Catch Her Spark

Jen Maldonado
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  • Investing

Tune into Catch Her Spark, the podcast for high-achieving women who build wealth on their own terms. Hosted by Jen Maldonado, this show is crafted specifically for busy female professionals—doctors, attorneys, engineers, and investors—who want to leverage real estate to grow their capital without the day-to-day hustle. If you're a woman in your 30s to 50s looking to invest with clarity and confidence, your journey starts here. Subscribe and catch the spark.

  1. 4d ago

    From Lab to Startup What Makes a Founder Investment Ready with Tanu Chatterji

    What if your next big breakthrough isn't about making a new discovery, but finding the courage to do something different with what you already know? Some of the world's most promising discoveries begin in university labs. But turning those discoveries into real products and successful businesses takes more than great science. It takes courage, the right support, and a whole new way of thinking. In this episode of the Catch Her Spark Podcast, Jen Maldonado sits down with Tanu Chatterji, a scientist turned startup development leader at the University of Houston, to explore what it really takes to move from the lab to entrepreneurship. Tanu's journey began in India, where losing her aunt to cancer sparked her interest in science. She later moved to the United States, earned her PhD in cancer biology at MD Anderson, and discovered that her true passion was helping scientific discoveries reach the people who need them. Today, Tanu helps researchers become entrepreneurs through Innov8 Hub, the startup accelerator she founded at the University of Houston in 2023. Together, Jen and Tanu explore the personal and professional challenges of changing careers, building confidence, and preparing founders for investment.

    From Lab to Startup What Makes a Founder Investment Ready with Tanu Chatterji

  2. 6d ago

    Managing Breast Cancer: The App She Built to Navigate the Patient Journey

    For Olivia Sanchez, it was more than losing a notebook. It was losing years of notes about her breast cancer care, doctor visits, medicine, symptoms, and even how she felt each day. She cried. She felt lost. But then she had an idea that would change everything. In this episode of the Catch Her Spark Podcast, host Jen Maldonado talks with Olivia Sanchez, a breast cancer patient of more than five years and a senior product manager in healthcare. Olivia shares how one hard moment led her to create Health Harmony, an app that helps patients and caregivers keep track of their health in one place. From a Lost Notebook to a New Purpose When Olivia lost her notebook, she knew there had to be a better way. She needed a simple tool to track her doctor visits, medicine, pain, energy levels, and questions. When she could not find one that met her needs, she decided to build it herself. Today, Health Harmony helps people keep their health information organized so they can have better talks with their doctors.

    Managing Breast Cancer: The App She Built to Navigate the Patient Journey

  3. Oct 29

    How to Create a New Version of Yourself When You’ve Outgrown the Old One

    What if the biggest thing holding you back isn't what you lack, but what you're still carrying? Sometimes, the life we worked so hard to build no longer feels right. We keep saying yes, meeting other people's needs, and holding on to old roles because we're afraid of what might happen if we let go. But what if letting go is how we grow? In this episode of the Catch Her Spark Podcast, host Jen Maldonado welcomes Dr. Lisa L. Campbell, a healthcare leader, author, and speaker who spent more than 30 years building a successful career before realizing it was time for a change. Dr. Lisa shares her personal journey of leaving behind a career that no longer brought her joy, facing burnout, and learning to put her own peace first. She opens up about the fear of starting over, the pressure to meet other people's expectations, and the power of saying no without feeling guilty. You'll also hear how a brave little girl from Chicago helped Dr. Lisa find the courage to step into a new chapter of her life. Together, Jen and Dr. Lisa explore why growth isn't always about doing more. Sometimes, it's about letting go of what no longer fits.

