Experience-Focused Leaders

Alex Shevelenko
  • 5.0 (3)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Introducing Alex Shevelenko, CEO and founder of RELAYTO and the host of the Experienced-Focused Leaders Podcast. With a mission to empower seasoned business owners who recognize the critical role of customer experience in achieving success, Alex brings together a community of discerning listeners eager to explore new perspectives and strategies for enhancing their experience-centric approach. In our thought-provoking podcast episodes, we dive deep into the stories and insights of accomplished business owners who have honed their expertise in delivering exceptional customer experiences. These industry veterans possess a wealth of knowledge and practical experience, making them valuable resources for our audience of seasoned professionals who are passionate about creating meaningful connections with their customers. Our podcast serves as a platform for exchanging ideas, sharing best practices, and exploring innovative approaches to customer experience. We understand that our audience is composed of discerning individuals who have already achieved considerable success and are constantly seeking new ways to elevate their customer-centric strategies. If you are a seasoned business owner with a profound understanding of the significance of customer experience in driving business growth, we invite you to join us as a guest on our podcast. Share your unique insights, success stories, and the strategies that have set you apart in your industry.

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    28 – Predictable Magic: The $10 Billion Design Secret

    Your host Alex Shevelenko welcomes Ravi Sawhney, the CEO and founder of RKS Design and PA AI, for a deep dive into the intersection of cognitive psychology and world-class innovation. With a career that began at the legendary Xerox PARC developing the first touchscreen interfaces, Ravi has spent over four decades helping global giants like Samsung, Intel, and Lego move beyond traditional aesthetics to create deep emotional resonance through his trademarked methodology, Psychoesthetics™. In this conversation, Ravi explains his "180-degree" approach to design: shifting the focus from how a person feels about a product to how that product makes them feel about themselves. He breaks down his reinvention of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs into a powerful mapping system that plots interactivity against self-actualization, revealing the "white space" opportunities where brands can achieve massive enterprise value. Ravi shares the "Predictable Magic" behind iconic successes—from the $10 billion value creation at Life Technologies to the viral utility of a Zyliss can opener—demonstrating that even the most mundane tools can become vehicles for human empowerment. Ravi also introduces his latest venture, PA AI, which digitizes his 35 years of human-centered research into a predictive AI engine. He illustrates how leaders can leverage the Hero’s Journey to de-risk innovation, align global teams, and transform "calls to action" into "calls to adventure." This episode provides a sophisticated playbook for entrepreneurs and executives looking to navigate the modern "Design Quotient" and build products that don't just solve problems, but motivate users to become the best versions of themselves. To continue the conversation with Ravi, visit rksdesign.com or his LinkedIn. Want to be a guest on the show? Apply here. To learn more about RELAYTO, visit: relayto.com.

    49 min

  2. 5 MAR

    27 – From Forbes 30 Under 30 to Salesforce Exit: Scott Britton’s Journey Inward

    Your host Alex Shevelenko welcomes Scott Britton, entrepreneur, author of Conscious Accomplishment, and a former Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree. After the successful acquisition of his venture-backed company, Troops, by Salesforce in 2022, Scott turned his focus toward the "Third Way"—a philosophy that integrates high-level material achievement with deep internal fulfillment and spiritual awareness. In this conversation, Scott challenges the traditional binary between professional success and personal peace, explaining why true fulfillment is an "inside job" rather than an external metric. He introduces the concept of the subconscious database, using a tech-forward analogy to show how leaders can "debug" their automatic reactive patterns—such as stress, procrastination, and scarcity mindsets. Scott dives into the "High-Achiever’s Trap," sharing his own journey of realizing that "killing it" on paper often masks invisible strings of productivity-based worth and burnout. From his background as a Princeton athlete to his experiences exploring altered states of consciousness, Scott illustrates how our professional lives serve as a "dojo" for self-awareness. He offers a framework for reframing life's challenges as a personalized growth curriculum, arguing that heightened consciousness doesn't distract from material reality—it actually makes us more capable of navigating it. This episode provides a profound playbook for leaders, founders, and anyone looking to bridge the gap between "doing" and "being" in an era of constant pressure. To continue the conversation with Scott, connect with him via his LinkedIn or consciousaccomplishment.com. Want to be a guest on the show? Apply here. To learn more about RELAYTO, visit: relayto.com.

