Why is the hardest part of innovation letting go of what once worked? John Michael offers a rare perspective on this challenge, drawing from a diverse background in professional ballet, nonprofit leadership, and entrepreneurship. A Harvard-trained expert in adaptive leadership, he has spent years advising teams through the complexities of deep organizational change.

In this episode, Ghazenfer Mansoor, Founder and CEO of Technology Rivers and author of Beyond the Download, breaks down how to build AI and software products people actually use, not just download.

Startups and corporates need each other. But most partnerships fall apart. In this episode, Ian Bergman talks with Noga Tal about what actually makes these relationships work.

In this episode, Marcelo Calbucci breaks down the innovation habits that shaped his career at Microsoft, Amazon, and across six startups. He explains why small, fast iterations beat big plans, how narrative-driven strategy unlocks clarity, and why today’s founders should embrace niche, hyper-specialized solutions.

Whether you’re an innovation leader, intrapreneur, or aspiring founder, this episode delivers actionable insights on building, partnering, and scaling ventures inside large organizations.

Tune in to discover actionable takeaways on harnessing AI to automate the mundane, crafting spaces that foster real human interaction, and leading product innovation in a world where technology accelerates teamwork—but only human insight sparks true transformation.

Discover the top 5 insights from Celia Wanderley on continuous learning, innovation portfolios, AI governance, and responsible risk-taking for practical innovation.

Victor reveals the Panini Effect—his practical framework for sandwiching top-down vision with grassroots momentum—to push bold ideas through even the most risk-averse organizations.

Through a candid conversation that spans her humble beginnings, lessons in risk-taking, and the power of a strong vision, Stephanie shares insights that will inspire you to take control of your own destiny.

Azita Esmaili, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer at Eviden explores the dynamic interplay between AI, innovation management, and future-proofing organizations. 

Nathaniel shares his journey—from venture capital to spearheading Epicenter’s mission—and discusses the importance of customer discovery, building trust, and fostering cross-industry partnerships.

Manas Talukdar, a seasoned leader in enterprise AI and data infrastructure, explore the evolution of cloud-native data platforms and the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on businesses. 

Amir shares his journey from his early days in the networking industry to founding Alkira and explains how his company is rethinking networking as a service using cloud infrastructure. 

In this episode of the AlchemistX Innovators Inside Podcast, Ian Bergman sits down with Daniela Kandel, the co-founder and CEO of the Evergreen Innovation Platform, to explore how impact-driven innovation is reshaping industries—especially in agriculture.

Ian and Paul explore the shift from broad IP enforcement to more targeted approaches in the digital age and discuss the challenges startups face in navigating AI and IP compliance. 

Natalie shares her remarkable journey from sales to shaping corporate innovation, offering a wealth of insights for anyone looking to drive change from within an organization.

With a background that spans from artist to museum planner to corporate strategist, Joseph shares how his journey has shaped his unique perspective on blending storytelling, sensory design, and technology to connect with people on a deeper level.

Together, Ian and Lisa explore the critical role of subtraction in driving innovation, how AI reshapes problem-solving while leaving space for human ingenuity, and the importance of fostering curiosity in a fast-paced world. 

Denis shares his inspiring journey from aerospace engineering to venture capital, discussing how his mission to support humanity’s long-term impact drives his work in transforming legacy industries like construction, logistics, and manufacturing.

Christy Canida, Senior Director at Alchemist, joins host Ian Bergman for a deep dive into the intricate universe of corporate innovation. Christy's diverse background, spanning from the biotech industry to the helm of startups like Instructables—which later found its home with Autodesk—paints a vibrant backdrop to their conversation.

"Having an idea is easy. Getting it done is hard, understanding how to get it done even harder." - Andi Mann

"Everybody has different needs in order to be successful. So trust your gut. If a door opens, give it a shot. Go ahead and take a look inside the door and see if there's something in there that you can learn from." - Louis Stewart