Perception Paradox with Zivile (Zivi) Ein

By Zivile (Zivi) Einikyte

Welcome to Perception Paradox - the podcast spotlighting Europe's Underdog Founders and focused on life, business & health. We dive into the complex relationships between perceptions, worldviews, ... more

Download on the App Store

Download on the App Store

Get it on Google Play

FAQs about Perception Paradox with Zivile (Zivi) Ein:

How many episodes does Perception Paradox with Zivile (Zivi) Ein have?

The podcast currently has 143 episodes available.

Perception Paradox with Zivile (Zivi) Ein episodes:

February 09, 2026E122: The End of Headcount: Building Companies in an AI-First World with Ethan Pierse
What does it mean to build in 2026 - when AI can do the work and humans orchestrate the system?
Ethan Pierse joins Zivile (Zivi) Einikyte to break down a clear, grounded model of AI-first entrepreneurship - and why the job market is already shifting toward AI-powered builders.

Ethan is the Founder of Borderless Ventures and author of the upcoming book The AI Solopreneur Economy. With experience building companies since 1996 across the US, Europe, and Asia, he offers a "no-bullshit" roadmap for the new era of work.
In this episode, we talk:
Solo founders vs. small teams: Why headcount is no longer the default ambition.
How work is reorganizing around agents and AI-first architecture.
Why the real moat is community and distribution - not code.
Energy management vs. productivity: Staying human in a hyper-accelerated world.
A practical, no-hype conversation for builders who want leverage and a life.

Connect with Ethan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethanpierse/

https://thesolopreneureconomybook.com/
Hosted by Zivile (Zivi) Einikyte:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zivileeinikyte/

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates
02:12 AI First Entrepreneurship: The New Paradigm
05:18 The Impact of AI on Employment and Human Resources
08:22 Investment Landscape in the Age of AI
11:17 The Rise of Sustainable and Revenue-First Businesses
14:21 The Changing Dynamics of Capital and Equity
17:09 The Future of Development and AI Integration
19:59 The Evolution of AI Tools and Their Implications
27:54 The Evolving Workforce Landscape
33:20 AI's Impact on Job Availability
38:15 Philosophical and Economic Implications of AI
44:10 Harnessing AI for Personal Efficiency
50:19 Embracing AI: A Call to Action
...more
55min
February 05, 2026[paradox bytes] Why Nerves Are a Superpower with Sem Verbeek
Most people try to get rid of nerves before a big moment.
Sem Verbeek learned to use them.
In this Paradox Byte, Sem explains why nerves and excitement are the same in the brain — and how reframing pressure changed the way he performs under competition.
We talk about:
Why feeling nervous means you care
How to ground yourself before performance
Using the audience as energy instead of distraction
Turning pressure into focus
A reminder that nerves don’t mean stop.
They mean you’re ready.

Hosted by Zivile (Zivi) Einikyte
...more
6min
February 04, 2026 [paradox bytes] How AI Is Actually Used in Sales (And What Still Stays Human) in 2026 with Simon McDermott
How do experienced sales leaders actually use AI in 2026?
In this trailer, Simon McDermott breaks down the real sales tech stack he’s using today — from AI-assisted contracts and CRM workflows to AI SDRs and pipeline intelligence.
We talk about what AI genuinely replaces, where it saves time, and why human judgment, narrative, and taste still matter more than ever in sales.
A practical, honest look at modern go-to-market — without the hype.
Hosted by Zivile (Zivi) Einikyte.
Full conversation with Simon McDermott on the Perception Paradox podcast, E121.
...more
5min
February 02, 2026 E121: Selling in the Age of AI: Why Tech Still Needs Taste with Simon McDermott
What does it mean to sell in 2026?
In this episode of Perception Paradox, Zivile sits down with Simon McDermott, Head of Sales at Talentpilot and a go-to-market leader with 25 years of experience across enterprise and startups - including Cisco, Intel, and high-growth tech companies like Brandwatch and Supernova.
Simon shares how AI is reshaping sales workflows, why narrative and product-market fit still define success, and where human judgment becomes the real competitive advantage.
A thoughtful conversation about selling, motivation, and staying human in an AI-driven world.
Connect with Simon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/startandscale/
Hosted by Zivile (Zivi) Einikyte: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zivileeinikyte/Chapters
Chapters
00:00 Introduction Trailer
01:02 Opening
03:01 Sales Journey and Experience
06:14 Sales Strategies and Team Dynamics
08:59 The Role of Technology in Sales
12:03 AI Tools and Their Impact on Sales
14:55 Human Connection in Sales
18:06 Motivation and Personal Insights
21:05 Advice for New Founders
24:11 Final Thoughts and Reflections
...more
29min
January 29, 2026 [paradox bytes] The AI Boom Has a Bottleneck - And It’s Not What You Think
Everyone talks about AI.
Very few talk about what actually powers it.
In this trailer, Tarik Krim explains why the current AI boom isn’t limited by money or talent - but by infrastructure: chips, energy, data centers, and political reality.
From GPU shortages to rising energy costs, this conversation exposes the physical limits behind digital ambition - and why the next phase of AI may be far messier than most people expect.
This isn’t hype.
It’s the part of the AI story most people are avoiding.
👉 Full episode on Perception Paradox.

Hosted by Zivile (Zivi) Ein
...more
5min
January 28, 2026 [paradox bytes] How do you stay calm in a high-pressure world? With Oisin Lunny
In this episode of Perception Paradox, Oisin Lunny shares the simple practices that help him stay grounded while living a high-intensity, global life on stage.
From transcendental meditation to movement, silence, and presence — this isn’t about hacks or productivity tricks.It’s about finding what actually calms your waves.
🎙️ Presence over performance
🌊 Balance over burnout
Full episode on Perception Paradox podcast (E120) with Oisin Lunny.
...more
3min
January 26, 2026E121: Can AI replace the feeling of a real human connection? Oisin Lunny says no.
Oisin Lunny is one of those rare people who can slow a room down — presence, kindness, curiosity… and serious craft behind it.
In this episode of Perception Paradox, we talk about:
how Oisin moved from corporate life in the UK to living off-grid in Spain
why events are a “petri dish for serendipity”
the real, unseen work behind being a great MC (prep, time discipline, speaker care)
meditation, creative practice, and staying healthy while constantly on the move
why AI makes human connection more important, not less

If you’re an MC, founder, event organizer, or someone building a life around creativity + freedom — you’ll take notes.

👇 Connect with Oisin / listen to his work:
https://oisinlunny.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/oisinlunny/
Hosted by Zivile (Zivi) Einikyte
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zivileeinikyte/

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Oisin Lunny and His Journey
04:26 The Power of Positivity and Mindfulness
07:11 Meditation and Self-Regulation Techniques
10:27 Understanding Serendipity in Life and Business
13:34 Balancing Goals with Serendipity
16:24 Transitioning from Corporate to Freelance Life
19:23 The Shift to Off-Grid Living
22:35 The Role of Music in Oisin's Life
25:22 Maintaining Creativity and Balance
29:28 The Joy of Continuous Learning
31:46 Preparation: The Key to Successful Events
37:45 Post-Event Reflections and Energy Management
40:48 Podcasting Journey and Insights
44:44 Health and Lifestyle in a Busy World
48:31 Finding Opportunities in the Event Space
...more
55min
January 22, 2026[paradox bytes] Where are startups really heading in 2026? with Egita Polanska
In this trailer, Egita Polanska, Founding Partner at Outlast Fund, breaks down why every tech cycle looks the same — and why this AI wave is no exception.
From early adopters, to mass experimentation, to the hard question investors care about most:
who can actually build something that lasts?
Her answer is clear:
Trends come and go
Infrastructure matters
But at the early stage, it’s still about founders
Resilience, adaptability, and problem-solving beat hype — every time.
🎧 Full episode available now.
...more
4min
January 19, 2026 E119: Outlasting the Hype: Building Real Startups in 2026 with Egita Polanska (Outlast Fund)
In this episode of Perception Paradox, Zivile sits down with longtime friend Egita Polanska, investor and partner at Latvia-based Outlast Fund, to unpack what it really takes to build a startup that lasts.

They discuss Egita’s path from accelerator and ecosystem roles to launching a fund across the Nordics and Baltics, what she looks for in founders, and why 2026 is pushing everyone back to fundamentals—solving real problems, building with resilience, and outlasting the hype (including the next phase of AI).

A conversation about long-term thinking, founder psychology, and the truth behind early-stage investing.

About Egita: Egita Polanska is a Founding Partner at Outlast Fund and a long-time builder of the Baltic and Nordic startup ecosystem. With over a decade of experience, she has worked hands-on with early-stage founders across Europe, leading accelerator programs and supporting companies from first traction to scale. Previously, Egita held leadership roles at Startup Wise Guys, Startup House, and Techstars Seattle, and has been deeply involved in shaping Latvia’s startup landscape through TechHub Riga, TechChill, and national innovation initiatives.

Connect with Egita: https://www.linkedin.com/in/egitapolanska/
Hosted by Zivile (Zivi) Einikyte:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zivileeinikyte/
Chapters
00:00 Welcome to Perception Paradox
04:47 The Birth of Outlast Fund
10:43 Investment Strategies and Trends
12:45 Current Trends in the Startup Ecosystem
15:46 Identifying Resilient Founders
20:03 Balancing Data and Emotion in Investment
20:19 Why Stay in the Startup Scene?
22:33 Looking Ahead: Trends in Startups and AI
26:39 Challenges Faced by Investors
29:31 Differentiating in a Competitive Market
32:53 Finding Inspiration and Overcoming Fears
...more
40min
January 15, 2026 [paradox bytes] The 5 Pillars of Longevity (E118 with Erika)
Everyone is looking for a longevity shortcut.
But there isn’t one.
In this paradox byte, Erika explains why longevity is deeply personal - rooted in sleep, movement, nutrition, mental health, and self-responsibility. Science isn’t chasing a magic pill. It keeps pointing us back to the same foundations.
Longevity isn’t about living forever.
It’s about living well - longer.
Full conversation on Perception Paradox.
...more
5min

FAQs about Perception Paradox with Zivile (Zivi) Ein:

How many episodes does Perception Paradox with Zivile (Zivi) Ein have?

The podcast currently has 143 episodes available.