Perception Paradox with Zivile (Zivi) Ein

Hosted by Zivile (Zivi) Einikyte

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174

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Jun 2026

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About the show

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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June 16, 2026Episode 14040 min

E140: Ted Yang - AI Won't Replace You. You're Just Using It Wrong.

The smarter AI gets, the more your humanity matters. MIT engineer, 13-time founder, and self-described "recovering hedge fund guy" Ted Yang joins Zivile to flip the AI conversation on its head - away from fear and job loss, toward using it as a tool to perform, think, and live better.We talk about what's truly worth optimizing (and what isn't), how Ted used AI to write his book Ageless Peak Performance, why polished writing now reads as "fake," the idea that you can stay at your peak longer with the right tools, and why face-to-face connection is still the most underrated technology we have.📘 Ageless Peak Performance → AgelessPeakPerformance.comHosted by Zivile Einikyte · Perception Paradoxhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/zivileeinikyte/ChaptersChapters00:00 Introduction and Background04:26 AI and Human Performance05:45 Challenges in Scheduling and Optimization08:19 The Human Element in AI11:43 Using AI for Writing and Creativity14:42 Managing AI Subscriptions and Tools15:48 Optimizing Workouts and Nutrition17:59 The Motivation Behind Writing Again20:49 The Human Aspect of AI23:02 The Importance of Physical Books24:33 The Value of Human Connection26:06 Navigating AI's Impact on Communication26:36 Identifying the Ideal Reader29:30 Book Promotion and Distribution Strategies33:05 Getting Started with AI36:53 Where to Find More Information

June 11, 2026Episode 13922 min

E139: Behind the MC mic - Conversations from South Summit Madrid

No intro. No script. No agenda.Recorded during the 15th edition of South Summit in Madrid, this is a spontaneous behind-the-scenes conversation with fellow MCs, moderators, investors, authors, and entrepreneurs navigating one of Europe's leading startup conferences.We talk about what audiences don't usually see: the preparation behind great stage hosting, improvising when things go wrong, networking in real time, life on the road, public speaking, AI, books, wearables, and even the legal side of recording conversations.Featuring:• Chris Roe – Global Communication Coach for non-native English-speaking CEOs, Investors, and Startups | Keynote Speaker | Event Host • Benjamin Langer – Investor at Seedstars Capital• Margaux Miller – Tech & AI Event MC & Moderator, TEDx Speaker Plus a few unexpected guests who joined the conversation along the wayTed Yang - Serial Entrepreneur. MIT Engineer. Speaker. Emmy nominated Writer. Regent. InvestorGuilherme Schwartsmann - Building at the intersection of AI, Media, Technology & Intellectual Property | CSO @ Sky CarouselThink of it as a hallway conversation you happened to overhear at South Summit.Recorded live in Madrid.Hosted by Zivile (Zivi) EinikyteChapters00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene00:30 The Journey to Hosting and Public Speaking03:55 The Role of Preparation in Hosting06:51 Behind the Scenes of Event Hosting11:05 The Reality of Being an MC and Investor13:02 Conclusion and Final Thoughts by Chris and Benjamin14:04 Navigating Professional Roles and Responsibilities14:23 Exploring the Intersection of Law and Media15:19 Harnessing AI for Peak Performance17:23 The Journey of Writing a Book18:20 The Future of Wearable Technology19:50 Legal Implications of Recording Conversations

June 9, 20264 min

[paradox bytes] What makes community stick with Ricardo Mesquita, Endeavor Portugal

What actually makes a community stick? And what does Portugal have that other Southern European countries don't?Ricardo Mesquita has lived and built across six countries. He came back to Portugal - and what he's seeing right now is extraordinary.Full episode (E138) now available on Perception Paradox. 🎙️

June 8, 2026Episode 13838 min

E138: Why Portugal's Best Companies Haven't Been Built Yet | Ricardo Mesquita, Endeavor

Portugal has the talent. The capital. The founders. The attention. But the best companies haven't been built here yet - and Ricardo Mesquita knows exactly why.As founding MD of Endeavor Portugal, and having lived and built across China, Brazil, Chile, France, Spain and the USA, Ricardo has seen what makes ecosystems truly compound. In this episode: what separates a real ecosystem from the performance of one, why pay-it-forward culture is still missing in Europe, and why Portugal's next decade could produce its first truly global brand. The momentum is real. The question is who shows up to build it.Connect with Ricardo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rmesquita2023/Hosted by Zivile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zivileeinikyte/Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Conversation04:27 Building and Supporting Communities07:04 The Portuguese Startup Ecosystem09:28 Endeavor's Role in Entrepreneurship11:43 Selection Process for Entrepreneurs14:10 The Future of Entrepreneurship in Europe16:50 Advice for Aspiring Founders17:34 Closing Thoughts and Future Outlook

June 6, 202624 min

[paradox bytes] He Had A Stroke At 29. Here's How He Rebuilt His Life. | Samuel Barreto

At 29, Samuel Barreto had a stroke in the middle of an ordinary lunch. No warning. No family history. No reason.He woke up in hospital facing a 50/50 brain surgery decision he had one night to make alone.In this Perception Byte, Samuel shares the raw truth of what came next. The seizures every 10 days. The depression he didn't know he had. Losing the ability to play music. Giving up surfing forever. The dopamine trap of people feeling sorry for you. And the moment his partner said something that changed everything.This is a story about identity, letting go, and finding your way back - one small win at a time.🎧 Want the full episode? Listen to E137 - I Had It All. Then My Brain Had Other Plans.

May 25, 2026Episode 1371 hr 10 min

E137: I Had It All. Then My Brain Had Other Plans - Samuel Barreto

Samuel Barreto was living the dream - 13 years at Red Bull, a global career, a move to Salzburg, and then Puma. Then, at 29, in the middle of an ordinary lunch, he had a stroke. No warning. No family history. No reason.He woke up in the hospital, facing a 50/50 brain surgery decision he had to make one night.In this episode, Samuel opens up about what happened next. The seizures occur every 10 days. The depression he didn't know he had. Losing the ability to play music. Giving up surfing forever. And the slow, unglamorous process of rebuilding identity when the life you knew is gone.Tune in and learn how to rebuild your life when it seems that you might have lost it. No matter what you're going through, this conversation will shift something.Key Topics* From Brazil to Red Bull to Puma - the global career path* Having a stroke at 29 with no warning* Making a 50/50 brain surgery decision alone* Living with epilepsy while still performing at work* Rebuilding identity when your old life is gone* Stress, anxiety, and what actually helpsConnect with Samuel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/s-barreto/ https://www.samuelbarreto.com/ Hosted by Zivile (Zivi) Einikyte:https://www.linkedin.com/in/zivileeinikyte/Chapters00:00 Introduction to Identity and Background01:56 Career Journey: From Brazil to Global Brands04:51 Cultural Adaptation and Professional Growth07:51 The Balance of Creativity and Data in Marketing10:39 The Impact of AI on Creativity13:41 Personal Story: The Stroke and Its Life Lessons31:49 Celebration Amidst Adversity33:42 Facing Life-Altering Decisions38:22 The Journey of Recovery42:45 Navigating Relationships and Mental Health47:27 Finding New Passions and Acceptance53:30 Coping with Stress and Anxiety01:02:20 Reflections on Life and Positivity

May 21, 20269 min

[paradox bytes] From Broken Lab Machines to Space Lasers with Dr Duncan Casey

What happens when you stop chasing credentials and start chasing problems?Duncan Casey has been a chemist, a founder, an academic, and a science communicator. Now he builds laser communication systems for satellites — from the west coast of Ireland.In this episode: generalist superpowers, why academics make terrible CEOs, Europe's deep tech gap, and why the internet is going to space."Find the problem. The solution will jump out."🎙️ Full episode out now on Perception Paradox.

May 19, 2026Episode 13641 min

E136: Space Lasers and Scar Tissue: Only 4 Companies on Earth Can Do This with Dr Duncan Casey

Duncan Casey, Photonics & Business Development Lead at Mbryonics, calls himself "basically quite bad at quite a lot of things." He's been a chemist, a medical devices founder, an academic, a science festival builder — and is now building laser communication systems for satellites from the west coast of Ireland.In this episode, we talk about what it actually means to follow curiosity instead of a career plan, why the things that make you a great academic make you a terrible startup CEO, and how the dumbest solution is often the best one. Plus: why the internet is going to space, what's really blocking Europe's deep tech ambitions, and why if your work isn't fun, you're doing it wrong.Duncan's closing thought: "Find the problem you're solving. Understand it. The solution will jump out. If it doesn't — you don't understand the problem well enough yet."Connect with Duncan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/duncan-casey/ Hosted by: Zivile https://www.linkedin.com/in/zivileeinikyte/Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Duncan Casey and His Journey03:16 The Power of Being a Generalist05:00 Navigating Complex Projects in Space Technology07:35 Bridging the Gap Between Science and Business09:56 Learning from Mistakes in Startup Culture13:10 The Importance of Problem-Solving in Innovation18:30 Transitioning to Space Lasers and Future Directions21:39 From Bar Conversations to Business Ventures28:24 Navigating the Challenges of Deep Tech Funding35:26 Embracing Uncertainty and Building Confidence38:41 The Importance of Fun in Learning and Innovation40:03 Understanding Problems to Find Solutions

May 14, 20265 min

[paradox bytes] What Nobody Tells You About Selling a Company with Glebs Kiselovs

He started with no VC, no industry experience, and no clear roadmap.Nine years later, Glebs Kiselovs had built a company of 75 people and sold it to one of the world’s largest building automation groups.But the story wasn’t only about the exit.It was about learning how to navigate a traditional industry, building relationships before selling products, and realising that acquisition is not the end of the journey — it’s the beginning of a completely new one.In this episode of Perception Paradox, we talk about the reality behind scaling, mergers, ambition from the Baltics, and why founders often don’t even have time to celebrate the milestone they once dreamed about.

May 11, 2026Episode 13533 min

E135: He Left JPMorgan at 22 to Build in Latvia. Then Sold the Company with Glebs Kiselovs

Glebs Kiselovs left JPMorgan at 22, moved back to Latvia, and started a company in an industry he barely knew. No VC. No playbook. Just conviction.Nine years later: 75 employees, an acquisition, and a full exit to one of the world’s largest building automation companies.We talk about what no one tells you about getting acquired, building while constantly short on cash, scaling from 7 to 40 people in a year, and why the hardest part of entrepreneurship is already behind you once you decide to start.Connect with Glebs: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glebskiselovs/ Hosted by Zivile (Zivi): https://www.linkedin.com/in/zivileeinikyte/ Chapters00:00 From Dream Job to Entrepreneurship03:38 Navigating Uncertainty in Entrepreneurship06:26 Building Confidence in a Competitive Landscape08:49 Bootstrapping vs. Fundraising: A Personal Journey10:56 Scaling a Business: Challenges and Strategies13:27 Acquisition and Integration: A New Chapter16:01 Selling to Traditional Markets: Overcoming Resistance18:11 The Journey to Exit: Planning for Success20:46 Maintaining Balance: Work, Life, and Mental Health23:19 Reflections on Relationships and Personal Growth25:32 The Role of Mentorship in Entrepreneurship28:03 Looking Ahead: Future Aspirations and Innovations