Shows
Breaking PrecedentBroken System: Halle Tecco on What it Takes to Build Massively Better HealthcareWhat would it take to make healthcare massively better?In this episode of Breaking Precedent, Leah Solivan sits down with Halle Tecco, founder of Rock Health, to unpack why the U.S. healthcare system remains so hard to change—and what it will actually take to fix it.Drawing from her upbringing in the Midwest, decades of experience across healthcare, investing, public health, and education, and her new book Massively Better Healthcare, Halle explains how incentives, power dynamics, and regulatory capture shape outcomes far more than technology alone. From Medicaid disparities and data mi...
2026-02-0545 min
Breaking PrecedentBreaking the Bias: Samara Hernandez of Chingona Ventures on Capital, Culture, and the Future of FundingWhat happens when difference becomes a competitive advantage?In this episode of Breaking Precedent, Leah Solivan sits down with Samara Hernandez, founder of Chingona Ventures, to explore how identity, constraint, and culture can shape leadership in venture capital. From growing up in Mexico to building a venture fund in the United States, Samara reflects on how limited resources, discipline, and an early love of math forged resilience and clarity—and how being underestimated became a source of strength.Tracing her path from engineering at the University of Michigan to finance at Goldman Sachs, and ultimately to...
2026-01-221h 06
Breaking PrecedentBreaking the Silence: Derrick “D-Nice” Jones on Music, Movement, and the Legacy of Club QuarantineWhat happens when culture becomes a form of leadership?In this episode of Breaking Precedent, Leah Solivan sits down with Derrick T. Jones, better known as D-Nice, legendary DJ, photographer, and cultural connector, to explore how music, joy, and shared experience can shape communities and create belonging at scale. From his early days in hip-hop to the global phenomenon of Club Quarantine, D-Nice reflects on the responsibility artists carry, the power of gathering, and how creativity can serve as social infrastructure in fractured times.The conversation spans art, entrepreneurship, cultural stewardship, and what it m...
2026-01-081h 09
Breaking PrecedentShattering the Grid: Lynn Jurich on Electrifying Homes and Extending Women’s LivesIn this episode of Breaking Precedent, the host Leah Solivan is joined by Lynn Jurich, co-founder and former CEO of Sunrun, to discuss her journey from growing up in Tacoma, Washington to leading one of the largest residential solar companies in the U.S. They explore the challenges and triumphs of scaling Sunrun, including innovative financing models and negotiating with utility companies. Jurich also shares personal insights on the impact of sports on resilience, the importance of strength training, and her foray into women's health through the establishment of the Female Longevity Institute. The conversation highlights Jurich's persistent optimism, i...
2025-12-2649 min
The Kara Goldin ShowThe Kara Goldin Show | Interview Replay: Kara on Breaking PrecedentIn this episode of Breaking Precedent, host Leah Solivan talks with Kara Goldin, founder and CEO of Hint Water, to talk about her journey from AOL exec to beverage industry disruptor. Kara shares how her father’s influence, a knack for asking the right questions, and a fearless approach to problem-solving led her to create an entirely new category in drinks. She also opens up about learning from visionaries like Jeff Bezos, balancing entrepreneurship with family, and refusing to compromise on product integrity—despite having no industry experience.
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2025-12-221h 15
The Kara Goldin ShowInterview Replay: Kara on Breaking PrecedentIn this episode of Breaking Precedent, host Leah Solivan talks with Kara Goldin, founder and CEO of Hint Water, to talk about her journey from AOL exec to beverage industry disruptor. Kara shares how her father’s influence, a knack for asking the right questions, and a fearless approach to problem-solving led her to create an entirely new category in drinks. She also opens up about learning from visionaries like Jeff Bezos, balancing entrepreneurship with family, and refusing to compromise on product integrity—despite having no industry experience. Are you interested in sponsoring and advertising on Th...
2025-12-221h 15
Breaking PrecedentEmergency Break: A Doctor’s Case for Rebuilding the System, Not Just Treating the SymptomsIn this episode of Breaking Precedent, the host, Leah Solivan interviews Dr. Thomas Fisher, an emergency medicine physician and political candidate. They discuss Dr. Fisher's career, including his experiences growing up on the South Side of Chicago, attending Dartmouth, and his work in emergency rooms. He shares insights from his book, 'The Emergency,' and how it reflects the systemic inequities in healthcare. Dr. Fisher also touches on his motivations for running for Congress, his vision for improving healthcare, and the importance of public service. Through personal anecdotes and policy discussions, the episode delves into the intersections of medicine...
2025-12-1157 min
Breaking PrecedentBreaking Gravity: Olympic Gymnast, Nastia Liukin, on Defying Limits, Labels & ExpectationsIn the second episode of the brand-new season of Breaking Precedent, Leah Solivan sits down once again with Olympic legend Nastia Liukin — and the conversation hits deeper than ever. They revisit their first encounter and trace the arc of Nastia’s extraordinary career, from the early days in the gym to the unforgiving expectations that come with being one of the world’s top athletes.Nastia opens up about what the pursuit of perfection really cost her, the pressures and politics behind gymnastics judging, and the emotional toll of constantly performing at an elite level. She and Le...
2025-11-2658 min
Breaking PrecedentBreaking Bread: How Christina Tosi Made Dessert a MovementKicking off a brand-new season and launching our first-ever video episode, Breaking Precedent returns with a powerful conversation between host Leah Solivan and Christina Tosi, founder of Milk Bar. Christina traces her journey from baking cookies with her grandmothers in Ohio to becoming one of the most influential pastry chefs and entrepreneurs in the country. Leah and Christina unpack their shared experiences as introverts navigating high-pressure environments, the mentors who shaped their paths, and the creative process behind Milk Bar’s iconic recipes like the Compost Cookie and Crack Pie. Christina opens up about building a business during the 2008 fi...
