What if everything you believe about building a successful business is actually keeping you trapped? Most solopreneurs think more hours equals more money, but they're stuck in what I call the "hamster wheel of hustle" – running faster and faster while getting nowhere because they're doing everything manually. You become the bottleneck in your own business, and no matter how talented you are, there are still only 24 hours in a day. But what if you could flip the script entirely and build a thriving 6-figure business working just 25 hours a week? Today marks our 100th episode milestone, and I've brought you someone who's living proof this isn't just possible – it's proven. Meet Tim Cortinovis – a man who's been working with AI for 35 years and has cracked the code on anti-hustle entrepreneurship. Tim is a bestselling author of six books, including "Agentic Sales: AI and the Future of Sales," and he's recognized as a Top 10 Thought Leader in Agentic AI. But here's what makes Tim remarkable: he's built a 6-figure consulting business that runs almost entirely on autopilot, requiring just 25 hours of his time per week. His newsletter runs completely hands-free with 40% open rates, and he's created an AI assistant named "Rick" who handles all customer communications. Tim isn't just talking about the future of AI in business – he's living it every single day. The AI Hat Podcast host Mike Allton asked Tim Cortinovis about: ✨ AI-First Mindset: Shifting from viewing AI as a tool to seeing it as your business partner and primary operating system. ✨ Automation Architecture: Creating interconnected systems that handle research, content creation, customer communications, and lead nurturing without constant oversight. ✨ Strategic Time Investment: Understanding that working fewer hours requires more upfront planning and system design, but pays exponential dividends in freedom and scalability. Grab the free Scalability Audit and find your leaky buckets Follow Mike Allton on Threads and get more AI tips Explore past episodes of the The AI Hat Podcast podcast Show Notes & Full Transcript: https://theaihat.com/how-to-build-a-6-figure-business-working-just-25-hours-a-week-with-ai/ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction: The AI Debate 02:16 Podcast Introduction and Guest Welcome 02:38 The Anti-Hustle Business Model 03:14 Meet Tim Cortinovis: AI Pioneer 04:13 Tim's Journey with AI 06:26 Automating Business Operations 10:21 AI Tools and Techniques 21:15 Maintaining Human Connection in an AI-Driven World 35:55 Challenges and Overcoming Them 40:42 Final Thoughts and Contact Information Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever feel like you're spending more time teaching your AI tools how to work than actually getting work done? You're not alone. In this week's AI Hat Dispatch, I share the brutal moment I realized I'd become an unpaid trainer for yet another "revolutionary" AI video tool - and the eye-opening lesson that changed everything about how I approach AI in my business. If you've ever found yourself jumping between a dozen different AI platforms, each demanding you learn their language and work around their limitations, this episode is for you. We'll explore why the most successful solopreneurs don't actually use more AI tools - they use fewer, better, and smarter ones. More importantly, I'll show you the difference between being your AI's assistant versus being its boss, and why that shift is the key to finally building systems that work FOR you instead of against you. This isn't about adding another tool to your stack. It's about becoming the architect of your own AI-powered business. Join the AI Solopreneur OS community at https://theaihat.com/aisos CHAPTERS 00:00 The Harsh Reality for Solopreneurs 03:08 The AI Paradox: Tools or Chains? 03:23 The Early Railroad Analogy 03:31 Designing Systems Around Human Expertise 03:38 The Secret to Successful Solopreneurship Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As a solopreneur, have you ever felt like your energy is your most limited resource? You can handle the client work, the creative thinking... but it's the constant pressure to be "on"—the networking, the social media, the self-promotion—that leaves you completely drained. It's a frustrating trap. You know you need to be visible to grow, but the very act of putting yourself out there feels like a performance that goes against your nature. You end up thinking that to succeed, you have to become someone you're not: a loud, extroverted marketer. So you hit a wall, convinced that your quiet nature is a business liability. But what if that's completely wrong? What if your introversion is actually your unfair advantage? Today, we're going to flip the script and show you how to use AI to build a business that doesn't just accommodate your introverted strengths, but is actively powered by them. And there is no one better to guide us through this than Goldie Chan. Goldie is known as the "Oprah of LinkedIn" for a reason - she's a world-renowned keynote speaker, a contributor to Forbes, and the founder of a top-tier social media strategy agency that's worked with major brands. She is a master of building powerful personal brands, and with her new book for introverts, she's the perfect expert to show us how to stop fighting our nature and start using it to win. The AI Hat Podcast host Mike Allton asked Goldie Chan about: ✨ Identify Your Superpowers: Pinpoint the natural strengths of introverts that are critical for business success. ✨ Build Your AI Co-Pilot: Learn how to automate the marketing and networking tasks that drain your energy. ✨ Scale Without Small Talk: Discover a practical framework for growing your business authentically. Learn more about Goldie Chan Connect with Goldie Chan on LinkedIn Resources & Brands mentioned in this episode Personal Branding for Introverts H.U.M.A.N. Framework for AI Adoption Acrobat Studio AI as Your Co-Host: Unleashing NotebookLM’s Potential in Content Marketing Notion Custom GPTs for Marketers: Work Smarter, Not Harder Build your first AI assistant, an AI Work Buddy GoldieChan.com Diagnostic Quiz  Explore past episodes of the The AI Hat Podcast podcast Chapters: 00:00 The Power of Automating the Right Tasks 01:16 Introduction to The AI Hat Podcast 02:45 The Struggles of Solopreneurs and Introverts 03:27 Meet Goldie Chan: The Oprah of LinkedIn 04:13 Goldie's New Book and the Writing Process 06:12 Introvert Superpowers in Business 14:03 AI Tools for Introverts 22:24 Content Creation Strategies for Introverts 30:34 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways 35:14 Conclusion and Resources Show Notes & Transcript: https://theaihat.com/ai-for-introverts-your-unfair-advantage/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paying for eight different AI tools but only using two of them? Feeling guilty every time you see those subscription charges hit your credit card? You're not alone - and you're not broken. You're experiencing what I call "AI ADHD": Tech Overwhelm masquerading as opportunity. In this Saturday Short, I walk you through the exact 4-step audit I use with my clients to eliminate the subscriptions stealing their time, money, and mental energy. You'll learn how to identify the one AI tool that actually matters for your business, and more importantly, how to transform it from a generic assistant into a strategic digital teammate who knows your business inside and out. In This Episode: Why "AI ADHD" is costing you more than money (and how to break the cycle) The 4-step tool audit that reveals exactly which subscriptions to kill How to identify your single anchor tool - and why depth beats breadth every time The critical difference between having AI tools and having an AI teammate A real case study: How one consultant eliminated overwhelm and built a streamlined system This episode is for you if: You have more than 5 AI subscriptions but can't remember the last time you used half of them You feel guilty about "wasting money" on tools you meant to explore You're constantly switching between platforms and losing focus You want a clear, actionable plan to simplify your tech stack TODAY Resources Mentioned 🔧 AI Work Buddy Turn your existing LLM into a strategic business partner with custom training → theaihat.com/aiworkbuddy 💬 Join the Conversation If you could cancel just ONE subscription right now, which would it be? Reply to my next email or message me on Threads @Mike.Allton Chapters 00:00 Introduction: The AI Overload 02:13 The Real Cost of Too Many Tools 03:39 The Four-Step Process to Simplify Your AI Stack 05:45 Transforming Your AI Tool into a Teammate 08:31 Action Steps and Resources 09:43 Conclusion and Next Steps Show Notes & Transcript: https://theaihat.com/the-single-ai-tool-you-need-and-the-5-that-are-stealing-your-time/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stop burning money on AI subscriptions that aren't generating revenue. While Fortune 500 companies waste millions on AI implementations that never pay off, savvy solopreneurs are quietly building AI-powered revenue engines that work 24/7. Discover the enterprise framework that turns your $20 AI tools into profit machines. Most solopreneurs are drowning in AI subscription costs without seeing real returns. You're paying for ChatGPT Plus, Gemini Advanced, and multiple AI tools, yet you're still trapped in the same administrative quicksand that's killing your growth. Eva Dong, Lead of AI Value Realization at Google Cloud, reveals why this happens and how to fix it. With over a decade helping Fortune 500 companies unlock millions in AI value at McKinsey & Company and Visa, Eva knows the enterprise secrets that actually work. As a former entrepreneur herself, she understands the solopreneur struggle—every dollar must generate a return. In this mielstone 100th episode of The AI Hat Podcast, recorded live at MAICON 2025 with 1,500 AI leaders from 47 states, this episode exposes the critical mistakes killing your AI ROI and shares the proven framework that transforms AI expenses into profit centers. Learn why your agility as a solopreneur is actually your secret weapon against enterprise bureaucracy. Ready to stop wasting money on AI and start generating real revenue? Download the free AI Work Buddy template that helps you identify your highest-ROI AI use cases in under 10 minutes. https://theaihat.com/ai-work-buddy-guide/ Get it and start building your AI revenue strategy today. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Enterprise Bureaucracy vs. Solopreneur Agility 01:47 Introduction to The AI Hat Podcast at MAICON 2025 02:08 The Real Value of AI for Solopreneurs 02:41 Interview with Eva Dong: Enterprise AI Insights 03:55 Adapting Enterprise AI Strategies for Solopreneurs 09:16 Efficiency and Innovation: Two Buckets of AI Use 12:20 Avoiding Common AI Implementation Mistakes 23:29 Exploring Google AI Studio 23:43 Understanding Temperature Parameter 23:57 Creative Applications and Nano Bananas 24:30 Uploading and Synthesizing Data 24:53 Managing Data with Cloud Providers 25:28 Training AI and Measuring ROI 27:16 Adoption, Trust, and Acceleration Metrics 31:18 Solopreneurs vs. Enterprises: Speed and Agility 35:28 Future of AI: Less Human Touch, More Agents 38:38 Conclusion and Contact Information SHOW TRANSCRIPT & NOTES: https://theaihat.com/stop-burning-money-on-ai-tools-that-dont-generate-revenue/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you tired of hearing about AI being the future while having no clue where to actually start today? Feeling overwhelmed by all the AI tools, platforms, and promises that seem more like science fiction than practical business solutions? You're not alone – and frankly, most of the AI advice out there is either too technical, too expensive, or just plain too theoretical for real business owners trying to run profitable companies. Here's the problem: Everyone's talking about AI transformation, but nobody's showing you the actual playbook that works whether you're running a 90-person agency or working solo from your kitchen table. You're being sold on massive enterprise solutions when what you really need is someone to say, 'Here's exactly how I use ChatGPT 20 times a day to make better decisions, write better emails, and run my business more efficiently - and here's how you can adapt these same systems even without a team.' Well, today we're solving that problem once and for all. I'm bringing you Ron Callis Jr., CEO and Co-Founder of One Firefly, a marketing powerhouse that serves technology integrators across North America. Ron isn't just talking about AI – he's living it daily. This is the guy who's built custom GPTs for project management, uses AI for everything from podcast preparation to employee reviews, and has systematically integrated AI into his leadership workflow without losing the human touch that built his business. Ron was recognized as a CE Pro Masters Class honoree for his industry contributions, has mentored robotics teams, and has been building and scaling businesses for over two decades. But what makes him perfect for today's conversation is that he's not selling you AI dreams – he's going to share the exact tools, prompts, and processes he uses every single day to lead his team and grow his business. The AI Hat Podcast host Mike Allton asked Ron Callis about: ✨ Start Where You Are: Begin with one daily AI workflow that eliminates your biggest time drain - Ron shows how his email system works with or without an assistant ✨ Systems That Scale With You: Learn how to build AI workflows that work solo today but can grow with your business tomorrow ✨ Practical Over Perfect: See real examples of AI implementation that prioritize results over complexity - no technical degree required Learn more about Ron Callis Connect with Ron Callis on LinkedIn Resources & Brands mentioned in this episode One Firefly What Is a Custom GPT? A Non-Technical Guide to Building Your Own How I Used AI Research to Transform My Solopreneur Business in Days Fathom.ai AI Digital Clone: How to Augment Your Team’s Expertise with George B. Thomas Magai Matt Wolfe on YouTube Isar Meitis AI Primer: A Comprehensive Guide Explore past episodes of the The AI Hat Podcast podcast Full Transcript & Show Notes: https://theaihat.com/beyond-the-hype-a-real-ceos-practical-ai-playbook-you-can-copy/ CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction to AI in Daily Workflow 02:21 Welcome to The AI Hat Podcast 02:43 The Realities of AI Implementation 03:36 Introducing Ron Callis Jr. 04:33 Daily AI Workflow of a CEO 08:04 Using AI for Emails and Social Media 08:56 Creating Custom GPTs for Efficiency 17:57 The Power of AI in Personal Life 24:08 Mentoring and Coaching at One Firefly 25:34 Creating the Ron Bot: A Knowledge Base Initiative 29:21 Introducing AI in Business Operations 30:30 The AI Council: Formation and Impact 35:25 Personal Insights and Future of AI 40:50 Advice for Business Owners on AI Adoption 47:55 Conclusion and Contact Information Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The traditional business plan is an artifact. For a solopreneur, it's a static anatomical chart for a living, breathing patient—a trap that creates more paralysis than progress. In this first-ever "Saturday Short," Mike Allton reveals why your business doesn't need another plan; it needs a new operating system. Discover why you feel "successfully stuck" and how to shift from being the overworked handyman in your business to its empowered Architect. This is the philosophy behind The Master Blueprint, our new framework for turning your static plan into a living, diagnostic tool. Get the free interactive workbook and start building your Master Blueprint today: https://theaihat.com/blueprint Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You sit down at 9 AM ready to tackle your big strategic projects. By 9 PM, you're exhausted but your important work remains untouched. You've been busy all day, but what do you have to show for it? This isn't laziness. It's not poor time management. It's cognitive bankruptcy - and it's costing you 70% of your productive capacity. In this episode, I break down the hidden "Admin Tax" that's silently draining your mental energy and keeping you stuck in reactive mode. You'll discover why the solution isn't working harder or managing your time better - it's about protecting your attention and designing smarter systems. Through the story of a successful solopreneur who had a PDF open for a month without reading it, I'll show you exactly how cognitive overload manifests and what you can do about it starting today. What You'll Learn: Why 70% of your time is consumed by low-value administrative work (and how to calculate your personal "Admin Tax") The Einstein principle: How history's greatest minds protected their cognitive bandwidth Why that feeling of "I'm too lazy to do this" is actually your brain doing triage The difference between being busy and being strategic How to conduct a 3-Day Admin Tax Audit to identify where your attention is bleeding out The single question that will help you eliminate repetitive cognitive drain Why AI should be your strategic partner, not just your task assistant Key Takeaway: Your busyness is not a badge of honor. Your exhaustion is not proof of commitment. The breakthrough comes when you stop trying to be the "doer" of everything and start becoming the "designer" of smarter operations. Resources Mentioned: Free Download: AI Tools for Content Creators - Get the exact stack of AI tools I use to automate repetitive tasks and reclaim 15-20 hours per week.👉 theaihat.com/tools Perfect For: Solopreneurs and creators who are successful but stuck, brilliant but buried under operational tasks, and ready to break free from the time-for-money trap without hiring a team. Chapters: 00:00 The Overwhelming Day of a Solopreneur 02:12 Introduction to The AI Hat Podcast 02:53 The Admin Drag: A Solopreneur's Dilemma 05:15 The Real Cost of Decision Fatigue 05:58 From Doer to Designer: A Mindset Shift 07:17 Tina's Story: Cognitive Overload in Action 14:21 Conducting Your Own Admin Tax Audit 16:04 Leveraging AI for Strategic Efficiency 17:53 Conclusion and Resources Subscribe to The AI Hat Podcast for weekly strategies on building AI-powered operations that scale your business without scaling your workweek. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if I told you there's a way to grow your business and deliver exceptional results around the clock without adding a single salary to your payroll? Here's the problem every owner faces: you need more hands on deck to grow, but hiring means higher overhead, longer training periods, and the constant worry that your best people might leave for greener pastures. You're caught in that classic trap. You can't scale without people, but people are expensive, unreliable, and frankly, we need sleep. But what if you could build a workforce that never calls in sick, never asks for a raise, and works tirelessly to deliver results for your clients 24/7? Today, I'm thrilled to introduce you to Cien Solon, a true pioneer who's cracked the code on this exact challenge. She's the founder of LaunchLemonade, which she describes as "the Canva for AI agents," and she's on a mission to ensure no one gets left behind in the AI revolution. But here's what makes Cien's story so compelling for agency owners: She's been integrating AI solutions for businesses since 2018, managed big teams and budgets in her fintech days, and now runs her current business lean with just her co-founder and an army of AI agents. With barely any marketing spend, they've built a community of over 3,000 users who have created more than 10,000 AI assistants and agents on their platform. She's not just talking theory—she's living proof that this approach works. The AI Hat Podcast host Mike Allton asked Cien Solon about: ✨ AI Agent Economics - Discover how replacing traditional hires with AI agents can dramatically reduce overhead while improving client delivery timelines. ✨ Entrepreneurial AI Mindset - Learn the specific skills and thinking patterns needed to identify automation opportunities within your solopreneur operations. ✨ Practical Implementation Roadmap - Get a clear step-by-step approach for building your first AI agents without technical expertise or massive upfront investment. Learn more about Cien Solon Connect with Cien Solon on LinkedIn Follow Cien Solon on Instagram Follow Cien Solon on Threads CHAPTERS: 00:00 Setting Clear Goals for AI Implementation 01:08 Introduction to The AI Hat Podcast 02:17 Meet Cien Solon: AI Pioneer and Founder of Launch Lemonade 04:50 Cien's Journey: From Big Teams to Lean AI Operations 08:40 Understanding AI Agents and Their Impact 11:10 Maintaining a Human Touch with AI 13:52 Practical Steps for Solopreneurs and Business Owners 26:06 The Economics and ROI of AI Agents 30:13 Common Mistakes and Learning Moments with AI 32:04 Final Thoughts and Where to Connect with Cien SHOW TRANSCRIPT & NOTES: https://theaihat.com/how-to-build-an-ai-agent-army-that-delivers-results-while-you-sleep/ Tired of pouring your energy into a 'leaky bucket?' Pinpoint your biggest business bottleneck in just 2 minutes with my free diagnostic quiz. Get your free diagnosis and start plugging the leaks at: theaihat.com/diagnostic Produced and Hosted by Mike Allton, founder of The AI Hat. He's a Business Systems Strategist who helps overworked solopreneurs and creators stop being employees in their own businesses. After building his own successful solo ventures for over a decade, Mike now teaches entrepreneurs how to build AI-powered operational systems that reclaim their time and allow them to finally scale. Interested in being a guest? We're looking for experts who help solopreneurs build better, more scalable businesses. Reach out to Mike to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Success shouldn't feel like drowning. If you're a solopreneur who's built something amazing but feels trapped by the very business you created, this episode is for you. Mike introduces the F.I.X. Method - a simple 3-step framework that helped one business owner reclaim 15 hours a week and transform from chaos to systematic success. Learn how to identify your hidden operational drag, find the root causes keeping you stuck, and architect simple experiments that actually work. What You'll Learn: • The Architect vs. Technician Battle - Why most solopreneurs excel at their craft but struggle with business systems • What is Operational Drag? - The invisible force silently draining your time, energy, and sanity • The F.I.X. Method: Find the Friction through emotional awareness Identify the Root Cause using the "5 Whys" technique Architect the eXperiment with small, testable solutions • Real Transformation Story - How one solopreneur went from manual chaos to automated systems • Why AI works best when it builds better systems, not just solves individual problems Resources Mentioned: • Free AI Solopreneur Bottleneck Diagnostic: Take the 2-minute quiz to identify your biggest operational friction point → TheAIHat.com/diagnostic • AI Solopreneur OS: Complete business operating system with pre-built GPTs, automation templates, and live AI Labs → TheAIHat.com/ai-solopreneur-os Chapters: 00:00 Introduction: Driving with the Parking Brake On 00:35 Identifying Operational Drag 02:45 The Architect vs. The Technician 04:18 Case Study: Sarah's Struggle 06:27 The FIX Method: Step-by-Step 13:51 Implementing AI Solutions 19:18 Recap and Next Steps 24:35 Conclusion: Your Efficiency is Your Superpower Perfect For:Solopreneurs, creators, and micro-business owners who feel like they're working harder but not getting ahead, struggling with manual processes, or want to implement AI and automation without losing their personal touch. Connect with Mike:• Instagram: @Mike.Allton This episode is part of The AI Hat Podcast's focus on practical AI implementation for solopreneurs and creators. No fluff, no theory - just actionable strategies you can implement today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you tired of running endless A/B tests with minimal insights? Do you find yourself drowning in data but thirsting for actionable results? If you're nodding your head, you're not alone. But what if there was a way to supercharge your A/B testing? A method that could not only speed up the process but also provide deeper, more accurate insights? Well, buckle up, because that's exactly what we're diving into today. And who better to guide us through this AI-driven revolution than our guest today, Nicole Leffer. Nicole is a seasoned marketing leader and a widely recognized expert in deploying generative AI technology to improve marketing efficiency, quality, and outcomes. Her expertise in leveraging AI for A/B testing and optimization is unparalleled, and she's here to share her insights on how we can all test smarter, not harder. ✨ Efficiency Boost: How AI dramatically speeds up the A/B testing process, allowing for faster iterations and improvements. ✨ Deeper Insights: The ability of AI to uncover complex patterns and relationships in test data that humans might miss. ✨ Personalization at Scale: How AI-powered A/B testing can lead to more personalized user experiences across different segments. Learn more about Nicole Leffer Connect with Nicole Leffer on LinkedIn Resources & Brands mentioned in this episode NicoleLeffer.com RICCE Framework for prompting AI Work Buddy  The Bottleneck Diagnostic Quiz: A free 2-minute quiz to pinpoint your biggest business bottleneck. Find it at theaihat.com/diagnostic. Follow Mike Allton on Instagram and get more AI tips Explore past episodes of the The AI Hat Podcast podcast CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction to AI-Driven Conversion Optimization 01:58 Welcome to The AI Hat Podcast 02:21 The Challenges of Traditional AB Testing 03:01 Introducing Nicole Leffer: AI Marketing Expert 03:44 Understanding Traditional AB Testing 06:12 Leveraging AI for AB Testing 07:28 Practical Tips for Using AI in AB Testing 09:41 The Importance of Context in AI Prompts 14:48 Advanced Strategies for AI-Driven AB Testing 18:10 The Value of Continuous Testing 23:06 Challenges and Solutions in AI-Driven AB Testing 34:46 Emerging Trends in AI-Powered AB Testing 37:19 Conclusion and Final Thoughts SHOW TRANSCRIPT & NOTES: https://theaihat.com/test-smarter-not-harder-ais-impact-on-a-b-testing-in-digital-marketing/ Produced and Hosted by Mike Allton, founder of The AI Hat. He's a Business Systems Strategist who helps overworked solopreneurs and creators stop being employees in their own businesses. After building his own successful solo ventures for over a decade, Mike now teaches entrepreneurs how to build AI-powered operational systems that reclaim their time and allow them to finally scale. Interested in being a guest? We're looking for experts who help solopreneurs build better, more scalable businesses. Reach out to Mike to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever felt "successfully stuck?" On the surface, your business is growing and clients are happy, but your reality is a hamster wheel of your own making. You're the visionary, the marketer, the bookkeeper, and the tech support, and the weight of all those hats is becoming unbearable. Your income is painfully tied to the hours you can work, and you've hit a ceiling you can't seem to break through. You're pouring your life force into the business, but it feels like it's draining away through a dozen tiny leaks in a bucket. In this solo episode, I propose a fundamental mindset shift. The problem isn't you; it's your Operating System. We'll explore why traditional business frameworks fail the solopreneur and introduce a new model: a Solopreneur Operating System built on a Command Center for clarity, an Automation Layer to reclaim your time, and an Intelligence Layer to amplify your genius. This isn't a luxury anymore. Discover how AI has become the modern-day "Da Vinci's workshop," making it possible for the first time in history to build a sophisticated, scalable OS that allows you to finally fix the leaks and focus on the work that truly matters. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction to The AI Hat Podcast 00:07 The Feeling of Being Successfully Stuck 01:30 A Personal Story of Frustration 03:59 Identifying the Real Issue: Operations Problem 05:24 Introducing the Solopreneur Operating System 06:54 The Role of AI in Modern Business 07:29 Diagnosing Your Business Bottlenecks 08:33 Conclusion and Next Steps SHOW TRANSCRIPT & NOTES: https://theaihat.com/successfully-stuck-its-your-operating-system/https://theaihat.com/successfully-stuck-its-your-operating-system/ Tired of pouring your energy into a 'leaky bucket?' Pinpoint your biggest business bottleneck in just 2 minutes with my free diagnostic quiz. Get your free diagnosis and start plugging the leaks at: https://theaihat.com/diagnostic Produced and Hosted by Mike Allton, founder of The AI Hat. He's a Business Systems Strategist who helps overworked solopreneurs and creators stop being employees in their own businesses. After building his own successful solo ventures for over a decade, Mike now teaches entrepreneurs how to build AI-powered operational systems that reclaim their time and allow them to finally scale. Interested in being a guest? We're looking for experts who help solopreneurs build better, more scalable businesses. Reach out to Mike to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is your AI system making decisions that could be quietly costing you customers and talent? Every day, businesses are implementing AI solutions that may be perpetuating gender biases without even realizing it. From recruitment tools that favor certain demographics to customer service chatbots that respond differently based on perceived gender, these hidden biases aren't just an ethical concern – they're a serious business problem that affects your bottom line. But here's the good news: identifying and eliminating these biases isn't just possible – it's a game-changing opportunity for your business. Today's guest is leading the charge in transforming how organizations approach AI equity, and she's going to share exactly how you can audit and improve your AI systems. I'm thrilled to welcome Dr. Nici Sweaney, a globally recognized leader in ethical AI and the founder of AI Her Way. As the architect of the EquiAI Framework, she's helped over 60 organizations implement ethical AI solutions that drive real results. She's advised the United Nations, World Bank, and shaped Australia's Responsible AI Use Guidelines. Named one of Microsoft News' "Top 10 Trailblazing Entrepreneurs in AI to Follow in 2024," Dr. Sweaney is exactly who we need to help us understand and tackle the challenge of AI bias. The AI Hat Podcast host Mike Allton asked Dr Nici Sweaney about: ✨ Audit Your AI Systems: Understanding your current AI tools and their potential biases is the crucial first step. ✨ Framework for Success: The EquiAI Framework provides a structured approach to implementing ethical AI solutions. ✨ Business Impact Matters: Gender-equitable AI leads to better decision-making, broader market reach, and improved innovation. Learn more about Dr Nici Sweaney Connect with Dr Nici Sweaney on LinkedIn Follow Dr. Nici Sweaney on Instagram Resources & Brands mentioned in this episode AI Her Way H.U.M.A.N. Framework for AI Adoption Magai The Surprising Truth About AI Adoption in Marketing Teams w/ Lightricks & AMA AI Work Buddy   Grab the free Scalability Audit and find your leaky buckets Follow Mike Allton on Instagram and get more AI tips Explore past episodes of the The AI Hat Podcast podcast CHAPTERS: 00:00 Understanding AI Risks and Opportunities 01:29 Introduction to The AI Hat Podcast 03:43 Welcome Dr. Nici Sweaney 04:25 Identifying Gender Bias in AI 08:17 Strategies to Mitigate AI Bias 14:58 The EquiAI Framework 17:31 Implementing AI Literacy and Strategy 20:31 Building Internal AI Capabilities 21:28 Sponsor Message: Magai 22:26 Ensuring AI Equity Across Departments 25:22 Real-World Examples of AI Failures and Successes 27:36 Leveraging AI for Small Business Success 29:02 Creating an AI Work Buddy 30:54 Starting Your AI Journey 35:43 The Future of Ethical AI 38:28 Conclusion and Resources SHOW TRANSCRIPT & NOTES: https://theaihat.com/the-hidden-biases-in-your-ai-and-how-to-fix-them/ Feeling stuck on the solopreneur hamster wheel? Diagnose your biggest bottleneck in just 15 minutes with my free Scalability Audit. Download it now at: https://theaihat.com/download/scalability/ Produced and Hosted by Mike Allton, founder of The AI Hat. He's a Business Systems Strategist who helps overworked solopreneurs and creators stop being employees in their own businesses. After building his own successful solo ventures for over a decade, Mike now teaches entrepreneurs how to build AI-powered operational systems that reclaim their time and allow them to finally scale. Interested in being a guest or sponsor? We're looking for experts who help solopreneurs build better, more scalable businesses. Reach out to Mike to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever feel like you're trapped in your own business success? In this solo episode, Mike shares his recent automation disaster in a St. Louis medical center waiting room and reveals why that frustration led to a breakthrough framework for building an AI Co-Founder that actually works. Discover the three "missing partners" every solopreneur needs, learn from Mike's Zapier experiment gone wrong, and get the exact 4-step process for building your first AI assistant that saves you 20+ hours per month. Key Takeaways The Three Missing Partners Every Solopreneur Needs: The Strategic Sounding Board (who asks the tough questions you avoid) The Brainstorming Buddy (who breaks through creative blocks) The Diligent Assistant (who handles the "admin avalanche") Why Mike's Zapier AI Agent Failed (And What It Teaches Us): Tried to make one AI wear too many hats Gave vague instructions instead of specific constraints Forgot that AI amplifies systems, it doesn't create them The 4-Step Process to Build Your First AI Assistant: The Brutally Honest Time Audit Pick Your First Victory (one specific, repetitive task) Deconstruct Like You're Training an Intern Build and Test Your AI Agent v1.0 Chapters 00:00 Introduction to AI for Solopreneurs 00:05 The Solopreneur Struggle with AI 04:04 The Three Missing Partners 06:56 Lessons from a Failed AI Experiment 08:08 Building Your AI Co-Founder 11:29 Practical Steps to Implement AI 19:38 The Solopreneur Scalability Audit 21:42 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Resources Mentioned 🔗 Take the Solopreneur Scalability Audit: theaihat.com/scalabilityStop guessing where your time goes - get your real numbers in 15 minutes 📖 Mike's AI Agent Reality Check: When AI Agents Meet Reality: My Hour-and-a-Half Wake-Up Call 🎯 Work With Mike: theaihat.com/work-with-me Full Transcript: https://theaihat.com/tired-of-flying-solo-how-to-build-your-ai-co-founder/ Questions for Reflection What's your biggest "time vampire" - the repetitive task that drains your energy daily? If you could clone yourself for just one business function, what would it be? What automation project have you started but never finished? Connect & Continue the Conversation 💬 Let's discuss: Drop a comment on Spotify or YouTube - what do you think your biggest time drain is right now? 📱 DM Mike on Instagram: @mike.allton for specific AI assistant guidance 🔔 Subscribe for more: The AI Hat Podcast 📧 Weekly AI insights: The AI Hat Newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if I told you that the secret to unlocking your team's creative potential isn't working harder—it's asking better questions? Here's the problem: Most business leaders are getting mediocre results from AI because they're playing it safe. They're asking vanilla questions and getting vanilla answers, then wondering why their competitors seem to be pulling ahead. You've invested time learning AI tools, maybe even paying for premium subscriptions, but your outputs still feel… mid. Generic. Safe. The kind of ideas that blend into the background noise of your industry. But what if the solution isn't better AI—it's better prompting? What if the key to breakthrough results lies in embracing what most people avoid: bad ideas? Today, I'm thrilled to welcome Jason Keath, founder of Social Fresh, who's been helping brands and agencies grow through social media since 2009. Jason's built one of the most respected voices in marketing, organizing conferences that bring together marketing leaders worldwide. He's worked with countless major brands and has recently cracked the code on something fascinating: creativity AI prompts that transform ordinary brainstorming into breakthrough business results. Jason's developed a collection of prompts that help teams find that creative-efficiency sweet spot—where human creativity meets AI productivity to drive real business growth. The AI Hat Podcast host Mike Allton asked Jason Keath about: ✨ Creative Prompt Engineering: Learn Jason's methodology for building AI prompts that generate breakthrough ideas rather than safe, generic outputs. ✨ Strategic Bad Ideas: Understand how embracing "bad" ideas as starting points leads to more innovative solutions and competitive advantages. ✨ Human-AI Creative Balance: Discover when to leverage AI for creative acceleration and when human insight and analysis remain irreplaceable for business success. Learn more about Jason Keath Connect with Jason Keath on LinkedIn Resources & Brands mentioned in this episode Social Fresh Creativity AI Prompts The Case for Bad Ideas Kieran Flanagan, “180 IQ Marketing Strategist prompt” How To Build and Use an AI Prompt Library What is a Custom GPT? How To Build GPTs More Bad Ideas Newsletter AI Primer: A Comprehensive Guide Magai Get Your AI Partner Explore past episodes of the The AI Hat Podcast podcast CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction: The Role of Humans in AI 00:34 Exploring AI's Business Capabilities 02:03 Podcast Introduction and Subscription Call 02:25 Unlocking Creative Potential with Better Questions 03:24 Guest Introduction: Jason Keith and Creativity AI Prompts 06:28 The Power of Long Prompts in AI Creativity 07:56 Embracing Bad Ideas for Better Creativity 10:44 Deep Dive into Creativity Marketing Prompts 15:30 Balancing AI Creativity and Human Strategy 17:35 Sponsor Message and Collaboration Council Prompt 23:00 Practical Tips for AI Creativity in Business 33:09 Conclusion and Contact Information SHOW TRANSCRIPT & NOTES: https://theaihat.com/the-creative-efficiency-sweet-spot-ai-prompts-for-business-breakthrough/ Feeling stuck on the solopreneur hamster wheel? Diagnose your biggest bottleneck in just 15 minutes with my free Scalability Audit. Download it now at: https://theaihat.com/download/scalability/ Produced and Hosted by Mike Allton, founder of The AI Hat. He's a Business Systems Strategist who helps overworked solopreneurs and creators stop being employees in their own businesses. After building his own successful solo ventures for over a decade, Mike now teaches entrepreneurs how to build AI-powered operational systems that reclaim their time and allow them to finally scale. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the biggest threat of AI isn't that it will take your job, but that it will trap you in the wrong job?I see solopreneurs everywhere using AI like a faster typewriter... trying to do their old work quicker instead of building a completely different kind of business. In this episode, I reveal how to escape the "Commodity Trap" that keeps you billing by the hour and competing on price, and transform into an irreplaceable strategic partner using my H.U.M.A.N. Framework. Through the story of Jenna, a freelance content creator who went from juggling 10 low-paying clients to serving 3 high-value strategic clients, you'll discover how to disconnect your income from your hours and build true scalability. I share my own journey from working late nights in bed on The AI Hat to creating systems that work without me, plus the three biggest mistakes solopreneurs make when trying to integrate AI into their business. Ready to stop being a commodity and start being irreplaceable? I walk you through the exact Scalability Audit process that reveals where your time really goes and what it's costing you. Download the free Scalability Guide at theaihat.com/scalability to get the step-by-step worksheets and start your transformation today. Key Takeaways: ✨  How to use my HUMAN framework to transform from "doer" to "strategic architect" ✨  The 3-step Scalability Audit that reveals your biggest time drains and their true cost ✨  Why Focusing on Ai Tools Instatead of Business Outcomes Keeps You Trapped in the commodity game Learn more about Mike Allton Follow Mike Allton on Instagram Resources & Brands mentioned in this episode The Scalability Audit Explore past episodes of the The AI Hat Podcast podcast CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction: The Real Threat of AI 00:22 The H.U.M.A.N. Framework Overview 02:01 Jenna's Story: The Commodity Trap 04:35 Harmonize: Discovering Unique Human Value 05:02 Understand: Leveraging AI and Human Strengths 05:35 Map: Architecting a Scalable Business Model 07:17 Adapt: Implementing AI Solutions 07:48 Nurture: Building Strategic Client Relationships 11:04 Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them 12:46 Scalability Audit: Your First Step 15:30 Conclusion: Embrace the Future with AI SHOW TRANSCRIPT & NOTES: https://theaihat.com/stop-being-a-commodity-the-solopreneurs-guide-to-becoming-irreplaceable-with-ai/ Feeling stuck on the solopreneur hamster wheel? Diagnose your biggest bottleneck in just 15 minutes with my free Scalability Audit. Download it now at: https://theaihat.com/download/scalability/ Produced and Hosted by Mike Allton, founder of The AI Hat. He's a Business Systems Strategist who helps overworked solopreneurs and creators stop being employees in their own businesses. After building his own successful solo ventures for over a decade, Mike now teaches entrepreneurs how to build AI-powered operational systems that reclaim their time and allow them to finally scale. Interested in being a guest? We're looking for experts who help solopreneurs build better, more scalable businesses. Reach out to Mike to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tired of being the most overworked employee in your own business? You're not alone. Join Mike Allton on AI for Solopreneurs: The AI Hat Podcast, where we cut through the AI hype to show you exactly how to reclaim 15+ hours per week and scale without hiring staff. This isn't about robots or complex theory—it's about practical AI systems that handle the grunt work so you can focus on growth. Every episode features real implementation stories, expert insights, and step-by-step workflows you can use immediately. Ready to stop being the bottleneck in your own success? New episodes drop every Tuesday Follow Mike Allton on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mike.allton/ Past episodes of AI for Solopreneurs: The AI Hat Podcast: https://theaihat.com/podcast/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if you could double your customer support team's effectiveness without hiring a single new employee? Sounds too good to be true, right? But that's exactly what businesses are achieving with Salesforce's Agentforce platform. Every day, support teams are drowning in tickets, burning out their best agents, and watching their customer satisfaction scores take a nosedive. The cost of scaling support teams traditionally is skyrocketing, while customer expectations for instant, 24/7 support keep climbing. But there's a solution that's transforming support teams across industries. Today, we're diving deep into real-world success stories and practical implementations of AI-powered support that's cutting response times in half and revolutionizing how teams work. I'm thrilled to welcome Aaron Godby, Founder and CEO of Green Irony, who's been at the forefront of this transformation. Aaron and his team have implemented some of the first Agentforce solutions with Salesforce, including a groundbreaking project at UNC Charlotte that's completely revolutionized their student support system. As a seasoned technology executive and AI implementation specialist, Aaron has helped countless organizations turn the promise of AI into actual, measurable results. He's the perfect guide to help us understand how to achieve these incredible efficiency gains. The AI Hat Podcast host Mike Allton asked Aaron Godby about: ✨ Strategic Implementation Matters → Success with AI support tools requires careful planning and clear success metrics. ✨ Human-AI Collaboration → AI doesn't replace support teams; it empowers them to focus on high-value interactions. ✨ Measurable ROI → Companies can achieve verified 50% time savings while improving customer satisfaction. Learn more about Aaron Godby Connect with Aaron Godby on LinkedIn Resources & Brands mentioned in this episode Green Irony Salesforce Agentforce AI as Your Co-Host: Unleashing NotebookLM’s Potential in Content Marketing with Mike Allton AI Primer: A Comprehensive Guide Explore past episodes of the The AI Hat Podcast podcast CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction to AI in Customer Support 01:18 The AI Hat Podcast Theme Song 02:27 Welcome to The AI Hat Podcast 02:49 Doubling Customer Support Effectiveness with AI 03:33 Introducing Aaron Godby and Green Irony 04:13 Challenges in Traditional Customer Support 04:18 Current State of Customer Support 09:00 AI Implementation at UNC Charlotte 09:10 Higher Education Challenges and AI Solutions 11:32 Agent Force: Revolutionizing Customer Support 27:49 Metrics for AI Success in Customer Support 30:10 Complex Support Scenarios Solved by AI 33:40 Common Mistakes in AI Implementation 39:50 Final Thoughts and Contact Information 40:38 Conclusion and Wrap-Up SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT: https://theaihat.com/cut-your-support-time-in-half-real-results-with-salesforces-agentforce/ Feeling stuck on the solopreneur hamster wheel? Diagnose your biggest bottleneck in just 15 minutes with my free Scalability Audit. Download it now at: https://theaihat.com/download/scalability/ Produced and Hosted by Mike Allton, founder of The AI Hat. He's a Business Systems Strategist who helps overworked solopreneurs and creators stop being employees in their own businesses. After building his own successful solo ventures for over a decade, Mike now teaches entrepreneurs how to build AI-powered operational systems that reclaim their time and allow them to finally scale. Interested in being a guest? We're looking for experts who help solopreneurs build better, more scalable businesses. Reach out to Mike to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

des, we've mastered the art of SEO—keywords, backlinks, page rankings. We've built entire marketing strategies around getting to the top of Google's search results. But here's the uncomfortable truth: AI is fundamentally changing how people discover brands and information. When someone asks ChatGPT, Claude, or Perplexity for business recommendations, traditional SEO rankings mean little. Your perfectly optimized website might be invisible to AI algorithms that are now answering millions of queries every day. The businesses that don't adapt aren't just missing opportunities—they're becoming irrelevant. That's exactly why I'm thrilled to have Ben Jacobson join us today. As Chief Content Officer at InboundJunction, Ben works directly with growth-stage tech companies to navigate this new landscape. He's not just theorizing about AI search—he's actively helping brands crack the code on AI visibility. His insights have appeared in Search Engine Land and HubSpot, and he's developed proven strategies for getting brands mentioned in AI responses. Ben understands that this isn't about abandoning everything we know about SEO, but evolving it for an AI-first world. The AI Hat Podcast host Mike Allton asked Ben Jacobson about: ✨ AI-First Optimization: Understanding how to structure content and PR strategies specifically for AI algorithm consumption and recommendation. ✨ Measurement Evolution: Learning new metrics and methods to track brand visibility in AI-powered search environments. ✨ Strategic Integration: Discovering how to blend traditional SEO efforts with emerging AI optimization techniques without disrupting existing operations. Learn more about Ben Jacobson Connect with Ben Jacobson on LinkedIn Resources & Brands mentioned in this episode Inbound Junction AI Work Buddy Mini-Course & Community AI Primer: A Comprehensive Guide Explore past episodes of the The AI Hat Podcast podcast CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction to SEO and AI 01:57 The AI Hat Podcast Introduction 02:18 The Evolution of SEO in the Age of AI 02:59 Interview with Ben Jacobson: Navigating AI Search 06:20 Understanding AI Search and Brand Mentions 11:13 Strategic PR for AI Search 20:04 Challenges and Metrics in AI Search Optimization 26:54 Balancing Traditional SEO and AI Optimization 30:35 Final Thoughts and Future Trends 33:07 Conclusion and Resources SHOW TRANSCRIPT & NOTES: https://theaihat.com/how-ai-search-is-rewriting-the-seo-playbook-and-what-you-must-do-now/https://theaihat.com/how-ai-search-is-rewriting-the-seo-playbook-and-what-you-must-do-now/ Brought to you by The AI Hat - Get Your AI On. Interesting in sponsoring an episode? Learn more here. Powered by Magai - why choose one AI tool when you can have them all? And Descript, the magic wand for podcasters. Produced and Hosted by Mike Allton, AI Consultant & Trainer at The AI Hat, where he's tirelessly helping businesses and marketers get ahead of the AI Revolution and apply advanced technologies to their roles. He's spent over a decade in digital marketing, bringing an unparalleled level of experience and excitement to the fore, whether he's delivering a presentation or leading a workshop. If you’re interested in helping business owners with AI in an upcoming episode, reach out to Mike. Powered by the Marketing Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the technology that's keeping you up at night could actually become your biggest competitive advantage? Here's what's happening right now: Business owners everywhere are watching AI generate content, create designs, and handle tasks that used to require human expertise. The fear is real because the question feels existential – if your clients can do this themselves, what happens to your value? But what if you're looking at this completely backwards? What if AI doesn't replace human expertise – what if it makes the right kind of expertise absolutely indispensable? That's exactly what our guest discovered when he conducted a fascinating experiment. Robert Capps tried to write an entire New York Times Magazine article using AI. The result was polished, engaging, and would have fooled most readers. But here's the twist – he didn't publish it. Instead, he wrote one of the most important pieces about the future of work that I've read all year, and it reveals why human judgment just became more valuable, not less. Robert brings a unique perspective to this conversation because he's lived at the intersection of technology and creativity for over a decade. As the former Editorial Director of WIRED magazine, he guided the publication to 21 National Magazine Award nominations with eight wins. He's overseen special issues guest-edited by Christopher Nolan, Serena Williams, and Barack Obama. Now, as a writer whose work appears in The New York Times Magazine, Robert is conducting real-world experiments with AI that reveal insights every business leader needs to hear. The AI Hat Podcast host Mike Allton asked Robert Capps about: ✨ Responsibility Advantage: AI can create content, but only humans can take responsibility for strategic decisions and client outcomes. ✨ Taste Over Tech: When everyone has access to the same AI tools, your ability to make creative choices becomes your primary competitive advantage. ✨ Integration Opportunity: Position your agency as the bridge between AI capabilities and client business needs, becoming indispensable through expert curation. Learn more about Robert Capps Connect with Robert Capps on LinkedIn Resources & Brands mentioned in this episode A.I. Might Take Your Job. Here Are 22 New Ones It Could Give You The H.U.M.A.N. Framework for AI Integration The AI Revolution: How It’s Transforming Business (and What You Need to Know) AI Work Buddy Mini-Course & Community CHAPTERS: 00:00 The Entrepreneurial Age of AI 01:13 Introduction to The AI Hat Podcast 02:23 The AI Revolution in Business 03:11 The Human Element in AI 04:12 Interview with Robert Capps 04:25 The AI Writing Experiment 09:28 The Responsibility Hurdle 14:22 Trust, Integration, and Taste in AI 22:26 Exploring AI's Current Limitations 23:08 The Shortages and Problems We Face 23:59 Efficiency vs. Expansion in Business 26:33 AI's Impact on the Creative Industry 28:27 The AI Revolution and Job Market 30:04 Building Your AI Work Buddy 30:41 Roles in the AI-Driven Future 34:13 Integrating AI in Business 40:41 The Importance of Human Taste and Ingenuity 42:29 Conclusion and Final Thoughts SHOW TRANSCRIPT & NOTES: https://theaihat.com/why-ai-will-make-your-agency-indispensable-the-nyt-magazine-article-every-owner-must-read/ Produced and Hosted by Mike Allton, AI Consultant & Trainer at The AI Hat, where he's tirelessly helping businesses and marketers get ahead of the AI Revolution and apply advanced technologies to their roles. He's spent over a decade in digital marketing, bringing an unparalleled level of experience and excitement to the fore, whether he's delivering a presentation or leading a workshop. If you’re interested in helping business owners with AI in an upcoming episode, reach out to Mike. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices