What She Does Podcast

What She Does Podcast

by Annie Sinzinger & Liane Starr

Season 1

How a Talent Booker Builds Connections That Open Doors

How do celebrities end up on television interviews? The answer often starts with a talent booker. In this episode of What She Does, Annie and Liane talk with entertainment journalist and talent booker, April Neale, about building a career in media through connections, adaptability, and relentless curiosity. April shares how she reinvented herself multiple times — from writing and PR to television booking — and explains what talent bookers actually do behind the scenes. She discusses the importance of relationships with publicists, understanding audience expectations, and staying flexible in a constantly changing media landscape. If you’re interested in careers in entertainment, journalism, PR, or television production, this episode reveals the real skills behind booking the guests audiences love to watch.

From Code to Connection: How Cassie Homsi Bridges Tech, Training & the Beverage Industry

What does it really mean to 'know how to use the tools'? In this episode of What She Does, we sit down with Cassie Homsi, Sales & Operations Analytics Manager and Technical Trainer in the beverage distribution industry. With nearly two decades of software engineering behind her, Cassie has built a career doing something rare: she speaks both fluent technical and fluent human. She went from building insurance software in Texas to riding along with beverage salespeople in Southern California — all in the name of understanding the business from the ground up. Her greatest skill isn't any specific tool. It's translation. In this episode: ✦ The difference between knowing the buttons and knowing the story ✦ Why curiosity must be balanced with tight boundaries ✦ How AI enhances — not replaces — her role ✦ Career pivots into tech and analytics ✦ Being a woman in a male-dominated technical space — and what's changed ✦ The explosive rise of non-alcoholic beverages Her advice: learn broadly. Define your role tightly. Keep going.

From Barbie & The Rockers Play Set to Leading an All-Female Rock Tribute Band

What does it really take to front an all-female Guns N' Roses tribute band and take it around the world? Jenna Syde — stage-named in tribute to David Bowie, lead singer and self-managed boss of Paradise Kitty — gives us the real story. In this episode, Jenna peels back the curtain on what most people never see: the accounting, the tour logistics, the HR challenges of managing a rotating cast of five personalities across international tours, and the real cost of being the boss. She also shares the emotional high of playing to 50,000 people at the Iowa State Fair with fireworks going off — and the crushing "tour blues" of coming home to do the dishes afterward. From Barbie and the Rockers play sets to stages in India, Australia, and the Caribbean, Jenna's story is a masterclass in hustle, heart, and knowing your worth. She's also a caregiver, nanny, and hospice worker — because yes, she really does wear all the hats. In this episode: How Paradise Kitty went from a fun side project to a global touring band The business skills every aspiring musician needs (and nobody talks about) What it's like to inspire women in India to take the stage The pants-splitting stage disaster that taught her to always pack a spare If you’ve ever wondered whether being a musician is “just performing,” this episode will change your mind. Because being a rock star is a business.

Inside the Elementary Classroom - What It Really Takes to Teach Fifth Grade

Think being an elementary school teacher is just about grading papers and summer vacation? Think again. This week on What She Does, we sit down with Sydney Higginson, a fifth-grade teacher who pulls back the curtain on one of the most demanding and rewarding careers. From the shocking number of certifications required to the magical "aha moments" that make it all worthwhile, Sydney shares what it's really like to shape young minds. You'll hear about: The multi-year credentialing journey most people don't know about (spoiler: it's way more than you think) Managing 25+ fifth graders through fractions, five-paragraph essays, and friendship drama Why elementary school teachers are part teacher, part nurse, part counselor, and part parent The heartwarming story of a foster care student who changed Sydney's perspective on teaching A typical day that starts at 7:30 AM and includes PE, math, robotics club, and everything in between If you've ever wondered what elementary school teachers actually do all day—or if you're considering teaching yourself—this episode is a must-listen. Sydney's passion for education is contagious, and her insights into patience, time management, and caring for the whole child will resonate whether you're a parent, educator, or just curious about what happens behind classroom doors.

Making Tech Make Sense: An English Major’s Path to Product Marketing

What does a product marketer actually do? And can you really build a tech career with an English degree? Beth Barach demonstrates that you can. A Product Marketing leader in cybersecurity, Beth has led go-to-market strategy at Cisco, Akamai, and high-growth startups—transforming complex products into clear, compelling stories that help businesses understand value and make decisions faster. Product marketing blends strategy, storytelling, and influence, and Beth shares how she brings those elements together in practice. In this conversation, we trace her path from English major to cybersecurity leader, discuss why non-technical perspectives strengthen tech teams, and explore how curiosity and clear communication fuel long-term career growth. Beth also explains how she influences without authority, connects product, sales, and leadership, and unlocks opportunities by simplifying complexity. This episode is for anyone curious about product marketing, considering a move into tech, or looking to leverage communication skills in a strategic role.

Finding Her Voice: First Speech Disaster to Motivational Speaker

What if your biggest disaster became your greatest teacher? 75% of people worldwide fear public speaking. Urmi Hossain was one of them. Her first speech? A complete disaster. She spoke so fast she couldn't understand herself, sat down with her hands over her face, and thought, "That's it. I'm done." But someone gave her feedback. She slowed down. Found structure. Kept practicing. Now she's a motivational speaker training women at nonprofits, speaking at conferences, and using her voice to make change. In this episode, Urmi Hossain, a Canada-based finance professional and budding motivational speaker shares her journey from glossophobia to global impact—and proves that your worst moment can become your breakthrough.

Pilates Instructor: When a Side Path Becomes the Career

In this episode of What She Does, Pilates instructor and studio owner Andrea White breaks down what the job actually involves—from anatomy and spinal health to training, client work, and business ownership. We explore how a creative career can evolve into a sustainable profession, and why non-linear paths often make more sense in hindsight.

Real Estate Broker - Specializing in Probate and Trust Sales

In this episode of What She Does, we talk with Paige Fingerhut Charnick, a Southern California real estate broker who specializes in probate and trust sales. With more than 30 years of experience across real estate, escrow, and legal work, Paige shares what this complex specialty really involves, how she built her career, and why self-awareness and ethics matter in high-stakes transactions. This conversation explores what it’s really like to build a real estate career, how specialization shapes success, and what Paige has learned along the way.

Publicist Navigating the New Era of Music Journalism

In this episode of What She Does, music publicist Melissa Dragich breaks down how the music industry—and the role of publicists within it—has fundamentally changed. From the decline of traditional music journalism to the rise of digital platforms like TikTok, Melissa shares how publicity has evolved in a post-COVID world. She discusses building long-term client relationships, balancing career and family life, and why adaptability is now an essential skill in entertainment PR. Melissa also reflects on the growing role of digital marketing and AI in publicity—while making the case that relationships will always remain at the core of successful PR.

From Magazines to Money: Building a Career in Bookkeeping

Bookkeeping may seem simple—but it’s anything but. Abby Higginson shares her career pivot from magazine publishing, the day-to-day challenges of keeping small business finances on track, and the skills that make her work essential, from problem-solving to client communication.

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