Founders Across Borders

Professor Tim Gilman-Szefczyk has spent over two decades at the intersection of art, philosophy and business, building miniature worlds in Times Square, growing a multimillion-dollar climate nonprofit in Brooklyn, and teaching social impact at NYU Stern. Now he's part of the Improbable Art Thinking movement - a framework that gives anyone, artist or not, the tools to think in ways AI fundamentally cannot.

In this episode he breaks down why AI will always choose the most probable answer - and why your greatest competitive advantage is your ability to think improbably. He also shares the Scenius concept, the 3-day art thinking workshop that transforms how teams work, the Zipper Test for communication, and why "everyone is an artist" is not just a philosophy - it's a practice.

One of the most mind-expanding conversations we've had on Founders Across Borders. Clear your head before you press play.

Nina Everflow went from shaping Fulbright programs at the

US State Department to designing leadership curricula for

UN officers in war zones and now she helps visionary

founders turn their expertise into offerings that actually

transform people. In this episode she unpacks the

difference between telling, teaching and training, why

most courses are built backwards, and how human

authenticity is the one thing AI can never replace.

If you're building a course, community or digital product,

this conversation will change how you think about all of it.

In this episode, we sit down with Kaj Sunden, a leader in the energy and industrial sector, to explore how the energy industry is evolving in a rapidly changing world.From sustainability and innovation to leadership and global business trends, this conversation dives deep into what’s next for one of the most important industries on the planet.WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:1. The future of the energy industry2. How sustainability is driving business growth3. The role of innovation in transforming traditional industries4. Key leadership lessons from a global CEO5. How companies are adapting to a changing global workforce6. Insights into building resilient and future-ready businesses🎙️ ABOUT THE GUEST:Kaj Sunden is an experienced leader in the energy and industrial space, known for his focus on innovation, sustainability, and people-first leadership. With years of global experience, he shares practical insights on how industries must evolve to stay relevant.🚀 ABOUT THE PODCAST:Founders Across Borders is a platform dedicated to bringing you real stories, global insights, and powerful conversations with founders, leaders, and innovators from around the World.

In this episode, we sit down with Linda Du entrepreneur, investor, and Co-founder & CEO of Moola Money.

From working across global markets to building a fintech platform that helps people make smarter financial decisions, Linda brings a powerful perspective on how money actually works in the real world.

We dive into:

1) Why most founders struggle with money

2)The mindset shift needed to build real wealth

3)How AI and fintech are changing personal finance

4)And the biggest financial mistakes people don’t even realize they’re making

If you want to understand money beyond textbooks and start thinking like a global founder , this episode is for you.

What does it really take to build across borders?

In this episode of Founders Across Borders, we sit down with Chedva Ludmir to explore the real journey of founders ,from building tech ventures to navigating fundraising, uncertainty, and growth in global markets.

This conversation dives deep into the importance of human connection in business, why cold outreach often fails, and how founders can scale effectively while staying authentic. Chedva also shares insights from her own journey, including lessons from building ventures, transitioning into new ideas, and embracing uncertainty as a leader.If you're a founder (or aspiring to be one), this episode will change how you think about growth, networking, and long-term success.Time Stamp

00:00 The Unique Journey of Founders

01:33 Navigating Cross-Border Entrepreneurship

02:18 The Birth of a Tech Venture

04:54 The Viral Survey and Its Impact

06:25 Lessons from Closing a Startup

07:00 The Evolution of HR Tech

08:13 Understanding the VC Landscape

10:26 The Importance of Silicon Valley Connections

12:21 Human Connections vs. Cold Outreach

14:54 The Shift to Consider

19:33 Embracing Uncertainty in Business

22:24 The Power of Questioning

25:25 Personal Growth and Business Identity

29:03 The Role of Mentorship in Entrepreneurship

30:58 Gateway Questions: Navigating Dilemmas

34:56 Scaling Chaos: Growth Strategies for Founders

38:09 Future Industries: Insights for Entrepreneurs

40:35 Mindset Matters: Daily Reminders for Founders

46:02 Finding Your Gateway Questions: A Practical Framework

51:36 Unshrinking: Embracing Authenticity in Business

In this episode of Founders Across Borders, we sit down with Daisy Onubogu to explore what it really means to build as a founder who thinks differently.From navigating neurodivergence to leveraging personal experiences like ADHD, Daisy shares how unique perspectives can become a founder’s greatest strength. This conversation dives deep into identity, psychology, and the power of embracing who you are to create meaningful impact.We also discuss the importance of community, networking, and social skills in entrepreneurship and how building the right relationships can completely transform your journey.If you’ve ever felt “different” or questioned your path, this episode will change how you see yourself and your potential.

In this episode, we sit down with Reina Pomeroy, a certified coach, community strategist, and former social worker who has built and scaled some of the most impactful online communities.

With over two decades of experience across tech, Al, and community building, Reina has led the creation of thriving digital ecosystems.Including helping grow a global parenting community from zero to tens of thousands of engaged members.

We talk about:

Reina's journey to becoming a Founder

What it really takes to build meaningful communities (not just audiences)

Leadership lessons from Reina

The future of community in the Al era

If you're a founder, creator, student, or someone looking to build something meaningful online. This conversation will completely change how you think about growth and connection.

In This Episode of Founders Across Borders, we sit down with "The Distribution Guy "Sukhpal Saini. The Founder & CEO of Engyne, who has built 36+ Al Tools and understands one thing most founders ignore: distribution is everything.

From rapid product building to validating ideas and scaling them with smart go-to-market strategies, this conversation dives deep into the real mindset and execution behind successful founders.If you're an aspiring entrepreneur, startup builder, or someone curious about Al + SaaS, this episode is packed with practical insights you don't want to miss.

What you'll learn in this episode: How to build products fast using Al.

Why most startups fail at distribution.

The importance of validating ideas before building.

Real strategies to get your first users.

Founder mindset & lessons from building multiple products.

In this episode of Founders Across Borders, we sit down with Palveshey Tariq to uncover a journey that truly defines what it means to rise against all odds.

From hitting rock bottom to reaching Harvard, her story is not just about success, it’s about resilience, mindset, and rebuilding your life when everything seems to fall apart.

In this conversation, we dive into:

• What it really feels like to start from nothing

• The hidden struggles behind high achievers

• Why success alone doesn’t guarantee fulfillment

• And how to truly rebuild yourself from within

This isn’t just a founder story ,it’s a story of transformation.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, lost, or like you’re starting from zero this episode is for you.

🎧 Watch till the end, this one might change how you see your journey.

In this episode, Yukta Kandhari sits down with Elfina Luk—actress, producer, entrepreneur, and the founder of a mission to help 1 million people become authentic on camera.

Elfina shares her journey of stepping into the online space after a major life shift, navigating identity beyond acting, building a safe community, and learning what authenticity truly means—especially in today’s world where AI content is everywhere.

From healing, ego, vulnerability, and imposter syndrome to leadership, integrity, and on-camera confidence—this conversation goes deep into what it really takes to show up as yourself.