The Guiding Voice

"What does it  actually  take to build a unicorn in India’s hyper-competitive tech ecosystem? In this episode of  The Guiding Voice , we go behind the scenes with  Vishnu Pellakuru , a business leader who helped scale  Acko  from a $300 million startup to a $1.8 billion unicorn. Vishnu pulls back the curtain on the "unspoken truths" of startup life that founders often...

Are you successful on the outside but feeling completely off inside? In this episode of  The Guiding Voice , we sit down with certified pathfinding coach  Hillary Spiritos  to uncover the truth about success, rejection, and the "what now" phase of life. We explore why so many 20 and 30-somethings feel stuck after achieving what they were "told" to want—like degrees, high-paying jobs...

"How do you build a successful career when the odds are stacked against you? In this episode of  The Guiding Voice , we sit down with  Satya Gumati , a transformation leader who navigated the high-stakes world of public service, quality engineering, and financial services. Satya shares her incredible story of immigrating to Canada with just two suitcases and an infant, and how she used t...

"Are you accidentally shortening your life? In this critical episode of  The Guiding Voice , we sit down with healthcare expert  Dr. Jerome Puryear , who has over 30 years of experience and 25 state medical licenses, to discuss the habits that lead to premature death and how you can avoid them. Most people don’t think about their health until they’re sick, but Dr. Puryear explains why a...

"Is the traditional engineering degree becoming obsolete? In this thought-provoking episode of  The Guiding Voice , we sit down with award-winning educator and strategist  Naresh Dubbudu  to discuss why the current B.Tech model is failing students and how to reinvent yourself for the future workforce. Naresh, a gold medalist from NIT Warangal and IIM Bangalore alumnus, challenges th...

Are you tired of being stuck in a cycle of negativity and 'circular thinking'? In this uplifting episode of The Guiding Voice, we sit down with positive energy expert and author Deborah Mallow to discuss her life-changing framework for living with more joy and less stress. Deborah, author of Six Steps to Fewer Days That Suck, shares her personal journey from a high-stakes pharmaceutical sales care...

Discover the incredible journey of Shivaramakrishna Gajawada, a rural-born leader who has spent over 18 years bridging the gap between top corporates and leading B-schools. In this deep-dive interview on The Guiding Voice, we explore the evolution of the Corporate Relationships Officer (CRO) role, the "secret sauce" for strong industry-academia ties, and how dedication and hard work can take you f...

In this deeply moving episode of The Guiding Voice, we explore the incredible journey of Sharadh Kamra, a lifestyle coach and yoga instructor who reclaimed his life after a devastating spine injury. From being bedridden to finding strength on the yoga mat, Sherat shares his "success mantras," the mindset shift required for recovery, and how he now empowers others to lead healthier, balanced lives....

Are you stuck in "Tutorial Hell," watching endless videos but never building anything real? In this episode of The Guiding Voice, we sit down with Ankush Dharkar, the founder of Real Dev Squad, to bridge the gap between learning to code and becoming a professional software engineer. With over a decade of experience at companies like Amazon, Hotstar, and Bloomberg, Ankush reveals the "number one mi...

In this episode of The Guiding Voice, we dive deep into the "Hidden Cost of Bad Hires" with Richard Martin, the Founder and CEO of Kulma. Learn why traditional hiring models are failing fast-growing companies and how to transition to a more strategic, "partner-based" approach that protects your time, money, and sanity. Richard shares invaluable leadership lessons, from why "clarity beats speed" to...

In this powerful episode of The Guiding Voice, we explore the transformative journey of Hemant Deshpande, an ICF PCC coach who made a bold career shift at 40. Hemant shares the raw truth about mid-life burnout, the "aha moment" that led him to tears, and how he successfully transitioned from corporate stability to a life of purpose and freedom. Learn practical strategies for tackling financial anx...

Struggling to balance a 70-hour work week with family? Global business strategist Shawn Fry shares the radical mindset shift and leadership principles you need to achieve high-impact growth without sacrificing your well-being. In this episode of The Guiding Voice (TGV), guest Shawn Fry (Author of "Sustained Business Growth") dives deep into his experience with industry giants like GE, Boeing, and...

Are your best employees leaving because they don't see a future? Career development expert Antoinette Oglethorpe reveals why the traditional "HR tick-box" performance review is broken and shares the actionable "Figure of Eight" model to engage and retain top talent. In this episode of The Guiding Voice (TGV), host Naveen Samala sits down with Antoinette Oglethorpe (Author of "Confident Career Conv...

Are you leading or just managing? Coaching mindset mentor Santosh Akella reveals how the most effective leaders use psychology and consistency to unlock their team's full potential. In this episode of The Guiding Voice (TGV), Santosh Akella (L&D Professional and Keynote Speaker) breaks down his signature LEAD Framework (Listen, Empathize, Ask, Develop). From Neural Linguistic Programming (NLP)...

Join us for a transformative conversation with Jhillika Trisal, the visionary CEO of Cognitii, as she shares her journey from neuroscience researcher to social entrepreneur. Discover how her AI-powered platform is revolutionizing special education in India with a bold mission to impact 1 million children by 2027. Jhillika dives deep into the reality of "virtual autism," the importance of the human...

What if the secret to overcoming your biggest challenges isn't fighting harder, but surrendering to the flow? In this episode of The Guiding Voice, guest Brian Curtis—an author, teacher, and seasoned whitewater adventurer—shares profound insights on changing your belief systems and living with purpose. After surviving a life-changing workplace explosion and spending 25 years navigating dangerous r...

Can you build a global IT powerhouse from a Tier 2 city with just ₹3 Lakhs? In this episode of The Guiding Voice, we sit down with Shrey Sharma, a dynamic entrepreneur from Jaipur who did exactly that. From being the youngest Salesforce MVP in 2019 to leading a team of 450+ professionals at Cyntexa, Shrey’s journey is a masterclass in grit, focus, and "manufacturing" talent. Shrey pulls back the c...

Are you feeling overwhelmed by life's challenges? In this powerful episode of The Guiding Voice, Christine Schaffer joins host Naveen Samala to share how she transformed a near-death experience in Mexico and a major business failure into a life of purpose and success. Christine, the acclaimed author of "Overcoming Extreme Odds," reveals her three-step success mantra—Tenacity, Purpose, and Hope—and...

Ever had a "million-dollar idea" but didn't know what to do next? In this episode of The Guiding Voice, we sit down with Akash Sharma, a passionate innovator and TEDx speaker who has turned 22 ideas into patents—12 of which have already been granted! Akash shares his incredible journey from a small town in Himachal Pradesh to becoming a globally recognized expert in Intellectual Property Rights (I...

Can music and storytelling truly bring the world closer together? 🌍🎶 In this episode of  The Guiding Voice , we are joined by  Charlotte Courtois , founder of  Konstelacio , a UNESCO-recognized NGO. For over 14 years, Charlotte has worked across 15 countries, using traditional music and stories to spread a message of peace and cultural understanding among children. We dive deep in...

Are you hiding from the camera? In this powerful episode of  The Guiding Voice , award-winning video coach and former Netflix executive  Kim Rittberg  reveals why "humility doesn't pay the bills" and how you can use video to skyrocket your professional brand. Learn Kim's signature "4 C's" formula—Confidence, Clarity, Credibility, and Connection—and discover how to leverage AI for co...

In this landmark 625th episode of The Guiding Voice, we welcome pioneering social entrepreneur Meera Shenoy, founder of Youth for Jobs. Meera shares the incredible journey of building South Asia’s largest organization dedicated to training and employing youth with disabilities. We dive deep into shattering the "curse" myths that keep disabled girls hidden in rural areas and explore how a single pa...

Are you a "solopreneur" drowning in a sea of endless tasks? In this transformative episode of The Guiding Voice, business veteran Ral West shares her "6 Secrets" to overcoming overwhelm and building a business that actually serves your life, rather than consuming it. Discover how to shift from being a "wearer of all hats" to a strategic leader by implementing systems and hiring the right help—even...

Are you struggling to connect with your children in today’s digital age? In this powerful episode of The Guiding Voice, we are joined by Carlamay Sheremata, a former police officer and school resource officer with over 20 years of experience. As the author of Youth Truth: Engaging in Conversations That Can Change Lives, Carlamay shares her deep insights into the struggles youth face today—from fee...

Are you living in fear of the next round of corporate layoffs? In this raw and eye-opening episode of The Guiding Voice, entrepreneur and "Life After Layoff" advocate Poorva explains why your 9-to-5 might be the biggest risk to your future. Kevin shares his personal journey of being "discarded" by the corporate machine and how that painful moment became the fuel for his success as a founder. Learn...