Humans of Telecom

Épisodes

• Episode 81: Veni Folta, Chief Happiness Officer at The Inspired Action Group 09.06.2026 21min

  “Life is an Adventure. Jump out of a Plane. Live your Ikigai. Find your Happy Place!” — Veni Folta, Chief Happiness Officer at The Inspired Action Group, in conversation with Anurag AggarwalFrom Portuguese Macau to British Hong Kong to the United States…from a Category 5 hurricane that wiped out her dream job in a single day…to nearly three decades in telecom, two of them in international roaming…to becoming the Chief Happiness Officer helping leaders reclaim their lives —Veni's journey is unlike anything you've heard on this show before!In this episode of Humans of Telecom, Veni opens up about:🌏 A life that began in Macau, moved through Hong Kong, and eventually landed in Seattle — shaped by colonial history, cultural richness, and remarkable resilience📖 Her bestselling book I Quit — and why losing your job might just be the best thing that ever happens to you🧠 How a decade of studying neuroscience and cognitive positive psychology became her second calling — and ultimately her life's purpose✈️ The pandemic that stopped all roaming traffic — and paradoxically launched the most meaningful chapter of her career🪂 Skydiving at 14,000 feet over a coral reef in Saipan at sunset — as a team building exercise — because why not?🌊 Snorkeling between two tectonic plates in freezing Icelandic waters — and accidentally meeting the former president of Iceland, who had quietly become a park ranger🚶 Walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain and the Kumano Kodo in Japan — because some journeys are meant for the soul, not the schedule💔 The health crises — cancer, depression, a brain bleed from a concussion — that taught her the most important lesson of all: you cannot serve others from an empty cup❤️ And her life's mission — helping people break old patterns, rewire their brains, reclaim their power, and finally come aliveFrom roaming partnerships to the science of happiness —Veni is proof that sometimes the most extraordinary career pivots begin not with a plan, but with a crisis, a curiosity, and the courage to begin again!🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform, and follow Humans of Telecom for more extraordinary voices shaping the industry and inspiring the human spirit!
• Episode 80: Mike Mills, Managing Director (Service Providers) at Gamma 26.05.2026 20min

  "I would tell my younger self – stop playing it safe. Be braver. Be bolder. And believe, really believe, that you are capable of more than you think!" – Mike Mills, Managing Director (Service Providers) at Gamma, in conversation with Anurag AggarwalFrom handing out free internet CDs at a PC World store in the north of England…to discovering the company that built all the infrastructure behind those very CDs…to joining them and building a career that has spanned 25 extraordinary years –Mike's journey into telecom is fascinatingly brilliant!In this episode of Humans of Telecom, Mike opens up about:💻 How a single day spent at an internet company during university changed the entire direction of his life📈 Inheriting a declining, unloved division at Gamma – and growing it from £12M to £96M almost entirely through organic growth🏆 Three consecutive wins at the Global Comms Awards for Best Sales Team – a feat that very few teams anywhere in the world can claim!👯 The world of 'twincidents' – life with an identical twin brother Steve, who also works at Gamma, and the endless cases of mistaken identity that keep the industry on its toes!🐕 Three Hungarian Vizslas who have made countryside walks a non-negotiable part of his daily life – and he wouldn't have it any other way🏃 The 13-year-old who cleared over five metres in long jump and represented his county – until fate had other plans at 14💪 Six Tough Mudders completed, electrocution and all – before finally drawing a very firm line in the mud⚽ A lifelong Newcastle United fan – more heartbreak than glory, but last season gave him just enough reason to keep believing❤️ And his quiet but powerful north star – be a good person, treat people with kindness, and invest genuinely in the success of others!From Newcastle to Surrey, from dial-up internet to UCaaS and beyond –Mike is living proof that staying curious, staying loyal, and daring to be bold can take you further than any shortcut ever will!🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform, and follow Humans of Telecom for more extraordinary voices shaping the industry and inspiring the human spirit!#HumansOfTelecom #Podcast #Telecom #HumanStories
• Episode 79: Stephanie Lashley, VP Messaging at Bandwidth 12.05.2026 19min

  "I have never once walked into a room and thought — I wonder if I belong here. And I want every woman in this industry to feel exactly the same way!" — Stephanie Lashley, VP Messaging Strategic Alliances & Infrastructure at Bandwidth, in conversation with Anurag AggarwalFrom a mother who came home and talked about telecom at the dinner table…to a young girl who grew up fascinated by the industry…to someone who has spent over two decades helping shape how the world messages —Stephanie's story is one of roots, reinvention, and remarkable impact!In this episode of Humans of Telecom, Stephanie opens up about:📱 Working on RCS back in 2012 — over a decade before the world caught up — and what it feels like to finally see it come to fruition📈 Joining Bandwidth when messaging was barely a side project — and helping build it into a full-blown AI-powered RCS platform over seven years🏠 Her lifelong love for interior design — from repainting walls on a whim to refinishing hardwood floors with nothing but determination and YouTube🦋 A little garden that attracts butterflies and hummingbirds — because some of the best recharging happens close to the earth🗺️ Visiting all 50 US states — with just three left to go — and a travelogue that the world is waiting to read🧬 98% Sicilian DNA, ancestry traced back to the 14th century, and a salt mine in Trapani named after her family✍️ A book written in the fifth grade that won recognition at the Young Authors Convention — the first chapter of a lifelong love for writing👩‍👩‍👧 And the Women in Messaging initiative — born as a dinner for five, now growing to 50 and beyond — because every woman deserves a seat at the tableFrom Kansas City to Palermo to the global messaging stage —Stephanie is proof that when you lead with inclusion, show up with empathy, and never stop creating, the industry takes notice!🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform, and follow Humans of Telecom for more extraordinary voices shaping the industry and inspiring the human spirit!
• Episode 78: Deepesh Trivedi, CEO at UIB.ai 28.04.2026 20min

  "I stumbled into sales. I stumbled into Facebook. I stumbled into Singapore and met my wife. And somehow, every stumble took me somewhere better!" — Deepesh Trivedi, CEO at UIB.ai, in conversation with Anurag AggarwalFrom a small town in North London called Watford…to employee number 20 at Facebook's London office…to the front row of WhatsApp's global expansion…to now leading a conversational AI company in Singapore —Deepesh's journey is one of instinct, courage, and beautiful timing!In this episode of Humans of Telecom, Deepesh opens up about:🚀 How a recruiter's phone call in 2008 changed everything — and why joining Facebook was the best career decision he ever made💬 What it was really like working at WhatsApp before it made a single dollar — and helping shape how it monetized for the first time🎸 The teenage band that almost made it — and the guitar he's been playing since he was eight years old🌏 How moving to Singapore for a year turned into 15 years — all because of one person he met in the office on week three⚽ Sundays with his almost-three-year-old son at football — and why fatherhood has been the most rewarding pivot of his life🏃 A 5 to 7k run around Singapore when the mind gets too loud — and how movement brings him clarity like nothing else can❤️ And his core belief as a leader — invest in people, do the right thing, and the rest will followFrom Watford to WhatsApp to the world —Deepesh is proof that the best decisions in life and career are often the ones you stumble into with an open mind and a willing heart!🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform, and follow Humans of Telecom for more extraordinary voices shaping the industry and inspiring the human spirit!
• Episode 77: Natalia Derkach, Director of Carrier Relations & Sales at Nuetech Stack 14.04.2026 16min

  "I've worked in telecom, in modeling, in hairdressing. Every single one taught me the same thing — show up, stay calm, and finish the job!"— Natalia Derkach, Director of Carrier Relations & Sales at Nuetech Stack, in conversation with Anurag AggarwalFrom the snow-covered streets of Novosibirsk, Siberia…to the neon-lit corridors of Seoul, South Korea…to the fast-moving world of carrier relations and CPaaS —Natalia's journey is one of courage, curiosity, and quiet power!In this episode of Humans of Telecom, Natalia opens up about:🌍 How she accidentally walked into telecom 15 years ago — and never once looked back💡 The bold move of building an international department from scratch — with nothing but LinkedIn, good English, and sheer determination🔮 Her secret life as a rune reader — the ancient art of predicting the future, with a 90% accuracy rate to back it up👠 The runway fall that taught her the most important lesson of her modelling career — and of her life✂️ The hairdressing practice session that ended with a cut ear — and a very important lesson in staying calm under pressure🐱 The rescue cat she gave a home to when no one else would — because that's just who she is🧘 How yoga, meditation, and travel keep her grounded in a world that never stops moving❤️ And her life philosophy — connecting business and humanity, logic and intuition, strength and empathyFrom Siberia to Seoul to the global telecom stage —Natalia is proof that when you lead with integrity and follow your truth, the world has a way of finding you!🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform, and follow Humans of Telecom for more extraordinary voices shaping the industry and inspiring the human spirit!
• Episode 76: Santiago Marquez, CEO at Wholesale Congress Series 31.03.2026 20min

