Too Much with Denise Love Hewett

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. 
 
 
 

The Single Tax: Why Single Women Pay the Highest Price

In this week’s solo episode, Denise Love Hewett breaks down the “single tax," the financial penalty and structural inequities that come with living life unmarried in America. With nearly half the U.S. population single and 45% of women projected to choose singledom by 2030, this issue is bigger than ever.
Denise explores:
The hidden lifetime cost of being single (up to $1M more than married counterparts)
How the tax code, health insurance, estate planning, and Social Security all favor marriage
The disproportionate burden on women and women of color
The role of culture, policy, and history in shaping these inequities
Why single women, despite being the happiest demographic, still pay the highest price
This isn’t just about dating, it’s about economic justice, gender equity, and the future of work and wealth. Take a listen, share your thoughts, and let’s start the conversation about building policies that reflect our changing demographics.
Follow Denise: @deniselovehewett | @toomuchwithdlh

Courage in the Face of Cancer with Billie Whitehouse

In this moving episode of Too Much, Denise Love Hewett sits down with one of her closest friends, Billie Whitehouse, innovator, designer, and founder of Wearable X, for an honest conversation about her diagnosis. Billie shares what it was like to receive a life-altering diagnosis, the realities of treatment, and how she continues to navigate uncertainty with grace, humor, and strength. Together, Denise and Billie explore: How to cope with a cancer diagnosis and find resilience in the hardest times What it really means to show up for friends who are sick The role of creativity and innovation in healing Lessons on friendship, grief, and finding beauty in vulnerability Why honesty and presence matter more than “positivity” in times of crisis Billie Whitehouse is the award-winning CEO of Wearable X, recognized globally for her human-centered design in wearable technology, including the groundbreaking Nadi X yoga pants. She has been featured in Fast Company, Forbes, and Business Insider as one of the most innovative leaders in tech and fashion. This episode is a testament to resilience, friendship, and the power of showing up, especially when life gets hard.
Follow Billie: @billiewhouse
Follow Denise: @deniselovehewett | @toomuchwithdlh
Email: hello@deniselovehewett.com

Being Your Self with Tara Raani: From Tech Career to Creative Star

In this inspiring episode, Denise sits down with actor, writer, and model Tara Raani to discuss her unconventional path from MIT computer science student to Grown-ish star. What You'll Learn:
How Tara strategically built a tech career at Google to fund her creative dreams
The exact steps she took to transition from software engineering to full-time performer
Her breakthrough story of booking Grown-ish through a TikTok follower's tip
Why she created a viral 10-episode TikTok series that garnered 10 million views
The realities of modeling for major brands like Burberry, Gucci, and Balmain
How to balance artistic authenticity with financial stability
Tara Raani is an actor, writer, and model based in New York City, best known for her role as Zaara Ali on Grown-ish. As a runway model, she has walked for Burberry, Gucci, Balmain, Coperni, and more. Her name means "star," and she's living up to it.
Connect with Tara: @Tara.raani
Follow Denise and the podcast:@deniselovehewett and @toomuchwithdlh