10X Growth Strategies

In this episode of 10x Growth Strategies, host Preethy Padmanabhan speaks with Vicki Johnson — founder of ProFellow and author of Pitch Your Potential. Vicki shares her proven Match Me formula, a powerful framework for winning competitive jobs, fellowships, awards, and elite opportunities. She opens up about her personal journey, from breaking into top schools to securing globally competitive fellowships, and reveals how anyone can leverage storytelling, clarity of mission, and future-focused narratives to stand out. The conversation covers overcoming mindset challenges, avoiding common mistakes, mastering memorable pitches, and using networks effectively. Vicki also provides insights into her upcoming book, exclusive preorder bonuses, and why pitching your future potential is more powerful than your past accomplishments. This episode is packed with actionable advice for students, professionals, entrepreneurs, and anyone looking to win in highly competitive environments. ⸻ Chapters 00:00 Introduction & Guest Welcome 00:46 Meet Vicki Johnson & ProFellow 01:32 Hidden Opportunities & Human-Centered Strategies 03:13 Early Life & Breaking into Top Schools 04:20 Storytelling to Win Cornell & Fellowships 05:44 Why Future Potential Matters More Than the Past 06:01 The Match Me Formula Explained (7 Elements) 08:35 Matching Mission & Defining Your Goals 09:14 Mindset Challenges: Fear, Comparison & Gatekeepers 13:28 Overcoming Negativity & Finding Supportive Voices 14:20 Defining Goals & Personal Mission for Social Impact 16:07 Midlife Crisis & Reinventing Career Paths 18:03 Common Mistakes in Applications & Researching Missions 20:11 Importance of Future-Focused Applications 21:18 Crafting Memorable Pitches & Elevator Stories 22:30 Networking, Referrals & The Power of LinkedIn 24:22 Storytelling with Anecdotes & Emotional Connection 26:21 Structuring Your Application Story (Past, Future & Selectors) 29:42 Building Confidence Through Future Vision 31:12 Success Story: From Shark Tank to Y Combinator 33:28 Book Release, Preorder Bonuses & ProFellow Platform 35:23 Final Advice: Be a Storyteller of the Future 36:06 Closing Remarks

🚀 What does it take to build a truly AI-native startup? In this episode of the 10X Growth Strategies Podcast, host Preethy Padmanabhan speaks with three visionary founders who are redefining the future of enterprise AI: • Kapil Chhabra – Co-Founder & CPO, WisdomAI • Wen Sang – Co-Founder & COO, Genspark.ai • Leila R. Golchehreh – Co-Founder & CSO, Relaynce AI From hyper-growth journeys to ransomware recovery stories, they share insider lessons on scaling AI-native companies, navigating enterprise adoption, embedding governance and compliance, and why solving your own pain point often leads to the best products. If you’re an entrepreneur, investor, or AI enthusiast, this episode is packed with insights you can’t afford to miss. ⏱ Chapters 00:00 – Introduction by Host Preethy Padmanabhan 00:27 – Kapil Chhabra introduces WisdomAI 00:49 – Wen Sang introduces Genspark.ai 01:00 – Leila Golchehreh introduces Relaynce AI 01:52 – Why Leila started Relaynce AI 03:23 – Wen: AI promotes knowledge workers, not replaces them 04:47 – Kapil: The genesis of WisdomAI and BI tool gaps 06:38 – Enterprise adoption challenges & early demand (Kapil) 07:59 – Leila: From prototype to enterprise-ready product 09:20 – What does “AI-native” really mean? (Kapil) 11:53 – Wen: How AI changed his workflow (“throw it at AI first”) 14:40 – Leila: Balancing innovation with compliance and governance 16:53 – Kapil: Governance must be designed from the start 19:12 – Wen: Real estate client story & compliance lessons 20:46 – Leila: Ransomware recovery customer story 22:14 – Kapil: Cisco case study – saving 2800+ hours 25:02 – Founders’ advice to entrepreneurs 28:06 – Leila: Due diligence on VCs and co-founders 30:39 – Kapil: Pricing experiments – outcome vs usage vs seats 33:15 – Competing with Oracle & big tech in AI 35:34 – Build vs Buy: When to integrate vs build in-house 37:01 – Final takeaways from each founder

