What happens when difference becomes a competitive advantage?

In this episode of Breaking Precedent, Leah Solivan sits down with Samara Hernandez, founder of Chingona Ventures, to explore how identity, constraint, and culture can shape leadership in venture capital. From growing up in Mexico to building a venture fund in the United States, Samara reflects on how limited resources, discipline, and an early love of math forged resilience and clarity—and how being underestimated became a source of strength.

Tracing her path from engineering at the University of Michigan to finance at Goldman Sachs, and ultimately to launching her own fund, Samara shares how she learned to turn difference into a competitive edge. Now a venture capitalist and engineer backing bold founders, she brings a philosophy of doing more with less—working to close access gaps, expand opportunity, and redefine leadership in an industry built on pattern-matching.

Samara Hernandez is a venture capitalist and engineer focused on backing bold founders building the future. Born in Mexico and raised in Chicago, her career spans engineering, finance, and early-stage investing, shaped by a philosophy of doing more with less. Through Chingona Ventures, she works to close capital gaps and expand opportunity for underrepresented founders across the innovation economy.

Learn more at chingonaventures.com, and follow Samara on Instagram @chingonaventures and LinkedIn.

Resources

National Venture Capital Association (NVCA)

Venture Forward

SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity)

Show Notes
00:00 Welcome to Breaking Precedent!
02:03 Icebreaker: Turning Differences into Superpowers

03:43 Samara's Childhood and Education

06:59 From Mexico to Chicago: A Family's Journey

07:21 The Significance of Qana Ventures

08:32 Celebrating Hispanic Heritage

09:59 The Power of Community and Upbringing

11:48 Discovering a Passion for Math

13:30 Navigating Education as an Immigrant

17:39 Choosing Engineering and University Life

24:13 From Engineering to Wall Street

26:08 Learning and Growing at Goldman Sachs

30:39 The Intensity of Sales and Moving On

31:12 Mentorship and Business School Journey

32:18 Discovering Venture Capital by Accident

34:13 First Steps in Venture Capital

35:37 Building a Venture Firm from Scratch

36:48 Challenges and Opportunities in Venture Capital

40:31 Scaling Chingona Ventures

44:44 The Power of Representation and Impact

51:07 Investing in the New Majority

57:01 Redefining Success in Venture Capital

01:03:16 Final Thoughts and Advice for Founders

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Leah Solivan is the host of Breaking Precedent, a podcast that explores the stories of innovators who are pushing societal boundaries and setting new precedents in their fields. Leah is General Partner at Fuel Capital, where she invests in early-stage companies across consumer technology, hardware, education, marketplaces, and retail. Leah has 15 years of experience building and creating technology products that have reached millions of people around the globe. She started her career at IBM as an engineer in the software group, working on Lotus Notes and Domino. In 2008, Leah founded TaskRabbit, the leading on-demand service marketplace in the world.

Connect with Leah:

Website: breakingprecedent.com/
Instagram: @labunleashed
X: @labunleashed

What happens when culture becomes a form of leadership?

In this episode of Breaking Precedent, Leah Solivan sits down with Derrick T. Jones, better known as D-Nice, legendary DJ, photographer, and cultural connector, to explore how music, joy, and shared experience can shape communities and create belonging at scale. From his early days in hip-hop to the global phenomenon of Club Quarantine, D-Nice reflects on the responsibility artists carry, the power of gathering, and how creativity can serve as social infrastructure in fractured times.

The conversation spans art, entrepreneurship, cultural stewardship, and what it means to hold space for people, not just entertain them.

D-Nice is a world-renowned DJ, photographer, and cultural curator whose career spans decades at the intersection of music, art, and community. Rising to prominence as a pioneering hip-hop artist before becoming one of the most influential DJs of his generation, D-Nice is widely celebrated for creating Club Quarantine, a global virtual gathering that redefined connection during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Through his work, D-Nice demonstrates how culture can be a unifying force — building bridges across industries, generations, and identities.

Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome to Breaking Precedent!

