Lifeselfmastery's podcast I Startups I Venture Capital

Rohit Malhotra
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Life Self Mastery Podcast is an interview based show where I interview online entrepreneurs who started their businesses and scaled up their businesses to improve their lifestyles. Previous guests include Guy Kawasaki, Brad Feld, James Clear, Shu Nyatta, Ida Tin, Elizabeth Yin, Polina Pompliano, Evgenia Plotnikova, Anna Khan, Minnie Ingersoll, Sridhar Ramaswamy, Mac Conwell, Danielle Strachman, Jake Gibson, Wes Kao, Brian Requarth, Vivek Sodera, Eric Siu, Amit Garg, Nischal Shetty, Pranav Pai, Nir Eyal, Paul Shapiro, Nick Huber, Rob Walling, Andrew Dsouza, Fabrice Grinda, and 300+ incredible guests. partnergrow.substack.com

  1. 12H AGO

    Hiten Sonpal on Scaling a Robotics Company

    I am excited to have Hiten Sonpal, CEO of RISE Robotics, disrupting a $600B market by replacing century-old hydraulics with Beltdraulic technology—3X faster, 3X more efficient, zero emissions. In this conversation, Hiten Sonpal, CEO of Rise Robotics, shares his journey from childhood fascination with technology to leading a company that is revolutionizing the robotics industry. He discusses his extensive experience at iRobot, the innovative Beltrolix technology, and the successful crowdfunding campaign that engaged retail investors.  He emphasizes the importance of partnerships, market entry strategies, and the need for resilience and risk-taking in entrepreneurship. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Hiten Sonpal and Rice Robotics 03:06 Hiten's Journey into Technology and Robotics 05:27 Experience at iRobot and Transition to Entrepreneurship 07:06 Innovations at Rise Robotics: The Beltrolix Technology 08:13 Achieving the Guinness World Record for Robotic Arm 09:16 Crowdfunding Success and Retail Investor Engagement 13:41 Balancing Expectations from VCs and Retail Investors 15:10 Shipping Consumer Robots vs. Industrial Machinery 18:07 Future of Home Robots in the Western World 21:42 Supply Chain Dynamics: US vs. China 24:39 AI and Industrial Automation: Future Trends 26:34 Company Culture at Rice Robotics 27:42 Partnerships vs. Product Sales in Enterprise 29:59 Advice for Future Entrepreneurs Hiten's Links  LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/hiten-sonpal/ Website –https://wefunder.com/riserobotics https://rise.riserobotics.com/invest My Links  Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

    33 min
  2. You Might Also Like: The Oprah Podcast

    12H AGO · BONUS

    You Might Also Like: The Oprah Podcast

    Introducing When Your Kids Won’t Put Their Phones Down, with Oprah & Addiction Specialist Dr. Anna Lembke from The Oprah Podcast. Follow the show: The Oprah Podcast Millions of parents and educators are in an overwhelming struggle to get children and teens to put their smartphones down or stop watching a screen on a tablet. To uncover what is at the root of an issue that is wreaking havoc at home and at school, Oprah sits down with Dr. Anna Lembke, a psychiatrist and Chief of the Stanford Addiction Medicine Dual Diagnosis Clinic. Dr. Lembke, author of the New York Times mega-bestseller Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence, explains why smartphones and tablets should be thought of as providing “digital drugs,” while describing the devastating impact these “drugs” are having on the still-developing brains of young people. Dr. Lembke and Oprah answer questions from mothers who are desperate for help managing their children’s screen addictions. Plus - British actress, Royal Family Member and Patron of Close Screens Open Minds Sophie Winkleman joins from London to talk about why she believes tech in schools has been disastrous for students and is destroying the education system from within. 'Dopamine Nation' by Anna Lembke Chapters: 00:00:00 - Welcome Dr. Anna Lembke, author of “Dopamine Nation”  00:03:00 - Reframing digital media as a drug 00:08:30 - Smart phones are modern day hypodermic needles 00:09:15 - Addiction definition  00:12:10 - Kids experiencing craving and withdrawal  00:17:00 - Mom of 2 girls wants to know if they are addicted  00:27:15 - Managing teens devices 00:36:15 - How to help college-aged kids  00:42:00 - Actress Sophie Winkleman on ed tech  00:45:00 - Screens in schools  00:48:00 - Distracted kids don’t know how to learn  00:50:00 - Regulating tech for kids Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@Oprah?sub_confirmation=1 Follow Oprah Winfrey on Social: https://www.instagram.com/oprahpodcast/ https://www.facebook.com/oprahwinfrey/ Listen to the full podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0tEVrfNp92a7lbjDe6GMLI https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-oprah-podcast/id1782960381 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

