Aurora James | More Than One Thing with Athena Calderone

Across his 12-year career, Sebastian Brauer has been the driving force behind multi-billion-dollar businesses. We’re talking Anthropologie, Williams-Sonoma, Inc., J Crew, and now as Senior Vice President of Product Design at Crate & Barrel. While building mega brands is undoubtedly impressive, it’s Sebastian’s purpose-driven leadership that really sets him apart. I experienced this intentional approach first-hand when I collaborated with him and his team on our Crate & Barrel collection. In today’s episode, we dive into our process, why intention is always at the heart of everything he does, how he navigated a non-linear career path, and so much more! Sebastian’s advice? “Fear can always be overcome. All it takes is a little courage.”

This week, talented creative, entrepreneur, mother of two, and thought leader, Eunice Byun joins the podcast. Despite not having a culinary background, the former financial analyst and beauty exec stepped away from the corporate world to disrupt the cookware industry with her company, Material—and it’s safe to say she’s given it the shake-up it needed! But how did Eunice go from finance to beauty and now design? Tune in to hear her share all the triumphs and learnings on her hyphenated journey—including building a brand rooted in storytelling, intentionality, and beauty; having the confidence to say no when it doesn’t align with your mission; the power of putting community at the center of everything you do; and why you should trust your gut and follow your heart at every step of your multi-hyphenate career.

When it comes to thinking holistically, no one does it better than Carla Oates. On this episode, the skincare expert, business woman, philanthropist, microbiology superstar, master fermenter, and — of course — the founder of The Beauty Chef joins the podcast to talk about her many hyphens. Convincing the world that the bacteria in your microbiome affects the look of your skin takes, well, guts. But, according to Carla, passion, confidence, and a groundbreaking product that works are all the ingredients you need to make people see things differently. Tune in to hear her share about how refusing to be boxed into a singular way of thinking and following her love for science, beauty, and nutrition led Carla to create a line of products that would launch an entire industry. She discusses balancing business-sense and unbridled creativity, chasing (all!) your passions, setting achievable goals, and being unafraid to dream big. Really big.

This week’s guest is American fashion legend, Reed Krakoff. Throughout his career, Reed has been guided by one simple rule: do what you love. And it turns out there’s a lot Reed loves to do; from transforming Coach to an international powerhouse, to crafting critically-acclaimed interiors, and ushering in the era of the Creative Director. Most recently, from 2017 to January 2021, he served as Chief Artistic Officer at Tiffany, the first person ever to have held this position. Tune in to hear Reed discuss how following his many interests provided him with a set of skills he could apply to his life and his work. Unafraid to try anything, Reed found a way to unite all he learned in the singular vision of a true creative. In this episode, he pulls back the curtain to talk about dropping out of music school, chasing his passions, and how failure taught him everything he needed to know. Reed’s advice? Put yourself out there. Anything can be a lesson if you let it.

This week, fashion designer, activist, business owner, and CFDA Award Winner, Aurora James graces the podcast. Aurora is the founder and creative director of Brother Vellies, the sustainable, ethically made, luxury, accessory brand. Always true to her vision of a more just world, she is also the founder of the 15% Pledge, which urges retailers to allocate 15% of their shelf space to Black-owned businesses. But how did Aurora go from flunking out of college to getting crowned GQ’s Change Agents of the Year? Tune in to hear her tell about all the highs and lows–– including rebounding from nearly losing her business to COVID-19 by using only what she had at hand; the force of her mind, her belief in her community, and her community’s belief in her. She shares about the kind of passions you never give up on, starring on the cover of Vogue’s legendary September Issue, and her deep conviction that hope is an action you take, not a belief you hold.

Jason Wu is one of the most recognizable names in American Fashion. Yet, somehow the acclaimed designer also finds time to create an innovative bath and kitchen line, design a doll collection for Integrity Toys, and dabble in florals, decor, beauty, food, and activism. Sound like a lot? Well it is! In this episode, Jason shares how throwing out the road map led him to exactly where he needed to be–– from dressing Michelle Obama, to nurturing his namesake brand into a global success, and sustaining a long term partnership with Brizo Faucets. As fashion continued its endless search for the hot new thing, Jason has proven his ability to reinvent himself–– trying new skills and trades–– while still remaining true to his vision for the world. This episode of More Than One Thing is about trusting your instincts, focusing on what’s real, and being unafraid to make a detour. You never know where it will take you.

Sophia Roe is one of those people who seems to have been born to break moulds. In this episode, the chef, wellness expert, educator, and speaker sits down to talk about her remarkable life-- from spending her childhood in foster care and not knowing where her next meal would come from, to starring in and producing her own show, Counter Space, on Vice. Through it all, Sophia has been carried by her belief in imagination, never letting fear, or lack of experience, stop her from trying everything. Tune in to hear about making best friends with imposter syndrome, choosing to be grateful even for the most painful moments, scheduling time for crying, and always finding moments for playfulness-- like and walking across the Brooklyn Bridge…  backwards.

Husband and wife Stephen Alesch and Robin Standefer are two of the most prolific and acclaimed designers of our time. Their firm, Roman and Williams, has designed iconic spaces like the Boom Boom Room, The Ace Hotel and more. Recently, their curatorial brilliance has expanded into the retail and restaurant emporium RW Guild. But on their journey to the top of the industry, Robin and Stephen have forgone traditional schooling and career paths to instead follow the road less traveled. Today, they are gardeners, draftsmen, ceramicists, architects, set designers, artists, and storytellers whose boundless creativity continues to pour into new mediums. Tune in to hear about walking out of exams, having the courage to ask the “dumb questions,” and the importance of trusting in yourself wholeheartedly. This episode of More Than One Thing is for those with curious souls, open minds, and a hearty appetite to learn by doing. As Stephen and Robin say, “believing in what you love will take you there.”

For decades Karen Elson has been a defining face in the world of fashion — gracing every major fashion magazine and runway. But Karen’s uber-successful career in fashion is only one of her many hyphens. Since childhood, she has been writing music, using her lyrics to make sense of the world and transform daily life into poetry. In this episode of More Than One Thing, Karen talks with me about moving through fear, the gift of not fitting in, and finding the courage to follow her creative path, no matter how winding.

There’s something about Cleo Wade. A best-selling author, celebrated poet, community builder, speaker, mother, and friend, I always leave conversations with Cleo feeling just a little bit better about the world. Tune into this episode of More Than One Thing to hear Cleo talk about fear, finding yourself, and the spectacular power of words. Whatever Cleo does–– from her public art installations, to her handwritten affirmations, to her tireless work as an activist ––– she has many ways of fulfilling her singular mission: to care. In this episode, she offers advice on turning your passion into your profession, acknowledging your multi-facets, and finding the courage to name what you want