In this episode of the podcast, we kick off 2026 with Brooke Dukes — author, executive coach, and founder of BMD Consulting and Success by Design Club. Her book, ‘Burn On, Not Out’, is her personal narrative that led to the creation of her business focused on empowering high-achieving leaders to conquer burnout through human design and purpose alignment.

The realization that Brooke, as a corporate high-flyer, was risking it all, including flying at eight months pregnant for the sake of large bonus led to a More Elephant epiphany and has evolved into a mission blending behavioral science, neuroscience, and ancient wisdom to foster fulfillment over frenzy.​

Success by Design Club is more than a community; it's a lifeline for leaders who feel they are on the hamster wheel. The ‘Club’ offers monthly coaching, resources, and tools such as the GRACe communication framework, to intersect personal purpose with professional wins.

In this episode of More Elephant, we sit down with Jorge Perez — the Venezuelan-American designer and entrepreneur behind Betsy Moss, a women’s ready-to-wear brand celebrated for its effortlessly sexy yet chic resort wear. What began as a childhood game of dressing up with his sister has evolved into a thriving fashion house that blends Miami’s vibrant energy with the elegance of Venezuelan culture.

Betsy Moss is more than just a clothing line; it’s a lifestyle brand that empowers women to feel glamorous and beautiful, whether they’re relaxing or entertaining. Jorge shares the story of his hands-on apprenticeship in the fashion industry, the challenges of scaling a brand in a competitive market, and the pivotal moments that shaped Betsy Moss’s journey.

In this episode of More Elephant, we sit down with Riley Gibson and Nader Akhnoukh, the founders of Wildly Virgin — a small-batch Portuguese olive oil producer and recent Gold Medal Winner at the prestigious New York International Olive Oil Competition [NYIOOC] world olive oil competition.

Beloved by customers, top chefs, and olive oil experts, Wildly Virgin was born from burnout, curiosity, and a desire to do work that feels real again. What started as two tech founders craving something tangible led them deep into Portugal’s ancient groves and into relationships with families who still make olive oil the traditional way.

We talk about how they each fell down the olive oil rabbit hole and uncovered one of the world’s best-kept secrets: Portugal produces extraordinary olive oil that most Americans have never tasted. Riley and Nader walk our audience through the reality behind the industry, what it takes to import something handmade into the U.S., and the challenge of honoring the farmers, the craft, and the land while building a brand from scratch.

In this episode of More Elephant, we sit down with Narda Malakzad and Andrea Laderman — the founders of Goldi, a food-tech platform revolutionizing how hotels and restaurants personalize menus for every guest without making a single change in the kitchen.

What began as two Moms struggling to navigate dinner with dietary needs has grown into an innovative company using data to transform how the world eats.

Goldi empowers diners with menus tailored precisely to their dietary requirements, unlocking dishes that kitchens already know how to make while reducing food waste and enhancing operational clarity and efficiency for hospitality businesses. We navigate the compelling story of a bold idea that didn’t quite scale, the strategic pivot that unlocked Goldi’s potential, and the triumphs and hard truths of fundraising as female founders.

In this episode, we have the pleasure of welcoming Brian Polen, the founder and CEO of Brooklyn Kura, an innovative American craft sake company based in Brooklyn, New York. Brian shares his journey from a successful career at American Express to embracing entrepreneurship and building a business rooted in more than a thousand years of Japanese brewing tradition. Our conversation explores how Brooklyn Kura aims to demystify sake and make it accessible and relevant to a wide audience beyond traditional contexts.

Brian takes us through the powerful inspiration sparked by a trip to Japan, where he and his co-founder first encountered the craftsmanship behind sake. We discuss the early stages of their venture, from home brewing experiments to navigating the complex regulatory and manufacturing environment of New York City. The importance of creating a taproom experience emerges as a key factor for engaging customers directly and educating them about sake culture.