Varun Puri, Founder of Yoodli.ai an AI Powered Speech Coach
Conversations on Careers and Professional Life
Release Date: 09/29/2023
Ryan Dickerson, Executive Career Coach, on Career Transitions, Relational Networking, and Using Generative AI
Conversations on Careers and Professional Life
Episode Summary: Navigating Career Transitions with Ryan Dickerson In this episode of Conversations on Careers and Professional Life, I speak with Ryan Dickerson, founder of Good Fit Careers, about his innovative approach to career coaching. Ryan leverages generative AI tools like ChatGPT to help executives craft compelling resumes, prepare for interviews, and navigate career transitions. The conversation covers the importance of patience during job searches, building empathy for hiring managers, and the power of relational networking over transactional interactions. Ryan also shares his...
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Reframe The Way You Think About Networking and Asking for Help
Conversations on Careers and Professional Life
In this episode of Conversations on Careers and Professional Life, I share some advice on reframing how you think about “networking” and asking for help. Move beyond the idea of collecting contacts Focus on building genuine relationships and learning from others Nurture connections over time for mutual benefit Understand that asking for help can actually benefit the person helping you Overcome the fear of being a burden when seeking assistance Strengthen relationships by showing trust and vulnerability Recognize that your network includes all communities you're part of Look for...
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Jeremy Schifeling on Using Generative AI in Your Career Search
Conversations on Careers and Professional Life
Leveraging Generative AI in Your Career Search with Jeremy Schifeling , founder of and author of Career Coach GPT and Linked: Conquer LinkedIn, Get Your Dream Job, Own Your Future shares his insights on how job seekers can leverage generative AI tools like ChatGPT in the job search process. Jeremy and I have known each other for seven years and recently co-presented a session at the Career Services Employer Alliance Global Conference on how graduate business school career services can leverage generative AI in their work. In this episode, Jeremy returns for a second conversation to discuss...
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Lauren Selig on Navigating a Career of Creativity and Impact, Live at PNW Climate Week
Conversations on Careers and Professional Life
In this special live episode recorded as part of #PNWClimateWeek and the Bloomberg Green Festival at the KEXP Gathering Space, Gregory Heller and Jonathan Azoff sit down with Lauren Selig, a film producer, investor, entrepreneur, and board member of the XPRIZE Foundation. , Lauren shares her journey from journalism to film production and investment, highlighting the importance of intuition, mentorship, and environmental consciousness in her diverse career. Tune in to discover how Lauren’s innovative projects are making a significant impact on climate tech and sustainability. ,
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Adital Ela Shares Career Insights on Navigating a Career In Climate Tech (Part 2 of 2)
Conversations on Careers and Professional Life
In this episode we continue our conversation with Adital Ella, founder of Criaterra Earth Technologies. Adital shares valuable advice for those aspiring to enter the climate tech industry, drawing from her own experiences as an entrepreneur and innovator. Key points discussed: How to approach climate tech companies as a job seeker, even without a scientific background The importance of demonstrating genuine passion and alignment with a company's mission Strategies for growth within an organization, including starting in junior roles and working up Adital's personal journey from industrial...
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Adital Ella of Criaterra on Growing a Company Providing Low Carbon Building Materials (Part 1 of 2)
Conversations on Careers and Professional Life
In this episode, we talk with Adital Ella, founder of Criaterra Earth Technologies, an Israeli company pioneering sustainable, low carbob building materials. Adital shares her journey from sustainable furniture designer to climate tech entrepreneur, offering insights into the development of Criaterra's beautiful and sustainable tiles and building materials. Key points discussed: Criaterra's innovative building material, which sequesters carbon and reduces energy use by up to 82% compared to traditional manufacturing processes The importance of balancing environmental benefits with aesthetics...
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Scott Case, Recurrent Co-Founder, Offers Career Advice and Insights (Part 2)
Conversations on Careers and Professional Life
In the second part of the conversation, Scott Case, co-founder and CEO of shares his career journey and lessons learned. Scott has worked at small companies, big companies, and started two companies himself. He shares some lessons learned at his first startup, EnergySavvy. Scott then offers advice for people looking to enter the clean technology or energy revolution space. He suggests that recent graduates should gain experience by working for a large company in the industry they want to decarbonize, learn about the processes, and then identify high-leverage ways to disrupt the industry...
