E20 - Your Brand Is Your Business: Strategy, Insights, & Modern Marketing Challenges - Ashley Konson

E24 - AI Is Powerful - But Intelligence Still Belongs to Humans

In this episode of The 6IXCAST, we’re joined by Dr. Murat Kristal — Professor at the Schulich School of Business, Executive Director of the Institute of Digital Business, and Program Director of the Schulich Tech MBA — to explore one of the most misunderstood topics of our time: Artificial Intelligence. Drawing on his expertise in analytics, machine learning, and digital transformation, Murat challenges the way we define AI, arguing that what many describe as “intelligence” is often advanced large-scale pattern recognition rather than true human reasoning. This conversation goes beyond hype and headlines. We unpack how AI is reshaping industries, redefining workforce structures, and changing the future of knowledge work — while exposing major gaps in how people are educated and prepared for the modern economy. Key topics discussed: • The biggest misconception about AI and “intelligence” • The future of software engineering and knowledge work • How AI is reshaping junior vs senior talent dynamics • Productivity vs employment — where the economy may be heading • Why modern education may be failing systems thinking • The human skills that will matter most in an AI-driven world • AI’s impact across industries and workforce structures • Whether AI could widen inequality — and what can be done about it Murat also shares practical perspectives on how students, professionals, founders, and business leaders can remain relevant in an increasingly automated world — focusing on systems thinking, judgment, adaptability, and curiosity. This episode is essential viewing for founders, executives, board members, educators, and emerging leaders navigating the next era of technological disruption. Catch more episodes of The 6IXCAST here: The 6IXCAST on Podbean [https://the6ixcast.podbean.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Follow Dr. Murat Kristal on LinkedIn ➔ Dr. Murat Kristal [https://www.linkedin.com/in/muratkristal?originalSubdomain=ca] Follow the Host — Waruna Kulawansha [https://www.linkedin.com/in/warunakulawansha/] Instagram ➔ Waruna Kulawansha Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/warunak17/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] X ➔ Waruna Kulawansha on X [https://twitter.com/WKulawansha?utm_source=chatgpt.com] LinkedIn ➔ Waruna Kulawansha LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/warunakulawansha?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Follow 6IXSENSES [https://6ixsenses.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com]: Instagram ➔ 6IXSENSES Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/6ixsensesdx?utm_source=chatgpt.com] X ➔ 6IXSENSES on X [https://twitter.com/6ixsensesdx?utm_source=chatgpt.com] LinkedIn ➔ 6IXSENSES LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/6ixsenses?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Facebook ➔ 6IXSENSES Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/6IXSENSES?utm_source=chatgpt.com] What’s keeping your business from growing? Contact us for a free 15-minute consultation: Book a Free Consultation with 6IXSENSES [https://6ixsenses.com/lets-connect/?utm_source=chatgpt.com]

E23 - Leading Through Disruption: Strategy, Frameworks & the Velocity of AI

In this episode of The 6IXCAST, we’re joined by Pam Laycock -Corporate Director, President of the Schulich Global Alumni Network, and former C-suite executive and Chief of Staff at Torstar - to unpack what it really takes to lead through continuous disruption. Drawing on a 32-year career across media, digital transformation, eCommerce, governance, and the boardroom, Pam shares hard-earned insights on where strategy, technology, and human leadership intersect - especially in the age of AI. This conversation goes beyond tools and trends. We explore how leaders can navigate AI-driven change, manage transformation fatigue, and adapt to rapidly changing environments without losing clarity or trust. Key topics discussed: • How strategy and technology intersect • Leading through AI disruption and uncertainty • Adapting to fast-changing business environments • Leadership frameworks that provide clarity under pressure • Women in leadership: owning success, finding sponsors, and navigating bias This episode is essential viewing for founders, executives, board members, and emerging leaders navigating the velocity of change. Catch more episodes of The 6ixcast here: https://the6ixcast.podbean.com/ [https://the6ixcast.podbean.com/] Follow Dr. Murat Kristal on LinkedIn ➔ Dr. Murat Kristal [https://www.linkedin.com/in/muratkristal?originalSubdomain=ca] Follow the Host — Waruna Kulawansha [https://www.linkedin.com/in/warunakulawansha/] Instagram ➔ https://www.instagram.com/warunak17/ [https://www.instagram.com/warunak17/] X ➔ https://twitter.com/WKulawansha [https://twitter.com/WKulawansha] LinkedIn ➔ https://www.linkedin.com/in/warunakulawansha [https://www.linkedin.com/in/warunakulawansha] Follow 6IXSENSES: Instagram ➔ https://www.instagram.com/6ixsensesdx [https://www.instagram.com/6ixsensesdx] X ➔ https://twitter.com/6ixsensesdx [https://twitter.com/6ixsensesdx] LinkedIn ➔ https://www.linkedin.com/company/6ixsenses [https://www.linkedin.com/company/6ixsenses] Facebook ➔ https://www.facebook.com/6IXSENSES [https://www.facebook.com/6IXSENSES] What’s keeping your business from growing? Contact us for a free 15-minute consultation: 6ixsenses.com/lets-connect [https://www.6ixsenses.com/contact-us]

E21 – Building a Global Career: Strategy, Identity & Communication with Maria Shibaeva-Escarraga

Maria Shibaeva-Escarraga, Award-Winning Educator, TEDx & Harvard Speaker, former P&G Brand Director, and Faculty at the University of Toronto, joins Waruna Kulawansha for an insightful conversation on what it truly takes to thrive in today’s evolving professional world. In this episode, Maria shares her global career journey and unpacks how professionals can build intentional yet flexible career strategies while navigating multicultural identities, personal branding, and rapid technological change. In this episode, we explore: * How to design a flexible but purpose-driven career strategy * The power of transferable skills across industries and cultures * Navigating multicultural identity while staying authentic and competitive * Personal branding, communication, and leading your own life * Using AI as a career accelerator—without losing human authenticity This episode is packed with practical insights, real-world stories, and actionable frameworks for professionals, leaders, and career-builders navigating change, growth, and global opportunities. Listen to more episodes of The 6ixcast Spotify ➔ https://tinyurl.com/4z6jntwm [https://tinyurl.com/4z6jntwm] Connect with the Guest Maria Shibaeva-Escarraga ➔ https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariashibaeva [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariashibaeva] Follow the Host — Waruna Kulawansha Instagram ➔ https://www.instagram.com/warunak17/ [https://www.instagram.com/warunak17/] X ➔ https://twitter.com/WKulawansha [https://twitter.com/WKulawansha] LinkedIn ➔ https://www.linkedin.com/in/warunakulawansha [https://www.linkedin.com/in/warunakulawansha] Follow 6IXSENSES Instagram ➔ https://www.instagram.com/6ixsensesdx [https://www.instagram.com/6ixsensesdx] X ➔ https://twitter.com/6ixsensesdx [https://twitter.com/6ixsensesdx] LinkedIn ➔ https://www.linkedin.com/company/6ixsenses [https://www.linkedin.com/company/6ixsenses] Facebook ➔ https://www.facebook.com/6IXSENSES [https://www.facebook.com/6IXSENSES] What’s keeping your career—or business—from growing? Book a free 15-minute consultation ➔ https://www.6ixsenses.com/contact-us [https://www.6ixsenses.com/contact-us]

E20 - Your Brand Is Your Business: Strategy, Insights, & Modern Marketing Challenges - Ashley Konson

Ashley Konson, Award-Winning Educator, Marketing Professor, and Brand Expert, joins Waruna Kulawansha for a deep, thought-provoking conversation on branding as a core business strategy, not just a marketing function. This episode is a masterclass on how modern brands grow, why penetration, not loyalty, is the real driver of scale, and how leaders should think about brand building in an AI-driven, performance-obsessed digital world. In this episode, we explore: * Why “your brand is your business” and how branding drives long-term growth * Kotler’s customer-centric framework vs. Ehrenberg-Bass’s empirical science of branding * Mental availability, physical availability, and the 95-5 rule * The Double Jeopardy Law and why even luxury brands must focus on penetration * Balancing short-term ROI with long-term brand equity in modern marketing * Why the traditional marketing funnel may be outdated—and how to focus on future buyers This episode is essential listening for entrepreneurs, marketers, founders, and strategy leaders looking to build durable brands and sustainable competitive advantage. Listen to more episodes of The 6ixcast Spotify ➔ https://tinyurl.com/4z6jntwm [https://tinyurl.com/4z6jntwm] Connect with the Guest Ashley Konson ➔ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleykonson [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleykonson] Follow the Host — Waruna Kulawansha Instagram ➔ https://www.instagram.com/warunak17 [https://www.instagram.com/warunak17] X ➔ https://twitter.com/WKulawansha [https://twitter.com/WKulawansha] LinkedIn ➔ https://www.linkedin.com/in/warunakulawansha [https://www.linkedin.com/in/warunakulawansha] Follow 6IXSENSES Instagram ➔ https://www.instagram.com/6ixsensesdx [https://www.instagram.com/6ixsensesdx] X ➔ https://twitter.com/6ixsensesdx [https://twitter.com/6ixsensesdx] LinkedIn ➔ https://www.linkedin.com/company/6ixsenses [https://www.linkedin.com/company/6ixsenses] Facebook ➔ https://www.facebook.com/6IXSENSES [https://www.facebook.com/6IXSENSES] What’s keeping your business from growing? Book a free 15-minute consultation ➔ https://6ixsenses.com [https://6ixsenses.com]

E18: AI and Trust: Enhancing Trust in Business Transactions with AI

Chandra De Keyser (CEO) and Ashish Malpani (CGO) of Voicera joined Waruna Kulawansha for a virtual fireside chat exploring how artificial intelligence can be built with sincerity, emotional intelligence, and trust at its core. In this episode, the conversation unpacks how leaders can responsibly scale AI-driven products while navigating global teams, evolving user expectations, and the constant tension between speed and perfection in product development. In this episode, we explore: * How AI can embody sincerity and emotional intelligence * The role of trust in building and adopting emerging technologies * Leadership challenges in globally distributed organizations * Balancing rapid innovation with product quality and long-term vision This episode offers valuable insights for founders, product leaders, and technologists building in high-velocity environments where trust and human connection matter as much as innovation. Listen to more episodes of The 6ixcast Spotify ➔ https://tinyurl.com/4z6jntwm [https://tinyurl.com/4z6jntwm] Connect with the Guests Chandra De Keyser ➔ https://www.linkedin.com/in/chandradekeyser [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chandradekeyser]Ashish Malpani ➔ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashishmalpani [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashishmalpani] Follow the Host — Waruna Kulawansha Instagram ➔ https://www.instagram.com/warunak17 [https://www.instagram.com/warunak17]X ➔ https://twitter.com/WKulawansha [https://twitter.com/WKulawansha]LinkedIn ➔ https://www.linkedin.com/in/warunakulawansha [https://www.linkedin.com/in/warunakulawansha] Follow 6IXSENSES Instagram ➔ https://www.instagram.com/6ixsensesdx [https://www.instagram.com/6ixsensesdx]X ➔ https://twitter.com/6ixsensesdx [https://twitter.com/6ixsensesdx]LinkedIn ➔ https://www.linkedin.com/company/6ixsenses [https://www.linkedin.com/company/6ixsenses]Facebook ➔ https://www.facebook.com/6IXSENSES [https://www.facebook.com/6IXSENSES] What’s keeping your business from growing? Book a free 15-minute consultation ➔ https://6ixsenses.com [https://6ixsenses.com] ▶ Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/hCgenFAUx90 [https://youtu.be/hCgenFAUx90]