🎙️ Human Unicorn Podcast — Episode Title:

"Conviction Over Consensus: Rebecca Kaden on Backing What Others Miss"

📄 Episode Description:

In this episode of Human Unicorn, Nihal Mehta talks with Rebecca Kaden, General Partner at Union Square Ventures, about how to spot — and stick with — breakthrough ideas before they’re obvious.

Rebecca shares how her path from journalism to VC shaped her investment lens, what it takes for a company to be truly venture scale in 2025, and why some of the most transformative businesses don’t look like obvious winners at the start.

They explore:

• How she defines "venture scale" today: speed, markets, and return potential
• The difference between consensus picks and conviction bets
• What founders should know before pitching USV
• Lessons from early investments in companies like Etsy, Carta, and Helium
• Why storytelling and point-of-view matter more than ever in crowded markets

If you're a founder looking to raise — or an investor sharpening your filter — this episode delivers real insight into how top-tier VC decisions get made.

🎙️ The Human Unicorn Podcast | Episode: Mike Mignano — Building the Future of Creativity with AI

This week, Nihal Mehta welcomes Mike Mignano — co-founder of Anchor, former Head of Talk Audio at Spotify, partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners, and now co-founder of Oboe, a groundbreaking new company reimagining how we create using AI.

Mike shares his unique perspective as both a repeat founder and investor on the frontlines of the creator economy and artificial intelligence. In this episode, we dive into:

• Why Mike launched Oboe to reinvent creative tools for the AI-native generation
• The evolution from audio platforms to multimodal AI
• What AI will actually mean for artists, storytellers, and everyday creators
• The “missing layer” in consumer creative software
• What kind of founders and ideas he's backing at Lightspeed

If you're thinking about building in AI, creator tech, or the next wave of human expression — this episode is your playbook.

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Hosted by Nihal Mehta

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The Cultural Architect: Anjula Acharia on Spotting Stars and Building Movements

Anjula Acharia isn’t your typical talent manager or venture capitalist. She’s the visionary who orchestrated Priyanka Chopra’s historic crossover to Hollywood, founded one of the first viral podcasts (DesiHits), and invested early in unicorns like ClassPass and Masterclass. From a six-hour life-changing meeting with music legend Jimmy Iovine to becoming one of the most influential voices in South Asian representation globally, Anjula has spent two decades shaping culture at the intersection of music, entertainment, and technology.

In this episode with host Nihal Mehta, Anjula reveals her philosophy of “no desperation,” why she listens with two ears but speaks with one mouth, and how serendipity—not planning—has guided her extraordinary journey. From telesales in England to pacing the streets of New York City with Priyanka, from working with Lady Gaga to launching ABC’s “Quantico,” Anjula’s career is a masterclass in recognizing talent, building community, and trusting that destiny will find you.

Topics covered:

∙ The untold story of Priyanka Chopra’s American crossover

∙ Life-changing mentorship from Jimmy Iovine and the music industry

∙ How to spot unicorns: tech stars, pop stars, and film stars

∙ The art of listening and seeing around cultural corners

∙ Investing philosophy behind ClassPass and other breakout companies

∙ Advancing South Asian culture and representation globally

∙ Why “no desperation” is the ultimate superpower

∙ Building movements through community over competition

Anjula continues to shape global culture as a talent manager, investor, venture partner, and the force behind the legendary annual Diwali celebration that brings together the most influential voices in tech, entertainment, and business.

Human Unicorn Pod - Conversations with extraordinary humans building the future.