Podcast
How I Got Here
Hosted by Swami Venkataramani · EN
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Shwetha Mangal (Part 2) — Strength Training & Breaking Cultural Myths That Keep Us Unhealthy
Feb 1200:52:26Tap to summarizeThis is Part 2 of our conversation with Shwetha Mangal. Here is Part 1 if you missed it:Shwetha is a women’s health and fitness coach who runs Strength with Shwetha and coaches through The Boss Body Revolution. She has a community of over 50K followers sharing fitness insights for South Asian women.In this second half, we dig deeper into some practical questions:Can you eat whatever you want if you work out? How do you lose belly fat? Is it OK to lift heavy weights when you’re older?The best sources of protein for vegetarians Shwetha talks about her own struggles with the all-or-nothing mindset in her career, shares how she’s teaching her kids that “attitude is everything,” and reminds us why self-care isn’t just bubble baths and massages…it’s taking care of your physical, mental, and emotional health.Are you subscribed yet? Don’t miss future episodes. Subscribe to stay in the loop.Brought to you by QTR — The cortisol-reducing productivity plannerTopics We Discussed* Can you eat whatever you want if you work out regularly?* Exercise vs. food: Are they really independent?* Why exercise isn’t punishment for eating* What a vegetarian fitness coach eats daily* The six main protein sources for vegetarians* How Shwetha preps her meals for the week* The truth about losing belly fat* Perimenopause, menopause, and muscle loss* Why women start losing muscle after age 23* Cultural fear-mongering: “Don’t color your hair or you’ll get white hair”* Living for today vs. worrying about tomorrow* The “always something” mindset vs. the all-or-nothing mindset* Being okay with being imperfect* Teaching kids it’s okay to mess up* Controlling what you can control * Self-care beyond nails and massages* Breaking self-care into small, doable pieces* The power of genuine representationInsights from Shwetha“Even broccoli in excess is bad for you. Water can kill you in excess, right? No matter what your age, weight, height, sex, gender, sexual orientation, everybody should move their body. Everybody should exercise.” — Shwetha“Exercise is not like a punishment for eating or eating is not like an award for exercising, right? They are two totally independent facets of your life.” — Shwetha“Life is too short to not eat biryani or chocolate. So yes, enjoy your food, but at the same time, there’s moderation, right? Eat your vegetables also, drink your water as well.” — Shwetha“It is easier to eat 500 calories less if somebody wants to lose weight than to burn 500 calories. Because when you expend more energy, you eat more. That’s why you’ll see ultra marathoners—they’re not skinny because they need to eat because they’re hungry.” — Shwetha“I feel that vegetarians have it very easy when it comes to protein. What I have to do is open a box. Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, whey protein, tofu, paneer, and eggs—those are the six main sources.” — Shwetha“Fear is not a way to live life. In our culture, it’s like ‘don’t color your hair, otherwise you’ll get white hair.’ I’m like, why am I worrying about tomorrow, which I don’t even know? I’ll do what I want to do to look my best today. I don’t care about tomorrow.” — Shwetha“I’ve always had this ‘always something mindset’ rather than the all-or-nothing mindset. If not this, let me at least do this kind of a thing.” — Shwetha“Being okay with being imperfect, being okay with—you know, that’s a big flex.” — Shwetha“I would not have people over at my home because my home is always messy. Then I started realizing my home is never [clean]—only when the cleaners come and go, that next two hours. So I’m losing out on all that quality time that fills my cup with friends and family because I’m waiting for that perfect home.” — Shwetha“Attitude is everything. You cannot control that you’re going to Costco, you’re going to Costco. But you can control your reaction. You can control by not freaking out or spoiling your day on somebody else and their behavior.” — Shwetha“Self-care is not selfish. Self-care does not only mean getting your nails and massages. Self-care also means taking care of your physical, mental, emotional health—and finding ways to make that accessible and doable, breaking it down into small doable pieces for people to actually be able to do it.” — Shwetha This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit swamiphoto.substack.com
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Shwetha Mangal — As South Asian Women, We Were Never Taught to Prioritize Fitness
