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What’s the real difference between a startup that gets funded and one that fades away? Is it the idea? The timing? The tech? Or something else entirely?

This week on The Altered Perception Show, we pull back the curtain and get the unfiltered truth. We're joined by Pablo Castro, Managing Partner at OneSixOne Ventures, who shares the investor's side of the story—a perspective built from funding 28 companies and witnessing countless pitches. Pablo reveals that what VCs really want isn't a perfect product or a flawless pitch deck; it's a specific set of traits and a radically different approach to building.

This episode is your official playbook. We break down the actionable strategies and mindset shifts that separate the top 1% of founders from the rest.

Inside the Playbook, you will learn:

• Customer Obsession: The #1 rule you must follow from Day One (Hint: Stop building for your customers and start building with them).
• Founder Grit: Why resilience is non-negotiable, and the hard truth about the startup journey that no one tells you.
• Building Lean: The counterintuitive reason a scrappy, resourceful team is more impressive to investors than a well-funded one.
• The 30-Minute MVP: How legendary companies like DoorDash started with almost nothing, and how you can apply their launch strategy today.

If you’re ready to stop guessing what investors want and start building a company they can't ignore, this episode is your essential guide.

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Is the AI revolution all hype? We're flooded with news of god-like models and dystopian fears of job replacement, but what if we're missing the real story?

This week, we're joined by Karthik, a General Manager of Data & AI at Microsoft, who pulls back the curtain on the AI gold rush. He argues that the race for bigger models is overshadowing the real challenge: bridging the massive gap between technological power and tangible, real-world value. If AI is the engine, he explains, then high-quality data is the fuel and human partnership is the driver—and right now, we're running on empty.

In this episode, you will learn:

• The Human + AI Equation: Why the most successful companies won't replace people, but will create "1+1=3" outcomes by amplifying human creativity and compassion.
• Beyond "Big Data": What "rich data" actually means (context, quality, policies) and why it’s the secret ingredient for building AI that actually works.
• The Economic Reality Check: The unspoken reason so many AI projects stall at the proof-of-concept stage and fail to deliver a return on investment.
• From Fear to Fuel: Actionable strategies for leaders to transform workforce anxiety into a powerful tool for innovation and growth.

This isn't just another talk about algorithms. It's a strategic playbook for anyone looking to navigate the next decade of technology. Tune in to understand where the real opportunities in AI lie—and how to seize them.

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Step into a conversation steeped in flavor, culture, and imagination. We begin with the rich history and origins of tea — from ancient Pu-erh traditions to the myths around caffeine and detox brews — guided by special guest Jeannie Liu, founder of Seattle’s iconic Miro Tea, a café that has redefined tea culture in a city of coffee. Since 2007, Miro Tea has become a community hub and award-nominated destination, celebrated for its ethical sourcing, curated tea collections, and a legacy of nearly two decades in the global tea scene.

From there, our dialogue flows into the realms of dreams, consciousness, and the possibilities of AI in shaping awareness. We explore how cultivating refined taste and beauty isn’t just about tea — it’s about designing brands, products, and experiences that truly resonate.

A journey across leaves, minds, and aesthetics, this episode blends the wisdom of tradition, the curiosity of innovation, and the artistry of living well — all steeped to perfection. So pour yourself a cup, sit back, and enjoy the episode.

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In this episode of The Altered Perception Show, we dive deep into the future of storytelling with John Gauntt — Creative Director of the Seattle AI Film Festival and host of the Culture and Code podcast. From AI-powered filmmaking that gives independent creators a global stage, to the craft of writing stories that move people beyond the tech, John shares how AI is transforming creativity without replacing the human heart behind it.

🎬 Discover how the Seattle AI Film Festival is bringing together filmmakers, technologists, and dreamers from 22+ countries.
 🖋 Learn why mastering storytelling and writing will set you apart in the AI era.
 🌍 Hear powerful examples — from African history brought to life, to Hollywood-level visuals on a laptop.

Whether you’re a creative, a techie, or just AI-curious, this conversation will challenge how you see the future of film, art, and human connection.

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What if your phone, watch, or laptop had its own AI brain — smart enough to help you anywhere, even offline? In this episode, we sit down with Shelby Heinecke, Senior AI Research Manager at Salesforce and PhD in Mathematics, to explore the future of AI agents, on-device AI, and why small models could make a big difference.

We cover:

• What AI agents really are (in plain English) and how they work
• How small language models can make AI faster, cheaper, and more private
• Why your devices might soon run AI entirely on-board — no cloud required
• The role of clean data in making agents more reliable and accurate
• Behind-the-scenes of Shelby’s research at Salesforce, including the X-LAM large action model
• How AI agents could change everything from personal productivity to global access

Shelby also shares career insights for aspiring AI researchers, her take on the timeline to AGI, and why 2025 might be the “Year of the AI Agent.”

Whether you’re an AI enthusiast, a builder, or just curious how the tech in your pocket is evolving, this episode is packed with insights (and a few laughs) you won’t want to miss.

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Join us as we dive into an insightful conversation with Ryan Alli, Lead Product Designer at Uber. In this episode, Ryan shares his journey from mechanical engineering to product designing and management, emphasizing the importance of user-centric design. Learn about the evolving roles of product designers and managers in the era of AI, strategies for building impactful products, and the significance of balancing data-driven approaches with emotional design. Whether you're a startup enthusiast, a product manager, an aspiring product designer, or a curious about AI's impact; this discussion offers valuable insights into the future of product development and management.

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In this mind-bending and insightful episode, we sit down with Srijan Sharma, who have got tremendous experience in quantum mechanics and quantum computing, to explore the fascinating—and often counterintuitive—world of quantum science. Whether you’re a curious learner or just want to finally understand what a qubit, superposition, entanglement is, this conversation has something for everyone.

We begin with Srijan’s journey into quantum physics, learning what drew himto the field and how he in layman's terms explain complex ideas to non-scientists. From there, we unpack the strange principles of quantum mechanics, like superposition and entanglement, and why they matter in the real world.

The episode dives deep into the world of quantum computing, explaining how it differs from classical computing, what makes it so powerful, and where it's actually being used today. We talk about real-world applications in fields like cryptography & encryption, agriculture, aerospace and medicine, data storage as well as common misconceptions and hype surrounding the tech. More importantly, he gives us the glimpse into how quantum computing will change how we understand computers and largely how universe actually works and will provide countless use cases and possibilities in the coming years. Sit back, sip a tea and Enjoy the episode!

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In this episode, we dive into an engaging discussion with Abhi, the co-founder of Platter and Copycat. Abhi shares his journey from working at Zoom to bootstrapping his own startups that use AI to revolutionize the restaurant industry. He talks about the challenges of working with Platter, a service enabling restaurants to have an online brand without hefty commissions or maintenance issues. Abhi explains how AI tools, particularly ChatGPT, play a role in automating processes and scaling operations. He also shares insights on generating startup ideas, the hurdles in building a product, and the future of AI and AGI. This episode is a must-watch for anyone passionate about AI, startups, and the tech world.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:50 The Concept and Challenges of Platter
05:29 AI Integration in Platter
09:18 Early Startup Ventures and Lessons Learned
16:51 Ideation and Pivoting Strategies
25:34 AI's Impact and Future Potential
30:57 The Future of AI in Execution and Ideas
31:46 AI Agents and Their Impact on Software Development
34:07 The Shift in SaaS Companies and Localized Software
36:30 The Role of AI in Creative Industries
48:21 The Path to Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)
56:14 The Future of Robotics and AI Integration
58:24 Looking Ahead: AI Innovations in 2025-2026

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In this episode, join us as we chat with Axel Reichwein, the co-founder and CEO of Product Map. Axel discusses his journey from aerospace engineering to founding an AI startup that revolutionizes how we understand and document code. Learn about the challenges and opportunities in the LLM AI space, the future of AI in coding, and what it takes to build a successful startup. Discover how Product Map's innovative solution is changing the way developers and managers interact with complex code bases. Don't miss Axel's insights into AI's role in enhancing coding efficiency, ensuring cybersecurity, and maintaining software integrity. Tune in for an exciting and informative discussion!

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In this episode, host Gaurav interviews Aruna Virappan, Group Engineering Manager at CH Robinson, discussing the impact of AI on supply chain logistics. Aruna shares her extensive experience in the IT industry, her journey from India to the US, and various roles she has undertaken. They delve into the benefits of AI, machine learning, and IoT in logistics, as well as challenges faced in the industry. Aruna emphasizes the importance of staying curious and continuously learning to stay relevant in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.

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