In this Perception Paradox episode, futurist Carsten Beck joins Zivile Einikyte to explore why the future isn’t something to predict — but to imagine.
Together, they unpack how AI, diversity, and foresight are reshaping the way we think about progress, power, and human agency.
This conversation isn’t about crystal-ball predictions — it’s about designing futures worth living in.
About Carsten
Carsten Beck is a futurist at the Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies (CIFS) — a non-profit think tank working globally with foresight and scenario processes. CIFS collaborates with both public and private organizations, from the UN and Fortune 500 companies to local schools and communities.
With over 30 years of experience across 30+ countries, Carsten has been helping organizations make sense of change and shape better futures.
Learn more about CIFS here: www.cifs.dk.
Connect with Carsten: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carsten-beck-7519211/
Perception Paradox — where innovation meets introspection.
🎙️Hosted by Zivile Einikyte:
https://www.perceptionparadox.com
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zivileeinikyte/
🎵 Music by Luca Nioi:
http://www.lucanioi.com/
Chapters
00:00 The Concept of No Future
02:14 AI and the Future of Foresight
03:48 The Role of AI in Foresight
04:01 Evolution of Foresight Practices
06:41 The Importance of Foresight in Today's World
08:43 Diversity of Voices in Foresight Discussions
11:09 Navigating Polarization and Finding Common Ground
12:57 Optimism Amidst Challenges: A Global Perspective
#Foresight #AI #FutureStudies #PerceptionParadox
When your company starts scaling, it’s not the product that breaks — it’s the people.
In this episode of Perception Paradox, host Zivile Einikyte sits down with Jarek Owczarek, co-founder of Contractbook and now Head of Contract Management & AI at Scrive, to unpack the untold truths behind building, merging, and evolving startups.
From co-founder dynamics to product obsession, from cultural clashes to the emotional toll of growth — Jarek opens up about what technology can’t fix: people, culture, and the constant reinvention required to lead.
Together, they explore:
Whether you’re building your first MVP or navigating post-acquisition integration, this conversation reveals the human operating system behind every great startup story.
Perception Paradox — where innovation meets introspection.
🎙️Hosted by Zivile Einikyte:
https://www.perceptionparadox.com
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zivileeinikyte/
🎵 Music by Luca Nioi:
http://www.lucanioi.com/
Chapters
00:00 The Entrepreneurial Journey Begins
03:53 Finding Co-Founders and Building Teams
06:12 Values and Conflict Resolution in Entrepreneurship
08:38 Navigating Growth and Challenges
11:04 The Evolution of Product Development
13:30 Leveraging Technology in Product Building
16:16 The Role of AI in Business Processes
18:45 The Importance of Obsession in Product Development
21:29 Coping with Challenges and Burnout
24:00 The Drive Behind Entrepreneurship
32:16 Understanding Customer Needs in Product Development
38:05 Strategic Mergers and Their Impact
44:37 The Importance of Mentorship and Coaching
53:11 The Overlooked Aspects of Entrepreneurship
56:11 Navigating Cultural Integration Post-Merger
In this episode of Perception Paradox, host Zivile (Zivi) sits down with Rishabh, Venture Partner at Hoxton Ventures — a London-based early-stage VC firm backing some of Europe’s most ambitious startups.
Before joining Hoxton, Rishabh co-founded Belong, an HR tech platform backed by Sequoia Capital, scaling it from a raw idea to one of India’s fastest-growing enterprise startups. Today, he invests in founders across Europe, the US, and India, while also leading Svagat, a thriving community of Indians in tech across Europe.
Together, they unpack:– Why timing is the most underrated factor in startup success– How hustle culture is evolving in the age of AI– The founder traits VCs actually look for (and the red flags they don’t talk about)– The cash flow and identity crises every startup faces– How community and culture can shape a founder’s resilience
This is a candid conversation about ambition, awareness, and the paradox of building while becoming.
