Shows
Spark of AgesThe Moneyball of Go-To-Market (GTM)/AJ Gandhi, Omar Akhtar - Benchmarker, B2B Recession, Coachella ~ Spark of Ages Ep 47The B2B SaaS market is experiencing a significant slowdown with growth rates dropping, while traditional marketing channels deliver diminishing returns in an increasingly saturated landscape.• Marketing benchmarks show companies growing faster than 20% spend 10-15% of revenue on marketing, while slower-growing firms spend only 7-9%• Digital channels like SEO (search engine optimization), PPC (pay per click), and email are seeing declining performance metrics despite increased spending• Today's B2B buyer completes 80% of their journey independently, yet companies still allocate 70% of go-to-market resources to sales• "What's old is new again" – smaller, intimate events and personalized interactio...
2025-09-251h 06Spark of AgesAEO Fundamentals: Moving to Content for Machines/Rishi Mallik, Eric Nalbone - SEO, Author of Truth, FAQs ~ Spark of Ages Ep 46We explore the monumental shift from SEO to GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) as AI platforms like ChatGPT and Perplexity become the new front doors to the internet, fundamentally changing how customers discover businesses online.• Traffic patterns are transforming as users get answers directly from AI without clicking through to websites• Content optimized for AI interpretation requires different approaches than traditional keyword-focused SEO• Organizations must shift from optimizing for keywords to building comprehensive topic frameworks• Users coming from AI platforms are more informed and show higher conversion rates despite lower overall traffic• Measuring success requires n...
2025-09-121h 19Spark of AgesProduct Launches in Minutes Not Months/Position2 - StudioX, 3d Democratization, Biryani ~ Spark of Ages Ep 45Position Squared introduces StudioX, an innovative 3D rendering platform designed specifically for marketers in consumer electronics, computing, and automotive industries who need high-quality product visualizations without technical expertise or lengthy production cycles.• Purpose-built to address the speed, accuracy, and consistency demands of product marketers• Democratizes 3D rendering by consolidating complex workflows into a single browser-based platform• Enables marketers to generate product angles, zoom into details, and create exploded views without specialized skills• Eliminates dependency on external design teams and multiple software platforms• Creates photo-realistic renders that properly showcase product design details, textures, and materials
2025-08-291h 05Spark of AgesFlipping the Information Game Banks Play/Brad Stroh - Achieve, Recession, Lacrosse ~ Spark of Ages Ep 44Brad Stroh, co-CEO and co-founder of Achieve, shares how he's built one of the most impactful fintech companies by taking a completely different path from the typical Silicon Valley playbook. Through bootstrapping rather than chasing venture capital, Brad and his co-founder have created a mission-driven business that has served over 1.5 million people and resolved $18 billion in debt since 2002.• Understanding the information asymmetry in financial services that disadvantages consumers making major financial decisions• How Achieve flips traditional asset management by focusing on liability management for the underserved• The evolution of consumer debt over two decades through multip...
2025-08-141h 03Spark of AgesHow a CMO Transforms a SaaS Brand/Mandy Dhaliwal - Nutanix, Team Alignment, Perfect Pairings ~ Spark of Ages Ep 43Mandy Dhaliwal, CMO at Nutanix, shares her journey transforming a technical infrastructure company into a leader in hybrid multi-cloud solutions, driving market value from $5 billion to $20 billion through strategic marketing and positioning.• Simplifying complex technology messaging from "hybrid multi-cloud" to the customer-friendly "run anything anywhere"• Implementing agentic AI on the Nutanix website to provide 24/7 global customer support and real-time market feedback• Building credible brand identity by standing out with bold visual choices while focusing on substance and customer value• Aligning marketing with broader business objectives through cross-functional collaboration and shared revenue goals• Empowering internal t...
2025-08-011h 00Spark of AgesThe Freemium Formula: Converting Fear Into 10X Growth/Bill Macaitis - Slack, PLG, Pivots ~ Spark of Ages Ep 42Subscribe now to get more insights delivered to your inbox from today's most innovative business leaders and marketing pioneers who are redefining how companies grow in the digital age.Bill Macaitis shares his expertise on Product-Led Growth (PLG), revealing insights from his time as CMO at Slack, Zendesk, and SVP of Marketing at Salesforce where he helped drive remarkable growth through customer-centric strategies.• PLG is about recognizing that people spend more time in products and infusing marketing, sales, and support directly into the product experience• Enterprise software often fails because it prioritizes features over usab...
2025-07-181h 02Spark of AgesThe Ecosystem Growth Playbook That Works for Canva/Indy Sen - Cha-Ching, Zen, Batman ~ Spark of Ages Ep 41Indy Sen, ecosystem marketing lead at Canva, shares his journey through tech giants like Salesforce, Box, MuleSoft, Google, and now Canva, where he's applying his unique "messaging as an API" philosophy to build an ecosystem that serves as a powerful multiplier for the entire company.• Canva's mission of empowering the world to design has evolved from consumer beginnings to enterprise solutions• The ecosystem functions as a multiplier, helping source innovations from third-party developers and technology partners• Growth from zero to approximately 700 apps in just two years demonstrates the platform's appeal as a distribution mechanism• Design p...
2025-07-031h 21Spark of AgesHow US Defense Could Fight at Machine Speed/Matt Bigge - DefenseTech, X-Bow, F.I.R.E. ~ Spark of Ages Ep 40Matt Bigge, partner at Crosslink Capital and former 10th Mountain Division infantry officer, shares his unique perspective as a venture capitalist, military veteran, and deep tech investor on the revolution happening in defense technology & how modern defense technologies are evolving to meet today's security challenges. His MIR framework—modular, interoperable, responsive—offers a blueprint for effective military innovation in an era where asymmetric threats and machine-speed warfare are becoming the norm.• Using low-cost expendable systems like drones against expensive platforms as demonstrated in Ukraine• Building defense tech that's modular (plug and play), interoperable (communicates across systems), and respo...
2025-06-201h 08
Hello From The Magic TavernSeason 5, Ep 60 - Abomination (w/ Sandeep Parikh)Salkataur the Abomination was created to destroy a demon king. But what does he do now?CreditsArnie: Arnie NiekampChunt: Adal RifaiUsidore: Matt YoungSal: Sandeep ParikhMysterious Man: Tim SniffenProducers: Arnie Niekamp, Matt Young, and Adal RifaiAssociate Producer: Anna HavermannPost-Production Coordination: Garrett SchultzEditor: Stephen DrangerMagic Tavern Logo: Allard LabanTheme Music: Andy PolandNew T-Shirts in...
2025-06-1645 minSpark of AgesBuilding a Growth LM That Actually Gets Your Business/Position2 - Arena, Calibrate, LSTM ~ Spark of Ages Ep 39In this eye-opening conversation, join host Rajiv Parikh as he unveils Arena AI – their revolutionary platform that's transforming how marketing campaigns are planned, executed, and optimized. Sajjan Kanukolanu (VP of Global Operations) and Vikrant V.(CTO) walk us through how their team has embedded 20 years of marketing expertise into a system that combines project management, unified analytics, and AI agents that execute real marketing work.• Arena includes project management specifically designed for marketing workflows• The Calibrate interface provides unified dashboards pulling data from 130+ platforms• RPA technology connects even to custom platforms without APIs• AI co-pilot p...
2025-06-0556 minSpark of AgesThe Agentic Revolution Transforming Go-to-Market/Chandar Pattabhiram - Workato, AI Agents, Onlyness ~ Spark of Ages Ep 38Chandar Pattabhiram, marketing maestro and Chief Go-to-Market Officer at Workato, shares his expertise on the agentic economy and the revolutionary impact of AI on go-to-market strategies.• The rise of AI agents brings productivity without pause, enabling organizations to shift from reactive to proactive approaches• Current AI implementation remains largely experimental and edge-focused rather than addressing core business processes• Workato's approach focuses on cross-functional processes versus siloed applications to prevent agent sprawl• Traditional go-to-market principles still apply – win more, win bigger, win faster – but AI provides unprecedented efficiency• Enterprise context is crucial for AI effectiveness...
2025-05-231h 04Spark of AgesThe Contrarian Thinker of Digital Entertainment/Marc Hustvedt - YouTube, Mr. Beast, Creators ~ Spark of Ages Ep 37Marc Hustvedt shares insights from helping to scale Mr. Beast to 350 million YouTube subscribers and building a global creator brand, revealing the unique combination of traits that separates extraordinary creators from everyone else. Check out Contrarian Thinking and Codie Sanchez to learn more about Marc's current work helping people buy and grow small businesses.• Creator-led businesses eliminate the power imbalance found in traditional media• The most successful YouTube integrations feel natural and appeal to the global audience• Small, targeted audiences of 10,000 engaged followers can build lucrative businesses• The future of media belongs to individual creators...
2025-05-091h 03Spark of AgesBootstrapping a Community Wildfire Response/Sandeep Parikh - Altadena, Crowdfund, EffinFunny ~ Spark of Ages Ep 36Sandeep Parikh shares his journey of resilience after being displaced by the LA wildfires, discussing how the disaster tested his strength as a father, husband, and creator while inspiring new approaches to filmmaking and community building.• Surviving the devastating LA wildfires that destroyed over 9,000 structures and left countless homes uninhabitable due to toxic contamination• Co-founding Eaton Fire Residents United to map toxin spread through affected neighborhoods when official support fell short• Maintaining creativity despite compounding challenges to Hollywood from pandemic, strikes, and now natural disasters• Pioneering crowdfunding success with culturally authentic projects like DesiQuest and the...
2025-04-251h 25Spark of AgesThe Playbook for Courageous Marketing/Udi Ledergor - Gong, Super Bowl Commercial, Magic ~ Spark of Ages Ep 35Udi Ledergor, Gong's Chief Evangelist and former CMO, reveals how courageous marketing strategies helped propel Gong from startup to multi-billion dollar company status while redefining the B2B marketing playbook.• Creating bold B2B marketing that stands out requires courage and rejecting "boring practices" that yield ordinary results• The "punching above your weight" strategy helped Gong appear much larger than it was, allowing early access to enterprise customers• Gong's Super Bowl commercial hack: buying regional ads in tech hubs for under $350K instead of spending $20M on national spots• The 95-5 rule: most marketers only tar...
2025-04-1153 min
American Born Chatty Desis (A·B·C·D)Going Down the Rabbit Hole with AI ~ Conspiracies, Skynet, Simulation Theory - (A·B·C·D) Sn3 Ep4Sandeep & Rekha's Kickstarter for their Movie: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/rekha/afterlife-2Email Feedback: abcdpodcastshow@gmail.com🎙️ ABCD Podcast #44: Is Any of This Real? AI Roasts, Conspiracy Theories & More! 🤖🌌Join Omar Najam and Sandeep Parikh with Kaylin Mahoney for a mind-bending episode exploring reality, AI, and the internet's wildest conspiracies!This Episode's Reality-Questioning Content:🔍 ChatGPT ruthlessly roasts the ABCD subreddit (and it's surprisingly insightful!)🪐 The hilarious Nibiru cataclysm conspiracy theory explained🧠 Are we living in a simulation? Our deep dive into digital reality🤖 AI governance: humanity's salvation or...
2025-03-281h 19Spark of AgesModern Sales Skills For a Digital Buyer/Elay Cohen - SalesHood, Enteprise, Taylor Swift ~ Spark of Ages Ep 34Elay Cohen, CEO and co-founder of SalesHood, shares his journey from Salesforce to pioneering the sales enablement category through his AI-driven platform.• Built SalesHood to address the unmet need for scalable sales enablement solutions• Pioneered sales enablement at Salesforce, helping scale revenue from $300M to $3B• Created a direct connection between sales ramp time and company performance• Focus on leading indicators (meetings booked, pipeline created) vs lagging indicators (quota attainment)• Essential modern sales skills: curiosity, storytelling, communications, and effective meeting management• AI role-playing driving 231% more enablement activities with 45% fewer enablement staff• Digital sales...
2025-03-211h 05
DesiQuestTwice in a Blue Moon | DesiQuest Winter Special Episode 3This episode, we meet Sitara and Laddoo Auntie - who have been welcomed as respected guests in the palace - after weeks of attempting to reason with the King, trying to exonerate Murkha & Raj who have been less fortunate, and accused of crimes they did not commit. Meanwhile, Ash has devoted himself to decoding the horoscope bestowed upon him by his late grandparents, hunkering down in the palace’s astrology tower. Murkha and Raj find themselves imprisoned in the depths of a crypt, fighting off increasingly intrusive thoughts and dark magics that surround them. W...
2025-03-132h 10Spark of AgesNetwork Like a Ninja (How to Grow Your Career)/Susan Hailey, Jean Kovacs, Shannon Lundgren - Jobs, Mentors, Old Boys Club ~ Spark of Ages Ep 33We share transformative insights on leveraging your network for career growth. Our guests Susan Hailey (CHRO @ Enable), Shannon Lundgren (Founder & CEO @Shannon's Circle) and Jean Kovacs ( share how to navigate personal branding effectively and develop meaningful connections that elevate your career potential.• Networking should focus on building relationships, not just asking for favors• Strategies to engage your network authentically without asking for jobs• The distinction between mentorship and sponsorship, emphasizing sponsorship importance• Tactics for making positive first impressions during networking events• The importance of giving more than you take in networkingDiscover t...
