Straight Up Extra Dirty's Podcast

EP 24 - Straight Up. 🍸 Extra Dirty: Confidence, Curves & Control

β€’ L.A. Marchesi & Mikey G. β€’ Season 1 β€’ Episode 24

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0:00 | 25:01

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This week on Straight Up. Extra Dirty., we welcome fashion icon and QVC personality Renee Greenstein to the show.

Renee shares the incredible story behind building Women With Control and Attitudes by Renee, becoming a self-taught fashion entrepreneur, empowering women through confidence-focused clothing, while continuing to inspire millions.

The conversation takes hilarious and unexpected turns as we discuss live television bloopers, fashion etiquette, shapewear, confidence, comfort, and why women should always feel in control.

This episode is funny, empowering, honest, and absolutely extra dirty in the best way possible.

🎧 Available now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music and more.

πŸ“Follow Renee Greenstein:
Instagram: @reneegreenstein_
https://www.qvc.com/c/women-with-control/-/1z13j0h/c.html
QVC: Women With Control & Attitudes by Renee

SPEAKER_02

Welcome back. Straight up.

SPEAKER_01

Extra dirty.

SPEAKER_02

And we have a fabulous guest with us today. Her name is Renee Greenstein, and you might recognize her because she has been on QVC for over 20 years. She is the founder of Women with Control and Attitudes by Renee. Innovative fashion brand sold exclusively on QVC for over 20 years. She's a self-taught designer. Did you hear what I said, Mikey G? Self-taught. Yes. An artist. She creates clothing focused on fit, function, and confidence and to empower real women with real bodies. Okay, I'm not talking about like, you know, the skinny bitches that we see on, you know, the models, although they're all gorgeous, but she's she keeps it real, and that's what I love because I'm straight up and I keep things real, Renee. I love it. So this white, I love this woman. I'm obsessed with this woman. So outside of fashion and being fabulous, she and her husband Justin are devoted art collectors and patrons of the performing arts, and she expresses her design passion through home renovation projects. So welcome to straight up extra dirty renee. Yeah. So I'm fascinated by it. I am obsessed with you. Okay. And I when I talked to Mikey about you coming on, I was like, dude, she's freaking rock star, man. And he had so many things to ask. So I'm gonna let him start. Oh while I start making this bread that has I will answer you.

SPEAKER_00

Oh, that's evil. Be careful, be careful.

SPEAKER_01

What you asked for. Tell us a little bit how like you started your brand.

SPEAKER_00

Well, I started my brand in 2009 because Mother Nature started doing things I didn't like with my body. I did it selfishly, okay? And Mother Nature brings you this way, down. I said, no, no, girlfriend, up. So I developed this fabric, which is 86% cotton, and not 2%, not 5%, not 10, but 14 butt lifting percent spandex. So you don't need a shaper, you put them on, it empowers you and lifts your butt buttons. It lifts your butt, honey. I do a booty lifter, I do a tushy tuff, I do a tushy lifter, and I do tummy control all trademarked. Tummy control.

SPEAKER_02

Why are you looking at me like that? Do you see what I'm saying? We all need a little bit.

SPEAKER_01

We all need a little tummy, hey. Sometimes in different places.

SPEAKER_00

I you know wanted to do this. And I I don't like athletic wear that's you know, poly nylon. I want it cotton, it breathes, so it's seasonless, 12 months out of the year, pop it in the washing machine, pop it in the dryer, pop it on your body. Easy care. Easy care, honey. The only high maintenance should be you, not your clothes. I love it. Did I tell you how much I love this thing? I told you, Roxy. It's all about the high maintenance. That's right. Low maintenance on the clothes, high maintenance on us, because we deserve it.

SPEAKER_01

We do deserve it.

SPEAKER_00

Don't we? Don't we? I love that, Renee.

SPEAKER_02

So are you wearing some of your fashion right now?

SPEAKER_00

Duh. Of course I am.

SPEAKER_02

Of course you are.