Rishabh is a Venture Partner at Hoxton Ventures, an early stage venture capital firm based in London. He previously co-founded Belong, an enterprise HR tech platform backed by Sequoia Capital. He’s an active angel investor in over 25 startups in Europe, US and India and runs Svagat - a community of Indians in tech in Europe.
Chapters
00:00 The Hustle Culture: 996 vs. Work-Life Balance
06:21 Key Characteristics of Successful Founding Teams
08:56 Identifying Red Flags in Startups
14:35 The Journey of a Founder: Challenges and Triumphs
23:22 Current Trends in the Startup Ecosystem
31:07 Essential Skills for Founders in the AI Era
34:31 Pondering the Future of Education and Skills
🎙️Hosted by Zivile Einikyte:
https://www.perceptionparadox.com
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zivileeinikyte/
🎵 Music by Luca Nioi:
http://www.lucanioi.com/
What happens when AI stops being just a tool… and starts becoming your friend, your boss, or even your government?
In this special episode, I sit down with Walter Pasquarelli — one of the world’s leading voices on AI strategy who’s advised Fortune 100 CEOs, governments, and even royalty — to unpack the hidden shifts AI is already driving in our lives.
We dive into:
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, policymaker, or just someone who uses ChatGPT every day — this conversation will make you rethink the boundaries between humans and technology.
Subscribe for more bold conversations on AI, startups, and the future.
Walter Pasquarelli is an internationally recognized advisor, speaker, and expert on AI strategy, generative AI, data governance, and synthetic reality. He led advisory and editorial programs at The Economist Group, shaping global perception of emerging technologies. Walter developed the first global “AI Index,” benchmarking national readiness for emerging tech. He’s worked with major tech firms (Google, Meta, Microsoft, Coca-Cola), consulted for governments worldwide, is a member of the OECD AI expert network, and is a research affiliate at the Bennett Institute, Cambridge
Connect with Walter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walter-m-pasquarelli/
🎙️Hosted by Zivile Einikyte:
https://www.perceptionparadox.com
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zivileeinikyte/
🎵 Music by Luca Nioi:
http://www.lucanioi.com/
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to AI and Its Evolution
06:01 The Role of AI in Society and Government
10:02 AI Companionship and Emotional Impact
12:45 AI's Impact on the Job Market
16:47 Data Privacy and Ethical Concerns in AI
19:23 The Future of AI in Workflows
23:20 Personal Use of AI and Decision Making
26:48 Future Trends in AI Technology
Mariama Boumanjal works with Google for Startups across EMEA, partnering with VCs, governments, and ecosystem operators to support founders through programs like the Black Founders Fund. In this conversation, we discuss why diversity drives innovation, how AI is changing startups, and what characteristics separate successful founders from everyone else.
Key topics we cover:
🎙️Hosted by Zivile Einikyte:
https://www.perceptionparadox.com
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zivileeinikyte/
🎵 Music by Luca Nioi:
http://www.lucanioi.com/
Chapters
00:00 Human-Centric Approaches in Technology
02:46 Diversity and Inclusion in Entrepreneurship
05:33 The Journey into Entrepreneurship
08:18 Empowering Underrepresented Founders
10:53 The Impact of AI on Startups
13:30 Characteristics of Successful Founders
15:55 Google for Startups: Differentiation and Value
18:50 Supporting Local Businesses and Community Impact
Two years ago, Anisah Osman Britton was my very first podcast guest when this was just a crazy idea. Now she's back for a raw conversation about what's really changed. We dive into how she built Brown Bodies from a newsletter into a movement tackling love and relationships in the South Asian diaspora, why she refuses to call it a "media company," and her honest take on why dating apps are failing us.
What we discuss:
This conversation gets personal about resilience, relationships, and the courage to build something that matters.
About Anisah: Over the last decade, Anisah has become a well-respected voice in the tech industry, working at the intersection of technology, impact and capital. She was awarded an MBE in the UK's King’s 2023 New Year’s honours for services to diversity in tech, is a Forbes 30 under 30 honouree and is listed in the Financial Times’ 100 most influential BAME leaders in tech.
