Episodes

1d ago

He arrived in New York with $100, slept in parks, showered at the YMCA — and went on to invent the tube top, dress Studio 54, and build a billion-dollar fashion empire. In this episode of The Burnouts, fashion icon Elie Tahari joins Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni alongside his son and CEO Jeremey Tahari for a rare, multi-generational conversation about survival, ambition, taste, and legacy. Elie walks through his unbelievable journey: immigrating to New York alone, working as an electrician by day and selling clothes by night, sneaking into a fashion show through a back door, and accidentally creating one of the most iconic garments of the 1970s. From disco dresses to power suits, he explains how watching women on New York streets — not runways — taught him how to anticipate what they’d want next. Jeremey opens up about growing up inside the business, stepping out of his father’s shadow, and eventually taking over as CEO — while expanding the company into real estate, licensing, and global scale. Together, they unpack what it really looks like to work with family, disagree on taste, hand over control, and build something meant to last 50+ years. This episode is about the American dream in its rawest form — luck, hustle, intuition, ego checks, and building success with heart. If you’re building from scratch, navigating family dynamics at work, or trying to define success on your own terms, this one’s required listening. Chapters 00:00 – Arriving in NYC with $100 01:00 – Sleeping in parks & finding community 03:00 – From electrician to fashion hustle 04:30 – Inventing the tube top 06:30 – Sneaking into a fashion show & landing 250K orders 08:30 – Studio 54, disco & early fashion moments 11:00 – Dressing women entering the workforce 13:00 – Building a fashion empire 15:00 – Real estate, licensing & vertical integration 17:00 – Father–son dynamics in business 19:30 – Taking over as CEO 22:00 – Disagreeing on taste & generational shifts 25:00 – Persian culture, fashion & femininity 27:30 – Leadership, hiring & humility 30:00 – Legacy, luck & advice for the burnouts 🔗 FOLLOW US Phoebe Gates Sophia Kianni Elie Tahari Jeremey Tahari Tahari Group 🔥 FOLLOW THE BURNOUTS Instagram TikTok LinkedIn 📲 Support What We’re Building Phoebe and Sophia aren’t just your hosts — they’re the founders of Phia, a fashion-tech app helping shoppers find the best prices across retail and resale. Try it now → https://www.phia.com About The Burnouts The Burnouts brings you raw, unfiltered conversations with today’s top founders, creators, and culture-shaping entrepreneurs. Hosted by Stanford roommates turned startup co-founders Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, the show goes beyond headlines to explore the real stories, breakdowns, and breakthroughs that define your 20s. Past guests include Paris Hilton, Tommy Hilfiger, Kris Jenner, Karlie Kloss, and other entrepreneurs redefining our generation. 🔔 Subscribe for the insider playbook to build your dream career. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dec 11

Allison Ellsworth went from oil & gas spreadsheets to building Poppi, the prebiotic soda that broke the internet, rewrote the rules on “healthy soda,” and sold to PepsiCo in a multibillion-dollar deal. In this episode of The Burnouts, Allison joins Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni to share how a DIY apple-cider-vinegar tonic from her Texas kitchen turned into the soda of the next generation. She walks through the whole arc: farmers’ markets, Whole Foods, Shark Tank while nine months pregnant, a risky rebrand, and the TikTok storytime that quietly did $100K on Amazon overnight. Allison also gets brutally honest about working with her husband, hiring too slowly while growth rockets, and what happens to your identity when you suddenly have both a Super Bowl ad and an exit. She shares the unglamorous side of lawsuits, burnout, mom guilt, and figuring out “what’s next” when you technically never have to work again. If you’re building a consumer brand, obsessing over content, or just trying to stay ambitious without completely frying your nervous system, this episode is a masterclass in playing the long game — and still having fun. Chapters 00:00 – From Texas kid to unexpected founder 02:00 – ACV shots, health issues & the Poppi spark 04:30 – Farmers’ market hustle → Whole Foods breakthrough 06:30 – Shark Tank at 9 months pregnant 08:30 – The risky rebrand: Mother Beverage → Poppi 11:00 – Launching Poppi during COVID 13:00 – TikTok virality & selling out overnight 16:00 – Creator-first marketing & celebrity fans 19:00 – Flavor wins, flavor fails & building a real soda 22:00 – Working with your husband (and being wrong sometimes) 24:30 – Sugar, lawsuits & building in CPG 27:00 – Inside the PepsiCo acquisition 30:00 – Life after the exit & what’s next for Allison 🔗 FOLLOW US Phoebe Gates Sophia Kianni Allison Ellsworth Poppi 🔥 FOLLOW THE BURNOUTS https://www.instagram.com/theburnouts https://www.tiktok.com/@theburnouts https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-burnouts 📲 Support What We’re Building Phoebe and Sophia aren’t just your hosts — they’re the founders of Phia, a fashion-tech app helping shoppers find the best prices across retail and resale. Download now and join the community of 800,000+ smarter shoppers. About The Burnouts The Burnouts brings you raw, unfiltered conversations with today’s top founders, creators, and culture-shaping entrepreneurs. Hosted by Stanford roommates turned startup co-founders Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, the show goes beyond headlines to explore the real stories, breakdowns, and breakthroughs that define your 20s. Past guests include Paris Hilton, Tommy Hilfiger, Kris Jenner, Karlie Kloss, and other entrepreneurs redefining our generation. 🔔 Subscribe for the insider playbook to build your dream career. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dec 4

Founder and creative force Jasmin Larian Hekmat reveals the untold story of how she turned a scrappy side hobby into Cult Gaia, one of the most recognizable fashion brands of the last decade. Before the Ark Bag exploded across Instagram, Jasmin was wiring flower crowns at her kitchen table, hauling a flower cart to festivals, and giving away bags no one would buy. In this episode of The Burnouts, she tells Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni how a single product quietly snowballed into a global sensation and reshaped her entire career. Jasmin breaks down the five years before Cult Gaia “hit,” the moment the Ark Bag went from ignored to iconic, and the relentless creativity that keeps her one step ahead of imitators. She shares how she built a multimillion-dollar business without raising a cent of venture capital, how she protects the brand’s fiercely artful DNA, and why her designs are meant to stop someone in their tracks. From vase purses to playable backgammon clutches to fragrance bottles that feel like sculpture, Jasmin explains how she turns wild ideas into objects people obsess over. She also opens up about motherhood, running a 100 person team, trusting her gut when everyone says no, and staying original in an industry that copies everything. If you are building a fashion brand, dreaming up your first product, or trying to stand out in a crowded industry, this conversation will change the way you think about creativity, community, and staying power. Chapters 00:00 The Hobby That Accidentally Started Cult Gaia 02:00 The $38 Bag No One Wanted 04:00 The Viral Moment That Changed Everything 06:00 How She Built a Brand With Zero Investors 08:00 Surviving Copycats and Staying Original 10:00 Building a Team While Raising Three Kids 12:00 The Pressure Behind a “Perfect” Brand 14:00 Designing Pieces People Can’t Ignore 16:00 What Founders Get Wrong About Success 18:00 Lightning Round: Style, Risks, and Reinvention 🔗 FOLLOW US Phoebe Gates Sophia Kianni Jasmin Larian Hekmat 🔥 FOLLOW THE BURNOUTS Instagram TikTok LinkedIn 📲 Support What We’re Building Phoebe and Sophia are the founders of Phia, a new fashion-tech app helping shoppers find the best prices across retail and resale. Download now and join the community of 800,000+ happy users. About The Burnouts The Burnouts brings you raw, unfiltered conversations with top founders, creators, and culture-shaping entrepreneurs. Hosted by Stanford roommates turned startup co-founders Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, the show goes beyond headlines to explore the real stories, breakdowns, and breakthroughs that define your twenties. Past guests include Paris Hilton, Kris Jenner, Karlie Kloss, and Tommy Hilfiger. Subscribe for the inside playbook to build your dream career. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 27

Founder and author Grace Beverley built a multimillion-dollar portfolio of brands—TALA, Shreddy, and The Productivity Method—before turning 25. In this episode of The Burnouts, Grace joins Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni to share how she went from posting anonymous fitness content at Oxford to leading some of the UK’s fastest-growing female-founded companies. She breaks down the pressure of being a young woman in power and the bias female founders still face. Grace opens up about juggling multiple businesses, navigating personal grief, and the hidden cost of public success. She also speaks candidly about relationships, ambition, and the standards women are expected to meet. Whether you’re building a brand, raising capital, or figuring out how to stay ambitious without burning out, this conversation offers an unfiltered look at what it really takes for young women to succeed. Chapters 00:00 – From anonymous fitness posts to Oxford 02:15 – The £1 ebooks that changed her life 05:20 – Building her first multimillion-dollar business 08:10 – Why women must stop chasing “shiny” projects 11:00 – The truth about scaling TALA & Shreddy 14:30 – Fundraising bias & the questions women still get asked 18:00 – Miscarriage, grief & running a company 21:15 – The impossible standards for female founders 24:00 – Relationships that dim ambition 27:00 – Why social media punishes successful women 30:00 – Building Retrograde & the creator economy 33:00 – How Grace makes decisions fast 36:00 – What she wishes every young woman knew about power 🔗 FOLLOW US Phoebe Gates Sophia Kianni Grace Beverley 🔥 FOLLOW THE BURNOUTS Instagram TikTok LinkedIn 📲 Support What We’re Building Phoebe and Sophia aren’t just your hosts — they’re the founders of Phia, a new fashion-tech app helping shoppers find the best prices across retail and resale. Download the app and try it yourself. About The Burnouts The Burnouts brings you raw, unfiltered conversations with today’s top founders, creators, and culture-shaping entrepreneurs. Hosted by Stanford roommates turned startup co-founders Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, the show goes beyond headlines to explore the real stories, breakdowns, and breakthroughs that define your 20s. Past guests include Paris Hilton, Tommy Hilfiger, Kris Jenner, Karlie Kloss, and other entrepreneurs redefining our generation. Subscribe for the insider playbook to build your dream career. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 20

