Sweet and Savre
Hosted by actress Danielle Savre, Sweet and Savre is a podcast where bold women share their stories over snacks. Each episode features a guest who opens up about the moments that shaped her life, from setbacks to successes. The conversations are honest, inspiring, and occasionally messy, reflecting the real experiences of women. It's like having a candid chat with friends in your group chat.
Episodes
Episode 34 - “If You're Not Crazy, Nothing Good Happens" with TV Showrunner Tia Napolitano (part 1)
A dumbbell tumor at 3 years old, Red Lobster shifts, NYU, and shepherding major TV hits. TV showrunner Tia Napolitano stops by for a fun, breezy chat about her path through Hollywood, childhood dreams of being Madonna, and her unexpected route to motherhood through surrogacy. She brings all of her signature lighthearted charm as we talk battle scars, confidence at 4'11", and turning life plot twis
Ep. 33 - Pediatric Oncology Dreams and Choosing Gratitude with Melissa and Calleigh
The conversation continues as mother daughter duo Melissa and Calleigh return for Part 2 of their incredible journey. In this episode, Calleigh takes center stage to share her perspective on survivorship, growing up after a life threatening diagnosis, and finding her ultimate calling. From being the poster child of a clinical trial to falling in love with cellular science, Calleigh opens up about
Ep. 32 - Diagnosed with Cancer at 15 Months Old and Finding the Silver Linings with Melissa and Calleigh
What happens when a terrifying rare cancer diagnosis at 15 months old turns into a story of laughter, strength, and celebrating a daughter who just turned 19 years old? In honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Melissa and her daughter Calleigh sit down for a candid, lighthearted, and deeply moving conversation about their journey through emergency brain surgery, high dose chemo, and beyond. T
Ep. 31 - Curing Cancer Is Mankind’s Greatest Challenge with St. Baldrick’s CEO Kathleen Ruddy
When Kathleen Ruddy answered a job offer for a small fundraising effort born out of a New York bar, she had no idea she was stepping onto the frontlines of a global movement. Today, as the CEO of the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, the largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants, Kathleen has helped mobilize millions of volunteers, head-shavers, and donors to change the survival landscap
Ep. 30 - Facing the Unthinkable: A Mother’s Fight for Her Son’s Life & Healing Through Art with Karen Macarah
In honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Danielle sits down with writer, performer, advocate, and powerhouse Karen Macarah for a deeply personal conversation about resilience, motherhood, and the healing power of art. Karen opens up about the terrifying moment her world shifted overnight when her teenage son Sam was diagnosed with leukemia, navigating life threatening complications during his
Ep. 29 - Surviving Childhood Cancer, American Idol Exposed, Healing Through Music & Finding Her Purpose With Alex Nester
In honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Danielle sits down with powerhouse soul singer Alex Nester. Diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma as a teenager when a tumor was found in her intestine, Alex recalls the terrifying moment of hearing the word cancer, enduring grueling treatments, and fighting her way to becoming 25 years cancer-free. Known for her phenomenal voice and retro-soul sound,
Ep. 28 - Balance Doesn't Exist, Directing Indies vs. TV, and Navigating the Dark Times with Tessa Blake (Part 2)
Host Danielle Savre continues her deep dive with powerhouse director Tessa Blake in Part 2 of their conversation, shifting the lens directly onto Tessa’s personal life and career trajectory. Tessa opens up about her journey from theater to TV directing, her rules for survival on set, and why she firmly believes work life balance does not exist. She shares an intimate look behind the scenes of her
Ep. 27 - Unconscious Bias, Female Film Pioneers, and Overcoming Rejection with Director Tessa Blake (Part 1)
Director and advocate Tessa Blake joins host Danielle Savre for Part 1 of a captivating two part conversation that is equal parts Hollywood history lesson and masterclass in human behavior. Tessa breaks down the real science of cultural unconscious bias in the entertainment industry and shares why rejection impacts women differently than men. Together, they trace the lost history of women in cinem
Ep. 26 - An Ayahuasca Journey, Pregnancy Previa, and Finding Her Voice with Jodi Moore Lewis
