Humans of Telecom

Episoade

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  Episode 88: Andrew Ward, Sales Director at NGN Corp 08.09.2026 18min

  "Treat everybody the same. The cleaner. The CEO. Your job title or bank balance doesn't make you more valuable than anyone else!" — Andrew Ward, Sales Director at NGN Corp, in conversation with Anurag AggarwalFrom a council estate in Coventry...to dreadlocks that earned him the nickname 'Bob'...to becoming one of the most beloved faces in global messaging,Bob's journey is one of hustle, heart, and genuine human connection!In this episode of Humans of Telecom, Bob opens up about:🎯 The phone call from his childhood friend Ollie Gibbons that first pointed him toward telecom - and how that one conversation changed everything👔 The legendary job interview at Nexmo with Daniel Richards and David Vigar - where David walked in with no shoes, slammed his feet on the table, and told Bob to lose the tie immediately or forget being hired🎵 A full DJ setup at home with two turntables, a mixer, and a vinyl collection spanning house, R&B and reggae - the neighbors are less than thrilled🏥 Five days in a coma at age seven after falling off a brick wall - the scar on his forehead is still there as a reminder🚗 A major car crash two days after passing his driving test - and getting the car repaired as fast as possible so he could get back on the road🥊 Boxing, the gym, and eating well - because staying sharp physically keeps him sharp everywhere else🏖️ A passionate beach lover with Jamaican roots who fully intends to escape the UK winter - every single year❤️ And his core belief - we are all flawed, we all make mistakes, and none of us have this figured out. What matters is how you treat people along the wayFrom Bob Marley to NGN Corp -Andrew Ward is proof that the best people in this industry are the ones who never forget where they came from!🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform, and follow Humans of Telecom for more extraordinary voices shaping the industry and inspiring the human spirit!
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  Episode 87: Alisa Dzic, Head of SMS Department at VX Telecom 25.08.2026 21min

  "Starting from scratch and being like a student at the age of 37 isn't easy... But I realized that if I didn't do it now, I will never have enough courage to do it!" — Alisa Dzic, Head of SMS Department at VX Telecom, in conversation with Anurag AggarwalFrom the colorful world of television in Moldova...to cold-calling a telecom company for a sales role they weren't even advertising...to becoming Head of SMS in just four years -Alisa's journey is one of courage, curiosity, and unstoppable reinvention!In this episode of Humans of Telecom, Alisa opens up about:📺 The television career she loved - and the moment she realized that loving something isn't always enough reason to stay🌍 Why she walked away from a comfortable life in Moldova to start from zero in the international telecom world - at 37📧 The cold email that changed everything - applying for a finance role she wasn't qualified for, just to ask if she could join the sales team instead🎉 The serious professional by day who transforms into the life of the party by night - and how her colleagues took a while to believe both were the same person🐴 Three years of horse riding - and the quiet discipline it takes to stay in the saddle👗 A designer in her own right - sketching outfits, choosing fabrics, and working with a tailor to bring her fashion ideas to life🚶 10,000 steps a day, Spanish lessons on headphones, and podcasts on the go - because Alisa is always learning something new💭 The one thing she would change about herself - the overthinking - and why she is already working on it❤️ And her definition of being human - being someone people can call at any hour, in any situation, and know help is on the wayFrom Chisinau to the global telecom stage -Alisa is proof that it's never too late to begin again, and that the best careers are often the ones you weren't planning for!🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform, and follow Humans of Telecom for more extraordinary voices shaping the industry and inspiring the human spirit!
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  Episode 86: Giovanni Benini, Co-Founder at Global Telco Consult (GTC) 13.08.2026 21min

