When burnout hit after a high-powered career in Washington, D.C., Linda Daniel didn’t fade out—she lit up. Trading politics for pattern and pressure for passion, she launched L. Daniel Lampshades, a vibrant business built on creativity, humor, and heart. From teaching on a Navajo reservation to designing for celebrity salons, Linda’s story proves it’s never too late to start over, no matter how unexpected the pivot.

In this episode, we talk creativity, courage, and color—plus how to balance ambition with joy. You’ll laugh, you’ll get inspired, and you might just look at your lampshade (and your life) a little differently. Tune in for a conversation that’s equal parts witty, wise, and wildly relatable.

See her lampshades and contact her at: www.elledaniel.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chocolate that replaces your moisturizer? We’re listening.

In this episode of Open Wide, we talk with Nancy Byrne, the inventive founder of Gabriela Chocolates and Cacao Bella, who combined her love of chemistry, pastry, and beauty to create a collagen-infused chocolate that helps smooth skin, reduce fine lines, and even protect from UV damage. From the suburbs of Chicago to her chocolate lab in North Venice, Florida, Nancy’s story is a masterclass in curiosity, reinvention, and sweet science.

This is chocolate for women who want beauty with brains.

Nancy reveals how her formula uses bioactive collagen peptides, astaxanthin, and cocoa extract to help rebuild skin elasticity — and how a midlife pivot turned into a thriving beauty brand. It’s science meets self-care meets dessert, with a generous dash of laughter and “you’ve got to be kidding me” moments. If you’ve ever wished skincare could taste this good, this episode is your permission slip to indulge.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.