What if the biggest lever for social change was your neighborhood? In this episode, Celeste sits down with her longtime friend and former colleague Hayling Price, Managing Director at GDI, an incubator for social entrepreneurs. Enjoy a wide-ranging conversation that moves from community wealth building all the way down to loving your inner child. 

Hayling opens up about growing up in a racially and economically diverse suburb just outside New York City, his father's path from the Rust Belt to becoming a cardiologist, and how those early observations about opportunity and unfairness shaped his life's work. They dig into his framework for economic justice: dignity, belonging, and power. The conversation gets honest about the pressure to chase "gold star" metrics like prestige and income instead of alignment and purpose.

If you've ever wondered how to build a career and a life that actually feels authentic to you, this episode has some gems.

#SocialImpact #CareerPurpose #ValuesDriven

Celeste interviews Louis Fouché, an MIT alum and award-winning saxophonist, composer, and arranger who transitioned from double majoring in Physics and ChemE to a prolific career in music. 

Louis worked closely with 10-time Grammy winner Eddie Palmieri as a touring musician, studio musician, producer, arranger, copyist, and co-composer. He spent nearly a decade performing on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert with the House Band with Louis Cato, and The Great Big Joy Machine. His diverse portfolio includes performing with artists like Paul Simon, Dave Matthews Band, Mac Miller, Thundercat, and Buddy Guy, as well as appearing in Spike Lee’s Highest to Lowest.

In this episode, Louis candidly discusses the perseverance required to pursue one’s true calling. He introduces the concept of “unboxing yourself”, proudly owning one’s unique strengths and interests through self-awareness and self-care. Louis encourages listeners to find a balance between audacious dreaming and practical application as they navigate their own professional paths.

Your childhood dreams don’t have to stay in the past; they can actually become the blueprint for your ultimate career breakthroughs. Celeste sits down with MIT and Stanford alumnus Jason Scott, the Founding General Partner of Five Two Five, an early-stage venture fund, and former head of Google’s global startup developer ecosystem.

From his early days dreaming of being a superhero to launching start up programs, Jason shares how he channeled his lifelong passions into a mission-driven venture capital career. 

Together, they break down the exact calculus of taking entrepreneurial risks, conquering imposter syndrome, and curating your own personal board of directors. You will walk away with actionable self-reflection practices and the tools needed to align your daily habits with your biggest professional ambitions. Tune in to learn how to master the leap from dreamer to high-impact achiever.

Celeste sits down with Connor Pera, a father of two and the owner and president of The Print Authority. Connor shares his compelling journey into entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA), while his wife was expecting their first child. He opens up about his path, including feeling confused in college and how recovering from alcoholism ultimately served as a pivotal turning point, reshaping his career and fueling his entrepreneurial drive.

In this episode, we discuss overcoming paralysis by analysis, bias towards action, motivation and the importance of self-reflection.

Celeste interviews Karin Yuen, co-founder of Arden Cove, a stylish anti-theft bag company. Karin shares her story, from her career transition to entrepreneurship, her business mindset, and the challenges faced during COVID-19. Karin’s passion for the product and her customer-centric approach are the keys to her success. 

This episode dives into product differentiation, essential entrepreneurial mindsets, and strategies for overcoming imposter syndrome. Karin shares her wisdom on building a supportive community, balancing perfectionism with iteration, learning from setbacks, and leveraging your unique strengths. Tune in and get inspired to pursue your own dreams and build a thriving business!

Arden Cove: https://ardencove.com/

Celeste interviews Daryl Fairweather PhD, Redfin Chief Economist and author of “Hate the Game: Economic Cheat Codes for Life, Love, and Work”. Daryl is the first Black woman to earn her PhD in economics from the University of Chicago. 

Daryl Fairweather shares her journey of becoming a Chief Economist, emphasizing the importance of building skills, testing your abilities, and overcoming challenges. She recalls how she navigated her career, graduating from college during the Great Recession. Daryl discusses the importance of internal validation and self-worth rather than external validation. 

She reveals her “why” is the legacy of her famous grandmother, Norma Merrick Sklarek, the first Black woman to be a licensed architect in New York state and California. Norma Merrick Sklarek was the first Black woman inducted into the American Institute of Architects. 

Daryl discusses the role of AI and how people can adapt in the changing job market.