  "Founding GTC with Jose Garcia was the best professional decision of my life! Every client gives me a new lens through which to see this industry!" — Giovanni Benini, Co-Founder at GTC, in conversation with Anurag AggarwalFrom dreaming of becoming the next Einstein in Bologna...to building SIP prototypes at Siemens in the year 2000...to co-founding one of the most respected consulting firms in the global telecom ecosystem...Giovanni's journey is one of curiosity, reinvention, and remarkable depth!And then - right in the middle of this podcast - he did something nobody saw coming.He proposed to his wife. Live. On air. After 27 years!Only on Humans of Telecom!In this episode of Humans of Telecom, Giovanni opens up about:🔭 The physics student who wanted to be Einstein - until he realised research meant spending a lifetime on something only three people in the world cared about🚀 The father-son rocket project that won a national competition at the National Physical Laboratories in the UK - three years of perfecting, one year of winning🌍 Five countries, one identity - in Italy he's the German, in Germany he's the Italian. He calls himself simply European⛪ The odd one out in the family - both his brothers became Catholic priests, which at least explains why his parents have grandchildren👨‍💻 A son who has just founded helmit.org - an AI-powered platform protecting children from cyber bullying on social media - and a father who couldn't be more proud🌱 Gardening between Zoom calls, rollerblading through Munich on Monday nights with 10,000 others, and table tennis three times a week - Giovanni's antidotes to the telecom grind💍 And the moment that made this episode truly unforgettable - a live, heartfelt, long overdue proposal to his wife Connie, 27 years in the making, right here on this podcast!From Bologna to Boston to London to Munich -Giovanni is proof that the best careers are built on genuine curiosity, the best partnerships on mutual trust, and the best love stories - well, sometimes they just need a little more 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!
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  Episode 85: Anna Potapova, Head of Global Strategic Partnerships at AB Handshake 04.08.2026 24min

  "I bring a little bit of that wildness into my meetings and my conferences! Our industry needs it!" — Anna Potapova, Head of Global Strategic Partnerships at AB Handshake, in conversation with Anurag AggarwalFrom a mountain hostel in the middle of nowhere…sitting on the floor with a laptop on her pillow…choosing between her dream FMCG company and a telecom startup she had known for just one month —Anna didn't hesitate for even an hour. She chose the mission. And she never looked back!In this episode of Humans of Telecom, Anna opens up about:🌍 How she turned down Procter & Gamble to join a telecom startup — because purpose always mattered more than prestige🛡️ Why fighting telecom fraud isn't just about protecting operators — it's about protecting real people, families, and their finances🏄 The corporate powerhouse who disappears into Morocco with a backpack, a surfboard, and ten strangers in a hostel — and loves every second of it!🧘 A certified yoga teacher who practices almost every day — not to teach others, but to stay grounded, recharged, and truly herself🐘 Toto — the baby elephant she adopted in Kenya through the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, because giving back is never just about the big gestures💍 A wedding this summer in the most personal of announcements — on this very podcast — to a wonderful man from Mallorca who made Spain feel like home!🌺 A mother who ran her own business and never once limited her daughter's imagination — and whose entrepreneurial spirit lives on in everything Anna does❤️ And her definition of being human — love. Not just the romantic kind, but love as a philosophy, a compass, and the most powerful force in a world full of conflict!From Valencia to Washington DC to Morocco to Kenya —Anna is proof that the boldest careers are built not on the safest choices, but on the ones that make your heart say yes without hesitation!🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform, and follow Humans of Telecom for more extraordinary voices shaping the industry and inspiring the human spirit!
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  Episode 84: Brian Moon, CEO at Pacific Telecommunications Council (PTC) 21.07.2026 29min

  "PTC has been around for over four decades, and most people in the local community had no idea what we were doing... That was my first big lesson!" — Brian Moon, CEO at Pacific Telecommunications Council (PTC), in conversation with Anurag AggarwalFrom the island of Guam to the world's biggest tech event stage...from leading biz dev at CES to leading a nearly 50-year-old telecom council in Honolulu...from blank stares at the words "submarine cable" to cheers at the mention of YouTube and Roblox -Brian's journey is one of curiosity, connection, and coming full circle!In this episode of Humans of Telecom, Brian opens up about:🌊 How moving to Honolulu to lead PTC wasn't just a career move - it was a deeply personal full-circle moment rooted in his Pacific identity🎪 Over 15 years at the Consumer Technology Association leading biz dev at CES - and what running the world's most influential tech event taught him about leading a global industry council🏫 The career day at an elementary school where blank stares at "submarine cable" turned into cheers for YouTube and Roblox - and why that moment captures everything about our industry's communication challenge👟 The confession that surprised everyone - over 300 pairs of shoes and a very understanding wife🌏 30 plus countries visited and counting - because in this industry, the world is both very big and very small🤝 His family and friends test - if the people closest to you are asking about something your industry is doing, that means you are finally breaking through🌺 The cultural education of arriving in Hawaii and realising that a 40-year-old organisation still had to earn its place in the local community👧 Speaking with young women from Pacific Island nations who are hungry for the same opportunities as everyone else - and why that fuels everything he does❤️ And his quiet but deeply moving definition of legacy - no words needed, just a pause and a smileFrom Guam to Rochester to Washington DC to Honolulu -Brian is proof that the most unconventional paths often lead to the most meaningful destinations!🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform, and follow Humans of Telecom for more extraordinary voices shaping the industry and inspiring the human spirit!
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  Episode 83: Nancy Aboushakra, Head of Messaging & Digital Sales at Bayobab 07.07.2026 20min

  "Once you overcome one challenge, you know you can face the next one. That's when I stopped being afraid!" — Nancy Aboushakra, Head of Messaging & Digital Sales at Bayobab, in conversation with Anurag AggarwalFrom a ten-year-old girl in Lebanon who heard that engineering is for men…to building messaging businesses from scratch across three companies…to closing landmark deals with the world's biggest hyperscalers —Nancy's journey is one of defiance, determination, and dazzling impact!In this episode of Humans of Telecom, Nancy opens up about:⚙️ How an internship at Monty Mobile turned into a full-time offer — because she took every task more seriously than anyone expected📈 The accidental pivot from engineering to sales — and how she grew the wholesale business by 20-30% before anyone even gave her the title🏆 Winning the Capacity Award for Best Innovative Deals with Hyperscalers — and what it felt like when all the hard work finally came together in one room🎯 Breaking an arrow with her throat at the Millionaire Mind Intensive — because limits, as she discovered, only exist in the mind!🏨 Seven years of living in serviced apartments in Dubai — because why not give Nancy the lifestyle she deserves?📚 Why Surrounded by Idiots is the book that changed how she reads people — and how she applies it every single day at work👠 The girl who could have gone into fashion — and still brings that same eye for excellence into everything she does❤️ Her powerful LinkedIn voice — speaking up for women in STEM, salary equality, and the self-doubt that quietly holds so many back💡 And her core belief — do good to people when no one is watching, don't hurt others to climb the ladder, and never judge what you don't fully understand!From Beirut to Dubai, from engineering school to the boardroom —Nancy is proof that when a young girl decides to break barriers, the industry had better pay attention!🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform, and follow Humans of Telecom for more extraordinary voices shaping the industry and inspiring the human spirit!
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  Episode 82: Wade & Koddi Dunn, Co-Founders of Love Mobile 23.06.2026 36min

  "We didn't start a company and decide to give back. We decided to give back – and so we started a company!"– Wade & Koddi Dunn, Co-Founders of Love Mobile, in conversation with Anurag AggarwalA single mom. A single dad. A nine-hour online conversation that lasted until sunriseEighteen years of marriage, seven children, two companies, and one powerful idea –What if your monthly phone bill could change the world?That's the story of Wade and Koddi Dunn!In this episode of Humans of Telecom, Wade and Koddi open up about:💕 How they met online before DMs were even a thing – and talked through the night until the sun came up👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Building a blended family of seven children spanning two decades – and why their favourite destination is the family group chat📱 Love Mobile – the cell phone company built entirely on the belief that every phone bill should give back to the community🏫 Four pillars of giving: education, the environment, community services, and pet adoption – hyper local, hyper meaningful🌊 A first date at the aquarium – because when you've talked online for weeks across 600 miles, you make the first meeting count🎬 A national TV appearance on House Hunters on Vacation – six kids, matching outfits across three days of filming, and memories they still laugh about today🚗 Wonder trips – no destination, just a full tank of gas, an open road, and a conversation that solves the world's problems before they get back home📺 Koddi's secret passion – international dramas watched only in their native language, subtitles and all, with their nine-year-old locked in right beside her❤️ And their shared philosophy – don't just build a business, build a legacy that your children can point to and say, my parents saw a problem and tackled it head on!From a kitchen table conversation about the state of the world…to a telecom company that turns every subscriber's bill into an act of love –Wade and Koddi are proof that the most powerful businesses are built not on strategy, but on purpose, partnership, and an unshakeable belief that people come first!🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform, and follow Humans of Telecom for more extraordinary voices shaping the industry and inspiring the human spirit!
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  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: How To Lose Your Job and Find Your Dream Career" — 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!
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  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
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  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!
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  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!
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  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!
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  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!
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  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!
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  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!
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  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!
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  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
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  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!
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  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!
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  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!