There is a paradox emerging in the age of Generative AI.

Business leaders are trained to be skeptical of raw data. They question spreadsheets. They interrogate dashboards. But the moment that same data is wrapped in a conversational sentence by an LLM? The skepticism vanishes.
In the latest episode of Skin in the Game, I sat down with Amit Shivpuja (Director of Data Product & AI Enablement @ Walmart) to discuss why our biggest AI challenge isn't the technology—it's the misplaced trust that comes with a friendly chat interface.

As Amit put it:
"People tend to put a lot more trust in the system than they would normally do. They're a little skeptical if you give them a table of numbers, but if you write them a sentence saying the answer is X, they tend to trust it. It's on us to show them how we came up with the answer, not just give them a number."

We also explored a fascinating case from his VR days where survey data (what people said) completely contradicted usage data (what people did). The lesson? Whether you are dealing with human feedback or AI output, validation is non-negotiable.

If your organization is racing to adopt AI tools, this conversation is a vital reality check. We dig into:

• The "Data Sandwich" framework for building trustworthy systems
• How to build trust through radical transparency
• Why accountability must always remain with the human

🔗 Links & Resources:

• linkedin.com/in/amitshivpuja
• datacompass.substack.com

📺 Watch on YouTube: youtu.be/o6n5IP_Z2DY

What makes YOU trust an AI output? Is it the authority of the tone, or the transparency of the source?. Drop your thoughts below. 👇

#AI #DataGovernance #DigitalTransformation #Leadership #GenerativeAI #Walmart #DataIntegrity #StanfordLEAD #stanfordgsb #SkinInTheGamewithDebbieGo

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We’re wired to trust things that sound like us. It’s a psychological shortcut that helps us navigate the world, but in the realm of AI, it’s a major liability.

In this teaser from #SkinInTheGamewithDebbieGo, Walmart Data & AI Leader Amit Shivpuja explains why natural language interfaces are a double-edged sword. While these tools make AI more accessible than ever, they also create a dangerous illusion of certainty.

Amit highlights a fascinating shift in how we process information:
"People are a little skeptical if you give them a table of numbers. But if you write them a sentence saying the answer is X, they tend to trust it. Just because it's an easy-to-use interface doesn't mean you blindly trust it."

🎙️Catch the Full Episode
Don't miss the full conversation with Amit Shivpuja on Monday, March 2 to learn how to balance innovation with critical thinking.

#AI #GenerativeAI #DataScience #LLM #AIGovernance #WalmartData #DigitalTransformation #DataGovernance #HumanInTheLoop #TechLeadership #ResponsibleAI #SkinInTheGamewithDebbieGo

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Thai food is world-famous, but Thai coffee remains a mystery to most.

In this episode, we uncover the origin story of Coffee Culture Thailand and its visionary founder, Susan Borvornpotsakul Villota.

When the 2020 pandemic hit, Susan lost 90% of her marketing clients. Instead of giving up, she leveraged her digital expertise to build a bridge - connecting Thailand’s remote coffee farmers with a global audience of coffee drinkers.

In this #SkinInTheGamewithDebbieGo episode, we discuss:

✅ The "Zero Product" Launch: How she raised 60,000 THB with a simple video and a crowdfunding campaign.

✅ Breaking the language barrier: Using her Thai-Finnish roots to bring the 'invisible ' farmers to the world stage.

✅ The Reverse-Engineer Strategy: Building an online marketplace first, avoiding costly brick-and-mortar overhead.

✅ The Fair-Price Pivot: Letting farmers and roasters set their own prices for true sustainability.

✅ The Hero Product: A signature smooth, balanced Thai roast that changed perceptions.

From Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Thai coffee is no longer just commodity. It's a story of resilience, craft and the "seed that connects us all".

🔗 Links & Resources:
• coffeeculture.asia
• @coffeeculturethailand
• facebook.com/coffeeculturethailand
• youtube.com/@coffeeculturethailand
• x.com/CoffeeCultureTh
• linkedin.com/company/coffeeculturethailand
• linkedin.com/in/susan-villota

📺 Watch on YouTube: youtu.be/snYLOKjimh8

#ThaiCoffee #SpecialtyCoffee #SocialImpact #Pivot #FarmToCup #CoffeeCultureThailand #WomenInBusiness #CoffeeCulture #SustainableBusiness #EntrepreneurStory #SkinInTheGamewithDebbieGo #BusinessResilience

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“There’s more to Thai coffee than we know… I thought, this is something we can actually do and help.” — Susan Borvornpotsakul Villota ☕️

Turning crisis into opportunity, Susan launched Coffee Culture Thailand after losing 90% of her marketing clients during the pandemic. Starting with zero inventory, she raised 60,000 baht through a story-driven campaign—igniting a marketplace that now amplifies Thailand’s hidden coffee varieties to the world.

Tune into #SkinInTheGamewithDebbieGo to learn:
🔍 How she uncovered Thailand’s diverse, under-the-radar coffee profiles
🚀 Why she started with no product—just belief and a powerful story
🌱 How the “seed-to-cup” model connects farmers directly to global coffee lovers
🤝 The meaningful impact created through small-scale roaster collaborations

📈 A masterclass in agile, purpose-driven entrepreneurship.

