⚡️ Enterprise Training — upscaile.com🤝 Join the Newsletter — newsletter.theaireport.ai/subscribeIn this episode, we delve into AI in government transformation, digital innovation in the public sector, and the future of work in an AI-driven world. Our guest, Mia Jordan — a former Chief Information Officer (CIO) turned AI GTM Executive at Salesforce — reveals how artificial intelligence, automation, and data-driven decision-making are powering the next wave of digital transformation in government. She shares insights on how public-sector innovation, customer experience (CX), and platform thinking are redefining how agencies operate. You’ll learn how AI strategy, leadership, organizational culture, and AI skills training enable smarter, more connected systems — shaping the next generation of digital government, enterprise AI adoption, and citizen-centric service delivery.We dive into:1. How government can use AI to deliver citizen-first services and customer-like experiences2. Why CIOs are central to blending IT, business, and AI strategy across large organizations3. The “platform mindset” — building once and scaling across multiple departments4. How AI can shorten onboarding time and make training radically more efficient5. Practical steps for employees and leaders to upskill with free AI training (Trailhead)6. Building a learning culture where AI adoption starts from the top down7. Career advice for recent grads entering the AI-driven workforceChapters00:00:00 Intro – The art of authentic conversation00:01:00 How to design government systems that treat citizens like customers00:03:00 CIO insights: blending business, IT, and AI00:05:00 The future of work and how AI is changing employee roles00:06:30 How to learn AI fast – Trailhead and free upskilling00:07:40 The value of grunt work in the age of automation00:09:30 AI onboarding: training employees faster and smarter00:10:40 Culture and leadership in successful AI adoption00:12:10 AI learning cohorts: building confidence and curiosity00:14:30 Measuring AI success: education, engagement, and feedback loops00:15:30 Lessons from government and innovation inside Salesforce00:17:40 What new grads should learn from sales and relationship building00:19:10 Why she does what she does – being a catalyst for change📬 Get in TouchLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/not-the-f1-driver-liam-lawson/Mia Jordan — https://www.linkedin.com/in/mia-jordan-07192852/
Connect with Saket Srivastava: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saket-srivastava-84069711/
👉 Asana CIO Saket Srivastava joins Liam Lawson to unpack why the future is about **collaboration over autonomy** in AI. He shares how Asana’s Work Graph underpins AI features like Smart Chat, AI Studio, and the new **AI Teammates** (with human-in-the-loop checkpoints and enterprise controls), and explains the evolving role of the CIO from back-office technologist to strategy co-creator. Saket gets specific on IT–HR partnership for AI transformation, surveying employee readiness, building an internal AI council, balancing experimentation with measurable impact, and coaching teams through change. They also tackle job displacement realistically, discuss building an AI-first culture, and end with Saket’s personal motivations, strengths, and where he’d improve.
📚 Chapters
00:00 Welcome & setup
01:31 What Asana is & the CIO role
04:39 How the CIO role changed from 2024 → 2025
06:11 What makes a great CIO (three-level framework)
09:15 What are Asana AI Teammates?
12:42 Why autonomy isn’t the goal; context, checkpoints, control
14:48 Asana’s AI suite (Smart Chat, AI Studio, Teammates)
15:04 The Work Graph model & “pyramid of clarity”
18:31 Human-in-the-loop in practice (IT ticketing, campaign strategist)
20:50 Natural-language collaboration & explainability
22:01 Where AI Teammates underperform & the data hurdle
25:30 Change management & the IT–HR partnership
29:08 Baseline survey: excited-but-stuck employees
32:14 Bottom-up innovation + top-down direction
33:39 AI council, show-and-tells, and grassroots adoption
36:12 Balancing innovation with impact (don’t kill experiments with ROI)
37:24 Addressing fear vs. optimism; why leaning in matters
40:08 Generational readiness & learning paths
43:03 The future of work: augmentation over dystopia
44:31 Saket beyond tech; problem-solving DNA
46:45 Strengths & what he’d improve as a leader
48:59 Why Saket does what he does
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Connect with Josh Furstoss: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-furstoss/
Follow Josh on X: https://x.com/josh_furstoss
👉 In this episode, Liam Lawson sits down with Josh Furstoss — founder of Spinout Studios and former CEO of Incued — to unpack his journey from cleaning blood off walls in a grocery store meat department to building and exiting a data intelligence startup. Josh shares his wild early job stories, how curiosity and enthusiasm launched his tech career, and the lessons learned working with government agencies on large-scale security projects. They dive deep into the creation and mission behind Incued, the moral drive for financial transparency, and Josh’s new focus with Spinout Studios — helping corporations turn dormant IP and data into profitable spinouts. The conversation also explores wealth, purpose, robotics, the future of work, and what truly brings peace and meaning after an exit.
📚 Chapters 00:00
Early Jobs and Wild Grocery Store Stories
04:40 Learning Sales at Best Buy and Samsung
08:10 Breaking Into Tech Through Cold Outreach
12:00 Corporate Life, Security Projects, and the FBI
17:10 Learning Value and Realizing Undervaluation
21:00 First Startup Failures and Founding Incued
25:20 Building Truth and Transparency Into Fintech
27:40 Anger, Pain, and Finding Purpose Post-Exit
33:30 Wealth, Status, and the Myth of Success
38:05 Building Spinout Studios — Founders vs Consultants
43:00 The Art of Spinouts and Niche Innovation
47:30 Midwest Private Equity Culture vs SF Startups
51:45 The Future of Robotics and Specialized Automation
53:40 Loneliness, AI Companionship, and Human Connection
56:27 The Future of Work and Economic Displacement
01:02:20 Why Josh Does What He Does
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Connect with Cory:
👉 In this conversation, Cory B shares his journey from early entrepreneurial ventures to founding BluMOSA, a LinkedIn agency dedicated to inspiring everyday individuals to find their voice and start their businesses. He reflects on the lessons learned from his early ventures, the importance of building strong team culture, and his approach to risk management. Cory also dives into the role of personal branding, the impact of outsourcing and AI on the future of work, and why being self-focused—not selfish—leads to more meaningful leadership and success.
📚 Chapters
00:00 Inspiring Everyday Entrepreneurs
01:53 Lessons from Early Business Ventures
07:01 Navigating Risk and Confidence in Entrepreneurship
13:27 The Accidental Birth of BluMOSA
17:07 Finding Your Voice and Brand Identity
21:28 The Comprehensive Offerings of BluMOSA
24:47 Team Culture and Motivation at BluMOSA
26:09 Leading by Example: The Importance of Hard Work
26:59 Hiring for Trust and Coachability
28:24 The Future of Work: Outsourcing and AI
30:45 Building a Supportive Team Culture
33:23 Vision for Growth: Supporting Families and Communities
35:41 Self-Focused Leadership: Balancing Personal and Team Needs
37:33 Finding Joy in Work: The Role of Passion
40:56 Optimism in the Face of Change: The Future of Work
43:08 Purpose-Driven Work: Why I Do What I Do
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Connect with Sophie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-theodorou-89261b186/
Connect with Jett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jett-miller-b31041314/
👉 In this roundtable-style conversation, Liam Lawson sits down with Sophie (@teach2ai) and Jett Miller to explore the intersection of AI, content creation, and education. Sophie shares her journey from teaching math and science during the pandemic to becoming a full-time AI consultant, trainer, and content creator with over 100K followers. She explains how authenticity, consistency, and simplicity have fueled her growth on TikTok while working with brands like ClickUp, Bolt, and String. Jett, from DTC House, adds insights into scaling organic short-form content for startups and enterprise clients, revealing how AI-focused marketing campaigns go viral and drive real user growth. Together, they discuss industry pain points, the rise of AI influencers, the future of content authenticity, and why businesses of all sizes should rethink how they communicate value in the age of AI.
📚 Chapters00:00 Welcome Sophie and Jett
00:40 Sophie’s transition from teacher to AI creator
01:57 The viral TikToks that started it all
03:05 Why authenticity beats high production
04:41 Overcoming hesitancy in content creation
06:25 How Sophie and Jett started working together
08:24 Inside DTC House’s shadow accounts
10:01 Using AI tools for real client work
6:21 Why Sophie’s account stood out to Jett
27:42 Internet “money bros” and fake AI claims
50:23 From workshops to AI consulting
55:34 Pain points businesses face with AI
\58:58 The challenge of scaling consulting work
01:00:39 Teaching adults vs. teaching students
01:03:19 What people really need to learn about LLMs
01:07:43 Why Perplexity stands out
01:09:01 Why people like working with Sophie
01:10:58 Why Sophie does what she does
01:14:01 Final advice for AI founders
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Connect with Othmane Khadri: https://www.linkedin.com/in/othmane-khadri-b48162236/
👉 Othmane Khadri shares his journey from working in startups to launching his own agency, emphasizing the importance of betting on oneself and the evolving landscape of AI and entrepreneurship. He discusses the challenges of marketing in a commoditized product environment, the significance of data in AI implementations, and his agency's unique approach to support early-stage startups. Othmane also reflects on the qualities of successful entrepreneurs, the cultural perceptions of entrepreneurship, and the importance of personal values and health in achieving success.
