Nice Talk with Nikki Ogunnaike

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.

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 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

Micaela Erlanger is the Emmy-nominated stylist behind some of Hollywood's most talented stars, including Meryl Streep, Lupita Nyong'o, and Kelly Clarkson. On this episode, Erlanger takes us behind the scenes of all of Nyong'o 20+ looks for The Odyssey press tour and the mythological details she pulled from to create the ensembles. She also reveals her Mount Rushmore (aka her four favorite looks) from her work with Streep on the recent The Devil Wears Prada 2 tour. Plus, she shares the difference between "meta dressing" and "method dressing" in her styling. 

Jessica Knoll is the best-selling author of the novels Luckiest Girl Alive, Bright Young Women, and The Favorite Sister. On this episode, Knoll discusses how her own relationship with money and power informed the writing in her newest novel Helpless, which hit shelves on July 7. She also delves into what true success as a novelist would look like to her and how she feels in retrospect about her 2018 New York Times opinion piece "I Want to Be Rich and I'm Not Sorry." Order Helpless here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Helpless/Jessica-Knoll/9781668062302

Comedian Michelle Buteau is the star and co-creator of the hit series Survival of the Thickest, which dropped its third and final season today. On this episode, Buteau discusses not knowing if she had enough trauma to be a comedian, why she started making money as soon as she leaned into being herself, and the deliberate decision to make her main character in Survival of the Thickest a stylist. Plus, she shares everything she’s excited about for this new season of the Netflix series, including her directorial debut.

Maria Sharapova is a five-time Grand Slam tennis champion, but after retiring from the sport in 2020, she pivoted into the world of entrepreneurship, taking on business roles for companies such as Supergoop!, Bala, and Therabody. On this episode, Sharapova shares her tips for creating a strong business pitch (hint: shorten your deck!), how she learned everything she knows about money, and details about her style evolution from the court to the boardroom. Plus, she takes us behind the scenes of her new podcast Pretty Tough, which airs weekly on Wednesdays.

Tia Williams is the best-selling author of books such as Seven Days in June and The Perfect Find, and her most recent novel, The Missed Connection, just came out on June 9. In addition to her career as an author, she also spent over 15 years as a beauty editor at magazines including Glamour, Lucky, and Essence. On this episode, Williams discusses what it was like working in print magazines during the Devil Wears Prada era, the financial decision to continue working her corporate job while writing novels, and why penning fanfic about her own life trained her to become a career author. Plus, she shares everything that went into the research process for her recent romance and detective novel.

Laverne Cox is an actress, producer, and LGBTQ+ advocate, and as of June 9, she’s also the author of her memoir, Transcendent. In this episode, Cox discusses how her childhood love of thrifting has evolved into a vintage Mugler obsession, why it feels "divine" for her memoir to come out in this political moment, and what it was like being “broke and fabulous” in New York City before she booked Orange Is the New Black. Plus, Cox shares some of her greatest writing inspirations, including bell hooks and Walt Whitman.

Whitney Leavitt first rose to fame as a member of the TikTok group "MomTok" and as a star of the subsequent reality show, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. Since then, Leavitt has evolved her entertainment career time and time again, competing on Dancing With the Stars and making her Broadway debut as Roxie Hart in Chicago. Now, she's embarking on yet another new chapter in her career with her production company, Leavitt Media House. On this episode, she candidly discusses her career ambitions, why leaving Secret Lives feels different this time, and what she’s learned about style from her move from the Utah bubble to New York.

Becky Kennedy, PhD, is a clinical psychologist, best-selling author, founder of the parenting platform Good Inside, and a social media creator with over 3.5 million followers. Today on the show, she’s bringing us all the methods, strategies, and mindsets people can use to become sturdy leaders in their lives—whether that’s at home with their kids or at work with their teams. She shares how she approaches her calendar, why a “same team” mentality is helpful for navigating challenging situations, and her thoughts on the concept of weaponized incompetence.

Ego Nwodim is an actor and comedian known for her seven-year tenure as a cast member on Saturday Night Live, as well as projects like Mr. Throwback and Mindy Kaling’s Not Suitable for Work. On this episode, Nwodim discusses her time at SNL—including the casting process, why it felt like a really cool corporate job, and the deep friendships she formed with colleagues, including Heidi Gardner. Plus, she shares her online shopping method and why her motto when it comes to Solidcore is, “But did you die?”

Cleo Wade is a poet, artist, and New York Times best-selling author whose latest book, In a World of Sunrises: 365 Days of Heart, Soul, and Hope, debuted this April. On this episode, Wade shares insight on what she's learned from her early career in fashion, the influence growing up in New Orleans had on her style, and how she’s navigated her money anxiety. Plus, she shares the one prompt she always uses when she doesn’t know what to write and her advice for anyone trying to build community and make friends as an adult.

Rickea Jackson and Kiki Iriafen are two of the WNBA’s brightest young stars. Today on the show, they each sit down with Nikki to discuss how they’re preparing for the upcoming season, the future of the league, and why they view the mental game of basketball to be just as important as their physical training. Jackson also lets us in on how she creates and styles her tunnel outfits, and Iriafen shares what it was like guarding Brittney Griner in her first two games as a rookie. Plus, they both discuss what partnering with Skechers—a new official sponsor of the WNBA—means to them. Note: this episode was recorded prior to the 2026 WNBA draft deadline so while we mention Rickea Jackson is a player for the Los Angeles Sparks, she will be playing for the Chicago Sky this coming season.

