Driven Minds: A Type 7 Podcast presented by Gillian Sagansky: Recent Episodes
RecTag Productions
In the Driven Minds podcast, Gillian Sagansky talks to cultural icons to learn how they navigate through this crazy, beautiful mess called life and find mental strength.
Through humorous and unfiltered conversations, we discover how struggle and success are not mutually exclusive, and we are never as alone as we might feel we are. Guests share their strategies and hacks, what held them back, how they moved forward and what they learned along the way.
Produced by RecTag Productions and brought to you by Porsche Type7.
Our Season 2 finale guest is supermodel and former Victoria’s Secret Angel Monika “Jac” Jagaciak. Since starting out at thirteen, Jac has seen the fashion industry transform from the pre-MeToo dark ages to a more conscious one. We talk about health issues, our most embarrassing moments, how she manages anxiety and why she’s happy to be a follower.
Produced and edited by Michael Lane Research by James Harper Mixed and mastered by Sam McKenna Jingle by Rhys Tivey
Follow Gigi on Instagram and Twitter: @gilliansagansky Follow Jac on Instagram @jacmonika A Type7 podcast https://type7.com/. A RecTag production.
Our guest this week is Sophia Roe, the highly-regarded cook, writer and Emmy-nominated TV host, known for her distinct lens on honesty, diversity and inclusivity. Her passion for food has always been connected to a visceral understanding of what it means to be hungry and lack access to nutrition. Sophia and Gigi dig into her story, touching on trauma, health scares, why she’s a “cook, not a chef”, and what fun means in your thirties.
Produced and edited by Michael Lane Mixed and mastered by Sam McKenna Research by James Harper Jingle by Rhys Tivey
Follow Gigi on Instagram and Twitter: @gilliansagansky Follow Sophia Roe on Instagram: @sophia_roe A Type7 podcast https://type7.com/. A RecTag production.
Golden Landis Von Jones - AKA 24kGoldn - is a hip-hop and R&B artist who has racked up over a billion plays on Spotify all before celebrating his 21st birthday. His remarkable success comes down to what he describes as ‘delusional confidence’ and cracking the SoundCloud game back in high school. But, in achieving wild success, Golden has had to confront an entirely new landscape, which includes uncomfortable feelings of imposter syndrome and anxiety, and what's next in the pipeline.
Produced and edited by James Harper Mixed and mastered by Sam McKenna Jingle by Rhys Tivey
Follow Gigi on Instagram and Twitter: @gilliansagansky Follow 24KGoldn on Instagram and Twitter: @24kgoldn A Type7 podcast https://type7.com/. A RecTag production.
Today we’re expanding our minds with Rick Doblin, a man who has been on a 40-year journey to bring therapeutic psychedelics into modern medicine.
We are living in what has been termed the 'psychedelic renaissance', an extraordinary moment where medical research is dropping long-held prejudices around psychedelics that stemmed from the war on drugs in the 1960s.
Rick has been at the epicentre of this shift, and shares anecdotes ranging from hilarious college experiences to enlightening reflections on the nature of democracy.
DISCLAIMER: Neither Type7 nor any company associated with Type7 or RecTag is advising, promoting or endorsing the use of drugs or other psychedelic substances whether for recreational or therapeutic reasons. The use of psychedelic substances for therapeutic reasons is not approved by the FDA or the German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices. Before taking any such substances please consult a doctor. This episode was recorded for entertainment purposes only and not to serve as medical advice or anything as such.
Produced and edited by James Harper Mixed and mastered by Sam McKenna Jingle by Rhys Tivey
Follow Gigi on Instagram and Twitter: @gilliansagansky Follow Rick on Instagram: @rickdoblinmaps and Twitter: @RickDoblin
This week we talk to the iconic techno musician Richie Hawtin, who never plans his live performances. He crafted his dark, rhythmic tracks in the early days of Detroit’s techno scene and today collaborates with artists and designers, such as Anish Kapoor and Raf Simmons. His journey to mastering his craft required him to confront his shy, introverted nature, find routines to stave off nerves that could derail his performances, and nurture his energy flow.
Produced and edited by James Harper Mixed and mastered by Sam McKenna Jingle by Rhys Tivey
Follow Gigi on Instagram and Twitter: @gilliansagansky Follow Richie on Instagram and Twitter: @richiehawtin A Type7 podcast https://type7.com/. A RecTag production.
Elladj Balde is a Guinean Russian professional figure skater who has traded in a conventional career for wild ice skating routines - i.e. back flips and dance moves you normally see on land. He has amassed over a million followers across Tik Tok and Instagram for his infectious videos which turn ice skating on its head. But in finding his path, Elladj has battled racism, undiagnosed ADHD, show stopping injuries, and an inner journey in which he learned to accept himself on his own terms.
