The Brand Called You

In this thought-provoking episode of The Brand Called You, host Ashutosh Garg sits down with Salma Refass — researcher, artist, educator, and founder of Yadra & The Radical Commons.Broadcasting from Brussels, Salma shares her journey from studying economics during the 2008 financial crisis to reimagining public policy and creating spaces for radical knowledge.Discover why mainstream economics often fails to reflect real-world realities, how technocratic development models can become extractive, and why accessible knowledge and imagination are essential for genuine transformation.Salma also discusses the critical role of art as a parallel mode of inquiry and her vision for more ethical international cooperation, particularly for the Global South.Tune in for deep insights into shifting power dynamics in policy, gatekeeping in knowledge, and why hope and imagination are essential forces for a more just future

Cybersecurity is often perceived as merely a technical challenge. However, as JC Gaillard emphasizes in his insightful conversation with Ashutosh Garg, it encompasses leadership, governance, and business alignment. This episode explores common organizational pitfalls and highlights the strategic thinking necessary to safeguard businesses in an evolving threat landscape.01:01 – Leadership & Governance RealizationJC Gaillard shares his early realization at Rabobank in 2000 that cybersecurity is less about technology and more about “how and by whom” security is executed.Key Questions from the Interview (with Time-Stamped Insights)Transformation is often blocked by governance and leadership challenges, not technical limitations.

Welcome to another inspiring episode of The Brand Called You.Today, Ashutosh Garg sits down with Vedika Agarwal, Founder & CEO of Yein Udaan, a social entrepreneur creating meaningful change for children, youth, and women in Chennai’s urban communities.In this candid conversation, Vedika shares her journey of discovering social inequalities, the challenges of building trust in marginalized communities, and the importance of designing safe spaces for those most at risk.Learn how Yein Udaan balances structured education with emotional well-being, what resilience truly looks like, and how breaking generational cycles of trauma can transform lives.From practical insights on community engagement to powerful stories of hope and empowerment, this episode is a must-watch for anyone passionate about social impact, education, and grassroots leadership.

In this episode, host Ashutosh Garg sits down with Indrajit Lahiri, the founder of Foodka and Pickle Solutions Pvt. Ltd., to unravel the extraordinary journey of a food documentarian who bridges the worlds of IT, entrepreneurship, and Indian culinary storytelling.Indrajit shares insights on his transition from corporate IT to food documentation, why story always comes before food on his channel, and what makes Indian cuisine one of the most varied in the world. Dive into the nuances of regional recipes, disappearing traditions, and the importance of context—plus discover what makes Bengali and Northeastern cuisine so underrated and unique.Whether you're a food lover, aspiring entrepreneur, or cultural explorer, this episode offers wisdom on identity, storytelling, and the challenges facing Indian food today.

In this episode of The Brand Called You, host Ashutosh Garg sits down with Darryl "DJ" Heffline, author of Shifting Gears in the Crossroads, to explore the tough moments of change we all face—both professionally and personally. Darryl "DJ" Heffline shares candid stories of entrepreneurship, overcoming setbacks, and the crucial importance of recognizing crossroads in life. Together, they dig into the psychological shifts, the challenge of letting go, and how to rebuild when you’re forced to pivot.Discover practical frameworks from DJ’s book, advice for leaders struggling with their identity, and the four essential “Fs” that serve as foundational pillars: faith, family, fitness, and finances. If you’re navigating transitions, feeling stuck, or seeking inspiration to “shift gears” in your own journey, this episode delivers fresh insights, relatable anecdotes, and actionable strategies for moving forward.

In this inspiring conversation, host Ashutosh Garg speaks with Sophie Shah, the 16-year-old founder of Chronically Me. Sophie is a speaker, researcher, and patient advocate whose work spans healthcare innovation and global equity.She shares her personal journey with chronic illness, the challenges of navigating an often isolating healthcare system, and how she transformed her experiences into a platform that empowers thousands of patients worldwide.Discover how Sophie built a distributed ambassador network across five continents, developed a patient-centric health app, and continues to champion health equity. She also shares valuable lessons on leadership, scaling impact, and staying true to one’s mission.In addition, Sophie offers practical advice for young people who want to turn their lived experiences into meaningful systemic change.Don’t miss this thought-provoking episode filled with leadership insights and real-world impact.

Join us for a transformative conversation with Keenan L. McBride, author of VIRX-LEONATUS and Founder of Virx-Leonatus (VX) Culture. Hosted by Ashutosh Garg, this episode explores Keenan’s 30-year leadership journey, the profound influence of his father, and the principles behind the VX Culture philosophy.Discover why discipline, empathy, presence, and courtesy are not merely “soft skills” but powerful strategic advantages in business and life.Keenan explains the five pillars of the VX philosophy, the leadership lessons inspired by the lion, and why true authority is defined by quiet command rather than loud dominance.Whether you are a leader, aspiring leader, or someone rethinking organizational culture, this episode offers valuable insights and inspiration.The shift from operations to strategic leadershipLessons from overcoming early career challengesHow personal presence and image shape leadershipThe strategic value of courtesy and empathyBuilding organizational culture through the VX philosophyIn this episode:Practical ways to develop confident, authentic leadership

How can leaders embrace chaos, foster belonging, and find genuine meaning in their work?In this episode, Pierre du Plessis shares insights from his diverse career across fashion, advertising, branding, product design, strategy, and theology. He explains why strategy is about positioning, not just growth, and why embracing complexity and chaos is essential for true innovation.Pierre also delves into his research on loneliness and belonging, exploring the modern workplace, remote work, and what it truly takes to find meaning at work and in life. He offers practical wisdom on evolving leadership styles, the dangers of relentless growth, and the fundamental questions every leader should ask themselves to ensure personal and organizational wellbeing.

In this insightful episode of The Brand Called You, host Ashutosh Garg welcomes Marcus Fontoura, Technical Fellow at Microsoft and author of “A Platform Mindset: Building a Culture of Collaboration.”Drawing on leadership roles at some of the world’s most influential tech companies—including Microsoft, Google, Yahoo, IBM Research, and StoneCo—Marcus shares his perspective on what truly defines a platform and why culture, trust, and collaboration are essential to achieving scale and innovation.You’ll learn:How Marcus’s experiences during Microsoft’s transformational era under Satya Nadella shaped his platform strategy.Why building high-performing engineering cultures is about behavioral change, not just technology.Practical leadership lessons for fostering collaboration, identifying when your company isn’t ready for a platform, and evolving the platform mindset in the AI-driven era.

Join us for a compelling episode of The Brand Called You, featuring entrepreneur, game developer, and author Jeroen Derwort.Hosted by Ashutosh Garg, this conversation explores Jeroen’s journey from a childhood spent programming alone in his attic to building the globally successful Online Soccer Manager (OSM) and later sharing his entrepreneurial lessons through his book Score! Online Soccer Manager: From the Attic to the Arena.In this candid discussion, Jeroen reflects on the real story behind startup success—covering leadership challenges, co-founder conflicts, stressful legal battles, and the personal experiences that shaped his perspective on entrepreneurship and life.This episode offers an honest look at the human side of building successful technology companies.