Between Data & Risk

Why do the smartest people in the room never get hired — and what does AI have to do with it?

In this episode of Between Data and Risk, Dr. Marian Siwiak sits down with Paul Forrest — investor, CAIO, board advisor, and TEDx speaker — to explore how creativity, chaos, and AI collide in the boardroom.

We talk about:

– Why “Mad Mavericks” are critical for innovation (and how to spot the real ones)

– How boards should rethink AI — not as magic, but as infrastructure

– What AGI could actually mean for business strategy

– And how to balance creativity with governance, without crushing either

👉 Paul Forrest on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pdf66/

👉 Watch Paul’s TEDx talk – "Mad Mavericks & The Art of Working with 'Unconventionals'":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KvLvKlPBRY&t=69s

👉 Subscribe for weekly episodes with startup founders, tech leaders, and the occasional troublemaker

#AI #AGI #BoardLeadership #Innovation #CreativityInBusiness #MadMavericks #Startups #RiskManagement #BusinessStrategy #BetweenDataAndRisk

What do early-stage founders actually need — and why do so many get it wrong?

In this thought-provoking conversation, Dr. Marian Siwiak sits down with Peter Whale — veteran technologist, startup mentor, and Head of Projects at Signapse — to unpack the real challenges behind building something that works. From mentoring blind spots to the tension between shareholder and stakeholder value, this episode dives into the often-overlooked details that make or break early ventures.

They explore:

- How prototyping and market validation can save you from wishful thinking

- Why trust, alignment, and flexibility matter more than job titles

- And whether remote work is truly progress — or just another distraction

💡 If you're building, mentoring, or trying to make your idea real — this one’s for you.

Takeaways:

- Mentorship reveals blind spots founders can’t see alone

- Real value creation outlasts short-term traction

- Shareholder vs. stakeholder thinking shapes strategy

- Prototyping and validation beat assumptions every time

- Alignment and trust are the foundation of effective teams

- Remote and hybrid workforces need better, not more, tools

- Luck matters — but preparation decides what you do with it

Relevant Links:

Peter Whale's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterwhale/

#mentorship #entrepreneurship #startups #valuecreation #prototyping #stakeholdervalue #businessalignment #remotework #leadership #founderadvice

What does it take to lead a startup without losing yourself?

In this episode of Between Data and Risk, we’re joined by Arianna Cerrito, founder of Startup and Rise and startup mentor at LSE Generate, for a real conversation about the emotional toll of startup leadership. Arianna and Dr. Marian Siwiak explore what it means to lead from the fire — where everything feels urgent, your people rely on you, and burnout lurks behind every milestone.

They unpack the invisible decisions founders make daily: when to push, when to rest, and how to build culture and trust that last beyond the chaos of growth. Arianna shares hard-earned lessons about staying connected to your purpose, spotting burnout before it hits, and why values aren’t soft — they’re strategic.

Whether you're a first-time founder or a scaling leader, this conversation offers practical tools for building something meaningful without breaking yourself in the process.

Relevant links:

Arianna Cerrito on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariannacerrito/

Startup and Rise: https://www.startupandrise.com/

Takeaways:

- Why company values are your hidden lever for sustainable growth

- How to delegate without guilt

- Early warning signs of founder burnout

- Making remote culture work without micromanagement

- Reconnecting with your purpose when the chaos takes over

#Startups #Leadership #Burnout #Founders #RemoteWork #StartupCulture #WorkLifeBalance #FounderWellbeing #TeamTrust #CompanyValues #StartupMentor #BetweenDataAndRisk

What if blockchain isn’t just about coins and speculation—but about real, everyday utility?

In this episode, Dr. Marian Siwiak talks with Lorien Gamaroff @Gamaroff a blockchain pioneer and the founder of Centbee, about how Bitcoin technology can enable true financial inclusion across Africa. Lorien shares the story behind Sentby, a mobile money platform built on Bitcoin that’s leapfrogging traditional banking systems and giving people without access to banks a way to store and send money.

They explore the shifting purpose of Bitcoin—from digital cash to digital gold—and dive into why Lorien believes Bitcoin Satoshi’s Vision (BSV) holds the original promise of utility, low fees, and governance. From the cost dynamics of blockchain to regulatory compliance and the future of NFTs, this conversation challenges crypto orthodoxy and reclaims blockchain as the missing protocol of the internet.

This one is for anyone wondering: what happens when ideology meets infrastructure?

Takeaways:

- Financial inclusion is key to Africa’s future—and blockchain might be the unlock.

- Bitcoin was originally designed as a governable, compliant cash system.

- BTC’s decentralization ideology has pushed it toward digital gold, not utility.

- Mobile money in Africa is leapfrogging traditional finance.

- Sentby is building a blockchain-powered “super app” for financial access.

- BSV aims to return to Bitcoin’s original design—low fees, scalable, useful.

- The value of Bitcoin lies in utility, not speculation.

- Blockchain can empower data ownership, not just digital currency.

