Can you ever truly observe a culture without changing it?

In this Paradox Byte, anthropologist, entrepreneur, and author Valerie Won Lee shares the story of spending a month living with a remote Pacific Island community - and the unexpected lesson that completely changed the way she thinks about people, leadership, and human behavior.

What began as a journey to understand another culture became a lesson in observation, influence, and the invisible ways we shape the environments we enter.

🎙️ This is a Paradox Byte - a short story that changes the way you see the world.

Watch the full conversation with Valerie Won Lee on the Perception Paradox Podcast.

#Anthropology #HumanBehavior #Leadership #Culture #PerceptionParadox

Most of us think we're observing reality.

In reality, we're observing our own assumptions.

In this episode of Perception Paradox, Zivile sit down with Valerie Won Lee to explore why observation may be one of the most valuable skills for founders, leaders, and anyone trying to navigate an increasingly complex world.

Growing up across cultures and studying human behavior, Valerie shares how curiosity, cultural intelligence, and deep observation can completely change the way we make decisions, communicate, and build relationships.

We discuss:
• Why observation beats judgment
• How culture shapes our perception
• Identity and belonging
• Why curiosity is becoming a competitive advantage
• The lessons founders can learn from anthropology
• How to become a better observer-in business and in life

Sometimes the biggest shift isn't changing the world around you.

It's changing the way you see it.

Connect with Valerie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-won-lee/

Website: valeriewonlee.com

Hosted by Zivile Einikyte: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zivileeinikyte/ 

Chapters:

00:00 Navigating Cultural Identity

03:58 The Journey of Self-Discovery

06:25 Resilience Through Curiosity

08:36 Experiencing Different Cultures

13:29 Lessons from the Pacific Islands

20:56 Observing Cultural Dynamics

25:49 The Impact of Technology on Collective Wisdom

30:48 Building a Better Future

39:13 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Is the food industry underestimating the GLP-1 shift?

In this Paradox Byte from The GLP-1 Food Shock, recorded live at TUTTOFOOD 2026 in Milan, Johan Jorgensen, Giancarlo Addario, and Matteo Wagner explore how GLP-1 drugs could affect much more than weight loss.

From appetite and cravings to restaurant portions, food startups, wellness products, supplements, supply chains, and investment decisions — this conversation looks at why GLP-1 may become a major catalyst for change across the food industry.

The full episode, The GLP-1 Food Shock: Is Ozempic Rewriting the Future of Food?, was moderated by Zivile Einikyte for Perception Paradox at the International Startup Area organized by Sesamers.

Please note: this was recorded live on a busy trade show floor, so the sound quality reflects the live event setting.

This conversation is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.

What happens to the food industry when millions of people start eating less?

In this live episode of Perception Paradox, Zivile Einikyte moderates The GLP-1 Food Shock, a Sesamers session recorded at the TUTTOFOOD 2026 International Startup Area in Milan.

GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy are changing appetite, cravings, portion sizes, and consumer behaviour. But what does this mean for restaurants, food retailers, food startups, investors, and the future of food?

Together with Johan Jorgensen, Partner at Sweden Foodtech, Giancarlo Addario, Operating Partner at Maia Ventures, and Matteo Wagner, Co-Founder of Cusin Food, we explore whether GLP-1 is a temporary hype, a wellness trend accelerator, or a structural shock that could reshape the food industry.

We discuss:

• How GLP-1 drugs are changing food consumption
• Why cravings for ultra-processed food may be declining
• What happens to snacks, sugary drinks, alcohol, restaurants, and portion sizes
• Whether “GLP-1 friendly” food is a real category or just marketing
• How food startups and investors are responding
• Why the future of food may be smaller, more nutrient-dense, and more intentional

This session was recorded live at the TUTTOFOOD 2026 International Startup Area, organized by Sesamers.

This conversation is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.

Please note: this was recorded live on a busy trade show floor, so the sound quality reflects the live event setting.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to GLP-1 and Its Impact on Food Industry

05:54 Personal Experiences with GLP-1 Medications

11:45 Market Trends and Consumer Behavior Changes

17:35 The Future of Food and Health Innovations

23:53 Investment Strategies in the Evolving Food Sector

30:04 Final Thoughts and Recommendations for Food Startups

A short bite from our conversation with MIT engineer and author Ted Yang: why neural networks aren't new, the one thing AI still can't optimize (hint: humans are in the loop), and how over-optimizing can strip out the human touch.

Full episode out now.

The smarter AI gets, the more your humanity matters. MIT engineer, 13-time founder, and self-described "recovering hedge fund guy" Ted Yang joins Zivile to flip the AI conversation on its head - away from fear and job loss, toward using it as a tool to perform, think, and live better.

We talk about what's truly worth optimizing (and what isn't), how Ted used AI to write his book Ageless Peak Performance, why polished writing now reads as "fake," the idea that you can stay at your peak longer with the right tools, and why face-to-face connection is still the most underrated technology we have.

📘 Ageless Peak Performance → AgelessPeakPerformance.com

Hosted by Zivile Einikyte · Perception Paradox

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

Chapters

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

04:26 AI and Human Performance

05:45 Challenges in Scheduling and Optimization

08:19 The Human Element in AI

11:43 Using AI for Writing and Creativity

14:42 Managing AI Subscriptions and Tools

15:48 Optimizing Workouts and Nutrition

17:59 The Motivation Behind Writing Again

20:49 The Human Aspect of AI

23:02 The Importance of Physical Books

24:33 The Value of Human Connection

26:06 Navigating AI's Impact on Communication

26:36 Identifying the Ideal Reader

29:30 Book Promotion and Distribution Strategies

33:05 Getting Started with AI

36:53 Where to Find More Information

No intro. No script. No agenda.

Recorded during the 15th edition of South Summit in Madrid, this is a spontaneous behind-the-scenes conversation with fellow MCs, moderators, investors, authors, and entrepreneurs navigating one of Europe's leading startup conferences.

We talk about what audiences don't usually see: the preparation behind great stage hosting, improvising when things go wrong, networking in real time, life on the road, public speaking, AI, books, wearables, and even the legal side of recording conversations.

Featuring:
• Chris Roe – Global Communication Coach for non-native English-speaking CEOs, Investors, and Startups | Keynote Speaker | Event Host
• Benjamin Langer – Investor at Seedstars Capital
• Margaux Miller – Tech & AI Event MC & Moderator, TEDx Speaker 

Plus a few unexpected guests who joined the conversation along the way

• Ted Yang - Serial Entrepreneur. MIT Engineer. Speaker. Emmy nominated Writer. Regent. Investor
• Guilherme Schwartsmann - Building at the intersection of AI, Media, Technology & Intellectual Property | CSO @ Sky Carousel

Think of it as a hallway conversation you happened to overhear at South Summit.

Recorded live in Madrid.
Hosted by Zivile (Zivi) Einikyte

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene

00:30 The Journey to Hosting and Public Speaking

03:55 The Role of Preparation in Hosting

06:51 Behind the Scenes of Event Hosting

11:05 The Reality of Being an MC and Investor

13:02 Conclusion and Final Thoughts by Chris and Benjamin

14:04 Navigating Professional Roles and Responsibilities

14:23 Exploring the Intersection of Law and Media

15:19 Harnessing AI for Peak Performance

17:23 The Journey of Writing a Book

18:20 The Future of Wearable Technology

19:50 Legal Implications of Recording Conversations

What actually makes a community stick? And what does Portugal have that other Southern European countries don't?

Ricardo Mesquita has lived and built across six countries. He came back to Portugal - and what he's seeing right now is extraordinary.

Full episode (E138) now available on Perception Paradox. 🎙️

Portugal has the talent. The capital. The founders. The attention. But the best companies haven't been built here yet - and Ricardo Mesquita knows exactly why.

As founding MD of Endeavor Portugal, and having lived and built across China, Brazil, Chile, France, Spain and the USA, Ricardo has seen what makes ecosystems truly compound. 

In this episode: what separates a real ecosystem from the performance of one, why pay-it-forward culture is still missing in Europe, and why Portugal's next decade could produce its first truly global brand. The momentum is real. The question is who shows up to build it.

Connect with Ricardo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rmesquita2023/

Hosted by Zivile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zivileeinikyte/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Conversation

04:27 Building and Supporting Communities

07:04 The Portuguese Startup Ecosystem

09:28 Endeavor's Role in Entrepreneurship

11:43 Selection Process for Entrepreneurs

14:10 The Future of Entrepreneurship in Europe

16:50 Advice for Aspiring Founders

17:34 Closing Thoughts and Future Outlook

At 29, Samuel Barreto had a stroke in the middle of an ordinary lunch. No warning. No family history. No reason.

He woke up in hospital facing a 50/50 brain surgery decision he had one night to make alone.

In this Perception Byte, Samuel shares the raw truth of what came next. The seizures every 10 days. The depression he didn't know he had. Losing the ability to play music. Giving up surfing forever. The dopamine trap of people feeling sorry for you. And the moment his  partner said something that changed everything.

This is a story about identity, letting go, and finding your way back - one small win at a time.

🎧 Want the full episode? Listen to E137 - I Had It All. Then My Brain Had Other Plans.