A deep conversation with G. Shankaran Nair reveals how boredom sparked disruption, how entrepreneurship accelerated learning, and why people remain at the heart of business. From early struggles in a VC-less India to the furnace of practice that shaped his leadership, Shankaran shares candid insights on failure, creativity, and the evolving challenges of an AI-driven world.

00:34- About G Shankaran Nair

• Shankaran is the partner of Slingshot Accelerator.

In this insightful conversation on The Brand Called You, historian and author Scott Badler traces John F. Kennedy’s evolution from rebellious youth to wartime hero and transformative leader. Drawing from his latest book, Becoming JFK, Badler explores Kennedy’s resilience, pragmatism, family influence, and enduring public fascination, offering leadership lessons that remain relevant today.

00:34- About Scott Badler

• Scott is a historian. 

• He's an author of three nonfiction books, which are titled What's So Funny About Looking for a Job? , Oh, Brother!: (And Other Revelations on Family, Relatives, Pets and Sex), JFK & the Muckers of Choate and his latest work Becoming JFK - John F. Kennedy’s Path to Leadership.

This episode of The Brand Called You presents an engaging conversation with Dennis Akkerman, Managing Director of Orbis Business School and author of The Naked Leader and Business as Unusual. Through his global leadership journey, Dennis unpacks why transformation begins with the individual, how adversity reshaped his leadership philosophy, and why awareness, authenticity, and trust are the cornerstones of effective leadership. He shares practical insights on navigating change, breaking old patterns, and preparing organizations to thrive amid uncertainty.

00:40- About Dennis Akkerman

• Dennis is the managing director of Orbis business school. 

• He's an author of a book titled The Naked Leader and Business as Unusual. 

In this inspiring episode of The Brand Called You (TBCY), host Stephen Ibaraki speaks with Noni Purnomo, President Commissioner of PT Blue Bird Tbk, one of Indonesia’s most iconic transportation companies.

Noni shares her remarkable journey—from humble beginnings and navigating a male-dominated industry to leading through digital disruption and the COVID-19 pandemic—while staying anchored in strong family values and social responsibility.

Whether you’re interested in entrepreneurship, leadership, innovation, or women’s empowerment, this episode delivers invaluable insights and practical wisdom

Join us for an inspiring episode of TBCY as Stephen Ibaraki sits down with Bernhard Kowatsch, the visionary Director of the WFP Global Accelerator & Ventures. Dive deep into Bernhard Kowatsch's fascinating journey from growing up in Austria, earning three master’s degrees, and working at Boston Consulting Group, to becoming a driving force for innovation at the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).

Discover how Bernhard Kowatsch co-founded the globally acclaimed ShareTheMeal donation app, built the world’s largest humanitarian accelerator, and helped WFP win the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020. He shares behind-the-scenes stories about leveraging AI, blockchain, and cutting-edge tech to combat hunger, improve emergency response, and impact millions globally.

Whether you’re passionate about social impact, startups, technology for good, or global humanitarian work, this episode delivers exclusive insights into leading change and driving innovation at a massive scale. Don't miss Bernhard Kowatsch's advice for changemakers and his challenge for imagining a better future!

Unlock the secrets to impactful leadership and clear communication with Dr. JJ Peterson, author, speaker, and host of the Badass Softy Podcast, in this inspiring episode of The Brand Called You with Ashutosh Garg.

From his roots in storytelling with his father to his expertise in narrative theory, Dr. Peterson shares how he helps global brands like Microsoft and Tempur craft messages that truly cut through the noise.

Discover why clarity always beats charisma, how leaders can blend ambition with authenticity, and why AI should make us more human—not less.

Whether you’re a business owner, marketer, or emerging leader, this episode delivers practical wisdom to help you stand out and lead with purpose.

Welcome to another exciting episode of The Brand Called You! In this episode, we dive deep into the world of AI-driven influencer marketing with Himanshu Singh, Founder & CEO of Echio. Discover how Echio is transforming the influencer marketing landscape by connecting brands, influencers, and agencies on a single platform—and using advanced AI tools to ensure authenticity, transparency, and unmatched results.

You'll hear about:

• The core problems faced by influencers and brands in today's market

• How AI is used to match brands with the right influencers

• Techniques for detecting fake followers and manipulated data

• The massive potential of the Indian influencer marketing industry

• Echio's unique community-driven platform for emerging content creators

• Biggest trends impacting the creator economy

Bestselling author and love alchemist Arielle Ford shares her extraordinary journey from high-end PR to becoming a global voice on love, relationships, and spiritual awakening. In a deeply reflective conversation, she speaks about destiny versus free will, lessons from spiritual masters, the true meaning of love, and how India—and Rishikesh in particular—shaped her latest novel The Love Thief.

00:39- About Arielle Ford 

• Arielle is a love alchemist, bestselling author, and a trusted guide for women seeking to find love, sustain love, and embody love in their lives.

• She has led transformative workshops at globally renowned institutions including Esalen, Omega Institute, and the Chopra Center.

• She is the author of 11 bestselling books—such as The Soulmate Secret, Wabi Sabi Love, and Turn Your Mate into Your Soul Mate—and the debut novelist of The Love Thief

From the courts of professional basketball to the boardrooms of business, Dre Baldwin unpacks why discipline, systems, and consistency—not motivation—separate the top 2% from the rest. A masterclass on structure, presence, confidence, and sustainable success.

00:35- About Dre Baldwin

• Dre is the owner of Work On Your Game Inc.

• He's also an author of several books. 

In this episode of The Brand Called You, Yehuda Niv—CEO and Co-founder of Spines—explains how his AI-first publishing platform is transforming a centuries-old industry. From cutting publishing timelines from 18 months to three weeks to empowering authors worldwide, Yehuda shares the moment he realized publishing needed disruption and how Spines is redefining the future of books.

00:34- About Yehuda Niv

• Yehuda is the CEO and co-founder of Spines, which is the world's first tech powered publishing platform.