Productivity Mastery

🚀 In episode #209 we welcomed Melissa Rosenthal, co-founder of Outlever.Listen to this episode and learn:💡How Melissa has transitioned from executive roles to co-founding her own company, Outlever.💡How to maintain transparency while shielding teams from excessive pressure 💡How can executives manage immense pressure to perform efficiently and adapt to rapid changes, especially with AI integration?💡Does gaining experience and trusting oneself help in building confidence for decision-making?and many more...About our guests:Melissa is a media and tech executive building a platform to counter the frustrations she has faced throughout her career.Previously, she was the CCO of ClickUp, CMO of Insight Timer, CRO of Cheddar, and VP, Creative at BuzzFeed. She has been featured in Forbes' 30 Under 30, Business Insider’s 30 Most Creative People Under 30, and Digiday's "Changemakers.You can find Melissa here:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissarosenthal5/Website: https://melissajrosenthal.com/Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Melisssa's background03:11 Transitioning to Foundership06:06 Challenges for Executives in 202509:05 Leadership Style and Team Management12:06 The Pressure of Executive Roles14:57 Super Bowl Ad Experience20:58 Maintaining Focus Under Pressure23:46 Building Confidence and Overcoming Imposter Syndrome31:51 Finding Balance in Startup Life35:25 Mindful Productivity and Focus43:02 Evolving Leadership Styles47:22 Building a Growing Company54:08 The Interplay of Product and MarketingEnjoy listening and #KeepPERFORMing!__________Website:https://stoyanyankov.com/podcast/

🚀 In episode #208 we welcomed Rob Krecak, Co-founder and CFO of Popular Agent.Listen to this episode and learn:💡How the 10-time founder Rob Krecak built a healthy relationship with technology💡What can you do to overcome the addition to your phone💡How can you take control and boost your productivity💡Practical tips to build up the right habits and free up tons of time and mental spaceand many more...About our guests:Rob Krecak, by title, is a fractional CFO and business owner, but he is also an advisor, mentor, consultant, coach, thrill-seeker, self-professed nerd, question-asker, voracious reader, competitor, keynote speaker, and business builder. He possesses a rare combination of in-depth finance and entrepreneurial acumen, which helps clients identify and fix pressing business challenges inhibiting success. For five years, he worked on Wall Street as a sell-side equity analyst, where he acquired detailed knowledge of understanding a business through thoughtful questions and analysis. He also earned the CFA Charterholder designation, furthering his financial skills. After Wall Street, he became a nine-time entrepreneur with companies that won multiple customer service and operations awards. He is the co-founder and CFO of Popular Agent, where he specializes in transforming website traffic into revenue through full-service implementation of AI sales agents. In his spare time, he likes to work out and better himself through reading, traveling, and spending time with his wife, Niki, and son, Kayden. You can find Rob here:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robkrecakWebsite: https://www.humansfirst.us/aboutEnjoy listening and #KeepPERFORMing!__________Website:https://stoyanyankov.com/podcast/

🚀 In episode #207 we welcomed Peter Sandberg, Founding Partner and Managing Director of Nordic Secondary Fund (N2F).Subscribe to Productivity Mastery Podcast on your favorite platform 👇Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3DHrGKvqCduaXrEHrHazAR?si=92e8b757ef55433bApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/productivity-mastery/id1514614289Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8yMGVmMmZmYy9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==Listen to this episode and learn:💡How to become a master in meeting and befriending people💡How to create a personal CRM system and organize all contacts in there💡How to network effectively during a conference or a business event💡What makes a difference in creating and keeping high-profile relationshipsand many more...About our guest:Peter is the Founding Partner and Managing Director of Nordic Secondary Fund (N2F), founded in 2018, being the first and only fund in the Nordics to exclusively invest in secondaries only.N2F has raised 2 funds in the past 5 years, in total €140M, having done +40 secondary deals, and 5 exits in the belt.Prior to N2F, Peter had +35 years of experience in Investment Banking and Asset Management, including founding 2 asset management companies, both with impressive exits. Also, he made 35 pre-seed and seed investments as a Business Angel in 2016-2018, where an additional 8 exits have been done.You can find Peter here:LinkedIn: https://dk.linkedin.com/in/petersandbergn2fWebsite: https://www.n2f.vc/Enjoy listening and #KeepPERFORMing!__________Website:https://stoyanyankov.com/podcast/

