The Valley of Cringe & Real Networking – Web Summit Special w/ Kayvan Nikjou

Recorded live at Web Summit 2025 in Lisbon, this special episode with Kayvan Nikjou is about what really sits behind “networking” and “content” – and why most of us are scared of both.

We talk about:

• the Valley of Cringe every founder & creator has to go through
• how one TikTok on cultural communication turned into 13M+ views and a Māori wedding invite
• why being nice is overrated, and being kind + clear is a superpower
• cultural intelligence at events – from Iranian tarof to reading the room at Web Summit
• “smooth seas never make a great sailor” – and what that means for your career

If you’ve ever thought “I should post more” or “I hate networking, but I know I need it” – this episode is for you.

Guest: Kayvan Nikjou

🎙 Host: Zivile Einikyte, Perception Paradox