In this episode of the 10X Growth Strategies podcast, host Saradha interviews Dr. Edie Goldberg, a renowned talent management expert and co-author of 'The Inside Gig.' With over 20 years of experience in industrial organizational psychology, Dr. Goldberg discusses how companies can unlock untapped talent within their existing workforce. The conversation explores how the concept of 'inside gigs' can transform traditional job postings into dynamic, project-based opportunities. The episode underscores the evolving landscape of work, especially in light of remote work and technological advancements, advocating for a flexible and skills-based approach to talent management. Topics: 00:00 Introduction 00:13 Meet Dr. Edie Goldberg: Talent Management Expert 00:55 The Concept of the Inside Gig 03:46 Implementing the Inside Gig in Organizations 10:56 Real-World Success Stories 16:01 Overcoming Challenges in Talent Mobility 23:51 Future of Internal Talent Mobility 26:26 Actionable Steps for HR Leaders 32:35 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode, Preethy, interviews Anupam, the managing partner and co-founder of Emergent Ventures. Anupam shares his firm's focus on pre-seed and seed-stage investments in enterprise AI, highlighting their strategy against market trends and founder qualities they seek. The discussion delves into the hype versus reality of AI, the importance of orchestration in enterprise applications, and the promising future of various AI-driven sectors. Additionally, the conversation covers due diligence, red flags, and the evolving venture capital landscape amid market corrections. Anupam offers practical advice on raising capital, emphasizes the role of human elements in investment decisions, and reveals the firm's thorough approach to identifying the next big opportunities in AI. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:36 Emergent Ventures and Enterprise AI 02:02 The Hype and Reality of Agent AI 05:57 Selecting the Right Entrepreneurs 11:38 Current State of Venture Capital 16:00 Audience Q&A 22:09 Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts

The podcast features Saradha Sriram, host of *10X Growth Strategies*, interviewing Sonia Hunt, Co-Founder & CEO at Zentāra Ventures | #1 Best-Selling Author | Global Wellness Speaker Sonia Hunt, author of the transformative book "Nut Job" and a globally recognized speaker who's helping leaders worldwide unlock peak performance through health and wellness strategies. In this episode of the 10 X Growth Strategies podcast, host Shahara interviews Sonya Hunt, an author and globally recognized speaker, who shares her transformative journey from a childhood fraught with severe food allergies to becoming a wellness authority. Sonya discusses her early diagnosis, the challenges she faced, and the holistic, integrative healthcare approach that led to her eventual remission. She details the development of her 3-2-B method (Be Safe, Be Healthy, Be Well), and talks about the significant role of gut health in her recovery. This conversation highlights the importance of a comprehensive wellness strategy that encompasses physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health, aiming to inspire others facing similar challenges. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:38 Sonya's Early Life and Health Challenges 04:18 The Turning Point: 2008 Anaphylaxis Incident 07:30 Developing the 3-2-B Method 10:13 Holistic Health and Healing Journey 18:52 Achieving Remission and Medical Miracles 27:04 Thriving Beyond Allergies 31:18 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

This episode features our host Preethy Padmanabhan in conversation with Matthew E. Polimeno, the author of the book Inflate your chance for success and the foreword contributor Praveen Sahay, Managing Director, WAVE Equity Partners Inflate Your Chances for Success is a practical handbook aimed at startups and entrepreneurs, authored by Matthew E. Polimeno, an experienced operating partner and expert in operational excellence. This book serves as a comprehensive guide to navigating the due diligence process during fundraising and positioning startups for long-term success. Chapters of the conversation - - Introduction 00:06 Highlights from career journey 05:30 What you don’t know you don’t know - Key takeaways for startup fund raising 7:30 The purpose of due diligence 11:30 Startup survival to scale 16:30 Mentoring for startup leaders - Setting up for success 18:30 Thinking outside-in 19:00 Examples of successful startups 28:30 Final Insights

