Real Life SuperPowers

03/07/2025

In a conversation with Noa Eshed and Ronen Menipaz on the podcast Real Life Superpowers, Shiri Grosbard speaks about building a career on connecting values, storytelling, and growth.

03/06/2025

In a conversation with Noa Eshed and Ronen Menipaz on the podcast Real Life Superpowers, SafeHouse Tech Co-founder and CEO, Miri Yudovich, speaks about balancing ambition and boundaries - and redefining what ‘doing it all’ means.

14/05/2025

In this episode, we speak with Lior Segal (ADV), Co-founder and Managing Partner at Horizon Capital.

Horizon Capital is an Israeli venture capital fund backing founders at the Pre-Seed and Seed stages. It’s sector-agnostic by design, built to support early-stage startups wherever opportunity strikes.

Lior’s path to venture wasn’t linear. Before launching the fund, he led Data Matching Solutions as CEO until its acquisition by SafeCharge. He stayed on as VP of Gaming Innovation and later helped shape global payment strategies at Nasdaq-listed TSG. His operator-first lens gives him a practical, grounded perspective that shapes how he evaluates and supports startups.

Together with his co-founder - Yani Jacobi, who also happens to be his childhood friend - he built Horizon Capital from the ground up, without a traditional investing background. And while their portfolio includes headline names like Verbit, OwnBackup, and Blue Ribbon, this conversation doesn’t focus on the wins. It focuses on the how.

"We are trying to master uncertainty."

In this conversation, we dive into what it really takes to run a VC fund like a startup, the importance of founder dynamics, and the discipline required to stay focused in a market defined by noise.

Enjoy your listen.

Listen on your default podcast app: https://plinkhq.com/i/1414219439/e/1000705665552

We’re excited to collaborate with the Israeli website CTech by Calcalist, owned by Calcalist כלכליסט – Israel’s leading business newspaper. CTech is the gateway of Israeli high-tech to the tech world and vice versa.

If you’re not already a regular reader, we strongly recommend you check it out and stay up to date on all high-impact stories from the Israeli tech scene.

Zooming out, if you like listening to this podcast, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss new conversations with peak performers, serving as a reminder we can all tap into the best versions of ourselves.

And if we may ask for a favor - please leave us a review on your native podcast app.

Podcast Episodes smart links to listen, download, and subscribe to Real Life Superpowers. Click to listen! In this episode, we speak with Lior Segal, Co-founder and Managing Partner at Horizon Capital Horizon Capital is an Israeli venture capital fund backing founders at the Pre-Seed and Seed stages...

05/05/2025

In a conversation with Noa Eshed and Ronen Menipaz on the podcast Real Life Superpowers, Horizon Capital Co-founder and Managing Partner Lior Segal discusses the discipline required to stay focused in a market defined by noise.

08/04/2025

In this episode, we speak with Yulia Basan, Managing Director of Woman2Woman, a powerhouse program dedicated to advancing women in leadership and management roles in Israel.

Under Yulia’s leadership, the program has grown into a key force shaping the future of female leadership, expanding its reach, forging partnerships with industry giants, and driving measurable impact.

Her mission?

To break barriers and create equal opportunities - not just talk about change, but actively lead it.

"The mental load is not evenly distributed. Women are still expected to juggle it all. But leadership isn’t about waiting for change - it’s about making it happen."

In this conversation, we dive into what it really takes for women to rise in leadership:

The reality of balancing career and family - especially in times of crisis.

From the war in Israel to the daily demands of leadership, Yulia sheds light on how external forces impact women’s choices. "Some women don’t have the privilege of choice."

How workplace biases still persist - and how to push back.

Yulia shares her own experiences - being asked to take notes in meetings, expected to play a supportive role rather than a leadership one. "The way you say ‘no’ matters. Confidence isn’t just about what you say - it’s how you say it."

Why speaking up is a career strategy.

Many women hesitate to claim their achievements. Yulia explains why enthusiasm and visibility are key to professional growth. "If you don’t put yourself forward, no one else will."