  "I want to learn early to slow down and enjoy the journey. Sometimes we spend many years focused on moving forward — and only later do you realize how important it is to pause, appreciate the process, and enjoy the moment." — Santiago Marquez, CEO at Wholesale Congress Series, in conversation with Anurag AggarwalFrom selling ad space in a telecom magazine…to attending his first wholesale industry event with wide eyes and a curious mind…to building the world's largest gathering for the global messaging ecosystem —Santiago's journey is one of vision, patience, and people!In this episode of Humans of Telecom, Santiago opens up about:🌍 How a chance encounter with the wholesale telecom world in 2006 sparked an idea that would take years to become reality🎤 The story behind Wholesale World Congress — from dreaming of 500 attendees, to welcoming over 2,000 today🤝 Why his customers literally convinced him to take over a struggling event — and how that became LAWC in Buenos Aires🥃 His deep love for whiskey — not just the taste, but the craft, the tradition, and the storytelling behind every bottle📦 And yes — over 1,000 unopened bottles in his collection. Yes, you read that right!🖨️ The night shift at a printing press that taught him more about design and detail than any classroom ever could👨‍👧‍👦 Two sons, Felipe and Vicente — his other world, his greatest anchor❤️ And his simple but powerful life philosophy: treat others the way you'd like to be treated!From Uruguay to Madrid to Buenos Aires to every corner of the telecom world —Santiago is proof that when you build with humility and lead with heart, an entire industry shows up for you!🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform, and follow Humans of Telecom for more extraordinary voices shaping the industry and inspiring the human spirit!
• Episode 75: Gina Perini, Chair of the Board and CEO at SOMOS 17.03.2026 25min

  "I consider myself an artist! And early in my career, I realized — art and strategy have a lot in common. Both are about creativity, solving problems, conveying a vision, and making something interesting... or even beautiful!" — Gina Perini, Chair of the Board and CEO at SOMOS, in conversation with Anurag AggarwalWhat happens when a sharp intellectual property lawyer…gets handed a "boring" project nobody wanted…and ends up building a company that protects the trust and integrity of communications for millions?You get a story like Gina's!In this episode of Humans of Telecom, Gina opens up about:⚖️ How a circuitous path from corporate law led her to reimagine how phone numbers are managed as digital identities🎨 The secret artist in her — oil painting, gardening, and why she brings a creative eye to everything, including strategy!🚴 That time she cycled over 4,000 miles across the United States — with the man who would become her husband of 25+ years🏠 Life in a 200-year-old home she and her husband have lovingly restored — because old things deserve to be made new again!💪 Why weight training and Pilates aren't just about fitness — they're about feeling grounded and ready to take on the world🌍 A life-changing trip to rural Tanzania, and a phrase on a classroom wall that stopped her in her tracks: "I am because we are"🔄 Her agile approach to life — running personal retros, staying in continuous improvement mode, and learning to focus outward❤️ And why the greatest shift of her career wasn't a promotion or an award — it was moving from 'me' to 'we'!From Boston to the boardroom to the back roads of America — Gina's journey is a masterclass in reinvention, purpose, and the quiet power of showing up with both heart and conviction!🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform, and follow Humans of Telecom for more extraordinary voices shaping the industry and inspiring the human spirit!
• Episode 74: Andrey Anikin, CEO at Alaris Labs 09.12.2025 25min

