The Brand Called You

Welcome to another inspiring episode of The Brand Called You. In this conversation, host Ashutosh Garg speaks with Reuven Shelef, Founder and CEO of OUT OF THE BOX Consulting, strategic engineer, and creator of the “Untangling Complex Challenges” methodology.Discover the journey that led him into management consulting, how he integrates logic and intuition, and why empathy and vulnerability are critical for solving today’s toughest challenges. He also shares practical leadership insights on fostering curiosity, navigating technological disruption, and transforming teams.If you are facing complex decisions, feeling stuck, or seeking greater clarity in leadership and life, this episode offers actionable wisdom you can apply immediately.

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Calvin Schwartz—an award-winning author, novelist, journalist, college lecturer, and podcaster—on The Brand Called You. Hosted by Ashutosh Garg, this episode dives deep into Calvin Schwartz’s unique journey from pharmacy to storytelling, the spiritual roots behind his acclaimed novel, There’s a Tortoise in My Hair: A Journey to Spirit, and his lifelong commitment to environmental advocacy.Discover how Calvin navigated significant career shifts, overcame limiting beliefs, and found purpose in writing and environmentalism. Gain fresh perspectives on leadership, climate optimism, the power of dark humor in literature, and spiritual awakening—especially when it intersects with mental health.Whether you’re passionate about personal growth, spirituality, environmental change, or storytelling, this episode will leave you inspired and reflective. Don’t miss Calvin Schwartz’s compelling insights, life lessons, and his advice on embracing the slow and steady path—much like the tortoise in his hair.

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Bassel Hamwi, CEO of HamwiConsult, as he speaks with Ashutosh Garg on The Brand Called You.Drawing from over three decades of global experience—including leadership roles at the World Bank and International Finance Corporation—Bassel shares powerful insights on leadership, governance, resilience, and family enterprise continuity.This episode explores:Leadership lessons learned through failureGovernance practices that sustain family businesses across generationsWhat boards must do differentlyHow CEOs can build resilience in volatile global environmentsFuture-ready leadership in the age of AI

Welcome to a transformative episode of The Brand Called You. Host Ashutosh Garg sits down with Pete Sacco—entrepreneur, technologist, and modern-day mystic—for a powerful exploration of leadership, artificial intelligence, spirituality, and personal transformation.Pete shares the early influences that shaped his worldview and explains how working at the forefront of AI, data centers, and innovation has deepened his understanding of human consciousness and collective evolution. Drawing from his book Living in Bliss, he opens up about overcoming burnout, integrating mind, body, and spirit, and redefining success in practical terms.If you want to learn how entrepreneurs can thrive in the age of AI while protecting their well-being and preserving what is uniquely human, this episode is for you.

Welcome to another episode of TBCY.Today, we are joined by Bronwyn Williams — Futurist, Economist, Trend Analyst at Flux Trends, and Author.In this engaging conversation with host Ashutosh Garg, Bronwyn explores the science and art behind “futurenomics,” examines the real impact of AI on the modern workforce, and shares powerful lessons from organizations that failed to adapt.The tension between short-term wins and long-term consequencesHow AI is reshaping value, labor, and societyWhy Africa holds unique opportunities that many futurists overlookThe importance of agency and rejecting a deterministic view of the future

In this episode of The Brand Called You, Ashutosh Garg sits down with Aakanksha Gupta, Founder & CEO of The Other Circle, to explore the evolving world of reputation strategy and crisis communication.From overcoming industry biases to building a modern PR firm rooted in authenticity, Aakanksha shares actionable frameworks and real-world insights. The discussion covers CEO profiling, crisis management, internal communication, and the skills leaders need in an AI-driven future.Key Topics Covered:Power, narrative, and influence in communicationBreaking industry norms as a young woman leaderReputation strategies across entertainment, pharma, education, and D2CCrisis communication frameworksCEO profiling best practicesTrust and cultural fluency in the AI era

Award-winning filmmaker and author Barnet Bain joins The Brand Called You to explore creativity, belonging, ego, and the daily practice of friendship. Drawing from Hollywood, spirituality, and his book How to Be a Friend in an Unfriendly World, Bain reflects on connection, self-awareness, and remembering the love at the heart of all relationships.00:38- About Barnet BainBarnet is an award winning filmmaker and an author. His latest book is titled How to Be a Friend in an Unfriendly World.

Ari’s journey is shaped not just by elite science, AI, and entrepreneurship—but by deeply human inflection points: a lifelong friendship, the perspective gained through parenthood, and the transformative power of love. This conversation explores how freedom to be different, multidisciplinary thinking, and compassion built a technologist who now measures success by impact, service, and meaning—not titles or credentials.00:09- About Ari SmithAri Smith is an accomplished technology leader and AI expert with a foundation in math and computer science from the MIT ecosystem, where he also co-founded and successfully exited a software startup acquired by a major technology company.He has served in senior technical and strategic roles—including as a Solutions Architect at Microsoft and as CTO of an elite AI engineering firm—while developing patented technologies and advising global organizations.Beyond core technology leadership, Ari engages in interdisciplinary initiatives, from sustainable innovation ventures to serving on the board of a major autism advocacy organization, demonstrating his commitment to impactful, human-centered applications of AI. 

From early setbacks to shaping some of the world’s most complex leadership platforms, Timothy Wong shares the inflection points, principles, and philosophy that define his extraordinary journey. A masterclass in trust-building, orchestration, and purpose-driven leadership across global communities.00:09- About Timothy WongHe is a strategic global leader with over three decades of experience in leadership development and executive engagement.He is a facilitator and curator of high-impact learning experiences for senior executives and global communities. He is a trusted orchestrator of collaborative events that bridge strategic vision with stakeholder alignment.

In this fireside-style conversation, Ken shares the defining inflection points that shaped his journey—from navigating 9/11 and the global financial crisis to building at the forefront of digital assets, Web3, and generative AI. A masterclass in resilience, foresight, and building through disruption.00:09- About Ken NguyenKen is an experienced venture builder, investor, and advisor with over 25 years creating more than $1B in enterprise value across finance, technology, and emerging markets. He is a leader in Web3, generative AI, and digital asset innovation, serving as Cofounder and Managing Partner of a venture studio focused on next-generation infrastructure. He is a former senior executive at global institutions including Diagram, Blackstone, and a family office, with a foundational background in leveraged finance and restructuring.