How resilience isn’t about doing it alone but about having the right support.

Whether in war, career, or personal life, sisterhood and community make the difference. Yulia shares how Woman2Women pivoted during the war to providea sense of belonging and strength.

This episode is for anyone who believes leadership should be built on talent - not gender.

If you’re looking for inspiration, practical career strategies, and a deeper understanding of the challenges and solutions for women in leadership, this one’s for you.

Enjoy your listen.

Listen on your default podcast app: https://plinkhq.com/i/1414219439/e/1000701783317

We’re excited to collaborate with the Israeli website CTech by Calcalist, owned by Calcalist כלכליסט – Israel’s leading business newspaper. CTech is the gateway of Israeli high-tech to the tech world and vice versa.

If you’re not already a regular reader, we strongly recommend you check it out and stay up to date on all high-impact stories from the Israeli tech scene.

Zooming out, if you like listening to this podcast, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss new conversations with peak performers, serving as a reminder we can all tap into the best versions of ourselves.

And if we may ask for a favor - please leave us a review on your native podcast app.

03/04/2025

In a conversation with Noa Eshed and Ronen Menipaz on the podcast Real Life Superpowers, Woman2Woman Managing Director Yulia Basan discusses women in leadership and management roles in Israel.

11/03/2025

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.

Listen on your default podcast app: https://plinkhq.com/i/1414219439/e/1000696964560

03/03/2025

In a conversation with Noa Eshed and Ronen Menipaz on the podcast Real Life Superpowers, Ionix CEO Marc Gaffan discusses the startup rollercoaster

13/02/2025

In this episode, we speak with Daniel Leviathan, the Co-Founder of Zoé, about his journey and the ideas shaping his work.

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 (20 minute leaders). 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.

Topics discussed:

- 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

Enjoy your listen.

Listen on your default podcast app: https://plinkhq.com/i/1414219439/e/1000687816439

We’re excited to collaborate with the Israeli website CTech by Calcalist, owned by Calcalist כלכליסט – Israel’s leading business newspaper. CTech is the gateway of Israeli high-tech to the tech world and vice versa.

If you’re not already a regular reader, we strongly recommend you check it out and stay up to date on all high-impact stories from the Israeli tech scene.

Zooming out, if you like listening to this podcast, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss new conversations with peak performers, serving as a reminder we can all tap into the best versions of ourselves.

And if we may ask for a favor - please leave us a review on your native podcast app.

04/02/2025

In a conversation with Noa Eshed and Ronen Menipaz on the podcast Real Life Superpowers, Daniel Leviathan discusses the importance of synergy among value-driven, capable individuals to create a more sustainable world

20/01/2025

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.

Listen on your default podcast app: https://plnk.to/real-life-superpowers/e/1000682308984

We’re excited to collaborate with the Israeli website CTech by Calcalist, owned by Calcalist כלכליסט – Israel’s leading business newspaper. CTech is the gateway of Israeli high-tech to the tech world and vice versa.

If you’re not already a regular reader, we strongly recommend you check it out and stay up to date on all high-impact stories from the Israeli tech scene.

Zooming out, if you like listening to this podcast, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss new conversations with peak performers, serving as a reminder we can all tap into the best versions of ourselves.

And if we may ask for a favor – please leave us a review on your native podcast app.

12/12/2024

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 Blue Throne - 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.

Listen on your default podcast app: https://plnk.to/real-life-superpowers/e/1000678771956

We’re excited to collaborate with the Israeli website CTech by Calcalist, owned by Calcalist כלכליסט – Israel’s leading business newspaper. CTech is the gateway of Israeli high-tech to the tech world and vice versa.

If you’re not already a regular reader, we strongly recommend you check it out and stay up to date on all high-impact stories from the Israeli tech scene.

Zooming out, if you like listening to this podcast, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss new conversations with peak performers, serving as a reminder we can all tap into the best versions of ourselves.

And if we may ask for a favor – please leave us a review on your native podcast app.