20 Minutes with Bronwyn

Welcome to December! And let me tell you, I come bearing gifts …   This fantastic conversation with one of the most influential Venture Capitalists in the Valley, Mr. David Hornik is going to help you become a better storyteller, a better pitcher of ideas, and best of all? It might even help you become a better human being. He’s *that* good. David is a founding partner at Lobby Capital. For the last 25 years he has worked closely with technology entrepreneurs to help them build transformative businesses. Prior to founding Lobby Capital, David was a partner at August Capital for 20 years. David invests in a broad range of software companies, including enterprise application, infrastructure, and SaaS businesses (e.g, Splunk, Fastly, GitLab), financial technology companies (e.g., Bill.com, WePay, PayNearMe), and consumer services (e.g., Evite, Ebates, TopHatter). In this conversation we cover: The biggest mistakes start-ups make during pitches. The biggest difference between men vs. women founders in how they “frame” market opportunities to investors. How to use storytelling as an unfair advantage. How to inject joy, fun, and authenticity into even the stuffiest of situations.  Buckle up, my friends. Because a conversation with David is always my favorite journey to take.

Internationally recognized curiosity expert, Scott Shigeoka, discusses the power of curiosity, navigating different realities, bridging social divisions, and the importance of perspective taking. They also talk about practicing curiosity, managing stress, and express excitement for an upcoming book release.

Without a doubt, we are the *most* media saturated humans in the history of the world. But what happens to media coverage and storytelling when kids are behind the camera lens? Storytelling with a depth and honesty you won’t see anywhere else.   My guest today is the incomparable Holly Carter, founder of the Executive Director of BYkids and BYkids pairs talented young storytellers with seasoned filmmakers to create powerful documentaries about their lives. BYkids kicks off its fourth season on PBS on November 11, and will be narrated by Ashley Judd.   Holly began her career as a writer and editor at The New York Times, and was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. Since then, she’s lived in Korea as a Henry Luce scholar and print and television journalist, produced the award-winning documentary, Margaret Sanger, co-founded North Carolina's full frame festival, served as a consultant for the After-School Corporation, produced the PBS series Media Matters, and most recently was the executive director of The Film Initiative.    Holly and I talk about what it means to let young people tell their own stories, whether it’s a teen refugee from Ukraine, a climate activist, or a 14 year old journalist covering organic farming practices in her community in India.   This conversation gave me so much hope, so much joy. The kids are more than alright. They’re dazzling.   Check out the trailer for BYkids Season Four here.

The brilliant Dr. Leslie Carr and I get real about what the heck work is supposed to look like in this weird post-Covid world we now occupy.    We talk about the leadership styles that are poised to win in this environment, and those that are doomed to implode.   But most importantly, we talked about what humans truly need in order to thrive.    Dr. Leslie Carr is a psychologist and an expert in how trauma, stress, culture, and digital technology impact the mind, and she consults and speaks to audiences about how they survive and even thrive amidst challenging or adverse circumstances. She’s been featured in the LA Times, ABC News, and The Huffington Post among many others.    Leslie is also the host of an e-course on how to use technology mindfully, and the host of a podcast called The Nature of Nurture, which delves deep into the nature v nurture debate by exploring how our minds and mental health are shaped by lived experience. Check it all out at www.lesliecarr.com, her e-course is available until 10/31 — you don’t want to miss it!

You guys, when Lexi B walks in the room, there is a ripple in the energetic universe and it's like she's here. That's the vibe she gives. She is one of the most sparkling compelling presences you'll ever know in your life. Her podcast, You Can Sit with US, launched on September 5th and you can find all new episodes on Spotify. Go give it a listen, Lexi is sensational. Alexandria Butler, widely known as Lexi B, is a sought-after figure in the tech industry, renowned for her transformative work and exceptional ability to cultivate executive leadership and promote workplace equity. With an extensive background at prominent Silicon Valley tech Lexi B elevated her mission of empowering professionals to new heights by launching a podcast, You Can Sit With Us. This groundbreaking repository serves as a powerful medium for celebrating and discussing the transferable skills that are essential for building the professional life individuals aspire to have. Lexi B's reputation as a sought-after speaker and workplace culture commentator has earned her numerous invitations to share her profound insights and wisdom with organizations of all sizes, as well as prestigious publications such as Tenable, Pearson, Diginomica, CBS, and more.  Bringing her unique blend of entertainment and expertise to the table, Lexi B is poised to revolutionize the way corporate entities approach professional growth and development.

Once upon a time, I remember hearing Oprah Winfrey say, “Your home should rise up to meet you.”   I muttered under my breath, “Oh yeah? Well my house rises up to SLAP me. How ‘bout that?”   At the time, I was a new mother, a newly(ish)wed, and an “organized, beautiful space” wasn’t yet in my self concept.   But a lot has changed since then.    I’ve become far better at executing a vision of sanity and calm for my home, which has been due in no small part to the work of my guest on today’s show: the Magical Ms. Shira Gill.   Shira Gill is a globally recognized home organizing expert and lifestyle creator with a less-is-more philosophy. Over the past decade, she has helped thousands of people around the world reduce clutter and create more space for what matters.    Shira’s work centers around the intimate relationship between people’s homes and lives and how they inform and inspire each other. She is the author of Minimalista and her newest book Organized Living, and has been featured in Vogue, Dwell, Better Homes & Gardens, House Beautiful, Architectural Digest, Domino, Forbes, Goop, Harper's Bazaar, HGTV, Today, InStyle, Parents, Real Simple, and The New York Times.    Shira and I talk about her gorgeous new book, which features the home spaces of some of the world’s top home organizers.  We also talk about practical and REALISTIC ways to bring more sanity, calm, and beauty to our homes.    Shira is a dream to talk with, and our conversation left me feeling inspired and energized. May it do the same for you, my friend. Links: www.shiragill.com  @shiragill Newsletter + Community   And get ready for some serious inspiration, my friend.  

ot gonna lie … I came out of Spring bedraggled. Exhausted. Burned to a crisp.    And as fate (the Universe? Luck? Serendipity?) would have it, the brilliant Cherie Healey was launching a program that seemed tailor-made for my tattered soul … A women’s “circle” experience designed to re-animate my spirit, re-imagine my approach to “productivity,” and re-calibrate my relationships with the people I love most.   Siren Summer has been literally life changing. And I wanted to bring some of her magic and medicine to you, my peeps. And yes, this one is geared toward high performing women, there’s plenty for all of us to learn and enjoy.   Just to give you some background … Cherie is an Executive Coach, Brand Strategist and Founder of SIREN, an Imagination Studio. She helps leaders and teams cause higher impact through big vision, clear purpose and meaningful messaging. Her calling is to help you answer yours.   Cherie helped Leaders at YouTube launch a movement for Mental Health and Wellbeing, she has been working with women at Google for over 10 years, advising corporate leaders for 25 and she is a Women In Management Facilitator at Stanford Graduate School of Business.   Through Activation Days, Workshops, Speaking and Custom Designed Leadership Programs, she guides impact at orgs like Google, X, Genentech, Nike, YouTube, Apple, GoDaddy, Fox Entertainment, I Heart Media, Paramount and more.   I can’t wait for you to hear this one. 

I am THRILLED to share my latest conversation with the amazing, talented, and powerful performance coach, Ben Kiker.    Ben is a regular on this show because every single time we talk, he casually drops a few statements that not at all casually blow our minds.   Today Ben and I are talking about leadership. Specifically, brave and resilient leadership.   The past several years have been challenging for everyone, and leaders are no exception. So many of my clients right now are struggling to keep their teams motivated, connected, and joyful … burnout is hiding around every corner it seems. This conversation is my effort to shed light on strategies that help leaders lead during this time of energetic and almost spiritual dryness.    The kind of dryness that comes from too many crises … or the “perma crisis” we seem to find ourselves in.   Ben’s words are like an oasis in what can sometimes feel like a work life desert.   You can find Ben on Instagram and Linkedin @benkiker, and on his website thebenkikergroup.com

When I think about evolution, I think about mostly men’s bodies evolving. Maybe it’s because every image I’ve ever seen depicts MAN moving from knuckle-dragging primate to upright-standing, prefrontal cortex-wielding Super Species.   But what is the story of women’s bodies?   Deena Emera, PhD, is an evolutionary geneticist, author, and teacher. She earned a bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley, a master’s degree from NYU, and a PhD from Yale. She currently serves as a senior scientist at the Buck Institute’s Center for Reproductive Longevity and Equality. She’s with us this week to talk about her new book, A Brief History of the Female Body: An Evolutionary Look at How and Why the Female Form Came to Be.    Deena draws on her expertise as a biologist and experience as a mother of four to explore the mysteries of the female body through an evolutionary lens.    We covered a LOT of territory, including pressing questions like …   Did our bodies evolve to give us choice in our reproductive systems? (THIS BLEW MY MIND) What’s the evolution of the female orgasm? Why is it so different from men’s? Why are women more prone to auto-immune diseases? Is the “martyr mother” archetype something that evolved because of our biology, or is it the culture at play?   I could not get enough of this conversation … my jaw was on the floor for most of it, so just prepare yourself. ;)   Find Deena on Instagram, Twitter (X?!), or LinkedIn @deenaemera .   Shine on, my friends.  

Today, my friends ... we are talking about … wait for it … WEED. CBD. THC. Why? Because I have noticed, as have many other friends who are my contemporaries … that at a certain point in life, alcohol stops being helpful as a method of winding down.   For the longest time, I was able to have a nice glass of wine or cocktail to mark the end of the day … I would sip it and make dinner, and then go to sleep. No big deal.   Now? It’s like my body has decided to go on strike. If I drink alcohol, I get terrible sleep, I instantly gain weight, and even just a single drink can make me feel like the bottom of the bird cage the next day.   But here’s the thing: I don’t have positive associations with marijuana. I just don’t.     And then, as fate would have it, I met today’s guest, June Johnson who is a WEED DOULA. Yes, you heard that right. June is here to teach us the *right* way to think about and navigate the world of CBD.   June Johnson is an entrepreneur, model, and advocate. She is the founder of The Weed Doula, a self-care concierge that curates cannabis routines for her clients to seamlessly integrate cannabis into their lives for better living. She is also the Co-Founder of Collective High, a woman-owned company that creates unforgettable experiences with cannabis education, consumption, & culture at the forefront for the canna-confident & canna-connoisseur. Her mission is to make cannabis an exciting, accessible, & culture-forward experience for all and her goal is to create impactful changes & cultural representation within the fashion & cannabis spaces.    Prior to producing cannabis events, June created successful events for brands such as Paul Smith, Hennessy, Moët & Chandon, Deleón Tequila, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Fred Segal, adidas, Shiekh Shoes, etc. Though she has experience in numerous verticals, she specializes in producing events in the fashion, cannabis, entertainment, art & culture scenes. She has produced parties for exclusive clients during NYFW, NBA All-Star, Outside Lands, & The Grammy's.   But even with a bio as cool and compelling as that, what it doesn’t capture is June’s spirit. She is an angel on earth, and a blessing to everyone who knows her. I consider myself so lucky to have crossed her path, and I want to share her with you too. If you’d like to connect with June directly, which I highly recommend, book her at calendly.com/junejohnson; follow her on Instagram at @theweeddoula.com, and find her on her website theweeddoula.com.