Real Life Superpowers

In this episode, we speak with Lior Segal, Co-founder and Managing Partner at Horizon Capital Horizon Capital is an Israeli venture capital fund backing founders at the Pre-Seed and Seed stages. It's sector-agnostic by design, built to support early-stage startups wherever opportunity strikes. Lior's path to venture wasn't linear. Before launching the fund, he led Data Matching Solutions as CEO until its acquisition by SafeCharge. He stayed on as VP of Gaming Innovation and later helped shape global payment strategies at Nasdaq-listed TSG. His operator-first lens gives him a practical, grounded perspective that shapes how he evaluates and supports startups. Together with his co-founder - Yani Jacobi, who also happens to be his childhood friend - he built Horizon Capital from the ground up, without a traditional investing background. And while their portfolio includes headline names like Verbit, OwnBackup, and Blue Ribbon, this conversation doesn't focus on the wins. It focuses on the how. “We are trying to master uncertainty.” In this conversation, we dive into what it really takes to run a VC fund like a startup, the importance of founder dynamics, and the discipline required to stay focused in a market defined by noise. We explore: Self-fulfillment and leaving law behind to build in tech. Lior began his career as a lawyer but quickly realized it wasn't the right path. He shifted into the tech and fintech world, trading legal frameworks for hands-on company building. What it means to build a venture fund from scratch. Lior and his partner launched Horizon without prior investing experience - treating it as a startup in its own right, complete with its own pitch process, learning curve, and pressure to prove value fast. How friendship can work in business - if boundaries are clear. They set ground rules from day one: friendship comes first, business second. Professional disagreements are dealt with directly, and personal trust stays intact. The dynamic between co-founders - and what Horizon pays close attention to From subtle looks in meetings to how roles are divided, Horizon places a strong emphasis on how startup founders interact, not just the business model. Why focus matters more than vision at the early stage. Lior urges founders to avoid distractions, skip the five-year plans, and build a short, focused path to the next funding round. “it's very nice to think you know, 5 or 10 years ahead, but in this world, when everything can blow up one morning, you can't really do it. You need to have a great vision, but you need to be very focused." The challenge of monetizing AI products in a crowded market. AI may be everywhere, but few founders know how to turn it into revenue. Lior breaks down the importance of testing pricing early and identifying real user value. The current noise in the AI space - and how to think through it. With so many startups riding the AI wave, it's harder than ever to stand out. Horizon looks for teams that go beyond tech wrappers and hype, and build something defensible. How staying calm is a strategic advantage. In a market that shifts by the day, Lior shares how he makes decisions without panicking - staying anchored in strategy, even when conditions are unpredictable. If you're looking for practical insights on founder dynamics, business focus, and building in uncertain times - this one's for you. Tune in, take notes, and share it with someone who's building something bold.

In this episode, we speak with Yulia Bassan, Managing Director of Woman2Woman, a powerhouse program dedicated to advancing women in leadership and management roles in Israel. Under Yulia's leadership, the program has grown into a key force shaping the future of female leadership, expanding its reach, forging partnerships with industry giants, and driving measurable impact. Her mission? To break barriers and create equal opportunities - not just talk about change, but actively lead it. “The mental load is not evenly distributed. Women are still expected to juggle it all. But leadership isn't about waiting for change - it's about making it happen.” In this conversation, we dive into what it really takes for women to rise in leadership: The reality of balancing career and family - especially in times of crisis. From the war in Israel to the daily demands of leadership, Yulia sheds light on how external forces impact women's choices. “Some women don't have the privilege of choice.” How workplace biases still persist - and how to push back. Yulia shares her own experiences - being asked to take notes in meetings, expected to play a supportive role rather than a leadership one. “The way you say ‘no' matters. Confidence isn't just about what you say - it's how you say it.” Why speaking up is a career strategy. Many women hesitate to claim their achievements. Yulia explains why enthusiasm and visibility are key to professional growth. “If you don't put yourself forward, no one else will.” How resilience isn't about doing it alone but about having the right support. Whether in war, career, or personal life, sisterhood and community make the difference. Yulia shares how Woman2Women pivoted during the war to providea sense of belonging and strength. This episode is for anyone who believes leadership should be built on talent - not gender. If you're looking for inspiration, practical career strategies, and a deeper understanding of the challenges and solutions for women in leadership, this one's for you.

In this episode, we speak with Marc Gaffan, a three-time startup operator, investor, and current CEO of Ionix, which just raised a $42M Series A. Marc has spent the past two decades in cybersecurity. In 2008, he co-founded Incapsula, later acquired by Imperva, and since then, he's led, invested in, and mentored multiple cyber startups. But if there's one thing he's learned? No two startup rodeos are the same. “Every startup has its own dynamics, its own challenges. There's no playbook. You can't ask ChatGPT to write the recipe for doing a startup. When they do that, then I think we'll be done.” In this conversation, we dive into what it really takes to build, lead, and survive in the startup world: The startup rollercoaster never stops - but you get better at holding on. Marc explains that experience doesn't mean things get easier. "It's not that you come up with better answers to problems, but you recognize the common themes. You know it won't be a smooth sail, and over time, it doesn't shake you as much as it used to.” Mental and decision-making resilience - the two muscles every founder needs. It's one thing to push through a tough moment. It's another to do it over and over again without burning out. “How do you keep your mental resilience going? It's a tough roller coaster.” The harsh reality of being an investor vs. an operator. We talk about the limits of investor influence - and why control ultimately belongs to those in the trenches. “The only thing a board can really do operationally is fire the CEO. If you really want to have an impact, you can't be on the sidelines. You have to be in the field.” Why fixing weaknesses is a waste of time - and how to leverage strengths instead. Too many people spend their careers trying to be something they're not. Marc argues for a different approach: “If you're not gifted at math, forcing yourself to be really good at it won't work. Instead, invest heavily in what you are good at. That's where you'll find fulfillment and confidence.” The importance of celebrating wins - even when the work isn't done. It's easy to focus on the unfinished 15%. The problems. The gaps. The “not there yet.” But Marc reminds us: “You need to stop and appreciate how far you've come. Your gut instinct sharpens over time - not because of luck, but because experience refines it.” The innocent bliss of starting something new. “As a CEO, you don't really know what you're getting into. And in some ways, that's good. If you truly understood the odds, you might never take the leap. But the journey matters. And who you take it with matters even more.” Marc has built companies. He's struggled. He's succeeded. He's learned. And now, he's here to share his perspective. If you've ever tried to build something from the ground up - this episode is for you.

In this episode, we speak with Daniel Leviathan, a truly visionary leader with a diverse and inspiring background, despite being only 27. Daniel's aspirations can come across as borderline delusional, but I think if anyone can achieve what he's set off to - it's him. It's as Steve Jobs famously said “Those who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do. In 2019, Daniel embarked on a profound personal journey, exploring the depths of shamanism, Buddhism, and other ancient and modern wisdom traditions. His quest for knowledge led him to study at the Highden Mystery School and even spend a month on a deserted island, immersing himself in transformative internal experiences. By 2021, Daniel had founded and led a project called Sync, which brought together individuals from diverse domains into cohesive groups of twelve. Through his facilitation, these groups deepened their trust and coherence, creating powerful connections. In 2023, Daniel co-founded Zoé with Michael Matias. Zoé is a community of heart-driven individuals dedicated to building a sustainable, just, and beautiful world. Through online and in-person experiences in Israel and California, Zoé fosters deep internal connections on a personal level, social level, and with nature. The gatherings focus on building trust, appreciating life's inherent beauty, aligning around shared values, and collaborating on impactful projects and initiatives. We discuss: • the importance of synergy among value-driven, capable individuals to create a more sustainable world • the challenges of food waste, global warming, and the misalignment between real value and incentives • the phenomena of tragedy of the commons, arms race, and misalignment between real value and incentives • the misalignment between GDP metrics and real value and the need for a shift in societal values • the importance of being less attached to outcomes and more focused on the process • The mission of Zoé • And much more As you'll quickly hear, this is a very unique being, deeply devoted to personal growth, empowering others and making the world a better place. We hope you enjoy your listen

