Building defensible AI apps: product loops, retention & data flywheels: with Phil Carter

🚀 In this episode, I’m joined by Phil Carter, the Founder and CEO of Elemental Growth. A former growth leader at Quizlet and Faire and a Stanford GSB grad, Phil has actually done the work: scaling world-class subscription apps from the inside and building frameworks that last.🎙️ What we cover in this conversation:✅ The "Subscription Value Loop": Phil's framework for building an enduring business.✅ How to build a defensible AI product, not just another commodity "wrapper."✅ The "Tourist Effect": Why AI hype drives traffic but kills your retention (and how to fix it).✅ The new unit economics: How to manage high LLM costs and stay profitable.✅ Scaling acquisition with AI tools without creating "AI slop" that floods channels and fails to convert.Whether you’re a founder, product manager, or growth marketer, this episode will give you a clear framework for building an enduring AI business. This is about creating real, defensible value, not just riding the hype cycle.🎧 Whether you’re a growth marketer, creative strategist, or startup founder, this podcast gives you the unfair advantage you need in the new AI era.🔗 Learn more: 🌐 rocketshiphq.com — Growth systems for high-spend advertisers 🌐 intelligentartifice.net — Podcast hub 📩 Subscribe to the newsletter: intelligentartifice.kit.com