  “Sometimes your greatest journey begins with no plan — just curiosity, courage, and a leap of faith.”— Andrey Anikin, CEO at Alaris Labs, in conversation with Anurag AggarwalWhat happens when a linguist…becomes a schoolteacher…accidentally lands in technical support…and ends up building one of the most trusted telecom software companies in the world?You get a story like no other!In this episode of Humans of Telecom, Andrey shares:⚡ How a random job interview became the spark for a 22-year telecom journey🚀 The guts it took to leave a stable salary and build Alaris Labs from scratch🎸 The hidden musician with 10 guitars and a love for creating and performing🥊 Why he believes amateur boxing is “more chess than aggression”🏃‍♂️ How running long distances keeps his mind clear, focused, and creative📚 His lifelong love for reading — from Pushkin and Bulgakov to Ray Bradbury👨‍👧‍👦 What fatherhood has taught him about leadership, patience, and purpose❤️ And the one belief that guides his entire philosophy of life and work:“The greatest things are built on love.”From Russia to Singapore to Dubai to every telecom conference around the world —Andrey’s journey is a masterclass in resilience, discipline, humility, and heart!🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform, and follow Humans of Telecom for more extraordinary voices shaping the industry and inspiring the human spirit!
• Episode 73: Polina Gardo, Roaming Wholesale Manager at Rakuten Mobile 25.11.2025 25min

  “I didn’t chase telecom out of passion — I chased it out of necessity... But somehow, telecom became the nicest devil I could have sold my soul to!” ✨— Polina Gardo, Roaming Wholesale Manager at Rakuten Mobile, in conversation with Anurag AggarwalFrom studying analytical philosophy, logic, and existential risks…To navigating roaming wholesale at Rakuten Mobile…To finding grounding through nature, running, and the intimacy of Argentine tango…Polina’s journey is anything but ordinary!In this episode of Humans of Telecom, Polina opens up about:🧠 How game theory, moral calculus, and long-term risk analysis unexpectedly shaped her telco mindset🌍 Her global, nomadic life across Latvia, the UK, Vienna, Venice, Cape Town & Georgia🔥 Why her first telecom event became a crash course in courage, honesty, and wearing the right shoes💛 The experience of burnout — and the power of a team that gives you space to heal🎶 Her secret life as a trained musician, logic nerd, and former national-level wakeboarding athlete💃 And why Argentine tango teaches more about vulnerability, trust, and human connection than any classroom ever could!Polina’s story is a reminder that telecom isn’t just about roaming agreements or routing tables — it’s about resilience, curiosity, community, and the courage to keep trying, even when life gets overwhelming!🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform, and follow Humans of Telecom for more extraordinary voices shaping the industry and inspiring the human spirit!
• Episode 72: Craig Lennon, Global Partnerships Lead at Google 11.11.2025 31min

  “Learn to be a great teammate! I’ve played on teams where I was the best, and teams where I clearly wasn’t — and I learned a lot from both!” 🌍— Craig Lennon, Global Partnerships Lead at Google, in conversation with Anurag AggarwalFrom growing up on the Jersey Shore surrounded by the telecom greats…To shaping the way phone numbers are administered in the U.S.…To leading Google’s global partnerships in voice and messaging —Craig’s story is one of grit, gratitude, and grounded leadership!In this episode of Humans of Telecom, Craig reflects on:🚀 How a chance first job at Lucent Technologies launched a lifelong telecom journey🤝 The human lessons behind managing billion-dollar partnerships at Google💡 Why taking chances (and even failing) early is key to growth❤️ The discipline of saying “no” and the art of leading with empathy🧭 His philosophy of service — as a leader, teammate, and parent⛳ And why golf, family, and reflection keep him grounded amidst global chaos!Craig’s journey reminds us that true success isn’t found in power, but in purpose —in serving others, building teams, and believing in yourself before the world does!🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform, and follow Humans of Telecom for more extraordinary voices shaping the industry and inspiring the human spirit!#HumansOfTelecom #Podcast #Telecom #HumanStories #Google
• Episode 71: Carla Oliveira, Head of Sales (Wholesale) at Go4Mobility 28.10.2025 23min

