Spark of Ages

Matt 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 innovat...

In 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 rea...

Chandar 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 bu...

Marc 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 imbala...

Sandeep 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 U...

Udi 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 app...

Elay 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 l...

We 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 engag...

Building 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 i...

This 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 K...

This 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 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 st...

The 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 ...

Welcome 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...

What 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 grow...

Join 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...

Join 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 experienc...

Can the future of our food systems be saved by a humble aquatic plant? Join us as we sit down with Tony Martens, co-founder of Plantible Foods, who believes it can. Plantible's innovative plant protein, Ruby, derived from the sustainable Lemna plant, may hold the key to revolutionizing agriculture and food production. Tony shines a spotlight on the pressing environmental issues of our current food systems, from greenhouse gas ...

On this episode of Spark of Ages, we sit down with Rajiv Parikh, CEO of Position Squared, to do a mid-year review to uncover the daily grind and the high-stakes decisions behind leading an AI-driven growth marketing powerhouse. Rajiv offers a treasure trove of insights into the transformative power of AI, revealing how his company has formed a robust AI product development team, launched strategic initiatives, and tackled the chall...