The podcast features Saradha Sriram, host of 10X Growth Strategies, interviewing Vlad Moskovski , CEO | Executive Coach and Culture Designer Vlad Moskovski transforms conscious leaders into visionary architects of growth as their organizations evolve and transform. A 3x founder and leadership development expert with 15+ years of experience, he uniquely blends hands-on operational expertise with deep psychological insight through both coaching and strategic consulting. - Taking a holistic approach, Vlad works simultaneously at three levels: - The leader's mindset, executive presence, somatic & emotional intelligence - The leadership team's alignment and collective effectiveness - The organization's systems, culture, and strategic execution His frameworks have empowered 30+ organizations through programs like The Circulars Accelerator, Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship, Alchemist Accelerator, and HAAS Business School Topics: 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:43 Discovering 'The Body Keeps the Score' 01:47 Trauma's Impact on Leadership 06:10 Somatic Awareness in Coaching 12:41 Psychological Safety in Teams 19:47 Navigating Vulnerability in Leadership 25:46 Practical Advice for Emerging Leaders 28:43 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The podcast features Arthi Vijayaraghavan, host of *10X Growth Strategies*, interviewing Ms.Rachael O’Meara author of the book “pause”. The book Pause: Harnessing the Life-Changing Power of Giving Yourself a Break by Rachael O’Meara is about the transformative value of intentionally stepping back—pausing—to reflect, realign, and reset your personal and professional life. “A pause is not just time off. It’s time in. It’s your opportunity to reflect, regroup, and rediscover what really matters.” – Rachael O’Meara Topics: 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 01:55 Rachel O'Mara's Journey to Discovering the Power of Pause 07:21 The Importance of Emotional Intelligence 10:38 Practical Tips for Implementing Pauses 20:04 Emotional Intelligence and Leadership 25:01 Free Resources and Conclusion

This episode features our host Preethy Padmanabhan in conversation with authors of the book Sail to Scale: Steer Your Startup Clear of Mistakes from Launch to Exit. The book is a practical guide for entrepreneurs, written by Mona Sabet, Heather Jerrehian, and Maria Fernandez Guajardo. The book draws on the authors’ collective experience as successful entrepreneurs, executives, and investors to help founders avoid the most common pitfalls that cause startups to fail Sail to Scale is designed for prospective and early-stage entrepreneurs, as well as anyone involved in the startup ecosystem. Its lessons, though often illustrated with SaaS and tech examples, are broadly applicable to a wide range of businesses. The book stands out for its clear organization, visual metaphors, and focus on both what to do and what not to do at each stage of growth Topics: 00:00 Welcome to the 100th Episode of 10X 01:00 Heather's Inspiring Career Journey 02:57 Mona's Multifaceted Career Path 05:43 Maria's AI-Driven Mission 07:19 The Birth of 'Sale to Scale' 12:15 Key Lessons from the Launch Phase 20:18 Navigating the Pivot Wave with Hitch 24:46 Scaling Companies: The 10X Growth Mindset 25:23 Paradoxes of Scaling: Leadership and Focus 29:07 Hiring Strategies for Scaling Companies 29:48 The Importance of Avoiding Single Points of Failure 30:03 Turnover in Scaling Companies: A Necessary Challenge 30:47 The Final Wave: Navigating Exits and Acquisitions 39:05 AI's Impact on Launch Phases and MVPs 42:05 Distribution Fit: The Key to Market Success 44:07 Final Thoughts: Diverse Paths to Success

In this powerful episode of the 10X Growth Strategies podcast, host Saradha Sriram speaks with Naren Shanker — serial entrepreneur and co-founder of Hosted AI — on the transformative power of inner work, mindfulness, and navigating entrepreneurship through intuition. Drawing from his journey and the teachings of The Journey Within by Sri Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Naren offers real-world insights on aligning purpose with profession, cultivating resilience, and the true cost (and reward) of self-awareness. If you’re seeking clarity, calm, and grounded success in a world of noise — this is the conversation for you. 📌 Timestamps 00:00 – Intro & Guest Welcome 01:02 – Naren's Leap into Entrepreneurship 03:30 – Freedom vs. Structure in Startup Life 04:45 – The Reality of Founding: 80/20 Days 06:10 – Discovering The Journey Within 07:20 – The Immediate Impact of Breathwork 08:55 – Inner Work and Human Potential 11:15 – “iPOD” – Inner Peace, Outer Dynamism 12:50 – The Scientist & Boatman Story 15:00 – When Work Misaligns with Values 17:35 – Impulsive vs. Intuitive Decisions 19:00 – Developing Mental Hygiene 20:30 – The Role of Intuition in Innovation 23:45 – Gut Decisions in Reen’s Career 25:40 – Measuring Social & Ethical Impact 27:20 – Structured Purpose vs. Impulse 30:10 – Volunteering with Intention 32:00 – Live Reading from The Journey Within 35:20 – The Myth of Rest and Overwork 38:00 – Daily Stress & the Mental Dents We Ignore 41:30 – Three Pillars: Clarity, Purity, Sincerity 42:50 – Final Reflections & Takeaways

We are excited to present this live panel moderated by our host Preethy Padmanabhan. "Unleashing AI startups in Climate", features the following successful entrepreneurs with a climate tech background. Aimee Gotway BaileyRock RabbitDivya DematoGoodOpsReetu GuptaKaran ChopraEarthena AI AI startups are uniquely positioned to accelerate climate action, offering scalable, data-driven solutions that can reshape industries and help achieve net-zero goals. By harnessing the power of AI, these startups are not only mitigating climate risks but also unlocking new opportunities for a sustainable future 00:00 Introduction and Host Welcome 00:14 Panelist Introductions 01:03 Panelist Backgrounds and Climate Journeys 04:38 Challenges and Opportunities in Climate Work 13:58 Measuring Impact in Climate Tech 22:06 Energy Efficiency and Modernization 22:42 Climate Tech and AI Integration 23:43 Superpowers in Sustainability 26:34 Entrepreneurial Journeys in Climate Tech 29:54 Fundraising Strategies and Challenges 33:43 Impact of Policy and Economic Conditions on Climate

We are excited to present this live panel moderated by our host Preethy Padmanabhan. In this live panel "Navigating the Fintech Frontier: VC Insights for 2025 and Beyond", an insightful panel featuring prominent venture capitalists and successful entrepreneurs with a fintech background. ​The fintech landscape is poised for significant transformation in 2025, presenting both challenges and opportunities for venture capitalists. This panel will explore the latest trends, investment strategies, and emerging technologies shaping the future of financial technology. This panel offers a unique opportunity for founders and startup teams to gain insider knowledge from industry leaders guiding the next generation of high-growth fintech ventures. 00:00 Introduction and Host Welcome 00:22 Panelist Introductions 03:57 Journey into Venture Capital 04:58 FinTech Investment Trends and Outlook 12:27 Advice for Entrepreneurs 15:21 Identifying and Supporting Unicorns 20:33 Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

The podcast features Saradha Sriram, host of 10X Growth Strategies, interviewing Paul Singh, who is one of the researchers for the book Billions Dollar Lessons, and is the CEO of 1Gen, a social innovation organization with a diverse portfolio. Paul shares his journey into studying business failures and the valuable insights gained from researching colossal business mishaps. Paul emphasizes the relevance of learning from failures and how modern businesses can avoid similar pitfalls. Tune in to discover how the Devil's Advocate approach can stress-test strategies and ensure sustainable business success. Topics: 00:00 Introduction 00:28 Discussing 'Billion Dollar Lessons' 03:22 The Synergy Myth 04:23 Importance of People and Culture in Mergers 06:03 Learning from Market Disruptions 09:24 The Devil's Advocate Approach 14:02 Practical Applications and Modern Context 20:02 Final Thoughts and Future Implications 25:34 Conclusion and Gratitude

In this episode of the 10X Growth Strategies Podcast, host Arthi Vijayaraghavan introduces Saania Saxena, the young author of 'Teenage Chronicles'. Saania delves into the emotional rollercoaster experienced by teenagers, touching on themes like insecurities, love, and anxiety. 'Teenage Chronicles' has gained significant acclaim, ranking among the top 15 bestsellers in Indian airports. Saania, who has traveled to over 50 countries and is pursuing marketing at the University of Washington, Seattle, shares her journey of writing the book and learning about self-acceptance. She also discusses how interviews with friends from various cultural backgrounds contributed to the book. Arthi and Saania explore the impact of heartfelt quotes and the importance of friendships. Saania recommends two influential books, 'The Forty Rules of Love' and 'The Midnight Library,' which have shaped her philosophical outlook. The episode is a deep dive into the emotional growth and wisdom gained through writing and friendships. 00:00 Introduction 00:37 Saania's Background and Achievements 01:33 The Inspiration Behind Teenage Chronicles 02:53 Exploring Themes in Teenage Chronicles 05:31 Interviewing Friends and Cultural Insights 09:19 Boys vs. Girls: Emotional Expression 16:04 The Importance of Friendships 23:32 Tools for Managing Emotions 24:47 Recommended Books and Closing Remarks

Join host Madhavi Ravanan in the latest episode of the 10x Growth Strategies podcast featuring Anoop Bhaskaran. Anoop shares his fascinating professional journey, his passion for reading, and delves deep into Ed Catmull's 'Creativity Inc.' Discover the intriguing backstories of Pixar’s creation, the visionary leadership of Steve Jobs, and the impactful concept of the 'Brain Trust'. A conversation filled with inspiring quotes, personal anecdotes, and actionable insights for both professional and personal growth. Don't miss this engaging episode packed with the secrets behind Pixar's stupendous success! Topics 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:44 Anoop's Background and Career Journey 01:42 Anoop's Reading Habits 05:20 Discussion on 'Creativity Inc.' 07:04 The Pixar Story and Key Figures 21:25 The Brain Trust Concept 26:07 Favorite Quotes and Closing Thoughts

The podcast features Arthi Vijayaraghavan, host of 10X Growth Strategies, interviewing Ms.Laura Dansbury the VP Product & UX at Study.com. They discuss the book “Take back your power” by Ms.Deborah Liu with. The book lays down ten rules for women to take back their power at work. It showcases how women knowingly or unknowingly let got of their power at work and suggests ways to take it back. Topics: 00:00 Introduction 01:07 Impact of 'Take Back Your Power' 03:03 Defining Power and Personal Reflections 05:45 Revoking Free Passes: Personal Stories 13:34 Building and Acknowledging Support Networks 25:18 Reflecting on Lifelong Friendships 25:40 Building and Defining Your Legacy 28:14 Coaching and Mentoring Aspirations 30:16 Finding and Using Your Voice 41:37 Navigating Career Setbacks 47:48 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

The podcast features Saradha Sriram, host of *10X Health*, interviewing Jaspreet Khokhar an IT Professional in Philadelphia. Join Jaspreet as he shares his transformative journey through organ donation – from confronting life's biggest challenges to embracing a second chance at life. It is a story of courage, hope, and new beginnings. Topic: 00:00 Introduction 01:05 Jaspreet's Initial Diagnosis 02:33 Emotional Journey to Acceptance 06:00 Preparing for Transplant 06:12 Living with Dialysis 18:22 Family and Support System 22:13 Clearing Misconceptions about Organ Donation 27:08 Proactive Steps for Organ Donation 31:33 Life After Transplant 35:24 Conclusion and Gratitude

Our first episode of 2025 will feature the Indian epic "Mahabharata" which is authored by Sage Vedavyasa. Our host, Preethy Padmanabhan guides an inspiring conversation with Tatyana Mamut, Co-founder and CEO of Wayfound. They discuss the concept of Dharma (duty, moral law) that plays a central role in the Mahabharata. Tatyana was the Board Director and Chair of Comp Committee for UserTesting's IPO on NYSE. She is a leader and builder of successful new products & businesses at Nextdoor, Amazon, Salesforce, IDEO, and Pendo. She has 15 patents & patents pending for technology inventions, including 5 for GenerativeAI innovations. Topics: 00:00 Introduction to Leadership and Time 00:48 Welcome to 10x Growth Strategies Podcast 01:15 Guest Introduction: Tatyana Mamut 01:54 Tatyana's Personal Journey 04:09 Exploring the Mahabharata 07:29 Leadership Lessons from the Mahabharata 10:58 Key Takeaways on Leadership 15:40 Understanding Dharma and Duty 25:07 Lessons from Arjuna 34:11 Self-Awareness and Overcoming Failures 38:40 Final Words of Wisdom Read the book: Amazon - https://a.co/d/gyKPLHi Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahabharata

The podcast features Saradha Sriram, host of *10X Growth Strategies*, interviewing Sujatha Jayagopal, MD Strategic Sales, Accenture. They discuss Behavioral personality types, communication strategies, leadership and management, and personal growth. Topics: 00:00 Introduction 00:23 First Impressions of 'Surrounded by Idiots' 01:07 Sujata's Journey and Career Background 03:37 Personality Types and Workplace Dynamics 07:59 Humor and Misunderstandings in Professional Settings 17:14 Women in Sales and Stand-Up Comedy 22:40 Empathy and Listening in Human Behavior 25:08 Conclusion and Gratitude

This episode features Madhavi Ravanan, a guest host of “10X Growth Strategies” in conversation with Kush Kochgaway - R&D Head for Enterprise Products at Nokia about the book The Psychology of Money. “The Psychology of Money” explores the psychological factors influencing our financial decisions. The podcast delves into Kush’s insights, experiences and lessons on personal finance around the themes shared in the book. Topics: 00:00 Introduction 00:49 Discussing 'The Psychology of Money' 02:39 The Power of Compounding 03:32 Personal Financial Journey 11:07 Key Takeaways from the Book 14:33 Impact of Market Crashes 19:07 Advice for the Younger Generation 21:11 Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts