Season 3 episode 3

Grief, Grit & Giving More: Designing Life with Leslie Hart-Davidson

In this powerfully authentic and deeply moving episode of WildHER Wisdom, Shelley and guest co-host Mary Gajda sit down with the incomparable Leslie Hart-Davidson—award-winning interior designer, author, grief virtuoso, and unapologetic edutainer.

Leslie opens up about her journey as a Gen X woman navigating business ownership, solo parenting, and profound personal loss. With her signature humor and heartfelt honesty, she shares how her sassy spirit and design philosophy—“Design is a democracy, not a dictatorship”—have fueled her mission to empower women through creativity, community, and compassion.

Listeners will hear how Leslie channels her grief into action, founding Warmup Chicken Productions and launching “The Great Fuckery Weekly”, a raw and revolutionary resource for grieving minds. She also shares her vision for Lulu University, a life-changing initiative born from her great-grandmother’s legacy, aimed at helping women rebuild their lives with confidence, skill, and support.

From the kitchen to the classroom, Leslie’s motto of “Give, and when in doubt, give more” permeates every part of her life—including her work at HDD Studios, her upcoming project Number 10, and her books like Food Is Love and It’s Not Your Room, It’s You.

Tune in to hear real talk about parenting Gen Z with Gen X wisdom, the courage it takes to start over, and the joy of doing epic sh*t while being a kind human. Whether you’re grieving, growing, or just ready to laugh while learning, Leslie’s story will inspire you to embrace your own voice, honor your mess, and keep designing a life that matters.