90. Josh Simons | From Musician to CEO: Building a Career Beyond the Stage

92. Brian Modoff | From Destroyer to Wall Street to VC: AI, Tech Trends & Never Giving Up

In this episode, Klara Jagosova [https://www.linkedin.com/in/klarajagosova] speaks with Brian Modoff [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianmodoff/], founder and CEO of MC3 Ventures, Advisory Partner at Summit Partners, and former EVP of Corporate Strategy at Qualcomm. Brian's journey spans enlisting in the US Navy at 17, eight years of night school while working full time, 23 years as one of Wall Street's most consistently top-ranked technology analysts, a pivotal role at Qualcomm leading M&A and venture strategy, and now investing in the next generation of breakthrough companies as a venture capitalist. From a cryptology-equipped destroyer off the coast of Iran to the boardrooms of Deutsche Bank and Qualcomm, Brian's path is a masterclass in persistence, pattern recognition, and never crawling under your desk when things go wrong. The conversation explores: * How Brian built a 23-year career on Wall Street, outlasting an average analyst lifespan of 8 years * Spotting Qualcomm's rise before anyone else — and having the courage to put a sell rating on them first * The $30 billion conversation with Steve Mollenkopf that led to joining Qualcomm as EVP * Why the right idea matters more than the perfect founding team in early-stage investing * Why putting a CFO in charge of a tech company is an automatic sell signal * Why America's venture capital community is its most important economic asset * The one piece of advice Brian would give every young person entering the workforce today 🎙️ Watch Brian's 6G Keynote (B6GS 2025): https://ieeetv.ieee.org/channels/communications/keynote-brian-modoff-summit-partners-b6gs-2025 [https://ieeetv.ieee.org/channels/communications/keynote-brian-modoff-summit-partners-b6gs-2025] Key themes: venture capital, Wall Street, Qualcomm, MC3 Ventures, Summit Partners, tech investing, startup investing, innovation, persistence, leadership, AI, engineering careers, wireless technology, mosaic theory, M&A strategy. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1166864/fan_mail/new] LEORÊVER COMPRESSION AND ACTIVEWEAR [Https://leorever.com/gsj10] Get 10% off Loerêver Balanced Compression and Activewear to elevate your confidence and performance 8 EIGHT SLEEP [http://refer.eight.sl/x6nwf86h] Save $200 on 8Sleep and get better quality and deeper sleep with automatic temperature adjustment Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. This content is also available in a video version on YouTube. [https://www.youtube.com/@grandslamjourney] If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with someone who may enjoy it as well, and consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grand-slam-journey/id1539036819] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3G5xGGWcmK5rE2fd3Kr8VH?si=792011529c174d7a]. You can also submit your feedback [https://www.grandslamjourney.com/feedback] directly on my website [https://www.grandslamjourney.com]. Follow @GrandSlamJourney on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/grandslamjourney/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/grandslamjourney/],  Twitter [https://twitter.com/GSJKlara], and join the  LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/grandslamjourney] community.

91. John M. Madura | From the Rowing Boat to Robotics: Physical AI, Engineering & Seizing Opportunity

In this episode of the Grand Slam Journey Podcast, host Klara Jagosova speaks with John Madura, mechanical engineer, 2x USA Rowing National Team Member, and robotics innovator at Dexterity [https://dexterity.ai]. John's journey spans from being recruited into rowing over pizza in a college lunch line at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, to representing the United States at the World Championships in 2012 and 2015, earning a PhD at UC Berkeley, and now building physical AI and autonomous robots at the cutting edge of the industry. From an unexpected lunch line recruitment to the USA National Team, John's path is proof that seizing unlikely opportunities — and refusing to let go of them — can lead to a life you never could have planned. The conversation explores:  * How John discovered rowing by accident and made it to the USA National Team * The parallels between elite rowing and long-cycle hardware engineering * Building physical AI and autonomous robots at Dexterity * Why hardware is the unsung hero of the AI revolution * Teamwork, ego, and the 2016 Olympics sculling miss * How to spot opportunities and seize them before they disappear Connect with John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-m-madura-0651a82b/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-m-madura-0651a82b/] Connect with Klara on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/klarajagosova [https://www.linkedin.com/in/klarajagosova]  Key themes: robotics, physical AI, mechanical engineering, elite rowing, USA Rowing, Dexterity, performance mindset, career transitions, STEM, discipline, opportunity, resilience. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1166864/fan_mail/new] This content is also available in a video version on YouTube. [https://www.youtube.com/@grandslamjourney] If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with someone who may enjoy it as well, and consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grand-slam-journey/id1539036819] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3G5xGGWcmK5rE2fd3Kr8VH?si=792011529c174d7a]. You can also submit your feedback [https://www.grandslamjourney.com/feedback] directly on my website [https://www.grandslamjourney.com]. Follow @GrandSlamJourney on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/grandslamjourney/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/grandslamjourney/],  Twitter [https://twitter.com/GSJKlara], and join the  LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/grandslamjourney] community.

