Summer Break: First to Step Forward - Voices of Change
During 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 where none existed before.
Listen to the full episodes here:
- Breaking Dawn: How Eric Ryan of Method, Olly, Welly, transforms boring products into billion dollar brands
Listen here: Apple | Spotify - Broken Records: Windy Chien on changing paths, tying stories into knots, and designing a new language of possibilities
Listen here: Apple | Spotify - Breaking Pointe: San Francisco Ballet’s Tamara Rojo with Her Bold Vision for a Vibrant Future
Listen here: Apple | Spotify - Breaking the Narrative: Award winning author of First Gen, Alejandra Campoverdi, on breaking generational cycles
Listen here: Apple | Spotify - Breaking the Bank: Aaron Holiday on 645 ventures' data-driven approach to sourcing deals and bringing the invisible to life
Listen here: Apple | Spotify
Resources:
Notes:
(00:00) – Introduction to Breaking Precedent
(00:30) – The Power of Vision: Seeing Change Before It Happens
(01:00) – Unique Journeys: The Knot Metaphor and Personal Stories
(01:30) – The Role of Art and Creativity in Society
(03:00) – Sacrifices and Scars: The Cost of Being First
(05:30) – Inspiration from Family, Friends, and Art
(07:00) – “They didn’t break precedent to be admired. They broke it to make something better.”
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Leah Solivan is the host of Breaking Precedent, a podcast that explores the stories of innovators who are pushing societal boundaries and setting new precedents in their fields. Leah is General Partner at Fuel Capital, where she invests in early-stage companies across consumer technology, hardware, education, marketplaces, and retail. Leah has 15 years of experience building and creating technology products that have reached millions of people around the globe. She started her career at IBM as an engineer in the software group, working on Lotus Notes and Domino. In 2008, Leah founded TaskRabbit, the leading on-demand service marketplace in the world.
Connect with Leah:
Website: breakingprecedent.com/
Instagram: @labunleashed