Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Emma Grede is here—and she’s not sugarcoating anything. We dig into what it really takes to build a business, lead people, and create a life on your own terms.
She gets into her no-BS leadership style—high standards, radical honesty, and owning your mistakes. Emma shares major business missteps (including a failed product expansion), how she dissects failure without ego, and why understanding your own patterns is the key to long-term success.
We also cover what she actually looks for when hiring, why being slow to hire but quick to fire matters, her take on unlimited PTO, working with friends, and when investors can do more harm than good. She breaks down why “focus” is one of the most misunderstood concepts in business—and why your customer has to be at the center of everything.
This episode is honest, motivating, and packed with real insight on failure, leadership, resilience, and building something that lasts.
A word from my sponsors:
Shady Rays: Go to shadyrays.com and use code HONEST for 40% off 2+ pairs of polarized sunglasses.
Momentous: Head to https://livemomentous.com, and use promo code HONEST for up to 35% off your first order
Kahlua: Find Kahlúa Dunkin Caramel Swirl at retailers nationwide, including Walmart, Total Wine, Albertsons, Kroger, Ralphs, Safeway, BevMo, Publix, and more. Must be 21 or older to purchase. Please drink responsibly.
Ritual: Ritual - Save 25% on your first month at Ritual.com/BEHONEST
Sam Edelman: Visit us at samedelman.com to explore everything you need for spring and get 15% off with code honest15.
Opositiv: Take proactive care of your health and head to OPositiv.com/HONEST or enter HONEST at checkout for 25% off your first purchase.
Good Wipes: Buy any two packs of goodwipes at Walmart or https://Walmart.com, text them your receipt, and get reimbursed almost immediately for one of them. For more details, head to goodwipes.com/HONEST.
For more Let’s Be Honest, follow along at:
Instagram: instagram.com/kristincavallari
TikTok: tiktok.com/@kristincavallari
YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCSJqT36l3imYtr_QF6LFNXA
Produced by Dear Media.
Follow Dear Media:
Listen: dearmedia.com/shows
Instagram: instagram.com/dearmediastudio
TikTok: tiktok.com/@dearmedia
Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/dear-media
Shop Dear Media:
shop.dearmedia.com
ABOUT DEAR MEDIA
Dear Media is the largest podcast network focused on amplifying women’s voices and audiences. Founded in 2018, DM hosts 80+ podcasts fronted by top-tier talent and has a following of more than 60M across social channels. DM is building the podcast incubator of the future through a 360-degree business model, providing unparalleled support from concept to editorial, production, distribution, and commerce extensions. Due to its highly engaged and vast consumer audience, the network attracts global brands and digital savvy partners.
Emma Grede is here—and she’s not sugarcoating anything. We dig into what it really takes to build a business, lead people, and create a life on your own terms.
She gets into her no-BS leadership style—high standards, radical honesty, and owning your mistakes. Emma shares major business missteps (including a failed product expansion), how she dissects failure without ego, and why understanding your own patterns is the key to long-term success.
We also cover what she actually looks for when hiring, why being slow to hire but quick to fire matters, her take on unlimited PTO, working with friends, and when investors can do more harm than good. She breaks down why “focus” is one of the most misunderstood concepts in business—and why your customer has to be at the center of everything.
This episode is honest, motivating, and packed with real insight on failure, leadership, resilience, and building something that lasts.
A word from my sponsors:
Shady Rays: Go to shadyrays.com and use code HONEST for 40% off 2+ pairs of polarized sunglasses.
Momentous: Head to https://livemomentous.com, and use promo code HONEST for up to 35% off your first order
Kahlua: Find Kahlúa Dunkin Caramel Swirl at retailers nationwide, including Walmart, Total Wine, Albertsons, Kroger, Ralphs, Safeway, BevMo, Publix, and more. Must be 21 or older to purchase. Please drink responsibly.
Ritual: Ritual - Save 25% on your first month at Ritual.com/BEHONEST
Sam Edelman: Visit us at samedelman.com to explore everything you need for spring and get 15% off with code honest15.
Opositiv: Take proactive care of your health and head to OPositiv.com/HONEST or enter HONEST at checkout for 25% off your first purchase.
Good Wipes: Buy any two packs of goodwipes at Walmart or https://Walmart.com, text them your receipt, and get reimbursed almost immediately for one of them. For more details, head to goodwipes.com/HONEST.
For more Let’s Be Honest, follow along at:
Instagram: instagram.com/kristincavallari
TikTok: tiktok.com/@kristincavallari
YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCSJqT36l3imYtr_QF6LFNXA
Produced by Dear Media.
Follow Dear Media:
Listen: dearmedia.com/shows
Instagram: instagram.com/dearmediastudio
TikTok: tiktok.com/@dearmedia
Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/dear-media
Shop Dear Media:
shop.dearmedia.com
ABOUT DEAR MEDIA
Dear Media is the largest podcast network focused on amplifying women’s voices and audiences. Founded in 2018, DM hosts 80+ podcasts fronted by top-tier talent and has a following of more than 60M across social channels. DM is building the podcast incubator of the future through a 360-degree business model, providing unparalleled support from concept to editorial, production, distribution, and commerce extensions. Due to its highly engaged and vast consumer audience, the network attracts global brands and digital savvy partners.
