The Afflatus

The Afflatus The Afflatus is a podcast that brings you the stories of leaders, entrepreneurs and creatives from all over the world. The Afflatus is hosted by Aalok Rathod.

Space exploration has always excited humanity. From setting the first foot on the moon to the idea of becoming a multi-p...
11/21/2021

Space exploration has always excited humanity. From setting the first foot on the moon to the idea of becoming a multi-planet species, we have come a long way in understanding the seemingly unfathomable expanse of space.

The recent investments in space technologies have enabled commercial Space Tourism as an emerging sphere in the industry. With a new frontier on our hands, it's an exciting space for innovation in law, engineering, and business.

J.N. Ao explains the current challenges in space tourism and the emerging trends due to unprecedented public-private partnerships. Watch her full episode on The Afflatus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQuFGG_-ovc

Pursuing a Ph.D. is no small feat. It takes years of dedication, discipline, and focus to truly make a meaningful contri...
11/16/2021

Pursuing a Ph.D. is no small feat. It takes years of dedication, discipline, and focus to truly make a meaningful contribution to the existing body of knowledge.

Given that it takes at least 3 years to complete a Ph.D. program, it might seem daunting to undertake such a comprehensive challenge. Jingning Ao who is currently pursuing her second Ph.D. program shares how to overcome the challenges of pursuing a Ph.D. program.

Jingning also shares how to effectively balance your personal and your academic commitments without compromising on either one. Watch her full episode on The Afflatus: https://youtu.be/kQuFGG_-ovc

Building a career in Finance is a demanding endeavor. Not only does the nature of financial instruments change rapidly b...
11/13/2021

Building a career in Finance is a demanding endeavor. Not only does the nature of financial instruments change rapidly but also does the regulatory landscape in different jurisdictions.

Finance professionals are required to constantly update their skills and keep up with the emerging trends. Given the vast breadth of certifications available and the heavy investment of time and resources required to earn them, it could be crippling to choose one certification over another.

Douglas Parker breaks down some of the finance certifications available and his rationale behind pursuing them. I break down some of the widely known Finance certifications to help you decide which is the right one for you.

Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/3EDt-EdsTKc

Building a career in Finance is a demanding endeavor. Not only does the nature of financial instruments change rapidly b...
11/13/2021

Building a career in Finance is a demanding endeavor. Not only does the nature of financial instruments change rapidly but also does the regulatory landscape in different jurisdictions.

Finance professionals are required to constantly update their skills and keep up with the emerging trends. Given the vast breadth of certifications available and the heavy investment of time and resources required to earn them, it could be crippling to choose one certification over another.

Douglas Parker, MBA breaks down some of the finance certifications available and his rationale behind pursuing them. I break down some of the widely known Finance certifications to help you decide which is the right one for you.

Watch the full episode: Link in Bio!

JUST RELEASED! Season 3: Episode 14 of The Afflatus feat. Siddhant Mishra
Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/...
11/11/2021

JUST RELEASED! Season 3: Episode 14 of The Afflatus feat. Siddhant Mishra


Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/eQ88eONUn04

Siddhant Mishra is an investment banker-turned-financial journalist.

Based in India’s financial capital, Siddhant has worked in the country’s leading business dailies and believes communication is the most significant aspect of education. He holds a keen interest in both the stock market and the football transfer market, besides aviation, sports, and politics.

Crime thrillers and detective fiction are his stress busters, and a game of billiards is his energy booster. Siddhant sees journalism as a field that should inspire and excite, rather than provoke and instill fear.

Siddhant Mishra is an investment banker-turned-financial journalist. Based in India’s financial capital, Siddhant has worked in the country’s leading busines...

What do you do if you find yourself in the wrong career? How do you even know if you're in the right career? These are i...
10/27/2021

What do you do if you find yourself in the wrong career? How do you even know if you're in the right career? These are important questions and they determine not only your career success but also your overall well-being.

Jingning Ao who is currently pursuing her second Ph.D. suggests that self-awareness is the key to career success. It is difficult to constantly assess your career choice but it is one well worth doing it.

Jingning recommends adopting a holistic point of view to assess career progression as simply considering monetary benefits might lead to biased and potentially frustrating outcomes.

