Sex and the City’s Cindy Chupack Gets Real

11/01/24 • 42 min

If the name Cindy Chupack sounds familiar, it’s probably because you saw it again and again in the Sex and the City intro credits!
A two-time Emmy and three-time Golden Globe winner, Cindy has been an executive producer and writer for some of TV’s standout shows including Sex and the City, Modern Family, Everybody Loves Raymond, Better Things, and most recently Fleishman is in Trouble.
After studying journalism in college, she sold her first humorous essay to New York Woman magazine in 1990, which ultimately launched her career as a comedy writer.
In addition to her screen credits, Cindy has performed stories for the popular storytelling slam, The Moth; penned her own relationship column in both Glamour and O, The Oprah Magazine; and authored two comic memoirs including the New York Times bestseller The Between Boyfriends Book: A Collection of Cautiously Hopeful Essays.
Whatever form Cindy’s stories take, she’s known for her unapologetically honest, hysterical perspective on the rollercoaster of life and love. In this fun and illuminating episode, you’re sure to be inspired by how courageously Cindy shares her voice, stays true to herself, and shares her wisdom with others.
Tune in and rock on!
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Episode highlights:
[00:00] Introduction
[4:51] How Cindy transitioned from journalism, to advertising, to comedy writing
[9:49] How “cross-training” across media keeps Cindy’s writing sharp
[11:48] Discover the surprising place where Cindy does her best writing
[15:20] Learn why Cindy is the “anti-gatekeeper” and loves helping women share their voices
[18:15] Cindy demystifies the role of a television Executive Producer
[20:22] An inside glimpse into writing for a hit show like Sex and the City
[25:32] Cindy reflects on how Hollywood has (and hasn’t) changed since #MeToo
[27:29] Where Cindy draws the line between honest and too honest
[34:27] Single or coupled up? Cindy reveals her perspective on being in a relationship now
[40:47] Cindy shares her one tip to rock it

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Links from this episode:
Cindy Chupack website: https://cindychupack.net/
Cindy’s story “He Slept With the Housekeeper, and I Woke Up in Ancient Greece”: https://www.elle.com/life-love/sex-relationships/a45563209/greece-healing-hotel-relationship-personal-discovery-essay/
Cindy on The Moth: https://themoth.org/stories/the-get
Karen Gross - Sex & the Single Singer cabaret teaser video: https://youtu.be/iY38l6_iBJ8?feature=shared

If you’d like to join us for future podcast recordings and other empowering live events, head over to our website and subscribe to our email list! https://sherockedit.com/

If you’d like to join us for future podcast recordings and other empowering live events, head over to our website and subscribe to our email list! https://sherockedit.com/

Previous Episode

Real Talk with Women in the Music Industry (Part 7) featuring Donna Lewis

Iconic, multi-platinum Welsh singer-songwriter Donna Lewis shares inspiration and insight from her career in the music industry, reflecting on how she discovered her unique voice and sense of self — and stuck to it — even amidst the pressures of showbiz. Plus, you’ll get the behind-the-scenes story about Donna’s infectious ‘90s hit song “I Love You Always Forever,” and what Donna learned about the importance of staying true to her vision.
You’ll also hear about Donna’s deeply personal and powerful new record, “Rooms With A View,” a poignant reflection on her journey fighting breast cancer. She Rocked It is especially honored to share Donna’s story as part of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
This episode is sure to resonate with anyone who’s interested in protecting and fanning their creative flame. Tune in and rock on!
Watch the video version of this episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/limcJBYKZec
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Episode highlights:
[3:30] Learn what gave Donna Lewis the courage to pursue a music career wholeheartedly
[6:25] How playing in piano bars led Donna to discovering her signature sound
[11:55] How Donna stayed true to the magic of her original demos for her smash hit “I Love You Always Forever”
[15:34] How Donna documented and bravely shared her breast cancer journey through her powerful new album, “Rooms With A View”
[21:47] An inside look into Donna’s creative life and her family life
[28:48] Karen and Donna explore their mutual connection to acclaimed producer and “gentle wizard” David Torn
[30:21] Donna Lewis shares her tip to rock it

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Links from this episode:
Donna Lewis: https://www.donnalewis.com/
Donna Lewis on Bandcamp: https://donnalewis.bandcamp.com/
David Torn: https://davidtornmusic.com/
Tim Motzer: https://www.timmotzer.com/

If you’d like to join us for future podcast recordings and other empowering live events, head over to our website and subscribe to our email list! https://sherockedit.com/

Next Episode

Improvise Like a Boss with Nicole Cohen

Don’t miss this insightful and hysterical interview with Nicole Cohen, author of the internationally bestselling book, “Improv at Work: What the Business World Can Learn from Improvisational Comedy.” A longtime multi-hyphenate, Nicole studied both biomedical engineering and theater at Northwestern University in Chicago, a city renowned for its comedy scene. Today, she’s a rockstar managing director at one of the largest global consulting and technology firms–and unapologetically brings her whole self to work.
In this episode, Nicole shares how she brings comedy into corporate; balances a demanding job with her own writing, wellbeing, and family life; and raises her voice as a creative, courageous woman in the workplace. Whether you’re looking to rock it in business or bring more curiosity into your day-to-day life, Nicole is sure to inspire with both wit and wisdom.
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Episode highlights:
[1:03 ] Nicole offers a glimpse into her multidisciplinary background and how she discovered the value of improv at work
[4:14] How Nicole learned to embrace her true personality and shine as a leader at work
[8:08] How improv rules can be transformative in business relationships
[18:02 ] Why the huge crowd at the Pennsylvania Conference for Women was so receptive to Nicole’s improv at work session
[21:06] The improv rule Nicole wishes everyone knew
[24:45] Karen and Nicole discuss the importance, and the difficulty, of raising their voices in male-dominated professional spaces
[26:21] How Nicole made time to write her debut bestselling book, while holding down a high-powered, full-time job
[32:00] How Nicole balances her career, relationships, and personal wellness
[36:30] Nicole shares her one tip to rock it

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Links from this episode:
Pennsylvania Conference for Women: https://www.paconferenceforwomen.org/
Nicole’s book, “Improv at Work: What the Business World Can Learn from Improvisational Comedy”: https://www.amazon.com/Improv-Work-Business-Improvisational-Comedy/dp/1956642978

If you’d like to join us for future podcast recordings and other empowering live events, head over to our website and subscribe to our email list! https://sherockedit.com/