karen gross

Welcome to the third season of the She Rocked It podcast, and our first-ever interview with three generations of rockstar women from the same family! In this intimate and inspiring conversation (recorded in January 2023 at The Bridge recording studio in Brooklyn, New York), you’ll hear #realtalk about being a woman in the music industry and pursuing a creative, courageous life – straight from powerhouse mother-daughter duo Kim Kalesti and Emily King (plus a special appearance from the family’s 88-year-old matriarch, Maggie Haley). 

KIM KALESTI is a modern-day renaissance woman who exemplifies the creative life as a singer, songwriter, recording artist, pianist, and painter. After 15 years as an in-demand jazz chanteuse–performing and recording alongside many of New York City’s jazz masters–she went on to release several piano/vocal albums of her poignant original songs. Both her daughter Emily King and son AC Lincoln have followed in her footsteps to become performing artists.  

EMILY KING  has released several critically acclaimed albums and received Grammy nominations for Best R&B Song and Best R&B Performance. She has toured with the likes of Alicia Keys, Chaka Khan, Erykah Badu, and Sara Bareilles. After dropping out of high school to pursue music, she was discovered by Clive Davis, who signed her to his J Records label at the age of 21. Now signed to ATO Records, she plans to release her latest album Special Occasion in May 2023. 

_______________________________________________________________________

Special thanks to Mona Kayhan and team from The Bridge recording studio including Urosh Jovanovich and Brianna Cofield. https://www.bridgerecordingstudio.com/

Thanks to Fifth Hammer Brewing for supplying libations at our recording session. https://www.fifthhammerbrewing.com/
_______________________________________________________________________

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

[00:00] Meet mother-daughter creative powerhouses Kim Kalesti and Emily King

[04:08] What gave Kim the courage to forge an artistic path?

[09:24  How Emily knew she wanted to drop out of high school to pursue music, and how her mom Kim reacted

[15:37] How Emily learned not to compromise her own creative vision

[21:00] How Kim cultivated her musical style over many years working with numerous collaborators (including George Clinton!)

[26:09] Emily and Kim reveal their creative processes

[33:21] Grandma Maggie Haley enters the chat

[40:41] Maggie, Kim, and Emily each share their ONE TIP TO ROCK IT

_______________________________________________________________________

LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE:

Emily King website: https://www.emilykingmusic.com/

Emily King’s song Distance: https://youtu.be/4DbeYbcZAJE

Emily King’s song This Year: https://youtu.be/xiDnuRylHMU

Emily King shares an early version of This Year on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cm1dqzKMZFq/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D

Kim Kalesti paintings: https://kimkalesti.wixsite.com/kimistry

Kim Kalesti bandcamp: https://

If you’d like to be part of the studio audience for future podcast recordings, head over to sherockedit.com to become a member of our Rockstar Network membership community: https://sherockedit.com/the-rockstar-network

Nikia Phoenix is a courageous, multi-talented creative known for celebrating self-love as a meditation guide, model, and creator of the Black Girl Beautiful initiative. Enjoy this 8-minute meditation from Nikia, and be sure to check out her full She Rocked It podcast episode.

—

She Rocked It is a media and mentorship platform where creative, courageous women rock it together. We are eager to learn from, listen to, and lift one another up — driven by the belief that women’s voices are essential. On our podcast and Instagram Live interview series, She Rocked It host/founder and creative entrepreneur Karen Gross gets trailblazing women leaders, creatives, and entrepreneurs to reveal how they rock it – and their insights may surprise you. Their behind-the-scenes stories, best-kept secrets to success, and actionable tips are sure to inspire the rockstar in all of us! 

Please subscribe and leave a review! 

• Join our community at https://www.sherockedit.com 
• Join us on Instagram @sherockedit 
• Download our FREE guide “SECRETS TO ROCKING IT” 
• Ready to transform your creativity into a career that rocks? Check out our group mentorship program, Rock-It Launcher! 

If you’d like to be part of the studio audience for future podcast recordings, head over to sherockedit.com to become a member of our Rockstar Network membership community: https://sherockedit.com/the-rockstar-network

Do you show up for others before you show up for YOU? In this inspiring episode, you’ll hear from Nikia Phoenix on why self-care is essential to rocking it. Nikia is a courageous, multitalented creative known for celebrating self-love as a meditation guide, model, and creator of the Black Girl Beautiful initiative. If you follow her on Instagram, subscribe to her emails, or enjoy her guided meditations, you know that the energy she puts into the world is truly a breath of fresh air. Tune in as Nikia reveals the reasons she came to embrace self-care, why she’s empowered by the rockstar women in her family, and how you can learn to put yourself first.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• [02:20] How Nikia discovered the importance of self-care while struggling with depression
• [07:59] How Nikia finds balance as a social media personality
• [09:57] Why it’s important for women to tap into the sacral chakra 
• [12:45] The Black Girl Beautiful mural and movement, and how Nikia’s experiences modeling led her to start it
• [18:50] What gives Nikia Phoenix confidence? Why she’s inspired by her family
• [21:50] What is reiki? Exploring energy healing
• [23:26] How Nikia rocks a multi-hyphenate creative career
• [26:50] Nikia’s One Tip to Rock It

