What happens when you put a CNN anchor in the hot seat and turn the tables on the woman who's usually asking the tough questions?

This week on The Iconic Midlife, CNN anchor and chief investigative correspondent Pamela Brown is back for a little fun with Roxy Manning in a brand-new game called "On the Record or Off?"

Pamela spends her days interviewing powerful people, investigating major stories, and asking questions that demand answers. But this time, Roxy is the one doing the grilling!

From behind-the-scenes television meltdowns and unexpected confessions to beauty trends, social media algorithms, and the one question she'd ask Donald Trump if he were required to answer truthfully, Pamela gives us a glimpse of the woman behind the CNN anchor desk.

In this Game Episode, we find out:

• Who intimidates Pamela Brown when she's conducting an interview?
• What really happens behind the scenes when television personalities lose their cool?
• Which beauty and wellness trends are tempting even a seasoned investigative journalist?
• How does Pamela feel about those eerily accurate social media ads?
• If she could ask Donald Trump one question and guarantee an honest answer, what would it be?

It's candid, playful, and a refreshing change of pace as two women who are usually asking the questions have a little fun.

Because even the toughest interviewers deserve a turn in the hot seat!

Catch Pamela's full conversation with Roxy on The Iconic Midlife, "CNN's Pamela Brown: Why Women's Health Is Still Being Ignored."

They explore medical gaslighting, perimenopause, the generational silence surrounding women's health, and Pamela's new CNN series, Body Language.

Listen to the full episode wherever you get your podcasts, or watch the video interview on YouTube.

Instagram: @pamelabrowncnn

Watch Body Language on CNN.

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New full episodes every Tuesday and new Game Episodes every Thursday.

The Iconic Midlife is a Signal Award-winning podcast hosted by Roxy Manning, featuring candid conversations about women's health, reinvention, relationships, ambition, and navigating midlife on your own terms.

Keep asking questions. You never know where the answers might take you.

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• CNN
• Instagram

Gwyneth’s candle. Mariah’s shade. Tom Cruise’s couch jump. Hollywood supplies the headlines—and Allen Salkin fills in the blanks.

Investigative journalist Allen Salkin joins Roxy Manning for “Name Names — The Game” on The Iconic Midlife. The rules are simple: finish the sentence. Names are encouraged.

From Gwyneth Paltrow’s provocative approach to celebrity branding to Mariah Carey’s immortal “I don’t know her,” we revisit the moments that became pop-culture shorthand—and debate what they really reveal about fame, image, and getting our attention.

Expect candid opinions, unexpected tangents, and plenty to weigh in on yourself.

Play along: Which celebrity moment made you think, “Your publicist does not get paid enough”? Share your answer in the comments or tag us on social media.

Missed our full conversation? Listen to Allen’s main episode, “Investigative Journalist Allen Salkin: Richard Gere and the Hollywood Rumor That Won’t Die,” for a deeper look at his six-year investigation into the unsubstantiated urban legend—and why celebrity rumors can outlive the facts.

Watch the game on YouTube today at 3 PM PT. Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don’t miss it!

Keep The Iconic Midlife coming: Follow the show wherever you listen, rate us on Spotify, and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Send this episode to the friend who always has an opinion about Hollywood.

Follow me on social media: @theiconicmidlife and @redcarpetroxy across platforms.

Come back Tuesday for another conversation on The Iconic Midlife.

Links referenced in this episode:

• allensalkin.com

Six years of investigating. Decades of gossip. And a Hollywood story people still repeat without asking: Where’s the evidence?

Investigative journalist Allen Salkin joins Roxy Manning on The Iconic Midlife to explore the unsubstantiated Richard Gere gerbil rumor—and the bigger story behind its staying power.

How does an urban legend become something “everybody knows”? Why do we trust a story because someone claims to know the doctor, the friend, or the insider? And what happens when a celebrity’s attempts to protect their reputation risk giving a rumor another life?

Roxy and Allen dig into the intersection of fame, sex, shame, and storytelling—and why the most memorable version of a story isn’t necessarily the most credible.

In this episode:

• What Allen’s years of reporting uncovered about the Richard Gere urban legend—and where the evidence ends

• How a rumor can migrate from one person to another

• Why supposed insider connections make gossip feel convincing

• The dilemma celebrities face when deciding whether to respond

• How sensational stories shape reputations long after the headlines fade

Come back Thursday for “Name Names — The Game”!

