Every Deal Is a Dance

The LOOK.Legal Pods
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In Every Deal Is a Dance, attorney and former choreographer Mishawn Nolan explores the rhythm between creativity and commerce. Each episode features conversations with artists, entrepreneurs, and innovators who are aligning purpose with business — finding their own flow between structure and reinvention. From cultural change-makers to creative founders, these are stories of authenticity in action — where business strategy meets artistry, and every step is part of the dance. 🎧 Part of The LOOK.Legal Pods from Nolan Heimann LLP — lawyers for creative business makers.

Episodes

  1. 5 DAYS AGO

    Authenticity and Vision: Horror Director David Yarovesky on Building a Hollywood Career from Obsession

    Episode Summary In this deeply personal episode, attorney Mishawn Nolan interviews her brother, writer/director David Yarovesky, whose films include Brightburn (starring Elizabeth Banks), Nightbooks (Netflix), and Locked (starring Bill Skarsgård and Anthony Hopkins). From dressing as Superman every single day as a toddler and declaring "every day is Halloween for me," to filling their shared bathroom with fake blood and body parts, David's authenticity and vision have been unwavering since childhood. This conversation explores how he converted his obsession with horror into a multi-decade career in one of the world's most competitive industries. Key Topics Discussed On Authenticity & Early Vision Why David has been obsessed with scaring people since childhoodThe transformative phone call with legendary makeup artist Dick Smith that redirected his path from special effects to filmmakingKnowing at 15 years old exactly what he wanted to do for the rest of his lifeOn the Craft of Horror What defines the horror genre (and why Silence of the Lambs isn't actually a horror movie)Why the scariest part of any horror film is someone walking through a house saying "Hello? Who's there?"The emotional journey from fear to that immediate grin of reliefOn Building a Career The long road from high school filmmaker to making his first feature at age 34Working as a music video and commercial director with everyone from Good Charlotte to 50 CentThe brutal milestone of turning 27 when Spielberg, Tim Burton, and Robert Rodriguez had already "made it"Realizing at 32: "I bet my whole life on being able to do this and it might not work out"On Managing Doubt & Staying Focused Why David questions himself on every single movie release (and a million times in between)The importance of making high-pressure situations look easy, even when you're climbing a mountainThe profound loneliness of being a director and why there are no peers on setThe phone call from idol Sam Raimi that reminded David of his original unwavering beliefOn Industry Reinvention Why the war between industry and artist is shifting in artists' favorHow democratized tools mean storytellers need the industry less and lessDavid's advice for creatives rethinking their path: if you can imagine being happy doing anything else, do thatThe importance of being crushed by feedback, fixing it, trying again, and repeating until someone says "that didn't suck"About the Guest David Yarovesky is a writer and director specializing in horror and dark fantasy. His feature films include: The Hive - about an infectious virus transmitted through vomit (pre-COVID)Brightburn - a retelling of Superman where the hero is evil, starring Elizabeth BanksNightbooks - a family-friendly horror film for Netflix, starring Krysten RitterLocked - starring Bill Skarsgård and Anthony Hopkins, about two disturbed men and their twisted relationshipDavid has also directed numerous commercials and music videos throughout his career. About the Host Mishawn Nolan is co-founder and co-managing partner of Nolan Heimann LLP, a law firm specializing in helping creators monetize their creative ventures. Before becoming an attorney, Mishawn was a professional dancer and choreographer, and she brings principles of alignment and flow to her legal practice.

    37 min

  2. 26 JAN

    From Brows to Brand Empire: Damone Roberts on Transformation as Strategy

    In this episode, Mishawn Nolan explores the economics of transformation with Damone Roberts — an artist turned transformational entrepreneur whose work reshapes how people see themselves. Damone shares: How art school shaped his approach to beauty and symmetryWhy eyebrows became the ultimate creative nicheThe business logic behind specialization and efficiencyBuilding a Beverly Hills salon from scratchThe leap from services to product developmentInventing the Brow Blueprint and navigating patentsCustomer experience as a competitive advantageStaying inspired through creativity, service, and alignmentWhy following your gut matters more than trends or validationThis episode is a masterclass in Creative Entrepreneurship, Reinvention, and Alignment and Flow — and a reminder that transformation creates lasting value.

