When you picture someone who works on Wall Street, Joan Solotar probably isn’t who comes to mind. She grew up in Queens, New York, the daughter of a Holocaust survivor and a self-taught mechanic. But with grit, intellect, and determination, Joan built a career at the top of global finance, becoming Senior Managing Director and Global Head of Private Wealth Solutions at Blackstone. From her first analyst job on Wall Street in the 1980s to leading a multibillion-dollar business, Joan has redefined what leadership looks like in a male-dominated industry. She speaks with Bruna Papandrea about the mentors who shaped her, the sacrifices along the way, and why lifting others has become her life’s mission. This is a story about ambition, empathy, and what it means to keep climbing, and reaching back to pull others up. This is Joan’s invisible roadmap. Invisible Roadmap is a podcast from the Brunaverse.
When Naomi Watts first moved to Hollywood, she couldn’t get a break. Casting directors barely looked her in the eye. She was told no more times than she could count. And just as she was about to pack up and return home to Australia, a call from filmmaker David Lynch changed everything. In this candid and deeply personal conversation, Naomi sits down with Bruna Papandrea to trace the long, uncertain road from Sydney to Mulholland Drive. She opens up about the years she spent denying her love of acting, the rejections that almost broke her, and the quiet resilience that kept her going. Now, with decades of success behind her, Naomi reflects on the discipline it takes to build longevity in Hollywood, balancing motherhood with ambition, and the power of reinvention again and again. This is Naomi's invisible roadmap.
Invisible Roadmap is a podcast from award-winning producer Bruna Papandrea (Big Little Lies, Gone Girl, The Undoing) that explores the unpredictable journeys behind remarkable lives. Growing up in housing commission in Adelaide, South Australia, Bruna knows firsthand that success doesn’t always start with privilege - and now she’s sitting down with others who’ve built extraordinary careers from humble beginnings. From litigators and doctors to chefs, magazine editors, actors, and directors, these are raw, revealing conversations about failure, resilience, and the courage it takes to keep going when the road ahead isn’t paved for you.