How She Does It

Latest Episodes:

How She Does It is back for Season 2, starting July 8th! Jun 24, 2025

Show notes

Host Karen Finerman, longtime Wall Street investor, mom of four, and familiar face on CNBC, returns with another inspiring season of conversations spotlighting extraordinary women at the top of their fields.

💬 This season, Karen sits down with powerhouse guests, including:

Jenna Bush Hager - TODAY Host & Founder, Thousand Voices
Debby Soo - CEO, OpenTable
Gretchen Rubin - NY Times Bestselling Author & Podcast Host
Pritika Swarup - Model and Founder & CEO, Pratki Beauty

Expect candid conversations about ambition, leadership, money, and what power really looks like when women own it.

📅 First episode drops July 8 — don’t miss it!

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Ep 48: What It’s Really Like To Own A Basketball Team With Clara Wu Tsai May 20, 2024

Show notes

It’s no secret that women’s basketball is exploding in popularity. The WNBA had a record-breaking season last year, which was also its most-watched season in over two decades. Now as some of those college stars (like Caitlin Clark) graduate from college and move on, the WNBA is hoping to build on their momentum.

One of the women we can thank for that momentum is Clara Wu Tsai. She bought the New York Liberty basketball team in 2019 with her husband Joe Tsai, and immediately made profound changes to turn it around. Her goals for this year? To win a championship, and show that women's professional sports can be profitable.

This will be our final episode of Season 1. We’re so thankful you joined us for the first season of “How She Does It,” and we can’t wait to see you again later this year!

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Chapters:

00:00 Background and Values

04:58 Academic Journey and Career Path

11:01 Becoming the Owner of the New York Liberty

15:49 Success and Goals for the New York Liberty

22:04 Promoting Social Justice through the Social Justice Fund

25:56 Studying Peak Performance in Elite Athletes with the Wu Tsai Performance Alliance

Takeaways:

As the owner of the New York Liberty basketball team, Clara revitalized the team by moving them back to New York City and investing in player health and care.
The team's success and their goal of increasing viewership for women's professional sports demonstrate the potential profitability of women's sports.
Clara and her husband, Joe Tsai, divide and conquer the responsibilities of running the Brooklyn Nets and the New York Liberty.
Clara is involved in social justice initiatives, including the Social Justice Fund, which supports economic mobility and racial justice in Brooklyn.
Clara also leads the Wu Tsai Performance Alliance, which studies peak performance in elite athletes, with a focus on female athletes.

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Ep. 47: Advancing Research On the Human Brain With Paola Arlotta May 13, 2024

Show notes

Women across all industries need more female mentors and role models, and perhaps nowhere is that more imperative than in the field of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). When we have more women in STEM, there’s a ripple effect — scientific and financial outcomes for women are improved across the board.

The good news is that more women than ever are choosing career paths in the field. Paola Arlotta, a neurobiologist and stem cell scientist at Harvard University, is one of the women paving the way for other female scientists. She's showing that it’s possible to run a lab and raise a family at the same time, and this week she shares insight into her career and her work.

Takeaways:

Brain organoids are tiny pieces of brain tissue that are made in a lab from stem cells. They can be used to study the development of the human brain and understand neurological diseases.
Brain organoids have the potential to revolutionize drug development and personalized medicine.
There are many different ways to be successful in science, and it's important to find your own path.
Having diverse role models is crucial for inspiring and empowering women in science.
Balancing a career in science with family life requires support and collaboration.
Advancements in technology and data analysis will lead to a leap forward in drug development and disease understanding.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:01:33 - Paolo Arlotta's Background and Decision to Pursue Science

00:06:24 - The Process and Significance of Creating Brain Organoids

00:10:25 - The Potential of Brain Organoids in Understanding and Treating Diseases

00:22:01 - Women in Science

00:28:12 - Challenges of Balancing Career and Family

00:31:01 - Role Models and Mentorship

00:34:52 - Lightning Round Questions

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Ep 46: Making Jobs In Finance More Accessible To Women May 06, 2024

Show notes

According to research by Deloitte, the number of women who reach the highest level of leadership in financial services is on the rise, with women holding 18% of financial C-suite positions globally. But the research also says that number is climbing slowly — without a more concerted effort, women financial leaders may not even reach 25% by 2031.

Lindsay Hans, President and Co-head of Merrill Wealth Management, is working to change that. In her role, she’s committed to lowering the barrier to entry for women financial advisors — including being a strong advocate for their new training program which is more attractive to female advisors who may not have a pre-existing network of wealthy connections.

Takeaways:

Historical reasons, such as wealth distribution and demographics, have contributed to the underrepresentation of women in the financial services industry.
The presence of women in leadership roles in the financial services industry is slow but increasing
Younger women are increasingly knowledgeable and comfortable with financial decisions.
There is a preference for financial advisors of the same sex, but it varies on a case-by-case basis.

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction

06:51 - Lindsay Hans Career Advancement

16:20 - Initiatives to Support Women Financial Advisors

20:40 - Advisors and Client Relationships

25:58 - Challenges in Attracting Women to Financial Advisory Role

30:15 - Conclusion

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Ep 45: Having A Child On Your Own Terms With Leigh Gallagher Apr 29, 2024

Show notes

Making the decision to have kids is one of the biggest decisions a woman can make in her life, and increasingly, women (and men) are not waiting until they find the right person to have kids with — they’re walking the journey on their own.

With a wide array of options from sperm and egg donors to surrogacy or adoption, there are more options than ever for those choosing the journey into parenthood. When Leigh Gallagher, Senior Managing Director at Teneo, was in her early 40s, she decided she was done waiting for the “dating gods” and made the choice to have a child on her own. She says that while she’s famously bad at making decisions, this was actually the easiest one she’s ever made.

Listen in to hear details on how she chose a sperm donor, how she’s built a village of childcare to support her, and why her daughter knows that above all, they are always a team.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:05:02 - Decision to Have a Baby

00:11:31 - Pregnancy and Preparing for Parenthood

00:13:46 - Choices as a Single Parent

00:14:21 - Life Changes After Having Her Daughter

00:17:06 - Challenges of Single Parenthood

00:18:58 - Destiny and Parenthood

00:21:31 - Advice for Prospective Single Parents and Current Parents

00:24:09 - Lightning Round

Takeaways:

Making the decision to become a single mother by choice can be empowering and fulfilling.
Having a strong support system, such as a nanny or trusted babysitters is crucial.
The process of fertility treatments and choosing a sperm donor can be challenging but ultimately rewarding.
Transparency is key when talking to children about their unique family structure.
For those considering becoming single parents, it's important to talk to others who have gone through the same experience and to think about the long-term impact of the decision.
Despite the challenges, being a single parent can bring immense joy and fulfillment.

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Ep 44: Protecting Women’s Healthcare With Kate Ryder Apr 22, 2024

Show notes

Women’s ability to access high-quality, affordable, healthcare is a huge issue. From conception to asking questions about IVF and egg freezing, to our peri and postmenopausal life stages, we need easy access to specialized care for a lifetime. That’s exactly why Kate Ryder created Maven Clinic, a comprehensive 24/7 virtual platform that offers support and referrals related to fertility and family planning, pregnancy, postpartum health, adoption, surrogacy, parenting, and menopause.

Kate details how she went from journalist to startup founder, and how Maven provides straightforward access to care for women at all life stages.

Takeaways:

Increasing access to affordable fertility care is crucial for women's health.
Maven Clinic provides comprehensive support and referrals for various stages of women's health.
The need for more women in the healthcare industry and venture capital
The impact of recent IVF restrictions in Alabama on patients and clinics.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and the Importance of Access to Fertility Care

06:52 The Origin Story of Maven Clinic

14:43 Expanding Services to Support Conception and Menopause

26:53 The Unprecedented Situation in Alabama

28:17 The Need for Comprehensive Women's Health Services

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Ep 43: From the Farmers Market to Whole Foods Apr 15, 2024

Show notes

We’re always so impressed when we hear about female founders who can turn a product they start making in their homes into a multi-million dollar business. So, how did they do it? Did they always dream of starting something bigger or did it take time for them to realize that their humble idea could really scale? And do the skills it takes to run a small business translate to running one with many employees, where the day-to-day tasks are wildly different?

Starr Edwards is one of those founders. In 2010, she was looking for creative ways to provide for her young family, and with just $200 and a used Vitamix, she started selling her dips, with a clever name – Bitchin' Sauce. After starting with small sales at the San Diego Farmers Market, today the company is a $50 million dollar business, and their vegan almond dip is sold everywhere from Costo to Whole Foods. Edwards shares how she scaled her company while raising a family of five, and what she learned when she shipped the sauce to Colorado (hint: it got messy!)

Takeaways:

Starting small and scaling organically can lead to significant growth over time.
Learning from peers and industry experts can be invaluable in navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship.
Maintaining a personal connection to the brand and product can drive passion and success.
Providing childcare as a benefit can have a significant positive impact on employees and the company as a whole.
Finding the right fit for team members and harnessing their talents can lead to greater fulfillment and value for the company.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Introduction and Background

00:03:29 - Scaling Production from Home Kitchen to Manufacturing

00:04:32 - Getting into Whole Foods and Challenges with Distribution

00:09:20 - Balancing Family Life and Business Growth

00:11:10 - Learning from Peers and Avoiding Mistakes

00:18:18 - Benefits of on-site Childcare

00:21:32 - Future Aspirations

00:23:55 - Hiring Strategy and Building a Team

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Ep 42: How Deb Liu Stopped Fighting And Stepped Into Her Power Apr 08, 2024

Show notes

Finding out about our family's history can tell us so much about ourselves, and our place in the world. For a long time, Deb Liu, CEO of Ancestry.com, said she felt like a victim of her history. She grew up in South Carolina, and since she was one of the only Asian-American kids in her classes, she was often made the target of pranks and bullying. She had to fight for her place in the world.