SPEAKER_00

I'm wearing my little flutter, one of my new pieces, little flutter v-neck top, because women always love their decolletΓ©. Oh, and the pearls. The pearls are mine, so you're tracer. Yes, I do pearls. I do earrings, yeah. And then my women with control pants. This is what the magic's all about. 14% spandex, no shape needed, keeps everything in. So you can skip the undergarment. You can skip the gym, honey. Well, I don't know about some of us do some of us do go commando, you know. Well, my own.

SPEAKER_02

I mean, I've constantly talking about commando.

SPEAKER_03

I've probably got to fuck it in.

SPEAKER_00

I mean, if we're gonna get straight up, ever since I was like 13, I don't know. I like feeling free, a free spirit. But I want to be in control because women, we are in control. We sometimes like meant to think they're in control. Oops, did I say that? Oh, yes.

SPEAKER_02

That's all right. It's all about being straight up. That's true. So I have a question for you. Uh-oh, yes. I do. So you were talking about lifting things and you know, like with your body wear. Okay. So I have a couple of outfits that have very plunging necklines. Right. Which it is impossible that they make a bra that could, you know, take care of these puppies.

SPEAKER_00

And so honey, those girls are wonderful. So I always talk about girls. Girls are either in training, PhD, or doctorate. Who are you?

SPEAKER_02

Oh, I I'm oh, I I don't know.

SPEAKER_00

And how do you get a doctorate in the girls? Well, no, it's talking about your size. So PhD, doctorate, you could be in training. You have graduated. Did you graduate from high school? So that's your own. Did you graduate? Right. Oh, I love it. You know, if you've got a PhD or a doctorate, you are so who are you, baby?

SPEAKER_02

Okay, so these are reconstructed breasts from breast cancer. Okay.

SPEAKER_00

So I'm gonna go with PhD. Okay, so number one, okay, breast cancer. Let's talk about that because that is something, because you're a survivor.

SPEAKER_02

Yes.

SPEAKER_00

Right?

SPEAKER_02

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00

Woman with control in power. So we had them reconstructed. Yeah. So uh girls are perky. Well, sort of perky, well, natural perky. Well, okay.

SPEAKER_02

So they're they're so they're not like regular breasts, you know, people get enhancements, you know, breast implants and all that. They are implants, right? Because they have to take everything off. I never had implants before.

SPEAKER_00

Okay.

SPEAKER_02

So what I'm struggling, so they, you know, so they kind of like, you know, they're implants. I mean, I don't know what else to say. I mean, other than like they had to shoot some fat into me to kind of build up my chest wall and et cetera, because they literally take everything off.

SPEAKER_00

Okay.

SPEAKER_02

But I've got in and I'm not afraid anymore. I'm in control, girl. I am in control of my girls.

SPEAKER_00

I love it.

SPEAKER_02

And I'm like ready to show them off. So these, so yeah, so these plunging necklines. Like, including, I mean, this isn't really plunging, but I want to be able to like tuck them to the sides and lift them up. Like people are talking about tape. Like, how do I, if I can't wear a bra because of the type of dress or top I'm wearing, what do you suggest I use?

SPEAKER_00

Could you wear a bra in the front that's just on the boobs? That's sucking.

SPEAKER_02

Is that gonna like push them up and squish them? Well, they have these new things.

SPEAKER_00

They have these new bras. It's on Amazon. Okay, and they glue, they they have glue on them, and you just pop them on.

SPEAKER_03

Ow.

SPEAKER_00

That hurts. No, no, no. You just put it on and it has a little hook, so it holds you like a bra. It's a push up without the bra part. So I don't know those little pasties.

SPEAKER_01

They should make those for balls. Like it would be really good for like men who don't want to go commando. But what does a jock strap do? A jock strap kind of does that, yes. Okay. Yeah, because you're still freeing. So you got a jock straping got nothing on that. Okay, okay. So you're still holding your member up though, too. You're squishing it in. Like maybe you just want to just pick up the boys.

SPEAKER_00

You know, that could be something to be developed. Well, yeah. You know what? Anybody out there, if you're an inventor, you can't. There we go.

SPEAKER_02

Coin that, just so you know, you need to coin that. But the girls, no, though. It it it oh it's like a cup, but you just paste it on. But what do you do about low hangers for men?

