HAYVN Hubcast

Nancy Sheed, host of HAYVN Hubcast talks with author Betsy Lerner, and she takes us from blue pencils and slush piles to BookTok and bestsellers. She shares how she moved from editorial roles at major houses to agenting for the flexibility publishing didn't offer at the time, and how that entrepreneurial leap paid off. We get her "discoverability" playbook (from magazine racks on the streets of New York to TikTok), candid advice on today's path to publication, the backstory of Shred Sisters, and her refreshingly practical mindset on rejection: don't dwell on no, keep looking for the yes. Nancy's conversation with Betsy covers: Breaking into publishing (then vs. now): The traditional path runs through a literary agent, and today, platform, credentials, or media access often matter (especially in nonfiction). Fiction still benefits from strong pedigree and publication credits. From editor to agent: Betsy left editorial for agenting to gain flexibility while raising a child. She brought authors she'd developed as an editor, pairing editorial instincts with a builder's mindset. Talent discovery, old-school and new: Pre-internet, she scoured magazine racks to spot compelling voices, famously writing to "Merlin" (Neil deGrasse Tyson) after seeing his cosmos cartoons. Today, she finds serious experts on TikTok and checks longer-form writing (e.g., Substack) to validate voice. TikTok is not just "kids dancing": BookTok (and STEM talk) hosts passionate, informed communities that genuinely move book sales these days. Consistency and a clear "lane" matter; think of it as your own channel. Creating Shred Sisters: After an intensive nonfiction collaboration with Temple Grandin, Betsy unexpectedly drafted her novel over seven months during COVID, then spent two years revising. The story was fueled by profound personal losses and deepened bonds with her sisters. Thick skin required: Even as a well-known agent, Betsy got rejections on her novel and emphasizes not getting mired in the "no." You only need the right "yes." Connect with Betsy The Forest for the Trees: An Editors Advice to Writers Website TikTok Connect with Nancy LinkedIn Instagram Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this high-energy episode of the HAYVN Hubcast, host Nancy Sheed welcomes the dynamic Penny Goffman, connector, community builder, and curator of the POWERUp series at HAYVN. Penny shares how her lifelong gift for connection has shaped her career, and how authentic relationships are the true foundation of community and collaboration. Key Takeaways: Connection is a Superpower A strategy from childhood vacations to high school leadership roles to entrepreneurial ventures, gave Penny the chance to use her natural abilities to connect with people. What sets her apart is how she's transformed this gift into a professional strategy, building communities, creating partnerships, and curating spaces for women to thrive. Networking Should Never Feel Like a Transaction Penny challenges the traditional idea of networking as a numbers game or sales tactic. Instead, she models a relationship-first approach: listen more than you talk, ask questions, and stay curious. This philosophy builds trust and opens the door to lasting collaboration. Instagram is a Great Relationship Nurturing Tool Penny (@thatpennylife_) leverages Instagram as a natural extension of real-world interactions. She's built entire partnerships and friendships through a thoughtful DM, a quick emoji reply, or a congratulatory comment on a story. Over time, these small, consistent interactions build a foundation for deeper conversations and business alignment. Relationships Take Time, but They're Worth the Investment Penny emphasizes that strong business relationships develop gradually. Instead of rushing to collaborate, she lets synergy develop naturally. Some of her biggest partnerships have started as casual conversations and evolved over months or even years. Everyone Can Be a Connector While Penny's connection skills come naturally, she believes the art of connection can be learned. Her "pro tip"? Start with a genuine desire to understand others. When you're truly listening, your brain will naturally begin connecting the dots between people, ideas, and opportunities. The HAYVN POWERUp Series Is a Masterclass in Curated Community POWERUp is Penny's event series that brings together powerhouse women in a welcoming, intentional environment. It's not about volume; it's about quality: curated speakers, aligned sponsors, and attendees who are eager to grow personally and professionally. You don't need to be an extrovert to be an effective connector, you just need to be thoughtful, curious, and generous. Connect with Penny LinkedIn Instagram Website Connect with Nancy LinkedIn Instagram Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the HAYVN Hubcast, host Nancy Sheed sits down with Marilynn Joyner, a former commercial real estate exec turned tech founder, to unpack her journey from corporate intensity to building Her Workplace, an AI-powered career platform designed for ambitious Gen Z and millennial women. Key Highlights: A Career on Her Terms: Marilynn's early career in commercial real estate exposed her to a male-dominated, competitive culture. Despite early success, she realized she was following rules she didn't create and sought more autonomy and purpose. The Pivot Point: While attending Columbia Business School, Marilynn's experiences, coupled with the pandemic slowdown. sparked her entrepreneurial journey. A side project, mentorship from a startup founder, and workplace burnout fueled her desire to create something new. Finding the Gap: Through conversations with friends and peers, she discovered a lack of career resources and support for mid-career women, those not yet in the C-suite but striving for leadership. This white space became the inspiration for Her Workplace. From Idea to Impact: What began with 7 in-person events and a waitlist of 5,000 women turned into a full-fledged membership platform that now includes networking, mentorship, coaching, and AI-powered tools. AI for Human Connection: Her Workplace uses AI to match members with mentors, peers, and career resources, making career growth more personalized—and more human. "The mission of Her Workplace has always been to help women grow into leadership and enact change in their own careers, and now we're using tech to accelerate that." Connect with Marilynn Website Company Instagram Marilynn's Instagram Connect with Nancy LinkedIn Instagram Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Petra Pasquina, a marketing professional turned tech entrepreneur, shares her journey from working at Meta and MasterCard to founding Groopl. She discusses the chaos of managing group logistics and how her app simplifies the process by combining essential features like chats and event invites. Inspired by pandemic isolation, Petra identified a gap for small community organizers. She also highlights her solo-founder approach and plans for Groopl's growth, including upcoming premium features to further assist users.

In this inspiring episode of The HAYVN Hubcast, host Nancy Sheed sits down with Kate Stone, founder of Kate Stone Prep, to trace the unconventional and intentional journey that led her from aspiring actress and world traveler to top-tier college admissions strategist. Kate's story is anything but linear, and that's what makes it so powerful. What started as a dream of working in film and television evolved into international teaching, private tutoring across the globe, and ultimately building a business that helps students not only get into college but thrive once they're there. Highlights of their conversation: From NYU to Bali: Kate shares how her time at NYU and a desire to experience the world led her to teach in Thailand and Bali, where she discovered her knack for helping students through tutoring then the college application process. The Acting Years: Commercial acting funded her freedom, and the performance skills she honed translated beautifully into storytelling, communication, and workshop facilitation — all essential in college admissions work. Finding Her Niche: A conversation with a former partner helped her pivot from general tutoring to the college application space, a decision that ultimately led to a thriving business supported by mentors and coaches. Beyond Admissions: It's not just about getting in, it's about helping students discover who they are, what drives them, and how to communicate that powerfully. Kate emphasizes developing soft skills, self-awareness, and networks of support. Building a Business with Purpose: Kate and her husband, Zach, have grown Kate Stone Prep into a standout service by focusing on authenticity, implementation, and complete dedication to their clients. Giving Back: Kate's commitment to accessibility shows up in her regular free Family College Night events and application workshops that equip students and families with actionable insights, no payment required. This episode is a must-listen for parents, students, educators, and entrepreneurs as well. Listen to hear how nontraditional paths can lead to exceptional impact. Connect with Kate Website Instagram Connect with Nancy LinkedIn Instagram Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a powerful episode of the HAYVN Hubcast, host Nancy Sheed sits down with Chandler Stroud, founder of The Healing Heroes to explore a journey that many women will find deeply relatable: the path from corporate success to personal healing and authentic purpose. The Corporate Climb and Its Hidden Costs Chandler's story begins in the corporate world, where she built an impressive career at major companies like Kraft Heinz and American Express. She also led the B2B marketing team at Resy, American Express's dining platform, attending chef dinners and immersing herself in the food and hospitality industry. But beneath the surface of professional achievement, something was stirring. Despite having everything she'd dreamed of she was asking herself: why aren't you happier in this moment? When the Body Says "Enough" The breakthrough moment came during a business trip when she spotted a book at JFK Airport: The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk. That book became the catalyst for understanding the connection between emotional trauma and physical symptoms. Chandler learned that trauma isn't just about what happens to you, it's about how you experience what happens to you. She distinguishes between two types of traumas: Big T trauma: Major events like abuse, abandonment, or significant loss Small t trauma: Seemingly minor experiences that create deep-seated beliefs about us like being left out, not being invited, feeling overlooked The Corporate Exit Strategy Recognizing that she couldn't fully commit to both healing and her demanding corporate role, Chandler made a courageous decision and approached her boss with complete honesty about her situation, leading to an FMLA leave that eventually became a permanent departure from American Express. Birth of the Healing Heroes Podcast The vision for The Healing Heroes podcast came in a moment of divine inspiration. Chandler woke up in the middle of the night in early January with a complete concept that flowed onto 12 pages of content. The podcast features a unique format: instead of rotating guests, Chandler works with the same 12 healers and experts she interviews one-on-one each week. This approach creates character development and gives listeners familiar, credible voices they can turn to consistently. Chandler's journey offers several profound insights: Success without fulfillment is a warning sign: Having everything you thought you wanted but still feeling empty is your soul's way of redirecting you. Your body is your ally: Physical symptoms often carry emotional messages that deserve attention and investigation. Healing is ongoing: "I don't think I'll ever say I'm healed... I think it's just something you continue to do every day." Small traumas matter: Don't dismiss seemingly minor experiences that may have shaped limiting beliefs about yourself. Corporate support exists: Companies like American Express can be surprisingly supportive of employees prioritizing mental health and healing. The Ripple Effect What started as personal healing has become a mission to help other women. The Healing Heroes podcast serves as both inspiration and practical resource, proving that career pivots in midlife aren't just possible, they can be transformational. Connect with Chandler: Instagram Healing Heroes Podcast Connect with Nancy: LinkedIn Instagram Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this inspiring episode of The HAYVN Hubcast, host Nancy Sheed sits down with Beth Leas, founder of TribeTLC, to explore how one woman's healing journey blossomed into a thriving community of over 180 holistic practitioners. From Reiki in a spare bedroom to regional networks across Connecticut and New York, Beth shares the evolution of her work and her mission to support fellow healers with heart-centered business development. Key Highlights: From personal healing to community leadership: Beth's healing journey began at 15 with meditation, a tool that helped her navigate PTSD. By the 1990s, she discovered Reiki and followed an intuitive calling to become a healer and ultimately a Reiki Master. The birth of TribeTLC: In 1997, she founded TLC Center, a pioneering holistic health center in Norwalk, CT. The idea grew from Beth's desire to refer clients to trusted peers and create a space for collaboration and healing. Community over commercial space: After 20 years of managing a physical space, Beth chose to focus on building community without walls, turning TribeTLC into a powerful, decentralized network of practitioners. Leading as a reluctant entrepreneur: Beth candidly shares how she transitioned from back-office support in a corporate job to becoming a community leader, despite identifying as an introvert and "reluctant leader." Business bynecessity: TribeTLC evolved to include a membership model for practitioners, fostering connection, professional growth, and accountability among holistic entrepreneurs. COVID-Era pivot: TribeTLC expanded geographically and virtually adding online networking to support practitioners beyond physical boundaries. This episode is part of the spotlight series featuring co-sponsors of the HAYVN Health Summit so it's especially fitting that she shared advice for other heart-centered practitioners looking to make their work more sustainable and more impactful. Connect with Beth Connect with Nancy: LinkedIn Instagram Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the HAYVN Hubcast, host Nancy Sheed sat down with Rachael Mahoney, founder of Kinney Lane, a prepared foods company rooted in wellness, simplicity, and community connection. What started as a personal journey toward health became a mission to nourish others, literally and emotionally, with every meal. Rachael shares how her summers spent on Kinney Lane in upstate New York planted the seeds for her love of fresh food and wholesome living. From working in ad tech to launching her food business out of her home kitchen while pregnant, her story is one of grit, intuition, and deep listening, to her body, her community, and her calling. Key Takeaways: A business born from struggle: Rachael's own health and fertility challenges led her to radically change her lifestyle and, ultimately, to start Kinney Lane. Trusting the timing: She didn't have it all figured out when she started. Rachael focused on doing what she could with what she had, even if it meant 4 a.m. kitchen shifts with an infant in tow. Community-centered growth: Listening closely to her customers helped her refine her offerings and expand into meal delivery. Team building takes time: Finding the right hires was a five-year journey, but now her business can thrive without her being in the kitchen every day. Infertility, resilience, and joy: Rachael vulnerably shares the emotional moment she found out she was pregnant after being told it wasn't possible. That turning point gave her the push to pursue her business wholeheartedly. If you've ever wondered when the right time to start something is—or how to turn your personal experience into purpose—this conversation will inspire you. Connect with Rachael & Kinney Lane Kinney Lane Website Instagram Connect with Nancy: LinkedIn Instagram Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kim Conti, founder of Orbit Crates and former product and innovation leader, built a toy rental service to cut clutter and promote intentional play. She discusses launching while moonlighting, bootstrapping and bartering to grow, and co-creating toy selections with real families. She also recounts preparing for a pitch competition and plans to find partners and pilots to scale.

On this episode of the HAYVN Hubcast, host Nancy Sheed talks with Megan Palmer Rivera, CEO of Palmer's Market and Palmer's Catering & Events. As a fifth-generation leader in her family business, Megan shares her inspiring career of blending tradition with innovation. Megan's journey shows how leadership and legacy go hand in hand. She shares how her early start, launching a bakery within Palmer's Market at just 21, taught her not only how to create incredible products but also how to run a business. Over time, her focus shifted from serving customers to leading a growing team, finding deep satisfaction in helping others thrive. When Megan officially stepped into the CEO role, she knew maintaining the family's values was key. She introduced more structure to the business, fully committing to a set core business values for the first time in its 100-year history to ensure the culture remained strong for future generations. Recently, Megan led the development of a new commissary kitchen to support expansion beyond their original location. She emphasized that growth for Palmer's isn't about getting bigger, it's about staying close to the community, maintaining quality, and providing new opportunities for her team. Even as technology drives instant gratification, Megan is clear that Palmer's will stay rooted in personal connection. From hand-sliced deli meats to packing groceries with care, the experience remains deeply human. Finally, Megan offers thoughtful advice to fellow entrepreneurs. She speaks candidly about the loneliness that often comes with leadership and the power of finding a trusted network, something she found through HAYVN to lean on during both the good and challenging times. Connect with Megan LinkedIn Palmers Market Connect with Nancy LinkedIn Instagram Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices