Localization Fireside Chat

Simplecast Final Episode Description (with YouTube link included)

In this episode, Robin Ayoub sits down with Councillor Dipika Damerla (Ward 7, Mississauga) for a grounded conversation on a topic many cities are facing: Should municipalities raise foreign national flags at City Hall?

🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/7zz2h2IAtFc

We explore how this discussion affects unity, division, and how public funds should be prioritized for the people who live in the city. From service delivery and taxation to short term rental rules and e scooter regulation, this episode tou...

In this Localization Fireside Chat, we sit down with Natalia Rivero, CEO de Ecogas, for an inspiring conversation about leadership, resilience, and the power of preparation.

Natalia shares how she became the first woman CEO in an industry historically led by men, what it means to lead a highly regulated energy company in Argentina, and the cultural transformation that Ecogas is experiencing under her leadership.

We talk about work-life balance, being a mother while building an executive career, the importance of education and continuous learning, and how women can prepare, grow, and lead confidently.

In this episode of the Localization Fireside Chat, Robin Ayoub talks with Jacob Crocket, Founder of HireAligned, about how hiring is moving beyond resumes and instinct. Jacob explains how AI Guided Culture Assessments help companies understand their real cultural DNA, align talent with teams, and reduce turnover through better fit based hiring.

We dig into why fit first, skills second can improve retention, how culture can be measured through data, and why companies must move away from gut based hiring decisions if they want strong, lasting teams.

A valuable discussion for founders, HR leaders, hiring...

In Episode 134, Robin Ayoub speaks with Sukhi Dhillon Alberga, B.A. (Hons), J.D., the lawyer and founder behind Counselurdocs, a legal tech solution designed to simplify complex legal agreements for startups, founders, and law firms.

We explore how she built the platform, how the Law Society of Ontario innovation approval changed the journey, and how automation can empower business owners to understand contracts clearly while maintaining legal integrity.

Topics covered:
• Legal tech transformation
• Reducing risk and saving time
• Automating shareholder agreements, NDAs, employment contracts, and more
• Legal training for students and juni...

In Episode 133, Robin Ayoub sits down with Marsha Clark, Champion for Women, Identity and Self Worth. Together they unpack the realities, challenges and victories of women in leadership roles, discussing what confidence really looks like and how power and voice evolve through self awareness and experience.

This episode brings a real, unfiltered exchange that many women will resonate with. Themes include leadership identity, self worth, confidence building, women navigating professional spaces and how to rise with grace and strength.

Listen if you want inspiration, honest perspective and a meaningful leadership conversation.

Credits<...

In this episode of the Localization Fireside Chat, Robin Ayoub sits down with Victor Varnado — a comedian, producer, writer, cartoonist, and founder of Magic Bookifier, an AI-powered writing assistant designed to help creators draft books faster and stay focused.

Victor went from performing stand-up on major shows like Conan and Jimmy Kimmel Live to building tech products and entrepreneurship through Supreme Robot. His creativity blends with technology in a unique way, driving forward tools for writers, students, and neurodivergent thinkers.

We explore:
• Comedy as a communication + creativity superpower
• How Magic Bookifier guides users to dra...

In Episode 131 of the Localization Fireside Chat, David Smith, founder of ElderBerry.work, joins Robin Ayoub to discuss one of the most overlooked opportunities in hiring today — the power of 45 plus talent and how senior expertise can accelerate business growth faster than traditional hiring models.

We explore why companies are losing knowledge capital, how fractional leaders help founders move faster with better decisions, and why AI cannot replace the judgment, pattern recognition, and intuition that only experience shapes.

This conversation is for founders, hiring managers, HR leaders, and anyone thinking seriously about the future of wo...

In Episode 130 of the Localization Fireside Chat, Joshua (Josh) Hill of SuperHired breaks down why so many hiring processes feel broken, even with AI everywhere.

Josh shares lessons from the Army and from leading teams in high pressure environments, then applies them to recruiting, Talent Density, and modern HR.

You will hear why bot versus bot recruiting is killing signal, why your resume has barely evolved since Leonardo da Vinci, and how to think about work as a product so you attract and keep the right people, not just the loudest ones.

What...

In this episode of Localization Fireside Chat, Sam Millunchick, founder of Pathos Labs and former combat medic, explains why most leaders think they have a pitch problem when they really have a nervous system problem.

Sam shares how his background in combat medicine and rabbinic training led him to coach founders, executives, and investment professionals who live in constant pressure cycles. We talk about staying calm in high stake meetings, why listening beats perfect scripting, how to read what people actually care about, and how to build a body that supports your message instead of fighting it.<...

What you will learn
• How Mississauga property tax increases are built and why affordability is under pressure
• The limits of municipal revenue and where provincial and federal governments shape local budgets
• Why police spending is such a large line item and what council can and cannot control
• How an Auditor General and stronger oversight can protect taxpayers and improve transparency
• Practical ways residents can engage, read the budget, question big ticket items, and hold leaders accountable

Chapters
00:00 Intro and why this episode focuses on community issues
02:00 Dipika’s journey from India to ban...

What you will learn
• Why conversations create pipeline and shorten the sales cycle
• How to lead with story, mission, and fit rather than checkboxes
• Where AI belongs for notes and ops, not human judgment
• A simple system that turns content into warm intros and opportunities
• Habits founders and sales leaders can use to stay consistent

Chapters
00:00 Intro
02:05 Why conversations beat algorithms for B2B growth
07:20 Story first networking in practice
12:10 Authenticity and trust based selling
18:00 Using AI for notes and follow ups
23:45 From content to pipeline, the connec...

Welcome to Episode 126. In this episode of the Localization Fireside Chat, EA Clarke, Founder of Pivot + Edge, shares a clear, story led approach to hiring. We dig into why great teams market the mission before they screen resumes, how culture fit beats keyword matching, where AI can help without replacing judgment, and the simple ways leaders can attract true believers who stay and perform.

What you will learn
• Why story first recruiting attracts candidates who believe in the mission
• How to define culture fit and stop hiring only by checkboxes
• Where AI belongs, notes and op...

In this episode of the Localization Fireside Chat, I sit down with Pascale Tremblay to ask a hard question. How do we scale with AI without flattening culture or meaning We dig into language as identity, quality that protects trust, public service parity, and guardrails that keep people in the loop.

We explore practical ways leaders can use AI for scale while keeping human judgment at the center. If your roadmap chases speed and volume, this conversation will help you balance scale with credibility.

💡 What you’ll learn in this episode:

✅ How to stop AI...

Welcome to Episode 124: In this episode of the Localization Fireside Chat, we share a clear playbook for buying a franchise the right way. We dig into time freedom vs myth, how to filter brands, what to read in the FDD, and the calls you must make before you invest. You will leave with a simple system to choose, validate, and operate with confidence.

What you will learn

• How to define your role first then pick the brand

• A fast filter to sort winners from hype

• What to check in Item 19, training, territ...

Welcome to Episode 123: In this episode of the Localization Fireside Chat, Viveta Gene, PhD shares a clear, human-first view of how to build quality in localization. We talk about why teams should pay for thinking not typing, how to use AI as a tool without losing the human edge, and practical ways buyers can source, scope, and measure work that actually moves outcomes.

What you will learn

• Why cognitive effort in post editing and review should be measured and compensated

• How to design human in the loop so AI speeds work without lowering qual...

When sales feel heavy, results stall and stress climbs.

In this practical episode, I sit down with Dr. Deepak Bhootra, Sandler trainer and sales strategist, to unpack a calm, repeatable approach to selling that wins more and stresses less. We dig into emotional fluency, coaching the middle of the team, AI as an assist, and the career rebuild playbook from his new book Rise Up.

Together, we explore the questions many teams avoid:

Can mindset and process lower stress while raising win rates

How do you coach the middle 50 percent for...

In this episode of the Localization Fireside Chat, I sit down with Silvia Xalabarde (President @ STIBC) and Peter Madahian (President @ CLIA) to discuss a historic first for Canada’s language industry, the coming together of all provincial language associations for the 2025 National Language Industry Conference in Calgary. We explore how this unprecedented collaboration aims to strengthen Canada’s translation and interpreting community, focusing on advocacy, collaboration, and the evolving role of AI in our profession.