📚 Chapters
00:00 From Employee to Entrepreneur: A Pivotal Shift
05:42 The Future of AI and Entrepreneurship
11:27 Building a Unique Agency: Insights and Strategies
16:52 Navigating Early Stage Startups vs. Established Companies
22:30 The Role of Data in AI Implementation
28:17 Leveraging AI for Business Growth
34:26 The Human-AI Collaboration in Business
38:28 Incentivizing Talent in the Age of AI
40:50 Finding and Attracting High Ownership Talent
43:09 Hiring for Brains vs. Hands
44:54 The Importance of Incentives and Profit Sharing
48:35 The Evolution of Earleads and Branding
52:07 Common Traits of Successful Entrepreneurs
55:11 Learning from Failure and System Thinking
57:30 Cultural Perspectives on Entrepreneurship
01:05:43 Processing Failure and Personal Habits
01:07:42 Motivations Behind Entrepreneurship
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Try breaker here: joinbreaker.ai/tair1
👉 In this conversation, Liam Lawson and Ben Billups dive into a wide range of topics—from the benefits of standing desks and coworking spaces to the impact of AI on technology and marketing. They discuss the transition from agency work to SaaS, the importance of email marketing and newsletters, and how AI is reshaping the future of communication. Ben also shares insights from building his unique email platform, Breaker, highlighting ethical marketing, solving real customer problems, and navigating compliance challenges. The episode wraps with forward-looking predictions on tech trends, audience ownership, and the evolving role of AI in business.
📚 Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Standing Desks
02:52 Coworking Spaces and Venture Capital
05:42 The Future of Tech and AI
08:43 Vibe Coding and GPT-5
11:23 Product Market Fit and Email Marketing
14:37 The Rise of Newsletters
17:12 Creating Unique Content
20:17 Transitioning from Agency to SaaS
22:45 Mindset Shift in SaaS Development
34:23 Navigating SaaS Development Challenges
35:59 Differentiating Breaker in the Email Market
37:50 Innovative Lead Generation Strategies
41:58 Target Audience and Market Fit
43:44 Understanding Email Compliance and Deliverability
47:22 The Impact of AI on Business and Compliance
48:18 Building a Defensible Business Model
50:48 The Future of Audience Ownership
56:45 Rented vs. Owned Audiences
57:42 The Role of Platforms in Business Growth
59:41 Customer Support in a Scaled Environment
01:01:16 AI Integration in Business Processes
01:03:29 Predictions for the Future of Tech and AI
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Connect with Manthan Patel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leadgenmanthan/
👉 In this conversation, Manthan Patel shares his journey into AI and content creation, highlighting the role of altruism, self-improvement, and openness in building a meaningful career. He discusses his early experiences with AI, his work with Vector Shift AI, and the lessons learned from his mentor, Albert. Manthan also dives into course development, the importance of understanding audience psychology, and the evolution of lead generation strategies. Along the way, he emphasizes the value of personal branding, effective time management, and human connection in high-ticket sales. The discussion closes with advice for those entering the AI industry—reminding us that technical expertise is no longer a barrier to starting.
📚 Chapters
00:00 Core Principles of Altruism and Self-Improvement
02:09 First Encounters with AI Technology
04:12 Working with Vector Shift AI
07:45 Lessons from Albert: Entrepreneurship Insights
09:20 Course Development Journey
13:39 Evaluating Course Success and Growth
16:34 Understanding the Audience
18:53 The Evolution of Lead Generation
23:00 Cold Outreach Strategies and Effectiveness
25:00 The Human Element in High-Ticket Sales
28:38 Understanding Client Demographics and Success Stories
30:28 Diverse Clientele: From Vending Machines to SaaS
32:52 Building a Social Media Presence: Strategies for Growth
35:23 The Psychology of Content: Hooks and Engagement
37:17 Daily Routines: Balancing Work and Learning
44:21 The Importance of Personal Branding
52:06 Demystifying AI: Accessibility for All
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Connect with Sabahudin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabahudin-murtic/
👉 In this conversation, Liam Lawson and Sabahudin Murtic discuss the impact of AI on critical thinking, the journey of entrepreneurship, and the importance of building a personal brand on LinkedIn. Sabahudin shares his experiences with AI tools, learning through experimentation, and the significance of community and networking in achieving success. They also delve into client relationships, crafting offers, and provide advice for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to navigate the AI landscape.
📚 Chapters
00:00 The Impact of AI on Critical Thinking
04:42 Personal Journey into AI and Entrepreneurship
09:16 Building a Brand on LinkedIn
13:57 Learning and Experimentation in AI
18:45 The Importance of Community and Networking
23:14 Navigating Client Relationships and Sales
27:50 Technical Infrastructure and Tools for Success
32:24 Crafting Offers and Understanding Client Needs
37:07 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs in AI
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Sign up to Orbit Flows here: orbitflows.com?via=theaireport
Summary
In this conversation, Ethan Reeves shares his journey from a young programmer to co-founder of Orbit Marketing, discussing the evolution of AI and its impact on marketing. He emphasizes the importance of email marketing, trust, and authority in building successful businesses. Ethan also delves into the challenges of navigating the SaaS landscape, the significance of having a structured process in place, and the joy of creating and building products that provide value to users.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Ethan Reeves and His Background
02:57 The Evolution of AI and Machine Learning
05:36 Founding Orbit Marketing and Its Journey
08:43 The Power of Email Marketing and Newsletters
11:31 Trust, Authority, and Credibility in Email Marketing
14:09 The Role of Personal Stories in Newsletters
17:23 Orbit Marketing's Approach to Client Engagement
20:13 Building Trust Through Value in Email Communication
23:05 The Challenges of Building AI SaaS Products
26:02 The Myth of Easy Software Development
28:58 The Reality of SaaS Valuations and Market Expectations
32:53 Navigating the Vaporware Landscape
35:41 Building a Sticky Software Product
37:31 The Evolution of OrbitFlows
39:22 The Power of Context in AI
42:02 Creating Value and Reducing Friction
44:28 The Importance of Stickiness in Software
46:00 Execution and Vision in Startups
49:56 The Pace of Development
56:56 Aiming for the Stars: The Future of OrbitFlows
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Join the community: https://www.skool.com/the-ai-report-community/about
In this podcast episode, Chris Raulf shares his extensive journey in the SEO industry, starting from his early days in 1996 to the present, where he emphasizes the transformative impact of AI on search engine optimization. He introduces the concept of Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) and discusses the importance of E-E-A-T principles in creating valuable content. Chris also contrasts white hat and black hat SEO strategies, explains the shift from traditional SEO to content marketing, and highlights the evolving landscape of search engines and content distribution. He addresses the implications of AI on search traffic and shares insights on micro SEO strategies and the role of directories and featured profiles in enhancing online visibility. Finally, Chris reflects on the future of SEO and the importance of continuous learning in a rapidly changing environment, driven by his passion for the field.
Takeaways
Chris Raulf transitioned into SEO after years in marketing roles.
Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is a new term gaining traction.
E-E-A-T principles are crucial for ranking high in search results.
White hat SEO strategies comply with Google's guidelines, while black hat strategies do not.
The shift from SEO to content marketing is significant in today's landscape.
Search engines are evolving to index content from various platforms.
AI is changing how search traffic is generated and managed.
Micro SEO strategies involve creating superior content using AI insights.
Directories can enhance visibility if they rank well in search results.
Continuous learning is essential to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving SEO landscape.
Titles
The SEO Journey: From 1996 to Today
Generative Engine Optimization Explained
Sound bites
"I just decided after reading a horoscope."
"Search everywhere optimization is the new SEO."
"Impressions go up, clicks stay the same."
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to SEO and Chris Raulf's Journey
02:58 Understanding Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)
05:52 The Importance of E-E-A-T Principles in SEO
08:32 Navigating Domain Authority and Trustworthiness
11:18 Content Creation: Quality Over Quantity
14:14 Transitioning from SEO to Content Marketing
16:54 The Evolution of Search Engines and User Behavior
19:29 Search Everywhere Optimization: A New Approach
22:22 The Impact of AI on Search Volume and Traffic
25:14 Micro SEO Strategies and AI Integration
28:27 Creating a Hybrid Content Strategy
31:39 Maximizing Content Value Through AI Tools
33:02 Understanding Robots.txt and LLM.txt
35:42 Leveraging Featured.com for Personal Branding
38:58 The Role of Directories in SEO
43:12 International Perspectives on SEO Trends
47:03 The Future of AI in SEO
50:41 Continuous Learning in a Rapidly Evolving Field
55:37 Passion for SEO and Its Impact on Career
🎯 Replace Influencers with AI? This Guy Already Did.
This week on The AI Report, host Liam Lawson chats with Andrew DiLullo—performance marketer and founder of AdCrunch Digital—about how AI is transforming ad creative right now.
Andrew walks us through his full stack: from pulling TikTok scripts to feeding ChatGPT, generating AI spokespeople with Arcads, and scaling UGC videos at $20 a pop. No fluff, just the full system.
We also get into:
• The fall of traditional influencers
• Real vs fake UGC—can you tell anymore?
• Why Meta’s push for AI-only ads might backfire
• The ethics of “making up” testimonials with GPT
• What AI still can’t do (yet)
Whether you’re a founder, creative, or just AI-curious, this one’s a masterclass.
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📩 Want to work with Andrew? Visit https://adcrunchdigital.com
This week on The AI Report, Liam Lawson is joined by Eric Sui—indie hacker, AI builder, and creator of Agents Playbook—to talk about designing with agents instead of apps.
Eric breaks down how he moved from casual GPT-3 experimentation to building structured AI workflows that solve real problems. They dig into agent UX, why many AI tools fall short, and how indie builders can actually move faster by thinking in systems.
Also in this episode:
• Why agents are more than just automations
• How no-code stacks can launch powerful workflows
• Lessons from “building in public” on Twitter
• How to find product ideas in your own frustration
• The future of indie AI projects and agent-led design
Whether you’re trying to build smarter tools or just want to understand how agents are reshaping what software can do, this episode is packed with insight.
Subscribe to The AI Report:
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Join the community:
https://www.skool.com/the-ai-report-community/about
Chapters:
(00:00) Intro to Eric Sui
(01:12) Hacking on GPT-3 Before It Was Popular
(03:05) Where AI Products Go Wrong
(04:56) User Experience for Agents
(06:29) Thinking in Systems, Not Features
(08:15) How LLMs Shift the Tool Paradigm
(09:53) Launching With No-Code + GPT
(11:27) Product Validation as Self-Therapy
(13:10) Getting Better Feedback Faster
(14:52) Public Building as a Strategy
(16:47) Twitter Feedback Loops
(19:01) Starting From Zero Audience
(20:45) Workflow Design and Mental Models
(22:39) How to Think With Agents
(24:26) Indiehacking, Investment, and Staying Lean
(26:11) Staying Close to Your Problem Space
(27:53) Teaching Builders Through Agents Playbook
(29:45) What’s Next for Eric
(31:22) Where to Connect
This week on The AI Report, Liam Lawson is joined by Quinn Favret, co-founder and COO of Tavus, to explore how digital humans are reshaping communication across industries.
Quinn shares how Tavus is building AI agents that can engage in real-time, emotionally intelligent conversations—complete with facial expressions, dynamic tone, and personalized responses. The goal isn’t just automation. Its presence. And Quinn believes AI might actually help humans connect more deeply, not less.
They dig into how Tavus trains its models, where conversational AI is already creating real impact, and what it takes to design an experience that feels human, without trying to be one.
Also in this episode:
• Why the uncanny valley is a storytelling challenge
• What it means to create “brand as soul”
• How Tavus enables sales, HR, education, and therapy
• Why cultural nuance and context matter more than realism
• The role of AI in making communication more accessible
This is a forward-looking episode for anyone building or using AI to solve problems that rely on trust, attention, and human connection.
Subscribe to The AI Report:
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Join the community:
https://www.skool.com/the-ai-report-community/about
Chapters:
(00:00) Intro and Quinn’s Background
(01:03) Engineering, Startups, and YC
(03:20) From ML Forecasting to AI Video
(05:08) How Tavus Got Started
(06:21) Launching During COVID
(07:28) What Tavus Actually Does Today
(09:05) Real Use Cases in Sales, Healthcare, and Media
(11:35) Developer Tools and Agentic Systems
(12:31) Building Machines That Adjust to Us
(14:39) What Makes a Conversation Feel Real
(16:46) Cultural and Contextual Communication
(17:52) How AI Understands People Over Time
(20:45) Could AI Be Better at Talking Than We Are?
(23:03) Why AI Therapy Isn’t as Crazy as It Sounds
(24:40) The Art of Listening and Speaking
(28:33) How Quinn Practices Communication in Life and Work
(30:41) The Meaning Behind the Tavus Brand
(33:29) Tech, Storytelling, and Soul
(35:27) UX Gaps and Human Expectations
(36:43) Tavus in Context: Not Just Avatars
(38:23) What an AI-Powered Future Might Look Like
(40:04) Balancing Tech and Humanity
(41:19) Quinn’s “Why”
(44:54) Where to Connect
This week on The AI Report, Liam Lawson sits down with Gordon Wintrob, co-founder and CTO of Newfront, to talk about bringing AI into one of the slowest-moving industries: insurance.
Gordon shares how Newfront is redesigning the broker experience with automation and AI—from parsing 200-page policies in seconds to helping HR teams save weeks of work. They discuss building AI tools that clients actually trust, how to manage risk in regulated industries, and why embedding AI into company culture matters as much as the code.
Also in this episode:
• Why insurance is one of the last big frontiers for tech
• What makes a good AI use case in complex workflows
• The story behind Benji, Newfront’s internal AI assistant
• How to foster internal adoption from hiring to hackathons
• What regulation and SOC 2 mean for AI innovation
This is a real look at what happens when AI goes beyond chatbots and into core business infrastructure.
Subscribe to The AI Report:
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Join the community:
https://www.skool.com/the-ai-report-community/about
Chapters:
(00:00) Reimagining the Insurance Stack
(01:06) Why Insurance Feels So Behind
(02:41) How Brokers Work and Where AI Fits
(05:08) Founding Newfront With Future Tech in Mind
(06:59) Automating Contract Review at Scale
(08:49) Working With Startups and Industry Giants
(10:19) What It’s Like Serving Diverse Client Profiles
(12:17) Making Room for Value-Add Conversations
(13:28) Key AI Tools: Benji, Gap Analysis, and More
(15:29) Why Products Succeed or Fail in Legacy Fields
(16:39) Creating a Culture of Technical Curiosity
(18:25) From Engineering to Recruiting: AI in the Org
(19:30) Equity, Values, and Ownership at Scale
(21:50) What Keeps Traditional Brokerages Behind
(23:43) AI as a Signal of Operator Leverage
(25:22) Who Newfront Builds For
(25:56) Staying Compliant While Moving Fast
(28:39) Managing Data Risk in a Privacy-Critical Industry
(29:01) Vendor Security and SOC 2 in AI Development
(30:25) Expanding AI Beyond the Frontend
(31:58) CTO Strategy and Time Allocation
(32:54) Staying Up-to-Date in a Fast-Shifting Landscape
(34:42) Building With Purpose in a Legacy System
(36:11) Connect With Gordon
On this episode of The AI Report, Liam Lawson is joined by Frey Chu—a directory builder, SEO educator, and creator focused on building long-term, high-leverage digital assets.
Frey shares how he builds directories that actually work, why so many fail to get traction, and how to combine AI workflows, structured data, and strong SEO fundamentals to make evergreen content that ranks and converts.
They discuss the real art of choosing a niche, when to enrich data manually vs programmatically, and why directories—when done right—are still one of the best internet business models available.
Also in this episode:
• What separates real directories from content farms
• How to validate a niche with Reddit and Ahrefs
• Why LLMs are forcing a rethink of “content quality”
• The pros and cons of exact-match domains
• Frey’s thoughts on time freedom, creative control, and building slow on purpose
If you’ve ever wanted to build a niche site, test an idea, or launch a project that runs without you, Frey’s approach will give you a grounded, tactical blueprint.
Subscribe to The AI Report:
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Join the community:
https://www.skool.com/the-ai-report-community/about
Chapters:
(00:00) What Makes a Directory Valuable
(01:06) Ranking Local Queries With SEO
(02:34) The Difference Between Lists and Real Directories
(04:32) Why “Directory of Directories” Doesn’t Work
(05:36) Finding Balance Between SEO and Passion
(07:55) Evergreen Niches That Print Cashflow
(10:05) Reviewing His Portfolio: Hits and Experiments
(11:15) Why Directories Are Still Relevant
(12:19) LLMs and the Future of Structured Data
(13:38) Monetize First or Learn First?
(15:11) Validating Demand Without Guesswork
(16:35) Data Enrichment Strategies That Work
(17:54) Choosing the Right Stack for Directory Projects
(18:57) Quality Markers That Matter in 2025
(20:00) High-Consequence Niches With Real Need
(21:43) Feedback Loops and Iterating in Public
(23:03) Do Domains Still Influence Trust and Ranking?
(24:12) Frey’s Monetization Framework
(25:19) Getting Ready for the Next Phase of LLM SEO
(27:50) How Frey Keeps Learning and Evolving
(29:04) The People and Projects He’s Studying
(30:10) The Multi-Skill Nature of Directory Projects
(31:54) Long-Term Goals: SaaS, Marketplaces, and Time Freedom
(33:44) Why He’s Teaching Now
(35:52) Where to Find and Follow Frey
This week on The AI Report, Liam Lawson is joined by Peter, a startup coach and product strategist who’s helped dozens of early-stage founders avoid one of the most costly mistakes in tech: building before validating.
Peter explains why most startup ideas fail not because the tech doesn’t work, but because there’s no real demand. He shares the “sandwich method” he uses to get honest, useful feedback in discovery calls, and how founders can avoid building in a vacuum.
They also explore the role AI is starting to play in validation workflows—and why it can’t replace true customer insight.
Also in this episode:
• Why product-market fit is not a feeling
• How to structure conversations to get real signal
• The biggest lies founders tell themselves during early validation
• How to use AI tools in discovery without getting misled
• Why humility might be the most valuable founder skill
If you’re building anything new—especially in AI or SaaS—this episode is a sharp, tactical reset.
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Chapters:
(00:00) Misunderstanding Product Validation
(01:15) Who Peter Works With and Why
(03:40) The Sandwich Method for Better Discovery
(06:05) What He Learned From YC and Startup #1
(08:12) Founders as Pattern Matchers
(10:33) Detecting and Avoiding Bias
(13:00) Identifying Real Market Demand
(15:18) The Feature Fallacy
(17:50) AI Tools vs Product Necessity
(19:36) Where AI Can (and Can’t) Help
(21:44) Advice for Founders on Day Zero
(23:50) Why Peter Keeps Coaching
(26:04) Where to Find Him
This week on The AI Report, Liam Lawson talks with Nick Jain, former IdeaScale CEO and founder of Content Hurricane, about how he used AI to completely replace traditional marketing and scale his funnel 50x.
Nick shares how a $25 AI agent outperformed his in-house team, created content that outranked McKinsey on Google, and helped him build one of the most efficient B2B funnels in SaaS. He breaks down how he did it, why most marketers are missing the shift, and what the future looks like when AI runs most of your company’s creative output.
Also in this episode:
• Building a 90% AI-powered inbound funnel
• Why content teams will be replaced, not reskilled
• The new role of product managers in an AI-led org
• How Content Hurricane scales enterprise-quality assets with no human input
• The future of education, work, and intellectual leverage
This is not a “how to write prompts” episode. It’s a front-row view into what happens when a founder goes all in on AI and doesn’t look back.
Subscribe to The AI Report:
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Join the community:
https://www.skool.com/the-ai-report-community/about
Chapters:
(00:00) Why Content Marketing Is On Its Way Out
(01:14) A $25 Agent vs a Whole Marketing Team
(02:26) Nick’s Moment of Clarity in Amsterdam
(03:28) Scaling Content With ChatGPT in 30 Minutes
(05:21) Running Mandatory AI Training at IdeaScale
(06:45) Who Actually Adopted the Tech
(08:17) From Harvard MBA to Startup CEO
(09:00) Inside a 90% Automated Marketing Funnel
(10:00) What Good Content Actually Means for SEO
(12:31) Why Algorithms Are Not the Point
(14:13) Tracking True ROI Across All Content
(16:13) The Channels That Still Work
(17:08) Nick’s Favorite Prompt Strategy
(18:34) The End of the Content Marketing Role
(20:21) CEO Ethics in the AI Age
(22:04) Why Sales and Product Still Matter
(24:03) The Future of Product Management
(25:31) Why Generalists Have the Edge Now
(27:05) What Happens to Traditional Education
(28:10) The Chips Are Coming: Post-Human Thinking
(30:13) How Content Hurricane Operates
(32:01) Awareness to Action With AI
(33:36) The Simplicity Advantage in UX
(35:09) Prompting for Depth, Not Generic Output
(36:03) Product With Purpose
(36:22) Massive Growth Metrics From the Funnel
(38:12) Why Nick Keeps Building
(39:05) How to Connect With Him
This week on The AI Report, Liam Lawson is joined by Lindsay Rosenthal, founder of Synnc and one of the leading voices in the B2B creator economy. Lindsay shares how she went from building a presence on LinkedIn to launching a software platform that connects brands and professionals for high-leverage collaborations.
She breaks down what’s changing in B2B marketing, why creators are becoming critical distribution channels, and how she built and shipped a product without a technical background, leveraging AI tools to move faster and execute smarter.
Also in this episode:
• The rise of B2B creators and micro-influencers
• How Synnc uses AI to match brands and creators
• Why a personal brand is now part of your resume
• The challenge of balancing content, consulting, and product building
• What it really takes to launch a product with limited resources
If you’re trying to grow on LinkedIn, launch a tool, or find smarter ways to work with AI, this conversation is full of sharp insights from someone doing all three at once.
Subscribe to The AI Report:
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Join the community:
https://www.skool.com/the-ai-report-community/about
Chapters:
(00:00) Why Community is Career Insurance
(01:04) AI Meets LinkedIn: What’s Happening Now
(02:10) B2B Creators Are the New Growth Engine
(03:20) Personal Brand as a Strategic Asset
(04:36) Imperfect Content Beats AI-Polished Posts
(06:13) The Real Voice of B2B: Messy and Human
(07:47) What Synnc Actually Does
(09:00) How Brands and Creators Use the Platform
(11:09) AI Workflow Automation Behind the Scenes
(13:14) Why Creator Rates Are Climbing in B2B
(14:21) Big Value From Small Audiences
(16:20) Winning With Focused Distribution, Not Virality
(17:05) Collabs, Testimonials, and Fractional Roles
(18:17) Building and Shipping Without a Tech Background
(19:31) The Realities of Building in Public
(21:05) Why Speed and Timing Matter Most
(22:12) Lindsay’s Origin Story and Customer Zero
(24:03) From Student Podcast to Software Startup
(25:57) Spotting Trends and Building Early
(28:02) Why Non-Technical Founders Are Winning Now
(29:08) Using AI for Product Design and Dev Work
(31:07) AI-Powered Matching and Briefing
(32:48) Reducing Friction With Smarter Systems
(34:03) How Lindsay Balances Multiple Lanes
(35:15) Tools, Systems, and Mental Clarity
(36:07) The Value of Doing More to Think Better
(37:07) Synnc’s Next Moves
(39:04) What She’s Working on Behind the Curtain
(41:12) How to Connect With Lindsay and Try Synnc
This week on The AI Report, Liam Lawson sits down with Celeste Yamile, a personal brand strategist who went from selling Fiverr gigs to building a six-figure business, powered by AI and a loyal LinkedIn audience of 20,000+.
Celeste breaks down how she bootstrapped her business using content, systems, and ChatGPT. She shares why most creators fail to connect, how she builds content with her own voice, and how storytelling and structure helped her grow faster than she imagined.
We dive into her actual workflow, her AI stack, and the mindset shifts that helped her turn monetizable knowledge into a real income engine.
Also in this episode:
• Her transition from teaching English to coaching creators
• Why ChatGPT still beats Gemini and Claude for her content process
• What most creators get wrong about authenticity
• How she helps clients build their first digital product
• The story behind matching her dad’s 25-year salary with content and coaching
This is an inspiring and tactical breakdown for anyone building a business with content, community, and AI.
Subscribe to The AI Report:
https://theaireport.beehiiv.com/subscribe
Join the community:
https://www.skool.com/the-ai-report-community/about
Chapters:
(00:00) Why “How I” Beats “How To”
(01:19) From Mexico to the World: Learning Online at 15
(03:20) Making Money With Tutorials and Fiverr
(06:01) Building a Foundation With YouTube
(08:07) The Daily Habit of Taking Action
(09:20) LinkedIn vs TikTok: Building with Intention
(11:17) The Truth About Good Content
(12:10) How Posting Three Times a Week Changed Her Life
(13:13) Studying Top Creators With Clio
(14:00) A/B Testing Frameworks for Better Results
(16:02) Growing From 300 to 86,000 Impressions
(17:02) Storytelling as the Ultimate Growth Lever
(18:17) Her Daily ChatGPT Workflow
(20:18) Batching Content to Beat Creative Burnout
(22:09) Custom GPTs That Sound Like You
(24:01) You Don’t Need to Sound Like AI—Just Sound Better
(26:03) Building a High-Ticket Coaching Offer
(28:11) Picking the Right Clients
(30:03) Action > Information
(33:14) “Buy Back Your Time” by Delegating Right
(35:00) Hiring Your First Assistant
(36:27) Scaling Toward In-Person Community
(37:27) From Corporate Salary to Creator Income
(39:01) Why She Wants to Help Others Be Seen