Aug 24

They Said We Had No Business Investing

In this episode of Heart + Head Work, Rocky Donati and Tessa Arneson sit down with venture capitalist, entrepreneur, and Beta Boom co-founder Kimmy Paluch for a conversation about risk, inequity, criticism, resilience, and what it actually means to choose to be part of the solution. Born and raised in Jamaica, Kimmy eventually built a career in Silicon Valley before she and her husband made a massive leap: selling what they had, leaving the Bay Area, moving their family to Utah, and building a venture firm designed to invest differently. But this conversation isn't really about venture capital. It's about what happens when you see something that isn't working and decide you can no longer sit on the sidelines. Kimmy opens up about the experiences that shaped her perspective, the inequities she could no longer ignore, and what it takes to keep moving when people tell you your idea won't work—or criticize the way you're trying to make a difference. Together, they explore how to discern criticism worth listening to from criticism coming from the "cheap seats," why meaningful work requires both conviction and humility, and how we can fight broken systems without losing our ability to see the humanity in the people standing across from us. Together, we unpack: -Growing up in Jamaica and the experiences that shaped Kimmy's -worldview -Leaving Silicon Valley and asking, "Why not here?" -Taking enormous risks without knowing whether they'll work -Why Kimmy chose to enter venture capital -Inequity, access, and who gets the opportunity to build -Being part of the solution instead of sitting on the sidelines -How to handle criticism when you're doing visible work -"Criticism from the cheap seats" versus feedback from people in the arena -Fighting systems and ideas without dehumanizing people -The importance of common ground -Partnership, encouragement, and having people who remind us what we're capable of -Why even seemingly small contributions can create meaningful change This episode is a conversation about action without certainty, conviction without dehumanization, and the courage to keep doing the work even when you don't know exactly how it will turn out. Resources Mentioned Beta Boom - https://www.betaboom.com Learn more about Kimmy and Beta Boom's work investing in early-stage founders and companies. Connect with us! 💬 Join the conversation in our private network on BFF https://links.geneva.com/invite/af6ecd07-9070-43b7-9629-7aaa166aa131 📲 Follow us on Instagram instagram.com/maven.community ✨ And if this episode moved you, sharing it with a friend helps more women find us. More at → mavenslc.com

Aug 10

The Best Creatives Don't Chase Validation

What if collaboration isn't compromise? What if it's actually one of the most creative acts we can practice? In this episode of Heart + Head Work, Rocky Donati and Tessa Arneson sit down with filmmakers Amy Redford and Skye Emerson, the creative duo behind Red Sky Stories, for a conversation about storytelling, identity, creativity, leadership, and what happens when we make space for curiosity instead of ego. Together they explore what it means to claim the identity of "creative," why representation matters, how collaboration can strengthen rather than dilute great work, and why the best stories often begin with a simple question: "What if?" Along the way, they discuss directing, writing, women in leadership, building healthy creative partnerships, and the courage to create something that doesn't yet exist. Whether you're making films, building a business, raising children, or simply trying to create a meaningful life, this conversation is a reminder that the most beautiful work rarely comes from doing it alone. Together, we explore: - Learning to call yourself a creative - Why representation changes what's possible - Women leading in film and creative spaces - The difference between collaboration and compromise - Why curiosity belongs at the center of creativity - Building trust inside creative partnerships - Creating environments where everyone contributes - How stories begin with "What if?" - Leadership through openness instead of ego - Building something larger than yourself The best stories aren't created by one person protecting an idea—they're built by people willing to make the idea better together. Resources Mentioned 🎬 Little Genes (short film)https://littlegenesfilm.com/ 🎬 RedSkye Stories https://redskye.co/ Follow Amy Redford and Skye Emerson to learn more about their upcoming projects and films. Connect with us! 💬 Join the conversation in our private network on BFF https://links.geneva.com/invite/af6ecd07-9070-43b7-9629-7aaa166aa131 📲 Follow us on Instagram instagram.com/maven.community ✨ And if this episode moved you, sharing it with a friend helps more women find us. More at → mavenslc.com

Jul 27

Faith It Til' You Make It

In this episode of Heart + Head Work, Rocky Donati and Tessa Arneson sit down with Dr. Sidni Shorter—President & CEO of the Utah Black Chamber—for a conversation that quickly moves beyond leadership and into identity, self-worth, authenticity, service, grief, and the lifelong work of becoming who we already are. Together, they explore how childhood experiences shape our beliefs about love, achievement, and belonging, why so many of us spend years seeking validation outside ourselves, and what begins to change when we stop performing and start living from our own inner knowing. Along the way they discuss leadership, faith, intuition, grief, ancestry, boundaries, service, and the courage it takes to choose yourself—not instead of others, but so you can offer your whole self to the people you love. This conversation is both deeply personal and universally human—a reminder that perhaps our greatest work isn't becoming someone new, but remembering who we've been all along. Together, we unpack: - What creates genuine presence - The hidden belief: "If I'm excellent, then I'm loved." - Authenticity versus performance - Leadership rooted in service - Learning to trust your own inner voice - Why validation can quietly shape our lives - Grief, healing, and giving ourselves grace - Boundaries without guilt - Finding your own path instead of someone else's - Building a life from authenticity rather than expectation Sometimes the most meaningful transformations don't happen because we become someone different—they happen because we finally stop hiding who we already are. Resources Mentioned Utah Black Chamber https://utahblackchamber.com Learn more about the Utah Black Chamber, upcoming events, business resources, and opportunities to support entrepreneurs and communities across Utah. Connect with us! 💬 Join the conversation in our private network on BFF https://links.geneva.com/invite/af6ecd07-9070-43b7-9629-7aaa166aa131 📲 Follow us on Instagram instagram.com/maven.community ✨ And if this episode moved you, sharing it with a friend helps more women find us. More at → mavenslc.com

