Episodes

  • EP 130 Maddi Holman

    EP 130 Maddi Holman
    Sep 14 2025
    Daring Ventures, Bold Voices: Maddi Holman on Mentorship, Women’s Health, and Rewriting the VC Playbook 📄 Episode Description: In this episode of Meeting You Where You're At, host Richard Juknavorian sits down with Maddi Holman, Co-Founder and General Partner at Daring Ventures, for an unforgettable conversation on entrepreneurship, resilience, and redefining what success looks like in venture capital. Maddi’s journey is anything but traditional—from pursuing a pre-med track and playing Division I volleyball at Rice University to discovering her true calling in venture capital through an unexpected course at Imperial College London. Today, she’s leading with purpose, backing early-stage founders with lived experience and a relentless drive to solve meaningful problems. We dive into: - Her bold pivot from medicine to venture capital - How Daring Ventures is disrupting VC norms with a focus on founder authenticity and real-world obsession - Why mentorship is a cornerstone of her approach—and how her athletic roots shaped her leadership - Her podcast Let’s Be Heard, which spotlights taboo-breaking conversations in women’s health - The power of vulnerability, community, and cold outreach that actually works This is a must-listen for founders, aspiring VCs, and anyone passionate about making an impact through innovation and empathy. 🔗 Connect with Maddi: Website: https://daringventures.vc/ Podcast: Let’s Be Heard: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gUuN40KsBHJFxykuKBg8e?si=fb5988ca0aab4fed LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maddi-holman-0b5b5a113/ ✨ Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to support more conversations like this! #VentureCapital #WomenInVC #Founders #Entrepreneurship #MeetingYouWhereYoureAt #DaringVentures #WomensHealth #LetsBeHeard #Mentorship #Innovation #Podcast
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    39 mins
  • EP 129 Maggie Marcus

    EP 129 Maggie Marcus
    Sep 6 2025
    Bilingualism, Equity & Advocacy with Dr. Maggie Marcus 📻 Meeting You Where You’re At Podcast In this inspiring episode, host Richard Juknavorian sits down with Dr. Maggie Marcus, Executive Director of the Sullivan Family Charitable Foundation, Fellow at the Century Foundation, and a passionate advocate for equitable access to dual language education. Together, they explore: 🌍 Maggie’s personal journey — from teaching Spanish in Puerto Rico and Washington, DC, to raising her own children bilingually. 🏫 How early experiences shaped her career in bilingual education and systems change. 🧠 The powerful intersection of language access, mental health, and culturally responsive learning. 💡 What “relational philanthropy” looks like in action and why it matters in educational equity. 🏫 Models of dual language instruction that work — and what school districts and policymakers still get wrong. 📣 A call to action for anyone looking to volunteer, mentor, or support multilingual learners in their local community. Whether you're a parent, educator, policymaker, or aspiring social innovator, this episode offers rich insights into the real-world challenges — and possibilities — of creating equitable, multilingual education systems. 🔗 Learn more about Maggie and her work: 🌐 Sullivan Family Charitable Foundation - https://sullivanfamilycharitablefoundation.org/ 🔗 The Century Foundation - https://tcf.org/ 🔗 Connect with Maggie on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-marcus-ph-d-8547b450/ 🎙️ Subscribe for more stories of impact, resilience, and social innovation from women leading change.
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    40 mins
  • EP 128 Andrea Giancontieri

    EP 128 Andrea Giancontieri
    Aug 21 2025
    In this episode of Meeting You Where You’re At, host Richard Juknavorian sits down with Andrea Giancontieri (pronounced Jahn-con-TYEH-ree), a digital marketer, advocate, and entrepreneur who turned her personal journey through menopause into a powerful movement. Andrea shares her candid and often humorous story of navigating misdiagnoses, dismissive doctors, and finally finding her voice as an advocate. From co-founding The Whiny-Guiny to testifying at the Massachusetts State House in support of menopause awareness legislation, Andrea is leading the charge to break the silence and stigma surrounding menopause. ✨ In this conversation, Andrea and Richard discuss: Why menopause is still so stigmatized in 2025 How personal experience can spark advocacy and entrepreneurship Andrea’s journey from media buyer to co-founder of The Whiny-Guiny What needs to change in medicine and society to better support women 🎧 Whether you’re experiencing menopause, supporting a loved one, or passionate about women’s health advocacy, Andrea’s story will leave you inspired, informed, and empowered. 🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe to the channel for more inspiring conversations with women leaders and innovators. 🔗 Visit: https://thewhinygynie.com/ 🔗 Follow: https://www.instagram.com/the_whiny_gynie/
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    35 mins
  • EP 127 Jasianna Ortiz

    EP 127 Jasianna Ortiz
    Aug 17 2025
    In this episode of Meeting You Where You’re At, Richard sits down in person with Jasianna Ortiz, founder of Apothecary Braids and the creative force behind Braided by Jasy. What started as a side hustle during the pandemic has grown into a thriving business rooted in artistry, culture, and community. Jasianna shares her journey from teaching herself how to braid as a child, to navigating the challenges of being a solopreneur, to graduating from the EforAll accelerator program and winning multiple awards. Together, we explore: How Jasianna built her business from her dining room table to a professional studio. The importance of protective styles and hair health in her work. The role of mentorship, community, and wellness in sustaining entrepreneurship. Her advice for anyone afraid to take that first step toward starting their own venture. Follow and connect with Jasianna here: 📸 Instagram (Braided by Jasy): https://www.instagram.com/braidedbyjasy/ 📸 Instagram (Apothecary Braids): https://www.instagram.com/apothecarybraids/ 🌐 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/braidedbyjasy Tune in for an inspiring conversation that celebrates resilience, creativity, and the power of following your passion.
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    38 mins
  • EP 125 Analisse Desrochers

