Real Life Superpowers

Real Life Superpowers
Real Life Superpowers

In the Real Life Superpowers podcast (ranked top 10% of global podcasts), Ronen Menipaz and Noa Eshed feature conversations with people they identify as peak performers. The podcast covers their uncut, no-fluff version of their journey to the top, the challenges, pitfalls, and obstacles – the real-life version of the arc of the hero. The idea is to help the listeners bridge the gap in social media where successful entrepreneurs are put on a pedestal and seem to be surfing on a rainbow, ringing stock exchange bells, and living a distant dream. Real Life Superpowers is aimed to be a realistic reminder that there’s no such thing as an overnight success and that behind the scenes, every story is complex. The hope is to inspire the listeners to tap into their own superpowers and become the best version of themselves. Listeners can tune in from all around the world using podcast streaming services such as Spotify, Soundcloud, iTunes, and more.

  1. 14 FEB

    E82 - Marc Gaffan (CEO Ionix)

    In this episode, we speak with Marc Gaffan, a three-time startup operator, investor, and current CEO of Ionix, which just raised a $42M Series A. Marc has spent the past two decades in cybersecurity. In 2008, he co-founded Incapsula, later acquired by Imperva, and since then, he’s led, invested in, and mentored multiple cyber startups. But if there’s one thing he’s learned? No two startup rodeos are the same. “Every startup has its own dynamics, its own challenges. There’s no playbook. You can’t ask ChatGPT to write the recipe for doing a startup. When they do that, then I think we’ll be done.” In this conversation, we dive into what it really takes to build, lead, and survive in the startup world: The startup rollercoaster never stops - but you get better at holding on. Marc explains that experience doesn’t mean things get easier. "It’s not that you come up with better answers to problems, but you recognize the common themes. You know it won’t be a smooth sail, and over time, it doesn’t shake you as much as it used to.” Mental and decision-making resilience - the two muscles every founder needs. It’s one thing to push through a tough moment. It’s another to do it over and over again without burning out. “How do you keep your mental resilience going? It’s a tough roller coaster.” The harsh reality of being an investor vs. an operator. We talk about the limits of investor influence - and why control ultimately belongs to those in the trenches. “The only thing a board can really do operationally is fire the CEO. If you really want to have an impact, you can’t be on the sidelines. You have to be in the field.” Why fixing weaknesses is a waste of time - and how to leverage strengths instead. Too many people spend their careers trying to be something they’re not. Marc argues for a different approach: “If you’re not gifted at math, forcing yourself to be really good at it won’t work. Instead, invest heavily in what you are good at. That’s where you’ll find fulfillment and confidence.” The importance of celebrating wins - even when the work isn’t done. It’s easy to focus on the unfinished 15%. The problems. The gaps. The “not there yet.” But Marc reminds us: “You need to stop and appreciate how far you’ve come. Your gut instinct sharpens over time - not because of luck, but because experience refines it.” The innocent bliss of starting something new. “As a CEO, you don’t really know what you’re getting into. And in some ways, that’s good. If you truly understood the odds, you might never take the leap. But the journey matters. And who you take it with matters even more.” Marc has built companies. He’s struggled. He’s succeeded. He’s learned. And now, he’s here to share his perspective. If you’ve ever tried to build something from the ground up - this episode is for you.

    54 min

  2. 17 JAN

    E81 - Daniel Leviathan (Co-Founder Zoé)

    In this episode, we speak with Daniel Leviathan, a truly visionary leader with a diverse and inspiring background, despite being only 27. Daniel’s aspirations can come across as borderline delusional, but I think if anyone can achieve what he’s set off to - it’s him. It’s as Steve Jobs famously said “Those who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do. In 2019, Daniel embarked on a profound personal journey, exploring the depths of shamanism, Buddhism, and other ancient and modern wisdom traditions. His quest for knowledge led him to study at the Highden Mystery School and even spend a month on a deserted island, immersing himself in transformative internal experiences. By 2021, Daniel had founded and led a project called Sync, which brought together individuals from diverse domains into cohesive groups of twelve. Through his facilitation, these groups deepened their trust and coherence, creating powerful connections. In 2023, Daniel co-founded Zoé with Michael Matias. Zoé is a community of heart-driven individuals dedicated to building a sustainable, just, and beautiful world. Through online and in-person experiences in Israel and California, Zoé fosters deep internal connections on a personal level, social level, and with nature. The gatherings focus on building trust, appreciating life's inherent beauty, aligning around shared values, and collaborating on impactful projects and initiatives. We discuss: • the importance of synergy among value-driven, capable individuals to create a more sustainable world • the challenges of food waste, global warming, and the misalignment between real value and incentives • the phenomena of tragedy of the commons, arms race, and misalignment between real value and incentives • the misalignment between GDP metrics and real value and the need for a shift in societal values • the importance of being less attached to outcomes and more focused on the process • The mission of Zoé • And much more As you’ll quickly hear, this is a very unique being, deeply devoted to personal growth, empowering others and making the world a better place. We hope you enjoy your listen

    1h 9m

  3. 13/12/2024

    E80 - Professor Haim Zvi Dotan (Architect of the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge)

    In this special episode, we speak with Professor Haim Zvi Dotan. Prof Dotan embodies the intersection of innovation, artistry, and forward-thinking design. He’s an internationally renowned architect, poet, educator, and futurist. He’s the visionary mind behind the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge- the world’s first, longest, and highest glass-bottom bridge - a stunning architectural marvel that has become an iconic landmark in China and a symbol of bold innovation worldwide. He’s been recognized for his groundbreaking contributions, earning numerous honors, including the title of “Honorary Citizen of Zhangjiajie” and the prestigious iNNOVEX Global Leader of Innovation Award. Beyond his architectural accomplishments, he’s a dedicated educator, sharing his expertise as a professor at leading institutions like Fudan University, the Shanghai Institute of Visual Arts, and the DeTao Masters Academy. And above all of this, he’s truly a special spirit. We discuss: • The concept of time and the journey of life • Prof. Dotan’s belief that every person is a genius if they connect to their inner soul and DNA • The role of education in connecting students to their inner wisdom and the importance of passion and curiosity in achieving success. • How creativity is linked to being fully aware of the now • The concept of being a "startup nation" and how everyone has a unique mission and passion that they should follow • The importance of following one's passion and not being afraid to explore different paths in life • Prof. Dotan’s passion for being a bridge between people and how this has shaped his career and life • The importance of being oneself and not trying to fit into societal expectations or the expectations of others. • And much more! This episode is dedicated to Miri Perlman, a 25-year-old student of Professor Dotan who passed away unexpectedly. Shortly before her passing, Miri attended Professor Dotan’s workshop, “Green Cities and Smart Building” at HIT. During the workshop, she drew a portrait of Professor Dotan, and he captured a photo of her while drawing. Tragically, this photo turned out to be the last picture taken of her alive. In many ways, this episode is a reminder of how fragile life truly is, and how important it is to truly try to tap into the best version of ourselves and do the best with what we have because we only have one life. We hope you listen to this unique episode.

    1h 15m

  4. 26/11/2024

    E79 - Idan Waller (Co-founder, CGO Bluethrone)

    In this episode, we speak with Idan Waller Idan is the founder of the 10M club, one of the most coveted business consulting companies in Israel for SMBs. Through the club Idan has changed lives, helping 10x the paychecks of thousands of entrepreneurs. He’s a die-hard digital entrepreneur, growing up working with the best business minds, marketers and copywriters in the US and Israel. He’s also a leading local Israeli podcast host. His latest metamorphosis was breaking into tech, where he and his brother founded Bluethrone - a startup that acquires product market fit consumer apps from indie developers and small studios, and then grows them into iconic companies. We discuss: • Mediocracy as a driver for growth • How Idan discovered entrepreneurship and his writing abilities • The power of “away motivation” • The value of aggressive goals and facing fears when building a business • Managing scaling teams through systems and processes • What it’s like working with family • The importance of having experienced investors who understand the realities of running a profitable business • And much more Enjoy your listen

    1h 3m

  5. 20/10/2024

    E78 - Oshri Deri (Former Brown Hotels CEO, Leading real estate entrepreneur)

    In this episode we speak with someone who has truly climbed his way to the top, starting from humble beginnings and pushing forward with determination. Oshri Deri, began his career at just 14 years old, working as a dishwasher. From there, he transitioned into hospitality, moving from service roles to high-level management. Oshri has managed some of Israel’s most prestigious hotels, and then went on to spearhead Brown Hotels’ European expansion, particularly in Greece. Nowadays he’s a real estate entrepreneur, leading million-dollar deals across Israel and Greece. We discuss: • The importance of optimism, resilience, and the human element in leadership • The challenges faced in the hospitality sector • How crisis can lead to transformative leadership experiences. • The power of constructive feedback as an engine for growth • The value of adapting to new challenges and continuously evolving as a leader • The impact of social media and changing industry dynamics • And more! Enjoy your listen