Allen finishes the sentences, and Hollywood supplies the material: Gwyneth Paltrow’s infamous candle, Tom Cruise’s Oprah couch jump, and Mariah Carey’s immortal “I don’t know her" to name a few. Expect candid opinions, unexpected detours, and a conversation about the celebrity moments that keep us talking.

Enjoyed this conversation?

Follow The Iconic Midlife wherever you listen so you don’t miss Thursday’s game or our next guest. Subscribe on YouTube to watch the video episodes, rate the show on Spotify, and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Share this episode with the friend who always has the Hollywood scoop.

Follow me on social media: @theiconicmidlife and @redcarpetroxy. And you can catch Allen's podcast, Gerbil, presented by The Hollywood Reporter wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube.

What’s a celebrity rumor you believed for years before you finally questioned it? Tell me in the comments.

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• The Hollywood Reporter
• The New York Times
• Vanity Fair
• Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
• Food Network
• Esquire
• Extra
• National Lampoon
• Toronto Star
• Instagram
• Google
• Reddit
• Wikipedia
• Theranos
• Studio 54
• Today (NBC)

Prime or Pass? Beauty icon Laura Geller is back on The Iconic Midlife, and this time, we're putting her beauty instincts to the test!

From makeup trends and beauty rules to the things women are told they should (and shouldn't!) do as they age, Laura is weighing in on what's worth embracing and what's ready to be retired.

With decades of experience in the beauty industry, the legendary makeup artist and founder of Laura Geller Beauty knows a thing or two about what works, what doesn't, and why beauty should never come with an expiration date.

But will she give these trends their prime-time moment or send them packing?

It's time to play Prime or Pass!

If you enjoyed this game, make sure to catch Laura's full conversation with Roxy Manning on The Iconic Midlife, where they discuss:

• Makeup tips and beauty techniques for women over 40
• How our relationship with beauty evolves as we age
• Breaking outdated beauty rules
• Confidence, reinvention, and embracing midlife
• Laura's journey building her iconic beauty brand

Listen to the full episode of The Iconic Midlife on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Watch the full interview and this game episode on YouTube: Search for The Iconic Midlife and subscribe to the channel!

Follow Laura Geller Beauty on social media: @lauragellerbeauty

Website: https://www.laurageller.com

Want more candid conversations about beauty, health, relationships, reinvention, and everything that makes midlife interesting?

Follow us on social media:

The Iconic Midlife: @theiconicmidlife

Roxy Manning: @redcarpetroxy

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• Rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts or your preferred podcast app, where available. Your reviews help new listeners discover us!
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• Share this episode with a friend who loves beauty, makeup, and a little midlife mischief.

Now it's your turn! What's one beauty trend you'd give a PRIME to, and what's an absolute PASS? Tell us in the comments on YouTube or social media!

#TheIconicMidlife #LauraGeller #PrimeOrPass #BeautyOver40 #MakeupOver40 #MidlifeBeauty

What happens when the beauty industry tells women they're past their prime, but one of its most recognizable beauty entrepreneurs refuses to buy into it?

This week on The Iconic Midlife, Roxy Manning sits down with legendary makeup artist and beauty entrepreneur Laura Geller, founder of Laura Geller Beauty, for a conversation about aging, confidence, beauty standards, and why women over 40 deserve more than an afterthought from the beauty industry.

Laura has spent decades helping women look and feel their best. From building her namesake beauty brand to championing makeup for mature skin, she's helped change the conversation around what beauty looks like as we age.

Together, Roxy and Laura explore how our relationship with beauty evolves in midlife, why representation matters, and what it really means to feel confident in your own skin.

And, of course, there's plenty of beauty talk along the way.

• Laura's journey from makeup artist to building an iconic beauty brand
• Why women over 40 have historically been overlooked by the beauty industry
• Makeup tips and techniques for mature skin
• How our beauty routines should evolve as we age
• The connection between beauty, confidence, and self-expression
• Challenging outdated beauty standards and embracing aging
• Reinvention, entrepreneurship, and finding success at every stage of life

Laura Geller is a renowned makeup artist, entrepreneur, and founder of Laura Geller Beauty. Known for her approachable beauty philosophy and innovative makeup products, Laura has become a leading voice in celebrating women of all ages, particularly those navigating midlife and beyond.

Social Media: @lauragellerbeauty

Website: https://www.laurageller.com

The Iconic Midlife is hosted by Roxy Manning and features candid conversations about everything that matters to women in midlife, from health and hormones to beauty, relationships, career, and reinvention.

