Nice Talk with Nikki Ogunnaike

Malika Andrews is an Emmy Award–winning sports journalist and host of ESPN’s NBA Today, NBA Countdown, and WNBA Countdown. Not only is Andrews one of the most prominent sports journalists in the industry, but she’s also a trailblazer. In 2018, she became ESPN’s youngest sideline reporter, and in 2022, she became the first woman to ever host the NBA Draft—a position she’s held every year since. On this episode, Andrews tells us about her relationship with money growing up, why she only wears women-owned brands when covering the WNBA, and what advice she would give to her younger self about on-camera work.

Taylor Rooks is a two-time Emmy Award–nominated journalist and producer who currently hosts NBA on Prime Video and Thursday Night Football on Prime. In addition to being one of the most important voices in sports media, she’s the founder of the Taylor Rooks Foundation—an organization that supports communities by providing school supplies to teachers, helping people pay their utilities during the holidays, and more. On this episode, Rooks dives into why she believes both hard work and luck are necessary for success, her favorite on-air looks she's worn over the years, and the ways she advocates for herself financially.

Courtney Mays is a renowned sports stylist and menswear consultant. She's known as a fierce advocate for size and gender inclusivity in fashion, and her client list includes big-name athletes like Chris Paul, Brittney Griner, and Sue Bird along with actors like Anthony Anderson and Winston Duke. On this episode, Mays tells us how she learned to ask for a raise, why she loves celebrating queerness through gender-fluid fashion, and what her clients have taught her about owning her identity. Plus, she shares her plus-size styling hacks and what you should tell your tailor for the perfect fit in whatever you bring in.

Amy Smilovic is the founder and creative director of the independent global fashion brand Tibi. In addition to helming her beloved brand, Smilovic also runs an educational "style class" on Instagram and is the author of two books: The Creative Pragmatist: An Intelligent Conversation About Personal Style and Almost Reckless: A Creative and Pragmatic Approach to Taking Risks, which is available for preorder now. On this episode, Smilovic gets into the tangible ways she's been able to trust her gut throughout her career, viewing items in your closet as ingredients, and her practical tips for how to layer in the winter without looking like a snowman. Plus, she lets us in on Tibi's plan for fashion week. 

Preorder Almost Reckless here.

Jennette McCurdy is the best-selling author of the memoir I’m Glad My Mom Died and her recent debut novel, Half His Age. Many people were first introduced to McCurdy when she was a child actor, but in her early 20s, she stepped away from her acting career to pursue writing. On this episode, she discusses the messy and uncomfortable power dynamics at play in her new novel, the deeper meaning behind some of her style choices, and why she didn’t feel financially secure until the success of her memoir.

Half His Age was released on January 20 and is available to order here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/735278/half-his-age-by-jennette-mccurdy/