Futures in the Making

Alena Gladkova

This podcast brings you the inspiring stories of ambitious individuals who are shaping the future through resilience, innovation, and leadership. From overcoming immigration challenges to building successful careers and businesses, we dive into the lessons and insights that empower others to dream bigger and take action. I’m Alena Gladkova, your host and the leader of Key People, a recruiting company that connects businesses in the USA and Europe with top talent. When I’m not helping companies build strong teams, I’m sharpening my leadership skills in Stanford’s LEAD program.

  1. May 19

    Inside the Mind of an AI Optimist | The VC Behind Perplexity AI | Marina Davidova

    Inside the Mind of an AI Optimist | Marina Davidova She lost herself completely. And she's not alone. Marina Davidova is Co-founder and Managing Partner of DVC, a venture fund backed by 200+ operators from OpenAI, Google, Meta, Tesla, and Microsoft. Their portfolio includes Perplexity AI, Thinking Machines Lab, Higgsfield, and other companies reshaping the AI landscape. On paper, she has everything. But for years, she couldn't tell you what she actually wanted. In this conversation, Marina is honest about what ambition costs. What motherhood and career feel like when you're trying to do both. And what it took for her to find herself again. This is the first episode after a break. It's for anyone who's doing everything and feeling nothing. We talk about: The moment you realize you've lost yourselfWhy success can feel completely emptyMotherhood, ambition, and knowing what you actually wantWhat it takes to find your way backBuilding meaningful work and meaningful lifeThe gap between who people think you are and who you actually areListen on: Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Find Marina:LinkedIn: /msdavidovaInstagram: @msdavidova

    1h 5m

  2. Mar 25

    What Meta's Top iOS Engineer Learned About Podcasting

    Ever wondered how to start a podcast? In this episode of Futures In The Making, we speak with Ksenia Pokrovskaya — a FAANG software engineer and podcast creator — who shares real insights from years inside a popular tech podcast. This conversation goes beyond the surface and explores what podcasting actually looks like behind the scenes — from messy workflows to long-term growth and consistency. ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 — In this episode 00:20 — Meet Ksenia 00:46 — Podcast longevity secret 01:54 — Podcasting tips for beginners 02:46 — AI doing the work for podcasters 04:57 — Podcasting can be really messy 08:44 — Our favourite podcasting tip 11:16 — Podcast engagement rate 12:17 — Benefits of podcasting 15:17 — How to choose podcast topics 16:38 — Preparing for a podcast 18:43 — Podcasting backstage 19:55 — Being a woman in a male-dominated field 23:59 — Handling comments 25:12 — Dealing with haters 28:12 — Joining an established podcast 29:53 — FAANG restrictions 31:22 — From guest to podcaster 32:47 — Day in the life of a software engineer 34:47 — AI-proof jobs & future skills👩‍💻 About the guest: Ksenia is a software engineer with 8+ years of experience, including 4+ years in iOS development. She focuses on building products that are both technically strong and intuitive for users. Alongside engineering, she hosts a tech podcast where she shares insights on development, startups, and modern tech careers. Her work helps make complex technical topics more accessible and supports engineers and creators in growing professionally. 🔗 Connect with Ksenia: LinkedIn: Ksenia Pokrovskaya Instagram: @ksenks🎙️ Host: Alena Gladkova LinkedIn: Alena Gladkova Instagram: @glad.helen🕵️‍♀️ About us: We help companies hire top global talent in AI, ML, iGaming, and Web3. Website: https://kpeople.guru Recruiting services: On-demand recruiting#podcast #podcasting #womenintech #techcareers #contentcreation #softwareengineering

    41 min

  3. Jan 28

    Why LinkedIn Is TOP Social Media Platform | How You Can Become a LinkedIn Influencer & Monetize it

    🎙️ In this episode:While some see LinkedIn as boring and mostly cringe, others become LinkedIn influencers and start getting brand partnerships. We explore what it really takes to grow on LinkedIn in 2026 — from personal branding and content creation to understanding what actually works for audience growth and B2B influence. ⏱️ Episode Timestamps:00:00 | In this episode00:34 | Meet Margo Laz01:28 | LinkedIn VS other social media platforms06:46 | What determines LinkedIn growth07:45 | Become a LinkedIn influencer09:50 | LinkedIn content strategy12:50 | LinkedIn personal branding17:13 | LinkedIn cringe is real22:25 | LinkedIn marketing for business27:31 | Top LinkedIn influencers right now29:31 | ROI for LinkedIn B2B campaign34:19 | What awaits the LinkedIn influencers38:17 | How to spot paid content on LinkedIn39:26 | One thing everyone hates about LinkedIn40:58 | I wish I knew how to go viral on LinkedIn42:06 | Quick Fire Round 🎧 Guest: Margo LazMargo is the founder of Kudos Narratives. She helps B2B tech companies collaborate with top LinkedIn creators and influential voices. Her entrepreneurial path started while still a student — from running an e-commerce design store to co-founding a coworking space that hosted 300+ events. She later created major tech conferences such as EMERGE (supported by Microsoft, AWS, and Google), earned an MA in Storytelling & Experience Design in London, and consulted hyper-growth SaaS startups on influencer and content strategy. Margo has connected over 50,000 professionals in tech and creative sectors, spoken on TEDx, and been featured in Forbes and Sifted (by Financial Times). 🔗 Guest Links:LinkedIn: Margo Laz 🎙️ Host: Alena GladkovaLinkedIn: Helen Glad 🕵️‍♀️ My team hires top global talents in AI, ML, iGaming, and Web3 for your business: kpeople.guru 🚀 Boost your CV: Career Coaching👥 Hire top tech talent fast: On-Demand Recruiting

    45 min

  4. Jan 13

    Money Management Tips | What is ACTUALLY Ruining your Personal Finance

    ⏱️ Episode Timestamps: 00:00 | In this episode 00:20 | Meet Elena Hawk 01:18 | How to spot a millionaire 02:14 | What car do rich people drive 04:26 | Personal finance for beginners 07:21 | Building an emergency fund 11:04 | Budgeting for beginners 13:07 | Subscriptions are the worst 16:55 | Personal finance 101 18:00 | Let's talk tax strategy 20:02 | Why pay for tax planning 22:50 | How to invest for beginners 25:52 | How to invest in stock market 28:39 | Index funds for beginners 34:07 | Take emotions out of personal finances 35:54 | How to become a millionaire 38:28 | What money management tips work 39:54 | Budgeting 101 42:33 | Money talk is crucial 44:25 | On a way to financial independence 50:16 | Cost of living Silicon Valley edition 55:30 | Quick Fire Round 🎙️ Guest: Elena Hawk Elena is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional, fractional CFO, and entrepreneur helping professionals and founders make confident financial decisions. She leads two financial firms focused on financial planning, investment management, and CFO advisory for startups and small businesses. Her approach bridges personal and business finance, helping clients cut through noise, build systems, and gain control over their future. Elena’s work is rooted in clarity, strategy, and the belief that money should serve your goals — not the other way around. 🔗 LinkedIn: Elena Hawk 🎧 Host: Alena Gladkova Alena is the Founder of Key People — a recruiting agency that helps companies hire top global talent in AI, ML, iGaming, and Web3 — and the host of Futures in the Making podcast. 🔗 LinkedIn: Helen Glad 📸 Instagram: @glad.helen 🕵️‍♀️ My team hires top global talents in AI, ML, iGaming, and Web3 for your business: kpeople.guru 🚀 Boost your CV: Career Coaching 👥 Hire top tech talent fast: On-Demand Recruiting #podcast #podcasts #podcastshow #personalfinance #financialfreedom #financialplanning #budgeting #moneytalk #financialwellness #futuresinthemaking #leadership #finance

    59 min

  5. 11/27/2025

    Want to learn how to build a strong personal brand?

