Perception Paradox with Zivile (Zivi) Ein

When a brand faces a viral meltdown, a devastating data breach — or even runs out of chicken (yes, like KFC!) — how do they not just survive, but emerge stronger? In this electrifying episode of Perception Paradox, Zivile sits down with acclaimed crisis strategist Jessica Gioglio to decode one of the toughest challenges in business: how to control your narrative when everything’s falling apart. Th...

What does it really take to fund the future? In this episode of Perception Paradox , Zivile talks with Andrius Milinavicius and Erik Bhullar from BSV Ventures , just after their latest Portfolio Day. Together, they explore the realities of investing in deep tech, where science meets grit — and founders walk the line between vision and burnout. 🧠 You’ll hear: ​Why BSV backs missionaries , not merc...

What does it really take to think in today's unpredictable world? In this special episode of Perception Paradox, recorded live from the IE University campus in Madrid during South Summit , we sit down with Paris for an unfiltered conversation. We dive deep into the uncomfortable truths no pitch deck prepares you for: exploring the vital balance of leveraging AI without falling into cognitive o...

What happens when a former film editor jumps headfirst into the chaos of startups? In this episode of Perception Paradox , Zivile sits down with Dennis Green-Lieber — a 2x founder with exits and 3x CPO — to unpack the raw realities of building products and companies in today’s fast-moving tech world. From early-stage chaos to rethinking team structures in the AI age, Dennis shares what it really m...

Ever wonder what it really takes to get funded — or if you should even try? In this essential episode of Perception Paradox, Zivile sits down with Nicolaj Højer Nielsen — a seasoned entrepreneur turned angel investor with over 30 startups in his portfolio and exits to giants like Intel and Carta. Having sat on both sides of the table, Nicolaj shares a raw, honest take on what truly drives startup...

What happens when the world counts you out — and you win anyway? In this episode of Perception Paradox, Zivile Einikyte sits down with Noa Khamallah, entrepreneur, investor, and founder of Don’t Quit Ventures, to explore his remarkable journey — from adversity, incarceration, and systemic rejection to venture capital success and purpose-driven investing. Noa shares the mindset shifts that changed...

What is your relationship with the African continent? In this episode recorded live at Latitude59, host Zivile Einikyte sits down with Caleb Maru, Founder & CEO of Tech Safari — Africa’s leading media and events platform spotlighting the continent’s fast-moving tech ecosystem. Caleb Maru reveals why Africa's tech boom is shaping the future. With over 1 million monthly followers and 53,000 newslett...

Ever wonder how some startups land top-tier media coverage while others barely get noticed? In this episode, I sit down with  Julija (JJ) Jegorova , founder of  Black Unicorn PR , to cut through the noise around PR, storytelling, and media in the startup world. JJ’s worked with everyone from VISA and ASUS to scrappy scaleups — and she’s not here to sugarcoat what works. We dive deep into: What  ac...

This is a series in collaboration with TechPark Kaunas & TechChamp Hackathon.  In this conversation, Zivile Einikyte interviews one of the TechChamp Hackathon speakers, entrepreneur Paulius Nagys, who shares his journey in the e-commerce sector, focusing on the evolution of technology, the challenges of bootstrapping a business, and the importance of market analysis.  He discusses how his entr...

What does it really take to do meaningful work over a lifetime? In this episode of Perception Paradox , iconic designer Stefan Sagmeister shares his deep reflections on creativity, beauty, and the intentional choices that shape both our work and our lives. We unpack: Why intentional time off is essential for innovation The power of beauty in design — and in life How long-term thinking leads to mor...

In this episode of  Perception Paradox , recorded in collaboration with Tech Park Kaunas, host Zivile Einikyte sits down with Vlada Musvydaitė-Vilčiauskė, the founder of  Walk15  — a fast-growing sustainable activity platform. From her roots as a professional athlete to becoming a mission-driven tech founder, Vlada shares how her journey shaped a startup that champions movement, health, and commun...

What lies beyond our words, our labels, our stories?  At 91 years old, Professor Emeritus Algis Mickunas has lived through war, exile, steel mills, and lecture halls. He’s authored over 50 books, taught across continents, and carries the wisdom of someone who sees the universe in a single drop of morning dew. In this rare and timeless conversation, Zivile Ein sits down with the legendary Lithuania...

In this episode of Perception Paradox , recorded in collaboration with Tech Park Kaunas , host Zivile Einikyte sits down with Povilas Sabaliauskas , founder of Pulsetto — a wellness tech startup exploring vagus nerve stimulation as a tool for everyday stress relief. Born from personal health struggles and a desire to create real impact, Pulsetto has evolved from an early concept into a sleek weara...

In this Perception Paradox episode—brought to you in partnership with Tech Park Kaunas —host Zivile sits down with Victorija Trimble , investor at Co-Invest Capital, to break down Lithuania’s evolving startup scene. From hackathon-born ventures to cap tables, profit sharing, and investor dynamics , they unpack what it takes to build and fund successful startups in Europe. 🔹 How do investors evalu...

In this thought-provoking episode filmed live at GITEX AFRICA 2025, entrepreneur and venture capitalist Bill Liao unpacks the powerful connection between language, identity, and purpose. From his journey transitioning from engineer to impact-driven investor, to the emotional resilience required to thrive in uncertainty, Bill shares raw insights on finding meaning, designing your values, and why fa...

What does it take to rebuild your life from rock bottom? In this raw and radically honest conversation, Dr. Vrnda “V” Boykin shares her story of going from prison and stripping to becoming a scholar, DEI leader, and author — all while challenging everything we think we know about shame, power, and transformation In this deeply personal episode, she opens up about what it really takes to rewrite yo...

Feeling stuck? Like you're running in place? What if the key to unlocking your potential isn't about more effort, but something far more powerful...your imagination? Prepare for a truly mind-bending conversation with Yoad Mick, a visionary imagination coach and founder of IMAGYM. This conversation happened during the TechChill 2025 in Riga, Latvia. In this episode, we explore why so many p...

In this episode of Perception Paradox , we sit down with Christopher Locke — Global Head of Program at South Summit — to unpack the future of startup ecosystems, innovation hubs, and the real value of tech events. From decentralization beyond Silicon Valley to designing events for connection, we explore: The rise of new innovation hubs in Europe  How to design events that spark real collaboration ...

In this episode of Perception Paradox, host Zivile sits down with Park Howell, a distinguished storyteller and branding expert, to delve into the transformative power of storytelling in modern communication. They navigate the challenges of conveying clear messages amidst today's media noise and examine how artificial intelligence is reshaping creative processes. Park introduces his acclaimed S...

One more great conversation from the TechChill 2025 conference. In this episode, Zivile (Zivi) and Jessica Gioglio delve into the transformative power of storytelling in branding and crisis communication. Drawing from Jessica's rich experiences with brands like Dunkin' Donuts and TripAdvisor, they discuss crafting compelling narratives, engaging audiences on social media, and turning challenges in...

For my birthday episode, I’m sharing  33 life reminders —lessons I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) about success, happiness, and creating a life that actually feels good. No fluff, just real talk: ⚡ Life is a game—learn how to play it. ⚡ Consistency > intensity. ⚡ Health is wealth. Full stop. ⚡ Stop waiting, start doing. ⚡ Remove  "but"  from your vocabulary. Seriously. If yo...

Is failure really failure—or just an idea ahead of its time? In this episode of  Perception Paradox , I sit down with  Dirk Ploss , a creative powerhouse in  corporate innovation, technology, and startups . Dirk has seen it all—from early internet days in 1985 to transforming  "dead ideas" into groundbreaking innovations . We unpack: x Why  failure is just context —and how to turn setbacks into br...

In this episode, we sit down with  Prashant Søegaard, CEO of foodora,  to explore his  bold career shift —from leading commercial teams at  Google & Meta  to running a  fast-moving food delivery empire . 🔹 How do  top leaders  navigate industry transitions? 🔹 What does it take to build  a winning company culture? 🔹 Why are  curiosity & agility  the ultimate career superpowers? Prashant...

Networking is often seen as a buzzword,  but  in the world of startups and investing, it’s the foundation of success.  And  no one knows this better than P eter Sandberg , Founding Partner and Managing Director of Nordic Secondary Fund (N2F). In this episode of  Perception Paradox , we dive deep into Peter’s journey from asset management to angel investing, the importance of strategic networking,...

What separates a great founder from a failing one? How do investors spot the next billion-dollar deep tech startup? During the buzz of TechChill 2025, we sit down with Gabriele Potelunaite , a venture capitalist specializing in deep tech investments. You can hear the buzz in the background, but that just makes it more real! Gabriele shares her journey into VC, the biggest mistakes early-stage foun...