Shows / Connected Conversations
Connected Conversations
We live in the most connected era in history — and one of the loneliest. Connected Conversations, hosted by Elena Petrova, is the show about the art and science of human connection. Each week, Elena sits down with psychologists, technologists, community builders, cultural translators, and frontline practitioners to explore how we reach each other — through language, culture, body language, and human-centered technology — and how we build the communities that give our lives meaning.
Episodes
Connected ConversationsAgeism Is the One Bias We Still Laugh At | Erin Maruzzella
Most of us would wince at a joke about someone's race or gender. We still laugh at "senior moments."In this episode of Connected Conversations, recorded in…
Connected ConversationsNice Wants to Be Liked. Kind Wants to Be Trusted. | Debra Mitchell
Being nice feels safe. It can also cost you, your team, and the change you're trying to lead. In this episode of Connected Conversations, Elena Petrova sits…
Connected ConversationsEveryone Saw Her. Nobody Said Hello. | Evelyn Chumbow
She was nine years old, a few miles from the U.S. Capitol, and everyone could see her. Nobody said hello. In this episode of Connected Conversations, Elena…
Connected ConversationsYou Don't Have a Community. You Have an Audience!
Most leaders say they're building a community. Most of them are building an audience. In this episode of Connected Conversations, recorded in Denver, Elena…
Connected ConversationsWho Is This System Actually Built For? | Camilla Halford
She was eight years old, handed back a test covered in corrections, and told that her dyslexia was her reason to be better than everyone else, because she…
Connected ConversationsLoneliness Isn't a Feeling. It's a Design Choice | Camilla Halford
What if loneliness isn't something you feel, but something that was built? In this episode of Connected Conversations, Elena Petrova sits down with Camilla…
Connected ConversationsBelonging Is a Two-Way Street: What a City Inclusion Officer Learned Building It
What if belonging isn't only something you feel when you walk into a room, but something you help build for the people who walk in after you? In this episode…
Connected ConversationsThey Built It for Romance. People Chose Friendship | Kyle Venn
When Yik Yak matched thousands of students for a three-week experiment, the team expected almost everyone to want romance. What people actually reached for…
Connected ConversationsCan Anonymity Actually Build Belonging? | Kyle Venn, CEO of Yik Yak
When no one knows your name, do you tell the truth, or do you show your worst? In this episode of Connected Conversations, Elena Petrova sits down with Kyle…
Connected ConversationsWhy Companies Still Aren't Built to Hire Deaf Talent | Lisa Mae Brunson
Lisa Mae Brunson was born hard of hearing. For years, she says, it was just a fact of her life, until she started building for her community and saw how many…
Connected Conversations"Right Now It's All a Show": A Founder's Honest Take on Inclusion | Lisa Mae Brunson
What if the most inclusive team you could build starts with one reframe: the human first, the role second? Lisa Mae Brunson has spent a decade building Wonder…
Connected ConversationsHe Grew Up With No Computer. Now He's Building AI for 70 Languages
Ten languages moved freely through the house Sheriff Issaka grew up in. Then he came to the US and watched the people he loved most be unable to say a word to…
Connected Conversations"Tell Him He's Right": How a Photographer Learned to Stop Playing God | Rick Smolan Part 2
The story continues. And it gets stranger. In 1978, Rick Smolan was twenty-eight years old andphotographing an eleven-year-old girl in Korea when her…
Connected ConversationsHow Technology Is Changing Storytelling Forever | Rick Smolan
Rick Smolan has spent more than four decades telling stories that connect people across cultures, generations, and technologies.In this mini episode of…
Connected ConversationsForty Thousand Children, One Best Friend Met in Line, and a Camera That Crosses Every Language
Rick Smolan was twenty-eight years old, photographing for Time magazine, when a dying grandmother in a Korean village asked him to take her eleven-year-old…
Connected ConversationsHow to Spot Fake AI Solutions Before You Buy?
How do you know whether an AI solution is actually useful — or just good marketing?In this mini episode of Connected Conversations, Elena Petrova sits down…
Connected ConversationsWhy is the smartest move in healthcare AI sometimes to slow down on purpose?
Most organizations are racing to deploy AI. Far fewer are asking what responsible governance should look like before they do. In this episode of Connected…
Connected ConversationsThe Hidden Problem With AI Marketing Nobody Talks About
What happens when every business starts using the same AI tools? According to Masha Sharma, VP of Merchant Experience at Groupon, we are entering a world where…
Connected ConversationsIn 18 Months Your Customers Won't Be Talking to You. They'll Be Talking to Your Agent. | Ep. 52 - Masha Sharma
"In eighteen months, most small-business owners won't be talking to their customers. They'll be talking to their agents." Masha Sharma leads merchant…
Connected ConversationsThe Digital Divide Is Becoming a Language Divide. The Educator Trying to Stop It.
