This episode dives into the evolving space where entrepreneurship, education, and AI collide. Host Susan Diaz sits down with Deborah Carraro, an educator, AI leader, and founder of ideborah, to unpack how early-stage entrepreneurs can approach AI with creativity, experimentation, and values alignment.

Deborah, who also leads AI efforts at Coralus (formerly SheEO), shares her insights from working with founders and students navigating new tech - often for the very first time.

💡 Key Themes

Confidence over perfection: The first step to AI literacy is giving yourself permission to try

Small experiments > Big overwhelm: Starting with low-stakes tools to build intuition

AI as a creativity booster: Using tools to prototype faster, not skip the strategy

The Coralus approach: Why community, trust, and collective intelligence matter in this tech shift

Values-aligned implementation: Replacing fear narratives with intentional, human-first use

📌 “AI is just a tool - the magic is in how you apply it.” — Deborah Carraro “We can’t wait until we feel fully ready. We need to start experimenting now.” — Susan Diaz

🔗 Guest Links

Website - ideborah.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ideborah1/ 

Loved the episode and want guided implementation? 

Marketing Power Circle is where founders and fractional CMOs build the workflows that free 5-10 hours a week. 

You’ll find more information here: https://cpdigitalinc.vipmembervault.com/products/courses/view/1157552 

Rate and review the show so more entrepreneurs can commit to AI literacy.

In this episode, Melissa Lloyd, founder of Aigility Hub, joins host Susan Diaz to explore the mindset-first approach to adopting AI. We unpack why tools and tactics should follow clarity, confidence, and intentional leadership.

This conversation is a must-listen for entrepreneurs and leaders feeling overwhelmed by tech shifts and wondering how to bring human-centred strategy to their AI journey.

💡 Key Themes:

Mindset before tools: Why jumping into automation without alignment is a fast path to failure

From fear to fluency: A leader’s journey from AI-skeptic to AI-evangelist

Overwhelm is optional: Practical ways to curate your learning and stay grounded

AI ≠ a separate strategy: It’s your business strategy with AI built in

Trust in the age of deepfakes: How emotional intelligence and values build durable credibility

Leadership redefined: The new rules of leading with EQ in uncertain times

🔗 Guest Links:

Website: agilityhub.aiLinkedIn: Melissa Lloyd

🧠 Snippet to remember:

“There’s no such thing as getting it wrong - just get going. The only thing in your way is your mindset.” – Melissa Lloyd

Timestamps to note:

03:15 – Why the mental “lens” you carry drives every AI decision and result 08:45 – The overwhelm loop: news velocity, comparison and “never-enough” skills 15:30 – Coaching leaders one-to-one when the org isn’t aligned yet 19:10 – How curiosity neutralizes fear and opens space for experimentation 22:40 – Micro-habits for AI mastery: 20-min sandbox, daily reflection log  

Loved the episode and want guided implementation? 

Marketing Power Circle is where founders and fractional CMOs build the workflows that free 5-10 hours a week. 

You’ll find more information here: https://cpdigitalinc.vipmembervault.com/products/courses/view/1157552 

Rate and review the show so more entrepreneurs can commit to AI literacy.

Ready to stop cursing at that under-performing GPT (that you lovingly built - only to watch it spit out meh)? In this short episode, host Susan Diaz breaks down five foundations every custom GPT needs before it can truly earn a spot on your team, plus a 48-hour challenge to tune-up (or totally transform) the bot you already have.

What’s inside

🧑‍💻 The mindset flip: treat your GPT like a junior hire, not a piece of software.

⚙️ SOPs > prompts: why bolting on a clear, bullet-proof workflow instantly levels up output quality.

📚 Rules vs. knowledge base: the single most common structural mistake - and how to fix it in minutes.

🔄 Iterate like a dev: simple edit-test loops that turn “average” into “80% done for me”.

🌟 Show, don’t tell: how curated examples teach your bot what “good” looks like.

🛠️ Troubleshooting trio: quick fixes for vague answers, hallucinations, or bland, off-brand copy.

🚀 48-Hour Challenge: a step-by-step sprint to debug your weakest GPT and get it producing win-worthy work.

Quick-hit timestamps

00:48 – Why custom GPTs are a core skill inside Marketing Power Circle 03:12 – The five foundations - tl;dr 04:35 – Foundation #1: delegate like you’re onboarding a human 05:48 – Foundation #2: document every step (your GPT can’t read minds) 08:50 – Foundation #3: split rules from reference material 10:37 – Foundation #4: iterate, test, let teammates break it 11:57 – Foundation #5: define “done” with gold-standard examples 12:42 – Common failures 15:04 – The 48-Hour GPT Fix-It Challenge 15:52 – Ready for real momentum? Join Marketing Power Circle

Resources and next steps

Marketing Power Circle (MPC) – Susan’s AI-implementation mastermind for founder-led teams ready to save 5-10 hours a week with battle-tested workflows → Grab your seat here Want Susan to review your tuned-up GPT? DM her “Challenge Complete” on LinkedIn, after you run the 48-hour sprint - one listener will snag a free MPC Open-House pass.