In this episode of The Burnouts, Steve sits down with Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni to share the true story of how he went from a college dropout selling shoes in Queens to building one of the most influential footwear companies in the world. He talks about the early instincts that set him apart, the moment he knew he had something special, and the creative philosophy that has kept his brand relevant for more than three decades. Steve also opens up about the twists and turns of his journey — including learning hard lessons during the Wolf of Wall Street years and stepping away from the company before returning more focused and energized than ever. He reflects on the loyalty of his team, the power of staying close to the customer, and why speed, instinct, and obsession with product remain his North Star. Plus: the story behind his first viral shoe, his unfiltered take on dupe culture, the trends he loves (and hates), how Gen Z made him go viral again, and the fashion advice he wishes everyone knew earlier. Whether you’re building a brand, navigating a major life pivot, or chasing a creative vision, this conversation is a masterclass in staying true to your instincts, evolving with culture, and building something that lasts. Chapters 00:00 – Growing up in Queens and falling in love with shoes 01:45 – Dropping out of college and learning retail 03:20 – Starting Steve Madden with $1,100 06:00 – Product instinct, speed to market, and early hits 08:45 – Becoming a “pirate” in fashion 11:00 – The Wolf of Wall Street years and the IPO 14:00 – Prison, addiction, and rebuilding his life 16:30 – Reinventing the Steve Madden brand 18:00 – Dupe culture, controversy, and staying relevant 20:00 – What he hates (and loves) in fashion today 22:00 – Designing shoes women actually want 23:30 – AI, TikTok, and the future of trend cycles 26:00 – Lessons from failure and advice for young founders 🔗 FOLLOW US Phoebe Gates Sophia Kianni Steve Madden 🔥 FOLLOW THE BURNOUTS Instagram TikTok LinkedIn 📲 Support What We’re Building Phoebe and Sophia aren’t just your hosts — they’re the founders of Phia, a fashion-tech app helping shoppers find the best prices across retail and resale. Download Phia for free in the App Store. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 13

Founder, author, and beauty trailblazer Alli Webb built Drybar from a simple blowout idea into a $255M beauty empire that transformed the industry. In this episode of The Burnouts, Alli sits down with Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni to share how she went from doing hair in her living room to leading one of the most recognizable service brands in the country. She talks about the explosive rise of Drybar, selling the company for hundreds of millions, and the personal challenges that followed at the height of her success. Alli opens up about losing her sense of identity after the sale, navigating grief and motherhood, and rebuilding her life through her new brand, Messy. She reflects on what the beauty world gets wrong, the lessons she learned as a female founder, and the real cost of fast growth. Whether you are building a brand, growing a service business, or figuring out the next chapter after burnout, this conversation is a powerful look at resilience, reinvention, and finding purpose again. Chapters 00:00 – From stay-at-home mom to mobile blowouts 02:30 – The idea that sparked Drybar 05:00 – Opening the first Brentwood studio 07:00 – When Drybar went viral overnight 10:00 – Raising capital & navigating hypergrowth 13:00 – The truth about selling a company 15:30 – Alli’s personal life falls apart 18:00 – Losing her identity after the exit 21:00 – Rebuilding from scratch & finding purpose 23:00 – Launching her new brand, Messy 26:00 – Advice for founders rebuilding their lives 29:00 – What Alli wishes every woman knew about success 🔗 FOLLOW US Phoebe Gates Sophia Kianni Alli Webb 🔥 FOLLOW THE BURNOUTS Instagram TikTok LinkedIn 📲 Support What We’re Building Phoebe and Sophia aren’t just your hosts — they’re the founders of Phia, a new fashion-tech app helping shoppers find the best prices across retail and resale. Try it now for free in the App Store . About The Burnouts The Burnouts brings you raw, unfiltered conversations with today’s top founders, creators, and culture-shaping entrepreneurs. Hosted by Stanford roommates turned startup co-founders Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, the show goes beyond headlines to explore the real stories, breakdowns, and breakthroughs that define your 20s. Past guests include Paris Hilton, Tommy Hilfiger, Kris Jenner, Karlie Kloss and other entrepreneurs redefining our generation. Subscribe for the insider playbook to build your dream career. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 6

Founder, creative director, and cultural icon Emily Oberg has built one of the most recognizable lifestyle brands of our generation: Sporty & Rich . In this episode of The Burnouts, Emily Oberg sits down with Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni to unpack her journey from Complex producer to fashion entrepreneur, building a multimillion-dollar business rooted in wellness, design, and timeless style, without ever taking a dollar of outside funding. Emily opens up about turning a Tumblr moodboard into a global brand, growing from $5K in savings to $40M in annual revenue, and the realities of running a company after a public breakup with her business partner. She shares what it’s really like to scale quickly, navigate burnout, and stay creatively fulfilled while leading a 40-person team. Plus: how she built Sporty & Rich without investors, why preorders fueled her early success, what she’s learned about leadership (and ego), and the importance of building a world. (not just a brand). Whether you’re dreaming of launching your own label, staying independent as a founder, or defining success on your own terms, this conversation is a masterclass in creative control, discipline, and staying true to your vision. Chapters 00:00 – From retail in Canada to Complex Media 02:00 – Leaving corporate life to build her own path 03:00 – The Tumblr that became Sporty & Rich 06:00 – Bootstrapping a brand: preorders, savings & hustle 07:00 – Meeting her business partner and early growth 12:00 – Going from $100K to $30M in sales 14:00 – Covid and the sweatsuit boom 15:00 – Scaling challenges and factory chaos 17:00 – Knowing your strengths & hiring smart 18:00 – Opening the first Sporty & Rich store 19:00 – Expanding into wellness with Central Sport 22:00 – Lessons from mistakes & customer mishaps 23:00 – Facing scrutiny as a female founder 27:00 – Emily’s leadership philosophy & advice for women 29:00 – Sporty & Rich today: $40M in sales, still 100% owned 🔗 FOLLOW US Phoebe Gates Sophia Kianni Emily Oberg 🔥 FOLLOW THE BURNOUTS Instagram TikTok LinkedIn 📲 Support What We’re Building Phoebe and Sophia aren’t just your hosts—they’re the founders of Phia , a new fashion-tech app helping shoppers find the best prices across retail and resale. Download Phia for free in the App Store . About The Burnouts The Burnouts brings you raw, unfiltered conversations with today’s top founders, creators, and culture-shaping entrepreneurs. Hosted by Stanford roommates turned startup co-founders Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, the show goes beyond the headlines to share the real stories, lessons, and mindsets that define your 20s. Past guests include Paris Hilton, Chelsea Handler, Kris Jenner, Karlie Kloss, and other visionaries redefining the brands—and the blueprints—of our time. Subscribe now for the insider playbook to build your dream career. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oct 30

From homeless teen to multi-millionaire entrepreneur, investor, and mentor to millions, Simon Squibb has lived one of the most extraordinary entrepreneurial journeys of our time. In this episode of The Burnouts, Simon Squibb sits down with Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni to unpack how losing his father at 15 and spending weeks homeless reshaped his view on success, purpose, and money. He opens up about sleeping on the streets, starting his first business out of survival, and building a creative empire that led to financial freedom, and a mission to help 10 million people start businesses through his “Give Without Take” movement. Simon reveals the mindset shifts that turned trauma into drive, why he believes happiness is a trap, and the three sales principles that made him a millionaire. He also shares what most entrepreneurs get wrong about mentorship, why purpose matters more than profit, and how “bad luck” can be your greatest advantage. Whether you’re just starting out, stuck in a 9-to-5, or dreaming of building something that actually matters, this conversation is packed with raw honesty, purpose-driven wisdom, and actionable lessons from one of the internet’s most followed business voices. Chapters 00:00 – From homeless teen to entrepreneur 03:00 – Losing his father at 15 and becoming homeless 06:00 – The first business that changed everything 10:00 – Learning to sell (and why school failed him) 15:00 – The truth about happiness and purpose 19:00 – How Hong Kong taught him work-life integration 25:00 – Building and losing companies (and learning from failure) 30:00 – Mentorship myths & why advisors matter more 35:00 – The 3 sales principles that made him a millionaire 40:00 – Why purpose > happiness 44:00 – The one question everyone in their 20s should ask 🔗 FOLLOW US Phoebe Gates Sophia Kianni Simon Squibb 🔥 FOLLOW THE BURNOUTS Instagram TikTok LinkedIn 📲 Support What We’re Building Phoebe and Sophia aren’t just your hosts—they’re the founders of Phia, a new fashion-tech app helping shoppers find the best prices across retail and resale. Download the app , try it out, and help us grow this community About the Burnouts The Burnouts brings you raw, unfiltered conversations with today’s top founders, creators, and culture-shaping entrepreneurs. Hosted by Stanford roommates turned startup co-founders Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, the show goes beyond the headlines to share the real stories, lessons, and mindsets that define your 20s. Past guests include Kris Jenner, Paris Hilton, Chelsea Handler, Karlie Kloss, and other visionaries redefining what success looks like. Subscribe now for the insider playbook to build your dream career. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oct 23