    ⏱️ Episode Timestamps:00:00 | In this episode00:21 | Meet Anastasia01:30 | How to build a personal brand in 5 steps03:13 | The crucial element of building a personal brand07:19 | What is personal branding, and what are the risks10:55 | Common mistakes in building a personal brand12:45 | The WRONG WAY to start a personal brand16:15 | What makes a strong personal brand in 202521:33 | How to build a profitable personal brand23:07 | What if your personal brand changes over time29:57 | LinkedIn profile tips from a social media expert31:40 | Brand storytelling and content creation on Instagram36:59 | Free Instagram content ideas39:12 | Promote your business for free on social media41:24 | Do THIS for social media growth48:17 | AI is changing personal branding strategies 🎙️ Guest: Anastasia ZaitsevaAs CCO at ZiMAD (290M+ downloads), Anastasia helps tech companies in gaming, SaaS, and AI simplify complex ideas and communicate clearly. She built a global communications system from scratch, leading a 15-person team across PR, brand, content, support, and community. Her efforts secured 450+ global media placements, millions of social media views, and consistent brand messaging. Beyond ZiMAD, she’s advised 50+ startups (Seed to Series B) on storytelling, investor comms, and go-to-market strategy. She’s also a speaker, mentor for women founders, host of founder circles, and contributor to top industry platforms. 🔗 LinkedIn: Anastasia Zaitseva📸 Instagram: @iamzaiceva 🎧 Host: Alena Gladkova🔗 LinkedIn: Helen Glad📸 Instagram: @glad.helen 🕵️‍♀️ My team hires top global talents in AI, ML, iGaming, and Web3 for your business: kpeople.guru 🚀 Boost your CV: Career Coaching👥 Hire top tech talent fast: On-Demand Recruiting #podcast #podcasts #podcasting #podcastshow #marketing #marketingdigital #marketinsights #personalbrand #personalbranding #personalbrandingexpert

    38 min

  6. 10/08/2025

    Grow Your Personal Brand & Get Leads | What Makes a Strong Personal Brand In 2025

    Want to learn how to build a strong personal brand? This episode features Anastasia Zaitseva, Chief Communications Officer at ZiMAD. We talk about how to grow your personal brand on social media and what really works in 2025. ⏱️ Episode Timestamps: 00:00 | In this episode 00:21 | Meet Anastasia 01:30 | How to build a personal brand in 5 steps 03:13 | The crucial element of building a personal brand 07:19 | What is personal branding, and what are the risks 10:55 | Common mistakes in building a personal brand 12:45 | The WRONG WAY to start a personal brand 16:15 | What makes a strong personal brand in 2025 21:33 | How to build a profitable personal brand 23:07 | What if your personal brand changes over time 29:57 | LinkedIn profile tips from a social media expert 31:40 | Brand storytelling and content creation on Instagram 36:59 | Free Instagram content ideas 39:12 | Promote your business for free on social media 41:24 | Do THIS for social media growth 48:17 | AI is changing personal branding strategies 🎙️ Guest: Anastasia Zaitseva As CCO at ZiMAD (290M+ downloads), Anastasia helps tech companies in gaming, SaaS, and AI simplify complex ideas and communicate clearly. She built a global communications system from scratch, leading a 15-person team across PR, brand, content, support, and community. Her efforts secured 450+ global media placements, millions of social media views, and consistent brand messaging. Beyond ZiMAD, she’s advised 50+ startups (Seed to Series B) on storytelling, investor comms, and go-to-market strategy. She’s also a speaker, mentor for women founders, host of founder circles, and contributor to top industry platforms. 🔗 LinkedIn: Anastasia Zaitseva 📸 Instagram: @iamzaiceva 🎧 Host: Alena Gladkova 🔗 LinkedIn: Helen Glad 📸 Instagram: @glad.helen 🕵️‍♀️ My team hires top global talents in AI, ML, iGaming, and Web3 for your business: kpeople.guru 🚀 Boost your CV: Career Coaching 👥 Hire top tech talent fast: On-Demand Recruiting #podcast #podcasts #podcasting #podcastshow #marketing #marketingdigital #marketinsights #personalbrand #personalbranding #personalbrandingexpert

    58 min

  7. 09/23/2025

    How Anyone Can Make AR in 2025 | What's the REAL Power of Augmented Reality Beyond Fun Filters