🔗 Links & Resources:
• coffeeculture.asia
• @coffeeculturethailand
• facebook.com/coffeeculturethailand
• youtube.com/@coffeeculturethailand
• x.com/CoffeeCultureTh
• linkedin.com/company/coffeeculturethailand
• linkedin.com/in/susan-villota

#ThaiCoffee #SpecialtyCoffee #SocialImpact #Pivot #FarmToCup #CoffeeCultureThailand #WomenInBusiness #CoffeeCulture #SustainableBusiness #EntrepreneurStory #SkinInTheGamewithDebbieGo #BusinessResilience

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Web3 and blockchain founders and execs: Are you pushing innovation at the cost of your own health?

The relentless pressure to stay ahead while "laying the rails for the future" creates a unique burnout cycle. As Vita Veda co-founder Oscar Sundman puts it:
💬 "You'll have a million problems until you have a health problem. Then you only have one."

In this episode of #SkinInTheGamewithDebbieGo, I sit down with Ciara Nicole and Oscar Sundman. After personal loss led them to become "resilience architects," their mission is to bridge Eastern philosophy with Western innovation—creating a new leadership blueprint where peak performance and well-being are inseparable.

You’ll walk away with their proven methods to:
✅ Master your most finite resource: Apply the “Time Design” approach to align your focus with what truly matters.
✅ Break the stop-start cycle for good: Use their “burnout breaker” ritual to reset anxiety and reclaim momentum in minutes.
✅ Lead from an integrated life: Move beyond the “personal vs. professional” split and build a holistic foundation where success and satisfaction fuel each other.

🔗 Links & Resources:
linkedin.com/company/vita-veda
linkedin.com/in/ciaranicolevitaveda
linkedin.com/in/oscarsundmanvitaveda
youtube.com/@Nordicbreathworkacademy

#FutureOfWork #MentalHealth #ExecutiveWellness #Breathwork #Yoga #TechLeadership #HolisticHealth #OvercomeBurnout #Web3Leaders #LeadershipDevelopment #SkinInTheGameWithDebbieGo

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"You have a million problems until you have a health problem. Then, you only have one."

In the race to build the future, Web3 founders and tech leaders are often the first to break—not just systems, but themselves. What’s the real cost of the "move fast and break things" culture?

On the latest episode of #SkinInTheGameWithDebbieGo, I sit down with Oscar Sundman and Ciara Nicole, co-founders of Vita Veda. We go beyond burnout clichés to discuss how they’re bridging Eastern philosophy with Western innovation to create a sustainable blueprint for leadership.

The highlight reel:
✅ Break the "stop-start" cycle and reclaim sustained creative momentum.
✅ Use breathwork and yoga as performance tools—far beyond self-care.
✅ Build holistic leadership as your true competitive advantage.

Leadership isn't just about what you build; it's about who you become while building it.

🗓 The full conversation drops Monday, Jan 5, 2026.
👉 Watch here: youtube.com/watch?v=p0oDZ3ayS6c

#FutureOfWork #MentalHealth #ExecutiveWellness #Breathwork #Yoga #TechLeadership #HolisticHealth #OvercomeBurnout #Web3Leaders #LeadershipDevelopment #SkinInTheGameWithDebbieGo

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“Talent opens doors. Your Board of Advisors brings opportunities to you” – Karla Blanco. 💡
Feeling like a passenger in your own career? It's time to take the wheel.

In this episode of the Skin in the Game with Debbie Go podcast, I sit down with Karla Blanco, an ex-Intel Director turned bestselling author and executive coach. She unveils the strategic framework that propelled her to the top and now helps her clients achieve rapid growth.

Here are the key insights you can’t afford to miss:

1. 🔑 The Career CEO Mindset: Shift from employee to architect of your career.
2. 👥 Build Your Board of Advisors: Learn who to pick and how to leverage this group for strategic guidance.
3. 🗣️ Navigate Office Politics: Advance with confidence by understanding the unspoken rules.
4. ⚡ Leverage AI: Use emerging technology as a career accelerator.
5. 🚀 For Women in Leadership: Practical strategies for breaking barriers and claiming your seat at the table.

This conversation is packed with the actionable, no-fluff advice you need to move from passive participant to active architect of your career.

🔗 Links & Resources:

• linkedin.com/in/karlablancocoach/
• karlablanco.com
• youtube.com/@TheKarlaBlancoShow
• instagram.com/karlauyp07/

What's the #1 challenge holding your career back? Let me know in the comments👇

#CareerGrowth #TransformationalLeadership #PersonalDevelopment #WomenInLeadership #CareerCEO #SkinInTheGameWithDebbieGo #karlablanco #UnleashLeadershipPodcast

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Ever feel like you're playing by a different set of rules at work? You're not imagining it.

Get ready for a game-changing conversation on this latest Skin in the Game with Debbie Go Podcast. I sat down with Karla Blanco — bestselling author, transformational leadership coach, and corporate leader with 25+ years of Fortune 100 experience—to dismantle the barriers holding women back.

Karla provides a powerful blueprint for women to step into your power, showcase your value, and claim the seats you deserve at the table.

💪 In this episode, you will learn to:
🔻 Advocate for yourself with confidence.
🔻 Amplify your visibility for the recognition you deserve.
🔻 Build a powerful “Board of Advisors” to champion your career.

Mark your calendars! The full episode drops this Monday, December 8.

🎧 Subscribe to "Skin in the Game with Debbie Go" on your favorite podcast so you don't miss it!Mark your calendars! The full episode drops this Monday, December 8.

🎧 Subscribe to "Skin in the Game with Debbie Go" on your favorite podcast so you don't miss it!

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Follow Us:

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