Breaking Precedent

What happens when culture becomes a form of leadership?

In this episode of Breaking Precedent, Leah Solivan sits down with Derrick T. Jones, better known as D-Nice,  legendary DJ, photographer, and cultural connector, to explore how music, joy, and shared experience can shape communities and create belonging at scale. From his early days in hip-hop to the global phenomenon of Club Quarantine, D-Nice reflects on the responsibility artists carry, the power of gathering, and how creativity can serve as social infrastructure in fractured times.

The conversation spans art, entrepreneurship, cultural stewardship, and what it means to hold space for people, not just entertain them.

D-Nice is a world-renowned DJ, photographer, and cultural curator whose career spans decades at the intersection of music, art, and community. Rising to prominence as a pioneering hip-hop artist before becoming one of the most influential DJs of his generation, D-Nice is widely celebrated for creating Club Quarantine, a global virtual gathering that redefined connection during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Through his work, D-Nice demonstrates how culture can be a unifying force — building bridges across industries, generations, and identities.

Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome to Breaking Precedent!

01:00 Introducing D Nice: A Multifaceted Innovator

05:40 Early Life and Hip Hop Beginnings

16:52 The Influence of Scott La Rock

32:34 Stop the Violence: A Call to Action

35:49 The World and Democracy

37:17 Political Involvement and Personal Reflections

39:02 The Birth of Club Quarantine

40:53 The Evolution of Club Quarantine

49:39 From Club Quarantine to Carnegie Hall

53:12 Breaking Precedents in Entertainment

01:03:35 The Role of AI and Technology in Creativity

01:07:01 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Leah Solivan is the host of Breaking Precedent, a podcast that explores the stories of innovators who are pushing societal boundaries and setting new precedents in their fields. Leah is General Partner at Fuel Capital, where she invests in early-stage companies across consumer technology, hardware, education, marketplaces, and retail. She founded TaskRabbit in 2008 after beginning her career as an engineer at IBM.

Connect with Leah

Website: breakingprecedent.com
Instagram: @leah_solivan
X: @labunleashed

In this episode of Breaking Precedent, the host  Leah Solivan is joined by Lynn Jurich, co-founder and former CEO of Sunrun, to discuss her journey from growing up in Tacoma, Washington to leading one of the largest residential solar companies in the U.S. They explore the challenges and triumphs of scaling Sunrun, including innovative financing models and negotiating with utility companies. Jurich also shares personal insights on the impact of sports on resilience, the importance of strength training, and her foray into women's health through the establishment of the Female Longevity Institute. The conversation highlights Jurich's persistent optimism, innovative mindset, and commitment to transforming entrenched industries.

Lynn Jurich is an entrepreneur, investor, and visionary leader who co-founded Sunrun, the nation’s leading residential solar and energy services company. Under her leadership, Sunrun grew from an idea pitched beside a county fair pumpkin stand to a publicly traded company with over a million customers, $2 billion in recurring revenue, and a $20 billion market cap. Named one of Fortune’s “Most Powerful Women,” Lynn has pioneered clean energy innovation by championing rooftop solar, distributed batteries, and consumer-driven energy independence.

Listeners can learn more about Lynn Jurich at Sunrun.com and on LinkedIn .

Resources:

• Berkshire Hathaway Energy
• DOE – U.S. Department of Energy
• Lunar Energy
  
  

Show Notes: 