AI, Inclusion, Digital Learning, and Why Human Connection Still Matters with Bryan Chicas In this episode of Connected Conversations, Elena Petrova sits down…
Connected ConversationsWhy Your Content Isn’t Converting (And What To Do Instead)
Most people think visibility builds a business. It doesn’t. Connection does. In this episode of Connected Conversations, Naowshaba Ferdous breaks down what it…
Connected ConversationsFeeling Uncertain About the Future? Watch This
Jordana Cole explains how to navigate uncertainty, AI anxiety, and change—by focusing on what you can actually control.
Connected ConversationsYou’re Not as Logical as You Think (And It’s Costing You as a Leader) | Jordana Cole
You’re not as logical as you think. And that might be your biggest advantage as a leader. In this episode of Connected Conversations, hosted by Elena Petrova…
Connected ConversationsWhy Helping Others Is Slowly Breaking You (And What To Do About It)
You don’t have to experience trauma directly to be affected by it. In this mini episode of Connected Conversations, Brooke Bralove breaks down the critical…
Connected ConversationsTrauma, Burnout & the Brain: Why You Can’t Communicate Under Stress | Brooke Bralove
When your brain goes into survival mode, communication breaks down. In this episode of Connected Conversations, hosted by Elena Petrova (Founder & CEO of Ad…
Connected ConversationsWhen Language Is a Matter of Life or Death! | Marilyn Lovo
Language access isn’t a service. It’s a human right. In this episode of Connected Conversations, Elena Petrova, Founder and CEO of Ad Astra Inc. and…
Connected ConversationsAI Won’t Replace You - But Someone Using AI Might | Sree Sreenivasan
AI isn’t the threat. Complacency is. In this episode of Connected Conversations, Elena Petrova speaks with Sree Sreenivasan — digital communications expert…
Connected ConversationsPatriarchy, Power & Survivor Leadership in Anti-Trafficking Work | Jessica Muñoz
“At the center of healing is autonomy." In this mini episode, Jessica Muñoz connects trauma-informed communication to systemic power structures, and explains…
Connected ConversationsTrauma-Informed Communication: How to Recognize & Help Survivors | Jessica Muñoz
What if the systems designed to help survivors are causing more harm? In this powerful episode of Connected Conversations, host Elena Petrova speaks with…
Connected ConversationsHow to Build a Trust-Based Culture in the Age of AI | Mini Episode 44
How do you build a strong culture when AI feels both like an opportunity and a threat? In this mini episode of Connected Conversations, with Brian Kathman, CEO…
Connected ConversationsThe Truth About AI, Trust & the Future of Work - with Brian Kathman | Episode 44
AI is everywhere, but trust, context, and human skills still matter more than ever. In this episode, we sit down with Brian Kathman, CEO & Co-Founder of…
Connected ConversationsLanguage Access Is a Human Right: Omari Jeremiah on Youth, Policy & Interpreting
What happens when people can’t understand the systems meant to support them? In this episode of Connected Conversations, host Elena Petrova, founder and CEO of…
Connected ConversationsWhen Language Access Fails: Why Human Interpreters Still Matter | Silvia Xalabarde
What happens when language access fails — and who pays the price? In this episode of Connected Conversations, host Elena Petrova speaks with Silvia Xalabarde…
Connected ConversationsRebuilding Trust After Crisis: Accountability, Community & Leadership | Jason Armstrong (Ep. 41 - Part 2)
What does it really take to rebuild trust after it’s been broken? In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, Connected Conversations host Elena Petrova continues…
Connected ConversationsConnected Conversations Ep. 41 | Building Trust in Tough Times: A Conversation with Jason Armstrong (Part 1)
In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Elena Petrova sits down with Jason P. Armstrong — retired police chief, National Law Enforcement Officer Hall of Fame…
Connected ConversationsConnected Conversations – Ep. 40 | History Doesn’t Repeat - But It Rhymes: A Global Perspective with Atul Singh
What can history teach us when the world feels like it’s falling apart? In this wide-ranging conversation, Elena Petrova sits down with Atul Singh, Founder and…
Connected ConversationsConnected Conversations – Ep. 39 | Veterans Day Special: Paris Moeini on Leading with Empathy - from Combat to Community
Released on Veterans Day, this episode of Connected Conversations honours the service, leadership, and global impact of U.S. Army veteran Paris Moeini. Host…
- Connected Conversations
Human VS AI Translations | Thoughts by Robin Ayoub #connectedconversations #aitranslation
Artificial intelligence is transforming the localization and language industry faster than ever.From translation workflows to content delivery, automation is…
Connected ConversationsConnected Conversations – Ep. 38 | AI vs. Human Insight: Robin Ayoub on the Future of Localization and Trust
What happens when tech accelerates faster than trust? In this episode of Connected Conversations, Elena Petrova sits down with Robin Ayoub, Founder of…
Connected ConversationsConnected Conversations – Ep. 37 | The Price of Comfort: Why Real Change Requires Discomfort | Amira Barger
What does it really take to drive change in today’s workplaces? In this compelling episode of Connected Conversations, host Elena Petrova is joined by Amira…
Connected ConversationsConnected Conversations – Ep. 36 | More Than Words: Pedro Díaz on Language Access & Health Equity in Pediatric Care
How do we make healthcare feel safer, more human, and more equitable? In this special episode of Connected Conversations, host Elena Petrova speaks with Pedro…
Connected ConversationsConnected Conversations – Ep. 35 | Language as Resistance: Eugenia Urrere on Indigenous Voices and Digital Justice
What if preserving a language meant preserving a world? In this episode of Connected Conversations, host Elena Petrova speaks with Eugenia Urrere, founder of…
Connected ConversationsConnected Conversations – Ep. 34 | Holding On When Everything’s Changing - Analia Cordero
How do we stay grounded when the world feels upside down? In this episode of Connected Conversations, host Elena Petrova meets with Analía Cordero, a…
Connected ConversationsConnected Conversations – Ep. 33 | Capturing Truth: Lele Heredia on Storytelling Through the Lens
What makes a story powerful enough to connect people across borders? In this episode of Connected Conversations, host Elena Petrova sits down with Lele…
Connected ConversationsConnected Conversations – Ep. 32 | Breaking the Mold: Julia Risso on Disability and Social Change
Is coexistence enough, or is it time we rethink the way we build community? In this powerful episode of Connected Conversations, host Elena Petrova speaks with…
Connected ConversationsConnected Conversations – Ep. 31 | The Real Journey to Becoming a Professional Interpreter | Amparo Villar Garcia
What does it take to become a professional interpreter today, and how does AI fit into the picture? In this episode of Connected Conversations, host Elena…
Connected ConversationsConnected Conversations – Ep. 30 | The Power of Community: Voices from Ad Astra
What does community mean in a global company where every voice matters? In this special episode of Connected Conversations, host Elena Petrova brings together…
Connected ConversationsConnected Conversations – Ep. 29 | Transforming LATAM with Sustainability and AI – Facundo Armas
What if Latin America was seen not as a resource to extract—but a region of opportunity? In this episode, Elena Petrova sits down with Facundo Armas…
Connected ConversationsConnected Conversations – Ep. 28 | Voices of the Future: Supporting Multilingual Students with Joe Callahan
💛 Ready to help? Donate here:https://bit.ly/Voicesofthefuture As Ad Astra celebrates its anniversary, we're shining a spotlight on what matters most…
Connected ConversationsConnected Conversations – Ep. 27 | Awakening Potential Through Movement with Elena Maugere
What if we stopped asking what a child can’t do—and instead started unlocking what they can? In this transformative episode of Connected Conversations, host…
Connected ConversationsConnected Conversations – Ep. 26 | Executive Orders, Labor Law & Remote Work: Insights from Attorney Scott Mirsky
What does the recent wave of executive orders mean for employees, employers, and independent contractors? In this critical episode, labor and employment…
Connected ConversationsConnected Conversations – Ep. 25 | Autism, Inclusion & the Power of Community with Carina Morillo
How can we build a world where everyone feels included, regardless of their communication style?In this enlightening episode of Connected Conversations, Carina…
Connected ConversationsConnected Conversations - Ep. 24 | War, Identity & Activism: A Ukrainian Voice from the Frontlines
What does resilience look like in the face of war? In this deeply personal and powerful episode, we sit down with Margaryta Suvorova, a Ukrainian nurse…
Connected ConversationsConnected Conversations – Ep. 23 | Designing for Healing: Trauma-Informed Spaces with Ghizlaine Mallek
Can the spaces we live and work in help us connect & heal? In this transformative episode of Connected Conversations, Ghizlaine Mallek explores the world of…
Connected ConversationsConnected Conversations - Ep. 22 | Language, AI & Advocacy with Dr. Bill Rivers
How does language advocacy shape national security, economic development, and AI ethics? In this insightful episode of Connected Conversations, we sit down…
Connected ConversationsConnected Conversations - Ep. 21 | Fitness, Wellness & the Mind-Body Connection with Alessia Martullo
How does fitness go beyond the gym to create lasting lifestyle changes? In this episode of Connected Conversations, we sit down with Alessia Martullo, Founder…
Connected ConversationsConnected Conversations - Ep. 20 | Love Across Cultures: Relationships, Identity & Connection
How does love evolve across cultures and generations?In this heartfelt Valentine’s special, we explore love, relationships, and identity through the lens of…
Connected ConversationsConnected Conversations - Ep. 19 | Youth Leadership, Advocacy & Creative Expression w. Lily Scheckner
How can young leaders use creative expression to drive social change? In this inspiring episode of Connected Conversations, we speak with Lily Scheckner, the…
Connected ConversationsConnected Conversations - Ep. 18 | Education, Equity, and Global Change with Ramya Vivekanandan
How can education empower communities and bridge global divides?In this episode of Connected Conversations, we sit down with Ramya Vivekanandan, Senior…
Connected ConversationsConnected Conversations - Ep. 17 | Leadership, Culture, and Change with Vince Brantley
How is leadership evolving in today’s world, and why are empathy and connection more important than ever? In this episode of Connected Conversations, we speak…