Welcome to the episode that might change your life (or at least your bedtime routine). Bryan Johnson made bank building Braintree Venmo. Then he walked away from it all to spend $2M a year turning his body into a science experiment. Now? He says he’s the healthiest human alive, and he’s got the organ scans to prove it. Hosts Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni get deep with Bryan about biohacking, founder burnout, the dirty truth about our food system, and why optimizing your sleep might be the most rebellious thing you can do as an entrepreneur. This convo gets real: blood transfusions, lonely sleep routines, and "sugar face" real. Timestamps 00:00 Can we be the first generation that doesn’t die? 04:12 Selling Braintree Venmo + redefining success 08:05 Spending $2M/year on health 10:52 The #1 fix for burnout (it’s free) 14:30 Bryan’s exact food + supplement routine 17:15 Should founders ever sacrifice sleep? 22:00 The science behind alcohol, caffeine, and your trash sleep 26:40 Sleeping alone, no phones, and other hot takes 30:45 Sunlight, seed oils & the truth about sugar face 34:20 How to stay healthy without becoming obsessive 🔗 FOLLOW US Phoebe Gates Sophia Kianni Bryan Johnson 🔥 FOLLOW THE BURNOUTS Instagram TikTok Linkedin 📲 Support What We’re Building Phoebe and Sophia aren’t just your hosts—they’re the founders of Phia, a new fashion-tech app helping shoppers find the best prices across retail and resale. Download the app, try it out, and help us grow this community from the ground up → https://www.phia.com About The Burnouts The Burnouts brings you raw, unfiltered conversations with today’s top founders, creators, and culture-shaping entrepreneurs. Hosted by Stanford roommates turned startup co-founders, Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, the show goes beyond the headlines to share the real stories, lessons, and mindsets that define your 20s. Past guests include Paris Hilton, Chelsea Handler, Kris Jenner, Karlie Kloss, and other visionaries redefining the brands—and the blueprints—of our time. Subscribe now for the insider playbook to build your dream career. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oct 16

Sophia Amoruso built a $350M fashion empire from her bedroom—and lost it all before rebuilding her life from the ground up. In this episode of The Burnouts, the original “Girlboss” and founder of Nasty Gal joins Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni for her most unfiltered conversation yet. From selling thrifted clothes on eBay to becoming a CEO on magazine covers, Sophia reveals how she built a cult brand that defined a generation—and what really happened when everything came crashing down. She opens up about walking away from a company she founded, navigating bankruptcy, and learning to lead with empathy instead of ego. Sophia also shares the untold lessons behind Girlboss, why she believes failure is her greatest teacher, and how she’s redefining success through her new venture fund, Trust Fund. Whether you’re building your first business, chasing creative independence, or trying to rebuild after a setback, this conversation is a raw, honest masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and freedom. Chapters 00:00 – From eBay seller to $100M brand 05:00 – Building Nasty Gal and first hires 10:00 – Leaving eBay and going solo 13:00 – Going viral before social media 18:00 – Raising venture capital too soon 24:00 – The downfall and lessons learned 30:00 – How Girlboss was born 35:00 – Starting over with Trust Fund 40:00 – Life in London & redefining success 46:00 – The truth about ambition and burnout 🔗 FOLLOW US Phoebe Gates Sophia Kianni Sophia Amoruso 🔥 FOLLOW THE BURNOUTS Instagram TikTok Linkedin 📲 Support What We’re Building Phoebe and Sophia aren’t just your hosts—they’re the founders of Phia , a fashion-tech app that helps shoppers find the best prices across retail and resale. Try it out and join the movement. About The Burnouts The Burnouts brings you raw, unfiltered conversations with today’s most iconic founders, creators, and entrepreneurs. Hosted by Stanford roommates turned startup co-founders Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, the show goes beyond headlines to share the real stories, lessons, and mindset shifts that define your 20s. Past guests include Paris Hilton, Chelsea Handler, Kris Jenner, Karlie Kloss, and Tommy Hilfiger. 🛎️ Subscribe for more unfiltered stories on success, failure, and everything in between. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oct 9

Comedian, creator, actress, author, and activist Lilly Singh has built a career on breaking barriers and rewriting the rules. In this episode of The Burnouts, Lilly Singh sits down with Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni to share her journey: from growing up as the “disappointing” second daughter in an immigrant household, to becoming YouTube’s breakout superstar with 15M+ subscribers, to launching a late-night show and producing her own films. She opens up about the chip on her shoulder that fueled her rise, how gender equity shapes everything she does, and why she believes storytelling—not just politics or protests—is the most powerful tool for change. Plus: her new raunchy sex comedy Doing It (why Hollywood called it “too niche”), what she learned about money, gratitude, and negotiating as a woman, and how she built Hyphenate to support South Asian creators. Lilly also gets real about therapy, unlearning likability, the pressure of “relevancy” on the internet, and why connection—not algorithms—is the only metric that really matters. Whether you’re dreaming of becoming a creator, breaking into Hollywood, or building a career that actually aligns with your values, this conversation is packed with lessons, raw honesty, and plenty of laughs. Chapters 00:00 – Growing up in Toronto & immigrant expectations 02:00 – The chip on her shoulder: proving girls can do anything 04:00 – Why storytelling is activism 05:00 – Doing It: sex comedy as cultural intervention 08:00 – Lessons from early YouTube days & feeding the algorithm 10:00 – Losing (and regaining) authenticity & connection 12:00 – Hollywood, “noise,” and drawing boundaries 14:00 – Building her first team & hiring smarter people 18:00 – Hyphenate: supporting South Asian creators 20:00 – Diversifying income & passive revenue 23:00 – Passion projects vs. profit projects 28:00 – Negotiating money & the weaponization of gratitude 31:00 – Unlearning likability & embracing being “unpopular” 34:00 – Hollywood vs. YouTube: who really knows the audience 36:00 – Defining success when relevancy is weaponized 38:00 – Boundaries, therapy, and not being “what you do” 42:00 – Why being a lifelong student is the smartest move 43:00 – Tattoos, spirituality & protection 🔗 FOLLOW US Phoebe Gates Sophia Kianni Lilly Singh 🔥 FOLLOW THE BURNOUTS Instagram TikTok LinkedIn 📲 Support What We’re Building Phoebe and Sophia aren’t just your hosts—they’re the founders of Phia, a fashion-tech app helping shoppers find the best prices across retail and resale. Download the app , try it out, and help us grow this community About The Burnouts The Burnouts brings you raw, unfiltered conversations with today’s top founders, creators, and culture-shaping entrepreneurs. Hosted by Stanford roommates turned startup co-founders, Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, the show goes beyond the headlines to share the real stories, lessons, and mindsets that define your 20s. Past guests include Paris Hilton, Chelsea Handler, Kris Jenner, Karlie Kloss, and Tommy Hilfiger. 🛎️ Subscribe for the insider playbook to build your dream career. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oct 2

Rainn Wilson is best known as Dwight Schrute from The Office , one of the most iconic characters in TV history. But behind the legendary role, he faced burnout, fame overload, and the realization that success alone would never make him happy. On The Burnouts Podcast , Rainn Wilson joins Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni for an unfiltered interview about life after The Office . He opens up about chasing bigger movies, more money, and more fame in Hollywood, why it left him unfulfilled, and how he reinvented himself through spirituality, mental health practices, and his bestselling book Soul Boom . This Rainn Wilson interview is filled with behind-the-scenes stories from The Office , hilarious unscripted Dwight Schrute moments, the lessons he learned from sudden wealth and celebrity, and why finding purpose matters more than success. Whether you are a longtime fan of The Office , curious about Rainn Wilson’s career beyond Dwight Schrute, or searching for meaning in a burnout culture, this conversation is raw, funny, and packed with insights you will not forget. Chapters 00:00 – Dwight Schrute & the paradox of fame 04:00 – Why The Office didn’t make Rainn Wilson happy 09:00 – Burnout, ego, and chasing “more” in Hollywood 12:00 – Reinventing life through spirituality 18:00 – From SoulPancake to Soul Boom 24:00 – The mental health crisis & phones 30:00 – Behind the scenes of The Office (Dwight improv moments) 37:00 – Money, fame, and family lessons 44:00 – Advice Rainn Wilson wishes he knew in his 20s 50:00 – The future of storytelling and purpose FOLLOW US Phoebe Gates Sophia Kianni Rainn Wilson FOLLOW THE BURNOUTS Instagram TikTok LinkedIn Support What We’re Building Phoebe and Sophia aren’t just your hosts—they’re the founders of Phia, a VC-backed fashion-tech app helping shoppers find the best prices across retail and resale. Download the app , try it out, and leave us your feedback. About The Burnouts The Burnouts brings you raw, unfiltered conversations with today’s top founders, creators, and culture-shaping entrepreneurs. Hosted by Stanford roommates turned startup co-founders, Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, the show goes beyond the headlines to share the real stories, lessons, and mindsets that define your 20s. Past guests include Paris Hilton, Chelsea Handler, Kris Jenner, Karlie Kloss, and other icons redefining culture today. Subscribe for more interviews with leaders, creators, and entrepreneurs shaping our generation. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sep 25

Makeup artist, mogul, author, hotelier—Bobbi Brown has built more than one empire (and reinvented herself along the way). In this episode of The Burnouts , Bobbi sits down with Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni to talk about what it really takes to build an iconic brand, sell it for millions, and then start all over again. From mixing her first lipstick with a chemist and cold-calling agencies out of the Yellow Pages, to selling Bobbi Brown Cosmetics to Estée Lauder and later launching Jones Road Beauty, Bobbi shares the unfiltered version of how she built—and rebuilt—her career on her own terms. She opens up about confidence, burnout, and building businesses with her husband and family. Plus: the 25-year non-compete that changed everything, why “retirement” is not in her vocabulary, how she clapped back at viral TikTok criticism (and won), and the simple beauty rules she swears by for every generation. Also: how she accidentally went from makeup artist to hotel owner, why she still cold-DMs influencers, and her #1 piece of advice for young women chasing their dream career. 🔍 CHAPTERS 00:00 – Starting Bobbi Brown Cosmetics 06:30 – Reinventing beauty around natural looks 09:20 – Vogue covers, Naomi Campbell, and early breaks 12:00 – Building a billion-dollar brand with Estée Lauder 20:00 – Family, partnership, and working with her husband 27:20 – Selling for $74M and the 25-year non-compete 30:00 – Going viral with Jones Road Beauty on TikTok 34:30 – Personal brand, social media, and DMs that changed everything 40:00 – Jones Road’s growth and what’s next 46:00 – Advice for entrepreneurs (luck vs. hard work) 51:00 – Hiring, culture, and leading a scrappy team 57:00 – Self-care, health, and why she’ll never retire 🔗 FOLLOW US Phoebe Gates Sophia Kianni Bobbi Brown 🔥 FOLLOW THE BURNOUTS Instagram TikTok LinkedIn 📲 Download the Phia app . Subscribe to The Burnouts for exclusive conversations with today’s top founders and culture-shaping entrepreneurs. Hosted by former Stanford roommates turned startup co-founders, Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, this isn’t just another founder podcast—it’s untold conversations and the unfiltered reality of what it takes to build your dream career in your 20s. Guests include Paris Hilton, Chelsea Handler, Kris Jenner, Karlie Kloss, and more visionaries defining the brands—and blueprints—of our time. Whether you’re dreaming big or building now, these are the conversations that will show you how it’s done (and what no one else tells you). 🔔 Subscribe now to get the blueprint for building your dream career Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sep 18

