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She Rocked It

She Rocked It

Hosted by Karen Gross

She Rocked It is a media and mentorship platform where creative, courageous women rock it together. We are eager to learn from, listen to, and lift one another up — driven by the belief that women’s voices are essential. On our podcast and Instagram Live interview series, She Rocked It host/founder and creative entrepreneur Karen Gross gets trailblazing women leaders, creatives, and entrepreneurs to reveal how they rock it – and their insights may surprise you. Their behind-the-scenes stories, best-kept secrets to success, and actionable tips are sure to inspire the rockstar in all of us!
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Top 10 She Rocked It Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best She Rocked It episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to She Rocked It for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite She Rocked It episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

She Rocked It is proud to present the first podcast ever recorded in an Athleta store location! Athleta is known for versatile, premium apparel designed by women for women, as well as their empowering, inclusive #PowerofShe platform that supports women and girls in realizing their limitless potential.
Recorded at Athleta in Jenkintown, PA, this moving and illuminating conversation explores the balance between career and self-care – with lots of real talk, insights, and tips from rockstar entrepreneurs based in the Philadelphia area.
Hosted by She Rocked It founder Karen Gross, the panel includes Dr. Robin Smith, #1 bestselling author, licensed psychologist, and host of The Dr. Robin Show on SiriusXM; Christa Barfield, founder of FarmerJawn and Viva Leaf Tea Company; Gabrielle Sellei, attorney for creative entrepreneurs and founder of Sellei Law; Jean Brillman, founder of White Horse Coffee; and Rachel Rainbow, somatic therapist and co-founder/co-CEO of Rise Gatherings. Plus, you’ll hear from special guest Grace Duong of Mystic Mondays, who shares a collective tarot card celebrating the power of community. No doubt you’ll be inspired by this electrifying episode filled with wisdom and woman-power energy!
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EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

[5:23] How five women entrepreneurs boldly followed their callings – including some major career pivots
[24:21] How to find the courage to launch a heart-centered career, and why it’s key to trust your inner voice
[34:11] Real talk from women business owners on how to bake self-care into your daily life, and why it’s important to raise your voice for the self-care that fills your cup
[49:20] Audience members share what self-care looks like for them
[52:15] Special guest Grace Duong of Mystic Mondays shares a collective tarot card reading
[54:59] One top tip to rock it from each panelist

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LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE:
Athleta
She Rocked It
Karen Gross (Communication That Sings)
Christa Barfield (FarmerJawn, Viva Leaf Tea Co.)
Rachel Rainbow
Rise Gatherings
Gabrielle Sellei/Sellei Law
Jean Brillman/White Horse Coffee
Dr. Robin Smith
Dr. Robin Smith’s She Rocked It episode
Mystic Mondays
“How to Not Always Be Working” by Marlee Grace

She Rocked It is a media and mentorship platform where creative, courageous women rock it together. We are eager to learn from, listen to, and lift one another up — driven by the belief that women’s voices are essential. On our podcast and Instagram Live interview series, She Rocked It host/founder and creative entrepreneur Karen Gross gets trailblazing women leaders, creatives, and entrepreneurs to reveal how they rock it – and their insights may surprise you. Their behind-the-scenes stories, best-kept secrets to success, and actionable tips are sure to inspire the rockstar in all of us! Please subscribe and leave a review!

If you’d like to join us for future podcast recordings and other empowering live events, head over to our website and subscribe to our email list! https://sherockedit.com/

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Ready to rock it, but don’t know where to start? Turn on this episode for a jolt of inspiration right now! In this solo episode, She Rocked It founder and host Karen Gross shares the Rock-It RoadmapTM – a series of six top tips for a creative, courageous life and career. These empowering lessons are drawn from Karen’s decade of experience as a successful creative entrepreneur, her many She Rocked It interviews, and her time as a speechwriter and journalist writing for and about trailblazing women leaders, creatives, and entrepreneurs. This is the kind of roadmap you’ll want to hang on your fridge as a reminder to rock it every day (head to our website to print it out)! Let’s all rock it – together.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

