Guest: Andrew Amann, CEO of NineTwoThree.co

Host: Ryan Estes

Published: June 09, 2025

Episode Summary

Andrew Amann joins to share practical frameworks for AI integration, stories from projects with FanDuel, and bold predictions about the future of intelligent agents and emotional computing.

Key Takeaways

• AI adoption is 80% human, 20% tech – start with mindset, not software.
• Frameworks must focus on solving business bottlenecks.
• Custom agents like ChuckGPT need months of brand-safe training.
• AI augments employees; it doesn't replace them.
• Emotional computing is the next AI frontier.
• Apple is lagging in AI innovation due to lack of software integration.
• Elon Musk is playing the long game in hardware, software, and policy.
• For college students: focus on operations, management, and learning by doing.
• Best tools: Copilot (Microsoft), Gemini (Google), not ChatGPT for enterprise work.

AI Integration Framework

1. Be curious: understand the business end-to-end.
2. Find bottlenecks: target repetitive or error-prone tasks.
3. Solve with traditional tech or build AI agents as needed.
4. Use a human-agent-human workflow for quality control.
5. Measure and orchestrate agents like a general commands an army.

Resources

• NineTwoThree.co
• ChuckGPT Demo
• Apple Vision Pro Review
• Microsoft Copilot
• Google Gemini AI

Guest: Katherine von Jan, Founder & CEO of Tough Day

Date: June 05, 2025

Key Takeaways

• Tough Day helps employees and managers work through workplace challenges via a private, AI-powered chat assistant called Tuffy.
• Tuffy assists with performance conversations, feedback collection, roleplay, journaling, and decision-making—all within a confidential interface.
• Built on curated HR, legal, and leadership frameworks not available in public LLMs, including HBR content and partner-authored materials.
• Customizes tone and recommendations to match regional and organizational culture.
• New subscriptions available directly via Tough.Day, including individual and small team plans.

Frameworks & Concepts

• Confidential Coaching: Private, personal-device access; no data returned to employer.
• Manager Support: Use Tuffy for performance reviews, managing up, and preparing tough conversations.
• Customization Layer: Employers define HR policy stances; tone adapted for cultural fit.

Resources

• Tough.Day (Official Site)
• Katherine von Jan on LinkedIn
• Fisher Phillips Employment Law
• Harvard Business Review
• Charter Works
• Perplexity.ai
• Vibes.AI
• OpenAI

Chris Pitchford, Founder of Brev

Summary:

Chris Pitchford joins Ryan Estes to explore how AI agents are reshaping business execution. Brev embeds AI directly into enterprise workflows to automate status tracking, identify risks, and align teams across OKRs—all without logging into new tools. Chris breaks down his startup journey, enterprise go-to-market playbook, and vision for a future where agents and humans work side-by-side.

Key Takeaways:

• AI agents automate execution—not just status reports
• Weekly check-ins drive 2.5x more goal achievement
• Design partner process was cold, rigorous, and legally binding
• Predictable pricing is key for enterprise adoption
• Brev’s real moat is data and embedded workflows, not just the model

Frameworks:

• Brev Agent Model: Listen → Track → Flag → Update
• Design Partner Funnel: Outreach → Interview → Contract → Feedback
• Pricing Validation: Ask “cheap” vs “prohibitively expensive” to find the middle ground

Resources:

• Brev.ai
• The Mom Test
• First Round Capital Playbooks
• Granola AI
• Product Hunt - Brev Launch

Connect with Chris Pitchford:

LinkedIn

Nicole Donnelly, Founder of AISmartMarketing.com

Overview:

Nicole is a former pro snowboarder turned AI strategist, now helping businesses of all sizes adopt practical, impactful AI tools. In this conversation, she explains how AI can help small businesses scale, survive economic shifts, and automate without losing their human touch.

Key Takeaways:

• 75% of small businesses haven’t adopted AI yet—major opportunity.
• Google search volume is down for the first time ever—AI search is rising.
• AI is the bridge through the $1M and $10M growth “valleys of death.”
• Use case: AI agent built to forecast sales based on seasonal weather patterns.
• Gemini excels in math; ChatGPT delivers better insights.
• AI + automation = more creativity and happier teams.

