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: 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/zivileeinikyte/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎵 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:

• How she coined and trademarked “ECOfashion” and launched Under the Canopy, proving elegance and ethics can coexist.
• Why regenerative agriculture and circular economic models are the keys to healing both fashion and the planet.
• Her rallying cry: “cooperation is the new competition,” and other insights transforming industry mindsets from scarcity to abundance.

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

https://www.marcizaroff.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 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

• Transferable skills win: Cross-industry experience brings fresh perspectives to innovation.
• AI as ally, not adversary: Use tech to amplify human creativity and efficiency. TechFinitive
• Stories forge connection: Embedding culture into campaigns drives both loyalty and massive scale—as seen in the 'pink soup' success. TechFinitive
• Bootstrapped growth is possible: Nordcurrent thrived without external funding by marrying adaptability and community feedback. pursuitofscrappiness.co
• Test fearlessly: From A/B testing to player feedback loops, innovation thrives on experiments.
• Leadership in flux: Future marketing demands agility, empathy, and data-led storytelling.

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:

• Own your failures completely — builds credibility for next venture
• Transparency during crisis builds lasting trust with your team
• Mental health isn't optional — seeking help is a leadership skill
• Family support is your foundation during business recovery
• Failure is data, not defeat — every collapse teaches essential lessons
• Normalize failure conversations in the startup community
  

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/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Chapters

00:00 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

What if everything you’ve labeled a failure was actually the beginning of your becoming?

Ed Soo Hoo doesn’t fit into any box—and that’s entirely the point. With nine startups under his belt, he’s lived the full spectrum of business: from working-class roots to boardroom pressure, from seed-stage scrambles to IPO highs—and, yes, total collapse.

Now the CTO of Worldwide Global Accounts, a UC Berkeley Industry Fellow, and a sought-after executive coach, Ed’s insight has been shaped not by perfection, but by persistence, reflection, and a relentless willingness to challenge the expected.

In this wide-ranging and deeply human conversation, Ed shares why he calls himself a “Free Range Chicken,” what it means to poke bears and kick hornets’ nests, and how failure became his greatest teacher.

We explore:

• How failure strips away illusion and reveals truth
• Why trust and storytelling are the cornerstones of real leadership
• The uncomfortable necessity of self-reflection
• Why choosing a personal adjective might matter more than any title
• How challenging expectations can lead to profound personal alignment

Ed’s approach crosses intellectual and practical boundaries. His leadership is asymmetrical, eclectic, and intentional—stretching teams and mindsets from “Now, New… to Next.”

This isn’t a playbook. It’s a philosophy.

It’s not a roadmap. It’s a mirror.

A conversation about letting go of who you were supposed to be—so you can become who you truly are.

About Ed Soo Ho: 

Ed Soo Ho (pronounced Sue Who) - CTO Worldwide Global Accounts at Lenovo - Innovation and Transformation Executive

Unofficial titles ‘Free Range Chicken’, ‘Poker of Bears and Kicker of Hornets nests. Ed is an eclectic and renaissance styled asymmetrical thinker, crossing intellectual and practical boundaries of enterprise and technology. Known for stretching-the-box strategic thinking allowing companies expand from “Now, New to Next.”

Industry Fellow - Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology at UC Berkeley and executive coach, Ed brings unique insights coming from a diverse, eclectic set of rich experiences through a career that includes blue-collar teamster, global company leader, and 8 time startup exec (seed to IPO to buyout to disaster).

Connect with Ed: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edsoohoo/

Link to the mentioned documentary:  In & Of Itself https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OR4NNuNE3Yg 

🎙️ 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 Context of the Conversation

02:43 The Importance of Trust and Leadership

05:23 Finding Purpose Through Failure

07:38 The Role of Storytelling in Leadership

10:36 Navigating Expectations and Personal Choices

13:36 The Value of Self-Reflection and Awareness

15:46 Embracing Vulnerability and Learning from Failure

18:18 The Power of Perspective and Growth

20:55 Challenging Conventional Paths

23:29 The Journey of Self-Discovery

26:05 Defining Success and Personal Adjectives

What happens when Silicon Valley’s brightest minds take on humanity’s most silent crisis?

In this explosive episode, serial entrepreneur Joseph Perla reveals how he built Hangout.fm, a platform using music and gaming to fight the loneliness epidemic that's devastating Gen Z. From zero to over 1 million users, Joseph shares raw, behind-the-scenes lessons on building community, scaling without ads, and rewriting the rules of human connection in a tech-first world.

WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER:

• The shocking reason Gen Z is abandoning traditional socializing
• How music became the secret weapon for authentic digital communities
• Why “you can’t just buy ads” anymore — and what actually works
• The underground tactics that grew Hangout to 1M+ users
• Why solo founders are outperforming traditional teams in 2025
  

“You can’t just build an app — you have to build a movement.”

🎧 Whether you're a founder, creator, Gen Z leader, or someone just craving deeper connection — this episode will change how you think about technology, community, and what comes next.

About Joseph: 

Joseph Perla is an entrepreneur and music tech expert currently serving as the Founder and CEO of Hangout, a social music game for teens. He got his start during his years attending Princeton University, when he launched several social networks tailored to his interests, including Zandigo in 2005 for college students and Labmeeting in 2007 for scientists. He was also, in 2011, a founder behind Turntable, which introduced the idea of social listening. Perla also spent time working at Facebook (now Meta), where he led product and engineering for Facebook's iPhone News Feed; co-founded Terminal.com, where he helped to secure over $4 million in funding and which was acquired by Udacity in 2017; and spearheaded Passenger and Driver Growth at Lyft during its most significant expansion phase. 

Connect with Joseph: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephperla/ 

More about hangout: https://hangout.fm/

🎙️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

02:16 Joseph Perla's Journey in Tech and Startups

05:21 The Birth of Hangout and Addressing Loneliness

08:19 Target Audience and Growth Strategies

11:31 Community Engagement and Retention Strategies

14:19 The Evolution of Founding Teams and Community Building

19:51 Building Hangout.fm: Team and Vision

23:46 Monetization and User Engagement Strategies

29:09 Navigating the Tech Ecosystem and Challenges

34:38 Distribution Strategies for Startups

36:56 The Importance of Community and Connection

Pedro Santos has built, exited, and now invests in startups across continents. But his biggest lesson? "Just because you love a solution doesn’t mean the market will."

In this episode, Pedro shares raw, hard-earned wisdom from the founder’s seat to the investor’s table. He unpacks the critical traits that separate surviving startups from failed ones, how to actually validate your idea, and why founders in emerging markets often out-hustle their Silicon Valley peers.

From training for Ironman races to leading VC deals at 500 Global, Pedro reveals how mental toughness, relentless curiosity, and painful self-awareness shape real startup success.

Pedro Santos Vieira - Partner, 500 Global

Pedro is an accomplished investor with a remarkable background. He founded and sold GoodGuide, a notable digital health venture, achieving a successful exit. Following this, he established West to West, a non-profit organization in the United States dedicated to supporting Portuguese and EU entrepreneurs in thriving within Silicon Valley, managing an impressive portfolio of 200+ startups. Later, he was a Partner at the Shilling Founders Fund, a substantial €50+ million early-stage tech fund.

Now, as a Partner at 500 Global, he actively designs and oversees acceleration and investment initiatives. Pedro is a hands-on investor, connecting startups with a vast network of VC community members. His profound knowledge of the startup ecosystem, both locally and globally, has earned him recognition as a sought-after speaker at major startup-related conferences, panel discussions, and media interviews, making him a true luminary in the field.

More about 500 Global: https://500.co 

Connect with Pedro: https://www.linkedin.com/in/santosvieira/

🎙️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 Welcoming Pedro Vieira to the Podcast

02:56 Pedro's Entrepreneurial Journey Begins

04:21 Curiosity and Innovation in Entrepreneurship

05:53 Building Companies in a Different Era

08:45 Lessons Learned from the Startup Journey

11:48 Navigating Challenges and Stress as Founders

14:03 The Impact of Exiting a Company

14:56 Traits of Successful Founders

16:13 The Athlete's Mindset in Entrepreneurship

18:21 The Journey of First-Time Founders

21:21 Emerging Markets and Resourcefulness

24:05 Criteria for Successful Accelerator Programs

26:32 Post-Acceleration Support for Founders

29:01 Building Trust and Relationships in VC

30:02 Current Trends and Investment Interests

31:54 Insights from the Kauffman Fellow Program

33:16 Lessons Learned in the Startup Ecosystem

34:34 Reflective Questions for Founders

What if the way you’ve been thinking about startup fundraising is... totally outdated?

In this episode of Perception Paradox, I sit down with Jeffrey Fidelman, a former Wall Street pro turned startup investment strategist, to break down what’s actually working in fundraising today.

We explore:

• How “Fundraise as a Service” is flipping the script for founders

• The biggest mistakes startups make when pitching investors

• Why personalized outreach matters more than ever

• The surprising power of crowdfunding in 2025

• How AI is slashing startup costs and changing investor expectations

• And one big question every founder should ask: “Does my startup actually improve the industry I’m in?”

Whether you're raising your first round or just trying to understand the capital game — this episode gives you the fundraising clarity you didn't know you needed.

🎧 Tune in and get smarter about your next raise.

About Jeffrey:

Jeffrey Fidelman is the Founder and Managing Partner of Fidelman & Company, an advisory firm he launched in 2015 to help early- to mid-stage companies with fundraising and growth strategy. Under his leadership, the firm has grown to a 40+ person remote team supporting clients across capital raises, business sales, and strategic initiatives.

With deep experience as an interim CFO and COO, Jeffrey has guided dozens of companies through pivotal financial transactions. His career spans residential and commercial real estate, Portfolio Manager at Morgan Stanley, Vice President at HSBC, and Partner at an early-stage venture fund focusing on tech startups.

