Avsnitt
-
🎙️ In this episode, I sit down with Enna Jimenez, technology executive, engineering operations strategist, and ecosystem connector, for a powerful conversation about resilience, identity, and what it truly means to build community from the inside out.
Enna shares her journey from Puerto Rican and Dominican roots in Boston to leading global engineering teams of 200+ across financial services, banking, and education. From founding a Latino student organization at Simmons University to becoming a VP two steps from the CEO, her story is one of deliberate career-building, servant leadership, and showing up authentically in spaces that weren't always designed with her in mind.
At its core, this conversation is about what happens when you stop waiting for a seat at the table and start building the table yourself.
We explore:
🌎 How growing up in a tight-knit Latinx household in Boston shaped Enna's community-first mindset
💡 Why she chose to build a career in quality assurance when everyone else was just passing through
⚙️ How tech methodology evolved from waterfall to agile to AI, and what that means for the humans doing the work
🌉 What it really means to be a connector and bridge builder in today's workplace
🚀 Why Enna is proud to have worked herself out of a job more than once
Follow and explore more of Enna's work:
📲 LinkedIn: Enna Jimenez
🌐 Website: ennajimenez.com
📚 Book: Extraordinary Latinas
🎤 Sign Up for Enna’s Coaching Experience
🎧 Podcast produced by Riti Suresh.
-
🎙️ In this episode, I sit down with Pixie Cigar, community builder, systems thinker, and ecosystem designer, for a thoughtful conversation about belonging, curiosity, and what it takes to build communities that create meaningful impact.
Pixie shares how growing up across multiple countries as a “third culture kid” shaped her perspective on human connection, adaptability, and community building. From global educator networks to e-commerce ecosystems, her work focuses on designing systems that help people genuinely connect, collaborate, and grow.
At its core, this conversation is about building communities that don’t just generate activity — but create real value for the people inside them.
We explore:
🌍 How navigating different cultures shaped Pixie’s approach to community and belonging🤝 Why authentic human connection starts with curiosity and empathy⚙️ The systems behind successful communities and why community can’t operate in isolation from the business📊 Why engagement metrics alone can be misleading when measuring community health🧠 The misconception that “more content” automatically creates stronger communities🤖 How AI can help scale community operations while making human skills even more important
Follow and explore more of Pixie’s work:
📲 LinkedIn: Pixie Cigar
If there’s one takeaway from this conversation, it’s this: the strongest communities are built through intentional human connection, not just participation.
🎧 Podcast produced by Riti Suresh.
-
Saknas det avsnitt?
-
🎙️ In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Keith Keating, Chief Learning & Development Officer at BDO Canada and author of The Trusted Learning Advisor, for a powerful conversation about learning, resilience, and what it really takes to thrive in a world of constant change.
Keith shares his deeply personal journey, from dropping out of high school and struggling to find his place, to discovering the power of learning and ultimately building a career dedicated to helping others unlock their potential.
We unpack what it means to “learn how to learn,” and why that skill is no longer optional, but essential for survival in today’s rapidly evolving world. At its core, this conversation is about redefining the role of learning, not as something we consume, but as something we own, apply, and use to create real impact.
We explore:
🧠 Why learning is no longer a skill - but a survival mechanism in a world of constant change
📉 How traditional approaches to training fall short, and what it means to move beyond “checking the box”
🤝 What it takes to build a true learning culture - from psychological safety to individual ownership
🔄 How organizations can embed learning into the flow of work to drive real performance and collaboration
🚀 Why the future of L&D isn’t about delivering content, but solving problems and driving business outcomes
🤖 How AI is transforming the way we learn - and why it’s forcing the industry to evolve faster than everFollow and explore more of Keith’s work:
📲 LinkedIn: Keith Keating
🌐 Website: keithkeating.comIf there’s one takeaway from this conversation, it’s this: learning isn’t something that happens to you - it’s something you choose, every single day.
🎧 Podcast produced by Riti Suresh.
-
🎙️ In this episode, I sit down with Ernesto Canales, co-founder of Latinometrics, for a thoughtful conversation about data storytelling, curiosity, and the power of making complex ideas accessible.
Ernesto shares his journey from Torreón, Mexico, to studying in the U.S., discovering economics and analysis, and eventually co-building a publication that helps readers make sense of Latin America through clear, visual, data-driven stories.