90. Josh Simons | From Musician to CEO: Building a Career Beyond the Stage

Klara Jagosova speaks with Josh Simons [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonsjosh/] — musician, songwriter, entrepreneur, and CEO of Vinyl Group [https://vinyl.group] — about his journey from touring internationally with indie band Buchanan [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buchanan_(band)] to leading Australia’s only ASX-listed music company. Josh shares lessons on creativity, performance, and building sustainable careers beyond the stage. Drawing parallels between music and sport, the conversation explores: * Growing up in a music-driven family * Transitioning from artist to entrepreneur * Performance, discipline, and career longevity * The creative process behind songwriting * AI, leadership, and the future of music Whether you’re a creative, founder, or leader, this episode offers practical insights on reinvention, mindset, and long-term success at the intersection of music, business, and technology. 🔗 Connect with Josh: 🌐 Website [https://www.joshsimons.us]  ︱ 🔗 LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonsjosh/] ︱ 🎤 TEDx [ https://youtu.be/iIDmjfnD7TM?si=jBOO8YeHXfyMgP7K] ︱ 🎥 Final Investor Video of the Year (LinkedIn) [https://www.linkedin.com/posts/simonsjosh_for-the-final-investor-video-of-the-year-activity-7401123620938444800-WCcf?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAO7s2QBu6JGsKOcejFlFVNcPz3E6qQ9gQs] Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1166864/fan_mail/new] 8 EIGHT SLEEP [http://refer.eight.sl/x6nwf86h] Save $200 on 8Sleep and get better quality and deeper sleep with automatic temperature adjustment LEORÊVER COMPRESSION AND ACTIVEWEAR [Https://leorever.com/gsj10] Get 10% off Loerêver Balanced Compression and Activewear to elevate your confidence and performance Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. This content is also available in a video version on YouTube. [https://www.youtube.com/@grandslamjourney] If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with someone who may enjoy it as well, and consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grand-slam-journey/id1539036819] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3G5xGGWcmK5rE2fd3Kr8VH?si=792011529c174d7a]. You can also submit your feedback [https://www.grandslamjourney.com/feedback] directly on my website [https://www.grandslamjourney.com]. Follow @GrandSlamJourney on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/grandslamjourney/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/grandslamjourney/],  Twitter [https://twitter.com/GSJKlara], and join the  LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/grandslamjourney] community.

89. Jurgen Arts︱From Court to CFO: Adaptability, AI & the Future of Telco Networks

Want a front-row seat to how a global CFO blends tennis-honed grit with people-first leadership to rethink telecom’s future? In this episode, Klara Jagosova sits down with Jurgen Arts [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jurgen-arts-ba808a3/], Vice President & CFO for Market Area Europe & Latin America at Ericsson, who brings nearly three decades of experience leading M&A, finance transformation, and cross-regional teams. We trace Jurgen’s path from an introverted Dutch tennis kid to a global leader known for transparency, curiosity, and balance — in business and in life. He shares how authenticity builds trust, how honesty early in a role prevents friction later, and how sports resilience fuels strategic decision-making. We explore: • How culture shapes leadership across regions • M&A lessons from integrating Cradlepoint and Vonage • The evolving role of AI as a practical co-pilot • Building connected global teams and financial agility • 5G network APIs and the shift to pay-per-use models • Continuous learning, mentorship, and curiosity as long-term success drivers 🎾 Plus: Jurgen’s reflections on cooking, running, padel, golf, and inspiring his two sons to carry forward the family’s love for tennis. Connect with Jurgen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jurgen-arts-ba808a3/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jurgen-arts-ba808a3/] Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1166864/fan_mail/new] LEORÊVER COMPRESSION AND ACTIVEWEAR [Https://leorever.com/gsj10] Get 10% off Loerêver Balanced Compression and Activewear to elevate your confidence and performance 8 EIGHT SLEEP [http://refer.eight.sl/x6nwf86h] Save $200 on 8Sleep and get better quality and deeper sleep with automatic temperature adjustment Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. This content is also available in a video version on YouTube. [https://www.youtube.com/@grandslamjourney] If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with someone who may enjoy it as well, and consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grand-slam-journey/id1539036819] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3G5xGGWcmK5rE2fd3Kr8VH?si=792011529c174d7a]. You can also submit your feedback [https://www.grandslamjourney.com/feedback] directly on my website [https://www.grandslamjourney.com]. Follow @GrandSlamJourney on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/grandslamjourney/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/grandslamjourney/],  Twitter [https://twitter.com/GSJKlara], and join the  LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/grandslamjourney] community.

88. Rani Yadav-Ranjan ︱ AI for Humanity's Sake

What if we could revolutionize healthcare and other industries by using the untapped computing power that sits idle in hospitals every night? Meet Rani Yadav-Ranjan [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryadavranjan/], Chief AI Officer at Greycloud AI, who's pioneering a breakthrough approach to AI that respects both data privacy and urgency. After watching her mother's medical journey, Rani had a revelation: doctors function as "databases" of knowledge, but these repositories remain isolated within individual hospitals. Her solution? A patented system that transforms existing computers in closed networks into distributed training devices, operating during off-hours to build sophisticated AI models without compromising sensitive patient data. "From six o'clock till six in the morning, that's twelve hours of computing power we could use," she explains, describing how her technology chunks and chains data through multiple nodes, each with a unique blockchain identifier to ensure validity. This innovative approach reflects Rani's decades-long career at the intersection of emerging technologies. As one of the most influential women in tech, with over 20 patents, she pioneered mobile payments in the early 2000s, navigated cultural resistance to e-commerce in Japan, and continues to advocate for the ethical development of AI. Through personal anecdotes about balancing leadership with motherhood and observations about gender bias in corporate cultures, Rani offers a master class in resilience and strategic thinking. Rani's perspective on AI's future is refreshingly nuanced. Rather than fearing job displacement, she sees AI as enhancing human capabilities while emphasizing the irreplaceable value of experience. "What I use AI for is code reviews," she notes. "It's awesome to say, 'here's 3,000 lines of code, tell me where the missing semicolon is." As she prepares to publish her book "Constitutional Democracy in the Algorithmic Age," Rani continues to champion responsible innovation that serves humanity's needs while respecting our rights and privacy. Connect with Rani on LinkedIn to follow her groundbreaking work at the intersection of AI, healthcare, and ethical technology development. https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryadavranjan/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryadavranjan/] https://yadav-ranjan.com/ [https://yadav-ranjan.com/] Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1166864/fan_mail/new] LEORÊVER COMPRESSION AND ACTIVEWEAR [Https://leorever.com/gsj10] Get 10% off Loerêver Balanced Compression and Activewear to elevate your confidence and performance 8 EIGHT SLEEP [http://refer.eight.sl/x6nwf86h] Save $200 on 8Sleep and get better quality and deeper sleep with automatic temperature adjustment Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. This content is also available in a video version on YouTube. [https://www.youtube.com/@grandslamjourney] If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with someone who may enjoy it as well, and consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grand-slam-journey/id1539036819] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3G5xGGWcmK5rE2fd3Kr8VH?si=792011529c174d7a]. You can also submit your feedback [https://www.grandslamjourney.com/feedback] directly on my website [https://www.grandslamjourney.com]. Follow @GrandSlamJourney on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/grandslamjourney/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/grandslamjourney/],  Twitter [https://twitter.com/GSJKlara], and join the  LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/grandslamjourney] community.