Human-First AI Marketing Podcast by Avenue9

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Human-First AI Marketing, Mike Montague talks with Sherif Higazy, Founder of Megaton AI, a benchmarking and advisory firm for generative media, about one of the hardest questions in AI right now: how do you evaluate which models are actually useful when everything is changing so quickly? Sherif shares what Megaton is seeing across AI video model leaderboards, why Chinese video models are currently pushing the creative frontier, and how marketers can think more clearly about model quality, cost, privacy, and real-world use cases.The conversation explores the future of AI-generated video, music, animation, visual effects, real-time generation, world models, and immersive experiences that may soon feel closer to a Holodeck than a traditional editing suite. Mike and Sherif also unpack the “attention tax” of AI slop, the role of human authorship, and why the best creative results still come from people who know what they want to say before they ask AI to help make it.Key Takeaways: Keeping up with AI model changes has become nearly impossible without active testing. Sherif explains that constant marketing hype makes it hard to know which models are actually good unless someone is regularly evaluating them.Creative AI models are harder to evaluate than text-based LLMs. Unlike text models that can be tested with clear tasks, video and creative models require more subjective judgment around quality, style, and artistic usefulness.Chinese AI video models are currently leading the pack. Sherif points to models from Chinese labs, especially ByteDance’s SeeDance 2.5, as some of the strongest options for cinematic AI video generation.Open-source and local models matter for companies with sensitive IP. For businesses that cannot upload confidential material to cloud-based tools, locally run models create a safer path to using AI video.AI video works best when users build workflows instead of expecting instant magic. Sherif emphasizes that strong results come from developing an eye for quality, learning the tools, and treating AI as part of a creative production process.AI is expanding what can be made, especially for teams with smaller budgets. He shares that projects once blocked by the high cost of visual effects, animation, or production may now become financially possible.Human authorship still determines whether AI-generated content feels worth watching. Sherif warns that audiences can sense when content lacks care, intention, or a clear creative reason to exist.AI slop creates an attention tax. He describes low-effort AI content as a burden on people’s time and attention, especially when it takes longer to consume than it took to make.Some of the strongest AI use cases are animation, visual effects, training videos, marketing videos, and music. Sherif sees these areas as practical entry points where AI can help people create things that were previously expensive or out of reach.World models may be the next major leap in creative AI. Sherif predicts that tools capable of turning images into explorable 3D spaces could open the door to Holodeck-like experiences, immersive history, gaming, and new storytelling formats.The Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Human-First AI Marketing Podcast, Mike Montague talks with Keith Perhac, founder of SegMetrics, about the changing world of marketing attribution, AI analytics, and zero-click buyer journeys. They explore why traditional tracking is getting messier as bot traffic, AI answers, and platform-controlled experiences reshape how people discover, research, and decide before ever visiting your website.Keith shares practical ways marketers can rethink attribution by focusing on real human behavior, first-party data, CRM insights, funnel performance, and the signals that actually help teams make better decisions. The conversation also covers how AI can help uncover conversion outliers, improve segmentation, and turn analytics from a confusing spreadsheet swamp into a clearer map for smarter marketing decisions.Key Takeaways:Zero-click marketing is changing attribution. Keith explained that buyers increasingly get answers from Google, Claude, ChatGPT, YouTube, social platforms, and AI summaries before they ever reach your website, which makes the old website-first tracking model less reliable.Your brand’s knowledge now lives in many places. AI pulls from your website, social profiles, review sites, YouTube, and what others say about you, so marketers need to understand what information buyers are finding across the whole ecosystem.Attribution is about who people are and what they do. Keith emphasized that attribution should go beyond source tracking and help marketers understand which types of people are taking the actions that matter.First-party data creates more trustworthy insights. Instead of relying too heavily on ad platforms or third-party assumptions, Keith recommends asking people directly and storing useful details in your CRM through tags and custom fields.Segment analysis often matters more than surface-level metrics. For B2B companies with smaller audiences, knowing which segments convert and why can be more useful than obsessing over clicks, button colors, or broad campaign averages.Use AI to find conversion outliers. Keith shared that AI can quickly analyze funnel data by industry, source, or custom field to reveal which groups convert unusually well or poorly.Improve or cut weak segments intentionally. When a segment underperforms, marketers have a real business choice: create a better funnel for that group or decide they are outside the ideal audience.Take funnels one at a time. Keith recommends starting with one funnel, identifying the biggest conversion modifiers, and improving the most meaningful gaps before overbuilding dozens of segmented journeys.AI works best when it analyzes real data instead of guessing. Keith described SegMetrics’ AI MCP server as a way to connect AI directly to marketing analytics so it can query actual funnel and CRM data more accurately.Marketers need decisions, not more data dumps. Keith noted that AI can create a deluge of information, so the real value comes from turning analytics into clear priorities and next actions.The Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Human-First AI Marketing Podcast, Mike Montague talks with John Sampogna, CEO and co-founder of Wondersauce, about one of the most important AI questions marketing leaders can ask: where should AI stay out of the way? John shares why AI experimentation can quickly become a time suck, how teams can avoid building flashy workflows that solve no real business problem, and why the best use cases often start with repeatable tasks that happen daily, weekly, or monthly.Mike and John also explore the difference between using AI as an efficiency unlock and handing over the creative work that makes a brand valuable. They discuss AI’s role in design, strategy, production, outreach, leadership, and client relationships, with a clear takeaway for SMB leaders: AI can help creative people, technologists, and strategists move faster, but human judgment still needs to guide the ideas, relationships, and decisions that make a business different.Key Takeaways: AI experimentation needs a business purpose. John warned that teams can waste time chasing flashy AI demos, dashboards, and workflows that look impressive but do not improve the business, client relationships, or team efficiency. The best AI use cases are repeatable tasks. He recommended focusing AI and automation on work the team does constantly, such as daily, weekly, or monthly recurring tasks where efficiency gains are easiest to capture. AI is an efficiency unlock, and human creativity still leads the work. John explained that tools like Runway, Figma, and Weave can help teams turn concepts into polished execution much faster, while the creative ideas, treatments, mood, and collaboration still come from people. Guardrails matter because AI can scale weak work. He cautioned that without clear direction, companies can create workflows that “10X a C+,” making the weakest parts of the business faster and louder. Skill still separates average output from great output. John compared AI to a golf club or guitar; the tool is the same, but the output changes dramatically depending on the person using it. Leaders should decide where to invest time, not chase every tool. As a CEO, John said his focus is working with executive and discipline leads to decide where AI investment creates the biggest opportunity, with time as the primary resource to protect. Building proprietary AI tools can become an expensive distraction. Wondersauce tested a proprietary content engine, then realized available enterprise tools were quickly catching up, so they shifted back to training the team and filling specific workflow gaps. AI should support expert work as a thought partner. For brand identity and product design, John said people still need to build, test, and optimize the primary customer flows, while AI can help broaden tests, add perspectives, and improve efficiency. AI-generated outreach is easy to spot and easy to ignore. John shared that his inbox is full of automated pitches for services he either already knows how to do or has intentionally chosen to avoid, which shows the risk of using AI to scale generic outreach. AI will become more tactical and less novel over time. John expects the conversation to move away from broad AI hype and toward specific use cases, specific tools, and practical ways to get better output from the technology. The Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Human First AI Marketing Podcast, Mike Montague talks with Reverend Dr. Christopher Benek, a techno-theologian and author of The Church Leader’s Guide to Artificial Intelligence.  about AI ethics, spiritual questions, human identity, and how leaders can think more clearly about the role of technology in our lives.Christopher brings a refreshingly optimistic perspective. He argues that AI is still in its early “fiddling” stage, and the real leadership challenge is learning how to use it with wisdom, context, and conscience. The conversation moves from practical questions about using AI ethically to bigger questions about sentience, faith, resurrection, justice, human dignity, and what it means to stay grounded as technology speeds up.The big idea: AI ethics starts with asking better questions about who we are, what we believe, and how we want to act.Key Takeaways:AI is still in its early “fiddling” stage. Christopher framed AI as a human-created technology that society is still learning how to use wisely, much like past technological leaps such as automobiles, flight, and space travel.Ethical AI use depends on context. He said most people ask practical questions about whether their AI use is ethical, and his answer is that the same tool can be appropriate in one profession or situation and harmful in another.AI should be used with human judgment. Christopher warned that LLMs can be wrong and that users still need expertise, discernment, and accountability when using AI for brainstorming, writing, or decision support.Technology can become a “little g god.” His spiritual caution was that people can give any technology too much power, attention, or authority, so leaders need to stay aware of what they are trusting and why.AI is forcing us to ask what makes us human. He sees the current AI moment as healthy because it pushes society to reconsider human value, consciousness, community, and the parts of life we most want to protect.Humans must stay responsible for what they create. Christopher emphasized that business leaders, church leaders, and community leaders need to keep a human in the loop and avoid handing responsibility over to LLMs or automations.Participation matters more than avoidance. He argued that fleeing from AI conversations will not improve the problem, so people with ethical, spiritual, business, and community concerns need to stay engaged.Your unique context is your value proposition. Christopher said each person’s background, perspective, and lived experience allow them to see the world in a way no one else can, which becomes even more important in an AI-summarized world.AI can act like a spiritual and intellectual mirror. He described using ChatGPT as a dialogue partner that helps him argue through ideas, reflect on his thinking, and discover what he believes more clearly.More voices belong in the AI ethics conversation. He called for AI ethics to include more perspectives beyond a small group of Silicon Valley leaders, especially voices shaped by different cultures, communities, and lived experiences.AI can help humanity do more good at scale. Christopher’s optimism comes from the belief that technology can help people advance justice, education, welfare, and human flourishing when it is guided by clear values.The future should bring us back to present responsibility. Rather than obsessing over singularity or end-times speculation, he encouraged people to focus on relationships, communities, businesses, and the good they can do right now.The Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

Send us Fan MailA couple of weeks ago, a politician read his chatbot's instructions out loud into the official record of his legislature. Everybody laughed at him. That same morning, a CEO somewhere forwarded a giant AI strategy document to their team with the same tells buried in it, and nobody laughed at them. Their staff just quietly lost the afternoon.For episode 100, I'm going solo to make the argument I most want on the record: AI does not belong in the C-suite. I run an AI marketing agency, and I still believe it.AI can be a gift to your frontline experts, a real advantage for your middle managers, and a liability in the hands of senior leadership. Asking AI is not a leadership skill. Anyone can do it. A prompt is not an insight, and a printout of the response is not a point of view.In this episode:The five reasons executives need to be careful with AI, starting with OpenAI's own benchmark showing their best model matches a human expert a little under half the time. As a letter grade, that's a C.The thirty-second test that exposes the C-student bias. Ask AI a hard question inside your own discipline and grade the answer honestly. AI sounds like a genius doing somebody else's job and like an intern doing yours.Why AI can't do strategy. Harvard Business Review published research covering 15,000 simulations where simply flipping the order of two options flipped about 19% of the recommendations.What workslop costs you. Stanford and BetterUp found colleagues rate the sender 54% less creative and 42% less trustworthy after receiving it.The ABCs of AI: A players use it to solve, bosses use it to sharpen, and the C-suite uses it to prepare.And the one policy I think every company should adopt this year: nobody gets to quote AI.I also want to thank the incredible guests from the first hundred episodes and share what a Silver Creator Award from YouTube actually took.Read the full written version: https://avenue9.com/blog/the-abcs-of-ai-for-executives-why-ai-doesnt-b-long-in-the-c-suite/Follow the show so you're here for the next hundred: https://podcast.avenue9.com/2435068/followLearn more about Human-First AI Marketing at https://avenue9.comThe Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

Send us Fan MailFor our 99th episode of the Human-First AI Marketing Podcast, we’re celebrating with a special compilation: The Future of AI: Predictions from Our 2026 Experts. This episode brings together highlights from this year’s guests as they share where they believe AI is headed, how it will reshape work, marketing, leadership, creativity, and customer trust, and what business owners need to understand before they chase the next shiny tool.Across these conversations, one theme comes through clearly: the future of AI will belong to the leaders who combine smarter technology with stronger human judgment. You’ll hear predictions about AI agents, automation, content, search, strategy, personalization, and the growing importance of human-first thinking. This episode is a fast-moving look at what experts are watching now, what SMB leaders should prepare for next, and how to use AI as a practical amplifier for better decisions, better systems, and better relationships.Key Takeaways:AI is moving from novelty to infrastructure. The experts see AI becoming part of everyday workflows, decision-making, content creation, search, customer service, and internal operations. Human judgment becomes more important as AI gets more capable. As tools get faster and more autonomous, leaders will need clearer strategy, stronger quality standards, and better decision-making processes. AI agents will change how work gets delegated. Businesses will increasingly use AI to complete multi-step tasks, but success will depend on giving agents clear goals, context, boundaries, and human oversight. The future of marketing will depend on trust. More AI-generated content will make authentic voice, real expertise, customer proof, and credible storytelling even more important. Search is shifting from keywords to answers. Buyers are increasingly asking AI tools for recommendations, so brands will need to create content that is clear, useful, trustworthy, and easy for answer engines to understand. Small businesses can compete with bigger brands. AI gives SMBs access to tools for strategy, content, personalization, automation, and analysis that used to require much larger teams and budgets. Generic AI output will become easier to spot. As more companies use the same tools, the advantage will go to businesses that train AI on their own voice, customer conversations, frameworks, and expertise. AI will reshape roles instead of simply removing work. The strongest teams will redesign responsibilities around what humans do best and what AI can support, accelerate, or automate. Creativity will become more collaborative. AI can help generate options, remix ideas, and speed up production, while humans provide taste, meaning, empathy, and final direction. Context will be the new competitive advantage. The businesses that capture their stories, sales calls, customer insights, processes, and brand knowledge will get better results from AI than those using generic prompts. Leaders need to build systems, not just test tools. The experts point toward a future where AI success comes from repeatable workflows, shared knowledge bases, training, governance, and clear use cases. Human-first companies will have the edge. AI will create the most value for businesses that use it to improve relationships, empower employees, and serve customers with more clarity and consistency. The Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Human-First AI Marketing Podcast, Mike Montague welcomes back Rachel Minion to talk about Creating Rockstarr AI and what it really takes to build AI systems that can support a small business without stripping away its voice, values, or strategy. Rachel shares how she starts with the essentials: defining the ideal client profile, clarifying the offer, capturing brand voice, and turning that context into a knowledge base that makes AI outputs sharper, more useful, and more aligned over time.Mike and Rachel also explore the practical side of building AI-powered workflows, from using call transcripts and meeting notes to uncover customer patterns, to creating Claude skills, automating project management, improving reporting, and building a “marketing department in a box.” The big takeaway: AI gets better when you feed it real conversations, clear strategy, and human review. For business owners and marketing leaders, this episode is a grounded look at how to use AI to reduce bottlenecks, scale authentic storytelling, and build systems that keep working while you finally take a vacation.Takeaways:Start with the ideal client profile. Rachel says AI marketing systems work best when you first define who you are talking to, how they like to be spoken to, what they care about, where they feel pain, and where they go for help.Clarify the offer before building the system. Once the audience is clear, the next step is shaping an offer that feels differentiated, compelling, and urgent enough for that buyer to care.Build a knowledge base around voice, strategy, and context. We explain that audience, offer, and brand voice become the foundation for everything AI creates, because the system needs real context to produce useful work.Use AI to find the work worth automating first. Rachel plugged her time and task data into her project management system to identify quick wins, bigger bottlenecks, and tasks she should remove from her own plate.Start with operational bottlenecks. Her first AI system focused on project management, including workload balance, task creation, strategy notes, and making sure the right reference material was connected to the work.Keep human approval in the workflow. Rachel emphasized that AI-generated tasks still need review because the system can create work that sounds plausible but does not actually exist.Capture conversations because they hold the real marketing gold. Rachel uses sales call transcripts to check whether marketing matches real customer pain, discovery language, and patterns prospects are actually using.Let AI reveal patterns humans miss. Rachel’s biggest insight from transcript analysis is that AI can quickly surface repeated language, objections, and themes that are hard for people to spot manually.Create process documents for AI skills and workflows. Her pro tip is to have AI generate a plain-English process document alongside each skill so the team can understand what it does and choose the right workflow.Expect the early stage to feel messy. Rachel says the beginning can feel frustrating because the outputs are wrong at first, but the system gets sharper as the knowledge base grows and the workflows improve.The payoff is removing the founder as the bottleneck. After building her systems, Rachel was able to take a real vacation while production kept moving, with work waiting for her review instead of stopping at her desk.Rockstarr AI is built as a marketing department in a box. Rachel describes the goal as giving clients a system built on her strategy, frameworks, and the client’s own knowledge base so marketing can keep rolling in their voice.Read the episode recapVisit Rockstarr AIConnect with Rachel Minion on LinkedinThe Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Human-First AI Marketing Podcast, Mike Montague talks with Dr. Angela Mulrooney, Founder of Unleashing Influence Inc. and author of Own Your Genius, about what it really takes to stay relevant, trusted, and influential in the age of AI. Their conversation explores identity fracture, the pressure to reinvent yourself, and the importance of defining your “niche of genius” before using AI to amplify your voice, content, or business.Angela and Mike unpack why AI can make generic expertise louder, how leaders can avoid becoming “Swiss cheese” experts, and why influence starts with self-awareness, discernment, and original thinking. You’ll hear practical takeaways on owning your recommendations, building an audience before launching an offer, applying knowledge instead of collecting answers, and using AI as a tool to scale authentic human insight.Visit unleashinginfluence.comCheck out her book: Own Your GeniusConnect with Dr. Angela Mulrooney on LinkedInKey Takeaways:Define your niche of genius before using AI. Angela shared that AI can amplify your work, but your relevance comes from knowing what you uniquely bring to the market first.Use discernment with AI outputs. She warned that AI can be convincing and sycophantic, so leaders need to question whether the ideas actually fit their voice, strategy, and audience.Avoid becoming a “Swiss cheese” expert. Angela pointed out that AI can help people look polished on the surface, but shallow expertise gets exposed quickly when real questions come up.Identity fracture happens when professionals lose their place in the world. She explained that seasoned professionals often struggle less with losing work itself and more with losing their sense of contribution, impact, and community.Your expertise needs to become a system. Angela described helping people uncover how their brain creates answers, document those patterns, and turn their intellectual property into products or programs.Influence still matters when information is everywhere. She shared that many people build products without knowing how to get sales, which makes thought leadership, buyer psychology, and audience-building essential.Start marketing before the product is finished. Angela advised founders to begin building interest and gathering feedback early instead of waiting until launch to find an audience.Talk to the market before falling in love with the idea. Before writing her book, Angela had 500 conversations with sidelined professionals so her methodology was based on real needs instead of assumptions.Show substance through live interaction. She uses weekly workshops so prospects can ask questions, experience her thinking, and see that there is real depth behind the offer.Use AI to improve thinking and execution. Angela shared that she uses tools like Whisperflow, Claude critiques, data analysis, and team research workflows to move faster while keeping human judgment in charge.The Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Human-First AI Marketing Podcast, Mike Montague talks with Dr. Angela C. Myers, author of Versatile: Human Intelligence in an Artificial Age, Founder of Polymaths Place, LLC, and creator of The Polymath Place. Together, they explore why polymaths, multidimensional learners, and curious generalists may be especially well-suited for the AI era, where adaptability, creativity, and connected thinking are becoming essential business skills.Angela shares why the age of narrow specialization is giving way to broader human intelligence, how AI can free us from routine mental drudgery, and why SMB leaders should encourage learning, experimentation, and play inside their teams. AI can help businesses move faster, but human judgment, curiosity, and cross-disciplinary thinking are what turn that speed into meaningful progress.Takeaways:We are leaving the age of narrow specialization. Dr. Angela C. Myers explained that routine, stable, predictable knowledge work is increasingly easy to automate, which makes bigger-picture thinking more valuable.Polymaths are built for the AI era. People with multidisciplinary experience can connect ideas across fields, spot patterns, and bring a unique combination of knowledge to their work.AI is inherently generalist. Because AI can operate across many domains, the strongest AI users will likely be broad thinkers who can learn across disciplines and guide the tool with better context.The new career safety net is adaptability. Myers shared that being multi-capable and committed to continual learning helps people stay relevant as work changes around them.AI should free humans from mental drudgery. She emphasized that AI can move people away from routine grunt work so they can focus more on creativity, judgment, connection, and other human capacities.Play and exploration make people more creative. Myers pointed to research on Nobel laureates showing that outside interests, hobbies, and creative exploration often give top performers a more original edge.Old metrics can make leaders think too narrowly. She warned that measuring success only by inherited industry standards can cause teams to miss creativity, connection, originality, and changing market realities.Learning is how we update our mental software. Myers framed learning as the method for staying current, especially as AI advances exponentially and changes work faster than most people expect.People should experiment with AI even if they are “not techy.” Her advice was to stretch into AI through trial, practice, and small experiments because AI is reshaping work and is here to stay.Organizations need to understand and support versatile humans. Myers wrote Versatile to help leaders, managers, HR professionals, and executives better support multidimensional people in the workplace.The Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Mike Montague talks with Kristen Kent, founder of Evergreen Content Ops, about what it really means to create human-led, AI-assisted content.They explore why “more content” has become a weak strategy, how AI can create content debt when teams skip tone, voice, audience connection, and content pillars, and why the human belongs at every stage of the process. Kristen makes the case for using AI to support better thinking, better organization, and better content systems instead of passively accepting whatever the tool produces.Mike and Kristen also discuss practical ways SMBs can use AI beyond writing blog posts, including legacy content audits, internal linking, employee onboarding, training materials, case studies, help desk content, safety reports, podcast repurposing, and organizational knowledge management. The big takeaway: AI is most useful when it helps humans synthesize information, find gaps, connect dots, and speed up the work while keeping strategy, creativity, customer understanding, and judgment in human hands.Key Takeaways:Human-led, AI-assisted is the right working model. Kristen explained that the human should guide the process throughout, rather than only prompting at the beginning or reviewing at the end.More content was never the real solution. She pointed out that many companies chased volume for years, but audience connection, tone, voice, and strategy still matter more than publishing speed.Content debt is dragging companies down. Kristen shared that many businesses now have years of legacy content that was created without enough strategy, and that pile can confuse search engines, AI answer engines, and audiences.AI is excellent for trimming and organizing existing content. She sees one of AI’s best uses in helping companies audit old content, find redundancies, identify gaps, clean up messaging, and get lean again.Internal linking is a practical AI use case. Kristen explained that AI can quickly map internal linking opportunities across legacy content, turning a painful manual process into something much easier and more effective.AI can improve organizational content beyond marketing. She emphasized that employee onboarding, training, internal communications, help desk content, safety reports, and customer support materials are all strong use cases for AI-assisted content systems.Structured interviews create better AI outputs. Kristen reinforced that casual but guided conversations with founders, employees, customers, and department leaders can give AI the right raw material to synthesize useful, human-centered content.AI is strongest at analysis and synthesis. She said AI is often more useful for connecting dots, finding common themes, spotting disconnects, and summarizing large amounts of information than for writing from scratch.Tools like NotebookLM work well when accuracy matters. Kristen highlighted NotebookLM as useful because it works from the specific sources you provide, which can reduce hallucination risk during research or document analysis.AI can support better self-awareness and workflow improvement. She shared how assessments, AI assistants, and reflective prompts can help people understand their own communication style, working patterns, strengths, and weaknesses.Leaders need to stop dumping AI output on teams. Kristen warned that sending pages of unreviewed AI-generated strategy, workflows, or feedback creates confusion, slows people down, and demoralizes employees.AI slop starts with unclear leadership. Her point was that low-quality AI content often rolls downhill from vague instructions like “just use AI,” which leaves teams without standards, context, or judgment.The audience loses when AI replaces judgment. Kristen emphasized that customers, employees, and readers suffer when companies publish AI-assisted work that lacks clarity, usefulness, or human understanding.AI can help break through the blank page. She acknowledged that AI is useful for brainstorming, outlining, prompting better questions, and helping writers get started without handing over the creative decisions.Human judgment still decides whether the message lands. Kristen closed with the reminder that AI can measure and generate options, but humans still need to evaluate whether customers understand, trust, and respond to the message.The Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Human-First AI Marketing Podcast, Mike Montague talks with Josh Porter, founder of Thunderwolf Consulting, host of the Marketing Pack Leaders podcast, and bestselling author of The Last Human Marketer. Together, they explore what product marketing looks like in a world where AI can generate messaging, write positioning, and help teams move faster than ever; while every company risks sounding suspiciously similar.Josh shares what AI scale-ups, SaaS founders, and marketers need to understand about differentiation, trust, customer experience, and human judgment. The conversation covers why product strategy still needs a strong human operator, how companies can stand out when competitors can copy features and messaging quickly, and why communities, customer references, credibility signals, and real relationships are becoming the new moat. Listeners will walk away with a clearer view of how to market AI products with more substance, sharper positioning, and a human-first edge.Connect with Josh on Linkedin.Key Takeaways:AI product marketing has to lead with the customer’s pain. Josh emphasized that buyers care less about model size, context windows, or technical specs and more about whether the product solves a real problem they already feel.Creating the product and sharing the idea are two different skills. Many AI founders have strong technical ability, but Josh pointed out that explaining the product clearly is where product marketing becomes essential.AI can make messaging sound the same across competitors. When every company uses similar tools and similar source material, their positioning can collapse into a “sea of sameness,” which makes human judgment more important.Differentiation has to extend beyond features. Josh shared that AI companies can stand out through communities, advocates, analysts, press relationships, events, targeted campaigns, and stronger customer experiences.Customer references are becoming a stronger trust signal. A competitor can copy a website quickly, but they cannot easily replicate real customer relationships, reference calls, and the trust-building process behind them.Community can become a defensible marketing advantage. Josh suggested building spaces where customers and peers can share best practices, which creates value around the product that AI alone cannot execute at a human level.Human marketers still matter because strategy and experience matter. Josh made the case that AI can support marketing execution, while experienced marketers still bring the judgment needed to design meaningful prospect and customer experiences.The future of marketing will still rely on evergreen principles. Even as AI changes channels, roles, and workflows, Josh believes honest, clear, emotionally intelligent marketing will continue to work across platforms.The Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

Send us Fan MailWhat if most businesses are chasing the wrong AI strategy?In this episode of the Human-First AI Marketing Podcast, Mike Montague sits down with Stephan Bajaio of VibeLogic to explore the future of SEO, AEO, AI search, and web presence. Together, they unpack why the current rush to optimize for AI rankings feels a lot like the dot-com boom, why many companies are focused on visibility instead of value, and why small and mid-sized businesses may have a bigger advantage than they realize. Stephan shares practical insights from decades of enterprise SEO experience, helping listeners separate AI hype from sustainable growth strategies.You'll learn why original expertise beats AI-generated content, how to turn your team's knowledge into a competitive advantage, what "Web Presence Intelligence" means for the future of marketing, and why owning your audience matters more than chasing algorithms. If you're a business owner or marketing director, this conversation offers a practical roadmap for building trust, authority, and visibility in an AI-driven world without sacrificing the human expertise that makes your business unique.Connect with Stephan Bajaio on LinkedinVisit vibelogic.comKey Takeaways from This EpisodeStop chasing AI rankings and focus on solving customer problems.The businesses that win online are the ones that answer real customer questions and demonstrate expertise, not the ones trying to game algorithms.The current AI boom resembles the early days of the internet.Stephan compares today's AI gold rush to the dot-com era, where hype often outpaced adoption and many companies chased trends instead of building sustainable value.Original expertise is your greatest competitive advantage.AI can generate content, but it cannot replicate decades of experience, customer insights, and hard-earned wisdom trapped inside your team.Most SMBs should dominate their niche before trying to dominate the internet.Instead of competing with national brands for broad visibility, businesses should focus on owning their local market, specialty, or category.AI-generated content alone is not a winning strategy.Generic content created from generic prompts often adds more noise to the web and struggles to create meaningful business results.Your website should reflect the expertise of your people.Many companies hide their most valuable assets, their subject matter experts, instead of showcasing their knowledge, experience, and perspectives.Thought leadership starts with documenting what you already know.Customer conversations, sales calls, founder insights, and internal expertise are often the most valuable content sources a business already possesses.AI is most powerful when it captures and amplifies human knowledge.Tools like meeting transcription, note-taking, and content repurposing help businesses preserve expertise that would otherwise remain trapped in people's heads.The future belongs to businesses that understand Web Presence Intelligence.Success will come from understanding how customers discover information across search engines, AI platforms, communities, social media, and industry publications.The best marketing still happens one relationship at a time.While AI can accelerate execution, visibility and trust are still built through relevance, expertise, credibility, and consistent value.Interactive content often creates more value than static content.AI can help transform articles, presentations, and resources into calculators, assessments, tools, and experiences that audiences actively engage with.The winners in AI will be the companies that control valuable data and context.Future AI systems will become more useful through connected ecosystems, making access to meaningful data increasingly important.AI should help businesses create better content, not just more content.The goal is to amplify insight, originality, and usefulness rather than flooding channels with higher volumes of generic material.Human-first marketing remains the best long-term strategy.Technology changes, platforms evolve, and algorithms come and go, but businesses that genuinely help people continue to earn trust and attention over time.The Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

Send us Fan MailAI Adoption with Maryrose Lyons explores what it really takes for SMBs and midmarket teams to learn, adopt, and apply AI in a way that improves daily work. Maryrose Lyons, founder of the AI Institute, joins Mike Montague to talk about why AI training needs to stay live, current, practical, and human-led as tools change faster than traditional courses can keep up. The conversation covers AI certificates, team confidence, prompt quality, Claude Code, Microsoft Copilot, custom GPTs, agents, and the shift from experimenting with AI to building real capability inside the business. For business owners and marketing directors, the big takeaway is clear: AI adoption works best when leaders start with real use cases, give teams permission to learn, and focus on better outcomes instead of shiny tools. Maryrose shares how companies can move from fear and confusion to practical fluency by training people around the work they already do. This episode is a useful listen for leaders who want their teams to save time, improve productivity, and use AI with more confidence, context, and human judgment.Takeaways:AI training needs to stay current and human-led. Maryrose shared that the AI Institute delivers live training because the tools change too quickly for static, pre-recorded courses to stay useful.Teach people through real use cases. Instead of walking teams through generic tool features, she recommends showing employees how AI applies to the actual tasks they already do every week.Different learners need different kinds of support. Maryrose described corporate learners as dreamers, believers, soldiers, and cynics, which means leaders should expect different levels of enthusiasm, fear, and skepticism during adoption.Cynics can become strong adopters when they see AI solve their own work problems. When skeptical employees use AI to complete a familiar four-to-six-hour task in 15 to 20 minutes, their mindset often shifts quickly.Deep training creates a long-term advantage. Companies that invested in serious AI training early have already moved ahead by hiring AI program leads, heads of AI, and internal teams to support adoption and governance.Use case workshops turn excitement into a roadmap. Maryrose explained that after training, teams need help sorting their ideas into what they can do themselves, what needs support, and what deserves to become a built-out AI agent.AI adoption now needs governance. As employees begin building agents across the business, leaders need to think through ownership, oversight, quality, and what happens when the person who built an agent leaves.The future worker becomes the “CEO of your own role.” Maryrose said employees will increasingly manage agents, tools, and workflows around their responsibilities instead of simply completing every task manually.Better prompts start with better thinking. She recommends pausing before opening PowerPoint or starting the task, gathering the right information, and using that context to produce a stronger AI-assisted result.The real win is better work, not just saved time. Maryrose emphasized that AI should help teams produce higher-quality work and feel more capable in their jobs, which is the adoption sweet spot for business leaders.The Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

Send us Fan MailEverybody is talking about generative AI. They're missing the bigger opportunity. In a recent conversation with James Thornton, CEO of Daz 3D, we explored a side of artificial intelligence that most business leaders aren't paying enough attention to.While much of the current AI discussion revolves around generating text, images, and videos, Thornton's work sits at the intersection of 3D content creation, gaming, digital avatars, AI training data, and virtual world building. His team helps create the digital assets that power everything from entertainment experiences to the next generation of AI systems.The conversation revealed an important shift that SMB business owners and marketing leaders should understand.Most companies are focused on creating content.The companies shaping the future are creating digital assets.That distinction may become one of the most important competitive advantages of the next decade.As AI evolves beyond chatbots and content generation, businesses will need new ways to create consistent digital identities, train intelligent systems, and build experiences that span physical and virtual environments. The organizations that prepare now will be positioned to benefit from these changes rather than react to them later.Connect with James on LinkedinVisit Daz 3DKey Takeaways from This Episode:The future of AI extends far beyond text, images, and video.AI is increasingly being trained to understand 3D environments, movement, physics, and real-world interactions.High-quality 3D training data is becoming a critical asset.The next generation of AI systems, robotics, and virtual experiences depends on realistic 3D models and simulations.Digital identity is becoming just as important as physical identity.Younger generations increasingly engage with brands through avatars, gaming, virtual worlds, and digital experiences.Digital twins and virtual assets can create long-term business value.Brands can build reusable digital assets that scale across marketing, training, entertainment, and future AI applications.AI avatars and virtual influencers are creating new marketing opportunities.Leading brands are already exploring how digital personalities can connect with audiences in new and immersive ways.Human creativity remains essential in an AI-powered world.AI can accelerate production and execution, but human insight, storytelling, and strategic direction drive meaningful results.The "uncanny valley" is still a challenge for AI-generated humans.Audiences can often sense when digital characters feel almost human but not quite authentic, making human oversight critical.3D content creation is becoming more accessible than ever.Tools that once required large studios and specialized teams are increasingly available to creators, marketers, and SMBs.Virtual experiences will enhance, not replace, real-world interactions.The most successful applications of AI and immersive technology will create new experiences while preserving human connection.Business leaders should combine AI efficiency with human expertise.The greatest opportunities come from using AI as an amplifier of human creativity, intuition, and experience rather than a replacement for them.The Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Human-First AI Marketing Podcast, Mike Montague sits down with Shea Murtaugh, CEO of Hoffman Murtaugh and founder of LeapShift AI Collective, to explore how smart SMBs are scaling faster with AI without burning out their teams or losing their humanity. Shea shares how AI has transformed her agency’s productivity from a traditional 40-hour workload into what feels like 120 hours of output per week, including building an entirely new AI community brand, website, logo, and launch system in a single afternoon. Together, they unpack the leadership mindset shifts required to scale intelligently with AI, while keeping people focused on higher-value thinking, creativity, and strategy.The conversation dives into practical AI workflows for marketers and business leaders, including building custom GPT agents that act like personal clones, creating conference content in real time, using Gamma and Claude to build pitch decks in under an hour, and designing agency “brains” powered by client context and personality profiles. Shea also explains how she builds AI agents to support leadership, content strategy, and business growth, giving listeners a practical roadmap for integrating AI into everyday operations without sounding robotic or creating chaos. If your team is overwhelmed by AI hype, struggling to keep up with bigger competitors, or looking for smarter ways to scale marketing and operations, this episode delivers a grounded, human-first look at what’s actually working right now.AI multiplies capability faster than most leaders expectShea shared that AI allows her to generate what feels like 120 hours of output inside a normal 40–50 hour work week, fundamentally changing how entrepreneurs think about productivity and growth.Small businesses can scale smarter without dramatically increasing headcountInstead of replacing employees, Shea focuses on using AI to help her existing team produce more value, think more strategically, and scale revenue without bloating labor costs.AI should eliminate repetitive work so humans can focus on thinking workShea explained that the goal is not to automate people out of the process, but to free teams from manual tasks so they can spend more time solving problems, creating strategy, and leading clients.Custom AI agents become powerful when they are trained on real human contextShe discussed building GPT agents modeled after personality profiles, communication styles, and leadership frameworks so the outputs feel aligned with real people instead of generic AI content.The future belongs to businesses that build systems, not just promptsShea emphasized creating AI-powered workflows and agency “brains” that store client context, messaging, positioning, and brand voice to make execution faster and more consistent.Conference content can now become a real-time marketing engineShea walked through her workflow for capturing keynote presentations, transcribing insights live, generating implementation plans, and publishing LinkedIn content before the speaker even leaves the stage.AI tools are compressing work that used to take days into hoursUsing tools like Gamma, Claude, and custom GPT workflows, Shea described building professional presentations, strategy decks, and launch assets in a fraction of the traditional time.Raw information is often more valuable than over-processed AI summariesShea prefers working from transcripts and original conversations because nuance, emotional context, and strategic insight are often lost in simplified AI-generated summaries.SMBs currently have an AI adoption advantage over large enterprisesSmaller organizations can move faster because they are not trapped in layers of approvals, legal reviews, and enterprise bureaucracy around new AI tools.AI leadership is becoming more important than AI tool knowledgeOne of the strongest themes in the episode was that leaders now need new ways to manage energy, thinking, workflows, and expectations because AI changes how work itself gets done.Personalized marketing is moving toward hyper-contextual experiencesShea shared her vision of a future where advertising, content, and messaging adapt dynamically to individuals in real time based on context and behavior.The businesses winning with AI are the ones staying humanThroughout the conversation, Shea reinforced that the real opportunity is using AI to amplify expertise, relationships, and authenticity instead of creating robotic content at scale.The Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Human-First AI Marketing Podcast, Mike Montague sits down with Matt Ruffner of Opticl.ai to unpack one of the biggest shifts happening in marketing right now: the move from traditional SEO to AI search visibility. With more than half of searches now happening through AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and Perplexity, businesses can no longer rely on rankings alone. AI engines are evaluating trust, reputation, sentiment, and authority in entirely new ways, and the rules are changing faster than ever before.Mike and Matt explore what SMBs and midmarket marketing teams need to do now to stay visible in AI-generated answers and recommendations. They discuss why trust is becoming the new ranking factor, how different AI platforms pull information from different sources, why YouTube transcripts and LinkedIn content suddenly matter more, and how local businesses can strengthen their AI visibility through authentic community engagement. This conversation is a practical roadmap for business owners and marketers who want to build a brand that both humans and AI trust before the next wave of search disruption leaves competitors behind.AI search is already mainstreamMore than 50% of searches now involve AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and Perplexity, which means businesses need to think beyond traditional Google rankings.AI search evolves exponentially faster than SEO ever didMajor AI model updates are happening every few months instead of every few years, so marketers need adaptable strategies instead of static SEO playbooks.Trust is becoming the new ranking factorAI engines evaluate reputation, sentiment, business practices, media mentions, and broader brand context, not just backlinks and keyword optimization.Traditional SEO still matters, but it’s no longer enoughStrong technical SEO and white-hat content practices still provide the foundation, but brands now need authority and trust signals that AI can interpret and recommend.Businesses need to start optimizing for AI visibility nowBuilding trust and authority compounds over time, so waiting until AI search fully matures will put companies significantly behind competitors already building visibility.Every AI platform pulls information from different sourcesChatGPT, Google Gemini, Grok, and Microsoft Copilot all rely on different ecosystems like YouTube, LinkedIn, X/Twitter, and web content, which means brands need a diversified content strategy.YouTube content has become a major AI search assetAI engines crawl video transcripts and spoken content, turning podcasts, interviews, webinars, and videos into searchable trust-building content.Local businesses can win with authentic community involvementGoogle Business Profiles, local sponsorships, charitable events, and local news coverage all strengthen the trust signals AI systems look for when making recommendations.AI can interpret sentiment, not just star ratingsModern AI engines can analyze tone, nuance, and context in reviews, which means businesses can no longer rely on surface-level reputation management.The future of search is recommendation-drivenAI search behaves more like a trusted advisor recommending the most credible answer, which shifts marketing from “ranking higher” to “earning trust.”Monitoring AI visibility requires new tools and metricsPlatforms like Optical.ai help businesses measure AI trust scores, track mentions across AI engines, and understand where AI models are sourcing brand information.Human-first brands are better positioned for AI searchBusinesses with authentic expertise, clear positioning, and real customer relationships create the kinds of trust signals AI systems increasingly prioritize.Connect with Matt Ruffner on LinkedinVisit Opticl.aiCheck out Avenue9's AI Trust Profile on OpticlThe Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

Send us Fan MailAI search is changing the rules faster than most businesses can react; this episode breaks down what that actually means for SMBs trying to stay visible and competitive. Mike sits down with Brittany Trafis to unpack the shift from traditional SEO to AEO (Answer Engine Optimization), where buyers are no longer clicking links but asking AI for direct recommendations. The conversation explores why this moment feels like the early days of search again, and why small and mid-sized businesses suddenly have a real chance to outrun larger competitors.You’ll hear practical takeaways on what’s working right now; from why old SEO fundamentals matter again, to how buyer behavior is becoming more conversational and specific, to what it really takes to “be the answer” AI tools recommend. The big idea is simple but powerful; search has moved from a list of options to a single trusted answer, and the brands that win will be the ones that build clarity, authority, and trust at scale.The Top Takeaways From This Episode Include:- AI search is still the “wild west,” which creates early-mover advantage.The rules are evolving in real time, so businesses that start experimenting now can gain visibility before the space becomes crowded.- AEO is simply about being found in AI conversations, not just search results.Buyers are asking AI tools questions directly, so your goal is to show up in those answers, not just rank on Google.- Old SEO fundamentals suddenly matter again.Things like keywords, alt text, and metadata are back in play because AI relies on structured signals to understand your content.- Content and technical SEO must work together to win.Strong content without proper structure, or strong tech without valuable content, will both fail to get you recommended by AI.- More high-quality content increases your chances of being selected.AI models reward breadth and authority, so covering your topic deeply and consistently improves your odds of showing up.- The competitive playing field has been reset.Small and mid-sized businesses can now outperform large brands because speed and adaptability matter more than budget.- Big companies are slower, which gives SMBs an edge.Less red tape means smaller teams can implement changes faster and capitalize on new opportunities sooner.- Buyer search behavior is becoming more conversational and specific.Instead of short keywords, users are asking detailed, preference-based questions that require richer, more contextual content.- Comparison and preference-based content is more important than ever.AI thrives on helping users evaluate options, so content that explains differences, pros/cons, and use cases performs better.- This is a rare moment to redefine your competitive set.AI is introducing new players into the conversation, so your real competition is expanding beyond who you used to track.The Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

Send us Fan MailMost businesses are sitting on their most valuable marketing asset and completely overlooking it. In this episode, Mike Montague talks with Joe Toscano, former Google insider and featured expert in The Social Dilemma, about why customer conversations, service calls, and real stories are the missing link in modern AI marketing. They break down how the explosion of AI tools has made it easy to create more content, yet harder than ever to stand out, and why authenticity, context, and ethical data use are becoming the new competitive edge for SMBs and midmarket teams.You’ll learn how to turn everyday customer interactions into a scalable content engine, how AI can analyze sentiment and surface insights that were impossible just a few years ago, and why the future of search and marketing belongs to businesses that capture and amplify real human stories. If your team feels stuck producing more content with fewer results, this conversation offers a smarter path forward; one where AI doesn’t replace your voice, it helps you scale it with clarity, trust, and impact.Top Takeaways From This Episode:- Customer conversations are your most valuable, untapped marketing assetEvery service call, sales conversation, and customer interaction contains real language, pain points, and proof that can outperform any manufactured marketing message.- AI makes it possible to finally scale storytelling, not just content productionWhat used to take weeks to turn into a case study can now be captured, analyzed, and repurposed quickly; turning one conversation into dozens of high-impact assets.- Authenticity is becoming the only real differentiator in an AI-saturated marketAs everyone gains access to the same tools, the businesses that win are the ones with real, human stories behind their messaging.- Better data matters more than more dataEthical, intentional data collection focused on real interactions creates value; while mass scraping and generic inputs lead to noise and mistrust.- We’re entering a new era where AI shifts from automation to insight generationTools can now analyze sentiment, context, and performance of conversations; giving leaders visibility they’ve never had before.- Search is evolving from keywords to conversations and contextThe future of SEO and discovery will reward businesses that provide real, experience-based answers instead of keyword-stuffed content.- Most companies already have the raw material for great marketing; they just lack the systemThe gap isn’t content creation; it’s capturing, organizing, and activating what’s already happening inside the business.- Ethical use of data is a competitive advantage, not a constraintTrust becomes a growth lever when companies are transparent and intentional with how they collect and use customer information.The Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

Send us Fan MailMost AI content today feels like fast food; quick, scalable, and forgettable. In this episode of the Human-First AI Marketing podcast, Mike Montague sits down with David Dobrin, CEO of Original Voices, to explore a better way to feed your marketing engine. They break down the idea of a “human context layer” for AI, where real audience insights, not generic data, shape your messaging. You’ll hear how digital twins, human-in-the-loop validation, and audience intelligence are helping marketers move beyond AI-generated noise and into content that actually resonates. The big takeaway is simple but powerful; AI without context defaults to average, and average marketing gets ignored. This conversation walks through how to ground your AI in real human perspectives, create differentiation in a world where everyone has access to the same tools, and build messaging that speaks to actual people instead of broad personas. Think of it like upgrading from a guessing game to a GPS for your marketing decisions; clearer direction, better outcomes, and fewer wasted efforts. If you’re ready to scale your marketing without losing your voice, this episode will give you a practical roadmap to do it the Human-First way.If this hits close to home, it’s exactly what we help SMBs solve at Avenue9; turning AI into a system that amplifies your voice, not replaces it. Let’s build your Human-First AI Marketing® engine together.Top Takeaways From This Episode:- AI without human context creates generic outputWhen models lack real audience insight, they default to “average,” which leads to content that blends in and fails to connect.- Differentiation is now a data problem, not a creativity problemEveryone has access to the same AI tools, so your competitive edge comes from unique audience inputs and perspectives, not just better prompts.- Relevance beats volume every timeAI can produce endless content, but without grounded audience understanding, more content just means more noise instead of more impact.- The “human context layer” is the missing ingredient in AI marketingFeeding AI real opinions, preferences, and feedback from actual people transforms outputs from guesses into informed messaging.- Human-in-the-loop systems outperform fully automated AIWhen real people train, review, and validate AI outputs, the quality and trustworthiness of the content increases significantly.- Digital twins can scale audience research in a modern wayInstead of static personas or surveys, AI-powered representations of real people provide dynamic, ongoing insight into what audiences think and feel.- AI should amplify human perspective, not replace itThe goal isn’t synthetic personas or automation for its own sake; it’s using AI to extend real human insight at scale.- Most AI content fails because it “reverts to the mean”Without intentional input, AI produces safe, middle-of-the-road ideas that don’t speak directly to any specific audience.- Better inputs create better outputs; it’s that simpleThe quality of your audience data and context directly determines how effective your AI-generated marketing will be.- Marketing success still comes down to knowing your audience deeplyAI doesn’t replace this fundamental truth; it just gives you a faster and more scalable way to execute on it.The Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

Send us Fan MailMost businesses are treating AI like a vending machine; type in a prompt, get an answer, and hope it works. In this episode, Mike sits down with T. Renee Smith to unpack why that approach falls flat and what it really takes to make AI work in the real world. They explore the shift from seeing AI as just another tool to treating it like a strategic partner; one that needs training, context, and leadership to deliver meaningful results. From the differences in how people approach AI to the biggest misconceptions holding businesses back, this conversation brings a practical, human-first lens to a very noisy topic.For SMB owners and marketing leaders, the takeaway is clear; better results don’t come from better prompts alone. They come from better strategy, clearer positioning, and a deeper understanding of your audience before AI ever enters the picture. You’ll learn why generic inputs lead to generic outputs, how to avoid over-trusting AI-generated plans, and where human insight still makes the biggest impact. If your team feels overwhelmed, underwhelmed, or stuck in experimentation mode with AI, this episode offers a smarter path forward; one that helps you scale your marketing without losing your voice or your edge.Top Takeaways From This Episode:AI is more than a tool; it becomes a strategic partner when you train it.Most businesses stay stuck because they treat AI like software instead of something that learns how they think, decide, and operate.Strategy must come before tools in any AI implementation.The right tool only works when it’s aligned to your goals, audience, and business context.Generic prompts create generic results.AI pulls from broad data unless you train it with your specific voice, market, and positioning.AI is not just ChatGPT; it’s a full ecosystem of specialized capabilities.Different tools serve different purposes like research, planning, automation, and execution.You are still the expert; AI is not the final authority.Outputs need to be validated, refined, and guided by human judgment and experience.AI can hallucinate or deliver outdated information if not guided properly.Context, constraints, and up-to-date inputs are required to get reliable results.Many people either fear AI or over-trust it; both are costly mistakes.The right mindset positions AI as an amplifier of your skills, not a threat or a shortcut.Different people approach AI differently; some focus on outputs, others on integration.The most effective users balance both by connecting results to real-world workflows.AI success comes from training it on your business, not just asking it questions.Feeding it your offers, audience, and insights turns it into a true extension of your team.The real opportunity with AI is leveling up your thinking, not just speeding up tasks.Businesses that improve strategy alongside AI adoption see the biggest gains.The Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

Send us Fan MailMost businesses are using AI to move faster, create more content, and keep up with the noise. The problem is that speed without differentiation just amplifies average. In this episode, Mike Montague sits down with Jonathan Aberman to unpack a smarter way forward: treating originality as a measurable, strategic advantage in a world where AI is trained to produce sameness. They explore why creativity alone isn’t enough, how AI can mimic “good” marketing, and why the real edge comes from producing ideas, insights, and connections that stand apart.For SMB owners and marketing leaders, the takeaway is practical and powerful. Your growth doesn’t come from using more tools; it comes from sharpening your unique point of view and using AI to scale it. You’ll learn how to rethink creativity as an outcome, how to identify where your marketing is blending in, and how to build a system that amplifies your voice instead of replacing it. If your content feels busy but not effective, this conversation will help you shift from sounding like everyone else to becoming the signal your market actually notices.The Top Takeaways From This Episode:- Originality is the real competitive advantage in an AI worldAI is trained on existing data, which means it naturally produces average outputs; growth comes from ideas that break away from that baseline.- Creativity isn’t the goal; originality is the outcome that mattersCreativity is the process, but what actually drives value in business is producing something meaningfully different and useful.- AI can mimic creativity, but it struggles to produce true differentiationIt generates polished, familiar ideas; it rarely creates the kind of unique thinking that stands out in a crowded market.- Most traditional ways of measuring creativity are now obsoleteStandard tests and frameworks can be gamed by AI, which means businesses need new ways to evaluate human contribution and thinking.- Originality can be measured based on the uniqueness of outputThe focus shifts from how you think to what you produce; the distance between ideas becomes a signal of originality.- Every human has a unique form of originalitySome people invent new ideas, others connect existing ones; both create value and differentiation in different ways.- AI creates sameness; humans create contrastWhen everyone uses the same tools the same way, everything starts to look identical; human perspective is what breaks the pattern.- The future is human + AI collaboration, not competitionThe advantage comes from combining AI’s speed with human judgment, instinct, and originality.- You can benchmark human thinking against AI for the first timeThis creates a new opportunity to see where your team actually adds value beyond automation.- The biggest risk isn’t AI replacing you; it’s becoming indistinguishableBusinesses that rely on generic, AI-driven content will blend in; those that amplify their unique voice will win attention and trust.The Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Mike Montague talks with Dan Baird of Wrench AI about why the future of marketing belongs to businesses that can target the right people, personalize the right message, and prove what is actually working. They unpack the shift from generic AI content and mass outreach to smarter systems built on lead scoring, behavioral signals, personality-driven messaging, and better audience research. The conversation makes a strong case that hyper-targeting and hyper-personalization are not just shiny tactics; they are how SMBs and midmarket companies can reduce waste, improve conversions, and compete far above their weight class. Mike and Dan also explore the bigger themes behind this shift: why AI shortcuts stop working once everyone finds them, why authenticity still beats scale, and why better marketing starts with understanding who to talk to, what to say, and how to say it. They share practical takeaways on using AI to make stronger decisions, improve message-market fit, and build relationship-driven growth instead of blasting the world and hoping for 1%. For owners, marketing leaders, and growth teams, this episode is a smart look at how smaller, more focused companies can win in an AI-first market. Top Takeaways From This Episode:AI stops being a shortcut the moment everyone uses the same trickDan’s point is that novelty fades fast, so the real advantage comes from better thinking, better systems, and adapting faster than the crowd. The best marketing starts with better researchHe argues that strong sales and marketing come from asking better questions, understanding the buyer deeply, and shaping the message to what the audience needs to hear. Hyper-personalization beats generic AI contentInstead of sounding polished but bland, messaging should adapt to the buyer’s personality, preferences, and decision style to reduce friction and improve response rates. Who to talk to matters as much as what to sayDan emphasizes machine learning-based targeting that identifies better-fit prospects, especially early adopters and high-margin buyers, before teams waste effort on everyone else. Better targeting creates better economicsHis “bigger, fewer, better” idea is that speaking to fewer, better-fit prospects can outperform mass outreach because it improves conversion quality and reduces wasted spend. Reliable ROI needs real data underneath the AIHe warns that LLMs can sound smart while making things up, so marketers need lead-score tables, logic, and measurable systems behind the output.The Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

Send us Fan MailMost businesses are sprinting into AI, cranking out more content, launching more automations, and moving faster than ever. The problem is, speed doesn’t fix a broken foundation. In this episode, Mike Montague sits down with Carmela Fortin to unpack the “pre-AI layers” most teams skip; the human factors like clarity, alignment, buyer psychology, and real conversations that actually determine whether your marketing works.You’ll learn why more AI content often leads to fewer results, how to spot the hidden gaps in your strategy that data alone can’t reveal, and what high-performing teams are doing differently to win in a fast-changing market. If your team feels busy but not effective, this conversation will help you slow down just enough to choose a better direction, so AI becomes an amplifier of your strategy, not a distraction from it.Top TakeawaysAI won’t fix a broken marketing foundation: If your messaging, goals, and strategy aren’t clear before AI, you’ll just scale confusion faster instead of results. The most important marketing signals aren’t in your data: Buyer anxiety, hesitation, and internal team readiness often drive decisions more than anything your dashboards can measure. Speed creates activity; clarity creates outcomes: Moving faster with AI feels productive, but without direction it leads to wasted effort and misaligned campaigns. Vanity metrics hide the real story: Traffic, clicks, and conversions don’t tell you why something worked; real insight comes from conversations and context. Human conversations are your biggest competitive advantage: Teams that actively talk to customers, ask better questions, and listen deeply outperform those relying only on automation. AI can amplify bad decisions just as easily as good ones: Poor inputs, weak strategy, or misaligned goals get scaled just as quickly as strong ones. Most teams are optimizing for outputs instead of outcomes: Creating more content isn’t the goal; creating meaningful engagement and business impact is. Alignment can’t be automated: You can’t shortcut team buy-in, internal clarity, or customer understanding with tools; those have to be built intentionally. Marketing success starts with better questions, not better prompts: The teams winning right now are asking deeper questions about their buyers, not just trying to generate better AI outputs. The future belongs to teams that blend human insight with AI efficiency: The edge isn’t choosing AI or human strategy; it’s knowing how to combine both in a way that builds trust and drives action.The Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

Send us Fan MailMost businesses are producing more content than ever… and getting less response. Why? Because somewhere between automation and scale, they lost the one thing that actually converts; their voice. In this episode, Mike Montague sits down with Rachel Minion to unpack the real challenge of marketing in the age of AI: how to grow without sounding like everyone else. From the “AI slider” between human and machine to the rise of robotic outreach and creepy personalization, this conversation gets honest about what’s working, what’s not, and why authenticity is becoming your biggest competitive advantage.You’ll learn how to use AI as an amplifier instead of a replacement, how to build marketing systems that still feel personal, and why trust; not volume; is the real growth lever for SMBs and midmarket teams. If your marketing feels like a vending machine instead of a conversation, this episode will help you reset your approach and start creating content, outreach, and experiences that people actually want to engage with.Top TakeawaysAuthenticity is a discipline, not a default: You have to actively train and refine AI outputs to match your voice; if it doesn’t sound like you, it doesn’t ship. Bad automation is obvious and instantly ignored: Buyers can spot templated, scraped, or mass-personalized outreach immediately; it erodes trust faster than it creates leads. Relevance beats scale every time: A simple, human “just checking in” message outperforms high-volume automation when it feels real and intentional. You don’t need millions of leads; you need the right ones: High-volume outreach can work in theory, but it’s inefficient and unsustainable for most SMBs without massive resources. Build the business you actually want to run: Scaling without intention leads to a job you don’t enjoy; clarity on who you serve and how you serve them changes everything. Your positioning drives everything downstream: When your offer, audience, and messaging are aligned, your marketing, sales, and referrals start working together naturally. Your last sale should help you get your next sale: Strong client experience and clear outcomes create momentum; referrals and repeat business become your growth engine. Trying to serve everyone breaks your scalability: Broad targeting creates operational chaos; focus allows you to build repeatable systems and hire effectively. The right clients make growth easier, not harder: When your offer fits your audience, retention increases, referrals grow, and marketing feels lighter instead of forced. Authenticity creates a pattern interrupt in a noisy market: Even imperfect, human moments stand out more than polished, generic AI content; people respond to realness.The Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

Send us Fan MailArtificial intelligence is moving fast; faster than most business leaders realize. In this episode of the Human-First AI Marketing Podcast, Mike Montague sits down with AI researcher Dr. Craig Kaplan to explore what may be the next major shift in technology: the transition from AI as a simple tool to something closer to an intelligent entity. The conversation tackles the big questions people are asking right now: Will AI become smarter than humans? How quickly could that happen? And what does it mean for businesses navigating the AI revolution?Along the way, Mike and Craig explore the real risks and opportunities of advanced AI, including the difference between the “Terminator scenario” and the “Iron Man scenario,” the race between governments and tech companies to build more powerful systems, and why many experts believe AI development is accelerating faster than expected. For SMB leaders, marketers, and curious innovators, this episode offers a chance to step back and see the bigger picture. You’ll walk away with a clearer understanding of where AI is heading, what superintelligence could mean for society, and why the choices we make today will shape how humans and intelligent machines work together in the future.Top TakeawaysAI has evolved through three major phases. It moved from rule-based symbolic systems to machine learning and now into the emerging era of autonomous AI agents.We are shifting from tools to intelligent entities. Modern AI systems are beginning to act more like independent intelligences that can take actions and make decisions.Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) is the next milestone. AGI refers to AI capable of performing any cognitive task at the level of an average human.Artificial Superintelligence (ASI) may follow quickly. Once AI reaches general intelligence, it could rapidly surpass humans across many fields.Many experts believe the risk of catastrophe is non-zero. Poorly aligned superintelligence could pose serious risks if development continues without safeguards.The biggest danger may come from the AI arms race. Nations and tech companies are competing to build more powerful systems, making it difficult to slow development.Regulating AI will be harder than past technologies. Because AI is widely distributed, traditional regulation models may struggle to keep up.Advanced AI will likely develop goals and values. The values embedded in these systems will shape how they interact with humanity.The future could resemble the “Terminator” or “Iron Man” scenario. Outcomes depend on whether AI systems are aligned with human interests.The choices we make now matter. Today’s research, safety standards, and design decisions will determine whether AI becomes humanity’s greatest tool or its greatest risk.The Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Raj Singh, VP of New Products at Mozilla, breaks down the “ownership economy”; a world where starting a business is getting simpler, faster, and cheaper because the builder toolkit keeps losing friction. You can spin up a real brand presence quickly, look professional early, and test ideas without burning months on dev or a big stack of services. Raj also gets blunt about what actually wins once “anyone can build anything”: trust and distribution. He explains why the noise is exploding, why old growth tactics get less reliable, and why reputation and taste matter more than ever when AI output trends generic. For SMB owners, the takeaway is practical; pick one AI tool and start, map your day-to-day work, then ask AI to help you reclaim time and focus on what makes you distinctly you.Top TakeawaysThe “ownership economy” is accelerating; it is now genuinely easier to start a business fast, look professional early, and spend less doing it. When anyone can build anything, trust and distribution become the real bottlenecks; product alone does not guarantee growth anymore. The signal-to-noise problem is getting worse; SMBs win by building credibility and becoming a clear “signal” in a sea of generic output. Paid acquisition and PR are less reliable in high-noise markets; brand and reputation do more heavy lifting than they used to. AI output tends to average out into “generic”; your taste and judgment are the differentiators that keep your work from looking like everyone else’s. “Less features” can be a strategy; simpler products are easier to understand, adopt, and market. For non-technical SMB owners, the best first step is picking one AI tool and using it daily; tool sprawl kills momentum. To build a moat, look for advantages big platforms cannot copy quickly; proprietary data, cross-platform needs, and workflow depth are strong candidates. Multiplayer and sharing experiences can be defensible; teams and families create stickiness that basic “native” features often do poorly. As AI gets more integrated into real workflows, trust and guardrails matter more; automation without safeguards can create expensive mistakes.The Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of The Human-First AI Marketing® Podcast, Mike Montague sits down with Brett Farmiloe, CEO of Featured.com and Help a Reporter Out (HARO), to talk about the real PR opportunity most small and mid-market companies are missing in 2026. You’ll learn how getting featured in credible media outlets isn’t just great for brand awareness, but it’s also how you get cited in AI models, improve your SEO, and build the trust that drives high-value sales conversations.From the rise of reactive PR to the surprising ways AI is reshaping journalism, this conversation breaks down how modern PR actually works, and how SMBs can use AI tools without sounding like them. You’ll hear actionable tips on pitching reporters, showing up with original insight, and why getting quoted by a human is the best way to be found by machines. If you want smarter exposure without selling your soul to algorithms, this episode is your blueprint.PR is evolving & reactive PR is where SMBs should start. Instead of blasting press releases, look for in-progress stories where journalists are already asking for sources.Small businesses can now use AI to scale media outreach. AI tools can match your expertise with relevant media opportunities and even help draft responses so you're not starting from scratch.Generative AI can’t replace original thought. Journalists want human insight, not ChatGPT output; Brett’s platforms detect AI-generated content and surface real voices.Your media mentions feed your future search and AI visibility. Getting quoted in trusted outlets increases your odds of being referenced in AI models and cited in search results.Only pitch where you’re a perfect fit. Relevance, timeliness, and helpfulness matter more than hype; follow instructions, respond fast, and be genuinely useful.AI doesn’t write your story, but it can help find the right audience. Let AI do the heavy lifting of filtering through thousands of journalist requests, so you can show up where it counts.Press isn't dead; it's just decentralized. Authority is now earned across podcasts, Substacks, newsletters, and traditional media. PR today means showing up across all of them.Original human content will only get more valuable. As AI slop floods the internet, real, expert insights become a premium commodity for both journalists and machines.The Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when AI meets immigration, one of the most complex, emotional, and high-stakes journeys in someone’s life? In this episode, Mike Montague talks with Grant Frazier and Ryan Bradley, co-founders of Global Entry Hub, about how they’re using AI to make immigration support more accessible, trustworthy, and human. You’ll hear how they built a multilingual AI assistant that guides people through global immigration processes, and why accuracy, empathy, and trust had to come before speed or scale.This conversation goes far beyond immigration. It’s a masterclass for marketers and business leaders in what not to do with AI, and how to build smarter systems that actually serve people. If you’ve struggled with AI content that feels robotic, tools that underdeliver, or marketing automation that breaks trust, you’ll get fresh insight here. From hallucinating chatbots to real-world data architecture, Grant and Ryan share lessons every SMB leader should hear before launching their next AI initiative.Top Takeaways:• AI should be scoped with precision rather than speed. Trying to build broad, general-purpose tools leads to confusion and a loss of trust, especially in high-stakes industries.• Trust is earned through constraint, not creativity. Their AI assistant only answers what it knows with certainty, which is critical when people's futures are on the line.• Accuracy is more important than automation. A wrong answer in immigration isn’t just a typo. It could cost someone time, money, or even legal status.• Data infrastructure matters more than the UI. Behind their AI agent “Mira” is a web of scrapers, data lakes, APIs, and logic rules that make her reliable.• Hallucinations aren’t just a tech issue, but a human one. Users must trust what they’re being told. Without that, your AI becomes a liability rather than an asset.• Global audiences need local nuance. Many AI tools reflect a Western bias in training data; true global support requires cultural and linguistic adaptation.• Human support is still essential in emotional customer journeys. For something as personal as immigration, no AI can replace the empathy and assurance of a real person.• Don’t market your AI before you prove it works. Early “AI-first” marketing fell flat until it was paired with human follow-up and refined positioning.• Governments move slowly. Startups don’t have to. While governments may take 5–10 years to modernize, startups can fill urgent gaps now if they build responsibly.• The biggest risk in tech is overpromising. Most AI failures in business come from trying to do too much, too fast, without clear constraints or user understanding.The Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Human-First AI Marketing® podcast, Mike Montague talks with Bryan Harris, founder of Growth Tools, about the fine line between automation and authenticity. Together, they explore how AI is transforming client acquisition, coaching, small business marketing, and why human connection is still the most valuable asset in your business. If you've ever wondered when to use AI and when to pick up the phone, this one’s for you.Bryan shares how Growth Tools uses AI to reduce repetitive work, sharpen offers, and help SMBs solve their biggest bottleneck: getting more clients. But he doesn’t hold back on where AI falls short; especially when it comes to building trust, delivering hard truths, and guiding real transformation. This isn’t about shiny tools or fear-based hype. It’s a grounded, practical conversation on scaling the right things, for the right people, in the right way.Top TakeawaysAI is a great assistant, not a great coach.While AI can speed up repetitive tasks, it can’t replace the emotional depth and trust of a real human conversation.People don’t follow prompts; they follow people they trust.Human connection is still the strongest influence in decision-making, especially in coaching and high-stakes buying.Your offer is the sharpest growth tool you have.A compelling, clearly defined offer outperforms fancy funnels or tactics every time.AI can make your systems smarter, but not your strategy.Tools like ChatGPT work best when guided by a clear framework; they don’t magically create one for you.Client acquisition is the #1 problem for most SMBs.Whether you’re selling services or coaching, getting hired consistently is the biggest bottleneck to growth (but solvable with the right systems).Borrowed audiences (BOPA) are a fast track to visibility.Partnering with people who already have your audience beats building everything from scratch. Then AI can help you scale outreach.The success of coaching depends on the relationship, not just advice.People change when they feel seen, supported, and challenged; even the best AI can’t replicate that bond.AI will 10x your efficiency if you're already good.Experts can use AI to move faster and smarter; beginners often get overwhelmed or create more noise than value.The DIY info-product market is collapsing.Generic, self-serve courses are losing traction; people now want guided support, personalized coaching, and community to get real results.Focus on solving the real problem (not just adding AI).Before asking “How can I use AI?” ask, “Where are we stuck?” Then apply the right tool to remove the bottleneck, not add complexity.The Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

Send us Fan MailBots do the busywork, but you do the brilliant work. In this episode, AI futurist and author David Espindola joins Mike to explore how small and midmarket companies can redesign roles around AI so humans spend more time on creativity, trust, and real customer relationships. They unpack the real difference between human and machine intelligence, the risks of anthropomorphizing tools like voice agents, and the importance of a "human in the loop" throughout your marketing & sales workflows. You will hear practical guidance on where SMBs should start, how to decide if your company is a maker, shaper, or taker with AI, and why context training beats copy pasting from generic chat tools. David and Mike talk through using AI to keep CRMs updated so sales can actually sell, building hyper personalized marketing that still sounds like your brand, and choosing use cases that match your data and business model. They close with a candid look at jobs, ethics, and abundance, in addition to their optimistic hopes for a future with AI. Top TakeawaysHuman and machine intelligence are complementary: Humans blend analytical thinking with emotion and judgment while AI stays purely analytical, so collaboration is the key, not dependence.Do not confuse AI personas with real people: He warns that naming agents like his co-host Xena is fun, but we must remember not to confuse a convincing voice with a real relationship.AI is an assistant, not an autopilot: AI should act as a powerful assistant with a human in the loop from start to finish, meaning people provide context, monitor what is happening, and review the final output before it reaches customers.Context training beats generic prompts: Companies get better results when they give AI rich context about products, culture, and brand voice. AI can still have hallucinations.Start with the right problems: He urges leaders to start with a clear problem list and prioritize use cases where AI is actually the best solution.Pick your role: maker, shaper, or taker: David uses the makers, shapers, and takers framework to help firms decide whether they will build cutting edge AI, tailor existing tools, or simply adopt what large vendors ship.SMBs need education, champions, and guardrails: Many small and mid sized companies still lack basic AI understanding.Hyper personalization is the marketing frontier: Expect a surge in hyper personalization where marketing offers adapt to individuals and micro segments, all powered by AI.Let AI do the CRM chores so sales can sell: AI will take over sales chores like CRM data entry leaving reps to spend more time face to face with customers and building real trust & relationships.Jobs will shift toward human strengths and ethics: AI will automate many algorithmic and digital tasks, drastically increasing the value of human creativity, empathy, and ethics.The Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of The Human-First AI Marketing® Podcast, Mike Montague sits down with Mia Umanos, CEO of Clickvoyant and host of the AI Kid You Not podcast, to explore what AI means for both modern shopping and modern parenting.We cover everything from the surprising lack of optimization in e-commerce experiences, to how AI is rewiring our brains, and why that matters. You’ll hear practical insights for SMBs trying to compete in an AI-powered world, what frontier AI leaders already know (but aren't saying), and why the real danger isn't just using AI, but losing the ability to think. If you're navigating how to lead, learn, or parent in the age of algorithms, this conversation is for you.AI is already changing how kids learn and how parents teach. Mia shared how her daughter used ChatGPT to create a study guide to improve failing grades, demonstrating the positive learning utility of AI today. Most e-commerce brands aren’t optimizing for how people actually shop. Less than 1% of SMBs scientifically test or personalize their shopping experience, missing major ROI and customer insights.We’re entering a new era of “AI agents” that will shop for us. From product discovery to one-click purchasing, AI will increasingly make decisions on behalf of consumers, and brands need to prepare for that shift.The rise of AI literacy starts at home. Just like kids learned how to navigate the internet, Mia believes Gen Alpha needs to grow up understanding what an LLM is and who Sam Altman is—because AI is shaping their future.AI doesn’t just provide unprecedented access to information, but to skills. With tools like code generators and AI tutors, younger generations will outsource not just memory, but capability; making human creativity and judgment more critical than ever.Critical thinking, writing, and research are becoming rare (more valuable). We need to actively teach and protect these human skills, or risk losing them in a world where AI can do the “easy thinking” for us.AI is rewiring our brains whether we like it or not. Just the presence of a smartphone lowers our cognitive performance, and the same effect may apply to AI tools if we’re not aware of how we use them.Marketing channels are fracturing and SMBs need to unify the experience. With omnichannel platforms and fragmented attribution, marketers must rethink how they track, test, and guide buyers through the journey.Most SMBs are still guessing, not testing. AI tools like Clickvoyant offer predictive analytics and shopper behavior insights, but too few brands are actually using them to make data-driven decisions.The future of marketing belongs to the brands that co-create with AI—not the ones who fight it. Mia encourages leaders to see AI as a thought partner, not a threat, and to find ways to scale creativity without sacrificing control.The Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Human-First AI Marketing® podcast, Mike Montague sits down with content marketing strategist and fractional CMO Charlie Van Derven to explore a simple but powerful truth: AI can help you scale—but it can’t build trust for you.Together, they dig into:Why high-trust services like financial advising (and any B2B sale that isn’t a click-to-buy) still demand real human connectionThe telltale signs of “AI Slop” and how to avoid sounding robotic onlineHow financial advisors and SMBs can use webinars, email, and LinkedIn to nurture prospects without chasing themWhy content marketing isn’t just about volume—it’s about visibility, voice, and valueWhen to automate vs. when to actually start a conversationCharlie also shares his Perfect Client Playbook approach, how he builds targeted prospect lists that convert over time, and why your CRM might be your most powerful sales weapon—when used with intention.If your team is stuck posting content that isn’t converting or using AI tools that create more work than results, this conversation is your reset.Top TakeawaysAI is a tool, not a replacement for trust. You can speed up content creation with AI, but conversions still require a real human relationship—especially in high-stakes industries like finance.Human connection becomes your advantage as AI content floods the feed. In a world drowning in generic automation, the brands that show up with authentic, thoughtful outreach stand out.Webinars are a powerful trust and timing signal. When someone signs up and shows up, they’re raising their hand; it’s your cue to engage like a human, not a funnel.LinkedIn works best when it’s used to start conversations—not broadcast promotions. Charlie emphasized the importance of 1-to-1 engagement: finding a detail in someone’s profile, asking a real question, and building a relationship over time.Email marketing still converts—when it’s targeted and consistent. A well-built, highly relevant email list outperforms social algorithms every time if you’re showing up with the right message at the right time.CRM hygiene is sales enablement. Knowing who opened what, when, and how many times helps identify warm leads that even your best rep would otherwise miss.Trigger events drive sales—not speed. A person may not need your service today, but when life changes (a divorce, business sale, inheritance, etc.), that’s when trust pays off.Marketing is part inspiration, part infrastructure. AI can help with consistency and coverage, but you still need creative strategy, emotional intelligence, and a point of view to build loyalty.Your content must reflect who you are—not just what you do. Templated messaging and "prompt packs" break trust. The voice, tone, and context still need to come from you.The Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

Send us Fan MailWhat if you could plug your business into AI and instantly see where your next 10X opportunity is hiding?That’s exactly what Solomon Thimothy, serial entrepreneur and founder of ClickX, is doing for growing companies right now. In this episode, Solomon joins Mike Montague to unpack the new growth formula for modern marketers: data + focus + automation.They dig into why most small businesses are sitting on mountains of unused data, how to connect tools like HubSpot, Google Analytics, and Claude to surface real-time insights, and why doing less can actually create more scale.From smarter prospecting to AI-assisted decision-making, this isn’t about chasing shiny tools, it’s about learning how to turn information into acceleration.If you’ve ever said, “We just need more leads,” this conversation will change how you think about growth forever.Top TakeawaysYour CRM is a crystal ball. Most teams use it to track deals; few use it to predict revenue. Solomon explains how to unlock insights you didn’t know were hiding in plain sight.AI can’t fix confusion. 10X growth starts when you eliminate noise. Focus on the one offer or audience that actually drives profit.Automation is leverage, not laziness. Connecting your data and letting AI do the analysis earns back time to do what humans do best. Automate the busywork and get back to selling, creating, and strategizing. Cold outreach isn’t dead, bad outreach is. Solomon shows how to use AI to research and write personalized emails that sound like a human and perform like a machine.The future is prompt-driven marketing. Tomorrow’s marketers won’t click buttons, they’ll craft better questions.The Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

Send us Fan MailWhat if your next big AI idea isn’t a product, but a responsibility?That’s the challenge Noelle Russell brings to this conversation. She’s an AI innovator who’s helped launch Amazon Alexa, led teams at IBM and Microsoft, and trained more than 3 million people in AI literacy. She's also the author of the hit book "Scaling Responsible AI: From Enthusiasm to Execution". Her message isn’t just about bigger, faster, or smarter technology; it’s about building AI systems that still feel human.In this episode, Noelle Russell and host Mike Montague talk about the difference between scaling technology and scaling trust. They unpack why “responsible AI” isn’t just a tech policy, but a leadership philosophy. From inclusive data and ethical automation to the emotional story that first drew Noelle into AI; they dive deep into what it takes to create systems that make life better.Whether you’re a small business leader, marketer, or executive navigating the next wave of AI adoption, this conversation will help you lead with confidence, curiosity, and care.Top TakeawaysEvery AI starts as a "baby tiger"It’s cute and useful at first, but it grow up fast. Plan for its scale before those cute automations become messy ones that bite.Ask the two magic questions“Where did you get that answer?” and “What’s the worst thing that could happen?” build responsible awareness. AI is an amazing tool, but it still needs your guidance. Inclusive data equals inclusive outcomes.Your data defines your values. Human oversight ensures your AI represents everyone you serve.Be a rational optimist.Noelle’s story about her son shows that AI’s greatest impact is accessibility, not automation.Scale trust, not just technology.The biggest risk isn’t AI replacing people, but rather people forgetting why they use AI in the first place.Leadership drives responsibility.Responsible AI is a leadership choice.The Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when a technologist, artist, and optimist walks into an AI podcast? You get Christian Hammer, CEO of Ngentix, a longtime tech leader, and a humanist dropping wisdom on the balance between automation and authenticity. In this episode, Christian and Mike Montague talk about how businesses can actually trust automation, what makes AI systems reliable, and why most marketing automation tools still fall short. Spoiler: it’s not about more tools; it’s about smarter context and better design.You’ll hear fresh takes on everything from AI-enabled financial reconciliation to the real reason generative AI struggles with brand voice. Christian shares stories from building AI agents that actually finish the job, and offers practical advice for SMBs who want automation that respects brand nuance, business logic, and human preferences. Whether you’re a marketer, operator, or founder navigating AI, this episode will leave you thinking and taking action.Top Takeaways AI Should Be Like Fire: A Tool, Not a Threat Like fire, AI can burn down a village or heat your home; how we use it defines its value.LLMs Are Like Teenage Interns: Clever, But Untrustworthy Large language models feel smart, but they need oversight, boundaries, and clear instructions before you trust them with real work.Trust in Automation Comes from Clarity, Not Hype Businesses should start with the outcome they want, then design systems that reliably reach it, not just bolt AI onto broken workflows.Reconciliation is a Prime Use Case for Automation Financial tasks, such as end-of-month reconciliation, are ideal for automation because they’re rules-based, repeatable, and easy to verify.The Real Problem is Language Translation Between Systems AI can help bridge the "semantic gaps" between platforms (e.g., what Uber Eats refers to as a customer versus what QuickBooks refers to as a client).Don’t Hold AI to Higher Standards Than Interns or Vendors If you wouldn't expect perfection from a new hire, don’t expect it from AI; focus on directionally accurate results with room for feedback.Generative AI Isn’t Enough, You Need Context Graphs Effective automation requires more than prompts; it needs a persistent memory of your brand preferences, processes, and data logic.Autonomous Agents Must Provide Proof of Work AI that completes tasks without showing its work is a liability; real systems should generate receipts, logs, and validation steps.The Future Is Local (and Cheaper) Open-source LLMs and local AI models are making powerful automation accessible to small businesses, without enterprise-level pricing.The Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Human-First AI Marketing, host Mike Montague of Avenue9 sits down with Dr. Anastassia Lauterbach, AI and robotics expert, professor, and creator of the Romy and Robby educational book series, to demystify artificial intelligence and explore how it really works. From breaking down common myths about generative AI and “artificial consciousness” to explaining what tokens, training, and accurate intelligence mean, Dr. Lauterbach delivers a masterclass in separating AI facts from fiction.Together, Mike and Anastassia uncover what today’s business leaders need to know about using AI responsibly and effectively, from its applications in marketing, medicine, and education to its limits in reasoning and creativity. They discuss the importance of human oversight, the future of robotics, and how AI can enhance, not replace, human insight. Whether you’re a marketing director, entrepreneur, or curious learner, this episode will help you see AI not as a threat or trend, but as a powerful tool for more innovative, more human-centered innovation.Top Takeaways1. AI doesn’t “think” or hold conversations; it predicts patterns.Large Language Models, such as ChatGPT, aren’t conscious or conversational; they’re mathematical systems that predict the next token based on statistical probability, rather than understanding or intent.2. Misunderstanding how AI works leads to poor business use.Treating AI as a human-like assistant can lead to mistakes in marketing and decision-making; leaders must view it as a tool for pattern recognition and automation, rather than as a substitute for human cognition.3. AI is “frozen in space”;  it doesn’t learn in real time.Once trained, models are fixed until retrained and redeployed, meaning they can’t evolve dynamically with every prompt or conversation.4. Human language and AI language aren’t the same thing.What seems like fluent conversation is really statistical token prediction; AI doesn’t “understand” English, tone, or context the way humans do.5. AI’s true power lies in scale, not consciousness.It can process vast data sets and find patterns humans can’t, but lacks reasoning, emotion, and causality qualities that make humans irreplaceable in marketing and creativity.6. AI will touch every industry, but human insight remains key.From medicine to engineering to marketing, AI can enhance efficiency, yet success depends on people who understand how and when to apply it.7. Self-driving cars show the limits of “real-world” AI.Despite billions of dollars invested, environmental complexity still outpaces AI’s ability to reason like a human driver, a lesson for any business trying to automate too quickly.8. Human-AI collaboration produces the best results.Just as composers used AI to complete Beethoven’s unfinished symphony, the most significant breakthroughs come when human creativity guides machine intelligence.9. Causality and critical thinking can’t be automated.AI cannot reason through “what-if” scenarios, the foundation of strategy and empathy, making human judgment indispensable in leadership and marketing.10. Education is the bridge between fear and empowerment.Dr. Lauterbach advocates for AI literacy at all levels, enabling businesses, educators, and even grandparents to understand and apply AI safely and confidently.The Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Human-First AI Marketing Podcast, host Mike Montague sits down with Jason Berkowitz, founder of Break the Web Agency, to unpack what it really means to do SEO in 2025, without losing your mind (or your humanity). They explore how small and midsize businesses can stop chasing Google updates and AI trends and instead focus on timeless marketing principles that actually drive growth. From building topical authority and earning trust to integrating AI tools in a way that supports, not replaces, human creativity, this episode redefines what effective, sustainable SEO looks like today.You’ll learn why good SEO hasn’t really changed as much as the noise suggests, how “human-first” content naturally aligns with what both people and algorithms value, and why shortcuts and hacks often do more harm than good. Jason and Mike also dive into the future of search, what AI-powered discovery means for brands, and how to stay visible (and credible) in a rapidly shifting digital world. Whether you’re a marketing director refining your strategy or a business owner trying to make SEO less annoying, this conversation will help you focus on what really matters: creating value, building authority, and connecting with the right audience.Top Takeaways1. Human-first SEO still wins.Writing for people, not search engines, remains the foundation of strong SEO, even as AI tools reshape how we create and consume content.2. Good SEO translates across platforms.The same principles that help you rank in Google also make your brand visible in AI-driven tools and LLM platforms because authority and clarity are universal signals.3. Authority beats quantity every time.Consistent, topic-focused content that builds topical relevance and expertise (E-E-A-T) creates lasting visibility and trust online.4. Links and mentions still matter.Despite their bad reputation from early SEO tactics, credible backlinks, digital PR, and brand mentions continue to boost perceived authority.5. AI hasn’t replaced SEO, yet.Search behavior is evolving, but true purchase intent and brand discovery still rely on the same fundamentals: relevance, trust, and user experience.6. Avoid “SEO hacks” and shortcuts.Quick tricks, keyword stuffing, or AI spam may give short-term wins but erode brand trust and long-term visibility.7. Measure what matters.Visibility and brand presence, not vanity metrics like clicks or impressions, are more meaningful indicators of SEO success in the AI era.8. Patience pays off.Sustainable SEO results typically take 3–6 months to materialize; focusing on long-term growth is more effective than chasing every algorithm tweak.9. AI will become part of search, not replace it.As AI tools evolve, user trust and human context will determine which platforms succeed, reinforcing the need for authentic, authoritative content.The Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Human-First AI Marketing Podcast, host Mike Montague sits down with Michael “Buzz” Buzinski, author of The Rule of 26 and host of the Buzzworthy Marketing Show. Together, they unpack what it really takes for small and midsize businesses to thrive in today’s AI-driven marketing world. From avoiding “random acts of marketing” to building scalable strategies, Buzz shares how SMBs can cut through the noise, optimize their websites, and focus on the metrics that truly drive revenue growth.Listeners will discover why AI isn’t replacing marketers anytime soon, but instead reshaping their roles into smarter, more efficient strategists. Buzz explains how to harness AI for micro-tasks, improve conversions, and increase average revenue per client, without wasting time or budget. Whether you’re a business owner or a marketing director, you’ll walk away with actionable tactics to double your website revenue, stop wasting effort, and make AI work with you, not against you.Top Takeaways1. AI won’t replace marketers; it will optimize their work.Instead of eliminating jobs, AI automates repetitive tasks, allowing marketers to focus on strategy, creativity, and achieving results.2. Think in micro-tasks, not massive prompts.Breaking down projects into smaller steps makes AI outputs more accurate, helpful, and tailored to your needs.3. Context is more potent than prompts.Feeding AI the right background, research, and brand voice produces far better outcomes than “prompt engineering” alone.4. Do the homework before the marketing work.Clean, relevant research and data must be prepared and fed into AI projects to ensure quality content and decisions.5. The Rule of 26 simplifies revenue growth.By improving traffic, conversion rate, and average client revenue by just 26% each, SMBs can double their website revenue.6. Fix your offer and conversions before buying traffic.Driving more traffic won’t help unless your website and offers are already converting visitors into leads or customers.7. Service-based B2B marketing requires trust and clarity.For professional services, a clear value proposition and trust-building content matter more than personality or flash.8. Stop wasting time on “random acts of marketing.”Focus only on strategies and KPIs that directly move the revenue needle instead of chasing vanity metrics.The Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Human-First AI Marketing Podcast, Mike Montague sits down with  @SebastianChedal    co-founder of Fountain City and Testfox.ai, to talk about what really drives success when implementing AI inside small and mid-sized businesses. Spoiler: It’s not the tools. It’s the people, the process, and the problems you’re solving. Together, they unpack what it means to be AI-ready, how to avoid the 80% failure rate of AI projects, and how to align your data, workflows, and expectations for long-term wins.You’ll learn why capturing messy data is better than having none, how to spot when your team is working around your process instead of with it, and how human-first testing can prevent costly AI mistakes. Whether you’re exploring automation, building internal chatbots, or just trying to figure out if AI is worth your time, this episode will give you the clarity and caution you need. It’s smart, strategic, and packed with practical takeaways for SMB leaders who want to grow without losing their voice, values, or velocity.Top Takeaways 1. AI Success Starts with Process, Not ToolsBefore plugging in any AI, you need a well-defined process; otherwise, you're just scaling chaos.2. Document Your Knowledge, Don’t Just Store It in People’s HeadsAI can’t help your team if your workflows, SOPs, and decision logic live in tribal knowledge.3. Your Data Doesn’t Need to Be Clean, It Just Needs to ExistCapturing conversations, emails, and documents now gives you raw material that AI can organize later.5. Most Small Businesses Overestimate AI's Readiness and Underestimate Their OwnYou may not need complex custom models; smart use of tools + your business context often wins.6. Testing Isn’t Optional, It’s Your Safety NetUnchecked AI can hallucinate, mislead, or even expose you to legal risk. Test for bias, tone, and reliability before going live.7. The Best Use of AI Right Now Is as an Assistant, Not a ReplacementAI excels when augmenting human talent, freeing up time, reducing tedious tasks, and accelerating execution.8. Even Failed AI Projects Can Create Business ValueWhen done right, AI readiness work enhances your process and documentation, yielding benefits with or without a bot.9. Productivity Increases Mean More Jobs, Not LessAI won’t replace your team; it will change what they do. SMBs that prepare for this shift will outpace those that don’t.The Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Human First AI Marketing Podcast, host Mike Monague sits down with Jonathan Kvarfordt, Head of Growth at Momentum.io, to explore how AI is transforming the way SMBs approach sales, marketing, and customer success. From eliminating tedious CRM updates to capturing the authentic voice of your customers, Jonathan shares how AI tools can give go-to-market teams back their most valuable resource, time. You’ll hear how forward-thinking leaders are using AI not to replace people, but to amplify their impact, free up bandwidth for revenue-generating work, and make better data-driven decisions.Together, Mike and Jonathan dig into the future of AI-powered workflows, practical use cases for sales enablement, and why customer conversations are “gold” for marketers who know how to listen. You’ll learn what it takes to balance automation with human connection, how to equip your team with an “Ironman suit” of insights, and where SMB leaders should focus now to unlock growth momentum.Top Takeaways1. AI should fit into existing workflows, not add more toolsInstead of forcing teams to adopt new software, AI works best when it integrates seamlessly into platforms like Slack or CRM, reducing friction and boosting adoption.2. Customer conversations are untapped marketing gold.The real language customers use in sales and support calls reveals their true needs and phrasing, which can inform more relevant content, messaging, and product strategy.3. AI unlocks more time for revenue-generating activityBy automating CRM updates, note-taking, and follow-ups, sales reps can spend more of their day actually selling, in some cases doubling their productive output4. Data beats gut instincts for go-to-market decisionsInstead of relying on one-off calls or opinions, AI can analyze thousands of conversations to reveal patterns, customer objections, and reasons deals are won or lost.5. Pre-call and post-call insights are more valuable than in-call nudgesRather than distracting reps mid-conversation, AI-driven prep notes and debrief summaries provide the proper context at the right time to improve performance.6. Human expertise will matter more as AI becomes universalIn a future where everyone has access to similar AI tools, what will stand out is each person’s unique genius, creativity, and ability to build authentic relationshipsThe Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, host Mike Monague sits down with Grant Fuellenbach of Go First Consulting to unpack what it really takes for small and mid-sized businesses to scale sustainably. From builders and contractors to growing SMB teams, Grant shares how predictable systems and smart AI integrations can help business owners escape the chaos of juggling bids, paperwork, and project management. You’ll learn how to move beyond the “shotgun approach” to AI by implementing practical systems that reduce bottlenecks, streamline operations, and deliver better client experiences.Together, Mike and Grant explore real-world use cases, from AI-powered sales presentations and instant estimates to automating knowledge transfer and tackling the paperwork SMB owners dread. They also look ahead to future trends, such as predictive analytics, aging-in-place remodels, and the role of AI in marketing personalization. Whether you’re an SMB owner or a marketing director, you’ll walk away with actionable strategies to scale without burning out, keep clients engaged, and find the human edge in a world of accelerating AI tools.Key Takeaways1. Install Predictable Systems, Not Just ToolsMany SMBs sign up for AI apps but lack structured processes. Success comes from building systems that integrate tools into daily workflows.2. Segment Your Business Size Before Applying AIOwner-operators, small teams, and larger firms each have different AI needs, so strategies must be tailored rather than one-size-fits-all.3. Enhance the Client Experience FirstAI can reduce the awkwardness of sales interactions (like discussing money in someone’s home) by offering personalized, visual, and real-time presentations.4. Use AI for Knowledge Transfer and TrainingInstead of relying on shadowing or incomplete SOPs, AI can capture and organize institutional knowledge for easier onboarding and consistency.5. Automate the Paperwork, Focus on the CraftContractors and small businesses often get bogged down in bids, estimates, and administration; automation frees them to spend more time on the hands-on work they love.6. Leverage Predictive Analytics for Revenue StreamsFrom HVAC lifespans to remodel triggers, predictive AI helps businesses anticipate customer needs and generate repeat business.7. Consider “Aging in Place” as a Growth MarketWith retirement home costs soaring, remodels that make homes senior-friendly represent a huge opportunity for SMB builders and service providers.8. Convenience Is the New CurrencyThe future of SMB marketing lies in making information and services more convenient, personalized, and timely through AI-driven systems.The Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when small business owners and marketing leaders stop trying to do it all themselves? In this episode of the Human First AI Marketing Podcast, host Mike Montague sits down with Jaime Jay, founder of Bottleneck Distant Assistants, to explore the power of delegation in a world transformed by AI. Together, they explore the critical distinction between task delegation and establishing a true “delegation department,” the significant impact of turnover on business costs, and how combining AI and human assistants can drive productivity, creativity, and growth.Listeners will learn about Jaime’s concept of Delegation Intelligence, a framework for identifying what to automate, delegate, or keep on your plate. From brain-dumping ideas to documenting repetitive tasks, Jaime shares practical tools SMB owners and marketing directors can use to reclaim time and scale smarter. Whether it’s freeing yourself from email, avoiding burnout in the AI era, or empowering others to shine, this episode offers a fresh perspective on the future of work and the human edge that will keep your business thriving.Key Takeaways1. Every business needs a “delegation department.”Jaime argues that delegation isn’t just an HR task; it should be treated as a core business function to reduce turnover, improve clarity, and unlock growth.2. Turnover costs more than you think.Hiring and replacing an employee can cost thousands in training, onboarding, and lost productivity, making smart delegation a powerful cost-saving strategy.3. Delegation Intelligence is a new framework for leaders.His Delegation IQ blueprint helps entrepreneurs decide what to automate, delegate, or eliminate, freeing up mental space and reducing stress.4. Don’t try to create a “mini-me.”Leaders often fail by delegating only the tasks they dislike; instead, they should empower assistants to complement their strengths rather than duplicate them.5. Document tasks as if it’s the last time you’ll ever do them.By recording processes as you perform them, you create a reusable library that assistants or AI can leverage, paving the way for scalability.6. Hire for values, not just skills.Jaime stresses the importance of assistants aligning with company beliefs and having the confidence to disagree, fostering stronger collaboration and trust.7. Delegation creates ripple effects.Empowering assistants not only benefits the business but also helps them grow personally and professionally, leading to positive global impacts8. AI is powerful, but burnout is real.While AI can supercharge productivity, many founders risk “CEO AI burnout” unless they learn to delegate the heavy lifting to specialists and teams.9. The future of work is hybrid.Jaime envisions a world where humans, AI, and distant assistants collaborate, creating leaner, more innovative companies, even billion-dollar one-person businesses.The Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

Send us Fan MailWhat if AI wasn’t just another shiny object but a way to get back to what actually works in marketing? In this episode, Mike Montague sits down with David Berkowitz, founder of the AI Marketers Guild and author of The Non-Obvious Guide to Using AI in Marketing, to talk about how small and mid-sized businesses can avoid the trap of AI slop and instead use smart tools to create real connections, trust, and creativity at scale.Together, they unpack the risks of lazy automation, the rise of spammy AI outreach, and how thoughtful marketers can stand out by doing less but better. You’ll learn practical ways to personalize proposals, customize your content engine, use AI as an “editor”, not an engine, and create experiences your buyers actually care about. If you’re overwhelmed by tools, tired of robotic content, or just looking for a smarter, more human-first way to market, this conversation is your permission to rethink everything.Key Takeaways1. Avoid the Tragedy of the Commons in MarketingWhen everyone uses AI to blast more content, we risk burning the very channels we depend on. Attention is a limited resource.2. Don’t Reward Shortcuts That Hurt the BrandThe immediate ROI from spammy outreach may look good in the short term, but it erodes trust and damages long-term growth.3. Personalization Beats ProliferationAI is most powerful when used to create custom, relevant experiences, not just more messages.4. Use AI to Do What Was Previously ImpossibleThe real power of AI isn’t just speed; it’s enabling small teams to create interactive, personalized tools like quizzes, assessments, and tailored content they could never afford before.5. Be the Editor, Not the TypistAI should be your first draft assistant, not your final voice. Great marketers still have to think critically and creatively.6. Build Custom AI Projects by Use CaseCreate saved projects or "custom GPTs" for each client, product, or process to increase relevance and reduce repetition.7. Ask Your AI How to Make Things BetterOne of the most useful prompts is simply: “How would you improve this?” It invites iteration and innovation.8. Interactive Content is the New DifferentiatorTools like quizzes, assessments, and vibe-coded landing pages stand out in a world of static blog posts and cold email.9. Quizzes Aren’t Just Gimmicks, They’re Lead QualifiersAI-powered quizzes provide personalized insights to your audience while collecting valuable data for your marketing efforts.10. Train AI to Know You, Then Ask for StrategyWhen AI understands your business, values, and clients, it can serve as a valuable strategic sounding board, not just a content machine.11. Creative Layering is the Next Marketing SuperpowerBy layering AI tools, such as voice-to-video to avatar-based presentations, SMBs can deliver high-impact, customized assets in minutes, not months.12. AI Should Amplify Human Touch, Not Replace ItThe best use of AI is to enhance human connection, not replace the parts of marketing that matter most: trust, empathy, and relevance 1.The Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of The Social Shift, Mike Montague (Avenue9) sits down with Katie Brinkley (Next Step Social and Podcast) to unpack how AI is changing social media and why the brands that win will be the ones that sound most human, not most automated. They explore the rise of “AI slop” in our feeds, why going viral isn’t a business strategy, and how local and B2B businesses can use podcasting and authentic content to build genuine relationships, not just rack up views.If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by content chaos or unsure how to make AI work without losing your voice, this conversation is your reset button. You’ll learn how to blend AI with authenticity, why smaller audiences often lead to bigger results, and how to turn conversations into your most powerful content engine. It’s a must-listen for marketers, business owners, and creators looking to bring marketing back to life.Top Takeaways1. AI Made Social Media Sloppy, Now Authenticity Stands Out More Than Ever:With everyone posting AI-generated fluff, real human content is easier to spot and more potent than before.2. Going Viral Is Not a Business Strategy:Business owners should prioritize relevant reach over random views from audiences unlikely to convert.3. Influencers Chase Attention; Business Owners Should Spark Conversations:Social media works best when it leads to fundamental interactions, not just likes or trends that disappear tomorrow.4. Podcasting Builds Trust, Authority, and Community at the Same Time:A podcast lets you connect directly with your audience and expand your network by interviewing real people in your space.5. You Don’t Need a Fancy Setup to Start a Podcast, Start the Conversation:Most of Katie’s podcasting success comes from consistency, genuine curiosity, and a webcam, not expensive gear.6. Local Businesses Gain a Competitive Edge by Showing Up Online with a Human Voice:People want to buy from real people in their community; consistent, authentic content can make you the go-to name in your niche.7. Repurposing Podcast Content Can Fill Your Entire Marketing Calendar:One great episode can become blog posts, social clips, emails, and more with AI, making it even easier to scale your message without losing your tone.8. Trust Comes From Depth, Not Just Reach:It’s better to build deep relationships with 100 people than be forgettable to 10,000.The Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Human First AI Marketing podcast, host Mike Montague sits down with Alexander Schlager, founder of Alceberg.ai, to unpack the hidden cybersecurity challenges lurking beneath the surface of AI adoption. From the rise of agentic AI to the evolving threat landscape of autonomous tools and prompt injections, this conversation goes deep into why observability, memory, and human-in-the-loop design are critical for keeping your brand and your customers safe. Whether you're leading marketing for a startup or managing tech stacks in a mid-sized enterprise, you'll gain valuable insight into where AI safety, data privacy, and business alignment intersect.Key themes include the real-world risks of overreliance on AI, why 95% of agent AI pilots are failing today, and how SMBs can get ahead by investing in security, not just speed. Alex shares a pragmatic view on balancing innovation with compliance, the importance of explainable AI models, and why "natural language is the new code" for marketers. You can tune in to learn how to future-proof your AI initiatives with a human-first approach because what's visible above the surface is only the beginning.Key Takeaways1. AI Security ≠ Security AIIt's essential to distinguish between using AI to enhance traditional security tools and securing AI systems themselves, especially agentic AI workflows.2. Human-in-the-Loop Is Critical (For Now)Embedding humans into AI decision loops ensures oversight during early deployments and helps agents learn through real-time feedback.3. Agentic AI Increases Risk ExposureUnlike simple chatbots, autonomous agents that invoke tools or access memory pose greater threats if misaligned or breached.4. Overreliance on Early-Stage AI Is a Major ThreatMost agent AI pilots fail due to businesses expecting too much from immature models or failing to prepare their data infrastructure.5. Data Readiness Is Often OverlookedPoorly formatted, inaccessible, or unsecured data undermines AI effectiveness and increases the risk of security failures.6. Observability Must Be Purposeful, Not PassiveTrying to monitor everything is impractical; instead, focus on high-risk events like autonomous tool invocations or sensitive data interactions.7. Use Specialized AI to Monitor AI, But Keep It ExplainableMonitoring AI systems with black-box models creates new problems; use transparent, interpretable models for accountability.8. Toxicity and Illegality Are Easier to Detect Than You ThinkWith the right training data, it's relatively simple to flag harmful content. More challenging are nuanced alignment and intent checks.9. SMBs Benefit From Low Regulation, But Not for LongSmaller businesses can now move faster, but they should still adopt strong safety and liability frameworks before regulations catch up.10. Alignment Between User Intent and Agent Actions Is CrucialFuture AI safety depends on understanding whether autonomous agent behavior stays true to the user's original goal.11. Natural Language Is the New CodeThe simplicity of language-based programming gives more teams access to AI, but also shifts cybersecurity to focus on intent and semantics.12. The Arms Race Is On, AI Is Being Used by Attackers TooThreat actors now use generative AI to create malware, phishing, and social engineering at scale, making proactive defenses even more urgent.The Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Podcasting Made Simple Live, special speaker Mike Montague, founder of Avenue9 and host of the Human First AI Marketing Podcast, shares how artificial intelligence can transform the way you prepare for podcast interviews. Drawing on over a decade of experience behind the mic, Mike reveals how AI can help guests show up sharper, more relevant, and more confident without losing their authenticity.You’ll learn how to use AI as a creative collaborator to research your host and audience, sharpen your talking points, and uncover fresh, personal stories that resonate. Mike breaks down four key ways AI can enhance your preparation, from crafting standout bios and pitches to brainstorming new storytelling angles, all while maintaining your voice as human and engaging as possible. If you’ve ever struggled with over-prepping, repeating old stories, or freezing up mid-interview, this episode will help you use AI to prepare smarter, connect deeper, and make a lasting impression.Top Takeaways1. AI is your collaborator, not your crutch.Use AI to enhance your preparation and creativity, not to script your answers or replace your authentic voice.2. Preparation beats performance.Great guests don’t wing it; they use AI to research the show, host, and audience so they can show up relevant and ready.3. You can just craft your position before you record.AI can help you write stronger bios, headlines, and pitches that make a memorable first impression on hosts and listeners.4. Know the show, the host, and the audience.By analyzing transcripts or themes with AI, you can tailor your stories and talking points to fit the podcast’s tone and values.5. Sharpen your stories, don’t repeat them.Utilize AI to transform familiar anecdotes into fresh, engaging versions that keep your content fresh and memorable.6. Practice with AI as your interview coach.Let AI ask you tough or unexpected questions to help you refine your delivery, tone, and clarity before you hit record.7. Find fresh angles and emotional depth.Ask AI to surface personal stories, contrarian takes, or emotional insights that connect with audiences on a deeper level.8. Be human first, always.AI should make you sound more prepared and more human, not robotic. Once the mic is on, close your AI tabs and focus entirely on the conversation.The Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Let the Robots Do the Work: Finding the Human Edge in AI Marketing, Mike Montague sits down with Chris Singel,  AI Optimist, Delta Digital Agency owner, and TEDx speaker, to explore how small and midsize businesses can embrace AI without losing what makes them unique. From automating the “work that sucks” to unlocking new levels of creativity and strategy, Chris shares why the future isn’t humans or robots, but a powerful collaboration of both.Listeners will discover practical insights on AI-driven advertising, smarter campaign testing, and managing digital change inside their teams. Chris and Mike dig into the abundance vs. focus dilemma in marketing, the balance between automation and authentic customer connection, and how leaders can empower employees to adopt AI in ways that make their work more meaningful. Packed with optimism, humor, and real-world examples, this conversation will help business owners and marketing directors find clarity and confidence in the evolving AI landscape.Key Takeaways1. Automate the tasks that drain energy, not creativity - AI works best when it handles repetitive, time-consuming tasks so humans can focus on strategy, storytelling, and customer relationships2.AI and humans are not competitors, but collaborators -The strongest results come when technology scales efficiency and people ensure quality, context, and brand alignment3.“More” isn’t always better in marketing — Instead of chasing bigger lists and constant outreach, SMBs should focus on targeting the right customers with relevant, valuable interactions.4. Experimentation drives success — Using AI for A/B testing, copy variations, and ad creative helps businesses discover what truly resonates, even if the winning version is unexpected.5. Good enough is sometimes good enough — For social posts or quick tasks, AI-generated content may deliver similar results while saving significant time and resources.6. Change management is key — Employee-driven adoption of AI tools leads to happier, more empowered teams, while top-down mandates risk disengagement7. The future of work is more human — As AI takes over routine labor, people will gain space for emotional intelligence, creativity, and meaningful work that machines can’t replicate.The Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

Send us Fan MailWhat if you could automate 90% of your business without losing the human touch? In this episode, Mike Montague sits down with  ⁨@BradfordSCarlton⁩   , founder of Automate Business AI, to explore what’s actually possible when small business owners and creators stop doing everything themselves and start building intelligent systems. From AI-generated content and task automation to building bots for invoicing and marketing, Bradford shares how he has designed a business that operates independently while maintaining his unique personality in the brand.You’ll learn how to rethink your org chart, spot opportunities to offload repetitive tasks, and use tools like spreadsheets, GPTs, and no-code automation to free up time and creative energy. If you’re tired of juggling tools or stuck wondering how far AI can go without sacrificing quality, this is your episode. It's a candid, human-first conversation about working smarter, not just harder.Key Takeaways1. You can automate 90–95% of your business tasks.Bradford breaks down how most repetitive work, especially in content, invoicing, and admin, can be systematized using AI tools and no-code workflows.2. Start with your org chart, not your tech stack.Think like a CEO: define the roles and tasks in your business first, then assign those tasks to bots, tools, or people.3. Spreadsheets are still the universal data hub.Most businesses already use Google Sheets or Excel; these are the ideal starting points for automating tasks via AI and APIs.4. Use AI to serve your team, not replace them.Bradford emphasizes how automation can eliminate busywork and enable teams, such as his wife and business partner, to concentrate on high-value tasks.5. You don’t need to be technical to automate.Despite having no coding background, Bradford uses tools like n8n and ChatGPT APIs to build automations that handle everything from content to task routing.6. AI content quality improves with better prompts, not better tools.He shares how “monster prompts” (long, detailed instructions) generate higher-quality content that feels more human and requires less editing.7. It’s not about perfection, it’s about efficiency.Even if AI doesn’t get it 100% right, a 90% solution that saves hours each week is often more than good enough.8. AI-generated media is great for scale, but humans still lead with nuance.Bradford explains where AI-generated avatars and video fall short, and why human context and emotion still matter, especially in brand and voice.9. Automation is a global opportunity.With clients around the world and use cases in every time zone, Bradford reminds us that AI can help small businesses play on a much bigger stageThe Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Human-First AI Marketing Podcast, Mike Montague sits down with AI strategist and founder of AIaSystem.com,  ⁨@dustinjensen0351⁩   , to explore how small and mid-sized businesses can harness AI to drive real business outcomes. From workflow discovery to the rise of AI agents that ‘close the loop’ on automation, Dustin shares frameworks, use cases, and practical advice for moving from curiosity to pilot implementation. You’ll also learn why context, not just prompts, is the new currency of AI success, and how SMBs can start building smarter systems without completely overhauling their operations.Together, they unpack key themes, including the distinction between traditional automation and true AI agents, how to evaluate workflows based on complexity and volume, and what it takes to create a multi-agent ecosystem within your company. Whether you're a marketing director overwhelmed by tech shifts or a business owner ready to experiment with AI, this episode offers clarity, strategy, and forward-thinking ideas to future-proof your operations.Key Takeaways1. AI Agents Must Close the LoopTrue AI agents complete tasks end-to-end autonomously, unlike traditional automation, which still requires human input.2. Context Engineering Is the New Prompt EngineeringSuccess with AI relies on feeding the system relevant context, similar to how you would onboard a new employee.3. Workflow Discovery Is the First Step to AI SuccessBusinesses must understand their internal workflows before attempting to automate or augment them with AI.4. Low-Complexity, High-Volume Tasks Are Prime TargetsThe easiest wins in AI adoption come from automating simple, repetitive tasks that happen frequently.5. SMBs Often Misunderstand What AI Can DoMost companies either underestimate or overestimate AI’s capabilities, so education and pilot testing are crucial.6. Multi-Agent Ecosystems Are the FutureInstead of a single monolithic AI, organizations will benefit from specialized agents working together in an orchestrated manner.7. Start with Co-Pilots, Then Scale to Autonomous AgentsUse AI tools to augment human work before fully replacing processes, especially for high-complexity, low-volume tasks.8. Proactive AI (Like Oracle Agents) Will Reshape OperationsDustin envisions AI that prompts humans, not just responds, by surfacing relevant insights and missed actions in real time.9. Change Management Is as Critical as the TechnologyEven the best AI tools fail if teams don’t adopt them, making user experience and behavioral habits key to success.10. The Future of Work May Be Post-ProductivityLooking far ahead, Dustin suggests that AI may eventually relieve humans from task-driven work entirely, shifting their focus to creativity, connection, and purpose.The Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

Send us Fan MailIn this special episode celebrating #internationalpodcastday  2025, Mike Montague gathers top voices from the world of marketing, sales, tech, and strategy to answer one big question: What will sales and marketing look like 10 years from now? The answers might surprise you. From personal AI agents and decentralized trust systems to the rise of AI burnout among executives, this conversation explores the very real shifts happening now and how to prepare for what’s coming next.You’ll hear bold predictions and practical insights on how AI will reshape customer journeys, personalization, job roles, and brand experiences. But at the heart of it all? A shared belief that what makes us human will matter more, not less. Whether you're leading a marketing team or simply trying to stay ahead of the curve, this episode will help you cut through the noise and build a smarter, more human-first go-to-market strategy.Top Takeaways1. Your Uniqueness Will Be Your MoatWhen everyone has access to the same AI tools, your personality, creativity, and lived experience become your true competitive advantage.2. AI Burnout Is Coming for CEOsBusiness leaders who didn’t sign up to be technologists are feeling the pressure to keep up, often at the cost of their original passion or purpose.3. Personal AI Agents Will Be the New Executive AssistantsIn the near future, everyone may have a personal AI that anticipates tasks, handles follow-ups, and acts on your behalf in real time.4. Web3 and Blockchain Will Power Trust in the AI EraAs AI-generated content floods the market, decentralized systems will become essential for proving identity, authorship, and data integrity.5. Customer Experience Will Matter More Than Customer AcquisitionWith AI making product discovery easier, brands must shift their focus to retention and memorable experiences to build loyalty.6. Specialized Generalists Will Win in MarketingFuture marketers will need to blend creativity, data literacy, and strategy to remain valuable in a landscape where pure copywriting or design may be automated.7. Ethical and Transparent AI Will Become a Brand DifferentiatorConsumers and clients will reward businesses that use AI responsibly and communicate how they protect trust and human values.8. AI Will Amplify, Not Replace, Emotional IntelligenceThe most effective use of AI will be in amplifying human empathy, intuition, and storytelling, not trying to replicate them.9. AI Will Redefine Team Roles and Marketing WorkflowsFrom automating busywork to AI-powered campaign analysis, traditional roles will evolve, requiring teams to adapt their work and collaboration methods.10. We're Entering the Era of Experience-Driven Events and ContentAs digital content becomes more abundant, people will pay a premium for curated, exclusive, and emotionally resonant experiences that can’t be mass-produced by AI.The Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.