To Bawdy Women

Johanna sits down with Tricia Whalen, a (hilarious) seasoned executive and strategic advisor with over 25 years of experience building and scaling some of the most iconic brands across fashion, media, and lifestyle. Now the CEO of E. Frances Paper, Tricia brings her trademark candor and humor to a conversation about business, ambition, and the balancing act of family life.

Together, Johanna and Tricia unpack what it means to lead with heart — from setting a clear vision and building healthy company culture, to knowing when to take a step back and simply let things go. A natural leader, Tricia shares her philosophy on doing what you can, trusting the process, and embracing the virtues of honesty and directness (even when it’s uncomfortable).

The conversation moves fluidly between behind-the-scenes stories from the fashion world and heartfelt reflections on family, loss, and resilience. Tricia talks about growing up surrounded by strong, bawdy women, raising a family of boys, and how grief — when met with humor and grace — can reshape your perspective on what really matters.

Smart, soulful, and laugh-out-loud funny — this episode will leave you feeling inspired to lead, live, and love a little more boldly.

Let’s dig in.