Overview of The Latest with Lauren LaRosa
In this episode, Lauren LaRosa starts with a personal reflection about learning to reset after setbacks and not letting panic define the rest of the day. From there, she covers two major entertainment/business stories: Ryan Clark’s growing media empire through Pivot 25 Productions and Howard Schultz’s new investment, and Lionel Richie’s recent health scare, which raises questions about whether it may be time for him to slow down.
Key Topics Discussed
Lauren’s “reclaim your day” mindset
Lauren opens with a behind-the-scenes moment from her morning commute and uses it as a broader lesson about:
- Not carrying one mistake into the rest of the day
- Learning to calm panic instead of operating in chaos
- Recognizing that your value is not determined by one bad moment or one missed step
- Choosing a “show must go on” mindset, both personally and professionally
She frames this as a lesson she has had to practice over time, especially during difficult periods in her career.
Ryan Clark, Pivot 25, and Howard Schultz’s investment
The episode highlights a major business move for Ryan Clark:
- Former Starbucks chairman/CEO Howard Schultz has joined Pivot 25 Productions as a strategic partner and investor.
- Pivot 25 was co-founded by Ryan Clark and producer Alicia Zubowski.
- Schultz reportedly reached out after Clark was let go from ESPN in July, following an 11-year run.
Lauren is highly enthusiastic about the move, emphasizing that:
- Clark has already built a strong personal brand and audience
- The quality of Pivot 25’s productions suggests serious backing and long-term ambition
- The partnership reflects a smart shift toward owning the platform rather than depending on one employer
She also notes that:
- The Pivot podcast is on Netflix
- The sports show The Pivot Sports is on YouTube
- The sports show is set to premiere September 14
- The NFL Films partnership covers the weekly football show, while Schultz’s investment is tied directly to Pivot 25
Lionel Richie’s health scare and tour cancellation
Lauren then turns to Lionel Richie, expressing concern after reports that he has experienced another heart-related issue:
- Richie was reportedly hospitalized again and is receiving treatment for atrial fibrillation (AFib)
- He and Earth, Wind & Fire are canceling/rescheduling the next three shows of their “Sing a Song All Night Long” tour
- This is reportedly at least the third recent hospital-related scare
Lauren’s commentary is empathetic but direct:
- She stresses how serious heart issues can be, especially as people age
- She suggests Richie may need to consider stepping back a bit and enjoying the life and career he has built
- She connects this to her own reflections on learning when to push and when to pause
Main Takeaways
- Personal reset matters: Lauren’s opening takeaway is that one stressful moment does not have to control the rest of your day.
- Ownership is power: Ryan Clark’s move with Pivot 25 is presented as a strong example of building something scalable and independent.
- Quality attracts opportunity: Lauren sees the level of production around Clark’s content as evidence of a business that’s ready for larger investment.
- Health comes before hustle: Lionel Richie’s situation is a reminder that even legendary performers may need to slow down and prioritize well-being over nonstop touring.
Closing Reflection
The episode ultimately ties together three ideas: resilience, smart career building, and knowing when to pause. Lauren uses her own morning as a metaphor for life and then applies that same theme to Ryan Clark’s career growth and Lionel Richie’s health concerns. The core message is simple: keep moving, but do it with intention, ownership, and self-awareness.