In this special episode, we speak with Professor Haim Zvi Dotan. Prof Dotan embodies the intersection of innovation, artistry, and forward-thinking design. He's an internationally renowned architect, poet, educator, and futurist. He's the visionary mind behind the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge- the world's first, longest, and highest glass-bottom bridge - a stunning architectural marvel that has become an iconic landmark in China and a symbol of bold innovation worldwide. He's been recognized for his groundbreaking contributions, earning numerous honors, including the title of “Honorary Citizen of Zhangjiajie” and the prestigious iNNOVEX Global Leader of Innovation Award. Beyond his architectural accomplishments, he's a dedicated educator, sharing his expertise as a professor at leading institutions like Fudan University, the Shanghai Institute of Visual Arts, and the DeTao Masters Academy. And above all of this, he's truly a special spirit. We discuss: • The concept of time and the journey of life • Prof. Dotan's belief that every person is a genius if they connect to their inner soul and DNA • The role of education in connecting students to their inner wisdom and the importance of passion and curiosity in achieving success. • How creativity is linked to being fully aware of the now • The concept of being a "startup nation" and how everyone has a unique mission and passion that they should follow • The importance of following one's passion and not being afraid to explore different paths in life • Prof. Dotan's passion for being a bridge between people and how this has shaped his career and life • The importance of being oneself and not trying to fit into societal expectations or the expectations of others. • And much more! This episode is dedicated to Miri Perlman, a 25-year-old student of Professor Dotan who passed away unexpectedly. Shortly before her passing, Miri attended Professor Dotan's workshop, “Green Cities and Smart Building” at HIT. During the workshop, she drew a portrait of Professor Dotan, and he captured a photo of her while drawing. Tragically, this photo turned out to be the last picture taken of her alive. In many ways, this episode is a reminder of how fragile life truly is, and how important it is to truly try to tap into the best version of ourselves and do the best with what we have because we only have one life. We hope you listen to this unique episode.

In this episode, we speak with Idan Waller Idan is the founder of the 10M club, one of the most coveted business consulting companies in Israel for SMBs. Through the club Idan has changed lives, helping 10x the paychecks of thousands of entrepreneurs. He's a die-hard digital entrepreneur, growing up working with the best business minds, marketers and copywriters in the US and Israel. He's also a leading local Israeli podcast host. His latest metamorphosis was breaking into tech, where he and his brother founded Bluethrone - a startup that acquires product market fit consumer apps from indie developers and small studios, and then grows them into iconic companies. We discuss: • Mediocracy as a driver for growth • How Idan discovered entrepreneurship and his writing abilities • The power of “away motivation” • The value of aggressive goals and facing fears when building a business • Managing scaling teams through systems and processes • What it's like working with family • The importance of having experienced investors who understand the realities of running a profitable business • And much more Enjoy your listen

In this episode we speak with someone who has truly climbed his way to the top, starting from humble beginnings and pushing forward with determination. Oshri Deri, began his career at just 14 years old, working as a dishwasher. From there, he transitioned into hospitality, moving from service roles to high-level management. Oshri has managed some of Israel's most prestigious hotels, and then went on to spearhead Brown Hotels' European expansion, particularly in Greece. Nowadays he's a real estate entrepreneur, leading million-dollar deals across Israel and Greece. We discuss: • The importance of optimism, resilience, and the human element in leadership • The challenges faced in the hospitality sector • How crisis can lead to transformative leadership experiences. • The power of constructive feedback as an engine for growth • The value of adapting to new challenges and continuously evolving as a leader • The impact of social media and changing industry dynamics • And more! Enjoy your listen

In this episode, we speak with Shmuel Mizrachi Ginat. He's an entrepreneur and venture capital investor with deep experience in business development, capital raising, investments, and M&As. Shmuel has helped raise close to 100 million USD for over 80 startups and has personally invested in 17 Israeli startups. He's the founder of Crowdinnio, a holding company with ventures in P2P lending, secondary markets, crowdfunding, and more. He also founded EvE, an investment banking firm specializing in M&As, guiding startups through capital growth and regulatory challenges. We discuss: • the challenges of investing in early-stage startups and the importance of diversifying investments • how Shmuel's belief that his generation onwards will live at least till 100 impacts his investment strategy • the importance of chemistry between co-founders and the need for a strong team to support each other • growing a network while being an outsider in a new market • And much more! We hope you enjoy your listen!

In this episode we speak with Roy Avidor. Roy is the CEO and Co-Founder of Cymbio, a game-changing retail tech startup. Cymbio is a marketplace and dropship automation platform that helps brands like New Balance, Lacoste, Steve Madden, and many more scale their digital sales effortlessly. With over 15 years of experience in retail, wholesale, and eCommerce, Roy knows the industry inside and out. He's also a shareholder and board member at I.A IL and owns and runs the multi-brand retail chain "Originals." He's previously served as a Senior Economic Advisor to Israel's Minister of Industry and Trade and is a member of YPO - the global leadership community of extraordinary CEOs. We discuss: - Co-Founder relationship and initial bootstrapping - The importance of working with investors who act as partners - The potential conflict between personal and professional relationships - The power of trust and communication - The significance of listening to customers and adapting to their feedback - Balancing stability and growth - The sense of responsibility and urgency that comes with leading a startup - And much more We hope you enjoy your listen.

In this episode, we speak with Aviad Harell - the Managing Partner at Team8, a global VC with deep domain expertise that builds and invests in companies specializing in enterprise technologies, cyber, AI, and fintech. He's a seasoned angel investor and adviser to numerous startups, VCs, and executives. Before joining Team8, he co-founded Sisense, a powerhouse in the business intelligence space. Under his leadership, Sisense thrived, achieving $150 million in annual revenue and growing to over 800 employees. He's seen the highs and lows of the startup world, and his journey is full of valuable lessons. We discuss: • Aviad's journey, including the early days of Sisense, working long hours and enjoying the "joy of creation" without much direction or success. • The shift in expectations for new startups, from building a product to generating revenue quickly. • Difficulties the Sisense team faced in raising institutional funding due to lack of professionalism in pitching and business model. • Insights on company growth, funding, and pitching • A professional CEOs' impact on startup growth • What Aviad looks for in founding teams • Where grit plays in • And much more Enjoy your listen!

In this episode, we have the privilege of speaking with a special guest—Prof. Ehud Menipaz. Not only is he an international academic leader and a leading figure in the fields of entrepreneurship and innovation, but he also happens to be Ronen's father, which adds a special dimension to this conversation. Prof. Menipaz's career spans several impressive roles: a former senior partner at Ernst & Young International, a Professor Emeritus at Ben Gurion University, and an esteemed author and lecturer. His expertise stretches across aeronautical, mechanical, and industrial engineering, all the way to business administration. He's significantly influenced academic and professional communities worldwide, serving on prestigious forums under the leadership of global leaders like U.S. Presidents and even Russia's Putin. He chairs the Board of Governors at The National Association of Engineers, Architects, and Academics in the Technological Sciences and has played a pivotal role in advancing science literacy globally. He's also deeply involved in fostering young entrepreneurs through initiatives like Junior Achievement-Young Entrepreneurs Israel. We discuss: - Entrepreneurship research and its impact on local economies - Gender inequality in tech and entrepreneurship, with insights on innovation in academia - Innovating in academia through an entrepreneurial mindset and tapping into relevant issues - The importance of tenacity and focus - How to maintain Jewish identity and pride in the face of global anti-Semitism - The potential of a small group of people with diverse skills to contribute to the world's future - And much more We hope you enjoy your listen

In this episode, we speak with Omri Hurwitz. He's a tech marketer and media strategist. His clients are some of the leading companies, billionaires, and tech startups He is also an investor and owns several media publications in the United States. And yet he's only 28 years old. We discuss: • Media ownership, investing, and transparency the ease of regulations in the US compared to Israel. • How Omri found solace in writing during difficult times, and his unique approach and self-belief that led to eventual success, despite initial rejection from gatekeepers. • The importance of seeking feedback but not becoming obsessed with it. • The importance of speed in promotion - getting a product or company in a position of trust and influence as quickly as possible. • How podcast interviews with successful investors ended up with Omri becoming an investor. • Decisiveness and aggressiveness in entrepreneurship. • How Omri manifests desires through writing (including gratitude for what has not yet happened!) • The law of attraction, manifestation and asking the universe for opportunities. • A tactic of asking for something bigger after a rejection, to increase the chances of success. • And much more! Enjoy your listen!