A Harvard graduate (cum laude), Jeffrey has built a reputation as a strategic operator, investor, and trusted advisor to founders and management teams.

🎙️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 Fundraising and Startups

03:37 The Journey from Finance to Investment Banking

06:44 Fundraise as a Service: A New Approach

09:38 Shifts in the Startup Ecosystem

12:19 The Impact of AI on Innovation

15:12 Investor Landscape Changes Post-COVID

18:02 The Importance of Structured Outreach

20:58 Asking for Capital: The Founder’s Responsibility

26:20 The Importance of Asking for Funding

27:41 Common Fundraising Mistakes

29:55 The Fundraising Timeline

33:55The Future of Fundraising and Revenue Expectations

35:46 Crowdfunding as a Viable Option

39:17 Emerging Trends in the Startup Ecosystem

45:27 Philosophical Reflections on Building Businesses

Join me for an insightful conversation with Eric Sim — former Managing Director at UBS Investment Bank and author of Small Actions. Known for inspiring millions on LinkedIn with his career wisdom, Eric shares how he built a meaningful portfolio career driven by purpose, not just prestige.

In this episode, we explore:

• The quiet power of self-discovery and authenticity
• How Eric went from stage fright to global speaker and teacher
• Practical insights on digital networking, resilience, and redefining success
• Why mentorship matters — and how small actions lead to big shifts

Whether you’re navigating a career pivot or searching for more meaning in your work, Eric’s journey is a powerful reminder that success can be reimagined — and lived on your own terms.

About Eric: 

Eric Sim writes about career skills for over two million followers on LinkedIn and is the author of “Small Actions: Leading Your Career to Big Success”. Previously, he served as a managing director at UBS Investment Bank as well as an Adjunct Associate Professor of Finance at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Sim founded the Institute of Life with a mission to help professionals achieve success at work and in life.  

More about the Institute of Life: http://www.iol.life/  

🎙️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 Eric Sim and Portfolio Careers

01:47 Navigating Career Changes and Teaching Journey

04:36 The Importance of Writing and Sharing Experiences

07:16 Building Relationships in a Virtual World

09:38 Finding Happiness Through Creativity and Relationships

12:02 Positive Mindset and Overcoming Adversity

14:38 Work Ethic and Small Actions for Big Dreams

17:35 The Journey of a Portfolio Career

20:07 Finding Meaning and Contribution

21:07 Building a Personal Brand

23:27 Navigating Online Presence and Authenticity

26:20 Coping with Failure and Building Confidence

29:53 The Role of Mentorship and Self-Awareness

34:10 Transferable Skills in Career Transition

When a brand faces a viral meltdown, a devastating data breach — or even runs out of chicken (yes, like KFC!) — how do they not just survive, but emerge stronger?

In this electrifying episode of Perception Paradox, Zivile sits down with acclaimed crisis strategist Jessica Gioglio to decode one of the toughest challenges in business: how to control your narrative when everything’s falling apart.

Through gripping case studies — from KFC’s legendary FCK-up to navigating natural disasters — this episode isn’t just about damage control. It’s about narrative warfare. You'll learn:

• Why the first 60 minutes can make or break your brand's future
• The costly mistakes brands make by reacting too fast — or too slow
• How transparency, empathy, and even humor forge unbreakable trust
• The power of storytelling to humanize your brand in a storm
• What a bulletproof crisis communication plan actually looks like today
  

Whether you're a founder, marketer, or comms lead — this is your no-fluff blueprint for turning chaos into credibility. Don’t wait for disaster to strike: prepare your skis in summer.

About Jessica: 

Jessica Gioglio - Marketing Innovator and Author, The Power of Visual Storytelling and The Laws of Brand Storytelling.

Jessica Gioglio is a recognized marketing innovator, international speaker, and bestselling author of “⁠The Power of Visual Storytelling⁠” and “⁠The Laws of Brand Storytelling⁠.” Professionally, Jessica has led innovative digital marketing, public relations and social media programs for companies including Nokia, Dunkin’ Donuts, TripAdvisor, State Street, Comcast and Sprinklr, work that has resulted in numerous industry awards. Today, Jessica is the founder of With Savvy Media & Marketing, a strategic branding, storytelling, and content marketing consultancy.

Connect with Jessica: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicagioglio/

🎙️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

01:48 The Art of Storytelling in Crisis Communication

04:33 Understanding Brand Crises: Types and Examples

06:58 Crisis Response: Timing and Strategy

09:39 Common Mistakes in Crisis Communication

12:11 Turning Crisis into Opportunity: Success Stories

24:14 Navigating Brand Crises: The KFC Case Study

28:03 Proactive Crisis Management: Preparing for the Unexpected

33:14 Handling Uncontrollable Crises: Data Breaches and Natural Disasters

44:04 Building a Crisis Communication Plan: Preparation is Key

48:09 Resources for Crisis Management: Learning and Growing