🚀 In episode #206 we welcomed Thomas Pisar, Former Director at A1 Telekom.Subscribe to Productivity Mastery Podcast on your favorite platform 👇Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3DHrGKvqCduaXrEHrHazAR?si=92e8b757ef55433bApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/productivity-mastery/id1514614289Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8yMGVmMmZmYy9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==Listen to this episode and learn:💡Examples and learnings from 18+ years at A1 Telekom💡What leads to a successful corporate transformation💡What are the biggest challenges for an organization to commit to transformation💡How to create innovation-driven culture, and remove fear mindsetand many more...About our guests:Thomas Pisar is a keynote speaker, consultant, physicist, and has many years of experience as a manager in the telecommunications technology industry.As a CIO, he has led hundreds of employees, managed small strategic areas with significant leverage, and successfully implemented large, innovative transformations.He is passionate about sharing the insights gained from the constructive combination of physics and management with others.You can find Thomas here:LinkedIn: https://at.linkedin.com/in/dr-thomas-pisar-54108019Website: https://thomas-pisar.com/Enjoy listening and #KeepPERFORMing!__________Website:https://stoyanyankov.com/podcast/

🚀 In episode #205 we welcomed Mike Champion, CEO of Tahaluf.Subscribe to Productivity Mastery Podcast on your favorite platform 👇Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3DHrGKvqCduaXrEHrHazAR?si=92e8b757ef55433bApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/productivity-mastery/id1514614289Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8yMGVmMmZmYy9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==Listen to this episode and learn:💡How to organize a successful event when the ambition is gigantic and you expect over 215k attendees💡How was Tahaluf established and how does it fit the 2030 Vision of KSA💡How to build a strong team that organizes a few dozen Mega Events per year💡What is the future of events and why should we careand many more...About our guests:🚀 Mike co-created and co-founded LEAP, the world’s most-attended tech event. 🚀 Brought the iconic Black Hat brand into Saudi Arabia, now the world’s most attended cyber event.🚀 Introduced the iconic Cityscape brand into Saudi Arabia, now the world’s largest real estate event.🚀 Co-established and leads Tahaluf, a global top 20 revenue events business within just 3 years, and the largest in Saudi Arabia.🚀 Brought the iconic CPHI brand into Saudi Arabia, achieving the largest CPHI launch ever.🚀 Helped enable the growth of the Global Health Exhibition, making it a top 3 life sciences event worldwide.Mike leads a multinational, award-winning team of exceptional talent, delivering exciting exhibitions and digital products across many sectors. In 2020, there were fewer than 5 team members, and by the end of 2025, there will be more than 300.Tahaluf has launched two of the largest B2B events in history: Cityscape Global and LEAP. Its Black Hat event is now the most attended cyber event in the world, and its 24Fintech event, launched in 2024, is the largest debut Fintech event in history.As the head of Informa’s Saudi operations and Tahaluf, Mike has grown the business into one of the largest in the region. His team has also won multiple awards.You can find Mike here:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/championmichael/Website: https://tahaluf.com/Enjoy listening and #KeepPERFORMing!__________Website:https://stoyanyankov.com/podcast/

🚀 In episode #204 we welcomed Molly He, co-founder and CEO of Element Biosciences.Subscribe to Productivity Mastery Podcast on your favorite platform 👇Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3DHrGKvqCduaXrEHrHazAR?si=92e8b757ef55433bApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/productivity-mastery/id1514614289Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8yMGVmMmZmYy9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==Listen to this episode and learn:💡The inspiring story of Molly He, born and raised in a poor area in ChinaEntrepreneurial lessons from raising 680M and building a team of 400+ people💡What fundamental principles and values set Molly up for success in life and business💡How to attract exceptional talent and build a peak performing culture in your organizationand many more...About our guests:Molly is the co-founder and CEO of Element Biosciences, a multi-disciplinary life science company focused on developing disruptive DNA sequencing and other omics technology for research and diagnostic markets. Since 2017, she has led her team to raise over $680M, culminating in the development and commercialization of the AVITI DNA sequencer.Also, as the former senior director at Illumina and head of protein sciences at Pacific Biosciences, Molly has driven groundbreaking innovations in genomics and protein sciences, earning accolades like Forbes 50over50 (2023) and CNBC Changemaker (2024). Molly holds over 100 patent applications and a PhD in protein biophysics from UCLA.You can find Molly here:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/molly-he-2243731Website: https://www.elementbiosciences.com/about/team/molly-heEnjoy listening and #KeepPERFORMing!__________Website:https://stoyanyankov.com/podcast/

