She Rocked It

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/

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/

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/

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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/

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:

• Learn more about Karen at karengross.com
• Keep up with Karen on Instagram @communicationthatsings
• Mary Jelkovsky's episode: https://youtu.be/5Eod2yMzm9k
• Divinity Roxx's episode: ​https://youtu.be/H7Wt9HbLkoA
• Mallory (MJ) Hank Johnson's episode: https://youtu.be/qOTnETVxAAY
• Ashley Berke's episode: https://youtu.be/Cgrslv6VXxM
• Jennifer Blaine's episode: https://youtu.be/Tf_D2GGVeB8
• Learn more about the Rock-It Launcher group mentorship program for creative, courageous women at https://sherockedit.com/rock-it-launcher
  

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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!

• Join our community at https://www.sherockedit.com
• Join us on Instagram @sherockedit
• Download our FREE guide “SECRETS TO ROCKING IT”
• Ready to transform your creativity into a career that rocks? Check out our group mentorship program, Rock-It Launcher!

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/

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:

• Nnenna Freelon website: https://www.nnenna.com/
• Great Grief with Nnenna Freelon podcast: https://www.wunc.org/podcast/great-grief

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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!

• Join our community at https://www.sherockedit.com
• Join us on Instagram @sherockedit
• Download our FREE guide “SECRETS TO ROCKING IT”
• Ready to transform your creativity into a career that rocks? Check out our group mentorship program, Rock-It Launcher!

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/