We unpack how Latinometrics grew from an idea into a widely trusted platform for founders, operators, investors, and policymakers — and why its success comes from more than just charts. At its core, this conversation is about turning information into insight, and insight into something people can actually use.
We explore:
📊 How Ernesto and his team turn dense data into simple, compelling stories
🧠 Why curiosity, not complexity, is the key to building a better relationship with data
🌎 What Latin America’s growth reveals about technical talent, soft skills, and opportunity
🤝 How Latinometrics is building community by making data more human, interactive, and engagingFollow and explore more of Ernesto’s work:
🌐 Latinometrics: latinometrics.com
📲 LinkedIn: LatinometricsIf you’ve ever felt intimidated by data, this episode is a reminder: the goal isn’t to know everything — it’s to ask better questions.
🎧 Podcast produced by Riti Suresh.
-
🎙️ In this episode, I sit down with Jace Wallace, founder of Uhsteem and creator of The Daily, for a grounded conversation about self-leadership, community building, and the power of simple, action-based tools.
Jace’s journey spans music, film, entrepreneurship, and community-led experiences - and it all traces back to an early creative spark: making beats as a kid, building with friends, and discovering what it means to create with people, not just for them.
We unpack how a tour that didn’t go as planned became the catalyst for The Daily, including the “champagne moments” practice: celebrating real wins (big or small) as fuel to move forward, especially when life feels overwhelming.
We explore:
🥂 Why celebrating yesterday’s wins can reset your mindset today
✍️ How The Daily turns reflection, goals, and affirmations into one simple system
🤝 What it really takes to build community - safe spaces, shared ownership, and passing the mic
🌍 Jace’s North Star, People. Purpose. Paper, and his his vision to take Uhsteem globalFollow and explore more of Jace’s work:
🌐 Uhsteem: uhsteem.com
📲 Socials: @uhsteem
👤 Jace: @iamoliverlastnameIf you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, distracted, or stuck in “survival mode,” this episode is a reminder: progress doesn’t start with perfection - it starts with intention.
🎧 Podcast produced by Riti Suresh.
-
🎙️ In this episode, I sit down with Adrian Duke — Co-Founder & CEO of iX Labs — to kick off Season 3 of the Commudemy Podcast with a deep dive into immersive, gamified, and experiential learning.
Based in Vancouver, Adrian leads iX Labs at the intersection of storytelling, spatial design, gaming, and emerging technology. His work challenges traditional approaches to learning by designing experiences that are felt, not just delivered.
Adrian shares his unconventional journey - from building extreme amusement rides and escape rooms to architecting XR-powered learning environments for global brands - and explains why interactivity, emotion, and shared experience are the real drivers of engagement and retention.
We explore:
🎮 How gamification and interaction design transform how teams learn and collaborate 🧠 Why technology should support learning, not distract from it 🌍 The difference between AR, VR, and XR — and how blending physical and digital worlds unlocks deeper engagement 🤝 How experiential learning reveals leadership styles, communication gaps, and team dynamics in real time 📊 What engagement really means — and how data, metrics, and self-reflection shape better learning outcomes ✨ Why storytelling and emotional connection matter as much as contentFollow and explore more of Adrian’s work:
🔗 LinkedIn: Adrian Duke
🌐 iX Labs: ixlabs.ca
📸Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ix_labs_studio/
🎧 Podcast produced by Riti Suresh.
-
🎙️ In this episode, I sit down with Sarah Filman – founder of Playful Perspectives and co-founder of The Improv Mindset – to explore how play and improv reshape the way we lead, connect, and build culture.
Once a product manager navigating traditional leadership frameworks, Sarah shares how discovering improv transformed her approach to communication, risk, and authenticity - both personally and professionally.
We dive into:
🎭 How improv builds trust, courage, and creative confidence
🧠 Why play is a mindset, not just a team-building exercise
🤝 What it means to co-create community and shift from solo to shared leadershipSarah also introduces her latest project: a hands-on activity deck designed to bring moments of play into everyday work - no facilitation experience required.
✨ Want to try it out? Sarah and her co-founder Jordan host a monthly Playful Mindset session—open to all professionals who are play-curious.
Follow and explore more of Sarah’s work:
🔗 LinkedIn: Sarah Filman
🌐 Playful Perspectives: https://www.playfulperspectives.com
🧠 The Improv Mindset: https://improvmindset.fun
🃏 Playful Activity Deck: https://www.playfulperspectives.com/cards
🎟️ Join a session: improvmindset.fun/play🎧 Podcast produced by Riti Suresh.
-
🎙️ In this episode, I have a wide-ranging conversation with Will Fan – CEO and Head of School at NewCampus, a modern business school based in Singapore that's reshaping how companies build learning cultures across Southeast Asia. 🇸🇬✨
Will shares his 10+ year journey as an entrepreneur, investor, and education innovator, from launching a scrappy startup called QLC to growing NewCampus into a regional powerhouse that has served over 130,000 learners and 500+ tech companies. We dive deep into:
🌏 Why Southeast Asia is the ideal testbed for reinventing education
📚 Building learning in the flow of work—not outside of it
🤝 Community as the cornerstone of business (not just a feature)
⚙️ Leveraging AI to reduce operational drag and increase human connection
🧠 Creating people-first companies and why Will’s team moved to a 4-day workweek
📈 Measuring impact in L&D—why ROI conversations must start with revenueHis philosophy? Build skinny, think long-term, and center relationships—in your team, in your product, and in your ecosystem.
Be sure to follow Will and his work here:
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hellowillfan/
🌐 NewCampus: https://www.newcampus.com🎧 Podcast produced by Riti Suresh.
-
🎙️ In this episode, I sit down with Daniel Chipres — founder of MyOasis, an AI-powered mental health platform rooted in compassion, cultural fluency, and intentional healing.
From a childhood marked by instability to a transformative chapter in the military, Daniel’s journey is a raw, moving story of growth, faith, and purpose. We explore how his lived experiences informed the creation of MyOasis — a tool that reimagines mental health care for communities often left out of traditional systems.We dive deep into:
🧠 Why mental health solutions must be culturally fluent, spiritually inclusive, and personalized.
🛠️ How AI can support, not replace, human connection in therapeutic settings.
📿 The role of spiritual awakening in Daniel’s healing and entrepreneurial journey.
💡 Building tech for good — designing an ecosystem that supports both therapists and clients.Daniel’s approach is deeply human:
Design tools with empathy. Build systems that serve. And never lose sight of why we heal — to give back, to grow, and to uplift others.🔗 Be sure to follow Daniel and MyOasis:
Instagram: @elprofesor.ai
LinkedIn: Daniel Chipres
Website: MyOasis🎧 Podcast produced by Riti Suresh.
-
In this episode, I sit down with Shraddha Rawat and Parisha Jain, the dynamic co-founders of The Learning Designers Community (LDC) — a volunteer-led global collective of 4,300+ learning professionals spanning 38+ countries.
Born from a single post in a Google Group, LDC has rapidly become one of the most vibrant, cross-sectoral communities in the world — uniting educators, corporate L&D leaders, edtech innovators, and nonprofit professionals with one mission: to reimagine learning design for a more human, inclusive, and impactful future.
We explore:
💬 How Shraddha and Parisha turned a grassroots idea into a thriving global community.
🌍 Why cross-sector collaboration is the key to unlocking meaningful innovation in learning.
🤝 What it really takes to nurture a member-led community — from orchestration to vulnerability.
🧭 Their vision for the future: regional chapters, sustainable operations, and a stronger Global South voice in L&D.Whether you’re a learning designer, community builder, or someone rethinking how humans learn — this episode is packed with practical wisdom, honest reflection, and inspiration for what’s possible when people come together with purpose.
Be sure to follow and support the LDC here:
🔗 LDC LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14371079/
🔗 LDC Linktree: https://linktr.ee/learningdesigners
🔗 Shraddha’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shraddharawat11/
🔗 Parisha’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/parishajain/Podcast produced by Riti Suresh.
-
In this episode, I have an energizing conversation with Philip Magnuszewski – AI community organizer, tech industry veteran, and the force behind New Hampshire’s grassroots AI movement. 🤖
Phil shares his 25+ year journey in technology and how it led him to build hyper-local, people-powered ecosystems that make AI accessible, ethical, and actionable. We dive deep into:
🌐 The growing digital divide and why awareness alone isn’t enough.
🏘️ Why community-led AI is the most powerful way to bring people along for the ride.
🌲Lessons from New Hampshire: how to launch your own local AI initiative—and why one event is all it takes.Phil’s approach? Start local. Listen closely. And trust the power of people coming together to make sense of something that’s shaping all our futures.
Be sure to follow Phil and his work here:
🔗 LinkedIn Group: AI in New Hampshire
📬 Phil on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philmagnuszewski/Podcast produced by Riti Suresh.
-
In this episode, I sit down with Mikhail Markine – software engineer, performance coach, and elite skydiver. 🎙️🔥
With over 13,000 jumps, 4 World Championship golds, 4 World Cup golds, and numerous national titles, Mikhail brings a world-class lens to everything he does. We recently met in person in San Francisco, where I got to hear his story firsthand.Mikhail’s personality brings a rare mix of vulnerability, thoughtfulness, and ambition. From high-stakes teamwork to finding purpose through performance, this is a conversation about pushing limits and staying human. We dive into:
🚀 How stress, fear, and focus can unlock peak performance.
🧭 What it takes to build trust—in the air and on the ground.
🛠️ Why systems thinking, checklists, and mental preparation matter under pressure.
🤝 The role of mentorship, humility, and community in long-term success.Now reentering the world of tech and entrepreneurship, Mikhail is merging the precision of engineering with the depth of human leadership.
Follow Mikhail and his work here:
Website: https://feeltheairsports.square.site/about
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikhail-markine/Podcast produced by Riti Suresh.
-
In this episode, I bring on as my guest Scott Rusnak — executive coach, expert EOS Implementer, board-certified coach for the US and British Olympic teams, and seasoned entrepreneur. 🎙️✨We dive into:
🚴♂️ Lessons from competitive cycling and entrepreneurship🧠 The six key components of EOS (Vision, People, Data, Issues, Process, Traction)🤝 The power of saying "no" and building the right community🌎 Thriving in a tech-driven, human-centered world🔥 Becoming the architect of your own lifeFollow Scott and his work here:
Website: https://scottrusnak.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottrusnak/Podcast produced by Riti Suresh.
-
In this episode, I have a powerful conversation with Abubakar Sheriff — founder of Qariyb, a community-driven events platform on a mission to bring people closer through intentional, inclusive, and spiritually aligned gatherings. 🎙️✨
Abubakar shares his journey from growing up in Saudi Arabia and Philadelphia, to launching Qariyb out of a missed event and a deep desire to reconnect people with purpose-driven communities. We dive into:
🌐 Why proximity is possibility — and how physical closeness amplifies human connection.
🤝 Building tech that serves people, not replaces them — a case for values-aligned design.
🕌 Creating space for Muslims to find events, experiences, and each other — all in one place.
🧠 Lessons from instructional technology and community leadership that power his product vision.
🛠️ The reality of being a lean founder and staying grounded in sincerity when the road gets tough.His mantra? Start with sincerity. Serve your people. Build from proximity.
Be sure to follow Abubakar and his work here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abusheriff
Qariyb: https://www.qariyb.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/qariybPodcast produced by Riti Suresh.
-
In this episode, I sit down with Shahamat Chowdhury – founder of Salam Consulting, career coach, community builder, and passionate advocate for accessible, human-centered coaching.
Shahamat shares the deeply personal story behind Salam Consulting — a journey rooted in family legacy, shaped by failure, and driven by a desire to serve others with dignity and care. We explore:
🧭 The role of failure as a catalyst for growth, especially in South Asian communities where it’s often taboo.
👥 Why building meaningful, inclusive, and psychologically safe communities takes more than just networking—it takes intention.
💬 The difference between coaching and mentoring - and why empowering others to arrive at their own answers can be transformational.
🧡 How treating clients like family creates lasting impact beyond the transaction.
📌 Why most “community events” get it wrong - and what it actually takes to design interactive, vulnerable, and rewarding gatherings.With over 350 clients supported and a commitment to pay-it-forward coaching, Shahamat is redefining what it means to be a coach and community leader in today’s world.
His approach? Lead with sincerity. Build from the heart. And measure success not in dollars, but in lives impacted.
Follow Shahamat and learn more about her work here:
Website: https://www.salam-consulting.com/
Instagram: @salamconsulting_
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shahamat-chowdhury/Podcast produced by Riti Suresh.
-
In this episode, I sit down with Lori Figueiredo – global education strategist, digital learning expert, and founder of Syzygy – an organization that helps teams align human intelligence (HI) with artificial intelligence (AI) to achieve breakthrough impact.
Lori shares her incredible journey from growing up in apartheid-era South Africa to leading learning transformation initiatives across 100+ countries. With decades of experience across government, NGOs, startups, and corporations, she offers a compelling vision for the future of learning that centers on people, purpose, and measurable impact.
