Catt Sadler is building her own media empire which includes her new podcast and interview series, Naked, where Sadler gets vulnerable with successful women on real issues. After publicly departing E! Entertainment due to what she describes as a gender pay disparity, Sadler has continued to champion equal pay for women through her website, Youtube channel, social media and production company. She has grown her brand enormously since leaving E! by aligning with companies, organizations, and brands that share her vision.
Sadler shares how she has evolved her career especially in the past year to empower women through her work.
Yola Robert: You spent the first ten years of your television career on the local news in San Francisco and Indianapolis. How did you get your start in entertainment reporting?
Catt Sadler: Growing up in Indiana I was fascinated with everything and everyone Hollywood. I loved the arts! Film, television, music. So when an agent approached me to expand my reporting and engineer a career in entertainment - I jumped at the opportunity. I actually got my first entertainment reporting job on tv in San Francisco, and then after I had my son, returned home. It wasn't until 2006 when I was in my early 30’s on a local morning show in Indiana that I decided to audition for The Daily 10 on E! in Los Angeles. I ended up landing the gig with basically all odds stacked against me. I was a mom of two children, an unknown, and didn't live in Los Angeles. But what I did have was ten years experience.
Robert: As a mother of two it must have been hard to shift your career from Indiana to Los Angeles. What advice do you have for mothers who are building their careers?
Sadler: I had a beautiful village around me to help me pull off working full-time and being a mom. Like so many mothers, there have been many sacrifices I have had to make along the way. I have regrettably missed field trips, doctors appointments and sporting events. My way of balancing all of this has always been to focus on being very present when I am with the boys. I never let work spill into time I had set aside for my family. I think women should absolutely pursue their passions and their dreams. Being a working mother will always be difficult, but I think if you deny yourself the opportunity to pursue your passions, you are denying a part of your being. Inevitably you might not be as good of a wife, mother, friend or colleague. I would tell all mothers - working moms and stay at home moms- keep on keeping on and cut yourself some slack! There is no such thing as being a perfect mother. It doesn’t exist. My best advice is to be fully present with what is in front of you at each moment.
Robert: Being from the Midwest- what advice do you have to women who are trying to grow their broadcasting career if they do not live in a major market?
Sadler: You have everything you need right now in your hands with your phone. My advice to everyone younger than myself no matter where they live is to create your digital brand and identity. I am envious of the next generation with all of the tools they have at their fingertips. Although it can be hard to stand out with the saturation on digital platforms, being authentic will help you cut through the noise.
Robert: How do you find time for yourself as an entrepreneur and a mother?
Sadler: Self care is so important. I cannot emphasize this enough. No matter how busy I am, I always find time to nourish my mind, body and soul. If I skip taking time for myself I become anxious and do not work as optimally. I do a lot of hot yoga, reading, meditation and read and write affirmations to stay grounded.
Robert: After twelve years of being on E!, how did you find the courage to step away when you found out you were getting paid considerably less than your male counterpart?
Sadler: It was many months of conversations and soul searching. At my core I knew my value and worth. So when they were unable to meet me in the ballpark of what ‘he’ was making, I had to walk away.
Robert: For women who are battling unequal pay what tips do you have for them in overcoming this adversity?
Sadler: We all have a voice and we have to use it. So if you’re at your current job and you want a promotion, a raise or you know the trajectory of where you want to go - knock on the door of your superior and declare it. While you are doing that it is really important to keep record of your accomplishments, wins and even how much money you have made for your employer. Negotiating with the facts will help you get the raise or position you desire. Most importantly - never say sorry! We apologize way too much as women. You deserve to sit at the table.
Robert: What have you been doing since your departure from E!?
Sadler: I have been building! I have my own production company, Love Bug Entertainment, which umbrellas several of my media entities. My website, thecattwalk.com, has grown immensely, I just launched my Youtube channel and my Naked podcast will be premiering in March.
Robert: You just co-hosted the Vanity Fair Oscars party this past Sunday on their livestream. Do you have any other plans to be on camera?
Sadler: Absolutely! Part of what I am building is my own show with TNT. I have a first look deal there to develop, produce, and host my own show for them. It’s been so eye-opening learning this side of the business. It takes time, it doesn’t happen overnight, but to be a part of an unscripted show from the early stages is highly invigorating. I am so anxious to share this offering I can’t even tell you!
Robert: Why is your new interview series called Naked? What does being naked mean to you?
Sadler: Naked is metaphorical and I suppose, literal, as well. For the the first few minutes on the podcast my guests and I take a piece of something off. A wedding ring, a red lip, a shirt, high heels. But the more metaphorical sense of "naked" comes from going deeper in hearing these women's stories and really going below the surface. Many of us wear this armor or superficial protection when we go out in public. Getting naked means getting vulnerable and a little uncomfortable in an effort to share the real struggles that we go through as women in hopes the audience can connect and be inspired by stories of resilience and overcoming adversity. I’m so humbled that already I’ve had interviews with some of my heroes! Gwyneth Paltrow, Amy Schumer. And on my podcast, Olivia Munn, Jana Kramer, Sazan Hendrix. We are all learning from one another. It’s so powerful.
Robert: What is your favorite interview question to ask your guests?
Sadler: My favorite question to ask is, "What is the key part of yourself that you are really working on now?"
Robert: Now knowing everything you know, what advice would you give your 21-year-old self?
Sadler: I would tell my 21-year-old self to network more. Talent and hard work don’t always equate to success.
Robert: What is one failure you have been able to leverage into a success?
Sadler: When I was working at the local Fox affiliate in Indianapolis, the news director had changed and the new guy did not care for me. He scolded me for being on air at such a young age. He suggested I should go to an even smaller market and start over. He would not let me be on air. At that moment I could have given up, but instead it fueled me. My next job was entertainment reporting in San Francisco. I went from the 25th biggest market to the 4th largest market and proved him wrong. I created my own narrative despite the judgement and lack of support.
