In this episode of Is That Cashmere, we sit down with Bree Schlereth — Pac-12 All-American gymnast, wife of a former MLB player , cancer survivor, mother of three, and survivor of one of the most high-profile abuse cases in sports history. Bree shares her incredible journey of resilience, from battling cancer and supporting a child with a congenital heart condition, to finding her voice as a Larry Nassar survivor and receiving the Arthur Ashe Courage Award.

Through moments of darkness, Bree discovered the power of light — literally and figuratively — and now uses her story to bring hope, healing, and empowerment to others. She opens up about her childhood in gymnastics, the pressure and pain of silence, the moment cancer took her voice, and how she now chooses to use that voice as a beacon for others.

If you’ve ever wondered how to rise above circumstances that threaten to break you, Bree’s story will remind you: hardship doesn’t define us — it refines us.

In this episode, we welcome beauty guru and TV personality Hillary Klein, whose journey from corporate life to thriving makeup artist is a masterclass in trusting your path—even when it’s anything but straight. From her “cashmere confession” about letting go of self-criticism, to her tips for boosting confidence through beauty (without breaking the bank), Hillary shares the lessons, laughs, and life turns that shaped her.

Whether you’re a control freak learning to loosen the reins, a business owner chasing balance, or someone just looking for your next great lipstick shade, this conversation will leave you inspired to embrace change, trust your gut, and live a little more boldly.

In this unforgettable episode, we sit down with Chef Yia Vang, the James Beard Award nominee and force behind Vinai, Minneapolis’s groundbreaking Hmong restaurant that has captured the culinary world's attention. Named after the Thai refugee camp where his family lived before moving to the U.S. Vinai has earned international acclaim — making Condé Nast Traveler's 2025 Hot List of the best new restaurants in the world, as well as prestigious nods from Time Magazine, the New York Times, and Esquire.

Yia shares how his early life, shaped by family, resilience, and storytelling, inspired his journey from a kid who didn’t like cooking to a national ambassador for Hmong cuisine. We talk about the power of food to build inclusive communities, the significance behind dishes like Vinai’s Hill Tribe chicken and fried catfish, and how every plate he serves is a living tribute to the Hmong spirit of survival and celebration.

This episode is a testament to perseverance, heritage, and the transformative power of sharing a meal. If you love stories of identity, grit, and cultural redefinition, you won’t want to miss this conversation.