Month: August 2025

From Big Tech to Executive Coach | Parin Mehta’s Career Pivot Story

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From Google & Airbnb to Executive Coaching | Parin Mehta on Career Reinvention, AI, and Leadership

In this episode of The Generalists, hosts Michael Smith Jr. and Razko Kotler sit down with Parin Mehta, former Google and Airbnb leader turned executive coach, to explore the transition from Big Tech to coaching, and what it takes to lead with curiosity, clarity, and consistency.

Parin discusses:

  • How to leverage corporate leadership experience in executive coaching
  • Building CoachParin: from newsletter community to AI-driven coaching bot
  • Cultivating curiosity, discipline, and wellness for sustainable leadership

👥 Hosts:

👤 Guest:

Parin Mehta – CoachParin: http://coachparin.com

🔗 Resources & Links:

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe if you’re ready to lead with more clarity, courage, and curiosity. 👉👉👉Subscribe Now: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGeneralistsPodcast

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#ExecutiveCoaching #CareerChange #BigTechExit #LeadershipDevelopment #ParinMehta #GoogleToCoach #AIInCoaching #MentalWellness #TheGeneralistsPodcast #CoachingJourney

Breaking Barriers in Cybersecurity | Melissa Tiong’s Vision for APAC Tech Leaders

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Breaking Barriers in Cybersecurity | Melissa Tiong on Building Inclusive Tech Communities in APAC

In this episode of The Generalists, hosts Michael Smith Jr. and Razko Kotler sit down with Melissa Tiong, Strategic Account Director at NCC Group, to explore her vision for a more inclusive and resilient cybersecurity community across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.

What You’ll Learn:

  • How to build and scale a supportive cybersecurity community
  • Key strategies for diversity, inclusion, and risk management
  • Practical advice for cybersecurity startups on marketing, visibility, and growth

Melissa shares her personal leadership journey, how she overcame barriers as a woman in a male-dominated field, and why community-building is central to the future of cybersecurity in APAC.

👥 Hosts:

👤 Guest:

🔗 Resources Mentioned:

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more expert insights on leadership, tech, and innovation in Asia-Pacific and beyond. 👉👉👉Subscribe Now: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGeneralistsPodcast

Watch Our Other Videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4Q4feosAG4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1Ms6OmjQuE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQmsxLyFDCA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=570M_BEvPRY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMI-gZEXWkc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ktqu–_H1JY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMlBpmMVi-E

From Microsoft to Startup: Why I Left After 17 Years to Build a Creator Platform

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From Microsoft to Startup: Borko Kovacevic’s Leap into the Creator Economy

In this debut episode of The Generalists Podcast, we sit down with Borko Kovacevic, Co-Founder of Poddster, to uncover his bold transition from a 17-year career at Microsoft to launching a creator-focused podcast platform in Singapore. Hosted by Michael Smith Jr. and Razko Kotler, this episode dives deep into what it really takes to go from corporate stability to startup uncertainty.

🚀 What You’ll Learn:

  • How to apply corporate skills in a startup
  • The importance of community building for early-stage founders
  • How Borko navigated startup challenges and found purpose
  • Bootstrapping lessons, work-life balance, mental health tips & more

📲 Follow the Hosts:

👤 Guest:

🔗 Links & Resources:

Don’t forget to Like, Comment, and Subscribe for more interviews with impactful generalists shaping the future of business, tech, and creativity.

👉👉👉Subscribe Now: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGeneralistsPodcast

Watch Our Other Videos:

#StartupJourney #MicrosoftToStartup #CreatorEconomy #Poddster #Entrepreneurship #StartupPodcast #TheGeneralistsPodcast #BorkoKovacevic #CorporateToStartup #SingaporeStartups