Fashion legend, entrepreneur, and cultural icon—Tommy Hilfiger has spent over four decades shaping global style, from bell-bottom jeans in upstate New York to a fashion empire sold in more than 100 countries. In this episode of The Burnouts, Tommy Hilfiger sits down with Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni to share his incredible journey: growing up with undiagnosed dyslexia, opening his first jean shop at 18, going bankrupt in his twenties, and betting everything on a disruptive billboard campaign that put his name alongside Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein. He opens up about the viral Snoop Dogg SNL moment that made Hilfiger logos a worldwide phenomenon, reinventing his brand when it began to plateau, and building one of America’s most successful lifestyle companies through bold collaborations with Beyoncé, Aaliyah, Gigi Hadid, Zendaya, and Lewis Hamilton. Plus: the challenges of balancing creativity with business, why manifestation has guided him from the start, and how AI is set to transform the future of fashion. Tommy also gets real about resilience, reinvention, and family—sharing the lessons he learned from bankruptcy, the importance of finding smart business partners, and his journey raising children with autism while scaling a global brand. Whether you’re dreaming of launching a fashion label, building a lifestyle brand, or simply learning from one of the most iconic designers of our time, this conversation is packed with lessons, raw honesty, and timeless inspiration. Chapters 00:00 – From dyslexia to dreaming big 02:00 – Opening People’s Place at 18 04:00 – The “4 Great Designers” billboard controversy 06:00 – Bloomingdale’s rejection & Snoop Dogg’s viral rugby shirt 08:00 – Bankruptcy, resilience, and rebuilding in NYC 10:00 – Reinventing the brand with European influence 12:00 – Why young creatives need business partners 16:00 – Fragrance licensing and going public 19:00 – Global expansion & international success 21:00 – Dressing musicians, Beyoncé, Aaliyah & early influencer marketing 24:00 – Collaborations with Gigi Hadid, Zendaya & Lewis Hamilton 28:00 – Fashion + AI and the future of creativity 30:00 – Manifestation, resilience & creative process 34:00 – Family, autism advocacy, and staying grounded 🔗 FOLLOW US Phoebe Gates Sophia Kianni Tommy Hilfiger 🔥 FOLLOW THE BURNOUTS Instagram TikTok LinkedIn 📲 Support What We’re Building Phoebe and Sophia aren’t just your hosts—they’re the founders of Phia, a new fashion-tech app helping shoppers find the best prices across retail and resale. Download the app , try it out, and help us grow this community from the ground up. About The Burnouts The Burnouts brings you raw, unfiltered conversations with today’s top founders, creators, and culture-shaping entrepreneurs. Hosted by Stanford roommates turned startup co-founders, Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, the show goes beyond the headlines to share the real stories, lessons, and mindsets that define your 20s. Past guests include Paris Hilton, Chelsea Handler, Kris Jenner, Karlie Kloss, and other visionaries redefining the brands—and the blueprints—of our time. Subscribe now for the insider playbook to build your dream career. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sep 11

Danish-born model, blogger, and entrepreneur Anine Bing went from selling her secondhand clothes online to building one of the fastest-growing contemporary fashion houses in the world. With 40+ retail stores, a global online presence, and a signature rock-and-roll yet timeless aesthetic, Anine has redefined what it means to be a creative founder in fashion. In this episode of The Burnouts, Anine Bing sits down with Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni for an intimate, unfiltered conversation about her entrepreneurial rise — from moving to Milan at 14 to model, blogging before Instagram was a thing, and launching her brand out of a Los Angeles garage while raising two kids. She opens up about the early hustle of packing orders by hand, finding confidence amid constant naysayers, and building a brand that puts authenticity and creativity above quick money. Anine shares stories of her viral fashion moments (like Kendall Jenner’s Coachella bralette), bringing Kate Moss into her campaigns, navigating burnout, and raising venture capital while staying true to her vision. Plus: how she blends fashion with music (including her upcoming album Chapter Two), her creative process behind collections, the power of founder-led marketing, and why her ultimate mission is to empower women through timeless design and self-belief. Whether you’re a fashion lover, aspiring founder, or just seeking the motivation to follow your gut and block out the noise, this episode is packed with lessons on resilience, creativity, and building a brand that lasts. 👜 SHOP ANINE BING'S FALL COLLECTION Chapters 00:00 – Anine Bing joins The Burnouts 01:00 – Leaving Sweden at 14 to model in Milan 03:00 – From blogging to selling her secondhand clothes online 07:00 – Starting a fashion brand out of a garage while raising kids 09:00 – “Fuck the rest”: dealing with naysayers and self-doubt 11:00 – The creative process: mood boards, playlists, and designing the Anine Bing woman 13:00 – Why retail presence still matters in the digital age 15:00 – Raising kids while building a global brand 18:00 – Burnout, balance, and finding self-care as a founder 22:00 – From Rosie Huntington-Whiteley to Kendall Jenner: viral celebrity fashion moments 24:00 – Founder-led marketing vs. personal branding 26:00 – Music as therapy and the making of Chapter Two 29:00 – Taking VC funding and scaling globally 32:00 – Iconic pieces: denim, blazers, boots, and beyond 35:00 – Mistakes, resilience, and why you can’t give up 🔥 FOLLOW THE BURNOUTS Instagram TikTok LinkedIn 📲 Support What We’re Building Phoebe and Sophia aren’t just your hosts—they’re the founders of Phia, a fashion-tech app helping you find the best prices across retail and resale. Download the app . About The Burnouts The Burnouts brings you raw, unfiltered conversations with today’s top founders, creators, and culture-shaping entrepreneurs. Hosted by Stanford roommates turned startup co-founders, Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, the show goes beyond the headlines to share the real stories, lessons, and mindsets that define your 20s. Past guests include Paris Hilton, Chelsea Handler, Kris Jenner, Karlie Kloss, and other visionaries redefining the brands—and the blueprints—of our time. Subscribe now for the insider playbook to build your dream career. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sep 4

He got booed for saying “f*** Steve Jobs.” He built a media empire out of his dad’s liquor store. And now, Gary Vaynerchuk—better known as Gary Vee—is the brutally honest voice redefining what success really means. In this episode of The Burnouts, entrepreneur and bestselling author Gary Vee joins hosts Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni for a raw, unfiltered conversation about money, ambition, and why patience—not hustle—is the ultimate flex. Gary opens up about how growing up as an immigrant kid shaped his obsession with work, why he thinks making $100K can be “making it,” and why kindness beats IQ when it comes to leadership. Together, they unpack why Silicon Valley glorifies the wrong heroes, why social media isn’t dying anytime soon, and why most young founders are chasing clout instead of building real businesses. He also shares the hidden strength behind VaynerMedia—the Chief Heart Officer who keeps the company together—the “convenience always wins” rule shaping the future of AI and shopping, and the exact moment he realized millions wouldn’t make him happier. This isn’t motivational fluff—it’s a masterclass in long-term thinking from someone who’s seen it all. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re on the right path, Gary Vee will change the way you measure success. Chapters 00:00 – Who is Gary Vee? 06:10 – Why most influencers will fail (and the rise of live shopping) 08:10 – The key to a successful business: eliminating friction 10:05 – Why Gary Vee said “F*** Steve Jobs”: EQ over IQ in leadership 14:44 – The best marketing strategy for the AI consumer era 21:38 – Why chasing clout isn’t worth it 24:10 – The simple ask that drives real business growth 30:44 – Gary’s advice for building your dream career 🔗 FOLLOW GARY VEE Instagram TikTok Youtube 🔥 FOLLOW THE BURNOUTS Instagram TikTok LinkedIn 📲 Support What We’re Building Phoebe and Sophia aren’t just your hosts—they’re the founders of Phia, a fashion-tech app helping you find the best prices across retail and resale. Download the app. About The Burnouts The Burnouts brings you raw, unfiltered conversations with today’s top founders, creators, and culture-shaping entrepreneurs. Hosted by Stanford roommates turned startup co-founders, Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, the show goes beyond the headlines to share the real stories, lessons, and mindsets that define your 20s. Past guests include Paris Hilton, Chelsea Handler, Kris Jenner, Karlie Kloss, and other visionaries redefining the brands—and the blueprints—of our time. ❤️‍🔥 Subscribe now for the insider playbook to build your dream career. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Aug 28

Global pop icon Ava Max went from a first-generation immigrant household to topping charts in over 20 countries with hits like “Sweet but Psycho,” “Kings & Queens,” and “Maybe You’re the Problem.” With over 70 billion streams and a signature fearless style, Ava is rewriting what it means to own your power in the music industry. In this episode of The Burnouts, Ava Max joins Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni for a raw, unfiltered conversation about her rise to stardom — from moving to LA at 14, surviving predatory industry environments, and nearly quitting music, to finding her voice, building her sound, and creating a global pop phenomenon. She opens up about the grind behind her success, the trauma and resilience that shaped her, and the inspiration behind her new album, “Don’t Click Play." Ava shares stories of losing her voice at the peak of her breakout hit, navigating fame while staying grounded, and why protecting her energy has become her top priority. Plus: what it really takes to build a lasting career in pop, the pressures of being “always on,” and her vision for a future stadium tour. Whether you’re an aspiring artist, a longtime fan, or just looking for motivation to keep going when life knocks you down, this episode is filled with lessons on persistence, self-belief, and embracing your unique voice. 🎶 STREAM AVA'S ALBUM "DON'T CLICK PLAY" Chapters 00:00 – The moment Ava Max walked into our studio… 01:00 – From Virginia to LA: the bold move that changed everything 04:00 – The brutal reality of chasing a dream at 14 07:00 – Five years of rejection… and the one “yes” that changed her life 09:00 – “My vocal cords exploded” — what really happened at the height of her first hit 11:00 – The night the Max Cut was born (and why it changed her career) 13:00 – Finding her sound: the secret to songs that empower millions 16:00 – What going viral really feels like (and why it’s not always what you think) 19:00 – Behind the curtain: the exhausting truth about touring 22:00 – The business of pop: labels, teams, and staying in control 24:00 – Why she disappeared from social media (and how she’s coming back stronger) 26:00 – Stadium tour dreams and a secret creative project you haven’t heard about 28:00 – How Ava Max turns doubt into fuel 30:00 – “Don’t Click Play”: the album that almost never happened 🔗 FOLLOW AVA MAX Instagram TikTok Website 🔥 FOLLOW THE BURNOUTS Instagram TikTok LinkedIn 📲 Support What We’re Building Phoebe and Sophia aren’t just your hosts—they’re the founders of Phia, a fashion-tech app helping you find the best prices across retail and resale. Download the app. About The Burnouts The Burnouts brings you raw, unfiltered conversations with today’s top founders, creators, and culture-shaping entrepreneurs. Hosted by Stanford roommates turned startup co-founders, Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, the show goes beyond the headlines to share the real stories, lessons, and mindsets that define your 20s. Past guests include Paris Hilton, Chelsea Handler, Kris Jenner, Karlie Kloss, and other visionaries redefining the brands—and the blueprints—of our time. Subscribe now for the insider playbook to build your dream career. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Aug 21

Model, creator, comedian, and Forbes Top Creator—Haley Kalil has lived a thousand lives (from science labs to Sports Illustrated covers to viral comedy). In this episode of The Burnouts, Haley Kalil sits down with Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni to share her rollercoaster journey: trading biomedical science for beauty pageants, paying her way through college, breaking into modeling without an agent, and then going viral overnight to build a multi-million-dollar creator career. She opens up about navigating divorce, escaping an abusive relationship, reinventing herself through comedy, and betting everything on content creation. Plus: how she made her first $50k/month off YouTube shorts, why brand deals aren’t always the answer, and the financial realities (and taxes) of being a top digital creator. Haley also gets real about the stigma of divorce, the pressure successful women face while dating, her viral “Billionaire Boyfriend” series, and what it really takes to stay authentic while scaling a $6M+ creator business. Whether you’re dreaming of a career in content, modeling, or building your own creator-led brand, this conversation is packed with lessons, raw honesty, and plenty of laughs. Chapters 00:00 – From biomedical science to beauty pageants 04:30 – Winning Miss Minnesota & paying for college with scholarships 06:00 – Sports Illustrated open casting call via Instagram 10:00 – Early modeling days & mental resilience 12:00 – Viral apartment tour → pivot to content creation 15:00 – Betting everything on YouTube & posting 5x a day 19:00 – Hitting $50k/month in ad revenue 22:00 – The viral “Billionaire Boyfriend” series 24:00 – Divorce stigma, healing, and rebuilding 29:00 – Going from red carpets to Oscars & Met Gala 33:00 – Social media backlash & accountability 37:00 – Advice for creators on finding your voice 41:00 – Monetization: ad revenue vs. brand deals 46:00 – Staying authentic in partnerships 48:00 – The true costs of creator life (taxes, management fees) 50:00 – What’s next for Haley 🔗 FOLLOW US Phoebe Gates Sophia Kianni Haley Kalil 🔥 FOLLOW THE BURNOUTS Instagram TikTok LinkedIn 📲 Support What We’re Building Phoebe and Sophia aren’t just your hosts—they’re the founders of Phia, a new fashion-tech app helping shoppers find the best prices across retail and resale. Download the app, try it out, and help us grow this community from the ground up. About The Burnouts The Burnouts brings you raw, unfiltered conversations with today’s top founders, creators, and culture-shaping entrepreneurs. Hosted by Stanford roommates turned startup co-founders, Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, the show goes beyond the headlines to reveal the real blueprint for building power in your 20s. Past guests include Paris Hilton, Chelsea Handler, Kris Jenner, Karlie Kloss, and more visionaries redefining the brands—and the blueprints—of our time. Subscribe now for the insider playbook to build your dream career. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Aug 14

From Disney Channel star to outspoken mental health advocate, Alyson Stoner has lived a life in the spotlight—and paid the price. In this episode of The Burnouts, Alyson joins Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni to open up about the truth behind child stardom, the eating disorder that forced them to step away from Hollywood, and the box of documents that changed everything they thought they knew about their childhood. They share what it was really like growing up famous, the toxic systems that exploit young talent, and the powerful tools they use today to protect their mental health. Plus: how they’re redefining success, finding purpose beyond fame, and why they named their memoir Semi Well-Adjusted. 📖 Alyson’s memoir Semi Well-Adjusted Despite Literally Everything is out now. CHAPTERS 00:00 – Growing up on Disney Channel & Missy Elliott 02:15 – The moment Alyson stepped away from Hollywood 05:00 – The “toddler to train wreck” pipeline of child performers 06:45 – Losing childhood in the age of social media 08:00 – Playing firsts on camera without living them in real life 09:20 – How toxic Hollywood work environments really are 10:45 – Why “exposure” doesn’t pay the bills 12:00 – The hidden costs of going viral 13:40 – Tools Alyson uses to shake off stress 16:00 – Mind-body practices for anxiety & burnout 18:30 – Why different states of mind need different mindfulness tools 20:00 – Stillness vs. somatic tools for busy minds 22:00 – Reading their Camp Rock diary years later 24:00 – Why now was the time to write Semi Well-Adjusted 25:10 – The box of documents that changed their life story 27:00 – What “Semi Well-Adjusted” really means 28:15 – Choosing causes and building advocacy work 30:00 – Purpose as a constellation, not a North Star 32:00 – Advice for navigating anxiety and depression 34:45 – How to process rejection without losing yourself 37:00 – Focusing on what you can control 🔗 FOLLOW US Phoebe Gates Sophia Kianni Alyson Stoner 🔥 FOLLOW THE BURNOUTS Instagram TikTok LinkedIn 💙 Support What We’re Building Phoebe and Sophia aren’t just your hosts—they’re the founders of Phia, a new fashion-tech app helping shoppers find the best prices across retail and resale. Download the app , try it out, and help us grow this community from the ground up ❤️‍🔥 Get a Free 90 Day Trial of Movement Genius: 1. Go to Movement Genius 2. Choose Monthly Membership 3. Use code THEBURNOUTS 🕯️✨ USE CODE "BURNOUTS15" FOR 15% OFF THE PHLUR X THE BURNOUTS CANDLE ✨🕯️ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Aug 7

Beauty founder, podcast queen, brand builder—Lauryn Bosstick turned a $50 blog into The Skinny Confidential empire. In this episode of The Burnouts , Lauryn joins Phoebe and Sophia in Austin, TX to talk about building a cult brand from scratch. From sleeping in her car during sorority rush to creating one of the world’s most downloaded podcasts, Lauryn shares how she built her brand brick by brick—with no investors, no shortcuts, and no selling out. She gets real about early burnout, building slowly with intention, and why executing (not overthinking) is the secret to everything. Plus: what makes someone a great podcast guest, how she evaluates brand deals, and the hilarious parenting trick she swears by (cookie water, anyone?) Also: foot spas, Think Week, and how not having an iPhone gave Phoebe character. 🕯️✨ USE CODE "BURNOUTS15" FOR 15% OFF THE PHLUR X THE BURNOUTS CANDLE ✨🕯️ CHAPTERS 00:00 – From sorority dropout to brand founder 02:30 – Why she launched The Skinny Confidential 05:00 – Blogging 7 days a week for 3 years (with $0) 10:10 – Turning down money (and why she’s proud of it) 12:30 – Lauryn’s funnel: how she vets guests + brand deals 16:10 – The advice she gives every 20-something brand builder 17:00 – The one hire every founder should make first 20:45 – Think Week, foot spas, and strategic solitude 27:00 – How she uses branding tricks to parent toddlers 30:00 – Personal vs public: what Lauryn won’t post online 35:00 – Resourcefulness over resumes in the age of AI 38:00 – The biggest mistake most creatives make 🔗 FOLLOW US Phoebe Gates Sophia Kianni Lauryn Bosstick 🔥 FOLLOW THE BURNOUTS Instagram TikTok LinkedIn Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 31

He’s redefined how millions think about money. But what Morgan Housel says about paychecks, wealth, and regret will completely flip your idea of what it means to be “rich.” In part 2 of The Burnouts interview, Morgan Housel joins Sophia Kianni and Phoebe Gates for a conversation that unpacks the biggest money myths we’ve been sold—from why chasing a high salary will never make you wealthy to how the American Dream became a lie our generation can’t afford. They go deep on: The psychology of feeling broke even when you’re not Why wealth is built with ownership, not income What 90-year-olds wish they did differently with money How gender impacts the way we’re taught to think about risk, equity, and ambition And the real reason no amount of money ever feels like enough Also: MrBeast vs. the media industry, what kids actually learn about money, and why comparing yourself to others is the fastest path to lifelong financial anxiety. This is the part they don’t teach in school—and the stuff most financial “experts” get wrong. 💸✨ USE CODE "BURNOUTS15" FOR 15% OFF THE LIMITED-EDITION PHLUR X THE BURNOUTS CANDLE ✨💸 CHAPTERS 00:00 – Why most people will never feel rich 3:40 – Social media, comparison, and financial anxiety 7:15 – What 1,000 elderly people regret about money 11:10 – The American Dream is changing—fast 15:00 – College, homeownership, and economic reality 19:30 – Why you won’t get rich from a paycheck 23:45 – The power of equity (especially for women) 27:20 – Risk, regret, and knowing when to bet on yourself 32:00 – Teaching kids about money (without lectures) 36:40 – Are we wired to be bad with money? 40:00 – Why no one tells you this about success 🔗 FOLLOW US Phoebe Gates Sophia Kianni Morgan Housel 🔥 FOLLOW THE BURNOUTS Instagram TikTok LinkedIn Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 24

