Nice Talk with Nikki Ogunnaike

Latest Episodes:

Sportsish Founder Lily Shimbashi on the 2026 US Open, On-Court Style, and the Economics of Sports Fandoms Sep 24, 2026

Show notes

Lily Shimbashi, the founder of sports media company Sportsish, joins Nikki for the final episode in our four-part US Open miniseries. Sportsish bills itself as “not your boyfriend’s sports news” and is on a mission to support and encourage women sports fans. On this episode, Shimbashi dives into all the stories we need to know from this year’s US Open, explains the economic advantages of investing in women in sports, and shares her thoughts on how influencers should navigate attending major Slams.

Tennis Legend Rennae Stubbs on Transitioning From Athlete to Coach, Mental Health in Sports, and the Power of Movement Sep 17, 2026

Show notes

Four-time Olympian, six-time Grand Slam champion, and 60-time WTA winner, Rennae Stubbs joins Nikki for the third episode in our four-part US Open miniseries. After retiring from tennis in 2011, Stubbs transitioned into broadcasting and coaching, working with legends like Serena Williams. On this live-recorded episode, Stubbs dives into the importance of mental health in professional sports, the “three C’s” mantra she always comes back to, and the power of movement and exercise. Plus, Stubbs shares some of her favorite moments from the 2026 US Open.

Broadcast Journalist Cari Champion on Curiosity, Her Unapologetic On-Air Style, and the State of Women’s Sports Sep 10, 2026

Show notes

Award-winning journalist and television host Cari Champion joins Nikki for the second episode in our four-part US Open miniseries. Champion is a former ESPN anchor, and today she’s a regular CNN contributor, host of Naked Sports With Cari Champion, and co-host of Flagrant and Funny alongside Jemele Hill. On this episode, she shares why she felt pressure to tone down her fashion while working at ESPN, how she’s been able to uncouple her value from her job title, and why she started her foundation, Brown Girls Dream.

Ayan's Aces Founder Ayan Broomfield on Representation in Tennis, the Term "WAG," and Dressing for the US Open Sep 03, 2026

Show notes

Ayan Broomfield—former tennis player, content creator, philanthropist, and model—joins Nikki for the first episode in our four-part US Open miniseries. On this episode, Broomfield discusses her complicated feelings toward the term "WAG," why she's focusing on bringing more women of color into the tennis space with her organization Ayan's Aces, and how she approaches getting dressed for the various Grand Slams of the season.

Ariana Madix on Hosting Love Island, Performing on Broadway, and the Realities of Reality TV Aug 27, 2026

Show notes

Ariana Madix is a reality TV personality known for her 11-season tenure on Vanderpump Rules and her role as the Emmy-nominated host of Love Island USA. She’s also starred as Roxie Hart in Chicago, competed on Dancing With the Stars, and has a recurring role on St. Denis Medical, and this fall, she will be returning to the Broadway stage in Just in Time. On this episode, Madix shares how she juggled multiple jobs in order to pursue her dream of being an actor, why Ginger Spice was her style icon growing up, and the behind-the-scenes details on how Love Island really makes it from the villa to our screens.

Emmy-Winning Casting Director Jazzy Collins on Power Dynamics Within Reality TV Aug 20, 2026

Show notes

Jazzy Collins is an Emmy Award–winning casting director whose résumé includes fan-favorite shows like The Traitors, Love Island, Very Important People, The Circle, and many more. She's also the cofounder of the production company Forced Perspective and was recently named one of Vulture's Reality TV Masterminds. On this episode, she discusses everything that goes into casting the most popular scripted and unscripted shows—from identifying potential reality TV stars on social media to making sure people are "there for the right reasons." Plus, she shares the details about the feature film she's producing alongside the L.A.-based meme account @americanaatbrandmemes.

Peloton Instructor Ally Love on How to Build an "Energy Empire" Aug 13, 2026

Show notes

You may know Ally Love as the beloved Peloton instructor with impeccable music and challenging classes, but she's also a contributor for the Today Show, the VP of instructor strategy and development for Peloton, and a member of JPMorganChase's Athlete Council. On this episode, Love shares why she views energy as currency, what it means to her to be able to guide young athletes through their financial journey with the Athlete Council, and how she approaches getting dressed to be on camera. Plus, she details the exact anatomy of a perfect workout playlist.

Rerelease: Issa Rae on Brokeness, Making Your Own Art, and Embracing Your Particular POV Aug 06, 2026

Show notes

So nice we’re releasing it twice! Today we’re revisiting Issa Rae’s Nice Talk episode.
Issa Rae truly does it all. Not only is she a multifaceted entertainment powerhouse, but she also runs businesses in various industries—from prosecco to food to haircare. Today on the show, the former Marie Claire cover star joins us to talk about money, power, and style, including how she crowdfunded her early projects like Awkward Black Girl, how she overcame "grateful to be here" energy after partnering with HBO, and what it means to be boldly elegant in her style. She also tells us about her newest projects: her book I Should Be Smarter by Now and her two-part docuseries Seen & Heard. Plus, Rae shares why creativity is not the most important trait to be successful in the entertainment industry.
This episode was originally released on September 25, 2025.

Rerelease: How Host & Creator Tefi Pessoa Found Her Calling on the Internet by Being Professionally Herself Jul 30, 2026

Show notes

Today, we’re revisiting one of our earliest episodes with host, media personality, and creator Tefi Pessoa. Pessoa has forged a career—and amassed 2 million followers on TikTok—by being “professionally [her]self.” Her online presence is equal parts hilarious and authentic: One moment she’s doing a deep dive on celebrity relationship timelines and the next talking about her own mental health journey. On this episode, we dive into Pessoa’s financial ups and downs throughout her career, the surprising Kardashian/Jenner family member she would trade closets with, and how she sets boundaries online.
This episode was originally released in July 2024.

Lindsay Hubbard on Filming In the City, Navigating Scandal, and Building a Career on Being Herself Jul 23, 2026

Show notes

Lindsay Hubbard is a reality TV legend known for her 10-season tenure on Summer House and the debut season of the spin-off show, In the City. Before she was leaning into being “Lindsay from Summer House,” she was a PR executive with her own firm. On this episode, Hubbard discusses why the only thing worse than breaking someone’s heart is messing with someone’s money, the power dynamics at play in reality TV (including what it’s like filming with an ex), and her collaborative work with her stylist, Emily Men.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Nice Talk with Nikki Ogunnaike

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected