In this special episode of AI First with Adam and Andy, we go global with our first international guest, Shawn Walchef, founder of Cali BBQ and Cali BBQ Media, joining us from Bulgaria. Shawn shares how he’s using AI not just to support operations, but to fuel real innovation across both his restaurant and media businesses.
He walks us through a game-changing Father’s Day activation where a voice AI agent, trained on his own podcast content and voice, answered 150+ customer calls, freeing up his team and driving record-breaking sales. He also explains how AI has become his remote creative partner, helping him turn iPhone clips into full media assets while traveling in Istanbul.
From launching voice tech in his BBQ shops to using ChatGPT for deep market research on potential family investments, Shawn is a masterclass in AI-first thinking. His stories show how any business, no matter how local, can scale globally and strategically with the right AI mindset.
In this episode of AI First with Adam and Andy, author and tech thinker Steven Johnson shares the surprising origin story of Google’s NotebookLM. Learn how a writer’s personal obsession with note-taking turned into a viral AI-native product now transforming enterprise workflows.
AI First: A Playbook for Future-Proofing Your Business and Brand in the AI Era is officially out, and the world of AI has moved fast since we submitted the manuscript nine months ago. In this special launch-day episode, Adam Brotman and Andy Sack bring listeners behind the scenes to reflect on what has changed, what didn’t make it into the book, and what leaders need to be thinking about right now.
From Sam Altman’s viral blog post The Gentle Singularity to the rapid rise of reasoning models, autonomous agents, and early signs of economic disruption, this episode is a candid look at how fast the AI landscape is evolving.
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This episode serves as a real-time epilogue to the book and a preview of what’s next for AI-first leaders.
Fresh from the floor of the Food on Demand Conference in Las Vegas, Adam Brotman and Andy Sack unpack what’s top of mind for today’s restaurant leaders. In this episode, they reflect on the slowdown in digital growth, rising consumer price sensitivity, and the evolving challenges facing operators in 2025.
They also explore how AI is transitioning from hype to practical application, powering smarter decisions in areas such as guest feedback, menu optimization, and operational efficiency. With insight, clarity, and candor, Adam and Andy offer a timely recap of where the industry is headed and what brands can do right now to unlock sustainable growth.
Commercial Real Estate brokerage is a $100B market, yet still stuck and manual as ever.
In this episode, Joe Lee, CEO and founder of Locate.ai, shares how his company is using predictive AI and generative AI to transform the way national enterprises transact and expand into brick-and-mortar. From boosting store sales by 15% and increasing broker throughput by 3x, Joe breaks down what it means to truly be an AI-first company in an antiquated industry.
In this episode of AI First with Adam and Andy, we sit down with Matt Britton, Founder & CEO of Suzy, to explore how AI is transforming the way businesses operate. Matt shares his personal “aha” moment with AI, how he applied those insights to revolutionize his company, and why he believes CEOs must lead the charge in AI adoption—or risk getting left behind.
We dive into Suzy’s AI-driven evolution, the challenges of integrating AI in a fast-moving company, and the mindset shifts executives need to stay competitive. Matt also offers a three-step framework for identifying business problems AI can solve and explains why speed is the new competitive advantage in today’s AI-first world.
If you’re a business leader looking to future-proof your company, this episode is packed with actionable insights on leveraging AI for real business impact.
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In this episode of AI First with Adam and Andy, the hosts dive into a dynamic conversation with Nick Soman, CEO of Decent and an AI-first leader. They explore how Nick leverages multiple large language models to act as an "Iron Man suit" for his business, enabling his team to punch above their weight and unlock new levels of efficiency and innovation. The discussion highlights the transformative potential of AI, from revolutionizing industries like healthcare to empowering startups with tools once reserved for top-tier consultants.
In the follow-up commentary, Adam and Andy debrief their conversation with Nick Soman, CEO of Decent, exploring how AI empowers leaders and businesses to accomplish much more with much less. They discuss the two "aha" moments of AI adoption and its ROI for companies of all sizes. With a focus on healthcare, they highlight how AI’s ability to analyze vast data and provide personalized insights can revolutionize industries. The episode underscores the critical need for AI literacy to unlock its transformative potential.
In this episode of AI First with Adam and Andy, we sit down with Andrew Katz, Chief Marketing Officer at Athletic Brewing, to explore how AI is reshaping marketing in the CPG industry. Andrew shares his hands-on approach to integrating AI into daily workflows, the role of GenAI in creative ideation, and the challenges of navigating the attention economy.
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In this episode of AI First with Adam and Andy, Fred Crosetto, founder of AMMEX, reveals how a traditional company became a global AI innovator. From automating HR with a 68% self-service rate to transforming supply chain and marketing processes, Fred offers a masterclass in leadership during technological disruption.
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Whether you’re a CEO, entrepreneur, or industry leader, Fred’s journey will inspire you to act on the transformative power of AI today.
On this episode of AI First with Adam and Andy, the hosts sit down with Jeff Bussgang — Harvard Business School professor, venture capitalist, and author of The Experimentation Machine. Together, they explore how AI is reshaping startup formation, product-market fit, and business strategy. Following the interview, Adam and Andy share their expert commentary, diving deeper into the transformative insights from Jeff and their implications for business leaders.
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Packed with actionable insights, real-world examples, and reflective commentary, this episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs, investors, and executives navigating the generative AI revolution."
Join hosts Andy Sack and Adam Brotman as they sit down with Hugh Weber, President of Business Operations at Seattle Sounders FC, to explore how AI is reshaping sports management. Hugh dives into the team’s AI journey, revealing game-changing strategies, cultural shifts, and key lessons from integrating AI into operations. Hear firsthand about the productivity boosts, decision-making insights, and the challenges of embracing innovation in a fast-paced industry. Plus, Andy and Adam’s post-episode commentary delves into the future of AI—unpacking agentic AI, text-to-action capabilities, and strategic planning for businesses looking to harness AI’s full potential. Don’t miss this compelling conversation about the present and future of AI in sports and beyond.
In this episode of AI First with Adam & Andy, our hosts discuss insights from their interview with Neil Patel, focusing on the impact of AI on consumer behavior, the importance of SEO and GEO for business leaders, and strategies for future-proofing businesses through AI. They explore how consumer behavior has shifted with the rise of AI, the need for businesses to adapt their marketing strategies, and the role of AI tools in enhancing brand awareness and product improvement.
Marketing visionary Neil Patel, Co-Founder of NP Digital, breaks down how AI is reshaping search, SEO, and brand strategy. As AI-driven platforms like ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, and Instagram Search become the new gatekeepers of information, Neil reveals why businesses must move beyond traditional SEO and embrace "Search Everywhere Optimization."
Neil gives a masterclass on how AI is influencing consumer behavior and what it means for Google’s dominance, the role of brand visibility and real estate in AI search results, why brand mentions are the new word-of-mouth marketing, and how companies can future-proof their digital presence. Neil also shares real-world strategies for optimizing across AI-driven platforms, leveraging generative search, and maintaining a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving landscape.
Whether you're a founder, marketer, or executive, this episode is jam-packed with insights you can't afford to miss.
In this episode of AI First, hosts Adam Brotman and Andy Sack engage with Brice Challamel, VP of AI Products and Platforms at Moderna, to discuss the transformative impact of generative AI on business operations. Brice shares how Moderna has successfully integrated AI into its culture, enhancing decision-making processes, productivity, and cross-functional collaboration. The discussion highlights actionable strategies for promoting AI adoption, addressing cultural shifts, and overcoming resistance to change.
In the follow-up commentary, Adam and Andy reflect on their conversation with Brice, emphasizing the strategic implications of AI adoption and looking ahead to upcoming advancements like agentic AI and text-to-action capabilities. They provide practical advice for leaders aiming to integrate AI into their organizations.
Welcome to the inaugural episode of AI First with Adam and Andy! Kicking off the new year, hosts Andy Sack and Adam Brotman share their bold predictions for AI in 2025. From the rise of AI-powered search and agentic AI to Apple's big move into artificial intelligence, this episode explores the trends set to disrupt businesses, reshape industries, and influence our daily lives.
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Join Adam and Andy as they break down these trends and explain what business leaders need to know to stay ahead in the AI-first future.
