Community Unlocked Sat, 07 Mar 2026 16:11:41 -0500 http://communityunlocked.substack.com en-gb © 2026 Community Unlocked yes fb98ae28-9732-5681-86ae-36adbfec2a73 elena@popappfactory.com Helena Brandist and Olena Avramenko episodic false Community Unlocked is an audio and video podcast where we, Helena Brandist and Olena Avramenko, have conversations with top-tier community leaders and growth experts. Our goal is to provide you with concrete and actionable advice to help you learn about launching, building, and growing your community. 

Released every two weeks on Tuesdays

Learn more about the podcast and all the episodes: communityunlocked.substack.com

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) community building, community engagement, community led growth Helena Brandist and Olena Avramenko elena@popappfactory.com https://storage.buzzsprout.com/b9fsbmd76o01km4z73ny6nnagr91?.jpg Community Unlocked http://communityunlocked.substack.com Reframe. Apply. Repeat: On Job Searching, Self-Worth & Women Reframe. Apply. Repeat: On Job Searching, Self-Worth & Women In this empowering episode Helena sits down with career coach Jennifer Paine to unpack the emotional, practical, and deeply personal realities of job searching, especially as a woman in today’s tech landscape. From reframing self-doubt to navigating systemic bias, this conversation is al about self-compassion, intentionality, and resilience.

]]> In this empowering episode Helena sits down with career coach Jennifer Paine to unpack the emotional, practical, and deeply personal realities of job searching, especially as a woman in today’s tech landscape. From reframing self-doubt to navigating systemic bias, this conversation is al about self-compassion, intentionality, and resilience.

]]> Helena Brandist Buzzsprout-17319863 Wed, 11 Jun 2025 18:00:00 +0200 3464 job searching, women in tech, vulnerability, job applications, gender norms, reframing 1 11 full false Episode 10: Creating the Future of Learning Communities with Candice Faktor Episode 10: Creating the Future of Learning Communities with Candice Faktor Join us as Candice Factor, co-founder and co-CEO of Disco, shares her journey in community building and transformative learning. From scaling Wattpad to pioneering new ways of learning with Disco, Candice provides valuable insights into the future of education and the role of community in lifelong learning.

]]> Join us as Candice Factor, co-founder and co-CEO of Disco, shares her journey in community building and transformative learning. From scaling Wattpad to pioneering new ways of learning with Disco, Candice provides valuable insights into the future of education and the role of community in lifelong learning.

]]> Helena Brandist and Olena Avramenko Buzzsprout-15385060 Wed, 10 Jul 2024 07:00:00 +0200 2808 Community building, digital communities, digital community management, community-led growth 1 10 full false Episode 9: Empowering Founders: Lessons from TechLeap's Scale-Up Community with Mila Jovićević Episode 9: Empowering Founders: Lessons from TechLeap's Scale-Up Community with Mila Jovićević Join us as Mila Jovićević shares her journey from the arts to tech, and how she empowers Dutch tech founders through community building with TechLeap.

What You'll Discover:

  • The evolution of Mila’s career from the arts and creative sector to entrepreneurial communities.
  • Insights into the private network AIS and its global founder events.
  • The mission and impact of TechLeap in supporting Dutch tech scale-ups.
  • The importance of in-person connections for creating meaningful, non-transactional relationships.
  • Strategies for fostering diversity and inclusion within tech communities.
  • How TechLeap’s programs, like the RISE program, provide support for scaling companies.
  • The role of government support in growing entrepreneurial ecosystems.
  • Practical advice for community managers on creating and nurturing successful 
]]> Join us as Mila Jovićević shares her journey from the arts to tech, and how she empowers Dutch tech founders through community building with TechLeap.

What You'll Discover:

  • The evolution of Mila’s career from the arts and creative sector to entrepreneurial communities.
  • Insights into the private network AIS and its global founder events.
  • The mission and impact of TechLeap in supporting Dutch tech scale-ups.
  • The importance of in-person connections for creating meaningful, non-transactional relationships.
  • Strategies for fostering diversity and inclusion within tech communities.
  • How TechLeap’s programs, like the RISE program, provide support for scaling companies.
  • The role of government support in growing entrepreneurial ecosystems.
  • Practical advice for community managers on creating and nurturing successful 
]]> Helena Brandist and Olena Avramenko Buzzsprout-15240776 Thu, 13 Jun 2024 07:00:00 +0200 3103 1 9 full false Episode 8: Empathy in Acton: How to Drive Cross-Functional Success with Max Rothery Episode 8: Empathy in Acton: How to Drive Cross-Functional Success with Max Rothery In this episode Helena and Olena sit down with Max Rothery, VP of Community at Finimize. Max shares his journey from film and music to finance, how he built one of the largest finance communities, and his insights on the future of community building.

]]> In this episode Helena and Olena sit down with Max Rothery, VP of Community at Finimize. Max shares his journey from film and music to finance, how he built one of the largest finance communities, and his insights on the future of community building.

]]> Helena Brandist and Olena Avramenko Buzzsprout-15100051 Tue, 21 May 2024 07:00:00 +0200 2736 Community building, digital communities, digital community management, community-led growth, investing 1 8 full false Episode 7: Crafting Community Environments with Yana Belova Episode 7: Crafting Community Environments with Yana Belova This episode of the "Community Unlocked" podcast features Yana Belova, a community builder and global advisor to tech companies. Yana shares her extensive experience in fostering communities within the IT sector, providing insights into the strategies that have propelled companies like Canva, Miro, and Google to success. 

]]> This episode of the "Community Unlocked" podcast features Yana Belova, a community builder and global advisor to tech companies. Yana shares her extensive experience in fostering communities within the IT sector, providing insights into the strategies that have propelled companies like Canva, Miro, and Google to success. 

]]> Helena Brandist and Olena Avramenko Buzzsprout-15023490 Tue, 07 May 2024 15:00:00 +0200 2664 1 7 full false Episode 6: The Power of Community: Fostering Connection and Retention with Max Pete Episode 6: The Power of Community: Fostering Connection and Retention with Max Pete Join us in this episode where Max Pete, a seasoned community manager and strategist, shares his expert insights on creating vibrant communities through deep connections and sustained member engagement. Discover his unique approach to maintaining high retention rates and building meaningful relationships within community spaces.


]]> Join us in this episode where Max Pete, a seasoned community manager and strategist, shares his expert insights on creating vibrant communities through deep connections and sustained member engagement. Discover his unique approach to maintaining high retention rates and building meaningful relationships within community spaces.


]]> Helena Brandist and Olena Avramenko Buzzsprout-14941567 Tue, 23 Apr 2024 18:00:00 +0200 2281 Community building, digital communities, digital community management, community-led growth 1 6 full false Episode 5: The Cross-functional Power of Community with Klara Losert Episode 5: The Cross-functional Power of Community with Klara Losert Dive into the insightful world of community building with Klara Losert, co-founder and CEO of Talkbase, in this episode of the Community Unlocked Podcast. Klara shares her journey from tech operations to becoming a pioneer in community analytics, highlighting the power of community in the tech industry.

]]> Dive into the insightful world of community building with Klara Losert, co-founder and CEO of Talkbase, in this episode of the Community Unlocked Podcast. Klara shares her journey from tech operations to becoming a pioneer in community analytics, highlighting the power of community in the tech industry.

]]> Helena Brandist and Olena Avramenko Buzzsprout-14851709 Tue, 09 Apr 2024 11:00:00 +0200 2902 Community building, digital communities, digital community management, community-led growth, plg, community analytics 1 5 full false Episode 4: How to Build an Intentional Community with Milly Tamati Episode 4: How to Build an Intentional Community with Milly Tamati Join us in this episode as we dive into the world of generalists with the visionary Milly Tamati. With her groundbreaking work at Generalist World, Milly is reshaping how we perceive career paths and community engagement for those with diverse interests and skills.

Check out these resources:
Generally Curious Podcast
Generalist Jobseeker's Guidebook

]]> Join us in this episode as we dive into the world of generalists with the visionary Milly Tamati. With her groundbreaking work at Generalist World, Milly is reshaping how we perceive career paths and community engagement for those with diverse interests and skills.

Check out these resources:
Generally Curious Podcast
Generalist Jobseeker's Guidebook

]]> Helena Brandist and Olena Avramenko Buzzsprout-14751523 Tue, 26 Mar 2024 07:00:00 +0100 2678 Community building, digital communities, digital community management, community-led growth, generalists, careers 1 4 full false Episode 3: Peer Learning as the Cornerstone for Community Building with Mindaugas Petrutis Episode 3: Peer Learning as the Cornerstone for Community Building with Mindaugas Petrutis In this enlightening episode we delve into the intricacies of community building with our guest, Mindaugas Petrutis. With a rich background spanning hospitality, design recruitment, and his transformative role at Coho, Mindaugas shares his insights into cultivating authentic, impactful communities.

]]> In this enlightening episode we delve into the intricacies of community building with our guest, Mindaugas Petrutis. With a rich background spanning hospitality, design recruitment, and his transformative role at Coho, Mindaugas shares his insights into cultivating authentic, impactful communities.

]]> Helena Brandist and Olena Avramenko Buzzsprout-14667398 Tue, 12 Mar 2024 07:00:00 +0100 2397 1 3 full false Episode 2: Building FOR and WITH Community with Anamaria Dorgo Episode 2: Building FOR and WITH Community with Anamaria Dorgo In this episode, Anamaria Dorgo, a seasoned community builder, takes us through her  journey of fostering two unique communities. Starting with L&D Shakers, which sprang from a spontaneous idea into a thriving network, to the crafted Butter community, Anamaria provides a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and triumphs of community development. Through our conversation, we explore the dynamics of community engagement, the importance of authenticity, and the strategies that underpin successful community ecosystems.

]]> In this episode, Anamaria Dorgo, a seasoned community builder, takes us through her  journey of fostering two unique communities. Starting with L&D Shakers, which sprang from a spontaneous idea into a thriving network, to the crafted Butter community, Anamaria provides a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and triumphs of community development. Through our conversation, we explore the dynamics of community engagement, the importance of authenticity, and the strategies that underpin successful community ecosystems.

]]> Helena Brandist and Olena Avramenko Buzzsprout-14555533 Tue, 27 Feb 2024 05:00:00 +0100 2861 1 2 full false Episode 1: Community is the Glue with Yurii Lazaruk Episode 1: Community is the Glue with Yurii Lazaruk This episode features an in-depth conversation with Yurii Lazaruk, a highly connected community builder who's always there to spark conversations and foster engagement wherever he goes. With a firm belief that true community involves people taking on each other's problems, Yurii applies his expertise in real life to help people nurture their communities. As fellow community builder puts it - Yurii is also a Community Psychologist, and you can listen to his enlightening sessions on his The Community Life podcast.


]]> This episode features an in-depth conversation with Yurii Lazaruk, a highly connected community builder who's always there to spark conversations and foster engagement wherever he goes. With a firm belief that true community involves people taking on each other's problems, Yurii applies his expertise in real life to help people nurture their communities. As fellow community builder puts it - Yurii is also a Community Psychologist, and you can listen to his enlightening sessions on his The Community Life podcast.


]]> Community Unlocked Buzzsprout-14479761 Mon, 12 Feb 2024 15:00:00 +0100 2112 Community building, digital communities, digital community management, community-led growth 1 1 full false