    55 min

  6. 01/10/2024

    E77 - Shmuel Mizrahi Ginat (Donatello CEO, M&A Advisor, Tech Investor)

    In this episode, we speak with Shmuel Mizrachi Ginat. He’s an entrepreneur and venture capital investor with deep experience in business development, capital raising, investments, and M&As. Shmuel has helped raise close to 100 million USD for over 80 startups and has personally invested in 17 Israeli startups. He’s the founder of Crowdinnio, a holding company with ventures in P2P lending, secondary markets, crowdfunding, and more. He also founded EvE, an investment banking firm specializing in M&As, guiding startups through capital growth and regulatory challenges. We discuss: • the challenges of investing in early-stage startups and the importance of diversifying investments • how Shmuel’s belief that his generation onwards will live at least till 100 impacts his investment strategy • the importance of chemistry between co-founders and the need for a strong team to support each other • growing a network while being an outsider in a new market • And much more! We hope you enjoy your listen!

    53 min

  7. 10/09/2024

    E76 - Roy Avidor (Co-Founder and CEO of Cymbio)

    In this episode we speak with Roy Avidor. Roy is the CEO and Co-Founder of Cymbio, a game-changing retail tech startup. Cymbio is a marketplace and dropship automation platform that helps brands like New Balance, Lacoste, Steve Madden, and many more scale their digital sales effortlessly. With over 15 years of experience in retail, wholesale, and eCommerce, Roy knows the industry inside and out. He's also a shareholder and board member at I.A IL and owns and runs the multi-brand retail chain "Originals." He’s previously served as a Senior Economic Advisor to Israel's Minister of Industry and Trade and is a member of YPO - the global leadership community of extraordinary CEOs. We discuss: - Co-Founder relationship and initial bootstrapping - The importance of working with investors who act as partners - The potential conflict between personal and professional relationships - The power of trust and communication - The significance of listening to customers and adapting to their feedback - Balancing stability and growth - The sense of responsibility and urgency that comes with leading a startup - And much more We hope you enjoy your listen.

    55 min

  8. 01/08/2024

    E75 - Aviad Harell (Managing Partner Team8, co-Founder Sisense)

    In this episode, we speak with Aviad Harell - the Managing Partner at Team8, a global VC with deep domain expertise that builds and invests in companies specializing in enterprise technologies, cyber, AI, and fintech. He’s a seasoned angel investor and adviser to numerous startups, VCs, and executives. Before joining Team8, he co-founded Sisense, a powerhouse in the business intelligence space. Under his leadership, Sisense thrived, achieving $150 million in annual revenue and growing to over 800 employees. He's seen the highs and lows of the startup world, and his journey is full of valuable lessons. We discuss: • Aviad’s journey, including the early days of Sisense, working long hours and enjoying the "joy of creation" without much direction or success. • The shift in expectations for new startups, from building a product to generating revenue quickly. • Difficulties the Sisense team faced in raising institutional funding due to lack of professionalism in pitching and business model. • Insights on company growth, funding, and pitching • A professional CEOs' impact on startup growth • What Aviad looks for in founding teams • Where grit plays in • And much more Enjoy your listen!

    59 min
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    4.8
    out of 5
    19 Ratings

    About

    In the Real Life Superpowers podcast (ranked top 10% of global podcasts), Ronen Menipaz and Noa Eshed feature conversations with people they identify as peak performers. The podcast covers their uncut, no-fluff version of their journey to the top, the challenges, pitfalls, and obstacles – the real-life version of the arc of the hero. The idea is to help the listeners bridge the gap in social media where successful entrepreneurs are put on a pedestal and seem to be surfing on a rainbow, ringing stock exchange bells, and living a distant dream. Real Life Superpowers is aimed to be a realistic reminder that there’s no such thing as an overnight success and that behind the scenes, every story is complex. The hope is to inspire the listeners to tap into their own superpowers and become the best version of themselves. Listeners can tune in from all around the world using podcast streaming services such as Spotify, Soundcloud, iTunes, and more.

    Information

    • Creator
      Real Life Superpowers
    • Years Active
      2018 - 2025
    • Episodes
      82
    • Rating
      Explicit
    • Copyright
      © All rights reserved
    • Show Website
      Real Life Superpowers

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