Getting Rich Together

I am joined this week by the beautiful and incredible Nell Daly from Revenge Capital. Nell is not only a venture capitalist investing in underrepresented founders but also a former psychotherapist who spent 17,000 hours listening to people's life stories and understanding how deeply money affects our psychological well-being and life choices. Today, we dive deep into Nell's unconventional journey from growing up as the daughter of Irish immigrants who physically skipped middle class but psychologically remained "kids from the projects," to becoming a therapist treating the symptoms of economic inequality, to finally deciding to treat the root causes by becoming a venture capitalist. You'll hear about the profound ways financial insecurity shaped her childhood, her pivot from law to art school after a friend's tragic death, and the realization that came from years of private practice that economic freedom is fundamental to human autonomy and mental health. Nell shares how she taught herself venture capital during the pandemic by Googling every term she didn't understand, why her son named the fund "Revenge," and her mission to make sure that anyone who doesn't look or sound like traditional power has a seat at the table. Listen as Nell talks about the courage it takes to keep touching the hot stove, why being talent isn't enough when you want to run the company, and how we need more women later in the food chain writing the actual checks. Key Topics: Growing up with the psychological scars of poverty even when you're physically middle class Treating 17,000 hours of patients and realizing money is the root cause, not just a symptom Learning that economic freedom is fundamental to leaving bad relationships and living out your dreams Teaching yourself venture capital through Google when you don't come from banking or finance Why "Revenge" perfectly captures what underrepresented founders are really seeking The difference between being talent and being the one who writes the checks Creating systematic change so talented women don't leave male-dominated industries in tears Connect with Nell online: Website: https://revenge.capital/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nellgibbondaly/ Instagram: @nell.daly @revengecapital Find more from Syama Bunten: Instagram: @syama.co, @gettingrichpod Join Syama's Substack: https://thewealthcatalystwithsyama.substack.com/ Website: wealthcatalyst.com Download Syama's Free Resources: wealthcatalyst.com/resources Wealth Catalyst Summit: wealthcatalyst.com/summits Speaking: syamabunten.com Big Delta Capital: www.bigdeltacapital.com

I am joined this week by the bold and brilliant Mel Dorman. Mel is not only a successful real estate investor with nearly three dozen rental units but also a financial activist devoted to helping people reclaim their financial power through ethical real estate investing. Today, we dive deep into Mel's journey from being a self-described "anti-capitalist" social worker to becoming a real estate investor who's redefining what wealth-building can look like when it centers people and community. You'll hear about Mel's unconventional first business breeding reptiles in high school, her transformative humanitarian work abroad, and the family crisis that sparked her mission to build wealth differently. Mel shares how she discovered seller financing as an alternative to traditional real estate investing, building a multi-million-dollar portfolio starting with just $500 out of pocket. She opens up about the profound moment at her father's bedside that crystallized her purpose to teach others what she learned too late to help him. Listen as Mel talks about creating the Seller Financing Academy, her vision for economic justice through local ownership, and how transformation happens when we build wealth in community with our neighbors rather than extracting from them. Key Topics: Starting with financial celibacy and learning that opting out of capitalism doesn't protect you from it The family crisis that forced a reckoning with money as power and agency Discovering seller financing as a relationship-based investment strategy built on social capital, not money capital Turning $500 into 23 rental units through creative deal structuring and strategic thinking The promise made at her father's bedside that became her life's mission Why transformation happens in community, not through weekend boot camps Building ethical real estate ecosystems where neighbors become partners instead of extraction targets Connect with Mel online: Website: https://www.meldorman.com/ Book: Bank on Your Neighbor TEDx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptadc1hNEi8 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mel_dorman/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissadorman/ Seller Financing Academy: https://www.sellerfinancingacademy.com/ Find more from Syama Bunten: Instagram: @syama.co, @gettingrichpod Join Syama's Substack: https://thewealthcatalystwithsyama.substack.com/ Website: wealthcatalyst.com Podcast: wealthcatalyst.com/getting-rich-together-podcast Download Syama's Free Resources: wealthcatalyst.com/resources Wealth Catalyst Summit: wealthcatalyst.com/summits Speaking: syamabunten.com Big Delta Capital: www.bigdeltacapital.com

