In this episode, hosts Asher Mathew and Kelly Sarabyn engage with Serrah Linares, Senior Vice President of Growth Innovation at Optum, in a compelling discussion on the future of healthcare partnerships. This episode unpacks how technology, APIs, and strategic alliances are reshaping healthcare delivery and innovation. Chapters 5:02 - Healthcare tech: EMRs, APIs, and data exchange 10:57 - Industry evolution: Adoption of technology in healthcare 17:50 - Partnerships and interoperability in health...
Mar 10, 2025•45 min•Ep. 36
Elena Leonova, Chief Product Officer at Spryker, joins Unlearn to discuss how product leaders should rethink their approach to partnerships. She explains why transparency in product roadmaps is critical, how developer ecosystems drive platform success, and why product managers need to integrate partners into their strategy. This episode is packed with insights on structuring partnerships for scale, and positioning partnerships at the executive level. Chapters: 01:33 - The Role of Partnerships in...
Feb 19, 2025•54 min
Join hosts Asher Mathew and Kelly Sarabyn as they engage with Alan Chhabra, a seasoned executive with a rich history at MongoDB, now leading partnerships at Cerebras. This episode unpacks Alan's journey from engineering to executive roles, offering insights into building robust partner organizations and strategies for collaborating with hyperscalers. Chapters - - 01:24 - Alan's Background and Journey into Partnerships - 05:54 - Building a Successful Partner Organization at MongoDB - 10:0...
Feb 04, 2025•1 hr 3 min
In this Unlearn episode, Asher Mathew and Kelly Sarabyn sit down with Jason Graefe, a seasoned Microsoft executive. With over two decades at Microsoft, Jason shares his journey from a field seller to leading Microsoft's engagement with software development companies. This episode explores leadership lessons, the transformative impact of generative AI, and Microsoft's strategic approach to partnering with software companies. Chapters: - 01:02 - Jason Graefe's Career Journey at Microsoft - 04:36 -...
Jan 14, 2025•54 min•Ep. 33
In this episode of the Unlearn podcast, Asher Mathew and Kelly Sarabyn chat with Anwar Haneef, Head of Ecosystem at Canva, about the company's innovative approach to empowering developers. Anwar explores Canva's ecosystem, showcasing tools like the Apps SDK and Connect API, which enable seamless integrations across platforms. He shares insights on Canva’s expansive reach, partnerships with industry giants like Meta and Salesforce, and how the $50 million Developer Innovation Fund supports sustai...
Dec 02, 2024•55 min•Ep. 32
On this episode of the Unlearn podcast, hosts Asher Mathew and Kelly Sarabyn connect with Eron Sunando, Asana's Head of Channels & Alliances. Fresh from Asana's Partner Summit, Eron brings a unique perspective on how partnerships can simplify the increasingly complex world of business technology. Drawing from his globe-trotting career that spans from UBS to Salesforce, Eron unpacks the challenges facing today's businesses – from overwhelmed SMB owners to sales teams juggling multiple tools. ...
Nov 22, 2024•53 min•Ep. 31
On this episode of the Unlearn podcast, hosts Asher Mathew and Kelly Sarabyn welcome Rich Gardner, a partnership maven with a knack for turning industry insights into actionable strategies. Fresh from events like Catalyst and Dreamforce, Rich shares his take on peer-to-peer learning and aligning partnerships with the big picture. Drawing from his time at Klaviyo, Rich dives into the nitty-gritty of being a true partnership operator. Join us for a candid conversation about where partnerships are ...
Oct 21, 2024•54 min
On this episode of the Unlearn Podcast, hosts Asher Mathew & Kelly Sarabyn engage in a compelling discussion on the impacts of social media. They are joined by author Tobias Rose-Stockwell, known for his book "Outrage Machine," Tobias, a seasoned researcher in technology's societal impacts, shares insights gathered over a decade of study. His expertise sheds light on how platforms like Slack can disrupt workplace dynamics and productivity. The episode delves into the complexiti...
Jul 31, 2024•52 min
On this episode of the Unlearn podcast, hosts Asher Mathew and Kelly Sarabyn sit down with Ritu Khanna, Vice President of Partnerships at Shopify. Under Ritu's leadership, Shopify has unified previously segmented partner functions, generating new synergies that drive the company's continued hypergrowth. With a proven track record in transforming traditional models to thrive amidst digital disruption, Ritu offers valuable insights into connecting ecosystems, embracing disruption, and guiding part...
Jul 20, 2024•49 min
On this episode of the Unlearn Podcast, hosts Asher and Kelly connect with Louise McEvoy, Vice President of US Channel Sales at Trend Micro. Louise shares her insights on building channel programs while balancing a demanding career with her passion for mountain climbing. The discussion covers topics such as obtaining executive buy-in for new models, modernizing competencies for channel leaders, and prioritizing tasks as a busy executive. The speakers explore adapting to changing market condition...
Jul 12, 2024•51 min
On this episode of the Unlearn podcast, we discuss leadership with Rachel Skaff, Managing Director of North America Partner Sales at AWS. At AWS, she oversees the channel sales organization for North America, focused on accelerating growth through partners. Joined by hosts Asher and Kelly, Rachel shares insights from her diverse career path and transforming AWS's partner model. The conversation explores challenges of work-life balance, especially for female executives, and offers advice for ...
Jun 15, 2024•55 min
In this episode of the Unlearn podcast, hosts Asher Mathew and Kelly Sarabyn sit down with Mekaela Davis, Chief Partner Officer at Trintech. With experience at both Big 4 consulting firms and enterprise software companies, Mekaela shares her unconventional journey to becoming a CPO. She discusses the diverse skills required and the importance of executive-level accountability. Mekaela also offers insights into building a partner-first culture, optimizing ISV partnerships, and translating qualita...
Jun 13, 2024•59 min
On this episode of the Unlearn Podcast, hosts Kelly and Asher are joined by Bob Rosin, a seasoned professional with a diverse career spanning the B2B industry, startups, and leadership roles at companies like Sony, LinkedIn, and Stripe. Rosin shares insights into strategic partnerships, emphasizing the importance of understanding partners' goals and creating mutual value. He highlights LinkedIn's mission-driven approach and discusses the evolving Chief Business Officer role in driving ho...
May 07, 2024•1 hr 3 min
On this episode of the Unlearn Podcast, hosts Kelly and Asher chat with Greg Sarafin about his extensive career journey at IBM and EY. Greg highlights the significance of grasping a company's business model, and distinguishing between scarcity and abundance mindsets. He emphasizes the success potential of companies embracing abundance by partnering to deliver client outcomes effectively. The conversation also covers topics such as the impact of cloud technology on collaboration, prioritizing out...
Mar 19, 2024•1 hr 1 min
On this episode of the Unlearn Podcast, we dive into the world of partnerships with Nicole Dezen, the Chief Partner Officer at Microsoft. In this insightful conversation, hosts Asher and Kelly sit down with Nicole to explore her extensive career in partnerships, the intricate partner organization structure at Microsoft, and her invaluable perspectives on crucial topics shaping the future of the partner ecosystem. Listen in, as Nicole and the hosts engage in a thought-provoking debate on various ...
Mar 15, 2024•54 min
On this podcast episode of the Unlearn Podcast, we are joined by Hong Choing from Oracle, who has over 25 years of experience leading global partnerships. Listen in, as he shares how strategic collaborations currently supercharge innovation, accelerate time to market, and help companies leapfrog competitors. He dives into the critical success factors and challenges in managing partnerships at massive global scale. This is a can't-miss discussion for any leader who wants their company and par...
Feb 28, 2024•54 min
On this episode of the Unlearn podcast, Listen in to Asher and Kelly talk to Christopher Engman, a veteran in the mega deals space. He discusses the differences between selling to large enterprises versus small businesses and how marketing plays a bigger role in mega deals due to the complexity of decisions. He emphasizes the unique approach needed for mega deals, highlighting the impact of complex decision-making in matrix organizations. Christopher explores the evolving landscape of mega deals...
Feb 21, 2024•51 min
On this episode of the Unlearn podcast, listen in to Peter Caputa, where he delves into his role at Databox, an analytics platform with a unique Benchmark feature. Discover how Databox helps companies harness data for decision-making, and their partner program for accessible data-driven insights. The conversation also explores community building, product launch challenges, and Caputa's journey from engineer to CEO. Learn about his expertise in sales, partnership strategies, and the dynamic b...
Feb 21, 2024•59 min
On this podcast episode of the Unlearn Podcast, listen in to Doug Landis as he delves into marketing strategies in the digital age, discussing challenges and innovations with Asher Mathew and Kelly Sarabyn. They touch on startup layoffs and acquisitions in the venture capital industry, shedding light on the experiences of B2B SaaS investment firms and the evolving landscape of founder mental health. The conversation expands to include AI funding, sales and marketing challenges, and the evolution...
Jan 19, 2024•54 min
On this episode of the Unlearn podcast, Join hosts Kelly and Asher as they talk to Kristen Jacobson, a growth marketer and head of digital operations at UST. Kristen unfolds her unconventional journey into marketing and how her entrepreneurial background has shaped her unique approach to growth marketing. Their discussion spans a spectrum of intriguing topics, from the influence of pop culture on B2B marketing to forging emotional connections with customers.
Oct 18, 2023•52 min
Join hosts Kelly Sarabyn and Asher Matthew in the latest episode of the Unlearn Podcast, featuring the insightful David Linthicum, Chief Cloud Strategy Officer at Deloitte. Together, they embark on a journey to unlock the secrets of supercharging technology in the business world. They fearlessly confront questions about whether plucky startups can take on industry giants and why innovation can sometimes be elusive for large corporations.
Oct 09, 2023•48 min
Join hosts Kelly Sarabyn & Asher Matthew on the Unlearn Podcast as they delve into a lively chat with Go-to-Market expert Amanda Malko. Discover Amanda's journey to guilt-free time off and her ingenious use of the regret minimization framework. Unearth the evolution of marketing in the digital age, and how Amanda envisions a strategic upheaval, with CEOs steering the ship. Tune in for insights on the modern CMO's power, crafting stellar customer experiences, and unraveling the myster...
Sep 06, 2023•54 min
On this episode of the Unlearn podcast, join hosts Kelly and Asher as they sit down with Nate, a dynamic partnerships leader, to unravel his fascinating journey from business process outsourcing to the world of financial services and banking partnerships. Discover how Fintech partnerships evolved amidst regulatory challenges and data sensitivity, and learn about his groundbreaking integration framework. Plus, Nate shares essential tips for aspiring partnership leaders.
Aug 02, 2023•50 min
On this episode of the Unlearn podcast, Join hosts Kelly and Asher as they dive deep into the fascinating world of startups and fundraising with none other than Rand Fishkin, Founder of the revolutionary SparkToro. Listen in to Rand as he shares the secrets of the startup ecosystem, unraveling the mysteries surrounding fundraising and addressing some of the structural challenges within the current system.
Jul 26, 2023•58 min
On this episode of the Unlearn podcast, listen in to Bruce Cleveland, a renowned tech industry executive of Oracle, Marketo, and Siebel Systems, as he delves into the ethical implications of AI for HR and why he prefers a hard charging, in-office culture. He also shares his view on future-proof GTM leadership and expounds upon the strategic power of partnership models.
Jul 13, 2023•1 hr 2 min
Peter Evans, Chief Strategy Officer at McFadyen Digital, shares how marketplaces are disrupting traditional businesses. Peter has over 20 years of experience leading teams in assessing, framing, and implementing high-priority marketplaces that support business planning. He specializes in helping companies see around corners, anticipate key market trends, and craft platform and marketplace strategies that drive major multi-year growth initiatives.
Jun 28, 2023•45 min
On this episode of The Unlearn Podcast, listen in to Jeff Barr, Vice President and Chief Evangelist for Amazon Web Services (AWS), where he has been working for over 20 years. He is known for his influential blog, the AWS News Blog, which targets builders, developers, architects, CTOs, and students. Over time, Jeff has built a team of bloggers and implemented a streamlined content creation process. His approach involves simplifying complex topics to make them accessible to a wide audience....
Jun 07, 2023•52 min
On this episode of The Unlearn Podcast, listen in to David Meerman Scott of Stage 2 Capital share his thoughts on AI and its impact on marketing in the coming years. David is an acclaimed author with 12 published books that have sold over a million copies in 30 languages. He currently serves as an independent advisor and investor in emerging companies that are transforming their industries by delivering disruptive products and services.
May 24, 2023•41 min
On this week’s episode of the Unlearn Podcast, we talk to Ross Brown of Oracle about the evolution of the Partnership model and leveraging this model to generate revenue. Ross is a well-traveled business professional with a diverse background that spans across different industries. He began his career as a software developer but eventually realized that it wasn't his passion. He then went on to work for several technology companies such as MicroAge franchise, Worldwide Technology, Tech Data,...
May 10, 2023•1 hr 7 min
Get ready for a riveting episode of The Unlearn Podcast! Join us as we delve into the brilliant mind of Geoffrey Parker as he shares his insights on Creating Value Through Platforms and how this applies to B2B tech, scalable building and avoiding technical debt on the journey from product to platform.
Apr 18, 2023•56 min
