What’s Funny is What’s True: The Art of Failing Big w/ Betty Smithsonian

They Myth of the Nice Girl w/ Fran Hauser

In this episode, I sit down with my dear friend Fran Hauser, bestselling author, keynote speaker, LinkedIn Top Voice, former Time Inc. President of Digital, startup investor, and founder of Bedford Books (the first bookstore in Bedford, New York's 344-year history).  We talk about why kindness is actually a career accelerator, what to do when you feel stuck professionally, the guilt that comes with working motherhood, how to know if a career pivot is right for you, and why Fran took the leap on a brick-and-mortar bookstore in an Amazon world. Plus, she gives us a sneak peek at her forthcoming Penguin Random House book, Twenty Minutes Is the New Hour, coming September 2026. This one is for every woman who's ever been told she's too nice to get ahead, and every man who needs to hear it too. Connect with Fran: Fran Hauser Website [https://www.franhauser.com/] Fran Hauser LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/franhauser] Fran Hauser Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/fran_hauser/] The Bookbound Podcast [https://www.bookboundpodcast.com/] Bedford Books Website [https://www.bedfordbooks.shop/] Bedford Books Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/bedfordbooks_/] The Myth of the Nice Girl by Fran Hauser [https://www.amazon.com/Myth-Nice-Girl-Achieving-Becoming/dp/1328832953] Connect with The Fawcett Report Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thefawcettreport]  l   Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/thefawcettreport]   l   TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@thefawcettreport]   l  LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/107237528/admin/dashboard/]   l   YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@thefawcettreport] Follow Helpusadopt.org  Website [https://www.helpusadopt.org/]   l   Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/helpusadopt/]   l  Facebook  [https://www.facebook.com/helpusadopt.org/] Connect with Becky Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/becky.fawcett/]

What’s Funny is What’s True: The Art of Failing Big w/ Betty Smithsonian

In this episode, I sit down with my dear friend and two-time MC of the Faces of Adoption Gala, the incomparable Betty Smithsonian, comic, creator, performer, and what the New York Times once called a "freelance clown." Betty is a lot of things: Best of Philly comedian, physical comedy teacher, co-owner of Next In Line Comedy, and a mom by adoption to her hilarious son Mateo. We talk about how she found comedy through heartbreak and recovery, what 25 years of sobriety taught her about showing up authentically, why bombing on stage is actually a gift, and how her voice as a comedian has become one of the most powerful tools she has to change the conversation around adoption. This one made me laugh, made me cry, and reminded me that humor isn't just entertainment, it's how we survive the hard stuff. Connect with Betty: Betty Smithsonian Website [https://www.bettysmithsonian.com/] Betty Smithsonian Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/bettyjsmithsonian/] Next In Line Comedy [https://www.nextinlinecomedy.com/] Connect with The Fawcett Report Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thefawcettreport]  l   Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/thefawcettreport]   l   TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@thefawcettreport]   l  LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/107237528/admin/dashboard/]   l   YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@thefawcettreport] Follow Helpusadopt.org  Website [https://www.helpusadopt.org/]   l   Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/helpusadopt/]   l  Facebook  [https://www.facebook.com/helpusadopt.org/] Connect with Becky Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/becky.fawcett/]

Creating The Gold Standard of Skincare w/ Danuta Mieloch

I sat down with my friend of 22 years, celebrated esthetician and founder Danuta Mieloch—the Polish-born, Paris-trained visionary behind Philadelphia and New York's award-winning Rescue Spa and the clean skincare line DANUCERA. Danuta arrived in America in 1989 with just $20 in her pocket and a dream rooted in her childhood apothecary games. Since then, she has built an empire of 180 employees, pioneered techniques now used across the industry, and is currently opening her first international location in her home country of Poland. In this warm and wide-ranging conversation, we talk about growing a business organically, the art of the perfect facial, why simplifying your skincare routine is actually the most advanced move you can make, and what it truly means to age beautifully. Connect with Danuta: Danuta Mieloch Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/danutamieloch/] Danuta Mieloch LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/danuta-mieloch-1014b825] Danucera Website [https://danucera.eu/] Danucera Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/danucera/] Danucera LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/danucera/] Danucera Polska - Warsaw [https://danucera.pl/] Rescue Spa Website [https://rescuespa.com/] Connect with The Fawcett Report Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thefawcettreport]  l   Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/thefawcettreport]   l   TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@thefawcettreport]   l  LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/107237528/admin/dashboard/]   l   YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@thefawcettreport] Follow Helpusadopt.org  Website [https://www.helpusadopt.org/]   l   Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/helpusadopt/]   l  Facebook  [https://www.facebook.com/helpusadopt.org/] Connect with Becky Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/becky.fawcett/]

Retail, Relationships & Style w/ Maureen Doron

When Maureen Doron opened her boutique Skirt in Bryn Mawr at just 24 years old, she had no roadmap for what the next 25 years would look like. What began as a tiny 1,000-square-foot store built with family help and IKEA furniture has grown into one of the most beloved independent boutiques in the Philadelphia area. In this conversation, I sat down with Maureen to talk about entrepreneurship, retail survival, fashion confidence, and why relationships (not trends) are the real foundation of a successful business. We also reflect on how our friendship started decades ago, how philanthropy became part of Skirt’s business model, and why kindness and honesty are still the best strategy for long-term success. This episode explores what it really takes to build a business that lasts. Connect with Maureen: Maureen Doron LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/maureen-doron-229955151/] Skirt Website [https://shop-skirt.com/] Skirt LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/skirt-inc/] Skirt Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/shopskirt/] Connect with The Fawcett Report Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thefawcettreport]  l   Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/thefawcettreport]   l   TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@thefawcettreport]   l  LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/107237528/admin/dashboard/]   l   YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@thefawcettreport] Follow Helpusadopt.org  Website [https://www.helpusadopt.org/]   l   Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/helpusadopt/]   l  Facebook  [https://www.facebook.com/helpusadopt.org/] Connect with Becky Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/becky.fawcett/]

Starting from Scratch: Baking and Building a Business w/ Paula Sullivan

Paula Sullivan didn’t set out to start a dessert company. After law school, marriage, and becoming a new mom, she found herself rethinking what work and motherhood could look like together. What began as baking for her son’s birthday parties in a New York City apartment eventually turned into Sully and Vanilla, a whimsical dessert brand known for its creative cakes, cake pops, and cookie kits. Today her treats are sold across New York City and online, bringing joy to birthdays, holidays, and everyday celebrations. In this episode, Paula shares how she built a business from her home kitchen, navigated the risks of scaling, found the right mentors, and learned that sometimes the best career pivots come from unexpected places. We also talk about motherhood, entrepreneurship, naysayers, and why finding purpose outside the traditional path can change everything. Connect with Paula: Sully and Vanilla Website [https://sullyandvanilla.com/] Sully and Vanilla Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/sullyandvanilla/] Sully and Vanilla Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/SullyAndVanilla/] Connect with The Fawcett Report Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thefawcettreport]  l   Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/thefawcettreport]   l   TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@thefawcettreport]   l  LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/107237528/admin/dashboard/]   l   YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@thefawcettreport] Follow Helpusadopt.org  Website [https://www.helpusadopt.org/]   l   Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/helpusadopt/]   l  Facebook  [https://www.facebook.com/helpusadopt.org/] Connect with Becky Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/becky.fawcett/]