Haley Sacks, or Mrs. Dow Jones as she’s known on the internet, is on a mission to demystify personal finance and turn everyone into a “future rich person.” After realizing in her early career that she didn’t know much about finance, she set out to educate herself and now shares that knowledge with her 1.3 million Instagram followers. Her new book, Future Rich Person: The New Rules for Building Wealth (Even If You’re Stuck, Broke, and That Billionaire Won’t Text You Back…), is a juicy and engaging step-by-step guide to setting yourself up for financial success. In this episode, Sacks explains exactly how to audit your finances on your monthly “money date,” the smart way to travel this summer, and the necessary elements everyone should have in a prenup. Plus, she shares the financial step everyone can take today to help their future self—and it only takes 15 minutes.  Preorder her book here, out May 12: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/787317/future-rich-person-by-haley-sacks/

Anna Cathcart is an actress best known for playing Kitty Song Covey in the To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before franchise and her character’s own spin-off series, XO, Kitty. On this episode of Nice Talk, Cathcart dives into everything she’s learned about herself, her style, and what it means to be a leader on set after playing Kitty the past eight years. Plus, she shares the details behind attending her first Academy Award ceremony this year and what she’s most excited for in the new season of XO, Kitty—including her reunion with on-screen sister Lana Condor.

Emma Grede is the serial entrepreneur behind massively successful businesses including Skims, Good American, and Off Season. She’s also the author of the new book Start With Yourself: A New Vision for Work and Life, which released on April 14. On this episode, Grede discusses how her East London background shaped her career, perception of power, and relationship with money. She also shares the nuance behind the many “hot take” headlines that have been written about her in the media. Plus, she divulges about splurging on fashion and gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the closet she’s curated over the years.

Ten years ago, Marie Claire released a series of stories investigating the relationship between women and guns. A decade later, our team decided to return to this topic to see how that relationship has evolved over the years. Today on the podcast, Marie Claire Executive Editor Andrea Stanley and Deputy Editor Noor Ibrahim join Nikki to discuss the 2026 version of "Women and Guns: A Marie Claire Investigation." They dive into why they chose to write each story in this package, their research and journalistic process, and the impact the pieces had on them. This episode deals with sensitive topics including gun violence, so please listen with care. Resources:https://everytownsupportfund.org/everytown-survivor-network/resources-for-victims-and-survivors-of-gun-violence/https://www.sandyhookpromise.org/resources/ways-to-help/help-for-victims-survivors-gun-violence/ ___ Nice Talk is nominated for a Webby! We'd be so appreciative if you'd vote for us: https://vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting#/2026/podcasts/shows/lifestyle

Many people first came to know Padma Lakshmi during her 19-season tenure as host of Top Chef, but now she’s returning to the world of competition cooking shows as the the host, creator, and executive producer of America’s Culinary Cup. The new CBS series features some of the biggest names in the food industry and boasts the largest monetary prize awarded in culinary competition show history. Today on Nice Talk, Lakshmi discusses how the one-million-dollar prize pot came to be, what it’s like to create a show from scratch, and how she approaches getting dressed for on-screen appearances. Plus, she shares her dinner party hosting tips and her favorite restaurants in New York.

Lauren Sherman is a fashion correspondent for Puck, host of the podcast Fashion People, and author of the must-read fashion newsletter Line Sheet. Today, she’s here to discuss all things fashion month. Not only do Nikki and Lauren chat about their favorite moments from attending the fashion shows this season, but they also dive into what the collections say about the overall culture and economic trends within the industry right now. Lauren brings such a nuanced, unique perspective on fashion month, and you won’t want to miss this episode.

As soon as Yvonne Orji performed her first stand-up set during the talent portion of a pageant, she knew comedy would be her calling. Today, she’s a comedian with two HBO specials under her belt and an actor, known for playing beloved characters like Molly in Insecure. In this episode, Orji discusses how her Nigerian American background informed her view on money, why she likes to get dressed up to do comedy, and how she navigates her nerves before she goes on stage. This episode is nonstop laughs, so be sure to tune in.

Jordyn Woods wears many hats: she’s a model, the founder and CEO of her fashion line Woods by Jordyn, a content creator with over 11.6 million Instagram followers, the newly minted Chief Creative Director of the beauty brand Glosslab, and more. Today, she’s sitting down with Nikki as a part of our NBA All Star Weekend mini-series to discuss the big three—money, power and style. She discusses what it was like growing up adjacent to wealth, why logging off is her way of taking back power, and the behind the scenes of building her fashion line Woods by Jordyn. Plus, Jordyn and Nikki are in their bridal era at the same time, so they chat about plans for their respective upcoming weddings.

Malika Andrews is an Emmy Award–winning sports journalist and host of ESPN’s NBA Today, NBA Countdown, and WNBA Countdown. Not only is Andrews one of the most prominent sports journalists in the industry, but she’s also a trailblazer. In 2018, she became ESPN’s youngest sideline reporter, and in 2022, she became the first woman to ever host the NBA Draft—a position she’s held every year since. On this episode, Andrews tells us about her relationship with money growing up, why she only wears women-owned brands when covering the WNBA, and what advice she would give to her younger self about on-camera work.

Taylor Rooks is a two-time Emmy Award–nominated journalist and producer who currently hosts NBA on Prime Video and Thursday Night Football on Prime. In addition to being one of the most important voices in sports media, she’s the founder of the Taylor Rooks Foundation—an organization that supports communities by providing school supplies to teachers, helping people pay their utilities during the holidays, and more. On this episode, Rooks dives into why she believes both hard work and luck are necessary for success, her favorite on-air looks she's worn over the years, and the ways she advocates for herself financially.

Courtney Mays is a renowned sports stylist and menswear consultant. She's known as a fierce advocate for size and gender inclusivity in fashion, and her client list includes big-name athletes like Chris Paul, Brittney Griner, and Sue Bird along with actors like Anthony Anderson and Winston Duke. On this episode, Mays tells us how she learned to ask for a raise, why she loves celebrating queerness through gender-fluid fashion, and what her clients have taught her about owning her identity. Plus, she shares her plus-size styling hacks and what you should tell your tailor for the perfect fit in whatever you bring in.

