Perception Paradox with Zivile (Zivi) Ein

Zivile (Zivi) Einikyte
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to Perception Paradox - the podcast spotlighting Europe's Underdog Founders and focused on life, business & health. We dive into the complex relationships between perceptions, worldviews, and behaviors. Invite guests who've defied the ordinary, taken bold risks, and designed their own paths. Real people, real stories, real challenges - a weekly podcast that breaks the status quo and where authenticity meets inspiration. Every Monday, 4 PM CET. Hosted by Zivile (Zivi) Ein

  1. Aug 11

    E147: She Had Everything — But Was Living Someone Else’s Life | Natalini

    Natalini became CEO of a global nonprofit before 30. She found herself in Davos with Tony Blair, surrounded by heads of state, celebrities and some of the world’s most influential people. From the outside, she had made it. But her body was telling her something completely different. In this deeply personal episode of Perception Paradox, Natalini shares what happened when she began questioning a life built around achievement, expectations and an identity that, she eventually realised, wasn’t entirely her own. We talk about losing her father, leaving a seven-year relationship and a decade-long career, confronting childhood trauma, psychedelic-assisted therapy, taking a year away from work — and ultimately changing her name as an act of reclaiming herself. But this isn’t only a story about healing. It’s about what comes after. Today, Natalini is Co-Founder and CEO of KOKO Foundation in London, bringing creativity to marginalised communities and exploring what it means to stay deeply human in the age of AI. What happens when you stop building the life you were taught to want — and start discovering the one that’s actually yours? Guest: Natalini from Koko Foundation: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justnatalini/ About Koko Foundation: www.kokofoundation.com Hosted by Zivile https://www.linkedin.com/in/zivileeinikyte/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction - Who Is Natalini? 01:33 How They Met & The Art of Real Connection 06:38 When The Body Says No - The Moment Everything Changed 09:00 The Death That Cracked Everything Open 14:19 The Tools That Healed Her - Psychedelics, Therapy & Eboga 27:26 The Grandmother - A Destiny Imposed In Communist Bulgaria 38:48 Changing Her Name - Reclaiming Her Identity 46:57 One Year Of Not Working - The Hardest Gift 54:49 Discovering Her Own Creativity For The First Time 57:18 KOKO Foundation - Building From The Ground Up As Herself 1:09:23 AI & Human Creativity - The Collective Reckoning 1:21:30 Breaking The Model - Designing A Life On Her Own Terms 1:28:12 Final Thought - Are You Creative?

    E147: She Had Everything — But Was Living Someone Else’s Life | Natalini

  2. Aug 3

    E146: "My Technical Degree Is Basically Useless Now" with Naomie (Amzallag) Halioua

    Naomie Amzallag Halioua spent years training to become a technical specialist - then watched AI make that specialization nearly worthless overnight. As co-founder and CEO of Cleo Labs, she's building an AI-powered product compliance company in a world where technical skill alone is no longer a moat. In this episode, she explains why she believes generalists - not specialists - will win the next decade, why human judgment is now the only real competitive advantage, and why Cleo walked away from a profitable product that nobody actually used. We also get into: • Why AI is quietly making deep technical training less valuable • The difference between using AI and thinking with it • How Cleo found a problem worth solving after abandoning one that wasn't • Building a company (and a family) without waiting for the "right" moment • What confidence actually requires - and where it comes from If you've ever wondered whether your hard-won expertise still matters, this conversation will change how you think about it. Naomie Halioua is the technical co-founder of Cleo Labs, a Paris-based startup that uses AI to help brands sell their products around the world without getting blocked by regulation. She's a Polytechnique-trained engineer, and she built the multi-agent architecture behind the product. Before Cleo, she co-founded Women in Web3, Europe's largest community for women in Web3. Cleo raised a 1.5 million euro pre-seed and counts Decathlon among its clients. Connect with Naomie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naomiehalioua/ Hosted by Zivi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zivileeinikyte/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Naomie's Journey 02:03 Pregnancy and Fundraising: Naomie's Experience 04:15 Role Models and Inspiration for Women in Tech 05:34 Naomie's Background in Web3 and Community Building 08:12 Pivot from AI Education to Product Compliance 13:34 How Naomie Onboards Clients for Compliance 15:45 Human in the Loop as a Competitive Advantage 17:06 Risks and Perceptions of AI Usage 20:14 Evolving Workflows and Team Skills in AI Era 21:50 Hiring for Technical and Legal Expertise 23:35 Learning and Adapting to AI Tools 25:54 Bridging the Educational Gap in AI Skills 27:31 Community Building and Support for Women 31:21 Starting the Day with Positivity and Purpose 33:24 Final Thoughts: The Power of Now and Self-Bermission

    E146: "My Technical Degree Is Basically Useless Now" with Naomie (Amzallag) Halioua

  3. Jul 26 ·  Bonus

    [paradox byte] How to Create Opportunities Before You Need Them with Anne-Maria Salmela

    Opportunities often look like luck from the outside. But usually, there is intention, preparation and a lot of invisible work behind them. Anne-Maria Salmela shares how she built communities across continents, approached relationships through value, and deliberately positioned herself for the opportunities she wanted - including joining Resolve AI in San Francisco. How can you expand your surface area of luck - and will you be ready when the right opportunity appears? Watch the full episode of Perception Paradox.