    What is augmented reality all about? This episode of 🎙️ The Futures In The Making Podcast explores the exciting world of AR with Anna Belova, who has built tools that enable anyone to create immersive AR experiences. ⏱️ Episode Timestamps: 00:00 | In this episode 00:23 | Meet Anna Belova 01:02 | What is augmented reality 01:57 | How augmented reality is used 04:39 | AR use cases in business 07:01 | AR experience for beginners 08:50 | Augmented reality education 15:30 | Best augmented reality glasses 21:52 | Virtual reality technology and AI 25:34 | AR technology limitations 28:04 | Forbes 30 under 30 list 34:03 | How Forbes 30 under 30 became a pipeline to prison 35:12 | How to raise capital: advice from Forbes 30 under 30 honorees 🎙️ Guest: Anna Belova Anna is the CEO of DEVAR, leading a team of engineers, designers, and creators who build next-gen AR experiences for businesses and brands. With a Master of Arts and Human Science degree, she’s a recognized Forbes 30 Under 30 entrepreneur making AR accessible to all. LinkedIn: Anna Belova 🎧 Host: Alena Gladkova LinkedIn: Helen Glad 🕵️‍♀️ My team hires top global talents in AI, ML, iGaming, and Web3 for your business: kpeople.guru 🚀 Boost your CV: Career Coaching 👥 Hire tech talent fast: On-Demand Recruiting #podcast #podcasts #podcasting #podcastshow #augmentedreality #augmented #vr #vrglasses #arglasses #vrgaming #virtualreality #extendedreality #forbes #30under30

    38 min

  8. 09/09/2025

    The Marketing Game Has Changed: Google Search Traffic DROPPED 20% - Video Is The New TEXT

    Why did Google Search traffic drop 20%? This episode unpacks how AI is changing the rules of the marketing game — and what it means for SEO, content creation, and the future of digital jobs. ⏱️ Episode Timestamps:00:00 | In this episode00:19 | Meet Dennis Lazard00:58 | Why you need a YouTube channel for your business03:52 | How is AI changing SEO (Search Engine Optimization)07:45 | Is AI chatbot privacy compromised11:20 | AI agent web VS human web17:54 | Leave the boring jobs to AI22:45 | How AI can help businesses drive results24:06 | I analyzed 300+ data sources and THIS is what I found out28:38 | Make SEO optimized blogs using AI tools sound authentic32:28 | AI impact on jobs in marketing35:17 | AI and jobs it will create39:08 | Why write a book in 202544:46 | How to write a book with AI47:21 | How to create a lead magnet 🎙️ Guest: Dennis LazardDennis helps fund and scale SaaS, AI, and tech companies through international SEO, organic growth, and data-driven marketing strategies. With over 15 years of experience, he’s led teams across the UK, US, and Europe, and launched 7+ digital products across eCommerce, MarTech, AI, LegalTech, and more. He’s the winner of the 2019 Best MarTech Startup in Central Europe (€50,000 prize) and holds certifications in Digital Marketing (OMCP), Advanced Analytics (SQL), and Product Management (SPOC). LinkedIn: Dennis Lazard 🎧 Host: Alena GladkovaLinkedIn: Helen Glad 🕵️‍♀️ My team hires top global talents in AI, ML, iGaming, and Web3 for your business:kpeople.guru 🚀 Boost your CV: Career Coaching👥 Hire global tech talent: On-Demand Recruiting #podcast #podcasts #podcasting #podcastshow #marketing #marketingdigital #marketinsights #marketingautomation #SEO #AItools #contentmarketing

    53 min
See All (18)

About

This podcast brings you the inspiring stories of ambitious individuals who are shaping the future through resilience, innovation, and leadership. From overcoming immigration challenges to building successful careers and businesses, we dive into the lessons and insights that empower others to dream bigger and take action. I’m Alena Gladkova, your host and the leader of Key People, a recruiting company that connects businesses in the USA and Europe with top talent. When I’m not helping companies build strong teams, I’m sharpening my leadership skills in Stanford’s LEAD program.

Information

  • Creator
    Alena Gladkova
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Alena Gladkova
  • Show Website
    Futures in the Making