In this episode of Icons of Influence, we dive into the life and work of Rashida Jones — someone whose influence is grounded in nuance, integrity, and creative conviction.

We explore:

• Her family roots: growing up with Quincy Jones and Peggy Lipton, navigating African-American and Jewish identities, and how those threads inform her voice.
• Her evolution from actor to filmmaker and writer: Quincy, Hot Girls Wanted, Frenemy of the State, her writing on The Invite, and how she chooses stories that question norms.
• Advocacy and visibility: her involvement in refugee storytelling, environmental awareness, representation of marginalized voices, and how she leverages art to illuminate justice.
• Recent breakthroughs: her Emmy nomination for Black Mirror: Common People, a role that forced her to confront mortality, agency, and systemic imbalance.
• Setbacks & reframing: being part of the Office cast, then moving onward with dignity, making choices aligned with her values.

Rashida teaches us that influence doesn’t always roar. Sometimes it whispers, invites, challenges. Her path reminds us that art, identity, and conviction can combine to shift what stories we tell — and how we see one another.

Keywords: Rashida Jones, creative influence, identity and art, Black Mirror Common People, heritage and storytelling, Quiet power in media, multi-heritage identity, acting & producing, advocacy in film, representation, documentary creator, writer actor director, creative voice, art with purpose

In this episode of Icons of Influence, we profile Kristen Bell—actor, activist, entrepreneur, parent—and examine how she turns public visibility into action. We'll explore her evolution from television and film star to a major force for women’s rights, peace, mental health awareness, and family wellness.

With her role as Global Advocate for the UN Women’s Peace & Humanitarian Fund, Kristen has been at the forefront of campaigns supporting women peacebuilders in crisis zones. We break down how this work combines storytelling and policy, visibility and grassroots action.

We also look at Hello Bello, the brand she co-founded with a mission: safe, non-toxic baby care and wellbeing at accessible prices. Its launch in the UK via ASDA, featuring products for sensitive skin that avoid harsh chemicals, exemplifies Kristen’s commitment to aligning business with values.

Kristen’s openness about her own mental health journey—anxiety, depression, vulnerability—serves as a powerful contrast to polished celebrity narratives. She normalizes imperfection, showing how authenticity can be strength.

Expect real stories, thoughtful reflection, ethical questions, and a glimpse into how one person can leverage creativity, family, and identity to build influence with purpose.

Keywords: Kristen Bell, human rights advocacy, WPHF, Hello Bello, acting with purpose, mental health awareness, family wellness brand, women peacebuilders, celebrity activism, representation in media, parenting brand, affordable baby products UK, transparency, authenticity, public vulnerability, entertainment & ethics

In this expansive episode of Icons of Influence, we explore one of humanity’s most enduring and influential ideas: God. Not tied to one faith or dogma, this discussion spans how people define God, how those definitions have shaped cultures, how belief (and non-belief) affects identity, ethics, well-being, and what recent data tells us about spirituality in our evolving world.

Drawing on new Pew Research (2024-25), the episode includes insights such as:

• Widespread belief in life after death across most of 36 countries studied; 70% of U.S. adults say there's “definitely or probably” an afterlife.
• Large proportions of religious “nones” still embracing beliefs in spirits, nature having spiritual energies, or some form of life beyond death.

This episode is for anyone asking: What does God mean in my life — or in our world? Whether for comfort, ethics, curiosity, or challenge, exploring the concept of God reveals much about who we are and whom we aspire to be.

Keywords: Concept of God, spirituality, belief in afterlife, religion versus secularism, meaning in life, Pew Research, religious “nones”, spiritual but not religious, morality without God, cultural impact of religion, God in modern society, how people define God, faith and doubt, philosophical theology