Mind the Machine

AI is rapidly transforming how work gets done, but most people are only scratching the surface of what’s possible.In this episode of Mind the Machine, we sit down with Jay Hack, Head of AI at ClickUp and co-founder of Codegen, to explore how AI is changing productivity, software, and the future of work. Jay shares his journey from studying AI at Stanford to building startups and eventually leading AI strategy at one of the fastest growing work platforms in the world.We discuss common myths about AI, why hallucinations shouldn’t stop you from using it, and why learning AI today may be as important as learning to use the internet in the 1990s.If you’re curious about where AI is headed and how it will reshape the way humans work alongside intelligent systems, this conversation offers a thoughtful and optimistic perspective.Follow Mind the MachineInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindthemachinepodcastTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mindthemachinepodcastWebsite: https://findgood.tech/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/findgood-tech/Timestamps00:00 Introduction and why AI will shape everything we do00:18 Meet Jay Hack, Head of AI at ClickUp01:06 Jay’s background and early interest in AI03:30 Learning AI as a student and early machine learning work05:40 What AI looked like before ChatGPT07:00 The biggest myths people believe about AI08:30 Why AI hallucinations shouldn’t stop you from using it12:30 Why AI will transform industries like medicine and law15:30 What it means to build an AI-native company18:20 The rise of AI agents and productivity tools22:00 How ClickUp is integrating AI into work26:00 AI tools people should explore beyond ChatGPT29:40 Why the future of work will involve humans collaborating with AI33:00 “A nation of geniuses in a data center” and what that means36:00 Final thoughts on learning AI today

Artificial intelligence feels overwhelming for a lot of people right now. The speed is fast, the tools are endless, and the noise can make it hard to know what actually matters.In this keynote-style talk, Cheryl Goodman reframes AI through a different lens: not hype, not fear, and not magic, but understanding. By grounding AI in history, fundamentals, and purpose, this session focuses on how real people and organizations can think clearly, act responsibly, and move forward with confidence.You’ll learn why AI is a general-purpose technology, how to think about risk and cost, what hallucinations really are, and why understanding matters more than speed. Most importantly, this talk centers on the idea that hope in AI is not wishful thinking, but a valid expectation when knowledge replaces fear.This a framework for leading and building in the age of AI.AI Fluent Course: https://findgood.tech/ai-fluent-in-person-course/Book Cheryl to speak at your company or community, she’s trained executives at Fortune 100 companies and has taught practical AI courses at 7 universities and has led a series of Hack-a thons for all levels of learners. You can submit a booking inquiry through FindGood.tech speaking contact page to discuss keynotes, panels, or corporate events. https://findgood.tech/speaking/AAE Speakers Bureau: You can check her availability and request fee information through All American Entertainment (AAE). They handle logistics, offer negotiations, and contractual assistance.Direct Contact: For general inquiries, her team can be reached at team@findgood.tech or via her LinkedIn profile. https://www.linkedin.com/in/ckgoodman00:00 Introduction – What This AI Talk Promises01:23 The “Three Theories” Behind AI03:17 The Hope in AI Framework04:54 What We’ll Cover Today06:20 Where Do You Stand on AI?08:11 The Generative AI Explosion09:41 Why AI Is Not Just Hype12:19 Why Speed Isn’t the Goal14:18 What AI Actually Is15:26 Tokens – The True Cost of AI17:18 Core Concepts: Vectors, Embeddings, Weights18:19 Everything Is Numbers – How Prediction Works22:42 Temperature – Creativity vs Predictability24:10 Context, Meaning & Word Embeddings26:13 Weights & Bias – Why Training Matters31:56 Hallucinations & Error Rates33:32 AI as a Partner (Not a Replacement)35:12 What AI Can Already Do36:05 Prompt Engineering Explained38:42 Jobs, Infrastructure & Investment Implications39:10 The Hope Framework Recap40:48 Final Takeaways

If your marketing isn’t compliant, the risk isn’t theoretical. It can mean lawsuits, fines, or having your ad accounts shut down overnight.In this episode of the Mind the Machine Podcast, we sit down with the co-founders of Loopholes, an AI-powered marketing compliance platform built to catch risk before it becomes expensive. They explain how a single word or image can trigger massive penalties, why highly regulated industries struggle to scale marketing safely, and how AI can act like an antivirus for your brand’s messaging.We cover how Loopholes emerged from years running a regulated marketing agency, what Techstars helped unlock for their growth, and why compliance is becoming a core part of modern go-to-market teams. This conversation is essential for marketers, founders, legal teams, and anyone using AI to scale content in a regulated world.Get a free trial: https://www.loopholes.comTimestamps:00:00 Why non-compliant marketing is dangerous02:00 The real problem with marketing compliance03:36 A full AI platform07:12 Why compliance slows companies down09:34 How one word can trigger massive fines11:25 Who actually needs marketing compliance14:02 The future of AI compliance agents18:35 Cutting weeks of review down to seconds25:20 Why GPT alone isn’t enough30:28 Staying creative without getting fined

Doug Harrison breaks down the 10 mind traps he’s seen repeatedly while working with over a thousand brands and businesses. These traps are subtle, common patterns that work against people’s best interests without them realizing it: the Over-Explainer, the Copycat, the Day Jobber, the Tactician, the Pillar Pitcher, the Glorifier, the Defender, the Interrogator, and the Schmoozer. Doug explains why they happen, how they create risk in the buyer’s mind, and why clarity is the real advantage.Then the conversation shifts into Doug’s next chapter: the Keep Rising platform, built to solve what happens between appointments for advisors like therapists, coaches, case managers, and clinicians. The platform focuses on behavior change through systems instead of willpower, using “extreme humanness,” specificity, and a whole-brain approach to help people follow through on the habits they want to build.Get the book: https://www.amazon.com/Rise-Framework-Business-Distinctly-Matter/dp/1631959514Follow Mind the Machine:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindthemachinepodcastTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mindthemachinepodcastWebsite: https://findgood.tech/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/findgood-tech/0:00 Intro0:30 Episode overview and guest intro1:07 Setting up the mind traps concept1:57 Overexplainer3:09 Copycat4:00 Day Job5:42 Tactician8:02 Pillar Picture21:41 Glorifier26:24 Defender27:07 Interrogator28:18 Schmoozer29:36 Reflecting on all mind traps32:36 Transition to the Rise / Keep Rising framework37:50 Whole-brain approach to behavior change45:21 Why good intentions fail52:57 Closing remarks

CES 2026 made one thing clear: AI is no longer something we open in a browser. It is becoming the interface for everything around us. From humanoid robots and autonomous vehicles to edge AI, cooling breakthroughs, and voice-first homes, this episode explores how artificial intelligence is moving out of the cloud and into the physical world.Recorded on the show floor and inside CES’s new “Foundry” experience, this recap covers NVIDIA’s compute platforms, Agility Robotics’ Digit humanoid, AI-powered vehicles, Qualcomm’s edge strategy, and a deep dive into Frore Systems’ solid-state AirJet cooling technology. The common thread is simple but massive: performance, intelligence, and autonomy are now constrained less by software and more by hardware, thermals, and form factor.We also zoom out to the bigger question CES raised this year: if AI is becoming a medium rather than a feature, what does that mean for our homes, devices, and daily lives? From robotics skepticism to voice-controlled AI hubs, this episode breaks down what is real, what is hype, and what is coming sooner than most people expect.00:00 CES 2026 recap and first impressions00:52 AI is no longer a tool, it is the new UI01:06 Inside CES’s new Foundry and NVIDIA compute01:50 Robotics, generative AI, and the future of household labor02:07 Are we actually ready for robots in our homes?02:19 Sponsor message02:31 Meet Digit and the rise of humanoid robotics03:29 Why CES has quietly become a car show04:10 AI cars, edge compute, and on-device intelligence05:01 NVIDIA-powered vehicles and Jensen Huang’s keynote moment05:46 NVIDIA Blackwell, Rubin, and Piper explained06:09 Where real CES business actually happens06:31 Frore Systems and the AirJet cooling breakthrough07:25 How solid-state cooling changes device design08:47 Qualcomm reference designs and thin-form AI devices09:35 Why AI moving to the edge changes everything10:39 Thermal limits as the new performance bottleneck10:59 Qualcomm’s AI hardware strategy11:45 Who AirJet is actually built for12:22 CES reflections and industry relationships12:42 Voice, AI hubs, and a future with fewer screens13:21 AI as a medium and final CES 2026 takeaways

In this episode of Mind the Machine Podcast, we sit down with Stephanie Sylvester, CEO of Avatar Buddy, to explore what human-centered AI actually looks like in practice.Stephanie explains why the real power of AI lives at the intersection between humans and machines, and how small language models can deliver more accurate, secure, and aligned outcomes than massive general-purpose models. She shares clear analogies for understanding LLMs versus SLMs, explains how “managed AI as a service” helps organizations maintain consistency and control, and outlines how AI can increase self-agency rather than replace people.The conversation also dives into jobs of the future, the skills that will matter most in an AI-driven world, and how thoughtful AI design can reduce bias, support marginalized communities, and create real win-win-win outcomes for workers, companies, and society.Follow Mind the Machine:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindthemachinepodcastTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mindthemachinepodcastWebsite: https://findgood.tech/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/findgood-tech/Timestamps00:00 – The human-AI continuum and why AI should amplify people00:30 – Introduction to Stephanie Sylvester and Avatar Buddy01:38 – What Avatar Buddy does and why “everyone needs a buddy”03:00 – The human-digital handshake explained04:25 – Why AI can be a true win-win-win solution05:30 – Large language models vs small language models06:30 – The library analogy for understanding SLMs08:00 – Reducing hallucinations and validating AI outputs09:00 – Privacy, security, and ecological benefits of small models10:00 – How businesses win with managed AI and consistent data11:30 – Brand consistency, compliance, and AI as institutional memory13:40 – Jobs of the future and the skills that matter most15:00 – Resiliency, creativity, and learning in an AI world17:30 – Critical thinking, problem solving, and managing AI output18:30 – Hiring for humble, hungry, and smart20:00 – AI-powered recruiting with dignity22:30 – Using AI to practice interviews and build confidence23:30 – Fears, concerns, and misinformation around AI and jobs25:00 – AI, equity, and empowering marginalized communities26:00 – What excites Stephanie most about the future of AI26:52 – Closing thoughts and where to find Avatar Buddy

In this episode of Mind the Machine, we sit down with executive coach Renita Kolhorn to explore why emotional intelligence is becoming more important than raw IQ for founders, leaders, and decision-makers navigating AI-driven change.Renita shares insights from her work with entrepreneurs, military special forces, and high-performing executives, breaking down how emotions influence behavior, decision-making, and leadership under pressure. She explains why emotions are often misunderstood, how survival triggers shape our reactions, and why discipline, awareness, and practice are essential leadership skills.We also dig into how AI changes the leadership landscape. As machines take over more analytical tasks, the uniquely human skills of emotional mastery, intuition, observation, and self-awareness become even more critical. This conversation challenges leaders to slow down, notice what is happening around them, and strengthen their sense of self in an increasingly automated world.If you are building, leading, or investing in the future of technology, this episode offers a grounded, practical look at how mastering emotions can unlock better decisions, stronger relationships, and more resilient leadership.Follow Mind the Machine:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindthemachinepodcastTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mindthemachinepodcastWebsite: https://findgood.tech/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/findgood-tech/Timestamps00:00 Introduction and opening clip on emotions00:45 Why emotional intelligence matters for modern leadership01:43 Renita’s background: Juilliard, martial arts, and executive coaching05:41 Discipline, focus, and deliberate practice08:29 Emotional mastery and performance under pressure10:30 “Emotions are just chemicals” explained12:04 Managing emotions versus suppressing them14:33 The FAST framework: survival triggers that drive behavior17:30 Do you need to dig into the past to change behavior?19:10 Practicing new leadership behaviors22:00 Why EQ matters more than IQ in an AI-driven world25:35 AI, decision-making, and the limits of data28:11 Intuition versus ego and how to tell the difference32:24 Slowing down to access intuition35:18 Pattern recognition and discernment in leadership38:07 AI, identity, and the need for a strong sense of self41:20 Feedback, self-worth, and AI as a mirror44:07 One practical habit leaders can start today47:24 Closing thoughts and wrap-up

Today we’re talking with Ryan Fox, CTO of Super.com, about what it really looks like to rebuild a company around AI. Ryan walks through why they literally shut down their old systems, why AI is both opportunity and constraint, and what leaders get wrong about adoption. He also breaks down how Super.com scaled from hotel booking to a financial super-app serving everyday Americans.We cover the shift to AI-first thinking, change management inside large teams, credit-building opportunities for underserved users, and why many AI pilots fail. Ryan also shares his personal journey from Google SRE to CTO, and why he eventually wants to bring AI back into the medical world.Follow Mind the Machine:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindthemachinepodcastTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mindthemachinepodcastWebsite: https://findgood.tech/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/findgood-tech/⸻TIMESTAMPS00:00 AI mindset shift and breaking old habits00:16 Today’s guest: Ryan Fox, CTO of Super.com00:50 How Super.com started as a hotel chatbot01:19 The early NLP era and why it was too soon02:11 Pivoting into a full super-app03:03 Revisiting old tech after the 2022 AI explosion03:40 Why they shut down their old systems entirely05:01 Building an “AI-first” product workflow06:08 Rethinking designers, engineers, and team workflows07:41 Solopreneurs, MVPs, and why scaling is different09:11 Why AI lets them execute more of their backlog10:49 What makes Super.com’s membership valuable12:02 The shocking debit-card discovery13:06 Credit access, demographics, and opportunity14:06 Financial literacy plus opportunity15:38 Bespoke financial coaching with AI16:57 How they use AI in pricing and backend systems17:44 “Spot”: an AI savings agent concept18:51 Macro AI trends Ryan is watching19:21 Shifting to an AI-first mindset across a company20:54 Training non-technical staff to use AI tools22:26 Fear, indifference, and adoption challenges23:47 AI failures, hype, and real timelines24:40 Why many orgs aren’t data-ready26:21 Legacy leaders misreading AI signals27:06 The reality: most experiments won’t work (and that’s OK)28:36 Ryan’s personal journey: engineering, Google, startups30:18 Growing with Super.com from early days to CTO31:03 Why the journey matters more than the destination31:41 Future hopes: bringing AI into medical fields32:50 Closing reflections and thanks

Paul Adams, Chief Product Officer and CMO at Intercom, joins Mind the Machine to break down how AI is reshaping customer service, product development, and the future of work. He explains how Intercom rebuilt its entire strategy in a matter of days after ChatGPT arrived, why he believes we are still at the very beginning of the AI cycle, and what second and third order effects will change the world in ways most people don’t yet see.Paul also shares practical advice for startup founders, students, and career-builders. He talks through why proximity and relationship capital still matter, why companies should rethink their entire operating model instead of piloting isolated AI projects, and how AI is creating new roles instead of simply replacing old ones.This conversation covers AI transformation, product strategy, future hardware, personal AI, workplace change, education, and how to prepare yourself for the next decade of innovation.Follow Mind the Machine:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindthemachinepodcastTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mindthemachinepodcastWebsite: https://findgood.tech/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/findgood-tech/00:00 Intercom’s rapid shift after ChatGPT01:50 Why customer service is fundamentally broken03:32 How Intercom invented modern business messaging04:47 What Fin is and why AI excels at customer service08:13 Is AI underhyped? Paul’s view from Google and Facebook11:07 Why AI is a bigger wave than mobile13:22 Where we are in the AI timeline (Paul’s “1999 internet” analogy)15:01 Second- and third-order effects that will transform society18:24 Personal AI and how daily life will change20:36 How hardware will evolve in an AI-first world23:43 Why young people have a massive advantage in the AI era27:11 How to use AI like a powerful tool instead of Google31:34 Why proximity, trust, and human relationships still matter40:57 Practical guidance for companies starting an AI strategy43:18 Why isolated AI projects fail without whole-company adoption

What does it truly mean to be human in an age of intelligent machines? Michael Arena, Dean of the Crowell School of Business at Biola University and former executive at AWS and General Motors, joins Cheryl Goodman to explore the intersection of faith, technology, and human dignity in the AI era.He shares his personal journey from the fast-paced world of Amazon to Christian higher education, how Biola is shaping future leaders to think ethically first, and why “building the humans that build AI” may be the most important mission of our time.Sponsor: https://Perseverance.acFollow Mind the Machine:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindthemachinepodcastTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mindthemachinepodcastWebsite: https://findgood.tech/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/findgood-tech/Timestamps:00:00 Introduction — “We’re not just a set of outputs”00:23 Sponsor: Perseverance.ac00:41 Welcome and guest introduction: Dr. Michael Arena, Dean at Biola University01:34 Ethics-first approach to AI education03:17 From General Motors to AWS — Michael’s career journey04:06 How faith and human dynamics guided his transition to academia06:15 The meaning of being human in an AI-driven world08:19 Fear, dignity, and the pace of technological change09:54 Knowledge vs. wisdom — the essence of true learning12:02 Protecting the inner human experience14:04 Hearing God’s call and leaving Amazon17:11 Finding balance in a distracted, tech-driven world19:09 Teaching discernment and ethics to future AI leaders21:12 Stewardship, not advocacy, of technology22:28 Human skills that endure in the age of AI24:40 Building empathy and trust in fast-paced teams25:20 The power of ethical leadership in innovation26:07 Accountability, truth, and faith in AI systems29:18 Can AI ever truly understand the Word of God?30:23 Why Christians must engage with AI, not retreat from it33:07 AI’s dual nature — both dystopian and redemptive potential34:50 “We build the humans that build AI”36:14 What gives Dr. Arena hope about the future38:06 Biola’s AI Lab, Studio, and adaptive MBA39:22 Bringing industry leaders into the classroom40:57 Final reflections — shaping the future with ethics and grace

In this episode of the Mind the Machine Podcast, we sit down with Michael Steep — former Senior VP of Xerox PARC and Founder of Stanford’s Disruptive Technology Program — to explore how to separate hype from reality in the fast-moving world of AI and emerging technology. Steep explains how the new Alliance for Societal Impact brings together family offices, startups, and universities to drive innovation that solves real human problems.We also discuss how family offices can complement or even replace traditional venture capital, why “builder capital” matters for long-term societal impact, and how San Diego is becoming a growing hub for innovation beyond Silicon Valley.Follow Mind the Machine:🌐 Website: https://findgood.tech/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindthemachinepodcast🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mindthemachinepodcast💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/findgood-tech/Timestamps:00:00 Sorting the hype from reality in AI00:28 Sponsor: Alliance for Societal Impact00:46 Guest intro — Michael Steep’s background at Microsoft, Xerox PARC, and Stanford02:15 The rise of exponential innovation03:13 Founding the Alliance for Societal Impact04:14 Family offices and their role in technology and social good05:27 Making innovation practical, not theoretical06:18 Creating lasting impact beyond conferences07:09 Preview of the March 2026 conference08:25 Connecting PhD researchers with next-gen investors09:10 San Diego’s startup ecosystem and AI opportunity10:28 Building bridges between regions and Silicon Valley11:25 Why corporate leaders don’t understand Silicon Valley12:00 Why San Diego offers a better cost structure and talent opportunity13:12 What a family office is and why startups should care14:09 How family offices differ from traditional VCs15:09 Education, funding, and alternatives to venture capital16:14 Cutting through AI hype to find real applications17:19 Partner introductions and expanded discussion18:33 Bob shares his “why” and the story behind Guitars Over Guns22:52 Lessons on resilience, education, and legacy23:40 The origins of his family office and long-term focus25:07 What makes family office capital different27:08 Spiritual capital and passion-driven founders28:23 Connecting innovators and investors for long-term impact29:18 The global stakes of AI and geopolitical sustainability30:56 Generational wealth transfer and the risk of lost legacy32:26 Academia’s role in innovation — from Stanford to MIT and Caltech34:31 Building cross-university collaboration for real-world results35:21 San Diego as a rising innovation hub37:02 Builder capital vs. venture capital38:13 The importance of trust and legacy in family office investing39:15 Lonnie shares insights from his books Beyond Business and Beyond Fortune41:00 How businesses can move from profit to purpose44:48 Level 1, 2, and 3 business frameworks for societal impact46:14 Why entrepreneurs must build more than money47:09 The two sides of AI: code creation vs. human impact48:57 Why trust and validation are key to ethical AI50:19 How entrepreneurs can lead with conviction52:26 Lonnie’s powerful closing story on legacy and gratitude55:29 Closing remarks

In this episode of the Mind the Machine Podcast,, Cheryl Goodman sits down with Ali Llewellyn, former NASA leader, to explore one of the deepest questions of our time: how do faith and AI coexist?Together they unpack how artificial intelligence challenges spiritual identity, raises new moral questions, and redefines what it means to be human. Ali shares why she left NASA to pursue faith-driven innovation, how Gloo is building “flourishing AI,” and why the Church must engage in the AI era.Follow Mind the Machine Podcast:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindthemachinepodcastTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mindthemachinepodcastWebsite: https://findgood.tech/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/findgood-tech/⸻Timestamps00:00 Introduction — cultural anxiety around AI and faith01:07 Guest intro: Allie Llewellyn, NASA to Gloo03:00 Why faith helps people navigate rapid change04:13 How AI differs from past innovations like the printing press05:42 AI and human identity: created in the image of God08:44 The moral danger of scale and moderation in technology10:13 Technology as transformation vs. transaction11:03 Can AI pray? What that question reveals about us13:22 Idolatry and the “killer app trap”15:30 Why demystifying AI matters — “It’s not magic, it’s math”17:51 Trust and truth in AI — the Church’s role in shaping it20:13 How faith communities are already using AI22:24 Can Scripture be represented accurately by AI?24:37 Open-source, private, and faith-aligned AI models26:27 Kingdom impact and values-aligned innovation28:06 Human flourishing and Gloo’s hackathon31:03 The era of “vibe coding” and collaborative creation33:34 Solopreneurship vs. community: the Church’s counter-culture36:01 Timeless truths, purpose, and human creativity38:00 Final reflections — no spectators in this movement39:20 Where to learn more

How do you know if your pricing is right? Are you charging too little… or too much? In this episode of Mind the Machine Podcast, Cheryl sits down with Marcos Rivera, founder of Pricing I/O and author of Street Pricing, to explore the psychology behind pricing, confidence in your value, and how AI is reshaping business.Marcos shares timeless truths about pricing, why there’s no “magic number,” and how understanding customer psychology can unlock growth. From SaaS startups to established tech firms, his insights reveal how pricing connects directly to business survival and success.🔗 Learn more about Pricing I/O: https://www.pricingio.com/💼 Follow Marcos Rivera on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pricingio/Follow Mind the Machine Podcast:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindthemachinepodcastTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mindthemachinepodcastWebsite: https://findgood.tech/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/findgood-tech/00:00 – Why pricing is about confidence, not fear of rejection01:06 – Introduction of Marcos Rivera, CEO of Pricing I/O02:00 – Stop guessing: pricing as growth and opportunity05:02 – Understanding when “no” is about price vs. positioning06:01 – Marcos’ journey from the Bronx to pricing expert08:37 – Making pricing simple and human—no “magic number”10:40 – The psychology of paying and why credit cards work11:48 – Marcos on AI: tool vs. hysteria14:36 – Why no pricing can save a bad product16:00 – Growing Pricing I/O and focusing on SaaS/tech companies18:16 – Teaching clients to “fish” with pricing skills19:39 – Timeless truths: business still runs on trust20:50 – AI agents, pricing structures, and building trust30:52 – The future of Pricing I/O and dream clients34:37 – Good vs. bad client fits for pricing work36:04 – Marcos’ book Street Pricing and timeless lessons

In this episode of Mind the Machine Podcast, we sit down with Julie Wright, president and founder of Wright On Communications, to discuss how artificial intelligence is reshaping public relations. Julie explains the shift from traditional SEO to generative engine optimization (GEO), why “answer engines” are replacing search engines, and what this means for brands trying to be discovered online.She shares practical strategies for building visibility in an AI-driven world, the importance of credibility and trust, and how PR professionals can adapt to zero-click searches and AI summaries. We also explore broader issues of truth, trust, and journalism in the age of large language models, and what the future holds for young professionals entering the field.🔗 Learn more about Wright On Communications: https://wrightoncomm.com/💼 Follow Julie Wright on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julieawrightFollow Mind the Machine Podcast:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindthemachinepodcastTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mindthemachinepodcastWebsite: https://findgood.tech/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/findgood-tech/00:00 Introduction: PR, AI, and the rise of GEO01:11 Julie Wright on how AI is changing public relations02:29 From transactional marketing to relational AI visibility04:57 Generative Engine Optimization vs SEO07:22 Zero-click searches, earned media, and AI citations10:35 Answer engines, Perplexity, and Pro Rata AI13:26 Truth, trust, and the risks of manipulating AI17:09 Hallucinations, citations, and the limits of AI reliability20:55 Fear, anxiety, and the role of relationships in PR24:44 Building relational equity in the AI era27:37 White paper insights: how to influence LLMs30:59 Practical ways to raise visibility in AI platforms34:33 Press releases, syndication, and evolving PR tools39:55 Favorite tools, ChatGPT, and hopes for the future of AI at work43:24 Wrapping up: PR’s future and the state of the industry

Aytekin Tank, CEO of Jotform, has been thinking about automation for nearly 20 years—long before the current wave of AI tools. In this episode of Mind the Machine Podcast, he shares how his early ideas about productivity and workflow design laid the foundation for his company to integrate AI in a meaningful way.We explore the rise of AI agents, how customer service is changing, and what most businesses still get wrong about automation. Aytekin also talks about his personal journey as a founder, what he wishes more people understood about time management, and why the ability to recognize greatness might matter more than being an expert.Whether you’re a startup founder, an AI builder, or someone trying to future-proof your career, this conversation is packed with timeless insights.🔗 Learn more about Jotform: https://www.jotform.com💼 Follow Aytekin Tank on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aytekintank/🔗 Learn more about Accenture: https://www.accenture.com💼 Follow Andrea Yoder Clark on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreayoderclark/Follow Mind the Machine Podcast:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindthemachinepodcastTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mindthemachinepodcastWebsite: https://findgood.tech/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/findgood-tech/Timestamps:00:00 — The 4 big technology revolutions Aytekin has witnessed01:34 — What Jotform really solves (it’s not just forms)04:13 — How Jotform is turning forms into AI-powered experiences06:20 — From 25% to 75% resolution: using AI in customer support10:11 — AI + human = better customer service13:12 — Aytekin’s book on automation became unexpectedly relevant14:43 — The automation flywheel and how to apply it18:14 — Why AI agents are the future of productivity22:04 — How Aytekin uses AI for personal research31:07 — Why AI is like a dragon—and why you have to tame it

In this episode of Mind the Machine, Cheryl sits down with Dr. Andrea Yoder Clark of Accenture to explore how small and medium-sized businesses can harness the power of AI agents for real productivity gains—ethically. They break down what AI agents actually are, how they’re reshaping industries, and why now is the moment for companies of all sizes to lean into automation.Dr. Yoder Clark unpacks the hype from the reality, shares must-know strategies for data safety and responsible AI, and explains why integrity, critical thinking, and creativity are the leadership skills of the AI era. Whether you’re a founder, executive, or just AI-curious, this conversation will give you uncommon insights into the future of ethical, human-centered innovation.🔗 Learn more about Accenture: https://www.accenture.com💼 Follow Andrea Yoder Clark on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreayoderclark/Follow Mind the Machine Podcast:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindthemachinepodcastTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mindthemachinepodcastWebsite: https://findgood.tech/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/findgood-tech/Timestamps:00:00 – Why small businesses should invest in AI agents01:18 – What an AI agent actually is (and use cases)03:06 – Why now is the right time for SMB automation04:00 – Advice for young entrepreneurs in AI06:00 – AI and efficiency: how to think about impact08:57 – Key differences between small and large businesses using AI11:42 – How to handle AI hype and build trust14:05 – Tech for good: ethical must-haves for startups17:40 – Andrea’s view on the future of AI: hopeful but cautious21:27 – Confidential compute and why it matters25:01 – Data protection, governance, and bias prevention29:23 – Startups and the massive opportunity in ethical AI32:18 – Andrea’s personal story of resilience and purpose36:07 – What makes a great AI leader today40:11 – Why we can’t yet grasp how AI will change everything42:48 – Her advice for making a meaningful impact in the AI era45:35 – Small language models and the power of personalized AI

In this episode of Mind the Machine Podcast, Cheryl talks with Ashley Virtue from the National Conflict Resolution Center about one of the most human questions of our time: can AI actually help us resolve conflict? They explore the emotional roots of fear, the importance of belonging, and how trust and authenticity play a role in how we navigate both human tension and technological change.Ashley shares how the art of conflict resolution has evolved, what timeless truths still hold up, and why AI will never fully replace the human experience of being seen, heard, and understood. They also discuss the future of mediation, how chatbots are already filling unexpected roles, and what workplace leaders must do now to prepare for AI-fueled transitions.00:00 – Fear, misunderstanding, and the root of conflict00:24 – Can AI help us resolve conflict?01:12 – What the National Conflict Resolution Center actually does03:10 – Making conflict resolution tools available to everyone05:03 – Why fear of AI is really fear of not belonging07:00 – Turning fear into hope through education08:30 – What we lose when we don’t feel included in tech conversations10:10 – Preparing workplaces for AI-related change12:10 – Timeless truths of conflict and what people really need14:00 – Why “resolution” doesn’t always mean a good outcome15:30 – The problem with calling AI “magic”17:00 – Can chatbots mediate conflict?18:30 – The danger of baked-in bias in human vs. AI mediators20:50 – Why managers struggle with mediation too23:00 – Reflection, healing, and the role of authenticity25:15 – The last mile: can AI truly replicate empathy?28:00 – Why “humans in the loop” isn’t just a buzzword30:00 – Free workplace conflict resources from NCRC🌐 Learn more about the National Conflict Resolution Center: https://www.ncrconline.com💼 Connect with Ashley Virtue: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-virtue/Follow Mind the Machine Podcast:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindthemachinepodcastTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mindthemachinepodcastWebsite: https://findgood.tech/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/findgood-tech/

In this episode of Mind the Machine, Cheryl talks with Pelu Tran, CEO of Ferrum Health, about how AI is quietly transforming healthcare—not by replacing doctors, but by making the system smarter, faster, and more humane. They dive deep into how AI tools are catching missed cancers, improving patient follow-up, and reducing dangerous inefficiencies hiding in plain sight.Pelu shares powerful personal stories that drive his mission, unpacks the real obstacles to AI adoption in hospitals, and explains how Ferrum’s platform is helping health systems safely deploy and manage hundreds of AI tools at once. This conversation is a must-watch for anyone who cares about healthcare innovation, patient safety, or the future of human-centered AI.00:00 – Intro: A personal story that fuels the mission01:30 – Why hospitals struggle with AI adoption04:50 – What Ferrum Health actually does07:00 – The startup mindset that actually works09:00 – How AI can prevent burnout in doctors and nurses11:20 – Missed diagnoses, late follow-ups, and the real cost of inefficiency13:45 – What needs to change in the U.S. healthcare system16:00 – Will AI replace jobs—or reduce drudgery?18:30 – What a utopian, AI-powered health system could look like23:00 – Why practical AI matters more than flashy tools27:00 – Are we in a hype cycle—or just underestimating AI again?30:00 – Hallucinations, error rates, and the real risks of AI in medicine33:00 – Bias in AI vs. bias in current healthcare34:00 – What gives Pelu hope about the future of medicine🌐 Learn more about Ferrum Health: https://www.ferrumhealth.com💼 Connect with Pelu Tran: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pelutran/Follow Cheryl:🌐 Website: https://findgood.tech📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/findgood.tech💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ckgoodman/

In this episode of Mind the Machine Podcast, Cheryl sits down with Kristi Martindale, Chief Commercialization Officer at Palladyne AI, to explore the real future of robotics in our daily lives. From exoskeletons and cobots to AI-powered manufacturing and low-code robot training, Kristi shares a hopeful and informed vision of how physical AI can reduce human risk, eliminate repetitive labor, and unlock new opportunities.They talk through Kristi’s journey from Qualcomm to Sarcos to Palladyne, the myths that dominate headlines, and why fear shouldn’t define our response to emerging tech. With clarity and compassion, Kristi unpacks what it means to be human in the loop, why resilience matters, and how anyone—from students to solopreneurs—can start building a better future with AI.00:00 – Intro: What would you do if you weren’t afraid?01:20 – Meet Kristi Martindale: Qualcomm roots and robotics future03:00 – Building Sarcos and the vision for Palladyne AI07:00 – What is physical AI? Smarter software for real-world machines09:30 – Dangerous jobs, chicken tenders, and automation that helps12:30 – Low-code robot programming and new workforce opportunities15:45 – Why AI is a tool—not a threat17:40 – AI in agriculture, healthcare, and drug discovery21:30 – The cost of fear-based headlines and the need for hope26:10 – How students and job seekers can thrive with AI31:45 – Using AI as an assist (not a shortcut)34:50 – Human authenticity in a world of generated content38:00 – Kristi on resilience, respect, and bold leadership41:00 – Final thoughts: Hope, humility, and building forward🔗 Learn more about Palladyne AI: https://www.palladyneai.com💼 Follow Kristi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristimartindaleFollow Cheryl:Website: https://findgood.techInstagram: @findgood.techLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/ckgoodman

In this episode of Mind the Machine, Cheryl sits down with Nathan Pettyjohn—founder of the Applied AI Association and AR/VR Association—to ask a bold question: Could AI help us move to a two-day workweek? Nathan shares how AI is reshaping work, entrepreneurship, and daily life, and why he believes the key to thriving in an automated world is not fear—but adaptation, purpose, and community.They explore the rise of the solopreneur, what’s missing in the AI conversation, and why “productive happiness” might be the ultimate metric. Nathan also talks about his upcoming book, how kids are interacting with AI as companions, and how smart agents and humanoid robots may impact healthcare, aging, and the future of labor. From back-end processes to value alignment, this episode is a wide-ranging and hopeful look at what’s possible when we apply AI thoughtfully.00:00 – Intro: Can AI unlock a two-day workweek?02:05 – Meet Nathan: Entrepreneur, author, community builder05:10 – The origin of the AR/VR Association and Applied AI Association08:40 – Productivity gains vs. universal basic income11:20 – Are hallucinations holding us back—or just a phase?15:00 – Values, trust, and how AI reflects our human flaws18:20 – How kids, creators, and coders are using AI differently21:40 – The future of wearables and voice-first interaction25:00 – Generative AI meets robotics: When hardware and software combine30:20 – Healthcare, aging, and where robots fit in36:00 – The hype and promise of generative AI in the back office40:30 – Nathan’s book, workshops, and AI-powered micro-vacations45:15 – Solopreneurs, legacy systems, and the need for mindset shifts50:00 – Teaching the next generation to thrive with AI55:00 – Final thoughts: What blocks participation, and how to take the first step🌐 Learn more about Nathan: https://nathanpettyjohn.com🤖 Applied AI Association: https://appliedaiassociation.org📲 Follow Nathan on LinkedIn: Nathan PettyjohnFollow Cheryl:Website: https://findgood.techInstagram: @findgood.techLinkedIn: ckgoodman