The Goop Podcast

Host: Gwyneth Paltrow
Guests: Erin Foster, Sara Foster
Date: October 21, 2025
Episode Theme: Listen, learn, explore — Evolving Ambition, Sisterhood, and Authenticity with Erin & Sara Foster

Episode Overview

In this lively, honest, and often hilarious conversation, Gwyneth Paltrow sits down with sisters Erin and Sara Foster—creators, entrepreneurs, and hosts of “The World’s First Podcast.” They delve into their intertwining personal and professional journeys, the challenges and breakthroughs of launching a successful clothing brand (Favorite Daughter), the realities of working with family, dramatic pivots (including stints in television and at Bumble), navigating fertility struggles, growing into self-acceptance, and the triumphs and vulnerabilities behind their hit Netflix show. The episode brims with wisdom for women pursuing purpose, meaningful work, and richer relationships—emphasizing that real fulfillment can flourish at any age.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Sisterhood & Friendship Dynamics

• Their Longstanding Bond: Gwyneth reflects on her deepened friendship with both sisters and the "non-toxic mom chat" that binds them. Erin jokes about the selectiveness of the chat, highlighting the importance of bringing real value and passion to the group.
  • "I take my role seriously. It's a big deal bringing someone new into the chat..." - Gwyneth, [05:36]
• The Sibling Rivalry and Best Friend Triangle: Playful banter about Gwyneth and Erin's growing closeness nudged Sarah’s feelings about FOMO and attachment—framed with self-awareness and humor.
  • "She doesn't have fomo. She's securely attached. She never feels threatened. I always feel threatened..." - Sarah, [07:01]

2. The “Favorite Daughter” Brand Origin Story

• Navigating Early Careers: Both Erin and Sara discuss their winding career paths, early ambitions in writing, acting, and modeling, and a recurring struggle with finding agency and clarity.
  • Erin: "Being open to your life looking a different way does end up putting you on the path you kind of always intended to be on, just differently than you thought it would look." [12:28]
  • Sarah: "When you don't have agency and...a North Star...you're not, as you love to say, you're not living in your integrity." [13:48]
• Breakthrough Moment: The brand "Favorite Daughter" was sparked almost accidentally by a T-shirt collaboration that unexpectedly went viral, selling $2 million worth of shirts emblazoned with “Favorite Daughter.”
  • "Nothing else sells except for this dumbass T-shirt." - Erin, [24:36]
• Division of Strengths & Fears: Erin’s comfort with risk balances Sara’s perfectionism and fear of failure; both acknowledge the impact of birth order and upbringing.
  • Erin: "I was very used to failing...So I was kind of comfortable in that zone...It wasn't something...that was going to define me the same way." [19:23]
  • Gwyneth: "When you're the firstborn daughter...if we're not perfect, we're nothing." [20:25]

3. Embracing Authenticity and Redefining Success

• Letting Go of Aspirations That Don’t Fit: The sisters talk candidly about shedding external ideas of what they “should” look or act like to build a brand and life that aligns with who they really are.
  • "I think big part of it is accepting the truth of who we are and turning that into a superpower." - Erin, [27:47]
• Advice for Women in Their 20s/30s: All three women reflect on how much pressure is placed on young women to have it all figured out, and the importance of embracing the journey, not the timeline.
  • "Don't you just want to shake the 27-year-olds that write us going like, I'm turning 30, my life is over...The best years are ahead of you..." - Sarah, [57:34]
  • "The twenties are so inherently difficult. None of us know who the fuck we are...I wish the most is that the 30s are the most incredible time for real discovery." - Gwyneth, [58:13]

4. Family, Upbringing, and Financial Security

• Deeper Motivations: Sara discusses her ongoing anxiety around security, stemming from a childhood marked by financial scarcity and the responsibilities of being the eldest daughter.
  • "I'm always in fear that I will lose everything, that I will have nothing." - Sarah, [35:16]

5. Fertility Challenges and the Power of Faith

• Erin’s Fertility Journey: Open and vulnerable discussion about Erin’s arduous IVF process (over ten rounds) and the mental toll it took, including breakdowns and the restorative power of support from family.
  • "There were a lot of times I didn't feel positive...I hit breaking points...But I had a really strong faith that it was going to work out." - Erin, [39:20]
• Letting Go of Prescriptions: Erin emphasizes the need to let go of preconceived notions about life timelines and outcomes.
  • "It might not work out how you want it to, but it will work out if you allow it to." - Erin, [41:16]

6. Faith, Judaism, and Community

• Conversion and Meaning: Erin reflects on her experiences converting to Judaism for her partner, finding resonance in the faith’s tradition of questioning, community, and connection.
  • "The thing about Judaism that I really connected to was the idea that you're allowed to question everything, and you're actually expected to question everything." - Erin, [44:02]
• Found Family: Both sisters have found healing and structure in the sense of family and ritual that came with this faith and Simon's family.
  • "There's something about the Jewish religion that is the opposite of [chaos]. It's the coming together, it's the family, it's the connecting..." - Sarah, [45:39]

