The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu

Mehmet Gonullu
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Broadcasting from Dubai, The CTO Show with Mehmet explores the latest trends in technology, startups, and venture funding. Host Mehmet Gonullu leads insightful discussions with thought leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs from diverse industries. From emerging technologies to startup investment strategies, the show provides a balanced view on navigating the evolving landscape of business and tech, helping listeners understand their profound impact on our world. mehmet@yassiventures.com

  1. -13 Ч

    #514 The Longevity Economy: Jon Sabes on Healthspan, Wealthspan, and Aging Well

    In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, I sit down with Jon Sabes, Founder & CEO of Longevity FP, serial entrepreneur, and author of Healthy Wealthy Longevity. We explore how the intersection of health, wealth, and technology is reshaping our future. From the basics of extending healthspan to the economic implications of an aging population, Jon shares practical wisdom and groundbreaking insights for entrepreneurs, investors, and anyone interested in living longer — and better. 📌 Key Takeaways • Why longevity is the missing piece in financial planning. • How healthspan and wealthspan must align for a fulfilling life. • The basics of longevity — movement, nutrition, purpose, and connection. • Journaling as a tool for focus, clarity, and stress reduction. • The rise of the longevity economy and opportunities for entrepreneurs. • How AI and wearables will transform financial services and healthcare. ⸻ 🎧 What You’ll Learn • How to prepare financially for a longer life expectancy. • The role of purpose and human connection in aging well. • Practical daily habits to extend both healthspan and wealthspan. • Why entrepreneurs must treat health as the antidote to stress. • The macro-trends driving growth in the global longevity economy. 👤 About the Guest Jon Sabes is a serial entrepreneur and CEO of Longevity Financial Partners (Longevity FP). With a career rooted in financial services and life insurance, Jon has become a leading voice on how longevity science impacts financial planning, retirement, and human well-being. He is also the author of Healthy Wealthy Longevity: The Good Things in Life for as Long as Possible. https://linktr.ee/jsabes https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-sabes-14368257/ Episode Highlights (Timestamps) 00:02 — How Jon transitioned from financial services into longevity science 00:06 — Why retirement planning is broken and the real “magic number” for savings 00:10 — Healthspan vs. lifespan: why the difference matters 00:14 — The Blue Zones and the fundamentals of longevity 00:18 — Stress, entrepreneurship, and why movement is medicine 00:22 — Journaling as a tool for clarity and resilience 00:29 — The risks of ignoring health and self-care in pursuit of success 00:34 — Rethinking wealth and happiness beyond money 00:38 — The longevity economy: a massive demographic shift 00:42 — AI, wearables, and the future of financial services 00:46 — Final thoughts: preparing for a longer, healthier, wealthier life

    51 мин.

  2. -2 ДН.

    #513 No Excuses, Only Solutions: Derrick Girard on the Founder’s Mindset

    In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, Derrick Girard shares his remarkable journey from financial services advisor to tech founder — despite having no technical background. Derrick opens up about scaling his company without a traditional sales team, surviving multiple lawsuits, and ultimately selling his business. His story is one of grit, resilience, and what he calls the FIO (Figure It Out) mindset — a framework every founder and leader can adopt to overcome obstacles and drive success. 🚀 Key Takeaways • Why excuses are never the solution in entrepreneurship • How Derrick scaled without a traditional sales team • The importance of validating an idea in a resistant market • Lessons from navigating three simultaneous lawsuits • Why success is “stairs, not an elevator” — and the reality check founders need • Building a culture of ownership and resilience inside growing teams ⸻ 🎧 What You’ll Learn • Practical strategies for validating and scaling a startup in regulated industries • How to compartmentalize challenges and stay focused under extreme pressure • The difference between the victim mindset and the solution mindset • Why documenting agreements — even with family and friends — is critical for founders • How to instill the Figure It Out mindset across teams and organizations 👤 About Derrick Girard Derrick Girard is an entrepreneur, author, and speaker who built and exited a tech company in the highly regulated financial services sector. With no formal background in technology, he relied on persistence, problem-solving, and the FIO mindset to navigate challenges that included investor disputes, lawsuits, and industry resistance. Today, Derrick helps founders and leaders embrace resilience, take ownership, and build solutions-driven cultures. He is also the author of Put to the Test: The FIO Mindset. https://derrickgirard.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/derrickgirard/ https://www.amazon.com/dp/1966190581?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_W4Z0S11X2YDG28CRKE17&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_W4Z0S11X2YDG28CRKE17&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_W4Z0S11X2YDG28CRKE17&bestFormat=true&newOGT=1 Episode Highlights • (02:30) Derrick’s unlikely path from finance to tech entrepreneurship • (05:00) Scaling without a sales team and replacing it with relationship managers • (07:30) Validating the idea through networks, questions, and conferences • (11:00) Navigating three lawsuits while scaling the company • (18:30) Why “success is stairs, not an elevator” • (23:00) The danger of excuses and the rise of the victim mentality • (27:00) Applying the FIO mindset to teams and organizations • (31:00) Reality checks every founder should do before starting up • (38:00) Redefining entrepreneurship: problem solvers vs. titles • (44:00) Derrick’s mission today and how to connect with him

