The first time I met Bridget Moynahan, she was a young model and I was a young makeup artist on set for a Glamour shoot. What I remember about Bridget, besides her being so pretty and the makeup being easy to do, was that she was so normal and grounded. I always enjoyed working with her and I am really proud of her success. Today, she’s an actress, wife, mother and fierce defender of women’s rights and we’re talking about everything from being on Sex and the City, being a mother of boys, and her new book, Our Shoes, Our Selves.

On what she would tell her 20-year-old self…

Probably don’t go to that nightclub. [Laughs] Early on in my acting career is I decided to reach out to someone who I thought was more accomplished in the business to help me with an audition. The notes he gave me were so opposite of what my instincts were and I didn’t get the job. I remember thinking, don’t do that again. I realized at that moment you have to trust your instincts and that has carried me along the way. Even if you don't get the job, at least you are trusting your instincts and gut.

On her time as a single mom…

In some aspects, it was [really hard]. In some aspects, it’s really liberating. You make the rules. There is a strength to it. You’re not depending on someone else to handle the load. I say that and I have a nanny and my son has a father who has been present since the beginning and a stepmom who adores him. I take it with a grain of salt, the single mom.

On surviving a public breakup...

You always have to try to take the high road and focus on what is important in that situation, and that is the kids. That's in any sort of divorce or breakup. You have to find a way to put anything aside and make sure it’s for the benefit fo the children.

On her new book...

It’s called Our Shoes, Our Selves. It follows 40 different women from different backgrounds and professions and a pair of shoes in their closet that they will never get rid of and a reason why. It feels at times a little frivolous, but the stories are really moving and intimate and inspiring.

It highlights different women in hoping that young girls will get inspired. There isn’t just one direction to go in and maybe some of these stories will inspire them to take that audition or take that job or pursue coding.

On her best advice…

Just [having] the knowledge that even though celebrities or people who seem to be successful and are successful, they still doubt and they still are not content all the time. They are always striving to do something more and that doubt is ok. You just have to remind yourself that it’s not that you can’t do it, it’s how do I do it.