    38 min

  3. 12 JAN

    From Stage to Strategy: Pamela Fisher on Reinvention and Building Creative Careers

    In this episode of Every Deal Is a Dance, Mishawn Nolan sits down with Pamela Fisher — a leading talent manager whose career spans Broadway, education, agency leadership, and artist management. Pamela traces her journey from musical theater performer to educator, entrepreneur, agent, and ultimately manager, sharing how each reinvention built on the last. She discusses identifying raw talent, nurturing creative careers, and the importance of trust, intuition, and emotional intelligence in representation. The conversation explores: Reinvention as a career strategyIdentifying talent beyond résumés and reelsThe difference between agents and managersBuilding creative businesses rooted in alignment and flowNavigating change in a rapidly evolving entertainment industryThis episode is an insightful look at how creative instincts, business acumen, and human connection intersect in long-term career building.

    32 min

  4. 29/12/2025

    Authenticity at Scale: Nate Siggard on Reinvention, AI, and Building in Uncertainty

    In this episode of Every Deal Is a Dance, Mishawn Nolan sits down with serial entrepreneur, designer, and technologist Nate Siggard—known for creating Skin Motion, the viral Soundwave tattoo concept, and for advising founders through his company Authentic Creative. Nate shares how a lifelong drive to “take things apart” evolved into building websites in the early days of the internet, writing software as a teenager, and moving through distinct “seasons” of creativity—from tech to tattooing and back again. Together, Mishawn and Nate explore what it really takes to navigate change, build businesses aligned with values, and stay grounded while the future accelerates. They discuss: how Nate went from tech to tattooing (and back to tech)what happened when Skin Motion went viral—and what founders face when the internet turns on themwhy creativity is a business superpower (and why mentors are rare)how Nate approaches AI as a practical tool and “cultural mirror”why authenticity and values matter more as technology amplifies behaviorleadership realities: paradox, pressure, imposter syndrome, and founder lonelinesswhy honesty and psychological safety are non-negotiable in healthy companiesNate’s work on wildfire risk solutions, scalability, and community-level resilienceA conversation about reinvention, alignment, and how to build with clarity when the ground is shifting.

    43 min

  5. 08/12/2025

    World-Building in Real Life: Karen Somers on Creativity, Reinvention & Impact

    In this episode of Every Deal Is a Dance, host Mishawn Nolan talks with the extraordinary Karen Somers—an actress turned filmmaker, photographer, documentary director, music photographer, and now property developer and community builder. Karen shares her remarkable path from neurodivergent kid with a Brownie camera, to conservatory-trained actor, to commercial producer, reality TV director, Grammy photographer, and embedded documentary filmmaker working around the world. She recounts stories about: crawling across Arctic ice to film polar bearsshooting live music and touring with major bandsbeing hired as a one-woman camera/audio/lighting team for studiosfighting gender bias in camera and directing rolescreating her first micro-budget film Robert Rodriguez–stylebuilding a career through grit, reinvention, and stubborn determinationKaren then explains how that same world-building instinct now fuels her passion projects: directing Pursuing the Light about Bill Strickland and systemic poverty, investing her life savings into rehabilitating multifamily housing in Jamestown, NY, launching her ethical development brand Rivet & Roost, and helping creatives leverage grants, community partnerships, and storytelling to build sustainable impact. This is a wide-ranging, energizing conversation about creativity, flow, courage, risk, and how the creative mind can shape real-world change. 🎧 Listen to learn how world-building on set can become world-building in life.

