The Brand Called 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

Welcome to another insightful episode of The Brand Called You! In this episode, host Ashutosh Garg sits down with Vijay Kumar, Founder & CEO of TSUYO Manufacturing Pvt Ltd, for a deep dive into the world of entrepreneurship, manufacturing, and innovation in India.Vijay Kumar shares his incredible journey from launching his first venture, Biryani Box, to leading multiple startups today. Discover how his approach to risk, decision-making, and building resilient supply chains evolved through real-world challenges—including GST and demonetization. Vijay reveals the critical importance of execution over ideas, offers actionable lessons on building sustainable businesses, and discusses how lean and Six Sigma principles power TSUYO Manufacturing’s success.You’ll also hear practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs interested in the manufacturing sector—how to tackle capital intensity, the significance of cultivating a strong quality culture, and the future of automation, AI, and digital twins.

On this episode of The Brand Called You, host Ashutosh Garg sits down with Jay Delsing—PGA Tour veteran, author, and nationally syndicated host of Golf with Jay Delsing.Growing up as a blue-collar kid on the public golf courses of St. Louis, Jay’s journey is a powerful story of grit, integrity, and perseverance. From earning his PGA Tour card in 1984 to sharing unforgettable encounters with legends like Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, Jay reflects on how golf shaped his values, leadership mindset, and life philosophy.In this conversation, Jay opens up about:Why golf demands personal integrity—especially calling penalties on yourselfHow failure and resilience define true successWhy storytelling is at the heart of his popular radio showWhat inspired his memoir You Wouldn’t Believe Me If I Told YouThe one lesson from golf every leader should live byWhether you’re a golfer, a leader, or someone who enjoys meaningful life stories, this episode offers timeless lessons on accountability, respect, and character.

In this powerful conversation, host Ashutosh Garg speaks with Carl Manlan — author of I Can Breathe and an influential development leader — about how meaningful change happens when innovation is guided by values, proximity, and long-term thinking.From transforming financial inclusion across Africa to building resilient development ecosystems, Carl shares hard-won lessons from his work with the Global Fund, UNDP, AUDA-NEPAD, and beyond.✔ Why purpose-driven innovation comes with real costs and trade-offs ✔ What most financial inclusion strategies are missing ✔ How innovation succeeds — and fails — inside large organizations ✔ Why values-based leadership is essential for inclusive economies ✔ How sustainable initiatives outlive donor timelines

In this episode of The Brand Called You, host Ashutosh Garg is joined by Peter Novak, Founder & CEO of Strictly Speaking Group, joining us from Hawaii, USA. Peter shares his fascinating journey from academia and theatre to executive leadership coaching—and explains why he never changed careers, only audiences.This conversation dives deep into the art and science of executive communication, exploring why information is not the same as communication, how executive presence goes far beyond posture and tone, and why storytelling is a strategic business skill—not fluff.You’ll also hear Peter’s thoughtful perspective on:How AI is reshaping communication—and the risk of reinforcing accent biasWhy multilingual professionals should see language diversity as a strengthPractical tools that help global teams communicate more inclusivelyHow leaders can stay calm and persuasive under high-stakes pressureThe skills that will define the next generation of effective communicators

Welcome to The Brand Called You! In this insightful episode, host Stephen Ibaraki sits down with Looi Teck Kheong, President of the Singapore Chapter of the Global Council for Responsible AI, to explore his remarkable journey across law, technology, public policy, cybersecurity, and AI governance.From a curiosity-driven childhood to a defining pivot from engineering to law, Looi Teck Kheong shares how multidisciplinary thinking shaped his 25+ year career spanning private legal practice, ASEAN policy work, journalism, consulting, and teaching. The conversation dives deep into responsible AI, regional and global governance, South–South collaboration, and the growing impact of quantum computing on cybersecurity.This episode also tackles pressing questions around AI ethics, existential risks, data privacy, and how societies can embrace rapid technological change while keeping humans at the center of innovation.Whether you’re a technologist, policymaker, entrepreneur, or lifelong learner, this conversation offers practical insights and thoughtful reflections on building a future guided by ethics, collaboration, and curiosity.

Dive into an inspiring conversation with Anthony Stephan, Chairman of Cornerstone Development, hosted by Stephen Ibaraki on The Brand Called You Podcast.From his resilient upbringing in Lebanon to leading global initiatives in sustainable real estate, energy access, education, and the metaverse, Anthony shares how purpose-driven leadership and technology can uplift billions.This episode explores:Impact investing and off-grid energy (Bboxx)Empowering Gen Z through platforms like GoodwallSustainable city developmentMeasuring real impactLeadership lessons for a rapidly changing world

In this episode, host Stephen Ibaraki interviews Dr. Vassil Dimitrov, Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Calgary. Dr. Dimitrov shares his journey, his lifelong passion for mathematics, and groundbreaking perspectives on AI, analog computing, quantum technology, encryption, and brain-inspired hardware.💡 Topics Covered:Is the human brain analog, digital, or hybrid?Why analog computing may outperform digital systems for certain problemsThe real future of quantum computing: hype vs. realityExascale supercomputers and their comparison to the human brainImage compression, blockchain algorithms, and AI hardware acceleratorsAdvice for young researchers and innovators

How do you build a category-defining company in blockchain while navigating regulatory chaos and cultural shifts?In this episode of The Brand Called You Podcast, Mark Mueller-Eberstein, CEO & Co-Founder of CodexDF, joins Stephen Ibaraki for an unscripted, thought-provoking conversation on crypto accounting, startup success, and the future of work.Why Mark launched CodexDF after decades of success as an investor and technologistSolving crypto accounting and compliance at enterprise scaleHow regulation is shaping the future of blockchain globallySeparating blockchain utility from crypto speculationWhy startup success is 98% about peopleBuilding global, remote-first teams without burnout🔑 Key Topics Covered:Staying relevant through curiosity, critical thinking, and lifelong learning

How do we ensure that AI’s rapid evolution aligns with human values, responsible use, and a flourishing future for all?In this episode of The Brand Called You (TBCY) podcast, Stephen Ibaraki sits down with Ramsay Brown, CEO of The AI Responsibility Lab, for a powerful conversation on operationalizing ethical AI, the rise of synthetic labor, and how organizations can build responsible AI systems at scale—both practically and profitably.Discover Ramsay Brown’s unique journey, from PhD training with a world-renowned neuroanatomist to founding Dopamine Labs, and his participation in global forums on AI, ethics, and free will. Learn how Mission Control, the AI Responsibility Lab’s coordination platform, helps data science teams move faster, reduce risk, and embed responsibility at the heart of innovation.The evolving definition of intelligence and consciousnessAI’s impact across neuroscience, society, and businessHow Mission Control mitigates real-world AI risksWhy coordination—not bad intent—is behind most AI failuresThe future of work, synthetic labor, and responsible automation