00:00 Introduction to Breaking Precedent

00:21 Meet Lynn Jurich: Solar Pioneer

01:30 Personal Reflections and Icebreakers

03:40 Lynn's Early Life and Competitive Spirit

04:29 Lessons from Sports and Leadership

07:59 The Journey to Stanford and Beyond

10:41 The Birth of Sunrun and Solar as a Service

13:02 Challenges and Triumphs in Solar Energy

17:28 Navigating Financial Crises and Growth

21:12 Breaking Energy Precedents and Future Vision

25:25 Consumer Demand for Solar and Batteries

25:56 Taking Sunrun Public with a Newborn

28:07 Battling Utilities in Nevada

29:43 Sunrun's Growth and Future Innovations

31:54 Founding the Female Longevity Institute

33:54 Challenges in Women's Health Research

37:26 Precision Medicine for Women

42:35 Breaking Precedents in Energy and Healthcare

47:57 Advice for Breaking Through Entrenched Systems

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Leah Solivan is the host of Breaking Precedent, a podcast that explores the stories of innovators who are pushing societal boundaries and setting new precedents in their fields. Leah is General Partner at Fuel Capital, where she invests in early-stage companies across consumer technology, hardware, education, marketplaces, and retail. Leah has 15 years of experience building and creating technology products that have reached millions of people around the globe. She started her career at IBM as an engineer in the software group, working on Lotus Notes and Domino. In 2008, Leah founded TaskRabbit, the leading on-demand service marketplace in the world.

Connect with Leah:

Website: breakingprecedent.com/ 

Instagram: @labunleashed

X: @labunleashed

In this episode of Breaking Precedent, the host, Leah Solivan interviews Dr. Thomas Fisher, an emergency medicine physician and political candidate. They discuss Dr. Fisher's career, including his experiences growing up on the South Side of Chicago, attending Dartmouth, and his work in emergency rooms. He shares insights from his book, 'The Emergency,' and how it reflects the systemic inequities in healthcare. Dr. Fisher also touches on his motivations for running for Congress, his vision for improving healthcare, and the importance of public service. Through personal anecdotes and policy discussions, the episode delves into the intersections of medicine, social justice, and political activism.

Dr. Thomas Fisher is an emergency physician, author, and public servant dedicated to transforming America’s healthcare system from the inside out. Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, Thomas grew up in a community of working families and changemakers who showed him both the promise and the inequities of the world around him. The son of a physician and a social worker, he learned early that service isn’t just a calling—it’s a responsibility.

Listeners can learn more about Dr. Thomas Fisher at ThomasFisherForCongress.com, Donate to his campaign at https://secure.actblue.com/donate/fisherlaunch1000 and follow him on LinkedIn @ThomasFisherMD.

Resources:

University of Chicago

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Affordable Care Act (ACA)

White House Fellows Program

Show Notes: 

00:00 Introduction to Breaking Precedent

00:21 Meet Dr. Thomas Fisher

01:17 Icebreaker: Superpowers

04:22 Growing Up on the South Side of Chicago

06:21 Influence of Parents and Education

14:15 Journey to Dartmouth and Medical School

20:28 Choosing Emergency Medicine

23:23 Writing 'The Emergency'

27:46 Patient's Decline and ICU Struggles

28:58 Emotional Impact of Patient Loss

30:03 COVID-19's Systemic Impact

33:03 Challenges in the American Medical System

38:46 Entrepreneurship and Healthcare Innovation

42:23 Running for Congress: A New Chapter

48:18 Vision for Healthcare and Public Safety

53:48 Legacy and Inspiration

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Leah Solivan is the host of Breaking Precedent, a podcast that explores the stories of innovators who are pushing societal boundaries and setting new precedents in their fields. Leah is General Partner at Fuel Capital, where she invests in early-stage companies across consumer technology, hardware, education, marketplaces, and retail. Leah has 15 years of experience building and creating technology products that have reached millions of people around the globe. She started her career at IBM as an engineer in the software group, working on Lotus Notes and Domino. In 2008, Leah founded TaskRabbit, the leading on-demand service marketplace in the world.

Connect with Leah:

Website: breakingprecedent.com/ 

Instagram: @labunleashed

X: @labunleashed

In the second episode of the brand-new season of Breaking Precedent, Leah Solivan sits down once again with Olympic legend Nastia Liukin — and the conversation hits deeper than ever. They revisit their first encounter and trace the arc of Nastia’s extraordinary career, from the early days in the gym to the unforgiving expectations that come with being one of the world’s top athletes.

Nastia opens up about what the pursuit of perfection really cost her, the pressures and politics behind gymnastics judging, and the emotional toll of constantly performing at an elite level. She and Leah dive into the highs, the heartbreaks, and the hard-earned wisdom that came from both.

Beyond the medals, Nastia reflects on rebuilding her identity after competition, the ventures and creative projects that now drive her, and her commitment to guiding and inspiring the next generation of athletes.

Nastia Liukin is an Olympic gold medalist, entrepreneur, and broadcaster who became one of the most decorated gymnasts in the world at just 18 years old. After retiring from competition, she transitioned her passion into building a brand, founding the annual Nastia Liukin Cup, and inspiring the next generation of athletes through mentorship and community. Today, she’s a sought-after speaker and role model, sharing lessons on resilience, identity, and redefining success beyond the podium.

Learn more about Nastia Liukin at NastiaLiukin.com and on Instagram @NastiaLiukin.

Resources:

Marie Claire Power Trip (San Francisco event)

USA Gymnastics

Show Notes: 

00:00 Introduction to Breaking Precedent

00:05 Reminiscing Old Memories

00:52 Icebreaker: Sacrifices and Reclaiming Life

01:49 Balancing Career and Personal Life

02:58 The Journey of Self-Discovery

07:38 The Foundation of a Gymnastics Legacy

10:40 Immigrant Beginnings and Family Sacrifices

16:57 Overcoming Physical Challenges in Gymnastics

19:43 Mental Strength and Focus

25:53 Defining Success Beyond Gymnastics

29:00 Breaking Age Narratives in Gymnastics

34:30 Reflecting on Personal Struggles and Resilience

35:36 The Defining Moment: 2012 Olympic Trials

36:53 Lessons from Falling and Getting Back Up
41:05 “We will never be defined by a salary, a title, a relationship, a company, or even a gold medal. Those are things we’ve done, not who we are.” 

45:26 Navigating Subjectivity in Gymnastics

53:00 Life After Gymnastics: Embracing Imperfection

01:11:22 Inspiration and Future Aspirations

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Leah Solivan is the host of Breaking Precedent, a podcast that explores the stories of innovators who are pushing societal boundaries and setting new precedents in their fields. Leah is General Partner at Fuel Capital, where she invests in early-stage companies across consumer technology, hardware, education, marketplaces, and retail. Leah has 15 years of experience building and creating technology products that have reached millions of people around the globe. She started her career at IBM as an engineer in the software group, working on Lotus Notes and Domino. In 2008, Leah founded TaskRabbit, the leading on-demand service marketplace in the world.

Connect with Leah:

Website: breakingprecedent.com/ 

Instagram: @labunleashed

X: @labunleashed

Kicking off a brand-new season and launching our first-ever video episode, Breaking Precedent returns with a powerful conversation between host Leah Solivan and Christina Tosi, founder of Milk Bar. Christina traces her journey from baking cookies with her grandmothers in Ohio to becoming one of the most influential pastry chefs and entrepreneurs in the country. Leah and Christina unpack their shared experiences as introverts navigating high-pressure environments, the mentors who shaped their paths, and the creative process behind Milk Bar’s iconic recipes like the Compost Cookie and Crack Pie. Christina opens up about building a business during the 2008 financial crisis, the role of constraints in driving creativity, and what it takes to scale a brand while protecting its soul and culture.

Christina Tosi is a pastry chef, entrepreneur, and founder of Milk Bar, the beloved dessert brand known for its nostalgic yet innovative creations like Cereal Milk, Compost Cookies, and Milk Bar Pie. Raised in Ohio by generations of strong, creative women, Christina learned early the joy of making something out of nothing—a philosophy that would later define her career.

Listeners can learn more about Christina Tosi at milkbarstore.com and on Instagram @christinatosi and @milkbarstore.

Momofuku

Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain 

The Joy of Cooking by Irma S. Rombauer 

Crack Pie / Milk Bar Pie

Cereal Milk Ice Cream

Show Notes:
00:00 Introduction to Breaking Precedent

01:00 First meeting and shared experiences

02:00 Introversion and social challenges

02:37 “Your destiny is impossible to miss by definition of it being your destiny.” — Christina Tosi

03:00 Scorpio connection and business beginnings

04:00 Swapping jobs and TaskRabbit

07:30 Childhood and baking origins

12:00 Family influence and career choices

26:00 Culinary school and early career

34:00 Starting a tradition: family meal desserts

36:00 The birth of Crack Pie

39:00 From simple recipes to Milk Bar

45:00 Launching Milk Bar during a financial crisis

52:00 Scaling Milk Bar: challenges and creativity

57:00 Nostalgia and innovation in desserts

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Leah Solivan is the host of Breaking Precedent, a podcast that explores the stories of innovators who are pushing societal boundaries and setting new precedents in their fields. Leah is General Partner at Fuel Capital, where she invests in early-stage companies across consumer technology, hardware, education, marketplaces, and retail. Leah has 15 years of experience building and creating technology products that have reached millions of people around the globe. She started her career at IBM as an engineer in the software group, working on Lotus Notes and Domino. In 2008, Leah founded TaskRabbit, the leading on-demand service marketplace in the world.

Connect with Leah:

Website: breakingprecedent.com/ 

Instagram: @labunleashed

X: @labunleashed

Season 2 of Breaking Precedent premieres November 13.

This season, Leah Solivan returns with deeper conversations that cut to the core of resilience, leadership, and what it really means to stand for something. From Olympians and entrepreneurs to doctors and changemakers, each guest opens up about the battles that shaped them — and the precedents they had to break to move forward.

These stories remind us that breaking precedent isn’t about being fearless — it’s about learning, serving, and choosing courage anyway.

Hosted by Leah Solivan

Follow and subscribe to catch the premiere November 13 wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Leah Solivan is the host of Breaking Precedent, a podcast that explores the stories of innovators who are pushing societal boundaries and setting new precedents in their fields. Leah is General Partner at Fuel Capital, where she invests in early-stage companies across consumer technology, hardware, education, marketplaces, and retail. Leah has 15 years of experience building and creating technology products that have reached millions of people around the globe. She started her career at IBM as an engineer in the software group, working on Lotus Notes and Domino. In 2008, Leah founded TaskRabbit, the leading on-demand service marketplace in the world.

Connect with Leah:

Website: breakingprecedent.com/ 

Instagram: @labunleashed

X: @labunleashed

During our summer break, we revisit an episode about resilience, pivots, and transformation. Hear Pete Flint on startup survival, Aaron Holiday on breaking into venture capital, Julie Rice on building SoulCycle, Tamara on her ballet breakthrough, Matteo Franceschetti on sleep innovation, Beverly Parenti on coding in prison, and Windy Chien on creativity through daily practice. Each story reveals how uncertainty can become the catalyst for growth.

Listen to the full episodes here:

• House Broken: Pete Flint on Disrupting Real Estate and Building Trulia
  Listen here: Apple | Spotify 
• Breaking the Bank: Aaron Holiday on 645 ventures' data-driven approach to sourcing deals and bringing the invisible to life
  Listen here: Apple | Spotify 
• Break A Sweat: Building Magic On and Off the Bike with Julie Rice of SoulCycle
  Listen here: Apple | Spotify 
• Breaking Pointe: San Francisco Ballet’s Tamara Rojo with Her Bold Vision for a Vibrant Future
  Listen here: Apple | Spotify 
• Take a Break: Matteo Franceschetti on Breaking Sleep Cycles and Turning Rest into a Competitive Advantage with Eight Sleep
  Listen here: Apple | Spotify 
• Prison Break: The Last Mile's Chris and Beverly Share a Blueprint for Change, Born at San Quentin, Scaling Nationwide
  Listen here: Apple | Spotify 
• Broken Records: Windy Chien on changing paths, tying stories into knots, and designing a new language of possibilities
  Listen here: Apple | Spotify 
  
  

Pete Flint
Pete Flint is a serial entrepreneur and investor who co-founded Trulia, steering the company through its IPO and a multi-billion-dollar merger with Zillow. Today, he's a General Partner at NFX, investing in early-stage companies that leverage network effects and cutting-edge technologies.

Listeners can learn more about Pete Flint at NFX, and on LinkedIn @PeteFlint

Aaron Holiday
Aaron Holiday is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of 645 Ventures, a venture capital firm backing early-stage startups led by visionary, often underestimated founders. With a background that bridges entrepreneurship, systems thinking, and institutional investing, Aaron takes a high-conviction, hands-on approach to venture capital.

