In this episode of Finding Fearless, Madeline sits down with Virginia Klausmeier, the President and CEO of Sylvatex, a climate tech company. Together, they explore Virginia's journey of founding and scaling an impact-driven business and her mission to create a more sustainable future.

Key themes include:

• Virginia’s path to founding Sylvatex and the unique challenges of scaling a climate tech company.
• The essential need to secure the right investors who are aligned with your company’s mission.
• The vital importance of a strong support system for female founders navigating a male-dominated industry.
• The significance of trusting one's intuition and the power of perseverance in the face of entrepreneurial challenges.
• The energy implications of technological advancements and the necessity of building sustainable solutions.

00:00 Introduction to Finding Fearless

00:39 Guest Introduction: Virginia Klausmeier of Sylvatex

02:52 Virginia's Journey and Vision for Sylvatex

06:26 Challenges and Insights in Climate Tech

13:58 Navigating the Investment Landscape

23:39 Balancing Growth and Values

30:45 Navigating Hardships as a Minority Leader

32:40 Balancing Personal and Professional Life

35:40 Building a Support System

38:08 The Importance of Community and Mentorship

43:48 Advice for Aspiring Founders

50:00 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Connect with Virgina:

For more information about Sylvatex and their work in sustainable battery materials, visit sylvatex.com or connect with Virginia on LinkedIn.

Connect with Fearless Foundry:

• Fearless Foundry
• Madeline Reeves

Finding Fearless is an exploration of human-centric leadership and a celebration of ambition, releasing every other week on Wednesdays, 6AM PST. If you liked the show, please rate, review, and share! You can also visit our website to learn more about how to become a sponsor of Finding Fearless!

Finding Fearless is produced by Fearless Foundry, a creative consultancy focused on advancing ambitious humans from around the globe to amplify their impact through branding, marketing, and business development. You can contact us at hello@fearlessfoundry.com if you are interested in our services and can follow us on all social media @fearlessfoundry.

Season 4 music is by Premium Beats. All audio is recorded and owned by Fearless Foundry.

In this insightful episode of Finding Fearless, Madeline Reeves sits down with Guy Pearson, the founder and executive director of Ignition. Together, they explore their parallel journeys from the traditional accounting world to tech entrepreneurship, driven by a shared mission to build businesses that create positive change.

Key themes include:

• Guy’s entrepreneurial journey and the challenges and triumphs of scaling Ignition.
• The critical importance of building a business that is deeply aligned with your personal values.
• His approach to leadership, emphasizing the creation of meaningful teams and a culture of diversity and inclusion.
• The power of mission-driven leadership and the impact of prioritizing positive change over pure profit.
• The vital role of self-care and authentic leadership in navigating the entrepreneurial path.

00:00 Introduction to Finding Fearless

00:42 Meet Guy Pearson: From CPA to Tech Entrepreneur

01:45 The Birth of Ignition: Solving a Personal Problem

05:52 Challenges and Strategies in Scaling a Business

08:02 The Importance of Team Building and Leadership

11:38 Maintaining Standards and Accountability

19:29 Personal Growth and Leadership Evolution

29:57 Balancing Leadership and Self-Care

38:00 Balancing Work and Personal Life

38:59 Finding Equilibrium Through Hobbies

39:56 The Importance of Taking True Days Off

40:58 Transitioning Leadership Roles

43:11 Supporting Women in Male-Dominated Industries

44:40 Personal Backstory and Influences

49:28 Promoting Diversity and Inclusion

01:00:27 Advice for Founders and Building a Positive Company Culture

01:05:04 Closing Remarks and Reflections

Connect with Guy:

If you're interested in Guy's work around values-based leadership and building purpose-driven organizations, you can find him on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/guypearson1/.

For Ignition, check out ignitionapp.com and follow @ignitionHQ.

Connect with Fearless Foundry:

• Fearless Foundry
• Madeline Reeves

Finding Fearless is an exploration of human-centric leadership and a celebration of ambition, releasing every other week on Wednesdays, 6AM PST. If you liked the show, please rate, review, and share! You can also visit our website to learn more about how to become a sponsor of Finding Fearless!

Finding Fearless is produced by Fearless Foundry, a creative consultancy focused on advancing ambitious humans from around the globe to amplify their impact through branding, marketing, and business development. You can contact us at hello@fearlessfoundry.com if you are interested in our services and can follow us on all social media @fearlessfoundry.

Season 4 music is by Premium Beats. All audio is recorded and owned by Fearless Foundry.

In this liberating episode of Finding Fearless, Madeline Reeves sits down with her friend Jordan Maney, a radical joy coach and the creator of Rest Lab. Together, they explore why rest, joy, and grief are essential, especially for women and people of color.

Key themes include:

• Jordan's personal journey from a highly regimented life to one rooted in rest and joy.
• The vital importance of prioritizing rest in a culture that values constant productivity.
• The powerful connection between collective grief and the capacity for joy.
• Jordan's work in creating safe spaces for people to be present with their emotions and prioritize well-being.
• The societal issues of loneliness and the need for stronger, joy-filled communities.

00:00 Introduction to Finding Fearless

00:41 Meet Jordan Maney: Radical Joy Coach

04:16 Jordan's Journey: From Rigid Success to Radical Joy

07:28 The Turning Point: Embracing Vulnerability and Change

09:06 The Final Wedding: A Pivotal Experience

09:48 From Burnout to Boundaries: The Path to Rest Coaching

22:43 The Intersection of Boundaries, Joy, and Identity

31:13 The Burden of Performance: Gender and Racial Contexts

32:45 Exploring Loneliness and Self-Care

33:30 The Journey of Self-Realization

35:30 The Importance of Community

37:53 Navigating Relationships and Boundaries

43:03 The Role of Joy and Grief in Community

52:16 The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

55:21 The Power of Rest and Community

01:01:27 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Connect with Jordan:

• Website: jordanmaney.com
  Instagram: @jordanmaney
• LinkedIn: Jordan Maney

Work with Jordan: Jordan offers coaching for progressive leaders, service providers, and change makers who want to learn the radical practice of rest to reclaim their joy and sustain their advocacy. Through her coaching and Rest Lab community, she provides the tools and support needed to build sustainable practices that prioritize well-being alongside impact.

Connect with Fearless Foundry:

• Fearless Foundry
• Madeline Reeves

Finding Fearless is an exploration of human-centric leadership and a celebration of ambition, releasing every other week on Wednesdays, 6AM PST. If you liked the show, please rate, review, and share! You can also visit our website to learn more about how to become a sponsor of Finding Fearless!

Finding Fearless is produced by Fearless Foundry, a creative consultancy focused on advancing ambitious humans from around the globe to amplify their impact through branding, marketing, and business development. You can contact us at hello@fearlessfoundry.com if you are interested in our services and can follow us on all social media @fearlessfoundry.

Season 4 music is by Premium Beats. All audio is recorded and owned by Fearless Foundry.