The Step

In this episode of The Step presented by POPSUGAR and SOREL, our host, Katie Stevens, chats with actress Bailee Madison about what it's like to successfully transition from child actor to adult actor. The two friends discuss the importance of a healthy support system, the role of acting as a safe place for self-expression, and the soft rules of navigating social media.

In this episode of The Step presented by POPSUGAR and SOREL, our host, Katie Stevens, chats with two of her costars from The Bold Type, actresses Aisha Dee and Meghann Fahy. Meghann discusses her experiences as a stage actress, Aisha talks about her first music EP, and the three reminisce about working together and talk about the importance of sisterly bonds on set and what's next on the horizon.

In this episode of The Step presented by POPSUGAR and SOREL, our host, Katie Stevens, speaks with Laci Mosley, star of Paramount+'s iCarly reboot and podcaster of the wildly popular Scam Goddess. Together, the two actresses share the importance of staying humble and true to their roots. They also discuss ways to ensure that everyone in the entertainment industry has the opportunity to grow and express themselves, especially talented individuals who hail from marginalized communities.

In this episode of The Step presented by POPSUGAR and SOREL, our host, Katie Stevens, sits down with actress and entrepreneur Jaylen Barron. The two dish about the industry, their personal acting icons and wish-list roles, and the experience of launching a brand just as the world begins to shut down amid a global pandemic.

In this episode of The Step presented by POPSUGAR and SOREL, our host, Katie Stevens, sits down with actress, model, and activist Leyna Bloom. The two discuss Leyna's history-making career and how she's using her voice and elevated position to empower and uplift others in the community and pave the way for a more inclusive industry. Despite the struggles Leyna has faced, she still has the tenacity and drive to break boundaries and conquer new goals.

DESCRIPTION: In this episode of “The Step” presented by POPSUGAR and SOREL Footwear, our host, Ego Nwodim, chats with Storm Reid, an 18-year-old actress who has appeared in A Wrinkle In Time, 12 Years A Slave, and the latest Suicide Squad. Together, they talk through how she wants to play a real superhero one day, how the last year taught her the importance of rest, and how she embraces being an “artivist” — rather than an activist… all while getting ready to go to college in the fall.

 In this episode of “The Step” presented by POPSUGAR and SOREL Footwear, our host, Ego Nwodim, chats with Alyson Stoner, an artist, actress, and dancer who now is a wellness and mental health advocate. Alyson worked on more than 200 films and T.V. shows as a child, and the experience left her traumatized. That's why she recently launched “Movement Genius,” a wellness company that advocates for mental health and personal joy, especially through movement.

In this episode of “The Step” presented by POPSUGAR and SOREL Footwear, our host, Ego Nwodim, speaks with Kylie Jefferson, a decorated dancer, choreographer, and star of ‘Tiny Pretty Things.' Together they discuss how Kylie juggles multiple roles at once: a dancer, choreographer, assistant, and (most recently) actress. Along the way, they cover Kylie's personal journey and passions, including how shoot schedules take pseudo-superhuman strength to how Black artists and dancers are underrepresented in classical art forms.

In this episode of “The Step” presented by POPSUGAR and SOREL Footwear, our host, Ego Nwodim, sits down with Mabel and Shaira Frías, the sisters behind Luna Magic — an exploding new beauty brand. The three discuss how the sisters' values, upbringing, and Afro-Latina heritage are at the center of their company, as well as what it took to get their business off the ground and how they're determined to boldly take up space in the industry. 

In this episode of “The Step” presented by POPSUGAR and SOREL Footwear, our host, Ego Nwodim, sits down with Emmy Award-winning TV host, actress and writer Zuri Hall. Together, they chat through what drives Zuri's personal hustle, the importance of finding joy in your work, and how she refuses to believe in backup plans. What does Zuri believe in? Embracing the pivot and making space for yourself, even while chasing your dreams.

In each episode of “The Step” presented by POPSUGAR and SOREL Footwear, comedian Ego Nwodim sits down with an unstoppable woman to discuss what drives their personal hustle. From creating a more inclusive beauty industry, to redefining ‘success,' or using their platforms to create change, these women will stop at nothing to achieve their dreams.

In this episode of “The Step” by POPSUGAR, presented by SOREL footwear, bestselling author Luvvie Ajayi Jones talks with actress Ego Nwodim about how improv changed her life, how she never quit in the face of so many “nos,” and how she wants to amplify POC voices with her platform. Ego is also working to bring improv to kids, thanks to the important lessons it taught her.  

In this episode of “The Step” by POPSUGAR, presented by SOREL footwear, bestselling author Luvvie Ajayi Jones talks with musician JoJo about never quitting, bringing about change through music, and slowing down to recharge. JoJo has started her own label, Clover Music, in the hopes of signing and developing new talent in the future.

"The Step" by POPSUGAR is taking the week off in honor of the election. Make sure you get out and vote!