    EP 125 Analisse Desrochers
    Aug 13 2025
    There’s More to Life: Empowering Women Through Financial Confidence with Analisse Desrochers In this inspiring episode of Meeting You Where You're At, host Richard Juknavorian sits down with Analisse Desrochers, a financial advisor at Wise Financial, who is redefining what it means to be empowered through financial literacy. After a successful career in logistics, Analisse made a bold pivot into financial services—driven by a deeply personal loss and a desire to help others avoid the same burdens she faced. Now, she’s on a mission to make financial planning approachable, especially for women and small business owners. Analisse shares how she uses education-first strategies to help her clients build personalized financial plans, the common misconceptions around wealth and insurance, and why she believes women supporting women is key to long-term success. From debunking financial myths to building a new all-women networking group, Analisse brings honesty, vulnerability, and actionable wisdom to the conversation. 💬 Topics Covered: Making a career pivot with purpose The emotional toll of poor estate planning Empowering women through financial education Common financial mistakes and how to avoid them Building community and confidence in a male-dominated industry Why you don’t need to be rich to talk to a financial advisor 📲 Connect with Analisse Instagram: www.instagram.com/analisse.financials/ Website: www.wisefinancial.net/ 🎙️ Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more stories of resilience, reinvention, and the women making it happen. We want to hear from you!
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    41 mins
  • EP 126 Shikha Jain

    EP 126 Shikha Jain
    Aug 10 2025
    From Oncology to Advocacy: Dr. Shikha Jain on Leadership, Women’s Health, and Driving Change In this inspiring episode of Meeting You Where You’re At, host Richard Juknavorian sits down with Dr. Shikha Jain, oncologist, TEDx speaker, and founder of the Women in Medicine Summit and nonprofit. Dr. Jain shares her journey from aspiring pediatrician to finding her true calling in oncology, a field she loves for its human connection as much as its science. She opens up about building trust with patients and families, advocating for women in healthcare, and why she created the Women in Medicine movement to empower and equip leaders across the profession. We also explore her “gender moonshot” vision, the urgent need to prioritize women’s health, and how to navigate the balance — or as she calls it, the blend — of work, life, and purpose. Dr. Jain’s practical advice for aspiring physicians and change agents is both motivating and deeply honest. Topics Covered: Why oncology captured Dr. Jain’s heart and mind The origin and growth of the Women in Medicine Summit The gender moonshot and closing gaps in women’s health Work-life “blending” for dual-physician households How to lead change and build strong alliances Advice for women entering medicine today 📍 Learn more about Dr. Jain: https://shikhajainmd.com/ 📍 Women in Medicine Summit: https://www.womeninmedicinesummit.org/
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    39 mins
  • EP 124 Stina Leigh

    EP 124 Stina Leigh
    Jul 27 2025
    Stina Leigh on Reinvention, Radical Self-Love, and Building an Authentic Life Description: In this powerful episode of Meeting You Where You’re At, we meet the multifaceted Stina Leigh – a global entrepreneur, wellness leader, brand strategist, and unapologetic force of nature. Stina shares her journey of personal transformation, from burnout and breakdown to healing, reinvention, and purpose-driven entrepreneurship. As the founder of three businesses – Stina Leigh Practice, Productions, and Promotions – she helps people and brands move with authenticity, clarity, and compassion. Whether leading yoga retreats in Costa Rica or strategizing brand turnarounds, Stina's work is rooted in helping others show up as their truest selves. In this candid conversation, we talk about: Breaking free from hustle culture Bridging the gap between business and emotional healing Turning silence into power Redefining success on your own terms This episode is an invitation to slow down, breathe deep, and remember that it’s never too late to start again—with integrity, curiosity, and courage. 🔗 Follow Stina on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamstinalicious/ 🎧 Subscribe for more stories of women reimagining what’s possible #Entrepreneurship #WellnessLeadership #Authenticity #WomenInBusiness #YogaRetreats #MentalHealth #MeetingYouWhereYoureAt
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    48 mins
  • EP 123 Karen Sussman Horgan

    EP 123 Karen Sussman Horgan
    Jul 20 2025
    Designing Better Health with Behavioral Economics | Karen Sussman Horgan | VAL Health Description: In this episode of Meeting You Where You’re At, we sit down with Karen Sussman Horgan, Co-Founder and CEO of VAL Health, to explore how behavioral economics is reshaping the future of healthcare. For over 14 years, Karen has led VAL Health in designing evidence-based “nudges” that help people make better decisions for their health — from increasing cancer screenings and vaccination rates to reducing friction in Medicaid and value-based care programs. Her approach? Make the right action the easy action. Karen shares real-world success stories, explains how behavioral science can bridge the gap between knowing and doing, and offers insights on how small changes in timing, language, and design can create massive improvements in health outcomes. We also talk about: What not to do when offering financial incentives How to scale behaviorally-informed interventions Health equity and culturally sensitive nudges Leading as a woman in a male-dominated field The myth that data alone drives action — and why it doesn’t If you’ve ever wondered how to drive change in healthcare, reduce barriers, or improve public health at scale — this episode is for you. 🎯 “The biggest breakthrough in healthcare isn’t going to be medical — it’s behavioral.” — Karen Sussman Horgan 📍 Learn more: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-sussman-horgan/ Website & Newsletter: www.valhealth.com 👇 Like, share, and subscribe to hear more stories of women transforming the way we live, work, and heal. #BehavioralEconomics #HealthEquity #WomenInLeadership #HealthcareInnovation #MeetingYouWhereYoureAt
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    39 mins