Enjoying the show? 

Drop a 5-star rating so more founders can build AI literacy (and fewer “meh” GPTs).

AI literacy is non-negotiable for the future - thanks for learning alongside us!

In this week’s ‘AI Literacy for Entrepreneurs’ I tap three founders who turned very human skill-sets - strategy, street-level video, personal style - into AI-fuelled growth engines.

What we cover

Quiz funnels that work while you sleep

Growth strategist Maiko Sakai dissects why most quizzes flop, then shows how she drafts curiosity-packed titles in ChatGPT and lets Interact’s new AI builder spin out all the logic branches in minutes.

From one hour of phone clips to 40+ assets Dori Adams, founder of Shutterb, explains how she’d turn everyday “content-paparazzi” into content for days. She walks us through the stack that multiplies content raw material into a month of social posts.

Confident personal brands Personal-brand stylist Renee Lindo explains why your outfit is the “packaging” of your expertise and how AI is becoming a low-risk playground for trying colour palettes, outfit pairings and mood-board inspo before you buy.

I close with three points:

1. Small teams can now run at enterprise speed.

2. Custom GPTs are documented SOPs on autopilot.

3. Your next job is to decide what still needs your brain - and delegate the rest to the bot.

Resources mentioned

Interact AI Quiz Builder - Maiko’s go-to quiz platform

ReelTrends - Dori’s “what’s-popping” audio and format tracker

Want deeper implementation?

Founders are building these workflows live inside Marketing Power Circle (MPC), my AI-implementation mastermind for founder-led teams. You’ll find information here.

Rate + review if today’s episode sparked an idea - and see you in the next episode!

‘AI Literacy for Entrepreneurs’ gets a role-reversal this week: host Susan is in the hot-seat, guesting on Bárbara Daroca’s Hello, Success! Podcast and the convo was too good not to syndicate here. If you’re building a business on your own terms (and wondering how AI fits into that life-by-design plan), save this one for your next walk.

Why listen:

Susan’s origin story - from lifetime marketer, to chocolate-maker, to AI-agency founder

The 4am Report pivot, and why podcasting early (and tiny) massively paid off (even inspiring Barbara to launch her own podcast.

How generative AI really changes the writing game (hint: commodity content is toast; strategy wins)

Grocery-list automation, Instacart GPTs, and other un-sexy life hacks that buy back brain-space

Defining success as 60 % white space - and how to protect it while scaling

Timestamps: 

03:12 - From newborn + nine-to-five to solopreneur experiments (including artisan chocolate) 

09:40 - Launching the 4am Report - catching podcasting’s “second wave” 

15:30 - ChatGPT’s light-bulb moment: “This is the next calculator.” 

19:50 - Will AI replace writers? Only if you let it. 

23:45 - Master-prompts: ask the AI to ask you better questions 

27:20 - Success = space: designing work and life with 60 % white space

Links and resources:

Bárbara Daroca’s podcast Hello, Success! - follow here → https://open.spotify.com/show/71SThCwTzHSFC1F9N5jBKZ

Susan’s AI agency: https://www.peacefulaimarketing.com

Marketing Power Circle - the implementation mastermind for founder-led teams → https://cpdigitalinc.vipmembervault.com/products/courses/view/1157552

If this episode helped you rethink what success could look like, share it with a fellow founder.

Drop a rating inside your podcast app. Your five-seconds of love keeps these conversations flowing.

Stay curious, stay human, and keep 60% of your calendar blissfully blank.

In this episode of ‘AI Literacy for Entrepreneurs’, Susan Diaz chats with Jesse Clarke - founder of JN Clarke Consulting and a strategic advisor to nonprofits and social impact entrepreneurs. With deep roots in both federal government and charitable sectors, Jesse brings a pragmatic, values-first lens to the role AI is beginning to play in nonprofit strategy.

What to expect:

How AI is quietly transforming grant writing and government funding workflows

The ethical red flags nonprofits must consider as they adopt Gen AI

Why 30-35% of orgs are already using AI (and more unofficially)

How Jesse uses AI in her work - and her personal life

The hidden opportunity for small teams to leap ahead before regulation catches up

This conversation is packed with real-world use cases, policy-level insight, and warm, witty reminders that critical thinking and values must still lead the way.

🔗 Links & Mentions

Follow Jesse Clarke on LinkedIn for her upcoming “AI for Grant Writing” course and strategic tools for working with government.

