Katherine Melchior Ray, Faculty Member and Lecturer at the University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business, President of Global Ally, keynote speaker, and author, joins Host Simon Hodgkins for a conversation on how brands expand globally without losing authenticity. From San Francisco's multicultural roots to luxury, hospitality, beauty, and tech, Katherine's career is a masterclass in bridging cultures, building trust, and staying just a half step ahead of the market, not a leap too far.From San Francisco's "Little Worlds" to a Global CareerKatherine grew up in cosmopolitan San Francisco, with its espresso-fueled Little Italy, vibrant Chinatown, and the Mission's Latino heart, while attending French schools and living in a cross-cultural home. That lived diversity became the foundation for a career spent connecting people, markets, and meaning. She later worked and lived in France and Japan, speaks both languages, and has led teams across industries at iconic brands including Nike, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Hyatt, and Shiseido, before moving into tech and teaching at Berkeley Haas.00:00 - Katherine Melchior Ray - VistaTalks Ep 18101:02 - San Francisco roots & a cross-cultural upbringing04:43 - Cultural intelligence: definition and why it matters08:52 - Japan vs. France: when “basics” aren’t basic12:55 - Kit Kat’s “freedom within a framework” playbook18:55 - Building trust across global teams27:34 - Lessons from Nike, Hyatt, Shiseido & tech34:03 - AI’s promise, context gap, and brand valuesAbout VistaTalks: VistaTalks has an incredible lineup of guests from around the globe. We love to feature interesting discussions with interesting people from all around the world. Follow VistaTalks on Spotify for all the latest episodes, or subscribe to the show on Apple and Google podcasts. VistaTalks is available on many other podcast platforms. To learn more about VistaTalks, please visit https://www.vistatalks.com Social Media: X - https://x.com/vistatalks Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/VistaTalks Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/vistatalks LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/vistatalks
With over 70 countries visited, fluency in six languages, and a lifetime of cross-cultural experience, Sylvia Gonner, President of Culturewiz, is in discussion with VistaTalks Host Simon Hodgkins. Sylvia brings both authority and a practical perspective to the challenges of going global.
About VistaTalks:
VistaTalks has an incredible lineup of guests from around the globe. We love to feature interesting discussions with interesting people from all around the world. Follow VistaTalks on Spotify for all the latest episodes, or subscribe to the show on Apple and Google podcasts. VistaTalks is available on many other podcast platforms. To learn more about VistaTalks, please visit https://www.vistatalks.com
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Artificial intelligence is changing everything, from healthcare and beauty tech to social media and surveillance. However, as systems powered by machine learning become increasingly embedded in our daily lives, a critical question arises: Are they working fairly for everyone?That's precisely what Neda Alipur, a PhD researcher at TU Dublin, is tackling through her groundbreaking work on image processing and AI skin tone representation. Host Simon Hodgkins speaks with Neda about her journey into this complex field and the pressing need for more inclusive AI systems in this episode of VistaTalks. This conversation is an important topic and one that goes right to the heart of bias in data and its real-world consequences.00:00 - Neda Alipur - VistaTalks Ep 179 01:30 - Neda's Journey into Image Processing and AI03:42 - Why Skin Tone Representation in AI Matters06:08 - The Problem with Inaccurate Datasets10:25 - Ethical Challenges in Labeling Skin Tone13:25 - Building a More Inclusive Dataset15:41 - Collaboration and Real-World Applications19:10 - Looking Ahead: Fairness as a Core Design PrincipleAbout VistaTalks: VistaTalks has an incredible lineup of guests from around the globe. We love to feature interesting discussions with interesting people from all around the world. Follow VistaTalks on Spotify for all the latest episodes, or subscribe to the show on Apple and Google podcasts. VistaTalks is available on many other podcast platforms. To learn more about VistaTalks, please visit https://www.vistatalks.com Social Media: X - https://x.com/vistatalks Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/VistaTalks Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/vistatalks LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/vistatalks
Host Simon Hodgkins is in discussion with Hristina Racheva, whose journey is anything but conventional. After more than a decade of leading localization, product, and experimentation teams at major global organizations, including the European Commission, Google, and Skyscanner, Hristina made a bold pivot. Today, she’s a somatic guide and nervous system educator helping individuals and leaders reconnect with their inner wisdom to show up more authentically in both work and life.This episode examines the intriguing interplay between high-performance corporate environments and the profoundly personal, yet often overlooked, realm of somatic awareness.00:00 - Hristina Racheva - VistaTalks Ep 17802:10 - The Turning Point: Burnout and Career Shift07:15 - What Is Somatic Work? A Simple Explanation10:42 - Embodied Leadership Explained17:30 - Does somatic coaching contribute to the strategic?18:32 - The Nervous System and Strategic Thinking22:27 - Client Stories: Small Shifts, Big Impact25:34 - Practical Advice: One Powerful Question to Ask YourselfAbout VistaTalks: VistaTalks has an incredible lineup of guests from around the globe. We love to feature interesting discussions with interesting people from all around the world. Follow VistaTalks on Spotify for all the latest episodes, or subscribe to the show on Apple and Google podcasts. VistaTalks is available on many other podcast platforms. To learn more about VistaTalks, please visit https://www.vistatalks.com Social Media: X - https://x.com/vistatalks Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/VistaTalks Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/vistatalks LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/vistatalks
Alice Rackley, CEO of Polytag, joins Host Simon Hodgkins for a conversation that cuts through the noise around sustainability and brings fresh insight into what real progress looks like in the world of recycling.
Polytag isn't just another tech company; it's one of the few players actively building the infrastructure needed to make circular economies for plastic packaging a practical reality. Under Alice's leadership, Polytag is transforming how brands track, trace, and take responsibility for their packaging.
00:00 - Alice Rackley - VistaTalks Ep 177
01:26 - From Barcodes to Recycling: Alice’s “Double Pivot”
03:16 - How Polytag’s Two-Tag System Works
07:28 - Sustainability as the New Digital Transformation
10:08 - Why Wales Leads the World in Recycling
13:11 - The Ocado Case Study: Recycling Rewards in Action
18:32 - Tackling Recycling Myths and the Problem with Downcycling
24:32 - Global Standards for a Circular Future
About VistaTalks:
VistaTalks has an incredible lineup of guests from around the globe. We love to feature interesting discussions with interesting people from all around the world. Follow VistaTalks on Spotify for all the latest episodes, or subscribe to the show on Apple and Google podcasts. VistaTalks is available on many other podcast platforms. To learn more about VistaTalks, please visit https://www.vistatalks.com
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Kevin Freedman, Founder and CEO of Freedman International, joins Host Simon Hodgkins for an insightful conversation about international marketing, brand agility, and the evolution of creative campaign delivery. The discussion is rich in experience, hard-won lessons, localization insights, and practical guidance for anyone navigating the intersection of global branding. 00:00 - Welcome, Kevin Freedman 01:02 - From Economics to Entrepreneurship 02:41 - The Print Management Origins 05:17 - The UPS Breakthrough and Birth of Localization Services 11:04 - Breaking into Advertising with Global Campaigns 15:39 - What Makes a Strong Localization Strategy 25:24 - The Role of AI in Global Campaigns 35:39 - Global Expansion Tips for Brands About VistaTalks: VistaTalks has an incredible lineup of guests from around the globe. We love to feature interesting discussions with interesting people from all around the world. Follow VistaTalks on Spotify for all the latest episodes, or subscribe to the show on Apple and Google podcasts. VistaTalks is available on many other podcast platforms. To learn more about VistaTalks, please visit https://www.vistatalks.com Social Media: X - https://x.com/vistatalks Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/VistaTalks Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/vistatalks LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/vistatalks
Jana Straiton is the Founder and Managing Director of Renegade Marketing. She joins Host Simon Hodgkins for a sharp and insightful conversation about building bold brands in a crowded digital landscape. With a career spanning major players like Adobe and PayPal, Jana brings significant experience to the table, along with a rebellious approach to branding and a passion for helping tech companies stand out.00:00 - Jana Straiton - VistaTalks Ep 17501:25 - What Rebellious Branding Really Means04:57 - Turning Brand Attitude into Real Business Results07:39 - Building Brands from Strategy to Visibility11:21 - Lessons from Adobe and PayPal: Bringing Corporate Insight to Agency Work16:05 - Creative Risk and the Wild Card Pitch19:00 - Common Branding Mistakes in Tech26:04 - Branding in the Age of AIAbout VistaTalks: VistaTalks has an incredible lineup of guests from around the globe. We love to feature interesting discussions with interesting people from all around the world. Follow VistaTalks on Spotify for all the latest episodes, or subscribe to the show on Apple and Google podcasts. VistaTalks is available on many other podcast platforms. To learn more about VistaTalks, please visit https://www.vistatalks.com Social Media: X - https://x.com/vistatalks Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/VistaTalks Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/vistatalks LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/vistatalks
Kate Irwin is the Managing Director for EMEA at Skift; in this episode, she discusses with Host Simon Hodgkins her thoughts on the evolution of one of the world's largest industries, travel. Kate shares an insightful, engaging, and informative discussion about the challenges, innovations, and opportunities facing the travel industry today and how Skift is helping leaders stay ahead of the curve. For anyone working in or fascinated by the travel sector, this episode of VistaTalks is a must-listen. 00:00 - Kate Irwin - VistaTalks Ep 174 01:38 - From Publishing to Travel Leadership 03:00 - What Makes Skift Different 04:39 - Travel Trends Across EMEA 07:42 - Skift’s Independence and Trust Strategy 16:45 - The Shift to Experience-Led Travel 20:00 - Mentorship, Purpose, and Industry Impact 25:53 - Predictive Intelligence and the Future of Travel About VistaTalks: VistaTalks has an incredible lineup of guests from around the globe. We love to feature interesting discussions with interesting people from all around the world. Follow VistaTalks on Spotify for all the latest episodes, or subscribe to the show on Apple and Google podcasts. VistaTalks is available on many other podcast platforms. To learn more about VistaTalks, please visit https://www.vistatalks.com Social Media: X - https://x.com/vistatalks Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/VistaTalks Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/vistatalks LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/vistatalks
Melanie O'Connor, Head of Marketing at BDO Ireland, speaks with Host Simon Hodgkins about her journey from elite swimming to strategic marketing leadership. Melanie brings a refreshing perspective to marketing, emphasizing the importance of adaptability, strategic thinking, and challenging the status quo.
00:00 - Melanie O’Connor - VistaTalks Ep 173
01:42 - Melanie’s approach to marketing: no one-size-fits-all
05:51 - Recognition as one of Ireland’s Top 100 CMOs
07:25 - The importance of brand and digital transformation
10:37 - Doubling brand awareness using paid social
14:24 - Aligning business strategy with marketing culture
19:55 - Balancing creativity and data in marketing
28:20 - Melanie’s journey from elite swimming to marketing leadership
About VistaTalks: VistaTalks has an incredible lineup of guests from around the globe. We love to feature interesting discussions with interesting people from all around the world. Follow VistaTalks on Spotify for all the latest episodes, or subscribe to the show on Apple and Google podcasts. VistaTalks is available on many other podcast platforms.
To learn more about VistaTalks, please visit https://www.vistatalks.com
Social Media:
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Tim Farmer, Founder and CEO of iSquared, joins Host Simon Hodgkins on this episode of VistaTalks. Tim, a seasoned technologist, strategist, and thought leader, shapes how organizations approach data-driven transformation, operational intelligence, and digital infrastructure. His work isn't just about building smarter systems; it's about creating intelligent, ethical, and scalable solutions that put people at the heart of technology.
00:00 - Tim Farmer - VistaTalks Ep 172
01:45 - The Challenge of Data Ethics & Trust
05:30 - Garbage In, Garbage Out: Data Quality Matters
07:21 - Global Data Challenges & Cultural Nuances
10:08 - Data Maturity & Organizational Silos
12:10 - iSquared’s Approach: Simplifying Complexity
18:45 - The Three Tiers of a Successful Data Strategy
24:56 - Building an Insights-Led Organization
About VistaTalks:
VistaTalks has an incredible lineup of guests from around the globe. We love to feature interesting discussions with interesting people from all around the world. Follow VistaTalks on Spotify for all the latest episodes, or subscribe to the show on Apple and Google podcasts. VistaTalks is available on many other podcast platforms. To learn more about VistaTalks, please visit https://www.vistatalks.com
Social Media:
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Tracy Hedrick, who has an impact that spans college athletics, live entertainment, global hospitality, and iconic brand storytelling, sits down with Host Simon Hodgkins on this episode of VistaTalks. As the Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Associate Athletic Director for Ohio State Athletics and Business Advancement and CMO for Columbus Arena Sports and Entertainment (CASE), Tracy brings decades of experience and an unwavering passion for people to everything she touches.
00:00 - Tracy Hedrick - VistaTalks Ep 171
01:25 - Tracy’s career journey: From mixtapes to live music
03:49 - Crafting a brand that wins loyalty and memories
06:38 - What makes a great brand story today?
10:08 - Lessons from working in live entertainment with Yanni
13:00 - Balancing commercial strategy with community connection 15:13 - Fostering innovation in large, traditional institutions
26:19 - Advice for emerging leaders & authentic leadership
About VistaTalks:
VistaTalks has an incredible lineup of guests from around the globe. We love to feature interesting discussions with interesting people from all around the world. Follow VistaTalks on Spotify for all the latest episodes, or subscribe to the show on Apple and Google podcasts. VistaTalks is available on many other podcast platforms. To learn more about VistaTalks, please visit https://www.vistatalks.com
Social Media:
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Denis Roche, Founder of eAltra, is in conversation with VistaTalks Host Simon Hodgkins. In this episode, Denis shares the evolving intersection of healthcare, artificial intelligence, and patient experience.
Denis, an entrepreneur and innovator, brings a rich and varied background spanning clinical practice, academic research, and creative technology. He is rethinking how healthcare is delivered and pushing the boundaries of what it means to put patients at the center of care.
00:00 - Denis Roche - VistaTalks Ep 170
01:21 - From Harley Street to Startup: The Origins of eAltra
04:54 - Conversational AI for Cancer Care
08:00 - What Digital Transformation in Healthcare Should Look Like
12:45 - Creative Innovation and Building with Clinicians
16:32 - Global Challenges, Local Solutions in Healthcare
20:39 - Ethics, Trust, and the Hype Around AI in Healthcare
27:25 - Pushing the Envelope of Patient Care
About VistaTalks:
VistaTalks has an incredible lineup of guests from around the globe. We love to feature interesting discussions with interesting people from all around the world. Follow VistaTalks on Spotify for all the latest episodes, or subscribe to the show on Apple and Google podcasts. VistaTalks is available on many other podcast platforms. To learn more about VistaTalks, please visit https://www.vistatalks.com
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Adele Hartland brings a rare combination of real-world leadership experience, deep coaching expertise, and a fresh, holistic perspective on building better workplaces. Adele's philosophy? We are not just human doings, we are human beings. And in today's fast-paced, AI-driven world, that distinction matters more than ever. Adele is the Managing Director and Master Coach at Lacuna Coaching Ltd, and she joins VistaTalks Host Simon Hodgkins on this episode.
00:00 - Introduction to VistaTalks with Adele Hartland
01:38 – From Red Bull to Lacuna Coaching
02:29 – The Engagement Crisis & AI’s Impact
05:43 – The Cost of Poor Culture
07:46 – Why Leadership is the Breaking Point
09:50 – Framework for Conscious Culture
15:08 – Embracing Generational & Cultural Diversity
24:44 – Slowing Down in a Fast World
About VistaTalks:
VistaTalks has an incredible lineup of guests from around the globe. We love to feature interesting discussions with interesting people from all around the world. Follow VistaTalks on Spotify for all the latest episodes, or subscribe to the show on Apple and Google podcasts. VistaTalks is available on many other podcast platforms. To learn more about VistaTalks, please visit https://www.vistatalks.com
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In this episode, Caley Burton, Senior Technical Writing Manager at Cloudflare, shared a powerful perspective on the evolving role of content. With nearly a decade of experience in content strategy and user experience, Caley is driving AI-ready, scalable documentation practices that elevate customer engagement across Cloudflare’s global platform.
00:00 - Introduction: Welcome to VistaTalks with Caley Burton
01:20 – What Is a Holistic Content Strategy?
04:30 – Documentation as Experience Content
07:00 – Implementing a 360-Degree Content Plan
14:10 – Common Content Strategy Challenges
19:00 – Measuring Content Performance and ROI
23:47 – The Strategic Role of Video Content
32:00 – AI’s Impact on Content Management
About VistaTalks:
VistaTalks has an incredible lineup of guests from around the globe. We love to feature interesting discussions with interesting people from all around the world. Follow VistaTalks on Spotify for all the latest episodes, or subscribe to the show on Apple and Google podcasts. VistaTalks is available on many other podcast platforms. To learn more about VistaTalks, please visit https://www.vistatalks.com
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Jamie Whysall, Head of Health at Netcompany UK, brings a real-world perspective to one of healthcare’s biggest challenges: digital transformation. In this episode of the VistaTalks podcast, Jamie joined Host María Roa for a conversation about the present and future of healthcare innovation. From building digital bridges between siloed systems to reimagining how citizens interact with their personal health data, Jamie shared a powerful vision for how technology can—and must—reshape the health sector.
In this episode of VistaTalks, we explore the growing importance of sound in branding with Karsten Kjems, CEO of Sonic Minds. With deep expertise in sonic branding, Karsten shared why audio must be part of every brand's strategy in today's digital-first world.
Karsten leads Sonic Minds, a global sonic branding agency helping brands develop powerful and consistent audio identities. His team's work ensures brands don't just sound good — they sound meaningful.
Join Jennifer Vela Valido, Ph.D., the Localization Quality Program Manager at Spotify, in conversation with María Roa at VistaTalks. Jennifer has over 15 years of experience in the localization industry. She has led innovative strategies in linguistic quality management, vendor operations, and academic research. Her expertise, combined with her passion for creating seamless, culturally relevant user experiences, has positioned her as a leading figure in the field. In this discussion, Jennifer shared her career journey, Spotify’s approach to localization, and the challenges of ensuring quality across 73+ languages.
Nick Hill, Technical Writing Manager at HERE Technologies, joins VistaTalks Host Simon Hodgkins to discuss the evolving landscape of technical documentation, AI's impact, and the profession's future.
With decades of experience in technical communications, Nick shared his insights on how artificial intelligence is reshaping the industry, the risks and opportunities that come with it, and why technical writers are essential now more than ever.
Nick left the audience with a clear message: Technical writers must take ownership of AI's role in the industry. Rather than waiting to see how AI evolves, professionals should actively experiment, test, and define best practices for using AI effectively.
He also raised an important question about entry-level opportunities in the field. As AI takes over simpler writing tasks, how will new professionals gain the experience they need to enter the industry? It's a challenge that organizations and educators must address to ensure a strong pipeline of skilled technical writers.
Staying ahead in any global market is an essential factor. This focus is especially critical in the manufacturing sector. It requires more than expertise—it demands collaboration, innovation, and strategic vision. On this episode of VistaTalks, Host Simon Hodgkins is joined by Caitríona Mordan, Cluster Manager of atim (Advanced Technologies in Manufacturing) cluster, to explore how the organization is shaping the future of manufacturing. From digital transformation to sustainability and workforce development, Caitríona shared valuable insights into the critical role of clusters in fostering industry growth and global success.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping how businesses operate, but for many, the challenge is not just understanding AI—it's implementing it in a way that delivers real, measurable impact. On a recent episode of VistaTalks, Polly Barnfield OBE, Founder and CEO of Maybe*, shared her insights on how AI is helping businesses of all sizes, from global enterprises to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), embrace digital transformation.
