The Brand Called You

Join us for an inspiring episode of "The Brand Called You" as Ashutosh Garg sits down with Stuart Jenkins, Founder & CEO of Blumaka, a pioneering manufacturer of recycled foam products reshaping the footwear industry. Discover Stuart’s incredible journey from innovating the first air sole in high school, to building a global brand that's changing the game in sustainability and performance. From relentless innovation and overcoming 94 rejections, to powering world-class athletes with foam insoles that last 1,000 miles, Stuart shares stories, lessons, and the future of shoes. Listen in for powerful insights on turning environmental problems into solutions, why sustainability doesn’t mean compromising performance, and what the footwear industry should look like in the next 40 years.

In this powerful episode of The Brand Called You, marketing leader and author Sara Nay shares her journey from intern to CEO of Duct Tape Marketing. She reveals the lessons behind her book Unchained, explores how small businesses can “own” their marketing, and explains why strategy—not technology—must always come first in the age of AI.00:32- About Sara NaySara is the CEO of Duct Tape Marketing. She's also an author of a book titled Unchained: Breaking Free from Broken Marketing Models.

Sri Kaza, a former McKinsey partner and author of 'Unconvention', shows how small businesses can leverage their size as a superpower. He introduces his 'Underdog Principles'—Positioning, Proximity, and Purpose—arguing that true success stems from meaningful connections rather than sheer scale. Kaza emphasizes that small firms should avoid mimicking large corporations and instead cultivate unique customer relationships. He also predicts that AI will enhance small businesses, helping them scale while maintaining authenticity.

Lieutenant Colonel Oakland McCulloch, a leadership expert and author, shares insights from his 23 years in the U.S. Army. He emphasizes that true leadership transcends titles and is rooted in trust, character, and purpose. Oakland discusses the importance of servant leadership, humility, and learning from failures. He also highlights the need for clear communication and warns against micromanagement, advocating for empowerment instead. His vision for future leaders revolves around curiosity, a strong desire to serve, and leveraging technology.

Professor Samuel Makinda, a Professor Emeritus of International Relations and Security Studies, shares insights from his rich career that spans journalism and academia. He highlights Africa's potential, emphasizing the role of youth, innovation, and women's leadership in driving economic change. Makinda also discusses the impact of technology, particularly Kenya's M-Pesa, and explores the historical ties between India and Africa. He contrasts India's sensitive engagement in Africa with China's aggressive infrastructure strategies, providing a compelling view of the continent's future.

Tamara Hill, Founder of Hill House Group and author of 'Threads of Becoming,' shares her inspiring journey from Silicon Valley to global leadership in design. She discusses the healing power of poetry, spurred by personal loss, and how writing served as a transformative outlet. Tamara also highlights her approach to luxury property design, blending sustainability with artistic storytelling in California and Italy. From her immersive designs to curating unforgettable weddings, her insights on resilience and community connection are truly captivating.

Discover the inspiring journey of David C. Rhew, Global Chief Medical Officer and VP of Healthcare at Microsoft, as he sits down with Stephen Ibaraki for a deep dive into innovation, medicine, and the power of technology in transforming global healthcare. From his early passion for science and creativity to building evidence-based solutions for clinical workflows, David C. Rhew shares pivotal moments that shaped his career—including his critical role during the pandemic, his groundbreaking work at Samsung and Microsoft, and his vision for the future of AI, interoperability, and equitable care.Get an inside look at how Microsoft is leveraging AI, quantum computing, and collaborative ecosystems to make healthcare more efficient, accessible, and trustworthy, including efforts to address disparities in rural and underserved communities. This episode is packed with wisdom for medical professionals, tech innovators, and anyone curious about what’s next in health and technology.Discover the inspiring journey of David C. Rhew, Global Chief Medical Officer and VP of Healthcare at Microsoft, as he sits down with Stephen Ibaraki for a deep dive into innovation, medicine, and the power of technology in transforming global healthcare. From his early passion for science and creativity to building evidence-based solutions for clinical workflows, David C. Rhew shares pivotal moments that shaped his career—including his critical role during the pandemic, his groundbreaking work at Samsung and Microsoft, and his vision for the future of AI, interoperability, and equitable care.Get an inside look at how Microsoft is leveraging AI, quantum computing, and collaborative ecosystems to make healthcare more efficient, accessible, and trustworthy, including efforts to address disparities in rural and underserved communities. This episode is packed with wisdom for medical professionals, tech innovators, and anyone curious about what’s next in health and technology.

In this insightful episode, host Stephen Ibaraki sits down with Christopher Dorrow, a Global AI Strategist, to explore his fascinating career journey through innovation, design thinking, and leadership in Artificial Intelligence.Christopher shares pivotal moments from his childhood, his experiences in entrepreneurship and creativity, and recounts how challenges propelled his adaptability and sparked innovation throughout his career — from his early days at Accenture and SAP to transformative work with Finastra and Dubai Future Foundation. Discover how Christopher led groundbreaking projects like AI use-cases for government, contributed to the Dubai Future Foundation Global 50 Report, and now works on responsible AI frameworks for children and AI strategy in education with Capgemini.From designing capability-building programs in Kenyan slums to pioneering digital transformation in global fintech, Christopher’s story is a testament to creative leadership, ambition, and global impact. The conversation also dives into the future of AI, the importance of trust and ethics, and the social responsibility tech leaders must champion.If you're passionate about tech innovation, AI strategy, global leadership, or social impact, this episode is packed with lessons, inspiration, and actionable insights.

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Jack Dongarra, legendary computer scientist, Emeritus Professor at the University of Tennessee, and recipient of the ACM Turing Award. In this episode, host Stephen Ibaraki explores Jack Dongarra's remarkable journey, pioneering innovations in high performance computing, and the global impact of his work—foundational to scientific research, industry, and national security.Discover the origins of essential mathematical libraries, the evolution of supercomputers, and the future of exascale, cloud, and quantum computing. Learn how Jack Dongarra built communities, mentored generations of scientists, and shaped how we solve the world’s biggest problems through simulation and data analysis.If you’re a CEO, investor, technologist, or simply passionate about innovation—don’t miss this deep dive into the future of computing, advice for new students, and a candid look at the power of mentorship and perseverance.

From immigrant roots to international leadership, Diana’s story embodies curiosity, courage, and compassion. As Executive Director of the Canadian Business Council in Dubai, she connects cultures, empowers entrepreneurs, and builds lasting bridges between Canada and the Middle East.00:09- About Diana Szyszka PompeiDiana Szyszka Pompei is the Executive Director of Canadian Business Council (CBC), Dubai.