Gretchen Carlson: podcast appearances and interviews

Gretchen Elizabeth Carlson, born in 1966, is an American broadcast journalist, writer, and television personality. She was born and raised in Minnesota and demonstrated early talent as a youth violinist, competing in numerous music contests before entering the world of beauty pageants. After winning Miss Minnesota in 1988, she became Miss America in 1989. Carlson attended Stanford University, graduating in 1990, and went on to work as a television anchor for local stations in Virginia, Ohio, and Texas. Her career advanced as she became a national correspondent and anchor on CBS, hosting the Saturday edition of The Early Show from 2002 to 2005. She later moved to Fox News, appearing on Fox & Friends from 2005 to 2013 and hosting The Real Story with Gretchen Carlson from 2013 to 2016. In 2016, Carlson filed a lawsuit against Fox News chairman and CEO Roger Ailes, alleging sexual harassment. The lawsuit and subsequent claims by other women led to Ailes' resignation and a settlement reportedly totaling twenty million dollars, alongside a public apology. This case became prominent during the #MeToo movement. Beyond her journalism career, Carlson co-founded Lift Our Voices in 2019 to advocate for the abolition of non-disclosure agreements and forced arbitration clauses in employment agreements. She played a significant role in the passage of legislation such as the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act and the Speak Out Act, both aimed at protecting victims. Carlson served as chairwoman of the Miss America Organization from 2018 to 2019 and was named one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in 2017. She has authored two books, including her memoir Getting Real and the bestseller Be Fierce: Stop Harassment and Take Your Power Back.