Aspire with Emma Grede

Issa Rae is entering a new chapter — not from the bottom, but from experience.

After disrupting modern television with shows like HBO’s Insecure, building business across multiple industries, and creating some of the most culturally resonant work of the last decade, Issa sits down with Emma for a reflective conversation about power, execution, and what it really means to build something that lasts.

Issa isn’t into chasing momentum. She’s moving discernment— navigating the industry on her own terms and only committing to work she genuinely believes in. 

In this episode, Issa opens up about:


Why ideas are meaningless without execution


The difference between visibility and real power


What it means to “prove yourself again” — even at the top


How she decides what not to do in this phase of her career


Why money equals creative freedom, not validation


The discipline of saying no, protecting her voice, and building on her own terms


Her desire to continue to make people’s favorite content. 

Issa also reflects on leadership, ownership, and the responsibility that comes with influence — especially in an industry that feels like it’s regressing. 

This conversation is for anyone navigating a new chapter, resisting comfort, or learning that longevity requires a different kind of courage.

What resonated most with you from Issa’s journey — her discipline, her clarity, or her refusal to rush? 

Share your thoughts in the comments and subscribe for more honest conversations on Aspire.

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Angelica Nwandu shouldn’t be here...not according to the statistics. After surviving the unimaginable loss of her mother at age six and growing up in foster care, she rebuilt her world from scratch. Today, she stands as the powerhouse founder behind The Shade Room, one of the most influential media platforms in culture.

In this rare intimate conversation, Angelica opens up to Emma about:



-Surviving childhood trauma and how adaptability became her superpower

-Growing up across wildly different homes—from Inglewood to Bel Air—and how that shaped her ambition

-The accidental birth of The Shade Room—and how she built a media empire out of nothing

-What it really takes to scale, evolve, and lead a company with cultural influence

-Why ownership matters, and the crucial shift she’s making from frugality to growth

-The emotional toll of running a platform at the center of culture—and why she’s ready for her next chapter

Angelica also addresses the controversy and scrutiny The Shade Room has faced over the years — including critics who say the platform can sometimes tear down the same community it seeks to uplift. She speaks candidly about how she balances impact, responsibility, and evolution as the brand grows. Angelica’s story is proof that you can start over, build again, and create something bigger than yourself—even when no one sees your potential yet.

If you’re a woman navigating career pivots, big dreams, second chances, or the pressure to “figure it out,” this conversation will stay with you. What part of Angelica’s journey inspired you the most — her resilience, her reinvention, or her vision for the future of media? Drop a comment below.

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In this powerful conversation, Emma sits down with Simon Sinek to redefine what leadership actually looks like in today’s world.

Known for shaping how millions think about purpose and influence, Simon goes deeper than theory, challenging the outdated idea that leadership is about authority, titles, or control. Instead, he breaks down why real leadership is rooted in responsibility: the responsibility to help people feel safe, supported, and able to do their best work.

Together, Emma and Simon explore why so many people feel disconnected from their jobs, why traditional leadership models are failing, and what it really means to lead in service of others. Simon reflects on his own journey to finding purpose, the discomfort that came with it, and why clarity—not charisma—is the foundation of trust, loyalty, and lasting success.

This episode is a grounded, honest look at leadership without ego, purpose without performance, and the new rules required to build cultures—and lives—that actually work.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:


Why leadership isn’t about being in charge, it’s about taking responsibility for people


How helping people is the true job of a leader


Why so many leaders get it wrong, even with good intentions


What it really means to “find your why” and keep it in balance


The difference between authority and trust


Why great leaders are made, not born


How to lead without burning out yourself or your team


The simple mindset shift that creates loyalty, safety, and long-term success


Why service not power is the foundation of meaningful leadership


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Why do ambitious moms feel like they’re failing even when everything looks successful from the outside?

In this enlightening episode of Aspire, Emma sits down with parenting expert and #1 New York Times Bestselling Author, Dr. Becky Kennedy for a conversation about motherhood, ambition, guilt, and what kids actually need from us.

Dr. Becky breaks down why working moms feel stretched so thin, how culture has conditioned women to absorb everyone else’s emotions, and why so many parents secretly believe they’re “not enough.” She explains why emotion regulation is the most important skill we can model for our children, why discomfort is essential for kids’ growth, and how “mom guilt” has been completely misunderstood.

Together, Emma and Dr. Becky dive into:


Why ambitious moms feel like they’re winning at work but failing at home


The real definition of guilt — and why most “mom guilt” isn’t guilt at all


How convenience culture has robbed kids of frustration tolerance


Why kids don’t need selfless martyrs — they need sturdy leaders


The danger of absorbing everyone else’s emotions


How to stop judging your parenting by your child’s behavior


What to do when you’re overwhelmed, burnt out, or in the spiral


How parents can learn, grow, and lead with confidence

This is the episode every working parent needs to watch. You are not failing,  and Dr. Becky explains exactly why.  

Did this conversation hit home for you? Drop a comment below.  We’d love to hear your thoughts and your own experiences with ambition and mom guilt.  Don't forget to subscribe to the channel so you never miss an episode of Aspire with Emma Grede.

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What if the smallest decisions you make today determine who you become in 2026?

In this powerful New Year conversation, James Clear — author of Atomic Habits, the global phenomenon with over 25 million copies sold — sits down with Emma to break down the real psychology of habits, identity, and long-term success. Whether you're trying to reset your routines, build discipline, or reinvent your life this year, this episode gives you the blueprint.

James reveals:-Why “every action is a vote for the person you wish to become”-The invisible mistakes that sabotage your habits-How to escape bad habit loops without relying on motivation-Why the next hour matters just as much as the next decade -How to build habits that are obvious, attractive, easy, and satisfying-The science behind consistency (and why starting is the real superpower)-Why “if you’re struggling to improve, the problem isn’t you — it’s your system”-What leaders, founders, and top performers do daily to stay ahead-Why identity is both your greatest advantage… and your biggest obstacle-How to make habit change FUN 

Emma also opens up about her own struggles with habits, discipline, and energy — and James responds with practical tools, mindset shifts, and game-changing frameworks you can start using today.

This is more than a conversation — it’s your 2026 reset, your system reboot, and your reminder that you’re far more capable than you think.

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