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Scott Case, Recurrent Co-Founder, Talks About Used EV Battery Data Transparency (Part 1)
Conversations on Careers and Professional Life
Gregory Heller and Jonathan Azoff talk with Scott Case, the co-founder and CEO of , a Seattle-based startup that offers independent evaluations of used electric vehicle batteries. Case discusses his journey as a second-time entrepreneur, having previously founded Energy Savvy, a company that helped energy utilities connect with customers for home energy efficiency upgrades. Case explains that Recurrent was founded in June 2020 to address the growing need for transparency in the used electric vehicle (EV) market. As more EVs enter the used car market, buyers are increasingly concerned about...
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Josh Mastromatto, Co-Founder of Waste Diversion Company Rego, Shares Career Advice (Part 2)
Conversations on Careers and Professional Life
In the second part of the conversation, Josh Mastromatto, co-founder of , shares insights on how his experience as an athlete has shaped his approach to building a startup. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on what you can control, learning quickly, and surrounding yourself with people who can help you improve. Josh shares what he looks for an values when hiring. As a first-time founder, Josh's biggest learning curve was navigating the fundraising process, and he shares the importance of reaching out to experts, identifying patterns, and continuously acquiring knowledge through books...
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Josh Mastromatto, Co-Founder of Rego, Talks About Building A Sustainability Business Diverting Waste With Software (Part 1)
Conversations on Careers and Professional Life
In this episode of "Conversations on Careers in Climate Tech," Gregory Heller and Jonathan Azoff are joined by Josh Mastromatto, co-founder of , a startup addressing waste management in urban apartment buildings during move-out periods. Rego aims to reduce waste by diverting discarded items from landfills to more sustainable destinations where they can be reused. Part 1 of a this two part discussion covers the the inspiration behind the startup, the pivot from their original idea, fundraising and growth. Josh also shares the challenges of being a first-time founder and the support received...
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On this episode, I speak with Varun Puri, Co-Founder of Yoodli.ai. I'm a big fan of Yoodli and have been using it basically since the day it became available. Many of my students in the MBA program are using it to practice for job interviews and other presentations. Full disclosure, I'm on the Yoodli Speech Coaches Advisory Board. I receive no compensation for this. I do it because I believe in the product and the power of public speaking skills to improve people's career opportunities.
Born and raised in India, Varun moved to the US for college and later joined Google. At Google, he wore many hats, from running special projects for Sergey Brin to being a product manager at Google X. Despite his fulfilling career at Google, Varun's passion for his innovative idea led him to take a leap of faith and start Yoodli.ai.
Yoodli.ai is an AI-powered speech coach that provides real-time feedback on speaking skills. It focuses on three key areas: delivery, content, and peer collaboration. As Varun demonstrated during our podcast interview, Yoodli.ai can alert users in real-time to adjust their speaking pace.
The platform has received an overwhelming response, with users worldwide comparing it to Grammarly and Duolingo for speech coaching. This comparison underscores Yoodli.ai's effectiveness in enhancing speaking skills.
Yoodli.ai has developed an everyday communication coach feature. This feature, available as an app, can be installed on a computer and used during calls. It provides real-time feedback on speaking habits, such as speaking too quickly or for too long. This feature allows users to improve their communication skills without having to set aside dedicated practice time.
Varun draws inspiration from fitness apps like Apple Health, which encourage progress in everyday activities, and aims to do the same for speaking.
Making Public Speaking Fun and Engaging
Yoodli.ai also incorporates games to make the learning experience fun and engaging. The goal is to demystify public speaking and make it enjoyable, much like improv games.
Varun and I discussed the importance of practice in feeling comfortable and confident when it comes to public speaking and storytelling. Yoodli.ai provides “exposure therapy” and low-risk practice opportunities for individuals to improve their communication skills.
Varun emphasized that mid-career professionals, particularly those seeking promotions or leadership roles, can benefit greatly from the platform. He shared examples of users who have found success with Yoodli, including a non-native English speaker looking to improve their confidence in meetings.