Connected Conversations

What if the systems designed to help survivors are causing more harm? In this powerful episode of Connected Conversations , host Elena Petrova speaks with Jessica Muñoz, mental health counselor and trauma-informed communication expert, about the immigrant trafficking crisis in New York City — and why traditional “helper” systems often retraumatize the very people they aim to protect. Jessica share...

How do you build a strong culture when AI feels both like an opportunity and a threat? In this mini episode of Connected Conversations , with Brian Kathman , CEO of OpsCanvas,, hosted by Elena Petrova, founder and CEO of Ad Astra, Inc., and AdAstraConnect, we explore how trust, leadership, and psychological safety shape company culture, and how businesses can adopt AI without fear. From fun team r...

AI is everywhere, but trust, context, and human skills still matter more than ever. In this episode, we sit down with Brian Kathman , CEO & Co-Founder of OpsCanvas , to explore how AI should augment human work instead of replacing it,and why trust is the real barrier to AI adoption. Brian shares insights from his journey as a serial tech entrepreneur, including: • Why AI fails without human co...

What happens when people can’t understand the systems meant to support them? In this episode of Connected Conversations , host Elena Petrova, founder and CEO of Ad Astra, Inc., and AdAstraConnect speaks with Omari Jeremiah , Founding Director of Next Generation Language Access , about language access as a human right, and the real-world consequences when it’s missing. Drawing from over a decade as...

What happens when language access fails — and who pays the price? In this episode of Connected Conversations , host Elena Petrova speaks with Silvia Xalabarde , President of Canadian Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters Council (CTTIC) and Society of Translators and Interpreters of British Columbia (STIBC) , about leadership born from adversity, language rights, and the power of human conn...

What does it really take to rebuild trust after it’s been broken? In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, Connected Conversations host Elena Petrova continues her discussion with Jason P. Armstrong, retired police chief and founder of Armstrong Consulting, diving deeper into accountability, community healing, and leadership under pressure. This episode explores why trust collapses when history is...

In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Elena Petrova sits down with Jason P. Armstrong — retired police chief, National Law Enforcement Officer Hall of Fame inductee, and CEO of Armstrong Consulting — to unpack what real trust looks like in leadership. Drawing from his experience leading reform efforts in Ferguson and other high-pressure environments, Jason shares how empathy, transparency, and...

What can history teach us when the world feels like it’s falling apart? In this wide-ranging conversation, Elena Petrova sits down with Atul Singh , Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Fair Observer , to unpack the state of global institutions, media narratives, and why understanding history is more urgent than ever. In this episode, we explore: Why humans tend not to learn from history,and the few tim...

Released on Veterans Day , this episode of Connected Conversations honours the service, leadership, and global impact of U.S. Army veteran Paris Moeini . Host Elena Petrova sits down with Paris - now Director of Interpretation Operations at Ad Astra - to explore a journey that spans warzones, world languages, and corporate boardrooms. From military missions to managing multicultural teams, Paris s...

Artificial intelligence is transforming the localization and language industry faster than ever. From translation workflows to content delivery, automation is reshaping how we connect, but also raising new questions about trust, quality, and the future of human work. In our latest episode of Connected Conversations , hosted by Elena Petrova, Robin Ayoub, Founder and CEO of N49 Networks, and Founde...

What happens when tech accelerates faster than trust? In this episode of Connected Conversations , Elena Petrova sits down with Robin Ayoub , Founder of N49Networks and host of Localization Fireside Chat , to explore the shifting ground beneath the language industry. Robin brings two decades of leadership in localization—and he’s not afraid to challenge the status quo. Together, they dive into the...

What does it really take to drive change in today’s workplaces? In this compelling episode of Connected Conversations, host Elena Petrova is joined by Amira K.S. Barger, executive, professor, columnist, and author of the upcoming book The Price of Nice. Together, they unpack what it means to lead with humanity, challenge comfort culture, and take meaningful action in Difference, Opportunity &...

How do we make healthcare feel safer, more human, and more equitable? In this special episode of Connected Conversations, host Elena Petrova speaks with Pedro C. Díaz, Director of Language & Guest Services at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C., about how language access and culturally competent care shape the patient experience from the very first “hello.” In this episode, we exp...

What if preserving a language meant preserving a world? In this episode of Connected Conversations , host Elena Petrova speaks with Eugenia Urrere , founder of Indigenius , a language service provider dedicated to digitizing and dignifying Indigenous languages across the Americas. Eugenia shares her powerful journey as a linguist, entrepreneur, and advocate—offering insight into the importance of...

How do we stay grounded when the world feels upside down? In this episode of Connected Conversations , host Elena Petrova meets with Analía Cordero, a psychological consultant and counselor from Buenos Aires, to explore the emotional toll of living through societal and political uncertainty—and how tools from counseling can help us adapt, reflect, and grow. In this episode, we explore: The differe...

What makes a story powerful enough to connect people across borders? In this episode of Connected Conversations , host Elena Petrova sits down with Lele Heredia , a seasoned filmmaker and visual storyteller who has spent nearly two decades capturing the world through his lens, from conflict zones to the heart of global sports events.  In this episode, we explore: The emotional and cultural power o...

Is coexistence enough, or is it time we rethink the way we build community? In this powerful episode of Connected Conversations , host Elena Petrova speaks with Julia Risso Villani - activist, educator, theater teacher, and voice-over artist—about why disability should never be framed as a tragedy, and how we can move beyond “coexistence” to something deeper: coexistence, collective care, and comm...

What does it take to become a professional interpreter today, and how does AI fit into the picture? In this episode of Connected Conversations , host Elena Petrova sits down with Amparo Villar García , a veteran interpreter and Head of Training at Ad Astra. Together, they unpack what it means to enter (and thrive in) the interpreting field, the real meaning of certification, and how human connecti...

What does community mean in a global company where every voice matters? In this special episode of Connected Conversations , host Elena Petrova brings together three Argentina-based team members from Ad Astra to explore the meaning of community - both inside and outside the workplace. In this episode, we explore: What community means across cultures, borders, and professions How Ad Astra supports...

What if Latin America was seen not as a resource to extract—but a region of opportunity? In this episode, Elena Petrova sits down with Facundo Armas, Sustainable Business Director at Globant, to explore how sustainability, technology, and community engagement can shift paradigms and reshape futures. 🟢 Key Topics: How sustainability and AI are transforming communities in the Amazon The power of sh...

💛 Ready to help? Donate here: ⁠https://bit.ly/Voicesofthefuture⁠ As Ad Astra celebrates its anniversary, we're shining a spotlight on what matters most: Education . In this special episode of Connected Conversations, host Elena Petrova speaks with Joe Callahan , Executive Director of the Education Foundation of Anne Arundel County Public Schools , about a powerful new initiative supporting st...

What if we stopped asking what a child can’t do—and instead started unlocking what they can ? In this transformative episode of Connected Conversations , host Elena Petrova sits down with Physical Therapist Elena Maugere to explore the profound ways that movement, joy, and deep connection can unlock brain potential in children with developmental disabilities. From neuro-biomechanical stimulation t...

What does the recent wave of executive orders mean for employees, employers, and independent contractors? In this critical episode, labor and employment attorney Scott Mirsky joins host Elena Petrova to unpack how federal executive orders are reshaping the American workplace. From shifting legal interpretations to the real-world effects on government contractors, remote teams, and marginalized com...

How can we build a world where everyone feels included, regardless of their communication style? In this enlightening episode of Connected Conversations, Carina Morillo shares her personal journey as a mother to a non-verbal autistic son and her mission to foster inclusion and understanding for individuals with autism. Drawing from her experiences in Argentina, Carina discusses the challenges of a...

What does resilience look like in the face of war? In this deeply personal and powerful episode, we sit down with Margaryta Suvorova, a Ukrainian nurse, activist, and community advocate living in Washington, D.C., who has turned heartbreak into action since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. From frontline volunteer missions to fundraising for life-saving equipment, Margaryta shares...