  "I want to live to 150, and make every year to count — full of passion, gratitude, and laughter!” ❤️— Carla Oliveira, Head of Sales (Wholesale) at Go4Mobility, in conversation with Anurag AggarwalFrom being born in Angola and raised in Portugal…To finding her calling in telecom — first in retail, then wholesale…From interning at Portugal Telecom to leading global sales at Go4Mobility…To becoming one of the top three women leaders in the telco industry —this is the story of Carla Oliveira, a woman whose energy, authenticity, and zest for life light up every room she walks into!In this episode of Humans of Telecom, Carla opens up about:💫 How telco “found her” and why she fell in love with connecting people🏆 The role of teamwork and purpose in creating lasting impact💔 The deeply personal story of losing her mother mid-conference — and honoring her legacy through strength and professionalism💃 The power of dance, discipline, and daily joy🏋️‍♀️ Why her 7 a.m. gym routine keeps her grounded and sane💰 That one time she won €10,000 on a TV contest❤️ And her life’s mission — to live to 150 with passion, gratitude, and purpose!Carla’s story reminds us that success is not only about achievement — it’s about authenticity, empathy, and the courage to keep dancing through life’s highs and lows!🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform, and follow Humans of Telecom for more extraordinary voices shaping the industry and inspiring the human spirit!
• Episode 70: Rajdip Gupta, Founder & Managing Director at Route Mobile Limited 07.10.2025 28min

  “Scale sensibly to sustain — that’s the only way to build a lasting company!” 🚀— Rajdip Gupta, Founder & Managing Director at Route Mobile Limited, in conversation with Anurag AggarwalFrom bootstrapping Route Mobile in 2004 with just $2,000 and a second-hand PC…To building a $1.2 billion publicly listed global 'proficorn' (profitable unicorn) that is proudly 'Made in India, Built for the World'…To leading one of the largest CPaaS exits ever, and now steering the company within Proximus Group, along with Telesign and BICS as the newly formed Proximus Global…Rajdip’s journey is a rare story of vision, resilience, and people-first leadership!In this episode of Humans of Telecom, Rajdip opens up about:💻 The early days of coding Route Mobile on a 486 second-hand PC📈 The rollercoaster ride from bootstrapped startup to IPO on Bombay Stock Exchange in 2020🌍 Scaling globally while staying rooted in values of profitability & sustainability🏏 His unreal cricket story — from being denied a chance to play for lack of $30 spike shoes, to today owning Route Mobile’s professional cricket team❤️ His most emotional moment: when office boys and drivers became shareholders and cried seeing life-changing money in their accounts🌿 And - along with his brother Sandip - diversifying through Sanraj Family Ventures which spans across telecom, hospitality, renewable energy, sports, and even a 350-bed charitable cancer hospital in MumbaiRajdip’s story reminds us that success isn’t just about creating enterprises, but about empowering people, creating opportunities, and giving back to society!🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform, and follow Humans of Telecom for more extraordinary voices shaping the industry and inspiring the human spirit!
• Episode 69: Vimal Odedra, Founder and Director at LIYF Limited 16.09.2025 23min

  “Even when life strips you of everything familiar, you still carry the power to rise again!” 🌍— Vimal Odedra, Founder & Director at LiYF Limited, in conversation with Anurag AggarwalFrom being born in Uganda and forced to flee as a child during Idi Amin’s expulsion…To starting over in England with nothing but resilience and hope…From building an IT career at British American Tobacco…To venturing into telecoms with Annecto, launching innovative companies, and now embracing World Mobile Group’s mission to connect the unconnected…This is the story of Vimal Odedra — a journey of grit, reinvention, and purpose!In this episode of Humans of Telecom, Vimal opens up about:🚢 His family’s steamboat voyage from Uganda to the UK👬 His brother Vj Odedra - one of the world’s leading breathwork masters — pioneering the use of CO₂ science to help unlock peak performance through the power of breath📱 The moment a woman begging with two mobile phones made him see telecom as a life-changing force💡 Why innovation is his constant north star💃 Launching a fashion label at London Fashion Week and producing his first dance album🌿 His grounding practices in Reiki, nature, and energy alignment❤ How his company LIYF supports women’s health — tackling PCOS, endometriosis, menopause, and moreVimal’s story is proof that technology is at its best when it serves humanity.It’s about balancing ambition with empathy, finding harmony in chaos, and choosing courage — every single time!🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform, and follow Humans of Telecom for more extraordinary voices shaping the industry and inspiring the human spirit!
• Episode 68: Mila Budylo, Chief Commercial Officer at BSG 02.09.2025 20min

