THE 6IXCAST

In this episode of The 6IXCAST, we’re joined by Mike Schill, CEO and Co-Founder of Full Circle Agency, former top producer at Grant Cardone, and former Division 1 athlete at Florida State University, for a powerful conversation on ambition, personal branding, sales discipline, and building a life with lasting impact.

Drawing on his personal journey from being adopted at a young age to building a career shaped by education, athletics, sales, leadership, and entrepreneurship, Mike shares how discipline, environment, adaptability, and relentless self-belief helped him create momentum across every stage of his life.

This conversation goes beyond business tactics. We unpack what it really takes to build credibility, communicate with confidence, lead with value, and develop the mindset required to pursue ambitious goals without limiting yourself.

Key topics discussed:
• Why education and application both matter
• How personal background can shape ambition and resilience
• The role of belief and discipline in achieving big goals
• Why personal branding matters in today’s digital age
• How content, communication, and visibility build trust
• The biggest mistakes people make when starting a personal brand
• Lessons from high-performance sales environments
• Why sales training, roleplay, and accountability are essential
• How leaders can build a culture of performance
• The importance of follow-up, customer relationships, and ownership
• How to regain sales momentum through daily action

Mike also shares practical advice for entrepreneurs, sales professionals, students, and leaders who want to build stronger brands, sharpen their communication, and create long-term impact through consistent action.

This episode is essential listening for entrepreneurs, sales professionals, business leaders, students, and anyone looking to build confidence, credibility, and real momentum in their personal and professional life.

 

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In this episode of The 6IXCAST, we’re joined by Dr. Murat Kristal — Professor at the Schulich School of Business, Executive Director of the Institute of Digital Business, and Program Director of the Schulich Tech MBA — to explore one of the most misunderstood topics of our time: Artificial Intelligence.

Drawing on his expertise in analytics, machine learning, and digital transformation, Murat challenges the way we define AI, arguing that what many describe as “intelligence” is often advanced large-scale pattern recognition rather than true human reasoning.

This conversation goes beyond hype and headlines. We unpack how AI is reshaping industries, redefining workforce structures, and changing the future of knowledge work — while exposing major gaps in how people are educated and prepared for the modern economy.

Key topics discussed:
• The biggest misconception about AI and “intelligence”
• The future of software engineering and knowledge work
• How AI is reshaping junior vs senior talent dynamics
• Productivity vs employment — where the economy may be heading
• Why modern education may be failing systems thinking
• The human skills that will matter most in an AI-driven world
• AI’s impact across industries and workforce structures
• Whether AI could widen inequality — and what can be done about it

Murat also shares practical perspectives on how students, professionals, founders, and business leaders can remain relevant in an increasingly automated world — focusing on systems thinking, judgment, adaptability, and curiosity.

This episode is essential viewing for founders, executives, board members, educators, and emerging leaders navigating the next era of technological disruption.

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In this episode of The 6IXCAST, we’re joined by Pam Laycock -Corporate Director, President of the Schulich Global Alumni Network, and former C-suite executive and Chief of Staff at Torstar - to unpack what it really takes to lead through continuous disruption.

Drawing on a 32-year career across media, digital transformation, eCommerce, governance, and the boardroom, Pam shares hard-earned insights on where strategy, technology, and human leadership intersect - especially in the age of AI.

This conversation goes beyond tools and trends. We explore how leaders can navigate AI-driven change, manage transformation fatigue, and adapt to rapidly changing environments without losing clarity or trust.

Key topics discussed:
• How strategy and technology intersect
• Leading through AI disruption and uncertainty
• Adapting to fast-changing business environments
• Leadership frameworks that provide clarity under pressure
• Women in leadership: owning success, finding sponsors, and navigating bias

This episode is essential viewing for founders, executives, board members, and emerging leaders navigating the velocity of change.

Catch more episodes of The 6ixcast here: https://the6ixcast.podbean.com/

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Maria Shibaeva-Escarraga, Award-Winning Educator, TEDx & Harvard Speaker, former P&G Brand Director, and Faculty at the University of Toronto, joins Waruna Kulawansha for an insightful conversation on what it truly takes to thrive in today’s evolving professional world.

In this episode, Maria shares her global career journey and unpacks how professionals can build intentional yet flexible career strategies while navigating multicultural identities, personal branding, and rapid technological change.

In this episode, we explore:

• How to design a flexible but purpose-driven career strategy

• The power of transferable skills across industries and cultures

• Navigating multicultural identity while staying authentic and competitive

• Personal branding, communication, and leading your own life

• Using AI as a career accelerator—without losing human authenticity

This episode is packed with practical insights, real-world stories, and actionable frameworks for professionals, leaders, and career-builders navigating change, growth, and global opportunities.

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Maria Shibaeva-Escarraga ➔ https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariashibaeva

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Ashley Konson, Award-Winning Educator, Marketing Professor, and Brand Expert, joins Waruna Kulawansha for a deep, thought-provoking conversation on branding as a core business strategy, not just a marketing function.

This episode is a masterclass on how modern brands grow, why penetration, not loyalty, is the real driver of scale, and how leaders should think about brand building in an AI-driven, performance-obsessed digital world.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why “your brand is your business” and how branding drives long-term growth

• Kotler’s customer-centric framework vs. Ehrenberg-Bass’s empirical science of branding

• Mental availability, physical availability, and the 95-5 rule

• The Double Jeopardy Law and why even luxury brands must focus on penetration

• Balancing short-term ROI with long-term brand equity in modern marketing

• Why the traditional marketing funnel may be outdated—and how to focus on future buyers

This episode is essential listening for entrepreneurs, marketers, founders, and strategy leaders looking to build durable brands and sustainable competitive advantage.

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Ashley Konson ➔ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleykonson

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Chandra De Keyser (CEO) and Ashish Malpani (CGO) of Voicera joined Waruna Kulawansha for a virtual fireside chat exploring how artificial intelligence can be built with sincerity, emotional intelligence, and trust at its core.

In this episode, the conversation unpacks how leaders can responsibly scale AI-driven products while navigating global teams, evolving user expectations, and the constant tension between speed and perfection in product development.

In this episode, we explore:

• How AI can embody sincerity and emotional intelligence
• The role of trust in building and adopting emerging technologies
• Leadership challenges in globally distributed organizations
• Balancing rapid innovation with product quality and long-term vision

This episode offers valuable insights for founders, product leaders, and technologists building in high-velocity environments where trust and human connection matter as much as innovation.

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Chandra De Keyser ➔ https://www.linkedin.com/in/chandradekeyser
Ashish Malpani ➔ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashishmalpani

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https://youtu.be/hCgenFAUx90

Brandon Johnson, technology leader, digital product management expert, and culinary enthusiast, joins Waruna Kulawansha for a wide-ranging conversation on how businesses are (and aren’t) successfully adopting AI and digital innovation in today’s uncertain economic climate.

Drawing from over a decade of experience leading digital products and transformations across for-profit and nonprofit sectors, Brandon shares a human-centric perspective on technology emphasizing strategy, culture, and inclusion over tools alone.

In this episode, we explore:

• Brandon’s personal and professional journey in technology, leadership, and innovation

• Why businesses often put technology before strategy—and why that approach fails

• How digital innovation has evolved in an AI-infused world

• Human-centric AI: solving real problems while protecting quality of life

• The role of diversity, inclusion, and change management in building better technology

• What keeps organizations from digitally transforming—and how culture plays a critical role

• Practical ways traditionally run companies can adopt AI and digital tools

• Leadership, vision, and building a sustainable digital culture

• A lighter side of the conversation: food, creativity, and inspiration beyond tech

This episode is packed with insights for business leaders, product managers, technologists, and founders navigating digital transformation while keeping people at the center of innovation.

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Brandon Johnson ➔ linkedin.com/in/brandonmaya.

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Waruna Kulawansha welcomes Shay Nulman, Co-founder and CFO of Mantaro Capital Corp., for a wide-ranging conversation on life, leadership, and long-term success.

In this episode, Shay shares his journey through venture capital, banking, and entrepreneurship—reflecting on how discipline, mindset, and true purpose shape both personal fulfillment and professional growth. The discussion moves seamlessly from family values and life lessons to the realities of building and scaling businesses in today’s economic climate.

In this episode, we explore:

• Shay’s life journey, career trajectory, and personal definition of success
• The influence of family, parents, and evolving perspectives over time
• Mantaro Capital Corp. and how it creates value across global Amazon marketplaces
• A clear breakdown of venture capital: funding stages, investor expectations, and common founder mistakes
• What investors really look for in founders, teams, and ideas
• How the venture capital landscape has evolved post-pandemic
• Emerging markets and sectors shaping the future of investment
• Mindset fundamentals: discipline, goal setting, learning, purpose, and working with influential people

This episode offers practical insights for founders, operators, investors, and professionals striving to align ambition with meaning, and to thrive through uncertainty.

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Shay Nulman ➔ linkedin.com/in/shay-nulman-3612462

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Subodha Senevirathne, Founder & CEO of Sharpline Mechanical, joins Waruna Kulawansha, CEO of 6IXSENSES, for a candid conversation on entrepreneurship, risk-taking, and the mindset required to build and sustain a business.

In this episode, Waruna and Subodha unpack the realities of starting and running a company, beyond the headlines and success stories, to explore the challenges, trade-offs, and long-term rewards that come with choosing the entrepreneurial path.

In this episode, we explore:

• What defines the entrepreneurial mindset and why it matters

• The importance of taking calculated risks in business

• Challenges entrepreneurs face when building and scaling companies

• Lessons learned from real-world leadership and execution

• How resilience, discipline, and vision shape long-term success

This episode is a must-listen for aspiring entrepreneurs, founders, and business leaders considering the leap into entrepreneurship or seeking clarity on whether the risk is truly worth it.

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Subodha Senevirathne
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CEO of 6IXSENSES Waruna Kulawansha sits with Aleem Visram -Founder, Transform Financial. They discuss a range of topics related to the dynamic social media age, and Aleem shares his strategies for staying ahead of the curve. They dive deep into the new post-pandemic trends in social media, emerging apps among Gen Z, user-generated content, and how to position a social media strategy with a business’ brand strategy. Aleem also shares his thoughts on today's mainstream events in the social media realm.