In this episode of the podcast, we kick off 2026 with Brooke Dukes — author, executive coach, and founder of BMD Consulting and Success by Design Club. Her book, ‘Burn On, Not Out’, is her personal narrative that led to the creation of her business focused on empowering high-achieving leaders to conquer burnout through human design and purpose alignment.

The realization that Brooke, as a corporate high-flyer, was risking it all, including flying at eight months pregnant for the sake of large bonus led to a More Elephant epiphany and has evolved into a mission blending behavioral science, neuroscience, and ancient wisdom to foster fulfillment over frenzy.​

Success by Design Club is more than a community; it's a lifeline for leaders who feel they are on the hamster wheel. The ‘Club’ offers monthly coaching, resources, and tools such as the GRACe communication framework, to intersect personal purpose with professional wins.

In the episode, Brooke recounts her pivot from Fortune 100 burnout to network marketing to insurance sales to consulting for giants like Quicken Loans to now channeling myriad lessons into small business leaders craving conscious culture.​

We explore human design's blueprint for deconditioning trauma-driven hustle, balancing masculine-feminine energies, and how Brooke’s Culture Compass assessments guide company transformation. Brooke's path highlights resilience, intuition trust, and slowing down to ignite genius.​ She is continuing to Burn On by helping others identify the signs and prevent Burn Out.

Key More Elephant Takeaways in this Episode:

• Brooke reveals her "More Elephant moment" — preterm labor on a corporate jet exposing value misalignments from childhood trauma, fueling her exit to entrepreneurship.​
• Brooke demystifies human design as a DNA blueprint from neutrinos and ancients, revealing purpose, genius, and deconditioning for flow over grind.​
• Brooke details Success by Design Club for coaching, GRACe rapport-building, and Culture Compass to craft inner-outer success.​
• and more…

In this episode of More Elephant, we sit down with Jorge Perez — the Venezuelan-American designer and entrepreneur behind Betsy Moss, a women’s ready-to-wear brand celebrated for its effortlessly sexy yet chic resort wear. What began as a childhood game of dressing up with his sister has evolved into a thriving fashion house that blends Miami’s vibrant energy with the elegance of Venezuelan culture.

Betsy Moss is more than just a clothing line; it’s a lifestyle brand that empowers women to feel glamorous and beautiful, whether they’re relaxing or entertaining. Jorge shares the story of his hands-on apprenticeship in the fashion industry, the challenges of scaling a brand in a competitive market, and the pivotal moments that shaped Betsy Moss’s journey.

We dive deep into the entrepreneurial spirit that drives Jorge, the importance of authenticity in design, and the vision for expanding Betsy Moss into new markets and product lines. We explore the impact of global supply chain issues, the evolution of production strategies, and the role of social media in amplifying the brand’s reach.

From navigating the complexities of international manufacturing to embracing the power of organic content, Jorge’s journey is a testament to passion, resilience, and flair.

Key More Elephant Takeaways in this Episode:

• Jorge discusses how his Venezuelan heritage and upbringing in Miami influenced the aesthetic of his collections, blending resort wear, lifestyle, and vacation vibes.
• Jorge shares his path from marketing intern to hands-on apprenticeship in the fashion industry, emphasizing passion and drive as the keys to his success.
• The conversation covers the challenges of launching and scaling a fashion brand, including navigating production, quality control, and distribution networks.
• …and more

In this episode of More Elephant, we sit down with Riley Gibson and Nader Akhnoukh, the founders of Wildly Virgin — a small-batch Portuguese olive oil producer and recent Gold Medal Winner at the prestigious New York International Olive Oil Competition [NYIOOC] world olive oil competition.

Beloved by customers, top chefs, and olive oil experts, Wildly Virgin was born from burnout, curiosity, and a desire to do work that feels real again. What started as two tech founders craving something tangible led them deep into Portugal’s ancient groves and into relationships with families who still make olive oil the traditional way.

We talk about how they each fell down the olive oil rabbit hole and uncovered one of the world’s best-kept secrets: Portugal produces extraordinary olive oil that most Americans have never tasted. Riley and Nader walk our audience through the reality behind the industry, what it takes to import something handmade into the U.S., and the challenge of honoring the farmers, the craft, and the land while building a brand from scratch.