    41 min

  6. 24/11/2025

    Act One, Act Two: How David Ackert Turned Creativity Into a Business-Building Superpower

    In this episode of Every Deal Is a Dance, host Mishawn Nolan sits down with David Ackert, CEO and Co-Founder of PipelinePlus, best-selling author of The Short List, and one of the most respected business development thought leaders for professional service firms. David shares how his early life in theater — from Carnegie Mellon to Los Angeles acting stages — became the foundation for the superpowers he uses today: public speaking, presence, connection, improvisation, and the ability to simplify complex ideas. He and Mishawn explore how creative experiences shape leadership, how professionals can build deeper relationships by focusing on “the short list,” and why embracing imperfection and workshop-style thinking is essential in a disrupted business environment. This episode is a masterclass in authenticity, flow, reinvention, and the creative roots behind successful business-making.

    24 min

  7. 10/11/2025

    Authenticity in Action: Emily Aiken on Storytelling, Trust & the Era of Creative Abundance

    In this episode of Every Deal Is a Dance, host Mishawn Nolan talks with Emily Aiken, founder of The Story Studio, about the power of authenticity, storytelling, and creative reinvention in business and life. Emily shares how her path from NBC page to brand strategist was shaped by curiosity and courage — and how she teaches creators and companies to build trust through their authentic story. Together, they discuss: How storytelling creates trust in a post-truth worldWhat “creative abundance” means for Gen Z and Gen AlphaHow to turn authenticity into a strategic business advantageWhy being seen is the key to bravery and connection🎧 Listen now to discover how aligning your truth with your story can transform your business and your life.

    31 min

  8. 27/10/2025

    Building Change: Zubaida Bai on Engineering Empathy and Empowering Women to End Poverty

    In this inspiring episode of Every Deal Is a Dance, host Mishawn Nolan speaks with Zubaida Bai, President & CEO of Grameen Foundation, a global organization helping women and families escape poverty through entrepreneurship. A mechanical engineer by training and designer by passion, Zubaida shares how a single moment in a rural clinic sparked her transition from building machines to building solutions that change lives — starting with her groundbreaking JanmaClean Birth Kit. Together, Mishawn and Zubaida explore: How empathy can power innovation and leadershipWhy systems, not just individuals, must evolve to enable women entrepreneursStrategies for overcoming resistance to changeHow organizations stay grounded in their values amid constant disruptionWhat “flow” and alignment mean in leadership and lifeZubaida’s journey from engineer to global changemaker is a masterclass in purpose, alignment, and impact. 🎧 Listen now to learn how engineering empathy can transform business — and the world.

    24 min

  9. 12/10/2025

    The Business of Being Human: Jess Weiner on Creativity, Change, and the Power of Authenticity

    In the premiere episode of Every Deal Is a Dance, host Mishawn Nolan sits down with Jess Weiner — cultural expert, author, and CEO of Talk to Jess — whose work has helped redefine how global brands like Dove and Mattel approach representation, creativity, and authenticity. Together, they explore how creativity and empathy fuel meaningful business, the importance of reinvention, and Jess’s philosophy of being an “Actionist” — someone who turns intention into impact. 💡 This conversation dives into what it means to build a business with heart — where purpose and creativity move in step. In this episode: How creativity and business intersectThe story behind Dove’s “Real Beauty” and Barbie’s reinventionWhy authenticity is a business superpowerHow small steps create lasting cultural change🎙️ Part of The LOOK.Legal Pods from Nolan Heimann LLP, lawyers for creative business makers.

    39 min
  • 9 Episodes

About

In Every Deal Is a Dance, attorney and former choreographer Mishawn Nolan explores the rhythm between creativity and commerce. Each episode features conversations with artists, entrepreneurs, and innovators who are aligning purpose with business — finding their own flow between structure and reinvention. From cultural change-makers to creative founders, these are stories of authenticity in action — where business strategy meets artistry, and every step is part of the dance. 🎧 Part of The LOOK.Legal Pods from Nolan Heimann LLP — lawyers for creative business makers.

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