2025-03-0753 minAmerican Born Chatty Desis (A·B·C·D)What makes a movie "Indian"? ~ Oscars, All We Imagine as Light, Mindy Kaling - (A·B·C·D) Sn3 Ep3Support Sandeep & Rekha's Kickstarter for their Movie: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/rekha/afterlife-2🎙️ ABCD Podcast #43: ABCD: Oscars Special! Hollywood Glamour with a Desi Twist 🏆✨Join Omar Najam and special guest Dael Kingsmill on the American Born Chatty Desis for a star-studded dive into awards season! From Oscar secrets to Sundance sensations, we're breaking it all down with our signature comedy style.In this glitzy episode:🎬 Oscar trivia you never knew (15-minute ceremony?! Three possible "Oscar" name origins?!)🎭 The great debate: Do the Oscars still have their magic?🇮🇳 Two Indian filmmakers makin...
2025-03-0358 minDesiQuestA Thorn By Any Other Name | DesiQuest Winter Special Episode 2Our adventurers find themselves in a magical well that is actually a prison, encountering new friends, a human prisoner and also meets a man named Raj who is on his way to the city to become a bard. They'll have to figure out how to escape, deal with untrustworthy characters, and decipher the mysteries of the well. The adventurers must decide who to trust and how to help their new friends, all while navigating a web of deceit, potential danger, and the looming possibility of a dark fate. Will they manage to escape the well, save Raj, and uncover th...
2025-03-012h 13Spark of AgesHow Podcasting Leads to Growth/Simon Chou - Personal Branding, Community, Hot Sauce ~ Spark of Ages Ep 32Building a personal brand through podcasting can be a game changer for marketers looking to connect authentically with their audience. Simon Chou, host of @marketingonmars shares strategies for growing a podcast, engaging communities through unique events, and leveraging technology to streamline marketing efforts.• Insights on the current podcast landscape and listener demographics• The significance of consistency in podcasting• Steps to cultivate a powerful personal brand online• Importance of building community both digitally and in-person• The transformative role of AI in enhancing marketing strategiesEver wondered how the perfect blend of hot sauces and...
2025-02-241h 04DesiQuestAlways Look A Gift Horse in the Mouth | DesiQuest Winter Special Episode 1Welcome to Winter in Vehaar! Our story begins just as the seeds of war are beginning to sprout, between our adventurers' home of Vehaar and the neighboring kingdom of Sindcastlin. It is in this choked climate that we meet our beloved heroes of Season 1 - Ash, Laddoo Auntie, Murkha, and Sitara - in an entirely new light. Behold! DesiQuest has returned, but things are... different.Wanna play D&D with the cast? Buy a seat at the table here: www.desiquest/playwiththeprosGet your DesiQuest merch: www.desiquest.com/merchBecome a Vehaari Citizen here...
2025-02-202h 53Spark of AgesThe Innovation Leap that's happening in India/Kumar Ganapathy ~ 3iPartners, Deep Tech, Impact - Spark of Ages Ep 31This episode with Kumar Ganapathy "dives" (yes we know AI loves this word) deep into the realm of deep tech in India, exploring impactful investment strategies and the entrepreneurial spirit necessary for success in this complex landscape. Listeners gain insights into the challenges faced by founders, the importance of resilience, and the unique opportunities that lie within the Indian market.• Introduction of Kumar, his background and 3i Partners• Explanation of deep tech and its significance• Investment strategies focusing on India as a starting point• Resilience as a key trait among successful entrepreneurs• Case studies of...
2025-02-0857 minAmerican Born Chatty Desis (A·B·C·D)Can we go back to 2024? (Time Capsule Special) ~ Trump-Harris Debate, Pets, Aunties - (A·B·C·D) Sn3 Ep1Time travel with the American Born Chatty Desis as we revisit the game-changing October 2024 debate! Join us for this special episode recorded right after the historic October 2024 debate but released just after the inauguration of 2025! Political expert Mushtaq Gunja helps us unpack this pivotal moment in American politics with fresh insights and hindsight wisdom.🧠Fun fact: This episode captures a unique moment in political history through a South Asian-American lens! 🎥Deep Dive Analysis Include:🎭 Harris's strategic centrism and why it matters (or so we thought)📊 The fascinating math behind coalition-building🗳️ Why "Vote Blue No Matter Who"...
2025-02-081h 25Spark of AgesHow the US Air Force will use AI/Jason Hansberger, Tim Henderson - Great Power Competition, HAWs, Kill-Chain ~ Spark of Ages Ep 30This episode explores how technology, specifically AI, is reshaping military strategy and national defense. Colonel Jason Hansberger and Author/Entrepreneur Tim Henderson discuss the implications of AI in warfare, the ethical considerations surrounding autonomous weapons, and the U.S. military's strategic innovations.• Examining the significant U.S. defense budget and global military expenditure • Understanding the new age of Great Power Competition• Addressing the role of AI and innovation in military operations • Discussing the ethical implications of autonomous capabilities • Highlighting DAF Stanford AI Studio’s mission and objectives • Exploring practical AI applications within current military co...
2025-01-261h 12Spark of AgesDevising Investment Strategy for AI/Ashish Aggarwal, Akash Agarwal, Viral Tolat - 2024 vs 2025, IPO Market, Fake Companies ~ Spark of Ages Ep 29The episode explores the investment landscape in both public and private markets, focusing on technological opportunities and insights for 2025. Key discussions include the importance of resilience against market volatility, the impact of AI on innovation, and an outlook on the IPO market.• Highlights of recent economic performance and predictions for future growth • Role of AI and technology in shaping investment strategies • Discussion on the importance of preparing for black swan events • Diverging opinions on IPOs and their focus on early investor liquidity • Growing relevance of AI in venture capital decision-makingAI is reshapi...
2025-01-131h 05Spark of AgesGTM Predictions for 2025 and Beyond/Jon Miller, Abhi Ingle, Michael Ni ~ Spark of Ages Ep 28The episode centers on the evolution of marketing in an AI-dominated landscape, discussing whether traditional marketing roles are becoming irrelevant as organizations shift towards more integrated structures. Key topics include the importance of brand, human relationships, and the challenges of relying on outdated metrics as the industry heads toward 2025. • Examining concerns around the relevance of marketing in the AI era • Discussing the blurred lines between marketing and sales roles • Reflecting on the need for a new definition and strategic role for marketing leaders • Identifying mistakes in current go-to-market strategies • Highlighting the significance of building brand...
2024-12-2759 minSpark of AgesGTM = "Get The Money"/Bobby Napiltonia - Building a Marketplace, Distribution, Hershey ~ Spark of Ages Ep 27Welcome to another electrifying episode of the Spark of Ages podcast! Today, we sit down with the legendary Bobby Napoltonia, whose 36-year journey has forever shaped the tech landscape. From bringing sound to computers to democratizing the telecommunications industry, Bobby’s fingerprints are all over the tech we use daily. 🙌 Join Bobby and your hosts Rajiv and Sandeep Parikh as they chat about everything from building Salesforce's AppExchange to why his strategy isn't 'go to market' but 'get the money'.Find out how Bobby's visionary strategies have reshaped companies like Twilio and Salesforce, and why thinking outside the b...
2024-12-071h 03Spark of AgesCreating Signal Not Noise/Melissa Rosenthal - The New PR, Driving In-Bound, Listicles ~ Spark of Ages Ep 26What if your company's marketing could transform into its own dynamic trade publication? Learn from Melissa Rosenthal, co-founder of Outlever, as she shares her innovative approach to modern marketing on the Spark of Ages podcast. With Melissa's deep insights, we challenge outdated marketing strategies and unveil how companies can thrive in an AI-driven world by streamlining their tech stacks and targeting meaningful growth. Her experience at ClickUp underscores the importance of consolidating marketing efforts into efficient, multi-functional platforms.Join us as we uncover Outlever's transformative tactics that help businesses reach new heights by focusing on inbound marketing...
2024-11-231h 01Spark of AgesSecret Sauce of CMOs/Alice Crowder - Chicken Sandwich Wars, Segmentation, Hedonistic Index ~ Spark of Ages Ep 25Join Rajiv Parikh on the Spark of Ages podcast as he explores the secrets behind Krispy Krunchy Chicken's rise in the Chicken Sandwich Wars. With insights from Alice Crowder, the CMO who has transformed the brand's offerings into must-have menu items we'll learn about marketing innovation, and why KKC is a cut above the rest. Discover the secrets behind their mouth-watering chicken, growth strategy, and how Alice’s leadership is fueling a nationwide craze. Get a firsthand look at how strategic data use and innovative marketing have redefined roles in the fast-food sector, amidst technological evolution.Explore the u...
2024-11-0852 minSpark of AgesThe Business of Play/Brian Litvack - LeagueApps, Youth Sports, The Anxious Generation ~ Spark of Ages Ep 24Join Rajiv Parikh on the Spark of Ages podcast as he chats with LeagueApps co-founder Brian Litvack who shares how technology can uplift youth sports organizations. Discover how League Apps has evolved from its humble beginnings to becoming a crucial tool for over 3,000 sports organizations, offering solutions for everything from scheduling to communication. Brian shares his passion for using technology to create positive experiences for millions of young athletes and their communities, highlighting the company's journey and vision for the future.We examine the nuances of youth sports with a focus on parental behavior and the pivotal...
2024-10-291h 03