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  • 86 Raising Capital with Vision: $300M to See the Future

    86 Raising Capital with Vision: $300M to See the Future
    2025/11/04
    In this episode, Roman Axelrod, founder and CEO of Xpanceo, shares the bold vision behind raising capital - $300M to create smart contact lenses designed to expand human capability. From building prototypes to leading a deep-tech team, Roman opens up about the real challenges of turning science fiction into science fact. He discusses the grit it takes to lead a company operating at the edge of innovation—and how clarity, communication, and conviction become non-negotiables in the process. We explore: • The role of storytelling in raising capital for moonshot ideas • Why prototypes matter more than PowerPoints in deep tech • How to attract world-class talent in a hyper-competitive market • What makes co-founder relationships thrive under pressure • How creativity and discipline coexist in breakthrough innovation Whether you’re a founder, investor, or future-focused leader, Roman’s journey offers powerful lessons on building what doesn’t yet exist—and getting others to believe in it. — Subscribe to CPO PLAYBOOK for more conversations at the intersection of leadership, innovation, and capital strategy. Chapters 00:00 The Vision Behind Expanio 10:16 Challenges and Reactions to the Idea 14:14 Building a Deep Tech Company 17:22 Motivating a High-Stakes Team 21:47 The Importance of Prototypes 23:58 Recruiting Top Talent in Deep Tech 27:35 The Co-Founder Dynamic 31:14 Communication and Leadership in High-Stakes Environments 34:42 Cultivating Creativity and Vision 39:49 Looking Ahead: The Future of Expanio
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    44 分
  • Bonus The Journey of Leadership: Celebrating Milestones

    Bonus The Journey of Leadership: Celebrating Milestones
    2025/09/23
    Felicia Shakiba looks back at how far the podcast has come—and sets the stage for an even bolder season ahead. In this special episode, she teases the power-packed stories coming in Season 4, spotlights what leadership really means today, and unveils new tools designed to help leaders rise, adapt, and thrive.
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    5 分
  • 85 From Pharma to Future: How Bold Leadership Transformed Pluri

    85 From Pharma to Future: How Bold Leadership Transformed Pluri
    2025/09/16
    In the Season 3 finale, Pluri CEO Yaky Yanay joins Felicia Shakiba for a powerful conversation on leading transformation through trust, transparency, and bold vision. He shares how he redefined Pluri’s identity—from pharma to cell-based tech innovator—while building a culture that puts people, purpose, and innovation first. A high-stakes, high-insight episode on what true leadership looks like in times of change. Chapters 00:00 The Importance of Culture in Leadership 12:11 Navigating Organizational Transformation 17:53 Overcoming Resistance to Change 26:47 Building Trust Through Transparency 31:05 Expanding Vision Without Losing Focus 36:45 Advice for Leaders in Times of Change
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    44 分
  • 84 Leaders Navigate Generative AI in Product Development

    84 Leaders Navigate Generative AI in Product Development
    2025/09/09
    Generative AI may be rewriting the rules, but Felicia Shakiba and Claurelle Rakipovic, Chief Product Officer at Pipe, break down what real product leadership looks like. From customer empathy to AI missteps, Claurelle shares sharp lessons on building products that can actually hold their ground. Chapters 00:00 Building Defensible Products in the Age of AI 01:50 Understanding Defensibility Beyond Automation 04:30 Learning from AI Missteps 09:26 Internal Testing and AI Adoption 14:39 New Competencies for Product Leaders 19:47 The Importance of Unique Data 23:49 Empathy in AI Product Development 27:39 Auditing AI for Value Delivery
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    35 分
  • 83 How to Navigate M&A with Effective Leadership Integrations

    83 How to Navigate M&A with Effective Leadership Integrations
    2025/09/02
    In the world of private equity and high-stakes M&A, financials are only half the story. The real differentiator? Leadership. This episode explores what leadership qualities truly drive success in mergers and acquisitions, why most private equity due diligence efforts fall short on the people's front, and how to assess leaders before the deal is signed. Our guest is Cameron Bishop Partner and Managing Director at Raincatcher Investment Bankers. Chapters 00:00 The Importance of People in M&A Success 02:48 Cultural Missteps in Private Equity Acquisitions 05:44 Aligning Leadership Post-Acquisition 08:15 The Role of Communication in Corporate Culture 11:04 Integrating Multiple Cultures 13:37 Data-Driven Decision Making in M&A 16:06 Incentivizing Employees for Success 18:54 Identifying and Nurturing Talent 21:43 Achieving Alignment in Leadership 24:44 The Continuous Journey of Alignment
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    39 分
  • 82 AI Transformation: When AI Takes Our Jobs

    82 AI Transformation: When AI Takes Our Jobs
    2025/08/26
    Matt Lewis unpacks the realities of AI transformation inside organizations — and what happens when AI takes our jobs. He shares stories of employees navigating the emotional fallout of AI, the role of leadership in reducing resistance, and how identity and self-worth shape the success of change initiatives. Listeners will walk away with practical strategies for guiding teams through AI-driven transformation with clarity and empathy. 00:00 Navigating Personal Challenges and Professional Growth 05:30 Real Stories of Emotional Fallout 11:42 Subtle Signs of Resistance 19:55 Communicating Change Effectively 27:32 Understanding Organizational Dynamics During Transformation 34:38 TransferMental: A New Approach to AI Transformation 40:24 Identity and Emotional Complexity in AI Disruption
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    49 分
  • 81 How Change Management Can Save Millions

    81 How Change Management Can Save Millions
    2025/08/19
    What does it really take to lead lasting change inside an organization? Lyon Kassab, Managing General Partner at BoCG Ventures, breaks it down in this episode on organizational change management and how the lack thereof, can cost millions. From the silent weight middle managers carry to the culture shifts that make or break transformation, Lyon shares sharp insights on trust, transparency, and measuring what matters. If you’re tired of buzzwords and want the real mechanics of driving change—this one’s for you.
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    40 分
  • 80 Leadership Evaluation in Private Equity Due Diligence

    80 Leadership Evaluation in Private Equity Due Diligence
    2025/08/12
    Felicia Shakiba and Vikash Jha pull back the curtain on how private equity really sizes up leadership during acquisitions for business growth. From reading the silent signals to decoding executive chemistry, they reveal the high-stakes art of aligning leaders with ambitious growth plays. Chapters 00:00 Navigating Leadership Evaluation in Private Equity Due Diligence 03:07 Identifying Leadership Fit: Early Warning Signs 07:49 The Strategy Behind Leadership Retention 12:16 Cultural Integration: The Key to Successful Acquisitions 14:50 Investing in Leadership Development vs. Replacement 17:12 Communicating Change: Engaging Leadership and Employees 20:44 Best Practices for Retaining Talent Post-Acquisition 22:33 Checklist for Assessing Leadership During Acquisitions
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    27 分