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  • From BCG to building Nova: The 1% top talent global network | Ramon Rodrigañez & Aïda Figuerola

    From BCG to building Nova: The 1% top talent global network | Ramon Rodrigañez & Aïda Figuerola
    2026/09/20
    Ramon Rodriguez is the co-founder and CEO of Nova, the global talent network that connects the world's most talented people. He left a promising career at BCG to build Nova during COVID, nearly went bankrupt, and rebuilt the company into a merit-based platform that's changing how recruitment works in the AI era. He believes the world works better when the most talented people reach the right opportunities, regardless of where they were born. In this episode, he explains: • Why he left BCG to build Nova • How AI is transforming recruitment • The skills that matter most in the AI era • Why meritocracy is the foundation of a better world Topics: Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction: Connecting the World's Most Talented People 00:00:46 Welcome to LIFT: Meeting Ramon Rodriguez 00:01:12 What Nova Is and How It Differs from LinkedIn 00:02:21 Born During COVID: The Early Days of Nova 00:03:06 From Madrid to Columbia: Ramon's Academic Journey 00:04:40 Why BCG Was the Perfect First Job 00:07:13 The Tough Choice: Leaving BCG for Nova 00:12:06 Finding a Co-Founder Through Serendipity 00:14:32 Learning to Fail: From Football Dreams to Business 00:16:15 The Near-Death Experience: Almost Closing Nova 00:19:02 The Turnaround: From Crisis to Sweet Spot 00:22:38 AI Is Transforming Recruitment Today 00:25:57 The Skills That Matter Most in the AI Era 00:29:24 How AI Changed the Way Ramon Works 00:35:33 Raising Kids in an Uncertain Future 00:38:34 Career Advice: Build Things or Sell Them 00:41:29 Values Beyond the Title: Family, Responsibility, and Meritocracy 00:46:17 The Legacy: A World Based on Merit and Talent 00:47:46 Random Question: The Historical Figure He'd Most Want to Meet Follow Ramon Rodriguez: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramonrodrigueznovatalent/ Company: https://novatalent.com Follow Aïda Figuerola: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afiguerola/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lift.talent/ Newsletter: https://lift-collective.com/en-en/newsletter Website: https://lift-talent.com Listen on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lift.podcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0ebUvY3vWlFjQgGsyFTazt Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.es/podcasts/fabc6285-52b1-490f-8795-c7aab6422c6d/lift-leaders-building-a-legacy
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    51 分
  • The reality of venture capital: 90% of startups fail | Thomas Bigagli & Aïda Figuerola

    The reality of venture capital: 90% of startups fail | Thomas Bigagli & Aïda Figuerola
    2026/09/06
    Thomas Bigagli is the EMEA partner at Plug and Play, one of the largest open innovation platforms in the world, where he leads venture investments across Europe, Middle East and Africa. He has lived in 10 cities, launched multiple ventures, and spent the last decade supporting entrepreneurs not only with capital but with connections and advice. He believes that creativity and pragmatism are not opposites but essential partners. In this episode, he explains: • Why 90% of startups die • What VCs actually look for in founders beyond the pitch • The reality of working in a VC Topics: Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction: The Reality of Startup Failure 00:00:33 Welcome to LIFT: Meeting Tomas Bigagli 00:01:41 What a VC Actually Does All Day 00:03:59 The Path Into Venture Capital 00:05:52 From Entrepreneur to Investor 00:08:42 The Death Valley: Why 80-90% of Startups Fail 00:10:10 Finding the Winners: Team, Timing, and Execution 00:12:46 Creativity vs Science in Innovation 00:14:41 Both Sides of the Brain: Analytical and Creative 00:16:35 Generalist vs Specialist 00:19:43 The Childhood That Sparked Innovation 00:22:02 Teaching the Next Generation 00:25:11 What Schools Don't Teach But Should 00:27:26 The Non-Linear Career Path 00:30:36 The Elevator Pitch That Changed Everything 00:34:06 How to Actually Get a Job in VC 00:35:09 Mentorship Without a Mentor 00:41:05 Work-Life Balance: Sleep, Love, and Walking Calls 00:43:57 The Legacy: Making the World Work Better 00:45:10 Mars vs Mosquitoes: Are We Solving the Right Problems? 00:47:53 Timeless Wisdom: Schumpeter and Eternal Principles Follow Thomas Bigagli: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-bigagli/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thomasbigagli/ X : https://x.com/ThomasBigagli Follow Aïda Figuerola: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afiguerola/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lift.talent/ Newsletter: https://lift-collective.com/en-en/newsletter Website: https://lift-talent.com Listen on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lift.podcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0ebUvY3vWlFjQgGsyFTazt Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.es/podcasts/fabc6285-52b1-490f-8795-c7aab6422c6d/lift-leaders-building-a-legacy
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    50 分
  • How bacterias replace plastic | Patricia Aymà & Aïda Figuerola

    How bacterias replace plastic | Patricia Aymà & Aïda Figuerola
    2026/08/27
    Patricia Aymà is a biotechnologist and co-founder, chairwoman and CTO of Benviro, a company that trains bacteria to turn organic waste into biodegradable bioplastics. Patricia is a TED Fellow and was awarded Premi Princesa de Girona. She calls herself a bacteria trainer. In this episode, she explains: •⁠ How bacteria are trained to turn sugar waste into bioplastic •⁠ Why the bacteria that almost killed her as a child became her life’s work •⁠ What it takes to raise 13 million and validate a market •⁠ Why creativity is the real skill in science Topics: 00:00 The bacteria that almost killed her 01:14 Meet Patricia Aymà, bacteria trainer 01:33 What purpose-driven innovation actually means 02:49 How you train bacteria to make plastic 03:39 The samples: bioplastic isn't ugly 04:33 Perfume caps and farm films that dissolve into soil 05:35 Why take on the plastic industry 06:41 The childhood pneumonias that started it all 09:20 Why science needs creativity, not memorizing 12:26 The hardest part: financing vs monetizing 14:53 Where the 13 million actually goes 17:12 Becoming a TED Fellow in Vancouver 20:18 Countryside, eight hours of sleep, no productivity hacks 21:38 The GORE-TEX of bioplastics 23:59 Premi Princesa de Girona 27:03 The one person she'd bring back: Jane Goodall Follow Patricia Aymà: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricia-aym%C3%A0-maldonado-a7187291/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patriciainbiotech/ Benviro: https://benviro.es/ Follow Aïda Figuerola: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afiguerola/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lift.talent/ Newsletter: https://lift-collective.com/en-en/newsletter Website: https://lift-talent.com/ Listen on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lift.podcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0ebUvY3vWlFjQgGsyFTazt Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.es/podcasts/fabc6285-52b1-490f-8795-c7aab6422c6d/lift-leaders-building-a-legacy
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    28 分
  • The reality of leaving Big Tech to build your company | Adriana Carvajal & Aïda Figuerola

    The reality of leaving Big Tech to build your company | Adriana Carvajal & Aïda Figuerola
    2026/08/10
    Adriana Carvajal (@adri.zip) is one of the most influential content creators in Big Tech and AI, with a community of 2 million across TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. She is the founder of Zip Academy and spent years working at Google and LinkedIn before turning her career advice into a full-time mission. Digital nomad, rescue diver, and today recognized as Spain's top career coach. In this episode, she explains: • ⁠ The reality of working at Google and LinkedIn • ⁠ When and why leave Big Tech • ⁠ How to design your own career • ⁠ Why everything she owns fit in a single backpack Topics: 00:00 Introduction: From Google Employee to Viral Creator 01:31 Welcome to LIFT: Meeting Adriana Carvajal 02:48 A Gap Year, Then a Job at LinkedIn 03:44 The Google Video That Changed Everything 05:16 The Gap Year That Sparked Everything 07:07 What Big Tech Taught Her 09:55 The Golden Handcuffs of a Big Tech Label 11:31 Content Creator vs Influencer 12:39 Every Career Comes With Its Trade-offs 14:24 Quitting Google to Triple Her Income 16:00 Becoming an Early AI Voice, and Two Content Pillars 17:32 Her System for Staying Updated on AI 19:34 Advice for 18-Year-Olds in an AI World 21:20 The Skills That Haven't Changed, Even With AI 22:33 Are We the Last Fully Natural Humans 24:02 Not an Era of Change, but a Change of Era 24:42 Why University Never Felt Like the Right Fit 27:04 The Student Who Landed a Job at Nvidia 28:38 Her Mission: Quality Opportunities for Everyone 29:48 Filling the Gap: AI Content in Spanish 30:37 Life as a Digital Nomad, No Base, Just a Backpack 33:09 Success Is When Reality Matches Expectations 34:06 Why She Doesn't Believe in Work-Life Balance 35:21 Becoming a Rescue Diver at 18 36:25 Sitting at a Table Full of Creators 40:31 The Creators She Looks Up To 42:19 Why She Doesn't Plan More Than a Year Ahead 43:25 How She Thrives in Uncertainty 44:25 Her Favorite Places in the World Follow Adriana Carvajal: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianacarvajalm/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adri.zip/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adri.zip YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@adrizip Follow Aïda Figuerola: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afiguerola/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lift.talent/ Newsletter: https://lift-collective.com/en-en/newsletter Website: https://lift-talent.com/ Listen on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lift.podcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0ebUvY3vWlFjQgGsyFTazt Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.es/podcasts/fabc6285-52b1-490f-8795-c7aab6422c6d/lift-leaders-building-a-legacy
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    45 分
  • Trailer: The reality of leaving Big Tech to build your company | Adriana Carvajal & Aïda Figuerola

    Trailer: The reality of leaving Big Tech to build your company | Adriana Carvajal & Aïda Figuerola
    2026/08/07
    Adriana Carvajal (@adri.zip) is one of the most influential content creators in Big Tech and AI, with a community of 2 million across TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. She is the founder of Zip Academy and spent years working at Google and LinkedIn before turning her career advice into a full-time mission. Digital nomad, rescue diver, and today recognized as Spain's top career coach. In this episode, she explains: • The reality of working at Google and LinkedIn •⁠ When and why leave Big Tech •⁠ How to design your own career •⁠ Why everything she owns fit in a single backpack Full episode premieres this Monday at 7pm CEST. Set a reminder so you don't miss it live. Follow Adriana Carvajal: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianacarvajalm/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adri.zip/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adri.zip YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@adrizip Follow Aïda Figuerola: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afiguerola/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lift.talent/ Newsletter: https://lift-collective.com/en-en/newsletter Website: https://lift-talent.com/ Listen on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lift.podcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0ebUvY3vWlFjQgGsyFTazt Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.es/podcasts/fabc6285-52b1-490f-8795-c7aab6422c6d/lift-leaders-building-a-legacy
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    2 分
  • AI Hype vs Reality | Eduardo Ordax & Aïda Figuerola

    AI Hype vs Reality | Eduardo Ordax & Aïda Figuerola
    2026/07/26
    Eduardo Ordax is one of the most influential voices in AI and Machine Learning worldwide, with a community of 240,000 on LinkedIn where he shares the full potential of artificial intelligence. He leads Generative AI and ML Go-to-Market at AWS and is the co-author of the book Generative AI at AWS. He's also a lifelong learner, marathon runner, and most importantly, father of two. In this episode, he explains: • AI hype vs AI reality • How to learn & stay updated about AI • Habits and routines to give your best everyday Topics: 00:00 Introduction: The Real Face of AI in Companies 01:08 Welcome to LIFT: Meeting Eduardo Ordax 01:19 Ten Years in Data and AI, and Why He Pivoted 03:17 What He Loves and Hates About the Job 05:44 Jack the Builder: The Real State of AI in Companies 08:09 The Skills That Actually Matter in AI Right Now 10:29 How AI Is Reshaping the Job Market 12:53 How to Stay Updated in a Field That Moves Every Week 15:03 Rebuilding Education for the AI Era 17:35 The Kid Who Compensated Brilliance With Hard Work 19:10 Running, Competing, and Winning 20:40 The 5am Routine That Powers His Day 22:10 How to Disconnect When Your Job Is Mental 23:03 No Mentors, No Idols: Learning From Yourself Every Ten Years 24:30 The Steve Prefontaine Quote That Defines His Life 26:57 From Valladolid to Belgium, the UK, and South Africa 28:30 The Cobra Encounter That Changed His Perspective 30:05 What He's Trying to Teach His Kids 32:25 What Younger Generations Get Wrong About the Real World 34:13 The Autopilot Problem: Pilots, AI, and Losing Your Skills 36:45 What Success Actually Means to Him 37:44 Who Lifts Him Up Follow Eduardo Ordax: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eordax/ X: https://x.com/ordax Book Generative AI at AWS: https://www.packtpub.com/en-us/product/generative-ai-at-aws-9781806104451 Follow Aïda Figuerola LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afiguerola/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lift.talent/ Newsletter: https://lift-collective.com/en-en/newsletter Website: https://lift-collective.com/ Listen on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lift.podcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0ebUvY3vWlFjQgGsyFTazt Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.es/podcasts/fabc6285-52b1-490f-8795-c7aab6422c6d/lift-leaders-building-a-legacy
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    39 分
  • Trailer: AI Hype vs Reality | Eduardo Ordax & Aïda Figuerola

    Trailer: AI Hype vs Reality | Eduardo Ordax & Aïda Figuerola
    2026/07/24
    Eduardo Ordax is one of the most influential voices in AI and Machine Learning worldwide, with a community of 240,000 on LinkedIn where he shares the full potential of artificial intelligence. He leads Generative AI and ML Go-to-Market at AWS and is the co-author of the book Generative AI at AWS. He's also a lifelong learner, marathon runner, and most importantly, father of two. In this episode, he explains: • AI hype vs AI reality • How to learn & stay updated about AI • Habits and routines to give your best everyday Full episode premieres this Sunday at 7pm CEST. Set a reminder so you don't miss it live. Follow Eduardo Ordax: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eordax/ X: https://x.com/ordax Book Generative AI at AWS: https://www.packtpub.com/en-us/product/generative-ai-at-aws-9781806104451 Follow Aïda Figuerola LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afiguerola/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lift.talent/ Newsletter: https://lift-collective.com/en-en/newsletter Website: https://lift-collective.com/ Listen on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lift.podcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0ebUvY3vWlFjQgGsyFTazt Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.es/podcasts/fabc6285-52b1-490f-8795-c7aab6422c6d/lift-leaders-building-a-legacy
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    1 分
  • AI detects strokes for life-saving treatments | Pau Rodríguez

    AI detects strokes for life-saving treatments | Pau Rodríguez
    2026/07/19
    Pau Rodríguez is the CEO of Methinks, an AI software company focused on stroke triage. Their technology enables any hospital in the world to assess a stroke patient using only a basic CT scan, without needing contrast imaging. Half of the world's hospitals don't have access to advanced imaging, and even those who do face delays. In stroke, time is brain. Stroke is the first cause of disability worldwide, and the second cause of death. In this episode, he explains: • Why time is brain • How AI can support radiologists • The AI impact in health Stroke is the first cause of disability worldwide, and the second cause of death. Topics: 00:00 Introduction: Time Is Brain 00:56 Meeting Pau Rodríguez 01:16 What Methinks Does, and Why It Matters 02:03 From Deep Learning to Generative AI in Healthcare 02:55 Enhancing Doctors, Not Replacing Them 03:58 Where the Technology Is Being Used Today 04:25 The Real Cost of Late Stroke Detection 05:04 How the Alert System Works Across Hospitals 06:18 Building a 20-Person Team With Real Impact 07:01 From Consultant to Health Tech CEO 07:59 The Regulatory Challenges Nobody Had a Map For 09:17 How to Lead Through Uncertainty 10:41 The Loneliness and Strength of the CEO Role 11:51 What Leadership Actually Means 12:46 Managing Yourself Before Managing a Company 13:51 What Rugby Taught Him About Building a Company 15:48 Are Entrepreneurs Born or Made 16:39 The Skill the Next Generation Will Need Most 17:34 Advice for Anyone Who Wants to Build Something 19:23 A Career Designed or a Sequence of Accidents 21:18 Would He Do It All Over Again 22:10 The Belief He Holds That Most People Disagree With Follow Pau Rodríguez: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prverdeguer/ Company: https://www.methinks.ai/ Follow Aïda Figuerola: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afiguerola/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lift.talent/ Newsletter: https://lift-collective.com/en-en/newsletter Website: https://lift-collective.com/ Listen on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lift.podcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0ebUvY3vWlFjQgGsyFTazt Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.es/podcasts/fabc6285-52b1-490f-8795-c7aab6422c6d/lift-leaders-building-a-legacy
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    24 分