He didn’t go to high school. He valeted Ferraris he couldn’t afford. Now he’s one of the most trusted money minds in the world. In this episode of The Burnouts, bestselling author and VC partner Morgan Housel joins Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni for a conversation that will completely rewire how you think about wealth, ambition, and what “enough” actually means. He shares how fear—not ambition—drove him to work two full-time jobs at 19, save every dollar like the apocalypse was coming, and obsess over flashy cars as a way to feel worthy. They unpack why most people are playing the wrong financial game, why trying to “beat the market” backfires, and why some of the richest people you know still feel broke inside. Also: dating while broke, how having a kid ended his materialism overnight, and the one expensive gift he regrets buying to impress his now-wife. This is the money education you should’ve gotten—but probably didn’t. It’s about psychology, not spreadsheets. Scarcity, not flexing. And no, you’re not the only one faking it. 💸✨ USE CODE "BURNOUTS15" FOR 15% OFF THE LIMITED-EDITION PHLUR X THE BURNOUTS CANDLE ✨💸 Chapters 00:00 — Who is Morgan Housel? 02:45 – Why everyone’s playing a different money game 05:20 – Dropping out + the fear that made him save 08:30 – What the guy with the yellow Ferrari taught him 12:55 – How becoming a dad changed his financial goals 15:00 – The most common investing mistake 20:10 – The dumbest flex gift he ever bought 23:40 – Talking money while dating in your 20s 29:00 – His current investing strategy (it’s very boring) 34:30 – How to stop chasing status and start building wealth 🔗 FOLLOW US Phoebe Gates Sophia Kianni Morgan Housel 🔥 FOLLOW THE BURNOUTS Instagram TikTok LinkedIn 📲 Download the Phia app to start saving money: www.phia.com Subscribe to The Burnouts for exclusive conversations with today’s top founders and culture-shaping entrepreneurs. Hosted by former Stanford roommates turned startup co-founders, Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, this isn’t just another founder podcast—it’s untold conversations and the unfiltered reality of what it takes to build your dream career in your 20s. Guests include Paris Hilton, Chelsea Handler, Kris Jenner, Karlie Kloss, and more visionaries defining the brands—and blueprints—of our time. Whether you’re dreaming big or building now, these are the conversations that will show you how it’s done (and what no one else tells you). 🔔 Subscribe now to get the blueprint for building your dream career Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 17

Legend. Disruptor. Tech’s sharpest critic. Kara Swisher doesn’t just cover Silicon Valley—she holds it accountable. On this episode of The Burnouts, Kara sits down with Phoebe and Sophia for an unfiltered conversation about building a career on her own terms (and never waiting her turn). From calling out mistakes at The Washington Post as a college student to becoming the most feared interviewer in tech, Kara shares the bold decisions, brutal lessons, and behind-the-scenes power moves that shaped her journey. She gets real about the early days of tech reporting, navigating anti-gay and anti-women environments, the importance of always asking for more (and walking away if you don’t get it), and what it really takes to own your IP in a world built by and for powerful men. Plus: Why women need to ask for more (and not wait their “fucking turn”) Come for the stories about Steve Jobs, Elon, and Succession-style media drama—stay for Kara’s hard-won wisdom on surviving, thriving, and never selling yourself short. Also: why “fuck you money” only matters if you’re willing to use it. 🕯️✨ USE CODE "BURNOUTS15" FOR 15% OFF THE PHLUR X THE BURNOUTS CANDLE ✨🕯️ Chapters 00:00 — Who is Kara Swisher? 02:30 – Getting hired by criticizing The Washington Post 06:00 – Losing her dad young & finding independence 09:15 – Money mistakes and financial advice for women 12:30 – Learning to negotiate, ask for more, and own her IP 18:00 – Walking away from Dow Jones and the New York Times 21:30 – Why power makes tech moguls weird 27:00 – The shrinking world of billionaires and “cashmere prisons” 29:00 – On grilling Zuckerberg, interviewing Jobs, and the point of journalism 32:00 – Advice for building a career in media today 35:00 – Kara’s blueprint: Be useful, be entertaining, be unique 🔗 FOLLOW US Phoebe Gates Sophia Kianni Kara Swisher 🔥 FOLLOW THE BURNOUTS Instagram TikTok LinkedIn 📲 Download the Phia app Subscribe to The Burnouts for exclusive conversations with today’s top founders and culture-shaping entrepreneurs. Hosted by former Stanford roommates turned startup co-founders, Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, this isn’t just another founder podcast—it’s untold conversations and the unfiltered reality of what it takes to build your dream career in your 20s. Guests include Paris Hilton, Chelsea Handler, Kris Jenner, Karlie Kloss, and more visionaries defining the brands—and blueprints—of our time. Whether you’re dreaming big or building now, these are the conversations that will show you how it’s done (and what no one else tells you). 🔔 Subscribe now to get the blueprint for building your dream career Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 10

Model, investor, activist, founder—Karlie Kloss has worn a lot of hats (and a lot of couture). In this episode of The Burnouts , Karlie sits down with Phoebe and Sophia to talk about what happens when your “dream job” turns into something more. From getting scouted at 13 and walking Dior at 15, to launching Kode With Klossy and acquiring i-D magazine, Karlie shares the real story behind the headlines—and how she’s used her platform to build power on her own terms. She opens up about early burnout, learning to trust her instincts, and the pressure of growing up in public. Plus: how she used brand deals to fund a coding nonprofit, why she angel invested in tampons, and what she’s learned about failure, focus, and building a career that actually lasts. Also: how she made $10k flying economy??? 🕯️✨ USE CODE "BURNOUTS15" FOR 15% OFF THE PHLUR X THE BURNOUTS CANDLE ✨🕯️ CHAPTERS 00:00 — Who is Karlie Kloss? 02:15 – Getting scouted at 13 04:10 – Saving every dollar (even mid-Fashion Week) 06:30 – Modeling as a means, not the end 09:20 – Using social media as a business tool 11:00 – Starting Kode With Klossy 15:10 – Investing in women-led companies 18:45 – Mistakes, pivots, and building something real 24:00 – Why she uses her dinner parties to fund reproductive rights 29:20 – Reimagining i-D for the next generation 33:00 – Advice for young women entering fashion 35:00 – Letting go of the pressure to have it all figured out FOLLOW US Phoebe Gates Sophia Kianni Karlie Kloss 🔥 FOLLOW THE BURNOUTS Instagram TikTok LinkedIn 📲 Download the Phia app: www.phia.com Subscribe to The Burnouts for exclusive conversations with today’s top founders and culture-shaping entrepreneurs. Hosted by former Stanford roommates turned startup co-founders, Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, this isn’t just another founder podcast—it’s untold conversations and the unfiltered reality of what it takes to build your dream career in your 20s. Guests include Paris Hilton, Chelsea Handler, Kris Jenner, Karlie Kloss, and more visionaries defining the brands—and blueprints—of our time. Whether you’re dreaming big or building now, these are the conversations that will show you how it’s done (and what no one else tells you). 🔔 Subscribe now to get the blueprint for building your dream career Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 3

From teen drama star to angel investor, Sophia Bush joins Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni for an unfiltered conversation about building wealth, walking away from toxic systems, and making purpose profitable. In this episode of The Burnouts, Sophia reveals how a surprise $10,000 angel check into Uber kickstarted her investment journey—and how that single move led to millions. She opens up about the real economics of being a young actress, fighting for equal pay on One Tree Hill, and the dark side of working in Hollywood. Sophia also shares what it means to build power as a woman in business: launching inclusive salons, shaping the future of femtech, and helping fund America's first women-founded bank. She breaks down the difference between angel investing and venture, gives practical advice for women who want to build wealth without gatekeeping, and explains why doing good and doing well should never be mutually exclusive. Also: The best financial advice she’s ever received. 🕯️✨ USE CODE "BURNOUTS15" FOR 15% OFF YOUR ORDER ON THE LIMITED-EDITION PHLUR X THE BURNOUTS CANDLE → https://go.shopmy.us/p-18806798 ✨🕯️ 🔍 CHAPTERS 1:20 – From aspiring heart surgeon to unexpected actress 6:45 – The economics of young Hollywood 13:00 – Building an inclusive salon in Detroit 17:20 – Investing in Uber with $10K 20:45 – The power of sweat equity 25:30 – Femtech, abortion access & why periods matter 30:15 – Talking money without shame 34:00 – The group chat every woman needs 🔗 FOLLOW US Phoebe Gates Sophia Kianni Sophia Bush 🔥 FOLLOW THE BURNOUTS Instagram TikTok LinkedIn 📲 Download the Phia app to start saving money. Subscribe to The Burnouts for bold, raw interviews with the thinkers, athletes, and founders redefining ambition. Hosted by Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni—former Stanford roommates turned startup co-founders—each episode dives into the unpolished truths of building a life and career that matters. This isn’t another founder podcast. It’s what building something in your 20s actually sounds like—unfiltered, in-progress, and a little bit chaotic. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jun 26

