AI and Ambition with Krystel Leal

In this episode of Getting to Work, I talk with Krystel Leal, an AI deployment lead in Silicon Valley and startup founder, about her non-linear path from studying journalism in Paris to advising founders and helping companies implement AI. She reflects on culture shock moving from Europe to Bay Area startups, the importance of people and communication throughout her career, reframing “wrong” decisions as iterations, optimism about AI’s future, and advice on staying curious. 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro00:57 What Do You Do02:41 Fractional Life and Workday04:40 Execution Over Strategy07:23 Prototyping and Feedback Loops09:58 Scary Career Bets11:57 The People Thread15:05 Early Tech Curiosity17:55 Journalism vs Money Reality19:28 College Frustration and Skills22:58 Finishing Degree and Moving24:54 Freelance Nomad Chapter25:32 Remote Work to Silicon Valley26:19 Catching the Startup Bug28:23 Build Culture vs Portugal31:15 Buzzwords to Basics32:33 Culture Shock at Work36:54 Work Life Integration38:34 Quitting to Build and Reframing42:58 AI Era Perspective Shift46:03 Optimism and Agency with AI47:35 Advice Curiosity and Balance51:54 Closing ThanksFollow the podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gettingtoworkpodcast/