    [paradox byte] How to Create Opportunities Before You Need Them with Anne-Maria Salmela

  4. Jul 24

    E145: How to Design a Life That Creates Opportunities with Anne-Maria Salmela

    How do you build a life where opportunities keep finding you? In this episode of Perception Paradox, Zivile sit down with Anne Maria Salmela - former Finnish Math Olympian, competitive dancer, community builder, venture investor, and now part of Resolve AI, one of Silicon Valley's fastest-growing AI companies. But this conversation isn't just about AI. It's about designing a life with intention. They explore how Anne navigated three continents, built startup communities from scratch, found her way into venture capital, and ultimately joined one of the most exciting AI companies in the world. Along the way, we talk about ambition, curiosity, resilience, purpose, and why luck is often something we create ourselves. They also dive into:• How to create opportunities instead of waiting for them• What top founders look for in people• AI, the future of work, and the skills that will matter most• Building communities that change careers• Why "where is home?" is a more powerful question than "where are you from?"• The idea of living life in seasons instead of chasing perfect balance Whether you're building a startup, navigating a career change, or simply trying to create a more intentional life, this episode will leave you with practical ideas—and a few questions you'll keep thinking about long after it ends. 🎙 Guest: Anne Maria Salmela Anne is a Finnish-army-knife at Resolve.AI (AI production engineer, $1.5B val), founded the Middle East's largest youth tech community (AI hackathons, conferences, VC pipeline), founding team for $30M hedge fund & $60M VC fund in Saudi Arabia, represented Finland in Maths, national #1 & world-champion #2 dancer. Connect with Anne-Maria: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-maria-salmela/ Learn more about Resolve AI: https://resolve.ai/  Podcast host: Zivile Einikyte: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zivileeinikyte/ If you enjoyed this conversation, don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone designing their own path. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Anne's diverse background 01:59 From dancing and math to impact investing 04:00 Anne's journey through different countries and cultures 08:01 Transition into venture capital and startups 10:52 Defining impact in investment and personal life 16:07 Moving to the Middle East and studying abroad 20:03 Building communities and entrepreneurial ecosystems 25:08 Joining Resolve AI and the importance of team and culture 30:13 Resolve AI's focus on production problems with AI 34:54 Adapting to technological changes and future skills 39:57 Balancing work, health, and personal growth 44:04 Final thoughts: small actions for impact

    E145: How to Design a Life That Creates Opportunities with Anne-Maria Salmela

  5. Jul 16 ·  Bonus

    [paradox bytes] The 3 Things Every VC Actually Looks For (Most Founders Miss #2) with Rodrigo Sepulveda Schulz

    Most founders obsess over the pitch deck. Rodrigo Sepulveda Schulz — venture capitalist who has seen 15,000 startups — says the real filter is something most people overlook entirely. In this clip he breaks down the three non-negotiables he looks for in every founder: ambition, integrity, and groundedness. And why in the age of AI, soft skills are the only thing that truly can't be replaced. Watch the full episode to hear everything else he's learned from four careers and 15,000 startup pitches. Full episode with Rodrigo on Perception Paradox podcast. guest Rodrigo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rsepulveda/ hosted by Zivile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zivileeinikyte/

    [paradox bytes] The 3 Things Every VC Actually Looks For (Most Founders Miss #2) with Rodrigo Sepulveda Schulz

  6. Jul 13

    E144: Europe Is Being Colonised. Most People Don't Know It Yet | Rodrigo Sepulveda Schulz

    Rodrigo Sepulveda Schulz has lived five careers in one lifetime. Born in Chile, raised in Thailand, 36 years in Paris, now Madrid. He's been a management consultant, a serial entrepreneur, a venture capitalist who screened 15,000 startups and backed 50, a broadcaster with hundreds of episodes, and today the CEO of a European AI company he believes is genuinely worth fighting for. In this episode we get into what it actually takes to build across decades without losing yourself, why Europe is being digitally colonised and what needs to happen before it's too late, the three things he looks for in every founder, and why a wine exam made him happier than any multimillion dollar deal ever did. And what does he love more than tech or wine? You'll find out at the end. Connect with Rodrigo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rsepulveda/ rodrigosepulveda.com Hosted by Zivile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zivileeinikyte/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction - Who Is Rodrigo Sepulveda Schulz?02:42 Reunion & The Lisbon Breakfast Memory03:32 Leaving Paris After 36 Years - What It Really Felt Like05:21 Wanderlust & Living in 87 Countries07:05 The Career Nobody Plans - How It All Started08:24 From Consulting to Entrepreneur: The Netflix Copycat11:00 Inventing Himself as an Angel Investor12:09 The Broadcaster Nobody Talks About - 800 Episodes14:11 Why He Became a CEO Again at This Stage of Life14:42 The Wine Exam That Made Him Happier Than Any Deal16:53 Nature vs. Zeros and Ones - Why Wine Changed Everything17:25 How to Turn Around a Company That's Stagnating20:11 What He Actually Looks For in a Founder22:01 Solo Founders vs. Co-Founders - Has the Game Changed?25:31 The Question He's Been Trying to Answer for Years27:00 Europe Is Being Digitally Colonised - And Most Don't See It29:28 If You Were Starting a Company in Europe Today31:00 The 5 Stages of AI - Where the Real Opportunity Is32:25 Final Thought - The One Language That Connects Us All

    E144: Europe Is Being Colonised. Most People Don't Know It Yet | Rodrigo Sepulveda Schulz

  7. Trailer

    [paradox bytes] Why Uncertainty Isn't Your Enemy | Bas Wouterse

    But what if uncertainty isn't the problem? In this Paradox Byte, innovation strategist and technology leader Bas Wouterse shares why embracing uncertainty has shaped both his career and his life - and why the things we fear often become less intimidating once we understand them. Would you rather have certainty - or possibility? Full conversation with Bas is available on Perception Paradox podcast. Connect with Bas: https://www.linkedin.com/in/baswouterse/Hosted by Zivile (Zivi): https://www.linkedin.com/in/zivileeinikyte/

    [paradox bytes] Why Uncertainty Isn't Your Enemy | Bas Wouterse

  8. Jul 8

    E143: Your Mind Is the Only Prison | Bas Wouterse on AI, Magic & Building a Life That Actually Matters

    What if success isn't about becoming a unicorn - but simply making the world a little better? In this episode of Perception Paradox, Zivile sit down with Bas Wouterse - technology leader, innovation strategist, magician, and one of the most thoughtful people she met through the startup ecosystem. Over the past two decades, Bas has built technologies that save lives - from augmented reality systems for spinal surgeons to healthcare innovations that received FDA approval and a TIME Magazine Innovation Award. Yet this conversation quickly becomes about something much bigger than technology. They explore: • Why your own mind can become your biggest prison• Why not every startup needs to become a unicorn• What AI will never replace about being human• The surprising lesson he learned after flying 48 hours to the Amazon - only to discover someone had unplugged his cables• How augmented reality is making operating rooms safer• Raising children, redefining success, and what money actually buys you• Why you should stop looking at the next mountain - and appreciate the one you're already standing on This episode is about innovation, curiosity, purpose, and the stories we tell ourselves. Because sometimes the biggest breakthroughs aren't technological. They're personal. Connect with Bas: https://www.linkedin.com/in/baswouterse/Hosted by Zivile (Zivi): https://www.linkedin.com/in/zivileeinikyte/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Connection 02:59 The Role of Magic in Life 05:49 Technology and Engineering Journey 10:46 Impact-Oriented Technology Development 17:17 Augmented Reality in Surgery 20:48 The Importance of Human Interaction 24:30 Navigating Development Challenges 28:12 Startup Patterns and Insights 33:44 The Pursuit of Happiness vs. Wealth 35:46 Reinventing Yourself: The Five-Year Cycle 37:59 Embracing Uncertainty in Life 39:13 Demystifying Technology for the Masses 41:46 Proud Innovations and Their Impact 42:48 Unlearning Authority and Finding Your Path 44:26 Teaching Values to the Next Generation 45:59 Breaking Free from Mental Constraints 46:34 Defining Identity Beyond Work 47:43 Accidental Journeys: Lessons from Brazil 57:16 Starting Over: Insights for New Beginnings 01:00:33 Living in the Present: Enjoying the Journey 01:03:39 Relationships and Shared Goals

    E143: Your Mind Is the Only Prison | Bas Wouterse on AI, Magic & Building a Life That Actually Matters
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Welcome to Perception Paradox - the podcast spotlighting Europe's Underdog Founders and focused on life, business & health. We dive into the complex relationships between perceptions, worldviews, and behaviors. Invite guests who've defied the ordinary, taken bold risks, and designed their own paths. Real people, real stories, real challenges - a weekly podcast that breaks the status quo and where authenticity meets inspiration. Every Monday, 4 PM CET. Hosted by Zivile (Zivi) Ein

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