Amy Smilovic is the founder and creative director of the independent global fashion brand Tibi. In addition to helming her beloved brand, Smilovic also runs an educational "style class" on Instagram and is the author of two books: The Creative Pragmatist: An Intelligent Conversation About Personal Style and Almost Reckless: A Creative and Pragmatic Approach to Taking Risks, which is available for preorder now. On this episode, Smilovic gets into the tangible ways she's been able to trust her gut throughout her career, viewing items in your closet as ingredients, and her practical tips for how to layer in the winter without looking like a snowman. Plus, she lets us in on Tibi's plan for fashion week.  Preorder Almost Reckless here.

Jennette McCurdy is the best-selling author of the memoir I’m Glad My Mom Died and her recent debut novel, Half His Age. Many people were first introduced to McCurdy when she was a child actor, but in her early 20s, she stepped away from her acting career to pursue writing. On this episode, she discusses the messy and uncomfortable power dynamics at play in her new novel, the deeper meaning behind some of her style choices, and why she didn’t feel financially secure until the success of her memoir. Half His Age was released on January 20 and is available to order here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/735278/half-his-age-by-jennette-mccurdy/

Erin Walsh is the stylist behind some of Hollywood's best-dressed celebrities, including Anne Hathaway and Selena Gomez. Now, after years of styling some of the biggest names on the red carpet, Walsh is sharing all her coveted knowledge in her new book The Art of Intentional Dressing: Your Essential Style Guide for Manifesting a Magnetic Life. On this episode of Nice Talk, she discusses all the details that went into creating this book, the closet-clean-out tips she swears by, and the surprising subliminal reason you may not be attracting a romantic partner into your life. (Hint: It has to do with your closet organization.) The Art of Intentional Dressing hits shelves on May 5 and is available for preorder now: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-art-of-intentional-dressing-erin-walsh?variant=44044842074146

Financial translator Erin Lowry is back! On this episode, the Broke Millennial author breaks down everything we need to know to set ourselves up for financial success in the new year. She details the nitty-gritty of credit scores, budgets, and cutting costs, while also giving tips on how to set big-picture goals and approach financial conversations. Plus, Lowry shares why we all need to let go of the shame we feel when it comes to financial mistakes and why she endorses a no-spend February.

Porsha Williams is a television personality, entrepreneur, actress, activist, and best-selling author. She first rocketed to fame in 2012 when she joined the cast of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, where she quickly became a fan favorite. In addition to spending over a decade as a Real Housewife, she's starred in her own spin-off shows and reality competition shows. Most recently, she was a part of the cast of The Traitors season 4. On this episode, she gets into all the details of her experience in the Scottish castle, including the dynamic between the gamers and non-gamers, why she got banished at the first roundtable, and the sisterhood of the housewives.

Content creator Cyrus Veyssi has built a community of over 3 million followers across platforms and is known for their hilarious and heartfelt videos. Now, they’re bringing their positive message to a new medium: an affirmations journal titled Honey. In this episode, they discuss their favorite affirmations for the beginning of the year—including “I will not let people mistake my kindness for stupidity”—and discuss the realities of being in the public eye, the origins of their “bougie gay uncle” character, and the story behind the title of their new book.

In 2012, Daniella Kallmeyer began her eponymous brand with $7,000 and a goal to create a line of elevated wardrobe staples. Fifteen years later, her ethos remains the same and she’s getting her flowers for the brand she’s built—in fact, this year Kallmeyer was nominated for Womenswear Designer of the Year by the Council of Fashion Designers of America. On this episode, Daniella discusses bootstrapping her brand, what it was like in the room at the CFDA awards (hint: Rihanna was sitting next to her), and why she credits so much of her scrappiness to her time spent ghost-designing for QVC.

Jeanelle Teves is the Chief Commercial Officer of Bugaboo and the founder of the career growth resource Work Lunch. In 2021, after a decade running teams at Nike, Teves joined the Dutch stroller company Bugaboo, and with her at the helm, the company has become one of the fastest-growing stroller companies in North America. On this episode of Nice Talk, she shares all the lessons she’s learned throughout her career—including why she views being a manager as a privilege, the surprising mentors she’s met along the way, and the journaling method she recommends to help build confidence at work. Plus, she gives us all the details of her workwear closet, from blazers to barrel jeans.

Meredith Koop is the stylist responsible for Michelle Obama’s style evolution over the years—from her days as the First Lady to beyond the White House. This November, the duo teamed up to document the details of that journey in the new book The Look. On this episode of Nice Talk, Koop delves into her journey to becoming Mrs. Obama’s stylist, the surprising elements she had to consider when crafting an outfit (podiums were a big deal, for example), and what life post–White House has meant for Mrs. Obama’s style.

Da’Vine Joy Randolph is an Oscar-winning, Tony-nominated actress, best known for her roles in projects like The Holdovers and Only Murders in the Building. Yesterday, her newest project, A24’s romantic comedy, Eternity, hit theatres. On this episode, Randolph discusses her relationship with money, power, and style, including why her family prioritized education, when she admitted to herself she really did want to win an Oscar, and why she aims to be “stylish” rather than “fashionable.” Plus, she shares behind-the-scenes details of filming Eternity and where she would choose to spend her own personal eternity.

