_a_t_h_e_r__/

Eat My Words Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywordsthepodcast?lang=en

Eat My Words Youtube: https://youtu.be/Wwbz44a3uY4
Eat My Words Website:https://www.eatmywordsthepodcast.com

Welcome to the Table: Happy Birthday to Us!

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 09:45:00 -0400

Happy Birthday to us!!! We are celebrating our 1 year anniversary of Eat My Words with a girl dinner of cake and champagne. In today's episode, I reflect on the biggest lessons I have learned from our incredible guests over the last year. it is just a little sweet treat for you as a big thank you for all of the support over the last year! I hope you enjoy it.
xx
Jo

Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywordsthepodcast?lang=en

Eat My Words Youtube: https://youtube/HKyu5ziIupo
Eat My Words Website:https://www.eatmywordsthepodcast.com

Welcome to the Table: Don't Miss the Moments

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 09:45:00 -0400

My guest today is Shauna Sweeney, who wished for something like tendercare for the last eight years. Her personal journey of caring for her father, who has early-onset Alzheimer's, inspired her to help millions of family caregivers like her through technology. Prior to tendercare, Shauna was a tech executive at Meta and led a significant Employee Resource Group, Caregiving@, for aging parents and caregivers. Before that she was a professor of rhetoric at USC. Beyond her professional roles, she contributes to her community, having served on the boards of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce and the Asia Society. Shauna resides in New York in a historic, converted 1850s barn with her husband, daughter, two step-children, and their pet sheepdog, along with a small flock of chickens.
On today's episode, we talk about staying present so as not to miss the moments and finding ways to sneak in caring for ourselves while caring for everyone else. We talk about Shauna's unconventional childhood and how it has informed her life and career. We talk about what it means to dedicate your life to solving a big hairy problem and the sacrifices it sometimes takes to do so. Shauna is so wise and so energetic and so inspiring and I am so glad you are here to get to know her.

xx
Jo

Find Shauna and tendercare at: https://trytendercare.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaunasweeney/

Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywordsthepodcast?lang=en

Eat My Words Youtube: https://youtu.be/z4Wg7UAOI-0?si=8f-Rp-usbskqkMc_

Welcome to the Table: Don't Freak Out

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 09:45:00 -0400

My guest this week is a writer, editor, public speaker, and former cook. For nearly a decade, she worked as the lieutenant to the late author, TV host and producer Anthony Bourdain. She has written for the New York Times, Vogue, GQ, Food & Wine, Rolling Stone, Saveur, Bloomberg, Dissent, Roads & Kingdoms, and others. She earned her bachelor’s degree at Cornell University, after which she moved to New York and completed the professional training program at the French Culinary Institute, where chef-instructor Pascal Béric gave her the single best piece of advice she had ever received: “Don’t freak out! Freaking out is not gonna help.” She worked as Mario Batali’s assistant from 1999 to 2002, during which time she contributed to the writing of his books Holiday Food (2000) and The Babbo Cookbook (2002). She edited and recipe-tested Anthony Bourdain’s Les Halles Cookbook (2004), and then spent several years as an editor, at Art Culinaire and Wine Spectator.

In 2016, Ecco (an imprint of HarperCollins) published Appetites: A Cookbook, which she co-authored with Anthony Bourdain. Their second collaboration, World Travel: An Irreverent Guide, was published by Ecco in April 2021, and hit the New York Times bestseller list at #1. In September 2021, Ecco published Bourdain: The Definitive Oral Biography, which debuted on the New York Times bestseller list at #7. Appetites, World Travel and Bourdain have each been translated into more than a dozen languages. She recently co-authored, with Richard Hart, the James Beard Award-winning Richard Hart Bread: Intuitive Sourdough Baking, published by Clarkson Potter in November 2024. Her memoir, Care and Feeding, was published by Ecco in March 2025, and debuted on the New York Times bestseller list at #8. She also co-hosts a food-focused podcast, Carbface for Radio, and is a writer for Flaming Hydra, a creator-owned newsletter collective. She just co-authored Essentially Basque with chef Ryan Bartlow, and is currently co-authoring a memoir with a star of the beverage world.

In this episode, Laurie talks about how the power of having worked with bold-faced names opened many doors for her and also had its complications. We talk about trying to balance motherhood with meaningful work, the benefit of trying things and realizing they are not the right things for us and facing our failures. Laurie talks candidly about her substance abuse and path to sobriety and how she now knows how much better life is without the use of substances. Her story is intimate and challenging and beautiful and filled with some pretty high highs and some pretty low lows. She is brilliant and funny and honest and I hope you enjoy getting to know her and hearing her story!

So happy you're joining us,

xx
Jo

Find Laurie at: http://lauriewoolever.com/about
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/lauriewoolever/

Eat My Words Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywordsthepodcast?lang=en

Welcome to the Table: Designing the Life You Want

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 09:45:00 -0400

Natalie Marie Gehrels is a strategist, artist-designer, and cultural purveyor whose work reimagines how retail, agriculture, and the ritual of shared experience at the table shape the spaces where people gather. She is the Co-Founder of Folkways, a design-forward wine and objects concept with locations in New York and Connecticut, and a nationwide e-commerce platform that reframes the wine store as a place to celebrate farming, craft, and community. For nearly two decades, Natalie has operated at the intersection of creative direction, design, and brand strategy. As Founder and Creative Director of OURUSE, she has led projects for global brands including Nike, Calvin Klein, Rémy Martin, Tory Burch, and Swarovski, and currently collaborates with food, art, and cultural clients such as Hiyu Wine Farm. She is also the Founder and Executive Director of the North Salem Farmers Market and Field Future Foundation, initiatives exploring how foodways and gathering shape everyday life. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Architectural Digest, ELLE Decor, Surface Magazine, Milk Magazine, Dossier, Departures, NBC New York, and VinePair.

In this episode, we talk about the impact of her early career as a child model and how it informed how she lives her life today. She also talks about how being a single mother fundamentally changed her and gave her life focus. We talk about great design, beautiful food and wine and actively building the life you want to have in 10 years. And she shares the most romantic meet-cute with the man who would become her husband. We barely even scratched the surface of all of the incredible work she is doing, so we might need to have her back on soon! I hope you enjoy this one!

xx,
Jo

Find Natalie on Instagram at:https://www.instagram.com/folkways.wines/
and on her website:https://folkwayswines.com

Find Eat My Words at:
Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywordsthepodcast

Website: https://www.eatmywordsthepodcast.com

Welcome to the Table: The Drumbeat of Shame

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 09:45:00 -0400

Today, we're diving deep into a topic that affects all of us with Melissa Petro, a freelance cultural journalist who's been following the pulse of sexuality, trauma, motherhood and feminism for over two decades, and a leading expert on the topic of shame and vulnerability. Her debut book, SHAME ON YOU: How to Be a Woman in the Age of Mortification, was an Amazon Editors’ Pick for Best Nonfiction Book of the Month. As a writing coach, she's helped hundreds of girls and women push through fear, write, share and even publish their most vulnerable stories in national publications such as The New York Times, The Guardian, The Nation, Salon, Washington Post and elsewhere.

Our conversation is unflinching and raw as we talk about shame, how it affects women of all ages and circumstance, and the insidious effects it has on our understanding of success, ambition, and self-confidence. Melissa shares how she's come to contend with our unforgiving culture through journalism, education and increasing awareness in her community. This one really made me think. I hope you find her story inspiring.
xx
Jo

Find Melissa on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/melissa.petro/
and on her website: https://www.melissa-petro.com

Find Eat My Words at:
Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywordsthepodcast?lang=en
Eat My Words Website: https://www.eatmywordsthepodcast.com

Welcome to the Table: Flowering Futures, Part 2

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 09:45:00 -0400

This week we're bringing you part 2 of my conversation with Raquel Garcia and Natalia Meehan, with special guest Nina Meehan. We all take for granted our ability to communicate, so I hope this inspires you to dig deep and find ways to connect more fully with your loved ones, as it did for me.

Raquel Garcia is a passionate advocate and mother of Nina, her non-speaking autistic daughter. With 25 years of experience in interior design creating spaces that support how people live, Raquel is passionate about working with other non speaking autistic individuals and their families on their journey to open communication, knowing that healing begins in the home and family system. She focuses on establishing practical protocols and environments where both the non-speaker and their loved ones can thrive, helping families build sustainable practices rooted in hope and the right tools. Natalia Meehan is the Director and Co-Founder of Flowering Futures and Co-Founder of The Bridge, a curriculum that educates the public about spelling-based communication, and she spends most of her time as a Communication and Regulation Partner (CRP) working with autistic individuals with apraxia. Her life is deeply informed by her nonspeaking sister Nina, with whom she runs an herbal practice in service to others, advancing their shared mission of expanding awareness and advocacy around wellbeing & spelling. Natalia believes regulation is foundational to authentic communication and approaches spelling as a complete lifestyle. Through direct feedback from her spellers, she integrates herbal medicine, nervous system healing, and cutting-edge scientific approaches to support neurodivergent individuals in moving from surviving to thriving.

Thank you for being here,
Johanna

Find more on Raquel and Natalia's work at
https://www.floweringfutures.com/
https://www.instagram.com/flowering.futures/
https://www.thethreesisters.com/
https://www.thenina.foundation/

Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywords_thepodcast

Welcome to the Table: Flowering Futures, Part 1

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 09:45:00 -0500

It was an honor to have this conversation, and I am so excited to finally get to share it with you today. I'm joined by Raquel Garcia and Natalia Meehan for a meaningful, inspiring conversation. Raquel Garcia is a passionate advocate and mother of Nina, her non-speaking autistic daughter. With 25 years of experience in interior design creating spaces that support how people live, Raquel is passionate about working with other non speaking autistic individuals and their families on their journey to open communication, knowing that healing begins in the home and family system. She focuses on establishing practical protocols and environments where both the non-speaker and their loved ones can thrive, helping families build sustainable practices rooted in hope and the right tools. Natalia Meehan is the Director and Co-Founder of Flowering Futures and Co-Founder of The Bridge, a curriculum that educates the public about spelling-based communication, and she spends most of her time as a Communication and Regulation Partner (CRP) working with autistic individuals with apraxia. Her life is deeply informed by her nonspeaking sister Nina, with whom she runs an herbal practice in service to others, advancing their shared mission of expanding awareness and advocacy around wellbeing & spelling. Natalia believes regulation is foundational to authentic communication and approaches spelling as a complete lifestyle. Through direct feedback from her spellers, she integrates herbal medicine, nervous system healing, and cutting-edge scientific approaches to support neurodivergent individuals in moving from surviving to thriving.

We talk about purpose, the growth that comes from having to acknowledge you weren't right, and explore different perspectives and approaches to caregiving. They share their experience with developing routines and the impact they can have on emotional regulation. I learned so much today, including about presuming competence, keeping and open heart and open mind, and the undeniable importance of believing in hope, change and possibility.

This conversation expanded my heart, and I hope it'll fill your day with inspiration as well.

Thank you for being here,
Johanna

Find more on Raquel and Natalia's work at
https://www.floweringfutures.com/
https://www.instagram.com/flowering.futures/
https://www.thethreesisters.com/
https://www.thenina.foundation/

Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywords_thepodcast

Welcome to the Table: You Don't Have To Be A Creative To Be Creative

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 09:45:00 -0500

My brain has been ignited by the work of my guests today! Blythe Harris and Mallory May are lifelong creativity advocates who have spent their careers helping others connect with their innate creativity. Blythe was co-founder and chief creative officer of Stella & Dot, and has been featured in Inc., Fast Company, Vogue France, and Elle, and on the TODAY show. Mallory spent over a decade as a vice president at Sotheby’s before launching a career as an artist, designer, and creative director. Her work has been featured in Vogue and exhibited at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York. In 2020, they teamed up to launch DailyCreative to help people everywhere turn creativity into a daily wellness practice through low-lift activities that spark joy, strengthen mental agility and decrease stress. Their book, Daily Creative: The 5-Minute Habit to Rewire Your Brain, is being published by Chronicle Books TODAY!!!!

I'm not exaggerating when I say that their work can benefit everyone on the planet! Our conversation starts at the beginning of their journeys, and through how they learned business execution as creatives. We talk about habit stacking and how authenticity creates flow, and luxuriate in all things creativity. They share what they've learned over the course of their fascinating careers, which is that creativity is not an innate trait, it's one that you can practice and nourish. We explore how they get into a creative flow, the urgent need for creativity with the rise of AI, and so, so, so much more.

So happy you're joining us,

xx
Jo

Find the Daily Creative book at: Chronicle Books
Find Blythe and Mallory on Instagram:
@daily__creative
@blythe.harris
@_mallorymay_
Substack: DailyCreative
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@@daily.creative
Website: dailycreative.com

Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywords_thepodcast

Welcome to the Table: Boomerang Karma

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 09:45:00 -0500

Christine Morrison is a renowned journalist and the creator of Writing in Black and White, a newsletter and online platform that explores fashion and beauty through the lens of aging. Every day, she challenges conventional narratives about growing older, and I am so thrilled to have her here today to talk about the road that got her to where she is today. Her work has appeared in The Washington Post, The Boston Globe and in campaigns for major fashion and beauty brands. A former Calvin Klein Vice President and current member of THE BOARD, she also found shares her personal perspective in Clothes Minded: Fashionable Essays About Finding Yourself, a collection of essays on style, identity and self-discovery.

We talk about the realities of motherhood as kids grow up and the vulnerability you have to tap into as a storyteller. We also deep dive into how what we wear makes a difference in our lives, how clothes (and fashion) can help you discover who you are, taking huge risks, and so many more fun and relatable stories that will have you laughing, I'm sure!

if you believe in yourself enough you eventually know what you deserve and you fight for it. boomerang karma.

Really happy you're here,

xx
Jo

Find Christine on Substack at https://writinginblackandwhite.substack.com/
and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/writinginblackandwhite/

Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywords_thepodcast

Welcome to the Table: Starting Somewhere

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 09:45:00 -0500

This week I have a grounding, inspiring, and reflective episode for you with my guest, renowned artist and ceramicist Re Jin Lee. Re Jin's work is a unique assembly of individually rolled-out clay slabs and coils created by a 'hand and clay' collaboration inspired by the contemplative process of ceramics and belief in the power of simplicity. A native of São Paulo, Brazil, and of South Korean heritage, Lee draws inspiration from the amalgamation of modern Brazilian architecture and traditional Korean arts. Her recent solo and two-person exhibitions include In Bloom (2023) and The Sublime and Formed (2022 and 2021), curated by Cas Friese at Arden + White Gallery, New Canaan, CT. In 2025, her work was featured in Interwoven Gestures, a three-person exhibition curated by Cas Friese at Arden + White Gallery; as well as in the group exhibitions All the Light and Shadow, curated by Alyson Baker and presented by River Valley Arts Collective in partnership with Manitoga / The Russel Wright Design Center; Cross Section, curated by Dana McClure at Ravenwood; and Wild Minded at Wild Minded, Kingston, NY.

Together we talk about artistry and how her visions for her future helped her build it. Throughout our conversation, we come back to her practice of creating intuitively, finding where to focus, and - a concept many other guests have shared with us - JUST. STARTING. Re Jin shares her approach to managing uncertainty, her lifestyle as an artist and how it lives in her, and how she decides what to do next. There's a lot of good in this conversation, centering on trusting our gut and finding what lights us up inside.

Happy you're joining us,

xx
Jo

Find Re Jin Lee at her website at https://www.rejinlee.com/
And on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/re.jin.lee/?hl=en

Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywords_thepodcast

Welcome To The Table: Just Dive In!

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 09:45:00 -0500

Today we are all about the practice of discipline in art. My guest Jolene Poydar spent her formative years in New York City’s downtown club scene as a DJ, where her love of dance music and spinning vinyl set the tone for her creative life. Alongside her nights behind the turntables, she began exploring textile art—yarn bombing city streets and experimenting with improvisational quilting. Over time, her artistic practice expanded into ceramics, where wheel throwing has replaced vinyl DJing as her primary medium for tactile exploration and expression. I'm deeply inspired by Jolene's self-motivation and commitment to art.

Together we talk about the drive and discipline to create, the benefits of having a regular artistic practice, and how treating art like it's a job has helped her continually prioritize her art even when life got busy. Her creative process is rooted in play and improvisation, and she tells me how that has helped her learn about control and perfectionism - and how to let those go even just a little. She leaves us with this:

"Life is for living. Dive in instead of looking at it from the sidelines."

Hope you enjoy this one as much as I did,
xx
Jo

Find Jolene Poydar at https://djjolene.com/
and on instagram at https://www.instagram.com/madebyadj/

Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywords_thepodcast

Welcome To The Table: Just Doing The Thing

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 09:45:00 -0500

I'm joined by Lynn Harris today, a culture-shifting producer, award-winning journalist, and author/co-author of six books. Her comedy and campaigns for social justice and gender equity have changed laws and conversations from Capitol Hill to NASCAR. She is the founder and CEO of GOLD Comedy—the comedy school, professional network, and content studio where women and non-binary creators grow their comedy careers, build powerful communities, and make funny stuff. She co-created Breakup Girl, co-hosted a podcast, served as the first VP of communications at global human rights group Breakthrough, and worked as a Tonya Harding lookalike, which is a long story.

Our conversation is packed with energy and should leave you inspired and ready to laugh this year! We talk about the importance of experiencing comedy from an early age, following her nose towards what she loves, and the work of normalizing women and othered others' presence in the comedy world. We also discuss putting the work out before you're ready (hello fellow perfectionists!), accelerating change, and her mother's priceless advice: "don't ever tell yourself I shouldn't be feeling this way, or if you tell yourself, don't believe it.

Thank you for being here,
xx
Jo

Find Lynn at https://goldcomedy.com/
And on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/goldcomedy/?hl=en

Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywords_thepodcast

Welcome To The Table: If You Can See It, You Can Be It

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 09:45:00 -0500

I can't think of a better way to kick off the new year and season 2 than with Alyssa Rapp, who joins me to discuss entrepreneurship, killer instincts and nurturing ambition. Currently the Chief Executive Officer of Empower Aesthetics, Alyssa is also the Chief Executive Officer and Director of Healthwell Acquisition Corp. I, a $250 million special purpose acquisition corporation that successfully IPO’d on NASDAQ. Since 2014, Alyssa has been a lecturer-in-management at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business and has served as an Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at the University of Chicago’s Booth Business School since 2019. She is also the author of the Amazon bestseller, Leadership and Life Hacks: Insights from a Mom, Wife, Entrepreneur & Executive.

Our conversation hugely inspired me. We kicked it off talking about nature vs nurture, why hard work is extremely necessary but not sufficient for anything that's worthwhile, and how to cultivate drive and competitiveness in ourselves and the people we love (and are raising!). Alyssa shares how mentorship and role models have guided her to where she is now, and the importance of passion, purpose and integrity in business and in life. We also save some time at the end to glean some of her organizational wisdom when it comes to motherhood and being a sports parent - we both agree that scheduling too much makes you miss the juicy in-betweens, and exchange tricks on how to make space for the magic to happen.

I leave you with this from Alyssa: "To whom much is given, much is expected. And the best way to learn is to teach."

xx
Jo

Find Alyssa at www.alyssarapp.com

Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywords_thepodcast

Welcome To The Table: Launching Season 2!

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 09:45:00 -0500

I am so excited to be kicking off SEASON 2 of EAT MY WORDS with you today! To start this new year, I'm taking you through my very own personal MORE OF / LESS OF LIST, to talk through some of the things I'm craving this year (send me yours - we can hold each other accountable!). 2026 means creating more rituals, more art and intentionality, and lowering the noise around me.

I'm so looking forward to this year with all of you - I'm grateful, excited, and thrilled to be here, and I hope you are too!

xx
Jo

Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywords_thepodcast

Welcome To The Table: Finding Yourself In The Dirt, One More Time!

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 09:45:00 -0500

This week we are going back to another great episode to close out our holiday season and usher in a new year! The magnificent Mary Buri is here to remind us of the importance of creativity and the strength of nature. As a garden designer, coach and the founder of Mars Kitchen Garden, Mary has worked one-on-one with more than 150 home gardeners—designing and building kitchen gardens, crafting planting plans, and coaching them through the full growing season, from seed to harvest.

After switching gears from the publishing world to raising her four children, Mary had a lightbulb moment that led to the beginning of her now incredibly successful business. She not only walks us through how to approach gardening, but also discusses starting fresh, and how having a hard time closing the loop on potential led her to channeling her creativity and curiosity into the business of helping others accomplish their garden dreams. The conversation moves from prioritizing needs despite existing demands on you, trying again after messing up, and granting yourself the space, freedom, time and permission to do some things less if it means doing the thing you want to do most.

Mary talks about not wanting her kids to see her saying no to important parts of herself, loving her job because she's good at it, and keeping her curiosity, excitement and delight alive while guiding others to find themselves in the dirt and the plants and the food.

This is a GOOD one - dig in and let me know how it lands,

Johanna

Find Mary on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/maryburi/
Find Mars Kitchen at https://www.marskitchengarden.com/
and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/marskitchengarden/

Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywords_thepodcast

Welcome To The Table: To Bawdy Women, One More Time!