Actor and writer Jodi Moore Lewis joins host Danielle Savre for a wildly honest dive into the twists that shape a full life, from her early love for singing until vocal nodules altered her path, leading to her life's passion for performing. Together, they reflect on her fearless younger years versus navigating the weight of the world today, the rush of performing live, and how stepping into the un
Ep. 25 - Owning Your Worth, The Power of Transformation & Delusional Confidence with Athena Efstathiou
Our London tour continues! Live on the road, powerhouse celebrity makeup artist, educator, and master of glam Athena Efstathiou joins host Danielle Savre. Knowing from a young age that she was born to do makeup, Athena went against her parents wishes to pursue law and chose her true calling instead. In this vibrant and deeply honest conversation, we dive into her life purpose of making women feel
Ep. 24 - Never Be Afraid of the No: Social Media Manager Sophie Ross
Sweet and Savre is on the road! Live from London for our first on the go episode, host Danielle Savre turns the microphone around on her social media manager, Sophie Ross. From childhood dreams of TV presenting to seeing her name in television credits, Sophie shares her fast paced journey through the media world. In this candid and lively conversation, we dive into her roots in Bromley, her work o
Ep. 23 - The Steady Art of Running a Hollywood Production with Sara E. White
From sneaking onto the Disney lot to steering massive cultural touchstones like Iron Man, Sweet Home Alabama, Euphoria, Cruel Intentions, and Grey's Anatomy, the phenomenal producer of film and television Sara E. White joins the podcast. Rooted in her Midwestern upbringing, Sara brings a powerful but quiet strength to a round-the-clock, high-stakes industry. In this ground
Ep. 22 - Turning Passion into Your Profession with Celebrity Nail Artist Lisa Wong
From school-day rebel to dressing the fingertips of Hollywood royalty, premier celebrity and editorial nail artist Lisa Wong joins the podcast for a brilliant, lively, and inspiring conversation. With over thirty years of experience, Lisa treats a tiny nail bed like a canvas for a masterpiece—creating the gorgeous period looks for Palm Royale, character styling for Abbott Elementary, and collabora
Ep. 21 - “I’m Good. No. I'm Great": Claiming Power on Television's Biggest Sets with Nicole Rubio (Part 2)
The masterclass continues in part two as Danielle and hit TV director Nicole Rubio dive into the high-stakes, fast-paced world of calling the shots on major network television. Nicole details her transition into the director's chair, navigating the intense pressure of tracking nine cameras at once and earning a "get out of jail free card" from Patrick Dempsey. She shares what it was really like wo
Ep. 20 - Before Hollywood: How 7 Different Careers Built a Born Director with Nicole Rubio (Part 1)
Hit TV director Nicole Rubio is a powerhouse who has spent her entire life creating her own path and making sure not a single opportunity passed her by. This episode explores the fascinating, diverse chapters she conquered through sheer determination, including working for a space shuttle defense contractor, performing as an NFL cheerleader for the Rams, and traveling the world as a flight attenda
Ep. 19 - Healing From Loss, An Immigrant Story & Building a Business with Erika Bañuelos
Danielle sits down with the incredible Erika Bañuelos for a deeply moving conversation about family, resilience, and the pursuit of independence. Accompanied by translator Valentina, Erika shares stories of her vibrant childhood in Mexico and the profound impact of a father who taught her what a good man looks like. She opens up about the devastating loss of her first child, which became the catal
Ep. 18 - Running With The Bulls, Air Force Survival & Processing Grief with Macey Marshall
The conversation continues as Macey dives into the reality of her military deployment in Germany and her global travel adventures. She pulls back the curtain on the intense mental and physical resilience it took to navigate being one of the only women in her unit, opening up about the terrifying reality of her service and what it took to survive. They balance the gravity of those experiences with
Ep. 17 - From Latchkey Kid to Rewriting Trauma: The Power of Positivity & Rescuing Squirrels with Macey Marshall
Danielle sits down with her lifelong best friend, Macey Marshall, to explore the childhood journeys that shape us. Macey opens up about growing up as a latchkey kid and navigating her parents' divorce at ten. She shares a fascinating look into her own survival instincts, breaking down how her mind naturally rewired childhood trauma—like being locked in a room during a domestic fight—into beautiful
Ep. 16 - A Pandemic Pivot, Daniel Radcliffe & The True Meaning of Fan Conventions with Dream It Conventions
The phenomenal forces behind Dream It Conventions, Maria and Aurelia, return to lay bare the high-stakes reality of pivoting a live event company during a global lockdown. They break down the resilience it took to survive the ultimate business crisis, balanced by the emotional milestone of Maria officially being declared cancer free. This episode gets to the heart of the true reason fan convention
Ep. 15 - Hodgkin’s Lymphoma to Lucy Hale: Building a Convention Empire with Dream It Conventions
The incredible powerhouses behind Dream It Conventions, Maria and Aurelia, dive straight into the personal journeys that shaped their empire. From Maria navigating a Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosis at 16 and learning to live life constantly saying yes, to Aurelia leaving Paris for Ohio as an exchange student to fully immerse herself in American culture, this conversation explores how a shared love fo
Ep. 14 - Ego Can Drown Out Your Inner Voice: Secrets of a Hollywood Casting Director with Jamie Castro
Danielle sits down with Emmy nominated casting director, 200 hour certified yoga master, and dear friend Jamie Castro for a raw and unfiltered look behind the scenes of Hollywood. From her early VHS recorded dance days to thriving in the legendary Shondaland boom, Jamie pulls back the curtain on how the entertainment industry really works. They dive into the high stakes adrenaline of casting and r
Ep. 13 - From Her Lowest Point to Makeup Artist of Grey's Anatomy with Tai Young
From the lowest point with her two and a half year old son to accepting the signs, Tai Young opens up about the reality of industry breakthroughs and what it takes to pivot.
In this episode, we dive into:
Surviving single with a young son during her lowest point in LA
Coping with the shame of untapped potential before transitioning into makeup.
"Union, what’s a union?" - How a conversa
Ep. 12 - Styling Venus Williams While Driving a Hooptee with Tai Young
From personal shopping for Beyoncé to taking the ultimate leap of faith into Hollywood, Tai Young’s journey is a masterclass in raw hustle, resilience, and pure ambition.
In this episode, we dive into:
Her Texas roots and hauling thousands in diamonds in a hooptee to get to styling gigs
Moving to Los Angeles fueled by a lifelong drive to succeed and a childhood conviction that Barbie was d
Ep. 11.2 - Emily Culver: Hustle, Healing, & Heart
The conversation continues as we track Emily’s hustle from writing on Grey's Anatomy and Station 19 to navigating the industry since. We dive deep into the human psyche, getting incredibly vulnerable about childhood trauma, navigating sexual assault, therapy, and her experience with ketamine treatments. It's an honest look at what it truly takes to protect your voice and heal.
Trigger Warning: Th
Ep. 11.1 - Emily Culver: Wisconsin Roots & Writers' Rooms
Today is a historic day because we are finally attempting something that has apparently been cursed: interviewing writer and powerhouse Emily Culver! In part one of this special sit-down, our deep friendship completely seeps through as we dive into Emily’s roots growing up in Wisconsin with a sex therapist mother, her move to LA, and how she first fell in love with storytelling. It’s lighthearted,
Ep. 10.2 - Valentina D’Empaire Medici: Beyond the Sky's Limit: Problem Solving and Venezuelan Treats
In the conclusion of this two-part event, Danielle and Valentina D’Empaire Medici dive into the powerhouse life she has built, from her acceptance into Johns Hopkins to her high-stakes career as a civil engineer managing everything with trains, wheels, and automobiles. They discuss the intensity of her role as a professional problem solver, her honest fear of shortfalls, and how they bonded over t
Ep. 10.1 - Valentina D’Empaire Medici: Venezuelan Roots, Escaping a Kidnapper, and the Family Bond
In part 1 of 2, Danielle sits down with civil engineer Valentina D’Empaire Medici to reflect on her vibrant life in Venezuela, from her cherished upbringing and all girls Catholic school pranks to the sudden trauma of an attempted kidnapping that changed everything. They explore the heartbreaking reality of seeking asylum in the United States at just sixteen, a transition that forced her into adul
Ep. 9.2 - Nichelle Filoso: Talking About Alex, Losing 200 Pounds, and Speed Dating Disasters (part 2)
Danielle sits down with Nichelle Filoso for the conclusion of this special two part event on Sweet and Savre. In this episode we finally address the elephant in the room and talk about Alex, before diving into Nichelle’s life changing gastric bypass surgery and her incredible 200 pound weight loss journey. Nichelle shares hilarious stories from the front lines of speed dating, her deep love for an
Ep. 9.1 - Nichele Filoso: From Fifth Element Dreams to Surviving a Stalker (Part 1)
Danielle sits down with Nichele Filoso for a two part event on Sweet and Savre. An intimate conversation about the invisible hurdles of her youth including navigating a learning disability and not reading until age twelve as well as the grounded faith that keeps her rooted in her church choir today. From the high pressure world of collegiate opera to the terrifying shadow of a real life stalker an
Ep. 8 - Courtney Stone: The Rhythm of Healing and the Food Enough Philosophy
Danielle sits down with licensed therapist Courtney Stone to break down the complexities of modern mental health. They dive into the Food Enough philosophy, offering a practical, no nonsense framework for nourishing ourselves amidst the pressures of perfectionism and ADHD. They explore the vital role of rhythm in grounding our chaotic daily lives, the importance of financial autonomy in relationsh
Ep. 7 - Taylor Kottke: Leaving Sabrina Carpenter to Bet on Myself
Danielle sits down with actress and filmmaker Taylor Kottke for a raw and unfiltered look at life From the acting scams of her youth to the high pressure world of music management for Sabrina Carpenter, Taylor pulls back the curtain on it all. They dive into the surreal Black Widow stunt training incident that almost went wrong and discuss the terrifying yet liberating decision to walk away from a
Ep. 6 - Leven Rambin: Beyond the Hollywood Bulls*** and the Road to an Oscar
Danielle sits down with actress Leven Rambin for an unfiltered look at the high-stakes world of Hollywood and the personal toll of life in the spotlight. From leaving home at fifteen and booking powerhouse roles to the paralyzing reality of onset panic attacks and imposter syndrome, Leven opens up about the moments that forced her to stop. Their conversation explores her journey through the "rock
Ep. 5 - Jayne Trimble: Rebellion, Resilience, and Empowering Women
Danielle sits down with Jayne Trimble to trace an extraordinary journey of radical transformation. From an alcoholic household in Ireland to finding her voice through the rebellion of drama school, Jayne’s path has been anything but conventional. Their conversation follows her evolution from a religious cult to the music world as Oxlip and building a six-figure management empire, before a profound
Ep. 4 - Vandana Khanna: The Quiet Power of the Woman’s Voice
Danielle sits down with acclaimed poet Vandana Khanna to trace a journey that began with a move from India at age two and a calling to her craft at just eight years old. Their conversation follows the winding trajectory of a life dedicated to the creative arts, from the milestones of finding her academic voice to the ways 9/11 reshaped her perspective to exploring the Hindu goddesses that inhabit
Ep. 3 - Alisha Rothman: An Eye for Detail, A Life of Adventure
Danielle sits down with her dear friend Alisha Rothman, whose extraordinary eye for detail brings life to every set she works on. From sky-high leaps out of planes to impromptu adventures across the globe, Alisha shares how curiosity, risk, and an unshakable instinct for the right moment have shaped both her career and her life. Along the way, she reflects on the choices that define us, how to sur
Ep. 2 - Kendal Carse: From The Devil Wears Prada to Costume Design
In the second episode of Sweet & Savre, Danielle sits down with costume designer Kendal Carse. After watching The Devil Wears Prada for the first time, she knew she wanted to be in the world of fashion. A lover of film and TV with great style, Kendal shares the path that led her to costume design, along with a few lessons she learned along the way, including crying the first time she ever had to s
Ep. 1 - Daniele Piersons: The Unexpected Road to Helping Others Heal
In the first episode of Sweet & Savre, Danielle sits down with Daniele Piersons, whose journey has taken her from crawling under houses inspecting for pests to doing makeup on every kind of set you can imagine. An only child from a complicated but loving family, she dropped out of college, chased modeling in New York, and eventually found her true calling as a stress and anxiety coach. Over laughs
Sweet and Savre Trailer
Hosted by actress Danielle Savre (pronounced “savory”), Sweet and Savre is where bold women spill the truth and pass the snacks. From sour gummies to a rack of ribs, she digs deep into the moments that shaped her guest: the spark, the setbacks, and the choices that changed everything. These are the women you want in your group chat, fearless, evolving, inspiring, occasionally messy, and always rea