  "My wow moment hasn’t happened yet — and that’s what keeps me moving!" 🌟— Mila Budylo, Chief Commercial Officer at BSG, in conversation with Anurag AggarwalFrom lecturing in linguistics to leading one of the industry’s most prominent A2P hubs…From juggling three jobs in Ukraine just to make ends meet…To stepping — almost by accident — into telecom, and never looking back…This is the story of Mila Budylo: fearless, vibrant, and impossible to miss (just look for the brightest hair in the room 💜💗💙)!In this episode of Humans of Telecom, Mila opens up about:🌍 Growing up and working in Western Ukraine during wartime, and the resilience it takes to keep building📡 Navigating 19 years in telecom — from branded content to SMS, alternative messaging, AI voice & beyond💡 Why her most “wow” career moment is still to come🐕 Finding calm in mountain walks with her three quirky Chinese-crested dogs🎬 Her second life as a movie blogger with 80k followers🎉 And why she embraces color, rebellion, and a little irreverence in everything she doesMila’s journey is a reminder that telecom isn’t just about connections between devices — it’s about courage, joy, humor, and the human drive to keep showing up.🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform, and follow Humans of Telecom for more extraordinary voices that shape the industry and inspire the human spirit!
• Episode 67: Eva Gildum, Managing Director at Yaana Solutions 19.08.2025 24min

  "Curiosity, courage and listening — that's what being human is to me!" 🌟— Eva Gildum, Managing Director at Yaana Solutions, in conversation with Anurag AggarwalFrom a chance internship at Telia during Denmark’s GSM revolution…To learning the ropes in data & financial clearing at Dan Net…From employee #1 at NeuString (building analytics where none existed)…To today leading Yaana Solutions — supporting 130+ mobile operators worldwide.This is the story of Eva Gildum — a people-first leader who turned questions into products, and products into impact.In this candid episode of Humans of Telecom, Eva explains how she:🔎 Challenged the status quo by putting autonomy and real decision-making back in the hands of telecom professionals📊 Built analytics that translate complex roaming data into actionable value (and proved customers would pay for it)💡 Gained her masterclass in customer experience from none other than Disney!Plus — the human side you’ll love:🏃‍♀️ A “meditative runner” who clears her head on the road🎷 A saxophone player who learned to perform for hundreds (and survived the stage nerves)🧩 Quiet moments: puzzles, knitting and the introvert who also lights up the after-partyEva’s story is a reminder that innovation is equal parts tech and trust — and that curiosity + courage + listening make the best product teams.🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform, and follow Humans of Telecom for more extraordinary voices that shape the industry and inspire the human spirit!
• Episode 66: Andreas Felke, Board Advisor at IDM and AnyMessage 05.08.2025 23min

  "You can sell a company — but you can’t sell the heart you’ve poured into it!" ❤️— Andreas Felke, Board Advisor at IDM and AnyMessage, in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal.From a chance encounter with mobile messaging in a Coca‑Cola sweepstake… to building IDM into one of Europe’s largest telecom aggregators!From selling it to a global player… to the rare moment of buying it back years later!This is the story of Andreas Felke — a journey of vision, grit, and coming full circle!In this episode of Humans of Telecom, Andreas shares how a non‑tech founder built a global telecom business from scratch, navigated the highs of acquisition, endured the lows of watching his vision fade, and seized the once‑in‑a‑lifetime chance to take back what he started!Beyond work, Andreas opens up about his unconventional adventures and passions:⚾ Surviving a near‑fatal baseball accident during his university days🌊 Kite‑surfing as his ultimate escape and source of energy🤝 Building businesses where respect outweighs titles every single timeAndreas’s story is a reminder that business is never just business — it’s deeply human. It’s about protecting what you’ve built, staying true to your values, and finding the courage to return to where it all began.🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform, and follow Humans of Telecom for more extraordinary voices that shape the industry and inspire the human spirit.
• Episode 65: Simona Maga, Head of Sales and Operations Mobile Services at Sparkle 22.07.2025 23min