Jul 13

The Conversation You're Avoiding Is Costing You

In this episode of Heart + Head Work, Rocky and Tessa sit down with Angela H. Brown—publisher of SLUG Magazine and Executive Director of Craft Lake City—for a conversation about leadership, creativity, vulnerability, and living a life with nothing left unsaid. Angela shares the philosophy that has quietly guided her life: "I want to die on empty." It's an invitation to use your gifts, pursue your curiosity, and fully embrace the experiences that shape who you become. Together, they explore what it means to travel through the world with wonder, raise children with a broader perspective, and lead with authenticity instead of perfection. The conversation also moves into the courage it takes to tell our stories, the importance of transparency around mental health, and why sharing our experiences—whether immediately or years later—can become a powerful act of healing. At its heart, this episode is about living fully, embracing vulnerability, and recognizing that our stories have the power to connect us long after we've lived them. Together, we unpack: - What it means to "die on empty" - Building a life rooted in curiosity and meaningful experiences - Raising children with empathy, perspective, and adventure - Leadership through authenticity rather than perfection - The courage to share the parts of ourselves we've hidden - Mental health, transparency, and breaking generational silence - Why vulnerability creates connection - How creativity and community can change culture - The impact of supporting artists and local makers This episode is thoughtful, inspiring, and deeply human—an invitation to live more fully, tell your story when you're ready, and leave nothing meaningful unexplored. Resources Mentioned The Avoided Conversation Audit https://stan.store/mavencommunity/p/the-avoided-conversation-audit The Round Table Group Coaching https://angelahbrown.com SLUG Magazine https://www.slugmag.com Craft Lake City https://craftlakecity.com Learn more about Craft Lake City's annual DIY Festival, artist programs, workshops, and opportunities to support local creatives. Connect with us! 💬 Join the conversation in our private network on BFF https://links.geneva.com/invite/af6ecd07-9070-43b7-9629-7aaa166aa131 📲 Follow us on Instagram instagram.com/maven.community ✨ And if this episode moved you, sharing it with a friend helps more women find us. More at → mavenslc.com

Jun 29

How Healing Yourself Changes Your Children

In this episode of Heart + Head Work, Rocky and Tessa turn the tables and invite Maven podcast producer Lo Titensor and her daughter Denali into the conversation. What begins as a playful discussion about joy quickly unfolds into something much deeper—a conversation about intuition, self-trust, healing, motherhood, and the moments that crack us open to become more fully ourselves. Lo shares a personal story about navigating postpartum depression, losing touch with herself, and unexpectedly finding a path back to joy. Together, she and Denali explore how the choices we make to reconnect with ourselves ripple outward into our families, relationships, and communities. Throughout the conversation, they reflect on following intuition, embracing the things that make us feel most alive, and learning to trust the quiet inner voice that often knows the way before our minds do. At its heart, this episode is about remembering who you are—and discovering that when you choose yourself, everyone around you benefits too. Together, we unpack: - Why joy can be a powerful compass for life - The "soul-cracking" moments that change us - Trusting intuition even when it feels scary - Postpartum depression, healing, and self-discovery - The ripple effect of choosing yourself - Motherhood, identity, and personal growth - Following the things that make you feel alive - Why self-trust is one of the greatest gifts we can pass on - The lessons children learn from watching us live authentically This episode is joyful, tender, and deeply human—an invitation to follow the butterflies, trust yourself, and remember that the path back to yourself is often the path forward. Connect with us! 💬 Join the conversation in our private network on BFF https://links.geneva.com/invite/af6ecd07-9070-43b7-9629-7aaa166aa131 📲 Follow us on Instagram instagram.com/maven.community ✨ And if this episode moved you, sharing it with a friend helps more women find us. More at → mavenslc.com

