The Brand Called You

Discover the remarkable journey and visionary leadership of Prof. Chua Kee Chaing, President of the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), in this insightful episode of The Brand Called You (TBCY).

The conversation traces Prof. Chua's inspiring path—from becoming the first member of his family to attend university to leading Singapore's first university of applied learning. Along the way, he shares lessons from his career in academia, research, industry collaboration, and national innovation.

A central theme of the discussion is how higher education must evolve to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world. Prof. Chua explains how SIT is redefining applied learning through deep industry partnerships, work-integrated education, and innovative teaching models that prepare graduates for real-world challenges.

The episode also explores SIT's groundbreaking initiatives, including Singapore's first Competency-Based Stackable Micro-Credential Pathway, designed to support lifelong learning, continuous upskilling and reskilling, and flexible educational journeys for learners at every stage of their careers.

Several important topics are discussed, including the university's Learn for Life initiative, the new campus at Punggol Digital District, and SIT's long-term vision of becoming a Platform University by 2034. Prof. Chua also shares why universities must become lifelong partners in career development and how stronger collaboration between academia and industry can help shape the future workforce.

Watch this episode to discover how SIT is setting a new benchmark for applied learning and why lifelong education will be essential for future generations.

In this episode of The Brand Called You (TBCY), Stephen Ibaraki speaks with Jan Romportl, PhD, CEO & Co-Founder of Elin.ai, about his remarkable journey through applied linguistics, cybernetics, philosophy, and artificial intelligence.

The conversation explores how Jan has bridged the gap between cutting-edge AI research and real-world applications, drawing on an interdisciplinary approach that combines philosophy, cognitive science, neuroscience, and technology. From his early fascination with programming to the rapid evolution of large language models, Jan shares insights into the future of AI, digital well-being, and Artificial General Intelligence (AGI).

A central theme of the discussion is the growing need to protect young people in the digital age. Jan explains the motivation behind founding Elin.ai and introduces the concept of cognitive antivirus—AI-powered technology designed to help safeguard children from the harmful effects of social media algorithms while supporting healthier digital habits.

The episode also examines the ethical implications of AI, responsible data use, machine consciousness, AI alignment, and the future trajectory of increasingly capable intelligent systems. Jan shares his perspectives on the opportunities, challenges, and responsibilities that accompany the next generation of AI technologies.

Whether you're fascinated by the philosophical questions surrounding AI consciousness or interested in practical applications that improve digital safety and mental well-being, this episode offers valuable insights into one of today's most important technological conversations.

In this insightful episode of The Brand Called You, we sit down with Dr. Sam Schrevel, Postdoctoral Researcher at Leiden University Medical Center and qualitative researcher at The Hague University of Applied Sciences. Dr. Schrevel specializes in healthcare and public policy, focusing on how the lived experiences of individuals—particularly marginalized communities—should shape health systems and government policy.

We explore topics including the experiences of ADHD patients in the Netherlands, the impact of austerity and private equity on mental healthcare systems, the widening social and health disparities in wealthy societies, and the subtle power dynamics within welfare and healthcare systems. Dr. Schrevel also explains the concept of "participation shenanigans," the hidden power struggles that emerge in policymaking and community research, and why stable, predictable community services are essential to improving outcomes for vulnerable populations.

If you're interested in healthcare systems, public policy, qualitative research, and the intersection of power, poverty, and well-being, this is a must-watch episode.

In this episode, Stephen Ibaraki sits down with Prof. Sanjeevikumar Padmanaban, Full Professor of Electrical Power Engineering at the University of South-Eastern Norway. Prof. Padmanaban shares his remarkable journey from India to Italy, South Africa, Denmark, and Norway, highlighting the academic milestones, international collaborations, and research breakthroughs that have shaped his career.

Discover the latest innovations in AI-driven power electronics, renewable energy integration, advanced energy storage, electric vehicles, and offshore renewable systems. Prof. Padmanaban also discusses the future opportunities and challenges of integrating AI into power systems, improving energy efficiency, and enabling a cleaner, smarter, and more sustainable energy future.

He also shares valuable career insights, discusses the importance of global collaboration, and reflects on the role of organizations such as the IEEE Systems Council in advancing research and innovation.

Whether you're a student, researcher, engineer, entrepreneur, policymaker, or business leader, this conversation offers valuable perspectives on the future of power electronics and renewable energy.

In this insightful episode of The Brand Called You, we welcome David Shami, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Consumer Justice Law Firm.

David shares his journey as a first-generation lawyer and explores the critical issues surrounding consumer justice, civil rights, and the profound human impact of inaccurate background and credit reports. He explains how technology, automation, and AI are transforming consumer reporting systems while also increasing the risk of costly errors. David also discusses the biggest misconceptions about consumer rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), shares compelling real-life cases from his legal practice, and outlines the reforms needed to create a fairer consumer reporting system.

Whether you're concerned about your own credit or background report, interested in consumer rights, or passionate about legal reform, this episode offers practical insights into protecting yourself and understanding your rights.

🔗 For more inspiring leadership conversations, visit: www.tbcy.in

In this episode of The Brand Called You, host Ashutosh Garg is joined by Meghann Dawson, Founder of The Unperfect Life Co and author of the forthcoming memoir Becoming is Messy. Meghann opens up about her journey as a chronic trauma survivor, exploring how early hardships shaped her resilience, leadership style, and coaching philosophy.

She shares insights on reclaiming power through storytelling, the vital role of humor in healing, the realities of perfectionism and high-functioning anxiety, and how trauma influences identity—especially for women and mothers. Meghann also introduces her Unperfect Level Up framework, designed to guide individuals toward healing and embracing their authentic selves.

Whether you're looking for inspiration to transform pain into purpose or practical strategies for navigating trauma and rebuilding self-worth, Meghann's story is a powerful testament to hope, courage, and the resilience within us all.

Dive into the inspiring journey of Steve 'Moby' Leitch, an ultramarathon channel swimmer, speaker, author, and founder of Beyond the Shoreline.

In this episode, Steve joins Ashutosh Garg to share his remarkable transformation from addiction to becoming one of the few people to complete six of the legendary Ocean 7 swims. Discover how swimming became his path to recovery, the lessons the ocean has taught him about humility, resilience, and leadership, and why storytelling has become central to his mission of inspiring hope.

Whether you're facing your own challenges or are simply fascinated by human endurance, Steve's story will encourage you to discover purpose beyond the shoreline.

• How to set and achieve extraordinary goals.

• The mental and emotional challenges of ultramarathon channel swimming.

• The mission behind Beyond the Shoreline.

• Steve 'Moby' Leitch's advice for anyone feeling lost or without hope.

In this insightful episode of The Brand Called You, host Ashutosh Garg speaks with Shagorika Heryani, Founder of Athina, speaker, and writer with more than two decades of experience studying the intersections of culture, consumer behavior, and branding across India, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.

Discover how hidden cultural signals shape today's markets, why some products become inevitable, how emotional connections with brands are built, and what it takes for organizations to remain culturally relevant in an increasingly fragmented world.

• Why mainstream culture is becoming increasingly decentralized• The rise of regional content, niche communities, and micro-influencers• How social media accelerates cultural shifts—and the risks of algorithmic amplification• The "Roots and Wings" paradox shaping Indian consumers• The ethical responsibilities that come with cultural intelligence• The emerging forces that will define the future of branding and consumer behavior

In this episode, you'll discover:

Join host Stephen in this compelling episode of TBCY as he sits down with Simon Pereira Shorey, Founder and Chief Vision Officer of the International Foundation for the Displaced. Simon shares his incredible life journey—from his early days in British boarding schools, his transformative experiences during 9/11 in Manhattan, to his extensive humanitarian work in disaster response and resilience-building. Learn how Simon’s background  in management, consulting for major organizations and companies, and deep empathy for underserved communities have driven him to tackle one of the world's most pressing humanitarian challenges: displacement due to conflict, disaster, and climate change.

Discover inspiring stories of resilience from the field, innovative solutions using emerging technologies, and how Simon and his organization are bridging gaps left by traditional funding to empower displaced populations around the globe. If you're passionate about humanitarian action, innovation, or want to make a difference, this episode is a must-watch!

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In this episode, host Stephen Ibaraki speaks with Dr. Celia Merzbacher, Executive Director of the Quantum Economic Development Consortium (QED-C), about the rapidly evolving world of quantum technologies and their growing impact on business, cybersecurity, public policy, and the global economy.

Discover how quantum computing, quantum sensing, and quantum communications are advancing from research laboratories toward real-world applications, while governments, academia, and industry work together to accelerate innovation and commercialization.

Dr. Merzbacher shares insights from her multidisciplinary career spanning scientific research, federal science policy, and industry consortium leadership. She also explains how QED-C is helping strengthen the global quantum ecosystem through collaboration, standards development, workforce initiatives, and supply chain resilience.

The conversation explores several critical topics, including:

• The evolution of the global quantum ecosystem

• The mission and impact of the Quantum Economic Development Consortium (QED-C)

• The accelerating timeline for practical quantum computing

• Post-quantum cryptography and the urgent need for cybersecurity preparedness

• Advances in quantum hardware, software, algorithms, and error correction