💡 What you’ll learn in this episode: ✅ How Canada’s language associations are joining forces for the first time ✅ Why advocacy and national collab...

When language access fails, lives are at stake.

In this deeply moving episode, I sit down with Silvia Salabarde, President of the Society of Translators and Interpreters of British Columbia (STIBC), to discuss a recent tragedy in Canada where the absence of an interpreter led to fatal consequences.

Together, we explore the questions no one is asking:

Could a life have been saved if a human interpreter had been present?

Why do institutions still rely on Google Translate in critical situations?

How can we ensure language access becomes a...

🎬 Episode #119 | Tim Bradley — The Video That Sells Trust

Welcome to episode #119 of the Localization Fireside Chat! In this episode, I sit down with Tim Bradley, Co-Founder of Pennant Video, to explore how brands can move beyond vanity metrics and use 🎥 video to build trust, drive decisions, and convert audiences.

With nearly two decades in video marketing, Tim has helped leading B2B tech brands like Cisco, Hitachi, and Philips tell stories that sell. Together, we unpack the Video Marketing Trifecta™ — Pennant’s proven framework that transforms video from a creative expense into a business growth engine.

...

Episode 118: EA Clarke — Fixing Broken Hiring with Storytelling and Values

In Episode 118 of the Localization Fireside Chat, I sit down with EA Clarke, founder of Pivot + Edge, to explore why traditional hiring is broken and how storytelling can fix it.

With 30+ years of recruitment and startup experience, EA has seen firsthand how the wrong hires can derail growth and how the right story can attract the right people. From his early days at Mitel to raising nearly $40M and building sales from scratch, EA shares why companies need to stop cold-calling candidates and start marketing li...

Welcome to Episode 117

In this episode of the Localization Fireside Chat, I sit down with Neil Twa, entrepreneur, podcaster, and author of Almost-Automated Income. Neil has built and scaled Amazon FBA businesses to more than $100M in exits. He shares how he approaches entrepreneurship, automation, data-driven decision making, and why systems matter more than hustle.

This conversation covers Neil’s journey from startup to $100M exit, his philosophy on building almost-automated businesses, and how he mentors the next generation of entrepreneurs. For anyone interested in e-commerce, entrepreneurship, or financial freedom, this is a must-listen.

...

Welcome to Episode 116

In this episode of the Localization Fireside Chat, I sit down with Phillip Swan, Co-Founder of Iridius.ai. We discuss how enterprises in highly regulated industries such as pharma and manufacturing can adopt AI responsibly. From governance and compliance to ROI and customer-centric design, this conversation offers a clear path to trusted AI at scale.

What you will learn in this episode:

Welcome to Episode 115

In this episode of the Localization Fireside Chat, I sit down with Peter Medahian and Kim Pines from CLIA, the Canadian Language Industry Association. We talk about AI readiness, trust, and Reclaim 3.0, a live 10-week upskilling course for language companies created with Magic Beans. If you run an LSP or lead a localization team, this conversation offers a practical path to move from AI awareness to repeatable, real-world adoption.

What you will learn in this episode:

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In this episode of the Localization Fireside Chat, I sit down with the leadership teams behind LSA (Language Service Associates) and Lingolet to explore a new model for real time interpretation that does not choose between AI and humans, it synchronizes them. We dig into how the two teams combined automation with human judgment to deliver faster, smarter, and more flexible language access across sports, healthcare, and enterprise settings.

What you will learn

In episode 114 of the Localization Fireside Chat, I sit down with Kristin Gutierrez for her second appearance to unpack the mindset and mechanics behind saying yes, taking action, and getting results. We cover momentum over perfection, building offers that sell, confident pricing, and scaling with systems. Kristin also shares lessons from her new book, Say Yes and Figure It Out.

What you will learn

Welcome to Episode 113

In this episode of the Localization Fireside Chat, I sit down with Don DePalma, Chief Strategy Officer at CSA Research and one of the most respected voices in language, localization, and global content strategy.

We explore the major shifts happening in the language industry — from AI disruption and outdated translation standards to the staggering fact that less than 0.000001% of content is ever translated. Don shares insights on why clients are adapting faster than LSPs, what’s being missed in localization strategies, and how to avoid becoming the proverbial "deer in the headlights."

In this episode of the Localization Fireside Chat, I’m joined by four industry leaders who are reshaping how real-time interpretation works in the age of AI: Scott Cooper (CEO, LSA), Pablo Tercero (COO, LSA), Edward Varela (Co-Founder, Lingolet), and Jerry Song (Co-Founder, Lingolet).

Together, they share how their partnership blends automation with human expertise — not to replace interpreters, but to extend their value. From language accessibility in sports and healthcare to the ethics of AI in live scenarios, this conversation dives deep into what “the right amount of AI” really looks like.

We discuss complian...

🎧 Welcome to Episode 111

In this episode of the Localization Fireside Chat, I sit down with 🎙 Veronica Hylak — product strategist, AI builder, and co-founder in the language tech space. She's also the creator of Hey AI, the YouTube vlog with 7M+ views that makes sense of complex AI topics for real-world users.

We tackle one of the most persistent myths in tech: that translation is a solved problem. Spoiler alert — it’s not.

Veronica brings sharp insight from launching over 40 SaaS and AI platforms across Fortune 500s, U.S. government, and startups to explain why 52% of u...

🎧 Episode 110: AI, Quality, and the Future of Localization 📺 Watch the full video episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/jpP0auJ3lNI

In this episode of the Localization Fireside Chat, I sit down with Bryan Murphy, CEO of Smartling — a seasoned SaaS leader with deep roots in scaling global platforms and a clear-eyed view of where localization is heading next.

From AI-powered translation to quality assurance in the era of LLMs, we dive into the friction points and future bets shaping the language industry.

If you’ve been wondering whether AI really owns the localizati...

🎧 Episode 109: Canada’s Interpreting Crisis? Where the Law Stops, the Problems Start

In this episode of the Localization Fireside Chat, I sit down with five influential voices from across Canada to unpack one of the country’s most overlooked issues — the state of interpretation in healthcare and beyond.

If you think language access is a solved problem, think again. We dive into the disconnect between legislation and real-world access, the emotional burden on interpreters, and what it’ll take to move from performative policy to meaningful support.

This conversation brings together perspectives from government...

🎧 Episode 108: Scaling or Just Playing CEO Dress-Up? with Mario Krivokapic

In this episode of the Localization Fireside Chat, I sit down with Mario Krivokapic, Managing Partner EMEA at Masterful Coaching — a no-nonsense strategist helping leaders stop pretending and start scaling.

If you’ve ever felt like the title doesn’t match the results — this one’s for you. We dive into mindset traps, fake-it culture, and the uncomfortable truths most leaders won’t say out loud.

Mario brings decades of executive coaching experience and drops insight after insight on what separates a real CEO from someon...

🔥 AI-Powered Automation. Product Founders. One Game-Changing Demo.

In this episode of the Localization Fireside Chat, I’m joined by Rishi Anand (Founder & CEO) and Holesh Priyankar (Chief Product Officer), the brains behind Awtomated—a rising startup that’s eliminating the chaos of localization workflows using AI-powered automation.

If you're still managing translation projects with spreadsheets and email chains, this conversation (and demo!) will open your eyes to what's possible. We discuss their product journey, the AI under the hood, and how Awtomated is enabling businesses to move faster, scale smarter, and reduce dependency on outdated manual pr...

🔥 Industry Icon. Strategic Investor. One Candid Conversation.

In this episode of the Localization Fireside Chat, I sit down with Andrew Smart—Co-Founder of Slator and Strategic Partner at AcudocX. Recorded shortly after his announcement that his shares in Slator are up for grabs, we explore what this means for the language industry and who might step up to claim a piece of the iconic brand.

But that’s not all. We dive deep into Andrew’s new venture, AcudocX, a game-changing platform transforming how personal document translations are delivered with speed, automation, and profitability.

💡 What...

🔥 140 People. 25+ Countries. One Unforgettable Summit. In this episode of the Localization Fireside Chat, I sit down with Charles Campbell—industry leader, global speaker, and co-organizer of Vamos Juntos 2025, Latin America's boldest localization summit. Recorded just weeks after the 3rd Annual Summit in Mexico City, we unpack what made this event a turning point for our industry.

From fiery debates (yes, “standards are dead” made a comeback) to rooftop tango parties, tech panels with Meta and Uber, and a sneak peek at Buenos Aires 2026—this is a must-watch for anyone serious about the global language industry.

💡 What you’ll le...

Think AI is the magic solution to everything? Think again. In this episode of the Localization Fireside Chat, I sit down with Dr. Sidney Shapiro—Assistant Professor of Data Analytics and one of the most compelling voices in the Canadian tech and academic ecosystem. We unpack the myths, misconceptions, and over-promises surrounding AI and its rapid rise. From vibe coders and synthetic data to explainable AI and Canada’s role in the global AI race, Dr. Shapiro delivers eye-opening insights with clarity, humor, and zero fluff.

💡 What you’ll learn in this episode:

✅ Why AI isn’t as “i...

Running isn’t just a sport—it’s a mindset. In this episode of the Localization Fireside Chat, I sit down with Christine Blanchette, Canadian TV Host, Producer of Run With It, and an inspiring voice in fitness, wellness, and media. From growing up on a hobby farm in Quebec to gracing the cover of Celebrity Online Magazine and creating her own nationally recognized TV show, Christine shares how setbacks turned into stepping stones.

💡 What you’ll learn in this episode:

✅ How Christine turned a layoff into a national media platform

✅ The link between running...

Inefficient localization processes cost businesses millions in wasted resources, poor decision-making, and failed AI implementations. In this episode of the Localization Fireside Chat, I sit down with Vincent Henderson, VP of Language AI Strategy at Lionbridge, to discuss how Lionbridge’s Aurora AI is transforming localization. 💡 What you’ll learn in this episode: ✅ How Aurora AI is revolutionizing localization workflows ✅ The critical role of AI-driven automation in quality and efficiency ✅ TRUST and REACH frameworks: strategic AI implementation ✅ The surprising accuracy of AI versus human translations ✅ How Lionbridge ensures data security and integrity in AI deployments 📌 Chapters: ⏱ 0:00 - Introduction & Welcome ⏱ 1:23 - Meet Vincent Henderson...

Dirty data costs businesses millions in wasted resources, poor decision-making, and failed AI implementations. In this episode of the Localization Fireside Chat, I sit down with Yasmine Gardner, CEO of Data Scrubber, to discuss how AI-driven automation can clean, validate, and optimize data in seconds. 💡 What you’ll learn in this episode: ✅ The true cost of dirty data on businesses ✅ How Data Scrubber works to clean up spreadsheets in seconds ✅ Real-time demo showcasing its power ✅ Why AI-powered data cleaning is the future of business efficiency ✅ How to ensure data governance and accuracy in your organization

🚀 Watch this demo and see how y...

💡 How is Multilingualism transforming global citizenship?

In this landmark 100th episode of the Localization Fireside Chat, Robin Ayoub hosts Kit Hall (Director at Language Connects Foundation, ACTFL) and Erisa Hysi (CEO & language advocate) to discuss the crucial role language learning plays in fostering cultural understanding, global communication, and resolving international conflicts. Discover how multilingualism bridges cultural gaps, ACTFL's impactful initiatives, and AI’s evolving role in language education.

We cover: ✅ Why multilingualism is essential for global citizenship ✅ Initiatives by ACTFL and the Language Connects Foundation ✅ Real-world examples of language barriers in diplomacy ✅ AI’s supportive role in languag...

💡 How is AI transforming the translation industry? In this episode of the Localization Fireside Chat, I sit down with Jean-François Richard, CEO of Terminotix, to explore the evolution of translation technology, AI's role in localization, and the future of CAT tools. With over 40 years of experience, Jean-François shares insights on how Terminotix is pioneering modular translation solutions, AI-driven tools like TAIGR, and on-premise vs. cloud-based translation systems. We cover: ✅ The evolution of translation from typewriters to AI-powered tools ✅ How TAIGR (Translation AI Groundings Retrieval) enhances AI-powered translation ✅ Why modular and on-premise solutions matter for security-conscious enterprises ✅ AI’s role in reduc...