    48 мин.

  3. -5 ДН.

    #512 From Mainframes to Cloud: Rob Duffy on Reinventing Healthcare Systems

    In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, I sit down with Rob Duffy, CTO of HealthEdge, to unpack how healthcare—one of the last industries to modernize—is finally undergoing a deep digital transformation. Rob shares how his journey through companies like Amazon, Kindle, Time Inc., and Expedia prepared him for leading one of the most complex transitions in technology: taking healthcare systems from legacy mainframes to cloud-native platforms. We discuss the hype vs. reality of AI, what true ROI looks like, and why cultural change is the hardest part of transformation. Whether you’re a tech leader, investor, or founder, Rob’s perspective sheds light on how to drive meaningful change in regulated and lagging industries. Key Takeaways • Why healthcare has lagged in digital transformation and how SaaS is shifting the landscape • The real challenges of replacing mainframes and legacy systems in regulated industries • AI in practice: from demos and hype to real ROI and human-hour savings • Building an AI-first culture and making adoption stick inside organizations • APIs, interoperability, and the future of system integration • Career advice for aspiring CTOs: why learning the business matters as much as tech What You’ll Learn • How to navigate transformation in industries with entrenched legacy systems • The single most important metric for measuring AI impact • Why cultural adoption is the true unlock for enterprise AI • How APIs and interoperability shape the future of healthcare and beyond About the Guest Robert Duffy is an accomplished technology leader with an extensive background in product development and engineering. Rob previously served as the Chief Product and Technology Officer at Drizly, an Uber Company, where he played a pivotal role in scaling the company’s product and engineering teams post-acquisition. His leadership at Drizly was instrumental in driving innovation within Uber Eats' grocery delivery services, showcasing his ability to merge technology with user-centric solutions. Prior to his tenure at Drizly, Robert held significant positions at industry giants including Salesforce.com, Amazon, and Time Inc.    At Salesforce, Rob excelled as the Vice President of Software Engineering, leading the team responsible for the Lightning Web Stack, which handles billions of API calls per day. At Time Inc, he served as VP of Engineering for its video and content platform that powered more than 300 content apps for 91 media brands with 139 million unique monthly users. At Amzaon, he was Head of Strategic Initiatives for the Kindle Store Platform, the content experience powering hundreds of millions of e-commerce transactions on the digital stores (books, audio books, video, and mp3) across all of Amazon's devices (fire tablet, kindle, echo, fire TV, and mobile apps). https://www.linkedin.com/in/platformduffy/ https://healthedge.com/ Episode Highlights • [02:30] Why healthcare is the last major industry to transform • [06:45] Mainframes, legacy systems, and the cost of change • [12:00] AI hype vs. real-world ROI examples • [20:00] Building an AI-first culture and driving adoption • [27:30] Governance, security, and evaluating new AI tools • [33:00] Pilot programs and scaling cultural change • [38:00] AI’s role in cloud optimization and legacy refactoring • [44:00] APIs as the next big unlock for enterprise systems • [46:30] Rob’s advice for aspiring CTOs: learn the business first

    49 мин.

  4. 28 АВГ.

    #511 Why Latin America Is Becoming the Go-To Talent Hub for Global Startups

    In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, I sit down with Leandro Cartelli, CEO of Lana Talent, to explore how Latin America is emerging as one of the most strategic regions for global hiring. From Argentina to the world, Lean shares insights from 15+ years in talent acquisition—helping startups and SMBs build cost-effective, high-performing remote teams. We discuss why the “right hire” is evolving in the age of AI, the real cost of bad hiring decisions, and how Latin American talent is powering startups across the US, Canada, Europe, and beyond. Key Takeaways • Why bad hires cost up to 200% of annual salary and how to avoid them • The shift from hard skills to soft skills in defining the “right hire” • How AI is reshaping both the recruiter’s process and the candidate’s journey • Why Latin America offers top talent at 30–50% lower cost without sacrificing quality • The critical role of transparency and trust in hiring and retention ⸻ What You’ll Learn • How startups can leverage Latin America for affordable, high-quality teams • The future of hiring in the AI-driven job market • The biggest mistakes founders make when recruiting talent • Why candidate experience directly impacts business performance • The importance of development and growth conversations in retention About the Guest Leandro Cartelli is the CEO and Founder of Lana Talent, a staffing and recruiting company specializing in building remote teams in Latin America for global businesses. With over 15 years of leadership in talent acquisition at firms like Accenture and within the pharma and tech sectors, Lean is passionate about connecting startups and SMBs with world-class talent in an affordable, scalable way. https://lanatalent.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/leancartelli/ Episode Highlights ⏱️ [00:03:00] Lean’s journey from Accenture to founding Lana Talent ⏱️ [00:07:00] When to use in-house hiring vs. external partners ⏱️ [00:13:00] The hidden costs of bad hiring decisions ⏱️ [00:15:00] How the definition of the “right hire” has shifted in the AI era ⏱️ [00:20:00] The loop of AI recruiters vs. AI applicants ⏱️ [00:30:00] Why development and transparency matter more than ever ⏱️ [00:38:00] How COVID accelerated remote hiring across Latin America ⏱️ [00:43:00] The top three functions LATAM talent fills for startups ⏱️ [00:48:00] How Lana Talent bridges global founders with Latin American talent

    51 мин.

  5. 26 АВГ.

    #510 Will AI Replace Teachers? Greg Banks on the Real Future of Education

    In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we dive into the future of education and technology with Greg Banks, a veteran teacher, school administrator, researcher, and author. Greg brings over 20 years of experience in K-12 education and chemistry teaching, along with a deep perspective on how AI is reshaping classrooms. From the early days of clickers and smart boards to today’s AI-powered tools, Greg explains what works, what doesn’t, and what founders building in EdTech must keep in mind. Together, we explore how AI can empower teachers rather than replace them, and why the human connection in classrooms will always matter. 🔑 Key Takeaways • Why AI reveals the shortcomings of today’s education system. • The two big questions: What should students learn? vs. How should they learn? • How COVID-era online schooling exposed the limits of tech in classrooms. • Why banning devices isn’t the answer—and how to rethink their role in learning. • The “three pillars” of education: personal exchange, curriculum, and classroom exchange. • How EdTech founders should design products that take work off teachers’ plates. • Why personalization is the real superpower AI brings to education. ⸻ 🎧 What You’ll Learn • The difference between integrating AI for students vs. for teachers. • Where EdTech startups are oversaturated—and where real opportunities still exist. • The long-term impact of AI on classrooms, teaching careers, and learning outcomes. • Why interpersonal skills and human connection will define education in an AI era. 👤 About Greg Banks Dr. Greg Banks is a veteran educator, researcher, entrepreneur, and edtech thought leader with over 20 years of experience teaching and leading in public, exam, and private K-12 schools. With a PhD in Chemistry and a deep focus on how teacher beliefs shape classroom practice, Greg brings a rare blend of real-world classroom insight and rigorous academic research to the table. He recently led a pilot study with Eddo Learning and the Einstein Project exploring how AI can help teachers adopt new science curricula more effectively.  His Substack, Aligned: AI in Education, and his newly released book, Aligned: A Love Letter to Developers on What We Need from AI to Improve Education, aim to bridge the gap between edtech creators and the classroom—because great tools start with deep understanding. https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-banks-ph-d-15733113/ https://gregorybanks.authorsites.co/ https://gregorybanksphd.substack.com/ Episode Highlights • [02:00] Greg’s journey from chemistry teacher to AI and EdTech thought leader • [06:00] The gap between what kids can do with AI and what schools still teach • [09:00] Why Zoom classes failed during COVID—and what it means for EdTech • [13:00] Prohibiting ChatGPT vs. integrating AI into lessons • [17:00] Why teachers are still at the center of the classroom experience • [22:00] The debate on banning phones and laptops in schools • [28:00] Surprising lessons from AI pilot programs with teachers • [31:00] Where EdTech should (and shouldn’t) focus its innovation • [39:00] What AI will never replace in education • [42:00] Why Greg is optimistic about the future of classrooms