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 09:45:00 -0500

Today we are resharing one of our favorite episodes to bring some LIVELY VIBES to your holiday week! Tricia Whalen, a (hilarious) seasoned executive and strategic advisor with over 25 years of experience building and scaling some of the most iconic brands in fashion, media, and lifestyle. Now the CEO of E. Frances Paper, Tricia joins Johanna today to talk business AND navigating family, ambition and learning to do what you can and then letting it go. A natural leader, she brings us along her path learning about creating culture at a company, taking the time to set a vision for herself and her business, and the virtues of directness.

The conversation weaves from behind the scenes fashion stories to family as Tricia shares her joyful experience growing up surrounded by bawdy, no nonsense women, raising a family of boys, and how grief can lead you to new perspectives on living your life.

Let's dig in!

Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywords_thepodcast

Welcome To The Table: Merry Gifting Tips For All Your Holiday Parties

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 09:45:00 -0500

Have you ever been stuck wondering what to get to your host? your partner? someone you don't really know or someone who already has everything? Well today's episode is for you! Today I am joined by my producer Sophy to answer all the holiday gifting questions you sent in last week! We talk about different parties, family traditions, and the kinds of unexpected details that can go a long way to making a lasting impression on your host.

Pop a little bubbly and get comfy - consider this your kick off to this year's holiday festivities!

Love,
Jo

Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywords_thepodcast

Welcome To The Table: The Pivot Was The Gift

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 09:45:00 -0500

I am so excited for my guest today, who I've been hoping to get on the show for quite some time now! A born and raised Brooklynite, Melissa Xides is a seasoned retail executive with 30 years of experience working with brands like The Gap, Kate Spade, Jack Spade, Tory Burch, and Soul Cycle, and most recently, Bergdorf Goodman for the last 7 years. She served on Prêt a Manger's board for 5 years during their growth in the US and currently serves as an executive board member for the 5th Ave Association where she gets to put her passion for the avenue's future to work. Today she joins me to share all the wisdom she's gained from being unabashedly ambitious. We talk about the importance of making and investing her own money, how to pivot, the sacrifices she made for her career and her new experience with slowing down.

We also get into how her lived experience as a woman and a mother influences her leadership, how she worked through her fertility process while building a very demanding career, and learning how to allow people into her process rather than seek perfection on her own. Most importantly, we talk about getting comfortable in the unknown, and all the beautiful things we can find when we relinquish a little bit of control (just a little bit!!).

Thank you for joining us today,

xx
Jo

Find Melissa on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-xides

Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywords_thepodcast

Welcome To The Table: It's Called Character

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 09:45:00 -0500

Today we are diving deep into the ins and outs of brand deals, how the emergence of social media changed the beauty industry landscape, and how the big magazines keep the lights on behind the scenes. Who better to tell us all about this than Carly Cardellino, a beauty editor and writer known for her two decades of work in the fashion and beauty industry who has held such prominent positions as Beauty Editor of Shape and Beauty Director at Cosmopolitan. In January of 2020, she left her post at Cosmo to pursue a career in content creation and consulting. Since then, she has worked with brands like La Mer, Chanel, Dior, Dove, Four Seasons, Auberge, John Frieda, Apple, Rhode, Margiela (to name a few) and consulted for beauty brands such as K18, being among the initial team to launch the brand, leading the charge on seeding product into major players' hands in the industry, like Chris Appleton.

This is a juicy one - we also cover the pay for play of advertising, being open to connections, and how Carly made the jump from beauty editor to working for herself as a content creator. Carly shares the major pivotal moments in her career and how they affected her life, how believing in her ideas led her to where she is today, and how, despite being bad at math, she will always get what needs to get done done!

Join me in Carly's world - it's a glamorous one!

xx
Jo

Find Carly on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/carlycardellino/?hl=en

Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywords_thepodcast

Welcome To The Table: Divorce Needs A Rebrand

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 09:45:00 -0500

Today we have two incredible guests on the pod! We talk turning pain into purpose, the stigma and narrative around divorced women in 2025, and how divorce is a chance to redefine the relationships in our lives.

Tamara Frankfort Odinec spent the past 25 years at the forefront of technology and marketing in various leadership roles, and most recently as the founder of My Next Chapter, an expert-led platform and community for people going through every stage of divorce. She also founded and runs Monty Media, an app development company that creates innovative apps for adults and kids, leveraging new technologies. Shari Joseph is a global brand marketing leader with extensive experience in digital partnerships and social media communications. She is President and co-creator of My Next Chapter. Shari is also the founder and CEO of Smart Digital, LLC, a brand marketing and communications consultancy supporting clients across PR, social media, influencer marketing, and creative campaigns that build online presences and drive engagement.

This conversation is funny and heartwarming, and proves that connection is the best balm for the challenges life throws our way.

Let me know how this one lands,
xx
Jo

Find My Next Chapter at: https://www.mynextchapter.com/

And on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/mynextchapterofficial/

Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywords_thepodcast

Welcome To The Table: What Nourishes You?

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 09:45:00 -0500

As we enter into this holiday season, settle into a girl dinner with me to talk about embracing "failure" this holiday season!

I get into the myth of balance, how Shonda Rhimes saved me by adjusting my expectations for this season (and life in general), and resetting the pressures that come with trying to do it all. I also reflect on how I (and we) are nourishing ourselves when times get busy. For me that means buying strange little objects this year, but that also means spontaneous hangs with friends without overthinking it, JUST BECAUSE.

Come get real with me today - let's just do the things that make us feel whole.

xx
Jo

Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywords_thepodcast

Welcome To The Table: Stepping Back Can Show You Your Next Step

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 09:45:00 -0500

I'm joined today by fashion legend Carmen Borgonovo for a deep, insightful conversation about business and fashion. With an illustrious career in magazine journalism at legacy media titles such as Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue and W Magazine – Carmen joined forces with her business partner Joana de Norohna to fill the gap in the market for beautifully crafted dresses that honored their love for color, art, and print. The result was Borgo de Nor, a brand that champions getting dressed up, whether on holiday or at home, and has swiftly become the fashion insider’s go-to for signature print dresses that are utterly feminine, bold, and uplifting.

We start by going back to the golden era of fashion and how important is was to be in awe and be a sponge in New York in the 90s. Carmen then takes us along her path from working in magazines to moving to Milan and completely shifting her sense of self, to building a team around her and starting her own brand. We talk about problem solving, keeping your eyes alert to every inspiration, how taking a step back helped her find the right path, and - as many of our guests have said - that asking for help is the best way to grow.

Her wisdom and love of life inspire me, and I hope they'll inspire you too.

Find Carmen on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/ceborgonovo/?hl=en
And Borgo de Nor at https://borgodenor.com/

Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywords_thepodcast

Welcome To The Table: The Lone Wolf Comedy Nerd Rises

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 10:08:04 -0500

Get ready for a funny, heartfelt, incredibly inspiring conversation today. Samantha Srinivasan joins me and we get into it. She slid into the Entertainment PR industry as a self-professed lone wolf comedy nerd who hustled without any industry connections and created Sechel PR. Made up of an all-women strategy team, Sechel PR specializes in cultivating seamless relationships between their clients and media outlets. Despite founding and running her company, Sam finds the time to care for four dogs and also care for herself. She shares the lessons she learned as a young divorcé, as well as those that came to her in her battle with cancer. We talk ego death, letting people show up for you, and faking it til you make it.

