Podcast · Business

Pretty Tough with Maria Sharapova

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 1 hr 3 min
Latest: 7 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

7 Oct 2026 · 1 hr 6 min

Alex Eala Was Raised to Be a Champion

In this episode of Pretty Tough, host Maria Sharapova sits down with tennis sensation Alex Eala. At just 21 years old, Alex has carved her name in history as the first Filipino to ever win a WTA tour title, rocketing into the world top 20 after unforgettable runs at Wimbledon and DC. Alex opens up about what it’s really like to be in the middle of a massive breakout moment under the global microscope. She discusses the brutal physical and mental demands of the sport, learning how to suffer on court, and dealing with the immense weight and pride of carrying a nation's expectations. From…

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Earlier episodes 21 most recent

30 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 10 min

Milk Bar Founder Christina Tosi on Building, Burnout and Resetting

Maria Sharapova sits down with Milk Bar founder, chef, and entrepreneur Christina Tosi. From getting her start writing food safety plans for David Chang to breaking the internet with Compost Cookies and cereal milk soft serve, Christina shares the raw, unfiltered reality of building a massive dessert empire. They dive deep into the power of her "cannonball" mindset, embracing failure out loud, navigating extreme burnout, the pressures of being a CEO and why she ultimately decided to step back and move to Nashville to reset. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a creator, or just trying to figure…
23 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 5 min

Supermodel Carolyn Murphy: 73 Vogue Covers, Walking Away from Fame, and Finding Yourself at 53

Supermodel icon Carolyn Murphy sits down with Maria Sharapova to reflect on three decades in fashion, shooting 73 Vogue covers (and counting), and the pivotal moment she walked away from fame to live quietly in Costa Rica with her daughter. Carolyn opens up about the power of intuition, breaking up with perfectionism, navigating single motherhood, and why dedication always beats discipline. SUBSCRIBE►Subscribe to Pretty Tough: https://www.youtube.com/@mariasharapova?sub_confirmation=1 LISTEN:►Listen to every episode on your favorite podcast platform⁠: https://pod.link/1893437254 00:00 –…
16 Sep 2026 · 54 min

Emmy Rossum on making Furious and Surviving an FBI Boot Camp

Acclaimed actress, director, and producer Emmy Rossum joins Maria Sharapova for a candid conversation on building a 30-year career on her own terms. From getting her start in the Metropolitan Opera Children's Chorus to holding her own alongside legends like Sean Penn at age 16, to spending nine transformative years on the hit show Shameless where she famously advocated for equal pay, Emmy has continually pushed the boundaries of her craft. Now, she is taking on more creative control as an executive producer and star of the hit thriller Furious on Hulu. SUBSCRIBE►Subscribe to Pretty Tough:…
9 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 5 min

Jenna Lyons on Leaving J.Crew and The Real Housewives to Reinvent Herself

It’s New York Fashion Week, and who better to speak with than fashion icon and entrepreneur Jenna Lyons? Maria and Jenna discuss everything from her meteoric rise at J. Crew, from assistant designer to president and executive creative director to her advice on developing personal style, why she decided to walk away from the Housewives, to complete career reinvention. 0:00 – Intro: Stepping Into Your Power with Jenna Lyons 2:15 – The Early Grind: Starting Out as an Assistant at 21 7:30 – Learning the Business Side: Moving from Design to Executive Decision-Making 13:10 – The J.Crew Golden Era:…
2 Sep 2026 · 59 min

Hannah Berner: Leaving Reality TV, Starting Giggly Squad & Finding Her Confidence

Comedian and Giggly Squad host Hannah Berner joins Maria Sharapova for a special live episode of Pretty Tough in New York City! Hannah opens up about her lifelong obsession with tennis, playing on the junior circuit, and why her ultimate childhood dream was to win Wimbledon before pivoting to stand-up comedy. Hannah and Maria dive into the pressure of competitive sports, meeting her heroes, surviving reality TV on Summer House, and treating comedy touring like an elite athlete. Plus, Hannah shares the truth behind "Smile Gate," unlearning self-criticism, and where she gets her confidence…
26 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 3 min

Lindsey Vonn Was #1 in the World When She Crashed. Will She Ever Race Again?

