The Human Connection Podcast

Is your business’s growth stalled? Employee churn eating into your profits? Struggling with customer retention? 

You need stronger connections.

Every Tuesday, connect with an expert who’s sharing actionable advice for building stronger relationships with your customers, clients, and stakeholders. Hosted by Karl Pontau, a storytelling super-connector, content system strategist, and survivor of two childhood brain tumors, this podcast’s mission is to fix the underlying cause of workplace and societal dysfunction: the lack of human connection.

Learn more at www.thehumanconnectionpodcast.com

Podcast Host

Squash and Stretch Productions

My heroic mission involves guiding teams to bring visionary Content Systems and strategies to life. By fostering a creative environment where complex ideas transform into compelling visual stories, I've helped clients achieve remarkable results. What drives me is connecting clients' missions with audiences through visually striking content that sparks action. By nurturing talent and overseeing seamless workflows, I ensure our work not only captivates but also delivers on strategic goals.

▶️Led Enovix’s team to clearly and concisely explain the value of their innovative battery tech - taking them from a 45 minute explanation to a 2 minute video – supporting their $1.13B SPAC event and their $250 million contract with the US Army. Optimized creative strategy and message to grab and hold viewer’s attention. Navigated around two major holidays and an unexpected scope change to deliver on time and under budget.

▶️Recruited and managed the team, budget, and timeline for a collaborative animation project that convinced the San Jose City Council to require life-saving firefighting tech in high-rises, catalyzed adoption in 18 other cities, and contributed to a $100M IP sale for my client. 

▶️Designed flexible content system for La Familia's anti-Fentanyl campaign, enabling rapid pivot when major challenge arose; directed production and content adaptation while production team saved two lives through Narcan administration during new on-site shoot; final campaign successfully deployed regionwide.

Freelance Art Director / Senior Digital Creative Producer

SAE Expression College

As a Brand Story Coach, I've helped entrepreneurs translate their knowledge into actionable ideas for their ideal consumer. Additionally, in the classroom, I've had the joy of shaping future creatives. Through developing curricula and adapting to diverse learning styles, I created supportive environments where innovation thrives and students discover their creative potential.

▶️Advised a local coach on connecting client challenges to his solutions, boosting referrals and sales through improved value communication.

▶️Mentored college students at SAE Expressions in advanced motion graphics, editing, and branding, guiding them through complex software challenges to enhance their technical proficiency and creative output. 

▶️Inspired young minds aged 9-17 at iD Tech Camps, fostering creativity and teamwork while leading students through courses including web design, animation, and robotics.

Storytelling Coach / Teacher / Mentor

GuideSpark

My leadership journey began as a production team member, where I discovered my passion for contributing toward a shared vision. I learned that great leadership creates harmony in both team dynamics and the final product. I also learned that my favorite projects are socially impactful and profitable. Each project laid the foundation for my skills in leading cross-functional teams, managing end-to-end production, and turning creative challenges into opportunities for growth and connection. 

▶️Fostered open communication between animators and VFX coordinators and ensured director feedback was thoughtfully implemented as Animation Coordinator for The Glass Butterfly.

▶️Created intricate 3D facial animations for a confidential project, honing my ability to deliver exceptional work on time and under budget while honoring client trust at FlickerLab.

▶️Collaborated with a remote team to explain organizational change strategies and processes that help companies be more agile at Fire Tribe, Inc. 

▶️Contributed to a local team that created 1,700+ accurate employee benefit animations in 3 months at GuideSpark.

▶️Championed i-GATE's vision for a thriving Tri-Valley startup community that now brings new tech from local labs to the marketplace.

Contract Motion Designer

Health/Med Tech companies and nonprofits have vital - yet difficult - stories to tell. 

So, they struggle to explain their value and attract their best clients.

What makes a story difficult?

Stories that…

😨Cover emotionally triggering subjects... (Cancer, Overdoses, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome)
😵Focus on complex or abstract ideas... (Battery tech, Air Tank Refill Systems)
😳Reveal deeply personal experiences... (Founder Stories, Mental Health, Loss)

...are all difficult to effectively tell.

But, I am uniquely equipped to solve these challenges because I:

💗 Show empathy and compassion for clients, team members, and audiences via active listening
🧠 Bring a deep understanding of human decision making and behavior to every project
🚀 Employ an entrepreneurial mindset honed from running my small production agency

I was inspired to focus on these skills after overcoming two malignant brain tumors when I was 15, and am forever grateful for my family, friends, and medical team for showing me what can be accomplished when people care for each other, clearly communicate, and work towards a common goal. 

Once you optimize your story, you’ll need to get it in front of your audience.

That takes a Content System.

These:

💡 Starts with a comprehensive Content Strategy
📚 Delivers a custom asset library for your brand
📲 Generates adaptive content for multiple platforms
💰 Results in greater cost savings and ROI over time

For example:

🎉 Led Enovix’s team to clearly and concisely explain the value of their innovative battery tech - taking them from a 45 minute explanation to a 2 minute video – supporting their $1.13B SPAC event and their $250 million contract with the US Army. Optimized creative strategy and message to grab and hold viewer’s attention. Navigated around two major holidays and an unexpected scope change to deliver on time and under budget.

🥂 Recruited and managed the team, budget, and timeline for a collaborative animation project that convinced the San Jose City Council to require life-saving firefighting tech in high-rises, catalyzed adoption in 18 other cities, and contributed to a $100M IP sale for my client.

If you are interested in discussing how I can add value to your team and accelerate your company's growth, please email me at kpontau@gmail.com or send a DM.

Let's talk!

(I’m open to contract or full time employment.)

Karl Pontau

Gipsyy

Gipsyy what moves you, moves us.

When it comes to bus travel, we cracked the code on smart and sustainable mobility with a growing offer of 2000 destinations.

From Europe to South America, with a DNA in mobility, our platform offers both, the best experience, and the most affordable price on the market. The world in one click; no waste, carbon neutral, comfort on board, free wi-fi and pet friendly.

Respect for our passengers is our main priority, therefore no matter where you go with us, we offer you a safe, equal, and inclusive atmosphere.

Sustainable development inspired us to create Gipsyy. All the seats we offer at our platform would’ve otherwise gone to waste, thus creating CO2 emissions.

When you buy a Gipsyy bus ride, you are not only going somewhere, but you are also supporting our cause and purpose.

No seat should ever be empty, as a company our CO2 emissions are compensated through carbon offsets as well as supporting diverse environmental causes all over the world.

Head of Growth

Stealth Startup

I work as a head of growth for companies that need growth.

Growth Hacker

ACE Startups

Growth Mentor

TheChecker (Acquired by Emailable)

I created and led special projects that involved multidisciplinary teams in more than four countries, remotely and before the pandemic. These projects impacted the company's growth without significant investments in paid media (PPC and Paid Social) and retention (DAU, WAU, and MAU).

The SEO project consisted of migrating the site to Webflow and developing content that would improve conversions and sustain a price increase. In addition, this project helped TheChecker get on the first page of google for the keyword "email verify" worldwide.

SEO brought in clients like Mojang (Minecraft) and Netflix that integrated with our platform via API. All customers of these companies who created a new account on their platforms went through the real-time email validation engine. Emails were only triggered if TheChecker, in real-time, validated it as good.

We invest in PLG, focusing on selling credits (not a subscription) and retention from day zero. Building this acquisition channel allowed the company to have sustainable growth with available cash.

Before the pandemic, I built a 100% remote marketing, sales, and customer success operation of people working in 4 different countries and cities (USA, Brazil, Spain, Romania, China, and India.

TheChecker was acquired and made Emailable. CacheVentures wants to build the largest email solutions hub on the planet.

Summary:
- Webflow site with new user attribution tracking;
- 10x increase in quarterly revenue;
- MixPanel + Intercom for PLG;
- SEO for the first page of google for Email Verify;
- Large recurring clients like Netflix and Minecraft;
- Launching on ProductHunt and AppSumo;
- Building the remote Growth team before the pandemic

Growth Hacker and Chief Revenue Officer

B.blend

My first action was to fire the marketing agencies that cost R$1.3m per year, which were too slow, and I internalized the entire Growth Marketing operation.

With a good part of the budget still in the cashier, we worked on the UI / UX of the store using all the best CRO practices. We hired the Salesforce Marketing Cloud to create marketing experiences based on the user journey, engagement + RVF. We created a new app with a PLG subscription and member-get-member mechanics for the enterprise.

On Blackfriday 2018, we had our best-selling moment on the beverage machine website. So far it was our best year in internet sales.

With more people coming in, we had more sales of beverage capsules, and it was here that I created a success case with Salesforce, increasing retention and raising the average customer ticket.

Takeaways:
- Internalization of the marketing operation;
- Reconstruction of the entire store infrastructure on Vtex and App;
- Creation of a new Social Paid acquisition channel with 10x ROAs;
- Salesforce Marketing Cloud success story with a retention and engagement machine;
- Increase in CLTV.

Growth as a Service | Follow to unlock your Growth | B2B Sales Hacks | R$50M+ in M&A of Startups

You can call me Caner, and I'm one of the most active Growth Hackers Brasil group members. I lead high-engagement multidisciplinary growth communities. I am a Growth Hacking mentor at ACE Startups and an advisor to several other startups throughout Brazil. In addition, I helped in the growth of acquired companies totaling R$ 55 million reais.

I was cited in Europe as one of the 38 professionals to follow if you increase your income. Also by Gama Academy, for two years, as a top 50 Hypers to be followed in Brazil.

#lets grow up

My contacts:
- Email: henriquecaner@gmail.com
- Mobile: +55 (11) 945870033

Henrique Caner

Recusei R$ 150 mil pra não vender esse playbook 
Vou liberar ele de graça. Mas só pra 120 pessoas 
Deixa eu explicar…

Nos últimos 2 anos, montei um sistema de criação de conteúdo pro LinkedIn

Não é "dica de guru"
É o método exato que uso pra gerar alcance, autoridade e oportunidades reais

O resultado?

→ Posts que ultrapassam 100k de alcance
→ Leads entrando no inbox sem prospectar
→ Convites pra eventos, podcasts, parcerias

Já me ofereceram R$ 100 mil pra transformar isso em curso

Disse não
Prefiro entregar pessoalmente pra quem realmente vai aplicar

Dia 18/12, no Sales Club, vou fazer exatamente isso

120 pessoas na mesma sala
Olho no olho

Networking real com:

→ Heads de Growth
→ Líderes de Marketing
→ Diretores de Vendas
→ Founders
→ Heads de Produto e CS

Não é live
Não é webinar gravado
É presencial

E quem estiver lá vai sair com o playbook completo de conteúdo viral na mão 

Que vale mais de US$1.000

O mesmo sistema que uso todo dia
Nunca liberei isso antes
E talvez não libere de novo

120 vagas
Quando acabar, acabou

Enquanto você pensa, alguém já garantiu a sua...

1. Conecta comigo
2. Comenta "GROWTH" 
3. Te mando uma DM com todas as informações

Nos vemos dia 18 🔥

A maioria dos eventos corporativos é chata

Muita teoria. Pouca prática. Zero conexão real

No dia 18/12, vamos fazer o oposto disso em SP

Growth. Pizza. Breja Gelada. Networking de verdade 🍕🍺

Estamos de volta para a 6ª edição do maior encontro de Growth de SP

O tema é inevitável:
Inteligência Artificial para Marketing e Vendas

Não é sobre o futuro. É sobre o ontem

Vamos reunir 120 mentes brilhantes no Sales Club. O objetivo? Mostrar o que realmente funciona no campo de batalha

Quem estiver lá vai ter acesso a:

✅ 2 Painéis práticos sobre IA no B2B e B2C 
✅ Networking com grandes referências do mercado 
✅ Happy Hour para criar memórias (e negócios) 
✅ Sessão de fotos profissional 
✅ Lista de LinkedIn dos presentes para conexão futura

📅 Quando: 18/12 (Quinta-feira) 
⏰ Horário: 17:30h até 23:59h

O espaço enche rápido (são apenas 120 lugares)

Por isso, vou liberar o link oficial PRIMEIRO no nosso grupo de WhatsApp

Quer furar a fila e garantir seu ingresso?

1. Comente MEETUP aqui embaixo.👇
2. Me envie uma solicitação de conexão (se ainda não somos conectados)

Eu te envio o link do grupo na DM agora mesmo

♻️ Reposte e marque um amigo nos comentários para avisar sua rede

Vazei sem querer a data do próximo meetup de Growth IA ontem 🤣 

134 minutos depois: 16 vagas já tinham ido embora

Restam 104. De 120

Se tá esperando "o momento certo" pra fazer networking de verdade, trocar hacks e conhecer gente que tá jogando o mesmo jogo que você...

Esse é o aviso

Depois não vem perguntar "como faz pra entrar"

---

O que rola no meetup:

→ Networking com gente que EXECUTA (não só consome conteúdo)
→ Hacks reais de Growth e IA que ninguém posta no LinkedIn
→ Conexões que viram parcerias, clientes, amigos

Não é palestra chata

É gente trocando o que tá funcionando AGORA

---

600+ pessoas já passaram pelos nossos meetups

Algumas fecharam sociedade
Outras encontraram co-founders
Outras saíram com cliente no bolso

Todas têm uma coisa em comum:

Apareceram

---

120 vagas
16 já foram em 2 horas
104 restantes

A matemática é simples:

Ou você garante agora
Ou você vê stories de quem foi

Sua escolha

---

Quer garantir?

1. Comenta "EU VOU"
2. Te mando o link no DM

Simples assim. Mas só enquanto tiver vaga

taplio

The Battle

Karl Pontau

Henrique Caner

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance ScoreHenrique Caner's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

taplio

The Battle

Karl Pontau

Henrique Caner

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Henrique Caner's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreHenrique Caner's LinkedIn Performance