The RJ Ledesma Podcast

From Hustle Culture to Million Dollar Naps

Can taking a nap actually make you a better entrepreneur? For years, we've been told that success belongs to those who hustle the hardest, sleep the least, and stay busy around the clock. But what if that's exactly what's holding us back? In this episode of The RJ Ledesma Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Shakti Katyal, founder of Real n Royal, former finance professional, entrepreneur, author, and advocate of what he calls the "Million Dollar Nap." We discuss why so many entrepreneurs end up becoming prisoners of the very businesses they built, how burnout quietly affects decision-making and business growth, and why strategic rest may actually be one of the most underrated competitive advantages in entrepreneurship. More importantly, we explore the difference between making money and achieving true financial freedom, why some high achievers never feel wealthy despite their success, and how entrepreneurs can build sustainable businesses without sacrificing their health, relationships, and peace of mind. Whether you're a founder, executive, business owner, or simply someone striving for success, this conversation may challenge everything you thought you knew about productivity, wealth, and performance. Watch the full episode now. For any collaboration, brand partnership, and campaign run inquiries, e-mail us at info@thepodnetwork.com. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

FROM BUILDING COMPANIES TO BUILDING TRUST

What if the most valuable currency in the future isn't money, data, or even AI? What if it's trust? In an age of misinformation, digital fraud, deepfakes, and AI-generated content, the ability to verify what is real may become one of the most important challenges of our time. That's exactly the mission behind BYC Ventures. In this episode of The RJ Ledesma Podcast, I sit down with Paul Soliman, one of the country's pioneers in emerging technologies, and Gelo Wong, recently recognized in the Forbes Asia 30 Under 30 Class of 2026, for a fascinating conversation about building the infrastructure of trust in a digital world. Together, they share how they are helping governments, institutions, and enterprises verify information, improve transparency, and create systems where truth can be independently proven rather than simply assumed. But beyond the technology, this is really a story about entrepreneurship. Why dedicate your life to solving a problem that most people don't even realize exists? How do you build a company around a mission that is bigger than profits? And what does leadership look like when you're not just building a business, but helping shape the future of trust itself? This conversation goes beyond startups, blockchain, and technology. It's about vision, impact, and the courage to tackle some of society's most difficult problems. Because while technology will continue to evolve, trust will always remain the foundation upon which progress is built. Catch my conversation with Paul Soliman and Gelo Wong on The RJ Ledesma Podcast. #RJLedesmaPodcast #PaulSoliman #GeloWong #BYCVentures #Forbes30Under30 #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #Leadership #StartupPH #Technology #Trust For any collaboration, brand partnership, and campaign run inquiries, e-mail us at info@thepodnetwork.com. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

FROM BUILDING FINTECH GIANTS TO REVIVING ONE

Most executives spend their careers looking for the next sure thing. Jojo Malolos did the opposite. After helping build some of the most important names in digital banking and fintech—from Smart Money (now Maya) to Wing Bank and GoTyme Bank—he made a surprising decision: to take over PayMongo at one of the most challenging moments in its history. Why would a veteran fintech leader leave a comfortable position and walk straight into a turnaround situation? What did he see in PayMongo that others didn't? And how do you rebuild a company when the market, your customers, and even your own team are looking for reasons to doubt? In this episode of The RJ Ledesma Podcast, Jojo shares the inside story behind PayMongo's transformation—from stabilizing the organization and rebuilding confidence to creating a roadmap for sustainable growth in one of the country's most competitive industries. This isn't just a conversation about fintech. It's a masterclass in leadership, resilience, change management, and making bold bets when everyone else is running the other way. If you're a founder, entrepreneur, executive, or anyone leading through uncertainty, you'll want to hear this one. Because great leaders don't inherit perfect situations. They build great companies from imperfect ones. 🎙️ Watch the full episode of The RJ Ledesma Podcast now. #RJLedesmaPodcast #JojoMalolos #PayMongo #Fintech #Leadership #TurnaroundStory #Entrepreneurship #DigitalBanking #BusinessPodcast For any collaboration, brand partnership, and campaign run inquiries, e-mail us at info@thepodnetwork.com. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

From Market Stall Dreams to Food Business Champions

What does it take to become Mercato Centrale's Next Big Food Entrepreneur? As the co-founder of Mercato Centrale, one of the country's leading food entrepreneur incubators, this episode is especially meaningful to me because it features the winners of a competition we created to discover, mentor, and launch the next generation of Filipino food business owners. This year, I sit down with the founders behind PokéBee, Agepan Japanese Fried Bread, and Ancestre—the standout winners of Mercato Centrale's Next Big Food Entrepreneur competition. Among them is Grand Winner PokéBee, founded by Goldwin and Vina Garcia. What started as a recipe inspired by Goldwin's late brother eventually became a business concept that impressed our judges and emerged victorious against aspiring food entrepreneurs from across the country. But this competition was never just about finding great food. It was about finding great entrepreneurs. Through the Mercato Academy, participants received mentorship, business training, and entrepreneurial guidance to help them improve their operations, strengthen their brands, and prepare for long-term growth. The winners didn't just take home recognition. They earned a six-month rent-free incubation opportunity inside Mercato Centrale, giving them a real-world platform to grow, test, and scale their businesses in front of actual customers. In this episode, we talk about the stories behind the brands, the lessons they learned throughout the competition, and what it truly takes to transform a passion for food into a sustainable business. If you've ever dreamed of launching your own food concept, this conversation is packed with valuable insights on entrepreneurship, resilience, and growth. 🎙️ Watch the full episode of the RJ Ledesma Podcast. And if you're an aspiring food entrepreneur who would like to become part of the Mercato Centrale community, send me a DM. We'd love to hear about your concept and explore how we can help you take your food business to the next level. #TheRJLedesmaPodcast #MercatoCentrale #NextBigFoodEntrepreneur #MercatoAcademy #FoodEntrepreneurship #MSMEPhilippines #StartupStories #EntrepreneurshipPH For any collaboration, brand partnership, and campaign run inquiries, e-mail us at info@thepodnetwork.com. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

From Wedding Chaos to Wedding Confidence

The wedding industry is worth billions of pesos. Yet for many couples, planning their big day can be one of the most stressful experiences of their lives. Who can you trust? Which suppliers are legitimate? And how do you know you're making the right decisions for one of the most important milestones you'll ever celebrate? While most wedding fairs simply bring vendors and clients together, Michelle "Mich" Siasoco and Caroline "Carol" Gomez believed there was a better way. Seeing the growing need for trust, accountability, and a more meaningful planning experience, they created Forever in a Day Weddings, Events and Debut Fair—a highly curated platform designed to help couples connect with quality suppliers while giving event professionals a better way to grow their business. How did they spot this opportunity? What challenges did they face in building their brand? And what makes their approach different in an industry filled with competition? Let's find out in this episode of The RJ Ledesma Podcast. For any collaboration, brand partnership, and campaign run inquiries, e-mail us at info@thepodnetwork.com. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.