How do experienced sales leaders actually use AI in 2026?

In this trailer, Simon McDermott breaks down the real sales tech stack he’s using today — from AI-assisted contracts and CRM workflows to AI SDRs and pipeline intelligence.

We talk about what AI genuinely replaces, where it saves time, and why human judgment, narrative, and taste still matter more than ever in sales.

A practical, honest look at modern go-to-market — without the hype.

Hosted by Zivile (Zivi) Einikyte.

Full conversation with Simon McDermott on the Perception Paradox podcast, E121.

What does it mean to sell in 2026?

In this episode of Perception Paradox, Zivile sits down with Simon McDermott, Head of Sales at Talentpilot and a go-to-market leader with 25 years of experience across enterprise and startups - including Cisco, Intel, and high-growth tech companies like Brandwatch and Supernova.

Simon shares how AI is reshaping sales workflows, why narrative and product-market fit still define success, and where human judgment becomes the real competitive advantage.

A thoughtful conversation about selling, motivation, and staying human in an AI-driven world.

Connect with Simon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/startandscale/

Hosted by Zivile (Zivi) Einikyte: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zivileeinikyte/Chapters

Chapters

00:00 Introduction Trailer

01:02 Opening

03:01 Sales Journey and Experience

06:14 Sales Strategies and Team Dynamics

08:59 The Role of Technology in Sales

12:03 AI Tools and Their Impact on Sales

14:55 Human Connection in Sales

18:06 Motivation and Personal Insights

21:05 Advice for New Founders

24:11 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Everyone talks about AI.
Very few talk about what actually powers it.

In this trailer, Tarik Krim explains why the current AI boom isn’t limited by money or talent - but by infrastructure: chips, energy, data centers, and political reality.

From GPU shortages to rising energy costs, this conversation exposes the physical limits behind digital ambition - and why the next phase of AI may be far messier than most people expect.

This isn’t hype.
It’s the part of the AI story most people are avoiding.

👉 Full episode on Perception Paradox.

Hosted by Zivile (Zivi) Ein

In this episode of Perception Paradox, Oisin Lunny shares the simple practices that help him stay grounded while living a high-intensity, global life on stage.

From transcendental meditation to movement, silence, and presence — this isn’t about hacks or productivity tricks.It’s about finding what actually calms your waves.

🎙️ Presence over performance

🌊 Balance over burnout

Full episode on Perception Paradox podcast (E120) with Oisin Lunny.

Oisin Lunny is one of those rare people who can slow a room down — presence, kindness, curiosity… and serious craft behind it.

In this episode of Perception Paradox, we talk about:

• how Oisin moved from corporate life in the UK to living off-grid in Spain
• why events are a “petri dish for serendipity”
• the real, unseen work behind being a great MC (prep, time discipline, speaker care)
• meditation, creative practice, and staying healthy while constantly on the move
• why AI makes human connection more important, not less

If you’re an MC, founder, event organizer, or someone building a life around creativity + freedom — you’ll take notes.

👇 Connect with Oisin / listen to his work:
https://oisinlunny.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/oisinlunny/

Hosted by Zivile (Zivi) Einikyte

https://www.linkedin.com/in/zivileeinikyte/

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Oisin Lunny and His Journey

04:26 The Power of Positivity and Mindfulness

07:11 Meditation and Self-Regulation Techniques

10:27 Understanding Serendipity in Life and Business

13:34 Balancing Goals with Serendipity

16:24 Transitioning from Corporate to Freelance Life

19:23 The Shift to Off-Grid Living

22:35 The Role of Music in Oisin's Life

25:22 Maintaining Creativity and Balance

29:28 The Joy of Continuous Learning

31:46 Preparation: The Key to Successful Events

37:45 Post-Event Reflections and Energy Management

40:48 Podcasting Journey and Insights

44:44 Health and Lifestyle in a Busy World

48:31 Finding Opportunities in the Event Space

In this trailer, Egita Polanska, Founding Partner at Outlast Fund, breaks down why every tech cycle looks the same — and why this AI wave is no exception.

From early adopters, to mass experimentation, to the hard question investors care about most:
who can actually build something that lasts?

Her answer is clear:

• Trends come and go

• Infrastructure matters

• But at the early stage, it’s still about founders

Resilience, adaptability, and problem-solving beat hype — every time.

🎧 Full episode available now.

In this episode of Perception Paradox, Zivile sits down with longtime friend Egita Polanska, investor and partner at Latvia-based Outlast Fund, to unpack what it really takes to build a startup that lasts.

They discuss Egita’s path from accelerator and ecosystem roles to launching a fund across the Nordics and Baltics, what she looks for in founders, and why 2026 is pushing everyone back to fundamentals—solving real problems, building with resilience, and outlasting the hype (including the next phase of AI).

A conversation about long-term thinking, founder psychology, and the truth behind early-stage investing.

About Egita: Egita Polanska is a Founding Partner at Outlast Fund and a long-time builder of the Baltic and Nordic startup ecosystem. With over a decade of experience, she has worked hands-on with early-stage founders across Europe, leading accelerator programs and supporting companies from first traction to scale. Previously, Egita held leadership roles at Startup Wise Guys, Startup House, and Techstars Seattle, and has been deeply involved in shaping Latvia’s startup landscape through TechHub Riga, TechChill, and national innovation initiatives.

Connect with Egita: https://www.linkedin.com/in/egitapolanska/
Hosted by Zivile (Zivi) Einikyte:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/zivileeinikyte/

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to Perception Paradox

04:47 The Birth of Outlast Fund

10:43 Investment Strategies and Trends

12:45 Current Trends in the Startup Ecosystem

15:46 Identifying Resilient Founders

20:03 Balancing Data and Emotion in Investment

20:19 Why Stay in the Startup Scene?

22:33 Looking Ahead: Trends in Startups and AI

26:39 Challenges Faced by Investors

29:31 Differentiating in a Competitive Market

32:53 Finding Inspiration and Overcoming Fears

Everyone is looking for a longevity shortcut.

But there isn’t one.

In this paradox byte, Erika explains why longevity is deeply personal - rooted in sleep, movement, nutrition, mental health, and self-responsibility. Science isn’t chasing a magic pill. It keeps pointing us back to the same foundations.

Longevity isn’t about living forever.

It’s about living well - longer.

Full conversation on Perception Paradox.