The Brand Called You

In this engaging episode of The Brand Called You, Alexander Thomson—commercial real estate leader and first Canadian chair of NAIOP. From over $2B in developments to shaping livable urban spaces, Alex shares insights on redefining success, building communities, and leading with long-term impact.00:35- About Alexander ThomsonAlex is the founder of Prevail Consultants, offering strategic guidance as a trusted advisor and fractional executive for companies and entrepreneurial owners alike.

David Belt turned dumpsters into pools, junkyards into country clubs, and derelict buildings into cutting-edge tech incubators. As the founder of Newlab, he champions “critical technologies” that serve society—not just Silicon Valley. His story is a masterclass in turning constraint into creativity and vision into impact.00:26- About David BeltDavid Belt is the Co-Founder and CEO at Newlab, a hardware-focused startup accelerator in Brooklyn, New York.

Discover the power of standards-based management in this insightful episode of The Brand Called You! Host Ashutosh Garg welcomes Derrick Van Mell, Principal of the Center for Management Terms and Practices, for a deep dive into why organizations desperately need common language, ethical leadership, and clearly defined standards for competence.Derrick shares pivotal moments from his own 25-year advisory journey, revealing why less than 10% of businesses follow a real strategic plan—and how standards-based management can transform chaos into collaboration. Hear how a caring boss inspired Derrick's whole approach and learn why younger managers are embracing ethics, compassion, and a global mindset.We also explore Derrick's book “Atoms and Orchestras,” the impact of management standards across countries and industries, and actionable advice for both leaders and frontline employees. If you want to unlock long-term strategic execution and create fulfilling workplaces, don't miss this episode!

In this illuminating episode of "The Brand Called You," host Ashutosh Garg sits down with Stewart Cohen, CEO & Managing Partner of SuperStock, and Director of Stewart Cohen Pictures. Stewart shares his fascinating journey in the worlds of photography, film, and media archiving. Dive in for a structured summary complete with key timestamps and discussion highlights![00:01:01] What Sparked Stewart Cohen's Journey Into Photography?The early influence of iconic French photographers and the emotional power of imagesFirst photo purchase: Cartier-Bresson's celebrated image and its impact on Stewart's passionThe ways photographs transport viewers to different worlds and instill wanderlustIndia's Pushkar and its allure as an early photographic bucket-list destination

From fleeing war-torn Lebanon to skiing in Davos, to Harvard, Lehman, and beyond—Yalda's story is one of bold pivots, fearless grit, cultural fusion, and relentless purpose. A mother of three, a global citizen, and a leader who truly cares.00:24- About Yalda AoukarYalda Aoukar is Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Bracket Capital, a leading private markets investor based in Los Angeles, which she co-launched in 2017.

Anna Reger's story is not just one of survival, but transformation. From growing up in poverty and facing tragedy to building multi-million dollar businesses and pioneering products like Flip Lok, she's proof that resilience and purpose create unstoppable force. This episode of Leaders Who Care shines a light on how grit, grace, and bold action rewrite destinies.00:09- About Anna RegerAnna is the founder of Flip Lok.

Ever wonder how technology leaders adapt between nimble startups and tech giants, or what it truly takes to ship software that matters? In this insightful TBCY episode (S7 E062), Ashutosh Garg sits down with Thanos Diacakis—software delivery coach, fractional CTO, patent-holder, and independent consultant—to unpack 25+ years of lessons from the front lines of engineering and startup life.Below you'll find key topics explored in the episode, organized by timestamp, complete with guiding questions to help you navigate the most relevant insights for your journey.

Debra Erickson, Executive Chef and Founder of The Blind Kitchen, sits down with Ashutosh Garg for an inspiring episode that explores her personal journey, the challenges and triumphs of vision loss, and her mission to empower individuals—especially those who are blind or visually impaired—to find independence in the kitchen. Below, we break down the episode using key timestamps, each reflecting an important aspect of Debra's story and work.

Pradeepa Narayanaswamy, a “Diamond Mining Coach,” joins The Brand Called You to share her journey from technologist to transformational coach. She helps high performers uncover their inner brilliance, overcome fear, shame, and burnout, and lead with clarity and courage. Her mission? To mine for diamonds, not fix dirt.00:39- About Pradeepa NarayanaswamyPradeepa is a Diamond Mining Coach.She helps high performing leaders uncover their untapped brilliance, elevate their influence and lead with clarity, courage and authenticity.Her latest book, Practical Leadership: Simplifying the Complexity, distills leadership into clear, actionable insights.

In this episode of The Brand Called You, Jay Sehgal, EVP of the Sehgal Foundation, shares his inspiring journey from tech professional in the U.S. to driving grassroots change in rural India. Discover his powerful insights on water, women empowerment, education, and working with communities for sustainable development.00:40- About Jay SehgalJay is the Executive Vice President of the Sehgal foundation in the USA and the chairperson of the S M Sehgal foundation in India.

In this episode of "The Brand Called You" (TBCY), host Stephen Ibaraki sits down with Yannis Ioannidis, the first-ever double-term President of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)—the world's largest computing science organization. Yannis shares strategic updates on ACM's evolving vision, explores major computing trends like AI, supercomputing, and quantum, and provides an insider's view on ACM's role in shaping the future of science and technology.

Welcome to another inspiring episode of TBCY featuring Aditya Kumar Jha, a remarkable high school researcher from India who's already making waves in the global STEM community. Host Stephen Ibaraki takes us through Aditya's journey, achievements, and ambitions, highlighting how a student can truly create global impact.High school student already recognized as a global researcherEntrepreneurial mindset—solves real-world problems with practical, deployable solutionsFocuses on interdisciplinary projects in biology, chemistry, computer science, and data scien

In this episode of The Brand Called You, Ian Gotts — engineer turned entrepreneur, author, and AI advocate from British Rail to founding Elements.cloud and integrating AI agents into org charts, Ian shares powerful insights on change leadership, storytelling, and redefining success in the age of intelligent automation.00:38- About Ian GottsIan Gotts is a founder & CEO of the Elements.cloud.He was co-founder and CEO of Nimbus Partners, a BPM software company for 15 years that was a Salesforce reference customer.

Dan Corbin went from fixing satellites to crafting one-of-a-kind jewelry, guided by intuition, grit, and a belief in lasting memories. Discover how a chance meeting and a career pivot led to a meaningful business built on passion, craftsmanship, and trust.00:28- About Dan CorbinDan Corbin is a former army machinist who transformed his metalworking skills into a thriving custom jewelry business.He is known for creating meaningful, handcrafted pieces—combining precision, creativity, and heartfelt storytelling.

Welcome to another engaging episode of The Brand Called You! In this episode, host Ashutosh Garg sits down with John Martinka, known as the “Escape Artist,” a dealmaker with Nokomis Advisory Services and the author of Exit with Style, Grace and More Money. Together, they delve into the intricacies of buying and selling businesses, lessons from deals gone right (and wrong), and strategies for exiting your business with prosperity and pride.Here's a breakdown of what you can expect from the conversation, including important timestamps in question format:

If you're feeling stuck in your career or searching for more meaning in your work, this episode of TBCY featuring Anastasia Tripolskaya, a Career Clarity & Life Purpose Coach and creator of "Find Your Life's Work," is a must-listen. Hosted by Ashutosh Garg, this insightful conversation dives deep into finding purpose, redefining success, and making career transitions with intention.

In this episode of The Brand Called You, Daniel Fitch shares how losing his job in the mortgage industry—and cracking a tooth—ignited a radical shift toward his passion for visual storytelling. From shooting on iPhones to empowering brands through authenticity, Daniel's story is a testament to turning setbacks into new beginnings.00:39- About Daniel FitchDaniel Fitch is an accomplished filmmaker and video producer, with over two decades of experience in the industry.He has extensive knowledge and skill in multimedia video production, customer service, video editing and marketing that allow him to create high quality film & video campaigns while staying under budget and on time.

Damon's story is one of grit, growth, and giving back. From a shy, under-resourced kid who asked for a chance—to a high-performance coach guiding Olympians and executives—he now champions the inner game of resilience, purpose, and mental fitness for life and leadership.00:42- About Damon ValentinoDamon Valentino is a globally renowned high-performance coach and facilitator with a strong reputation for helping individuals unlock their potential.He has worked extensively with the US Paralympics athletics division, Division I student-athletes, and first responders, bringing elite-level coaching to high-pressure environments.He currently serves as the Director of Mental Fitness at the Professional Tennis Players Association and is the founder of Mental Fitness Programs and Sidestreet Performance Coaching.

In this insightful episode of "The Brand Called You," host Ashutosh Garg sits down with Dr. Alaina Szlachta, founder of By Design Development Solutions and a measurement architect specializing in data enablement. Dr. Szlachta shares her remarkable journey from academia to entrepreneurship, her passion for demystifying data, and concrete strategies for building more equitable and effective organizations through smart measurement.Below, find a timestamped summary featuring key moments of the conversation, each posed as a guiding question to help you explore the topics that matter most.

Curious about how digital transformation is reshaping businesses, and where artificial intelligence fits into the picture? In this insightful episode of "The Brand Called You," host Ashutosh Garg sits down with Praveen Joshi, Managing Director of RSK Business Solutions, to cover his entrepreneurial journey, the real meaning of digital transformation, and advice for budding tech founders.Below are the key moments from the conversation, broken down by important questions and timestamps:

Namrata, founder of Keemiya Creatives and BookBots India, shares her powerful transition from investment banker to literary trailblazer. From battling health scares to reshaping book marketing and publishing transparency, her story inspires every aspiring author to own their voice, brand, and strategy.00:35- About NamrataNamrata is the founder of Keemiya Creatives, which is a literary consultancy.She's also the founder of Bookbots India, which is an initiative bringing transparency to publishing and book marketing.

Discover how Dr. Sabina Nagpal blends psychiatry, performance coaching, and spirit-nourishing practices to help high achievers—especially women—shift from burnout to aligned, fulfilled success.00:35- About Dr Sabina NagpalSabina is a medical doctor, and she's the founder of Radiate Mind.She's a fulfillment facilitator, and she's a Canadian trained psychiatrist and assistant professor at McMaster University with a fellowship in psychotherapy. 

In this episode of The Brand Called You, Fran Benjamin, Managing Partner at Good Works Consulting, shares a remarkable journey from aspiring actor to corporate leader, and now a champion for human-centered leadership, transformation, and equity. Discover how identity, storytelling, and inclusion shape modern leadership ecosystems.00:35- About Fran BenjaminFran is the managing partner and principal consultant of Good Works Consulting.

Discover how Dr. Erin Wilson champions strategic rest as essential for leaders to stay creative, clear, and resilient. Learn how intentional pauses—not just breaks—help build thriving teams and sustainable success.00:40- About Dr Erin WilsonErin is the CEO and principal consultant from Design Ideal Consulting.She's the co-author of a book titled Strategic Rest in Leadership.

In this insightful episode of The Brand Called You (TBCY), hosts Ashutosh Garg and Steven Gaffney dive deep into the themes from Steven's bestselling book, Unconditional Power. Steven, an esteemed expert in honest communication and high-performing teams, shares lessons from his professional journey, personal resilience, and the art of transforming challenges into fuel for success. Here's a breakdown of key questions and takeaways, complete with important timestamps:

Welcome to another captivating episode of "The Brand Called You" (TBCY), where host Ashutosh Garg sits down with Professor Sunil Shah, a renowned Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at Midland Eye Hospital and Professor at Aston University, Birmingham. Prof. Shah is an innovator in eye surgery, having developed the LASIK technique and performed the first such procedure in Britain. This episode is packed with insights about eye health, technological advancements, surgical innovations, and global impact in ophthalmology.Below, you'll find key discussion points, structured with important timestamps and questions for easy navigation.

Discover how Lirone Glikman, global networking expert and author of The Super Connector's Playbook: How to Achieve Your Goals Through Authentic Business Relationships, helps professionals build authentic relationships and powerful personal brands that drive results worldwide.00:37- About Lirone GlikmanLirone is a global expert and speaker on business relationships and personal branding. She's the founder of The Human Factor, and she's the author of a book titled The Super Connector's Playbook: How to Achieve Your Goals Through Authentic Business Relationships.

In this episode of The Brand Called You, Sushanto Mitra—founder of Lead Invest—to unpack his journey, lessons on angel investing, and how he's making private equity accessible to India's middle class.00:32- About Sushanto MitraSushanto is the founder and CEO of Lead Invest, which was earlier called Lead Angels.He's also the co-author of a book titled Funding Your Startup and Other Nightmares.

Discover how Mark Shriner, CEO of Breeze Docs, is transforming small and mid-sized businesses with AI-driven RFP solutions—saving time, boosting wins, and reshaping sales processes.00:35- About Mark ShrinerMark is the CEO and co-founder of Breeze Docs. He's the author of a book titled The Inside Game: How to Become a Top Performing Salesperson and Enjoy Every Step of the Way.

In this engaging episode of The Brand Called You, Ashutosh Garg speaks with Adjiedj Bakas—trend watcher, author, and visionary—about Forwardism, a blueprint for the future that empowers the Global South, explores AI, smart migration, and the multipolar world order.00:39- About Adjiedj BakasAdjiedj is the author of a book titled #Forwardism.He is a trend watcher, an author, a TV personality and a speaker.He has been considered to be exciting on Esta, inspirational on BBC and provocative on TV2 Newscast.

Welcome to another inspiring episode of The Brand Called You! In this episode, host Frits Bussemaker sits down with Mike Lipkin—a truly multifaceted personality: part-time academic, part-time consultant, and part-time bridge teacher. Mike shares his fascinating journey from graduating early at MIT, exploring both mathematics and chemistry, pivoting into academia, and ultimately finding his way onto Wall Street as a senior trader.But how does a passion for bridge—a game he learned as a child from his mother—intersect with the world of finance? Mike discusses the serendipitous moment when his love for this strategic game opened doors on Wall Street, and how the skills required for competitive bridge actually parallel those needed for high-stakes trading. We also dive into what makes great teaching, his adventures in writing, and the importance of pursuing intellectually satisfying work over mere financial goals.

In this insightful episode of "The Brand Called You," host Ashutosh Garg (mistakenly credited as Sandeep Tyagi but hosting as Ashutosh) sits down with Vance Morris, an accomplished customer retention strategist, entrepreneur, and former Disney leader. Vance shares his fascinating journey from working as a birth control factory security guard, to an impactful decade at Disney, and ultimately to building his portfolio of successful home service businesses. He opens up about the systems that have fueled his freedom, Disney's philosophy on customer happiness, and practical steps any business can take to create wow-worthy customer experiences. Below, we've broken down key moments and lessons in this episode.

Tracy Clark, award-winning founder turned coach, shares her journey from scaling a business to guiding leaders on unlocking potential, building trust, and becoming magnetic forces for high performance.00:34- About Tracy ClarkTracy is a leadership and a high performance coach. She's the recipient of two Queen's awards for International Trade.

Discover how wellness entrepreneur Rachel Wolff is transforming work culture with Movebite—empowering employees to boost focus, beat fatigue, and sustain peak performance through simple, science-backed micro breaks.00:33- About Rachel WolffRachel is a co-founder of Movebite, which is an early stage startup on a mission to help people work and feel better through movement and micro breaks that boost focus and enable sustainable performance throughout the work day. She's also a health and wellbeing coach.

Nina Chatrath shares game-changing insights on leadership, governance, career reinvention, and culture in this engaging conversation on The Brand Called You. A must-listen for professionals at every stage!00:38- About Nina ChatrathNina is a partner of DHR Global. She is an Independent Board Director.

In this insightful episode of "The Brand Called You," host Ashutosh Garg welcomes Christine Blosdale, a media personality, branding expert coach, and five-time number one bestselling author based in New South Wales, Australia. Christine shares her unique journey, expert insights on personal branding, and actionable strategies for thriving in today's digital world.

Are you looking to elevate your digital marketing game and turn strategies into measurable results? In this episode of The Brand Called You, host Ashutosh Garg sits down with Corey Morris—President of Voltage, acclaimed author, and creator of the Digital Marketing Success Plan. Corey shares his two-decade journey through the ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing, the lessons behind his frameworks, and actionable advice for businesses of all sizes.Below, we break down the key moments from their conversation, offering you a timestamped roadmap to the episode's most valuable takeaways.

Unlock the secrets of unforgettable public speaking and performance with Carmen Sederino, a renowned Performance Master and Speaking Strategist from Melbourne, Australia! In this powerful episode of The Brand Called You, Carmen shares her remarkable journey from a shy child to a confident stage master, revealing how her background in theater shaped her unique Illuminated Story Method.Discover how to transform presentations into immersive keynote experiences, harness the power of storytelling, and engage audiences with emotion and impact. Carmen also gives practical advice on conquering stage fright, crafting memorable messages, and why you should ditch the PowerPoint slides for good!Whether you're a leader, entrepreneur, or aspiring speaker, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to help you own the stage and spread your message with confidence.

Discover powerful branding insights from Peter Wilken—father of Brand DNA and master of constructive disruption—on The Brand Called You. Learn how global giants stay relevant, and how digital and AI are reshaping brand strategy.00:39- About Peter WilkenPeter is a strategist and has been called the father of brand DNA.He helps business owners build thriving brand centered businesses. He's the author of a book titled Dim Sum Strategy.

Motivity Care simplifies caregiving with secure tools, vetted resources, and expert guidance—reducing stress, time, and cost for families and employers alike.00:40- About Mim SenftMim is the co-founder and CEO of Motivity Care, a company that reduces the time cost and risks of aging and caregiving for employees and for individuals.She's also the co-founder of the Global Women 4 Wellbeing (GW4W).

Discover how Erika Neil's work with Havening is transforming trauma care for kids, teens, and adults globally—using simple, healing touch to calm the mind and build resilience.00:35- About Erika NeilErika is a psychotherapist and a trainer. She's the co-founder of Humanitarian Havening. She's a co author of books on havening for children and adolescents like Auntie Rosa's Magic Hugs: A Story about Havening and Safe to be Me: Havening for Teens and Young Adults.

Discover how authentic storytelling and smart PR can help entrepreneurs build lasting relationships, gain recognition, and grow their brands—without massive budgets.00:39- About Jim A JAMESJim is the champion of the UnNoticed Entrepreneur.He's the chairman of East West public relations.He's the author of a book titled The UnNoticed Entrepreneur, and he's a member of the entrepreneurs organization.

Welcome to another inspiring episode of "The Brand Called You"! In this episode, host Ashutosh Garg sits down with Lt Col Navinder Narang—retired Indian Army officer, strategist, corporate leader, and author of the bestselling book "Bring Your Own Shark." Tune in to hear Lt Col Narang unfold leadership lessons from a 21-year storied military career, reveal how military resilience translates to the boardroom, and share the fascinating shark metaphors from his book that empower both personal and professional growth.Discover why "sharks" aren't just predators but powerful teachers in the arena of business and self-development. Lt Col Narang explains how his real-life encounter with shark fins in the Nicobar Islands and a Japanese fish tank tale fueled the unique concept for his book. Learn about the different types of corporate "sharks," the critical edge emotional intelligence brings (think dolphin!), and get actionable tips on embracing challenges rather than waiting for them to arrive.Whether you're a transitioning professional, an aspiring leader, or simply looking for growth strategies, this conversation is packed with wisdom you won't want to miss. Grab your copy of "Bring Your Own Shark" and dive even deeper!

In this episode of The Brand Called You, host Ashutosh Garg welcomes Prof T. Prasad, popularly known as "Mandi Sir" of IIM Mumbai. Prof Prasad shares his remarkable journey from being a daily wage countryside tailor to becoming a distinguished academic, founder of innovative education models, and mentor to several successful startups.Below, we break down the conversation into key questions with timestamp-based detail to guide you through this insightful episode.

Discover how Jason Kramer, founder of Cultivize, helps businesses bridge marketing and sales with smart CRM strategies, automation, and a human-first approach to convert leads, boost revenue, and simplify complexity.00:36- About Jason KramerJason is a founder and Chief Executive Officer of Cultivize. He is a CRM strategist for sales and marketing teams.

Former hedge fund manager Joel Salomon shares his life-changing journey from managing $700M to coaching others in achieving emotional, spiritual, and financial prosperity. Discover the power of mindset, belief, and gratitude in mastering your money.00:39- About Joel SalomonJoel is a master prosperity coach. He is also the founder of SaLaurMor Capital, incorporated to teach financial literacy for kids under 18 in the US.He is the author of three best-selling books: Infinite Love and Money, The 9 Money Rules Millionaires Use and Mindful Money Management.

Dr. Corrie Block, UAE's #1 executive coach and bestselling author, breaks down the myths of leadership perfection. From managing 35,000 daily decisions to building diverse teams, he shares neuroscience-backed strategies that transform talented leaders into Olympic-level performers. Key insights include the "closed door policy," why work-life balance is a myth, and how real leadership authority comes from followers, not titles.

Dive into Anup Savale's inspiring journey—from mastering game theory to founding Kahihi Ventures. Discover how playfulness and strategic thinking reshape education, dating, and social media through innovative gamification and soft skills development.00:32- About Anup SavaleAnup is the founder of Kahihi Ventures.

Tiffany Alexander's journey from aspiring astronaut to fund owner redefines real estate investing. In this candid conversation, she shares pivotal moments, liquidity lessons, and powerful strategies to create wealth through owning paper, not property.00:34- About Tiffany AlexanderTiffany is a fund owner, a podcaster and a super connector. 

Dive into a powerful episode of The Brand Called You, where global voices share timeless lessons on leadership, life, and personal growth. This episode features a celebrated coach and author revealing key insights on transformation.00:36- About Doug LynamDoug is an author of a book titled Taming Your Money Monster.He's a keynote speaker, a celebrity coach and a best selling author. 

Managing Director Eric Fiegoli of Exbo Group shares invaluable insights on building financial discipline in growth-stage companies, common founder mistakes in fundraising, key metrics that matter, and the M&A red flags that make or break deals. A must-listen for entrepreneurs seeking to scale intelligently and avoid costly financial missteps.00:35- About Eric FiegoliEric is the managing director of the Exbo Group.