The Brand Called You

Dive into the mysteries of the cosmos with Prof. Neil Comins, Professor of Physics & Astronomy at the University of Maine, USA, in this illuminating episode of The Brand Called You, hosted by Ashutosh Garg.In this thought-provoking conversation, Prof. Comins shares how personal adversity shaped his journey into astrophysics and why he chose to specialize in general relativity—one of the most challenging fields in science.The episode explores:Common misconceptions about galaxies and the Big BangThe search for life beyond Earth using the James Webb Space TelescopeAncient India’s remarkable contributions to astronomyIndia’s growing global role in space researchThe transformative impact of artificial intelligence on astronomyThe scientific foundation behind his bestselling “What If” books

In this episode, host Ashutosh Garg speaks with Upasna Dash, CEO & Founder of Jajabor Brand Consultancy, about rewiring public relations for real business impact.Starting her career at just 18 without formal training, Upasna went on to build a growth-hacking consultancy that connects storytelling directly to funding, hiring, and market expansion.In this conversation, you’ll discover:✔ Why traditional PR is broken ✔ How storytelling builds credibility and trust ✔ The power of data-driven communication ✔ Why founders must start building their narrative from day zero ✔ The future of integrated and hyperlocal communication ✔ The evolving landscape of women entrepreneurship in India

Join host Stephen Ibaraki in a deeply moving conversation with Fleet Maull, Founder of Heart Mind Institute and Prison Mindfulness Institute. Fleet shares his extraordinary journey from a turbulent childhood and struggles with addiction to serving 14 years in federal prison — and ultimately transforming his life into one of service, leadership, and global impact.In this powerful episode, Fleet reveals how adversity became his greatest teacher. From founding national prison mindfulness and hospice movements while incarcerated to building the globally recognized Heart Mind Institute, his story is a testament to radical responsibility, resilience, and servant leadership.Key themes explored in this episode:Turning trauma into transformationThe power of radical responsibilityBuilding trust and leadership behind barsIntegrating Buddhism, neuroscience, and indigenous wisdomThe importance of meta-learning in a rapidly changing worldRebuilding life and career after prisonFounding and scaling Heart Mind Institute

Do you dread speaking in public — whether in a boardroom, presentation, or meeting?In this powerful episode of The Brand Called You, host Ashutosh Garg speaks with Robert Summa, Public Speaking Phobia Expert and Founder of Public Speaking Cure.After battling severe speaking anxiety for 18 years, Robert discovered something life-changing: it wasn’t just fear — it was a neurological phobia. Today, he helps professionals eliminate public speaking phobia instead of merely managing it.In this episode, you’ll learn:• The science behind public speaking phobia • What happens in your brain during panic • Why exposure therapy can sometimes worsen anxiety • Why traditional tips don’t provide lasting relief • How curing the phobia can lead to promotions and leadership breakthroughsWhether you’re a senior executive, an aspiring leader, or someone who avoids speaking opportunities, this episode offers hope — and a proven path forward.

Welcome to another thought-provoking episode of The Brand Called You. In this episode, Ashutosh Garg speaks with Geoff Gibbins, Founder of Human Machines, a human-AI transformation company focused on helping organizations thrive in the age of artificial intelligence.Geoff shares practical, real-world insights into how AI is reshaping leadership, work, and decision-making. He explains why many leaders still view AI as a future challenge, what effective human-AI collaboration truly looks like, and why most enterprise AI initiatives fail to move beyond the pilot stage.This conversation dives deep into concepts such as liquid organizations, learning flywheels, and the growing importance of human judgment in an AI-driven world. Geoff also highlights why people-led transformations consistently outperform technology-led ones and how leaders must learn, unlearn, and relearn to stay relevant.Whether you’re a business leader, entrepreneur, or technology enthusiast, this episode will help you understand how to harness AI deliberately—without losing sight of what makes us human.

In this insightful episode of The Brand Called You (TBCY) podcast, host Ashutosh Garg sits down with Praveen Kakulte, Founder & CEO of The POWERCON Group, to explore how India’s renewable energy future depends not just on asset creation—but on asset performance, longevity, and engineering excellence.Praveen shares his journey as a first-generation entrepreneur who built a 100% bootstrapped renewable energy company in a highly capital-intensive industry. He explains why intellectual capital matters more than financial capital, and how transparency, data, and technology can unlock long-term value in wind and solar assets.The conversation dives deep into the Energy Studio, Asia’s first centralized renewable energy diagnostics platform, the role of the Center for Engineering Excellence in tackling technology obsolescence, and how predictive analytics, AI, digital twins, and storage solutions are shaping the next wave of renewable transformation.

Welcome to another insightful episode of The Brand Called You (TBCY), featuring Amy Jacobson, a global emotional intelligence expert and thought leader from Perth, Australia. Hosted by Ashutosh Garg, this conversation explores the science, psychology, and real-world application of emotional intelligence—especially in leadership, change, and difficult conversations.Drawing from Amy’s acclaimed book, The Emotional Intelligence Advantage: Mastering Change and Difficult Conversations, this episode breaks emotional intelligence down into practical, actionable steps that anyone can apply at work and in life.Below is a detailed, question-led timestamped summary highlighting key moments from the conversation.

In this episode of The Brand Called You, host Ashutosh Garg sits down with Don Weber, Global Communication Strategist and former HUMINT operative, for a masterclass in influence, executive presence, and high-stakes leadership communication.From reading people under pressure to navigating boardrooms and investor conversations, Don shares lessons drawn from intelligence operations and real-world leadership advisory work. Whether you’re a founder scaling up, a CEO managing pressure, or a leader aiming to elevate your communication, this episode delivers practical insights you can apply immediately.

Join us for an unmissable episode of The Brand Called You, featuring Dr. Vikas Malik, Founder of Wonder Years, in conversation with host Ashutosh Garg.Dr. Malik shares his journey from India to the United States, the inspiration behind building an integrated mental health practice, and how psychiatry must evolve to meet today’s challenges. The discussion explores cultural sensitivity, technology in healthcare, rapid-acting treatments, and the human side of being a psychiatrist and founder.If you’re curious about mental health, integrated care models, or leadership in healthcare innovation, this episode is for you.

Unlock the realities of startup leadership and tech entrepreneurship in this insightful episode of The Brand Called You.Host Ashutosh Garg sits down with Vladimir Baranov, a serial tech entrepreneur and executive coach for founders and technical leaders. Together, they explore the myths of entrepreneurship, the inner battles founders face, and the leadership skills required to scale both businesses and people.From understanding why ideas should be treated as experiments, not identities, to developing emotional intelligence as an analytical leader, Vladimir shares practical frameworks, real-world examples, and coaching insights that every founder can apply immediately.• Why curiosity is a founder’s greatest advantage • The biggest misconceptions founders have at the idea stage • How product-market fit determines success more than intuition • Common leadership blind spots for technical founders • How startups break down—and the early warning signs • Practical emotional intelligence tools for engineering-driven leaders • Balancing engineering perfection with business urgency • When and how to delegate without losing control • Growing into a C-suite role without losing your technical edge