At its core, their journey is about starting small, following curiosity, and choosing work that brings joy. Nader and Riley source directly from Portugal’s top small-batch producers—farmers they know personally, who obsess over soil health, harvest timing, and varietal character. These makers don’t just produce olive oil—they live it. No middlemen. No mass production. Just authentic relationships and exceptional oils.

If you’ve ever wondered what a real, purpose-led pivot looks like — one rooted in craft, connection, and a little bit of magic — this episode is exactly that.

Key More Elephant Takeaways in this Episode:

• Discover how Wildly Virgin prioritizes quality, transparency, and storytelling—offering olive oil that’s not only delicious but also rich in health benefits, thanks to early harvests and careful production.
• Why most olive oil isn’t what you think it is — and how Portugal protects the real thing
• The founders explain their leap from building software to importing and bottling olive oil, highlighting the challenges and joys of sourcing directly from small Portuguese farmers with centuries-old traditions.
• …and more

In this episode of More Elephant, we sit down with Narda Malakzad and Andrea Laderman — the founders of Goldi, a food-tech platform revolutionizing how hotels and restaurants personalize menus for every guest without making a single change in the kitchen.

What began as two Moms struggling to navigate dinner with dietary needs has grown into an innovative company using data to transform how the world eats.

Goldi empowers diners with menus tailored precisely to their dietary requirements, unlocking dishes that kitchens already know how to make while reducing food waste and enhancing operational clarity and efficiency for hospitality businesses. We navigate the compelling story of a bold idea that didn’t quite scale, the strategic pivot that unlocked Goldi’s potential, and the triumphs and hard truths of fundraising as female founders.

We dive deep into the power of data to transform food service, the entrepreneurial mindset shift from “Why me?” to “Why not me?”, and the promise of making dining joyful, safe, and personalized for all.

Key More Elephant Takeaways in this Episode:

• Narda and Andrea created Goldi because feeding their own families with dietary needs was nearly impossible. The mission hasn’t changed: bring clarity, dignity, and joy back to eating — anywhere.
• They learned the hard way that the last mile in delivery was a dead end. Hotels, however, had everything they needed: ingredients, staff, and a captive guest base. Goldi simply ties it all together.
• They open up about the challenges women founders face in funding within the food tech space and how overcoming obstacles has made their vision stronger.
• …and more.

In this episode, we have the pleasure of welcoming Brian Polen, the founder and CEO of Brooklyn Kura, an innovative American craft sake company based in Brooklyn, New York. Brian shares his journey from a successful career at American Express to embracing entrepreneurship and building a business rooted in more than a thousand years of Japanese brewing tradition. Our conversation explores how Brooklyn Kura aims to demystify sake and make it accessible and relevant to a wide audience beyond traditional contexts.

Brian takes us through the powerful inspiration sparked by a trip to Japan, where he and his co-founder first encountered the craftsmanship behind sake. We discuss the early stages of their venture, from home brewing experiments to navigating the complex regulatory and manufacturing environment of New York City. The importance of creating a taproom experience emerges as a key factor for engaging customers directly and educating them about sake culture.

We also delve into the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and how Brooklyn Kura adapted through thoughtful financial management and a pivot to direct-to-consumer sales and subscription services. A highlight of our conversation is the long-term partnership with Hakkaisan, one of Japan’s most respected breweries, which has enabled Brooklyn Kura to scale production and expand into global markets.

This episode offers valuable insights into entrepreneurial resilience, the power of community, and the delicate balance between honoring tradition while innovating in a modern marketplace. Whether you’re deeply involved in food and beverage or simply curious about entrepreneurial journeys, Brian’s story delivers compelling lessons and authentic inspiration.

Key More Elephant Takeaways in this Episode:

• Brian shares how Brooklyn Kura is creating a new tradition of American craft sake, building on a thousand years of Japanese brewing and making it accessible in the U.S.
• Brian emphasizes the importance of planning and a calculated approach to risk management in building and scaling a business
• Brian shares how Brooklyn Kura survived the pandemic’s disruption by quickly pivoting—relying on cash reserves, launching direct-to-consumer sales, introducing a subscription service, and deepening their community connections
• …and more.

In this episode, we sit down with Rodrigo Vargas, founder of American Vinegar Works. Rodrigo’s story goes beyond vinegar as just an acid — it’s about rediscovering and revitalizing a craft deeply rooted in history and tradition. He shares how his passion for craft fermentation, dating back to the 1800s, inspired him to create a company that elevates vinegar as an essential and sophisticated ingredient.

We explore Rodrigo’s transition from his corporate career to entrepreneurship, the hands-on challenges of starting at farmers markets, and the uphill battle of scaling a craft food business amid a pandemic. Rodrigo’s journey is a testament to patience, persistence, and the power of honoring craftsmanship in today’s fast-paced food scene.

This conversation offers insights into building a business grounded in authenticity and quality, showing that real craft and commitment can carve a unique path in a crowded market. Whether you’re an entrepreneur or a food enthusiast, Rodrigo’s story delivers valuable lessons on resilience, innovation, and the simple joy found in great ingredients.

Key More Elephant Takeaways in this Episode:

• Craftsmanship and patience are critical to creating quality food products.
• Entrepreneurship demands balancing passion with real-world business challenges.
• Authenticity and community-building support sustainable business growth.
• Quality and purpose differentiate a brand in competitive markets.
• …and more.

In this episode, we sit down with Noel Kinder, former Chief Sustainability Officer at Nike, to explore what it really means to lead change inside a global brand.

Noel’s path from operations into sustainability gave him a front-row seat to and, later in his career, explicit accountability for how decisions in one part of the business ripple across supply chains, factories, and communities worldwide.

He explains how sustainability becomes meaningful when it’s integrated into everyday business decisions — not treated as a side project. By aligning goals with innovation, efficiency, and profitability, companies can create real impact while also strengthening the business itself.

Noel also shares lessons on leadership—that change requires learning and practicing patience to focusing on what can truly be influenced as a way to deliver systemic solutions. He emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships and trust, which prove critical not only in moments of crisis but also in sustaining progress over time.

This conversation highlights how values come to life inside an organization. It’s a candid look at the balance between vision and pragmatism, and a reminder that employees’ energy and passion are among the most powerful drivers of change.

Key More Elephant Takeaways in this Episode:

• True sustainability sparks both innovation and profitability.
• Patience is key when driving change — not everything will be within your control.
• The most effective strategies come from focusing on fewer, high-impact priorities.
• In times of crisis, relationships and trust are what matter most and the passion and energy of the team are often the most powerful forces for progress.
• …and more.

In this episode of The More Elephant Podcast, I sit down with Jamal Sims. Jamal’s story begins in Southern California, where he taught himself to dance by recording MTV videos on old-school VHS tapes and studying Soul Train on Saturday mornings.

What started as a kid emulating moves in his living room turned into a remarkable career that includes performing with Michael Jackson, choreographing for Usher and Madonna, going on tour with Miley Cyrus, shaping films like Aladdin and Encanto, and building a creative family with RuPaul.

We dig into how manifestation has guided his path. From childhood dreams to Emmy nominations, Jamal talks about what it meant to have a father who supported him without hesitation, even when he was dancing with RuPaul in Las Vegas at a time when that kind of acceptance was far from guaranteed. He explains why soul is at the heart of everything he creates and why authenticity matters more than flashy moves.

Jamal also shares the joy and challenges of transitioning from dancer to choreographer to director, and how loyalty, resilience, and vision have fueled his success. Whether he is creating choreography for Miley in front of a stadium crowd, reimagining classics for Disney at the Hollywood Bowl, or directing for television, Jamal continues to lead with passion and purpose.

This conversation is about much more than dance and choreography. It is about courage, identity, purposefulness and the power of staying true to yourself while creating art that moves people on every level.

Key More Elephant Takeaways in this Episode:

• Jamal’s choreography stands out not just for technical precision, but for the groove, feeling, and storytelling that bring movement to life.
• From dancer to choreographer to director, Jamal shows that growth comes from curiosity, patience, and being willing to bet on yourself.
• His father’s simple words — “Is he paying you? Then I’ll see you in Vegas” — gave Jamal the confidence to step fully into who he is.
• Jamal built his foundation by learning choreography off MTV and Soul Train, proving that resourcefulness and consistency can take you far.
• and more…