    How to Create a New Version of Yourself When You’ve Outgrown the Old One

  4. Oct 22

    The Gate Was Never Real — Stop Asking Permission to Become More with Joi Chevalier

    What if the only thing standing between you and your next big dream is a gate that was never real? When Joi Chevalier was a little girl, she went to the library to check out books about space and science. But she was told she could not read them without permission. That moment stayed with her and helped shape a life of asking questions, breaking barriers, and making her own path. In this episode of the Catch Her Spark Podcast, host Jen Maldonado sits down with Joi to talk about what happens when women stop asking for permission and start trusting what they already know. Joi's story is anything but ordinary. She turned down an appointment to the Air Force Academy, studied aerospace engineering before switching to Latin and English, built a career in technology, and later founded Cook's Nook, a culinary business that helped produce 3,000 meals a day during the pandemic. She also made history by running for statewide office in Texas. Through every change, Joi has followed her sense of wonder and her desire to make things better for others. Together, Jen and Joi explore the hidden barriers women face at work and in life. They talk about the pressure to prove yourself, the courage to change direction, and the power of healing the little girl inside who was once told she couldn't. Joi shares a simple but powerful truth: "It stops when you decide it stops." The need to prove yourself can end when you choose to trust your own skills, experience, and worth. This conversation is for every woman who has ever been told she was too much, wanted too many things, or needed someone else's approval to move forward. You don't have to stay on one path. You don't have to keep proving that you belong. And you don't have to wait for someone to open the gate.

    The Gate Was Never Real — Stop Asking Permission to Become More with Joi Chevalier

  5. Oct 20

    Your Career Is a Game Most Women Were Never Taught the Rules with Robin Goad

    What if working hard is not enough to get ahead in your career? What if there are rules no one ever taught you? In this episode of the Catch her Spark Podcast, host Jen Maldonado sits down with Robin Goad, a business leader with 25 years of experience in corporate America, government, and global sales. Robin shares what she learned about the hidden rules of career success and why women need more than hard work to grow as leaders. She talks about the power of having a career plan, knowing your value, telling your story, and finding people who will speak up for you when you're not in the room. But this conversation goes much deeper than work. Robin opens up about her childhood, the pain she carried for years, and how she tied her worth to her success. She shares how her faith and healing journey helped her let go of shame and find peace with who she is. Jen and Robin also explore why women can't do everything at once, how to set goals for each season of life, and why helping the next generation of girls matters so much. Robin shares the heart behind her work with young girls through Diva Days, Oath for Girls, and Project 19. She also explains why women's voices and human skills will matter even more as AI changes the world. In this episode, you'll discover: How to understand the hidden rules of corporate America and create a career plan that works for you. Why knowing your value matters just as much as doing great work. The difference between a mentor and a sponsor, and why both can help you grow. How past pain can shape the way we see ourselves and measure success. Why healing, faith, and self-worth have been so important in Robin's journey. How to choose what matters most in each season of life. Why lifting up other women and young girls can create change that lasts for years. Meet Robin Goad Robin Goad has spent 25 years building teams, leading sales, and creating new business opportunities. She has worked in corporate America and the federal government, closed seven-figure deals, and built global sales teams. Beyond her career, Robin has worked to help women and girls believe in themselves, find their voices, and step into leadership. Her work includes Oath for Girls, Diva Days, and Project 19. Today, Robin is creating a space where women can share their stories, support one another, and grow with courage and purpose.

    Your Career Is a Game Most Women Were Never Taught the Rules with Robin Goad

  6. Oct 15

    Stop Hustling. Start Being Boring — The Success Rule High Performers Ignore

    What if the secret to success isn't doing more, but doing less—and doing it well? We live in a world that tells us to work harder, wake up earlier, and always chase the next big thing. But what if real success comes from slowing down, keeping things simple, and building a life that works for you? In this episode of the Catch her Spark Podcast, host Jen Maldonado welcomes Sireesha Chilakamarri, a technology leader, hands-on CTO, and Forbes Technology Council member who is challenging the way we think about success. After 17 years in technology and leading a global engineering team of 60 people across three countries, Sireesha has set a surprising goal for 2026: to be more boring. And her reason may change the way you think about work, success, and happiness. What You'll Discover in This Episode Jen and Sireesha talk about why being busy doesn't always mean moving forward and why simple daily habits can help us build a better life. Sireesha shares how a childhood love of puzzles and games led her into technology, why she still writes code as a CTO, and how she helps her team focus on solving real problems that create value. They also explore the pressure women face to keep doing more, even when they've already achieved so much. Sireesha shares a powerful reminder: You don't have to prove your worth every day. You can give yourself credit for what you've done, focus on what you can control, and make time for the things that bring you joy. One of her favorite ideas is to "bring a little Saturday into your everyday life." That might mean taking 15 minutes to enjoy a hobby, laugh, spend time with family, or simply do something for yourself. A New Way to Think About Success For Sireesha, being boring means going back to the basics. It means eating simple meals, getting enough sleep, moving your body, choosing one or two important goals each day, and doing those things well. It's about letting go of the pressure to follow someone else's version of success. As Sireesha reminds us, you don't need to hustle all the time to build a meaningful and successful life. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is make life simpler.