In this episode of “The Step” by POPSUGAR, presented by SOREL footwear, bestselling author Luvvie Ajayi Jones talks with actress and musician Laura Marano, who is working with Equality Now to end human trafficking. Laura's work with Equality Now began when she and her sister, Vanessa, were filming Saving Zoe, and the experience opened their eyes to an issue many are too afraid to speak out about.

In this episode of “The Step” by POPSUGAR, presented by SOREL footwear, bestselling author Luvvie Ajayi Jones talks with Lyndsey Scott, a supermodel and actress who doubles as a software engineer. As Luvvie points out, none of these industries are easy for a Black woman to navigate -- which Lyndsey knows first hand. Her experiences within them, though, have given her the courage to start speaking out about injustices she witnesses. 

In this episode of “The Step” by POPSUGAR, presented by SOREL footwear, bestselling author Luvvie Ajayi Jones talks with Alicia Garza, who is one of the founding members of the Black Lives Matter movement, alongside Opal Tometi and Patrisse Cullors. It's been seven years since Alicia first wrote the Facebook post that would inspire a hashtag, then a movement, and here, she discusses how movements take serious time, and how having thick skin, but a soft heart makes it easier. From how she sees herself as an organizer, rather than activist, to the lessons she's still learning, to her love of tequila and workouts that drive emotion, Alicia and Luvvie cover it all.

In this episode of “The Step” by POPSUGAR, presented by SOREL footwear, our host, Luvvie Ajayi Jones, sits down with model and activist Jillian Mercado, who happens to use a wheelchair. Together, they explore how her parents fostered her love of fashion and determination in the face of adversity, how our “otherness” can be one of our greatest strengths, and how she founded Black Disabled Creatives to help Black disasbled artists find jobs in 2020.

“The Step” by POPSUGAR, presented by SOREL Footwear, is a podcast for – and about – unstoppable women. And there's no one more unstoppable than a woman who wants to inspire change. This season, we're telling their powerful stories of women stepping up in their communities.

In this episode of The Step by POPSUGAR, presented by SOREL, celebrity stylist Kate Young sits down with Alli Webb, founder of the wildly popular Drybar enterprise of blowout bars. Alli is one of those true self-made success stories. She started out as a hairstylist and stay-at-home mom giving blowouts to clients in their homes before betting it all on the first Drybar location in the midst of the recession of 2010. Drybar now has over 130 locations, and Alli finds herself balancing her professional success with her own private personal losses.

In this episode of The Step by POPSUGAR, presented by SOREL, celebrity stylist Kate Young sits down with Katrina Scott and Karena Dawn, who created the fitness app and community that is Tone It Up. They are personal trainers, best friends, and business partners who met at the gym over a decade ago, a time when they say "fitness was very mean.” With Tone It Up, they wanted to change the way women supported women when it comes to body image and fitness. Katrina and Karena open up about the personal pivots that led them down this path and their survival techniques for managing friendship and business, plus the number one move that yields the best body-sculpting results.

In this episode of The Step by POPSUGAR, presented by SOREL, celebrity stylist Kate Young sits down with actress Nina Dobrev. You might know Nina as the TV character Katherine Pierce on The Vampire Diaries or as Mia Jones on Degrassi: The Next Generation. This Bulgaria-born, Canada-raised actress rose to fame very young and has essentially grown up in Hollywood. Nina reveals her struggles with self-image, her pivot toward self-acceptance, and how she is finding a new voice as a producer on female-centric projects.

In this episode of The Step by POPSUGAR, presented by SOREL, celebrity stylist Kate Young sits down with model and disability-rights advocate Mama Cax. Growing up in Haiti, Mama Cax survived lung and bone cancer at the age of only 14 but was forced to amputate her right leg. After years of hiding her prosthetic, Mama Cax made the decision to go public with her disability, appearing on the cover of Teen Vogue and walking the runway at New York Fashion Week. Today, she's using Instagram to change the way we see beauty and celebrate disability.

In this episode of The Step by POPSUGAR, presented by SOREL, celebrity stylist Kate Young sits down with former E! News host Catt Sadler. After learning that her male counterpart was making double her salary, Catt made the bold move to leave her dream job and go create a path on her own terms. Catt walks us through how she ultimately made this tough decision, the outpouring of support she has received from women everywhere, and how she is navigating the major unknowns that are her new reality.

In this episode of The Step by POPSUGAR, presented by SOREL, we go live from WeWork in New York City with the quickly rising sportscasting star Rosalyn Gold-Onwude. Our host, celebrity stylist Kate Young, sits down with this former high-school basketball player, now on-camera basketball analyst, who just landed an international deal with Turner Sports and ESPN. The trajectory of her career is much more complex than you may think. Listen to Ros open up about having determination in the face of adversity, her personal setbacks, and how they helped shape the woman and sportscaster she has become today, plus her ultimate fangirl moment meeting Beyoncé!

In each episode of The Step by POPSUGAR, presented by SOREL, celebrity stylist Kate Young sits down with one inspiring woman to uncover the step that created a ripple effect and led to her success. This step is that moment — whether it was a setback, a serendipitous encounter, a seemingly small win, or a piece of advice from someone unexpected — that changed each woman's course.