StandOutIn90Sec

I host guests in 90 second conversations by asking five questions. And creating impactful videos that humanizes them instantly!

Who can use this?

👉 Cybersecurity Startup CEOs to connect with CISOs, future employees

👉 New CISOs to connect with their new teams, build social brand

👉 Cyber conference organizers to humanize their speakers before the event

And my broad community reach across the CISOs, vendors and newcomers helps with amplification.

That's not all, as my way of giving back to the community, I host newcomers for free! I share my availability periodically so follow me if you want to grab a spot.

If you are a cyber startup executive, cyber conference host, or CISO, let's talk

📥 𝗠𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 or 📧 𝗘𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹 me 𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐰𝐢𝐧@𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐧𝐚𝐧.𝐦𝐞

Host 🎤, Producer, 🎬 Amplifier 📣- Stand Out in 90 Seconds

Self-Employed 

Contributor - TechTarget

IDG (International Data Group)

IDG Influencer

Mobilematics, Inc.

Consultant

Chief Diversity Amplifier

UGATIt

#UGATIt is 𝖀nabashedly 𝙂iving 𝘼ll the 𝐓ime
And this live show is highlighting amazing human beings who are leading the #UGATIt life.
Every Wednesday @ 5pm PST.

LinkedIn Live Host

The Tefon Tales

#TheTeflonTales is a lively discussion where we meet guests who live the Telfon life to make their business & personal lives more impactful and purposeful.
What is a Teflon life? Heating up quickly,, Cooling down quickly, Remaining non-sticky, Being highly flexible, Demonstrating versatility.
👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻
Follow #TheTeflonTales on LinkedIn for more inspirational Teflon stories
👆🏻👆🏻👆🏻

SecureDynamics

Working with an amazing team of passionate security folks with a mission to  educate, engage and give back (The what) and in the process close the chasm of cybersecurity skills, transformation and conversation (The why) using podcasting, training and services (The how)

Chief Communicator

CIO Online

IDG Contributor

HyTrust

Leading Product Management, Strategy and Program Management functions. Right @ the nexus of Cloud, Virtualization, Security

SVP Product Management + Strategy

Brocade

Business responsibility for NFV and SDN products - virtual router, firewall, VPN, ADC/load balancer and SDN controller, leading a team of top notch product management and technical marketing professionals

Head of Products (Senior Director), Software Networking Business

My typical conversation starter used to be…

Where do you work?

Looking back, I go “Duh!” Because now I ask:

“What advice would you give your younger self?”

See the difference? One opens with status. The other opens the heart.

I’m Ashwin Krishnan, and as The Human Catalyst, I help mid-to-large organizations rediscover the power of authentic human connection — one 90-second video at a time.

Through my platform, StandOutIn90Sec,I have created a human connection engine for building recognition, belonging, and trust through one unforgettable story at a time. In 90 seconds, I ask thought-provoking questions that reveal the person behind the professional. The answers are raw, real, and unforgettable.


If you're a business leader who cares about retention, engagement, well-being, and belonging – let’s talk. 


My mission? To help leaders spark deep, lasting connections — whether inside their teams, with customers, or across communities. Because human bonding isn’t a “soft skill.” It’s a business superpower.

If you care about building stronger organizational culture and creating true employee engagement, StandOutIn90Sec can help you do it—beautifully and fast.

🎥 See what human connection looks like: https://www.youtube.com/@StandOutin90Sec/

📩 Message me or 📧 email ashwin@ashwinkrishnan.me — let’s talk about igniting human bonding at scale.

Behind every professor on live TV… there’s a human being.
 A dad.
 A husband.
 A man trying to stay calm while chaos rolls in on a tiny baby walker.

That 2017 BBC moment with Professor Robert Kelly talking about impeachment of President Park Geun-hye, when family walks in 😅  is still one of my all-time favorites — because it reminded the world of something simple:

We’re human first.
 Professionals second.

And that’s exactly what we do at StandOutIn90Sec — go behind the title (professor or not!) to uncover the real person.
 Because that’s what connects us.
 Not AI content.
 Not perfected personas.
 Just… humans being human. Real. Vulnerable. Kind.

Leaders — if you want your people to show up that way too, let’s talk. 

Ever wondered what a Fortune 10 CISO, a pre-teen cricketer, and a high-school mental-health champion sound like when they get real in 90 seconds?
 Subscribe right here  https://lnkd.in/eU7rP5KG

(Video credit:BBC)

Ashwin Krishnan

Host of StandOutIn90Sec - Catalyzing Human Stories | Helping Leaders Build Recognition, Belonging & Trust

Meeting a stranger for the first time on Zoom…

 and hearing them say YES to something bold.

I was thinking about this today when I came across a past guest of mine — Rinki Sethi — and the memory instantly came back.

Back in May, during our very first conversation, I asked if she’d ever consider joining me on StandOutIn90Sec.
She didn’t just say yes.
 She said: “Why don’t we do it right now?”

And suddenly I was the one scrambling to pull my five questions together 😅
 And then, she flowed through the deeply human, probing questions effortlessly.

I learned something important that day:
 Embrace meaningful discomfort. That’s where connection & discovery lives.

So here it is — our conversation again.
 I don't have favorites, but this is up there 😁!

Shh! Michelle doesn't know that I am sharing this again, let's keep it a secret 😉!

AKA, the reason for sharing is that I am hoping our StandOutIn90Sec conversation reaches more folks, who get inspired and are able to push themselves forward through self-doubt as well!

Link to the full episode - https://lnkd.in/gnc-YZ-f

Think external links kill reach?
Here’s yesterday’s post proving the opposite — and it included a YouTube link.

(Okay… the professor-dad-chaos video probably helped too 😄)

See for yourself 👇
 https://lnkd.in/eTAgju4n

I couldn't resist it, but I did try darn hard 😅!

Michelle Ye - my latest connection - another amazing Gen Z guest on StandOutIn90Sec - was on my show yesterday! And she is going to post this snippet from our conversation later this week.

But I couldn't resist it because the inspiration and goosebumps were too much, so thought of sharing it myself too 😉. 

https://lnkd.in/ekaiqRwT

Minus job titles and degrees. Go ahead and introduce yourself 😅!

What better way to start off Monday than with some sub-par singing 😅!

Hey - it isn't even my usual 90 second conversation, its less than a min.

AKA, using AI as a sounding board can be really eye opening. In my case, understanding what StandOutIn90Sec is all about from ChatGPT's perspective in terms of what it does to my guests was really eye opening. 

If you happen to know what StandOutIn90Sec is all about (if not check out https://lnkd.in/eaX_54Nm and subscribe if it jives with you), which song is your top pick from the four that best reflects the show?

Blame it on Peter if you tear up at the end of this 3 min ad!

I have seen this over a dozen times and it never fails to shake me. Peter's amazing post today about neuroscience and unforgettable ads made me dig this one out.

And for those that know me 😉, guess what I did after an ad moved me so deeply. Yes - reached out and connected to Jolanta Starczewska Petrycka. And now, with some of your votes, how about we get her on StandOutIn90Sec!!

(Video credit: Take Note Stationery)

Sometimes the kindest moments are the ones we never see coming.

A while ago, four past guests — Solveiga, Alvar, John, and Vasudha — got on a Zoom call with one mission in mind.
 (And yes, Solveiga was the mastermind behind it, and made sure I did not get wind of it 😁)

To share what being on StandOutIn90Sec meant to them… and how those 90 seconds had impacted their lives.

I found out about it only when they posted it on LinkedIn. And I broke down watching it 🙏.

Today, a comment from Solveiga brought me back to it — and it stopped me in my tracks - again.

None of us have met in real life.
 Yet kindness, honesty, and a willingness to show up as humans somehow created a bond far deeper than I ever expected.

Because when people take the time to reflect on how you’ve touched their lives — quietly, sincerely — it stays with you.

Thanks again Solveiga, Alvar, John and Vasudha. Yes we will meet IRL one day and the hugs and love will be 😍!

***
If you’re a leader who wants your people to feel this seen, this valued, this human — let’s talk. StandOutIn90Sec was built for exactly that.

YES! YES!! and YES!!! Vienna so stoked to see you in the list. Just saw your amazing co-founder - Skye - also featured in the list and commented and reshared his post and have to do yours! Why? Well, the story behind MabLab is so powerful, purposeful and heartfelt. And that's the reason you and Skye and I connected. And had the incredible conversation on StandOutIn90Sec!! Here's proof https://lnkd.in/gk74dmTN 🙂. Looking forward to continued purposeful success and meaning in your journey ahead 🤟

Impact Investing & Building | Forbes 30u30 | Sigma²

I am incredibly grateful to be recognized in Forbes 30 under 30 USA!

I've always believed science is most powerful when it drives real social change. When I started my founder journey, I was drawn to the power of science and technology to solve problems that genuinely matter: to create solutions that improve lives and reshape systems.

Being recognized in the science category is a milestone that reflects so much more than my individual work. I'm deeply grateful to everyone who has played a role in getting me here: the mentors who pushed me to think bigger, the team members who believed in the vision, investors who took bold bets, and family and friends who have been my foundation from day one.

As I look towards the future, my commitment remains the same: using science and technology as a tool for impact, building alongside exceptional people, and empowering the next wave of scientists and founders.

Thank you to Forbes for this incredible honor, and congratulations to the rest of this year's honorees!

#Forbes #Forbes30Under30 #Science #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #SocialImpact #30Under30 #Founder #Science #Startups #SocialChange

Sometimes an article stops you mid-scroll.

This one from Andrew Ng did exactly that:
“Why People Don’t Trust AI — and What to Do About It.”

In an industry where hype often drowns out honesty, Andrew does the opposite.

He names what most avoid:
 trust in AI is eroding — not because the tech isn’t advancing, but because the human experience around it is often dismissed, overlooked, or minimized.
His willingness to acknowledge the emotional, ethical, and societal realities behind AI is what true leadership looks like.
 Not defensiveness.
 Not spin.
 Just clarity, humility, and responsibility.

If you haven’t read the article, I can’t recommend it enough:
 https://lnkd.in/gVtASket

And Andrew — if this ever reaches you, I’d be honored to explore the human side of AI with you sometime. Even a short conversation - StandOutIn90Sec is short by definition 😄 - would mean a lot.

There are some posts that make you go 🙏 . This is one of them. If you are seeing this post and aren't following Ria Sethi, what are you waiting for. Trust me, her passion, purpose and genuine kindness in everything she does is super inspiring. Thanks my friend for being you and thanks to you I have met so many more amazing Gen Zs and learning so much from them.

17 | Founder at Cyber For Youth | Speaker | Designing Digital Safety for Every Age | Empowering Communities to Build Their Digital Confidence

are you a teen looking to make an impact and share YOUR voice?

i’ve had the chance to work with Ashwin Krishnan, and he’s one of the few people i know who elevates youth voice. he’s supported my work with Cyber For Youth in such a real way, taking time to meet my team and even some of my family.

if you want your story or ideas to be heard, connect with him. tell him i sent you and share your “why” for a chance to have your voice featured on StandOutIn90Sec and join such a down-to-earth community.

Sometimes the biggest Aha moments come from the most unexpected places.

Like this line from the brilliant Steven Bartlett from his post yesterday:
“In a world of perfect AI-generated everything, the imperfect, the human, the unreplicatable, becomes exponentially more valuable.”

I read that and immediately went: YES. Exactly.

Because that is literally what I do on StandOutIn90Sec.

No scripts.
 No AI.
  No polish.

Just a 90-second conversation that is imperfect, deeply human, and always—always—unreplicatable.

600+ conversations later, the evidence is undeniable:
 Nothing connects, endures and bonds more than imperfect human conversations. Check out https://lnkd.in/eaX_54Nm.

Leaders:
 If you want to build greater human bonding inside your teams  reach out. That’s the work I do every day.

And Steven, thanks for your amazing post. Link to his post in the comments.

Ready for 90 seconds of inspiration from a 16 year old? You got it 🎯.

🎓 Crystal ’27| Co-Founder of WitchBin| Co-Executive Director & Public Relations Executive @Project EDSA| Social Media Team Lead @EDRC

I am a failure.

No, this isn’t about school. But I was convinced that I had humiliated myself on the internet. 

During my StandOutIn90Sec episode with Ashwin Krishnan, I felt that familiar pressure to give a perfect interview even though the whole point of the show is zero prep and full authenticity.

But rewatching the clip (5 times, because I needed to write this LinkedIn post), I realized that my stuttering and mumbling were actually the most honest parts.

As a junior in high school, burn out is basically my personality. In the mists of finals season, I took the SAT this morning, and yep, I'm stressed. 

I’m only 16. I’m allowed to take breaks. I’m allowed to breathe.

And this is what we try to emphasize in Project EDSA.
Because students need spaces to feel support and be reminded that it’s ok to rest, struggle, and be imperfect.

That’s the kind of work I’m proud to help build.

Thanks again to Mr. Krishnan for creating a space that reflects something we forget too often: imperfection is the beauty of being human.

Check out the first episode here: https://lnkd.in/g76AHzi2.

Let's be honest.

This post sucks 😉.

But not these 90 second humanizing conversations - https://lnkd.in/eaX_54Nm

I will not close with this cringeworthy "Do you agree".
How about "Follow me for more non-viral posts". 🤣

Another validation on how 90 seconds can evoke joy, introspection, vulnerability, courage ...

My latest guest - the amazing Rebecca Kitchens - shared a snippet today from our conversation - here's the link - https://lnkd.in/g-vEjsUv - and it spoke of honesty and courage!

And as I was wrapping up the full video production just now, her closer on advice to her younger self had us both in splits - evidence below!

Entire range of emotions in 90 seconds (Ok 150 seconds as we went a little over 😉).

Hit subscribe here and you won't miss it when it hits the wire - https://lnkd.in/eBdmF-w9

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