We explore:
🔗 The five key principles of Syzygy: People, Purpose, Process, Platforms, and Principles—and why alignment (true syzygy) matters now more than ever.
🧠 Why Human Intelligence (HI) must be developed alongside AI—and what’s at stake if we don’t.
🌱 How to design systems that create self-organizing learning teams and unlock untapped human potential.
🌍 Why AI presents a leapfrogging opportunity for emerging economies—and how Lori is seeing it play out across Africa and the Middle East.
Lori’s mantra? Innovation with integrity for positive impact. Her work is a rallying call for leaders, educators, and changemakers who want to future-proof learning and unlock real transformation—through both technology and human-centered design.
Follow Lori and learn more about her work here:
🔗 Website: https://fusionbysyzygy.com/
🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lori-syzygyPodcast produced by Riti Suresh.
-
In this season finale, I step away from interviews to share a personal reflection on what Season 1 has meant to me. From the inspiring stories of our guests to my own recent experiences, this episode is about the quiet power of showing up - authentically, vulnerably, and even when it’s uncomfortable.
I share the lessons I’ve learned around community building, the courage it takes to ask for help, and how growth often begins in unfamiliar places.
Thank you for being part of this journey. I can’t wait to see you in Season 2. -
In this episode, I sit down with Lana Jelenjev, co-founder of the Neurodiversity Education Academy and an advocate for inclusive, strengths-based learning environments. Lana shares her journey in neurodiversity advocacy, building spaces of belonging, and rethinking education to celebrate individual strengths.
In this episode, we discuss:
🧠 Shifting from "what's wrong" to "what's strong" in neurodiversity.
🌍 Creating truly inclusive learning and workplace environments.
📚 Strengths-based education and motivation.
🎭 How passion-driven learning can unlock potential.
Lana’s approach to inclusion is about empowerment, understanding, and celebrating neurodivergent strengths. Whether you're an educator, a parent, or someone passionate about building inclusive spaces, this conversation is packed with valuable insights.
Be sure to follow Lana and her work here:
Website Lana’s LinkedInNeurodiversity Foundation LinkedInNeurodiversity Education AcademyEmail: [email protected]Podcast produced by Riti Suresh.
-
In this episode, I sit down with Channél Jordan - a creative visionary, digital storyteller, and community builder - to discuss the power of authenticity, fashion, and community. Channél shares her journey from working in the legal field to embracing her passion for fashion history, creative expression, and supporting Black creatives. We explore the nuances of identity, the evolving nature of personal style, and how fashion tells deeper cultural stories.
In this episode, we discuss:
🌎 The importance of authenticity in creative spaces and community building.👕 Fashion as a form of storytelling and identity.💡 The intersection of history, culture, and personal style.🛠 How to overcome fear and take the leap into creative work.🔥 Why supporting marginalized creative communities requires more than just appreciation—it requires financial investment and showing up.Channél’s approach to creative expression is rooted in living your truth and staying true to your mission. Whether you’re a fashion enthusiast, an aspiring creator, or someone looking for inspiration to build an authentic community, this conversation is packed with valuable insights.
Be sure to follow Channél and her work here:
Website: https://channeljordan.com/Instagram: @lovecocojoTwitter: @lovecocojoPinterest: @lovecocojoTikTok: @lovecocojoPodcast produced by Riti Suresh.
-
In this episode, I sit down with Philippe Arnez, high-flow culture coach and founder of Culture4Flow. Philippe is a certified facilitator for the Working Genius model and an expert in fostering organizational health, leadership, and purpose-driven company cultures.
We explore the power of flow in organizations and how leaders can create resilient, high-performing teams by cultivating the right cultural environment.
Our conversation dives deep into:🔹 Philippe’s journey from corporate leadership to founding Culture4Flow.
🔹 What flow science is and how it intersects with organizational health.
🔹 The importance of psychological safety and its role in unlocking high-performance teams.
🔹 How leaders can intentionally design cultures that foster innovation, engagement, and sustainability.
🔹 Why community and shared purpose are key to thriving organizations.Philippe’s insights provide actionable strategies for leaders and teams looking to build cultures where individuals can thrive, innovate, and achieve optimal performance.
Be sure to follow Philippe and his work here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philippearnezWebsite: https://www.culture4flow.com/Podcast produced by Riti Suresh.
- Visa fler