Three years ago, Anisah began to explore her relationship with sex and intimacy. Her journey with therapy, faith, culture and relationships led to her starting Brown Bodies where she explores sex in the South Asian diaspora.
Follow Anisah: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anisahob/
Subscribe to her Brown Bodies Newsletter: https://www.brownbodies.co/
🎙️Hosted by Zivile Einikyte:
https://www.perceptionparadox.com
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zivileeinikyte/
🎵 Music by Luca Nioi:
http://www.lucanioi.com/
Chapters
00:00 Celebrating Milestones: The 100th Episode
05:18 The Evolution of Brown Bodies: From Newsletter to Community
07:40 Breaking Taboos: The Journey of Love and Relationships
09:35 Navigating Partnerships: Building Credibility and Community
12:11 The Changing Landscape of Media and Content Creation
14:41 The Future of Dating: Trends and Community Connections
15:05 Human-Centric Technology: The Shift from Apps to Real Life
17:26 The Role of Arranged Marriages in Modern Dating
20:05 Vision for Brown Bodies: Expanding Horizons
22:58 Harnessing Technology: Tools for the Modern Entrepreneur
25:11 Coping with Challenges: Personal Growth and Resilience
27:50 Finding the Right Coach: Guidance for Entrepreneurs
30:41 Values in Business: Aligning Work with Personal Beliefs
Some of the biggest unicorns started as “bad ideas.” In this episode, I sit down with Raimonds, co-founder of Bad Ideas Fund, live at TechBBQ in Copenhagen — to unpack why betting on unconventional founders and community-driven VC could beat traditional venture capital.
We dig into:
If you’re a founder, investor, or just curious about the future of venture capital, this conversation will challenge how you think about building and backing companies.
About Raimonds Kulbergs:
3x founder, 1 early exit, alumn of 500Startups in SF. Building BADideas.fund, investing in startups ’22.
Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raimondskulbergs/
More about the fund: https://www.badideas.fund
🎙️Hosted by Zivile Einikyte:
https://www.perceptionparadox.com
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zivileeinikyte/
🎵 Music by Luca Nioi:
http://www.lucanioi.com/
Chapters
00:00 Exploring the Scandinavian Ecosystem
03:19 The Founder-to-Founder Approach
05:57 Reinventing Venture Capital
08:30 The Future of Startups and AI
13:31 Identifying Opportunities in AI
16:09 Final Thoughts on Innovation and Process
Most entrepreneurs are told to start young and move fast. Aron Gelbard did the opposite - and built Europe's leading gifting platform.
While others rushed to launch, Aron deliberately waited years to start Bloom & Wild. That patience allowed him to raise €150M, expand across 8 European markets, and become a certified B Corp.
In this conversation, you'll discover:
This isn't typical startup advice. It's a masterclass in strategic patience and intentional scaling.
Perfect for: Aspiring entrepreneurs, anyone in traditional industries looking to innovate, leaders interested in sustainable business models.
Aron Gelbard is Co-founder & CEO of Bloom & Wild Group, Europe's leading gifting platform with €150M revenue across 8 markets. He's raised over €150M from top investors including General Catalyst and Index Ventures while maintaining B Corp certification. Aron represents strategic entrepreneurship - prioritizing sustainable growth and values alongside financial success.
Connect with Aron: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gelbard/ Check out Bloom & Wild: https://www.bloomandwild.com/
🎙️Hosted by Zivile Einikyte:
https://www.perceptionparadox.com
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zivileeinikyte/
🎵 Music by Luca Nioi:
http://www.lucanioi.com/
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Bloom and Wild
02:32 The Entrepreneurial Journey Begins
05:03 Innovating the Flower Industry
07:28 Technology and Supply Chain Efficiency
09:59 Scaling the Business in Europe
15:58 Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility
21:37 Building Community and Customer Relationships
28:46 Core Values and Company Culture
32:39 Final Thoughts and Call to Action
After her own brutal postpartum experience, Nanna Schultz realized something shocking: no one talks about what really happens to mothers after birth. So she built Momkind - a company breaking the silence around motherhood's hardest truths.
In this raw conversation, Nanna reveals why 'Instagram motherhood' is dangerous, how she's scaling a business while protecting her mental health, and why asking 'how are you really feeling?' might save a mother's life.
Key insights:
Perfect for: Mothers feeling isolated, entrepreneurs building community-focused businesses, anyone interested in honest conversations about mental health and work-life balance.
About Nanna:
Nanna Schultz is the founder and CEO of Momkind, a company born from her own isolating postpartum experience. As a mother of two, she felt unprepared for the physical and emotional challenges of early motherhood.
That experience sparked Momkind - creating products and community where mothers feel seen and less alone. Nanna is passionate about breaking the silence around postpartum realities and supporting mothers through honest conversations about the messy, beautiful contradictions of motherhood.
Connect with Nanna: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nannaschultz/
Learn about Momkind: http://www.momkind.dk
🎙️Hosted by Zivile Einikyte:
https://www.perceptionparadox.com
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zivileeinikyte/
🎵 Music by Luca Nioi:
http://www.lucanioi.com/
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to MomKind and Conference Experience
04:04 The Journey into Motherhood and Its Challenges
06:32 Building a Community and Product Development
09:42 Mental Health and Work-Life Balance as a Founder
12:17 Vision for MomKind and Future Aspirations
15:01 Finding Balance Between Business and Personal Life
17:47 Closing Thoughts and Reflection on Motherhood
Philip’s story is not your typical startup highlight reel. After chasing success at all costs, he hit burnout — and it forced him to rebuild everything: his identity, his leadership, and even how he defines success.
In this raw and practical conversation, Philip opens up about:
👉 If you’re an entrepreneur questioning the hustle, a leader battling burnout, or simply curious about the future of work & purpose, this episode will change the way you see success.
About Philip:
Philip Wylonis is an entrepreneur and former CMO who has spent over 12 years scaling startups and advising founders. Today, he is building Beyond, a venture that connects travel with meaningful impact, while sharing his journey of presence, family, and purpose with a growing audience on LinkedIn. His work challenges hustle culture and explores how founders can build with humanity at the core.
Connect with Philip:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/wylonis/
🎙️Hosted by Zivile Einikyte:
https://www.perceptionparadox.com
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zivileeinikyte/
🎵 Music by Luca Nioi:
http://www.lucanioi.com/
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:41 The Importance of Self-Reflection and Identity
03:26 The Role of Coaching and Therapy in Growth
06:25 Understanding ADHD and Its Impact
09:09 Motivation vs. Discipline in Entrepreneurship
12:00 Shifting Perspectives on Success and Failure
15:09 Building a Business with Inner Purpose
18:06 Reflecting on Past Entrepreneurial Experiences
21:04 Learning from Failures and Moving Forward
29:28 The Importance of Self-Care for Peak Performance
33:17 Reflecting on Past Hustles and Social Anxiety
36:45 The Journey of Authenticity on LinkedIn
43:14 The Therapeutic Power of Writing and Reflection
45:53 Building a Purpose-Driven Nonprofit Initiative
54:03 Navigating Challenges in Startup Culture
01:00:09 Embracing a New Work Paradigm
01:05:23 Defining Success Beyond Traditional Metrics
01:09:25 The Value of Authentic Partnerships
Maria Therese from Quiet Space reveals why meditation isn't just self-care—it's world-changing. Discover the simple 10-minute practice that transforms suffering into wisdom, and learn why the busiest people need meditation most.
Recorded live in Copenhagen during a TechBBQ conference, this conversation explores how to pause, breathe, and find humanity in our hyper-connected world.
About Maria Therese:
Maria Therese founded QuietSpace in 2018. QuietSpace is a bridge to the inner foundation that connects us all—our hearts. It’s an invitation to step into stillness, embrace our shared humanity, and navigate life with greater clarity, purpose and ease. Facilitating both physical and energetic spaces for others to experience stillness in our fast-paced, noisy world, is a sacred privilege and a deeply transformative gift.
Through QuietSpace, Maria facilitates:
- 3 minute Arrival Meditations at large corporate events.
- Implements QuietSpace rooms in organisations, curated for deep listening and improved performance.
- 1:1 meditation sessions.
- 1:team meditation sessions.
- Weekly meditation sessions for expats women.
- Co-hosts transformative retreats for young founders and CEO's.
Maria has a BA in Interior Architecture and is a certified Mindfulness Meditation teacher. She has had her own meditation practice since 2015.
Please visit www.quietspace.dk for more info.
🎙️ Hosted by Zivile Einikyte:
https://www.perceptionparadox.com
LinkedIn:
🎵 Music by Luca Nioi:
http://www.lucanioi.com/
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Quiet Space and Mindfulness
03:41 The Importance of Grounding in a Fast-Paced World
06:49 The Journey into Meditation
09:51 Defining Meditation and Its Misconceptions
10:12 Understanding Meditation Practices
14:40 Quiet Space Concept and Its Importance
20:37 Meditation as a Habit and Its Challenges
What happens when a philosophy student decides to disrupt an entire industry?
Matias went from studying abstract concepts to building GoMore - a peer-to-peer car sharing platform that's changing how millions think about car ownership. This isn't just another startup story.
Key insights:
The twist: Philosophy training might actually be the secret weapon for entrepreneurial thinking.
Perfect for: Entrepreneurs questioning their background, anyone interested in the sharing economy, founders building marketplace businesses.
Connect with Matias:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/matias-m%C3%B8l-dalsgaard-8035181/
🎙️Hosted by Zivile Einikyte:
https://www.perceptionparadox.com
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zivileeinikyte/
🎵 Music by Luca Nioi:
http://www.lucanioi.com/
Chapters:
00:00 The Birth of GoMore: A Philosophical Journey
02:36 The Evolution of Car Sharing: From Concept to Reality
05:13 Navigating Challenges: The Road to Success
07:44 The Shift to Peer-to-Peer Car Rental
10:21 Identifying Market Opportunities and Growth Strategies
13:03 Cultural Patterns in Car Sharing Adoption
15:14 The Importance of Team Dynamics and Company Culture
17:52 Lessons Learned: Accepting Failure and Focusing on Success
20:21 Future Growth and Technological Innovations
23:15 Final Thoughts: The Journey of Entrepreneurship
What happens when two German cousins send 1000+ cold emails to build their dream startup?
Meet Eric Garsleitner and Benjamin Buthmann, the founders behind Koalo (formerly Whyzer), who turned a Silicon Valley inspiration into a creator community platform. Their journey includes landing a Hollywood actress as an early investor and strategic partner, expanding into the Brazilian market, and now closing their seed round while approaching the US market.
In this episode, they reveal:
About Eric and Benjamin:
Eric Garsleitner & Benjamin Buthmann are German cousins and co-founders of Koalo, a platform enabling creators to launch and grow their own communities. Eric is a product-focused entrepreneur with experience building and scaling digital platforms, turning ideas into products and leading teams through execution. Benjamin brings operational leadership and business strategy expertise, skilled in growing teams and driving strategy from early stage to scale. Together, they've navigated pivoting from biographical content to creator communities while maintaining their partnership as both co-founders and cousins.
Learn more about Koala App: https://www.koalo.app/
🎙️Hosted by Zivile Einikyte:
https://www.perceptionparadox.com
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zivileeinikyte/
🎵 Music by Luca Nioi:
http://www.lucanioi.com/
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
02:10 The Birth of Whyzer and Cold Outreach
05:42 Building Partnerships and Networking
08:26 The Pivot to Koala: A New Direction
12:54 Understanding the Mission Behind the Business15:04 Navigating the Creator Economy
18:49 Building Community and User Engagement
22:25 Engaging with Sports Fans and Clubs
24:31 Building a Master Platform for Creators
27:51 The Role of AI in Content Creation30:00 Balancing Work and Personal Life
36:31 Challenges in Scaling a Startup
39:18 Navigating Tech Events Effectively
42:23 Final Thoughts and Reflections
Non-technical manager → Applied AI expert → 500+ automations → 1M users. Here's the exact blueprint.
Vykintas Glodenis went from zero coding skills to Chief AI Officer at Mindvalley. In this conversation, he reveals the simple system anyone can use to automate their life and business with AI.
What you'll learn:
Key quotes: "The most important thing is to kick off" "You can prototype with AI right now" "Stop overthinking prompts"
Perfect for entrepreneurs, creators, and anyone ready to 10x their productivity without learning to code.
Connect with Vykintas: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glodenis/
🎙️Hosted by Zivile Einikyte:
https://www.perceptionparadox.com
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zivileeinikyte/
🎵 Music by Luca Nioi:
http://www.lucanioi.com/
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
05:10 Transitioning to No-Code Development
07:44 The Power of AI Tools
10:41 Common Misconceptions About AI
13:27 Enhancing Workflows with AI
16:09 AI Agents and Their Limitations
18:52 Choosing the Right AI Tools
21:35 Daily Integration of AI in Workflows
22:06 Integrating AI into Daily Workflows
24:47 Voice Interactions and Prompt Engineering
27:29 AI as a Thought Partner
30:10 Navigating AI in Business
32:43 Evaluating Risks and Opportunities with AI
35:43 Prototyping and Startup Insights
38:32 Learning and Mastering AI Tools
41:13 Community and Accountability in Learning AI
#AI #NoCode #Automation #Productivity #Startup
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Soulaima Gourani, Silicon Valley-based CEO and VC-backed founder of Happioh Inc., recorded live at TechBBQ conference.
Discover her game-changing approach to entrepreneurial mental health, energy management, and authentic leadership. Learn why she treats her mind like a gym, views challenges as projects (not problems), and believes energy is your most valuable currency.
This episode delivers actionable insights on strategic networking, embracing serendipity, and building resilience in high-pressure tech environments.
Perfect for entrepreneurs, founders, and anyone looking to optimize their mindset for both personal and professional growth.
Connect with Soulaima: https://www.linkedin.com/in/soulaima-gourani-e-mba-8a77b/
More about happioh.com: happioh.com
🎙️ Hosted by Zivile Einikyte:
https://www.perceptionparadox.com
LinkedIn:
🎵 Music by Luca Nioi:
http://www.lucanioi.com/
Chapters:
00:00 Navigating Opportunities and Collaborations
04:27 Coping with Pressure and Mental Health
07:01 Mindset and Energy Management
10:02 Strategic Networking and Conference Navigation
12:43 Trusting Life and Embracing Change
15:47 Transitioning from Struggles to Success
18:40 Entrepreneurship and Mental Challenges
21:32 Mind Gym: Training Your Thoughts
24:06 Honesty and Self-Reflection
26:48 Closing Thoughts and Future Outlook
In this episode of Perception Paradox, Zivile Einikyte sits down with Andy Bruckschlöegl, whose entrepreneurial path started selling backpacks on eBay at age 12 and led him to co-found Ryte—recently acquired by Semrush—and Europe’s largest founders’ festival, Bits & Pretzels.
Andy shares:
Whether you’re building a startup, a community, or just want to crack open authentic founder wisdom—this one delivers.
Connect with Andy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bruckschloegl/ More about Bits & Pretzels: https://www.bitsandpretzels.com/
🎙️ Hosted by Zivile Einikyte:
https://www.perceptionparadox.com
LinkedIn:
🎵 Music by Luca Nioi:
http://www.lucanioi.com/
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
04:36 The Birth of Bits and Pretzels
06:58 From Breakfast to Oktoberfest: The Evolution of an Event
09:54 Networking Challenges and Solutions
12:41 The Importance of Community in Entrepreneurship
15:29 Attracting Big Names: The Secret Sauce
18:30 The Shift Towards Business Value
21:26 Building an International Audience
23:42 The Role of Founders in Shaping Events
26:28 The Future of Bits and Pretzels
29:40 Empowering the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
36:21 The Importance of Role Models in Entrepreneurship
37:57 Finding Community and Support
39:54 Balancing Personal Problems with Market Needs
43:46 The Value of Co-Founders
46:25 Navigating Conflict in Co-Founder Relationships
50:27 Managing Multiple Ventures
52:05 Reflecting on Past Decisions
57:51 Transitioning After Acquisition
59:42 Encouragement for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
What if AI could run on human brain cells instead of energy-hungry chips?
Meet Dr. Fred Jordan, the Swiss scientist who ditched traditional computing to grow living human neurons in his lab—and they're learning to compute with 1 MILLION TIMES less energy than current AI systems.
In this mind-bending conversation, Fred reveals:
- How he creates "brain organoids" from human stem cells
- Why biocomputing could solve AI's massive energy crisis
- Applications for Mars missions and personalized medicine
- The ethical questions of using human neurons as processors
This isn't science fiction—it's happening right now in Switzerland.
Ready to have your mind blown about the future of computing?
Abut Fred Jordan:
Fred Jordan is an experienced Chief Executive Officer with a proven track record of building successful and profitable businesses. With a strong background in innovation, computer science, artificial intelligence, and entrepreneurship, he combines technical expertise with strategic leadership. He holds an M.Sc. in Physics and a Ph.D. in Signal Processing.
Fred is the co-founder of AlpVision, a leading provider of technologies and smartphone solutions for the automatic detection of genuine and counterfeit products, and FinalSpark, a pioneering startup leveraging biological neural networks to advance the development of Artificial General Intelligence.
More about AlpVision: https://alpvision.com/
More about FinalSpark: https://finalspark.com/
🎙️ Hosted by Zivile Einikyte:
https://www.perceptionparadox.com
LinkedIn:
🎵 Music by Luca Nioi:
http://www.lucanioi.com/
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
02:46 The Concept of Biocomputing
05:28 Creating Brain Organoids
07:56 Training Living Neurons
10:42 Real-Time Neuron Activity
13:23 Vision for Bio Cloud Computing
15:48 Ethical Considerations in Biocomputing
18:18 Applications in Medicine and Space Exploration
20:46 Challenges and Future Directions
23:34 Personal Journey and Entrepreneurial Insights
26:10 Inspiration and Closing Thoughts
What if the future of fashion lies not in excess, but in regeneration? Meet Marci Zaroff, the visionary who invented “ECOfashion” in 1995, and has been pioneering a path toward conscious, regenerative design ever since.
In this episode, Marci unwraps how a deep commitment to ethics and ecology became the blueprint for sustainable style.
You’ll learn:
Tune in & let us know what you think.
About Marci:
Marci Zaroff—who coined the term “ECOfashion” in 1995—is an internationally recognized ecolifestyle pioneer, educator, and serial entrepreneur. For over 35 years, she has been transforming fashion, food, and lifestyle into powerful forces for positive change.
She is Founder & CEO of Ecofashion Corp—a “Greenhouse of Brands” spanning regenerative/organic cotton farming (RESET), lifestyle brands Farm to Home, Mission Statement, and YesAnd, and a turnkey B2B apparel and home manufacturing platform.
Marci also Founded BeyondBrands, Under the Canopy, and The Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN). And as Co-Founder/Board Chair of Textile Exchange, she has been instrumental in establishing sustainability standards for the global textile industry.
An award-winning innovator, author of ECOrenaissance, and Aspen Institute Henry Crown Fellow, Marci’s work has earned her numerous honors including the WWD ESG Leadership Award, Entreprenista 100 Award, Real Leaders Impact Award and NY Power Woman Award, among many others. World-recognized as a conscious business visionary, Marci continues to lead with passion, and purpose—bridging style, sustainability, and social impact worldwide.
Follow Marci:
@marcizaroff
🎙️Hosted by Zivile Einikyte:
https://www.perceptionparadox.com
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zivileeinikyte/
🎵 Music by Luca Nioi:
http://www.lucanioi.com/
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Serendipitous Meeting
04:12 Visionary Mindset and Early Influences
08:11 The Journey into Eco Fashion
13:03 Challenges and Persistence in Sustainability
18:53 The Evolution of Conscious Consumerism
25:19 Current Projects and Collaborations
29:14 Staying Energized and Aligned
31:15 New Beginnings and Personal Reflections
35:55 Starting Points for Conscious Sustainability
39:45 The Future of Regeneration and Sustainability
43:37 Final Thoughts
In this episode of Perception Paradox, host Zivile sits down with Ada Mockutė Jaime, Chief Marketing Officer at Nordcurrent, who walks us through an extraordinary journey—from customer intelligence in finance to building viral campaigns in gaming.
You’ll hear how Ada fuels global growth using data, authenticity, and cultural storytelling—from bootstrapped scaling to “pink soup” marketing that generated millions of installs and shares.
Expect deep insights on using AI strategically, empowering communities, and rethinking leadership in a fast-moving creative industry.
Key Takeaways
Connect with Ada: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamockute/
🎙️Hosted by Zivile Einikyte:
https://www.perceptionparadox.com
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zivileeinikyte/
🎵 Music by Luca Nioi:
http://www.lucanioi.com/
Chapters
00:00 Leadership in a Changing Landscape: Bridging Generations and Technology
03:45 The Gaming Industry: Breaking Stigmas and Embracing Diversity
06:02 Marketing Strategies: Engaging Casual Gamers
07:58 Community Engagement: The Key to Retention
09:52 The Role of Social Media: Connecting with Gamers
11:53 Cultural Integration: Using Gaming to Promote Heritage
13:46 The Future of Gaming: Trends and Opportunities
15:58 Navigating Challenges: The Resilience of Game Development
17:55 Leadership Values: Empowering Teams and Fostering Growth
19:59 The Impact of AI: Enhancing Marketing and Development
21:54 Sustaining Success: The North Current's Approach
23:51 Work Culture: Balancing Hustle and Well-being
25:56 The Evolution of Gaming: From Casual to Integral
28:06 Courage in Leadership: Embracing Change and Learning
29:57 Final Thoughts: Trading Attention in the Gaming Industry
What do you do the day after the investor call, the layoff, or the final shutdown?
Join Marten Palu (ex-Gamecan) & Kristjan Maruste (Kõu Mobility Group) on the Latitude59 Podcast Stage for a raw, unfiltered conversation about what happens when startups fall apart. No spin. No sugarcoating.
They’ll share what it truly takes to lead through collapse, take full responsibility, and start over — with integrity.
Expect hard-won lessons on leadership, team communication, mindset, and rebuilding after public failure.
Key Takeaways:
A must-hear for every founder who's risked it all and asked: what now?
Recorded live at Latitude59 in May, 2025.
🎙️Hosted by Zivile Einikyte:
https://www.perceptionparadox.com
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zivileeinikyte/
🎵 Music by Luca Nioi:
http://www.lucanioi.com/
Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Journey of Founders
04:20 Facing Bankruptcy: Personal Stories of Failure
10:22 The Impact of Industry Changes on Business
16:21 Transparency and Communication During Crisis
20:23 Mental Health and Coping Strategies for Founders
25:19 Navigating Family Life as an Entrepreneur
28:42 Balancing Family and Work Life
30:27 The Reality of Startup Challenges
32:08 Navigating Stakeholder Relationships
33:33 The Importance of Values in Business
35:48 Lessons from Investor Relationships
37:26 Coping with Grief and Acceptance
39:35 Learning from Experience
41:45 Recognizing Life Beyond Work
42:37 The Myth of Failing Fast
44:30 Mental Health in the Workplace
49:48 Choosing Co-Founders Wisely
52:27 Characteristics of Ideal Co-Founders
57:09 Encouragement for Founders Facing Failure