Welcome to THE BALANCE PROJECT: a series of relevant and refreshingly candid interviews featuring inspiring and accomplished women talking about balance. I’ve always been curious about how women I admire manage the tragically glorified “doing it all” craze. So I asked them. As I suspected, no one really does “it all.” Everyone’s making sacrifices somewhere. And that should make us all feel a little better. I hope the conversation will be steered toward that reality rather than toward the flawed and dangerous assumption that we should try—or even want to try—to perfectly do “it all.”
By the way, looking for THE BALANCE PROJECT novel that was inspired by these interviews? It’s here.
No. 116: Jenna Segal, Producer
Age: 39
Where I live: New York City
Job: Producer
Kids: Three kids ages 4, 7, 9
Have you changed jobs or adjusted anything in your career to have more balance?
I quit my job so that I could stay home with my children because I did not believe I could have balance working in network television in production. Approximately two years after having my first child I started dabbling in a passion project, to see my favorite movie GIGI as a show on Broadway. I worked for myself on the project and was able to make my own schedule which, while at times did not give balance, did give me more flexibility and control of my own schedule. The great thing about Broadway producing is it takes a really long time to make a show happen and then there is a flurry of activity that you can ramp up for. Once a show opens, there is a calm. It is still stressful and time-consuming but not 24-hour-a-day-7-day-a-week time-consuming…and shows don’t start until 7 or 8 so if you live in the city you can be home for dinner then go back to the theater if needed.
Do you think having “it all” is realistic or overrated and why?
I do not believe it is realistic to have it all because when I try to do it all I do nothing well. I need a team that includes a babysitter, parents, husband, and “a village” to achieve anything both in and outside of my home at the level I expect of myself.
What part of “balance” can you just not seem to figure out?
Friends. When I am really churning away at work and keeping it all together at home, I am not as good of a friend as my friends expect. It leads to a lot of hurt feelings and disappointment.
What part of “balance” are you getting better at?
Letting go of the guilt. I used to feel guilty about missing every playdate or pick up at school or
event for friends. But I know my kids are really proud that I made my dream happen, and they will remember GIGI more than my missing pick-up.
Do you have a favorite time management tool, hack, or other strategy you use that helps you achieve balance?
Google calendar makes me feel connected to my kids’ day so I don’t feel guilty. I also have a giant white board on a wall in my home so when I leave that day, I can know exactly what is up for the kids on the way out the door like PE or library or playdates! It leaves space in my head when I’m working to feel like I’m still connected. I do also schedule exercise in my calendar, but I have to because I hate it and will find any excuse to not do it.
What was the best advice you ever heard on balance?
From a mentor/co-worker? I was one of very few female co-workers to have kids while working in Broadway, but Heidi Thomas, who is a mother, wife, and the writer of Call the Midwife (and my partner in crime), told me it would all be ok. I believed her. She’s very smart.
From your mother? “Don’t stop working.” (I didn’t listen.)
From your spouse/partner? “Broaden your conversation.”
From your kids? “Pay attention… to me!”
If you had one extra hour in each day and you couldn’t work or be with your family, how would you spend that hour?
Alone… I’m an only child. An hour of alone time for me is decadent!
What do you wish you’d known when you were 20?
That life is full of compromise and complication. There are no absolutes.
What do you hope to know by time you’re 60?
How to be satisfied.
What one part of your home life do you wish you could outsource?
I feel like I have the right balance in my home life right now, but I outsource a lot. My nanny is a great returner of packages, and she does all of that for me so there are no Amazon packages piling up! I also have her sort through the mail and separate bills and throw out all the junk which keeps the piles from building up.
Whose job do you wish you had?
Lisa Sugar‘s. She runs a company called POPSUGAR. We went to college together and I think what she created is amazing!
Whose job are you glad you don’t have?
Barack Obama’s.
Favorite books?
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.
What are you reading right now?
That Kennedy Girl by Robert Jr. DeMaria.
Biggest vices…
Activity? Honestly, biting my nails. I can’t shake it. I know I should say, “Soul Cycle” but I could make biting my nails a full-time activity.
Food? Wine.. that’s a food group right?
Website? Net-a-Porter… refer back to nanny returner. She has banned me from using it because I am 5’1″ and their clothes are for women 5’10”.
How many hours do you generally sleep at night during the week?
If no kids come in then 7.5. If they keep coming in then a non-consecutive 6.
What do you read every morning?
New York Times summary. US Weekly and People summary.