Explore 645 Ventures
Connect with Aaron Holiday on LinkedIn

Julie Rice
Julie Rice is a serial entrepreneur and community-builder best known as the co-founder of SoulCycle and now Peoplehood, a platform for relational fitness and guided group conversation. Her work centers on designing experiences that build human connection at scale.

Listeners can learn more about Julie Rice through LinkedIn @julierice

Check out Julie’s latest venture Peoplehood, and learn more about Soulcycle   

Tamara Rojo

Tamara Rojo is a renowned ballerina and artistic director celebrated for her passion, discipline, and vision in the world of dance. Known for breaking traditional molds, Tamara believes that true achievement in the art form isn’t reserved for the most gifted—but for those who are most honest and disciplined with themselves. In this episode, she reflects on the sacrifices required to be “first” and the inspiration she draws from other art forms, powerful friendships, and exhibitions that remind her of the woman she aspires to be. Her story is a masterclass in resilience, artistry, and leading with heart.

Learn more about Tamara Rojo and explore her work at San Francisco Ballet.

Matteo Franceschetti

Matteo Franceschetti is the Co-Founder and CEO of Eight Sleep, the sleep fitness company.Eight Sleep developed a proprietary technology which is redesigning sleep by developing cutting-edge AI and machine learning models to track bio signals during the night and optimizing body recovery and rest while asleep. The end goal of the Pod is to compress sleep and scan your body while asleep to monitor your health. Eight Sleep is currently used by pro athletes and top performers across multiple industries and was recognized as one of TIME’s “Best Inventions” in 2018 and 2019, was named one of Fast Company’s “Most Innovative Companies” in 2018, and has raised over $150M in funding from leading investors, including Founders Fund, Softbank, Khosla Ventures, Y Combinator, Valor Equity Partners, General Catalyst, Naval Ravikant, and Patrick Collison.

Discover your perfect sleep set up - Take Quiz

Connect with Matteo Franceschetti on X @m_franceschetti 

Beverly Parenti

Beverly Parenti is a veteran tech entrepreneur and innovator who co-founded The Last Mile to empower incarcerated individuals, particularly women, with marketable skills. As the first-generation daughter of Holocaust survivors, Beverly's life has been profoundly shaped by her father's experiences during World War II. Her father's story of survival became a guiding light in her life, instilling in her the values of resourcefulness, resilience, and relentless perseverance.

Learn more about The Last Mile at their website  

Connect with Beverly Parenti on LinkedIn @BeverlyParenti and on X @thebev     

Windy Chien

Windy Chien is an artist best known for The Year of Knots, a daily practice in 2016 ...

During our summer break, we’re revisiting a powerful episode about inherited resilience and the courage to transform beyond expectations. Host Leah Solivan explores the deeply personal stories of seven trailblazers—including Alejandra Campoverdi, Dr. Eiman Jahangir, Anne Miura-Ko, Andy Dunn, Bianca Gates, and Kevin Caldwell—who’ve navigated barriers and redefined their identities along the way. From rising to the White House from welfare, becoming an astronaut after fleeing war-torn Tehran, to embracing cultural legacies once hidden, each voice reveals how strength can be both passed down and self-forged. These stories illuminate the struggle and triumph of breaking cycles, honoring the past while forging new paths forward.

Listen to the full episodes here:

• Breaking the Narrative: Award winning author of First Gen, Alejandra Campoverdi, on breaking generational cycles
    Listen here: Apple | Spotify  
• Breaking Orbit: Newly minted Astronaut, Dr. Eiman Jahangir, on the future of space travel
    Listen here: Apple | Spotify  
• Breaking Tradition: Co-Founding Partner of Floodgate, Ann Miura-Ko, on innovations in Venture Capital — Ann Miura-Ko
    Listen here: Apple | Spotify 
• The Breakdown: Andy Dunn on Building Bonobos, Battling Bipolar, and Baking Pie — Andy Dunn
    Listen here: Apple | Spotify 
• Split Sole: How Bianca Gates built Birdies and broke the mold in footwear
    Listen here: Apple | Spotify 
• Breaking Bad: Kevin Caldwell and Ossium Health is banking on bone marrow for curing cancers and transforming regenerative care
  Listen here: Apple | Spotify 
  
  

Alejandra Campoverdi
Alejandra Campoverdi is a nationally recognized women’s health advocate, an award-winning author of First Gen: A Memoir, a groundbreaking account of her journey as a first-generation college graduate and professional. Alejandra served as the White House Deputy Director of Hispanic Media during the Obama administration and is the founder of the First Gen Fund, a nonprofit dedicated to providing financial support to first-generation students.

Listeners can learn more about Alejandra at her website, and on IG @acampoverdi   

Eiman Jahangir
Eiman Jahangir is a cardiologist, researcher, and NASA astronaut selected in 2021 as part of the Artemis generation of explorers. Born in Tehran during the Iran–Iraq War, Eiman immigrated to the United States at the age of four and grew up near the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama — an experience that sparked his lifelong passion for space exploration. Before joining NASA, he served as a cardiologist and faculty member at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he specialized in advanced heart failure and transplant cardiology.

Listeners can learn more about Eiman on his IG @drejahangir

Ann Miura-Ko
Ann Miura-Ko is the Co-Founder and General Partner at Floodgate, an early-stage venture capital firm known for backing iconic startups at their inception, including Lyft, Refinery29, and Twitch. Often described as one of Silicon Valley’s most respected investors, Ann is a self-proclaimed "precedent breaker"—someone who thrives in ambiguity and seeks out founders who challenge conventional wisdom.

Listeners can learn more about Ann at her website and on X.

Andy Dunn
Andy Dunn is an entrepreneur, author, and investor best known as the co-founder of Bonobos, the pioneering menswear brand that redefined modern retail. He is also the author of Burn Rate: Launching a Startup and Losing My Mind, a candid memoir about his journey with mental health while building a high-growth company. Dunn has become a leading voice in destigmatizing conversations around bipolar disorder and neurodiversity in business and beyond.

Listeners can learn more about Andy on his IG @dunn

Bianca Gates
Bianca Gates is the CEO and co-founder of Birdies, a leading footwear brand that introduced the concept of the "social slipper." Before Birdies, Bianca built a successful career in sales at Univision, MTV, and Facebook, where she worked closely with Sheryl Sandberg. Born to Latin American immigrants, Bianca is a pioneer in combining entrepreneurial drive with a commitment to empowering women.

Learn more about Bianca Gates on her website, on IG @biancagates

Kevin Caldwell

Kevin Caldwell, CEO, Co-Founder & President of Ossium Health, has built Ossium from a small startup into a clinical-stage bioengineering company.  Kevin set the company’s mission to improve human health through bioengineering and designed its platform-based model for cellular therapeutics development.  Kevin has led the company’s successful pursuit, negotiation, and execution of more than 50 business relationships, including 5 successful fundraisings and dozens of supply partnerships, clinical partnerships, and commercial contracts with biopharmaceutical companies.

Listeners can learn more about Kevin Caldwell at Ossium Health

Resources:

Uala

San Francisco Ballet
Birdies (Company)

Show Notes: 

(00:00) Introduction to Breaking Precedent
(00:30) Costume Changes with Alejandra Campoverdi
(01:30) Rockets and Roots with Eiman Jahangir
(02:30) The DNA of Defiance with Ann Miura-Ko
(03:30) Inheritance of Fire with Andy Dunn
(05:00) From the Head of the Table with Bianca Gates
(06:30) Legacy in the Lab with Kevin Caldwell
(07:30) “We carry resilience in our bones, and we're here to reshape what ...

During our summer break, we're revisiting a moving episode that celebrates Latino and Spanish-speaking leaders who are redefining identity, power, and belonging. Host Leah Solivan, a Puerto Rican founder and investor, shares the invisible tension of being “not Latina enough” and “not American enough”—a feeling echoed by many first-generation voices in this episode. You'll hear from Bianca Gates, co-founder of Birdies, on confidence and being underestimated; Alejandra Campoverdi, author of First Gen, on the emotional weight of being the “first and only”; and Bismarck Lepe, who went from the migrant fields to building global tech companies. These stories explore the complexity of cultural identity, the quiet strength in navigating multiple worlds, and the pride that comes from breaking cycles and setting new precedents. From Silicon Valley to the stage, this episode honors the resilience and vision of Latino leaders shaping the future.

Listen to the full episodes here:

• Split Sole: How Bianca Gates built Birdies and broke the mold in footwear
    Listen here: Apple | Spotify 
• Rompiendo Precedente: Bismarck Lepe on Breaking Barriers from the Fields to Google to Founding Mi Salud Health
    Listen here: Apple | Spotify 
• Breaking Pointe: San Francisco Ballet’s Tamara Rojo with Her Bold Vision for a Vibrant Future
    Listen here: Apple | Spotify
• Breaking the Narrative: Award winning author of First Gen, Alejandra Campoverdi, on breaking generational cycles
    Listen here: Apple | Spotify  
  
  

Bianca Gates

Bianca Gates is the CEO and co-founder of Birdies, a leading footwear brand that introduced the concept of the "social slipper." Before Birdies, Bianca built a successful career in sales at Univision, MTV, and Facebook, where she worked closely with Sheryl Sandberg. Born to Latin American immigrants, Bianca is a pioneer in combining entrepreneurial drive with a commitment to empowering women.

Learn more about Bianca Gates on her website, on IG @biancagates

Bismarck Lepe

Bismarck Lepe, founder and Executive Chairman of Wizeline, is a seasoned Silicon Valley entrepreneur and investor. As an early Google employee, he left to start Ooyala, an online video platform that sold for $400 million to Telstra in 2014. Passionate about economic growth and education, he has helped transform Guadalajara into a thriving tech hub through Wizeline Academy and StartupGDL, generating over 1,500 jobs and attracting significant investment. Under his leadership, Wizeline expanded to seven countries, with talent spanning 15 nations. For over a decade, he has been a key force in fostering Mexico-Silicon Valley collaboration in technology and entrepreneurship.

Learn more about Bismarck Lepe on LinkedIn @BismarckLepe

Tamara Rojo

Tamara Rojo is a renowned ballerina and artistic director celebrated for her passion, discipline, and vision in the world of dance. Known for breaking traditional molds, Tamara believes that true achievement in the art form isn’t reserved for the most gifted—but for those who are most honest and disciplined with themselves. In this episode, she reflects on the sacrifices required to be “first” and the inspiration she draws from other art forms, powerful friendships, and exhibitions that remind her of the woman she aspires to be. Her story is a masterclass in resilience, artistry, and leading with heart.

Learn more about Tamara Rojo and explore her work at San Francisco Ballet.

Alejandra Campoverdi

Alejandra Campoverdi is a nationally recognized women’s health advocate, an award-winning author of First Gen: A Memoir, a groundbreaking account of her journey as a first-generation college graduate and professional. Alejandra served as the White House Deputy Director of Hispanic Media during the Obama administration and is the founder of the First Gen Fund, a nonprofit dedicated to providing financial support to first-generation students.

Listeners can learn more about Alejandra at her website, and on IG @acampoverdi   

Resources:

Carmen (Re-staging by Tamara Rojo)

Orbital Reflector

Marcel Duchamp’s “Fountain” (Urinal)

Show Notes: 

(00:00) Introduction to Breaking Precedent

(00:30) Secret Strengths and Hidden Identities

(02:30) Assimilation, Belonging, and Cultural Tension

(04:00) Underestimated but Relentless

(05:00) Alejandra Campoverdi: First Gen and the Weight of Being First

(05:45) "Your life is not to sacrifice yourself at the altar of other people's dreams for you. To make everyone's sacrifices worth it is not the purpose of your life." - Alejandra Campoveri

(09:00) Bismarck Lepe: Breaking Tech and Cultural Barriers

(13:00) Tamara Rojo: Outsider to Ballet Trailblazer

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Leah Solivan is the host of Breaking Precedent, a podcast that explores the stories of innovators who are pushing societal boundaries and setting new precedents in their fields. Leah is General Partner at Fuel Capital, where she invests in early-stage companies across consumer technology, hardware, education, marketplaces, and retail. Leah has 15 years of experience building and creating technology products that have reached millions of people around the globe. She started her career at IBM as an engineer in the software group, working on Lotus Notes and Domino. In 2008, Leah founded TaskRabbit, the leading on-demand service marketplace in the world.

Connect with Leah:

Website: breakingprecedent.com/ 

Instagram: @labunleashed

X: @labunleashed

During our summer break, we’re revisiting powerful conversations about breaking precedent. In this episode, we spotlight the work of three groundbreaking artists—Tamara Rojo, Windy Chien, and Trevor Paglen—whose visions challenge the status quo in art and culture. Rojo, a principal ballerina and director of the San Francisco Ballet, is rewriting ballet’s narratives to reflect more inclusive stories. Chien, who transitioned from the music industry to knot-tying art, uses her intricate creations to challenge perceptions of women’s work in fine art. Paglen, known for revealing hidden surveillance systems, uses his art to ask profound questions about visibility and ownership in the modern world.

Together, their stories show how beauty and disruption are often intertwined, offering bold new ways to understand power, labor, and identity.

Listen to the full episodes here:

• Breaking Pointe: San Francisco Ballet’s Tamara Rojo with Her Bold Vision for a Vibrant Future
   Listen here: Apple | Spotify 
• Broken Records: Windy Chien on changing paths, tying stories into knots, and designing a new language of possibilities
   Listen here: Apple | Spotify 
• Breaking Cover: Trevor Paglen with a bold artistic approach to challenging societal thinking and setting new precedents
  Listen here: Apple | Spotify 

Tamara Rojo

Tamara Rojo is a renowned ballerina and artistic director celebrated for her passion, discipline, and vision in the world of dance. Known for breaking traditional molds, Tamara believes that true achievement in the art form isn’t reserved for the most gifted—but for those who are most honest and disciplined with themselves. In this episode, she reflects on the sacrifices required to be “first” and the inspiration she draws from other art forms, powerful friendships, and exhibitions that remind her of the woman she aspires to be. Her story is a masterclass in resilience, artistry, and leading with heart.

Learn more about Tamara Rojo and explore her work at San Francisco Ballet.

Windy Chien

Windy Chien is an artist best known for The Year of Knots, a daily practice in 2016 where she learned a new knot each day, culminating in a striking installation of 366 knots. A former Apple music executive turned full-time artist, Windy’s work sits at the intersection of craft, design, and personal ritual. Her artistic process emphasizes discipline, flow state, and transformation—both of material and self. In this episode, she reflects on how teaching herself to tie knots became a journey of self-definition, ultimately claiming the title of “artist” through consistent creative labor.

Explore Windy’s work and learn more about The Year of Knots.

Trevor Paglen

Trevor Paglen is an artist and geographer known for pushing the boundaries of visibility, ownership, and space. His most iconic work—Orbital Reflector—was launched into space to challenge the concept of property and claim-free public art. Trevor’s work is a rainbow disruption, offering profound commentary from the artistic edge of precedent-breaking.

Learn about Orbital Reflector and explore Trevor's work here: https://www.paglen.com/.

Resources:

Carmen (Re-staging by Tamara Rojo)
Orbital Reflector
Marcel Duchamp’s “Fountain” (Urinal)

Show Notes: 

(00:00) – Introduction to Breaking Precedent
(01:00) –  Challenging traditional gender roles and narrative endings in dance

(02:10) –  How repetition turned into philosophy and large-scale art

(03:50) –  How generative AI and new tools shift cultural perception

(04:23) – "Art is different than a lot of fields… it's people making stuff up… responding to the cultural, technological, and visual environment of the moment."

(06:00) –  The essence of breaking precedent

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Leah Solivan is the host of Breaking Precedent, a podcast that explores the stories of innovators who are pushing societal boundaries and setting new precedents in their fields. Leah is General Partner at Fuel Capital, where she invests in early-stage companies across consumer technology, hardware, education, marketplaces, and retail. Leah has 15 years of experience building and creating technology products that have reached millions of people around the globe. She started her career at IBM as an engineer in the software group, working on Lotus Notes and Domino. In 2008, Leah founded TaskRabbit, the leading on-demand service marketplace in the world.

Connect with Leah:

Website: breakingprecedent.com/ 

Instagram: @labunleashed

X: @labunleashed