Podcast
Mentor Up
Hosted by Anja Spilker · EN
Mentor Up is your go-to resource for staying ahead in business, innovation, and personal development—powered by the wisdom of top mentors, industry experts and inspiring voices.
Through real-life stories, actionable insights, and candid conversations, we uncover the strategies and lessons that help entrepreneurs and professionals thrive.
If you’re ready to learn from the best and level up, it’s time to Mentor Up! 🚀
13episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
AI Is Giving Non-Technical People a Superpower. Just Try! Vibe Coding Advice with Katja Rubin
Apr 2000:35:35Tap to summarizeHave you ever had a business idea but felt stuck because you didn't have the technical skills to build it? That feeling is about to change. In this episode, I sit down with Katja Rubin, AI educator and strategist, who has made it her mission to make AI genuinely accessible to everyone — not just developers and tech people. We talk about vibe coding, why right now is actually the perfect moment to start building with AI, and why confidence doesn't come before you start — it comes after. Whether you're a founder, a business owner, or just someone who's been watching from the sidelines wondering if AI is for you — this episode is your sign to just try. What we cover: What vibe coding actually is and why it's a game changer for non-technical people Why you're not too late — and why now is the perfect window How to find the right problem to solve with AI Real examples of people building products without writing a single line of code Where to start if you want to build confidence with AI this week LINKS More Real Talk about Life as an entrepreneur on Instagram and LinkedIn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/anja_from_alemania/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anja-from-alemania/ Connect with Katja: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katja-rubin/ Linktree: https://linktr.ee/aiwithkatja Vibe Coding Day: https://vibeandcode.online
Transcribe →Business Updates: What I'm Building With Vibe Coding, The Bottleneck Problem & Founder Health
Apr 800:18:59Tap to summarizeIn this solo episode, Anja shares a candid update on what's really going on behind the scenes of running a business for over a decade. First, she talks about one of the most common founder traps: being too involved in operations. Anja opens up about how she became the bottleneck in her own company and what she's actively doing to change that — from giving her team more ownership to learning the difference between reacting and responding. Then she shares what she's been building with vibe coding. In Q1 of 2026, Anja discovered how AI tools are transforming the way she runs her company — from dashboards that pull data from multiple platforms into one place, to AI agents that take over tasks so she can focus on what actually matters. She also shares why she believes every business leader needs to be personally in the game when it comes to AI — not just their team. Finally, real talk on health. Using her Whoop tracker, Anja shares what happened to her biological age during one of the most stressful periods she's had in years — and why she believes sustainable businesses are not built by burning out their leaders. Anja is also looking for a co-host for future solo episodes — reach out via the show notes if that sounds like you! Topics: founder delegation, AI tools for business, vibe coding, entrepreneur health, nervous system regulation LINKS Survey (and the chance of winning a free business mentoring session with Anja) https://forms.gle/936nzZwq58BNeG3F6 Send an email if you would like to co-host a Mentor Up episode with Anja: mentorup.podcast@gmail.com Vibeprenuese - Retreat for female entrepreneurs who want to learn vibecoding, build AI tools, and reconnect with themselves in nature: https://vibepreneuse-retreat.lovable.app/ More Real Talk about Life as an entrepreneur on Instagram and LinkedIn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/anja_from_alemania/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anja-from-alemania/
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How to Get the Most Out of AI in Your Business and Your Personal Life — with Fabrício Carraro
Mar 1500:49:09Tap to summarizeIn this episode Anja sits down with AI expert Fabrício Carraro to talk about how to get the most out of AI — both in your business and your personal life. They cover the prompting mistakes almost everyone makes, how to use tools like NotebookLM to learn any topic faster, and what it really takes to build something with AI in 2026. Fabrício also shares his take on which businesses and skills will thrive as AI keeps evolving — and how to use AI as your own personal mentor. Whether you're just getting started or already experimenting, this one is packed with practical advice you can use straight away. LINKS Survey (and the chance of winning a free business mentoring session with Anja) https://forms.gle/936nzZwq58BNeG3F6 More Real Talk about Life as an entrepreneur on Instagram and LinkedIn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/anja_from_alemania/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anja-from-alemania/ Connect with Fabrício LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fabriciocarraro Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fabriciocarraro/ X: https://x.com/fabriciocarraro Website: https://fabriciocarraro.com.br/
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The Business Reality Behind the Polyglot Conference: Carrying a Global Event on Your Shoulders — with Richard Simcott
Feb 1200:51:46Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we go behind the scenes of one of the world’s most international language events — the Polyglot Conference — and talk about something most people never see: the business reality behind it. My guest is Richard Simcott — known for speaking dozens of languages, but in this episode, we focus on something deeper. What does it actually take to carry a global event on your shoulders for more than 13 years? The pressure, the pivots, the financial risks, the emotional weight — and the resilience to keep going. LINKS Survey (and the chance of winning a free business mentoring session with Anja) https://forms.gle/936nzZwq58BNeG3F6 More Real Talk about Life as an entrepreneur on Instagram and LinkedIn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/anja_from_alemania/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anja-from-alemania/ Connect with Richard & The Polyglot Conference Richard Simcott: https://speakingfluently.com/ Connect with Richard on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakingfluently Polyglot Conference: https://polyglotconference.com/
Transcribe →Why Most New Year’s Resolutions Fail — and What You Can Do Instead to Make 2026 a Successful Year
Jan 1200:13:55Tap to summarizeMost New Year’s resolutions don’t fail because of a lack of discipline — they fail because change is often approached in the wrong way. In this episode, I reflect on a deeply honest New Year’s Eve dinner with entrepreneur friends in Barcelona, where we had the kind of conversations founders rarely have out loud. Instead of talking about goals and resolutions, we asked each other better questions — questions that create clarity, alignment, and sustainable success. I’m bringing those questions into today’s episode so you can reflect on your own direction, decisions, and priorities for 2026. If you’re tired of setting goals that don’t stick and want a more intentional, grounded way to shape the year ahead, this episode is for you. Grab a notebook, take a breath, and let’s mentor up for a successful 2026. LINKS Survey (and the chance of winning a free business mentoring session with Anja) https://forms.gle/936nzZwq58BNeG3F6 More Real Talk about Life as an entrepreneur on Instagram and LinkedIn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/anja_from_alemania/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anja-from-alemania/
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What It Takes to Build a #1 Global Brand in a Niche — with Hyunwoo Sun + Insights from Our First Language Business Retreat in Taiwan
Dec 2100:57:35Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Mentor Up, I sit down with Hyunwoo Sun, one of the most respected entrepreneurs in the global language-learning industry. Hyunwoo has spent over 16 years building a brand that became #1 in its niche worldwide, publishing 50+ books and 80+ courses, all while staying deeply present as a father and leader. But this conversation isn’t about hustle, shortcuts, or overnight success. We talk about what it really takes to build something that lasts: calm leadership, long-term thinking, knowing when to step back as a founder, and why impact matters more than metrics. Hyunwoo shares why he never started with a traditional business plan, how his definition of success has evolved, and what most founders misunderstand about growth, business models, and freedom. We also explore the future of language learning, the role of AI, and what will remain deeply human no matter how advanced technology becomes. This episode was recorded in Taiwan, right after our first Language Business Retreat, making it both a strategic deep dive and a reflection on what happens when experienced entrepreneurs come together to mentor, learn, and zoom out from day-to-day operations. Interested in joining the next Language Business Retreat in November 2026 in Italy? Add your name to the waitlist, and we’ll let you know as soon as spots open: https://tally.so/r/ob6LxN OTHER LINKS Follow me on Instagram and LinkedIn for more Real Talk about Life as an entrepreneur. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anja-from-alemania/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/anja_from_alemania/ Connect with Hyunwoo and his brand Talk to me in Korean LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hyunwoosun/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hyunwoosun_ttmik/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@talktomeinkorean
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10 Years of Building and Scaling a Company: 10 Things I'd Do Differently If I Had to Start Over Today
Dec 100:14:46Tap to summarizeREAL TALK: After 10 years of building ZALOA, I’m sharing 10 things I would actually do differently if I had to start over. From thinking bigger and raising capital earlier to hiring smarter, avoiding shiny-object syndrome, setting clearer expectations, and finally listening to my body — this is the real talk I wish I had heard a decade ago. Number 10 is a special one: It's the only thing I wouldn’t change. I would choose it again, exactly the same way, every single time. LINKS Follow me on Instagram and LinkedIn for more Real Talk about Life as an entrepreneur. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/anja_from_alemania/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anja-from-alemania/
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What Makes a Business Truly Successful — Insights from International Investor Herby Marchetti
Oct 1900:36:19Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Mentor Up, international investor and AI expert Herby Marchetti joins us for a candid conversation about what truly makes a business successful. From the wild early days of Germany’s startup scene to global mergers and acquisitions, Herby shares insights from 17 years of investing, advising, and building startups — and how trust, clarity, and courage remain the most valuable capital of all. LINKS Follow me on Instagram and LinkedIn for more Real Talk about Life as an entrepreneur. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/anja_from_alemania/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anja-from-alemania/ Connect with Herby: https://herbertmarchetti.com/
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Lessons for Entrepreneurs & Leaders: How to Stay Resilient After Betrayal and Depression
Aug 2400:41:59Tap to summarizeWhat happens when everything you’ve built is taken from you? In this raw and powerful episode, serial entrepreneurs Laura and Ray Blakney open up about losing their company, facing betrayal, and navigating the darkness of depression. They share the unfiltered truth of hitting rock bottom — and the hard but transformative journey of finding resilience, rebuilding trust, and redefining success. For entrepreneurs and leaders, this is more than a story: it’s a reminder that failure only happens when you stop trying. ✨ Whether you’re in the middle of your own struggle or preparing for the challenges ahead, the lessons in this conversation will stay with you. LINKS Follow me on Instagram and LinkedIn for more Real Talk about Life as an entrepreneur. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/anja_from_alemania/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anja-from-alemania/ Connect with Laura and Ray on LinkedIn Laura: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laublakney/ Ray: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raymondblakney/
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The Inner Journey of a Nomadic CEO: What I Shared at the Female Founder Talk in Berlin
Jun 3000:57:51Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Mentor Up, I’m sharing the recording of a live talk I gave at the SIBB Female Founder Event in Berlin. It’s not a how-to guide or a glorified success story. It’s real talk about what it actually means to be a nomadic founder: 9 years of bootstrapping my company ZALOA Languages — until forming a strategic partnership with one of our biggest clients who later became our investor. I also reflect on my own path — from being born in Germany to living in different countries since 2007 — and what it feels like to come full circle, speaking as a founder in my home country again. 📝 Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review — it really helps others discover Mentor Up. LINKS Follow me on Instagram and LinkedIn for more Real Talk about Life as an entrepreneur. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/anja_from_alemania/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anja-from-alemania/ Come to a Female Founder Talk in Berlin at the SIBB: https://sibb.de/en/sibb-eventseries/
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