    Stop Hustling. Start Being Boring — The Success Rule High Performers Ignore

  7. Oct 13

    She Out Earned Her Husband — And Still Didn’t Protect Herself Financially with Neka Hickmon

    What happens when a woman who knows how to protect millions of dollars at work realizes she did not protect herself at home? In this episode of the Catch Her Spark Podcast, host Jen Maldonado sits down with Neka Hickmon, a technology leader, mother of three, and woman finding her way through a new chapter of life. Neka has spent more than 20 years working with major organizations, including JPMorgan Chase and the U.S. Air Force. She has led large technology projects, helped solve big problems, and built strong teams. But behind her success was a mother who was tired, busy, and often putting herself last. Neka shares what it was like to raise three children while building her career. She talks about the joy of being a mom, the hard days, and the moment she realized she had lost touch with her own needs. She also opens up about going through a divorce after 20 years of marriage. Even though she earned more than her husband, she had not taken the steps she now wishes she had taken to protect her financial future. Together, Jen and Neka talk about why women need to know their worth, make time for themselves, and have open talks about money before life takes an unexpected turn. This conversation is about more than money or career success. It is about learning to choose yourself, even when life is hard. You'll hear Neka's thoughts on being a working mom, finding joy in small things, building trust at work, teaching children to believe in themselves, and planning for a safe financial future. One of the most moving moments comes when Neka shares the story of her grandmother, who saved just $5 from the money her husband gave her. It was her small way of making sure she could care for herself and her children.

    She Out Earned Her Husband — And Still Didn’t Protect Herself Financially with Neka Hickmon

  8. Oct 8

    Her Mother Was a Tailor. One Sentence Changed Their Future.

    What if the place you start in life does not have to decide where you finish? In this episode of The Catch her Spark Podcast with Jen Maldonado, Jen sits down with Geeta Priya Vattam to talk about a journey built on education, hard work, family, and the courage to keep going. Geeta grew up in a low-income family in India. Her mother worked as a tailor, her father repaired televisions, and money was often tight. But her mother gave her something that would shape the rest of her life: the belief that education was one thing no one could ever take away from her. Geeta held on to that lesson. She worked hard, pursued scholarships and opportunities, built a career in technology, and became the first person in her family to achieve financial stability. Her success also allowed her to help support her siblings' education as they built careers of their own. But Geeta's journey did not stop there. After moving to the United States, she had to build a new life far away from the friends, relatives, and community she knew in India. She shares openly about feeling alone, adjusting to a different culture, and realizing that if she wanted community, she would have to take the first step and create it. Jen and Geeta also talk about motherhood, building a career as an immigrant woman, staying connected to your roots, and learning to make yourself a priority. Today, Geeta is a mother of two, a technology professional, and a content creator who shares her life, family, fitness journey, relationships, and values through social media. Her message to other women is simple: trust yourself, trust your path, keep going when things are hard, and do not underestimate your strength. This conversation is a reminder that limited resources do not have to mean limited dreams—and sometimes one lesson passed from a mother to her daughter can help change the future of an entire family.   Be a Guest Are you a successful business owner, entrepreneur, or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest at https://catchherspark.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you...

    Her Mother Was a Tailor. One Sentence Changed Their Future.
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About

Tune into Catch Her Spark, the podcast for high-achieving women who build wealth on their own terms. Hosted by Jen Maldonado, this show is crafted specifically for busy female professionals—doctors, attorneys, engineers, and investors—who want to leverage real estate to grow their capital without the day-to-day hustle. If you're a woman in your 30s to 50s looking to invest with clarity and confidence, your journey starts here. Subscribe and catch the spark.

Information

  • Creator
    Jen Maldonado
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    51
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Catch Her Spark