Finding Fearless

In this episode of Finding Fearless, Madeline Reeves sits down with Marcia Dawood, author, TEDx Speaker, podcast host, and early-stage investor. Together they explore Marcia's mission to transform angel investing from an exclusive club into an accessible pathway for everyday people to fund innovation and create positive change.

Key themes include:

• Marcia's journey from corporate finance to passionate advocate for investment democratization
• The untapped potential of platforms like Wefunder, Republic, and StartEngine
• Building a personal investment thesis that aligns with your values
• The critical importance of community and collaboration in angel investing
• How equity crowdfunding is reshaping who gets to be an investor

00:00 Introduction to Finding Fearless

00:37 Meet Marcia Dawood: Author, Speaker, and Investor

01:09 Democratizing Angel Investing

01:28 FreshBooks: The Accounting Solution

02:20 Marcia's Journey into Angel Investing

05:32 Understanding Angel Investing

07:58 Equity Crowdfunding Explained

12:52 Building a Personal Investment Thesis

19:29 The Power of Community in Angel Investing

22:36 Show Her the Money: The Documentary

24:10 A Great Cause and Personal Involvement

24:59 Introducing Relay Financial

25:48 Challenges and Systemic Issues in Female Funding

30:08 Encouraging Audacity and Confidence

33:13 Angel Investing Demystified

37:51 Resources and Recommendations for Aspiring Investors

39:33 Final Thoughts and Calls to Action

Connect & Learn More

Here's how you can engage with Marcia's work:

Website: www.marciadawood.com

Instagram

Connect with Fearless Foundry:

Fearless Foundry

Madeline Reeves

Finding Fearless is an exploration of human-centric leadership and a celebration of ambition,  releasing every other week on Wednesdays, 6AM PST.  If you liked the show, please rate, review, and share! You can also visit our website to learn more about how to become a sponsor of Finding Fearless!

Finding Fearless is produced by Fearless Foundry, a creative consultancy focused on advancing ambitious humans from around the globe to amplify their impact through branding, marketing, and business development. You can contact us at [email protected] if you are interested in our services and can follow us on all social media @fearlessfoundry.

Season 4 music is by Premium Beats. All audio is recorded and owned by Fearless Foundry. 

In our latest episode of Finding Fearless, we had the privilege of speaking with Catherine Gray, general partner at Silicon Valley Women Founders Fund and CEO of She Angel Investors. Her journey from advertising executive to venture capital pioneer offers powerful insights into the transformation happening in the investment landscape.

Key themes include:

• The unique challenges women face in securing venture capital funding.
• The power of storytelling in shifting investment culture towards greater equity.
• Strategies for fostering increased representation and investment in women-led ventures.
• The impact and reception of Catherine's documentary 'Show Her the Money' and its broader influence.
• Opportunities for listeners to engage with venture capital and feminist funding initiatives.

00:00 Introduction to Finding Fearless
00:54 Meet Catherine Gray: A Game-Changer for Female Founders
01:22 Catherine's Journey and the Venture Capital Landscape
04:49 The Impact of 'Show Her the Money'
09:43 The Power of Community and Networking
14:44 Investing in Women: A Smart Choice
22:13 Resources and Next Steps for Aspiring Investors
35:06 Conclusion and Final Thoughts


Connect & Learn More

Here's how you can engage with Catherine’s work:

Website: www.showherthemoneymovie.com 

LinkedIn 

Connect with Fearless Foundry:

Fearless Foundry

Madeline Reeves

Finding Fearless is an exploration of human-centric leadership and a celebration of ambition,  releasing every other week on Wednesdays, 6AM PST.  If you liked the show, please rate, review, and share! You can also visit our website to learn more about how to become a sponsor of Finding Fearless!

Finding Fearless is produced by Fearless Foundry, a creative consultancy focused on advancing ambitious humans from around the globe to amplify their impact through branding, marketing, and business development. You can contact us at [email protected] if you are interested in our services and can follow us on all social media @fearlessfoundry.

Season 4 music is by Premium Beats. All audio is recorded and owned by Fearless Foundry. 

In this episode of Finding Fearless, Madeline Reeves sits down with Amanda Ralston, a queer and neurodivergent serial entrepreneur and the visionary behind Non-Binary Solutions. Together, they explore Amanda's groundbreaking work in transforming autism care through innovative and inclusive approaches.

Key themes include:

• Amanda's 25-year journey in applied behavior analysis and its evolution
• The development of her innovative clinical decision support system for autism treatment
• The changing landscape of autism diagnosis and the need for adaptable solutions
• The unique challenges and strengths of being a neurodivergent entrepreneur
• The power of radical honesty and non-binary thinking in leadership
  
  

00:00 Introduction to Finding Fearless

00:37 Meet Amanda Ralston: Revolutionizing Autism Care

04:43 The Evolution of Autism Diagnosis

09:50 The Rise of Neurodiversity Awareness

11:14 Challenges and Opportunities in Autism Care

18:10 Non-Binary Solutions: A New Approach

29:24 The Journey to Tech Solutions

30:13 Relay Financial: A Game Changer for Small Businesses

31:02 Challenges of Building a Startup

31:57 Navigating Bias and Fundraising as a Female Founder

33:40 The Importance of Authenticity and Mental Health

44:35 The Role of Neurodiversity in Entrepreneurship

48:14 Balancing Instincts and Data in Entrepreneurship

53:52 Upcoming Events and Staying Connected

55:13 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Here's how you can engage with Amanda’s work:

Website: www.nonbinarysolutions.com 

Instagram

Connect with Fearless Foundry:

Fearless Foundry

Madeline Reeves

Finding Fearless is an exploration of human-centric leadership and a celebration of ambition,  releasing every other week on Wednesdays, 6AM PST.  If you liked the show, please rate, review, and share! You can also visit our website to learn more about how to become a sponsor of Finding Fearless!

Finding Fearless is produced by Fearless Foundry, a creative consultancy focused on advancing ambitious humans from around the globe to amplify their impact through branding, marketing, and business development. You can contact us at [email protected] if you are interested in our services and can follow us on all social media @fearlessfoundry.

Season 4 music is by Premium Beats. All audio is recorded and owned by Fearless Foundry. 

In this powerful episode of Finding Fearless, Madeline Reeves sits down with Tanesha Grant, founder of Parents Supporting Parents NY and Moms United for Black Lives NYC. Together, they unpack the profound impact of community organizing, grassroots advocacy, and the fight for equity within systems that have historically marginalized Black families. 

Key themes include:

• The systemic barriers faced by marginalized families within the child welfare system.
• The importance of digital equity and community coalition building.
• Balancing personal well-being with relentless advocacy work.
• The power of lived experience in driving social change.
• Building organizations like Parents Supporting Parents NY and Moms United for Black Lives NYC.

00:00 Introduction to Finding Fearless

00:38 Meet Tanesha Grant: A Community Powerhouse

01:14 Tanesha's Personal Journey and Advocacy

04:19 The Importance of Perseverance

06:18 Fighting for Family and Community

12:11 Digital Equity and Community Support

15:51 Navigating Systemic Challenges

24:24 Advocacy and Unlearning Professionalism

28:22 Discontent with Big Banks

29:05 Empowering Young Black Women

29:43 The Fight for Racial Justice

34:00 Community and Coalition Building

38:36 Self-Care in Activism

45:05 Engaging in Community Action

47:35 Final Reflections and Call to Action

50:08 Managing Workflow with Notion


Connect & Learn More

Here’s how you can connect with Tanesha’s work:

Website: pspnyinc.org
Social: Find Parent Supporting Parents NY on Facebook, Instagram and X
Support: Patreon - Parent Supporting Parents New York

Personal: Follow Tanesha on Instagram or X 

Connect with Fearless Foundry:

• Fearless Foundry
• Madeline Reeves

Finding Fearless is an exploration of human-centric leadership and a celebration of ambition,  releasing every other week on Wednesdays, 6AM PST.  If you liked the show, please rate, review, and share! You can also visit our website to learn more about how to become a sponsor of Finding Fearless!

Finding Fearless is produced by Fearless Foundry, a creative consultancy focused on advancing ambitious humans from around the globe to amplify their impact through branding, marketing, and business development. You can contact us at [email protected] if you are interested in our services and can follow us on all social media @fearlessfoundry.

Season 4 music is by Premium Beats. All audio is recorded and owned by Fearless Foundry. 

In this episode of Finding Fearless, Madeline Reeves sits down with Deb Boulanger, founder of Life After Corporate. Together they explore Deb's transformative journey from the corporate world to purpose-driven entrepreneurship, focusing on aligning ambition with authentic leadership.

Key themes include:

• Unlearning corporate conditioning and trusting intuition.
• The concept of business as a transfer of energy.
• The importance of community in entrepreneurship.
• Values-driven business practices and ethical pricing strategies.
• Building resiliency and nurturing self on the entrepreneurial journey.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Finding Fearless

00:39 Meet Deb Boulanger: From Corporate to Purpose-Driven Entrepreneurship

01:06 Deb's Pivotal Moment: The Silent Retreat

01:20 Unlearning Corporate Conditioning

02:59 The Journey of Self-Discovery

03:52 Challenges and Realizations in Corporate Life

05:05 The Decision to Transition

12:47 The New Feminist Movement: Women in Entrepreneurship

25:45 The Importance of Community and Support

30:19 Over-Educating and Under-Selling: Common Pitfalls

30:53 The Importance of Follow-Up After Webinars

32:10 Authenticity in Sales

33:43 Aligned Ambition: Defining Success on Your Terms

36:17 The Myth of the Seven-Figure Entrepreneur

40:24 Trusting Your Intuition in Business

53:29 Values-Driven Business Practices

55:28 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Connect & Learn More

Here's how you can engage with Deb's work:

• Website: lifeaftercorporate.com
• Life After Corporate podcast
• LinkedIn
• Instagram

Connect with Fearless Foundry:

• Fearless Foundry
• Madeline Reeves

Finding Fearless is an exploration of human-centric leadership and a celebration of ambition,  releasing every other week on Wednesdays, 6AM PST.  If you liked the show, please rate, review, and share! You can also visit our website to learn more about how to become a sponsor of Finding Fearless!

Finding Fearless is produced by Fearless Foundry, a creative consultancy focused on advancing ambitious humans from around the globe to amplify their impact through branding, marketing, and business development. You can contact us at [email protected] if you are interested in our services and can follow us on all social media @fearlessfoundry.

Season 4 music is by Premium Beats. All audio is recorded and owned by Fearless Foundry. 

In this episode of Finding Fearless, Madeline sits down with Mary Williams, founder of Sensible Woo. Together they explore Mary's journey from corporate librarian and digital archivist to intuitive business strategist, focusing on helping entrepreneurs integrate intuition with practical business systems.

Key themes include: the evolution of online business landscapes, building systems that honor individuality, shifting away from hustle culture toward sustainable practices, and the importance of self-awareness in entrepreneurial success. Mary also introduces her Woo Crew subscription, which combines intuitive readings with strategic business guidance to help clients navigate their business challenges authentically.

Timestamps:

01:12 Meet Mary Williams: Founder of Sensible Woo

02:10 Mary's Journey from Librarian to Business Strategist

08:42 The Evolution of Online Business

16:59 The Importance of Systems and Authenticity

36:33 Breaking Free from Firefighting Mode

36:57 The Importance of Documentation

37:48 Learning from Corporate Culture

39:00 Challenges of Team Management

48:21 Embracing Intuition in Business

49:42 The Woo Crew Offer

56:48 Navigating Entrepreneurial Struggles

Finding Fearless is an exploration of human-centric leadership and a celebration of ambition,  releasing every other week on Wednesdays, 6AM PST.  If you liked the show, please rate, review, and share! You can also visit our website to learn more about how to become a sponsor of Finding Fearless!

Finding Fearless is produced by Fearless Foundry, a creative consultancy focused on advancing ambitious humans from around the globe to amplify their impact through branding, marketing, and business development. You can contact us at [email protected] if you are interested in our services and can follow us on all social media @fearlessfoundry.

Season 4 music is by Premium Beats. All audio is recorded and owned by Fearless Foundry. 

In this episode of Finding Fearless, Madeline sits down with Holly, founder of Ask Holly How and host of the Cultures Within Capitalism podcast. Together they explore Holly's diverse journey from professional ballet and music therapy to business consultancy, focusing on building businesses that align with personal values.

Key themes include: navigating intuition versus fear in entrepreneurial decisions, the flaws of the capitalist "hustle culture" and its impact on well-being, building values-driven businesses in a rapidly changing technological landscape, finding purpose and balance beyond work, and the challenges of entrepreneurship.

Holly also shares insights into her approach to business consultancy and emphasizes the importance of ethical practices and creating sustainable, meaningful work.

Timestamps:

 00:00 Introduction to Finding Fearless
 00:39 Meet Holly: Founder of Ask Holly How
 02:45 The Journey from Dance to Business Consulting
 08:50 Navigating the Creative and Business Worlds
 15:35 The Impact of Technology on Business
 20:27 The Rise and Fall of Trendy Brands
 25:32 The Value of Authenticity in Business
 31:22 Relay Financial: A Banking Solution for Small Businesses
 32:11 The Power of Brand and Values in Business
 33:42 Aligning Business with Personal Values
 34:49 Challenges in Implementing Values
 35:28 The Role of Values in Brand Strategy
 36:37 From Vision to Action: Real-Life Examples
 38:47 Consulting Work and Business Growth
 40:55 Building a Sustainable Client Base
 42:38 The Impact of Podcasting
 44:21 Fear vs. Intuition in Decision Making
 47:43 Rethinking Hustle Culture
 49:44 The Influence of Religion on Business
 52:42 Leaving Meta and Embracing New Paradigms
 56:46 Final Thoughts and Future Directions

Finding Fearless is an exploration of human-centric leadership and a celebration of ambition,  releasing every other week on Wednesdays, 6AM PST.  If you liked the show, please rate, review, and share! You can also visit our website to learn more about how to become a sponsor of Finding Fearless!

Finding Fearless is produced by Fearless Foundry, a creative consultancy focused on advancing ambitious humans from around the globe to amplify their impact through branding, marketing, and business development. You can contact us at [email protected] if you are interested in our services and can follow us on all social media @fearlessfoundry.

Season 4 music is by Premium Beats. All audio is recorded and owned by Fearless Foundry. 

In this episode of Finding Fearless, Madeline sits down with Erica Smith, sex educator and founder of Purity Culture Dropout. Together they explore Erica's journey from nonprofit sexual health work to entrepreneurship, focusing on helping individuals deconstruct harmful messages about sexuality.

Key themes include: the challenges of becoming an entrepreneur, ethical sales practices, the importance of community, and the impact of political climates on sexuality education. Erica also announces her upcoming programs and a new book aimed at addressing sexual health for those raised in purity culture.

Timestamps:

00:38 Meet Erica Smith: Fighting Purity Culture

01:31 Erica's Journey and Business Insights

02:11 The Challenges of Entrepreneurship

03:31 Erica's Background and Career Shift

05:37 Building Purity Culture Dropout

11:03 Navigating Business Ethics and Sales

18:48 The Impact of Purity Culture on Society

28:45 Transitioning to Social Media Presence

32:20 Navigating Instagram and Work-Life Balance

34:32 Intentional Social Media Breaks

35:00 Adapting Work Hours to Personal Rhythms

36:41 Challenges of Social Media for Content Creators

39:05 Censorship and the Future of Social Media

46:31 Community and Connection in Business

53:41 Advice for Deconstructing Purity Culture

56:23 Erica's Upcoming Projects and Resources

Finding Fearless is an exploration of human-centric leadership and a celebration of ambition,  releasing every other week on Wednesdays, 6AM PST.  If you liked the show, please rate, review, and share! You can also visit our website to learn more about how to become a sponsor of Finding Fearless!

Finding Fearless is produced by Fearless Foundry, a creative consultancy focused on advancing ambitious humans from around the globe to amplify their impact through branding, marketing, and business development. You can contact us at [email protected] if you are interested in our services and can follow us on all social media @fearlessfoundry.

Season 4 music is by Premium Beats. All audio is recorded and owned by Fearless Foundry. 

In this episode of Finding Fearless, Madeline delves into human-centric leadership and the spirit of ambition as she converses with Kelly Ann Winget, the founder of Alternative Wealth Partners (AWP). Kelly shares her journey of raising nearly a billion dollars in private capital, advocating for financial empowerment, and redefining wealth. The conversation spans various topics, including Kelly’s experiences in male-dominated industries, key moments of realizing her potential, and her strategies for making investing more inclusive and equitable. They also discuss the importance of understanding private equity and different pathways to generational wealth, emphasizing the vital role of purpose in driving long-term success. Additionally, the episode highlights Kelly's book, "Pitch the Bitch: Grab Your Financial Future by the Bags," and navigates the practical steps and benefits of strategic investing.

00:39 Meet Kelly Ann Winget: Visionary Founder

02:42 Kelly's Journey in Alternative Investments

03:53 Overcoming Challenges and Finding Purpose

05:02 The Importance of Confidence and Experience

07:17 Money Mindset and Entrepreneurial Success

10:31 Generational Wealth and Entrepreneurship

19:00 Opportunities in Service-Based Businesses

26:34 Understanding Private Equity

29:15 Signs Your Business Could Benefit from PE Firms

29:54 Venture Capital vs. Private Equity

31:03 Challenges for Female Founders

32:52 Navigating Male-Dominated Industries

35:47 Flipping the Script on Gender Dynamics

38:12 Generational Differences in Business

44:36 Purpose-Driven Ambition

48:03 Getting Started with Investing

49:49 Kelly's Book and Future Plans

53:12 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Kelly's book - https://www.amazon.com/Pitch-Bitch-Grab-Financial-Future-ebook/dp/B0C3RS21F6

Connect with Kelly - 

• Website: kellyannwinget.com, alternativewealthpartners.com
• Social Media Handles: @kellyannwinget, @alternativewealthpartners

Finding Fearless is an exploration of human-centric leadership and a celebration of ambition,  releasing every other week on Wednesdays, 6AM PST.  If you liked the show, please rate, review, and share! You can also visit our website to learn more about how to become a sponsor of Finding Fearless!

Finding Fearless is produced by Fearless Foundry, a creative consultancy focused on advancing ambitious humans from around the globe to amplify their impact through branding, marketing, and business development. You can contact us at [email protected] if you are interested in our services and can follow us on all social media @fearlessfoundry.

Season 4 music is by Premium Beats. All audio is recorded and owned by Fearless Foundry. 

In this special season wrap-up of the Finding Fearless podcast, host Madeline revisits the powerful conversations of the past year. She reflects on the theme of liberation in entrepreneurship, exploring how guests have turned their challenges into opportunities for personal and professional freedom. The episode highlights impactful discussions with inspiring figures like Podge Thomas, Lauren Burgess, Meredith Fennessy Witts, Brianna Franklin, and Mary Bailey, who share their unique journeys and insights on breaking free from traditional constraints. Madeline also introduces upcoming opportunities for listeners to engage with her work through the Figure 8 program and the Finding Fearless community. 

01:31 Reflecting on the Podcast Journey

01:54 The Origins of Finding Fearless

05:14 Liberation Through Entrepreneurship

08:03 Season Highlights and Key Conversations

20:00 Community, Allyship, and Authenticity

22:12 Looking Ahead: Future Plans and Programs

26:49 Conclusion and Gratitude

Finding Fearless is an exploration of human-centric leadership and a celebration of ambition,  releasing every other week on Wednesdays, 6AM PST.  If you liked the show, please rate, review, and share! You can also visit our website to learn more about how to become a sponsor of Finding Fearless!

Finding Fearless is produced by Fearless Foundry, a creative consultancy focused on advancing ambitious humans from around the globe to amplify their impact through branding, marketing, and business development. You can contact us at [email protected] if you are interested in our services and can follow us on all social media @fearlessfoundry.

Season 4 music is by Premium Beats. All audio is recorded and owned by Fearless Foundry.