Unlearn with Asher & Kelly

In Episode 49, we sit down with Connor Jeffers, Founder of Aptitude 8 and CEO of Hapily, to explore what it takes to build an AI-native company. After scaling one of HubSpot’s leading services partners and launching a venture-backed SaaS business, Connor shares how AI is changing software development, marketing, partnerships, and the way startups compete. We cover: * Why AI is making small teams d...

In Episode 48, we break down a hard truth about AI: the companies that win will not be the ones with the best models. They will be the ones with the best partner strategy. Alan Chhabra joins the show to unpack the AI stack and why distribution, not product, is becoming the real advantage. We cover: • Why AI is a stack game and no company can win alone • The AWS x Cerebras partnership and what it s...

In Episode 47, we break down a major shift happening in AI right now: it is not just changing products, it is reshaping services companies and forcing entirely new operating models. Brendan Tolleson, CEO of RevPartners, joins the show. We cover: • Anthropic launching a marketplace and $100M partner fund and what it signals for AI GTM • Why frontier AI companies are going partner first instead of p...

In Episode 46, we break down one of the biggest misconceptions about AI right now: it is not reducing work, it is intensifying it. Shailesh Powdwal, VP at Partnerships at Forsys joins the show. We cover: • Research showing AI increases pace, scope, and expectations across teams • Anthropic’s rapid growth and what it signals about the AI market • HubSpot and Salesforce reshaping partner programs fo...

In Episode 45, Kelly hosts for the first time and friend of the pod Scott Brinker returns to pressure test the SaaS apocalypse thesis. We cover: • Anthropic’s new agent capabilities, including legal automation • The $1T software selloff and Nvidia’s pushback on the collapse narrative • Microsoft positioning against OpenAI and the rise of AI co opetition • Anthropic vs OpenAI’s Super Bowl ad battle...

In this episode, Asher and Kelly zoom out to a bigger question: what happens when AI turns nations, platforms, and enterprises into ecosystem companies? Starting with the idea that “America is becoming a platform company,” they explore why the biggest AI winners will be the ones with the largest ecosystems, not just the best models. From Lumen’s transformation from telecom provider to connective A...

In this episode, Asher and Kelly kick off a new Unlearn format and talk through what’s really changing across the tech ecosystem. Kathleen Curry from Workday joins the pod. They dig into OpenAI recruiting a CPO-level partnerships role, Shopify’s partnership shakeup, and the latest partner program moves from Google, Microsoft and ServiceNow. The conversation also looks at what the BCG AI Radar tell...

Most people still think about partnerships as a sales channel. Stripe’s Erika Wool doesn’t. She leads product and strategic partnerships and defines her job as helping Stripe build businesses that wouldn’t exist without partners. In this episode, Erika walks through how she moved from consulting and Edelman into Google and Stripe, how product partnerships evolved as Stripe scaled from “easiest way...

In this episode, Asher and Kelly sit down with Richard Ezekiel to unpack his book COELEVATE, a practical framework built from decades in the trenches in Silicon Valley and as part of the venture capital ecosystem. Richard breaks down how to build a “virtual company” between partners, why operational rigor is often overlooked, and how partner professionals can move beyond buzzwords to drive real bu...

Natan Edelsburg, Chief Partnerships Officer at Muck Rack, joins Asher Mathew and Kelly Sarabyn on Unlearn to talk about what happens when a revenue leader outgrows the CRO seat. They unpack how modern PR is evolving, why media training matters more than ever, and how partnerships roles are becoming more dynamic and strategic than ever before. Natan shares his journey from early employee to CPO, th...

As VP of Partnerships at Factorial, Marcel Queralt turned a side project into a full-blown business unit, driving one-third of the company’s revenue. In this episode, Marcel breaks down how he built a 100-person global team, why partner leaders need to think like entrepreneurs, and the exact culture and org structure that keeps it all running. Chapters 02:30 - Why partnerships became a growth leve...

In this episode of the Unlearn Podcast, Asher Mathew and Kelly Sarabyn sit down with Sergio Farache, Chief Strategy and Technology Officer at TD Synnex. Sergio shares insights on how TD Synnex is breaking away from the traditional linear model, creating a dynamic ecosystem that supports diverse partner types, from SMBs to global enterprises. Chapters 02:28 - Sergio’s Background and Role at TD Synn...

Join hosts Asher Mathew and Kelly Sarabyn as they engage with Gilad Zubery, Chief Revenue Officer at DealHub. This episode unpacks Gilad's journey from EVP of Partnerships at ContentSquare to his current role, highlighting the strategic importance of partnerships in driving business growth. Discover insights into the challenges of revenue operations and the evolving landscape of partner-driven str...

In this episode, hosts Asher Mathew and Kelly Sarabyn engage with Serrah Linares, Senior Vice President of Growth Innovation at Optum, in a compelling discussion on the future of healthcare partnerships. This episode unpacks how technology, APIs, and strategic alliances are reshaping healthcare delivery and innovation. Chapters 5:02 - Healthcare tech: EMRs, APIs, and data exchange 10:57 - Industry...

Elena Leonova, Chief Product Officer at Spryker, joins Unlearn to discuss how product leaders should rethink their approach to partnerships. She explains why transparency in product roadmaps is critical, how developer ecosystems drive platform success, and why product managers need to integrate partners into their strategy. This episode is packed with insights on structuring partnerships for scale...

Join hosts Asher Mathew and Kelly Sarabyn as they engage with Alan Chhabra, a seasoned executive with a rich history at MongoDB, now leading partnerships at Cerebras. This episode unpacks Alan's journey from engineering to executive roles, offering insights into building robust partner organizations and strategies for collaborating with hyperscalers. Chapters - - 01:24 - Alan's Background...

In this Unlearn episode, Asher Mathew and Kelly Sarabyn sit down with Jason Graefe, a seasoned Microsoft executive. With over two decades at Microsoft, Jason shares his journey from a field seller to leading Microsoft's engagement with software development companies. This episode explores leadership lessons, the transformative impact of generative AI, and Microsoft's strategic approach to partneri...

In this episode of the Unlearn podcast, Asher Mathew and Kelly Sarabyn chat with Anwar Haneef, Head of Ecosystem at Canva, about the company's innovative approach to empowering developers. Anwar explores Canva's ecosystem, showcasing tools like the Apps SDK and Connect API, which enable seamless integrations across platforms. He shares insights on Canva’s expansive reach, partnerships with industr...

On this episode of the Unlearn podcast, hosts Asher Mathew and Kelly Sarabyn connect with Eron Sunando, Asana's Head of Channels & Alliances. Fresh from Asana's Partner Summit, Eron brings a unique perspective on how partnerships can simplify the increasingly complex world of business technology. Drawing from his globe-trotting career that spans from UBS to Salesforce, Eron unpacks the challen...

On this episode of the Unlearn podcast, hosts Asher Mathew and Kelly Sarabyn welcome Rich Gardner, a partnership maven with a knack for turning industry insights into actionable strategies. Fresh from events like Catalyst and Dreamforce, Rich shares his take on peer-to-peer learning and aligning partnerships with the big picture. Drawing from his time at Klaviyo, Rich dives into the nitty-gritty o...

On this episode of the Unlearn Podcast, hosts Asher Mathew & Kelly Sarabyn engage in a compelling discussion on the impacts of social media. They are joined by author Tobias Rose-Stockwell, known for his book "Outrage Machine,"  Tobias, a seasoned researcher in technology's societal impacts, shares insights gathered over a decade of study. His expertise sheds light on how platfor...

On this episode of the Unlearn podcast, hosts Asher Mathew and Kelly Sarabyn sit down with Ritu Khanna, Vice President of Partnerships at Shopify. Under Ritu's leadership, Shopify has unified previously segmented partner functions, generating new synergies that drive the company's continued hypergrowth. With a proven track record in transforming traditional models to thrive amidst digital disrupti...

On this episode of the Unlearn Podcast, hosts Asher and Kelly connect with Louise McEvoy, Vice President of US Channel Sales at Trend Micro. Louise shares her insights on building channel programs while balancing a demanding career with her passion for mountain climbing. The discussion covers topics such as obtaining executive buy-in for new models, modernizing competencies for channel leaders, an...

On this episode of the Unlearn podcast, we discuss leadership with Rachel Skaff, Managing Director of North America Partner Sales at AWS. At AWS, she oversees the channel sales organization for North America, focused on accelerating growth through partners.  Joined by hosts Asher and Kelly, Rachel shares insights from her diverse career path and transforming AWS's partner model. The conversati...

In this episode of the Unlearn podcast, hosts Asher Mathew and Kelly Sarabyn sit down with Mekaela Davis, Chief Partner Officer at Trintech.  With experience at both Big 4 consulting firms and enterprise software companies, Mekaela shares her unconventional journey to becoming a CPO. She discusses the diverse skills required and the importance of executive-level accountability. Mekaela also offers...