    48 мин.

  6. 23 АВГ.

    #509 Leading Through Chaos: Rob Kalwarowsky’s Lessons for Founders and Tech leaders

    In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, I sit down with Rob Kalwarowsky — executive coach, TEDx speaker, and author of Capitalizing on Chaos. Rob shares his powerful personal journey from MIT-trained engineer to leadership coach, opening up about toxic leadership, mental health struggles, and how he transformed adversity into a framework for resilient leadership. We explore what chaos really means for today’s founders and tech leaders, and how to turn uncertainty into an opportunity to scale, grow, and lead authentically. 🔑 Key Takeaways • Chaos starts within — why leaders must master their own psychology first. • How to avoid falling into the six destructive leadership types. • Why saying “I’m human” can unlock resilience and clarity. • The balance between empathy and accountability in startup leadership. • Real-world examples of scaling companies through resilient leadership. ⸻ 📚 What You’ll Learn • How founders and tech leaders can thrive during uncertainty. • The dangers of toxic leadership — and how to break free from it. • The process of building authentic, resilient leadership. • How to scale your business without losing clarity or balance. • Why empathy, authenticity, and accountability drive growth. 👤 About Rob Kalwarowsky Rob Kalwarowsky is a globally recognized executive coach, keynote speaker, and author, celebrated for transforming high-performing leaders by empowering their mindset, strength, and influence through research-backed leadership techniques  . • Speaking: Rob delivers deeply transformative keynotes that blend authenticity, humor, and practical insights. His presentations invite leaders to make immediate, lasting internal shifts through stories that resonate, regardless of audience size  . • Executive Coaching – the MIT Way: With a unique background as an MIT-trained engineer, Rob applies strategies grounded in psychological research—such as Internal Family Systems (IFS)—to drive quick, sustainable leadership growth. His clients include Fortune 500 executives, C-suite leaders, and Olympic gold medalists . • Proven Track Record: Rob is renowned for delivering massive results that endure—he doesn’t just provide answers, he empowers leaders to discover long-term solutions themselves . https://www.robkalwarowsky.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-kalwarowsky/ Episode Highlights 00:01 – Rob’s journey from MIT engineer to executive coach 04:00 – Facing toxic leadership & hitting rock bottom 07:30 – Defining chaos for founders and leaders today 10:30 – The framework to overcome uncertainty 13:00 – Case study: Scaling a $3M company to $15M in six months 16:00 – Why results vary — and how breakthroughs happen 17:00 – The six destructive leadership types 20:00 – Balancing empathy and accountability as a leader 23:00 – Authenticity vs. pretending: why founders must lead as themselves 26:00 – Rob’s book & leadership assessment

    29 мин.

  7. 21 АВГ.

    #508 Breaking the Expert Trap: Alistair Gordon on Elevating Technical Skills into Enterprise Impact

    In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, I sit down with Alistair Gordon, founder of Expertunity and author of Master Expert. Alistair has spent decades helping organizations unlock the hidden potential of their technical experts by transforming them into influential leaders. We dive into why technical skills alone are no longer enough, how “enterprise skills” drive innovation, and why overlooking experts in leadership development is one of the costliest mistakes organizations make. Key Takeaways • Why most organizations underinvest in their technical experts • The “Expert Trap” and how to break free from it • The three types of leadership every technical professional should understand • Why outcome-based KPIs matter more than activity-based metrics • How enterprise skills fuel innovation, collaboration, and influence ⸻ What You’ll Learn • Practical ways CTOs and CIOs can unlock more value from their teams • How technical founders can build leadership capacity in startups and scaleups • Why democratized leadership and coaching are reshaping the workplace • The role of AI in reshaping technical expertise and leadership skills About the Guest Alistair Gordon is the CEO of Expertunity, a global leadership development company dedicated to transforming technical experts into master experts. With a background in publishing, entrepreneurship, and investing, Alistair has built a unique perspective on how leadership must evolve in the age of AI, automation, and rapid organizational change. https://www.linkedin.com/in/alistair-gordon-5a69349/ https://expertunity.global/ Episode Highlights • [04:30] The evolution of leadership from 2000 to 2025 • [09:15] Blind spots most leaders don’t see in themselves • [14:00] The shift from activity KPIs to outcome KPIs • [18:30] Why technical experts are the real drivers of innovation • [27:45] The innovation deficit: why great ideas die in organizations • [34:20] Enterprise skills: the real differentiator for technical experts • [39:15] The future of coaching and mentorship in the AI era

    49 мин.

  8. 19 АВГ.

    #507 Telehealth, AI, and Growth: Corey Hart’s Playbook for Mental Health Startups

    In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, I sit down with Corey Hart, Senior Director of Growth at Mentavi Health. Corey shares his journey from the entertainment industry to scaling telehealth and mental health startups, his lessons from driving 800% growth in behavioral health, and how AI-driven personalization (“B2Me”) is reshaping healthcare marketing and patient care. We also dive into the Midwest startup ecosystem, the importance of community building through Startup Grind, and why startups must return to first principles when crafting go-to-market strategies. 🔑 Key Takeaways • Telehealth’s Transformation: How COVID-19 accelerated adoption and normalized mental health care globally. • The Mentavi Innovation: Decoupling diagnosis from treatment to reduce costs and increase accessibility. • AI in Healthcare Marketing: Why “B2Me” personalization is becoming the new standard. • Growth Lessons: Why many founders give up on successful tactics too early. • Midwest Advantage: Strong margins, undervalued startups, and overlooked innovation outside Silicon Valley. • Community Matters: How Startup Grind’s ethos of “give before you take” creates real impact. ⸻ 📚 What You’ll Learn • Why mental health startups need purpose and curiosity to succeed • How to scale healthcare services while navigating regulation and compliance • The difference between AI as a tool vs. AI as a crutch in GTM strategy • Why founders must think in first principles rather than copying playbooks • How innovation is thriving in the Midwest — and why investors should pay attention 👤 About Corey Hart Corey Hart is the Senior Director of Growth at Mentavi Health, a pioneering telehealth company specializing in ADHD diagnosis and mental health services. He previously scaled a behavioral health startup by 800% and led large-scale public sector initiatives in New York. Corey also teaches Business 101 at a local university, runs the Grand Rapids chapter of Startup Grind, and was named Global Chapter Director of the Year (2021). https://www.coreythehart.com/ https://mentavi.com/ Episode Highlights 00:00 – Introduction and Corey’s background 04:30 – Why he pivoted from entertainment to healthcare 07:30 – The core innovation behind Mentavi Health 11:00 – Telehealth adoption post-COVID 18:00 – Healthcare marketing philosophy & personalization (“B2Me”) 23:00 – Using AI in GTM the right way vs. “spray and pray” 29:00 – The most misunderstood growth lever in startups 36:00 – What makes a healthcare startup investible in 2025 38:30 – Why the Midwest is an underestimated startup hub 44:00 – Building global communities through Startup Grind 47:00 – The power of human connection and giving back

    51 мин.
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Broadcasting from Dubai, The CTO Show with Mehmet explores the latest trends in technology, startups, and venture funding. Host Mehmet Gonullu leads insightful discussions with thought leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs from diverse industries. From emerging technologies to startup investment strategies, the show provides a balanced view on navigating the evolving landscape of business and tech, helping listeners understand their profound impact on our world. mehmet@yassiventures.com

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  • Автор
    Mehmet Gonullu
  • Годы выхода
    2023 - 2025
  • Выпуски
    513
  • Ограничения
    Без ненормативной лексики
  • Авторские права
    © Mehmet Gonullu
  • Сайт подкаста
    The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu