#5 - Ion Țiriac - Tennis, Stejarii, and the Making of a Champion

#5 - Ion Țiriac - Tennis, Stejarii, and the Making of a Champion

"If you don't seed, you cannot harvest." Few names carry as much weight in Romanian sport and business as Ion Țiriac. From his beginnings in Brașov, to a legendary tennis career that took him to a Davis Cup final and into the inner circle of champions like Boris Becker, Guillermo Vilas, Marat Safin, and Goran Ivanišević, to building one of the most diversified business empires in Central and Eastern Europe, Țiriac's journey is unlike any other. In this episode of Voices of Romania, Radu Dumitrescu sits down with him for a wide-ranging conversation about Romania's untapped potential and its place in the European Union, the lasting damage of communism on the country's sporting infrastructure, why true champions are built starting at 3 or 4 years old, the real story behind Stejarii Country Club, the philosophy of work versus talent through the careers of Năstase, Vilas, Becker and Halep, and what really comes after an athlete's career ends. An honest, unfiltered conversation with one of the most influential Romanians of his generation. 🎙️ Voices of Romania is the official podcast of Romania Insider, the largest English-language media platform covering Romania. Produced by Romania-Insider.com [http://Romania-Insider.com] | Host: Radu Dumitrescu 📬 Website: Romania-Insider.com 📲 Follow: Instagram • TikTok • LinkedIn (Romania Insider) 🤝 Partnerships & guest pitches: dylan@romania-insider.com [dylan@romania-insider.com] 📝 Disclaimer: Opinions are those of the guests, not necessarily Romania-Insider. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy [https://ausha.co/privacy-policy] for more information.

#4 - Dan Ștefan - Autonom - Coming Home to Build Big

He left France to build in Romania — CEO Dan Ștefan on founding Autonom, near-collapse, scaling with his brother, and why Romania is still a real bet. In this episode of Voices of Romania, Dylan Delhommois sits down with Dan Ștefan, CEO and co-founder of Autonom, for an unfiltered conversation on the real entrepreneur journey: the early chaos, the near-collapse, the bets that scaled the company, and why Romania is still one of the biggest bets you can make with your life. Recorded on the ground at Autonom HQ. Produced by Romania-Insider.com [http://Romania-Insider.com] | Host: Dylan Delhommois 📬 Website: Romania-Insider.com 📲 Follow: Instagram • TikTok • LinkedIn (Romania Insider) 🤝 Partnerships & guest pitches: dylan@romania-insider.com [dylan@romania-insider.com] 📝 Disclaimer: Opinions are those of the guests, not necessarily Romania-Insider. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy [https://ausha.co/privacy-policy] for more information.

#3 - Andra Ghibuțiu - Beyond Business School - Building Leaders in Romania

On a Friday night in Bucharest, classrooms fill with founders, managers, and future CEOs who chose learning over going out. At the center of this energy is Andra Ghibuțiu, CEO and co-founder of Beyond Business School, a fast-track executive program built in Romania for Romania. We talk about what is broken in traditional education, how communities create leaders, and why Romania is the right place to build ambitious schools for the next decade. What we cover * Origins: from law and advisory work to community building and events * The spark for Beyond and why a weekend, fast-track EMBA format works * How 60+ CEOs and entrepreneurs teach and mentor inside the program * Too much theory, not enough practice: what changes on Monday morning * Romania as a place to build and the case for returning from the diaspora * Expansion to South-East Europe and what will travel from the RO model * Personal lessons: doubt, resilience, and one small change for next week Produced by Romania-Insider.com [http://Romania-Insider.com] | Host: Dylan Delhommois 📬 Website: Romania-Insider.com 📲 Follow: Instagram • TikTok • LinkedIn (Romania Insider) 🤝 Partnerships & guest pitches: dylan@romania-insider.com [dylan@romania-insider.com] 📝 Disclaimer: Opinions are those of the guests, not necessarily Romania-Insider. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy [https://ausha.co/privacy-policy] for more information.

#2 - Serge Ioan Celibidachi - The Yellow Tie / Cravata Galbena - Growing Up Celibidachi

It has been two weeks since Cravata galbenă / The Yellow Tie opened in Romanian cinemas. Director Serge Ioan Celebidachi, son of the legendary conductor Sergiu Celibidache, joins Voices of Romania for a candid, on-the-ground conversation about legacy, fatherhood, and turning a personal story into a national film. We cover premieres and audience reactions, the weight of a famous name, choosing directing, working with John Malkovich, Sean Bean, and Ben Schnetzer, building a large production entirely in Romania, and the question that remains when the lights come on: Would his father have loved this film? What we cover Two weeks in cinemas: posters, queues, surprising reactions Growing up as Celibidachi’s son: shield or weight, identity beyond music Deciding to make the film: fear, truth, first moment seeing Malkovich as Sergiu Directing choices, tough days on set, why the production stayed in Romania What surprised Malkovich, Bean, and Schnetzer while filming in Romania Diaspora and legacy: bringing Sergiu Celibidache back home After release: responsibility as son and director, the one sentence for every cinema Produced by Romania-Insider.com [http://Romania-Insider.com] | Host: Dylan Delhommois 📬 Website: Romania-Insider.com 📲 Follow: Instagram • TikTok • LinkedIn (Romania Insider) 🤝 Partnerships & guest pitches: dylan@romania-insider.com [dylan@romania-insider.com] 📝 Disclaimer: Opinions are those of the guests, not necessarily Romania-Insider. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy [https://ausha.co/privacy-policy] for more information.

#1 - Calin Matei - Groupama Romania - Scaling With Discipline, Not Ego

What does it take to lead with optimism in an ever-changing business landscape? Join us in this enlightening episode of Voices of Romania, where host Dylan Delhommois sits down with the inspiring Calin Matei, the CEO of Groupama Asigurări Romania. Together, they explore the evolution of leadership during uncertain times, focusing on the critical elements of trust, adaptability, and the power of personal connections. Calin takes us on her remarkable journey from technical roles to the helm of a major insurance company, providing invaluable insights into the significance of support and mentorship in leadership. The conversation dives deep into the challenges faced during the complex merger of three companies, shedding light on the intricacies of cultural integration and the paramount importance of clear communication in fostering a cohesive work environment. As the discussion unfolds, Calin shares her vision for the future of the insurance industry, particularly the transformative role of AI. She advocates for innovative solutions that genuinely benefit both employees and clients, emphasizing the need for businesses to embrace technology while maintaining a human touch. This episode is not just about leadership; it’s about how to navigate the waves of change with a proactive mindset. Listeners will gain practical insights into the importance of fostering a culture of optimism and responsibility in their own professional lives. Calin's reflections on the potential of Romania's market serve as a powerful reminder that opportunities are abundant for those willing to seize them. Her message is clear: we must embrace optimism and take charge of our futures, no matter the challenges that lie ahead. Join us for this thought-provoking episode of Voices of Romania, where you’ll learn how to cultivate resilience, foster innovation, and lead with purpose in a world that demands adaptability. Whether you are a seasoned leader or just starting your career, this conversation will inspire you to rethink your approach to leadership and embrace the opportunities that await. Don’t miss out on this engaging dialogue that promises to empower and motivate. Tune in now and discover how the principles of trust and adaptability can transform your leadership journey! Produced by Romania-Insider.com | Host: Dylan Delhommois 📬 Website: Romania-Insider. com 📲 Follow: Instagram • TikTok • LinkedIn (Romania Insider) 🤝 Partnerships & guest pitches: dylan@romania-insider. com 📝 Disclaimer: Opinions are those of the guests, not necessarily Romania-Insider. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy [https://ausha.co/privacy-policy] for more information.