In this episode, we interview Sagive Greenspan, a professional with two decades of experience navigating the complexities of the telecom and financial sectors. Sagive has tackled numerous executive roles, managed large-scale projects, and led teams in both development and client engagement. He's also experienced in business development and running large delivery organizations. Beyond the roles and responsibilities, Sagive has been key in integrating acquired companies into vast organizations, directing teams of over 2000 people. We discuss: • Managing complexities in business, including global expansion, acquisitions, and team management during reserve duty • Managing large-scale operations and teams, with emphasis on culture and strategy alignment. • Company culture, management, and acquisition • Leadership qualities, creativity, and career paths • Stress management, and personal growth • ..and much more Enjoy your listen!

In this episode, we're excited to be joined by Donna Griffit, a world-renowned corporate storyteller, pitch alchemist, and best-selling author of “Sticking to my Story: The Alchemy of Storytelling for Startups”. Her ability to create, edit, and deliver powerful presentations, pitches, and messages has earned her a reputation as one of the most sought-after storytellers in the business world. For over two decades, Donna has been working extensively on a global scale, collaborating with Fortune 500 companies, startups, and investors across more than 30 countries. Her unique approach has led to outstanding results, with her clients collectively raising over $1.5 billion through her guidance. We discuss: • Storytelling for startups and personal growth • Donna's journey and what the Japanese word “ikigai” has to do with it • The importance of empathy in storytelling The correlation between fear and excitement • The power of clear communication in business • The mistake of being too factual and straight to the point • Practical tips on how to improve storytelling • The role of credibility, likability, and momentum • Optimism and perception in challenging times • And more! Enjoy your listen!

In this episode, we speak with Roy Gottlieb, currently the co-founder and CEO of a backed stealth cybersecurity startup. Before embarking on this latest venture, he spent almost a decade on the investor front, co-founding and serving as a general partner at Cardumen Capital, serving as an investment manager at Samsung Ventures, and collaborating with industry titans such as Lightspeed, Team8, Insight Partners and more. He was also the co-managing director of the Israeli YVCF (Young Venture Capital Forum) for six years, helping shape the next generation of venture capital leaders. We discuss: • Imposter syndrome, walking around with feelings of not being good enough • The importance of understanding the breadth of a topic and diving deep into one industry • Decision making, focus and choosing what not to do • The unique qualities that make for an industry expert • Competing with the giants of the world • The true power of professional relationships and deal flow in sourcing capital • ..and much more Enjoy your listen

In this episode, we speak with Liron Azrielant, a Founding Managing Partner at Meron Capital - a VC at the forefront of investing in technology companies in Israel. Her track record speaks volumes as she's led investments in tech successes such as Loom Systems, Clear Genetics, Testim, and many others which were subsequently acquired. Prior to Founding Meron, she was a Principal at Blumberg Capital, where she led early-stage deals that also turned into successful exits. Before her venture capital career, she honed her skills as a Strategy and M&A consultant at top-tier firms like Bain & Co. and PwC's PE group in New York. She's also a fellow of the Kauffman Fellowship, a highly sought-after two-year program for leading venture capitalists. Her list of accolades is long. We discuss: • Entrepreneurship and mental preparation during turbulent times • Resilience, and investment strategies in challenging times • Motivation, and Career Paths • Focusing on solving a specific problem, rather than pursuing fame or money • Developing a business partnership language to argue passionately but constructively • Building skills through practice and repetition • And much more Enjoy your listen!

In this episode, we speak with Asaf Yanai, a visionary entrepreneur and the Co-founder & CEO of Alison.ai. With a track record of turning ideas into reality, Asaf has left a lasting mark on the tech landscape, with Alison.ai being the third company Asaf founded after successfully selling two tech startups he's built in previous years. We discuss: • Managing a startup during a crisis • Analyzing video content for fake news and intelligence • Growing up as the son of two entrepreneurs and co-founders • Entrepreneurship, family, and motivation • Learning from mistakes, and starting a business • Self-management, and post-mortem analysis • Personal growth • And much more! Enjoy your listen

In this special wartime episode, we speak with Asaf Shamly, a visionary entrepreneur and thought leader in the AdTech space, who co-founded Browsi, an AdTech AI startup back in 2017, with a mission to create a world where content and ads blend harmoniously. He's been at the forefront of innovation in the AdTech industry for over 8 years and has a wealth of experience which he's gained from involvement in three startups. He also takes a lead role in the open-source community, championing transparency. And here's the kicker – despite all his achievements, he's just 30 years old. We discuss: • Being an entrepreneur during a war • Entrepreneurship struggles and emotional toll • The difference between selling to investors vs. clients • Emotional intelligence, EQ, and managing a team • The lonely road of entrepreneurship • Dealing with failure and learning from mistakes Have a good listen

In this special episode, we're pleased to have Andy Ram as our guest. Andy made history by becoming the first Israeli tennis player to win a senior Grand Slam event. He achieved this feat at Wimbledon in 2006. His winning streak includes the French Open mixed doubles title and the men's doubles title at the Australian Open. He achieved a World No. 5 doubles ranking in July 2008. Throughout his career, he represented Israel at multiple Summer Olympics, and competed in 36 doubles finals, triumphing in 20 of them, often partnering with Jonathan Erlich, together known in Israel as "AndiYoni." Andy's success on the court is just the beginning of his incredible story. As a former Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldier, Andy used his platform as a tennis player to raise awareness and support for the IDF soldiers and their families. He's also dedicated himself to promoting peace and coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians through tennis. In these turbulent days, we discuss: • Resilience and hope in Israel amidst conflict • Overcoming obstacles to becoming a top tennis player despite not being a super talent (Andy's words not ours!) or coming from a wealthy background. • Resilience and failure in sports and life • The importance of leaning on people for support during tough times • Finding solutions to problems through conversations and maintaining a positive outlook. • Positive thinking and energy management • Passion, discipline, and belief in achieving success • Overcoming challenges • And much more Enjoy your listen!

In this episode, we have the pleasure of interviewing Pamela Becker, a marketing executive for some of Israel's leading technology companies. After she was widowed with three small children in 2008, Pamela co-founded and remains the active chairperson of the Israeli charity Jeremy's Circle, which supports children and teens coping with cancer or cancer loss in their young families. We discuss: • Coping with losing a husband to cancer, with 3 children at home, in need of community support • Needing to be strong for everyone else, and the need to keep going no matter what • The power of healing through helping others: “The way to lift yourself up is to bring someone else up with you” • Mission-driven and powerful companies • The importance of being allowed to screw up • Preparation and proportions as key factors of success We hope you enjoy this profound episode!

Welcome to another episode of the Real Life Superpowers Podcast, the show that brings you closer to individuals who, through hard work, innovation, and vulnerability redefine the term "superpowers" in our 21st-century context. I'm Noa Eshed co-hosting here with Ronen Menipaz. In today's episode, we're traveling to the crossroads of cybersecurity and blockchain technology, where our guest has been a prominent figure and an influential force. Our guest is Idan Ofrat, CPO and co-founder of Fireblocks, a groundbreaking platform dedicated to securing digital assets. When it comes to defending the cyber frontiers, Idan's track record speaks for itself. Prior to Fireblocks, Idan was a key player at C4 Security. He's also an expert in decentralized technologies. He was the co-founder and CTO at Yeloha, a disruptive platform aiming to decentralize energy trading, as well as VP of Product at Orbs, a public blockchain designed for high-scale apps. Today we delve into his story. So… join us in welcoming Idan to the show.

In this episode, we speak with Yair Snir, he's the managing partner of Dell Technologies Capital. With over a decade of experience in building companies, Yair has a keen eye for investing in innovative startups. His firm has backed over 145 startups, including some of the most successful companies in the tech industry such as DocuSign, JFrog, Netskope, Redis, and Zscaler. Prior to his role at Dell Technologies Capital, Yair held corporate leadership roles at ECI Telecom and Microsoft, where he gained valuable experience in managing teams and developing successful strategies. He's also founded and worked in various biotech companies, showcasing his versatility as a business leader. We discuss: • As a mindset, diving into deep waters and learning to swim • Along Yair's career so far, what led him to choose his next steps • How navigating your career can be like riding a bicycle - keeping your balance and looking forward “If you look downwards at the wheel, you're most likely to fall“ • Overcoming naysayers (who will always be there) • The investment approval process in Dell Technologies Capital • What Yair looks for in a team • The revolution that is AI, and where data plays in • ..and more! Enjoy your listen! And if you want to contact Yair his email is: yair.snir@dell.com, his LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yairsnir

Welcome to our podcast, where we interview trailblazers who have made a significant impact by being human beings performing at their best. Today, we're excited to have Gur Shatz as our guest. Gur is an accomplished entrepreneur, having founded Incapsula, a cloud-based web application security and acceleration company that was later acquired by Imperva. In 2015, he co-founded Cato Networks with Shlomo Kramer, a leading all-in-one enterprise networking and security solution delivered from the cloud. Gur and Shlomo's vision for Cato Networks has been a resounding success. In just five years, they have raised an impressive $532M at a $2.5B valuation, and as of 2022, have surpassed $100M ARR. This makes Cato the fastest-growing networking and security startup, outperforming even industry giants like LinkedIn. In fact, Cato's growth rate is faster than many consumer-oriented brands, such as Wix, Zapier, Canva, and Shopify. We discuss: • How Cato Networks came to be and how experience in a field plays an advantage • How the team went about acquiring market acceptance • Selling to customers before you have a solution that's 100% functional • The need to convey confidence while experiencing constant paranoia and concern • How past success can also be an impediment to future success • The fear of growing into a large non-agile organization • What happens when leaders lose touch with what's actually going on in “the trenches” • Gur's leadership formula for time management • The importance of blocking time eternal learning • And much more! We hope you enjoy your listen!

In this episode we speak with Jason Feifer, the Editor-in-Chief of Entrepreneur magazine, host of two popular podcasts, and the author of "Build for Tomorrow: How to Thrive in Today's Challenging World of Work". With over a decade of experience in the media industry, Jason has become a thought leader in entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership. He's interviewed countless successful entrepreneurs and innovators, gaining invaluable insights into the mindsets and strategies that have enabled them to achieve their goals. We discuss: • The path to mastery, and what it has to do with “gripping the wheel” • Using what Jason calls “the ZigZag payoff” to break the glass ceiling many of us create by limiting ourselves to a specific skill set. In a nutshell, it's about tapping into the core interest that drove you to develop the skills that enable you to do what you're currently doing (and are maybe feeling trapped in) • The power in asking yourself “What do I have? What do I need? What's available?” • Evaluating the cost of action vs. the cost of inaction • Framing new things we do as experiments rather than long-term commitments • What people afraid to lose their job/venture in an era of generative AI can do • And much more! Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned professional, or simply interested in becoming the best version of yourself - this is an episode you won't want to miss. Useful resources: • Jason's newsletter https://jasons-newsletter-e2c0e6.beehiiv.com/subscribe • His book Build for Tomorrow: How to Thrive in Today's Challenging World of Work http://jasonfeifer.com/book • His podcasts Help Wanted https://link.chtbl.com/LsYdERXQ • and Build for Tomorrow https://www.jasonfeifer.com/build-for-tomorrow/

Welcome to another episode of the Real Life Superpowers podcast. Today, we have a guest who is a true pioneer in the world of AI and intelligence platforms. He's currently the CEO of Aiola, a company on a mission to connect the promise of AI to the masses. With his extensive experience in commercial strategy and execution, our guest has driven over $1 billion in impact, for some of the world's leading Fortune 500 companies, across more than 20 industries. He's held key positions at cybersecurity and digital marketing companies that have been involved in several notable acquisitions by giants such as Microsoft and Facebook. We discuss: • The moment in Amir's life, after which everything was different, and he realized how fragile life is, and decided to make the most of his short time on earth. • The danger of becoming too comfortable. • The power of partnerships. • Predicting vs. reacting - what dots are you failing to connect? • The impact and potential of storytelling in business and in everyday life. • The threat that AI poses, if not handled ethically and responsibly. • ..and much more! Enjoy your listen!

In this episode we speak with Nir Eyal, an expert in behavioral design and author of the bestselling books: “Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products" and "Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life". He's known as the habits guy, the one who can help understand how to get app users to come back again and again. Bloomberg business week named him “The Prophet of Habit-Forming Technology”. He's a former lecturer at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. He's also founded and sold two tech companies, and he actively invests in habit-forming products such as Eventbrite, Kahoot, Canva, Product Hunt, and more. In this interview, we explore Nir's insights on how to design products that create user habits, the ethical considerations of persuasive design, and his strategies for overcoming distraction and staying focused in today's always-connected world. We discuss: • The difference between persuasive technology and cohesive technology • The hypocrisy of the media • The abuse of the concept of addiction, as an excuse to not take control of one's life • How to take control of our attention • Phubbing (phone snubbing) • Where pain plays in • The power of planning your day • Reactive work vs reflective work • How labeling feelings helps • And much more! Enjoy this deep dive into Nir's mind and expertise!

In this episode, we speak with Ifty Kerzner. He׳s first and foremost a creator. He was a fairly known singer, and composer in Israel, with several successful hits, a tv host, and a journalist. But he wasn't satisfied. So he realigned his goals and pivoted. He co-founded Kissterra - a startup that helps insurance companies increase profitability through artificial intelligence. They've raised a $76M Series A, and had refused an offer to sell for $40M (but we don't go into that in our conversation). His energy can be felt from the get go. He's sensitive and super passionate, speaking openly about pain and failure, not trying to paint a perfect picture of life. Which is admirable. Listening to him made us wonder how much charisma and the ability to hold a strong stage presence, can be an advantage in entrepreneurship. We discuss: - The difference between competence and arrogance - The effect of parenthood on his self-confidence - How pain fuels his life - The power of strong partnerships - Going to therapy with your business partner - Intuition and emotion - And much more Enjoy your listen

As we enter the next frontier in artificial intelligence, with generative AI leading the way, this conversation can be super relevant for entrepreneurs who are trying to navigate this new landscape and figure out what skills it makes the most sense to hone in order to stand out. The conversation is with Tomer Dean. He's the co-Founder, and CEO of Audiolabs - a startup that builds AI technology to convert podcasts into short-form video clips. He's a tech entrepreneur, listed on the prestigious Forbes 30 under 30, full-stack developer, guest writer at TechCrunch, host of 2 podcasts, the list goes on. Growing up in Silicon Valley, he started his digital career at the age of 15. He taught himself how to code his first website, which he later sold at 16 for $10,000. He hasn't stopped coding and building since. During the years, he's built many side-projects and companies in SaaS, media, consumer, and e-commerce. Some were bootstrapped, some VC-backed, and some sold. We discuss: • The momentum of generative AI as a perfect time to enter the market with a valuable product • Tomer's rather aggressive approach to validating products (“we prefer to sell and then build”) • His experience-based, practical methodology for identifying and screening potentially successful ventures • The five elements investors are looking for when you pitch them • How to navigate pitches to investors in order to make sure you're getting honest feedback (and improving your chances of moving forward with them) • Pro tips for cold emailing • …And much more! Enjoy your listen and if you do - don't forget to rank the podcast on your native podcast app! We're excited to collaborate with the Israeli website CTech by Calcalist, owned by Calcalist כלכליסט – Israel's leading business newspaper. CTech is the gateway of Israeli high-tech to the tech world and vice versa. If you're not already a regular reader, we strongly recommend you check it out and stay up to date on all high-impact stories from the Israeli tech scene. Zooming out, if you like listening to this podcast, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss new conversations with peak performers, serving as a reminder we can all tap into the best versions of ourselves. You're also welcome to follow Ronen and Noa on Linkedin: • Ronen Menipaz on Linkedin • Noa Eshed on Linkedin And if we may ask for a favor – please leave us a review on your native podcast app.

“Entrepreneurship is an instinct, it's not about experience. It's either you have it, or you don't. You can learn some of the traits, but I think it's something that is mostly instinctive”. [we apologize for the quality of the sound in this episode, we're aware it's challenging to listen to Udi but we decided to release it despite the technical obstacle here because we think he's worth it] In this episode, we speak with Udi Ziv, CEO of Earnix - a startup that he's stepped into to scale and successfully turned into a unicorn. He's a serial entrepreneur, selected by the Wall Street Journal as one of 100 Israeli tech leaders you need to know. He has a lot of experience-based insights on what it takes to succeed as an entrepreneur. We discuss: • Balance as a theme in life • The product vs service dilemma • Finding a product market fit through providing services and finding commonalities • The problematic trend of overlooking profitability in the pursuit of growth • The shift from startup to enterprise • And much more Enjoy your listen! We're excited to collaborate with the Israeli website CTech by Calcalist, owned by Calcalist כלכליסט - Israel's leading business newspaper. CTech is the gateway of the Israeli high-tech to the tech world and vice versa. If you're not already a regular reader, we strongly recommend you check it out and stay up to date on all high-impact stories from the Israeli tech scene. Image credit: Eli Dasa Zooming out, if you like listening to this podcast, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss new conversations with peak performers, serving as a reminder we can all tap into the best versions of ourselves. You're also welcome to follow Ronen and Noa on Linkedin • Ronen Menipaz on Linkedin • Noa Eshed on Linkedin And if we may ask for a favor - please leave us a review on your native podcast app. Some further resources: • Real Life Superpowers podcast on Ctech • The podcast website

In this episode, we speak with Eilon Reshef, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer at Gong. He's a serial entrepreneur. After successfully selling his previous e-commerce startup Webcollage, he went on to co-found Gong, a SaaS solution that as they like to describe themselves - “unlocks reality to help people and companies reach their full potential”. Gong is growing at a rapid rate and is very well known across the sales and marketing industry, having acclaimed several awards and doing marketing work that simply can't be ignored. We discuss: • Life after an exit • Bringing a new venture to life • Getting your first client and putting your idea into action • Experience-based insights on pitfalls to avoid • The power of hyper-focusing • Hiring people who are underqualified instead of overqualified (don't) • Why be an entrepreneur in the first place? • ..and much more! There's a lot to learn from Eilon's professional and entrepreneurial journey. Enjoy your listen! We're excited to collaborate with the Israeli website CTech by Calcalist, owned by Calcalist כלכליסט - Israel's leading business newspaper. CTech is the gateway of the Israeli high-tech to the tech world and vice versa. If you're not already a regular reader, we strongly recommend you check it out and stay up to date on all high-impact stories from the Israeli tech scene.

In this episode, we speak with Oded Barak. Having identified a need in the insurance landscape, he left a promising career as an executive in leading global corporations, to co-found his startup Five Sigma. To date, they've raised $26 Million USD, and dozens of insurance carriers and Insurtechs use their solution. We discuss: • The motivations of stepping outside of your comfort zone and walking away from a stable career to “hunt your own food”. • Identifying a supply and demand gap and doubling down on it. • The importance of experimenting and testing ideas, embracing uncertainty, and navigating with it as a given. • The power of agility, paying attention to feedback and not sticking to a “set in stone” plan. • What you need to consider in your go-to-market strategy. • How to work your way up to tier-1 clients for your startup. • Navigating stress. • Actively seeking blind spots. • And much more! Enjoy your listen! We're excited to collaborate with the Israeli website CTech by Calcalist, owned by Calcalist כלכליסט - Israel's leading business newspaper. CTech is the gateway of the Israeli high-tech to the tech world and vice versa. If you're not already a regular reader, we strongly recommend you check it out and stay up to date on all high-impact stories from the Israeli tech scene.

In this episode, we speak with Alon Gilady. He is a serial entrepreneur who is currently leading Renovai - his third technology startup. He co-founded his first startup while studying for his BA in economics and philosophy. That venture was in the sports and entertainment collectibles industry. He was able to close licensing deals with brands such as FC Barcelona, NBA, and Disney, selling over 1.5M units through retailers in Europe and the USA such as Walmart, Target, Toys R Us, Tesco, and more. In 2017 he co-founded a 3D-rendering studio with ten employees. The company created virtual reality experiences for architects and interior designers. Based on the knowledge and experience gained in this venture, the idea of Renovai was born with an ambitious mission: to empower online retailers with AI to make professional design and stylist services affordable and accessible for all. We discuss: • His “impossible is nothing” mindset, and how he was able to “skip the line” and close deals with some of the world's leading sports brands and retailers, with zero experience. • His approach to achieving moonshot goals • The power of persistence • Where luck plays in • Pro tips for cold outreach • And much more! Enjoy your listen!

'If you're an entrepreneur, you need to show me evidence that you've gotten in with these customers, and these customers are just chomping at the bit to get what you have, and they can't get it elsewhere. Because these are the companies that break through. If they can get it from a lot of other sources, you're just never gonna grow really fast, you're gonna be a small - maybe if you execute really well - a medium sized company, but you're never going to take the market.' In this episode, we speak with Steve Hoffman, also known as Captain Hoff. He's a venture investor, serial entrepreneur, award-winning author, and CEO of Founders Space - a global startup accelerator, that's been ranked by both Forbes and Entrepreneur magazines as the #1 incubator for overseas startups. Under his many hats, he's constantly leveraging his vast experience to mentor and empower entrepreneurs, helping them navigate the good, bad, and ugly. He's down to earth and has his sleeves rolled up ready to share his knowledge. We discuss: • What qualities he looks for in entrepreneurs and companies he invests in • The importance of surrounding yourself with the right people (this is a clear common theme, so many of our guests emphasize this) • Where trust plays into teamwork • His unusual career path, led by identifying opportunities and following his passions and interests • The power of listening to your heart in decision making • Identifying where your talents truly lie • When it's time to give up • How startups fail by assuming they can create demand, something that Steve says is not possible to do. Steve says truly great entrepreneurs don't focus on “just” building a product, they're what he calls demand hunters. • Why “humans as a service” (consultancies for example) is never a truly scalable type of business • How to recruit talents • How he navigates stress and anxiety • And much more! Enjoy listening to him! We're excited to be collaborating with the Israeli website CTech, owned by Calcalist - Israel's leading business newspaper. CTech is the gateway of the Israeli high-tech to the tech world and vice versa. If you're not already a regular reader, we strongly recommend that you check it out and stay up to date on all high-impact stories from the Israeli tech scene. https://www.calcalistech.com/ctech/home/0,7340,L-5492-580237,00.html

“When you're recording a movie, there are a lot of scenes that don't get into the final movie. The same as with your life, you kind of choose what moves the plot forward. What's the next thing that I need to be putting right now that will move this plot forward. We are the editors. We are the actors, we are the players. We are the directors. We are the everything. Right?” We don't get to speak to as many women as we'd like to on this podcast. We're actively working to change that. We hope that from our little corner of the audio web, we're helping some women listeners out there tap into their own superpowers and step into their full potential. We know those are big words, but for what it's worth, we mean them. In the meantime, when we do get the opportunity to speak to women founders through this platform, those interviews have always been powerful, leaving us with a lot of food for thought. This episode is no different. In it, we speak to Meirav Harel. With over 20 years of experience in finance, technology, and creating award-winning fintech innovation, Meirav Harel is a world-known expert inTech, blockchain, digital disruption, the future of finance and investment, and trading Interfaces. She was named "1 of the 100 most inspirational women in Blockchain", by Cryptonewspoint, 1 out of 36 “top women Revolutionizing Crypto around the world” by TechRoundUK, and listed twice on the "Women in Fintech Powerlist" by Innovate Finance UK. She lectures, consults, provides management services and in-depth research, to leading international financial, regulatory, and academic institutions around the world, is an ambassador to EWPN (European Women in Payments Network), Former Head of Strategic Innovation Technologies at BDO, and the list goes on. We discuss: • Leaving a stable job, despite being valued and enjoying it, in order to do something of your own. “Am I capable of taking a challenge upon myself and building what I see in my vision of what I can bring to the world, at a larger scale?” • The power of setting goals and stepping outside of your comfort zone • What it takes to be an entrepreneur • The difference between failing and being a failure • The almost endless potential that lies in combining different disciplines with technology • Why everyone should learn to code • The evolution and future of money • How to navigate mentally and emotionally when things get rough at a personal level • How the people you surround yourself with impact your performance, and what traits Meirav looks for in the people around her • And more! Listen to her, there's a lot to learn from this real-life superwoman. She's been through a lot and is not afraid to be vulnerable and authentic, sharing her knowledge and hoping to empower others on their journey. We're excited to be collaborating with the Israeli website CTECH, owned by Calcalist - Israel's leading business newspaper. CTECH is the gateway of the Israeli high-tech to the tech world and vice versa. https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/bjiz00mb6c If you're not already a regular reader, we strongly recommend that you check it out and stay up to date on all high-impact stories from the Israeli tech scene.

“My big takeaway is that planning and hustling and that whole hustle culture and pivoting and you know, just cheat sheets and get my hacks and let's just work harder? That's, to me, that's all in the rearview mirror.” In this episode we speak with Tim Ash. Among many accomplishments, he's a bestselling author and international keynote speaker on evolutionary psychology and digital marketing. He's considered one of the founding fathers of the discipline of website conversion rate optimization (CRO). He's worked with companies like Google, American Express, Nestle, and Verizon to name a few. He's been ranked a “top 10 online marketing expert” by Forbes magazine, and “top 15 online marketing Influencer to Watch by Entrepreneur magazine, His book “Unleash Your Primal Brain: Demystifying How We Think And Why We Act” has been endorsed by renowned psychologist Dr. Robert Cialdini. But after all of his great achievements, his conclusion is the brutal honesty that the journey will end, and the journey is just that - a journey. It's fascinating to hear a person so released from cultural norms and evaluations - on a quest to be a professional - human being. This episode is very different, you'll hear for yourself. Resources Get in touch with Tim: https://timash.com/ Booking Tim for a speaking Engagement: https://timash.com/for-event-planners/ Tim's Book unleash Your Primal Brain: Demystifying how we think and why we act: https://www.amazon.com/Unleash-Your-Primal-Brain-Demystifying-ebook/dp/B08BY1WYHM The mankind project: https://mankindproject.org/ The book king, Warrior, Magician, Lover: Rediscovering the Archetypes of the Mature Masculine, Robert Moore, Douglas Gillette: https://www.amazon.com/King-Warrior-Magician-Lover-Rediscovering/dp/0062506064 The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom, Don Miguel Ruiz: https://www.amazon.com/Four-Agreements-Practical-Personal-Freedom/dp/1878424319 The Second Mountain: The Quest for a Moral Life, David Brooks: https://www.amazon.com/Second-Mountain-David-Brooks/dp/0812993268 Candide, Voltaire: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19380.Candide Don't Look Up Netflix film: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don%27t_Look_Up The Spiritual Dimension of the Enneagram: Nine Faces of the Sou, Sandra Maitri: https://www.amazon.com/Spiritual-Dimension-Enneagram-Nine-Faces/dp/1585420816/ Riso-Hudson Enneagram Type Indicator test: https://tests.enneagraminstitute.com/orders/create

In this episode we speak with Kim Walsh Phillips, founder of Powerful Professionals. We feel it's one of those interviews that hits you in the gut. We think many entrepreneurs and business owners are sort of workaholics by default. And this self-made woman, who was once her own slave and experienced pitfalls, now sets her own rules, and it works. So much that she's: - Running a multiple seven-figure business coaching and education company. - The backstage secret of some of the biggest names in business, including Kevin O'Leary from Shark Tank, Dan Kennedy, Harley-Davidson, Hilton Hotels and High Point University. - Shared the stage with some of the world's leading thought leaders including Tony Robbins, Barbara Corcoran, and Gary Vaynerchuk. - Named #475 in the Inc 5000. - Best-selling author of several business books, one of which was named “a must-read by those in business” by Forbes Magazine. - Doing it all and yet making significant time for her loved ones. She's all heart, and she came ready to add value, which we're sure anyone listening will gain. Enjoy your listen.

In this episode, we speak with Noam Toister, CEO and co-founder of bookaway.com, a startup that helps travelers with everything to do with ground travel tickets (bus, ferry, train, you name it). In 2020 when the pandemic struck, the travel industry suffered the largest crisis in 100 years. bookaway crushed from significant revenue to tens of dollars a day. Some people are generals of peace, some of war. Noam is a general of war. Instead of closing shop, he and the team raised 35 million dollars and bought 3 companies. It's a story of resilience, of pushing forward against all odds, and of how choosing the right investors can make or break your chances of success. Enjoy your listen!

Hey everyone, Would you agree that we become better people when we're around other people, and ideally, meeting in person? Today's guest certainly does. David Siegel is the CEO of Meetup - the largest platform in the world for finding and building a local community for people with similar interests. Meetup was acquired by WeWork in 2017, a year later David was selected by both WeWork and Meetup's founder to succeed him as CEO. That move proved itself. Nowadays under David's leadership Meetup flourishes with over 40 million members, 320,000 Meetup groups and facilitates, and around 12,000 Meetups around the world daily. David is also the author of a new book called Decide and Conquer: 44 Decisions that will Make or Break All Leaders, where he outlines the challenges leaders face when starting a new position, and then presents a decision framework he applied to overcome challenges in his own career. He is an adjunct professor at Columbia University where he teaches strategic planning and entrepreneurship. He hosts the podcast Keep Connected, dedicated - you've guessed it - to the power of community. Prior to joining Meetup, David was the CEO of Investopedia where he tripled its revenue over a three-year period. He also served as the President of SeekingAlpha, a technology company focused on startups seeking financing, and as Senior Vice President for 1-800 Flowers. He's a fountain of experience, insights, and goodwill. We discuss: • The power of storytelling • The role mentors played in David's life • The correlation between pain and growth • The difference between self-esteem and confidence • The significance of vulnerability • How he overcame the social anxiety he suffered from in his early years • The leadership advice he got from Jack Welch • The radical transparency David leads in Meetup as a trust enhancing policy • How he perceives the role of a CEO and the core KPIs he measures his performance with • The difference between being kind and being nice (and why you should opt for the former) • David's decision-making framework • And much more! Enjoy our conversation - we sure did.

As a podcast about peak performance, we get a rare opportunity to speak with some truly remarkable people. And it's not that we don't believe every person is or can be remarkable, but some people stand out, making the impossible possible. And it seems they do so by first and maybe foremost being the best version of themselves and inspiring others to do the same. Such is today's guest. Henry De Sio has shifted the tectonic plates of human history. He's one of the key players that helped get Barack Obama elected in 2008, serving as the Chief Operating Officer of the Obama presidential campaign, and then serving as Deputy Assistant to the President in the Obama White House for two and a half years. He's spent many years with the social organization Ashoka. He is a keynote speaker, campaign strategist, and leadership advisor. He's recently published a book called CHANGEMAKER PLAYBOOK: The New Physics of Leadership in a World of Explosive Change. He's engaged with the world's leading social and business entrepreneurs, bringing his change-making framework to board rooms, newsrooms, community forums, university institutions, and governmental halls all over the world. He's helped global leaders cultivate in themselves and in others the qualities of the changemaker as he defines them: - an innovative mind - a service heart - an entrepreneurial spirit - and a collaborative outlook. In our conversation, we delve into all of that and more. Enjoy your listen.

In this episode, we speak with professor Ran Ginosar, co-founder and President of Ramon.Space, a space computing startup, developing the computer-in-Space technology of the future. Listen on RealLifeSuperPowers website: https://reallifesuperpowers.com/podcast/ran-ginosar-co-founder-ramon-space/ Ran founded Ramon.Space to manufacture and deliver computers that can fly to, and survive in outer space. Over the past 15 years, the company managed to build some of the world's best Space computers and is a key player in the global Space industry We discuss: • Navigating a high stakes environment, dealing with multiple fronts on a daily basis • Future-proofing space computer technology so that it can be prepared for next generation innovations • The challenge of recruiting talent, and how much compensation is a factor (vs mission) • What it takes to become the best in what you do • How Ramon.Space came to be • Startup challenges • And more! Enjoy an interesting perspective from someone in a hands-on position, that you don't get to hear too often!

Jacques Benkoski (General Partner USVP) In this episode we speak with international businessman Jacques Benkoski , General Partner of U.S. Venture partners (USVP). For those who somehow didn't hear of USVP it's a very well known Silicon Valley venture firm that's invested in more than 500 companies, including Box, Check Point, Mellanox, Epsagon, Guidewire, HeartFlow, HotelTonight, Imperva, Inspire Medical, Luminate, Medigate, Omada Health, Pluto TV, Trusteer, Yammer - the list goes on. We discuss his journey, perspective and experience in helping entrepreneurs execute their vision and grow into significant sustainable businesses. Some key topics we delved into: • The power of Karma • The profound significance of focusing on adding value, (always) doing the right thing and creating a deep positive impact on the people around you • What legacy truly means • Where money plays in • Why the CEO must be the one managing the board and not vice versa • And much more! Checkout the episode for some gems on what the top investors in the world are looking for in a startup, the passion that drives it all, and many other valuable insights.

In this episode, we speak with Nir Meganzi and Lynette Winter – two of Intel's (Fortune 500) leadership coaches. In late 2018 Lynette and Nir, two senior leadership coaches with extensive experience, were recruited by Intel's senior management to envision and create a leadership coaching program to invest in the company's managers. For those unfamiliar with Intel, it's the world's largest semiconductor chip manufacturer, ranked No. 45 in the Fortune 500 list of the largest US corporations. What do Nir and Lynette do? They coach Intel's managers, helping them lead through empathy and become the type of leaders that people want to follow. For a large corporation such as Intel, accurate leadership is a necessity. But what applies on a large scale, is super relevant for any organization. At the end of the day, it's all about human beings moving things, together. And how. Lynette and Nir are pros that know how to shine a light into the right areas and work through growing from them. You'll immediately hear how passionate they are and how much they truly care about their mission. We discuss: • The power of truly seeing people, and meeting them in an empathetic way • The fundamental expectation of teams to be coached by their managers • The (humble) role of a manager with respect to coaching • The importance of not being a bottleneck and instead helping others unlock their ability to truly contribute. “If I'm leading a team, and I'm the one who's that bottleneck for solving the real challenges, then the team is only as smart as I am. And that's a problem, because if I have a team of 10 or 1,000, that team is infinitely more smart, creative, capable, than the one” • How to be self-critical and know when to not interfere and not try to fix what your team doesn't need you to fix • Leveraging the opportunity of a challenge to help the team unpack what they're capable of achieving • The fundamental human need for contribution • How to ask guiding questions that will help your team reach solutions themselves (and not assuming you know the answers more than them!) • The concept of PPC (production and production capabilities) • The importance of mindfulness and being present to receive what's truly happening around you • How each decision shapes the company culture, what we say and what we don't say • The four elements that inspire people to stay in an organization (contribution, meaning, belonging, agency) • ..and so much more! Anyone who wants to become more effective, when working with people, will hopefully find value in this unique episode. These guys know what they're talking about, and are very practical and eager to share their knowledge. Enjoy your listen! P.S. you can find out more about Nir here: https://www.nirmegnazi.com/ and you can reach out to both via LinkedIn

In this episode we speak with Ory Weihs. He's an experienced founder and investor. He founded XLMedia PLC in 2003 and ran it for 16 years, growing it from a small startup to a London Stock Exchange listed leader. In 2020 he founded Team Odeon, which focuses on the higher education and vocational training sectors. I think all of us at the Real Life Superpowers community can relate to any doing that is focused on vocation and self-fulfilment. He's super successful and as you'll hear, very down to earth and modest. There's an underlying theme of serendipity in his life and openness to trying new things and taking chances. That seems like a good baseline to positioning for success. We discuss: • What it feels like to scale up to a company that's listed in a stock exchange • Why you shouldn't underestimate the importance of a CFO in your venture • The advantages and disadvantages of taking a company public • Lifestyle businesses, businesses that aren't profitable for years, and everything in between • What he looks for when investing in a startup • And much more..! We hope you enjoy the conversation as much as we enjoyed having it.

We think it's fair to say that in order to be successful and live a fulfilled life, you need to change and grow. Which makes this episode a valuable listen to anyone who wants to do just that, and to make more impact on the people around them. In the episode, we speak with Peter Bregman and Howie Jacobson, authors of YOU CAN CHANGE OTHER PEOPLE: The Four Steps to Help Your Colleagues, Employees—Even Family—Up Their Game. Peter is the #1 executive coach in the world, bestselling author of 5 books, and host of Bregman Leadership Podcast - a top 10 business podcast with over 1.5 million downloads. He coaches C-level executives in many of the world's premier organizations. His work appears frequently in the Harvard Business Review, BusinessWeek, Fast Company, Psychology Today, Forbes, CNN, and NPR. He's created and leads the #1 leadership development program in the world - the Bregman Leadership Intensive. He's given four TEDx talks, regularly delivers keynotes. The list goes on.. Howie is an executive coach to leaders ranging from startup founders to Fortune 100 executives. He's Director of Coaching at Bregman Partners, and Head Coach at the Healthy Minds Initiative. He's also the host of the Plant Yourself Podcast and author of 4 more books. His writings have also appeared in Fast Company and Harvard Business Review. We discuss: • The process of co-writing a book • The huge misconception around the concept of feedback • The difference between feedback and coaching • The four steps to truly helping people WANT to change, and then actually changing • When to let go • And much more There's so much to be learned from these accomplished gentlemen, check out the episode, we think it's not an exaggeration to say it'll probably inspire you to be better.

In this month's episode, we speak with Hillel Fuld. He's a one-man legend who's very known in the tech landscape as a top influencer. He's a person that accomplished everything, by just doing what he loves and hoping that people will love what he does. He started off by literally just posting his musings online as a diary, which led him to work with the top tech companies in the world. He's super active, leveraging his talent and passion in many areas, all with one common ground - empowering entrepreneurs and adding value: • Helping startups - he spends a lot of time mentoring entrepreneurs and tech founders. Helping them scale. Amazingly 95% of the time he spends on that front is with no strings attached. He doesn't charge them any money. Where is the income from then? Some of those startups end up coming back offering Hillel to join them long term wise either as a paying consultant or for equity. Brilliant, right? • Writing - he writes for the Jerusalem Post, Inc Magazine, Mashable, TechCrunch, Business Insider, and more. He's officially ranked among the top ten tech bloggers in the world. • Evangelism - he's an unofficial ambassador of the Israeli tech landscape - leveraging his influence to help get Israeli tech founders become known and recognized globally • Public speaking - he hosts a podcast called Bootstrap and speaks on stages around the world • Collaborating with brand - he works with some of the top tech brands in the world as an influencer • Educating - he's recently launched an entrepreneurship course • The list goes on.. We discuss: • His business philosophy - focusing on building trust rather than accumulating equity • The fundamental difference between sales and marketing • A MUST KNOW time-optimizing hack • The importance of content in any startups' marketing strategy • A marketing tip that can truly help startups establish relationships with influencers in their industry, get website traffic and elevate their brand • Being intune with yourself and following your heart • The power of simplicity • Much more! Listening to Hillel you'll quickly notice his elegance and how being an approachable human being can lead to incredible places. He's living proof that empowering others while having impactful fun is a gateway to becoming the best version of yourself. Check it out

In this episode we speak with Paula Davis, Founder, and CEO of the Stress & Resilience Institute, helping organizations prevent burnout, and build resilience. She's the author of Beating Burnout At Work: why teams hold the secret to well-being and resilience. The Financial Times recently included her book in its March roundup of best business books. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Oprah Magazine, The Washington Post, and many more. She's a contributor to Forbes, Fast Company, and Psychology Today. Her journey is one of self-awareness and empowerment. Having experienced burnout, she left a promising law career and started exploring the topic of well-being, burnout prevention, and stress management. She set forth on a mission to help individuals and organizations become more resilient. She's since trained thousands of professionals, leaders, and teams in many industries, including many of the world's largest law firms, plus work with the military training more than 40,000 soldiers and their family members. She's a walking testament of how when we're attuned to ourselves we can be the best versions of ourselves and make an impact on the world while we're at it. We discuss: • How to identify burnout • What entrepreneurs need to be extra mindful to • Job demands vs. job resources • The importance of being self-aware and deep self-reflection • The serendipitous way that led to her discovering the discipline of positive psychology and how her career shifted from that point on • The power of learning from what we go through as individuals and teams • Practicing resilience and building the “resilience muscle” (as opposed to just assuming resilience is an innate quality beyond our control) • Encouraging teams to celebrate small wins • ..and much more! In addition to being inspired by her journey, this interview can help leaders identify burnout in their teams, and gain practical tips on how to navigate it. And if you think that providing the likes of yoga classes for your team is the way to go, this will hopefully make you revisit that notion as the solution goes way deeper than that, and entails true awareness and devotion. We hope you enjoy your listen!

In this episode we speak with Ido Safruti, co-founder and CTO of PerimeterX, a company that provides digital threat protection for businesses and is valued at nearly a billion dollars. The company was named number 49 on Deloitte's Fast 500 Ranking Highlights with an incredible 3,637% Growth in just Three Years. We discuss: • His path to founding his own startup • The challenge of selling a solution in the realm of protection and prevention where the pain isn't necessarily felt till it's too late • How they gained their first customers and the POC process they went through • The concept of design partnerships with users as part of a validation process. “People are extremely happy to talk when you're not trying to sell them a product, once you move over and say OK now I have a product and I want you to buy it, they're more suspicious and care about their time. But I know for myself, if a founder calls and says ‘hey I have an idea, I want to get your perspective on it' I'm always happy to share some time and provide feedback” • The importance of listening to your potential clients' needs and challenges • The power of human relationships • Navigating team growth • The cost of a wrong hire • Much more! There's a lot entrepreneurs and intraprenuers can learn from this guy, we hope you enjoy your listen!

In this episode we speak with Vik Harrison, who's most known as the co-creator of Charity: Water, a nonprofit that provides drinking water to people in developing nations. Since it was founded in 2006, Charity: Water has inspired a movement of one million supporters from 100 countries and to date, they've helped 10 million people around the world get access to clean water. Vik is the brains behind the charity's design and branding, she's played a major role in its success. She now has her own consulting firm - The Branded Startup, where she brings all her knowledge and experience to help purpose-driven entrepreneurs and nonprofits clarify their vision and tell their stories. We discuss: • The challenge of balancing family and a fulfilling career • Procrastination and overcoming fears by having faith in yourself and by setting a clear pubic deadline (which you'll then be accountable for) • Choosing herself at a young age, and despite her family's objection, leaving a promising career in the advertising world to join Charity: Water • The power of authentic storytelling and transparency • The importance of conveying trust, confidence and control as opposed to a desperate narrative when raising money (whether for a startup or a nonprofit) - people like to take part and invest in something successful that's working • Warmth and competence - the two reasons we trust brands. Consider this, does your brand have warmth, does it feel human? And do you convey to your target audience that you are capable of helping them? • The importance of switching motives, at one point or another in life, from setting up our own life to contributing to the world in a bigger way • The difference between fear and dread • Not settling for vague company values and making sure to accompany values and with actionable examples that bring true meaning • Enneagram personalities • …and much more! If you've heard of Charity: Water - you probably already know why this episode is a gem. If you haven't - you're about to find out. And if you manage a nonprofit - this is simply a must listen.

Episode 36 - Lisa Sweetingham (author and journalist) In this episode, we speak with journalist and author Lisa Sweetingham. Her writing has appeared in the New York Times, Parade, Spin, Time Out New York, Health Affairs, and many other publications. Her track record includes the coverage of high-profile murder trials and Supreme Court nomination hearings for Court TV online. She’s super total ‫- in order to bring her first book Chemical Cowboys: The DEA's Secret Mission to Hunt Down a Notorious Ecstasy Kingpin, to life, she’s spent four years following in the footsteps of DEA agents and Ecstasy traffickers. Among other achievements, she’s also a contributor to the New York Times bestseller Thirst: A Story of Redemption, Compassion, and a Mission to Bring Clean Water to the World, which she wrote with Scott Harrison the co-founder of charity water. We discuss: • Storytelling, journalism, and the search for truth • The power of doing work that’s meaningful to you • How having a clear mission and vision can help make self-conscious choices, what to allocate your time and attention towards • The danger in getting too comfortable “you stop growing” • ...and much more! In an era of information and content overload, she’s leading an impressive career as a peak performing creator, honing her craft and putting out content that’s truly impactful. There’s a lot that can be learned from her outlook on life. We hope you enjoy your listen! P.S. we had a technical issue on our end with our recording equipment, please excuse the poor sound quality from our end.

In this episode, we speak with Pat Dossett. Pat’s a former Navy Seal and Google exec who left Silicon Valley to start a business called Madefor - a company that helps people reach their greatest potential by forming positive habits through principles of Neuroscience, positive physiology, wellness, and health. As a podcast about peak performance with a goal of inspiring people to tap into their true potential, we think this interview can not be more relevant. Madefor believe a better world starts with a better you - what a great mission. We discuss: • What Madefor is all about, and how we actually can rewire our brain over the course of our lifetime. • The power of small consistent steps done over time. • Some of his insights from his challenges as a former navy seal (for example how the right mindset can make what appears to be impossible - possible). • The correlation between peak performance and positive psychology. • Breaking everything you do in life into small purposeful, consistent steps, and adopting a humble mindset of “crawl, walk, run”. • The idea of a growth mindset: “when we get uncomfortable, when we find ourselves stressed or when we find that we’re having to navigate a challenging circumstance, or we’re trying to work hard to unlock problem, that feeling that we get, that resistance to the progress, isn’t a sign of us being incapable of achieving the thing we want to achieve, rather it’s a sign of ‘this is what it feels like to move towards our goal, this is what it feels like to progress, to grow stronger, to get better and if you can map that effort and that resistance and make that a positive or frame that in a positive light, very quickly you understand that it’s hard because it’s a sign you’re achieving something”. • Focusing on process and not outcomes. • A mission-focused mindset - evaluate everything you do under the lens of its potential contribution to the mission at hand while recognizing you’ll never have 100% certainty. • The OODA loop - the cycle of “observe–orient–decide–act”. • The importance of continuing to learn. “The people that have done the most, that their opinions hold a lot of weight, are the ones that never stop learning, that are always trying to figure out how ‘how can I be better? what’s different? what’s changing?’. And those that are very rigid and hold on to dogmatically ‘this is the way it’s done, it’s the way it’s always been done’, are generally people that are really dangerous to have on a team”. • Much more! Hopefully, this episode will help you become a better you! Enjoy your listen!

‎”I like founders who are trying to solve a problem they have personally. They’re facing some kind of a challenge, they don’t find a solution, they don’t have a product that solves it, and they say - ok, I’m going to find a way to make this problem go away for myself. What usually happens later is that as soon as they do that and find a solution, they find out that there’s a product market fit. They’re not the only ones with this kind of a problem, there’s more people on the planet who are facing this same problem.” In this episode we speak with Liron Rose, also known as the investor in Israeli unicorns. He’s a serial entrepreneur and investor, with a few unicorns under his belt. His portfolio includes companies such as Similarweb, Kenshoo, Dynamic Yield, Fiverr and many more. He’s the co-founder of After Download, a company he grew from 0 to 30M in revenue in 3 years. In 2013 he sold it to Iron Source for 28M. He’s the founder and CEO of the Techstars Israel - the local branch of the prestigious global Fintech accelerator. He does business consulting for global companies helping startups that are raising capital. We discuss: • What makes a growing startup promising from an investor’s perspective • The importance of the team that comprises a startup • The x-factor • Liron’s journey to becoming a leading investor, and the unconventional career choices he made along the way • The importance of being a pioneer • Risk mitigation • The endowment effect (more painful to lose something you already had than not gain it in the first place) • Much more! He’s very modest and there’s a lot that entrepreneurs can learn about what investors are looking for, by getting this unabridged peek inside his head. We hope you enjoy your listen!