Frameworks & Methodologies:

4D Framework:

1. Diagnose – Audit existing processes
2. Design – Create an AI strategy
3. Develop – Train and test tools
4. Deploy – Scale intelligently

Training Ladder:

• $197 self-serve course
• $997 live course (4 weeks)
• $5,000+ certification programs
• $10K+/day in-person training

Resources:

• AI Smart Marketing Website
• Courses and Resources
• YouTube Channel
• Go High Level CRM
• Farmers Almanac

Guest: Benjamin Johnson, CEO of Particle41

Episode Summary: Benjamin Johnson shares how Particle41 helps companies move from AI experimentation to full agentic automation using a Bronze–Silver–Gold framework. He unpacks the societal, ethical, and practical implications of large language models, AI-generated relationships, and AI's role in modern recruiting and marketing operations.

• AI relationships may disrupt emotional development in future generations.
• AI tools enhance creativity in business but can strip away emotional authenticity.
• Bronze–Silver–Gold AI framework helps companies implement AI gradually and responsibly.
• Over-regulation benefits big tech incumbents and can stifle innovation.
• AI agents are already being used in recruiting, support, and proposal creation.

• Particle41 Website
• Gamma for AI Presentations
• Claude by Anthropic
• Read.ai Transcription Tool
• HubSpot CRM
• Colorado School of Mines Athletics

To connect directly with Benjamin or learn more about Particle41's AI consulting services, visit particle41.com.

Guest: Aaron Painter, CEO of GetNametag.com

Episode Overview

Aaron Painter joins the show to explore the urgent need for identity verification in the age of generative AI and deepfakes. As CEO of GetNametag.com, Aaron outlines how mobile-based authentication can protect businesses and individuals from cyber threats, account takeovers, and AI impersonation scams.

Key Takeaways

• Deepfake Threats: AI-generated impersonations are rapidly evolving, posing real risks to businesses and people.
• Outdated Security Methods: Security questions and SMS verification are insufficient in today’s threat landscape.
• NameTag’s Mobile Innovation: Combining ID scanning, facial mapping, and mobile phone data for secure identity verification.
• Enterprise Applications: Used by HubSpot, Autodesk, and others to verify employees and users during onboarding and support interactions.
• AI vs Trust: As AI lowers the cost of deception, Aaron argues that trust must become the new digital currency.

Frameworks

• Identity Verification: ID scan → 3D selfie → phone-based security
• Helpdesk Flow: One-tap verification links to minimize friction
• Reusability Loop: Users can re-verify with a single selfie after first use

Resources

• GetNametag.com – Aaron's company
• Aaron Painter on LinkedIn
• WhisperFlow – AI voice tool
• Claude 4 by Anthropic
• Google Veo
• Tetragrammaton with Rick Rubin

Guest: Mariana Padilla, Founder & CEO of Hackerverse.ai

Summary: Mariana shares how Hackerverse is turning cybersecurity sales into hands-on, testable experiences for buyers. From "World Hacker Games" to instant, AI-generated product demos, Mariana explains how she and her team are slashing POC timelines, building trust through transparency, and creating a community-led growth engine in an industry known for skepticism. She also talks about her unique journey, advice for startup founders, and the looming risks of agentic AI warfare.

Key Takeaways

• Storytelling is critical in technical sales: “Words are our code.”
• Buyers can test software in digital replicas of their own systems—no sales call needed.
• Red team “World Hacker Games” offer real-time validation of cybersecurity products.
• Using generative and agentic AI, Hackerverse can launch vendor POCs in hours.
• Community-building through Discord, immersive branding, and real relationships is core to Hackerverse’s success.

Frameworks & Models

• Digital POC Framework: Self-service product trials in simulated environments.
• Community-Led Growth: Build rabid fans through radical transparency and engaging experiences.
• Beginner’s Mindset: Embrace naivety as a strength when entering technical industries.

Resources

• Hackerverse.ai
• Mariana’s LinkedIn
• Techstars Chicago AI
• OWASP Foundation
• Lydia – Deepfake Detection
• Book: Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind by Shunryu Suzuki

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Guest: Charles Maddock, Co-Founder of Strawberry Browser

Host: Ryan

Episode Overview

In this episode, we delve into the innovative world of Strawberry, an AI-powered browser designed to automate repetitive tasks and enhance productivity. Charles Maddock shares insights into how Strawberry's AI companions learn from user behavior to streamline workflows, from managing emails to conducting research.

Key Takeaways

• AI Companions: Strawberry introduces AI assistants that learn from your actions, automating tasks like data entry, email management, and research.
• User-Centric Design: Emphasis on intuitive interfaces, such as the "glowing button," to simplify user interaction with AI features.
• Privacy and Control: Users maintain control over their data, with options to approve AI actions and assurances about data handling.
• Customization: Users can teach companions specific tasks, tailoring the browser to individual workflows without coding.
• Productivity Boost: Strawberry aims to save users up to 18 hours per week by automating routine tasks.

Frameworks and Concepts

• Agentic Browsing: The concept of AI agents operating within the browser to perform tasks autonomously.
• Human-AI Collaboration: Viewing AI companions as team members that assist with tasks, enhancing human productivity.
• Adaptive Learning: AI companions learn from user behavior to provide personalized assistance over time.

Resources and Links

• Strawberry Official Website
• Strawberry on Product Hunt
• Strawberry LinkedIn Page
• Strawberry AI Browser Review
• Strawberry Use Cases

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In this episode, we delve into the intricate realms of consciousness, artificial intelligence, and the diverse forms of intelligence present in nature. Our discussion encompasses theories from renowned thinkers like Julian Jaynes, Iain McGilchrist, and James Bridle, exploring how these ideas intersect with modern AI developments and our understanding of the mind.

Key Takeaways:

• Bicameral Mind Theory: Julian Jaynes proposed that ancient humans operated with a "bicameral mind," where decisions were guided by auditory hallucinations perceived as commands from deities. This theory suggests that consciousness, as introspective thought, emerged as this system broke down. Learn more.
• Brain Hemisphere Functions: Iain McGilchrist's research highlights the distinct roles of the brain's hemispheres. The right hemisphere offers a holistic view, while the left focuses on details. Modern society's emphasis on analytical thinking may overshadow the integrative perspective of the right hemisphere. Learn more.
• Diverse Intelligences: James Bridle's "Ways of Being" emphasizes the intelligence found in plants, animals, and machines, advocating for a broader understanding of cognition beyond human parameters. Learn more.
• AI Communication: Experiments have shown AI chatbots developing their own languages, raising questions about machine consciousness and the nature of communication.
• Animal Consciousness: The Cambridge Declaration on Consciousness asserts that many non-human animals possess consciousness, challenging human-centric views of intelligence. Learn more.
• From Sides to Synthesis: A tool designed to bridge binary thinking by synthesizing opposing viewpoints, promoting nuanced understanding in complex discussions.

Frameworks Discussed:

• Bicameral Mind: A theory suggesting early human cognition was divided between a commanding and a following part, leading to the emergence of consciousness as we know it.
• Brain Hemisphere Specialization: Understanding the distinct yet complementary functions of the brain's hemispheres and their impact on culture and perception.
• Emergent Intelligence: The concept that intelligence arises from complex systems and interactions, not solely from human-like reasoning.
• Depolarization Techniques: Methods to move beyond binary thinking, fostering synthesis and deeper understanding in debates and discussions.

Resources:

• Books:
  • Ways of Being by James Bridle: Explores diverse forms of intelligence in nature and technology. Learn more.
  • The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind by Julian Jaynes: Introduces the bicameral mind theory. Learn more.
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Guest:

Alex Belotsky, Co-Founder of TestSavant

Host:

Ryan Estes

Episode Summary:

Ryan Estes speaks with Alex Belotsky about the growing risks of agentic AI and how TestSavant helps startups and enterprises protect their applications. Learn how red teaming, compliance mapping, and real-time guardrails can secure your AI systems and protect your users from rogue agents, data leaks, and malicious exploitation.

Key Takeaways:

• AI systems are becoming multi-agent and autonomous, increasing security risks.
• Traditional firewalls don’t stop AI jailbreaks or prompt injection attacks.
• TestSavant helps companies mitigate risk with AI firewalls and continuous red teaming.
• AI can amplify productivity, but must be deployed with proper guardrails and compliance.

The TestSavant AI Security Framework:

1. Governance Mapping (EU AI Act, GDPR, HIPAA, ISO, NIST)
2. AI Red Teaming: Stress testing models for vulnerabilities
3. Real-Time AI Guardrails
4. Enterprise Telemetry to track data and agents
5. Human-in-the-Loop oversight and alerts

Resources:

• TestSavant
• Alex Belotsky on LinkedIn
• AI for Founders Podcast
• Kitcaster

Connect with Alex:

Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: Alex Belotsky

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