Maria Sharapova sits down with Olympic skiing legend Lindsey Vonn for a raw, deeply honest conversation about ambition, aging, pain, and the relentless drive to push boundaries. At 41, after years of injuries and a major knee replacement, Lindsey returned to competitive racing with one goal: another shot at Olympic gold. But just days before the Olympic Games began, a devastating crash and a ruptured ACL changed everything—forcing her to make the hard choice to race anyway, only to crash again on the Olympic downhill. Maria and Lindsey dive deep into the harrowing physical and mental…
19 Aug 2026 · 51 min

Redefining Luxury: How Marie-Louise Sciò is Building A Resort Empire

Maria Sharapova sits down with Marie-Louise Sciò, CEO and creative director of the iconic Italian luxury hospitality company, the Pellicano Group. Marie-Louise shares her remarkable journey from watching her mom’s hotel parties from behind the rosemary bushes to securing a $200 million investment and expanding across Italy. Together, Maria and Marie-Louise laugh, drink Negronis, and ponder the true meaning of luxury. Tune in as they sip, share stories, and unpack what it really takes to build an unforgettable brand and customer experience. SUBSCRIBE►Subscribe to Pretty Tough:…
12 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 9 min

Why Malala is Betting Big on Women's Sports

Maria Sharapova sits down with Nobel Peace Prize laureate, author, and activist Malala Yousafzai to discuss breaking out of public expectations, prioritizing mental health, and why she wants more women in ownership roles in women's sports.Hear how Malala and her husband Asser are investing in women's sports through Recess Capital. They dive into how ‘the Caitlin Clark effect’ is changing the narrative, and why women's sports are the next profitable powerhouses. Come see Maria live in New York. Tickets Here https://prettytoughlive.splashthat.com/SUBSCRIBE►Subscribe to Pretty Tough:…
15 Jul 2026 · 44 min

Delphine Bellini on Reviving A Sleeping Beauty Into Fashion's Hottest Brand

How do you bring a legendary brand back from the dead? When Delphine Bellini joined Schiaparelli in 2014, the fashion house had been dormant for over 60 years. There were no customers, no modern business, and no blueprint for success—just the legacy of one of fashion's most visionary founders. A decade later, Schiaparelli has become one of the most influential and talked-about brands in luxury fashion. In this conversation, Delphine shares with Maria what it actually took to pull off that transformation: convincing people to believe in a vision before the results existed, partnering with…
8 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 9 min

How Susie Wolff Took F1 Academy from Empty Tracks to Global Partnerships

As the Managing Director of F1 Academy, Susie Wolff is helping reshape the future of motorsport. Susie joins Maria to discuss navigating the high-stakes negotiations, the pressure of maximizing growth while F1 Racing is having its moment, and what its like holding her ground in rooms where she's often the only woman at the table. Susie opens up about racing through injury, the power of saying no, and getting tough love from her husband, racing legend Toto Wolff. All that and more on this episode of Pretty Tough. Pretty Tough is produced in partnership with VOX MEDIA. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Listen to every…
24 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 23 min

Misty Copeland Never Wanted to Stand Out. Then She Changed Ballet Forever

Legendary ballerina Misty Copeland pulls back the curtain on the most pivotal moments of her career. From performing on the Oscars stage alongside the cast of Sinners—and addressing Timothée Chalamet’s infamous comments—to the unique experience of collaborating with icons like Prince and Taylor Swift, Misty shares it all. Misty and Maria also dive into the reality of performing through injury: the physical toll, the mental resilience required to keep going, and what these challenges taught her about her body and its limits. Misty Copeland is the true embodiment of Pretty Tough. All that and…
17 Jun 2026 · 50 min

Christine Dorfler: From Army Captain to the NFL’s CFO

What does it take to manage the finances of the world’s most powerful sports league? In this episode, Maria sits down with Christine Dorfler, the CFO of the NFL, for an unfiltered look at the business behind the game. From her journey as an Army Captain to navigating the complex financial landscape of the NFL, Christine shares the leadership lessons and high-stakes decision-making that keep the league growing. We dive into the "Billion-Dollar" choices that impact everything from international expansion to the game-day experience. And of course ‘The Taylor Swift Effect.’ All that and more on…
10 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 15 min

Amy Astley on Working Alongside Anna Wintour and Building Brands

This week on the show, editor-in-chief of Architectural Digest Amy Astley reflects on her path from aspiring ballerina to journalist to leading some of the most influential publications in fashion and design, including Architectural Digest and Teen Vogue. She opens up working alongside Anna Wintour, navigating high-pressure creative environments, learning to trust her instincts, and her thoughts on what it truly means to be a “taste maker.” Together, Maria and Amy talk about perfectionism, ambition, mentorship, self-doubt, and the pressure women often feel to prove themselves in leadership…
3 Jun 2026 · 52 min

Ashley Graham: How AI, Plastic Surgery, and GLP-1s Are Changing Beauty Standards

This week on the show, model and entrepreneur Ashley Graham joins Maria for a conversation about confidence, body image, ambition, and self-worth. Ashley opens up about navigating criticism in the fashion industry and impossible standards placed on women — especially in industries built around image. Together, Maria and Ashley talk about perfectionism, motherhood, changing bodies, identity, resilience, and how to spot a good business opportunity. It all adds up to an inspiring conversation around how to live unapologetically. All that and more on this episode of Pretty Tough. Pretty Tough is…
27 May 2026 · 1 hr 23 min

Dr. Becky: Raising Resilient Kids in an Overwhelming World

Clinical psychologist Becky Kennedy — better known as Dr. Becky — joins Maria for a conversation about parenting, resilience, confidence, and emotional growth. Dr. Becky shares why she believes struggle is an essential part of development, how parents can stay grounded during emotional moments, and why perfectionism often starts much earlier than we think. Together, she and Maria talk about self-worth, boundaries, anxiety, shame, and the pressure parents feel to “get everything right.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
20 May 2026 · 41 min

Chelsea Handler: Unfiltered, Independent, and Always Evolving

Comedian and best-selling author Chelsea Handler has built a career on saying exactly what she thinks, regardless of the consequences. From stand-up comedy and bestselling books to hit television shows, she’s never played by anyone else’s rules. Maria and Chelsea first connected at the 2012 Olympics and have been friends ever since. Maria explores what drives Chelsea’s independence across every chapter of her life and how she continues to evolve through therapy, travel, and psychedelics. They discuss reinvention, freedom, and what it really means to live life on your own terms. Maria also…
13 May 2026 · 46 min

Willow Bay: Reimagining the Future of Women’s Sports

Willow Bay has spent her career telling powerful stories. Now, she’s helping reshape who gets to be at the center of them. As a longtime journalist and now the dean of USC Annenberg, Willow has worked across nearly every major television network, building a career at the intersection of media, leadership, and storytelling. Alongside her husband, Disney CEO Bob Iger, she’s also the co-owner of Angel City FC, one of the most valuable teams in women’s sports. Willow also shares her perspective on why giving athletes the tools to tell their own stories may be the most powerful shift happening in…
6 May 2026 · 52 min

Gabriela Hearst: Redefining Luxury Without the Hype

Gabriela Hearst is one of the most purpose-driven designers in fashion. She’s built her career slowly, intentionally, and entirely on her own terms. You may know her for dressing icons like Laura Dern, Jodie Foster, and Zoë Kravitz, or for redefining luxury through sustainability, from the first carbon-neutral runway show to creating a line made from 100% recycled cotton. But her story begins on a cattle ranch in Uruguay, where quality, durability, and respect for the land shaped everything she does today. In this conversation, Maria and Gabriela discuss the reality of the creative journey,…
29 Apr 2026 · 1 hr

Jeanie Buss: Inside the $10 billion Lakers sale

Jeanie Buss is the most powerful woman in the NBA. As Governor and longtime controlling owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, she has protected one of the most valuable brands in sports through tragedy and transition. Now, she explains why, after all these years, her family decided to sell 85% of the team for $10 billion. On this episode of Pretty Tough, Jeanie sits down with Maria for one of her most candid conversations yet. She takes Maria behind the scenes of the secret Luka Dončić trade — kept hidden from LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Mark Cuban, and even Luka himself. Jeanie also opens up…
22 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 3 min

Zoe Saldaña: How I Became the Highest-Grossing Actor of All Time

Welcome to the very first episode of Pretty Tough with Maria Sharapova! For her debut interview, Maria sits down with Hollywood’s highest-grossing actor of all time, Academy Award winner Zoe Saldaña. You probably know Zoe from starring in some of the most iconic movie franchises of our lifetimes — Avatar, Star Trek, and Guardians of the Galaxy. But she’s also taken on roles in indie films and different genres. Just last year, she won an Oscar for Emilia Pérez, becoming the first Dominican-American to do so. Maria and Zoe get into how she went from a little girl in Queens doing ballet to…
14 Apr 2026 · 1 min

Introducing Pretty Tough with Maria Sharapova

Why can't unapologetic ambition coexist with elegance and femininity? Maria Sharapova is ready to flip the script. On her new podcast, Pretty Tough with Maria Sharapova, the tennis champion and entrepreneur hosts conversations with high-achieving women like Zoe Saldana, Jeanie Buss, and Chelsea Handler about what it means to pursue excellence on their own terms.Pretty Tough drops Wednesday 4/22. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

About Pretty Tough with Maria Sharapova

Five-time Grand Slam champion, entrepreneur, and bestselling author Maria Sharapova brings her trademark intensity and drive to a weekly podcast that challenges how female ambition is defined and discussed. In each episode of Pretty Tough, Sharapova sits down with high-achieving women across industries for candid, wide-ranging conversations about their pursuit of excellence without apology. Inspired by Sharapova’s own journey as a world-class athlete and entrepreneur, the show serves as a space where discussions about peak performance, career strategy, wellness, and leadership aren't diluted by gender-specific expectations and where being gritty and being female aren't seen as contradictory states of being. New episodes drop Wednesdays. Part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.

Pretty Tough with Maria Sharapova is a English business podcast from Vox Media. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Vox Media
Language: English
Category: Business
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 1 hr 3 min
Latest episode: 7 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1893437254

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