01:00 Introducing D Nice: A Multifaceted Innovator

05:40 Early Life and Hip Hop Beginnings

16:52 The Influence of Scott La Rock

32:34 Stop the Violence: A Call to Action

35:49 The World and Democracy

37:17 Political Involvement and Personal Reflections

39:02 The Birth of Club Quarantine

40:53 The Evolution of Club Quarantine

49:39 From Club Quarantine to Carnegie Hall

53:12 Breaking Precedents in Entertainment

01:03:35 The Role of AI and Technology in Creativity

01:07:01 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Leah Solivan is the host of Breaking Precedent, a podcast that explores the stories of innovators who are pushing societal boundaries and setting new precedents in their fields. Leah is General Partner at Fuel Capital, where she invests in early-stage companies across consumer technology, hardware, education, marketplaces, and retail. She founded TaskRabbit in 2008 after beginning her career as an engineer at IBM.

Connect with Leah

Website: breakingprecedent.com
Instagram: @leah_solivan
X: @labunleashed

In this episode of Breaking Precedent, the host Leah Solivan is joined by Lynn Jurich, co-founder and former CEO of Sunrun, to discuss her journey from growing up in Tacoma, Washington to leading one of the largest residential solar companies in the U.S. They explore the challenges and triumphs of scaling Sunrun, including innovative financing models and negotiating with utility companies. Jurich also shares personal insights on the impact of sports on resilience, the importance of strength training, and her foray into women's health through the establishment of the Female Longevity Institute. The conversation highlights Jurich's persistent optimism, innovative mindset, and commitment to transforming entrenched industries.

Lynn Jurich is an entrepreneur, investor, and visionary leader who co-founded Sunrun, the nation’s leading residential solar and energy services company. Under her leadership, Sunrun grew from an idea pitched beside a county fair pumpkin stand to a publicly traded company with over a million customers, $2 billion in recurring revenue, and a $20 billion market cap. Named one of Fortune’s “Most Powerful Women,” Lynn has pioneered clean energy innovation by championing rooftop solar, distributed batteries, and consumer-driven energy independence.

Listeners can learn more about Lynn Jurich at Sunrun.com and on LinkedIn .

Resources:

• Berkshire Hathaway Energy
• DOE – U.S. Department of Energy
• Lunar Energy
  
  

Show Notes:

00:00 Introduction to Breaking Precedent

00:21 Meet Lynn Jurich: Solar Pioneer

01:30 Personal Reflections and Icebreakers

03:40 Lynn's Early Life and Competitive Spirit

04:29 Lessons from Sports and Leadership

07:59 The Journey to Stanford and Beyond

10:41 The Birth of Sunrun and Solar as a Service

13:02 Challenges and Triumphs in Solar Energy

17:28 Navigating Financial Crises and Growth

21:12 Breaking Energy Precedents and Future Vision

25:25 Consumer Demand for Solar and Batteries

25:56 Taking Sunrun Public with a Newborn

28:07 Battling Utilities in Nevada

29:43 Sunrun's Growth and Future Innovations

31:54 Founding the Female Longevity Institute

33:54 Challenges in Women's Health Research

37:26 Precision Medicine for Women

42:35 Breaking Precedents in Energy and Healthcare

47:57 Advice for Breaking Through Entrenched Systems

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Leah Solivan is the host of Breaking Precedent, a podcast that explores the stories of innovators who are pushing societal boundaries and setting new precedents in their fields. Leah is General Partner at Fuel Capital, where she invests in early-stage companies across consumer technology, hardware, education, marketplaces, and retail. Leah has 15 years of experience building and creating technology products that have reached millions of people around the globe. She started her career at IBM as an engineer in the software group, working on Lotus Notes and Domino. In 2008, Leah founded TaskRabbit, the leading on-demand service marketplace in the world.

Connect with Leah:

Website: breakingprecedent.com/

Instagram: @labunleashed

X: @labunleashed

In this episode of Breaking Precedent, the host, Leah Solivan interviews Dr. Thomas Fisher, an emergency medicine physician and political candidate. They discuss Dr. Fisher's career, including his experiences growing up on the South Side of Chicago, attending Dartmouth, and his work in emergency rooms. He shares insights from his book, 'The Emergency,' and how it reflects the systemic inequities in healthcare. Dr. Fisher also touches on his motivations for running for Congress, his vision for improving healthcare, and the importance of public service. Through personal anecdotes and policy discussions, the episode delves into the intersections of medicine, social justice, and political activism.

Dr. Thomas Fisher is an emergency physician, author, and public servant dedicated to transforming America’s healthcare system from the inside out. Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, Thomas grew up in a community of working families and changemakers who showed him both the promise and the inequities of the world around him. The son of a physician and a social worker, he learned early that service isn’t just a calling—it’s a responsibility.

Listeners can learn more about Dr. Thomas Fisher at ThomasFisherForCongress.com, Donate to his campaign at https://secure.actblue.com/donate/fisherlaunch1000 and follow him on LinkedIn @ThomasFisherMD.

Resources:

University of Chicago

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Affordable Care Act (ACA)

White House Fellows Program

Show Notes:

00:00 Introduction to Breaking Precedent

00:21 Meet Dr. Thomas Fisher

01:17 Icebreaker: Superpowers

04:22 Growing Up on the South Side of Chicago

06:21 Influence of Parents and Education

14:15 Journey to Dartmouth and Medical School

20:28 Choosing Emergency Medicine

23:23 Writing 'The Emergency'

27:46 Patient's Decline and ICU Struggles

28:58 Emotional Impact of Patient Loss

30:03 COVID-19's Systemic Impact

33:03 Challenges in the American Medical System

38:46 Entrepreneurship and Healthcare Innovation

42:23 Running for Congress: A New Chapter

48:18 Vision for Healthcare and Public Safety

53:48 Legacy and Inspiration

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Leah Solivan is the host of Breaking Precedent, a podcast that explores the stories of innovators who are pushing societal boundaries and setting new precedents in their fields. Leah is General Partner at Fuel Capital, where she invests in early-stage companies across consumer technology, hardware, education, marketplaces, and retail. Leah has 15 years of experience building and creating technology products that have reached millions of people around the globe. She started her career at IBM as an engineer in the software group, working on Lotus Notes and Domino. In 2008, Leah founded TaskRabbit, the leading on-demand service marketplace in the world.

Connect with Leah:

Website: breakingprecedent.com/

Instagram: @labunleashed

X: @labunleashed

In the second episode of the brand-new season of Breaking Precedent, Leah Solivan sits down once again with Olympic legend Nastia Liukin — and the conversation hits deeper than ever. They revisit their first encounter and trace the arc of Nastia’s extraordinary career, from the early days in the gym to the unforgiving expectations that come with being one of the world’s top athletes.

Nastia opens up about what the pursuit of perfection really cost her, the pressures and politics behind gymnastics judging, and the emotional toll of constantly performing at an elite level. She and Leah dive into the highs, the heartbreaks, and the hard-earned wisdom that came from both.

Beyond the medals, Nastia reflects on rebuilding her identity after competition, the ventures and creative projects that now drive her, and her commitment to guiding and inspiring the next generation of athletes.

Nastia Liukin is an Olympic gold medalist, entrepreneur, and broadcaster who became one of the most decorated gymnasts in the world at just 18 years old. After retiring from competition, she transitioned her passion into building a brand, founding the annual Nastia Liukin Cup, and inspiring the next generation of athletes through mentorship and community. Today, she’s a sought-after speaker and role model, sharing lessons on resilience, identity, and redefining success beyond the podium.

Learn more about Nastia Liukin at NastiaLiukin.com and on Instagram @NastiaLiukin.

Resources:

Marie Claire Power Trip (San Francisco event)

USA Gymnastics

Show Notes:

00:00 Introduction to Breaking Precedent

00:05 Reminiscing Old Memories

00:52 Icebreaker: Sacrifices and Reclaiming Life

01:49 Balancing Career and Personal Life

02:58 The Journey of Self-Discovery

07:38 The Foundation of a Gymnastics Legacy

10:40 Immigrant Beginnings and Family Sacrifices

16:57 Overcoming Physical Challenges in Gymnastics

19:43 Mental Strength and Focus

25:53 Defining Success Beyond Gymnastics

29:00 Breaking Age Narratives in Gymnastics

34:30 Reflecting on Personal Struggles and Resilience

35:36 The Defining Moment: 2012 Olympic Trials

36:53 Lessons from Falling and Getting Back Up
41:05 “We will never be defined by a salary, a title, a relationship, a company, or even a gold medal. Those are things we’ve done, not who we are.”

45:26 Navigating Subjectivity in Gymnastics

53:00 Life After Gymnastics: Embracing Imperfection

01:11:22 Inspiration and Future Aspirations

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Leah Solivan is the host of Breaking Precedent, a podcast that explores the stories of innovators who are pushing societal boundaries and setting new precedents in their fields. Leah is General Partner at Fuel Capital, where she invests in early-stage companies across consumer technology, hardware, education, marketplaces, and retail. Leah has 15 years of experience building and creating technology products that have reached millions of people around the globe. She started her career at IBM as an engineer in the software group, working on Lotus Notes and Domino. In 2008, Leah founded TaskRabbit, the leading on-demand service marketplace in the world.

Connect with Leah:

Website: breakingprecedent.com/

Instagram: @labunleashed

X: @labunleashed

Kicking off a brand-new season and launching our first-ever video episode, Breaking Precedent returns with a powerful conversation between host Leah Solivan and Christina Tosi, founder of Milk Bar. Christina traces her journey from baking cookies with her grandmothers in Ohio to becoming one of the most influential pastry chefs and entrepreneurs in the country. Leah and Christina unpack their shared experiences as introverts navigating high-pressure environments, the mentors who shaped their paths, and the creative process behind Milk Bar’s iconic recipes like the Compost Cookie and Crack Pie. Christina opens up about building a business during the 2008 financial crisis, the role of constraints in driving creativity, and what it takes to scale a brand while protecting its soul and culture.

Christina Tosi is a pastry chef, entrepreneur, and founder of Milk Bar, the beloved dessert brand known for its nostalgic yet innovative creations like Cereal Milk, Compost Cookies, and Milk Bar Pie. Raised in Ohio by generations of strong, creative women, Christina learned early the joy of making something out of nothing—a philosophy that would later define her career.

Listeners can learn more about Christina Tosi at milkbarstore.com and on Instagram @christinatosi and @milkbarstore.

Momofuku

Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain

The Joy of Cooking by Irma S. Rombauer

Crack Pie / Milk Bar Pie

Cereal Milk Ice Cream

Show Notes:
00:00 Introduction to Breaking Precedent

01:00 First meeting and shared experiences

02:00 Introversion and social challenges

02:37 “Your destiny is impossible to miss by definition of it being your destiny.” — Christina Tosi

03:00 Scorpio connection and business beginnings

04:00 Swapping jobs and TaskRabbit

07:30 Childhood and baking origins

12:00 Family influence and career choices

26:00 Culinary school and early career

34:00 Starting a tradition: family meal desserts

36:00 The birth of Crack Pie

39:00 From simple recipes to Milk Bar

45:00 Launching Milk Bar during a financial crisis

52:00 Scaling Milk Bar: challenges and creativity

57:00 Nostalgia and innovation in desserts

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Leah Solivan is the host of Breaking Precedent, a podcast that explores the stories of innovators who are pushing societal boundaries and setting new precedents in their fields. Leah is General Partner at Fuel Capital, where she invests in early-stage companies across consumer technology, hardware, education, marketplaces, and retail. Leah has 15 years of experience building and creating technology products that have reached millions of people around the globe. She started her career at IBM as an engineer in the software group, working on Lotus Notes and Domino. In 2008, Leah founded TaskRabbit, the leading on-demand service marketplace in the world.

Connect with Leah:

Website: breakingprecedent.com/

Instagram: @labunleashed

X: @labunleashed

Season 2 of Breaking Precedent premieres November 13.

This season, Leah Solivan returns with deeper conversations that cut to the core of resilience, leadership, and what it really means to stand for something. From Olympians and entrepreneurs to doctors and changemakers, each guest opens up about the battles that shaped them — and the precedents they had to break to move forward.

These stories remind us that breaking precedent isn’t about being fearless — it’s about learning, serving, and choosing courage anyway.

Hosted by Leah Solivan

Follow and subscribe to catch the premiere November 13 wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Leah Solivan is the host of Breaking Precedent, a podcast that explores the stories of innovators who are pushing societal boundaries and setting new precedents in their fields. Leah is General Partner at Fuel Capital, where she invests in early-stage companies across consumer technology, hardware, education, marketplaces, and retail. Leah has 15 years of experience building and creating technology products that have reached millions of people around the globe. She started her career at IBM as an engineer in the software group, working on Lotus Notes and Domino. In 2008, Leah founded TaskRabbit, the leading on-demand service marketplace in the world.

Connect with Leah:

Website: breakingprecedent.com/

Instagram: @labunleashed

X: @labunleashed