Complete the following sentences:
I think I: have not yet accomplished what I am supposed to in life.
I wish I: were better at fundraising so I could make all the projects that are in my head!
My kids: are my most important job, and my legacy but cannot be my most important accomplishment. It would be too much of a burden for them to carry.
Do you have a personal motto or favorite saying?
“Take your passion and make it happen.” I started singing that song (from Flashdance) when I was 8 with my feet taped in masking tape and leg-warmers. It stuck.
Anything else you’d like to add?
People always say if you love what you do you will be successful. I think it is really important for a woman who is working with kids to know before taking that advice how she defines success, because sometimes the kind of work you really love isn’t compatible with a family all at once, but if you stay interested in what you love, it can be later in your journey.
About Jenna:
Jenna Segal heads Segal NYC, a production company focused on developing content for women in theater, film, television, and digital. Segal most recently was the lead producer of GIGI starring Vanessa Hudgens, which she shepherded to Broadway after a sold-out run at the Kennedy Center, and is an associate producer of LADY Parts, a web series. She began her career in political talk shows in Washington, DC including CNBC’s Equal Time and CNN. Later, Segal moved to the VIACOM networks (MTV, VH1, Nicktoons, Nickelodeon) working in production management development on live shows and events, animated programing, reality competitions, variety shows, documentaries, live action gaming shows, game shows, documentary programming, extreme sport competition/shows, and reality programming, escalating to the position of director of production management development.
Jenna serves on the Board of Directors for the Birthright Israel Foundation. In the development spirit she created the successful Passport Program currently being implemented at the JCC Manhattan. Jenna also serves as a member of the Board of Directors for Women’s Project Theater and A Better Balance. She is a member of the Central Park Conservancy Women’s Committee and Emily’s List Majority Council as well as the Broadway League. Jenna has three children and lives with her husband in New York City.
Find out more about Jenna:
www.segalnyc.com
Twitter: @jennakatzsegal
Instagram: @jennasegal
WANT TO READ MORE ABOUT WORK-LIFE BALANCE? CHECK OUT MY NOVEL THE BALANCE PROJECT!
Related Posts
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 1: Jessica Mindich, Entrepreneur
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 2: Veronica Beard, Fashion Designer
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 3: Emily Liebert, Author
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 4: Lyss Stern, Mom-trepreneur
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 5: Lauren Slayton, Nutritionist
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 6: Elizabeth Moyer, Blogger
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 7: Annabel Monaghan, Author
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 8: Holly Gordon, Director
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 9: Jill Salzman, Entrepreneur
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 10: Jennifer Levinson, Jen’s List
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 11: Jenny Hutt, Media Personality
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 12: Angela Santomero, Kids’ Media Creator
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 13: Carola Donato, Yogi
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 14: Tiffany Washington, Pastry Designer
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 15: Emily Giffin, Author
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 16: Alana Sanko, Writer
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 17: Cara Lemieux, Journalist
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 18: Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke, Authors
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 19: Nikki Mark, Author & Foundation Director
Shonda Rhimes on Doing It All
Indra Nooyi on Balance
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 21: Jill Bryan, Comedian
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 22: Cindy Callaghan, Author
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 23: Stephanie Hirsch, Artist
My Times of India Interview on Work-Life Balance
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 24: Whitney Dineen, Author/Baker
AmEx’s Sobbott on Balance
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 25: J0-Laine Duke-Collins, Dessert Stylist
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 26: Whitney English, Entrepreneur
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 27: Jennifer Gooch Hummer, Author
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 28: Melissa Amster, Book Blogger
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 29: Nigel Marsh, Author and Entrepreneur
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 30: DayNa Decker, Entrepreneur
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 31: Amy Selling, Blogger
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 32: Heather Sonnenberg, Entrepreneur
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 33: Allison Winn Scotch, Author
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 34: Bibi Kasrai, Entrepreneur and Chef
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 35: Karen Sutton MD, Orthopaedic Surgeon
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 36: Samantha Ettus, Balance Expert, Author, TV/Radio Personality
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 37: Pam Yudko, Holistic Health and Transformational Coach
THE BALANCE PROJECT| No. 38: Nancy Huang, Nonprofit Outreach Director
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 39: Mary Laura Philpott, Writer, Editor and Illustrator
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 40: Towanda Long, Marketing Communications Specialist
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 41: Kristyn Kusek Lewis, Writer
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 42: Tracy Pollan, Actor and Writer
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 43: Christianne Phillips, Fitness Consultant and Writer
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 44: Susannah Lewis, Writer
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 45: Kimi Culp, Producer, Author and Creative Consultant
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 46: Traci Bild, Entrepreneur
The Balance Project Interview Series Turns 1!
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 47: Laura Vanderkam, Journalist and Author
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 48: Amy Tara Koch, Style Expert and Author
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 49: Cozy Friedman, Kids’ Hair Expert
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 50: Bobbii Hach-Jacobs, Music Promoter
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 51: Niketa Jhaveri, Game Creator and Web Designer
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 52: Sheri Silver, Blogger
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 53: Lori Pollan, Cookbook Author
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 54: Chatón Turner, Attorney and Blogger
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 55: Joanne Wilson, Investor and Blogger
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 56: Nicola Kraus, Author and Creative Coach
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 57: Shiri Sarfati, Marketing Expert
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 58: Audrey McClelland, Entrepreneur and Blogger
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 59: Jessica Lahey, Writer and Teacher
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 60: Lindsay Bressler, Entrepreneur
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 61: Marie Claire Lim Moore, Banker, Author and Speaker
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 62: Stacey Ballis, Novelist and Cookbook Writer
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 63: Amy Hochhauser: Co-Founder, JoyRide Cycling Studio
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 64: Molly Sims, Actress, Author and Humanitarian
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 65: Colleen Oakley, Writer and Author
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 66: Nichole Montoya, CEO of Cheddar Up
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 67: Eileen Palma, Author and Instructor
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 68: Adina Grigore, Founder of S.W. Basics
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 69: Dana Pollan, Writer
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 70: Melissa Hawks, Owner, The Well Appointed House
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 71: Emily Greenspan, Art Consultant
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 72: Michelle Hodges, Software Executive and See Girl Be Founder
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 73: Kendra Basner Mallen, Attorney
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 74: Alysa Bajenaru, Dietitian and Writer
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 75: Anita Shepherd, Founder of Anita’s Yogurt
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 76: Dana Marlowe, President of IT Consulting Firm
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 77: Jill Royster, Marketing Consultant
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 78: Debra Olshan Cooper, Entrepreneur
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 79: Zainab Zaki, Technology Product Manager
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 80: Marisa de los Santos, Novelist
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 81: Kamy Wicoff, Writer and Publisher
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 82: Kristy Woodson Harvey, Writer and Blogger
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 83: Jane Green, Author
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 84: Meredith Schorr, Author and Paralegal
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 85: Melissa Marks Papock, Founder of Cabana Life
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 86: Cindy Chupack, TV Writer/Producer and Author
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 87: Betsy Ames, Founder of Mindful Style
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 88: Erin Baebler, Author, Writer and Coach
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 89: Danielle Weisberg & Carly Zakin, Founders of theSkimm
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 90: Heather Bauer, Dietitian and Founder of Bestowed
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 91: Jennifer O’Regan, Teacher, Coach, Book Champion
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 92: Debbie Major, CEO of Zylofone and Performer
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 93: Dorie Clark, Marketing Strategist, Author, Speaker, Professor
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 94: Peggy Davenport, Attorney
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 95: Terrianne Patnode, Attorney
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 96: Jillian Griffiths, Chief Operating Officer
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 97: Gillian Zoe Segal, Author and Photographer
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 98: Pauline Nakios, Apparel Company Owner
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 99: Jessie Rosen, Writer
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 100: Reese Witherspoon, Actor/Producer
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 101: Elyssa Friedland, Writer
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 102: Lisa Reichmann and Julie Sapper, Running Coaches
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 103: Jackie Kolek, Communications Executive
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 104: Stacy Sukov Blackman, MBA Consultant
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 105: Nancy Easton, Wellness in the Schools Executive Director
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 106: Lisa Sugar, POPSUGAR Founder and Editor in Chief
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 107: Bobbi Rebell Kaufman, Reuters Anchor and Reporter
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 108: Jennifer Berson, PR Executive
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 109: Jo-Ná Williams, Attorney and IP/New Business Advisor
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 110: Susan Ascher, Author, Coach and Speaker
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 111: CC Minton, Author and Health Advocate
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 112: Sara Blakely, Founder of SPANX
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 113: Courtney Nichols Gould, Co-Founder & Co-CEO SmartyPants Vitamins
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 114: Kristy Wallace, COO of Ellevate Network
THE BALANCE PROJECT | No. 115: Kimra Luna, Personal Branding & Online Business Strategist