Alissa Jordan: Web3 and IRL Family Superstar

Rug Radio co-host and tech attorney, @schmupergirl, on web3, IRL connections and an active family life.

Alissa Jordan brings refreshing honesty to the web3 space as co-host of the Rug Radio show, Growth Mindset Moment, and as a speaker at IRL events. Her passion shines through in her contributions to web3 communities, her support of creators, and her dedication to family life. WagginWendy had the privilege of talking with Alissa and sharing her story.

Alissa and Ron Jordan - Co-hosts of Rug Radio’s Growth Mindset Moment and The Stars Podcast

How did you learn about Rug Radio and what inspired you to create and host a show with your husband, Ron Jordan (Web3 Sensei)?

• Ron and I have been partners on the podcast, The Stars Podcast, for a few years. I helped him in the background, but I did not start taking a more active role until last year when I ended my own web3 show called VeeGinaz.  As that chapter was closing, Ron shared with me that he really wanted us to do Stars together moving forward. Considering he’s my partner in literally everything, it was an easy YES.  

• Ron was really plugged into what Rug Radio has been doing for creators. I think sometimes Rug Radio gets associated only with Farokh but it’s SO MUCH bigger than that. I was initially hesitant for us to participate in the beginning, but I am so glad we are a part of the ecosystem now as creators. There’s a lot of work that goes into being a Rug Radio creator that most people do not really understand.  Ron does a lot of that work for us, thankfully!

Alissa balances her work as an attorney with web3 activities and family life.

What type of work do you do as an attorney and how do you share your time between your legal profession and web3?

•  I serve as the Chief Compliance Officer and General Counsel of a woman founded tech company called OhanaLink Technologies.  We are a tech company building products in many areas, but the most recent product is called OhanaLink Purple — technology we built in partnership with domestic violence agencies that connects the agencies with domestic violence victims safely, securely, and discreetly. 

• I have the time to balance my time because of the flexibility we have built into our culture. OhanaLink’s CEO, Kara Wasser, encourages us to pursue our passions outside of work. Our leadership focus is less on how many hours our people work and more on performance.  This creates a lot of flexibility for all of us to do what brings us joy. I am fortunate because my day job is included in the things that bring me joy and I am so glad that I am finally in a position to enjoy all aspects of what I do every day, including contributing to web3.

You recently spoke at VeeCon and have also presented at other conferences. How did you get involved in public speaking and do you enjoy it? What was one of your favorite IRL web3 experiences?

• Well, my first stab at quasi public speaking was on social audio (ClubHouse, Twitter Spaces, Podcast). This really sparked my interest in speaking at IRL events too. Julie Lamb saw something in me and gave me my first opportunity to speak at an IRL event and from there, I have really grown and continue to grow in this area. I love speaking on panels where we can have thoughtful conversations, but I really love moderating panels. I think moderation is really the most incredible opportunity to create an environment for the panelists to shine and it’s a responsibility do not take lightly.  

• VeeCon Community Stage was a full circle experience for me- I entered web3 because of VeeFriends and the community there — so grateful to have had the experience. It has really motivated me to spend more time cultivating my speaking content so I can do solo speaking engagements in the future. But my FAVORITE IRL web speaking experience was at Miami NFT Week in 2022.  I had the privilege of moderating a panel of game changers in web3, all of them just happened to be women. That day I met Christine Theriot (then MyBFF, now World of Women), Rebekah Bastian (OwnTrail), Adryenn Ashley (Minting Future) for the first time. WHAT A POWERHOUSE GROUP OF PROS!! Facilitating that conversation was such an honor. We ended up being the most tweeted about panel at Miami NFT Week that year - more than Mark Cuban! Many people don’t know this but it was my first time ever moderating a live panel.  

Can you tell us about what you’re doing to promote ethics and equity in the web3 space?                                                                                     

• By walking the talk, sharing helpful content, and calling out the stuff that, in my opinion, doesn’t align with basics around ethical/equitable behavior that many of the businesses leveraged as a selling point in web3.

• People are so used to keyboard warriors in a call out/cancel culture that makes so much noise that sometimes the real voices raising legitimate concerns get missed. Also, there are people out there afraid to speak up.  

How does your background in the mental health arena influence your approach to web3 participation?

• I believe my experience working in mental health and social work provided me with a foundation for being mindful and more aware of how to identify mental health situations for myself and others. I think it has helped me establish some boundaries as well. I don't execute on this perfectly all the time (I am a work in progress).

• I do think that because of the way we share information in web3, that there’s a unique opportunity to raise awareness around destigmatizing mental health situations we all face, and I try to do that as often as possible in sharing my journey with ADHD. One thing I know is this- I am unaware of ever looking back at a situation and regretting being MORE mindful. I also think that the web3 community is full of genuine connection if people are open to it.  

Aside from Rug Radio, what are your favorite NFT projects or pieces of NFT artwork?

• UNDERRATED: PixelMix and Dinosaur Butt Feet: The founder is a gem and what they are doing at a grassroots level is unmatched.

• BIAS: NFDaddys:  Dev Shop with a purpose that I love (one of the founders is my husband so in the spirit of transparency- there is that).

• COMING SOON: Swagger Society:  Robin Arzon is doing something really awesome during a down market and really connecting web2 and web3 with a token that has INCREDIBLE art with membership program utility.  

• ARTIST: Gabe Weis: One of my favorite artists in the space for his art and for being a genuinely awesome human.

• ARTIST: CryptoTats by NOMOZ: This art is pure fire and incorporates so much of what I love. JMB (Jean-Micheal Basquiat) inspo with the angel number 4. OBSESSED with the art and the community based project aspect with the Crazy Carl Collective (CCC).

• PROJECT: World of Women: For the mission and the persistence to grow- Also my WoWG is beautiful!

• COMMUNITY: VeeFriends:  The single most valuable asset in web3 is COMMUNITY and I have found some of the most incredible friends and connections in the space in the VF community.

What hobby or pastime outside of work and web3 do you enjoy?

•  I love to read novels.  My brain is so busy so when I can sit with a good book and get lost in the story- it’s a beautiful thing.

• I love spending time with my family and supporting them in all of their crazy adventures- from competitive TKD tournaments to 100 mile races to watching them create things with metal in the back yard forge- we have A LOT going on here at any point in time and I love it.

• Traveling:  I love to travel. Take me to any beach and I will find peace. 

Anything else you’d like to share? 

• Thank you for the opportunity to share a bit about my web3 journey.

Alissa’s ability to open her heart to her amazing blended family and to members of the web3 community is inspiring! Thank you Alissa for being such a positive force in web3!