Produced and edited by James Harper Mixed and mastered by Sam McKenna Jingle by Rhys Tivey
Follow Gigi on Instagram and Twitter: @gilliansagansky Follow Elladj on Instagram and TikTok: @elladjbalde
This week, we are joined by Canadian singer/songwriter Charlotte Cardin, who gives us the lowdown about the toxic effects of modelling, why you should never be scared of your darkest thoughts, what she does when she draws a blank on stage, her tricks to overcoming performance anxiety, and the hit song she wrote about her ex that she hopes he'll never find out about!
Produced and edited by Michael Lane Mixed and mastered by Sam McKenna Jingle by Rhys Tivey
Follow Gigi on Instagram and Twitter: @gilliansagansky Follow Charlotte on Instagram and Twitter: @charlottecardin A Type7 podcast https://type7.com/. A RecTag production.
Produced and edited by Michael Lane Mixed and mastered by Sam McKenna Jingle by Rhys Tivey
Follow Gigi on Instagram and Twitter: @gilliansagansky Follow Julien on Instagram: @bleumode A Type7 podcast https://type7.com/. A RecTag production.
Entrepreneur and lifestyle influencer Chriselle Lim joins us to talk about the societal pressures surrounding a woman’s decision to have kids, why it’s cool to be unpopular in highschool, why parents should put themselves first, why being ‘supermom’ leads to burnout, and her experience with Asian American racism and xenophobia.
Produced and edited by Michael Lane Mixed and mastered by Sam McKenna Jingle by Rhys Tivey
Follow Gigi on Instagram and Twitter: @gilliansagansky Follow Chriselle on Instagram and Twitter: @chrisellelim A Type7 podcast https://type7.com/. A RecTag production.
Olympic medal winner, and two-time World Champion fencer Miles Chamley-Watson joins Gigi to talk about why fencing is his Ritalin, the life-changing advice Kobe Bryant gave him at the Olympics, why fencing should be mainstream, turning down a major bribe, and how he drank a beer right before he won the World Championship.
A Type7 podcast https://type7.com/. A RecTag production.
Produced and edited by Michael Lane Mixed and mastered by Sam McKenna Jingle by Rhys Tivey
Follow Gigi on Instagram and Twitter: @gilliansagansky Follow Miles on Instagram and Twitter: @fencer
Actor, activist, and writer Fran Drescher gives us the lowdown of how she became the world’s most beloved “Nanny,” what she learned as a cancer and sexual assault survivor, why scary movies are completely off the table, and the audition that changed the course of her life.
Produced and edited by Michael Lane Mixed and mastered by Samuel McKenna Jingle by Rhys Tivey
Follow Gigi on Instagram and Twitter: @gilliansagansky Follow Fran on Instagram @officialfrandrescher and Twitter @frandrescher
Welcome back! In the first episode of our second season, legendary director and the “nicest guy in Hollywood” Ron Howard joins Gigi to talk about his start as a child actor, how he made the shift to directing despite all the pushback, as well as some great advice on how he deals with criticism, anxiety and decision-making under pressure.
A Type7 podcast https://type7.com/. Music by http://rhystivey.com. A RecTag production. Produced and edited by Michael Lane. Mixed and mastered by We Are Producers Jingle by Rhys Tivey
Follow Gigi on Instagram and Twitter: @gilliansagansky Follow Ted on Instagram and Twitter: @realronhoward
In the final episode of the first season of Driven Minds, Gigi is joined by Ted Gushue, the Editor in Chief of Type 7. Together, they talk through their favorite moments of the past twelve episodes and use them as a bouncing-off point to open up about struggles with alcohol, body image, anxiety, imposter syndrome, and – as always – heartbreak.
Visual artist and storyteller Sarah Bahbah joins Gigi to talk about the importance of advocating for yourself in relationships, how she healed from struggles with food and body image, and why you should never try to be the “chill girl”!
Produced and edited by Michael Lane Mixed and mastered by Sam McKenna Jingle by Rhys Tivey
Follow Justin on Instagram and Twitter: @sarahbahbah Follow Gigi on Instagram and Twitter: @gilliansagansky
Actor, director and writer Justin Baldoni joins Gigi to rethink modern masculinity and normalize the issues men grapple with that they’ve been conditioned to hide. From feelings, to body image, imposter syndrome and porn addiction - they go there! Produced and edited by Michael Lane Mixed and mastered by Sam McKenna Jingle by Rhys Tivey
Follow Justin on Instagram and Twitter: @justinbaldoni Follow Gigi on Instagram and Twitter: @gilliansagansky
Meditator, writer, and speaker Diego Perez (aka Yung Pueblo) joins Gigi to talk about the difficulty of starting meditation, why he left his party days behind him, how to tell the difference between anxiety and intuition, and the backstories behind some of Gigi's favourite Yung Pueblo writing, plus tips for getting started on your own.
