She What?

What happens when the song you wrote about someone else’s cancer journey becomes your own reality, seven years later? In this powerful episode, musician Liz Mencel opens up about motherhood, music, and facing a life-altering diagnosis. Her "wouldn't change a thing" perspective will leave you inspired.  Check out Liz's music and her website. For more, visit She What? on Instagram.Brought to you by Capital HealthCredits:Producer and Host: Jess DowneyProducer and Host: Maureen PetroskyProducer and Editor: Leigh IacobucciArtwork: Peter Yates DesignKnow someone with a great She What? story?Tell us about her!

Susanne Sulby grew up in a prison, an environment few of us can imagine. In this episode, dialect coach and actress Susanne Sulby shares her extraordinary journey from a childhood spent living at a correctional facility to her work now— helping shape unforgettable performances for actors like Kate Winslet and Jean Smart. She reminds us that when a small voice inside says "there’s more for you," you should definitely listen. Check out Susanne's website and her instagram. For more, visit She What? on Instagram.Brought to you by Capital HealthCredits:Producer and Host: Jess DowneyProducer and Host: Maureen PetroskyProducer and Editor: Leigh IacobucciArtwork: Peter Yates DesignKnow someone with a great She What? story?Tell us about her!

What if your favorite neighborhood could disappear tomorrow? In this powerful episode, cookbook author and activist Grace Young shares how she went from stir-fry guru to fierce defender of America’s Chinatowns - and why cooking is all about connection. Come hungry for stories of food, family, and fighting for cultural survival. To learn more about Grace, you can check out her website and her Instagram. For more, visit She What? on Instagram.Brought to you by Capital HealthCredits:Producer and Host: Jess DowneyProducer and Host: Maureen PetroskyProducer and Editor: Leigh IacobucciArtwork: Peter Yates DesignKnow someone with a great She What? story?Tell us about her!

Amita Mehta’s life is a story of survival, love, and radical courage. In this deeply personal episode, she shares the secrets she feared would cost her everything and the relationships that made her rich in love. Coming from a traditional Indian family, Amita talks about their escape from Uganda at the hands of a dictator and the journey to freedom in the U.S. She reveals how being an athlete was a saving grace, enabling her to integrate and find hope during a difficult time in her young life. She shares her inner struggle to come to terms with her sexual orientation and how that impacted her career and her relationships. It’s a raw, hopeful conversation about identity, resilience, and what it really means to embody the American dream. (All that...AND it's Jess and Maureen's birthday episode!)Discover Amita's website and her instagram. For more, visit She What? on Instagram.Brought to you by Capital HealthCredits:Producer and Host: Jess DowneyProducer and Host: Maureen PetroskyProducer and Editor: Leigh IacobucciArtwork: Peter Yates DesignKnow someone with a great She What? story?Tell us about her!

From Top Chef to one-woman-shows and Enneagrams, Carla Hall splashes down into this She What? episode with zero ego and maximum joy. She dishes on the importance of knowing yourself, setting boundaries, and how to keep killing it in your 60s. Get ready to laugh, rethink your life path and feel genuinely inspired.Discover Carla's website and her instagram. For more, visit She What? on Instagram.Brought to you by Capital HealthCredits:Producer and Host: Jess DowneyProducer and Host: Maureen PetroskyProducer and Editor: Leigh IacobucciArtwork: Peter Yates DesignTell us about her!

In this first episode of Season 2, Jess and Maureen dive into a hilarious and profound conversation with novelist Caroline Palmer, whose debut book Workhorse explores the messy ambition of women who refuse to play nice. Recalling the glam of her fashion magazines days to 4:15 a.m. writing sessions in a floor-length faux leopard coat, she dishes on creativity, aging, and redefining success. If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s too late to chase the next big act in your life (spoiler, it’s not!), this episode will light you up.Discover Caroline's website and her instagram. For more, visit She What? on Instagram.Brought to you by Capital HealthCredits:Producer and Host: Jess DowneyProducer and Host: Maureen PetroskyProducer and Editor: Leigh IacobucciArtwork: Peter Yates DesignTell us about her!

Before Jess and Maureen jump into 2026, it's time to reflect on an incredible first year of She What?. This episode revisits the women, the stories, and all the surprises that made us laugh, cry, and stop in our tracks. Think of this episode as a highlight reel of courage, connection, and soooo many unforgettable She What? moments.For more, visit She What? on Instagram.Brought to you by Capital HealthCredits:Producer and Host: Jess DowneyProducer and Host: Maureen PetroskyProducer and Editor: Leigh IacobucciArtwork: Peter Yates DesignTell us about her!

In this episode, trailblazer Chivonn Anderson shares how resilience, love, and purpose have shaped a life dedicated to opening doors for others. From standing up to injustices to creating spaces where people truly belong, Chivonn reminds us of what one woman's bravery can spark.Discover Chivonn's women's sports bar, Marsha's.For more, visit She What? on Instagram.Brought to you by Capital HealthCredits:Producer and Host: Jess DowneyProducer and Host: Maureen PetroskyProducer and Editor: Leigh IacobucciArtwork: Peter Yates DesignKnow someone with an amazing She WHAT? story?Tell us about her!

Surfboards, serendipity, and radical reinvention—this episode dives into the extraordinary journey of Chelsea Ross, founder of Bali’s famed Goddess Retreats. From breaking into a male-dominated surf culture to guiding women through life-changing transformations, Chelsea’s story will make you want to book a flight and rethink your next chapter.Discover Chelsea's Goddess Retreats on Instagram.For more, visit She What? on Instagram.Brought to you by Capital HealthCredits:Producer and Host: Jess DowneyProducer and Host: Maureen PetroskyProducer and Editor: Leigh IacobucciArtwork: Peter Yates DesignKnow someone with an amazing She WHAT? story?Tell us about her!

Have you every been told that you can't do something and you think about giving up? In this episode, Charity Alyse shares how she turned racism, rejection, and a terrifying health scare into power, purpose, and a pop-up bookstore. Her grit, kindness, and creativity will inspire all of us.Check out Charity's Instagram and discover Austen's Shelf.For more, visit She What? on Instagram.Brought to you by Capital HealthCredits:Producer and Host: Jess DowneyProducer and Host: Maureen PetroskyProducer and Editor: Leigh IacobucciArtwork: Peter Yates DesignKnow someone with an amazing She WHAT? story?Tell us about her!