🚀 In episode #203 we welcomed  Kat Thorne, Founder of The Morning GameChanger.Subscribe to Productivity Mastery Podcast on your favorite platform 👇Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3DHrGKvqCduaXrEHrHazAR?si=92e8b757ef55433bApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/productivity-mastery/id1514614289Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8yMGVmMmZmYy9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==Listen to this episode and learn:💡The inspiring story of the transformation of Kat Thorne💡How to rebuild yourself when you hit rock bottom💡How small changes can lead to a massive transformation💡What can you do if you are struggling to build up positive habitsand many more...About our guest:Kat is a positive habits international keynote speaker, teacher and consultant. Her life story of workaholism, breakdown and burnout inspires global audiences to make one small habit change. After losing everything in 2016, she had no choice but to start again. With ONE SMALL HABIT CHANGE.Former Global Commercial Director & CEO, Kat now works with organisations, leaders and individuals around the world to create one small positive habit change that actually results in increased well-being & resilience.The result? A healthier, happier and high performing work and home life.You can find Kat here:Website: https://katthorne.com/LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/katthorneInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_morning_gamechanger/Enjoy listening and #KeepPERFORMing!__________Website:https://stoyanyankov.com/podcast/

🚀 In episode #202 we welcomed Niklas Mortensen, Chief Design Officer for Designit.Subscribe to Productivity Mastery Podcast on your favorite platform 👇Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3DHrGKvqCduaXrEHrHazAR?si=92e8b757ef55433bApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/productivity-mastery/id1514614289Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8yMGVmMmZmYy9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==Listen to this episode and learn:💡Niklas' career journey of becoming Chief Design Officer💡What is the design's role in strategy?💡Success cases from one of the world's leading design agencies💡How AI is disrupting the design world and what other industry trends to pay attention toand many more...About our guests:Interaction Designer by education, a design strategist by experience and a nerd by heart. For over two decades, Niklas Mortensen has been working in the intersection of technology, design and strategy, overseeing and executing on projects ranging from large enterprises to small start-ups and volunteer organisations, always advocating for a human-centric approach.Niklas Mortensen is the Chief Design Officer for Designit, where he works with a truly multi-disciplinary and global team spanning a wide range of capabilities; from anthropology, psychology and service design, to industrial design and brand experience - all with the goal of designing what matters.Board member emeritus at the Interaction Design association, Niklas has dedicated over a decade to the IxDA community from co-founding IxDA Oslo in, to being initiative lead for the Interaction Awards. Niklas is currently serving on the board of Consulting Norway - Part of Virke (Enterprise Federation of Norway).Niklas holds a BA(Hons) 1st class in Interaction Design from Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication, and a yet-to-be-finished Master in life.You can find Nicklas here:LinkedIn: https://no.linkedin.com/in/interactionloveInstagram: https://www.designit.com/people/niklas-mortensenEnjoy listening and #KeepPERFORMing!__________Website:https://stoyanyankov.com/podcast/

🚀 In episode #201 we welcomed Fahad Aljumayd, Commercial Director at Torod.Subscribe to Productivity Mastery Podcast on your favorite platform 👇Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3DHrGKvqCduaXrEHrHazAR?si=92e8b757ef55433bApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/productivity-mastery/id1514614289Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8yMGVmMmZmYy9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==Listen to this episode and learn:💡How Saudi became a mega-hub for innovation💡What's the future of tech in the region and how to join the 2030 Vision💡What opportunities you can find to grow your startup in Saudi💡What is the culture like and how to approach business opportunitiesand many more...About our guests:Fahad Aljumayd, Saudi national based in Riyadh. Entrepreneurial, and passionate advocate for innovation, technology, and the transformative power of startups, with a keen interest in sports management and its role in driving economic and community growth.He focuses on commercial,  strategy, tech, and sports, exploring how these domains can create meaningful change. With a deep understanding of market dynamics and a love for economics, he is dedicated to building innovative solutions that make an impact and foster stronger communities, and align with broader economic goals.He enjoys collaborating with forward-thinking individuals and teams to bring impactful & noble ideas to life.You can find Fahad here:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fahadaljumayd/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fdazizj/Enjoy listening and #KeepPERFORMing!__________Website:https://stoyanyankov.com/podcast/

🎉 Productivity Mastery Podcast Hits 200 Episodes! 🎉For the first time ever, Stoyan will step into the guest seat, and be interviewed by none other than Katie Stoddart who was the guest on the very first episode.Subscribe to Productivity Mastery Podcast on your favorite platform 👇Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3DHrGKvqCduaXrEHrHazAR?si=92e8b757ef55433bApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/productivity-mastery/id1514614289Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8yMGVmMmZmYy9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==Listen to this episode and discover:✨ Reflections on the most memorable moments✨ Key insights and lessons learned from 200 episodes✨ Behind-the-scenes stories of creating and growing the podcast✨ Advice from top guests on productivity, leadership, and success✨ Exclusive sneak peeks at iconic moments from past episodes, with commentary and insights shared liveand many more...You can find Katie here:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiestoddartWebsite: https://katiestoddart.comEnjoy listening and #KeepPERFORMing!__________Website:https://stoyanyankov.com/podcast/