Relevant links:

Lorien Gamaroff's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gamaroff/

https://www.youtube.com/user/gamaroff

Centbee: https://www.centbee.com/

BSV Blockchain Association: https://bsvblockchain.org/

#NFTs #Blockchain #BitcoinSV #CryptoReality #DigitalOwnership #LorienGamaroff #FintechAfrica #SpeculationVsUtility #BetweenDataAndRisk #CryptoPodcast #Web3

What Founders Always Get Wrong (and What to Do Instead)

with Massimiliano Sulpizi, Founder of EquityMatch

Is your startup built to last—or just built to pitch?

In this episode of Between Data and Risk, Dr. Marian Siwiak sits down with investor, advisor, and EquityMatch founder Massimiliano Sulpizi to talk about the harsh truths behind startup success (and failure). It’s not just about the idea. It’s not just about the pitch. It’s about execution, mindset, and knowing what problem you’re actually solving.

Massimiliano pulls back the curtain on the evolving European startup scene, why most founders don’t really understand their product’s value, and how EquityMatch is building a smarter way to support early-stage entrepreneurs. From navigating cash flow and market fit to hiring mistakes and scaling traps, this episode is packed with unfiltered advice from someone who’s seen what works—and what doesn't.

Key topics we cover:

- Why execution beats ideas every time

- The cost of chasing trends vs. solving real problems

- When you shouldn’t raise venture capital

- How the hype around AI is fueling founder delusion

- Why humility, planning, and cash discipline win in the long run

- Whether you're just starting out or scaling up, this conversation is your reality check—and your roadmap.

🔗 Find Massimiliano here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/massimiliano-sulpizi/

🌐 Learn more about his work: https://www.equitymatch.co/

#StartupAdvice

#FoundersJourney

#BuildDontPitch

#ExecutionOverIdeas

#StartupMindset

What if the next revolution doesn’t start with a protest—but with a beat?

In this powerful episode of Between Data & Risk, hosts Marian Siwiak and Artur Guja sit down with Ariana Alexander-Sefre, founder of SPOKE, to explore how music, culture, and authenticity can radically reshape mental health care.

Ariana shares her journey from the wellness industry to launching SPOKE, a platform that fuses music with psychology to support mental well-being—particularly for young men often sidelined by traditional therapy. Together, we dive deep into the role of cultural relevance, social prescribing, and authenticity in business, while unpacking the deeper question: Can change come from inside the system?

🔑 What you’ll learn:

- Why music can be more effective than words in mental health support

- How SPOKE uses sound to make therapy more accessible and relatable

- The dangers of commodifying rebellion—and how to resist it

- What balancing profit and purpose really looks like in a social enterprise

- How company culture shapes impact from the inside out

- Why we need to rethink how we define “help” in the age of algorithms

- Whether you're a founder, creator, or someone navigating the edges of change—this conversation will challenge how you see art, business, and care.

Relevant links:

Ariana Aleksander-Sefre's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arianasefre/

SPOKE: https://spoke.world/

🎙 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe if this resonates with you.

#MentalHealth #MusicTherapy #StartupLife #CulturalRevolution #AuthenticLeadership #SocialEnterprise #SpokeWorld #ArianaAlexanderSefre #Founders #MentalHealthAwareness #BetweenDataAndRisk #RevolutionWithRhythm

In this Between Data and Risk episode, Dr. Marian Siwiak and Artur Guja engage with Mark Bjornsgaard of Deep Green to explore innovative solutions for utilizing waste heat from data centers. The conversation delves into the potential for community benefits, the evolving landscape of data center clients, and the intersection of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors with cost efficiency. Mark shares insights from his entrepreneurial journey, the importance of local solutions in energy transition, and reflections on capitalism and social responsibility.

Takeaways

- 90% of the heat from data centers can be captured for use.

- Data centers can provide free heat to local communities.

- The prawn industry is a significant contributor to carbon emissions.

- Local solutions are essential for sustainable energy practices.

- The journey of entrepreneurship often involves waiting for the right moment.

- Cost efficiency is crucial for the adoption of green technologies.

- Brexit has complicated the tech market in the UK.

- Community engagement is vital for successful energy projects.

- The importance of social responsibility in business practices.

- Innovative energy storage solutions can transform the market.

In this conversation, Dr. Marian Siwiak and Artur Guja discuss the challenges and opportunities of implementing AI in the finance sector with Neil Lathia from Gradient Labs. They explore the complexities of building AI solutions in regulated environments, the importance of understanding customer vulnerability, and the role of empathy in AI interactions. The discussion also touches on the evolving nature of AI development teams and the implications of AI on employment and business operations.

Takeaways

- AI is still relatively new in many financial environments.

- Building confidence with stakeholders is crucial for AI adoption.

- Understanding customer vulnerability is essential for effective AI support.

- Empathy in AI involves understanding before providing solutions.

- The future of AI may involve less operational overhead and more efficiency.

- AI's impact on employment is significant, especially in customer-facing roles.

- AI can mimic empathy but lacks true emotional understanding.

- The roles within AI development teams are evolving and collapsing together.

- There is a reluctance to adopt AI due to fear of potential failures.

- AI's ability to navigate complex customer interactions is still limited.

Relevant links:

Gradient labs: https://gradient-labs.ai/

Neal's Github page: https://nlathia.github.io/

Neal's Medium page: https://neal-lathia.medium.com/