Talk to Jess: Conversations with Today's Thinkers, Movers, and Shapers

Lynn Johnson is the co-founder and CEO of Spotlight: Girls, a multi-media platform and summer camp that educates and inspires girls to step into the spotlight and be leaders in their community. Through her work, Lynn is empowering young girls to fight against the constant media messages that tell them to sit down and be quiet. She’s helping them harness their power and use their voice. In this episode, Jess and Lynn talk entrepreneurship and business as a social good.

This special edition episode is powered by Dove Real Beauty Productions. To celebrate its 60th Anniversary at the Mom 2.0 Summit, we are creating conversations with inspiring women around the evolution of self-discovery and the definition of real beauty. Ilana is the creator of Mommy Shorts, where she blogs about her experiences as a working mom raising two young girls with her husband in New York City. Ilana is also a successful writer, having turned her hilarious essays on parenting and her family into a book on being an average but successful parent. In this episode, Jess and Ilana talk advertising, self-esteem, and the myth of the perfect mother.

Kristin Hayden is a speaker, an Ashoka Fellow, the CEO and co-founder of VisionVenture and the Chief Partnership Officer at IGNITE, a non-partisan organization that helps young women find their passion for civic engagement. In all of her work, Kristin helps young women to find their voice and their vision through a journey of self-discovery. In this episode, Jess and Kristin talk cutting through the noise to find their passion for changemaking, blazing their own path, and how they both inspire others to do the same.

This special edition episode is powered by our friends at Dove Real Beauty Productions. To help celebrate their 60th Anniversary, we’re here at Mom 2.0, to create conversations with inspiring women around the topics of self-discovery and redefining beauty. KJ Dell’Antonia is the lead writer and editor of the New York Times’ Well Family, where she offers advice on handling everything from classroom bullies to healthful eating to facing racism in high school. She also co-hosts the “#AmWriting” podcast, where she and co-host Jess Lahey discuss writing, reading, and getting things done. In this episode, Jess and KJ talk how finding the confidence of a mediocre white man can help you achieve your goals.

This special edition episode is powered by Dove Real Beauty Productions. To celebrate its 60th Anniversary at the Mom 2.0 Summit, we are creating conversations with inspiring women around the evolution of self-discovery and the definition of real beauty. Jeannette Kaplun is the CEO of Hispana Global, a bilingual platform where she addresses tips and trends for the modern woman, offering advice on everything from parenting to travel to fashion and food. She is an amazing connector between multicultural women across the globe; empowering them with positivity and self-love. In this episode, Jess and Jeannette talk creating your own path instead ofwaiting around for mainstream media to tell the stories you want to see.

Monique Coleman is an actor and activist best known for her role in the Disney Channel phenomenon High School Musical, and now she’s back for part two of her Talk to Jess conversation. Unemployed and feeling unwelcome in Hollywood, Monique talks to Jess about making ends meet while out of work, coming back to a completely changed industry, and how she had to find her confidence as an actor to find her next role.

This special edition episode is powered by Dove Real Beauty Productions. To celebrate its 60th Anniversary at the Mom 2.0 Summit, we are creating conversations with inspiring women around the evolution of self-discovery and the definition of real beauty. Back again this week is Ana Flores, who founded the #WeAllGrow Latina Network, the first and largest network of Latina digital influencers in the country. Beyond being a successful entrepreneur and changemaker in how Latina women are portrayed in media, marketing, and advertising, Ana is a mom to a young girl and she cares deeply and passionately about changing the next generation’s view of themselves. In this episode, Jess and Ana talk the heterogeneity of Latinos and how to tear down tired stereotypes in media.

This special edition episode is powered by Dove Real Beauty Productions. To celebrate its 60th Anniversary at the Mom 2.0 Summit, we are creating conversations with inspiring women around the evolution of self-discovery and the definition of real beauty. Jill Krause was an early standout in the blogging community and has been recording her journey of motherhood since 2007 at her site BabyRabies.com. Through her platform she playfully illustrates how we can all be better at supporting mothers and women. In this episode, Jess and Jill talk the myth of the perfect mother and how to forgive yourself when you can’t live up to society’s expectations.

Monique Coleman is an actor and activist best known for her role in the Disney Channel phenomenon High School Musical, but she’s been in everything from Gilmore Girls to Boston Legal and even Dancing with the Stars. Even in the face of insecurity and self-doubt, Monique is not afraid to let herself grow. In this episode, Jess and Monique deconstruct fame and discuss the highs and lows of superstardom.

This special edition episode is powered by Dove Real Beauty Productions. To celebrate its 60th Anniversary at the Mom 2.0 Summit, we are creating conversations with inspiring women around the evolution of self-discovery and the definition of real beauty. Kita Bryant is the blogger behind ItsReallyKita.com, where she helps small businesses, start-ups, and bloggers develop the confidence they need to succeed. In this episode, Kita tells Jess her story — the good, the bad, the loss — and she tells it her way. As Kita puts it: “I am me. If you don’t like it, BYE!”

This special edition episode is powered by Dove Real Beauty Productions. To celebrate its 60th Anniversary at the Mom 2.0 Summit, we are creating conversations with inspiring women around the evolution of self-discovery and the definition of real beauty. Jennifer Borget is a journalist, writer, photographer, and most importantly, a storyteller. On her blog, Cherish365, she writes about the nitty gritty of parenting and encourages families to focus on defining their own vision, values, and mission. In this episode, Jess talks to Jennifer about never feeling represented in media, wanting to blend in, and why she’s finally throwing comparisons out the window.

Taylor Trudon is a writer and youth commentator who has written for every publication from Seventeen to O! to Huffington Post to MTV News. With so much to discuss, Taylor and Jess return for part two to talk the good, the bad, and ugly the sides of the internet; changes you can make in your community; and the responsibility that we ALL have to include young people in the conversation.

This special edition episode is powered by Dove Real Beauty Productions. To celebrate its 60th Anniversary at the Mom 2.0 Summit, we are creating conversations with inspiring women around the evolution of self-discovery and the definition of real beauty. Danielle is a wellness coach and the blogger behind OK Dani, where she inspires her readers to live a healthy and balanced lifestyle — or to at least try their best. In this episode, Jess and Danielle talk finding community and overcoming imposter syndrome through the power of honesty.

This special edition episode is powered by our friends at Dove Real Beauty Productions. To celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Dove, we’re here at the Mom 2.0 Summit, creating conversations with inspiring women around the journey of self-discovery and redefining beauty. Jess Lahey is the co-host of the #AmWriting Podcast with KJ Dell’Antonia, and author of the The New York Times bestseller, The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed. She encourages parents and educators to confront the myths of perfection that we pass on to our kids and to trust our children as they start to make their own choices. In this episode, the Jesses discuss raising young girls with intention, modeling positive behavior, and overcoming the fear of failure.

Taylor Trudon is a writer and youth commentator who has written for every publication from Seventeen to O! to Huffington Post to MTV News. Oh, and she’s only 27. Taylor’s writing celebrates youth culture and lifts up young girls and women in a society that often discounts their experiences. She approaches each topic with a grace and passion well beyond her years and isn’t afraid to tell the more uncomfortable stories. In this episode, Jess and Taylor discuss growing up through three divorces, writing as a career path, and getting young people involved in politics.

This special edition episode is powered by Dove Real Beauty Productions. To celebrate its 60th Anniversary at the Mom 2.0 Summit, we are creating conversations with inspiring women around the evolution of self-discovery and the definition of real beauty. Amiyrah Martin is the founder of the parenting blog, “4 Hats & Frugal,” where she empowers parents to be financially responsible while still experiencing all that life has to offer for them and their children. In this episode, Jess and Amiyrah talk the lessons we learn from our mothers, bonds that last lifetimes, and the importance of being an imperfect but authentic parent.

This special edition episode is powered by Dove Real Beauty Productions. To celebrate its 60th Anniversary at the Mom 2.0 Summit, we are creating conversations with inspiring women around the evolution of self-discovery and the definition of real beauty. Kristen Howerton is the mom behind the popular parenting blog, “Rage Against the Minivan,” where she writes openly about her experiences as a mother of four kids via birth and adoption. She’s an eloquent writer, successfully tackling hard topics like the challenges of raising two adopted black boys in predominantly white spaces — even in her own home. In this episode, Jess and Kristen talk about dealing with online trolls, raising daughters who know their beauty and their worth, and the myth of the perfect mom.

Lulu is the founder of LemonAID Warriors, a charitable organization she created when she was just ten years old. Seven years later and she has published her own book, PhilanthroParties! A Party-Planning Guide for Kids Who Want to Give Back, a guide for adding social activism to your social life. Lulu’s work helps people see that they can create change on a small, everyday level and still have a big impact. In this episode, Jess and Lulu talk philanthropy for kids, the progression of the LGBT movement, and the confidence that comes with being your most authentic self.

This special edition episode is powered by Dove Real Beauty Productions. To celebrate its 60th Anniversary at the Mom 2.0 Summit, we are creating conversations with inspiring women around the evolution of self-discovery and the definition of real beauty. LaShawn Wiltz is the award-winning blogger behind Everyday Eyecandy, where she uses her platform to discuss finding balance as a working mom, and to celebrate the everyday beauty that women may often miss in their busy lives. LaShawn is teaching her community that it’s totally possible to drown out the noise and make time for the little things that mean a lot. In this episode, Jess and LaShawn talk the importance of giving children positive affirmations, the myth of the perfect mom, and the value of letting kids learn lessons for themselves.

This special edition episode is powered by Dove Real Beauty Productions. To celebrate its 60th Anniversary at the Mom 2.0 Summit, we are creating conversations with inspiring women around the evolution of self-discovery and the definition of real beauty. Africa Miranda is an actress, reality TV star, and CEO of Beauty by Africa Miranda. After spending twelve years helping brands shape their authentic stories, and now she’s ready to start telling her own. Africa uses her platform to expand our visual representation of beauty and body positivity, especially for women of color. In this episode, Jess and Africa talk important female role models, entrepreneurship in the beauty space, and defining beauty on your terms.