The Commudemy Podcast

🎙️ In this episode, I sit down with Paul Slater, author of "The AI-Ready Human" and AI enablement advisor, for a wide-ranging and refreshingly honest conversation about what it takes to stay human, capable, and grounded as work is transformed by AI. Paul shares how his career, from delivering early IT training on the first office computers to a decade at Microsoft translating AI research into real...

🎙️ In this episode, I sit down with Enna Jimenez, technology executive, engineering operations strategist, and ecosystem connector, for a powerful conversation about resilience, identity, and what it truly means to build community from the inside out. Enna shares her journey from Puerto Rican and Dominican roots in Boston to leading global engineering teams of 200+ across financial services, banki...

🎙️ In this episode, I sit down with Pixie Cigar, community builder, systems thinker, and ecosystem designer, for a thoughtful conversation about belonging, curiosity, and what it takes to build communities that create meaningful impact. Pixie shares how growing up across multiple countries as a “third culture kid” shaped her perspective on human connection, adaptability, and community building. Fr...

🎙️ In this episode, I sit down with  Dr. Keith Keating , Chief Learning & Development Officer at BDO Canada and author of  The Trusted Learning Advisor , for a powerful conversation about learning, resilience, and what it really takes to thrive in a world of constant change. Keith shares his deeply personal journey, from dropping out of high school and struggling to find his place, to discover...

🎙️ In this episode, I sit down with Ernesto Canales , co-founder of Latinometrics, for a thoughtful conversation about data storytelling, curiosity, and the power of making complex ideas accessible. Ernesto shares his journey from Torreón, Mexico, to studying in the U.S., discovering economics and analysis, and eventually co-building a publication that helps readers make sense of Latin America thr...

🎙️ In this episode, I sit down with Jace Wallace , founder of Uhsteem and creator of The Daily, for a grounded conversation about self-leadership, community building, and the power of simple, action-based tools. Jace’s journey spans music, film, entrepreneurship, and community-led experiences - and it all traces back to an early creative spark: making beats as a kid, building with friends, and dis...

🎙️ In this episode, I sit down with Adrian Duke — Co-Founder & CEO of iX Labs — to kick off Season 3 of the Commudemy Podcast with a deep dive into immersive, gamified, and experiential learning. Based in Vancouver, Adrian leads iX Labs at the intersection of storytelling, spatial design, gaming, and emerging technology. His work challenges traditional approaches to learning by designing exper...

🎙️ In this episode, I sit down with Sarah Filman – founder of Playful Perspectives and co-founder of The Improv Mindset – to explore how play and improv reshape the way we lead, connect, and build culture. Once a product manager navigating traditional leadership frameworks, Sarah shares how discovering improv transformed her approach to communication, risk, and authenticity - both personally and p...

🎙️ In this episode, I have a wide-ranging conversation with Will Fan – CEO and Head of School at NewCampus , a modern business school based in Singapore that's reshaping how companies build learning cultures across Southeast Asia. 🇸🇬✨ Will shares his 10+ year journey as an entrepreneur, investor, and education innovator, from launching a scrappy startup called QLC to growing NewCampus into a...

🎙️ In this episode, I sit down with Daniel Chipres — founder of MyOasis , an AI-powered mental health platform rooted in compassion, cultural fluency, and intentional healing. From a childhood marked by instability to a transformative chapter in the military, Daniel’s journey is a raw, moving story of growth, faith, and purpose. We explore how his lived experiences informed the creation of MyOasis...

In this episode, I sit down with Shraddha Rawat and Parisha Jain , the dynamic co-founders of The Learning Designers Community (LDC) — a volunteer-led global collective of 4,300+ learning professionals spanning 38+ countries. Born from a single post in a Google Group, LDC has rapidly become one of the most vibrant, cross-sectoral communities in the world — uniting educators, corporate L&D lead...

In this episode, I have an energizing conversation with Philip Magnuszewski – AI community organizer, tech industry veteran, and the force behind New Hampshire’s grassroots AI movement. 🤖 Phil shares his 25+ year journey in technology and how it led him to build hyper-local, people-powered ecosystems that make AI accessible, ethical, and actionable. We dive deep into: 🌐 The growing digital divid...

