Crystal Cassidy spent years at the forefront of biotech innovation—then took a leap into the world of spiritual wellness and tech. In this episode, she shares the story behind SoulPod, a platform that blends science, mysticism, and data-driven transformation. From bootstrapping challenges to building a new category she calls “soultech,” Crystal offers a powerful blueprint for women building outside the box.

“We did not have a roadmap. We had a $250 rental space, a few favors, and a lot of late nights. We kept our day jobs, reinvested every dollar, and built a business people actually wanted to work for. That is how Jump Ahead was born. Not with funding or flash. With grit, trust, and a vision we refused to let go of.” — Brittany Smith and Janki Patel, Co-Founders of Jump Ahead Pediatrics

What if the key to healing was already in your body and it sounded like your own voice?

This question sits at the heart of Julia Williamson and Maddy Monticelli’s work. Together, they lead Sing to Thrive, an Australian-based platform that blends music, sound healing, and practical neuroscience to help people reconnect with themselves. Their approach is not about perfect pitch or polished performance. It is about reclaiming the voice as a tool for emotional release, self-awareness, and everyday healing.

Their story is both deeply personal and widely relatable. Julia grew up in a family that both loved music and struggled with dysfunction. Singing was her escape. It gave her comfort when everything else felt uncertain. But like so many women, Julia internalized limiting beliefs early. She believed she needed to be perfect to be worthy. She learned to stay quiet, to not ask for anything, to keep the peace.

When Dr Ishnella Azad enters a room something shifts. Conversation sharpens, posture straightens, and you sense that every obstacle just shrank a size. She talks fast because her story is sprinting. She has been a scientist, a neuro‑psychiatrist, a commercial real‑estate mogul, a data‑center pioneer, and a walking billboard for resilience. Plenty of high achievers look impressive on paper. Ish’s power lives in the space between bullet points, where setbacks meet stubborn determination.

This long‑form piece unpacks the full arc behind our recent episode of Badass Women in Business. It is the behind‑the‑mic look at how a woman with three science degrees, an amputated leg, and an unyielding belief in everyday investors is racing toward a ten‑billion‑dollar empire while lifting others along the way.

Virginia Klausmeier, CEO and Founder of Sylvatex, is on a mission to revolutionize high-tech manufacturing and clean energy. With a background in chemistry and engineering, she’s driving sustainable solutions for battery materials while advocating for more women in leadership roles in STEM. In this episode, Virginia shares her journey from being underestimated to sitting at the table with the world’s top decision-makers, navigating the challenges of scaling a climate tech company, and why she believes the future of innovation depends on tapping into both strategy and intuition.

In this episode of Badass Women in Business, Christine Watts, Chief of Staff at Ninety, shares her journey from being the first employee to helping scale a company to nearly 200 team members. Christine dives into how Ninety keeps its remote culture thriving through intentional rituals, core values, and leadership alignment. She discusses her personal growth, the challenges of wearing multiple hats, and the importance of creating clarity and connection within a fast-growing organization. Christine’s unique perspective offers insights on balancing work-life priorities, fostering team productivity, and empowering small businesses through effective planning tools.

Veena Birajadar’s journey is anything but ordinary. Leaving behind an established career in IT, Veena found her true calling in the power of plant-based eating, leading her to open Pure Vegan Café in Raleigh, North Carolina, in 2021. Her mission? To bring accessible, nourishing vegan food to the Raleigh community and beyond.

In this powerful episode, we welcome Melva LaJoy LeGrand, founder of LaJoy Plans, to share her journey from academia to events, embracing life’s highs and lows along the way. Melva discusses her early struggles with self-esteem and depression, the importance of resilience, and how personal setbacks—including the pandemic’s impact on her business—shaped her outlook and purpose.

In the latest episode of Badass Women in Business, we sit down with Valentina Milanova, the founder and CEO of Daye, a company dedicated to advancing gynecological health through innovation. Valentina’s journey is marked by determination and a deep commitment to addressing overlooked aspects of women’s health—driven by her own experiences and a passion for scientific discovery.