SPEAKER_00

Oh, well, I mean, I'm not a man, but I have not gotten a big thing. I'm not gonna talk about my husband's balls. I mean, you know, they do talk about Mikey G's from the A cubers. Okay, neutral top underneath.

SPEAKER_02

Men's balls drop as they get older. Is that true? Is it?

SPEAKER_01

I mean, my I have an A cup, so mine don't really drop as a cup.

SPEAKER_02

What do you mean? You have an A cup?

SPEAKER_01

You have small balls? Is that what you're saying? They're just not like a double D, you know? Like you have your scale. I got five.

SPEAKER_00

Do bowls come in sizes?

SPEAKER_01

They do, yeah.

SPEAKER_00

They do? Yes. Okay. It just depends on the person. It's a genetic thing. But wait a minute, but even though if they're small, because girls could have small girls, but as they get older, the girls droop. Yeah. So do your balls droop?

SPEAKER_01

I don't. I'm sure they do. Should we ask about them?

SPEAKER_00

I'm sure. Because you know what, I've heard men talk about when they sit on the potty in the toilet, the balls hole in the water. Nine or not even near the water. Talk to me in a couple of minutes. So how did how did we were talking about her, and you had to throw your balls and no, I was just talking about support.

SPEAKER_01

I didn't think. We were talking about support of a girl, so I was like, wait a second. I'm like, how can I get in this conversation? Because I don't have any girls.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, but how did they come in cup sizes? Like, that's kind of crazy.

SPEAKER_01

The balls?

SPEAKER_02

I didn't know they came in cup sizes, and I only know about No, but that's not real.

SPEAKER_01

That's my coding. That's like my.

SPEAKER_02

Yes, it is. Okay. And so what is some of what are some of the craziest moments that you experienced on there where somebody called in and asked a question. Did any does anything like that happen?

SPEAKER_00

Um, not really, because I, you know, they do, and there's like a couple of second, you know, period, I guess, that they will look, but it is all real. I've had people um ask me, Am I really Jewish? And I joked, and I said when I first went on air, because the last name is Greenstein, you would probably have people in certain areas adjusting their color on the TV. Is she really Jewish? But yeah, you know, it's um, I'll tell you the thing, being on live TV, there's times, you know, what was it, bridesmaids when they got sick? Yes, and they they, you know, yeah had dysfunction or whatever. Okay.

SPEAKER_02

So the best scene was in the bathroom with uh with um Melissa. Melissa, yeah. Melissa uh McCarthy.

SPEAKER_01

McCarthy.

SPEAKER_02

Right. And she's like, I can't take it! I can't take it! Okay, born out of me like Lova!

SPEAKER_00

I love that scene. So, I mean, I know when I first started on TV, and television's different. It's live, you know. And we went to this class, and this legal department is telling you, you know, what do you do? And people would go, like, what do you do if you have to go to the bathroom? What do you do if you have to cough? What do you do? And I would get, I won, and I went, what can I say? Because everything they were saying, I was going like, oh, I can't say this, I can't say that. Because you have to be careful when you're on television. You can't curse, right? No.

SPEAKER_02

Oh, there's certain words you can't say.

SPEAKER_00

We do say well on the other. I talk about your buttons, I talk about your butt. You know, some people say butt buttons. But you can't say butt. Well, they didn't, but now they do, because I go, smack your butt.

SPEAKER_03

Oh.

SPEAKER_00

Because I literally say, when you pull on my pants, smack your butt, you can pop a quarter off of it, because that's how tight your ass gets. She's talking her.

SPEAKER_01

Exactly.

SPEAKER_00

And that's what people 14% spandex, you go bam!

SPEAKER_01

So why would you restrict you from saying that?

SPEAKER_00

Like after years, I did what I do. Yeah. Whatever. Okay. But there was a time when um a lot of people know, and you know, I also have a book woman with control, but Well you tell us about the book.

SPEAKER_02

I don't know about the book.

SPEAKER_00

I have a book called.

SPEAKER_02

Oh my god, what don't you do? She does everything. Very cool.

SPEAKER_00

Very, very cool. And you can get it on qvc.com or Amazon. Okay. And it told about certain things about me. I had to be real. And I finished the book over COVID, because that was a time, whatever. But there was one time I had diverticolitis. Okay, and I had surgery about five months ago, which I told any woman go out there, if you have a problem, go to a doctor and take care of it. Because I have to tell you, for years I took antibiotics and what have you, because I wanted to avoid surgery, it wasn't worth it, because I almost died. Okay. But there was a time when you have diverticulitis, the tummy does things, you know, what have you. And one time I felt like I was a bridesmaid. I'm on air and it's gurgling. Oh, you were getting bubble guts. Oh, please. I went, I went like TV. And the host took over, and I ran to the effort. I mean, you take instant emodium. But this is what happened. You're like, what do I do? What am I? But I have to tell you something, because I'm a woman with control. I finished, and the producer's like, I said, No, no, honey, I am going back and finishing the show. I'm back and finishing this. That's right. Yeah, but there are things that do happen.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah. You know? Bloopers do happen, especially when it's live.

SPEAKER_02

Yes, they do, definitely. I mean, that's pretty amazing. I mean, your story is just completely remarkable. You're a self-made woman.

SPEAKER_00

Oh, can I interject something and he's here?

SPEAKER_01

Yes.

SPEAKER_00

My husband, Mr. Greening, Justin, when I came home one day and I said to him, I think I want to start my own business. And he looked at me like I had three heads. You know, because I was working, had a nice income, and what have you. And I said, you know, I just feel like I want to do my own. I want to make clothes for real women, what have you. You know what he said to me? Fine, I'll give you six months. If it doesn't work, you'll you'll have to go back to work. Oh. Uh-huh. But you know what he says now? He did it to, what did you say, Justin? Encourage me? Most definitely. Okay.

SPEAKER_01

It was encouragement. Yeah, right. Encouragement. Yes. Okay.

SPEAKER_02

But you took control and you made it.

SPEAKER_00

I because for me and for women out there, I don't believe no one should look thrown together. They should look put together. I also believe when you get on a plane, you don't have to look like you just rolled out of bed.

SPEAKER_01

Yes.

SPEAKER_00

You know, put it on.

SPEAKER_02

Back in the day, they used to all get dressed up. You get dressed up for that and the shows and stuff.

SPEAKER_00

Right. Yeah. So now I always I have my pearls on, but I wear, you know, what I call casacosy clothes, but my pants are so comfortable. My jeans are fabulous. I do these prime stretch denim jeans and contour curved jeans. I don't want to be uncomfortable. Okay. I don't want to be compressed. I want to be caressed. Oh, I like that.

SPEAKER_01

I also want to be caressed.

SPEAKER_00

But it's all about lifting, not to wear a shaper. I will not be caught in a shaper.

SPEAKER_02

Well, talk to us. I'm glad you brought that up. That's a good point. Talk to us, since you're the fashion guru. Talk to us about fashion etiquette. Like what, like if somebody said, like so you're talking about the plane. What other fashion etiquette like advice do you give to women and to men?

SPEAKER_00

Well, first of all, always look good. Look in the mirror before you walk out of the door. Okay? You don't have to be overdressed, but you could put on a pair of pants and a t-shirt. It's just putting yourself together. I always say, no women, I have to tell my gay friends are the fabulous because they got girlfriend, do not walk out without mascara or lipstick. That's right. Seriously.

SPEAKER_01

Clack, clack, clack. And if you don't want to put the mascara on, then at least get the lashes did so you wake up looking like that.

SPEAKER_00

Right, but no, always put wash your face, put on lipstick, put on a little mascara, what have you, and look great. You don't have to be uncomfortable, and that's the beauty of my clothing line, is to be comfortable in your clothes, to put on a great little top, put on a pair of pants that you don't have to wear shaper or if you don't want to wear underwear, you're all in control and feel good. Because you know what? Every woman knows if a woman says you look good, that's the highest compliment. Because women women girls do not like to give compliments. So if they turn and go, You look good, you go, thank you. Thank you. Okay, and then you stand a little more erect and you walk out that day going, I own it. I own it. Drop the mic. Okay. And that's what we should do every day because life is not a dress rehearsal, live for today. That's right. Remember that.

SPEAKER_03

That's right. That's right. It's all about the attitude, too. I mean, attitude is everything.

SPEAKER_00

But it's a good attitude. Yeah. It's not, you know, one of those attitudes. No cockiness, right? Just like that. Feeling good about yourself. About yourself, yeah. And that's it, because if you don't take care of yourself, you can't take care of anybody else. No.

SPEAKER_01

Exactly. No, but I just want to add one more thing. Yes. Because I definitely think the lashes and the lips are very important, but good hair will also make you look fabulous, even with nothing else. That's true. So that's true. We're in the same business and we do the same thing. We make people feel good about themselves. Totally.

SPEAKER_02

So with with your so you have models that come out. Do you choose your models?

SPEAKER_00

Um do they choose? I have my my 18. Okay. I have models, you know, I've been on air since 2009 with Women with Control. I gave birth in 2009 of Women with Control. And there's Jackie, and then there was Deanna, who's, you know, on and off now, but Jackie's always been like my key model. I have Angela, who's a plus size, Jackie's a launch, because I believe and own your curves. Okay. I have Crystal, who's Asian, she's Korean, and she's my petite, but she's a size medium. Because what happens is when you're on air, women look to see what they would look like. So they know what Jackie looks like. They know what Crystal looks like. They know what I look like. You know, so they look and they say, Oh, yeah, that's what I would look like in those pants. And that's the great thing about QVC and live TV. And we're not, and I always go, This is honey, this ass is not Photoshopped. Right. This is real thing. This is real. This is not airbrushed.

SPEAKER_02

So should we expect a new collection from you?

SPEAKER_00

Uh yes, you should.

SPEAKER_02

Okay, talk to us a little bit about that. Also, every season.

SPEAKER_00

Every season, yes. Oh, how fun. Yes, and you know what? Everything is packable.

SPEAKER_03

Love.

SPEAKER_00

Because I do not ever check luggage. I'm not giving the airlines any more money than what they charge for their tickets.

SPEAKER_03

That's a great point.

SPEAKER_00

Okay.

SPEAKER_02

Actually, I didn't even think to ask that question. So they're like, you could just take it out and just shake it up a little bit.

SPEAKER_00

Oh, yeah, you roll it up.

SPEAKER_01

Right. Yeah. And because the material, it it probably doesn't matter.

SPEAKER_00

Well, the Como jersey, I say, is the Botox of fabric. We should be so lucky. Right, yeah. You don't have to worry about wrinkling or crinkling or well, iron. No iron. What is an iron? I mean, I I have no idea. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01

No idea. And I do not want to know. Unless we're talking about a pressing iron or a hot iron, like curling iron. Right.

SPEAKER_00

But you know, definitely you can put everything in your handbag, suitcase, whatever, and walk out the door. And that's the beauty of Women with Control and Attitudes by Renee. Maintenance-free, looking good, feeling good, seasonless, because cotton is year-round. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02

So it doesn't matter where you live. Like that's another thing. Right.

SPEAKER_00

Or where you travel.

SPEAKER_02

Right. So like I guess another question that I have, I mean, like, there's always this debate about white. I don't look at seasons. Like, I'm just like Are you gonna do that, BS?

SPEAKER_00

About do you wear white after you're gonna be like?

SPEAKER_02

I wear it all year round. I don't give a shit. That's how I do it. No, no, no. And that's why I try to tell women.

SPEAKER_00

No, no, no, but they have no no. Take the old wives' tail and shove it out the window. It's gone. It's gone. Okay, you can wear white year round.

SPEAKER_01

I mean, I do. I do winter white.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, okay. Marshmallow, winter white. Marshmallow, but you can wear white. And the beauty about my pants, with no shaper, you don't have to worry. Nothing can do.

SPEAKER_02

You go to like an Italian restaurant and nobody knows how much pasta you eat because you're like all fitted in. You're like, oh, by the way, I made fresh Italian bread. I made artisan bread, speaking of eating. And I know that you and I had a conversation about, you know, watch your carbs, watch this, be, you know, and drinking. Well, this Italian diet is very hard to say. So um, I made this bread especially for you. Even though I know we're not big on the carbs right now because we're watching, but with your pants, I can eat this whole freaking loaf of bread. That's really good. Am I right? Yes. Am I right? I'm gonna give you some. Okay, totally. I'm from Italy.

SPEAKER_00

Well, I hear you're famous for your army.

SPEAKER_02

I am I am oil princess.

SPEAKER_00

Tell me about it.

SPEAKER_02

I am working on bringing a new virgin back. Would you like to try my new virgin? Yes, I would. When was the last time you had a real virgin? I don't want to ask you this.

SPEAKER_01

I was gonna say, don't go there.

SPEAKER_02

This oil is from Sicily. It's one of it's one of the oils I look at the color of it, it's fabulous. And I'm gonna give you oil from Puya.

SPEAKER_00

Oh, which is known for the olives olives. They have trees that are hundreds and hundreds of years old. I was in Puvia. Is it beautiful? Oh, it's amazing. It's amazing.

SPEAKER_01

It's definitely on my list of places.

SPEAKER_00

So yes.

SPEAKER_02

You know, I wanted to.

SPEAKER_00

Well, this smells and looks good, my love.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, so so with your your fashion, I don't have to feel guilty about eating this entire artisan bread that I just made.

SPEAKER_00

So you've got 14% spandex, and I always say, you know, the holidays, so you have You know, Christmas, we have Hanukkah, you have Thanksgiving and everything. And nobody's sitting there undoing their pants. I love it. I purposely go with a size larger. Guilt free. Everybody does it. But you know what? I sit there and I go, is there something wrong there, honey? Because I don't have to worry about a thing. Snap back, baby. I like it.

SPEAKER_02

So, Renee, we are so thank you so much for coming today. Thanks. Where can we find your fashion in addition to QVC? Are there special nights in the video?

SPEAKER_00

Well, you can go on Instagram, Renee Greensky underscore, or Facebook, but QVC.com and buy my fashions. But always look for me on Instagram and TikTok. TikTok. Oh, okay.

SPEAKER_02

I like that. I gotta get more into the TikTok. I just can't.

SPEAKER_01

Are you doing the dances like the what's trending? No, no.

SPEAKER_00

I've been dancing on tables before they knew what TikTok was, okay? That's right. So I mean, it's, you know, be free. Be wonderful. But TikTok, yeah, it's you know, it's a new thing. But Instagram, Facebook, QVC.com, Google my name, and read my book.

SPEAKER_01

Love it. Oh, definitely.

SPEAKER_00

Women with control.

SPEAKER_01

Excellent. Women with control. Yes. All right. Well, I know which woman has control in here. Yes, yes, yes. There's an Italian woman in the house.

SPEAKER_02

And we're allowed to eat the bread now. See that? I don't want to hear you telling me about that. So I, you know, so Mikey G, why don't you send us out? And I just want to let everybody know that we can, you can find all these social channels that Renee is talking about. You're going to find it on our social channels, and you can find it on our YouTube as well as all the podcast platforms. When you watch us or listen to us, you're going to find it. So uh we'll and you could find Straight Up Extra Dirty on YouTube and all your podcast stations like Spotify, iHeartRadio, Amazon Prime, you name it, we're on it. And if you want to find out more, find out about QVC, go on their website and you'll find Renee. Find out all about it. So I'm gonna ask Mikey G to close us out.

SPEAKER_01

Close us out, all right. Hey, hey. Cheers. Welcome to straight up, extra dirty.

SPEAKER_02

Extra dirty.

SPEAKER_01

Ooh. Woo!

SPEAKER_02

Will you come back and be our guest?

SPEAKER_00

Well, honey, I I definitely want to get down to the show.

SPEAKER_02

We would love to see you again, Renee.

SPEAKER_00

Chow.