7. The Netflix Hit Show & Creative Fulfillment

• Inspiration and Reluctance: “Shiksa,” inspired by Erin’s real-life relationship and conversion, came to life with encouragement from their producer and manager. Initially, Erin was hesitant to mine her now-happy love life for comedy, but the experience became a celebration of healthy, grown-up love.
  • "I feared it wouldn't be funny or interesting enough to write about...it ended up being this celebration of healthy love..." - Erin, [48:49]
• Sarah’s Producer Role: Sarah outlines her role in packaging, producing, and advancing the show—emphasizing the realities of getting a series greenlit.
  • "A producer is like, how can we get this bought? How can we actually put ourselves in the best position to get this on the air?” - Sarah, [51:42]
• Validation at Any Age: Both sisters discuss the distinct validation of major success coming in their 40s.
  • "I'm trying to really enjoy it, you know...this is not my first show. This is just my first hit." - Erin, [53:20], [54:21]
• Sticking to Your Lane: Erin accepts she doesn’t need to write in every genre and finds strength in focusing on her unique style.
  • "I'm happy to be good at this lane. I don't need to be all things to all people..." - Erin, [55:02]

8. Healthy Love as a New Cultural Model

• Healthy Relationships on Screen: Discussion of how their show provides a new paradigm—a relationship between two secure people who truly show up for each other.
  • "Being in toxic, complicated relationships is a little easy...when you meet someone and you're in a healthy relationship, you have to be a real person." - Erin, [60:50]
• Reversing Gender Tropes: Positive audience reactions to a story where the man is confident and fully committed, flipping the usual narrative.
  • "It was nice to see the man know exactly what he wants...it was her kind of vacillating..." - Sarah, [62:22]

9. Advice for Aspiring Women

• Partnership is Power: Strong encouragement for young women to seek connection and find a collaborative partner or co-founder.
  • "It's all about connection in every which way...find a creative counterpart. Find someone to do this with." - Sarah, [66:54]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Authenticity & Self-Acceptance:
  "Resisting the truth makes you go crazy...It took me a really long time to stop trying to be something else."
  — Erin, [28:14]

• On the Impact of Failure:
  "I was very used to failing...So I was kind of comfortable in that zone...It wasn't something...that was going to define me the same way."
  — Erin, [19:23]

• On Partnership in Life & Work:
  "Having a co-founder, right?...I wish that I had a co-founder. You know, I've had to build my business by myself as an artist. I was by myself."
  — Gwyneth, [67:04]

• On Faith and Letting Go:
  "It might not work out how you want it to, but it will work out if you allow it to."
  — Erin, [41:16]

• On the Pressure for Young Women:
  "The twenties are so inherently difficult...None of us know who the fuck we are..."
  — Gwyneth, [58:13]

• On Women's Success Trajectories:
  "It's so exciting to see, and I think it sets such an amazing roadmap for other women...it's just so inspiring."
  — Gwyneth, [66:08]

• On Celebrating True Connection:
  "I'm really inspired by you guys...I love seeing this incredible success blossoming in your 40s."
  — Gwyneth, [66:08]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:56] – Erin and Sarah join, discuss friendship with Gwyneth, “non-toxic mom chat”
• [07:37] – Launch and backstory of Favorite Daughter clothing brand
• [10:15] – Navigating careers: acting, writing, entrepreneurship
• [13:47] – Sara’s struggle for agency and using relationships for self-esteem
• [19:21] – On fear of failure and firstborn daughter pressures
• [24:35] – Favorite Daughter T-shirt becomes viral hit
• [27:47] – The power of authenticity & building a lifestyle brand
• [35:16] – Impact of financial scarcity during childhood
• [38:31] – Erin’s philosophy on faith, optimism, and overcoming fertility struggles
• [44:02] – On converting to Judaism, the spiritual and familial impact
• [48:49] – The birth of “Shiksa”/Netflix show, and writing from joy vs. drama
• [53:20] – Validation and success in their 40s
• [60:50] – Redefining healthy relationships in media
• [66:54] – Advice: importance of connection, creative partners

Tone & Takeaways

This episode is as warm, vulnerable, and irreverent as expected with these three sharp women. They’re unafraid to examine their shortcomings, crack jokes at their own (and each other’s) expense, and celebrate unlikely pivots. Listeners will find reassurance that circuitous paths and imperfect moments can lead to richer, more authentic success—and that it’s never “too late” to come into your own.

For listeners seeking inspiration on authentic living, creative risk, meaningful relationships, and the beauty of trusting your own timeline, this conversation is essential.