Heiress, icon, mogul, mom—and the original influencer. In this episode of The Burnouts, Paris Hilton gets real with Phoebe and Sophia about turning a catchphrase into a global brand, the pain behind her activism, and why being underestimated was her greatest advantage. She opens up about creating the “dumb blonde” persona as a form of power, testifying before Congress as a survivor, and why she believes angel numbers (and small-town nerds) are the secret to everything. Plus: what it’s like running 30 businesses, parenting with purpose, and building 11:11 Media to bring it all together. This isn’t the Paris Hilton you think you know. Also: DJ paychecks, ADHD superpowers, and how to spot a fragile man. 🕯️✨ USE CODE "BURNOUTS15" FOR 15% OFF YOUR ORDER ON THE LIMITED-EDITION PHLUR X THE BURNOUTS CANDLE ✨🕯️ 🔍 CHAPTERS 1:45 – Inventing the “Paris Hilton” character 5:00 – ADHD and the art of doing everything 9:40 – Playing dumb, trademarking “That’s Hot” 13:15 – From survivor to Capitol Hill 18:00 – Why she’d never date a guy from LA 20:45 – Paris' obsession with angel numbers 24:00 – Advice for building a brand 🔗 FOLLOW US Phoebe Gates Sophia Kianni Paris Hilton 🔥 FOLLOW THE BURNOUTS Instagram TikTok LinkedIn 📲 Download the Phia app to start saving money: www.phia.com Subscribe to The Burnouts for bold, raw interviews with the thinkers, athletes, and founders redefining ambition. Hosted by Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni—former Stanford roommates turned startup co-founders—each episode dives into the unpolished truths of building a life and career that matters. This isn’t another founder podcast. It’s what building something in your 20s actually sounds like—unfiltered, in-progress, and a little bit chaotic. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jun 19

200,000 downloads. A tagline that finally made people “get it.” And a few hard lessons along the way. In this episode of The Burnouts, co-founders Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni unpack the marketing experiments that helped Phia find traction—from trial reels and creator guides to AI-generated scripts and TikTok reach campaigns. They share what worked, what didn’t, and what they’re still learning about building a brand from scratch. They also talk about the power of a clear metaphor (“Google Flights for fashion”), the pressure of launching on the same day as a major podcast appearance, and why community has been their most valuable asset. Also: how Kris Jenner got involved... 📲 Download the Phia app to start saving money: www.phia.com 🕯️✨ USE CODE "BURNOUTS15" FOR 15% OFF YOUR ORDER ON THE LIMITED-EDITION PHLUR X THE BURNOUTS CANDLE → https://go.shopmy.us/p-18806798 ✨🕯 🔍 CHAPTERS 2:00 – Launching Phia the same day as Call Her Daddy 6:20 – Trial Reels: our low-cost growth engine 8:45 – Our best-performing hook 11:15 – TikTok flops, LinkedIn wins, and why Substack matters 13:10 – The hack to community-building 15:00 – How we use AI to write scripts that work 17:30 – The SEO agency mistake we won’t make again 19:10 – The "special sauce" in a marketing hire 🔗 FOLLOW US Phoebe Gates Sophia Kianni 🔥 FOLLOW THE BURNOUTS Instagram TikTok LinkedIn Subscribe to The Burnouts for exclusive conversations with today’s top founders and culture-shaping entrepreneurs. Hosted by former Stanford roommates turned startup co-founders, Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, this isn’t just another founder podcast—it’s untold conversations and the unfiltered reality of what it takes to build your dream career in your 20s. Guests include Paris Hilton, Chelsea Handler, Kris Jenner, Karlie Kloss, and more visionaries defining the brands—and blueprints—of our time. Whether you’re dreaming big or building now, these are the conversations that will show you how it’s done (and what no one else tells you). 🔔 Subscribe now to get the blueprint for building your dream career Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jun 12

Olympic gold, Ivy League brains, supermodel looks—and still figuring it out. In this episode of The Burnouts, Olympic gold medalist, model, and Stanford student Eileen Gu joins Phoebe and Sophia for an unfiltered conversation about ambition, identity, and what happens after you’ve seemingly “made it.” Eileen opens up about her post-Olympic burnout, learning to sit with stillness after injury, and the pressure of being young, female, and hyper-visible on the world stage. From negotiating brand deals at 13 to being grilled about geopolitics at 18, she reflects on the emotional toll of public scrutiny—and the freedom of learning to define success on her own terms. She also shares how fashion gave her a new language for femininity, what solo travel taught her about self-worth, and why she’ll never apologize for being “the nerd who does everyone’s homework.” Also: the difference between a high-quality man and a fragile ego. 🕯️✨ USE CODE "BURNOUTS15" FOR 15% OFF YOUR ORDER ON OUR LIMITED-EDITION PHLUR X THE BURNOUTS CANDLE ✨🕯️ CHAPTERS 2:10 – Post-Olympic depression is real 4:45 – How she accidentally went pro 6:55 – Negotiating for yourself, even if you're scared 10:40 – Walking Victoria’s Secret and staying true to your values 13:15 – Becoming a cultural bridge—not picking a side 17:35 – Why smart women scare fragile men 26:00 – Glorifying suffering is not a flex 28:55 – Nerd alert: physics made her a better skier 35:40 – Injury, identity, and learning to rest FOLLOW US Phoebe Gates Sophia Kianni Eileen Gu FOLLOW THE BURNOUTS Instagram TikTok LinkedIn 📲 Download the Phia app to start saving money: www.phia.com Subscribe to The Burnouts for bold, raw interviews with the thinkers, athletes, and founders redefining ambition. Hosted by Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni—former Stanford roommates turned startup co-founders—each episode dives into the unpolished truths of building a life and career that matters. This isn’t another founder podcast. It’s what building something in your 20s actually sounds like—unfiltered, in-progress, and a little bit chaotic. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jun 5

What if your side hustle made you a millionaire—and taught millions of women how to become one too? In this episode of The Burnouts , Vivian Tu (@Your.RichBFF) joins Phoebe and Sophia to unpack the story behind her Wall Street-to-TikTok glow-up, the money myths that hold women back, and how she’s rewriting financial literacy for a new generation. Vivian opens up about surviving workplace racism, being your office’s unofficial 401(k) whisperer, and building a media empire that started with one viral video—and became a New York Times bestselling book, a chart-topping podcast, and a full-time career. She also shares the real talk behind her relationship: who paid more rent, how German cockroaches accidentally fast-tracked her move-in, and why every couple should go on “dessert walks.” Also: the genius trick to automating your savings without even thinking about it. ❤️✨ USE CODE "BURNOUTS15" FOR 15% OFF YOUR ORDER ON THE LIMITED-EDITION PHLUR X THE BURNOUTS CANDLE ✨❤️ 🔍 CHAPTERS 1:02 – Why dating gets harder when women get more successful 4:55 – How to actually budget (no spreadsheets, no shame) 8:00 – What to do with your first paycheck 13:50 – Getting pushed out of Wall Street—and finding a new path 18:20 – When to quit your job for your side hustle 30:55 – Talking about money in relationships (without making it weird) 🔗 FOLLOW US Phoebe Gates Sophia Kianni Vivian Tu 🔥 FOLLOW THE BURNOUTS Instagram TikTok Linkedin 📖 Read Rich AF 🎧 Listen to Networth and Chill 📲 Download the Phia app to start saving money Subscribe to The Burnouts for exclusive interviews with the thinkers, founders, and creatives shaping culture and business today. As former Stanford roommates turned startup co-founders, Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni bring rare access and real curiosity to every guest—cutting through the noise to get to what actually matters. It’s not just another founder podcast. This is what building in your 20s really looks like—unscripted, in-progress, and surprisingly honest. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 29

❤️✨ USE CODE "BURNOUTS15" FOR 15% OFF YOUR ORDER ON THE LIMITED-EDITION PHLUR X THE BURNOUTS CANDLE ✨ ❤️ What if heartbreak was the beginning of your empire? In this episode of The Burnouts, entrepreneur and creative director Chriselle Lim sits down with Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni to unpack how she went from TikTok’s “rich mom” to co-owning Phlur, a $100M+ fragrance brand. From the ashes of burnout and divorce, Chriselle rebuilt her life—and helped reshape how fragrance is built, branded, and sold. She shares the story behind Missing Person (the perfume with a 250K waitlist that changed everything) and how reinvention became her real superpower. Also: the bamboo tree metaphor that will stick with you forever. 📲 Download the Phia app to start saving → www.join.phia.com 🔗 FOLLOW US Phoebe Gates Sophia Kianni Chriselle Lim Phlur 🔥 FOLLOW THE BURNOUTS Instagram TikTok Linkedin 📲 Download the Phia app to start saving money while you shop today. About The Burnouts As former Stanford roommates turned startup founders, Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni are building more than a business—they’re building a bold new conversation. The Burnouts dives into the chaos of creation, covering everything from personal reinvention and product meltdowns to friendship, finances, and fear. With top guests like Kris Jenner, Danielle Guizio, and Whitney Wolfe Herd, this is your behind-the-scenes playbook for building on your own terms. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 22

What if your first investment was a $400 tax refund and a tape measure? In this episode of The Burnouts , fashion founder Danielle Guizio sits down with Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni to talk about turning side hustles into global brands, learning leadership the hard way, and why your iPhone might be your most powerful marketing tool. Danielle opens up about recovering from surgery, walking garbage bags of orders to USPS, and getting duped on TikTok. She shares the strategy behind her $2M Black Friday breakthrough, why she still fits every sample herself, and how she built a viral fashion empire with no design experience, no car, and no connections—just a deep belief that she could figure it out. Also: negotiating in Chinatown at 13, selling out with zero ads, and what she really looks for in a résumé (hint: it’s not your school). Chapters 1:10 – $400, no car, and a dream 5:45 – Getting duped and going viral anyway 10:12 – Negotiation school and hiring red flags 13:48 – Why she still works the retail floor 16:00 – Instagram as your magazine 21:35 – How she got Kylie Jenner and Dua Lipa in her clothes 24:18 – What she actually looks for in a hire 28:55 – Advice for every girl with a side hustle Follow us Phoebe Gates Sophia Kianni Danielle Guizio & the Guizio brand Follow The Burnouts Instagram TikTok Linkedin Subscribe for more raw, unfiltered convos with iconic leaders, founders, and disruptors who are building what’s next (and burning down what’s not). 📲 Download the Phia app to start saving money at www.join.phia.com About The Burnouts As former Stanford roommates turned startup founders, Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni are building more than a business—they’re building a bold new conversation. The Burnouts dives into the chaos of creation, covering everything from VC pitches and product meltdowns to friendship, finance, and fear. With top guests like Danielle Guizio, Kris Jenner, and Whitney Wolfe Herd, this is your behind-the-scenes playbook for building on your own terms. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 15