👋 Connect with Susan Diaz on LinkedIn or Instagram. Stay connected with Susan and other human-first, AI-smart marketers: Join the Marketing Power Circle for monthly deep dives, custom workflows, and peer-led AI innovation.

📌 Don’t forget Podcasts live forever - bookmark this one for your next team strategy day.

💥 If this episode resonated, share it with a friend - and don’t forget to leave a 5-star rating. It helps more founders find the support they need in an AI-powered world.

In this heartfelt and thought-provoking conversation, host Susan Diaz sits down with Liat Horovitz - results coach, founder of Revival Retreats, and host of The Results Club Podcast - to explore what it really means to grow a business (and a life) in the age of AI without losing your humanity.

With a background in big tech and marketing, Liat walked away from corporate life to pursue a more connected, values-led path. In this episode, she shares what it takes to make a bold leap - and how we can embrace AI without sacrificing the human essence that makes us impactful leaders.

💡 In This Episode, we Cover

Why Connection Is the Real Currency: AI can do a lot, but it can’t replace human connection. Liat shares how connection remains the heartbeat of business success.

Bridging Corporate and Entrepreneurial Mindsets: Liat explains how her background in both worlds helps her coach entrepreneurs through high-stakes decisions.

Facing AI Fears with Curiosity: From data privacy to job security, we unpack the real concerns people have with AI - and why asking better questions is the antidote to fear.

The Power of Thoughtful Adoption: We talk about how Liat uses ChatGPT, how her team is automating the right things, and why AI can be your secret time-saver when approached with intention.

Revival 5.0 and the Future of Human-Centered Business: Liat reflects on what it takes to build sustainable communities and experiences - and why the future of growth is relational, not transactional.

Key Quotes

“AI will never replace connection. It can support you, enhance your process, but it will never replace the feeling of being seen and heard.”

“Every bit of success I’ve had has come from relationships. There’s no hack for that.”

“You don’t want to make business decisions from a place of scarcity. That’s where so many people get stuck.”

🎧 Listen Now and hit that 5-star rating button as you play.

👋 Connect with Liat:

• Website: liathorovitz.com

• Podcast: The Results Club

• Instagram @liathorovitz

• Liat Horovitz on LinkedIn

👋 Connect with Susan Diaz on LinkedIn or Instagram.

💥 If this episode resonated, share it with a friend - and don’t forget to leave a 5-star rating. It helps more founders find the support they need in an AI-powered world.

Want to deepen your own strategy and stay ahead in the AI landscape?

👉 Join the Marketing Power Circle for monthly deep dives, custom workflows, and peer-led AI innovation.

In this foundational solo episode, host Susan Diaz breaks down the three core concepts every founder-led team needs to understand to build a meaningful relationship with AI. Whether you’re just dipping your toes into AI or looking to sharpen your implementation strategy, this is your no-fluff starting point.

What you’ll Learn

📌 Why founder-led teams are uniquely positioned to thrive with AI - if they embrace literacy and implementation now.

📌 Why mindset is just as important as toolset.

📌 How to avoid the trap of chasing shiny new tools and instead build a strategy that aligns with your business.

Core Concepts Covered

🧩 Machine Learning – How AI spots patterns and evolves (and how you're already using it without realizing).

🧩 Generative AI – The game-changer: from content to music, what it means to generate vs. predict.

🧩 Prompt Engineering – The real skill for entrepreneurs: how to speak to AI in a way that makes it useful and strategic.

🛠 Plus

→ How to stop thinking of AI as just a tech tool and start treating it like a strategic team member.

→ A reminder that AI is non-optional - it’s your job as a founder to set the tone for how your team uses it.

🎯 Top Quote: "Think less tools and more strategy. Name and solve your fears. Your mindset is the single biggest unlock to using AI as your growth engine." – Susan Diaz

🎧 Listen to the episode now and start building your own AI literacy foundation.

👉 Subscribe and leave a 5⭐️ review 

🔗 Resources and Freebies

📘 Download the free guide: Reclaim 3 Hours a Day – The Busy Founder’s AI Toolkit

11 practical AI tools to streamline marketing, sales & operations. No tech background required.

➡️ Get it here  peacefulaimarketing.com/busy-founders-ai-toolkit

🎓 Join MPC Susan Diaz’s AI Mastermind

Want to go from AI curious to AI confident? Join our Marketing Power Circle mastermind. Learn alongside a council of peers, build custom workflows, and unlock compound time savings.

Learn More About Marketing Power Circle 

🔔 Stay Connected

Follow Susan on LinkedIn and Instagram for more behind-the-scenes breakdowns, real-time AI experiments, and resources built for founder-led brands.

In this insightful episode of ‘AI Literacy for Entrepreneurs’, host Susan Diaz sits down with Steph Sedgwick, founder of Clarity Web Design, to explore how good web design is evolving in the age of AI, accessibility, and changing SEO dynamics.