  "Life is not a race. There is always time to grow, and always a chance to start again." 💫— Simona Maga, Head of Sales and Operations at Sparkle, in conversation with Anurag AggarwalFrom a small Italian town near the French border…To Brazil, Switzerland, the U.S., and back to Rome...From dreams of being a painter…To leading global telecom strategy at one of the most respected names in the business…This is the story of Simona Maga — and it's anything but ordinary.In this deeply personal episode of Humans of Telecom, Simona opens up about her journey across continents, cultures, and career pivots. 𝗦𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗮 “𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱,” 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺 — 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗮 𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝘆 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲. 💪❤🎨 From brushstrokes to business strategy🏋‍♀ From the gym to the global stage🌍 From Rome with curiosity and courageSimona’s story is a beautiful blend of strength, creativity, and self-kindness — a reminder that being human means being strong yet soft, driven yet gentle, and above all, true to yourself.🎧 Tune in to this unforgettable episode on your favorite podcast platform, and follow Humans of Telecom for more extraordinary voices that move the industry forward and remind us what it means to be human!
• Episode 64: Sam Evans, Senior Managing Director at FTI Delta 07.07.2025 26min

  “Mentor someone so one day they can be your boss!”– Sam Evans, Senior Managing Director at FTI Delta, in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal, Founder of Humans of Telecom🎙 Featured two years in a row in the Capacity Power 100 List, Sam isn’t just shaping telecom strategy — he’s shaping people, communities, and careers.In this new Humans of Telecom episode, we go beyond the polished boardrooms and industry roundtables to meet the rock band member turned marathon runner, the introvert who commands stages, and the father who jams to Taylor Swift with his daughters on weekends.From the corridors of GSMA to the global influence of the ITW Leaders Forum, Sam takes us through the surprising stops along his journey —💡 His first brush with media through free CDs and university radio📺 His TV moment on The Weakest Link🏛 Breakfast in the staff canteen of the U.S. Supreme Court🥊 A quick foray into amateur boxing🧠 And the mentors who helped shape the leader he is today💬 Honest, reflective, and full of insight — Sam reminds us that passion and people always come before PowerPoint.🎧 Tune in to this unforgettable episode on your favorite podcast platform, and follow Humans of Telecom for more extraordinary voices that move the industry forward and remind us what it means to be human!
• Episode 63: Gisselle Ramirez, Sales Executive at Shred-it 26.06.2025 20min

  “When there’s no space for you — make your own! When there’s no door — build one! Neurodiverse kids don’t need pity — they need opportunity!” – Gisselle Ramirez, Sales Executive at Shred-it, in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal.From the bright aisles of RadioShack to impactful roles at T-Mobile, AT&T, Altice USA, and The Telecom Company, Gisselle has walked the talk in telecom! 📶But that’s only one side of her incredible story!In this candid episode, Gisselle shares how her early love for tech and people turned into a career built on human connection and resilience. We unpack her transition from neuroscience labs 🧠 to selling copper lines and wireless bundles, and how she’s now shaping a future in information destruction and cybersecurity. 🛡️We also dive into her passion project: "Bronx Special Kids" 🌱 — an initiative helping children with disabilities unlock independence through sustainability, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy.Gisselle talks about cosplaying, Caribbean dancing 💃, and the thrill of bungee jumping at the age of 10 years (much to her mom’s horror 😅). But more than anything, she speaks from the heart—about living authentically, creating space for neurodiversity, and building a more inclusive world!🎧 Tune in to this unforgettable episode on your favorite podcast platform, and follow Humans of Telecom for more extraordinary voices that move the industry forward and remind us what it means to be human!
• Episode 62: Richard Kwabena Asare, CEO at We2Stars Ghana 10.06.2025 21min

  “If I leave this earth tomorrow, I want people to say I was truthful and compassionate!”– Richard Kwabena Asare, CEO at We2Stars, Ghana, in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal, Founder of Humans of TelecomToday, we spotlight the story of man who’s lived many lives and stayed true through them all! In this candid episode, Richard shares how a childhood fascination with cars and traffic-lights led to a love for systems and communication! He talks about his time in healthcare and finance, and why telecom was never the plan—but became the passion!Giving a sneak preview into his future plans, Richard ppens up about building a VoIP app, and what it takes to break into a crowded industry with purpose! He also reflects on how farming grounds him, and why his BMW is his therapy! And, finally, he reminds us that kindness, compassion, and truth are the real legacy!Richard’s story is equal parts grit, grace, and Ghanaian spirit!🎧 Tune in to this unforgettable episode on your favorite podcast platform, and follow Humans of Telecom for more extraordinary voices that move the industry forward and remind us what it means to be human!