We also get into reprioritizing joy, leveraging the areas you feel confident in for those you feel less, and being who you surround yourself with. Sam shares so generously the realities of working in the entertainment industry, owning a business, and navigating the surprises life has thrown at her.

I hope you love this as much as I did,
xx
Jo

Find Sam on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/astaella/?hl=en
And Sechel at sechelpr.com, and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/sechelpr/

Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywords_thepodcast

Welcome To The Table: Creating A Legacy

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 04 Nov 2025 09:45:00 -0500

Lorenza Cocco’s career journey has taken her from the fast-paced world of global finance to the heart of her family’s 400-year-old legacy business, and she's here today to tell us all about her whirlwind life and career. After years in finance, Lorenza felt the pull of something more personal. She took a year to travel across Asia, volunteering in rural India with the Shanti Bhavan Children’s Project—a pioneering school providing world-class education to children from India’s lowest castes. There, she taught economics and commerce to high school students preparing for competitive college entrance exams. Today, she serves as Chief Operating Officer of La Bella. Drawing on her international business experience, she has been instrumental in steering the family enterprise into the future while honoring its extraordinary history.

Lorenza candidly talks about feeling like an imposter at work, jumping into new things, and listening to her body to guide her to her next step. We get into the intricacies of working with family, creating a legacy for her kids, and what "having it all" means to her. Overall, this conversation left me feeling so inspired, and I hope it will do the same for you!

Johanna

Find Lorenza on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/goldenkokonutz/?hl=en
And La Bella Strings at https://www.labella.com/

Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywords_thepodcast

Welcome To The Table: You Can Always Do It A Different Way

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 09:45:00 -0400

My guest today is Pamela Bell, a mother, teacher, advocate, fashion activist and fearless feminist who joins us to discuss how she's managed to wear a thousand different hats in her one incredible lifetime while doing good for the world. She has done SO MUCH, but you'll have to listen in on our conversation to discover everything that Pamela has done with her creative power - she believes we are all more than a list of our professional achievements.

Our discussion goes deep - we dive into how fashion and creativity can support entire ecosystems of people traditionally overlooked by larger industries. She talks about finding supporters early on, letting creativity appear and surprise you no matter where you are in your life, and supporting the causes you believe in. Pamela shares her advice for figuring out what your causes are and how to begin your own advocacy, both for yourself and for others.

Something I'm taking away from today? Running into NO is an opportunity to ask what else is possible. What's sticking with you?

xx
Jo

Find Pamela on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/pamelabellcollageworks/?hl=en
Find her art at https://pamelabellcollageworks.com/
Find prinkshop at https://prinkshop.com/
Her recommendation to stay on top of women's news: https://jessica.substack.com/
Organizations prinkshop supports:
Seeds of Peace

Autism Speaks

Special Olympics

National Institute for Reproductive Health

Crisis Text Line

Girl Up

Kiva

Every Mother Counts

Planned Parenthood

Everytown for Gun Safety

She Should Run

Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywords_thepodcast

Welcome to the Table: Don't Wait To Be Asked

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 21 Oct 2025 10:40:21 -0400

Allison Henry Aver has a penchant for building brands full of charm, style, and charisma and taking them from static to spirited, and she brings all her magic and energy to our conversation today. Her expertise in branding grew from leading in-house creative marketing teams and executing global content and campaigns for premier fashion and beauty brands such as Vogue, kate spade new york and Bumble and bumble. She was also the founding Creative Director for the cult brand, Kate Spade Saturday. She joins us to talk about the different eras of her creative communities, being a busy bee and GETTING jobs, and not waiting to be asked.

Allison talks about staying top of mind and not feeling bad about keeping in touch with people. She also highlights the importance of thinking of yourself as an asset to those you admire and being the help that they need when they need it. We also discuss finding your niche and what makes you, you, and just being up for a good adventure!

I'm inspired - and I hope you are too,

xx
Jo

Find Allison at https://www.lettera.xyz/
And on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/allisonhenryaver/
And on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonhenryaver

Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywords_thepodcast

Welcome to the Table: For All The Horsegirls (And Everyone Else)

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 09:45:00 -0400

Anyone who knows me knows two things: I love to gather people, and I love horses. Having Emmie Strommen join me today is truly a dream - Emmie is the founder of Calling All Horse Girls, a lifestyle and media company dedicated to celebrating horse girls of every kind. Listen in for her experience building her company from the ground up - sending out dms, asking questions, and bringing her vision to life one step at a time. We talk about how she balances her creative and business side, how she sustains her passion for her work, and staying centered while working multiple jobs at once.

Then we get into family - how her son has given her a completely different perspective on life, the sleep depravation no one warned her about, and how she considers her family her generational wealth. She shares the advice she lives by: leaning into the parts of life that give you energy, and most importantly, "you're not better than anyone else, and no one else is better than you."

As always, thank you for being here, and keep in touch,

Find Emmie at https://callingallhorsegirls.com/

And on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/heyhihowwedoing/

Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywords_thepodcast

Welcome To The Table: Making The Cut

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 09:45:00 -0400

I'm joined by none other than Jeanette Limas today, a phenomenal fashion designer who's graduate collection received the Young Designer of the Year Award, allowed her to present her designs at Dominican Republic Fashion Week, and won her a scholarship to Parsons School of Design. In New York City, Jeanette refined her techniques at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) and gained valuable experience working on the design teams of Urban Zen by Donna Karan and couturier Jolibe Atelier and launched her namesake brand in 2019 and presented multiple successful collections at New York Fashion Week.

In 2022, Jeanette earned a coveted place on the Amazon Prime show Making the Cut, hosted by fashion icons Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn, an experience she shares with us today, along with the happy accidents that led her there, the magical powers of clothes, and how she strives to always show up with authenticity and enthusiasm. We also get into building a business, understanding the promise of a new season through fashion, and the importance of coming from a place of learning when approaching new challenges.

Thank you for listening,

xx
Jo

Find Jeanette at https://www.jeanettelimas.com/
and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/jeanettelimas/?hl=en

Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywords_thepodcast

Welcome to the Table: When The Moment Is Right, Things Happen

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 09:45:00 -0400

I'm joined by the incomparable Deborah Lloyd today to talk about her incredible career in fashion and what she learned from working as the Chief Creative Officer of Kate Spade. We talk about her transition from overworking to a slower lifestyle focused on finding the rhythm of the seasons in her garden and doing all the things she wanted to do but never had time to due to work commitments.

I ask her about how she used to spot talent and what she looked for in the people she hired. Through her stories, we experience life as a fashion executive traveling around the world, adapting to what her work required. She tells us about picking people who can do what we can't, and realizing that everything over the course of life is additive - "when the moment's right, things happen." Finally, Deborah shares what she's learned beyond work: to enjoy the journey, and let go of the tunnel vision when it's coming at the cost of too much life.

Join us for this fun, insightful conversation that left me feeling inspired and reinvigorated - and wishing I had a beautiful English garden!

PS: Check in here after you listen for Deborah's updated dream dinner party guest list ;)

Guest list
Karen Blixen
Peter Beard
Frida Kahlo
Earnest Hemingway
Emilia Earhart
Winston Churchill
Lee Miller
Jack Nicholson
Coco Chanel
Keith Richards

I would just like to be a fly on the wall!

Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywords_thepodcast

Welcome to the Table: Rewriting The Story Of Women's Sexual Health

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 10:00:00 -0400

I've been looking forward to this episode for a long time. Jackie Giannelli - a board-certified nurse practitioner with over two decades of clinical experience, specializing in hormonal health, menopause, and women’s sexual wellness - joins me to discuss finding our secret sauce when it comes to managing our health. Jackie says it best: "This isn’t about managing symptoms. It’s about rewriting the story. Midlife isn’t a crisis—it’s a power shift. And I’m here to help women not just survive it, but own it, redefine it, and rise through it with confidence, clarity, and agency."

And does she ever help! We get into it and talk learning by doing, no longer considering hormones a taboo topic, and demystifying menopause. We explore the work of our ovaries, how they don't operate in a vacuum, and the importance of understanding our symptoms rather than pushing through them. The more we know about ourselves, the more health providers can help us figure out our hormonal trajectory - and I share how important this journey has been in my life.

Let me know how you're doing,

Find Jackie at: https://jackiegiannellinp.com/
and on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/jackie.giannellinptalks/?hl=en

Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywords_thepodcast

Welcome to the Table: Rocket Ships Don't Have Rearview Mirrors

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 10:00:00 -0400

Thyme Sullivan and Denielle Finkelstein are the powerhouse Co-Founders and Co-CEOs of UNICORN, the company redefining modern workplaces by making period care as ubiquitous as toilet paper, in EVERY bathroom stall, everywhere. With unmatched passion and vision, Thyme and Denielle are not just building a company, they are creating a movement. Today, they join me to discuss their path to and through entrepreneurship. We talk about partnership, being open to feedback, always learning, and that doing serious things doesn't mean having to take yourself seriously. They celebrate tuning into your gut, redefning success over time, and hey, if you make a mistake, keep going and find another way!

We get into the nitty gritty of fundraising as a woman, gaining clarity through perspective, and the different types of money to look out for when funding your business. Join us for a conversation full of humor, energy and most of all, deep intelligence and expertise that inspired me, and that I hope will inspire you. To sum up Denielle and Thyme's ethos: "a rocket ship doesn't have rearview mirrors."

xx
Jo

Find Denielle at https://www.linkedin.com/in/denielle-finkelstein-5637baa/
and Thyme at https://www.linkedin.com/in/thyme-sullivan/
UNICORN at https://www.linkedin.com/company/unicorn-in-every-stall
and https://www.everystall.com/

Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywords_thepodcast

Welcome to the Table: Transitions Are A Bitch

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 10:00:00 -0400

Today I'm coming in solo to talk about what I learned from my summer of nonstop action (self-imposed and not)! Is it possible to find new ways to be present when so many things are fighting for my attention?

Join me, and most importantly, share how this lands with you! I want to know - has this summer shown you anything about yourself? what are you hoping for as kids go back to school and a new season begins?

Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywords_thepodcast

Welcome to the Table: We're All Gonna Be Ok

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 10:00:00 -0400

Beginning her career in magazines, notably W Magazine and Lucky Magazine, Julia Kalachnikoff has over 20 years experience in the fashion industry. She joins me today to talk through her journey through the pre-computer fashion world. We start with reflecting about our changing visions of our lives, how what we wanted at twenty is different to what we wanted at thirty five - and that's ok. She shares her experience becoming a mother while working in very important, high pressure roles.

On the back half, Julia candidly shares her experience with sobriety and finding alternate ways to relax and enjoy more quiet moments, breaking generational trauma cycles to talk about the real life stuff and prepare for the messy conversations.

This one's a goodie - join us

Johanna

Find Julia at https://juliakalachnikoff.com/

and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/juliakalach/?hl=en

Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywords_thepodcast

Welcome to the Table: The Importance Of Schlepping Early

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 10:00:00 -0400

Today is FASHION day! Laura Pritchard is a super talented stylist and an amazing brand consultant. She joins us to talk about her professional journey through New York City's incredibly fast paced and high stakes fashion world. We dive into stories about THE (Vogue) Closet, break down trends, and talk about how to build a solid wardrobe - Laura walks us through the TWELVE staples every woman should own and solves all of our style problems!

We talk about our infamous years of schlepping all around town while trying to make names for ourselves in the fashion world, figuring out that we are all insecure at heart, and that "no." is an answer. As a B student with an A student mentality, Laura shows how her career was built on more than talent: to make it in the fashion world, hard work and kindness go a much longer way.

This is a FUN one! Put on your favorite T - if you don't have one, listen up because Laura dishes on where to get it - and let's get into it!

Find Laura on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/laura_pritch/
online at https://www.seemanagement.com/artists/laura-pritchard

Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywords_thepodcast

Let me know what your closet staples are!

xx
Jo

Welcome to the Table: Can You Close Your Eyes For Eleven Minutes?

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 10:00:00 -0400

Sydney Price is an award-winning merchant and the founder of The Knew Purpose, a conscious leadership company with the vision to advance sustainability and innovation in business. She is a dynamic force at designing, developing, and implementing social and environmental focused impact programs while creating new revenue channels and profitability for companies, and she joins me today to talk about what happened once she chose the fashion industry as her vehicle to see and experience the world.

Through The Knew Purpose, Sydney works with leaders, companies and communities to create a better world. In our conversation, she shares what led her to create her own company at an inflection point in her successful career, and the importance of learning on the job. We also talk about intentionality through life's different chapters, the bad decisions that lead us to gentler ways, and making mind movies - yes, you read correctly, listen along to hear Sydney's brilliant manifestation strategies!

Find Sydney and The Knew Purpose at https://www.theknewpurpose.com/home-1
and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/theknewpurpose/
Find Women for Women here: https://www.womenforwomen.org/
Find Doctors Without Borders here: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/what-we-do/where-we-work/afghanistan
Find Afghan Women's Fund here: https://www.vitalvoices.org/afghanwomensfund/

Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywords_thepodcast

Thank you for being here,

xx
Jo

Welcome to the Table: Creativity Over Uncertainty

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 10:00:00 -0400

My guest today is Alexandra Kohl, an incredible and awe-inspiring painter and weaver who is interested in new perspectives created from human interaction with natural materials. Drawing inspiration from the healing spirit, elegance and strength of horses, she hand-places strands of horsehair into forms that juxtapose organic and geometric structure, and her work is currently at the Manitoga Design Center in Garrison, NY.

Today she shares what life is like as a full time artist - how she has dealt with rejection, putting herself out there as a naturally shy person, and being open to full circle moments. We talk about navigating the uncertainty in her career, balancing a part time job with her creative practice for inspiration, and letting uncreative days happen.

Find somewhere comfy and listen as Alexandra takes us into her dreamy creative world.

Let me know where you get your creative inspiration,

xx
Jo

Find Alexandra at https://www.alexandrakohl.com/
And on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/alexandrakohldesign/

Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywords_thepodcast

Welcome to the Table: Don't Be The One Saying No To Yourself

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 10:00:00 -0400

We are beyond thrilled to have Danielle Prescod joining the table today! Author of The Rules of Fortune and Token Black Girl, Danielle is a fifteen-year veteran of the beauty industry and cofounder of 2BG Consulting, which aids fashion and beauty brands and influencers on their anti-racism journeys. Danielle and I dive right in to their experiences with the fashion world and let us in on just how accurate The Devil Wears Prada really was. We talk about finding the energy and motivation to accomplish creative goals, letting someone else say no rather than being the one saying it to yourself, and the importance of fitting important things into our busy lives.

Throughout our discussion, Danielle also shares about her belief in attention as currency, the invisible surveillance that keeps us locked in old patterns, reclaiming her time, and the intricacies of self care - is a face mask ever enough?

The conversation flowed, and I hope you'll enjoy listening - let me know if you do!

xx
Johanna

You can find Danielle on her website http://www.danielleprescod.com/
On instagram https://www.instagram.com/danielleprescod/
Token Black Girl here: https://www.amazon.com/Token-Black-Girl-Danielle-Prescod/dp/1542035163
The Rules of Fortune here: https://www.amazon.com/Rules-Fortune-Novel-Danielle-Prescod/dp/166252014X

Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywords_thepodcast

Welcome to the Table: Turning 50!

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 29 Jul 2025 10:00:00 -0400

The time has come for another edition of Girl Dinner - this week, Johanna sits down one on one to talk about TURNING 50! She shares 5 things she knows for sure as she crosses this incredible milestone!

Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywords_thepodcast

Welcome to the Table: Do You Want To Be Right Or Do You Want To Be Happy?

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 10:00:00 -0400

The legendary Eva Scrivo joins us today and Drops. Some. Wisdom. She talks about building her incredible business by connecting with one person at a time and investing in them having a really amazing experience. She shares her artistic process - focus on what you do well! - the gift of working with her hands, and attracting a lot of what you give out. Eva invites us in on her twenty three year business partnership with her husband, and talks about the invaluable lessons she has learned along the way. Her keys to success? Having boundaries with time, treating business as an ongoing conversation, staying present in your continuous learning process, and being comfortable with being uncomfortable.

Eva is a highly acclaimed hair and makeup artist, and the owner of two eponymous salons - on Fifth Avenue in New York City and in Pound Ridge, NY. Her approach to beauty as a whole and each person as an individual has led her to working with a long list of celebrities and legendary photographers such as Patrick Demarchelier, Bruce Weber, Albert Watson, Norman Jean Roy, Nigel Parry, and Elliott Erwitt, and brought Eva to the editorial world’s top tier of fashion and beauty. She also has extensive television experience, including several years as resident beauty expert on NBC's Martha.

It is always a good time for a hairapy session (thank you for the new word, Eva)!

xx, Jo

Find Eva at https://evascrivo.com/
or on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/evascrivosalons/?hl=en

Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywords_thepodcast

Welcome to the Table: Finding Yourself in the Dirt

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 10:00:00 -0400

The magnificent Mary Buri joins Eat My Words today to remind us of the importance of creativity and the strength of nature. As a garden designer, coach and the founder of Mars Kitchen Garden, Mary has worked one-on-one with more than 150 home gardeners—designing and building kitchen gardens, crafting planting plans, and coaching them through the full growing season, from seed to harvest.

Johanna

Find Mary on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/maryburi/
Find Mars Kitchen at https://www.marskitchengarden.com/
and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/marskitchengarden/

Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywords_thepodcast

Welcome to the Table: You're Doing the Work, Not Proving Your Worth

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 10:00:00 -0400

This week, Sarah Gaboury joins our table! An LA-based acting coach known for her no-bs meat and potatoes acting technique, Sarah has worked with renowned theatre companies and many hit TV shows - This Is Us, PARADISE and Dr. Odyssey to name a few! Sarah also owns and operates Real Actor's Lab, and discusses the challenges of being a mother while finding more and more success in her career. We talk about our journeys with acting, what to do when you don't want to want what you want, and how sometimes not accomplishing a dream can actually be a great relief. We also dive into motherhood and the surprisingly physical realness of the Tug (iykyk, if you don't, tune in!).

The discussion veers into finding boundaries around work, opening up to moments of delight that feel easy and soft, the importance of taking the time to step back and look at what you've accomplished, and the little talked about promise of repair.

Talk to us in the comments, on Instagram, Tiktok - heck, email us at hello@eatmywordsthepodcast.com! Let's dig in!

xx
Johanna

Find Sarah Gaboury on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realactorslab/?hl=en
And at Real Actor's Lab: https://realactorslab.com/

Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywords_thepodcast

Welcome to the Table: Breaking Down The Bullshit Barrier

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 10:00:00 -0400

This Tuesday, we have a soulful, intimate conversation about unlearning fear to reunite with your creativity. Johanna sits down with Cece Liu, founder of CECILIA, a brand created with the intention to create more access to horses, horse culture, and their healing power; and a culmination of deep passions, artistic need, and industry experiences coming full circle. Cece shares her lessons in glamour and burnout as a fashion executive with over fifteen years of experience working with brands like Kate Spade New York, ESPRIT, Burberry and Calvin Klein. Her advice? "Start as a receptionist!"

The conversation flows from parental expectations to conquering her fear of the unknown to honor her creativity. She also brings us along her journey starting her own brand, getting back in the saddle (literally!), and listening to the moment when you need to jump in: "Sometimes all you have to see is that it's possible."

So join us and get INSPIRED for the Summer.

xx
Johanna

Find Cece on:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dearcecilia__/
Shop: https://dearcecilia.com/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaeGEUoyE8aZfs3v9fga-6krMr8tz7yQoDbwQ7KR_gZoBXy3vHbQmiHu13kaJA_aem_D7vm-vk6H2tp7UabL6yw7Q
Substack: https://hippology.substack.com/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAafb331lgMqlPK-qegsyh0qU3TvbUrAGuVvpTtL0u2jHZHQWdqxpyZWn0VSw2g_aem_0v6UI8H3vhPsbILMUztXMQ

Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywords_thepodcast

Welcome to the Table: To Bawdy Women

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 10:00:00 -0400

The vibes are LIVELY this Tuesday! We are joined by Tricia Whalen, a (hilarious) seasoned executive and strategic advisor with over 25 years of experience building and scaling some of the most iconic brands in fashion, media, and lifestyle. Now the CEO of E. Frances Paper, Tricia joins Johanna today to talk business AND navigating family, ambition and learning to do what you can and then letting it go. A natural leader, she brings us along her path learning about creating culture at a company, taking the time to set a vision for herself and her business, and the virtues of directness.

Let's dig in!

Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywords_thepodcast

Welcome to the Table: The Chemical Changes of Motherhood

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 10:00:00 -0400

Liz Hammond joins Johanna for a raw, deep, and hilarious conversation about identity, motherhood, and being an artist through life's transitional moments. As the co-host of the Not Your Mommy podcast, Liz knows a thing or two about bearing her soul and bringing us along as she navigates life's surprises and challenges. She talks setting yourself up for success, accessing creativity in new and different ways, and living as authentically as possible, surrounded by people you love.

Finally, in true girl's night style, Liz lets us in on the secret that shouldn't be secret: women can do everything, but they shouldn't.

Find Liz at https://www.instagram.com/lizz_hammond/

And Not Your Mommy at https://www.instagram.com/notyourmommy_podcast/

Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywords_thepodcast

Welcome to the Table: It Just Doesn't Happen Overnight

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 10:00:00 -0400

From working on Gwen Stefani's design team to waitressing at the Cheesecake Factory - everything happens for a reason! Join us as Jamie Banks takes us along the ups and downs of her over 20 years in the fashion industry. And yes, some names are named! An accomplished ready-to-wear and swimwear designer, Jamie now creative directs Change of Scenery, the sustainable swimwear brand that she founded in 2022. She shares her experience launching a brand with three children under the age of 10, how she balances motherhood with the demands of entrepreneurship, and learning how to delegate.

The conversation is filled with energy as it navigates lay offs, self worth, learning with and from others, and the unexpected intricacies of parent networking. The vibes are high, the friendship is strong, and the creative juices flow - let's dive in!

Where to find Jamie:
https://www.instagram.com/jamiebanks22/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamienbanks

Change of Scenery:
https://www.instagram.com/shopchangeofscenery/
https://shopchangeofscenery.com/

Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywords_thepodcast

Welcome to the Table: You Don't Need Math!

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 10:00:00 -0400

Join us for a RIOTOUS episode with Carrie Byalick, the most badass show business executive out there. Johanna and Carrie's friendship shines as they dive into the nitty gritty of success, sacrifice, and whether or not we actually need math to make it this day and age. Carrie brings us along her incredibly glamorous, high pressure career in the entertainment industry and talks about fostering a sense of self, knowing which doors to walk through, and learning by doing - "there is no lesson like an on the ground lesson."

The late great Philip Seymour Hoffman once told Carrie, "come on, look where you are!" Now Carrie shares her wisdom with us, sharing what she does when she feels stuck, what she's learned about rest and balance, and that doing and saying the wrong things are the best teachers.

Find Carrie at:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carriebyalick/?hl=en
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carrie-byalick-708483132

Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywords_thepodcast

A Girl Dinner with Johanna

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 27 May 2025 10:00:00 -0400

Join Johanna today for Eat My Words' version of a girl dinner! Johanna sits down solo this week and tells us about how she got to where she is today. We get the juicy details on her journey through the (HIGH) fashion world, how she changed and adjusted to life's big moments along the way, and what led her to creating Eat My Words.

We hope you love this episode, and please share any questions or curiosities that might have come up for you while listening, we'll be in the comments and gathering questions for Johanna's next girl dinner!

Find Johanna on:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joalmstead/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johanna-saum-almstead-20565858

Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywords_thepodcast

Welcome to the Table: The Art of Moving On

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 20 May 2025 10:00:00 -0400

Award-winning music supervisor Stephanie Diaz-Matos not only oversees music supervision for high-profile film and television projects, she also leads a diverse and dynamic team as Head of Music Supervision at Raedio. She joins Johanna today to discuss how an early loss affected her life and career, and how she learned to pivot from roles that weren't the right fit for her life. Stephanie opens up about suddenly losing her partner of seventeen years when their daughter was two years old. She shares her process with grief and proves that listening to yourself is the most important guiding light through pain. That, and really good friends.

Find Stephanie at
https://www.instagram.com/vivalaprincessa/?hl=en
https://www.instagram.com/theraedio/?hl=en

Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywords_thepodcast

Welcome to the Table: The Power of Partnership in Business, Part 2

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 13 May 2025 10:00:00 -0400

This week, Sho & Co are BACK and we are jumping in right where we left off to talk more partner therapy (for personal and business lives), new endeavors, and the intricacies of growing older together.

Where to find SHO+CO

https://www.instagram.com/shoandco/?hl=en
https://shoandco.com/

Sharon: https://www.instagram.com/instashazza/?hl=en

Chelsa: https://www.instagram.com/chelsayin/?hl=en

Allison: https://www.instagram.com/alisaraho/?hl=en

Bedfully: https://www.instagram.com/bedfully/?hl=en

Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywords_thepodcast

Welcome to the Table: The Power of Partnership in Business, Part 1

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 06 May 2025 10:00:00 -0400

In this two part episode, we have not one, not two, but THREE guests joining the table. Johanna sits down with Allison, Sharon and Chelsa who, since 2013, have been partners at SHO+CO, a highly-specialized and very successful boutique agency creating dynamic and impactful initiatives between celebrities, brands and influencers. The energy is palpable and the conversation is a delicious masterclass on owning a thriving business, building successful and long lasting partnerships, and evolving yourself, your business, and your relationships through time. We talk chosen family, sticking together in success and in failure, and putting others on the no list to protect each other.

We also get a juicy sneak peak into their next initiative, Bedfully, a one-stop curated directory where sleep style and sleep wellness come together in dreamy glory.

Where to find SHO+CO

https://www.instagram.com/shoandco/?hl=en
https://shoandco.com/

Sharon: https://www.instagram.com/instashazza/?hl=en

Chelsa: https://www.instagram.com/chelsayin/?hl=en

Allison: https://www.instagram.com/alisaraho/?hl=en

Bedfully: https://www.instagram.com/bedfully/?hl=en

Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywords_thepodcast

Welcome to the Table: It's OK To Want To Try To Have It All

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 10:00:00 -0400

Kyle Andrew joins us today to talk career evolution. Having held senior roles in marketing and branding at apparel giants like Athleta, Kate Spade and The Gap, Kyle sits down with Johanna to discuss her journey as a businesswoman from the peak days of the having-it-all mindset to continually adjusting to new perspectives amidst the evolving landscape of the fashion industry. Together they discuss their experiences with new motherhood while being fashion executives, how ageism manifests itself in the industry today, and the importance of building and maintaining your professional network. In addition, Kyle shares her belief in taking big risks and opens up about the challenges of adapting to changing environments. She also thinks it's ok to want to try to have it all.

Find Kyle at https://www.instagram.com/kyle.c.andrew1501/
Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywords_thepodcast

Welcome to the Table: Turning Pain into Purpose

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 10:00:00 -0400

This week, Johanna sits down with Kate Doerge, a motivational speaker, author, non-profit founder, and brand strategist who's mission is to inspire humans to live with joy, connect powerfully, and lead with purpose. Kate invites us in on her journey with grief and how choosing gratitude has influenced her navigation of loss. The two friends discuss the necessity of breaking with the classic five stages of grief, how Kate resists letting death derail her life, and how powerful rebounding can be when feeling lost.

This episode deals with the loss of a child. Please take care of yourself while listening.

Find Kate at kate@katedoerge.com

Or on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doergek/?hl=en
Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywords_thepodcast

Welcome to the Table: Let's Talk Reinvention

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 10:05:00 -0400

Join Johanna for her debut episode as she sits down with Laura Gaines, actor, model, and most importantly reinvention genius. Laura opens up about getting comfortable with the uncomfortable, her changing relationship to beauty, and how she has found joy in the unknown–namely TikTok fame after 50. She also gives a sneak peak into her highly anticipated skincare line, Hello You. This episode is full of delicious laughter, curiosity, and the warmth of old friends finding themselves anew.

Laura's message is simple: it's never too late to reinvent yourself, and beauty only gets more interesting with time.

Laura’s TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beautiful.life.laura

Laura’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beautifullifewithlaura/

Eat My Words Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmywordsthepodcast/

Eat My Words TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatmywords_thepodcast

Welcome to the table

Johanna Almstead — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 10:00:00 -0400

Taking big bites out of life, one conversation at a time.