Fast forward years later, Liu credits Sheryl Sandberg, her mentor at Facebook, for helping her come out of her shell and embrace her true self. One day after a meeting, Sandberg pulled her aside and said, “You can stop fighting now. You can be gracious.” This statement profoundly changed the way she worked. Listen in to hear her advice on leading with warmth, how to avoid falling into the trap of ‘strategic ambiguity’ in your career, and why she thinks more women should plan their marriages the same way they plan their wedding day.

Takeaways:

It's important to speak up and advocate for yourself in the workplace. Don't be invisible; make your contributions known.
Building relationships is key. Seek out allies, mentors, and sponsors who can provide advice and open doors for you.
Transition from a mindset of fighting to one of building connections. Success in the workplace is about teamwork and relationships, not just individual achievement.
Plan your marriage with the same care as your wedding. Discuss expectations and roles to create a partnership where both parties contribute and support each other.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Background

01:43 The Road to Becoming a CEO

03:23 Speaking Up and Building Relationships

06:27 The Importance of Allies, Mentors, and Sponsors

09:25 Asking for What You Want

10:34 Transitioning from Fighting For What You Deserve to Building Connections

14:27 A Swim Lane Marriage

21:14 The Vision for Ancestry.com

26:36 Lightning Round

29:43 Where to Find Deb Liu

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Ep 41: Take Back Your Time With Google’s Productivity Expert Apr 01, 2024

Show notes

Women often have a blur of busy days — going from meetings and important phone calls to the grocery store or soccer practice. It often feels like the day goes by in a blink of an eye. This, of course, leaves many of us feeling drained at the end of the day, or inspired to push off our most important tasks to next week — or we forget about them completely.

So how can we better juggle our busy work days, the challenges of raising a family, and all of the other tasks in-between, while still making time for fun? Laura Mae Martin has cracked the code. She’s Google’s Executive Productivity Officer, and she coaches Google’s top executives on time management and efficiency.

She offers her take on how to cut out time-suck meetings once and for all, and why discovering our “power hours” does wonders for our creativity and productivity.

Takeaways:

Manage your email inbox like doing laundry - sort, prioritize, and focus on one task at a time.
Use the list funnel method to organize tasks and prioritize based on timeframes.
Limit and optimize meetings by setting agendas, evaluating their necessity, and providing feedback.
Identify your power hours and schedule important tasks during those times for maximum productivity.
Minimize multitasking and manage email effectively to improve productivity.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

05:24 Optimizing Time for Emails

07:10 The List Funnel

13:58 Working with Executives on Productivity

15:06 Limiting Meetings

19.32 Power Hours and Structuring Productive Days

24:33 The Importance of Flexibility in Work Hours

26:01 Productivity Mistakes: Multitasking and Email Overload

28:06 New Research on Productivity

29:12 Lightning Round: Quick Questions

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Ep 40: How To Build A Thriving Sustainable Fashion Brand With Ellie Chen and Jensen Neff Mar 25, 2024

Show notes

There’s been a major shift in the fashion industry over the past few years, with a noticeable shift away from Fast Fashion. H&M, once a stock market darling, is now well below 50% of its all-time high. This, in no small part, comes from the concern over the waste emanating from the fast fashion pieces that now fill our landfills.

Jensen Neff and Ellie Chen found out just how much fabric goes to waste in the fashion industry (14 million pounds of fabric daily, to be exact) and created their sustainably sourced clothing brand Oddli as their senior capstone project at Stanford. Fast forward to today, they’ve grown into a multi-million dollar profitable brand. Listen in to hear how they used social media to build a following from the start, and their best advice for other young female founders.

Takeaways:

The fashion industry is shifting away from fast fashion and embracing second-hand retail due to concerns over waste.
Oddli was founded by Jensen Neff and Ellie Chen, who met at Stanford University and shared a passion for creating ethically sourced clothing that promotes community connection.
Oddli sources excess fabric, known as deadstock, from warehouses in downtown LA to reduce fabric waste in the fashion industry.
The founders of Oddli believe in staying true to their vision and have chosen a non-traditional approach to fundraising and scaling their business.
Balancing ethical production and affordability is a challenge in the fashion industry, but transparency and education can help consumers understand higher price points.
Social media platforms like TikTok can be powerful tools for brand growth and reaching a wide audience.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Shift Away from Fast Fashion

01:21 Introduction to Oddli

10:23 Sourcing Raw Materials and Accessing Excess Fabric

15:50 Ignoring Conventional Wisdom in Fundraising

23:38 Navigating the Industry as Female Founders

31:22 Ambitions for the Future

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