Jun 15

Being 'Too Much' Was Never the Problem

In this episode of Heart + Head Work, Rocky and Tessa explore one of the most universal human experiences: the feeling of being alone, not belonging, or somehow being too much—or not enough. Through personal stories and honest reflection, they unpack the childhood moments that shaped their identities, the protective patterns they developed to stay safe, and the ways those same patterns can follow us into adulthood. Rocky shares a formative experience of grief, anger, and loneliness that led her to use anger as protection, while Tessa reflects on a childhood moment that taught her to shrink herself and question her own voice. Together, they explore how our earliest experiences can shape the stories we tell ourselves—and how healing begins when we learn to relate to those parts of ourselves differently. This conversation also touches on parts work, self-compassion, belonging, and the practice of becoming a friend to yourself rather than looking outside of yourself for worth, validation, or connection. Together, we unpack: - Why so many of us feel alone, unseen, or disconnected - The childhood experiences that shape our sense of belonging - Being told you're "too much" or "not enough" - Anger as protection and the role it plays in adulthood - The ways we learn to shrink ourselves to fit in - Parts work, inner children, and self-compassion - Developing a relationship with your higher self - Learning to find belonging within yourself - Why healing often begins with curiosity instead of judgment This episode is tender, reflective, and deeply human—an invitation to explore the stories you've inherited about yourself and what becomes possible when you meet them with compassion. Connect with us! 💬 Join the conversation in our private network on BFF https://links.geneva.com/invite/af6ecd07-9070-43b7-9629-7aaa166aa131 📲 Follow us on Instagram instagram.com/maven.community ✨ And if this episode moved you, sharing it with a friend helps more women find us. More at → mavenslc.com

Jun 1

What If You Authored Your Own Life?

In this episode of Heart + Head Work, Rocky and Tessa sit down with Laura Hurtado, Executive Director of the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art, for a conversation about art, identity, leadership, and what it means to consciously author your own life. Laura shares her journey through the worlds of contemporary art, curation, and cultural leadership—and how art has become a lens through which she understands change, community, and human expression. What unfolds is a thoughtful conversation about self-authorship, breaking inherited narratives, and learning to create a life that reflects who you actually are. Together, they explore the role of museums and art in shaping culture, why discomfort and transition are often necessary parts of growth, and how creativity can help us imagine entirely new futures. This conversation moves fluidly between philosophy, leadership, vulnerability, and personal transformation—grounded in the belief that art is not separate from life, but one of the ways we make meaning from it. Together, we unpack: - What contemporary art can teach us about identity and change - The idea of “self authorship” and rewriting inherited narratives - Why discomfort and transition are often part of growth - How museums can become spaces for dialogue and belonging - Building a future rooted in intention instead of expectation - Leadership, creativity, and staying connected to purpose - Why art matters in moments of cultural tension and transformation - Learning to see yourself as more than your role or title This episode is reflective, expansive, and deeply grounding—an invitation to think differently about art, identity, and the stories we choose to live by. Where to find Laura Hurtado Utah Museum of Contemporary Art (UMOCA) https://umoca.org Follow along Instagram: @utahmoca Connect with us! 💬 Join the conversation in our private network on BFF https://links.geneva.com/invite/af6ecd07-9070-43b7-9629-7aaa166aa131 📲 Follow us on Instagram instagram.com/maven.community ✨ And if this episode moved you, sharing it with a friend helps more women find us. More at → mavenslc.com

May 18

You Are More Than What You Do

In this episode of Heart + Head Work, Rocky and Tessa sit down with Lavanya—entrepreneur, community leader, and founder of multiple purpose-driven ventures—to explore what it really means to build a life rooted in identity, impact, and intention. Lavanya shares her journey from growing up within traditional cultural expectations to carving her own path in a completely new environment. What unfolds is a story not just about entrepreneurship, but about courage—choosing to step outside inherited narratives and redefine success on your own terms. Through her work in hospitality and nonprofit spaces, Lavanya has created more than businesses—she’s created opportunities. Spaces where women can learn, grow, and step into their own sense of agency and worth. This conversation moves from personal story to collective impact, offering a grounded and deeply human look at what happens when we stop chasing external definitions of success and begin listening to something more internal. Together, we unpack: - Growing up within traditional cultural expectations and rewriting your path - The subtle ways systems shape identity and opportunity - Building businesses that center impact over profit - Creating opportunities for women through community and skill-building - Redefining success beyond titles, money, and external validation - The role of small business in solving real-world problems - Listening to your body and honoring moments of necessary change - Why identity is bigger than anything you build Where to find Lavanya: https://www.lavanyamahate.com Follow along Instagram: @the_power_of_ownership Connect with us! 💬 Join the conversation in our private network on BFF https://links.geneva.com/invite/af6ecd07-9070-43b7-9629-7aaa166aa131 📲 Follow us on Instagram instagram.com/maven.community ✨ And if this episode moved you, sharing it with a friend helps more women find us. More at → mavenslc.com

Heart + Head Work

They Said We Had No Business Investing

The Best Creatives Don't Chase Validation

Faith It Til' You Make It

The Conversation You're Avoiding Is Costing You

How Healing Yourself Changes Your Children

Being 'Too Much' Was Never the Problem

What If You Authored Your Own Life?

You Are More Than What You Do

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Welcome to Heart + Head Work

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Heart + Head Work

Episodes

They Said We Had No Business Investing

The Best Creatives Don't Chase Validation

Faith It Til' You Make It

The Conversation You're Avoiding Is Costing You

How Healing Yourself Changes Your Children

Being 'Too Much' Was Never the Problem

What If You Authored Your Own Life?

You Are More Than What You Do

Trailer

About

Information