Too Much with Denise Love Hewett I Redefining Success in Business, Life, and Beyond

​​What If the Economy Loved Us Back? Transforming Business with Jess Rimington

What if we could reimagine our economy to prioritize wellbeing over endless growth? In this episode, Jess Rimington, author of "Beloved Economies: Transforming How We Work," joins us to explore how businesses can break free from extractive capitalism and create workplaces that actually support human flourishing.
After both experiencing severe burnout from traditional workplace structures, Jess and her co-author spent eight years following 60 enterprises that were sharing power in unique ways. What they discovered challenges everything we've been taught about business success. In this conversation, we explore:
The 7 practices of beloved economies, including shared decision-making, prioritizing relationships, and reckoning with history
Why capitalism requires constant extraction and how that affects our collective wellbeing
Alternative funding models like reparative capital and patient capital
How venture capital keeps founders trapped in scarcity mindset
Why only 2% of VC funding goes to women and 1% to people of color
The connection between economic democracy and political democracy
Practical ways to organize collectively during uncertain times
How to build businesses that align with your values without burning out
Jess offers a refreshing perspective: we don't need to figure out the perfect economic system before we start making changes. The beloved economy we want is already being created by businesses and entrepreneurs who are choosing to operate differently right now.
Whether you're a startup founder questioning the traditional VC path, an employee wondering if work has to feel extractive, or simply someone seeking hope for a more humane economic future, this conversation offers both inspiration and actionable pathways forward.
Key Takeaways:
Business can exist outside of capitalism - we just aren't taught that our MBA programs teach ideology, not universal truth
Values aren't aspirational statements; they're reflected in what you actually prioritize
Sharing power isn't zero-sum - it actually replicates and creates more for everyone
The companies pioneering new economic models already exist; we just need to amplify them
Resources Mentioned:
Ernst Gotsch, Farmer in South America
"Beloved Economies" by Jess Rimington and Joanna Levitt Gutin
"Believe in You Money" by Jess Norwood (Runway/reparative capital)
Acumen Fund and patient capital models
Working Families Party, Indivisible, Movement Voter Project
Join us for this vital conversation about building an economy that can actually love us back.
Jess Rimington is a next-economy strategist, practitioner, and scholar focused on supporting businesses and organizations to step out of extractive economic practices. She is co-author of Beloved Economies: Transforming How We Work –winner of the Porchlight’s Business Book Award in Management & Workplace Culture. She was co-director of the Beloved Economies research initiative from 2015-2022. 
You can follow her at @jessrimington or at belovedeconomies.com
You can follow this podcast @toomuchwithdlh and Denise @deniselovehewett
Email hello@deniselovehewett.com for any suggestions or advice.
 

The Hidden Cost of Impact: Jane Marie Chen's Journey from Saving a Million Babies to Saving Herself

In this deeply vulnerable conversation, Jane Chen, co-founder of Embrace Global and author of Like a Wave We Break, shares her transformative journey from celebrated social entrepreneur to burned-out founder, and ultimately to healed leader. After 10 years building Embrace, a revolutionary infant incubator that has saved nearly 1 million babies, Jane faced the collapse of an acquisition deal and had to shut down her company. What followed was a profound healing journey across Indonesia and beyond, working with trauma experts like Bessel van der Kolk, exploring psychedelic therapy, and ultimately discovering that the answers she sought externally could only come from within. What You'll Learn:
Wounded vs. Healthy Ambition: How childhood trauma can fuel achievement while leading to burnout
The Truth About Startup Success: Why external validation never fills the internal void
Healing Modalities That Work: From somatic therapy to psychedelics to parts work (IFS)
Leadership and Inner Work: Creating psychological safety starts with doing your own healing
Redefining Resilience: Why softness and self-compassion are more powerful than pushing through
Key Topics Covered:
Entrepreneurial burnout and trauma responses
The role of childhood experiences in driving achievement
Social entrepreneurship challenges and funding gaps
Healing from imposter syndrome and self-doubt
The science of trauma and nervous system regulation
Finding identity beyond work and accomplishments
Sustainable leadership practices
The power of vulnerability in leadership
Perfect for: Entrepreneurs, founders, social impact leaders, high achievers struggling with burnout, anyone on a healing journey, and those interested in conscious leadership and personal development.
Resources Mentioned:
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership
Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy
Jane Chen is a globally recognized entrepreneur, inventor, and speaker. She is the co-founder of Embrace Global, which developed a groundbreaking infant incubator that has helped to save nearly a million babies. She has been a TED Fellow, an Echoing Green Fellow, and a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum. Jane was recognized asaForbes Impact 30 andSchwab Social Entrepreneur of the Year by the World Economic Forum and was a recipient of the Economist Innovation Award. She received her MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business and her Master’s in Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School of Government.
You can follow her at @janemarie.chen  and buy Like A Wave We Break at any bookstore
You can follow this podcast @toomuchwithdlh and Denise @deniselovehewett
Email hello@deniselovehewett.com for any suggestions or submit questions for  advice.

Creative Courage, Policy Change, and Surrendering to the Universe with Jayce Baron

Join host Denise Love Hewett for an inspiring conversation with Jayce Baron, a screenwriter, director, Emmy-winning documentary producer, and former elected official who's making waves in entertainment, advocacy, and policy. In this episode, discover:
How Jayce built a successful PR company at 23 with no New York experience
The power of rejection as redirection in creative careers
Why timing matters more than talent when launching creative projects
Navigating feast-and-famine cycles as a creative professional
Step-by-step guide to getting started in local policy advocacy
How to identify the right elected officials and their teams to contact
The surprising impact of "unglamorous" policy issues (like leaf blower regulations)
Why consistency matters more than one-time testimony at city council meetings
The difference between working inside vs. outside the political machine
When to let go of collaborators and business partners (and how to know)
The art of surrendering control while staying grounded in survival needs
How creative thinking applies to policy work and vice versa
Jayce Baron is an Afro-Latinx, globally recognized, award-winning screenwriter, author, executive producer, director, political figure, and advocate for the Black and Brown LGBTQ+ community. As the founder of jBaron Creative House, Jayce has consistently demonstrated a passion for fostering conscious conversations within the community through various creative and impactful mediums. For over a decade, Jayce has seamlessly merged his entertainment career with his commitment to social justice. He contributes to platforms like NBC and hosts a globally recognized independent podcast with over half a million streams across more than 50 countries. In early 2022, Jayce executive produced and directed the groundbreaking documentary Beyond Ed Buck alongside Emmy Award-winning Pose star Hailie Sahar. Jayce’s advocacy has been widely recognized. In 2016, he was invited to Capitol Hill to raise awareness about sexual assault and played a pivotal role in the passage of SB 813, a California law revoking the statute of limitations on rape charges. That same year, he was honored as one of 16 Heroes alongside Joe Biden, Ashley Judd, and other national leaders. In December 2023, Jayce began his journey as a former elected official when he was unanimously elected to his Neighborhood Council in Los Angeles, where he served as chairs the Homeless & Social Justice Advocacy Committee and as member of the Government Relations Committee before resigning in 2025. Additionally, he was appointed to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Latine Advisory Board and served with the DA until the November 2024 election, furthering his commitment to addressing critical issues affecting marginalized communities.
You can follow him at @jaycebaron
You can follow this podcast @toomuchwithdlh and Denise @deniselovehewett
Email hello@deniselovehewett.com for any suggestions or submit questions for advice.
Featured Topics: LGBTQ+ advocacy, documentary filmmaking, Beyond Ed Buck, neighborhood council experience, SB 813 sexual assault legislation, marriage equality messaging, connecting with nonprofits, labor unions, environmental policy
Perfect for: Creative professionals, aspiring activists, policy advocates, entrepreneurs, anyone seeking to merge creativity with social impact
Keywords: policy advocacy, creative career advice, LGBTQ activism, documentary filmmaking, local government, city council, social justice, career pivots, entrepreneurship, Los Angeles politics, legislative change, nonprofit work, community organizing

Building Bridges: Breakout's Michael Farber on Community, Purpose, and Real Impact

In this episode, we sit down with Michael Farber, co-founder and CEO of Breakout, a platform creating immersive, place-based experiences that connect people, communities, and purpose. From fostering long-lasting connections across 45+ cities to supporting grassroots leaders with grants and resources, Michael shares his insights on building authentic communities, the power of curiosity, and the importance of in-person connection in a digital world. We explore the philosophy behind Breakout, lessons in leadership, and how to define “enough” in a world obsessed with comparison and social media noise. A must-listen for anyone interested in community-building, impact-driven entrepreneurship, and living a purpose-led life. You’ll learn:
Why most community initiatives fail to live up to their stated values
The difference between authentic community building and performative networking
How to create containers for meaningful connections across diverse backgrounds
The surprising similarities between challenges facing different American cities
How grassroots organization creates lasting change in communities
Practical advice for starting a community-focused organization
Michael Farber is the co-founder and CEO of Breakout, which creates immersive, place-based experiences that connect people, communities, and purpose. Since 2014, Breakout has engaged more than 2,000 leaders across 45+ cities, investing over $3M into local ecosystems, partnering with leading foundations, and producing award-winning short films. In 2017, he co-founded the Breakout Foundation, which has provided over $415K in grants to 120+ community leaders and advised on millions more in philanthropic investments.
You can follow him at  @michaelxfarber and @breakout
 
You can follow this podcast @toomuchwithdlh and Denise @deniselovehewett
 
Email hello@deniselovehewett.com for any suggestions or submit questions for  advice.
 

Building a Sustainable Independent Music Career with VÉRITÉ: On Rejecting the Machine, Creative Stamina, and Why Digital Music Has No Value

Independent artist VÉRITÉ joins host Denise Love Hewett to share the raw truth about building a sustainable music career outside traditional industry structures. With over 350 million streams and complete creative autonomy, VÉRITÉ reveals how she went from working at Applebee's in Times Square to becoming a successful independent artist. In this conversation, discover:
Why VÉRITÉ believes digital music has no monetary value and how artists can adapt
The real story behind getting dropped by Atlantic Records the day before signing
How to build creative stamina for the long game as an independent artist
The psychology of functioning regardless of how you feel
Practical strategies for creating multiple revenue streams beyond streaming
How to embrace being a "guinea pig" for new industry innovations
The importance of saying less in an oversaturated market
VÉRITÉ discusses her journey from playing upstate open mics with her dad to navigating blockchain experiments, the rise and fall of blog culture, and why she believes most artists signed to major labels never actually release albums. She shares her philosophy on "dispassion," the art of creative discipline, and how depression taught her to push through discomfort.
This episode is essential listening for independent artists, creative entrepreneurs, and anyone questioning traditional career paths. Learn how to build a career foundation that can withstand industry changes while maintaining creative integrity.
As an independent artist, VÉRITÉ has always created outside of traditional structures. A prolific and spellbinding (NPR) artist, songwriter, producer, and performer, her independently released albums, EPs, and singles have garnered over 350M+ streams. After releasing Love You Forever in 2023—a cinematic and raw album—she has been sharing singles, playing shows, and connecting with fans while drawing inspiration for her next record. She is an all-around creative and innovator, effortlessly bending norms and shaping new worlds, making her next era truly exciting.
You can follow her at  @verite
You can follow this podcast @toomuchwithdlh and Denise @deniselovehewett
Email hello@deniselovehewett.com for any suggestions or submit questions for  advice.

From Ancient Traditions to Daily Habits with Brightland's Aishwarya Iyer: How Rituals Shape Success

In this episode of Too Much with Denise Love Hewett, we explore the transformative power of rituals with Aishwarya Iyer, founder and CEO of Brightland, the category-defining olive oil brand featured by The New York Times, Vogue, Food & Wine, and Fast Company. What You'll Learn:
How modern rituals differ from traditional religious ceremonies and why they're essential for mental health
The neuroscience behind ritual: how daily practices like meditation and walking boost creativity and reduce anxiety
Why entrepreneurs need intentional rituals to maintain perspective and avoid burnout
How to incorporate meaningful rituals into your business culture and team meetings
The connection between ritual, community building, and finding purpose in work
Practical tips for creating personal rituals that enhance focus and wellbeing
Aishwarya Iyer is the Founder and CEO of Brightland, the first category-defining olive oil brand known for making the freshest, highest-quality olive oils, honeys, and vinegars on the market. Since its inception, Brightland has been featured by The New York Times, Vogue, Food & Wine, Fast Company, and many more. Aishwarya has been named on Create & Cultivate’s 100 and in Inc.’s Female Founders 100. Aishwarya also hosts a podcast, Recent Eats, where she speaks with interesting people about what they've been eating lately. Previously, Aishwarya spent over a decade in public affairs and corporate communications at various technology companies in both New York City and LA. She started her career at L’Oreal in the luxury products division at Lancome, and is a graduate of NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study. 
You can follow her at  @helloaishwarya  
You can follow this podcast @toomuchwithdlh and Denise @deniselovehewett
Email hello@deniselovehewett.com for any suggestions or submit questions for advice.

BONUS EPISODE: Why Too Much?: Our Mission Statement

Are you feeling stuck, burnt out, or questioning if there's more to life than the traditional career ladder?
You're not alone. In this powerful mission statement episode, Denise shares her personal journey from corporate burnout to purposeful entrepreneurship, revealing why she created Too Much and why society's blueprint for success is fundamentally broken.
After building and shutting down a tech startup, working across fashion, events, TV production, and tech, Denise discovered her 15-year DJ career had been her secret blueprint all along. Showing her how to build a life of ease and joy, without the grind. This realization sparked her mission to share the wisdom she'd been "hoarding" from successful, fulfilled humans who were creating new pathways outside the status quo.
Learn why 40% of global workers are planning to quit their jobs, and more importantly, how Denise believes we can all design lives that prioritize purpose and fulfillment.
Key topics covered:
The hidden cost of chasing society's success checklist
How to live authentically without sacrificing financial stability
The difference between external achievements and internal fulfillment
Practical steps to align your career with your values and purpose
Whether you're experiencing quarter-life crisis, midlife questioning, or Sunday Scaries, this mission-driven episode offers Denise's framework for creating a purpose-driven life that feels both meaningful and financially sustainable. This is why Too Much exists, to prove that you don't have to betray yourself to build a successful life and pay your bills.
Perfect for millennials and Gen Z professionals who are ready to unsubscribe from hustle culture and embrace their own Too Much energy to design their unique definition of success.

Hollywood Myths and Redefining Success with Brooke Lyons

Denise and Brooke discuss stepping into your truth, following your intuition and no longer staying small. 
On this episode of Too Much with Denise Love Hewett, actress and writer Brooke Lyons (The Affair, Two Broke Girls, Lincoln Rhyme, Life Sentence) shares her journey of reinvention, resilience, and redefining success in Hollywood. From her ballet dreams at Yale to navigating scoliosis, starting in LA with zero connections, and building a lasting career in film and TV, Brooke debunks Hollywood myths and reveals the realities of sustaining a creative life.
We dive into career challenges, personal growth, screenwriting projects, and the power of unlearning old narratives all through the lens of living life on your own terms.
A must-listen for anyone passionate about Hollywood, acting, storytelling, and redefining what success truly means in business, life, and beyond.
Brooke Lyons is a Los Angeles-based actor and writer. Best known for her recurring roles on THE AFFAIR (Showtime), TWO BROKE GIRLS (CBS), and REASONABLE DOUBT (Hulu), Brooke has also starred on LINCOLN RHYME: HUNT FOR THE BONE COLLECTOR (NBC) and LIFE SENTENCE (The CW). Other television credits include MAGNUM P.I. (CBS), TWO AND A HALF MEN (CBS), iZOMBIE (The CW), PSYCH (USA), THE MINDY PROJECT (Hulu), ROYAL PAINS (USA), THE ROOKIE (ABC) and many more. A Yale University graduate with a degree in English Literature, Brooke has written narrative nonfiction for a number of publications including HuffPost, HelloGiggles, and The Conversation with Amanda de Cadenet. Her screenwriting has been recognized as a semi-finalist for both Final Draft Big Break and The Writers Lab. She currently has several television and film projects in development.
You can follow her at  Brooke at @brookielyons
You can follow this podcast @toomuchwithdlh and Denise @deniselovehewett
Email hello@deniselovehewett.com for any suggestions or submit questions for  advice.
 

The Artist's Journey with Mikal Angeles: How Spiritual Awakening Transformed Him from Rapper to R&B Soul Singer

Join Denise Love Hewett this week on Too Much as she sits down with LA-based R&B artist Mikal Angeles for an intimate conversation about spiritual awakening, artistic transformation, and finding your authentic voice.
In this deeply personal episode, Mikal shares his remarkable journey from being a rapper for 21 years to completely reinventing himself as an R&B singer with his new album "Magic Hour." Discover how losing everything, his job, car, and security became the catalyst for profound self-inquiry and spiritual growth. What You'll Learn:
How Michael transitioned from rap to R&B and why he coined "no rapping on this album"
The role of silence, meditation, and spiritual teachers in artistic evolution
Practical insights on self-inquiry, consciousness, and detaching from thoughts
How to navigate creative authenticity versus cultural expectations
The connection between spiritual awakening and creative expression
Mikal opens up about his spiritual practice, studying with spiritual teachers and how surrendering control led to unexpected synchronicities. He discusses the challenge of moving from the "braggadocious" rap persona to vulnerable R&B storytelling, and how true artistry comes from expressing your higher self.
Whether you're an artist seeking authenticity, someone on a spiritual journey, or curious about the creative process, this conversation offers profound insights into transformation, self-discovery, and the courage to reinvent yourself.
Featured Topics: Spiritual awakening, artistic authenticity, meditation, self-inquiry, R&B music, creative transformation, consciousness, Frank Ocean, Prince, Michael Jackson influences
Stream Mikal's  "Magic Hour" album and follow his journey @mikalangeles on Instagram.
Follow Denise and this podcast at @deniselovehewett and @toomuchwithdlh

Creative Resilience: Rebuilding Life, Leadership, and Self with Kat Gordon

What does it take to start over when life as you know it falls apart? In this episode of Too Much, Denise Hewett talks with Kat Gordon, Founder of The 3% Movement, Executive Coach, and Reiki master, about the nonlinear journey of resilience, healing, and reinvention.
Kat shares her story of navigating divorce, grief, menopause, an empty nest, and the end of her groundbreaking conference, and how she rebuilt her life and leadership from the ground up. Together, we explore:
How to rebuild your life after major change or loss
Why intuition is the ultimate GPS for leadership and creativity
Tools for resilience: grief counseling, Reiki, community, movement, and meditation
The difference between forcing outcomes vs. co-creating with possibility
Why creative reinvention is one of the most powerful acts of healing
If you’re facing transition, burnout, or uncertainty, this episode will help you reconnect to your inner strength, embrace new possibilities, and trust yourself in times of change.
Follow Kat: @katgordon | @3percentconfFollow Denise: @deniselovehewett | @toomuchwithdlhEmail hello@deniselovehewett.com for any suggestions or submit questions for  advice.
Kat Gordon is the Founder of The 3% Movement and co-Founder of the 3% Coaching Coalition, a cohort of executive coaches who have all led creative teams. She was named one of "30 Most Creative Women in Advertising" by Business Insider and "Visionary of the Year" from Advertising Age. She started The 3% Movement to spotlight a huge business opportunity in advertising -- the lack of female creative leadership and its impact on connecting with an overwhelmingly female marketplace. Since its 2012 launch, the 3% Movement helped female creative directors rise from just 3% of the industry to 29%.  In addition to working as an Executive Coach, Kat is also a Reiki Master. She serves on the Board of The Representation Project and as an advisor to Empower Work and Coaching for Everyone. She is passionate about elevating the contributions of women and people of color, especially as they relate to innovation.