Links from this episode: 

Nikia’s website https://nikiaphoenix.com/

Nikia’s Instagram @nikiaphoenix or https://www.instagram.com/nikiaphoenix/?hl=en

Nikia’s meditations https://nikiaphoenix.com/meditate

Black Girl Beautiful https://www.blackgirlbeautiful.com/

—

She Rocked It is a media and mentorship platform where creative, courageous women rock it together. We are eager to learn from, listen to, and lift one another up — driven by the belief that women’s voices are essential. On our podcast and Instagram Live interview series, She Rocked It host/founder and creative entrepreneur Karen Gross gets trailblazing women leaders, creatives, and entrepreneurs to reveal how they rock it – and their insights may surprise you. Their behind-the-scenes stories, best-kept secrets to success, and actionable tips are sure to inspire the rockstar in all of us! 

Please subscribe and leave a review! 

• Join our community at https://www.sherockedit.com 
• Join us on Instagram @sherockedit 
• Download our FREE guide “SECRETS TO ROCKING IT” 
• Ready to transform your creativity into a career that rocks? Check out our group mentorship program, Rock-It Launcher! 

If you’d like to be part of the studio audience for future podcast recordings, head over to sherockedit.com to become a member of our Rockstar Network membership community: https://sherockedit.com/the-rockstar-network

Why are so many women opening businesses in Philadelphia’s East Passyunk Avenue neighborhood? And what can we all learn from these rockstar women entrepreneurs? Tune into this episode to hear what went down at She Rocked It’s first-ever live panel discussion and networking event, held in partnership with the East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District during Women’s History Month 2022. Get ready for lots of real talk, inspiring stories, and actionable tips to rock it! Whether you’re looking to start a business, level up your business, or just need a jolt of inspiration from some truly courageous women – this episode has it all.  

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• [03:13] The lowdown on East Passyunk Avenue’s many women-owned businesses
• [05:43] Dr. Robin Smith on transforming adversity into purpose and power 
• [10:29] Introductions from women entrepreneurs 
• [17:40] Why women opened businesses on East Passyunk Avenue in Philadelphia
• [22:35] How women entrepreneurs overcame challenges in their businesses
• [24:41] Why is entrepreneurship worth it for women business owners? 
• [30:47] Q&A 1 What these women business owners wish they knew when they first started out
• [36:56] Q&A 2 What keeps these entrepreneurs motivated

 
Links from this episode: 

• Chef Jennifer Zavala, Juana Tamale https://juana-tamale.square.site/
• Cara Stipa, The Utopia Collective https://theutopiacollective.com/
• Elissa Kara, Nice Things Handmade  https://www.instagram.com/nicethingsphila/?hl=en
• Shana Heidorn, Society Hill Dance Academy https://societyhilldance.com/
• Dr. Robin Smith, https://www.drrobinsmith.com/
• Karen Gross, https://karengross.com/
• East Passyunk Avenue: http://www.visiteastpassyunk.com/ 
• This episode was recorded by PhillyCAM: https://phillycam.org/

—

She Rocked It is a media and mentorship platform where creative, courageous women rock it together. We are eager to learn from, listen to, and lift one another up — driven by the belief that women’s voices are essential. On our podcast and Instagram Live interview series, She Rocked It host/founder and creative entrepreneur Karen Gross gets trailblazing women leaders, creatives, and entrepreneurs to reveal how they rock it – and their insights may surprise you. Their behind-the-scenes stories, best-kept secrets to success, and actionable tips are sure to inspire the rockstar in all of us! 

Please subscribe and leave a review! 

• Join our community at https://www.sherockedit.com 
• Join us on Instagram @sherockedit 
• Download our FREE guide “SECRETS TO ROCKING IT” 
• Ready to transform your creativity into a career that rocks? Check out our group mentorship program, Rock-It Launcher! 

If you’d like to be part of the studio audience for future podcast recordings, head over to sherockedit.com to become a member of our Rockstar Network membership community: https://sherockedit.com/the-rockstar-network

How do we have productive conversations about politics with people who disagree with us? Especially with the people closest to us? We invited founder of Citizen Discourse, Karen Gross, to give us some tips. Plus, happy birthday to the matron saint of The Rabble, Ann Richards! And we learn about some dirty tricks Texas Republicans are pulling to try and hang onto power.

PRESENTING SPONSOR - PLANNED PARENTHOOD DIRECT

Do you live in a part of Texas where there's no Planned Parenthood? Well, noooo worries! From Abilene to Zavalla, Lubbock to Laredo, The Planned Parenthood Direct (R) app will send birth control (pills/rings/patches) or UTI treatments straight to your door or your nearest pharmacy. Plus, your meds come in a discreet white envelope so your Baylor sorority sisters or super Baptist parents will have no idea what's coming in your mailbox... cuz what comes in your box is your own biz.

The Planned Parenthood Direct (R) app is available for free in the iOS and Android stores. Visit https://www.ppgreatertx.org/pp-direct for more info.

SUPPORT ROUSER'S NEW PATREON PAGE!

Want to make sure The Rabble pod keeps coming? Help us pay for it! (We are making zero dollars on the pod and need your help to keep going.) ALSO, you get super fun perks when you pitch in to help us cover our costs (secret parties, GIF chats, even a prayer candle with your face on it!).

Go to https://www.patreon.com/rousertx NOW NOW NOW NOW!

Also, spread the joy of Ann Richards and The Rabble all across Texas on T-shirts, stickers, mugs, or whatevs: https://rouser.threadless.com/

THIS WEEK’S GUEST:

Karen Gross, founder of Citizen Discourse

https://citizendiscourse.org/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CtznDiscourse

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citizendiscourse/

FOLLOW ROUSER:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RouserTX

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rousertx/

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/RouserTX?lang=en

• Subscribe to our Friday newsletter, T-GIF: https://www.rousertx.com/tgif/

SH*T TO DO:

The TX Lege is hosting public hearings on redistricting in Austin on Sept 10 and San Antonio on Sept 12. Commit to either showing up or writing your House rep before these meetings!

Does that sound horrifying? Don’t worry. The League of Women Voters hosted a community forum and training to get folks ready to testify.

League of Women Voters Community Forum recording/training: https://mobile.twitter.com/NOWCastSA/status/1165290701527093248?fbclid=IwAR32PCES87nMsjx1gxbBr4ALuz80A2_CfaSIghyoxigDjEZXMdAYcg0aZA0

Next week, the ACLU of Texas and the Texas Civil Rights Project are also hosting a digital meet-up to go over Redistricting 101 and how you can make your voice heard.

WHAT: One Person, One Vote: Redistricting 101
WHEN: Wednesday, September 4th – 6:30PM-7:15PM
WHERE: Link will be sent on registration
REGISTER: https://action.aclu.org/webform/redistrict-webinar

LINKS WE MENTIONED:

Because we know that if you’re listening to this pod you love voting, we want you to know that we need your vote! The Austin Chronicle’s Best of Austin 2019 Poll is out. Will you exercise your right to vote by finding your ballot at austinchronicle.com, filling out your info, jumping to the “politics & media” section and nominating The Rabble for Best Local Podcast?
https://www.austinchronicle.com/vote-best-of-austin/

Brass knuckles are legal now: https://www.texastribune.org/2019/08/28/brass-knuckles-now-legal-texas/

Go see ANN at Zach Scott Theater: https://tickets.zachtheatre.org/single/PSDetail.aspx?psn=8071

Recommended reading - Ann Richards autobiography, “Straight From the Heart”: https://www.amazon.com/Straight-Heart-Ann-Richards/dp/1476750580

El Paso shooting victims might get special visas:
https://www.texastribune.org/2019/08/27/el-paso-shooting-victims-might-get-special-visas/

More about the Las Americas “Crime Victims Program” helping El Paso shooting victims from Mexico secure U visas: https://las-americas.org/crime-victims

Dems slam Engage Texas PAC for setting up at driver's license offices
https://www.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article234425742.html

https://www.dallasnews.com/news/texas-legislature/2019/08/27/texas-democrat-cries-foul-gop-registering-voters-drivers-license-offices

https://www.texastribune.org/2019/07/31/engage-texas-raises-nearly-10-million-register-new-republican-voters/

Jolt’s Voter Deputy Registrar class (Tacos!): Sat. Sept. 7, 10:30-11:30 a.m. and 12-12:30: strategy + best practices workshop http://bit.ly/2zcSlX6

The 2018 Texas Civic Health Index:
https://moody.utexas.edu/sites/default/files/2018-Texas_Civic_Health_Index.pdf

Citizen Discourse:
https://citizendiscourse.org/

The Kindness Contract: https://citizendiscourse.org/kindness-contract/

Reformed White Nationalist Christian Picciolini’s TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VM6HZqQKhok

Atlantic interview with reformed White Nationalist Christian Picciolini: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2019/08/conversation-christian-picciolini/595543/

On isolation as the driving factor in addiction: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-real-cause-of-addicti_b_6506936?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAADKtFvmK_zfHR0Wq2gTSWNDLXT7nawW0avQkryhTbaGaOpUc_40sATFck3bonNiV6JVap_wkHpYU7pTh9efpNuBLIu13mhnU66W0ClhY_QhKToFDfYkCImtp4AenTh8LQBTNwlFW6CSGb0zdlACHc8Qo0j_1HycDezuehhw5nqSo