The Brand Called You

Welcome to this episode of The Brand Called You, featuring Amanda Spann, America’s leading app educator and author of “I Have an App Idea.”

Hosted by Ashutosh Garg, this episode explores Amanda’s journey as a non-technical founder, her mission to empower everyday innovators, and practical insights into building scalable, income-generating apps—even without a coding background.

Amanda shares lessons from working with over 30,000 entrepreneurs, debunks myths about app development, and introduces her ID3 framework, a step-by-step process designed to help domain experts turn ideas into viable products.

Whether you’re a teacher, doctor, entrepreneur, or community leader, this episode reveals how to transform your ideas into real digital solutions.

If you’ve ever thought, “I have an app idea, but I don’t know where to start,” this conversation will inspire you to move from rumination to execution.

In this episode of The Brand Called You, host Ashutosh Garg speaks with Marc Seitz, Founder of Papermark—an innovative open-source platform transforming secure document sharing and data rooms.

Marc shares his journey from studying physics and economics to becoming a tech entrepreneur and explains how Papermark empowers startups, VC firms, and enterprises with modern, analytics-driven document management.

Discover the challenges of building in a competitive market, the importance of design and trust in digital dealmaking, how AI can optimize workflows, and practical advice for founders venturing into open source.

Whether you’re a founder, investor, or tech enthusiast, this conversation offers unique insights into the future of digital collaboration and security, including what’s missing in legacy data rooms and how Papermark’s open-source, customizable approach is setting new standards for transparency and innovation.

Join us for an insightful episode of “The Brand Called You” as Ashutosh Garg sits down with Tim Vipond, Co-Founder and CEO of the Corporate Finance Institute (CFI).

Discover how CFI bridges the gap between theoretical finance education and practical, job-ready skills. Tim shares the story behind building a global, practical finance education platform, the philosophy behind the FMVA certification, and why adapting to evolving industry needs—like AI—is critical for today’s finance professionals.

• The key gap between academic finance learning and actual job requirements

• How CFI builds trust and scales practical education globally

• Why real-world application and feedback matter more than memorization

• Navigating global regulations, essential soft skills, and the future of finance certifications

• Lessons on leadership, scaling company culture, and staying connected with learners

In this episode, you will learn:

In this episode of The Brand Called You, we welcome Erez Avramov, a Resilience & Communication Expert with an extraordinary journey of overcoming adversity and transforming lives.

From serving in Israel’s elite commando units to founding multiple businesses in Canada, Erez shares powerful insights on resilience, decision-making under pressure, and the art of adaptive leadership.

His story includes near-death experiences, elective amputation, and personal rebirth, resulting in the creation of the Resilience Edge Operating System, now helping leaders and organizations globally navigate uncertainty and change.

Tune in to discover actionable strategies for building personal and organizational resilience, and learn how Erez is training for the Paralympics as a para-archer.

If you’re facing challenges or seeking growth, this episode is for you!

In this episode of The Brand Called You (TBCY), host Stephen sits down with Bill Wisotsky, Principal Quantum Systems Architect of R&D at SAS, to uncover the journey behind one of quantum technology’s leading innovators. Bill shares his captivating career path—from an early fascination with law enforcement to a life-changing pivot into neuroscience, and eventually, the frontier of quantum computing. Discover how hands-on experiences, curiosity, and embracing new technology shaped his approach to solving modern-day challenges.

Dive into Bill’s insights on quantum SDKs like Qiskit, PennyLane, D-Wave’s Ocean, and his exploration of quantum hardware platforms ranging from superconducting qubits to photonics. Learn how SAS leverages its powerful analytics platform as a meta-layer to simplify quantum adoption for clients, and why hybrid quantum-classical orchestration is key to future-proofing enterprise AI and optimization.

Whether you’re a tech leader, quantum enthusiast, or simply fascinated by breakthrough innovation, this episode offers a practical look at the technologies, trends, and strategies driving quantum’s evolution—and how you, too, can get started.

Key Topics Covered:

• Bill Wisotsky’s turning points and inspirations

• The convergence of neuroscience and quantum physics

• Quantum SDKs: Qiskit, PennyLane, D-Wave Ocean, Tket

• Quantum hardware: superconducting qubits, trapped ions, neutral atoms, photonics

• SAS’s quantum integration approach and client solutions

• The future of quantum: hybrid orchestration and fault tolerance

• Guidance for organizations and individuals entering quantum

Welcome to The Brand Called You! In this episode, Ashutosh Garg speaks with Mo Rousso, author of How to Build an AI-Powered Business Without Losing Control, Trust, or Your Mind. Mo shares his journey as a founder of seven companies, his approach to leadership and clarity, and insights on adopting AI without compromising trust or control.

You’ll learn:

• Why AI acts as a stress test for leadership.

• How to avoid common pitfalls in AI adoption.

• Best practices for successful AI integration in SMBs.

In this inspiring episode of The Brand Called You, host Ashutosh Garg interviews Ann Lopez, Founder and CEO of Studio 790 Interior Design, Miami. Discover how she transitioned from a 20-year luxury hospitality career to launch a multi-seven-figure interior design firm, starting from her dining room table.

Ann shares her journey of overcoming imposter syndrome, leading with faith, building high-performance teams, and scaling beyond herself. She reveals practical strategies for growth, the importance of marketing and PR, and mindset shifts needed for women entrepreneurs to build wealth.

Whether you’re thinking of starting, scaling, or reinventing your career at 40 or beyond, this episode is full of actionable wisdom! ✨

In this episode of The Brand Called You, host Frits Bussemaker sits down with Mark Schuurman, Co-Founder of NGO 3x3 Unites and co-founder of Guts, to dive into the world of 3x3 basketball and its power to unite communities and empower youth. Marc shares his inspiring journey from grassroots development in Dutch basketball to building a sustainable impact through 3x3 Unites. Discover how basketball is changing lives, creating jobs, and offering new opportunities for young people across the Netherlands.

Learn about the ethos and growth of 3x3 basketball, the bumps along the road, and the story behind the Netherlands' Olympic gold in Paris! Marc also discusses the organization's focus on life skills development and how success is measured in terms of sustainable impact and community growth.

Join us for an insightful episode of The Brand Called You, where Ashutosh Garg hosts Pawan Kumar Marella, former Vice President of Marketing at Unilever, author of Dear Rookie, Don’t Panic, and founder of Learnity Labs. Pawan takes us through his remarkable journey from engineering to global marketing leadership, sharing hard-earned lessons in brand building, leadership, and personal growth across emerging and frontier markets.

Learn how patience, frugal innovation, and deep respect for consumer realities shape successful branding strategies. Pawan also explores the power of ruthless clarity in leadership, essential capabilities for modern marketers, the role of AI, and practical guidance for young professionals starting their careers. Additionally, he offers valuable advice on building a strong reputation, cultivating a network, and balancing technical and soft skills for lasting success.

Don’t miss these career-transforming insights from one of the most influential voices in global marketing and leadership!

Dr. Stephen Shaya shares his remarkable journey in global healthcare, servant leadership, and creating meaningful impact across multiple sectors. In this conversation, he reflects on the evolution of J&B Medical, his ventures in biotechnology, sports media, and technology, and the guiding philosophy of radical abundance and purposeful action.

The discussion is enriched with stories of rare recognitions, family influence, and pressing global challenges—offering inspiration to anyone striving to make a meaningful difference.

• Origins as a family-owned business

• Growth into 19 business enterprises

• Impact: Reaching over 260 million Americans through insurance contracts and 200 million through pharmacy services

• Global operations across 28 countries and 49 U.S. states

• Telemedicine, mental health screenings, and connections between animal and human health

• Suicide prevention impact through early mental health screening programs

• Akkad Holdings: Mission-driven investments in biotech, sports media, and technology