The Brand Called You

Join us in this enlightening episode of TBCY as we welcome Vanessa Errecarte, accomplished author of Valuable and Visible: Redefining Personal Branding by Putting Impact Over Image. Vanessa shares her unique journey at the intersection of academia, consulting, and branding, revealing the defining moments that shaped her perspective.

Dive deep into the misconceptions surrounding personal value, the real meaning of personal branding, and how to authentically articulate your distinct value in a crowded, AI-driven world. Whether you’re an introvert, a seasoned professional, or just beginning to think about your personal brand, this episode offers practical insights and actionable strategies to help you stand out by prioritizing impact over image.

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon to stay updated with more leadership lessons and inspiration.

In this inspiring episode of The Brand Called You, host Frits Bussemaker sits down with Alix Willemez, a speaker, author, environmental law expert, and plane crash survivor. Alix shares her gripping survival story and explores how transformative moments, both traumatic and uplifting, shape resilience and purpose. Discover her journey across continents, her dedication to environmental law and ocean conservation, and her insights into simplifying complex scientific concepts for global impact. Gain practical advice on learning, translating knowledge, and finding inspiration in every experience.

🎧 Whether you're just starting your career or seeking motivation to overcome your own obstacles, this conversation will leave you with actionable lessons on resilience, lifelong learning, and the interconnectedness of our world.

In this compelling episode of TBCY, we sit down with L.R. Fox, Founder and CEO of NEXT Global Capital and a true trailblazer in technology, investment, and social impact. From navigating life in foster care to building pioneering companies in drone defense, cybersecurity, and reproductive health, he shares the defining moments that shaped his remarkable journey.

Discover how adversity became a superpower, leading to world-changing innovations — from the first commercial drone defense system to groundbreaking work in non-hormonal male birth control and expanding opportunities for underserved youth through Oasis Academy.

We also explore the future of technology, discussing the hype surrounding large language models (LLMs), the next wave of AI innovation, and the breakthrough technologies future generations may one day take for granted. If you’re inspired by resilience, innovation, and creating meaningful global impact, this conversation is a must-watch.

• Turning challenges into opportunities

• The intersection of technology and humanity

• Building and scaling groundbreaking technology companies

• Rethinking AI and the future of computing infrastructure

• Creating meaningful social impact

In this insightful episode of TBCY, host Stephen Ibaraki sits down with Leslie Helpert, Founder of Technevox, to explore her extraordinary journey from music and performance to pioneering work in voice-driven technology and internal physiological imaging. The conversation dives into Leslie’s formative experiences, her evolution as a multidisciplinary artist, and her groundbreaking research at the intersection of voice, computation, embodiment, and biomedicine.

Join Stephen Ibaraki as he sits down with Hironori Washizaki, a renowned professor at Waseda University, to explore his remarkable journey through academia, technology, and influential roles in organizations like IEEE. This episode is a deep dive into inflection points, research passion, the evolution of AI, and the future of software engineering.

• Early exposure to personal computers and programming, thanks to his father

• Participating in international software engineering conferences as a university student and meeting industry “superstars” like Linda Rising and James O. Coplien

• Leading the evolution of the SWEBOK Guide and building global leadership within IEEE

In this insightful episode of TBCY, Chant Vartanian, Founder & CEO, and James H. Herring, CIO of M-Theory Group, join the host for a deep dive into career-defining moments, evolving technology services, and building a resilient technology business. From personal inflection points to enterprise AI adoption, this conversation offers valuable lessons for technology leaders and innovators.

• Chant Vartanian and James H. Herring share three pivotal moments that shaped their careers.

• Discussions include immigrant backgrounds, early exposure to work, difficult decisions around leaving college or military service, and the impact of becoming parents.

• Lessons on work ethic, resilience, and reinvention from both leaders.

Welcome to another episode of TBCY, where host Ashutosh Garg is joined by Kate Marshall, founder of TheGr.ai and author of AI at Work. In this insightful conversation, Kate Marshall shares her expertise on artificial intelligence adoption, the skills needed to thrive in the AI-driven workplace, and practical advice for professionals at every stage of their AI journey.

Discover why AI literacy is no longer optional, how to navigate organizational challenges with AI tools, and how to protect your data in an evolving digital landscape. Whether you’re an AI beginner or looking to optimize your workflow, this episode delivers actionable strategies to harness the power of AI effectively.

In this episode of The Brand Called You, host Ashutosh Garg interviews Patrick Brown, Founder & CEO of Unity Communications. Discover how Patrick Brown built a global company with more than 1,000 employees from scratch without outside investment. He shares powerful leadership lessons from his tough childhood and military experience, the importance of balancing entrepreneurship with creativity and endurance sports, and why emotional salary matters as much as financial compensation. Learn about his operational frameworks, views on hybrid AI-human teams, and the importance of recognizing small wins in organizational growth. This is Startup 101 for anyone serious about building a sustainable, values-driven business.

In this insightful episode of The Brand Called You, host Ashutosh Garg sits down with Tracy Nolan — Senior Vice-President at Humana — to explore the mindset and values behind high-impact leadership.

Tracy Nolan shares key lessons from navigating organizations through crises, scaling sustainable growth in regulated industries, and leading large-scale cultural transformations. The conversation also explores digital innovation, the power of emotional intelligence, women’s unique strengths in leadership, and practical advice for aspiring executives and board members.

• Importance of putting the customer at the center of strategy

• How to lead when certainty disappears

• Building cultures that embrace change

• Aligning purpose, performance, and people

• Overcoming resistance with empathy

• Women in leadership: embracing authentic strengths

• Shifting from executive leadership to a boardroom mindset

Whether you are an emerging leader, an experienced executive, or someone passionate about organizational growth, this episode delivers actionable wisdom for thriving in today’s complex business environment.

Welcome to another episode of The Brand Called You! In this conversation, Ashutosh Garg speaks with Akshi Khandelwal, Co-founder & CEO of Butterfly Ayurveda and Founder of Café Swasthya. Discover how Akshi is modernizing Ayurveda by integrating ancient wisdom with contemporary lifestyles, and how she builds trust through research-driven products and experiential wellness cafés.