The Bright Side: A Hello Sunshine Podcast

Aleen Dreksler, co-founder and CEO of Betches Media, joins Simone to reflect on how a $12 WordPress blog created with her childhood best friends grew into an unprecedented cultural force. She shares the origin of Betches’ iconic voice, the leap from pre-med to comedy, the fears and freedoms of coming out of anonymity, and the creative and financial discipline that fueled the company’s 15-year evolution. Aleen also opens up about redefining ambition and learning to trust her own voice, before she and Simone rewind the biggest pop culture moments of 2025, from Bennifer’s breakup to Beyoncé’s historic Grammy win, Taylor Swift's engagement, and the unforgettable Coldplay jumbotron scandal. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is it bad to eat sweets after 6 p.m.? Will your cookie addiction cause premature aging? Is sugar going to kill us all? Social media definitely has answers to these questions...just not always factual or helpful answers. But today, dietician Vanessa Risetto is here to give us the real truth about sugar. Settle in for a deep-dive into the nutritional facts behind our favorite carbohydrate. Vanessa debunks the biggest myths (yes, all sugar is basically the same), explains why kids are hardwired to chase sweetness, and shares simple ways to balance blood sugar and enjoy dessert without spiraling into a sugar crash. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bangs. Braids. Big chops. Hair is more than style — it’s storytelling. Celebrity hairstylist Vernon François, who’s worked with icons like Lupita Nyong’o, Serena Williams, and Solange Knowles, joins Simone to explore how our hair shapes confidence, reflects our inner transformations, and helps us feel seen. From childhood insecurities to red carpet reinventions, this is a conversation about self-love, freedom, and the beauty of becoming who you are. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Women are waiting longer than ever to have children — but what if fertility didn’t have to be a race against time? Lauren Makler, Co-Founder and CEO of Cofertility, is on a mission to make egg freezing more accessible and empowering. Her company offers women the opportunity to freeze their eggs for free for up to ten years when they donate half to a family in need — redefining the fertility industry with empathy, transparency, and choice. In this episode, Lauren shares how she’s transforming reproductive care and helping women take control of their fertility journey. Whether you’re curious about egg freezing, considering donation, or want a glimpse into the future of fertility, this conversation is eye-opening and inspiring. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if laughter was more than just entertainment—it was a tool for connection and growth? Comedian and author Chris Duffy joins Simone to share how humor can change the way we connect, cope, and care for each other. They unpack his “three pillars of humor,” share stories that hit both the funny bone and the heart, and remind us that sometimes the best way to take life seriously is to laugh at it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on The Bright Side, we're sharing our live podcast recording from Shine Away: Reese Witherspoon and Hello Sunshine's weekend of inspiring panels and meaningful moments that celebrate and elevate women. Simone took the stage at Universal Studios in Los Angeles to interview Chrissy Teigen — cookbook author, entrepreneur, and health advocate. Chrissy was there as a Sanofi spokesperson to talk about something very close to her heart — Type 1 Diabetes — a disease that her son, Miles, was diagnosed with at the age of 6. Chrissy talks about how her and her family got the diagnosis, quickly became a public face of the disease, found a supportive community online, and are now spreading the word about the importance of early screening. To learn more about early screening go to ScreenForType1.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Buckle up, today we're getting philosophical! Matthew McConaughey joins us for a vulnerable and reflective conversation that reaches far beyond the pages of his new book, Poems and Prayers. We unpack some of life’s most elusive questions—Why are we here? What does it mean to live well? McConaughey personally opens up about his evolving relationship with uncertainty, the power of reinvention, and how he learned to live in the in-between spaces—where identity shifts, purpose gets blurry, and the answers don’t come easy. This isn’t a conversation about having it all figured out. It’s about learning how to live fully, honestly, and in pursuit of something deeper. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two words absolutely nobody wants to hear? "You're fired!" As taboo as we tend to make losing your job, it's something almost everybody will experience. Laura Brown and Kristina O'Neill know exactly how it feels, and today, they're joining the podcast to share personal stories, inspirational narratives, and essential advice from their brand-new book, "All the Cool Girls Get Fired." Together, we're saying goodbye to the shame around getting let go and all the cool girls are tuning in. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malin Åkerman is living proof that life only gets better with age. The star of The Hunting Wives joins us to spill on how the role of Margo Banks landed in her lap during a career standstill—and why it’s become one of her all-time favorites. From the freedom of playing a deliciously complex character to the instant chemistry she found with Brittany Snow, Malin takes us behind the scenes of her latest project while opening up about her own evolution. She gets candid about breaking free from people-pleasing, leading with “no,” and trusting her gut. Rooted in her Swedish upbringing and decades of experience, Malin shows us what it means to know yourself and step fully into your prime. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Right now, it feels like everyone is settling down—your childhood bestie, your old roommate, even Taylor Swift! But what if you're still single and searching for "The One?" In the age of dating apps, situationships and breadcrumbing, finding real romance feels harder than ever. Should the single ladies just...throw in the towel? We don't think so! Today, we're sitting down with relationship guru and friend of the show Sabrina Zohar to get her insights—on setting boundaries, learning from past mistakes, and who should pay on the first date. Get your Shine Away tickets here! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is the season for Emmy-Nominated actor Karen Pittman. She touched hearts this summer with Netflix's Judy Blume remake, Forever, and this fall she's shaking things up in the fourth season of The Morning Show on Apple TV+. After three seasons of watching Karen's character, Mia Jordan, follow the company line even at her own peril, the UBA executive is coming into her own and taking what's hers. It's a thrilling arc for a dynamic character, and one that Karen knows well. Acting was her second-act career, one that she fought for amid the ups and downs of her personal life. After grinding in the business for 20 years, Karen says it's the journey that she appreciates; a journey that has helped her leave imposter syndrome behind and take more risks — in life and her career. The fourth season of The Morning Show is now streaming on Apple TV+. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

YouTube’s daredevil Michelle Khare is here to help you push through your fears. In her award-winning YouTube channel, Challenge Accepted, Michelle has put her body and mind through a wide range of challenges, from being tased during police academy to pirouetting with professional ballerinas and everything in between. However, her biggest challenge is learning how to push through her fears. Today, we discuss how she sets goals, measures success, overcomes fear, and inspires us to raise the bar on our lives. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we dive into the meeting point of neuroscience and mysticism. Life coach and spiritual psychologist Gabriella Taylor joins us to share how the brain’s ability to rewire itself can help us move beyond internalized patriarchy and the quiet dynamics—like gossip, comparison, and competition—that so often divide women and erode our sense of self. She explores what becomes possible when we begin to heal these patterns and invites us to consider how we can show up differently—for ourselves, each other, and the next generation of women. Inspired by this conversation, Gabriella created a free quiz just for The Bright Side community: Are You Leading from Your Truth or Your Trauma? This neuroscience-informed tool helps uncover which internalized patterns may be shaping how you lead, love, and see yourself—offering insight as a first step toward lasting change. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Bright Side, Simone and actor-creator Yasmine Sahid vision board while unpacking what it means to build a creative life on your own terms. Yasmine shares how she went from struggling to find acting work in LA to creating her own opportunities online, leading to red carpet moments and TV debuts. She opens up about the realities of the creator economy, the pressure of “making it,” and why starting is always the hardest (and most important) step. And yes, there’s also a Love Island rant you won’t want to miss. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Keira D’Amato didn’t go pro in her twenties—she did it at 36. After nearly a decade away from competitive running, this mom of two and full-time realtor returned to the sport not for medals, but for joy. And joy led to national titles and shattered American records. In this conversation, Keira teaches us about quitting, restarting, and what happens when you stop chasing accolades and start chasing happiness instead. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Power suits, parenting, and the pursuit of peace! Ashlyn Harris joins Simone to talk life after soccer—from growing up with hand-me-downs to redefining what greatness means beyond the game. She shares why winning isn't everything, how parenting has become a space for healing, and why she’s embracing her soft life era. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daniella Pierson launched her first company, The Newsette, from her dorm room. She didn't have a clue how to build a business or any idea where those first steps would take her. Today, Daniella shares her secrets for becoming a self-made millionaire—from overcoming self-doubt to winning over celebrity mentors like Diane Von Furstenberg. She's also here to share her new project Chasm, a company founded to close the gender gap through entrepreneurship. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when you take the quintessential British marriage plot – and put it on a beach, in Australia, with movie stars and a Gen Z heroine? This week, host Danielle Robay explores the Reese’s Book Club Summer YA Pick, Stuck Up and Stupid, with its authors Angourie and Kate Rice. Plus… a very special announcement from a very special friend of the pod. Like what you heard? Subscribe to the Bookmarked newsletter HERE for more buzzy book talk, and be sure to follow us @reesesbookclub for more. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - find it HERE Saplings by Noel Streatfeild - find it HERE My Friends by Frederick Backman - find it HERE The Happy Prince and Other Tales by Oscar Wilde - find it HERE The Fortunes of Richard Mahony by Henry Handel Richardson - find it HERE Station 11 by Emily St. John Mandel - find it HERE Alone in Berlin by Hans Fallada - find it HERE Emma by Jane Austen - find it HERE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Erin and Sara Foster have their fingerprints on many creative projects and investments. Today on the Bright Side, we discuss everything in their orbit, from their clothing line Favorite Daughter, their new breastfeeding initiative with Nara Organics, and, last but not least, season two of their hit Netflix Series Nobody Wants This. Erin and Sara also talk about how they handle the sibling-meets-business-partner dynamic, and why they think portraying healthy relationships should be the new rom-com standard. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fertility can be a confusing and emotional road—and no one should have to navigate it alone. In this episode, we go beyond the usual fertility talk to explore the real-life struggles behind infertility, from missed diagnoses to lifestyle shifts that made all the difference. So many of us are left searching for answers without knowing where to turn. Reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Natalie Crawford is here to help! She shares her insights on common fertility myths, the importance of male factors, and why a whole-body, proactive approach matters. Whether you're trying now or planning for the future, this is a conversation full of honesty, hope, and empowerment. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.