In this episode, I sit down with Mikhail Markine – software engineer, performance coach, and elite skydiver. 🎙️🔥 With over 13,000 jumps, 4 World Championship golds, 4 World Cup golds, and numerous national titles, Mikhail brings a world-class lens to everything he does. We recently met in person in San Francisco, where I got to hear his story firsthand. Mikhail’s personality brings a rare mix of...

In this episode, I bring on as my guest Scott Rusnak — executive coach, expert EOS Implementer, board-certified coach for the US and British Olympic teams, and seasoned entrepreneur. 🎙️✨ We dive into: 🚴‍♂️ Lessons from competitive cycling and entrepreneurship 🧠 The six key components of EOS (Vision, People, Data, Issues, Process, Traction) 🤝 The power of saying "no" and building the...

In this episode, I have a powerful conversation with Abubakar Sheriff — founder of Qariyb , a community-driven events platform on a mission to bring people closer through intentional, inclusive, and spiritually aligned gatherings. 🎙️✨ Abubakar shares his journey from growing up in Saudi Arabia and Philadelphia, to launching Qariyb out of a missed event and a deep desire to reconnect people with p...

In this episode, I sit down with Shahamat Chowdhury – founder of Salam Consulting , career coach, community builder, and passionate advocate for accessible, human-centered coaching.  Shahamat shares the deeply personal story behind Salam Consulting — a journey rooted in family legacy, shaped by failure, and driven by a desire to serve others with dignity and care. We explore: 🧭 The role of failur...

In this episode, I sit down with Lori Figueiredo – global education strategist, digital learning expert, and founder of Syzygy – an organization that helps teams align human intelligence (HI) with artificial intelligence (AI) to achieve breakthrough impact. Lori shares her incredible journey from growing up in apartheid-era South Africa to leading learning transformation initiatives across 100+ co...

In this season finale, I step away from interviews to share a personal reflection on what Season 1 has meant to me. From the inspiring stories of our guests to my own recent experiences, this episode is about the quiet power of showing up - authentically, vulnerably, and even when it’s uncomfortable. I share the lessons I’ve learned around community building, the courage it takes to ask for help,...

In this episode, I sit down with Lana Jelenjev , co-founder of the Neurodiversity Education Academy and an advocate for inclusive, strengths-based learning environments. Lana shares her journey in neurodiversity advocacy, building spaces of belonging, and rethinking education to celebrate individual strengths. In this episode, we discuss: 🧠 Shifting from "what's wrong" to "wha...

In this episode, I sit down with Channél Jordan - a creative visionary, digital storyteller, and community builder - to discuss the power of authenticity, fashion, and community. Channél shares her journey from working in the legal field to embracing her passion for fashion history, creative expression, and supporting Black creatives. We explore the nuances of identity, the evolving nature of pers...

In this episode, I sit down with Philippe Arnez , high-flow culture coach and founder of Culture4Flow. Philippe is a certified facilitator for the Working Genius model and an expert in fostering organizational health, leadership, and purpose-driven company cultures. We explore the power of flow in organizations and how leaders can create resilient, high-performing teams by cultivating the right cu...

In this episode, I chat with Aziz Imomnazarov - Lead Software Quality Engineer, global professional, and passionate community builder. From Tajikistan to Russia, Turkey, and beyond, Aziz’s journey is a testament to the power of knowledge, connection, and cultural exchange in today’s hyper-connected world. We explore: 🔥 From software engineering to social impact – how Aziz built a thriving global...

In this episode, I chat with Camille Leon – Founder of the Holistic Chamber of Commerce (HCC), artist, author, and advocate for holistic approaches in business and life. 🎙️✨ For over 14 years, Camille has been at the forefront of holistic entrepreneurship, helping professionals build businesses that align mind, body, spirit, business, budget, and planet. We explore: 🔥 From corporate burnout to h...

In this episode, I sit down with Prashant Uttekar – Founder of Curious Crow, Executive & Leadership Coach, and seasoned expert in corporate learning and development. 🎙️✨ With over 24 years of experience, Prashant has helped individuals and organizations unlock their full potential through coaching, leadership development, and sales enablement. We explore: 🔥 The accidental journey into coachi...

In this episode, I have an invigorating conversation with Sana Alimohamed - playful learning designer working at Duara Education, Master’s Student in Interactive Telecommunications (ITP) at NYU, and advocate for inclusive, curiosity-driven education. 🎙️✨ Sana shares her incredible journey from neuroscience to storytelling to designing learning experiences that center play, trust, and human connec...