Olympic runner, actor and writer Alexi Pappas joins Gigi to talk about the difference between good and bad pain, what it’s like growing up in a house of men, how the infamous Post-Olympic Depression affected her, and how she applies physical training ideas to build mental strength.
Follow Alexi on Twitter and Instagram: @alexipappas Follow Gigi on Twitter and Instagram: @gilliansagansky
A Type7 podcast https://type7.com/. Music by http://rhystivey.com. A RecTag production. Produced and edited by Michael Lane. Mixed and mastered by Sam McKenna.
Legendary supermodel, actress, television personality, and entrepreneur, Tyra Banks, joins Gigi to talk candidly about weight loss and weight gain, how to get through a breakup, why you should never compare yourself to anyone on Instagram, and the advice she wishes she’d taken when she was in her 20s!
SMiZE Cream @smizecream Black Beauty Roster @blackbeautyroster Follow Tyra on Twitter and Instagram: @tyrabanks Follow Gigi on Twitter and Instagram: @gilliansagansky
A Type7 podcast https://type7.com/. Music by http://rhystivey.com. A RecTag production. Produced and edited by Michael Lane. Mixed and mastered by Sam McKenna.
Bestselling author and Huffington Post founder Arianna Huffington joins Gigi for a conversation about how to deal with stress, silencing your inner critic, and why you should never beat yourself up for not sleeping properly!
Visit thrivezp.com to get the Thrive ZP app and check out the Reset feature that Arianna mentions in our conversation. The app is free and it’s full of tools and advice designed to help you transform your life, one small choice at a time.
Follow Arianna on Twitter and Instagram: @ariannahuff Follow Gigi on Twitter and Instagram: @gilliansagansky
A Type7 podcast https://type7.com/. Music by http://rhystivey.com. A RecTag production. Produced and edited by Michael Lane. Mixed and mastered by Sam McKenna.
Gigi talks to the award-winning journalist, documentarian and podcaster Noor Tagouri in an inspiring episode about finding authenticity, why some stories have to be told no matter the cost, and how to choose who (and who not) to listen to.
Produced and edited by Michael Lane Mixed and mastered by Sam McKenna Jingle by Rhys Tivey
Follow Noor on Instagram: @noor Follow Gigi on Twitter and Instagram: @gilliansagansky
Swedish singer-songwriter Lykke Li joins Gigi to discuss how she uses heartbreak as creative fuel, what it’s like to be diagnosed with depression at age 6, and - among other things - why yoga is so goddamn infuriating.
Follow Lykke on Instagram: @lykkeli Follow Gigi on Twitter and Instagram: @gilliansagansky
Brought to you by Type7 https://type7.com/. Music by http://rhystivey.com. A RecTag production. Produced and edited by Michael Lane. Mixed and mastered by Sam McKenna.
Bestselling author, award-winning journalist and TV superstar host Elaine Welteroth joins Gigi to talk about breakups and breakdowns, joy buckets, allyship and how she dealt with interview nerves when she was face-to-face with Barack Obama.
In the episode, Elaine gave a shout out to her therapist Yadi Alba. You can find her on Instagram at @yadi.alba.
Follow Elaine on Twitter and Instagram: @elainewelteroth
Brought to you by Type7 https://type7.com/. Music by http://rhystivey.com. A RecTag production.
Grammy-nominated musical duo Sofi Tukker (best known for “Drinkee” and “Best Friend”) join Gigi to talk about what it’s really like to be on tour, saying RIP to Shame, and how - even in the darkest hour - a door always opens when you show up.
Follow Sofi Tukker on Twitter and Instagram: @Sofitukker
Brought to you by Type7 https://type7.com/. Music by http://rhystivey.com. A RecTag production.
Academy Award-winning film and TV producer Brian Grazer joins Gigi to discuss how he overcame his anxiety and made it work in his favor. He sheds light on his creative process, what it was like to choke on stage while winning an Oscar, how he saved ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ and so much more!Follow Brian on Twitter and Instagram: @briangrazer
A Type7 podcast https://type7.com/. Music by http://rhystivey.com/. Produced by RecTag productions.
Gigi Sagansky is a journalist, mental-health enthusiast and host of the Driven Minds podcast! In this episode, join Gigi on her mental health journey: from an ADHD diagnosis as a child through debilitating OCD and a stint at a psychiatric hospital.
Her main takeaway? The power of having conversations about the daily struggles we all share. Spoiler alert: turns out, none of us is ever as alone as we think we are.
Get in touch with Gigi on Instagram and Twitter: @gilliansagansky
Brought to you by Type7 https://type7.com/. Music by http://rhystivey.com/ A RecTag production.