About Steph Sedgwick: Steph specializes in creating websites that genuinely perform - going far beyond aesthetic appeal to ensure they’re accessible, user-friendly, and strategically optimized. She highlights how designing for accessibility is not just inclusive but also excellent business strategy, significantly boosting organic traffic.

Key Discussion Points:

Good Web Design in 2025: Why visual aesthetics alone won’t cut it. Good design means functionality, accessibility, and essentialism - focusing intentionally on content that delivers clear, measurable value.

Accessibility as a Business Advantage: Steph shares startling statistics - 97% of websites aren't accessibility-friendly. She details how making your website accessible leads to dramatically improved user experience and organic search results (average 450% increase!)

Why Pretty Paperweights Don't Work: Websites need to serve practical purposes, not just look appealing. Learn why functionality and accessibility should be your priority.

AI and Web Design: Steph demystifies the hype around AI-generated websites. AI can enhance your workflow but can't replace human strategic insights or understanding of customer needs - yet.

SEO and AI: Practical advice on using AI to evaluate your web copy for readability and skimmability, ensuring your content appeals to both humans and search engines.

Steph’s Pro Tips for Entrepreneurs:

• Avoid "ego-driven" website designs. Your website should appeal to your target audience, not just reflect your personal preferences.

• Conduct regular checks on basic website functionality (responsive design, working links).

• Use AI wisely - especially for tasks like editing and improving clarity, rather than expecting fully autonomous website creation.

Time Stamps for Key Highlights in this Episode:

• 01:27 - The importance of moving from "pretty paperweights" to functional web design

• 02:32 - How accessibility boosts organic traffic by 450%

• 06:29 - Defining “good design” in 2025

• 11:21 - Why responsive design remains critical

• 27:10 - AI-generated websites: myth vs. reality

• 35:26 - Practical SEO tips using AI

• 39:14 - How Steph personally leverages AI for productivity

Connect with Steph Sedgwick on LinkedIn.

Website: claritywebdesign.ca 

Instagram: @claritywebdesign

Upcoming Roundtable Event: Steph host regular insightful roundtables. Her next one is "From Invisible to Unmissable: SEO and Accessibility Intersection", diving deeper into how to effectively blend SEO and accessibility for maximum business impact.

🎧 Listen now to elevate your website’s functionality and accessibility in an AI-driven world!

Subscribe and Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the podcast - it helps us continue to bring AI literacy your way!

Follow Susan Diaz on LinkedIn: Susan Diaz

Free Resource for Busy Founders: Reclaim 3 Hours a Day with The Busy Founder’s AI Toolkit 11 Practical AI Tools to Streamline your Marketing, Sales, and day-to-day Operations - No Tech Background Required. 👉 Grab your free toolkit now

In this episode, Susan Diaz sits down with Renee Lindo, personal and brand stylist, to chat about why personal style is crucial for entrepreneurs building strong brands in the age of AI. Renee shares how style acts as a powerful communication tool, setting the stage before you even say a word.

Key Takeaways:

Your Style as Personal Branding

Renee emphasizes how your style is your "packaging" and directly influences first impressions, branding consistency, and professional opportunities.

Capsule Wardrobe 101 for Entrepreneurs

Practical tips to create a personalized capsule wardrobe, saving entrepreneurs valuable time and mental energy.

The Intersection of Style, Energy, and Confidence

Insights on how dressing intentionally can shift your mindset, elevate confidence, and open doors to new opportunities.

Common Style Challenges for Entrepreneurs

Renee discusses overcoming blocks like feeling camera-ready and creating content with ease simply by being intentional about getting dressed each day.

Can AI Enhance your Style?

Tips on leveraging AI as a starting point for outfit ideas, online shopping recommendations, and even color choices, while still emphasizing the importance of personal touch.

Practical Advice:

• Conduct a style audit: Align your wardrobe with your brand by clarifying your personal style and using tools like Pinterest for inspiration.

• Invest intentionality: Plan outfits ahead to boost content creation ease and reduce decision fatigue.

Episode Timestamps:

02:45 Why your personal style matters more than ever in the age of AI

07:12 How your wardrobe directly impacts your confidence and opportunities

12:30 Creating a capsule wardrobe to simplify entrepreneurial life

17:05 Overcoming style blocks and feeling camera-ready effortlessly

21:50 Leveraging AI to elevate your personal style without losing your authenticity

28:15 Conducting a practical style audit to align your wardrobe with your brand

Guest Spotlight:

Renee Lindo specializes in empowering entrepreneurs through style and confidence. Connect with her on LinkedIn and explore her insights on personal branding and styling.

Connect with Renee on LinkedIn: Renee Lindo

Tune in and discover how to amplify your entrepreneurial success through intentional personal branding and styling.