Jan 2500:54:37Tap to summarizeI tried something new for this episode…I co-hosted it with my friend Naga.She’s been following today’s guest, Shwetha Mangal, for years. When she suggested I interview Shwetha, I thought it would be more meaningful if she joined me.Shwetha is a women’s health and fitness coach who runs Strength with Shwetha and coaches through The Boss Body Revolution. She has a community of over 50K followers sharing fitness insights for South Asian women.At 39, after two decades of hating her body and being told her metabolism was “ruined,” Shwetha discovered strength training and flexible dieting. She stopped judging her body for how it looked and started loving it for what it could do. She got certified to help other women break free from the same struggles.Shwetha shares the brutal reality of prepping for a bikini competition at 40 (eating 800 calories, losing her period, eating uncontrollably afterward), why she still works with a coach despite being one herself, and how she helps women navigate the complex relationship with food, money, and fitness in their 40s.Are you subscribed yet? I interview highly successful people to learn how they got to where they are.Brought to you by QTR — The digital planner to crush every quarterly goal.Topics We Discussed* Shwetha’s secret of looking way younger than her age* Growing up in a progressive Marwadi family of doctors* Why everyone needs to move* The all-or-nothing mindset that sabotages most people* The South Asian money mindset: jewelry vs. investing in health* Is self-care selfishness?* Her bikini competition at 40* Do women look masculine from lifting weights?* Living with thyroid disorders* Why she works with a bodybuilding coach despite being a coach herself* How to combat emotional eating* Can you eat whatever you want if you work out regularly?Insights from Shwetha“Our bodies are machines. What happens to a machine when you don’t move? Our parents didn’t have to exercise because they were moving so much. But we’re sitting in front of the computer for 10 hours. Your body wants movement, your body wants good nutrition, your body wants sleep.” — Shwetha“Everybody knows they need to eat less and move more. But why are people not doing it? One is the all-or-nothing mindset. We wait for the perfect time to start. We don’t think that 5 minutes or 10 minutes add up to anything. Or they start on a plan that’s totally not sustainable, try for two weeks, and then think they suck—when the truth is the plan sucks.” — Shwetha“It’s willful suffering versus unwillful suffering. Either I eat my vegetables now to take care of my gut willfully, or later I might have to suffer unwillfully with hospital bills. It’s insurance—you pay now or you pay later.” — Shwetha“We all spend our money, time, and energy on what we value. For me, buying gold to put in a locker for my children to use after I die? Never my value. There’s nothing right or wrong about it—we all have different values.” — Shwetha“I’ve been told by other women—by my friends over the years—that I’m selfish because I put myself first. It’s not that I ignore my children and go to the gym. I will wake up at 5:00 if I need to. But I still get called selfish because I say no to things.” — Shwetha“When I was 22, I hired a trainer. After two months I looked in the mirror and said, ‘Oh my god, I have muscles, I’m starting to look like a man,’ and I stopped working out with her. When I compare my biceps with a lot of my male cousins now, I have bigger biceps than them and I’m very proud of that.” — Shwetha“We do not have the genetics or testosterone to build muscle like men do. The women you see who are really muscular—they work their butts off to get to that level. I’ve been lifting for seven, eight, nine years now. I wish I looked like a man, but I don’t. You realize how hard it is.” — Shwetha“After the competition, I found myself eating without stopping. I knew I was full but I could not control myself. I was eating to a point of throwing up. My coach’s only advice was ‘don’t eat like an a*****e.’ He didn’t warn me that I might lose my period, that my hormones might get messed up, that I would be this hungry.” — Shwetha“My children came to watch me compete. My husband asked, ‘Are you sure you want the children to come?’ I said yeah, they should know there’s no shame in this. They should know age is just a number. They should know you can have goals and work hard.” — Shwetha“Emotional eating is so common. Most of us do that. The first step is awareness. Understanding your triggers. When you’re bored, your brain is craving novelty. When you’re anxious, your nervous system is in fight or flight. Have a game plan for each emotion—when I’m anxious, what do I do? When I’m lonely, what do I do?” — Shwetha This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit swamiphoto.substack.com
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Rajesh Setty — The Right Way to Connect With Influential People
Jan 501:19:35Tap to summarizeI interviewed Rajesh Setty, serial entrepreneur, startup mentor, keynote speaker, and 20-time author. Rajesh published his first novel at age 13 and five more before he turned 17. He’s written over 20 books, 2K blog posts, mentored over 2K founders at Founders Institute, and been part of the founding team of over 10 startups collectively valued at more than $150 million. In 2014, Rajesh was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Soundarya Balasubrami, who works closely with him, describes: “When I met him in 2021, he was in one of the toughest physical phases—he couldn’t walk outside his home, eat on his own, or even lift a glass of water. And yet, when he met me, he lifted me up at a time when I was struggling, even though my struggles were tiny compared to what he was going through.”Rajesh, who's introduced me to some of the most influential people in my network, shares his philosophy of “net-giving” over networking, the power of being fully present, and how slowing down taught him to “out-see, out-think, and out-execute.”Are you subscribed yet? I interview highly successful people to learn how they got to where they are.Brought to you by QTR — The time management planner for people who want to out-execute. Track your one daily highlight and achieve in 13 weeks what most can't in a year.Topics We Discussed* How Rajesh became a serial entrepreneur* The sunk cost fallacy and local vs. global maxima* How to know when to quit vs. when to persist* Stop networking, start net-giving* Trust, timing, and thoughtfulness in introductions* Building trust with famous people over decades* How to stand out when reaching influential people* The art of being fully present* Thoughts as paying guests in your mental real estate* The Most Interested Person - Rajesh’s upcoming book* Living with Parkinson’s: Accept the unchangeable* Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs in the AI age* Beyond Luck - Creating unfair advantages through givingInsights from Rajesh* “Work on awesome projects with awesome people, and if you keep that as the North Star, amazing things will happen. Once I say yes to that project, I put my heart and soul into it.”— Rajesh Setty* “Stop networking, start net-giving. The moment it’s net-giving, you have to network to give something of value. And once you add enough meaningful value, the law of reciprocation will kick in.”— Rajesh Setty* “I always look at three things before making an introduction: Trust, timing, and thoughtfulness. Trust means I can vouch for you. Timing means the person is in the right place to receive this. Thoughtfulness means there’s something meaningful in it for them, not just you.”— Rajesh Setty* “People make the mistake of misunderstanding the value of time for different people in different capacities of power. If someone’s hour is worth a thousand dollars and yours is worth a hundred, you need to put in ten hours of work before asking for one hour of their time.”— Rajesh Setty* “As Susan Scott puts it, ‘there is no guarantee that any single conversation can change the trajectory of your life, career, business, and relationship. But any single conversation can.’ This could be the conversation for both of us that changes the trajectory of both our lives—but if you’re not present to it, you miss it.”— Rajesh Setty* “As Carlo Mahfouz says ‘be so present that you will disappear.’ When I am there, everything is about you and nothing is about me. That’s the level of presence.”— Rajesh Setty* “Any thought is a paying guest in your mind. It’s a guest that should pay you, not a guest you should pay. Thoughts should bring you value for residing in your mental real estate.”— Rajesh Setty* “Parkinson’s taught me to slow down. When you slow down, you can see more. When you see more, you can think more. When you out-see, you can out-think. When you out-think, you can out-execute. When you out-execute, you can be outstanding.”— Rajesh Setty* “As Mahatria puts it, ‘accept the unchangeable, change the changeable, remove yourself from the unacceptable.’ There’s no cure for Parkinson’s—I can’t change it, and I can’t remove myself from it. So the only option I have is to accept the unchangeable.”— Rajesh Setty* “The ability to practically give meaningful help at scale with very low incremental cost—if you do that, you automatically get an unfair advantage. Eighty percent of your help is good but goes unnoticed. Twenty percent will want to reciprocate, and that last ten percent is big enough to fuel all your projects.”— Rajesh Setty* “My goal in life is simple: Once I wake up, how fast can I meaningfully contribute to someone, somewhere in the world through my writing, actions, gifts, insights, or generosity? Some days I succeed in the morning. Some days it takes all day. But I always aim for it.”— Rajesh Setty* “We always give labels to events and experiences—joyful, fantastic, disastrous. But I reduce the labels to only two: Is it a gift or is it a lesson? If it’s a lesson, I learn and grow from it. If it’s a gift, I’m joyful and grateful for it. That gives me perspective.”— Rajesh Setty This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit swamiphoto.substack.com
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Mahesh Guruswamy (Part 2) — CTO of Kickstarter on How to Tell Your Boss You'll Miss the Deadline
Apr 23, 202500:43:20Tap to summarizeIf you missed part 1 of my conversation with Mahesh Guruswamy, Chief Technology Officer at Kickstarter and author of How to Deliver Bad News and Get Away With It, you can watch it here: In this part, we get more into the tactics on how to give bad news:* What most people get wrong when delivering bad news* The core framework of delivering bad news* How to handle underperforming employees* What to do when you miss a deadline * How to do a performance improvement plan* As an engineering manager, how to balance technical work and management work * How to deal with smart people who lack soft skills* How to align incentives across teams, partners, and customers* How to disagree and commitIf you’re not subscribed yet, please do:Brought to you by QTR — The time management app for anyone who wants to achieve in a quarter what most won’t in a year. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit swamiphoto.substack.com
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Mahesh Guruswamy — CTO of Kickstarter Shares How to Deliver Bad News and Get Away With It (Part 1)
Apr 16, 202500:59:10Tap to summarizeI interviewed Mahesh Guruswamy, Chief Technology Officer at Kickstarter and author of How to Deliver Bad News and Get Away With It.Mahesh always saw himself as an average kid growing up in Chennai—and assumed he’d stay that way. Today, he’s an executive at a major U.S. tech company, and I was curious how he changed his trajectory.We talk about his journey as an immigrant, dealing with racism, being broke, working night shifts at McDonald’s, and how he ultimately climbed the ranks in tech.We also dive into real-world scenarios from his book, including:* How to talk to your boss when you’ve missed a deadline* How to address poor performance with an employee* How to tell a client their project is delayedIf you manage people, this one’s a must-watch.Subscribed yet? Don’t miss these conversations with some of the world’s most brilliant minds.Brought to you by QTR — The time management app that helps you achieve this quarter what most won’t in a year.Topics We Discussed* Growing up in Chennai and moving to the US* Life in the US as an immigrant* Feeling "average" growing up—and how that shifted* Early career struggles and the decision to never go back* Climbing the ladder: how he grew from engineer to executive* What Mahesh did differently than his peers* The role of risk-taking in his career journey* The real meaning behind “get away with it”* Influence of Stephen King on Mahesh’s writing style* His writing routine, challenges, and how the book came together* Advice for aspiring authors* Traditional vs. hybrid vs. self-publishing—what he learned* Common types of tough conversations leaders face* What most people get wrong about delivering bad news* The core framework Mahesh uses: empathy, kindness, ownership, and a path forward* Why writing is more effective than talking (especially in leadership)* What happens when you don’t handle tough conversations well* Does giving tough feedback get easier over time?* How to handle underperforming employees* What to do when you miss a deadline (with team or customers)* The importance of breaking big projects into smaller milestones* Owning mistakes and rebuilding trust with stakeholders* Navigating performance improvement plans with empathy* The difference between empathy vs. sympathy, and staying objective during performance reviews* How to stay technical while managing a team* Dealing with brilliant individuals who lack soft skills* Aligning incentives across teams, partners, and customers* How Mahesh combines Product + Engineering leadership at Kickstarter* His thoughts on "disagree and commit" and how to do it authentically* Building teams with aligned behaviors and shared leadership tenets* Keeping teams focused with simple, visible goals* Why bottom-up planning works best—and when to override itInsights from Mahesh“Success isn’t about being born exceptional—it’s about showing up, doing the work, and saying yes when others hesitate.”— Mahesh Guruswamy“Climbing the ladder is overrated. My career was a lattice—sometimes sideways, sometimes backwards—but always forward in learning.”— Mahesh Guruswamy“You don’t grow by staying safe. Every bold move I made—quitting jobs, switching roles, taking risks on a visa—brought me closer to who I am today.”— Mahesh Guruswamy“Delivering bad news isn’t about being harsh—it’s about being clear, kind, and honest. People remember how you made them feel, not just what you said.”— Mahesh Guruswamy“The hardest conversations are where leadership really shows up. If you can’t deliver tough news with empathy, you’re not ready to lead.”— Mahesh Guruswamy“I didn’t write a book to teach others. I wrote it to make sense of my own mistakes. Writing is just thinking clearly in public.”— Mahesh Guruswamy“PowerPoint hides complexity. Writing forces clarity. If you can’t write it down clearly, you probably don’t understand it well enough.”— Mahesh Guruswamy“As a leader, your job is to underwrite decisions—not micromanage them. Stay close enough to guide, but far enough to let people grow.”— Mahesh Guruswamy“Empathy is not weakness. It’s the strength to hold someone accountable while still caring about what happens to them next.”— Mahesh Guruswamy“Your team isn’t your family. You can’t fire your family. But you can build trust, set expectations, and lead with fairness.”— Mahesh Guruswamy“Every customer wants to feel taken care of. Even when you mess up, ownership and transparency go a long way.”— Mahesh Guruswamy“Kindness and clarity are not opposites. The best feedback I’ve given was also the hardest to say—but I said it with care.”— Mahesh Guruswamy“When your career is over, no one will remember your title. They’ll remember how you made them feel—and how you helped them grow.”— Mahesh Guruswamy This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit swamiphoto.substack.com
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Atupele Muluzi — Malawi's Presidential Candidate on Leadership and His Vision for a New Malawi (#9)
Nov 24, 202401:10:11Tap to summarizeI had the pleasure of interviewing the Honorable Atupele Muluzi, President of the United Democratic Front (UDF) party in Malawi—the country’s first governing party in its democratic era. We talk about the challenges and responsibilities he faced as a young student when his father, Bakili Muluzi, became Malawi's first democratically elected president.Now a presidential candidate for the 2025 elections, Atupele shares his bold vision for Malawi, focusing on putting the country on the world map, creating opportunities for its people, and building what he calls “the surprise rise of Malawi.”This episode is packed with inspiring leadership lessons, public speaking tips, fascinating insights (including memorable moments from his interactions with Nelson Mandela) and fond memories from our days as high school classmates.Are you subscribed yet? I interview highly successful people to learn how they got to where there are.Brought to you by QTR — The time management planner that helps you achieve in 13 weeks what most can’t in a year.Topics We Discussed* [0:00] From schoolboy to presidential son* [2:52] His early life and leadership traits* [9:06] Life in boarding school * [12:27] Muluzi’s values and upbringing* [18:57] Interaction with Nelson Mandela* [21:28] Malawi's hidden potential* [32:50] Muluzi’s vision for a new Malawi* [39:52] The beauty of Malawi* [43:53] Lessons on democracy from Somaliland* [55:30] How to make decisions* [58:18] Balancing public and private life* [1:00:00] How to prepare for public speeches* [1:03:05] UDF's plan for the upcoming elections* [1:05:22] Overcoming setbacks and staying motivated* [1:08:50] Muluzi’s words to the people of MalawiInsights from Muluzi* "Leadership is about leaving a legacy that outlives you. It’s not about the title or position; it’s about creating something that benefits future generations long after you’re gone."— Atupele Muluzi* "Malawi is a hidden gem, a diamond in the rough. Our natural beauty, our people’s talent, and our entrepreneurial spirit are waiting to shine on the world stage—we just need the right leadership to unlock it."— Atupele Muluzi* "You’re only president for a short time—what matters is what you do with that time. You don’t get a second chance to go back and fix mistakes, so you have to act with focus and conviction."— Atupele Muluzi* "Democracy is not just about elections; it’s about strong institutions. The vote is important, but so are free press, checks and balances, and holding leaders accountable to the people they serve."— Atupele Muluzi* "To develop a country, you don’t need to fix everything at once. Start with one thing—get it right, and that success will build momentum for the rest."— Atupele Muluzi* "Malawi’s youth and creativity are its biggest strengths. With the right policies and resources, we could turn that spirit into something transformative, making Malawi a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship."— Atupele Muluzi* "Setbacks are part of the journey. Leadership is a long game. You stay motivated by focusing on the vision and knowing that every challenge is an opportunity to learn and grow stronger."— Atupele Muluzi* "International collaboration is essential. We need to work with global partners to unlock our potential in areas like energy, tourism, and climate change, and to position Malawi as a key player on the world stage."— Atupele Muluzi* "The people of Malawi are ready for change. They’re hungry for opportunity, for leadership they can trust, and for a government that empowers them to create a better future."— Atupele Muluzi This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit swamiphoto.substack.com
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Michael Pfeffer — CIO of Stanford Health Care on Leadership, AI, and Building High-Performing Teams (#8)
Nov 20, 202400:20:19Tap to summarizeI interviewed Dr. Michael Pfeffer, Chief Information Officer and Associate Dean at Stanford Health Care and Stanford University School of Medicine. Michael brings a unique perspective as a physician, professor, and tech leader at one of the world’s most prestigious healthcare institutions.We explore his journey from practicing hospitalist to healthcare tech exec, the lessons he learned from being a soccer referee, and his leadership philosophy. Michael also shares how teamwork and collaboration and setting clear expectations drive success.(Apologies for the recording quality—we had a technical glitch with our podcast recording app and had to switch to Zoom for this episode.)"If you set expectations clearly at the start—just like in the first five minutes of a soccer game—you can step back and let the team play. It’s about giving them clarity and trust to do what they do best."– Michael PfefferTopics We Discussed00:24 Early Lessons from Soccer Refereeing05:15 The Transition from Physician to CIO and Career Inflection Points09:45 Building Good Teams 14:10 The Role of AI in Healthcare and Stanford's Vision20:35 Balancing Conflict and Collaboration in Leadership28:50 How Michael Manages His Time35:10 Michael Likes to Cook42:05 Advice for Aspiring Leaders and Medical StudentsInsights from Michael "Leadership is a muscle—you have to keep training and refining it. It's about constantly learning, adapting, and bringing evidence-based techniques into your approach while staying true to your core values."– Michael Pfeffer"AI is everyone’s job. It’s a toolset we need to integrate into everything we do, not something owned by a single team."– Michael Pfeffer"It’s about surrounding yourself with people who challenge you and fill in your opportunities. The cliché is to surround yourself with people smarter than you, and that’s great—but it’s more about finding those whose strengths complement your own and who help you grow."– Michael Pfeffer"Conflict, when done appropriately, is good—it’s in those disagreements where better ideas often emerge."– Michael Pfeffer"A good team is like a band: everyone contributes equally to make the music happen."– Michael Pfeffer"If there’s an opportunity that presents itself, say Yes."– Michael Pfeffer This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit swamiphoto.substack.com
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James Daly — How Apple Notes Helps Him Run a Startup, a Non Profit, and a Music Academy (#7)
Oct 26, 202402:08:04Tap to summarizeI interviewed James Daly, CEO and Founder of the San Ramon Academy of Music, co-founder of the San Ramon Chamber Ensemble and San Ramon Youth String Orchestra, and founder of The Powerful Piano.Beyond his work in music and tech, James is also a competitive powerlifter. We chat about music, fitness, productivity, and time management, including his sophisticated planning system on Apple Notes which helps him run his life and work.And at the end of this video, watch James perform on the piano 🎹.Are you subscribed yet? I interview remarkable people about how they got to where there are.People often say, “I’m not creative…that’s for others,” which makes it easy to avoid trying. It’s a feedback loop of self-doubt that traps many of us. But I’d say this: you are creative. Everyone is. It’s just about finding what truly resonates with you.– James DalyBrought to you by:QTR — Manage time well. Achieve big goals.Topics we discussed00:24 The Importance of Being Organized02:21 Finding Drive and Motivation06:08 The Role of Music Education26:12 Balancing Music and Fitness41:32 The Importance of Protein, Fat, and Carbohydrates42:43 Tracking Progress and Using Apps43:50 Body Weight Exercises and Weight Training47:03 The Role of Technique in Preventing Injuries48:56 Finding a Good Personal Trainer51:47 The Unique Qualities of Great Musicians01:03:11 The Journey from Performer to Teacher01:17:03 Balancing Multiple Roles and Staying Organized01:23:22 Balancing Work and Family on Weekends01:24:42 Task Management Tools and Techniques01:26:03 Personal Goals and Achievements01:28:05 Effective Team Management01:30:03 The Importance of Creativity and Flexibility01:37:10 Starting and Maintaining Productive Habits01:54:20 Insights on Business Success and MentorshipInsights from James* “Teaching isn't just about the notes or technique—it’s about creating a safe space for students to be themselves.”– James Daly* “Organization is a form of self-care and love—it’s how I make everything possible.”– James Daly* “You have to be able to do stuff regardless of how you feel.”– James Daly* “Can you just start with five minutes of meditation each day? It sounds simple, but it's surprisingly hard. How can you expect to journal, do affirmations, and create a vision if you can’t even meditate for five minutes? We all start somewhere—just like when I first went to the gym. It’s about taking that first step, however small.”– James Daly* “To be truly exceptional at anything, you have to be selfish—though not in a negative way. I know professional athletes whose lives are entirely centered around their goals, and it has to be that way. It’s not that they’re selfish people—it's just the reality of what it takes.”– James Daly* “I follow my intuition in everything—business, decision-making, all of it. It’s like standing in a lake: if you kick around, the water gets murky, but if you stay still, you can see clearly to the bottom. A clear mind helps me make choices that feel grounded in principles and good morals.”– James Daly This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit swamiphoto.substack.com
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Rimple Patel — From Malawi Schoolgirl to C-Level Executive at Eightfold AI (#6)
Jul 2, 202401:13:32Tap to summarizeI interviewed Rimple Patel, Chief Customer Officer at Eightfold AI and former VP of Customer Experience Strategy and Innovation at Workday. We discussed her career journey after moving to the US and how she ultimately became a C-Level executive.As Chief Customer Officer, Rimple has pioneered intentional listening strategies to transform companies into more customer-centric organizations. She shares valuable insights on creating products and cultivating a company culture that keeps customers happy.This episode is particularly special to me because Rimple and I were schoolmates in Malawi, the warm heart of Africa, 30 years ago!Success in both life and business comes from embracing what makes you unique, taking chances on yourself, and focusing on the right things. Whether it's building a customer-centric culture, fostering resilience, or balancing personal and professional life, it's all about being intentional and trusting the process. Remember, the challenges you overcome today become the strengths you rely on tomorrow.– Rimple PatelBrought to you by:QTR — The time management tool for busy people.Are you subscribed yet? I interview remarkable people about how they got to where there are.Topics we discussed* How Malawi shaped our early lives.* Why Rimple chose to study in the US instead of the UK.* Challenges when moving from Malawi to the US.* How Rimple found her calling and voice in her professional journey.* Transitioning into senior leadership roles and the responsibilities that come with it.* How to build a customer-centric culture.* Differences and overlaps between CCO and CPO roles.* Balancing customer needs and company vision.* How to gather insights from customers.* Sacrifices Rimple made for her career.* Examples of mothers who’ve made it big in their careers.* Managing work-life balance and setting boundaries.* Dealing with fear when interacting with experienced, smart people.* Maintaining a "smile file" for boosting confidence.* How Rimple manages her time.* Advice for women in leadership roles.Insights from Rimple* “Embrace what makes you unique and different; that's what will help you thrive.” – Rimple Patel* “Focus on the right things, and the right outcomes will follow.” – Rimple Patel* “You have to take chances on yourself, even if you might fail. Through failure, you learn the most about yourself.” – Rimple Patel* “Customer over company, over team, over self. This framework has guided my approach to leadership and customer satisfaction.” – Rimple Patel* “Building trust with your team starts with listening and understanding. You can't drive change effectively without it.” – Rimple Patel* “The challenges you overcome are what give you strength for the future.” – Rimple Patel* “Creating a customer-centric culture is everyone’s responsibility, not just the CCO’s.” – Rimple Patel* “Work-life balance is about setting boundaries and being intentional with your time.” – Rimple Patel* “Don’t think about what could go wrong, think about what could go right.” – Rimple Patel* “Happy employees make happy customers. Focusing on your team is crucial for long-term success.” – Rimple PatelPeople mentioned* Yamini Rangan (CEO of Hubspot)* Chano Fernandez (Former CEO of Workday)* Emily McEvilly (Former CCO at Workday) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit swamiphoto.substack.com
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From Pizza to a Billion-Dollar Portfolio: Scot Chisholm's Masterclass on Creating A+ Teams (#5)
Jun 24, 202401:33:59Tap to summarizeI interviewed Scot Chisholm, a four-time founder who built a portfolio of companies worth over a billion dollars. Scot unveils insights from his entrepreneurial journey, which began with selling pizzas. Inspired by his mother's battle with cancer, Scot founded the non-profit fundraising platform Classy, which he sold to GoFundMe in 2022 for over a hundred million dollars. Now, he is focused on building Haskill Creek, a self-care retail business, and coaching CEOs at Highland, his private accelerator.Would a professional athlete go onto the field and play a game after spending five hours in a bar drinking? No, of course not. They'd be hungover and play like crap. Founders often treat themselves like this, burning the candle at both ends, but are still expected to perform at an A-plus capacity. You need to find balance and take care of yourself if you want to perform at your best. – Scot ChisholmBrought to you by: QTR — Your second brain and the world’s most advanced daily/weekly/quarterly productivity planner. Topics we discussed* How to keep each other accountable when working with friends.* Scot's journey from selling pizza to building a billion-dollar portfolio.* Importance of having a strong goal system and operating system in a company.* Scot's early life, values, and the impact of his mother's cancer.* The evolution of Classy from a pub crawl event to a SaaS company.* How to identify and focus on target customers.* Importance of sticking to the original vision while being open to iteration.* Pricing strategy in the beginning stages.* How Scot dealt with limited funds and managed initial hires at Classy.* Navigating around competitors and their strengths.* Insight into early competitors and inspirations like Kiva and Movember.* The significance of hiring the right initial executive team.* How to have effective 1-on-1s and provide feedback.* Structuring personal goals and aligning them with company goals.* Scot's approach to time management and structuring his day.* Common blind spots among CEOs.* Managing work-life balance and avoiding burnout.* How Scot's perspective on life and business has evolved over time.* Scot's recommended books for every founder.* How to deal with feedback you don’t agree with.Insights from Scot* "You have to be able to separate the business and the performance conversation from the 'let's go get a beer together' conversation." – Scot Chisholm* "Fundamentally, I think you need a really, really strong goal system and an operating system around the company." – Scot Chisholm* "You need to figure out what you can specifically be best in the world at." – Scot Chisholm* "It's the ones that get up and just say, 'Hey, what did we learn here?' and then move to the next round that succeed at the end of the day." – Scot Chisholm* "Focus is so essential because if you do too many things, you spread yourself thinner and you actually become more fragile." – Scot Chisholm* "Your values are an embodiment of the characteristics of your team." – Scot Chisholm* "Price is a tool. You’re never going to win the market just solely based on price. If you and your competitor are priced the same, why would someone choose you? It’s crucial to focus on what makes you different and better. This could be superior customer service, unique features, better user experience, stronger brand reputation, or a deeper understanding of your customers' needs. Price can attract customers, but it’s the added value you offer that will keep them loyal and willing to choose you over the competition." – Scot Chisholm* "You have to treat yourself more like a professional athlete. It doesn't mean you can't have fun, but you have to factor that in. This is a marathon, not a sprint." – Scot Chisholm* "It's really important to not come down on them. The dynamic here is I'm your coach. I'm here to help you." – Scot Chisholm* "Building a leadership team is extraordinarily hard as a founder. When you get it right, it creates just absolute breakthroughs within the organization." – Scot Chisholm* "Execution is about how you manage and steward the team on a day-to-day basis so that you get the output that you want." – Scot Chisholm* "I want to work with people that I like, and even if that means a little bit of pain in the accountability department, that's okay with me because you spend all this time with them." – Scot ChisholmPeople mentioned* Scott Harrison * Will Ferrell* Reid Hoffman* Peter Thiel* Jim Collins* Andy Grove* Yvon Chouinard* Patrick Lencioni* Reed Hastings* Phil Knight This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit swamiphoto.substack.com
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