What if the next billion-dollar startup isn’t built by 1,000 employees—but by 30, powered by AI? In this episode of The Burnouts , Bumble founder and CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd sits down with Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni to talk about building lean, trusting your gut, burning out, and why she believes AI will totally reshape how companies scale. Whitney opens up about hiring mistakes that nearly broke Bumble, the myth of hustle culture, why listening to “grown-ups in suits” set her back, and how legacy tech is holding companies hostage. She shares her evolved vision for Bumble, her personal burnout recovery, and why she now swears by smaller teams, smarter tech, and protecting your energy like it’s cash. Also: surprise-and-delight growth hacks, ego death, and what she really thinks about ROI-driven marketing. Chapters 1:02 – She built Bumble. But at what cost? 5:11 – Why hiring “adults in suits” backfired 8:42 – Scaling smart: fewer people, better results 13:08 – AI, apps, and the future of building 16:30 – Burnout, ego death, and coming back stronger 22:14 – Bumble’s early growth hacks (inflatable bees, anyone?) 27:49 – Friendship-first is the next dating revolution 30:45 – Mentorship, motherhood & knowing when to say no Follow us: Phoebe Gates Sophia Kianni Whitney Wolfe Herd Follow The Burnouts : Instagram Linkedin TikTok Subscribe for more raw, unfiltered convos with iconic women and disruptors who are building what’s next—and burning down what’s not. Download the Phia app to start saving money at www.join.phia.com About The Burnouts As former Stanford roommates and now business partners, Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni share their experience as startup founders and the chaos of building something new—covering everything from pitching VCs to maintaining friendships, decoding financial literacy, and finding power in female-driven storytelling. With candid conversations and top guests (like Kris Jenner and Sara Blakely), The Burnouts is your go-to for smart, hilarious, and sometimes chaotic advice on how to build your career on your own terms. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 8

What do you do when the world tells you to tone it down? If you’re Chelsea Handler, you turn up the volume—on confidence, career, and comedy. In this unapologetic and hilarious episode of The Burnouts , Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni sit down with the legendary comedian and bestselling author who’s built an empire on not giving a f***. They talk through confidence myths, investor pitch chaos, stand-up breakthroughs, and why Chelsea bought her ex 35 trees. Also: why burnout might actually be your breakthrough. Chapters 1:22 – were you always this confident? 6:14 – how to say no (and mean it) 11:02 – kids, career, and confidence clashes 15:00 – real estate, financial freedom & female power 21:06 – mushrooms with your landscaper & other business lessons 25:45 – dating while dominating 30:12 – women, work, and not shrinking yourself Follow us Phoebe Gates Sophia Kianni Chelsea Handler Follow The Burnouts Youtube @theburnoutspodcast Instagram @theburnouts TikTok: @theburnouts LinkedIn: /the-burnouts Subscribe for more bold convos with iconic women, founders, and disruptors who are burning down old systems and building what’s next. Download the Phia app to start saving money at join.phia.com About the Burnouts As former Stanford roommates and now business partners, Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni share their experience as startup founders and the chaos of building something new—covering everything from pitching VCs to maintaining friendships, decoding financial literacy, and finding power in female-driven storytelling. With candid conversations and top guests (like Kris Jenners and Sara Blakely), The Burnouts is your go-to for smart, hilarious, and sometimes chaotic advice on how to build your career on your own terms. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 2

In this episode of The Burnouts, Sophia Kianni and Phoebe Gates sit down with entrepreneurial icon and Spanx founder Sara Blakely to talk mindset, manifestation, and the messy truth of building something from scratch. Whether you're navigating your first job, launching a startup, or still waiting for a sign from the universe—this one’s for you. We go deep on everything from building confidence as a woman in business, to manifesting million-dollar ideas (literally), to knowing when to quit, pivot, or fire the “genius” that’s ruining your team dynamic. Sara shares stories she’s never told before—like the exact mindset hack that led to Spanx, the real reason she sold her company, and the crazy specific sign she asked the universe for. 🔖 CHAPTERS 0:00 – Why we called Sara before we even had a product 2:10 – Sara’s Secret Weapon Since She Was 16 14:00 – Signs from the universe (including one from Oprah) 18:30 – Hiring Wrong, Firing Fast, and Learning the Hard Way 29:00 – Why High Heels Haven’t Changed in 300 Years (Until Now) 36:45 – Sara is paying people to buy her shoes?!? 38:00 – Sara’s Wildest Hustle Stories About the Burnouts As former Stanford roommates and now business partners, Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni share their experience as startup founders and the complexities of being young professionals—from financial literacy, social impact, and navigating networking (ever been hit on through LinkedIn?). With exclusive access to top experts, they offer an inside look at their chaotic lives alongside career insights from their network of thought leaders. Watch The Burnouts pursue their dreams while trying to keep their lives from going up in flames. Will they burn out? We’ll find out. 🔗 FOLLOW US The Burnouts Phoebe Gates Sophia Kianni Sara Blakely Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apr 24

DOWNLOAD THE PHIA APP Find better fashion deals while you shop. Download Phia HERE and follow Phia on Instagram ! CHAPTERS 00:00 – Launch day is HERE 01:12 – The Zoom roast that got our CPO hired 05:40 – Pivoting the product after tough feedback 10:00 – From Instagram design to full-time UX 15:25 – Interning, accounting, and off-boarding your ex 20:45 – Quitting jobs, joining podcasts, and saying yes fast 24:00 – Real friends give real feedback 26:10 – What’s next for Phia Follow the Hosts 📸 @phoebegates 📸 @sophiakianni Follow The Burnouts 📸 @theburnouts 🎥 Subscribe on YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apr 15

Feeling lost in the chaos of the economy right now? Same. Between inflation, tariffs, and TikTok panic, it feels like we’re all one iced coffee away from a full-blown recession spiral. In this episode of The Burnouts, Sophia Kianni and Phoebe Gates call in financial dominatrix Haley Sacks — aka @MrsDowJones — for a much-needed crash course in surviving your first economic downturn. We talk Roth IRAs, recession anxiety, index funds, investing FOMO, and why press-on nails might just be the ultimate economic indicator. Whether you’re getting your first paycheck, trying to start investing, or just wondering WTF to do with your money, this episode is for you. 💸 It’s funny. It’s practical. And it might just change your financial future. 🔖 CHAPTERS 0:00 – Our first economic freakout 2:15 – Should we actually be scared? 5:20 – The only money moves that matter right now 9:45 – Haley’s worst investment ever 13:00 – Roth IRAs, index funds & investing without crying 17:20 – Budgeting when your paycheck hits 21:10 – Renting, home buying, and financial hot takes 📚 RESOURCES Free Emergency Fund Planner Investment Returns Calculator 3 Index Funds We Love Free Customized Money Plan Money Book 2.0 Investing 101 & more HERE ! Mrs. Dow Jones Instagram & Newsletter 🔗 FOLLOW US @theburnouts @phoebegates @sophiakianni @mrsdowjones Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apr 9

What do you do when someone tells you no? If you’re Kris Jenner, you walk into the scheduling office with a tray of brownies and figure it out anyway. In this episode, Phoebe and Sophia sit down with the iconic woman who turned “figure it out” into her mom-ager lifestyle. They talk about early jobs, showing up before you feel ready, and what it really takes to launch something that matters. Also: why your car interior might be ruining your life. Chapters 1:12 – restaurants in the sky? 5:04 – business rizz 101 10:01 – doing things your way (and making them work) 16:45 – vintage, resale, and why clean cars matter 21:20 - advice for young women + why Kris invested in Phia Meet the Hosts 🎙️ Phoebe Gates Sophia Kianni Follow The Burnouts Instagram TikTok LinkedIn Join the Phia waitlist at phia.com About the Burnouts As former Stanford roommates and now business partners, Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni share their experience as startup founders and the complexities of being young professionals—from financial literacy, social impact, and navigating networking (ever been hit on through LinkedIn?). With exclusive access to top experts, they offer an inside look at their chaotic lives alongside career insights from their network of thought leaders. Watch The Burnouts pursue their dreams while trying to keep their lives from going up in flames. Will they burn out? We’ll find out. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apr 1

Bluetooth tampons, fake assistants, and maxing out on LinkedIn mail credits? That’s entrepreneurship for ya. Phoebe and Sophia are best friends who turned their Stanford dorm room conversations into a business partnership. They’re here to share the good, bad, and ugly parts of founding a company together. Chapters 0:00 - welcome to The Burnouts 0:36 - how we became friends 2:37 - the Stanford cheating ring 8:16 - Sophia’s FAKE assistant 11:17 - a bluetooth tampon?? 17:21 - the day phia was born 20:12 - the go-giver mindset and spam messaging 25:40 - why we started the podcast Meet the Hosts🎙️ Phoebe Gates Sophia Kianni Join the Phia waitlist at phia.com About the Burnouts As former Stanford roommates and now business partners, Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni share their experience as startup founders and the complexities of being young professionals—from financial literacy, social impact, and navigating networking (ever been hit on through LinkedIn?). With exclusive access to top experts, they offer an inside look at their chaotic lives alongside career insights from their network of thought leaders. Watch The Burnouts pursue their dreams while trying to keep their lives from going up in flames. Will they burn out? We’ll find out. Socials Instagram TikTok LinkedIn Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 28

Burnout is real—and building your career while figuring out who you are? Even harder. Enter The Burnouts: Join best friends Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni as they try to launch their first company and make sense of the chaos that is a career in your 20s. They’re not pretending to have all the answers—but they’re asking the people who just might. Sophia and Phoebe sit down with guests who’ve actually made it to talk candidly about careers, ambition, burnout, and everything they wish they knew sooner. Whether you’re navigating your first job, thinking about a big pivot, or just trying to survive Monday, The Burnouts is here to keep it real. New episodes every Tuesday. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.