Straight to Why

Amanda sits down with Corey Damen Jenkins, Principal and CEO of Corey Damen Jenkins & Associates, for a conversation on resilience, creativity, and building one of the world's most celebrated design firms. After losing his corporate job during the Great Recession, Corey returned to his lifelong passion for interior design—knocking on doors across Michigan until opportunity finally arrived at door number 779.Together, they explore the perseverance behind overnight success, Corey's philosophy of "design democracy," and why great design should reflect the people who live in a space rather than the designer creating it. The conversation also touches on entrepreneurship, mentorship, overcoming adversity, and Corey's mission to make the design industry more accessible by opening doors for the next generation of creatives.

Amanda sits down with Dee Poku, founder and CEO of The WIE Suite, for a conversation on leadership, sponsorship, and helping women achieve success on their own terms. From her early career in film marketing to building one of the world's leading communities for women executives and entrepreneurs, Dee shares why relationships matter most when they lead to action—not just advice.Together, they explore the difference between mentorship and sponsorship, why leadership can become increasingly isolating, and how women can use their influence to create meaningful opportunities for one another. The conversation also examines self-belief, imposter syndrome, reciprocity, and why the next chapter of leadership is about turning experience, access, and success into lasting impact.

Amanda sits down with Josh Machiz, Chief Marketing Officer of Lightspeed Venture Partners and former Partner at Redpoint and Chief Digital Officer at Nasdaq, for a conversation on storytelling, brand building, creativity, and designing a life with intention. From transforming Nasdaq's social media presence into one of the most influential corporate platforms to shaping the voice of one of venture capital's leading firms, Josh shares how great stories are built—and why the best opportunities often begin by finding the spaces no one else sees.Together, they explore how founders can earn attention in an increasingly crowded world, why clarity and repetition matter more than complexity, and why taste may be the last enduring competitive advantage in the age of AI. The conversation also turns to leadership, creativity, intentional living, and the importance of protecting your own attention in a world constantly competing for it.

Amanda sits down with Stephanie Campbell, Co-founder and General Partner of The Artemis Fund, for a conversation on venture capital, entrepreneurship, and the ideas shaping a more resilient future. From overcoming adversity in rural Alabama to becoming one of venture capital’s leading voices, Stephanie shares how her personal journey informs Artemis Fund’s mission of backing founders who strengthen families, individuals, and businesses.Together, they explore what separates exceptional founders from the rest, why self-awareness is one of the most important entrepreneurial traits, and how the care economy represents one of the largest opportunities for innovation. The conversation also examines artificial intelligence, economic mobility, women in the workforce, and why doing well and doing good are not competing ideas—but powerful complements.