Bobbi Brown is one of the most legendary names in beauty. Not only is she the makeup artist responsible for introducing no-makeup makeup, but she's also an author 10 times over and the founder of both Bobbi Brown Cosmetics and Jones Road. On this episode, she reflects on her career through the lens of money, power, and style while discussing her recent memoir, Still Bobbi. She shares how she dealt with the difficult emotions she felt after being fired from her own company, the wise financial advice she got from her father, and how she found her personal makeup aesthetic.

In this live-recorded episode, we’re talking about money, power, and style with actor, producer, and founder of Personal Day Lili Reinhart. She first rose to fame in 2017 as Betty Cooper in The CW’s Riverdale and since then has gone on to star in countless other projects, including the recent Mubi release Hal & Harper. In addition to her work as an actor, she’s also a producer (a role she says makes her feel powerful) and has founded her own production company, Small Victory Productions. Outside of the entertainment industry, Reinhart launched the award-winning skincare line Personal Day last year, which was inspired by her personal struggles with acne. In this episode, she discusses being a romantic, why she sometimes feels “unstylish,” and the important money conversations she had with her fellow Riverdale castmates.

This episode, we're focusing on power with the founder and CEO of Deep Blue Sports + Entertainment Laura Correnti. In 2019, she witnessed the crowd chanting "equal pay" when the U.S. Women's National team won the World Cup, and at that moment, she knew she had to leverage her background as an advertising-industry powerhouse to expand the commercial investment in women's sports. Today, Correnti discusses the correlation between being an athlete and being a C-suite executive, why she teamed up with Sue Bird to create her company, and what the future of women’s sports looks like.

This episode, we’re focusing on the topic of power with Crooked Media VP of Political Strategy Shaniqua McClendon. With the special “odd year” elections coming up on November 4, she’s here to break down what’s at stake this Election Day. She’s also offering advice on how to stay engaged in politics when cynicism creeps in, what to expect in next year’s midterms, and how to build a robust media diet without being constantly overwhelmed. As the creator of Vote Save America and a longtime political organizer, McClendon has so much important information to share, so be sure to tune in.

On this episode, we’re focusing on the topic of money with financial translator and author of the Broke Millennial book series Erin Lowry. In 2013, Lowry began sharing money advice on her blog, Broke Millennial, and quickly became a trusted source for personal finance advice. Today, she’s sharing how to approach money conversations in romantic relationships, why you might need a financial therapist, and the helpful scripts you can use when declining invitations to dinners that you just can’t afford. Plus, in case you missed it, Nikki got engaged recently! So Lowry shares all her wedding and future planning advice with her. Tune in to hear Lowry’s expert financial POV on everything from prenups to trad wives.

Today, we’re focusing on the topic of style with content creator and disability advocate April Lockhart. She began her career in fashion and beauty, working for companies including Victoria’s Secret, Tarte, and Caudalie. While working a 9-to-5, she also created content on the side, and in 2022, she gained traction for her series Normalizing Disabled Fashion Girlies. When she realized she was earning five times her salary from her side hustle and maxing out her PTO, she decided to leave her role as director of influencer and partnerships at Ilia Beauty to pursue content creation full-time. In addition to her work as a creator, Lockhart is also a disability advocate. This year, she founded Disabled&, a community for creatives with disabilities. In this episode, she gets into what it’s like to go to fashion week as an influencer, the state of disability representation in fashion, and why inclusive design is so important.

In this live-recorded episode, we’re talking about money, power, and style with Michaela Jaé Rodriguez. She’s well-known for her roles in projects like Pose, Loot, and Tick, Tick… Boom! and made history in 2022 as the first transgender actress to win a Golden Globe. Though Rodriguez is widely lauded for her acting performances, her first love was music, and in 2024, she released her debut album, 33. Today, we chat about why she’ll always spend money on herself, the shoes that are worth the pain, and the impact she hopes her career will have on the next generation. Plus, Rodriguez shares the two music industry icons she looks to for fashion inspiration. Thank you to our sponsor: Marshalls. Shop in-store or online to get the good stuff today!

On this live-recorded episode, we’re talking about the new rules of networking with career influencer and author of Interviewology Anna Papalia. Papalia spent her early career in recruiting, and now she uses her massive social media platform to help millions of people nail their interviews and climb the corporate ladder. Papalia's here today to break down all nitty-gritty of modern-day networking, including how to reframe the practice, why helping yourself will lead to others helping you, and which kind of interview style you fall into. Plus, Papalia shares tangible tips for how to practice for your next interview. Thank you to our sponsor: Marshalls. Shop in-store or online to get the good stuff today!

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 and Heard. Plus, Rae shares why creativity is not the most important trait to be successful in the entertainment industry. The full video of this episode is also available on YouTube. Thank you to our sponsor: Marshalls. Shop in-store or online to get the good stuff today!

Today on the show, we’re focusing on style with Brynn Wallner, the founder of Dimepiece. Wallner unexpectedly fell in love with the world of watches while working at Sotheby's and founded Dimepiece to encourage more women to take part. Since getting her first job writing about watches through host Nikki Ogunnaike, Wallner’s voice has been featured in publications like W Magazine, Nylon, and Harper’s Bazaar as a leader in the field. Wallner sits down with us to talk about sourcing watches for megastars like Simone Biles, spotting “It-girl watches,” and launching her own sold-out watch with Timex. Plus, she dishes on the best secondhand sites and brands to go to when you’re looking for a starter watch or another timeless timepiece to add to your collection. Thank you to our sponsor: Marshalls. Shop in-store or online to get the good stuff today!

Teyana Taylor has changed the game in entertainment throughout her career—so much so that it landed her on the cover of Marie Claire’s Changemakers Issue. After living her life in the spotlight for decades as an actress, choreographer, creative director, and artist, Taylor shocked fans when she announced that she would be retiring from music in 2020. Now, years later, she’s made a comeback with her brand-new album, Escape Room. The record is just the latest addition to her portfolio as a creative powerhouse. Taylor joins us to discuss the big three (money, power, and style)—including why she isn’t afraid to invest money in her projects, how she finds power in being a lover girl, and what it was like working with Ruth E. Carter on her iconic Met Gala look. Thank you to our sponsor: Marshalls. Shop in-store or online to get the good stuff today!

Sali Christeson always loved working but hated shopping for workwear. She knew she wasn’t alone in her struggle and understood firsthand the barriers women face when looking for clothes that are both fashionable and functional. Having inherited an entrepreneurial spirit from her father, she founded Argent—a workwear brand designed to help women get up, dress up, and show up in any role. The brand has become known for its clientele of changemakers like Hillary Clinton, Katie Couric, and Kamala Harris. Christeson joins us to discuss the big three (money, power, and style)—including how she was prepared to lose $150,000 to start her own business, the power that comes from having more pockets, and why she loves dressing ambitious women.

Today, we’re focusing on the topic of style with Naked Beauty host and Chief Content Officer of Refinery29 Brooke DeVard Ozaydinli. She began her career in social media and marketing at companies like Ralph Lauren, Viacom, and Instagram, but eventually built something of her own. To fulfill her desire to speak to women she admired about their approach to beauty and address the lack of representation in the podcast industry, in 2016, Ozaydinli launched her podcast, Naked Beauty. Since then, it has won an iHeartMedia Award for Best Beauty and Fashion Podcast and has released over 350 episodes. Earlier this summer, Ozaydinli also announced her return to the corporate world, with her new post as chief content officer at Refinery29, bringing her podcast with her. On this episode, she talks about the positive and negative impact of social media, advice for those looking to launch a side hustle, and her favorite beauty and style trends right now.

Alli Webb made a name for herself as the visionary behind the blow-dry empire Drybar, and now, she’s stepping back into the world of haircare—this time with an entirely different approach. Her new haircare brand, Messy, which launched in Sephora and online earlier this summer, focuses on embracing your natural hair rather than trying to achieve the “perfect” blowout. The brand’s ethos is directly tied to Webb’s personal journey of leaving perfectionism behind after exiting Drybar in 2020. In this episode, she discusses how she developed the mantra-based product names, why the only thing she’s “anti” is the idea of perfection, and the relationship between Messy and the “clean girl” aesthetic. Plus, we get into who gets permission to be messy in our current culture.

Liza Koshy rose to fame in the 2010s as a content creator on Vine and YouTube, garnering millions of followers for her comedic skits. But while building her platform online, Koshy's also been cultivating her acting career, racking up credits on movies like Boo! A Madea Halloween and A Family Affair. Her most recent role was in The Naked Gun reboot, which hit theaters earlier this month. Koshy sits down with us to discuss the big three (money, power, and style), including her decision to move to Los Angeles on her own to pursue a career in entertainment, why she almost exclusively shops secondhand, and how she doesn’t give imposter syndrome any power over her.  Watch the video episode here.

Alison Brie has range—whether it's as an entertainment multi-hyphenate, a genre-spanning actor, or as the star of our Marie Claire August cover. She first garnered acclaim for her performances in the beloved shows Community and Mad Men, and in the years since, has built upon her acting career with projects like Glow—while also adding writer, producer, and director to her résumé. Brie's most recent film, Together, hit theatres on July 30, and today she’s letting us in on what it’s like to film a movie while physically attached to your husband and why she feels drawn to the horror genre right now. We also discuss the big three—money, power, and style—including how Brie planned for her financial future early in her career, the eclectic style she championed in high school, and the experience of working on a women-led television show.

Today we’re focusing on the topic of “power” with the Chief Brand Officer of the New York Liberty WNBA team, Shana Stephenson. She grew up in a sports-loving family in New York, and after years of working in marketing at ESPN and running her own businesses in the sports industry, in 2018, Stephenson joined the NY Liberty. Since then, she’s led the team through a major rebrand as it moved from Westchester to Brooklyn and helped create its beloved mascot, Ellie the Elephant. With Stephenson at the branding helm, the NY Liberty has cemented its place as a leader in the industry, securing partnerships with brands like Away and Fenty and seeing a 665% increase in social media engagement. In this episode, she dives the development and evolution of Ellie the Elephant, what goes into branding a WNBA team, and the power of women’s sports.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is the most decorated 100-meter sprinter of all time, with eight Olympic medals and 10 World Championship gold medals. Off the track, Fraser-Pryce is equally impressive: She created the Pocket Rocket Foundation to give back to her community and just launched her haircare line, Afimi, which is inspired by the essence of her home country of Jamaica. On this episode, Fraser-Pryce shares why wins look different during this stage of her life and how she’s feeling going into the World Championships in Tokyo. She also discusses how focusing on her race-day hairstyle helps her stay calm before a meet, as well as what it means to her to be able to support student athletes through her foundation.

Today on the show, we’re discussing power dynamics in relationships with Kamie Crawford. Between her award-winning podcast Relationsh*t, her six years spent as co-host of Catfish: The TV Show, and her role as older sister in a family of six kids, Crawford knows a thing or two about relationships. On this episode, she dives into her relationship with fame as well as why she made the difficult decision to leave Catfish after years on the show. She also gives advice to listeners about relationships, including how to make friends as an adult, how to navigate the daunting friend breakup, and why she cautions against manifesting a rich husband.

Today on the show, we’re focusing on the topic of style with author, body-acceptance advocate, and founder of Megababe Katie Sturino. Sturino began her career in fashion and built her own PR agency when she was just 25 years old. While rising to the top in her field behind the scenes, she also began gaining traction as a creator herself, making meaningful change in the fashion industry with her social media series “Make My Size” and “Supersize the Look.” In 2017, Sturino launched her bodycare brand, Megababe, which is now sold worldwide in retailers including Walmart, Target, and Ulta. On top of everything, this June, she released her debut novel, Sunny Side Up. Today on the show, she reflects on how the fashion industry has changed over the years in regard to size inclusivity, shares her favorite brands that make summer staples in plus sizes, and advises on how to battle the noise of SkinnyTok.

On this episode, we’re focusing on the topic of style with Charlotte Palermino, cofounder and chief brand officer of Dieux Skin. After years of working in media, Palermino launched Dieux Skin, a price-transparent, clinically vetted skincare line with cult-favorite products like the Forever Eye Mask. In addition to building a skincare line, Palermino is a content creator known for her no-bullshit, science-backed approach to beauty. Today, Palermino’s diving into why sunscreen regulations are political, how misinformation becomes profitable, and the surprising beauty trends that are actually recession indicators.

Monica Padman is a podcasting powerhouse. Since creating Armchair Expert in 2018, Padman and her co-host Dax Shepard have released over 900 episodes and penned a reported $80 million deal with Wondery. With a dedicated audience of Armcherries, they’ve also expanded into a number of shows under their umbrella, including Monica & Jess Love Boys, Armchair Anonymous, and their upcoming project Beth Is Dead. On this episode, Padman details her relationship with money, power, and style over the years: She dives into how an emphasis on fairness guides her financial negotiations, the power of vulnerability in podcasting, and why Ashley Olsen is her forever style icon.

We’re focusing on the topic of style with Liv Perez, the host of the podcast Let’s Get Dressed. Liv began her career working at major brands like Teen Vogue, Hermès, and Glossier before setting out on her own just one year after graduating college. Today, she posts style content for her 350,000+ followers, shares her style journey on her chart-topping podcast, and contributes to the Today show through monthly fashion segments. On this episode, Liv and Nikki dive into their thoughts on the seemingly never-ending personal style discourse, and Liv gives advice to any brides beginning their wedding-fashion journey. Liv also shares what she’s excited to wear this summer, what trends she’s skipping this season, and why she loves packing cubes so much.

Just days after her French Open win, Coco Gauff is here on Nice Talk to discuss all things money, power, and style. Gauff has been a tennis legend nearly her entire life, and now, at 21 years old, she has two Grand Slam championships to her name. But on top of her tennis game, she’s also made savvy business moves throughout her career. In fact, she penned a major brand deal with New Balance when she was only 14, and today, she continues to work with the brand on meaningful collabs like the Coco Delray sneaker and the New Balance x Miu Miu With Coco Gauff campaign. On this episode, Gauff discusses how having a life outside of tennis actually makes her a better player, what it meant to her to work with the USTA to update her home courts in Florida, and the other tennis players whose style she loves.

On this episode, we’re focusing on the topic of money with finance expert Vivian Tu—or Your Rich BFF, as most of the internet knows her. Tu began her career on Wall Street and now creates finance content for her over eight million followers across social platforms. Today, she’s breaking down what the tariffs will mean for small businesses and consumers, how to prepare for economic downturns, and the steps people can take to travel on a budget this summer. Plus, she offers her tips on how to navigate the many expenses associated with summer weddings.

Today, we have a very special live episode of Nice Talk! At Marie Claire’s Power Play in Atlanta, Nikki sat down with Dr. Leyte Winfield, the director of cosmetic science at Spelman College, and dermatologists Dr. Uchenna Okereke and Dr. Heather Woolery-Lloyd to discuss how scientific advances and innovation are impacting the beauty industry. In this episode, they break down a glossary of beauty terms, including the elusive “clean beauty” definition; explore how legacy beauty brands like Clinique can retain their Gen X customers while also appealing to younger generations; and so much more.

Bozoma Saint John has one of the most impressive résumés of all time. She’s led marketing efforts at nearly every major company, including Netflix, Apple, Uber, PepsiCo, and Endeavor. In addition to her illustrious career as a marketing executive, she’s also the founder and CEO of the wig company Eve by Boz, the author of the best-selling book The Urgent Life, and a recent addition to the cast of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. On this episode, she discusses her perspective on style—from growing up with a mother who sewed her a custom prom dress to why she decided to exclusively wear clothing from Black designers on this season of RHOBH. She also dives into how it wasn’t until she began bringing her authentic self to work that she was able to step into her power and negotiate salaries like a badass.

Natalie Nakase has always loved basketball—and she’s built a successful career on that passion. After playing professionally for a few years, she became a head coach overseas, but eventually moved back to the U.S. with the dream of coaching in the NBA. Over the next decade, Nakase climbed the ranks from video intern to assistant coach for the Clippers. From there, she became the assistant coach for the Las Vegas Aces, leading the team to two championship victories. Now, she’s embarking on a new role as the head coach of the Golden State Valkyries, a brand-new WNBA team. In this episode, we discuss what it’s been like for Natalie to be the “first” so many times in her career, why she accepted an internship in her 30s, and the symbolic reason she wears all-black outfits on game days. And just like that, season 2 is wrapped! See you next season for more nice talks!

Many people were first introduced to Ashley Tisdale in the early 2000s when she starred in major Disney projects like The Suite Life of Zack and Cody and High School Musical. Today, in addition to her career as an actor and singer, she’s also the founder of the wellness blog Frenshe and its accompanying product line, Being Frenshe. On this episode, Tisdale discusses how emotional it was to see her product line in Target and why having her products available at an accessible price point was important to her. She also opens up about the red flags in her first “failed” business endeavour and how she used those lessons to make Frenshe a massive success. Additionally, we dive into her style, including how her maternity wardrobe evolved between her first and second pregnancies and her love for statement jackets.

Jessie Andrews is an actor and the powerhouse entrepreneur behind Basic Swim, Tase Gallery, and the celeb-beloved jewelry line Bagatiba. But her career journey has been a winding one. When she was 18, Andrews became an adult film actor. After shooting over 140 films and winning an AVN award for Best Actress for her performance in Portrait of a Call Girl, she left the industry to pursue DJing and entrepreneurship. In this episode, she discusses the financial benchmark she needed to hit to leave the world of adult film and what it looked like to start over in an unfamiliar industry. Andrews also dives into how she finds design inspiration for her brands and why she feels like the older she gets, the better she gets at saying no. Note: due to the fires in LA, we will not be releasing an episode on 1/16. We'll be back 1/23 with a new episode.

Golloria George is a South Sudanese beauty content creator with over 3 million followers and counting. She first rose to fame in 2022 with her The Darkest Shade series where she reviews the darkest foundation shades from makeup brands. George has driven tangible change in the beauty industry by celebrating brands with inclusive shade ranges and calling on others to reformulate their products. In this episode, we explore why she decided to take a hiatus from social media earlier this year—despite it being her primary source of income. George also shares her favorite beauty products, discusses her mentors in the beauty space, and even teases plans for her own makeup line.

Between her best-selling cookbooks and on-camera instructing, Alison Roman has made a name for herself as the approachable yet straightforward chef who’s determined to teach people how to cook. In addition to her celebrated online presence, in 2023, Alison made an offline career leap and built a grocery store called First Bloom. In this episode, we get into the financial details of how she went from working in restaurants after dropping out of college to building her online brand to self-funding her grocery store. She also discusses the pressure that public figures feel to be content creators in the current media landscape and why she feels her most powerful when she’s writing. We even get into her dream nail-polish partnership and discuss why she’s pushing back against the notion that everything she wears is “saying something.”

Before Lena Waithe was the lauded entertainment multihyphenate we know today, she admired the industry and its icons. Today, her passion for storytelling shines through in everything she does. In addition to being an Emmy Award–winning writer, actor, and producer, she’s also founded a production company, and, as of last month, embarked on a new venture as the host of the podcast Legacy Talk With Lena Waithe, distributed by Lemonada Media. In this episode, Waithe tells us about her early icons and why she finds it impactful to have conversations with the legends that paved the way for her career. She also dives into how her experience in the industry has shaped her perspective on how we should allocate movie budgets and explains why she views writing a play as a form of taking back her power. We also discuss style and her point of view on fashion, including her emotional connection to her sneaker collection. Plus, find out how Waithe preps for big red carpet moments like the Met Gala.

In 2023, Brynn Whitfield rocketed to fame as a breakout star in the rebooted The Real Housewives of New York franchise, charming Bravo fans everywhere with her vulnerability and wit. On the show, Whitfield opened up about experiencing financial instability as a child. In this episode, she dives into how that has shaped her relationship with money today and what it's been like having those conversations on national television. There was a lot to discuss when it came to money and power, but we also chat about her incredible style—including how she selected her reunion outfit—and everything she’s learned about fashion from her co-star Jenna Lyons. She even gives us a little teaser about what Bravo fans can expect in the upcoming episodes of RHONY season 15.

If there was ever a time we needed to hear some hopeful words that inspire action, it’s now. Luckily for us, today we’re sitting down with astrologer, best-selling author, Chani app co-founder, and activist, Chani Nicholas. In this episode, she talks us through what we can expect from the upcoming retrogrades in 2024 and how to prepare and engage with activism as we step into 2025. In addition to her fascinating perspective on the intersections of power, astrology, and activism, she shares why she insists on salary transparency among friends and the reason she’s ditching dresses. Note: Next week’s episode will come out on Friday 11/29 due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

Reshma Saujani has spent her entire career empowering women. Not only is she the founder behind the massively impactful nonprofits Girls Who Code and Moms First, but she’s also a best-selling author of several books, the latest of which—Pay Up: The Future of Women and Work—was released in 2022. As of October, she’s also the host of the new, chart-topping podcast My So-Called Midlife, where she explores what it means to be in your midlife alongside guests such as Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Emily Oster. As evident in this episode, Saujani has incredible insight and perspective on so many topics, including perfectionism in young women, the con of imposter syndrome, and the structural issues preventing women from achieving equality.

Starting on November 14, Nice Talk is back for season two! This season, Marie Claire Editor in Chief Nikki Ogunnaike will be chatting with more incredible guests about their perspectives on the big three: money, power, and style. Make sure you're subscribed to the show so you don't miss an episode. See you next Thursday!

If there's one person who knows the ins and outs of shopping pre-loved fashion, it's Erika Veurink. As a content creator, she's known for sharing her extensive knowledge about vintage sourcing with her followers, and today, she's on the podcast to let us in on all the best tips for shopping on eBay. She even found her wedding dress on the site, so she's a true expert! On this episode, Veurink is also discussing the ethos behind her event series EV Salon, her favorite resources for learning about money, and the street style and runway shows she's most excited to see at New York Fashion Week. This episode is brought to you by eBay.

When Rupi Kaur released her debut poetry collection, Milk and Honey, back in 2014, it quickly became a cultural and literary phenomenon. In fact, the collection went on to sell over 6 million copies. This year, Rupi’s celebrating the 10-year anniversary of her breakout collection by releasing an annotated edition of it. In addition to the immense success of Milk and Honey, Rupi has published three other best-selling poetry collections, performed spoken word poetry on several world tours, and produced and starred in her Amazon Prime special, Rupi Kaur Live. On this episode, she discusses how hard it was to find her flow again after the success of Milk and Honey, her relationship with financial anxiety, and her preshow dance party playlist.

When Gabby Windey made her reality television debut on the Bachelor franchise back in 2022, she quickly became a fan favorite due to her honesty, vulnerability, and impeccable comedic timing. Since then, the former ICU nurse and NFL cheerleader has competed on Dancing with the Stars, launched a podcast called Long Winded, and amassed a huge social media following. On this episode, Gabby gets into how she continues to learn to advocate for herself, whether it’s at work, on reality TV, or at the nail salon.

Julie Schott is a powerhouse entrepreneur, known for launching numerous businesses with fresh branding, innovative products, and a massive impact on Gen Z. After spending the early days of her career writing about her personal experiences with acne as a beauty editor at xoJane and Elle, Julie created Starface pimple patches. Since then, she’s continued to build brands that iterate on this “coming-of-age through line,” whether that’s through Julie emergency contraception, Blip Nicotine Replacement Therapy, or Futurewise slugging skincare system. In this episode, Julie talks about everything from the best and worst parts about having a Gen Z audience, how she found a great business partner, and her vintage T-shirt collection.

If you’ve spent any time in the comedy space on TikTok, you’ve definitely seen Delaney Rowe’s hyperspecific and painfully accurate characters, such as "the insufferable female lead" and "the worst person on earth." In 2020, she began developing these characters by pulling from her experience as an actor, and the tropes resonated. A few short years later, Delaney’s racked up 2.6 million TikTok followers and has celebs like Seth Rogen and Jameela Jamil taking note of her work. On this episode, she gets into the ebbs and flows of her creative process, the fellow creator she goes to for money advice, and her perfect outfit for hosting a dinner party.

Between her debut album, Buckle Bunny, her appearance on the song “Blackbiird” off of Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter album, and her feature on the new Twisters film soundtrack, Tanner Adell has cemented herself as a country music star—and she’s just getting started. Today on Nice Talk, she’s chatting about moving to Nashville with a couple hundred dollars in her pocket, developing her unapologetically glam style, and how her fellow country music ladies support one another.

A’ja Wilson is one of the best basketball players in the world, but when it comes to navigating her life in the spotlight, she goes by one mantra: “Let the light within me shine brighter than the light that's on me.” That mindset has led her to MVP wins, back-to-back championships, and an Olympic gold medal. Off the court, she’s also the author of New York Times best-selling book Dear Black Girls: How to Be True to You and was recently named a Nike signature athlete. On this episode, she’s discussing why she thinks money actually can buy a little bit of happiness, the rise of WNBA tunnel style, and how she handles the pressures of leadership.

Tefi Pessoa has created a career—and amassed 1.8 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. And now, in addition to her career as a creator, she’ll also be co-hosting the new Amazon show Influenced, which premieres on August 1. On this episode, we dive into Tefi’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.

Bailey Bass has recently made waves in Hollywood for her roles in Avatar: The Way of Water and Interview With a Vampire, but she’s been acting and modeling since she was 2 years old. Now, in her early 20s, she’s finally reaping the rewards of all her hard work and is here to dish on the tumultuous journey. On this episode, Bass discusses the best and worst advice she’s received while coming up in Hollywood, her path to financial security, and why she’s leaning into slow fashion with her own line, BaiBai.

She’s so Julia! Between her incredible style and her deeply personal creative projects, Julia Fox is nothing short of a cultural icon. While many were introduced to Julia in the Safdie brothers' film Uncut Gems, she’s since established herself in a variety of spaces, including writing, music, and fashion—-and she’s not stopping now. On this episode of Nice Talk, Julia dives into how her childhood circumstances shaped her view of money, why she views celibacy as a political act, and how her perspective has shifted around her image.

When Maitreyi Ramakrishnan was only 17 years old, her life flipped upside down. From an open casting call that 15,000 other people applied to, she booked the lead role in Mindy Kaling’s Netflix show Never Have I Ever. She went on to lead the show for four seasons and took on roles in other projects, including Turning Red and My Little Pony. Today, she’s continuing to act while also studying at university and exploring video game streaming on Twitch. On this episode, Ramakrishnan chats about how her friends keep her grounded, why her personal style includes graphic tees from Hot Topic, and the surprising early aughts song that makes her feel powerful.

On this episode of Nice Talk, Marie Claire Editor in Chief Nikki Ogunnaike sits down with Summer House star, content creator, and podcaster Paige DeSorbo. Since joining the cast of Bravo's Summer House in 2019, Paige has become a certified reality television sensation, appearing on six seasons of the Hamptons-based show. Outside of television, she creates fashion and lifestyle content and co-hosts the wildly popular podcast Giggly Squad. Today, Paige is getting real about why she pays her own rent, the responsibility she feels to be a good role model, and what she wears to feel confident.

Welcome to the very first episode of Nice Talk! To kick things off, Nikki Ogunnaike is sitting down with Marie Claire cover star Victoria Justice to talk all things money, power, and style. If you’re like us, you became a fan of Justice in the early 2000s when she landed her breakout role as Lola Martinez on Nickelodeon’s Zoey 101. She went on to star in her own show, Victorious, at the age of 17, which allowed her to live her dreams of acting and singing at a young age. After taking a short break from the spotlight, she’s now ready to dive back in—only this time, she’s writing and releasing music independently. In this episode, Justice shares how she learned to step into her power even as a child actor, how her music and fashion tastes have evolved over the years, and what challenges she’s facing head-on as a newly independent artist.

Welcome to Nice Talk, hosted by Marie Claire Editor in Chief Nikki Ogunnaike. Each week, Nikki's sitting down with fascinating women—entertainers, entrepreneurs, creators, athletes, and changemakers—to discuss money, power, and style.