Join me for an extraordinary conversation with Biet Simkin, renowned spiritual teacher, bestselling author, and the self-proclaimed "David Bowie of meditation." Biet's journey from abject poverty in Queens with an awakened shaman father to becoming a sought-after spiritual guide earning seven figures is unlike anything you've heard before—and it will challenge everything you think you know about money, success, and destiny. In this raw and transformative episode, Biet shares her childhood growing up in a roach-infested tenement apartment after her mother died of pancreatic cancer, being raised by a father who believed love and consciousness were the only currencies that mattered. She was reading Carl Jung at nine years old, meditating deeply, and already convinced she possessed magic—even as she cried every day at public school where she was punched for seeming "too intelligent." Biet takes us through getting signed to Sony at 18, watching her music career collapse as the industry imploded, and descending into drugs, alcohol, and dating "the wrong men" as a DJ in New York's party scene. But after the devastating loss of her four-month-old daughter to SIDS, followed by her best friend's suicide, her father's death, and her house burning down, Biet found sobriety—and with it, her true calling. She reveals how she went from earning $12,000 a year (living on $1,000 a month in NYC) to $170,000 in one year, then tripling to over $400,000, and eventually hitting seven figures—all without following conventional business advice, creating funnels, or doing what everyone said she "should" do. Instead, she trusted her magic, priced herself like Picasso, and believed the quantum field would deliver. This episode is for anyone who's ever been told they're "too much," too spiritual, too unconventional—and for those ready to stop apologizing for their gifts and start claiming their worth. Key Topics: Why being raised in "abject poverty" by an awakened shaman became her greatest blessing The dangerous lesson: when you're taught that money is shameful and love is the only real currency From signed at Sony to career collapse: navigating the music industry implosion without a safety net How devastating loss and trauma became the portal to sobriety and spiritual awakening The moment her partner asked to see her numbers—and why shame kept her hiding from financial truth Going from $12,000/year to six figures by trusting her magic instead of business gurus The Picasso pricing philosophy: "I said so, therefore it's worth it" Why sales and marketing are spiritual practices—and how to sell yourself without apology Connect with Biet online: Website: https://www.bietsimkin.com Instagram: @bietsimkin Find more from Syama Bunten: Instagram: @syama.co, @gettingrichpod Website: wealthcatalyst.com Podcast: wealthcatalyst.com/getting-rich-together-podcast Download Syama's Free Resources: wealthcatalyst.com/resources Wealth Catalyst Summit: wealthcatalyst.com/summits Speaking: syamabunten.com Big Delta Capital: www.bigdeltacapital.com

Join me for an inspiring conversation with Laura Nix Gerson, CEO and co-founder of NixGerson Media and host of the VentureF podcast, where she champions women investing in women. Laura's journey from military kid moving across the globe every three years to becoming a pioneer in building communities for women investors is a masterclass in turning connection into catalyst. In this rich conversation, Laura shares her formative years growing up in a military family, living everywhere from Korea to Iran to Germany, and how those constant moves taught her the art of building relationships and creating anchor points in times of change. She reveals the profound impact of her father's Sunday afternoon budget meetings—complete with handmade grids before spreadsheets existed—showing her the importance of allocating dollars across buckets including charity and savings. Laura takes us through her fascinating career evolution: from launching her first nonprofit arts festival in college, to running prestigious art galleries (where she witnessed Elton John casually point at ten pieces of art without asking prices), to becoming one of LA's first "mommy bloggers," to ultimately founding VentureF. Along the way, she discovered a critical gap: brilliant women founders solving real problems but unable to access capital from predominantly male investors who couldn't understand why European baby formula or perinatal nutrition mattered. Most powerfully, Laura discusses why she created VentureF as an aggregation point for women seeking to invest in other women—offering guides, glossaries, and curated communities to help accredited investors (many who don't even realize they qualify) deploy capital aligned with their values. With 66% of wealth transferring to women in the next decade, Laura is ensuring we're prepared to invest it wisely and meaningfully. This episode is essential listening for anyone interested in building wealth through community, understanding alternative investments, or learning how to leverage relationships as your greatest asset. Key Topics: How constant change can become your superpower for building meaningful relationships The power of budget allocation: why dividing your money into buckets (including charity) sets you up for success Why building community and connection has been the through-line of every successful career pivot The hidden barrier to female founders: solving real problems that male investors don't understand or value What the great wealth transfer means for you: how to prepare for when 66% of wealth is in women's hands Where to start as an investor: finding resources, education, and deal flow without feeling overwhelmed How to have productive money conversations with your partner and raise financially literate kids The shift from investing for returns to investing with values: using your capital to create change Connect with Laura online: Website: https://lauranixgerson.com/ https://www.nixgersonmedia.com/ Podcast: https://www.venturef.com/ VentureF Podcast (available on all platforms) The Foundry: Apply at venturef.co to join this invitation-only community for women investors Find more from Syama Bunten: Instagram: @syama.co, @gettingrichpod Website: wealthcatalyst.com Podcast: wealthcatalyst.com/getting-rich-together-podcast Download Syama's Free Resources: wealthcatalyst.com/resources Wealth Catalyst Summit: wealthcatalyst.com/summits Speaking: syamabunten.com Big Delta Capital: www.bigdeltacapital.com

Join me for an inspiring conversation with Jessica Karr, the heart-centered venture capitalist and founder of Coyote Ventures, who is transforming women's health and wellness through strategic investments. Jessica's journey from biochemist to early team member at Impossible Foods to launching her own impact-focused venture fund is a masterclass in following your values while building wealth. In this episode, Jessica shares her unconventional path from working in her father's dental practice in Amarillo, Texas, to becoming a force in Silicon Valley venture capital. You'll hear how she navigated stock options as an early employee, the pivotal moments that shaped her investment philosophy, and why she chose to focus exclusively on companies advancing women's health and wellness. Jessica opens up about the realities of raising a first fund, living capital-efficiently to play the long game, and why being "all in" on private markets aligns with her values—even when wealth managers cringe. Her story illuminates how scientific thinking, patience, and an unwavering commitment to impact can create both financial returns and meaningful change. Key Topics: Finding alignment between science, sustainability, and personal health through early experiences in healthcare Navigating stock options and secondary markets as an early Impossible Foods employee Transitioning from consulting to venture capital without traditional training Raising your first fund and securing institutional LPs like Bank of America Living capital-efficiently to enable long-term, high-reward opportunities Building a thesis around women's health and wellness investing Creating community and balance while pursuing ambitious career goals Why being "all in" on private markets reflects living in integrity with your mission Connect with Jessica Karr online: Website: https://www.coyote.ventures/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicarkarr/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hellojesskarr/?hl=en Find more from Syama Bunten: Instagram: @syama.co, @gettingrichpod Website: wealthcatalyst.com Podcast: wealthcatalyst.com/getting-rich-together-podcast Download Syama's Free Resources: wealthcatalyst.com/resources Wealth Catalyst Summit: wealthcatalyst.com/summits Speaking: syamabunten.com Big Delta Capital: www.bigdeltacapital.com

Join me for an inspiring conversation with Josie Cox, award-winning journalist, author of Women Money Power, and founding editor of The Persistent. Josie's journey from a tiny Swiss village to becoming one of the most compelling voices in economic equality is a testament to the power of purpose-driven work and unwavering conviction. In this deeply personal episode, Josie shares her unique upbringing as a "third culture kid" — growing up in Switzerland to a Czech mother and English father, navigating multiple languages and cultures, and learning early on about inequality when she transitioned from public school to an international school system. We explore how these formative experiences shaped her understanding of socioeconomic differences and fueled her passion for financial journalism. Josie opens up about her career path from Reuters in Frankfurt to London and eventually New York City, making crucial decisions that prioritized passion over paychecks. She candidly discusses the tension between artistic fulfillment and financial security, her experience with eating disorders during college, and how meeting her now-husband transformed her understanding of partnership and shared resources. Most powerfully, Josie reveals the moment that inspired her book *Women Money Power* — an off-the-record interview with a prominent CEO whose dismissive views on women's economic ambition became her call to action. Her mission is clear: to illuminate why economic inequality persists and to give courage to those fighting against it. This conversation is essential listening for anyone interested in economic justice, the intersection of gender and finance, and how one person's voice can amplify change across generations. Key Topics: Choosing passion over profit: starting a journalism career despite modest pay Navigating relationships and money with partners at different income levels Combining finances in marriage and recognizing the value of unpaid labor Why the gender pay gap persists and what we can do about it The legacy she hopes to leave for her daughter and future generations Speaking truth to power through journalism and advocacy Connect with Josie Cox online: Website:https://www.josiecox.com Book: Women Money Power: The Rise and Fall of Economic Equality LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josie-cox-68476a52/ Find more from Syama Bunten: Instagram: @syama.co, @gettingrichpod Website: wealthcatalyst.com Podcast: wealthcatalyst.com/getting-rich-together-podcast Download Syama's Free Resources: wealthcatalyst.com/resources Wealth Catalyst Summit: wealthcatalyst.com/summits Speaking: syamabunten.com Big Delta Capital: www.bigdeltacapital.com

I'm fired up to introduce a business legend today. Melinda Emerson is known nationwide as the number one small business lady and the powerhouse behind Small Biz Chat. She's a bestselling author of "Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months" and has helped countless entrepreneurs launch, grow, and thrive. Melinda shares her journey from realizing writing was her magical power at age 12 to landing her dream job in broadcast television—only to discover she hated it. At 26, she left that job in the middle of February sweeps to start her business in her basement with just a laptop, a fax machine, and a dream. That was 26 years ago. We explore the invaluable lessons she learned from her serial entrepreneur mother and career salesman father, how she prepared financially before leaving her job, and the spiritual transformation that happened when she realized success wasn't about hitting a number. Melinda opens up about navigating divorce as a business owner, finding joy in community, and her exciting new venture: teaching women 45+ how to buy businesses instead of starting from scratch. Key Topics: Learning entrepreneurship from her mother's side hustles and father's sales mastery Her father's lessons on credit, savings, and delayed gratification that shaped her financial foundation Preparing to leave her six-figure job by paying off debt and saving strategically The spiritual shift from measuring success by money to measuring it by impact Navigating divorce and business ownership while learning to find joy again Why she's passionate about teaching women to buy existing businesses and franchises Launching the Next Act CEO Summit to help women 45+ become business owners fast Connect with Melinda online: Website: https://www.smallbizlady.com/ Book: "Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months" Find more from Syama Bunten: Instagram: @syama.co, @gettingrichpod Website: wealthcatalyst.com Podcast: wealthcatalyst.com/getting-rich-together-podcast Download Syama's Free Resources: wealthcatalyst.com/resources Wealth Catalyst Summit: wealthcatalyst.com/summits Speaking: syamabunten.com Big Delta Capital: www.bigdeltacapital.com

I'm thrilled to share my conversation with Madeline Tomseth, a fourth-generation member of the Les Schwab Tire family who is reimagining what it means to steward family wealth through intentional philanthropy. Madeline's journey from growing up immersed in a relationship-driven family business to navigating the unexpected sale of that business offers profound insights into identity, values, and creating meaningful impact. You'll hear about how she's channeling her great-grandfather's legacy of radical generosity into her own donor advised fund and working alongside other next-gen philanthropists to reimagine impact investing. Madeline opens up about the emotional journey of inheriting wealth, defining her own identity separate from family legacy, and how she and her husband navigate money and values together. Key Topics: Growing up in the Les Schwab family where service and people-centered leadership were core values Following her creative passion to pastry school and learning the power of food to create community Processing the unexpected sale of the family business and the grief that came with it Wrestling with worthiness as a wealth inheritor versus wealth generator Founding her own donor advised fund to honor legacy while finding her own voice Viewing nonprofit support as true investments rather than one-time gifts How next-gen philanthropists are aligning their entire portfolios with their values Connect with Madeline online: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madelinetomseth/ Find more from Syama Bunten: Instagram: @syama.co, @gettingrichpod Website: wealthcatalyst.com Podcast: wealthcatalyst.com/getting-rich-together-podcast Download Syama's Free Resources: wealthcatalyst.com/resources Wealth Catalyst Summit: wealthcatalyst.com/summits Speaking: syamabunten.com Big Delta Capital: www.bigdeltacapital.com

I am here today with Erin Gallagher, America's number one hype woman. Erin has taken stages across the country to rally women around their power, and she is the author of the upcoming book, Hype Women: Breaking Free from Mean Girls, Patriarchy, and Systems that are Silencing All of Us. In this powerful conversation, Erin takes us back to her Coast Guard upbringing, moving every two to four years and navigating her parents' divorce while taking on the role of family caretaker at a young age. She shares how sports became her outlet for anger and intensity, and how finding sisterhood in an unexpected place—her college sorority—shaped her understanding of collective power. Erin opens up about her journey from wanting to be a lawyer fighting for justice to pivoting into marketing and communications, where she thought she could use big brands' power to inspire change faster. We dive deep into her 15 years in corporate America as an ambitious, unhealed, people-pleasing perfectionist who lost herself serving others, and how becoming a mother finally gave her less room for bullshit. She courageously shares the painful reality of co-founding a company where she didn't demand her value or worth, leading to a devastating business divorce. Erin reveals the mantra that changed everything: "I will no longer abandon myself in service to others." We explore why not all women deserve hype, how to identify mean girls and patriarchy's foot soldiers, and why karma is currency and hype is capital in the new ecosystem she's building. Key Topics: Learning early that anger and service were gendered expectations—and writing a manifesto about it at age 10 Finding sisterhood and collective power through sports and sorority life as essential survival tools Pivoting from law to mission-driven communications work after witnessing injustice firsthand at a legal nonprofit Becoming a mother and finally running out of room for corporate bullshit and performative people-pleasing The devastating reality of business divorce and being undervalued in a company you co-founded Why "I will no longer abandon myself in service to others" became the mantra that changed everything Identifying mean girls and patriarchy's foot soldiers—not all women deserve your hype or energy Creating the Hype Women economy where we shift capital (time, energy, money, platform) to each other strategically Connect with Erin online: Book: Hype Women: Breaking Free from Mean Girls, Patriarchy, and Systems that are Silencing All of Us Get it Here: https://www.hypewomen.com/ Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/erin.gallag.her/?hl=en Find more from Syama Bunten: Instagram: @syama.co, @gettingrichpod Website: wealthcatalyst.com Podcast: wealthcatalyst.com/getting-rich-together-podcast Download Syama's Free Resources: wealthcatalyst.com/resources Wealth Catalyst Summit: wealthcatalyst.com/summits Speaking: syamabunten.com Big Delta Capital: www.bigdeltacapital.com

This week, host Syama Bunten welcomes Danielle Corcione, a powerhouse equity partner at CSG Law, former federal prosecutor, and champion for women's leadership. Danielle shares her remarkable journey from a small-town Long Island upbringing to becoming a respected trial attorney, angel investor, and voice for balanced ambition. From her first job at Blockbuster to prosecuting white-collar criminals and human traffickers at the U.S. Attorney's Office, Danielle opens up about the financial trade-offs she made to pursue meaningful work, the student loan burden she navigated without guidance, and how she built a thriving law practice on principles of generosity and alignment. Listen as Danielle discusses modeling work-life integration for the next generation, teaching law students that feeling good drives success, and raising grateful children in a different financial reality than she experienced. Her story illuminates how strategic career pivots, authenticity, and values-driven decision-making can create both professional success and personal fulfillment. Key Topics: Taking massive pay cuts for meaningful work—from big law to in-house to federal prosecution Navigating $200K+ in student loans without financial education or family guidance Working through pregnancy as a new federal prosecutor without maternity leave benefits Building a law practice on generosity instead of competition—and why it works Moving from representing $50 billion companies to angel investing in women founders Raising financially secure children while teaching them gratitude and contribution Teaching the next generation that feeling good comes before success, not after Connect with Danielle Corcione online: Website: https://www.csglaw.com/people/danielle-m-corcione/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chiesa-shahinian-&-giantomasi-pc Find more from Syama Bunten: Instagram: @syama.co, @gettingrichpod Website: wealthcatalyst.com Podcast: wealthcatalyst.com/getting-rich-together-podcast Download Syama's Free Resources: wealthcatalyst.com/resources Wealth Catalyst Summit: wealthcatalyst.com/summits Speaking: syamabunten.com Big Delta Capital: www.bigdeltacapital.com