Iconic Conversations with Tanaka Tava Tava Multimedia Group

Lydia Tesema is a Melbourne born and raised, Ethiopian MC, Conversationalist, Moderator, Youth Programs Developer and Facilitator, Speaker, Community Engagement Consultant, multifaceted Creative and the founder of creative media platform 'Below The Surface'.

Dedicated to carving out a unique and versatile career as a global Thought Leader, Conversationalist and Entrepreneur, Lydia divides her time between community work and her love for Presenting, Hosting, Emceeing, Speaking and Panel Moderating.

Extremely passionate about making sense of the world and inspiring the next generation to be purpose- and change-driven, Lydia uses the power of connection, communication, conversation, education and creating (in all its forms) to leave her unique mark on the world. Takeaways:


Lydia's curiosity and genuine excitement to meet and connect with people from different backgrounds drives her passion for conversation and interviewing.


A conversation about people-pleasing reveals a deeper understanding of the concept and challenges the notion of fulfilling responsibilities solely for others.


Authenticity, gratitude, and personal growth are key values that Lydia embodies in her approach to life and work. People-pleasing is a form of manipulation and prevents individuals from living in their truth.


Being Black in Australia comes with its challenges, but also offers the opportunity to connect with a diverse African diaspora community.


The African diaspora in Australia is still building economic power and resources, but progress is being made.



Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Connection

01:40 The Impact of the Internet on Lydia's Career

03:56 Curiosity and Connection: Lydia's Passion for Conversation

08:41 Exploring the Deeper Meaning of People-Pleasing

11:12 Authenticity, Gratitude, and Personal Growth: Lydia's Values

25:22 Being Black in Australia: Challenges and Community

28:40 Building Economic Power in the African Diaspora

34:19 Lydia's Vision for the Future: Running Her Own Platform

37:21 The Harms and Benefits of Weed: A Critical ConversationOrder some merch, Iconic Luxury Streetwear: ⁠https://www.iconicluxurystreetwear.com/⁠

Podcast & Content Creation Course: ⁠https://tanakatava.gumroad.com/l/LVySW⁠

The Download (Keys & Codes) - Newsletter featuring previous episodes of Iconic Conversations and musings of my mind: ⁠https://tanakatava.substack.com/https://tanakatava.substack.com/⁠

Book a FREE consulting call to discuss your creative strategy or business idea: ⁠https://calendly.com/tanakatava/tava-consulting-20-minute-meeting⁠

Listen to this podcast (but in audio form): ⁠Listen to Podcast⁠

GUEST: Lydia Tesema

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lydia-tesema

💻 Website: https://belowthesurface.com.au

🐣 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lydiatesema-HOST: Tanaka Tava

💻 Website: ⁠https://www.tanakatava.com/⁠

🎙 Podcast: ⁠Listen to Podcast⁠

🎥 YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@iconicconver⁠...

🐣 Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/tanakatava/⁠

📸 Instagram: ⁠https://instagram.com/tanakatava⁠

🕺 TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@heytanakatava


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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tavamultimediagroup/support

Joan Zhang is the CEO and co-founder of Arise, a leading virtual eating disorder program that aims to shatter the stereotype of what eating disorders “look like” and break down barriers and stigma to bring people care that works for them.

Like millions of people, Joan experienced barriers to accessing eating disorder care that truly met her needs. Arise is built by and for people who have been there, too and Arise seeks to empower effective support for long-term healing. Joan graduated from Harvard College with a degree in Psychology and minor in Computer Science and spent her career focused on leading product development to make mental health care more accessible.Takeaways:


Bringing humanity into the CEO role can create a more enjoyable and effective leadership style.


Early curiosity and entrepreneurial spirit can lead to impactful ventures.


The future of healthcare lies in a more connected and personalized system.


Precision medicine has the potential to revolutionize healthcare by tailoring treatments to individual needs. Inspire and provide resources for others to create solutions in the mental health space.


Give back to underrepresented founders and open doors for them.


Prioritize self-care and build a community of founders for support.


Define success as feeling comfortable and content with oneself.





Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

02:54 Bringing Humanity to the CEO Role

06:21 Curiosity and Entrepreneurship: The Genesis of Arise

11:29 The Future of Healthcare: A Connected and Personalized System

16:24 Precision Medicine: Tailoring Care to Individual Needs

25:20 Giving Back to Underrepresented Founders

26:20 The Importance of Self-Care and Community

28:11 Defining Success as Contentment

39:28 Exploring Fairness and Justice in Technology and AIOrder some merch, Iconic Luxury Streetwear: ⁠https://www.iconicluxurystreetwear.com/⁠

Podcast & Content Creation Course: ⁠https://tanakatava.gumroad.com/l/LVySW⁠

The Download (Keys & Codes) - Newsletter featuring previous episodes of Iconic Conversations and musings of my mind: ⁠https://tanakatava.substack.com/https://tanakatava.substack.com/⁠

Book a FREE consulting call to discuss your creative strategy or business idea: ⁠https://calendly.com/tanakatava/tava-consulting-20-minute-meeting⁠

Listen to this podcast (but in audio form): ⁠Listen to Podcast⁠

GUEST: Joan Zhang

💼 LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanzhang

💻 Website: ⁠https://www.wearise.com/

📸 Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/joanz323/?hl=en-HOST: Tanaka Tava

💻 Website: ⁠https://www.tanakatava.com/⁠

🎙 Podcast: ⁠Listen to Podcast⁠

🎥 YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@iconicconver⁠...

🐣 Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/tanakatava/⁠

📸 Instagram: ⁠https://instagram.com/tanakatava⁠

🕺 TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@heytanakatava


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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tavamultimediagroup/support

Dr. Hanna Aliashkevich  is a neuroscientist and former neurosurgeon with a decade of expertise spanning clinical and research domains, including neuro-oncology, reconstructive and spine neurosurgery. As a renowned neurosurgeon in Eastern Europe and internationally recognized scientist Hanna has contributed to pioneering research on antiviral treatment for glial brain tumors.



This work has led to several publications in top-tier, peer-reviewed journals and presentations at internationally acclaimed conferences. Esteemed member of European Association of Neurosurgical Societies, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, Association for Women in Science. Currently, Hanna continues her career as a neuroscientist in the USA.  Her story and achievements have been featured on Digital Journal and California Observer. Moreover Hanna is a finalist for The Women Changing The World Award, prestigious recognition that celebrates the remarkable contributions and accomplishments of women in science, technologies, business, leadership, and innovations.  Adept of neurotechnologies. Engaging speaker and talented poetess, art lover. Passionate about social impact.



Takeaways:

1. Gratitude is a powerful practice that can enhance the brain, heart, and soul.

2. Success is not just about achieving goals, but also about making an impact and finding a balance between giving and receiving.

3. Supportive relationships and mentors play a crucial role in personal and professional development.

4. Embracing both scientific and artistic pursuits can lead to a more fulfilling and balanced life.

5. Mindset and attitude are key in navigating challenges and finding happiness.



Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Background

08:15 Defining Success and Finding Balance

14:24 The Role of Luck in Life and Career

29:04 Mindset, Emotions, and Brain Function



Order some merch, Iconic Luxury Streetwear: ⁠https://www.iconicluxurystreetwear.com/⁠



Podcast & Content Creation Course: ⁠https://tanakatava.gumroad.com/l/LVySW⁠



The Download (Keys & Codes) - Newsletter featuring previous episodes of Iconic Conversations and musings of my mind: ⁠https://tanakatava.substack.com/https://tanakatava.substack.com/⁠



Book a FREE consulting call to discuss your creative strategy or business idea: ⁠https://calendly.com/tanakatava/tava-consulting-20-minute-meeting⁠



Listen to this podcast (but in audio form): ⁠Listen to Podcast⁠



GUEST: Dr. Hanna Aliashkevich



💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neurannette/



💻 Website: https://pigpug.co/



HOST: Tanaka Tava



💻 Website: ⁠https://www.tanakatava.com/⁠



🎙 Podcast: ⁠Listen to Podcast⁠



🎥 YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@iconicconver⁠...



🐣 Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/tanakatava/⁠



📸 Instagram: ⁠https://instagram.com/tanakatava⁠



🕺 TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@heytanakatava


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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tavamultimediagroup/support

Paige Finn Doherty is the Founding Partner at Behind Genius Ventures, a fund investing in early-stage product-led growth companies in the future of work & the future of play. Paige is also the author of Seed to Harvest, a book demystifying VC for children and adults. Until recently she was also a Developer Success Engineer at WorkOS.

Takeaways


Event planning is an art that requires attention to detail and thoughtfulness to create an authentic and meaningful experience.


Building an idea from scratch involves flexing the creative muscle and bringing fiction into reality.


Backing the best founder storytellers is a key aspect of venture capital, as storytelling plays a crucial role in shaping the future.


Deep customer empathy and a passion for the market are important qualities in successful founders and investors.


Manifestation and self-discovery are powerful tools in the venture capital industry, allowing individuals to create their desired outcomes and learn more about themselves.


Asking meaningful questions can lead to self-reflection and personal growth. It's important to be honest and authentic in your responses.



Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:24 Building Ideas from Scratch

07:14 Backing the Best Founder Storytellers

13:39 Deep Customer Empathy

28:30 Embracing Self-Discovery and the Journey of Finding Purpose

33:26 Books That Change Lives and Inspire New Perspectives

37:24 The Impact of Text Messages on Personal Growth and ConnectionOrder some merch, Iconic Luxury Streetwear: ⁠https://www.iconicluxurystreetwear.com/⁠

Podcast & Content Creation Course: ⁠https://tanakatava.gumroad.com/l/LVySW⁠

The Download (Keys & Codes) - Newsletter featuring previous episodes of Iconic Conversations and musings of my mind: ⁠https://tanakatava.substack.com/https://tanakatava.substack.com/⁠

Book a FREE consulting call to discuss your creative strategy or business idea: ⁠https://calendly.com/tanakatava/tava-consulting-20-minute-meeting⁠

Listen to this podcast (but in audio form): ⁠Listen to Podcast⁠

GUEST: Paige Finn Doherty

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paigedoherty/

💻 Website: https://www.behindgeniusventures.com/

🐣 Twitter: https://twitter.com/paigefinnn-HOST: Tanaka Tava

💻 Website: ⁠https://www.tanakatava.com/⁠

🎙 Podcast: ⁠Listen to Podcast⁠

🎥 YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@iconicconver⁠...

🐣 Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/tanakatava/⁠

📸 Instagram: ⁠https://instagram.com/tanakatava⁠

🕺 TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@heytanakatava


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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tavamultimediagroup/support

Spencer Carey is a recent graduate from NYU, a research fellow at Contrary, and an investment banker at Wells Fargo

During his time at NYU, he helped run NYU Stern’s first Venture Capital organization, the Strategic Venture Society. Here, he built out the club’s external partnerships initiative to work with VCs, co-hosted the club’s podcast, Founder Friendly, led NYU’s Venture Capital Investment Competition team in 2023, and helped organize an NYU-only VC pitch competition, NYU VC.

Takeaways


Post-grad life can be a period of reflection and transition, but having a support system and being intentional with time allocation can make the process easier.


Joining organizations and clubs in college can provide valuable experiences and connections that shape your career path.


Investment banking offers opportunities to learn from senior bankers and gain insights into strategic decision-making in various industries.


Being reflective and asking why are important for personal and professional growth, as they help you understand your motivations and make informed decisions.


Seeking mentorship and being kind to others can create a supportive and collaborative work environment.Chapters



00:00 Introduction and Background

01:07 Heart and Post-Grad Life

09:41 Future Plans and Living on the West Coast

11:05 Transition from Internship to Full-Time Job

13:38 Insights into Investment Banking

15:44 Learning from Senior Bankers and Management

19:48 The Role of Kindness in Banking

24:27 Choosing Investment Banking as a Career

26:13 Exploring Different Career Paths

30:34 Importance of Reflection and Asking Why

32:17 Earning Your Ask and Learning How to Learn

35:53 Reflecting on Accomplishments and Seeking Mentorship

38:00 The Value of Reflectiveness and Asking Why

44:10 Future Plans and Podcasting

45:11 Contact InformationOrder some merch, Iconic Luxury Streetwear:

https://www.iconicluxurystreetwear.com/

Podcast & Content Creation Course: https://tanakatava.gumroad.com/l/LVySW

The Download (Keys & Codes) - Newsletter featuring previous episodes of Iconic Conversations and musings of my mind: https://tanakatava.substack.com/https://tanakatava.substack.com/

Book a FREE consulting call to discuss your creative strategy or business idea: https://calendly.com/tanakatava/tava-consulting-20-minute-meeting

Listen to this podcast (but in audio form): Listen to Podcast

GUEST: Spencer Carey

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-carey-HOST: Tanaka Tava

💻 Website: https://www.tanakatava.com/

🎙 Podcast: Listen to Podcast

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iconicconver...

🐣 Twitter: https://twitter.com/tanakatava/

📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/tanakatava

🕺 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heytanakatava




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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tavamultimediagroup/support

Nick Spiller is the host of the Austinpreneur podcast and Principal at Capital Factory, discusses his investment philosophy and the importance of investing in oneself before investing in companies.



He shares insights on finding an information advantage in venture capital and the challenges of identifying genuine founders. Nick also talks about the changing landscape of venture capital and the rise in interest in the industry. He emphasizes the need for hard work and dedication in the field and shares his expertise in fundraising and podcasting.



Takeaways


Invest in yourself before investing in companies.


Develop an information advantage to make informed investment decisions.


Hard work and dedication are essential in venture capital.


Finding genuine founders and avoiding bad actors is crucial.


Work-life balance is a challenge, but it is important to prioritize family and personal well-being.



Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

01:32 Investment Philosophy

03:10 Investing in Yourself

04:39 Investing in Startups

05:29 Identifying Genuine Founders

07:25 Developing Skills in Investing

08:21 Uptick in Interest in Venture Capital

09:35 Changing Landscape of Venture Capital

10:44 Investing in Cutting-Edge Technologies

11:17 Investing in Crypto

12:19 Investing in Established Markets

13:15 The Difficulty of Private Market Investing

14:08 The Role of Luck in Investing

15:43 Finding Signal in the Noise

17:05 Importance of Information Sources

18:14 Creating an Information Advantage

19:22 Enjoying the Learning Process

20:42 The Difficulty of Venture Capital

21:45 Building a Unicorn Company

23:41 The Reality of Venture Capital

25:31 Expertise in Fundraising and Podcasting

26:36 Expertise in Early-Stage Startups

28:09 The Therapeutic Aspect of Podcasting

29:24 Favorite Person Interviewed

30:48 Favorite Podcast Appearance

32:16 Approaching Work-Life Balance

36:00 Work Ethic and Service Industry Experience

38:43 The Importance of Work Ethic in Hiring

39:43 The Value of Having a Job

41:38 Where to Find Nick Spiller



Order some merch, Iconic Luxury Streetwear: https://www.iconicluxurystreetwear.com/



Podcast & Content Creation Course: https://tanakatava.gumroad.com/l/LVySW



The Download (Keys & Codes) - Newsletter featuring previous episodes of Iconic Conversations and musings of my mind: https://tanakatava.substack.com/https://tanakatava.substack.com/



Book a FREE consulting call to discuss your creative strategy or business idea: https://calendly.com/tanakatava/tava-consulting-20-minute-meeting



Listen to this podcast (but in audio form): Listen to Podcast



GUEST: Nick Spiller

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickspiller

💻 Website: https://www.capitalfactory.com/podcast/

🐣 Twitter: https://twitter.com/Nick_Spiller-HOST: Tanaka Tava

💻 Website: https://www.tanakatava.com/

🎙 Podcast: Listen to Podcast

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iconicconver...

🐣 Twitter: https://twitter.com/tanakatava/

📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/tanakatava

🕺 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heytanakatava


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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tavamultimediagroup/support