Social Media (Show): @theiconicmidlife

Social Media (Host): @redcarpetroxy

Watch the full episode on YouTube: The Iconic Midlife

Enjoying the podcast? Follow The Iconic Midlife on your favorite podcast platform, leave a rating and review, and share this episode with a friend. Your support helps more women discover these conversations.

Because beauty doesn't have an expiration date.

Would you date someone your dog doesn't like? And is sharing custody of a pet with an ex a relationship red flag?

PETA's Ashley Byrne is back on The Iconic Midlife with host Roxy Manning for a hilarious round of Dealbreaker or I'll Allow It?—a dating game where love, relationships, and our four-legged companions collide.

After tackling some of the most pressing animal-welfare issues in her full interview, Ashley is showing us her lighter side as Roxy puts her on the spot with a series of dating scenarios involving pets, partners, and some potentially questionable relationship habits.

From dogs sleeping in the bed to dating someone who isn't an animal lover, Ashley has to decide: Is it a dealbreaker, or will she allow it?

• Dating someone who loves animals but doesn't want pets
• Dogs in the bedroom—and possibly between you and your partner
• When your dog doesn't approve of your date
• Sharing custody of a pet with an ex
• Dating someone who doesn't share your views on animal welfare
• The relationship habits that might make an animal lover think twice

It's a playful look at dating, compatibility, and just how much our relationships with animals influence our relationships with people.

And don't miss Ashley's full episode of The Iconic Midlife, where we discuss animal cruelty on L.A.'s Skid Row, New York City's carriage horses, overcrowded animal shelters, and what we can all do to help protect animals.

Ashley Byrne / PETA: https://www.peta.org

The Iconic Midlife: @theiconicmidlife

Roxy Manning: @redcarpetroxy

Love this game? Subscribe to The Iconic Midlife on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.

Download the episode, leave a rating and review, and share it with your favorite animal lover.

Subscribe to The Iconic Midlife on YouTube for the full video episodes, games, and more candid conversations about life, relationships, and everything in between.

And tell us: Would you date someone your dog didn't like?

What's really happening to animals on Skid Row in Los Angeles—and who's protecting them?

From reports of animal abuse and illegal breeding on the streets of Los Angeles to the controversy surrounding New York City's carriage horses and overcrowded animal shelters nationwide, the fight for animal welfare has never felt more urgent.

This week on The Iconic Midlife, Roxy Manning sits down with Ashley Byrne, Director of Outreach for PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), for an eye-opening conversation about animal cruelty, rescue, advocacy, and the changes needed to protect vulnerable animals.

As a lifelong animal lover and rescue dog mom, Roxy has always felt a deep connection to animals and a responsibility to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.

Ashley shares how her passion for animals became her life's work and takes us behind the headlines of some of the most pressing animal welfare issues in America.

• The Skid Row animal crisis: Reports of abuse, neglect, and illegal breeding in Los Angeles, and whether city officials are doing enough to intervene.
• NYC carriage horses: The realities of the horse-drawn carriage industry, concerns about working and living conditions, and efforts to ban carriage rides.
• America's overcrowded shelters: Why shelters are struggling, what contributes to euthanasia, and what needs to change.
• Adopt, don't shop: The impact of puppy mills, breeding, and consumer demand on animal homelessness.
• Vegan fashion and cruelty-free beauty: How to make more compassionate choices without sacrificing personal style.
• Advocacy at every age: How our priorities and willingness to speak up can evolve in midlife.
• How you can help: Practical ways to support animal rescue, report suspected cruelty, foster, volunteer, and advocate for stronger animal protections.

This conversation isn't just about the heartbreaking realities facing animals. It's about accountability, compassion, and understanding how individual choices can contribute to meaningful change.

Because loving animals is one thing. Taking action to protect them is another.

Learn more about PETA's animal advocacy work: https://www.peta.org

Explore animal adoption and fostering opportunities through your local shelters and rescue organizations.

Social Media (show): @theiconicmidlife

Social Media (host): @redcarpetroxy

YouTube: The Iconic Midlife

Love this conversation?

Subscribe to The Iconic Midlife on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, or your favorite podcast app. Download the episode, leave a rating and review, and share it with someone who cares about animals.

And don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel for the full video interviews and exclusive content.

Your voice matters. And so do theirs.

Links referenced in this episode:

• peta.org

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• PETA
• Starts With One Today
• Los Angeles Animal Services
• Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)
• Best Friends Animal Society
• Central Park Conservancy
• Cirque du Soleil
• Gucci
• Stella McCartney
• Marie 1998
• Sans Beast
• PETA Business Friends
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• YouTube
• Instagram
• Iconic Midlife