58 Comments

Of course, yes to the podcast. (And I will pay you to be a guest.) Also: I can so relate to your feelings about interviews vs writing as I was just thinking the same thing after a zoom on which I was the guest speaker. Watching myself afterward on the recording and listening to myself gave me a moment of the kind of deep personal questioning I haven't felt in a long time. (Maybe not a terrible thing, but still...) You, however, are a terrific reporter/writer and so brilliant at speaking about your passion that, in all of my (hundreds of) years in magazine journalism I have never heard another person with a comparable gift. Oh, wait, yes I have. Two of my former bosses: Gloria Steinem and Oprah Winfrey. You're right up there, Jess. Stay out of your own way. xo

Expand full comment
author

Stop it!! Making me tear up on a Tuesday morning. Thank you Val <3

Expand full comment

Wipe your eyes and get back on the stump! xo

Expand full comment
Dec 14, 2021Liked by Jessica DeFino

Please start a podcast! I actually first found your work by hearing you on the Eco Chic podcast :) I’ve been following your work ever since, and I listen to every podcast interview that you do (your nervousness and anxiety never come through, by the way!) Podcasts have been one of my favorite media platforms, and despite how saturated the podcast market may appear to be, I think that you have a truly unique perspective on beauty culture, and I want your work to reach more people. You are honestly one of my favorite writers, and since I deleted my social media accounts about a year ago, the only way I can keep up with your work is through your newsletter and podcasts interviews, so I am actually hungry for more Jessica Defino content! I will happily up my subscription rate, donate to the Kickstarter, or whatever it takes to get this podcast off the ground and to make your work sustainable because the world NEEDS it, Jessica. Thank you for all you do and know that you ARE making an impact every single day.

Expand full comment
author

Ahh that's so cool to hear. Thanks so much for this insight and feedback, you made my day!!

Expand full comment
Dec 14, 2021Liked by Jessica DeFino

I prefer a reading, I just seem to have more time to do that. I have a few podcasts that I love, and I listen to them when commuting, but if anything interrupts my regular commuting schedule I fall way behind. I love being able to read your newsletters, even if it’s just when I’m brushing my teeth or while I wait in line somewhere.

Expand full comment
author

I feel the same! I'd much rather scroll and read than listen to a podcast.

Expand full comment
Dec 14, 2021Liked by Jessica DeFino

I prefer reading to podcasts because it’s quicker to do. And I can better digest the information in written form, whereas any podcast I listen to is mostly forgotten the next day (but I also did an English Lit degree so my preferred method for receiving info will always be words!).

Expand full comment
author

I'm with you! But it's so much easier to blather into a microphone than it is to write hahaha

Expand full comment
Dec 14, 2021Liked by Jessica DeFino

It is definitely less energy-intensive to speak! And I would listen if you did make a podcast. But personally I feel a bit drowned in content/info, so I wonder if a podcast is necessary? And I wonder if you’d have to comprise the stellar quality of your blogs in order to have content for your podcast? (Just musing, not meant as criticism of something you haven’t even made yet, LOL.)

Expand full comment
author

NO I totally understand what you mean! I don't think a podcast is necessary... but I *do* want people who are into podcasts to be able to find content that questions the beauty industry... ugh. The idea I've been toying around with is making podcast episodes out of my older articles — so many of my readers are fairly new, and I have about 5 years of material that could be dusted off :)

Expand full comment
Dec 14, 2021Liked by Jessica DeFino

I understand that you want to reach as many people as possible, and a podcast would be a perfect way to do that. As one of the new readers you speak of (😁), I would like to hear some updates on that old material. (Tbh before I subscribed to your newsletter I would just Google your name + whatever topic I thought you might’ve written about. A podcast might be better!)

Expand full comment
Dec 15, 2021Liked by Jessica DeFino

You’re fantastic on every podcast I hear you on, and I’d love if you started your own!!

Expand full comment
author

Thank you!!

Expand full comment
Dec 14, 2021Liked by Jessica DeFino

I'm not a huge podcast person (I prefer reading, and I've never quite understood when in the day I'm supposed to be listening to a podcast ...) but I would 100% listen to yours!

> The idea I've been toying around with is making podcast episodes out of my older articles

This is an awesome idea, I've been meaning to go back through your archives and read everything!

Expand full comment
author

Aw thank you! I really appreciate the feedback... Will definitely consider this more :)

Expand full comment
Dec 14, 2021Liked by Jessica DeFino

Absolutely would listen to your podcasts!! Thank you for being so honest about your recent guest experiences - my imposter syndrome definitely makes me feel like I need to know every detail and fact, articulate perfectly, and have unwavering confidence before even attempting to start anything!! Working on breaking this myth of perfection and your writing and reflections on the beauty industry remind me of that all the time!!!

Expand full comment
author

Thank you! I'm with you on that journey of breaking the myth of perfection :)

Expand full comment
Dec 14, 2021Liked by Jessica DeFino

Yes, please make a podcast! I love your AMAs

Expand full comment
author

Thank you!!

Expand full comment

Yes! I would 100% listen to your podcast and cont. reading your articles/newsletter.

Expand full comment
author

Thank you!

Expand full comment
Dec 14, 2021Liked by Jessica DeFino

Yes to podcast and double yes to continuing to write!!

Expand full comment
author

Yes, writing will always be my #1!

Expand full comment
Jan 6, 2022Liked by Jessica DeFino

Please do start a podcast!

Expand full comment
Dec 18, 2021Liked by Jessica DeFino

I've just listened to the SheSez podcast and l thought you held your own really well, especially during the "just wait until you have wrinkles" section. Your counter to the host's comments about the young not being interested in older people was *chef's kiss*

Expand full comment
author

Thank you!! That makes me feel better lol. I appreciate you listening and letting me know :)

Expand full comment
Dec 17, 2021Liked by Jessica DeFino

your newsletter is the only one i’m subscribed to, and i’d love to access even more of your content. please start a podcast!

Expand full comment
author

That makes me so happy to hear!! I think I will... stay tuned :)

Expand full comment
Dec 15, 2021Liked by Jessica DeFino

I am dying for you to start a podcast!! Have literally been hoping & wondering when you might.

Expand full comment
author

Haha that makes me so happy to hear!!

Expand full comment
Dec 15, 2021Liked by Jessica DeFino

I am already obsessed with the podcast you haven't started yet! Thank you for sharing your vulnerabilities with your most recent experiences. I struggle to be both seen and heard.

Expand full comment
author

Haha thank you! And thanks for sharing — I think so many of us are in the same boat <3

Expand full comment
Dec 14, 2021Liked by Jessica DeFino

I really love podcasts. But I enjoy them when they’re relaxed or done in a conversational manner where the discussion is flowing and tangents are explored (Whether with one person or multiple).

You can always hear it when a conversation is preplanned, and anything gotcha just makes me anxious to listen to 😅

I would definitely listen if you have podcasting a go Jess! But only do it is you’re comfortable and would enjoy making them. Otherwise, happy to stick to reading your thoughts 🙂

Expand full comment
author

Toooootally agree. Thank you for sharing :)

Expand full comment