In this episode of Heart + Head Work, we explore what happens when everything goes quiet.

Rocky Donati shares her experience attending a 10-day Vipassana silent retreat—a meditation practice centered on awareness, equanimity, and learning to see reality exactly as it is. With no phone, no speaking, no reading, and more than 11 hours of meditation per day, the retreat created an environment designed to strip away distraction and invite a direct encounter with the self.

What unfolded wasn’t bliss—it was pain. Intense, sustained physical pain that became the gateway to something far more transformative: a deep reconnection to the body, an understanding of sensation versus reaction, and the realization that presence isn’t about feeling good—it’s about being fully with what is.

Rocky opens up about what it means to sit with discomfort instead of trying to escape it, how chronic pain and dissociation can disconnect us from ourselves, and why learning to observe without reacting can change how we move through every part of life.

Together, we unpack

• What a 10-day Vipassana silent retreat actually looks like (schedule, structure, and expectations)
• Why Rocky experienced intense physical pain while others did not
• The difference between sensation, reaction, and equanimity
• How chronic pain, dissociation, and healing are deeply connected
• What it means to witness yourself without trying to fix or change anything
• Why presence creates now benefits—not just future ones
• How this practice continues beyond meditation and into daily life

This episode is honest, embodied, and deeply human—an invitation to explore presence in whatever way meets you where you are.

Resources Mentioned

Vipassana Meditation (as taught by S.N. Goenka):
 https://www.dhamma.org

https://www.pasava.dhamma.org/

Disclaimer

This conversation reflects personal experience and perspective, not medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice. Everyone’s body, nervous system, and healing journey is different. We encourage you to consult a qualified medical or mental health professional before making decisions related to your physical or emotional health.

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✨ And if this episode moved you, sharing it with a friend helps more women find us.

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In this episode of Heart + Head Work, we sit down with Sarah Duke and Britney Beardmore—the powerhouse sister-in-law duo behind Acrely Farms, a Bloom to Bottle Hemp farm redefining what it means to build a mission-driven business from the ground up.

With backgrounds in agriculture and medical research, Sarah and Brit left corporate careers to create a farm rooted in humane, sustainable practices—and have since self-funded their hemp and botanical skincare line to over $2 million in lifetime sales.

They open up about the unfiltered realities of entrepreneurship: what it’s like to borrow from a spouse, live on savings, and keep believing when the numbers don’t make sense. From money mindset shifts to redefining success, this conversation is real, funny, and surprisingly healing.

Together, we unpack

• How Acrely grew from one acre to a $2M self-funded brand
• The emotional dynamics of borrowing from a spouse
• Why “success” isn’t profit—it’s partnership, perseverance, and purpose
• How identity and self-worth can’t be tied to revenue
• Practical tools for managing cash flow and creative funding (yes, even 0% APR credit cards)

This episode is honest, reflective, and deeply human—an inside look at what it really takes to bet on yourself, stay in partnership, and keep building when the easy road isn’t an option.

Resources Mentioned

• Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program: 10ksbapply.com
• MBC Program (University of Utah) — Masters of Business Creation

Where to find Acrely:

• Acrely Farms: acrelyfarms.com
• Follow: @acrelyfarms

Disclaimer:

 This conversation reflects personal experiences and perspectives, not financial advice. Every business is unique, and financial decisions carry risk. We strongly encourage you to consult a qualified financial advisor, accountant, or legal professional before making decisions about funding, debt, or investment for your business.

Connect with us!

💬 Join the conversation in our private network on BFF
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📲 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

In this episode of Heart + Head Work, we sit down with Rae Wright—Fortune 100 executive turned mentor and advisor—whose passion lies in guiding leaders back to themselves. With decades of experience leading major organizations through transformation, Rae now supports entrepreneurs and professionals in living and leading from deep alignment.

From spreadsheets and structure to intuition and trust, Rae shares her journey of shifting from chasing goals to honoring alignment—and how a strong sense of self is an entrepreneur’s greatest asset.

Together, we unpack:

• The trap of comparison and how it blocks creativity
• Why alignment is more sustainable than achievement
• The power of self-permission and inner authority
• How reframing challenges as invitations leads to growth
• What it means to lead and live in authentic alignment

This episode is soul-centered, expansive, and deeply grounding—an invitation to return to yourself and lead with clarity.

Resources Mentioned

• Rae’s podcast: The Observatory Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-observatory-discovery-of-consciousness-awareness/id1644040572
• Rae’s retreat company: You Are the Medicine Retreats https://www.instagram.com/youarethemedicineretreat/
• Follow Rae on Instagram: @larae_wright
• Vipassana Meditation Retreat — dhamma.org
• Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program — 10ksbapply.com

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

We’re told self care is selfish—but what if it’s actually the foundation for showing up fully in your business, your relationships, and your life? In this episode, Tessa and Rocky explore how taking care of yourself creates the capacity to care for everyone around you.

In this conversation, they unpack:

• Why guilt often keeps women from putting themselves first
• The “oxygen mask” and “cup” analogies that reframe self care as essential
• How to use non-negotiables and even a “no-do list” to protect your energy
• The ripple effect of small daily rituals on leadership, creativity, and resilience
• Practical self care practices—from morning routines to sensory anchors—that fuel sustainable growth

📚 Resources Mentioned:

• The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin (Five Senses of Happiness)
• The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks (Einstein Time)
• Eat That Frog! by Brian Tracy (do the hardest thing first)
• The Enneagram (esp. insights from Enneagram 5)
• Phrases: “No is a full sentence” + the “Tickets” energy analogy

If you’ve ever struggled to slow down, or felt guilty for putting yourself first, this episode is your reminder: self care ≠ selfish.

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

In Part 1, we shared the messy, behind-the-scenes story of how Maven defined its core values. Now in Part 2, we explore what happens next—how those values come to life inside a team and shape the culture we’re building every day.

In this conversation, Tessa, Rocky, and Jen unpack:

• How to weave values into hiring, leadership, and daily work
• The difference between supporting people and enabling them
• Why culture isn’t declared—it’s practiced, reinforced, and lived
• The rituals that keep values at the center of collective strength
• Practical takeaways for building a values-led business from the inside out

If you’ve ever wondered how to move from naming your values to actually living them, this episode offers a real, unpolished look at what it takes.

👉 Download the free PDF with our 5 key takeaways

Connect with us!

💬 Join the conversation in our private network on BFF
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✨ And if this episode moved you, sharing it with a friend helps more women find us.

More at → mavenslc.com

You can’t build a values-led business without naming your values first.

In this episode, we sit down with our heart-forward operations Chief Experience Officer, Jen, to unpack how Maven’s core values—love and curiosity—were defined, debated, and eventually embraced as the compass guiding our team, community, and culture.

We talk about:
— Why defining values required radical candor (and a few tears in a cabin)
— How our values shape how we lead, hire, and show up
— What “love” and “curiosity” really mean to each of us—and why they were hard to claim
— The difference between performing values and living them

This isn’t a how-to. It’s a look behind the curtain at how one messy, meaningful conversation helped bring clarity, cohesion, and momentum to our growing team. If you’ve ever struggled to articulate what matters most to you—or if you’ve avoided the word “love” in business—this one’s for you.

💬 Join the conversation in our private network on BFF 
📲 Follow us on Instagram: @maven.community
✨ If this episode moved you, a 5-star rating helps more women find us.

Next up: Part 2—how we bring these values to life through culture and daily decisions.

Connect with us!

💬 Join the conversation in our private network on BFF
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📲 Follow us on Instagram
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✨ And if this episode moved you, sharing it with a friend helps more women find us.

More at → mavenslc.com

What does it really mean to be resilient in business—not just as a catchphrase, but as a daily practice?

In this episode, Tessa and Rocky get honest about what resilience looks like behind the scenes. From personal stories of failure and fear to the small rituals that keep them grounded, they unpack how they've built tenacity in life and leadership. Whether you’re facing burnout, decision fatigue, or just trying to keep going—this one’s for you.

💡 Key Takeaways
1. Resilience isn’t a destination—it’s a lifelong practice.
2. Growth is active, ongoing, and often uncomfortable.
3. You build resilience by practicing small, daily tools like RAIN, journaling, reframing, and Byron Katie’s 4 questions.
4. Make space to feel your emotions without letting them drive your actions.
5. Go small, go steady—over time, you’ll grow stronger and more grounded.

✨ Grab our free Resilience Toolkit for 5 simple tools you can start using today → https://stan.store/mavencommunity/p/resilience-toolkit

Today’s discomfort is tomorrow’s growth story. Stay present, and keep going.

🔖 Resources & References
"The Hard Thing About Hard Things" by Ben Horowitz → https://a.co/d/iMejGfr
"Radical Acceptance" & the RAIN Meditation by Tara Brach → https://a.co/d/iZJC5xD
"Let Them" by Mel Robbins → https://a.co/d/6Tq6ZH8
Letters From Love Substack by Elizabeth Gilbert → https://elizabethgilbert.substack.com/
"The Work" by Byron Katie → https://a.co/d/9GZXA5A

💬 Join the Conversation
How do you build resilience in your life and business? Drop your story in our Geneva community and connect with other women entrepreneurs doing the hard things too.
https://links.geneva.com/invite/af6ecd07-9070-43b7-9629-7aaa166aa131

Connect with us!

💬 Join the conversation in our private network on BFF
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📲 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

What does resilience look like before you have the tools?

In this first part of our two-part conversation, Rocky and Tessa open up about the personal and professional moments that tested them most—before they had a framework for building resilience. From early challenges in business to deeply personal turning points, they share the real, unfiltered stories that shaped who they are today.

If you’ve ever felt like you were figuring it out as you went—or wondered how to keep going when things get messy—this episode will feel like a conversation with friends who’ve been there.

💡 Key Takeaways

1. Resilience is often built in the middle of the mess, not after it’s over.
2. Vulnerability can be a bridge to stronger relationships and opportunities.
3. Sometimes the most defining lessons come from your hardest seasons.
4. You don’t have to have it all figured out to keep moving forward.
5. Sharing your story can be a tool for healing—for you and others.

✨ Here’s your sneak peek for the next episode: In Part 2, we’ll share the exact tools and daily practices you can use to build resilience in business and life. In the meantime, grab our free Resilience Toolkit so you can start practicing today: https://stan.store/mavencommunity/p/resilience-toolkit 

💬 Join the Conversation
What’s one hard moment that shaped your resilience? Drop your story in our Geneva community and connect with other women entrepreneurs doing the hard things too.

 https://links.geneva.com/invite/af6ecd07-9070-43b7-9629-7aaa166aa131

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

What does it really mean to ask for help, learn from others, and pay it forward as women in business?

In this episode, Tessa and Rocky dive deep into mentorship—how it’s shaped them, the fears that hold us back from asking for support, and the importance of building networks that nurture real growth. From finding the right people to embracing imperfection and giving back, they share candid stories and practical insights on creating a culture of collaboration over competition.

If you’re a woman entrepreneur looking to lead with both heart and strategy, this episode is your invitation to lean in, ask boldly, and grow together.

💡 Key Takeaways:

- Mentorship accelerates learning and confidence
- Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness
- Great mentors ask questions, not just give answers
- Pay it forward by supporting those coming up behind you

🔖 Resources & References:
📚 The Art of Asking by Amanda Palmer
📚 Radical Candor by Kim Scott

💬 Join the Conversation:
Who’s mentored you? Who are you mentoring? Share your story in our Geneva community and connect with other women entrepreneurs.

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
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✨ And if this episode moved you, sharing it with a friend helps more women find us.

More at → mavenslc.com

What does it really take to build habits that support your business, your team, and your well-being—not just your to-do list?

In this episode, Tessa and Rocky are joined by Maven’s COO, Jen Ungvichian, to dive into the art (and challenge) of habit-building for women entrepreneurs. They share candid stories about what motivates their habits, how they stay accountable, and why failure isn’t the end—it’s part of the process. From managing overwhelm to creating team-wide rituals, this conversation is your roadmap to turning your priorities into sustainable practices.

If you’re a woman building something real and want habits that actually serve your life and leadership, this one’s for you.

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Define what truly matters and turn it into habits
• Find accountability methods that work for you and your team
• Break big goals into bite-sized steps
• Embrace failure as part of the habit-building journey
• Build a culture of consistency in your business

💬 Join the Conversation:
What habits are you working on right now? Drop into our community on Geneva and share your journey.

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