    33 min

  3. 27 FEB

    26 – The Productivity Paradox: Why AI Hasn't Saved the Economy (Yet)

    Your host Alex Shevelenko welcomes Professor Hermann Simon, founder and honorary chairman of Simon-Kucher and the world’s leading authority on pricing and strategy. Often cited as the most influential management thinker since Peter Drucker, Hermann brings five decades of experience identifying the "Hidden Champions" of the global economy and advising world-class organizations on value and growth. In this conversation, Hermann shares his perspective on the intersection of specialized expertise and artificial intelligence, explaining why companies must "stay deep" while accelerating their "disruptive velocity." He addresses the "mother of all problems"—demography—and discusses the IT Productivity Paradox, questioning why decades of technical investment have yet to yield massive gains in labor productivity. Hermann also offers a candid look at the bureaucratic hurdles facing Western industries and why the secret to modern competition lies in the speed of translating research into marketable products. From his early days as a professor at Harvard and Stanford to his role in building a global consultancy with over 2,000 employees, Hermann illustrates how trust, purpose, and human relationships remain the constants in an era of exponential change. This episode provides profound strategic insights for leaders navigating the complexities of global competition, pricing in the age of AI, and the structural shifts defining the next decade of business. To continue the conversation with Hermann, connect with him via hermannsimon.com. Want to be a guest on the show? Apply here. To learn more about RELAYTO, visit: relayto.com.

    1h 4m

  4. 20 FEB

    25 – The Double-Edged Sword of AI in Financial Services

    Your host Alex Shevelenko welcomes Luke Giancarlo, Director of the FinTech Innovation Lab in New York and an executive at Accenture, where he leads digital currency and AI initiatives. Luke brings a unique perspective, combining hands-on startup experience with deep insight into enterprise innovation, fintech, and emerging technologies. In this conversation, Luke shares his view on corporate-startup collaboration, the future of AI and digital currency, and the evolving landscape of financial services. He explains how startups can succeed with tier-one financial institutions, why focus and clarity matter more than flashy technology, and how building a strong network—or “your army”—can accelerate growth. Luke also highlights the next wave of innovation, from agentic commerce to AI-enabled treasury and blockchain applications, and the human-centered opportunities these technologies create. From guiding startups through the Lab’s competitive program to helping enterprises adopt emerging technologies responsibly, Luke illustrates how practical experience, experimentation, and a collaborative mindset can drive meaningful impact. This episode provides actionable insights for founders, innovators, and enterprise leaders navigating the fast-changing world of fintech. To continue the conversation with Luke, connect with him via LinkedIn. Want to be a guest on the show? Apply HERE. To learn more about RELAYTO, visit: relayto.com.

    57 min

  5. 13 FEB

    24 – From Wharton to Amazon: Business Model Innovation in Action

    Your host Alex Shevelenko welcomes Sergey Netessine, Senior Vice Dean of Innovation and Global Initiatives at the Wharton School and Durbani Armani Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Sergey is also an Amazon Scholar and a seasoned investor, bringing a rare blend of academic rigor, corporate strategy, and hands-on venture experience to the world’s leading organizations. In this conversation, Sergey shares his perspective on business model innovation, corporate-startup collaboration, and the role of culture in driving organizational change. He explains why the biggest barrier to innovation in large companies is not technical, but cultural, and contrasts this with the experimentation-driven mindset of startups. Sergey also discusses his unique approach to investing—not for returns, but for learning and insight—and how he integrates these experiences into teaching and research at Wharton. From his work shaping Wharton’s executive education programs and global youth initiatives to advising major companies like Amazon, Sergey illustrates how to bridge theory and practice, build disciplined investment processes, and nurture lifelong learning. This episode shows how curiosity, experimentation, and a structured approach can unlock innovation, both personally and organizationally. To continue the conversation with Sergey, connect with him via his LinkedIn or the Wharton website. To learn more about RELAYTO, visit: relayto.com.

    55 min

  6. 6 FEB

    23 – The End of the Hero: Why the Smartest Person in the Room is Often the Most Limited

    Your host Alex Shevelenko welcomes Stephen Josephs, a pioneer in adult development and the co-author of the seminal book Leadership Agility. With over 40 years of experience as an executive coach, Stephen helps senior leaders navigate high-pressure environments by recognizing the inner patterns that drive their behavior. A lifelong practitioner of meditation and Tai Chi, Stephen brings a unique blend of Taoist wisdom and developmental psychology to the world’s most established organizations. In this conversation, Stephen gets practical about the "internal" work of leadership. He explores the transition from "Heroic" leadership—where the leader must be the smartest person in the room—to "Post-Heroic" agility, where curiosity and collective intelligence take center stage. Stephen shares a powerful role-playing technique to dissolve conflict, explains why "getting over yourself" is the ultimate competitive advantage, and reveals how pre-verbal childhood patterns often act as the hidden "fuel" behind an overachiever’s drive. From his "When Harry Met Sally" moment with a meditation teacher to the day he turned down a Hollywood movie deal to protect his sense of self, Stephen’s stories illustrate a path to leadership that is grounded in radical honesty and self-trust. This episode shows how leadings from a place of "stillness" can drive better results for your team, your culture, and your own well-being. To continue the conversation with Stephen, connect with him at stephenjosephs.com. Think you’d be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE. To learn more about RELAYTO, visit: relayto.com

    1h 28m

  7. 30 JAN

    22 – Stop Passing the Hot Potato: Leadership in Sustainability

    Your host Alex Shevelenko welcomes Magali Anderson, a global sustainability and innovation leader and former Chief Sustainability & Innovation Officer at Holcim. Magali brings deep, real-world experience leading change at scale—across operations, markets, and incentives. Today, she serves on the boards of Anglo American and the Capitals Coalition, mentors founders through the Creative Destruction Lab, and invests in ESG-driven ventures. In this conversation, Magali gets practical about why sustainability efforts stall—and what actually works. She shares how staying close to operations keeps leaders grounded, why guilt and fear often block progress, and how responsibility is too often passed between companies, customers, investors, and governments. Magali explains why aligning financial goals with sustainability goals is the only way teams move, and why sometimes leaders must act first—before the data feels safe or consensus is formed. From business model shifts like leasing over selling, to a real example where acting despite skepticism led to rapid global adoption and strong market share, this episode shows how sustainability can drive financial, reputational, and operational results. To continue the conversation with Magali, connect with her on LinkedIn. Think you’d be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE. To learn more about RELAYTO, visit: relayto.com

    57 min

  8. 23 JAN

    21 – The $120 Billion Founder Community You’ve Never Heard Of

    Your host Alex Shevelenko welcomes Shannon McClenaghan, the CEO of StartX, Stanford University’s elite, non-profit startup community for alumni, faculty, and serial founders. A seasoned leader at the helm of one of Silicon Valley’s most powerful "secret weapons," Shannon oversees an ecosystem that has helped launch 20 unicorns and create over $120 billion in value—all without taking a single cent of equity from its founders. In this conversation, Shannon pulls back the curtain on the "magic" of StartX. She explores the unique psychology of the founder, describing the "secret handshake" of leaders who must hold radical optimism and the fear of failure in their minds simultaneously. Shannon breaks down the power of a "pure mission" and explains why the most valuable advice doesn't come from investors or experts, but from a peer-to-peer "flywheel" where successful decacorn founders return to mentor the next generation. If you’re focused on building high-trust communities, navigating the lonely journey of a founder, or understanding why "human-grade" connection is the ultimate competitive advantage in the age of AI, this episode offers a profound look at the humanity behind the statistics. To learn more about Shannon and the StartX community, visit startx.com or reach out at shannon@startx.com. To learn more about RELAYTO, visit: relayto.com

    44 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Introducing Alex Shevelenko, CEO and founder of RELAYTO and the host of the Experienced-Focused Leaders Podcast. With a mission to empower seasoned business owners who recognize the critical role of customer experience in achieving success, Alex brings together a community of discerning listeners eager to explore new perspectives and strategies for enhancing their experience-centric approach. In our thought-provoking podcast episodes, we dive deep into the stories and insights of accomplished business owners who have honed their expertise in delivering exceptional customer experiences. These industry veterans possess a wealth of knowledge and practical experience, making them valuable resources for our audience of seasoned professionals who are passionate about creating meaningful connections with their customers. Our podcast serves as a platform for exchanging ideas, sharing best practices, and exploring innovative approaches to customer experience. We understand that our audience is composed of discerning individuals who have already achieved considerable success and are constantly seeking new ways to elevate their customer-centric strategies. If you are a seasoned business owner with a profound understanding of the significance of customer experience in driving business growth, we invite you to join us as a guest on our podcast. Share your unique insights, success stories, and the strategies that have set you apart in your industry.

Information

  • Creator
    Alex Shevelenko
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    90
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Alex Shevelenko
  • Show Website
    Experience-Focused Leaders