  3. FEB 25

    Building a Media Empire with Ronan Chambers of ETN

    I am excited to have Ronan Chambers is the co-founder of etn., a technology show built for Europe. Previously, he was a founding team member at Convergence, which was acquired by Salesforce, where he worked on Agentforce. In this conversation, Ronan Chambers, co-founder of ETN, discusses his journey from tech startups to creating a technology show for Europe. He explores the European startup ecosystem, misconceptions, emerging tech hubs, and the future of media in venture capital. Ronan shares insights on building an audience, sponsorship strategies, and the importance of leadership in startups. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Ronan Chambers and ETN 01:12 Ronan's Journey into Tech Startups 02:53 Leaving Salesforce for ETN 04:42 Inspiration from US Media and the Need for European Coverage 06:52 The State of the European Startup Ecosystem 10:38 Misconceptions About European Startups 13:04 Underrated Tech Hubs in Europe 14:37 The Future of Media in Venture Capital 16:57 Advice for New Product Builders 19:04 Balancing Audience Building and Product Development 22:13 Reaching Out to Sponsors 25:25 Creating Content for Diverse European Audiences 27:04 Changing Mindsets in European Founders 29:30 Lessons from Convergence and Salesforce 32:22 Overcoming Fear in Podcasting 34:16 Highlighting Emerging European Founders 36:40 Future Goals for ETN Ronan's Links  LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronan-chambers-189118196/ X - https://x.com/ronanchamberss Website – https://www.etnshow.co/ My Links  Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

    40 min

  4. FEB 19

    Navigating the Voice AI Revolution with Akshat Mandloi of Smallest AI

    I am thrilled to have Akshat Mandloi, the co-founder of Smallest.ai, a voice AI startup recently named among Inc42's "30 Startups to Watch" for 2025. A former senior data scientist at Bosch and IIT Guwahati alum, he's building hyper-realistic voice agents that support 30+ languages with ultra-low latency for enterprises worldwide. In this conversation, Akshat Mandloi, co-founder of Smallest AI, discusses his journey from working at Bosch to starting his own company, the challenges of operating in different markets, and the intricacies of developing voice AI technology. Akshat shares insights on language prioritization, the competitive landscape, and what it means to create enterprise-ready solutions. The conversation also touches on funding, building a strong company culture, hiring practices, and the future of voice AI technology. Timestamps 00:00 The Journey to Smallest AI 02:11 Navigating Operational Challenges 05:12 Language Prioritization in Voice AI 06:57 Building a Competitive Edge in Voice AI 10:15 The Build vs. Buy Debate 12:11 Funding and Investor Insights 14:11 Cultivating a High-Ownership Culture 16:21 Designing for User Needs 18:17 Remote Work vs. In-Person Collaboration 19:11 The Future of Voice AI 21:07 Speed as a Competitive Advantage 22:57 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs 25:01 Vision for the Future Akshat's Links  LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/akshat-2503/ Website - https://smallest.ai/ My Links  Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

    29 min

  5. FEB 12

    Bani Maini on Scaling Enterprise AI Across Cultures

    I am excited to have Bani K Maini: an AI product leader who transforms complex enterprise operations into scalable solutions that actually get adopted. From cutting forecasting errors by 74% to scaling platforms across 600+ sites in seven countries, she's built AI products for Fortune 500 companies - and conducted 70+ executive interviews at Stanford on how GenAI is reshaping enterprises. In this conversation, Bani Maini, an AI product leader, shares her journey from early exposure to technology in Japan to her current role in transforming enterprise operations through AI. She discusses the challenges of AI adoption across different cultures and regions, emphasizing the importance of understanding local nuances. Bani highlights the non-obvious challenges in rolling out AI products, such as process variance and data issues, and stresses the need for a clear problem-solving approach. She also differentiates between traditional machine learning and generative AI, providing insights into their respective applications. Timestamps 03:22 Understanding Enterprise AI Adoption Challenges 06:22 Cultural and Regional Differences in AI Adoption 09:18 Non-Obvious Challenges in AI Rollout 11:58 Navigating Inflection Points in AI Integration 15:11 Misconceptions About Generative AI in Enterprises 18:19 Identifying AI Use Cases and Metrics for Success 21:06 Traditional ML vs. Generative AI: Decision Framework 24:19 Generative AI in Supply Chain Optimization 27:18 Turning Unstructured Data into Actionable Intelligence 30:05 Organizational Structure for Global AI Teams 33:25 Driving User Adoption Across Cultures 36:13 Shifts in Enterprise AI Thinking 39:22 Reflections on Scaling AI Products 42:14 Final Thoughts and Resources Bani's Links  LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/bani-k-maini-210b5b48/ My Links  Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

    44 min

  6. FEB 5

    Why Silicon Valley Still Wins with Lars Leckie of AspenWood Ventures

    I am thrilled ot have Lars Leckie, a Partner at Aspenwood Ventures, bringing a rare founder-turned-investor perspective to early-stage investing. He co-founded AutoFarm (now Novariant), pioneering GPS and robotics in agriculture, where he built sales teams across three continents In this conversation, Lars Leckie shares his unique journey from coding and gaming to becoming a partner at AspenWood Ventures. He discusses the critical lessons learned from his early experiences in sales and strategy, emphasising the importance of understanding customer needs and the divide between engineering and sales cultures. Lars also delves into the evolving landscape of venture capital, the impact of AI on business models, and the significance of geographic proximity in tech innovation. Timestamps 00:00 From Gaming to Agriculture: Lars Läcki's Journey 03:23 Lessons from Sales and Strategy in Startups 06:12 The Investor's Perspective: Balancing Technology and Market 09:03 Navigating the Venture Capital Landscape 12:15 The Future of IPOs and Private Capital 15:23 AI's Impact on Revenue and Business Models 18:04 Consumer vs. Enterprise AI: The Competitive Landscape 25:47 The Dynamics of Disruption in AI 28:27 AI Agents: The Future of Sales 30:26 The Role of Geographic Proximity in Tech 36:48 Education in the Age of AI 41:21 The Future of Venture Capital Lars's Links  LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/larsleckie/ Website - https://aspenwoodvc.com/ My Links  Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

    47 min

  7. JAN 29

    Courageous Marketing: How Udi Ledergor Scaled Gong from Zero to Unicorn

    I am thrilled ot have Udi Ledergor, the Chief Evangelist at Gong, where he spent nine years helping build the company from zero to a multi-billion-dollar valuation. A five-time B2B marketing leader, bestselling author of Courageous Marketing, angel investor, and board member In this conversation, Udi Ledergor, Chief Evangelist at Gong, shares his journey from product management to leading marketing at a billion-dollar company. He emphasizes the importance of human-centric marketing, the need to challenge traditional best practices, and the significance of creating valuable content that resonates with audiences. Udi discusses the evolution of marketing strategies, the role of AI, and the importance of hiring passionate individuals for growth roles. He also highlights insights from his book, 'Courageous Marketing', offering practical advice for marketers and business leaders. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Udi Ledergor and His Journey 02:29 The Decision to Join Gong and Its Potential 04:57 Building a Human-Centric Brand in B2B SaaS 09:48 Risky Marketing Decisions That Paid Off 15:54 Courageous Marketing: Breaking Best Practices 19:37 Finding Channel Fit and Growth Strategies 21:35 SEO and Generative AI: Adapting to Change 24:28 Engaging the 95%: Marketing to Future Buyers 27:20 The Evolution of Marketing Touchpoints 31:07 Hiring for Growth: Skills vs. Potential 34:06 Transitioning from CMO to Chief Evangelist 37:51 Insights from 'Courageous Marketing' Udi's Links  LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/udiledergor/ Book - https://www.udiledergor.com/book My Links  Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

    45 min

  8. JAN 22

    Railsware's Journey from Agency to SaaS Powerhouse with Sergiy Korolov

    I am excited to have Sergiy Korolov, who is the Co-CEO of Railsware and co-founder of multiple products In this conversation, Sergiy Korolov, CEO of Railsware, discusses his journey from software developer to entrepreneur, the evolution of his products like Mailtrap and Coupler, and the challenges faced in the tech industry. Sergiy shares insights on transitioning from service to product, the importance of understanding user segments through surveys, and the role of AI in enhancing productivity. He also reflects on the complexities of email delivery and strategies for competing against larger companies. Timestamps 00:00 The Journey from Developer to CEO 05:24 Transitioning from Service to Product 10:42 Mailtrap's Evolution and Monetisation 14:57 Controversial Onboarding: The Sign-Up Survey 18:49 Launching Coupler: A New Era 21:56 Technical Challenges in Email Delivery 25:58 Differentiation Strategy Against Giants 29:51 Managing Multiple Products Effectively 33:29 AI's Role in Railsware 38:41 Sales Strategy and Product Growth 42:47 Reflections and Lessons Learned Sergiy's Links  LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sergiykorolov/ Website – https://railsware.com/ My Links  Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe YouTube:  youtube.com/lifeselfmastery Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

    47 min
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5
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About

Life Self Mastery Podcast is an interview based show where I interview online entrepreneurs who started their businesses and scaled up their businesses to improve their lifestyles. Previous guests include Guy Kawasaki, Brad Feld, James Clear, Shu Nyatta, Ida Tin, Elizabeth Yin, Polina Pompliano, Evgenia Plotnikova, Anna Khan, Minnie Ingersoll, Sridhar Ramaswamy, Mac Conwell, Danielle Strachman, Jake Gibson, Wes Kao, Brian Requarth, Vivek Sodera, Eric Siu, Amit Garg, Nischal Shetty, Pranav Pai, Nir Eyal, Paul Shapiro, Nick Huber, Rob Walling, Andrew Dsouza, Fabrice Grinda, and 300+ incredible guests. partnergrow.substack.com

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