Best Harvard Innovation Labs Podcasts (2024)

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46 - The Myth of Perfect Research: Why Customer Conversations Matter More with Harvard Innovation Labs' Rob Snyder 23:47

16h ago23:47

23:47

Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the Co-Founder of Harvard Innovation Labs, Rob Snyder. Rob shares his experiences, highlighting the challenges faced after raising venture capital and the importance of understanding customer needs. He warns against relying too heavily on theoretical advice and the pitfalls of "larping" in startups. Emphasizing…

1
45 - The Art of Intentional Design: Creating Products That Resonate with Users with Penlo Parc's Alexandra Candelas 27:26

3d ago27:26

27:26

Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the Co-Founder of Penlo Parc, Alexandra Candelas. Alexandra shares her extensive experience in visual design, innovative technology, and user experience (UX). She covers the importance of differentiation in product design, the role of user experience, and the challenges of being a first mover versus a second mo…

1
44 - The Importance of Resilience and Community in Startup Success with Strongroom Solutions' Justin Nelson 24:55

8d ago24:55

24:55

Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the Co-Founder of Strongroom Solutions, Justin Nelson. Justin discusses his early career as a consultant, founding Strongroom Solutions, and its eventual acquisition by AvidXchange. He shares insights on the challenges of starting a business, product management, and customer success metrics. Justin introduces h…

1
43 - Securing the Future: Why Cybersecurity Should Be a Top Priority for Tech Founders with Cycore Secure's Kevin Barona 24:01

10d ago24:01

24:01

Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the CEO and Founder of Cycore Secure, Kevin Barona. Kevin shares his journey from working as a legislative aide to becoming a cybersecurity expert. He emphasizes the importance of cybersecurity compliance for early-stage tech companies, discussing frameworks like SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, and HIPAA. Kevin highlig…

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42 - Empowering Small Businesses Through Innovative Platforms with Jugl's Arun Prasad Jaganathan 24:47

15d ago24:47

24:47

Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the Co-Founder and CTO of Jugl, Arun Prasad Jaganathan. Arun Prasad discusses the operational challenges small businesses face and how Jugl provides a comprehensive solution. Arun Prasad shares insights on Jugl's user engagement strategies, data analysis, and the importance of a seamless onboarding process. He …

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41 - Enhancing Safety and Efficiency in Heavy Industries Through Technology with First Mode's Alex Bertram 21:21

17d ago21:21

21:21

Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the Growth Leader at First Mode, Alex Bertram. Alex discusses the application of technology in heavy industries, focusing on safety, cost, volume, and sustainability. Alex emphasizes the importance of meticulous testing and implementation of new technologies in harsh environments to avoid catastrophic failures.…

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40 - Bridging the Tech Gap: How AI Can Transform Traditional Industries with Ahmed Khan 39:49

22d ago39:49

39:49

Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the CTO, Sr. Manager, Lead, and Mobile Architect, Ahmed Khan. Ahmed discusses the evolving landscape of AI, particularly generative AI, and its impact on startups. He highlights the diverse perceptions of AI, the technological advancements that have enabled generative AI, and the challenges and opportunities it…

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39 - Sound Therapy: The Future of Mental Health and Personal Development with Steve Ardire 27:42

25d ago27:42

27:42

Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the AI Startup Advisor, Steve Ardire. Steve discusses his work with Omega Human, a startup using neuromodulation through sound frequencies for personal growth and spiritual development. He explains the challenges of identifying successful startups, the importance of clinical validation, and the potential of sof…

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38 - Personalization at Scale: Using AI to Enhance Sales Engagement with xiQ's Usman Sheikh 22:48

1M ago22:48

22:48

Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the Founder and CEO of xiQ, Usman Sheikh. xiQ is an AI-powered platform for B2B sales and marketing. Usman explains how xiQ integrates AI with behavioral science and psychology to create personalized sales communications. The platform leverages data about individuals and companies to help salespeople craft tail…

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37 - Accessibility Revolution: Transforming Products for Everyone with Meryl Evans 30:13

1M ago30:13

30:13

Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the CEO, Professional Speaker, Trainer, Global Accessibility Consultant, and Digital Marketing Consultant, Meryl Evans. Meryl is a deaf influencer and educator. She discusses the significance of accessibility and inclusive marketing. Meryl, who uses a cochlear implant and captions, shares her expertise on how b…

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36 - The Best Strategies for Converting Free Users into Paying Customer with inLinks' Dixon Jones 25:28

1M ago25:28

25:28

Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the CEO of inLinks, Dixon Jones. Dixon discusses his professional journey, the evolution of InLinks, and the strategic use of the freemium model in SaaS. Dixon explains InLinks' entity-based SEO approach, which focuses on understanding the context of terms rather than just keywords. He discusses how InLinks hel…

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35 - Franchising 2.0: How AI is Revolutionizing Franchise Development with Sales Chatz' David Stein and Kylon Gustin 24:47

1M ago24:47

24:47

Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the CEO and Co-Founder of Sales Chatz, David Stein, and the CTO and Co-Founder of Sales Chatz, Kylon Gustin. David and Kylon discuss their innovative use of artificial intelligence (AI) in digital marketing for franchise brands. They explore the unique challenges of franchise marketing, emphasizing the importan…

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34 - Transformational Roadmaps: Your Guide to Effective Product Development with Product Blocks' Piotr Kacala 22:52

1M ago22:52

22:52

Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the CTO at Displate, Product Coach, and Product Leader of Product Blocks, Piotr Kacala. Piotr Kacala is a seasoned web development and software engineering expert. Piotr, formerly the CTO of a European marketplace for metal posters, now advises tech companies and champion teams to apologize. Piotr centers on cr…

1
33 - Unlocking Restaurant Success: The Power of Data in Pricing and Promotions with JUICER's Ashwin Kamlani 24:04

1M ago24:04

24:04

Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the Co-Founder and CEO of JUICER, Ashwin Kamlani. Ashwin discusses his background in e-commerce and the challenges the restaurant industry faces in adopting technology. He explains how JUICER helps restaurants with data-driven solutions to optimize pricing and profitability. Ashwin covers the impact of COVID-19…

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32 - Revolutionizing Payments: Changing the Game for Software Companies with Tilled's Caleb Avery 25:52

2M ago25:52

25:52

Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the Founder and CEO of Tilled, Caleb Avery. Caleb shares his extensive background in financial services and the journey that led to founding Tilled, a company that helps SaaS businesses monetize credit card transactions. The discussion covers the challenges vertical software companies face in payment processing…

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31 - Leveraging Venture-Driven Growth and Removing Barriers to Scale with Apollo 21's Danny Nathan 33:19

2M ago33:19

33:19

Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the Founder and CEO of Apollo 21, Danny Nathan. Danny shares insights on fostering innovation within organizations, emphasizing the need for dedicated resources and a collaborative culture. He discusses Apollo 21's approach, which combines product design, venture building, and management consulting to help comp…

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30 - The Power of Agile: Transforming Product Management and Technical Support with DISA Global Solutions' Sharlene Cooper 34:09

2M ago34:09

34:09

Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the Sr. Director of Products at DISA Global Solutions, Sharlene Cooper. Sharlene discusses her journey into product management, emphasizing the importance of agile methodologies and building strong teams. She shares insights on transitioning to agile practices, overcoming initial resistance, and fostering a col…

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29 - Navigating the Evolving Dynamics of Digital Marketing with Kalicube's Jason Barnard 26:54

2M ago26:54

26:54

Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the CEO and Founder of Kalicube, Jason Barnard. Jason discusses the evolving landscape of digital marketing, and provides a wealth of insights into the importance of productizing services, understanding Google's algorithms, and the strategic approaches necessary for effective digital marketing. Jason emphasized…

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28 - The Ultimate Guide to Navigating the Shift from Sales-Led to Product-Led Growth with Dealfront's Vincent Jong 23:08

2M ago23:08

23:08

Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the VP of Product of Dealfront, Vincent Jong. Vincent emphasized the importance of a fundamental mindset shift when moving from a sales-led approach to a product-led approach. In a sales-led company, product usage data often exists but is not integrated into the go-to-market strategy. In contrast, a product-led…

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27 - The Spiritual Journey of Entrepreneurship: Finding Purpose Beyond Financial Success with Simplero's Calvin Correli 28:01

2M ago28:01

28:01

Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the Founder and CEO of Simplero, Calvin Correli. Calvin shares insights on the intersection of spirituality and entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of aligning business with one's life purpose. He discusses his journey from a software developer to creating an integrated platform for courses and coachin…

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26 - Unleashing the Power of Data and Design: Strategies for Sustainable Growth with Prefect Technologies' Sarah Bedell 28:33

2M ago28:33

28:33

Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the Director of Growth Marketing at Prefect Technologies, Sarah Bedell. Perfect Technologies is a workflow orchestration tool designed to help technical teams manage their code more efficiently. Sarah highlights the importance of open-source products in the developer tooling space, noting that open-source can s…

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25 - Revolutionizing Clinical Trials: Harnessing the Power of AI with TrialKey's Saurabh Jain 26:03

2M ago26:03

26:03

Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the Executive Chairman of TrialKey, Saurabh Jain. Saurabh Jain's career trajectory is a testament to the power of diverse experiences. Starting as a software engineer, he founded a tech startup that he later sold to Telstra, Australia's equivalent of AT&T. His journey took an unexpected turn into sales, where h…

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24 - Navigating the Complexities of Finding the Right Outsourcing Partners with Outforce's Sean Languedoc 24:48

2M ago24:48

24:48

Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the Founder and CEO of Outforce, Sean Languedoc. Sean, an experienced entrepreneur and sales CEO, shared his deep understanding of outsourcing, the critical nature of product-market fit, and the nuances of different service providers. Outsourcing can be both beneficial and challenging for many companies. While …

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23 - Understanding the Job to Be Done: A Key to Successful Product-Led Growth with Winning by Design's Dave Boyce 26:24

3M ago26:24

26:24

Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the Executive Chairperson of Winning by Design, Dave Boyce. Dave highlights the rapid evolution of the PLG landscape. Despite its significant impact on the industry, there is still a considerable gap in understanding and documentation of PLG strategies. This gap presents an opportunity for companies to gain a c…

1
22 - Revolutionizing Sales and Product Awareness: A Startup's Path to Success with Gartner's David Yockelson 23:02

3M ago23:02

23:02

Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the Distinguished VP of Gartner, David Yockelson. David defines PLG as a strategy that emphasizes the product as the primary driver of customer acquisition, expansion, and retention. However, he clarifies that PLG is not solely about self-serve models. Instead, it often involves a hybrid approach that integrate…

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21 - Exploring the Reliability and Flexibility of Ad Tracking Solutions with CPV One's Julia Draghici 24:59

3M ago24:59

24:59

Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the Co-Founder and CEO of CPV One, Julia Draghici. Julia's companies, CPV One and CPV Labs are ad-tracking platforms designed for performance marketers. These platforms help users track, optimize, and test their marketing campaigns, providing a comprehensive view of their marketing efforts. CPV Labs is a self-h…

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20 - Unleashing the Power of Product-Led Growth in B2B Enterprises with Zuora's Dana Yobst 26:54

3M ago26:54

26:54

Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the Head of Growth of Zuora, Dana Yobst. Dana emphasizes that the growth department is a unique entity that sits at the intersection of product, marketing, and sales. This department is crucial for driving a go-to-market motion that effectively combines these three groups. Product Management focuses on understa…

1
19 - Mastering the Mindset: Empowering Product Managers and Product Owners through Deep Thinking and Credibility with Jason Dadah 22:59

3M ago22:59

22:59

Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the Fractional CPO, Automation Champion in AI enablement, and Product-led Growth, Jason Dadah. Jason brings a unique perspective to the table, having served as a chief product officer at Gate List, a mortgage AI company, and as a product owner at various companies. His journey through the startup landscape and …

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18 - Unveiling the Power of Product Ops: A Deep Dive into Enhancing Product Management with HCSS' Tiffany Murphree 25:58

4M ago25:58

25:58

Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the Product Operation Manager of HCSS, Tiffany Murphree. Product Ops, or Product Operations, is a term that's gaining traction, yet it's defined differently across various organizations. At its core, Product Ops serves the product management department, aiming to streamline efficiency and enhance communication …

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17 - Designing for Impact: Unleashing the Potential of Product-Led Growth with Alison Ostendorf 21:03

4M ago21:03

21:03

Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the Product Design, Usability, and DesignOps Consultant and Co-chair of Women In Product, Houston, Alison Ostendorf. Alison peeled back the layers of Product-Led Growth (PLG) and its transformative impact on the tech industry. Alison brings a fresh perspective from the design world, challenging the status quo o…

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16 - The Evolution of Startup Funding: Navigating Trends and Challenges with Foundersuite's Nathan Beckord 21:27

4M ago21:27

21:27

Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the CEO of Foundersuite, Nathan Beckord. Venture capital is not a game of chance; it's a strategic decision-making process guided by a VC's thesis. This thesis is the bedrock of their investment choices, influenced by industry trends, personal expertise, and market predictions. Nathan shed light on the importan…

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15 - The Most Affordable and Effective Psychometric Assessments for Hiring and Development with TRG International's Rick Yvanovich 33:25

4M ago33:25

33:25

Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the CEO and Founder of TRG International, Rick Yvanovich. Rick's journey is nothing short of remarkable. He discussed his experiences from the early days of computing, a time when technology was in its nascent stages, to the current era dominated by cloud computing and Software as a Service (SaaS). His story is…

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33. Deb Eschmeyer, Original Strategies 30:45

4M ago30:45

30:45

A food systems policy expert and social impact entrepreneur, Deb Eschmeyer has dedicated her career to the betterment of society. From co-founding the national nonprofit Food Corps, to serving as Executive Director of Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!” initiative, and driving change in the food industry, her efforts have permanently influenced the way …

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14 - Navigating the Dynamics of Change Management in Driving Organizational Change with SAP's S V Prasad Gandhikota 30:59

5M ago30:59

30:59

Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the Compliance Ambassador and Senior Business Advisor of SAP, S V Prasad Gandhikota. Prasad's professional odyssey began in 1995 after graduating with a technology degree from Bombay University, India. His early career was rooted in supply chain management and manufacturing, which laid a solid foundation for hi…

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32. Olivia Thomas, Boston Medical Center and Rewire Health 34:25

5M ago34:25

34:25

Olivia Thomas is a registered dietitian, entrepreneur, and the co-founder of “Rewire Health”, a culinary medicine platform that simplifies healthy home cooking and expands access to teaching kitchens. In this episode, Olivia shares her experiences building a culinary medicine startup, including how active listening and a multidisciplinary approach …

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13 - Exploring the Importance of Incorporating Accountability into the Digital Space with The Authenticity Alliance's Wes Kussmaul 30:24

5M ago30:24

30:24

Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the President of The Authenticity Alliance, Wes Kussmaul. In 1981, long before the term "social media" entered our lexicon, Delphi Corporation began an ambitious project to create a digital encyclopedia. Wes Kussmaul recounted the company's fascinating evolution from a knowledge repository to a social media pla…

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31. Jack Bobo, University of Nottingham Food Systems Institute 34:13

5M ago34:13

34:13

Jack Bobo is the Director of the University of Nottingham’s Food Systems Institute which brings together transdisciplinary researchers to address some of the most pressing food systems challenges. He is also the author of the 2021 book “Why smart people make bad food choices.” In this episode, Jack shares how breaking down silos can foster collabor…

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12 - Understanding the Power of Neuromarketing in Product Design with RemotelyMe's Bill Reed 22:05

5M ago22:05

22:05

Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the Board Director of RemotelyMe, Bill Reed. Bill broke down marketing into three distinct areas: demand generation, product marketing, and strategic marketing. Demand generation encompasses social media, advertising, email marketing, and SEO, all aimed at creating awareness and attention. Product marketing, on…

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30. Salaam Bhatti, Food Research and Action Center 33:36

5M ago33:36

33:36

Salaam Bhatti is the SNAP Director at the Food Research and Action Center, a 501(c)(3) that uses advocacy and strategic partnerships to improve the health and well-being of people struggling against poverty-related hunger in the United States. Tune in to learn how to bring together diverse perspectives, challenge established norms, and seek innovat…

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11 - Exploring the Impact of Hyper-Focused Product Management with Product Houston's Wade Pinder 30:10

5M ago30:10

30:10

Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the Founder of Product Houston, Wade Pinder. Wade's path into product management is a testament to his dedication to the Houston community. He shared the unique challenges and solutions that the city presents, highlighting the differences in product management methodologies. But what stood out was the emphasis …

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10 - Innovating Webinars: Exploring the Evolution of Product and Design Collaboration with Hubilo's Shailesh Hegde 21:09

6M ago21:09

21:09

Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the VP of Product and Design of Hubilo, Shailesh Hegde. Shailesh's story is particularly inspiring. Starting with an engineering degree, Shailesh cut his teeth in the software testing realm, working for giants like Siemens and Nokia. Shailesh's pursuit of growth led him to a master's degree in the US and a stin…

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9 - Exploring the Evolving Landscape of E-commerce and AI in Strategy and Design with Kendra Scott's Brad Power 21:28

6M ago21:28

21:28

Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the Senior Director of Digital Product and User Experience of Kendra Scott, Brad Power. Brad's journey into the realm of product management is a testament to the power of customer-centric thinking. His career began in a call center, where he honed his skills in customer retention. This experience laid the found…

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29. Christopher Gardner, Stanford School of Medicine 34:55

6M ago34:55

34:55

Dr. Christopher Gardner is a nutrition scientist focused on what foods to eat and what foods to avoid for optimal health, as well as the forces that can successfully motivate people to improve their food and beverage behaviors. His recent research interests include: “stealth nutrition,” which focuses on shifting diets through the integration of non…

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8 - Unlocking the Power of Data: A Game-Changer for Understanding Customer Behavior with Funnelytics' Mikael Dia 27:29

6M ago27:29

27:29

Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the Founder of Funnelytics, Mikael Dia. Mikael's journey with Funnelytics started when he was running a marketing agency. He identified a clear market need for a tool that visualizes marketing strategies and data while tracking the intricate paths customers navigate across various online platforms. This led to …

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7 - The Casino Conundrum: Navigating Innovation and Regulation with Caesars Sportsbook & Casino's Thomas Palaio 22:43

6M ago22:43

22:43

Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the Product Operations Lead of iGaming of Caesars Sportsbook & Casino, Thomas Palaio. Thomas's career trajectory is a testament to the evolution of a tech professional. Starting with hands-on roles such as help desk support, he quickly moved into the realm of DevOps and cloud technologies at a time when continu…

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28. Wendy Lopez and Jessica Jones, Diabetes Digital 29:03

6M ago29:03

29:03

Wendy Lopez and Jessica Jones are nationally recognized Registered Dietitians and Certified Diabetes Educators. They are the founders of Food Heaven – a multimedia platform originally founded for women and communities of color experiencing barriers to food, healthcare and nutrition education - and the newly launched Diabetes Digital - a trusted sou…

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6 - Understanding the Problem Space: Key to Successful Product Development with Applied Systems' Vijay Rengarajan 23:43

6M ago23:43

23:43

Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the Director of Product Management of Applied Systems, Vijay Rengarajan. Vijay's journey began in programming and evolved through a business analyst role at Tata Consultancy Services. His experience in the insurance domain laid the foundation for his customer-centric approach. In 2016, he transitioned to produc…

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27. Clancy Cash Harrison, Food Dignity Movement 32:00

7M ago32:00

32:00

Clancy Cash Harrison is a food equity advocate, registered dietitian, TEDx speaker, and international thought leader who challenges the way food insecurity is approached and discussed. Her mission to demolish the stigma around food access places her on the cutting edge of advocacy. Clancy is the founder of the Food Dignity® Movement, a strategic pr…

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5 - Unleashing the Power of Heart-Centric Branding: A Paradigm Shift for Businesses with Viim's Steph Hilfer 21:26

7M ago21:26

21:26

Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the Owner and Creative Director of Viim, Steph Hilfer. Steph spoke on what heart-centric branding truly means. It's an approach that goes beyond the transactional aspects of business and focuses on creating a genuine connection with consumers. Heart-centric branding is about tapping into the authentic core of a…

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26. Walter Willett, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health 34:04

7M ago34:04

34:04

Dr. Walter Willett is a physician and Professor of Epidemiology and Nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. He also co-chairs the EAT-Lancet Commission, a group of 37 world-leading scientists working to determine how to provide a healthy diet for a future population of 10 billion people while respecting planetary boundaries. Dr.…

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