Watch her entire episode on The Afflatus: https://lnkd.in/dP5Vt_nc

JUST RELEASED! Season 3: Episode 13 of The Afflatus feat. Jingning AoWatch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/kQuFG...
10/26/2021

JUST RELEASED! Season 3: Episode 13 of The Afflatus feat. Jingning Ao

Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/kQuFGG_-ovc

Dr. Jingning Ao is working on her second Ph.D. in Strategy at the University of Pittsburgh.

One of Jingning's life dreams is to visit outer space someday—perhaps through her research on strategic communication in space tourism and industrialization—while also making this dream come true for more space enthusiasts! Jingning also holds 3 certificates from Harvard Business School Online.

Still a 100% dog person, Jingning loves her recently adopted cat, Kip. Jingning lives in Pittsburgh, PA and is ready for new adventures when she secures a tenure-track assistant professor position at a research university.

Dr. Jingning Ao is working on her second Ph.D. in Strategy at the University of Pittsburgh. One of Jingning's life dreams is to visit outer space someday—per...

Congratulations! Your loan request for $100 has been approved. It might seem absurd to take out a loan for $100 but that...
10/20/2021

Congratulations! Your loan request for $100 has been approved. It might seem absurd to take out a loan for $100 but that's enough money to cover major living expenses or fund a small startup in some parts of the world.

Microfinance is exactly that. Small, collateral-free loans to people looking to climb the social ladder and raise the standard of living. Despite little exposure in the west, Microfinance has been a transformative force fueling countless innovations and societal progress.

Douglas Parker, MBA and we discuss the scope of microcredit programs and their impact in a capitalistic setting. Watch the full discussion on The Afflatus: https://youtu.be/3EDt-EdsTKc

A leader's job is to create necessary conditions for the success of their team members. People are willing to be led but...
10/13/2021

A leader's job is to create necessary conditions for the success of their team members. People are willing to be led but often they do not receive the support and guidance required to excel. Developing high-performance teams requires vision, motivation, and dedication.

Douglas Parker highlights how some of the top leaders lead their teams to execute big goals and fulfill an organization's vision. More importantly, he also shares how to motivate your team and lead by example.

Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/3EDt-EdsTKc

Latin America is at a major infection point in its media history. With blockbuster media franchises and increased pe****...
10/12/2021

Latin America is at a major infection point in its media history. With blockbuster media franchises and increased pe*******on of mobile devices, the region promises to deliver solid growth for the upcoming years.

Andre Chaves shares that with increased investments, cheaper marketing rates, and the rising number of platforms, a growing number of content creators and advertisers are empowered to create unique products that reflect the unique voice of Latin Americans on a global scale.

Watch the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/gaHmemQB

JUST RELEASED! Season 3: Episode 12 of The Afflatus feat. Douglas Parker Full episode: https://youtu.be/3EDt-EdsTKcDougl...
10/11/2021

JUST RELEASED! Season 3: Episode 12 of The Afflatus feat. Douglas Parker

Full episode: https://youtu.be/3EDt-EdsTKc

Douglas Parker currently serves as an M&A manager at a startup e-commerce conglomerate, Razor Group. In his role, he is in charge of sourcing and acquiring e-commerce businesses.

Previously, Douglas served as a VP of Sales at TriNet where he consulted boutique financial services firms on how to streamline HR operations. His prior experience includes working as an Assistant VP of Financial Solutions Advisor at MerrillLynch where he advised affluent clients on wealth management and banking strategies.

Prior to that, Douglas worked as a financial advisor at Edward Jones. Douglas, who is based in New York City, has a passion for education and is a huge sports fan. So sit back, relax and enjoy the exciting journey of Douglas Parker.

Douglas Parker currently serves as an M&A manager at a startup e-commerce conglomerate, The Razor Group. In his role, he is in charge of sourcing and acquiri...

With the growing number of C-Suite positions, it's easy to confuse one for another. Chief Growth Officer (CGO) is perhap...
10/06/2021

With the growing number of C-Suite positions, it's easy to confuse one for another. Chief Growth Officer (CGO) is perhaps the one that most people struggle to understand intuitively. While it might seem that CGO simply charts out business development plans, the reality is a bit more intricate.

CGOs work closely with both strategic and executive divisions of the company to deliver on the mission of the organization. Over the past few years, the role of CGO has grown in prominence due to the constantly shifting and fast-paced nature of global markets.

Andre Chaves breaks down the application of a CGO's key skills over the years in a startup environment to fuel growth and innovation. Watch the full episode on The Afflatus: https://youtu.be/Vf-qkCGpnjc

People are always looking for ways to become better.This is why people read books, go to seminars, watch movies and list...
10/05/2021

People are always looking for ways to become better.

This is why people read books, go to seminars, watch movies and listen to podcasts. All of these things have one thing in common - they help you grow as a person. But the problem with all of them is that most people tie these activities to the prospect of earning additional income.

Andre Chaves makes a point that growth can be intrinsic in nature too. It’s important to do activities that bring you happiness and help with your personal development. A well-rounded personality usually translates into both higher IQ and EQ.

Listen to the full episode: https://youtu.be/Vf-qkCGpnjc

JUST RELEASED! Season 3: Episode 11 of The Afflatus​ feat. André ChavesAndré Chaves is currently the Chief Growth Office...
10/05/2021

JUST RELEASED! Season 3: Episode 11 of The Afflatus​ feat. André Chaves

André Chaves is currently the Chief Growth Officer at Futurum Capital. André is also a startup advisor and founding partner of LEME/GROWTH, a strategic consulting firm focused on developing and accelerating new businesses in the technology, media, and communication sectors.

André is a columnist for Meio e Mensagem & in 2017 co-authored a book titled “Re-Start me up”, which encourages individuals to become the protagonist of their own stories. In addition, Andre is also the Host & Co-Founder of the podcast “Future Hacker” which was launched in 2020 and is currently present in 85 countries.


André Chaves is currently the Chief Growth Officer at Futurum Capital. André is also a startup advisor and founding partner of LEME/GROWTH, a strategic consu...

Creativity is important. More important is to reward the talent and hard work behind it. While some awards are a mere sh...
09/29/2021

Creativity is important. More important is to reward the talent and hard work behind it. While some awards are a mere sham, others recognize the dedication it takes to do impactful storytelling.

Will Fernandez shares some of the most prestigious awards in the advertising industry and how it encourages the development of innovative narratives.

Catch the full episode on The Afflatus: https://youtu.be/gc0lUSJfki8

Simplicity is a difficult concept to master. While there’s always the temptation to do more, doing less yet achieving th...
09/19/2021

Simplicity is a difficult concept to master. While there’s always the temptation to do more, doing less yet achieving the same results is how change takes place.

As storytellers, we are responsible for helping drive social change. It doesn’t need to be a full blown master plan for it be effective. Sometimes, all it takes to make a difference is a bit of intent.

Will Fernandez speaks about how some of the marketing campaigns have paved the way for social change and shed light on the need for making a difference.

Check out the full episode: https://youtu.be/gc0lUSJfki8

Advertisers are master storytellers! In a matter of few seconds, they convey an idea that builds an emotional associatio...
09/17/2021

Advertisers are master storytellers! In a matter of few seconds, they convey an idea that builds an emotional association with its audience. While there are thousands of ads created every year, few stand the test of time to become truly iconic.

We highlight a few ads that seamlessly reflected the brand’s personality while also entertaining the viewers. In our discussion with Will Fernandez, we understood the creative and technical aspects of developing narratives that not only further the goals of an organization but also do justice to the platforms on which they are consumed.

Full episode on The Afflatus: https://youtu.be/gc0lUSJfki8

What's your all-time favorite advertisement?

JUST RELEASED! Season 3: Episode 10 of The Afflatus feat. Will FernandezWill Fernandez is a Global Client Partner with W...
09/16/2021

JUST RELEASED! Season 3: Episode 10 of The Afflatus feat. Will Fernandez

Will Fernandez is a Global Client Partner with Wunderman Thompson, where he oversees the strategic growth of some of the agency’s most ambitious clients. Prior to Wunderman Thompson, Will joined the WPP Fellowship Program, working across the world’s largest marketing services company to help provide end-to-end creative transformation.

Will started his career working in government, with stints in the United States Peace Corps mission in Costa Rica and in the Obama Administration’s National Economic Council. When Will isn’t collaborating with clients, he is either traveling to new cities, trying out new recipes, or watching NBA basketball.

Will Fernandez is a Global Client Partner with Wunderman Thompson, where he oversees the strategic growth of some of the agency’s most ambitious clients. Pri...

JUST RELEASED! Season 3: Episode 9 of The Afflatus feat. Liz Hartman​Liz Hartman is the Founder of Swiatlo Design, a slo...
08/16/2021

JUST RELEASED! Season 3: Episode 9 of The Afflatus feat. Liz Hartman

Liz Hartman is the Founder of Swiatlo Design, a slow fashion brand crafted from Indian artisan textiles & repurposed materials. Liz earned her BFA in Fashion at Parsons School of Design​ in New York and worked as a pattern-maker, sample sewer, and technical designer at a variety of established brands including Kenneth Cole​ and Ralph Lauren's CLUB MONACO​.

Liz traveled to Ahmedabad in 2016 seeking deeper meaning in clothes-making and fell in love with the acts of devotion and respect for ecology intrinsic to the making of Indian craft textiles. After starting Swiatlo, Liz settled in India to work closely with the amazing tailors, printers, and NGOs who breathe life into her work.

Liz Hartman is the Founder of Swiatlo, a slow fashion brand crafted from Indian artisan textiles & repurposed materials. Liz earned her BFA in Fashion at Par...

We have come a long way from scanning our computers for Trojan Horse viruses. With the advancements in computing capabil...
08/14/2021

We have come a long way from scanning our computers for Trojan Horse viruses. With the advancements in computing capabilities, our data has never been more prone to cyberattacks.

The ransomware attack on the in the U.S. shows that such cyberattacks have real consequences far beyond privacy breaches. As we continue to work from home, the line between the personal and professional space has blurred.

Ingrid Toppelberg underscores the importance of educating oneself to better protect against such cyberattacks. Catch the full discussion on The Afflatus: https://youtu.be/sZIgnn9iKcQ

Cybersecurity is at a pivotal moment in history. With more data and more file types than ever, security and privacy pose...
08/12/2021

Cybersecurity is at a pivotal moment in history. With more data and more file types than ever, security and privacy pose big questions regarding how safe our information really is.

Ingrid Toppelberg offers an insider’s view on how the industry is evolving, tackling some of its biggest challenges & how you can play a part in it on the latest episode of The Afflatus.

Full episode here: https://youtu.be/sZIgnn9iKcQ

Given the advent of hyperspecialization, a lot of C-Suite roles have been created to fulfill the needs of a growing orga...
08/11/2021

Given the advent of hyperspecialization, a lot of C-Suite roles have been created to fulfill the needs of a growing organization. While everyone has a fair idea regarding the role of the CEO or a CFO in a company, Chief Product Officer (CPO) might seem a bit abstract in comparison.

Ingrid Toppelberg offers a succinct overview of the responsibilities of a CPO and highlights core traits essential to the success of an organization's product(s). CPOs are in charge of initiatives across the entire product lifecycle — from customer discovery and user research to development and delivery.

Catch my full discussion with Ingrid: https://youtu.be/sZIgnn9iKcQ

Good decision-making is an art that is hard to master. Way too often we find ourselves stuck in a career that is not ful...
08/10/2021

Good decision-making is an art that is hard to master. Way too often we find ourselves stuck in a career that is not fulfilling. Rather than cutting losses, we continue with it because we think it is "too late" or we're "too deep" in it.

Ingrid Toppelberg shares an effective way to mitigate this situation is to constantly assess the trade-off between staying where you are versus moving on to other things. The more you employ this approach, the better you will get at making decisions leading to professional success.

Catch the full episode: https://youtu.be/sZIgnn9iKcQ

JUST RELEASED! Season 3: Episode 8 of The Afflatus feat. Ingrid Toppelberg.Ingrid Toppelberg is the Chief Product Office...
08/09/2021

JUST RELEASED! Season 3: Episode 8 of The Afflatus feat. Ingrid Toppelberg.

Ingrid Toppelberg is the Chief Product Officer at Cybint Solutions, a global cybersecurity education company based in Tel Aviv.

Originally from Argentina, Ingrid began her career in Private Equity and then moved to management consulting at McKinsey where she worked across a wide range of industries, including retail, banking, and telecommunications.

Ingrid did her MBA at MIT Sloan School of Management and is also the Head Coach at MIT Entrepreneurship & Innovation Bootcamp, where she contributes to the development of a global network of entrepreneurs.

Ingrid Toppelberg is the Chief Product Officer at Cybint Solutions, a global cybersecurity education company based in Tel Aviv. Originally from Argentina, In...

Inventory Management is the foundational skill for running an efficient retail business. Too much inventory ties up your...
07/28/2021

Inventory Management is the foundational skill for running an efficient retail business. Too much inventory ties up your capital and too little inventory doesn’t offer enough options for your customers.

While it’s tricky to model the demand considering the seasonal changes as well as global logistics, Inventory Management techniques make it easier to analyze the consumption patterns to determine optimum inventory levels.

Sairam breaks down the essence of inventory management techniques in his episode: https://youtu.be/Iv7nNBF46i0

We live in a world that is addicted to instant gratification. Patience is a rare trait. All too often, we look for insta...
07/27/2021

We live in a world that is addicted to instant gratification. Patience is a rare trait. All too often, we look for instant results whether it's our social media notifications or career success.

Unfortunately, history has proved time and again that delayed gratification is a better way to ensure success. Good things rarely happen overnight. Sairam Gowrisetty shares his journey of not only moving to Canada from India but also investing in education to switch industries thereby setting an example for ambitious professionals.

Watch Sairam's incredible career journey. Full episode here: https://youtu.be/Iv7nNBF46i0

It’s always tricky to pull off a successful advertising campaign. Not only you need to understand your target audience b...
07/24/2021

It’s always tricky to pull off a successful advertising campaign. Not only you need to understand your target audience but also choose the right tone to convey your message.

Unfortunately, some of the biggest brands have failed to strike that balance. Such marketing snafu can be detrimental to the brand value but it can be overcome by having a balance and diverse review committee.

Which other marketing fails do you remember? Check out how brands can develop a perfect marketing campaign on the latest episode of The Afflatus: https://youtu.be/uk24C_6Wckw

In the latest episode of The Afflatus, Soumita Banerjee and Aalok Rathod take a deep dive into the exciting world of Adv...
07/23/2021

In the latest episode of The Afflatus, Soumita Banerjee and Aalok Rathod take a deep dive into the exciting world of Advertising & Digital Storytelling.

We speak about everything from the Social Networks, Privacy features, to Emerging trends and Creativity. Tune in to understand an insider’s perspective on the industry and if you’re built fir a career in it.

Check out the full discussion between Soumita Banerjee and Aalok Rathod: https://youtu.be/uk24C_6Wckw

Marketing jargons can be confusing. SEO, CRM, SEM you get the point. But these jargons need not be scary as they stand f...
07/22/2021

Marketing jargons can be confusing. SEO, CRM, SEM you get the point. But these jargons need not be scary as they stand for intuitive concepts.

Here’s a quick primer on some of the most common marketing terms that every business professional need to know. Imbibe them and impress the marketers during your next meeting.

Want to know how these concepts are applied? Listen to the latest episode of The Afflatus.

Check out the full discussion between Soumita Banerjee and me: https://youtu.be/uk24C_6Wckw

Advertising has to keep up with both the technological innovations as well as the pulse of the culture to be effective a...
07/21/2021

Advertising has to keep up with both the technological innovations as well as the pulse of the culture to be effective and relevant.

While the AR & VR promises to be the game changers, a lot of brands fall short of understanding the true sentiments of their target audiences.

It’s a hard balance to strike and therein lies the appeal of digital advertising.

Check out the full discussion between Soumita Banerjee and me: https://youtu.be/uk24C_6Wckw

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