In this episode of Silicon Dreams on Radio Zindagi, host R.J. Sonia speaks with Kamal Ahluwalia, President of Ikigai Labs, about the transformative power of artificial intelligence. From his early days at Apple and startup ventures to building enterprise AI tools at Ikigai, Kamal shares deep insights on navigating the AI boom responsibly. He discusses the need for education, ethical frameworks, and leadership accountability as AI reshapes industries. Tune in to explore real-world AI applications, the future of work, and how we can ensure inclusive growth in this era of intelligent machines.

In this episode of Silicon Dreams on Radio Zindagi, co-host Preethy Padmanabhan is joined by Benu Agarwal, President & Founder of Milestone Inc. Together, they explore key insights from Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck and how its lessons shaped Benu’s leadership journey. From founding her company to achieve true work-life balance to building a thriving culture grounded in empathy, purpose, and a growth mindset, Benu shares actionable wisdom for entrepreneurs. Discover how embracing challenges, learning from failure, and praising effort over talent can transform both businesses and lives.

On this episode of #TheSiliconDreams, join host 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗵𝘆 Padmanabhan as he sits down with 𝗝𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘂 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹, EVP & GM at Cisco, to explore the journey from shaping small businesses in Chicago to transforming industry giants like EMC, Box, and Cisco. A seasoned entrepreneur and operator, Jeetu Patel shares insights gleaned from Ben Horowitz’s "The Hard Thing About Hard Things," delving into wartime vs. peacetime leadership, managing founder psychology, and the critical importance of achieving product-market fit. He unveils his comprehensive 6-part framework for business success: Timing, Market, Team, Product, Brand, and Distribution. From advocating for bold leadership and diversity to navigating global opportunities, this episode is a treasure trove of actionable wisdom for aspiring founders, seasoned operators, and future CEOs alike.

In this thought-provoking and entertaining episode of The Silicon Dreams, host Preethy Padmanabhan sits down with Roshan Cariappa—former VP of Marketing at Vymo and host of The Startup Operator podcast—to explore the bold ideas from Skin in the Game by Nassim Nicholas Taleb, part of the Incerto series.

Roshan brings his signature wit and sharp insight to unpack Taleb’s core message: accountability only matters when people have something personal at stake. He shares how this principle applies to leadership, startups, and everyday decision-making—revealing how embracing uncertainty, taking meaningful risks, and aligning incentives can drive more ethical and impactful outcomes.

From making your message clear enough for your grandmother to understand to finding the genius within, this conversation is both insightful and surprisingly fun. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a builder, or just someone questioning the rules of the game, Roshan’s perspective will challenge how you think about risk, responsibility, and success.

In this inspiring episode of The Silicon Dreams, host Preethy Padmanabhan sits down with Sonali Sambhus—Silicon Valley tech executive, entrepreneur, and author of Ellevate: Career Rise with Balanced Life. Known for her trailblazing work in tech and her holistic approach to success, Sonali shares how professionals can pursue ambitious careers without compromising peace, purpose, or family.

At the heart of the conversation is her powerful SCoRe PLUS Technique—an actionable framework designed to help individuals overcome mental barriers, lead with clarity, and build a fulfilling life across work and home. With honesty and wisdom, Sonali reflects on her own journey navigating leadership roles, raising a family, and staying grounded in her values.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you can truly have it all—this episode is your blueprint for a multidimensional, deeply meaningful life.

In this episode of #TheSiliconDreams, host Preethy Padmanabhan is joined by the dynamic Alina Fu, VP of Product Marketing at G2, for an engaging conversation on what makes ideas truly unforgettable. Drawing from Made to Stick by Chip and Dan Heath, Alina brings her deep marketing experience and contagious energy to unpack the science behind "sticky" communication.

With clarity and passion, Alina breaks down the SUCCESs framework—Simple, Unexpected, Concrete, Credible, Emotional, and Stories—and explains how it helps marketers craft messages that resonate and convert. She also shares powerful insights on overcoming the "Curse of Knowledge"—the common barrier that prevents experts from communicating effectively with their audiences.

Whether you're a marketer, storyteller, or just someone looking to 10X your impact, Alina’s perspective is packed with actionable takeaways and real-world relevance. Don’t miss this masterclass on messaging from one of the brightest voices in product marketing.

In this episode of Silicon Dreams on RadioZindagi, co-host Preethy Padmanabhan sits down with visionary entrepreneur Dheeraj Pandey—CEO of DevRev, investor, and co-founder of Nutanix—for an insightful conversation inspired by Modern Monopolies by Alex Moazed and Nicholas L. Johnson.

Widely respected for reshaping enterprise tech, Dheeraj shares his bold take on the rise of platform business models and the future of B2B innovation. He explores how APIs and developer ecosystems are driving network effects, why customers love platform monopolies, and what it takes to build lasting value in today’s digital economy.

With practical wisdom and deep strategic thinking, Dheeraj reflects on his own journey—from building Nutanix into a market leader to now bridging the gap between developers and customers at DevRev. This episode is a masterclass on building platforms with patience, purpose, and people at the center.

In this episode of The Silicon Dreams, we unpack powerful takeaways from The Gifts of Imperfection by Dr. Brené Brown with award-winning executive, investor, and serial entrepreneur, Heather Jerrehian and she reveals how embracing imperfection can unlock your greatest strengths! 

Vulnerability. Courage. Authenticity. These are the keys to thriving in life and business. Heather shares her own journey and how you can start living more fully TODAY!!

What happens when a 16-year-old girl declares she’s going to be a CEO—and then actually does it? On this episode of The Silicon Dreams, co-host Preethy Padmanabhan sits down with Shellye Archambeau—one of tech’s most respected leaders—to explore the bold moves, quiet battles, and defining decisions behind her rise. 

Shellye opens up about her corporate climb at IBM, her fearless pivot to startup leadership, and the story behind her bestselling book Unapologetically Ambitious. She shares why goal-setting isn’t just strategic—it’s survival, especially for women of color navigating boardrooms where they’ve often been the “first” or “only.”

From building companies with culture-first mindsets to guiding founders on brand and leadership, this is a masterclass in ambition without apology.

In this episode of Silicon Dreams, we dive deep into the evolving landscape of AI, Web3, and emerging tech under the Trump administration with Greg Tanaka. We explore the regulatory challenges surrounding cryptocurrency, technology innovation, and the global tech race. 

Greg discusses his entrepreneurial journey, drawing parallels to figures like Steve Jobs, and reflects on the tech evolution from early video games to modern GPU design and software development. We also tackle the brain drain of tech talent from the U.S. and the potential impact of U.S. federal investments in startups. 

With tech dominance increasingly at stake between the U.S. and China, this episode covers everything from the future of cryptocurrency regulation to the transformative possibilities of quantum computing.