DISRUPTOR CONFESSIONS with John Ayers

AI filmmaking just hit another level — and Floating Tiger Films is at the center of it.In this episode, John Ayers sits down with Devansh Mathur and Kusuma Santapoori, the creative team behind some of the most viral AI-powered ads and short films coming out of India and beyond. Their studio, Floating Tiger Films, has exploded from zero clients to global demand in under a year — and their storytelling approach is redefining what’s possible.We dig into:• How they build cinematic AI frames that feel human• The tools behind their workflow (Seedream, Seedance, Veo, Nano, Midjourney)• Why story is becoming the last real moat in an AI-saturated world• India’s rise as a global hub for AI-first creative work• The lack of women in AI filmmaking — and what Kusuma wants to change• Creative slop vs. intentional filmmaking• Where AI advertising and long-form storytelling are heading next• How emotional intelligence might become the next true human advantageThis conversation is a rare inside look at the future of creative work — fast, raw, global, and deeply human.Watch more at disruptorconfessions.comConnect with Floating Tiger Films on InstagramDisruptor Confessions — the show for people who want to see around corners.

Lion El Aton is one of the leading voices in AI filmmaking — the founder of Film Crux, a pioneer of AI-driven social shows, and a creator who’s been shaping this space long before it hit the mainstream.In this episode, we get into how AI is rewriting filmmaking, animation, distribution, jobs, music, advertising, and what Lion calls the “pre-Toy Story era” we’re in right now. We talk Sora 2, Runway ML, Midjourney, modular workflows, the demand explosion for AI creatives, why studios are confused but not afraid, why creators have the advantage, and how social-first shows might become the next Hollywood pipeline.If you’re a filmmaker, creator, brand, or strategist trying to understand where creative work is actually going — this conversation connects the dots.In this episode:• How AI filmmaking really works today• Why creativity + curiosity are the new unfair advantage• What Sora 2 actually changed• The rise of AI-native social shows• How jobs, skills, and teams will evolve• The timeline no one sees coming• Why brands are desperate for AI creators• How individuals can compete with studios• The future of film, ads, and storytellingWatch the full video episodes at:https://www.youtube.com/@DisruptorConfessionsSubscribe to The Briefing newsletter:https://disruptorconfessions.substack.comBecome a guest:https://disruptorconfessions.com/guest

AI filmmaking isn’t “one prompt and done.” In this episode of Disruptor Confessions, John Ayers sits down with filmmaker Emanuele Riccetti to explore the real craft behind AI-powered storytelling.Emanuele’s journey is anything but ordinary — from pharmacy school in Italy, to washing dishes in London, to becoming one of the most interesting voices in AI creative work. His projects The Audition, Tim, and Sonata in AI Major show what happens when human intent meets fast-moving AI tools.We talk about:• How he actually makes AI films (workflow, shots, pacing)• Why story and authenticity still matter• The myth of “5-minute AI films”• Runway, Veo, Seedream, Kling, Sora 2, Higgsfield — what he uses and why• Hybrid filmmaking: real actors + AI models• Character consistency, control, and avoiding “AI slop”• Why his word for this moment is accessibilityIf you care about the future of creative work, filmmaking, or AI storytelling, this is a must-listen.More at: https://disruptorconfessions.comSubscribe: https://disruptorconfessions.substack.com/

Award-winning filmmaker Ryan Patterson, co-founder of Queen One Studios, joins host John Ayers to unpack how AI is transforming storytelling, production, and what “human” still means in a synthetic age.From Runway and Luma to Sora, Veo, and beyond, Ryan shares workflow realities, creative breakthroughs, and why the human element remains the ultimate differentiator.Topics• When AI became the new creative lens• Storyboarding in real time — “the storyboard is the story”• Myths of AI filmmaking (cheap, fast, or easy?)• The rise of AI in film, TV, and advertising• Why storytellers—not algorithms—will stand out• The future of education, burnout, and inspirationGuestRyan Patterson — Co-Founder, Queen One Studios🌐 queenonestudios.com🔗 LinkedIn: Ryan PattersonHostJohn Ayers — Disruptor Confessions🌐 disruptorconfessions.com📰 Newsletter: disruptorconfessions.substack.com🎧 Subscribe wherever you listen.#AIFilmmaking #AIStorytelling #DisruptorConfessions #RyanPatterson #FutureOfFilm #CreativeAI

📝 DescriptionWhat if the supply chain wasn’t a cost center — but a growth engine?Brittain Ladd — one of the most outspoken and visionary voices in retail, logistics, and supply-chain strategy — joins host John Ayers to break down how AI, automation, and autonomous systems are rewriting the rules of business. From Amazon’s logistics dominance to Walmart’s AI transformation and the coming disruption of DoorDash and Kroger, Ladd pulls no punches.You’ll learn:• Why “the purpose of a supply chain is to do one thing: enable growth.”• How automation, robotics, and AI will collapse costs — and create billions.• Why autonomous vans, humanoid robots, and “hailing a store” may soon replace last-mile delivery.• What retail giants like Walmart, Target, and Kroger are still getting wrong.• How AI taxation could fund universal basic income and redefine work.This is a masterclass in disruption — from a Marine-turned-strategist who helped shape the future of retail and supply chain.🔗 Connect & Learn Moredisruptorconfessions.com | linkedin.com/in/brittainladd🎙 Disruptor Confessions with John Ayers — the show for those leading, questioning, and surviving the age of disruption.

In this episode of Disruptor Confessions, host John Ayers sits down with Marty Kihn, SVP of Strategy at Salesforce and bestselling author of House of Lies, Customer Data Platforms, and Agentforce.Together they explore:• How data and AI are transforming creativity and marketing• Why the pace of disruption today feels different — and faster• The rise of AI-driven CMOs and the flattening of the marketing funnel• The tension between human intuition and machine intelligence• What Marty calls “the allure of laziness” in the AI era🎧 About Marty KihnMarty is a writer, strategist, and bestselling author who helped shape the modern MarTech landscape at Salesforce and Gartner. His career spans MTV, McKinsey, and Hollywood storytelling — making him a true disruptor in motion.🔗 Subscribe for new episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on YouTube and Spotify @DisruptorConfessions and join the conversation.

💡 What if change worked like a product people choose to adopt?Phil Gilbert — architect of IBM’s design transformation and author of Irresistible Change — joins John Ayers to unpack how to make change stick at scale.You’ll learn:• Change as a product → adoption over enablement • Why teams are the atomic unit of transformation • How IBM cut 44 products to 4 and grew market share • Why AI initiatives fail when they lead with tech, not people 🔗 Connect & Learn More disruptorconfessions.com gilbert.com

💡 What happens when emotional intelligence meets disruption?In this episode, Dr. Vanessa Druskat — expert on Emotionally Intelligent Teams — joins John Ayers for a conversation on how leaders build trust, collaboration, and resilience through accelerated change.We explore:• Why emotional intelligence is the hidden engine of high-performing teams• How disruption tests and reveals real leadership• What organizations can learn from emotionally aware cultures🎧 Disruptor Confessions with John Ayers helps you lead smarter, think deeper, and thrive through change.📍 Chapters00:00 Introduction00:12 Meet Dr. Vanessa Druskat: The Jane Goodall of Teams01:34 The Importance of Emotional Intelligence in Teams06:24 Discovering Team Norms07:01 Examples of High-Performing Teams13:53 The Role of Leaders in Shaping Team Dynamics18:22 Adapting to Change and Building Resilience23:15 Navigating Conflict and Friction in Teams32:24 Clusters of Norms for High-Performing Teams36:36 The Importance of Reflection45:51 Building Trust and Psychological Safety51:14 Practical Steps for Team Cohesion65:29 The Role of AI in Emotionally Intelligent Teams68:34 Conclusion and Final Thoughts🔗 Connect & Learn More🌐 disruptorconfessions.com📩 Subscribe to The Briefing → disruptorconfessions.substack.com🎙️ Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your shows#DisruptorConfessions #Leadership #EmotionalIntelligence #Teams #JohnAyers #VanessaDruskat #AI #Transformation #Disruption

This isn’t a show about hype.It’s a space for truth, tension, and the voices of those who have witnessed, driven, or resisted change.In this short trailer, host John Ayers introduces DISRUPTOR CONFESSIONS—a podcast that doesn’t glorify change or panic over it. It holds space for the full story.The disrupted.The disruptors.The critics, visionaries, and quiet observers.This isn’t about chasing the pace. It’s about slowing down just enough to see what disruption really means—ethically, personally, and professionally.If you're feeling the tension between progress and purpose…If you're looking for insight—not hype—this is for you.Confessions begin soon.Subscribe now and prepare for the disruption.