  • [00:58] Introducing the Rock-It Roadmap and She Rocked It host and founder, Karen Gross
  • [3:39] “R” = Raise your voice
  • [6:15] “O” = Own your value
  • [10:01] “C” = Commit to your creativity
  • [14:08] “K” = Kick out your inner critic
  • [19:12] “I” = Imagine and Implement
  • [24:22] “T” = Tribe vibes
  • [27:59] Roadmap recap and how to rock some empowering apparel

Links from the episode:

She Rocked It is a media and mentorship platform where creative, courageous women rock it together. We are eager to learn from, listen to, and lift one another up — driven by the belief that women’s voices are essential. On our podcast and Instagram Live interview series, She Rocked It host/founder and creative entrepreneur Karen Gross gets trailblazing women leaders, creatives, and entrepreneurs to reveal how they rock it – and their insights may surprise you. Their behind-the-scenes stories, best-kept secrets to success, and actionable tips are sure to inspire the rockstar in all of us!

Please subscribe and leave a review!

If you’d like to join us for future podcast recordings and other empowering live events, head over to our website and subscribe to our email list! https://sherockedit.com/

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She Rocked It - Nnenna Freelon : A Jazz Star's Path of Purpose
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08/20/21 • 38 min

Jazz vocalist Nnenna Freelon believes in following a “path of purpose,” and hers has led to multiple GRAMMY® Award nominations and performances at The Kennedy Center and The White House among other prestigious venues. Her path took a very different turn after the loss of her soulmate and husband, renowned architect Phil Freelon, which prompted her to question everything she thought she knew about living, dying, faith, healing, and her art. Nnenna’s experiences led her to a new journey, down the path of grief. Today, she’s sharing her voice once again through a heartfelt new album (Time Traveler) and a powerful, poignant podcast (Great Grief with Nnenna Freelon). In this honest, inspiring, and deeply moving conversation, Nnenna reveals how it has felt to rediscover and raise her voice anew, how she has balanced the life of a performing artist and mother, and why it’s crucial to define your own vision of success.

Links from the episode:

She Rocked It is a media and mentorship platform where creative, courageous women rock it together. We are eager to learn from, listen to, and lift one another up — driven by the belief that women’s voices are essential. On our podcast and Instagram Live interview series, She Rocked It host/founder and creative entrepreneur Karen Gross gets trailblazing women leaders, creatives, and entrepreneurs to reveal how they rock it – and their insights may surprise you. Their behind-the-scenes stories, best-kept secrets to success, and actionable tips are sure to inspire the rockstar in all of us!

Please subscribe and leave a review!

If you’d like to join us for future podcast recordings and other empowering live events, head over to our website and subscribe to our email list! https://sherockedit.com/

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In the third installment of our Real Talk with Women in the Music Industry series, you’ll hear from Michelle Arkuski, Executive Director of She Is The Music—a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the number of women working in music, which was launched by Alicia Keys among other music industry powerhouses.
In this eye-opening and inspiring conversation, Michelle shares how and why she pivoted from her early musical theater days in New York City to high-profile philanthropic work in Los Angeles.
As the first executive director of She Is The Music, Michelle now spearheads programs including an all-women songwriting series, an industry database of women creators, and awesome mentorship opportunities.
The organization took shape after the devastating results of USC Annenberg’s Inclusion Initiative study revealed that women were conspicuously absent from music industry roles. And though important strides are being made, the results of the latest study (published in January 2023) still left much to be desired:

  • Percentage of women across three creative roles: 22.3% of artists; 12.8% of songwriters; 2.8% of producers
    • 13.9% of GRAMMY® nominees from 2013-2023 were women; 86% were men
      • 13 out of 1,756 producing credits went to women of color
        • The top male writer (Drake) has 49 songwriting credits; the top woman writer (Nicki Minaj) has 20 credits across 1,100 popular songs from 2012-2022
          _______________________________________________________________________EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
          • [00:00] How She Is The Music serves its mission through action
            • [04:53] Michelle’s journey from musical theater to celebrity-driven philanthropy
              • [08:28] Overcoming imposter syndrome to take on the role of Executive Director at She Is The Music
                • [12:42] The state of the industry now and looking ahead in the wake of #MeToo
                  • [20:32] What gave Michelle the courage to follow her intuition?
                    • [25:02] How Michelle keeps her cool working with big-name celebrities like Alicia Keys, Cyndi Lauper, and Linda Perry
                      • [29:23] How Michelle prioritizes self-care inside a demanding schedule
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She Rocked It - Joan Hendricks: Using Anger As A Superpower
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11/11/22 • 33 min

Joan Hendricks has blazed a trail in the field of veterinary medicine – starting from when only a small “quota” of women were allowed into vet school, and ultimately serving as the first woman dean of the distinguished School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.
In this candid and heartfelt conversation, Joan shares how she got the courage to lead despite the obstacles in her path, including self-sabotage. And she reveals how anger has fueled her passion and drive – inviting us all to consider how we can harness the power of anger as a superpower. Now retired, Joan also reminds us of the importance of seeking joy and rocking our own unique brand of weird. Do not miss this empowering, eye-opening, and often funny interview with a true pioneer!

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EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

[3:15] Quotas, “tokes,” and Title IX: When women weren’t welcome in veterinary medicine
[7:24] On being an “army brat” and crucial fatherly support
[11:20] Constructive rage and the catalyzing power of being underestimated
[13:46] How allies helped amplify Joan’s voice
[16:45] Why Joan initially avoided becoming the first woman dean at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine
[23:40] Why women are dominating veterinary medicine today
[27:32] Balancing family and career with the help of a supportive partner
[29:34] Making a “joy list”
[32:29] Joan’s one tip to rock it

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LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE:
Penn Vet: https://www.vet.upenn.edu/
Penn Vet’s Bellwether magazine issue honoring Dean Joan Hendricks: https://www.vet.upenn.edu/about/news-room/bellwether/bellwether-magazine/bellwether-spring-2018
Penn Vet’s Bellwether magazine article focused on trailblazing women veterinarians: https://www.vet.upenn.edu/about/news-room/bellwether/bellwether-magazine/bellwether-winter-2015/penn-vet-pioneers
Info about Title IX: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Title_IX
The Nobel Prize-winning scientists Joan worked with: https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/2017/press-release/

If you’d like to join us for future podcast recordings and other empowering live events, head over to our website and subscribe to our email list! https://sherockedit.com/

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She Rocked It - Sex and the City’s Cindy Chupack Gets Real
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11/01/24 • 42 min

If the name Cindy Chupack sounds familiar, it’s probably because you saw it again and again in the Sex and the City intro credits!
A two-time Emmy and three-time Golden Globe winner, Cindy has been an executive producer and writer for some of TV’s standout shows including Sex and the City, Modern Family, Everybody Loves Raymond, Better Things, and most recently Fleishman is in Trouble.
After studying journalism in college, she sold her first humorous essay to New York Woman magazine in 1990, which ultimately launched her career as a comedy writer.
In addition to her screen credits, Cindy has performed stories for the popular storytelling slam, The Moth; penned her own relationship column in both Glamour and O, The Oprah Magazine; and authored two comic memoirs including the New York Times bestseller The Between Boyfriends Book: A Collection of Cautiously Hopeful Essays.
Whatever form Cindy’s stories take, she’s known for her unapologetically honest, hysterical perspective on the rollercoaster of life and love. In this fun and illuminating episode, you’re sure to be inspired by how courageously Cindy shares her voice, stays true to herself, and shares her wisdom with others.
Tune in and rock on!
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Episode highlights:
[00:00] Introduction
[4:51] How Cindy transitioned from journalism, to advertising, to comedy writing
[9:49] How “cross-training” across media keeps Cindy’s writing sharp
[11:48] Discover the surprising place where Cindy does her best writing
[15:20] Learn why Cindy is the “anti-gatekeeper” and loves helping women share their voices
[18:15] Cindy demystifies the role of a television Executive Producer
[20:22] An inside glimpse into writing for a hit show like Sex and the City
[25:32] Cindy reflects on how Hollywood has (and hasn’t) changed since #MeToo
[27:29] Where Cindy draws the line between honest and too honest
[34:27] Single or coupled up? Cindy reveals her perspective on being in a relationship now
[40:47] Cindy shares her one tip to rock it

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Links from this episode:
Cindy Chupack website: https://cindychupack.net/
Cindy’s story “He Slept With the Housekeeper, and I Woke Up in Ancient Greece”: https://www.elle.com/life-love/sex-relationships/a45563209/greece-healing-hotel-relationship-personal-discovery-essay/
Cindy on The Moth: https://themoth.org/stories/the-get
Karen Gross - Sex & the Single Singer cabaret teaser video: https://youtu.be/iY38l6_iBJ8?feature=shared

If you’d like to join us for future podcast recordings and other empowering live events, head over to our website and subscribe to our email list! https://sherockedit.com/

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Recorded live at The Bridge Studio in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, #RealTalk with Women in the Music Industry: From Studio to Sync brought women making an impact on the NYC music industry together for an intimate panel discussion and podcast taping as part of New York Music Month 2024! NY Music Month is an initiative of the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media + Entertainment. GET TUNED IN: visit NYMusicMonth.NYC

Hosted by She Rocked It’s Karen Gross and featuring four rockstar panelists, this honest, inspiring, and informative conversation features real talk and actionable tips about gaining and maintaining a foothold in the music industry, and having the confidence to raise your voice and lead in an industry where women are still woefully underrepresented. You’ll hear from:
Mona Kayhan, Majority owner of The Bridge Studio (Williamsburg, Brooklyn), a classic, large-format “big room” analog and digital recording and video production studio (and our wonderful host for this conversation)
Jeanne Montalvo, Grammy-nominated audio engineer and award-winning radio producer
Jen Pearce, Founder of Low Profile, a music licensing & consulting agency based in Brooklyn, NY
Rashida Scott-Cruz, Professor of Music Industry at Monmouth University and mentor to future generations of music industry professionals
Plus, a special introduction from Shira Gans, Senior Executive Director of Policy + Programs at the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, and the creator and curator of NY Music Month!

This is episode six of She Rocked It’s Real Talk with Women in the Music Industry podcast series. Special thanks to The Bridge Studio and the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment for their collaboration and support of this episode.
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Episode highlights:

[3:05] Introduction from NY Music Month creator and curator Shira Gans – including how Shira met Karen Gross at Wesleyan University while they were living at Womanist House
[8:10] Learn how panelists Jeanne Montalvo, Mona Kayhan, Jen Pearce, and Rashida Scott-Cruz are rocking it in the music industry
[19:43] Hear lessons from the panelists’ professional journeys — how they gained a foothold in the music industry and maintained it over the years
[33:08] Obstacles and opportunities for women working in music in NYC
[38:46] Top tips for artists looking to break into the world of sync
[44:45] How to support women in recording studio environments
[49:53] Tips for mustering the confidence and courage to lead
[55:45] Host Karen Gross and the panelists share their tips to ROCK IT

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Links from this episode:
She Is The Music: https://sheisthemusic.org/
Amplify Her Voice: https://www.amplifyhervoice.org/
Women in the Mix study from the the Recording Academy, Berklee College Of Music, and Arizona State University: https://www.grammy.com/news/women-in-the-mix-study-2022-results-key-findings-recording-academy-arizona-state-university-berklee-college-music
Audio Engineering Society: ​​https://aes2.org/
DISCO: https://www.disco.ac/

For additional resources, visit our episode page here

If you’d like to join us for future podcast recordings and other empowering live events, head over to our website and subscribe to our email list! https://sherockedit.com/

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Don’t miss the fifth episode of our Real Talk with Women in the Music Industry podcast series, featuring three-time GRAMMY-winning producer Cheryl Pawelski!
In this fun and revealing conversation, Cheryl gets real about her experiences preserving, curating, and championing some of music’s greatest legacies – and shares some incredible behind-the-scenes stories involving Aretha Franklin, Taylor Swift, and legendary Elektra Records founder Jac Holzman.
After a fateful ABBA show cemented Cheryl’s calling in the music industry, she held positions at Rhino, Concord, and EMI-Capitol Records before co-founding Omnivore Recordings.
Her journey is sure to inspire anyone looking to pursue a creative, courageous career and blaze a unique, uncharted trail. Tune in and rock on!
Special thanks to Gregg Bendian for connecting Cheryl with She Rocked It.
Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/kJiAgV2C9WM

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Episode highlights:
[2:11] How Cheryl’s unique career in music took shape
[6:23] How Cheryl navigated the male-dominated music industry
[10:25] Why Cheryl pivoted from major labels and co-founded Omnivore Recordings
[12:35] Some behind-the-scenes stories featuring Aretha Franklin and Taylor Swift
[15:21] #Realtalk about Cheryl’s relationship with rockstar wife Audrey Bilger, president of Reed College – including how they met!
[25:15] Cheryl’s advice for up-and-coming women in the music industry
[28:10] Cheryl’s one tip to rock it
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Links from this episode:

Cheryl’s website: https://cherylpawelski.com/
Cheryl’s GRAMMY wins and nominations: https://www.grammy.com/artists/cheryl-pawelski/17213
Omnivore Recordings: https://omnivorerecordings.com/
Annenberg Inclusion Initiative study: https://www.newsroom.spotify.com/2022-03-31/usc-annenbergs-inclusion-in-the-recording-studio-study-finds-that-more-work-toward-gender-equity-is-needed/
Jeff Tweedy: https://jefftweedy.com/
Wilco: https://wilcoworld.net/
Aretha Franklin: https://www.arethafranklin.net/
Robbie Robertson: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robbie_Robertson
Jac Holzman: https://www.rockhall.com/inductees/jac-holzman
Bethany Lyons on the She Rocked It Podcast: https://sherockedit.com/bethany-lyons-owning-it-like-a-boss/
Gregg Bendian: https://www.bendianmusic.com/

If you’d like to join us for future podcast recordings and other empowering live events, head over to our website and subscribe to our email list! https://sherockedit.com/

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She Rocked It - Improvise Like a Boss with Nicole Cohen
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11/08/24 • 39 min

Don’t miss this insightful and hysterical interview with Nicole Cohen, author of the internationally bestselling book, “Improv at Work: What the Business World Can Learn from Improvisational Comedy.” A longtime multi-hyphenate, Nicole studied both biomedical engineering and theater at Northwestern University in Chicago, a city renowned for its comedy scene. Today, she’s a rockstar managing director at one of the largest global consulting and technology firms–and unapologetically brings her whole self to work.
In this episode, Nicole shares how she brings comedy into corporate; balances a demanding job with her own writing, wellbeing, and family life; and raises her voice as a creative, courageous woman in the workplace. Whether you’re looking to rock it in business or bring more curiosity into your day-to-day life, Nicole is sure to inspire with both wit and wisdom.
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Episode highlights:
[1:03 ] Nicole offers a glimpse into her multidisciplinary background and how she discovered the value of improv at work
[4:14] How Nicole learned to embrace her true personality and shine as a leader at work
[8:08] How improv rules can be transformative in business relationships
[18:02 ] Why the huge crowd at the Pennsylvania Conference for Women was so receptive to Nicole’s improv at work session
[21:06] The improv rule Nicole wishes everyone knew
[24:45] Karen and Nicole discuss the importance, and the difficulty, of raising their voices in male-dominated professional spaces
[26:21] How Nicole made time to write her debut bestselling book, while holding down a high-powered, full-time job
[32:00] How Nicole balances her career, relationships, and personal wellness
[36:30] Nicole shares her one tip to rock it

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Links from this episode:
Pennsylvania Conference for Women: https://www.paconferenceforwomen.org/
Nicole’s book, “Improv at Work: What the Business World Can Learn from Improvisational Comedy”: https://www.amazon.com/Improv-Work-Business-Improvisational-Comedy/dp/1956642978

If you’d like to join us for future podcast recordings and other empowering live events, head over to our website and subscribe to our email list! https://sherockedit.com/

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Welcome to the third season of the She Rocked It podcast, and our first-ever interview with three generations of rockstar women from the same family! In this intimate and inspiring conversation (recorded in January 2023 at The Bridge recording studio in Brooklyn, New York), you’ll hear #realtalk about being a woman in the music industry and pursuing a creative, courageous life – straight from powerhouse mother-daughter duo Kim Kalesti and Emily King (plus a special appearance from the family’s 88-year-old matriarch, Maggie Haley).
KIM KALESTI is a modern-day renaissance woman who exemplifies the creative life as a singer, songwriter, recording artist, pianist, and painter. After 15 years as an in-demand jazz chanteuse–performing and recording alongside many of New York City’s jazz masters–she went on to release several piano/vocal albums of her poignant original songs. Both her daughter Emily King and son AC Lincoln have followed in her footsteps to become performing artists.

EMILY KING has released several critically acclaimed albums and received Grammy nominations for Best R&B Song and Best R&B Performance. She has toured with the likes of Alicia Keys, Chaka Khan, Erykah Badu, and Sara Bareilles. After dropping out of high school to pursue music, she was discovered by Clive Davis, who signed her to his J Records label at the age of 21. Now signed to ATO Records, she plans to release her latest album Special Occasion in May 2023.

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Special thanks to Mona Kayhan and team from The Bridge recording studio including Urosh Jovanovich and Brianna Cofield. https://www.bridgerecordingstudio.com/
Thanks to Fifth Hammer Brewing for supplying libations at our recording session. https://www.fifthhammerbrewing.com/
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EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
[00:00] Meet mother-daughter creative powerhouses Kim Kalesti and Emily King
[04:08] What gave Kim the courage to forge an artistic path?
[09:24 How Emily knew she wanted to drop out of high school to pursue music, and how her mom Kim reacted
[15:37] How Emily learned not to compromise her own creative vision
[21:00] How Kim cultivated her musical style over many years working with numerous collaborators (including George Clinton!)
[26:09] Emily and Kim reveal their creative processes
[33:21] Grandma Maggie Haley enters the chat
[40:41] Maggie, Kim, and Emily each share their ONE TIP TO ROCK IT
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LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE:
Emily King website: https://www.emilykingmusic.com/
Emily King’s song Distance: https://youtu.be/4DbeYbcZAJE
Emily King’s song This Year: https://youtu.be/xiDnuRylHMU
Emily King shares an early version of This Year on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cm1dqzKMZFq/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D
Kim Kalesti paintings: https://kimkalesti.wixsite.com/kimistry
Kim Kalesti bandcamp: https://kimkalesti.bandcamp.com/music

If you’d like to join us for future podcast recordings and other empowering live events, head over to our website and subscribe to our email list! https://sherockedit.com/

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FAQ

How many episodes does She Rocked It have?

She Rocked It currently has 38 episodes available.

What topics does She Rocked It cover?

The podcast is about Creative Business, Entrepreneur, Entrepreneurship, Podcasts, Self-Improvement, Education and Business.

What is the most popular episode on She Rocked It?

The episode title 'Real Talk with Women in the Music Industry (Part 5) featuring Cheryl Pawelski' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on She Rocked It?

The average episode length on She Rocked It is 34 minutes.

How often are episodes of She Rocked It released?

Episodes of She Rocked It are typically released every 7 days, 1 hour.

When was the first episode of She Rocked It?

The first episode of She Rocked It was released on Apr 23, 2021.

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