2025-11-1357 min
Breaking PrecedentBreaking Precedent – Season 2 Trailer | The Battles That Shape UsSeason 2 of Breaking Precedent premieres November 13.This season, Leah Solivan returns with deeper conversations that cut to the core of resilience, leadership, and what it really means to stand for something. From Olympians and entrepreneurs to doctors and changemakers, each guest opens up about the battles that shaped them — and the precedents they had to break to move forward.These stories remind us that breaking precedent isn’t about being fearless — it’s about learning, serving, and choosing courage anyway.Hosted by Leah SolivanFollow and subscribe to catch th...
2025-11-0701 min
Breaking PrecedentSummer Break: The Break Before the Leap - Finding Strength in StillnessDuring our summer break, we revisit an episode about resilience, pivots, and transformation. Hear Pete Flint on startup survival, Aaron Holiday on breaking into venture capital, Julie Rice on building SoulCycle, Tamara on her ballet breakthrough, Matteo Franceschetti on sleep innovation, Beverly Parenti on coding in prison, and Windy Chien on creativity through daily practice. Each story reveals how uncertainty can become the catalyst for growth.Listen to the full episodes here:House Broken: Pete Flint on Disrupting Real Estate and Building TruliaListen here: Apple | Spotify Breaking the Bank: Aaron Holiday on 645 ventures' d...
2025-10-0214 min
Breaking PrecedentSummer Break: Beyond Barriers - Voices of Resilience and TransformationDuring our summer break, we’re revisiting a powerful episode about inherited resilience and the courage to transform beyond expectations. Host Leah Solivan explores the deeply personal stories of seven trailblazers—including Alejandra Campoverdi, Dr. Eiman Jahangir, Anne Miura-Ko, Andy Dunn, Bianca Gates, and Kevin Caldwell—who’ve navigated barriers and redefined their identities along the way. From rising to the White House from welfare, becoming an astronaut after fleeing war-torn Tehran, to embracing cultural legacies once hidden, each voice reveals how strength can be both passed down and self-forged. These stories illuminate the struggle and triumph of breaking cycles...
2025-09-1808 min
Breaking PrecedentSummer Break: Nuestra Voz - Breaking Barriers, Building LegacyDuring our summer break, we're revisiting a moving episode that celebrates Latino and Spanish-speaking leaders who are redefining identity, power, and belonging. Host Leah Solivan, a Puerto Rican founder and investor, shares the invisible tension of being “not Latina enough” and “not American enough”—a feeling echoed by many first-generation voices in this episode. You'll hear from Bianca Gates, co-founder of Birdies, on confidence and being underestimated; Alejandra Campoverdi, author of First Gen, on the emotional weight of being the “first and only”; and Bismarck Lepe, who went from the migrant fields to building global tech companies. These stories explor...
2025-09-0318 min
Breaking PrecedentSummer Break: Art That Breaks the FrameDuring our summer break, we’re revisiting powerful conversations about breaking precedent. In this episode, we spotlight the work of three groundbreaking artists—Tamara Rojo, Windy Chien, and Trevor Paglen—whose visions challenge the status quo in art and culture. Rojo, a principal ballerina and director of the San Francisco Ballet, is rewriting ballet’s narratives to reflect more inclusive stories. Chien, who transitioned from the music industry to knot-tying art, uses her intricate creations to challenge perceptions of women’s work in fine art. Paglen, known for revealing hidden surveillance systems, uses his art to ask profound questions about visi...
2025-08-1406 min
Breaking PrecedentSummer Break: First to Step Forward - Voices of ChangeDuring our summer break, we’re revisiting powerful conversations about breaking precedent. In this episode, host Leah Solivan explores the courage, vision, and persistence it takes to be the first—to make a crack in the system and let the light in. You’ll hear from artists, innovators, and leaders including Eric Ryan, Windy Chien, Tamara Rojo, Alejandra Campoverdi, and Aaron Holiday as they share their unique journeys, the sacrifices of being first, and the inspiration that keeps them moving forward.Their stories reveal what it truly means to challenge expectations, redefine success, and create space...
2025-07-3107 min
Breaking PrecedentSummer Break: Sunrises, Tides & Rainbows - How Precedents Really BreakDuring our summer break, we’re revisiting powerful conversations from Season One of Breaking Precedent. In this episode, host Leah Sullivan explores the many forms of disruptive change—framed as sunrises, tides, and rainbows. Leah is joined by a range of precedent-breakers across disciplines, including Eric Ryan, who reimagined consumer goods; Pete Flynn, who rides the waves of market shifts; and Justice Steven Breyer, who reflects on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the case that overturned Roe v. Wade. We also hear from Patrick Brown, founder of Impossible Foods, and Kara Golden, who challenged the beverage industry with H...
2025-07-1710 min
Breaking PrecedentSummer Break: Backing Disruption, Resisting Reform - Inside Venture Capital’s ParadoxDuring our summer break, we’re revisiting powerful conversations from Season One of Breaking Precedent. In this episode, host Leah Solivan explores the paradox of venture capital—a system designed to fund innovation but resistant to change. Featuring Ann Miura-Ko of Floodgate, Pete Flint of NFX, and Aaron Holiday of 645 Ventures, this episode exposes the subtle forces that shape who gets funded, whose ideas are considered “viable,” and what it really takes to break into the inner circle of VC. From early Lyft experiments to navigating legality and bias, these precedent breakers challenge the notion that disruption ends with the prod...
2025-07-0315 min
Breaking PrecedentSummer Break: The Precedent Spectrum, From Law to Art and Everything in BetweenThe Precedent Spectrum: From Law to ArtDuring our summer break, we’re revisiting powerful conversations from Season One of Breaking Precedent, in this episode host Leah Sullivan explores how precedent shapes everything from law to art. Leah starts with Justice Steven Breyer discussing the landmark Supreme Court case Brown vs. Board of Education, which broke the 'separate but equal' precedent. The episode also features Bismarck Lepe, founder of MiSalud Health, who revolutionized healthcare access for the Hispanic community, and Kara Golden, who disrupted the beverage industry with Hint Water. Other notable gu...
2025-06-1921 min
Breaking PrecedentBreak A Sweat: Building Magic On and Off the Bike with Julie Rice of SoulCycleIn this episode of Breaking Precedent, host Leah Solivan sits down with Julie Rice, co-founder of SoulCycle and Peoplehood, to discuss how she helped redefine not just boutique fitness, but the modern experience of community. Julie shares how her background in theater and talent management laid the foundation for one of the most iconic wellness brands in the world. Together, they unpack the emotional blueprint behind SoulCycle’s five-part class design, the revolutionary decision to prioritize instructors as full-time talent, and the power of scaling human magic. With Peoplehood, Julie is channeling her obsession with connection into relational health de...
2025-06-0552 min
Breaking PrecedentWhen the Bough Breaks: Sarah Hoover with Her Literary Debut, The Motherload, and the Rage, Beauty, and Rebuilding After BirthIn this episode of Breaking Precedent, host Leah Solivan dives deep into the life-altering journey of Sarah Hoover, author of 'The Motherload.' Sarah discusses how her rage and postpartum depression propelled her to write a raw and honest memoir that challenges societal norms about motherhood. Leah and Sarah unpack topics such as postpartum trauma, the inadequacies of the medical system, and the unique challenges faced by working mothers. Sarah’s story doesn’t just break precedent, it dismantles the silence around maternal mental health and invites us to question the rigid norms we've long accepted.G...
2025-05-2255 min
Breaking PrecedentPrison Break: The Last Mile's Chris and Beverly Share a Blueprint for Change, Born at San Quentin, Scaling NationwideIn this episode of Breaking Precedent, host Leah Solivan sits down with Chris Redlitz and Beverly Parenti, co-founders of The Last Mile, a groundbreaking prison education program that’s transforming lives behind bars through coding, entrepreneurship, and purpose. From venture capital success stories in Silicon Valley to walking the yards of San Quentin and Indiana State Prisons, Chris and Beverly share their radical journey into social innovation. They explore how tech education is breaking generational cycles of incarceration, lowering recidivism rates, and redefining second chances. Chris and Beverly share some deeply moving stories of transformation, including a woman who de...
2025-05-081h 02
Breaking PrecedentTake a Break: Matteo Franceschetti on Breaking Sleep Cycles and Turning Rest into a Competitive Advantage with Eight SleepIn this episode of Breaking Precedent, host Leah Solivan sits down with Matteo Franceschetti, the visionary founder and CEO of Eight Sleep, to explore how sleep is becoming the most critical, and most overlooked dimension of human performance. From growing up in an Italian town to revolutionizing sleep technology in Silicon Valley, Matteo shares a remarkable journey of grit, ambition, and innovation. He opens up about the transformation from competitive athlete to tech entrepreneur, and why he believes the future of sleep lies in compression, personalization, and AI-driven health scans. The two dive into topics like sleep fitness, temperature...
2025-04-2443 min
Breaking PrecedentHouse Broken: Pete Flint on Disrupting Real Estate and Building TruliaIn this episode of Breaking Precedent, host Leah Solivan dives deep with Founder of Trulia, Pete Flint. Pete opens up about his early days studying physics at Oxford and how his curiosity eventually led him into the fast-paced world of startups. He talks about his experience at lastminute.com, one of the UK’s hottest tech companies at the time, and what it was like navigating through the chaos of the dot-com crash and the aftermath of 9/11. After moving to Silicon Valley to attend Stanford, Pete shares the story behind the lightbulb moment that sparked Trulia—and how he brok...
2025-04-1054 min
Breaking PrecedentBreaking the Food Chain: Pat Brown's Mission to Transform the Meat Industry with Impossible FoodsIn this episode of Breaking Precedent, host Leah Solivan dives deep with Dr. Patrick Brown, the founder of Impossible Foods, who left a celebrated career in science to take on one of the most urgent issues of our time - animal agriculture. Together, they discuss how a plant-based alternative could dismantle an outdated, destructive food system and catalyze planetary restoration. Brown shares the origin story behind Impossible Foods, recounting his bold pivot from Stanford professor to food-tech pioneer. He unpacks the global environmental costs of livestock farming and oGuest Bio and Links:
2025-03-2756 min
How I Built This with Guy RazAdvice Line with Leah Solivan of Taskrabbit (September 2024)Taskrabbit founder Leah Solivan joins Guy on the Advice Line, where they answer questions from three tech founders working to identify and grow their core customer base. First we meet Kate in Los Angeles, who wants her digital greeting cards to stand out in app stores. Then Shahn in Australia, who’s rethinking user acquisition for his couples coaching app. And Allen in Hawaii, who’s wondering about product-market fit for his online platform that teaches kids to play instruments.Thanks to the founders of Poppy Notes, My Love Your Love and Dynabuddy for being a par...
2025-03-2049 min
Breaking PrecedentParty Crashers: How Selina Tobaccowala created Evite, scaled SurveyMonkey, and is transforming where you live with HomeBoostIn this episode of Breaking Precedent, host Leah Solivan is joined by Selina Tobaccowala, a pioneering tech entrepreneur whose journey began with co-founding Evite and scaling SurveyMonkey to new heights. Selina shares how her childhood fascination with computers, combined with an insatiable drive for problem-solving, led her to break boundaries in Silicon Valley. From navigating the dot-com bubble to her latest venture, HomeBoost, she reveals the principles that have guided her success, including her father’s three essential questions for career decisions. Leah and Selina explore the intersection of technology and impact, the challenges of raising venture capital as a...
2025-03-1354 min
Breaking PrecedentRompiendo Precedente: Bismarck Lepe on Breaking Barriers from the Fields to Google to Founding Mi Salud HealthIn this episode of Breaking Precedent, host Leah Solivan is joined by Bismarck Lepe, a serial entrepreneur who has shattered conventions at every stage of his life. From growing up as the child of Mexican migrant workers to becoming a Stanford graduate and an early Google employee, Bismarck shares his incredible journey of resilience, innovation, and leadership. He discusses his early entrepreneurial ventures, the lessons learned at Google, and the groundbreaking work of his companies, including Ooyala, WiseLine, and MiSalud. With profound expertise in business, technology, and seizing opportunity, Bismarck provides an inspiring perspective on how vision and perseverance...
2025-02-2759 min
In DepthInside Guideline's mission to modernize 401(k)s | Building from first principles, finding strategic edges, and rewiring retirement | Kevin Busque (Co-founder and CEO)Kevin Busque is the co-founder and CEO of Guideline, a 401(k) management company revolutionizing the retirement space for small and medium-sized businesses. Prior to Guideline, Kevin co-founded Taskrabbit, where he encountered firsthand the complexity and low participation rates of traditional 401(k) plans—largely due to confusing fee structures.After launching Guideline to address those problems head-on, the company has seen remarkable growth, hitting $120 million in ARR by June 2024. In this conversation, Kevin shares pivotal moments that shaped Guideline’s trajectory, including a strategic partnership with Gusto. He also explains how his “Do the hard thing first” mindset helped t...
2025-02-201h 24
Breaking PrecedentBreaking the Spell: Jes Wolfe of Rebel Girls on Climbing Higher, One Step at a TimeIn this episode of Breaking Precedent, host Leah Solivan sits down with Jes Wolfe, CEO of Rebel Girls, adventurer, and precedent-breaker. Jes shares her experience summiting Mount Aconcagua, one of the tallest mountains in the world, and how she found the strength to keep going after facing an unexpected tragedy on the climb. Jes then discusses the birth of Rebel Girls, and the importance of sharing real-life stories of strong women and how early biases in media, education, and parenting contribute to the confidence gap in girls. Jes shares Rebel Girls’ ambitious mission to reach 100 million girls, the launch of...
2025-02-1353 min
The Kara Goldin Show644 Leah Solivan: Founder of TaskRabbitOn this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Leah Solivan, Founder of TaskRabbit. Leah transformed the future of work with TaskRabbit, the revolutionary on-demand marketplace that paved the way for the gig economy. She shares her journey of scaling TaskRabbit to an international business, operating in 44 cities, and leading its successful acquisition by IKEA.Now a General Partner at Fuel Capital, Leah supports world-changing ideas by investing in founders across industries like consumer tech and marketplaces. If you’re curious about innovation, building a disruptive business, or scaling for success, this episode is a must...
2025-02-0331 min
Breaking PrecedentA Water Break: The Undaunted Journey of Kara Goldin and HintIn this episode of Breaking Precedent, host Leah Solivan talks with Kara Goldin, founder and CEO of Hint Water, to talk about her journey from AOL exec to beverage industry disruptor. Kara shares how her father’s influence, a knack for asking the right questions, and a fearless approach to problem-solving led her to create an entirely new category in drinks. She also opens up about learning from visionaries like Jeff Bezos, balancing entrepreneurship with family, and refusing to compromise on product integrity—despite having no industry experience.Guest Bio and Links:Kara...
2025-01-301h 13
Breaking PrecedentBreaking Pointe: San Francisco Ballet’s Tamara Rojo with Her Bold Vision for a Vibrant FutureIn this episode of Breaking Precedent, host Leah Solivan talks with Tamara Rojo, a trailblazing ballerina, choreographer, and artistic director of the San Francisco Ballet. Tamara shares her extraordinary journey from humble beginnings in Madrid to becoming one of the most celebrated dancers of her generation. Leah and Tamara touch on Tamara’s innovative approach to leadership, redefining classic stories like Carmen, and the importance of accessibility and diversity in the arts.Guest Bio and Links:Tamara Rojo is one of the most celebrated ballerinas of her generation. Born in Montreal an...
2025-01-161h 04
Breaking PrecedentThe Breakdown: Andy Dunn on Building Bonobos, Battling Bipolar, and Baking PieIn this episode of Breaking Precedent, host Leah Solivan talks with Andy Dunn, founder of Bonobos, author, and advocate for mental health. They discuss Andy's groundbreaking work in retail with Bonobos, his personal experience navigating mental health challenges, and his latest venture, Pi Social, aimed at fostering in-person connections. Andy opens up about the influence of growing up in a multicultural household, the impact of his bipolar disorder diagnosis, and how he turned what many see as a weakness into a powerful aspect of his identity.Guest Bio and Links:Andy...
2025-01-021h 11
Breaking PrecedentBroken Records: Windy Chien on changing paths, tying stories into knots, and designing a new language of possibilitiesIn this episode of Breaking Precedent, host Leah Solivan talks to Windy Chien, a former tech professional turned celebrated artist renowned for her intricate knots and innovative art installations. Wendy shares her journey of creative reinvention, drawing insights from her project 'The Year of Knots,' and delves into her background, influences, and the transition from tech to tactile art. She emphasizes the universal language of knots, the role of discipline, and the beauty of day-to-day creativity. The episode explores how Wendy's non-traditional path led her to collaborations with major institutions and a unique approach to art that honors...
2024-12-191h 02
Breaking PrecedentBreaking Bad: Kevin Caldwell and Ossium Health is banking on bone marrow for curing cancers and transforming regenerative careIn this episode of Breaking Precedent, host Leah Solivan sits down with Kevin Caldwell, founder and CEO of Ossium Health. From blending astrophysics, economics, and law, Kevin's unconventional journey to biotech is as inspiring as it is innovative. Kevin shares his groundbreaking work in making stem cell therapies more accessible, the future of preventative medicine, and the immense impact Ossium could have on treating blood cancers and beyond. Kevin shares his vision for a healthier world, leveraging cutting-edge science to save lives and improve health spans.Guest Bio and Links:As...
2024-12-051h 04
Breaking PrecedentSplit Sole: How Bianca Gates built Birdies and broke the mold in footwearIn this episode of Breaking Precedent, host Leah Solivan talks with Bianca Gates, founder and CEO of Birdies, about her entrepreneurial journey. Bianca shares her upbringing as the daughter of Latin American immigrants, her early aspirations to be a career woman, and her inspiring career trajectory from pharmaceutical and media sales to her dream job at Facebook. Bianca discusses the creation of Birdies, a brand of stylish and comfortable 'social slippers,' and how she leveraged her sales know-how and experiences at Facebook to turn Birdies into the beloved footwear brand it is today. Guest Bio a...
2024-11-211h 12
Breaking PrecedentBreaking Cover: Trevor Paglen with a bold artistic approach to challenging societal thinking and setting new precedentsIn this episode of Breaking Precedent, host Leah Solivan talks with Trevor Paglen, an artist, researcher, and adventurer. Trevor shares the hidden layers of our world through art, from covert military installations to undersea internet cables. His work, featured in renowned institutions like the Pace Art Gallery and the Smithsonian Institute, spans photographing submerged cables to launching art into space. They discuss the intersection of art and AI, its societal implications, and how technological advancements redefine visual culture. Paglen's innovative approach challenges precedents and reshapes our understanding of the world and the unseen forces influencing it....
2024-11-071h 01
Breaking PrecedentBreaking the Bank: Aaron Holiday on 645 ventures' data-driven approach to sourcing deals and bringing the invisible to lifeIn this episode of Breaking Precedent, host Leah Solivan sits down with Aaron Holliday, Founder and Managing Director of 645 Ventures, a venture fund with an unprecedented model and a mission to bring the invisible to life. Aaron shares his inspiring journey from growing up in New Orleans to building a data-driven sourcing model that uncovers promising startups and founders at the earliest stages. With over half a billion dollars under management and a 10-year anniversary, 645 Ventures has truly broken the mold.Guest Bio and Links:Aaron is the co-founder and Managing...
2024-10-241h 09
Breaking PrecedentBreaking Dawn: How Eric Ryan of Method, Olly, Welly, transforms boring products into billion dollar brandsIn this episode of Breaking Precedent, host Leah Solivan is joined by Eric Ryan, a transformational entrepreneur known for reimagining mundane product categories into billion-dollar brands. They dive into Eric’s playbook, exploring how he uses design to capture shifts in consumer behavior. Eric shares his journey from childhood influences to starting Method Soap, Ollie Vitamins, Welly Bandages, and Cast Jewelry, detailing his emphasis on people, culture, and differentiation through design.Guest Bio and Links:Eric Ryan is a serial entrepreneur, investor, advisor, and father. Eric is the driving force behind nu...
2024-10-1058 minHow I Built This with Guy RazAdvice Line: Reaching New CustomersThis week, Guy is joined by Leah Solivan of TaskRabbit, Scott and Ally Svenson of MOD Pizza, and Holly Thaggard of Supergoop! to answer questions about reaching new customers from three early-stage founders in this special “mashup” episode of the How I Built This Lab Advice Line. First, Erin from Alameda, California wants to introduce users to an online divorce platform so the legal process isn’t any harder than it has to be. Then, Kaveh in San Diego seeks to bring his olive oil beyond the farmers market and into kitchens nationwide. And finally, Erik fr...
2024-10-0338 min
Breaking PrecedentPiercing the Veil: Shiza Shahid on co-founding the $1B Malala Fund to transforming kitchenware with Our PlaceIn this episode of Breaking Precedent, host Leah Solivan is joined by a Pakistani-born social activist, angel investor, and co-founder of the Malala Fund. Shiza shares her journey from organizing relief efforts in Pakistan to co-founding a billion-dollar nonprofit for girls’ education. She discusses her work with Malala Yousafzai, breaking barriers in the venture capital space, and building OurPlace, a direct-to-consumer kitchenware brand rooted in inclusivity and purpose. Shiza reflects on her upbringing, challenges she’s faced, and her passion for empowering marginalized communities worldwide.Guest Bio and Links:Shiza Shahid is a...
2024-09-2658 min
Breaking PrecedentBreaking the Narrative: Award winning author of First Gen, Alejandra Campoverdi, on breaking generational cyclesIn this episode of Breaking Precedent, host Leah Solivan dives into the extraordinary journey of Alejandra Campoverdi, an award-winning author and trailblazer who has navigated the complexities of social mobility and the emotional toll of being a first-generation achiever. Alejandra's memoir, "First Gen," offers a poignant and relatable account of what it means to be a trailblazer, resonating with readers across various demographics. Alejandra shares her experiences with vulnerability and empathy, highlighting the dual rejection faced by first-generation achievers, her role in the Obama White House, and her non-profit : The First Gen Fund. Guest Bio and L...
2024-09-121h 11How I Built This with Guy RazAdvice Line with Leah Solivan of TaskrabbitTaskrabbit founder Leah Solivan joins Guy on the Advice Line, where they answer questions from three tech founders working to identify and grow their core customer base. First we meet Kate in Los Angeles, who wants her digital greeting cards to stand out in app stores. Then Shahn in Australia, who’s rethinking user acquisition for his couples coaching app. And Allen in Hawaii, who’s wondering about product-market fit for his online platform that teaches kids to play instruments.Thanks to the founders of Poppy Notes, My Love Your...
2024-09-1248 min
Breaking PrecedentBreaking Orbit: Newly minted Astronaut, Dr. Eiman Jahangir, on the future of space travelIn this episode of Breaking Precedent, host Leah Solivan is joined by Dr. Eiman Jahangir, a cardiologist, associate professor at Vanderbilt University, and newly minted astronaut. Together, they discuss Dr. Eiman’s childhood dream turned reality of shuttling to space aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard. Dr. Eiman shares the trials of his astronaut applications, his unexpected journey through the world of NFTs and cryptocurrency, and the sheer emotion of achieving a lifelong dream.Guest Bio and Links:Dr. Eiman Jahangir, MD, is a cardiologist with extensive training and experience in rese...
2024-09-061h 04
Breaking PrecedentBreaking Tradition: Co-Founding Partner of Floodgate, Ann Miura-Ko, on innovations in Venture CapitalIn this episode of Breaking Precedent, host Leah Solivan is joined by a successful venture capitalist and co-founder of Floodgate, Ann Miura-Ko. Leah and Ann dive into the world of technology, what Ann seeks in founding teams, thoughts on the challenges with the Venture Capital industry, and Ann’s perspective on the opportunities AI presents for mass cognition. Drawing from her upbringing in a Japanese immigrant family and experiences in Silicon Valley, Ann dives deep into her journey of embracing her individuality and pushing boundaries in both her personal life and her professional career.Guest Bio an...
2024-09-061h 02
Breaking PrecedentBreaking Precedent: Retired Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer on what is precedent?In this episode of Breaking Precedent, host Leah Solivan dives into the world of law with retired Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer. From the landmark case of Brown v. Board of Education to the recent Dobbs decision, Justice Breyer shares his thoughts on the significance of precedent as a cornerstone of societal stability. He also explores how the concept of precedent differs in business and technology, where breaking precedent can drive innovation and progress. On a personal note, Justice Breyer discusses his approach to raising his children and grandchildren, highlighting the importance of setting boundaries and traditions within the...
2024-09-0648 min
Masters of ScaleThe vital question Taskrabbit founder Leah Solivan wished she asked investorsA pioneer in the gig economy, Leah Solivan joins host Jeff Berman to share scale lessons from founding Taskrabbit. Hear how a need for dog food on a snowy night grew into a global business acquired by IKEA. She also reveals how her experience as an entrepreneur is shaping her next act as an early-stage investor.Leah has a new podcast of her own in the works: Breaking PrecedentRead a transcript of this episode: https://mastersofscale.comSubscribe to the Masters of Scale weekly newsletter: https://mastersofscale.com/subscribeSee Pr...
2024-08-1535 min
Breaking PrecedentBreaking Precedent TrailerWelcome to Breaking Precedent, the podcast that dives deep into the stories of trailblazers, innovators, and game-changers who are redefining societal precedents. Join us as we sit down with extraordinary individuals who are pushing the boundaries of social norms, challenging precedents, and setting new ones in their fields. Each episode features in-depth interviews that reveal the motivations, struggles, and triumphs of these pioneers, offering listeners a front-row seat to the groundbreaking ideas and actions that are reshaping our world. Whether it’s in technology, art, social justice, or beyond, Breaking Precedent is your source of inspiration for understanding how pr...
2024-08-0301 min
Boardroom Governance with Evan EpsteinLeah Solivan: The Entrepreneur's Journey to the Boardroom.(0:00) Intro.(1:10) About the podcast sponsor: The American College of Governance Counsel.(1:57) Start of interview.(2:40) Leah's "origin story." (3:41) Her time at IBM.(4:48) Her founding story of TaskRabbit (Boston, 2008).(12:43) The evolution of her board at TaskRabbit, and how to think about (startup) board composition and scaling. (20:31) First CEO succession (after $12m Series B in 2012).(25:10) Her return as CEO, raising a Series C, and adding 3 strategic independent directors.(26:13) On hiring Stacy Brown-Philpot as COO, and successor to CEO role.(30:45) Distinguishing between startup di...
2024-04-2256 min
CEO Sales Huddle with Che BrownFrom Empty Dog Food Bowls to a $50 Million Empire - The Sales Lessons Behind TaskRabbit’s Success | CEO Sales Huddle with Che BrownLate one night in 2008, Leah Busque Solivan faced a common problem – an empty dog food bowl for her beloved yellow lab, Kobe. But this predicament ignited a spark, leading her to envision a solution that would change her life and revolutionize an entire industry.
The world wasn’t yet familiar with the “sharing economy.” Uber and Airbnb were just concepts, and DoorDash hadn’t even emerged. TaskRabbit, originally called RunMyErrand, started with 100 “runners” in Boston, and it faced challenges typical of any startup. However, an interesting fact emerged: even major players like Zipcar were still navigating this uncharted terr...
2024-03-0718 min
The Country GoldmineShow #8/2024 Pasadena - God Bless You Blackberry Smoke - Azalea Roseanne Cash - Man Smart Woman Smarter Jay Gavin - Lost in Austin Dry Branch Fire Squad - [You Got To Pray To The Lord] When You See Those Flying Saucers Leah Blevins - Believe Garrett T. Capps - She Likes Doom Metal Callum Gaudet - Like You Used To Bahamas - Working On My Guitar Pickin' On Series - Africa Dan Tyminski - I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow Kimmi Bitter - I Dream of You Ten Cent Stranger - When You Move On Robert Ray - Dance When...
2024-02-191h 47
How I Built This with Guy RazTaskRabbit: Leah SolivanOne snowy night in Boston, Leah Solivan ran out of dog food for her 100-pound yellow lab. She wondered: shouldn’t I be able to resupply Kobe without going to the store? That was the origin of TaskRabbit, an online errand service that matches users with “taskers” to do deliveries and other chores. When Leah left her IBM job to start coding the service, the peer-to-peer economy was still in its infancy. But she saw that three important developments—mobile, location services, and social media—were about to converge. She recruited errand-runners from Craigslist, and took an expensive gamble on a 15-minut...
2022-07-111h 15
Traction Podcast5 Founder Lessons From Building and Scaling TaskRabbitOn this episode of the Traction podcast, host Lloyed Lobo of Boast.AI features a talk by Leah Solivan, General Partner at Fuel Capital and Founder of TaskRabbit from the in-person Traction Conference. The idea for TaskRabbit came about in 2008 around the time the iPhone first launched, while Leah was living in Boston and bootstrapping the company. In the process of bootstrapping, the entire trajectory of her journey changed. She went from being an engineer at IBM with no network or entrepreneur friends, all the way to raising her first million do...
2022-06-2925 min
Non-Technical73. Leah Solivan (Founder, TaskRabbit) is fully prepared to organize these roly poliesThis week, Alexis gets non-technical with Leah Solivan, Founder of TaskRabbit and General Partner at FUEL Capital. They talk about boxing chaos, planking in Vegas (?), an 18-minute Star Wars tour de FORCE, “Bad Moms,” avoiding airplane altercations, and murder mystery (family) dinner theatre.You can find Leah on Twitter at twitter.com/labunleashed and Alexis at twitter.com/yayalexisgay or instagram.com/yayalexisgay and twitter.com/NonTechnicalPod.This episode is sponsored by Betts Recruiting! If you’re a high-performing professional looking for your next opportunity, it’s time to become a Betts Connect Community member. Apply to...
2022-06-0844 min
Non-Technical73. Leah Solivan (Founder, TaskRabbit) is fully prepared to organize these roly poliesThis week, Alexis gets non-technical with Leah Solivan, Founder of TaskRabbit and General Partner at FUEL Capital. They talk about boxing chaos, planking in Vegas (?), an 18-minute Star Wars tour de FORCE, “Bad Moms,” avoiding airplane altercations, and murder mystery (family) dinner theatre.You can find Leah on Twitter at twitter.com/labunleashed and Alexis at twitter.com/yayalexisgay or instagram.com/yayalexisgay and twitter.com/NonTechnicalPod.This episode is sponsored by Betts Recruiting! If you’re a high-performing professional looking for your next opportunity, it’s time to become a Betts Connect Community member. Apply to...
2022-06-0844 min
Over the Wall with Rob LoCascioEP22: Leah SolivanThis week I speak with TaskRabbit founder Leah Solivan. Leah had so much wisdom and advice for feeling burnt out in the world of startups. Her stories really resonated with me as someone who has struggled in the past with continuously moving forward in the face of failure or roadblocks. Now, with TaskRabbit having been acquired by Ikea, she has a wealth of experience to share with you all about life after being a founder and what comes next.
For more content about entrepreneurship, founding a company, raising funds, or to just ask me a question, you...
2021-10-1144 min
Momentum AudioLeah Solivan on Celebrating GritLeah Solivan, General Partner at Fuel Capital and Founder of TaskRabbit, shares how leveraging the entrepreneurial mindset can aid in finding solutions as both an intrapreneur and a founder. Hosts Dylan Gambardella and Justin Lafazan, CoFounders and CEOs of Next Gen HQ, dive deeper to really learn how Leah views the grind vs. glamour of entrepreneurship and how team members should be celebrated for their grit. SUBSCRIBE TO MOMENTUM NEWSLETTER: ✨https://nextgenhq.com/getmomentum CONNECT WITH NEXT GEN HQ 🚀Website - https://nextgenhq.com/ 🚀Instagram - https://instagram.com/nextgenh...
2021-04-0534 min
The Full Ratchet (TFR): Venture Capital and Startup Investing DemystifiedInvestor Stories 170: Why I Passed (Whitney, Solivan, Douglass, Yin)On this special segment of The Full Ratchet, the following Investors are featured: Jason Whitney Leah Solivan Jim Douglass Elizabeth Yin Each investor highlights a situation where they decided not to invest, why they passed, and how it played out.
2020-12-1011 min
Woman Owned: The Growth Podcast for Women EntrepreneursEP417: A Female Founder Mindset With Leah Busque SolivanIf you want to launch, scale, and eventually sell your business, understanding what investors are looking for is important. Besides having a great business idea and the skills to operate it, it's about your mindset. Entrepreneurship is like leaping blindly into the unknown and having the confidence in yourself to know you'll figure it out. As my guest today says, there's no better job than creating what's in your head and sharing it with others. And recognizing that you don't need to know how to do everything off the bat is key. Keep Reading >>
2020-08-2529 min
The Full Ratchet (TFR): Venture Capital and Startup Investing DemystifiedInvestor Stories 153: Strange & Unusual (Solivan, Hsieh, Kerby, Currier)On this special segment of The Full Ratchet, the following Investors are featured: Leah Solivan Kane Hsieh Richard Kerby James Currier Each investor describes the most unusual situation or pitch that they've encountered as an investor. To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.
2020-08-1310 minThe Full Ratchet (TFR): Venture Capital and Startup Investing DemystifiedInvestor Stories 144: Post Mortems (Solivan, Klaff, Whitney, Bechtel)On this special segment of The Full Ratchet, the following Investors are featured: Leah Solivan Oren Klaff Jason Whitney Darren Bechtel Each investor discusses a portfolio company that did not survive and why it was that they failed. To listen more, please visit http://fullratchet.net/podcast-episodes/ for all of our other episodes. Also, follow us on twitter @TheFullRatchet for updates and more information.
2020-06-1310 minThe Full Ratchet (TFR): Venture Capital and Startup Investing Demystified222. Crisis Coverage w/ Leah Solivan - Building TaskRabbit in a Recession; COVID Effects on the Independent/Gig Economy; and Key Factors for Early-Stage Marketplace SuccessLeah Solivan of Fuel Capital joins Nick on a special Crisis Coverage installment to discuss Building TaskRabbit in a Recession; COVID Effects on the Independent/Gig Economy; and Key Factors for Early-Stage Marketplace Success. In this episode, we cover: Background -- path to venture? How is the current climate affecting your investing? Differing viewpoints on how much runway to plan for w/ a new capital raise... are you suggesting founders raise for more than 18-months or does the standard runway guidance hold? This crisis has had a pretty profound impact on the sharing economy/the gig economy/the...
2020-05-0745 min
First Contact with Laurie SegallTaskRabbit Founder: Finding Opportunity in UncertaintyThe 2008 recession was a devastating time for many Americans. But amidst the chaos, it was also the breeding ground for a new creative class: Developers who coded their visions into reality. Uber and Lyft redefined transportation, Airbnb shook up the travel industry, and TaskRabbit helped pave the way for the gig economy. In many ways, the uncertainty we face today mirrors that crisis. TaskRabbit’s founder Leah Solivan joins the show to explain why she believes founding her company in harsh conditions was key to her success, and why the pandemic provides a similar opportunity for innovation.
2020-04-271h 06
Consumer VC: Venture Capital I B2C Startups I Commerce | Early-Stage Investing I Brands | TechnologyLeah Solivan (Fuel Capital) - The Importance of Passion, When a Company Should Have Product-Market Fit, and What Founders Should Pay Attention To In Their Pitch DecksLeah Solivan is General Partner at Fuel Capital, an early-stage venture fund focused on consumer, SaaS, and cloud infrastructure companies dedicated to giving outsiders the inside edge through unrelenting commitment, authenticity, and hustle. Some of their investments include Bark, Flexport, Crowd Cow. Previously, Leah was the founder and CEO of Taskrabbit, which was acquired by IKEA.
You can follow Leah on Twitter @labunleashed.You are also welcome to follow your host @mikegelb and @consumervc for updates.
A book that impacted you personally and professionally is Founders at Work by Jessica Livingston
On this...
2020-01-0633 min
Pattern Recognition - Investing in the FutureLeah Solivan - Founder at TaskRabbit - Marketplace KPIsWhat are the key KPIs that drive the world's leading task marketplace? Leah Solivan, Founder and Former CEO of TaskRabbit, reflects on the operational metrics that define a successful marketplace on both the supply- and demand-side. We also chat about her reflections on TaskRabbit’s exit to IKEA. And lastly, Leah and I discuss what she looks for in startups now that she’s investing fulltime as a general partner at Fuel Capital.
For show notes, unreleased episodes, and more check out: https://patternrecognitionpod.com
Twitter: @JohnHeezy | Instagram: @johnghu
2020-01-0341 min
No Limits with Rebecca JarvisLeah Busque Solivan: Founder, TaskRabbit and Fuel Capital, General PartnerLeah Busque Solivan didnt realize that running out of dog food one night would cause her to come up with the idea for TaskRabbit, an online and mobile marketplace that matches freelance labor with local demand, allowing consumers to find immediate help with everyday tasks. She has since scaled the company to 44 cities, raised more than $50 million in venture capital funding and currently serves as the executive chairwoman to the company and general partner of FUEL Capital. On this episode, Leah discusses the pressure she was under from herself and her investors when starting TaskRabbit, the importance of t...
2019-12-1333 min
Hello Monday with Jessi HempelWhy TaskRabbit's Founder Dared to Try Something NewLeah Busque Solivan founded TaskRabbit, the online marketplace where people get help with small jobs like cleaning, or building furniture. She built it into a multi-million-dollar business, and then in 2017, Ikea bought it. This episode, hear Jessi's conversation with Leah as they talk about what it's like to build a company from the ground up and then walk away from it.
2019-10-2833 min
Magic Minds#34 — Leah Busque Solivan — Founder, Leader, Creator, Backer"The most exciting new podcast in the startup world.” - Eric Ries, Founder and NYTimes bestselling author
Welcome back to another episode of Below The Line. Today's episode is with Leah Busque Solivan who is the founder of TaskRabbit and now a venture capitalist in Fuel Capital.
We talk about the low points of her eight year journey as a founder, running her own startup TaskRabbit, sparing no details of the reality of that role, and how she transitioned to becoming a venture capitalist after handing off the reigns. We also talked about why she se...
2019-09-301h 35
9 to 5ish with theSkimmLeah Busque Solivan, Founder of TaskRabbit: "I would look at everything in my life and question, like, "Is there a solution here?"Leah Busque Solivan is an engineer and entrepreneur. In 2008, she became a rising star of the gig economy when she quit her job at IBM to found TaskRabbit, the mobile and online marketplace that hooks you up with people to help with everything from picking up your laundry to building your furniture.She sold her baby to IKEA in 2017 and now she’s using her expertise to help other startups as a general partner at the venture capital firm, Fuel Capital. On the Couch, Leah talks to us about how she hired her first 30 task rabbits (11:45), why it...
2019-07-3136 min