

The Burnouts with Phoebe & Sophia
Phoebe Gates & Sophia Kianni
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

7 snips
Aug 7, 2025 • 40min
How a Broke Bartender Turned $50 Into a Multi-Million Dollar Brand—The Skinny Confidential
Lauryn Bosstick, founder of The Skinny Confidential and co-host of a popular podcast, shares her inspiring journey from a $50 blog to a thriving beauty empire. She discusses the importance of building a brand without investors, navigating early burnout, and executing ideas rather than overthinking them. Lauryn also reveals her insights on evaluating brand deals, the secret to being a great podcast guest, and a funny parenting tip involving 'cookie water.' Plus, the conversation touches on the value of resourcefulness in the age of AI.

13 snips
Jul 31, 2025 • 31min
Why You’ll Never Get Rich From a Paycheck (Ft. $1B Fund Manager)
In this insightful discussion, Morgan Housel, a Partner at Collaborative Fund and author of 'The Psychology of Money,' tackles the misconceptions surrounding wealth and income. He reveals why chasing paychecks won’t lead to real riches and how ownership beats salary. The conversation dives into elderly regrets about money, the evolving American Dream, and the psychological impact of social media on financial anxiety. Housel also highlights how gender influences our approach to risk and ambition, providing a fresh perspective on what it truly means to be 'rich.'

8 snips
Jul 24, 2025 • 25min
Avoid These Money Mistakes to Get Rich (ft. $1 Billion Fund Manager)
Morgan Housel, a partner at the Collaborative Fund and author of the bestselling "The Psychology of Money," shares his remarkable journey from valet to financial guru. He reveals how fear shaped his approach to money and why most people play the wrong game when it comes to finance. Housel discusses the transformations in his financial mindset after becoming a dad, his regret over one extravagant gift meant to impress, and the importance of genuine self-worth beyond material possessions.

7 snips
Jul 17, 2025 • 37min
Meet The Journalist Every Tech Billionaire is Afraid Of (Ft. Kara Swisher)
Kara Swisher, a renowned tech journalist known for her incisive interviews with Silicon Valley's elite, joins the conversation. She shares her journey from critiquing The Washington Post as a college student to becoming a formidable voice in tech. Kara emphasizes the importance of negotiating for fair pay and owning one's intellectual property in a male-dominated industry. She dives into the bizarre behaviors of tech moguls and the need for journalists to hold them accountable. Expect behind-the-scenes stories and a powerful message about women taking charge in their careers!

13 snips
Jul 10, 2025 • 37min
Why Supermodel Karlie Kloss Quit Victoria’s Secret to Build a Tech Empire
In a captivating discussion, Karlie Kloss, a model, investor, and founder of Kode With Klossy, dives into her fascinating journey from runway to tech. She reveals how early burnout led her to pivot towards empowering women in STEM. Karlie shares stories about funding her nonprofit through brand deals and her unique investments, including tampons! She emphasizes the importance of trusting instincts, navigating fame, and using her platform to advocate for reproductive rights, all while inspiring the next generation of women in both fashion and technology.

7 snips
Jul 3, 2025 • 36min
Hollywood Actress to Investor: The $10K Bet That Made Sophia Bush Millions
Sophia Bush, actress, activist, and investor known for her role in One Tree Hill, shares her journey from Hollywood to angel investing with hosts Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni. She reveals how a surprising $10,000 investment in Uber sparked her financial success. Sophia discusses the harsh realities of pay disparities in acting, the importance of women's empowerment in finance, and her initiatives like launching inclusive salons. She offers practical advice for women seeking to build wealth and underscores that making profit and doing good can go hand in hand.

20 snips
Jun 26, 2025 • 28min
How Playing DUMB Helped Paris Hilton Build a BILLION Dollar Empire
Paris Hilton joins the conversation, sharing her journey from heiress to mogul, and revealing how she crafted her iconic 'dumb blonde' persona into a powerful brand. She discusses the empowerment that came from being underestimated and her passion for activism, including her impactful testimony before Congress. Paris dives into her love for angel numbers, the challenges of juggling multiple businesses, and parenting with intention. Plus, she offers invaluable insights on brand building and the quirky world of DJ paychecks!

Jun 19, 2025 • 28min
The Marketing Hacks That Got Us 200K Downloads and Kris Jenner’s Investment
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
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CHAPTERS
0:00 - Intro
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
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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

80 snips
Jun 12, 2025 • 37min
Meet the Stanford genius who modeled for Victoria’s Secret and won Olympic gold (ft. Eileen Gu)
Eileen Gu, an Olympic gold medalist, fashion model, and Stanford student, dives into her multifaceted life. She candidly discusses post-Olympic burnout and the challenge of defining success on her own terms. Eileen shares insights on negotiating brand deals at a young age and the pressures of being a visible young woman. She reflects on the importance of self-worth learned through solo travel, her journey through the fashion world, and the realities of balancing athletics and academics while embracing her identity.

Jun 5, 2025 • 36min
Why Women Are Secretly Better at Money According to an Ex-Wall Street Trader
Vivian Tu, former Wall Street trader turned financial creator Your.RichBFF and author of Rich AF. She recounts her Wall Street-to-TikTok pivot, automating savings with payroll tricks, navigating money in relationships, investing early and diversification, and how one viral video built a media career. Short, candid stories and practical money moves throughout.


