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that BlueCoat Guy

that BlueCoat Guy

Written by: Sachin Menon
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About this listen

The world is noisy. This podcast isn’t.

That Blue Coat Guy brings you unfiltered conversations on business, technology, AI, leadership, and the ideas shaping what’s coming next, straight from founders, operators, and thinkers who are actually in the game.

This podcast is for builders, professionals, and curious minds who want clarity over hype, depth over trends, and real insights you can think with, not just consume.

🎙️ New episodes drop twice a week.

2025 Sachin Menon
Economics Leadership Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Inside Cornell: How Ivy League Students Really Use AI | A Cornell Student’s Bold Take | Tianyi Chen
    Feb 12 2026

    What does AI look like through the eyes of someone who is actually growing up with it?

    In this episode, I sit down with Tianyi Chen, a student leader at Cornell who isn’t just using AI — she’s building communities around it.

    Tianyi is:

    • Founder of the Computational Sustainability Club
    • Executive Vice President of the Cornell Data Journal
    • Deeply involved in AI, sustainability and leadership on campus

    And here’s what impressed me — she doesn’t treat AI as a shortcut.

    She treats it as a responsibility.

    We spoke about:
    • Why students should “solve first, prompt later”
    • Why AI can accelerate sustainability instead of destroying it
    • Why leadership among smart peers isn’t about IQ — it’s about trust
    • Why she chose startup life over research
    • And why AI can define a tear… but can’t understand why you cried

    This generation isn’t waiting for policies or permission. They are building.

    And Tianyi represents that mindset.

    🔑 Key Takeaways From The Conversation

    ✔ AI should assist your thinking — not replace it
    ✔ Sustainability needs data acceleration, not just ESG buzzwords
    ✔ Leadership is about facilitation, not intellectual superiority
    ✔ Community building is invisible work before visible impact
    ✔ Interdisciplinary skills = future-proof careers
    ✔ Startup environments build adaptability faster than classrooms

    🎉 Fun Facts From The Podcast

    • Best place she thinks clearly? Library stacks — you can hear a pin drop.
    • Her AI tool of choice? Notion AI note taker.
    • Sleep schedule? 10 PM to 6 AM — non-negotiable.
    • Late-night debugging? Absolutely not.
    • Sustainability buzzword she’s tired of? ESG.
    • Most unexpected fun class? Introduction to Ancient Rome.
    • If AI were a classmate? Overachiever.

    If you care about:
    – Responsible AI
    – Sustainability beyond greenwashing
    – Leadership in high-performance environments
    – How Gen Z is actually thinking

    This episode is for you.

    Connect with Tianyi Chen:

    🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tchen06/

    Connect with Me:

    🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sachin-menon/
    🔔 Subscribe for more grounded conversations on AI, leadership & the future of work.

    This is 101 Talks — where we break big ideas into simple, honest conversations.

    See you in the next one.

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    18 mins
  • AI Is Built on Rare Earths - And Most People Have No Idea Where They Come From | Balazs Sarkany
    Feb 11 2026

    The conversation with Balazs Sarkany delves into the uncomfortable truth about material sourcing, the challenges of supply chain transparency, and the critical role of material validation. It highlights the impact of rare materials on AI, EVs, and clean energy, emphasizing the need for ethical sourcing and traceability. Additionally, it explores India's potential role in the critical materials ecosystem and provides insights into supply chain myths, AI hype, and regulatory impact.

    Takeaways

    • Materials Validation
    • Supply Chain Transparency

    Chapters

    • 00:00 The Uncomfortable Truth About Materials
    • 07:44 The Importance of Material Validation
    • 18:37 Rare Materials and Their Impact
    • 35:24 India's Role in Critical Materials Ecosystem
    • 41:54 Rapid Fire Round
    Show More Show Less
    35 mins
  • AI in Sales -From Hype to Real Impact | Conversation with Ioanna Mantzouridou Onasi, CEO of Dextego
    Feb 5 2026

    The conversation delves into the intersection of AI, sales, and leadership, exploring the role of AI in personalized coaching, the importance of empathy in sales, and the impact of AI on leadership development. Ioanna shares insights on the future of work, the use of AI in emerging markets, and the ethical considerations of AI in business.

    Takeaways

    • AI's role in personalized coaching
    • The importance of empathy in sales
    • The impact of AI on leadership development
    • The future of work and the use of AI in emerging markets
    • Ethical considerations of AI in business

    Chapters

    • 00:00 The Intersection of AI, Sales, and Leadership
    • 05:11 Sales: People First, Technology Second
    • 19:47 The Role of AI in Sales and Leadership
    • 25:07 The Future of Work and AI in Emerging Markets
    Show More Show Less
    35 mins
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