Is AI search killing traditional SEO? In this episode of AI Today, Kathryn Tsoukalas (Director of Marketing at Brick Marketing) explains how AI engines, top-of-page answers, and AEO/GEO are altering the way customers find your business online.

Discover why visitors land on your site later in the buying process, how to conduct a brand cleanup so AI engines don't get confused, and how to optimize your content across directories, LinkedIn, and video transcripts.

Think AI is just a bright, shiny object? Think again. In this episode of AI Today, host Lou Bortone sits down with Brett Wallace, founder of Agent Discovery, to unpack how small and mid-sized businesses can use AI voice agents and automation to eliminate everyday operational bottlenecks. Brett shares his journey from creating a personal phone agent to field recruiter calls, to building sophisticated, multi-tool integrations with Claude Code. Learn the difference between standard automation and agentic workflows, and discover how to let AI handle the boring stuff so you can focus on human connection.

Are you drowning in AI tools? You aren't alone. In this episode of AI Today, host Lou sits down with longtime marketing expert and AI Success Club co-founder Denise Wakeman to cut through the generative AI hype.

Denise shares her journey from testing ChatGPT in its earliest days to shifting her focus toward building local-host applications. They dive deep into practical AI use cases for solopreneurs, content repurposing strategies, why Claude is outperforming ChatGPT as a writing partner, and the critical step of aggressive editing to humanize your brand. Plus, learn why building simple micro-tools might be your ultimate visibility strategy.

Tune in to discover how to keep your marketing human in an automated world!

Are you wasting time as the "manual bridge" between your business tools? Marvin Martinez, co-founder of Bandsaw AI, joins Lou Bortone to break down the 3 layers of AI automation. Learn how to qualify leads in 60 seconds, use AI agents to manage your inbox, and why the "80/20 human-in-the-loop" rule is essential for scaling a small business without losing your mind

Is your business invisible to AI? SEO expert Darlene Killen joins Lou Bortone to break down Generative Engine Optimization (GEO). Learn why traditional keyword stuffing is dead and how to make your small business "findable" in the era of AI summary boxes and Gemini search.

Social media expert Katie Brinkley joins Lou Bortone to discuss "The Social Shift." Discover why engagement is hitting record lows despite AI making content easier to produce, and learn Katie’s strategy for using podcasts as a content engine without losing your human touch.

Are you "circling" AI but not actually using it to run your business? In this solo episode, Lou Bortone breaks down the "AI Confidence Gap" and introduces a month-long immersive experience designed to move you from guessing to doing. No homework, no complex courses—just real-time AI integration.

Are your AI tools secretly putting you at risk for a lawsuit? ⚖️ In this episode of AI Today, Lou Bortone sits down with "Legal Website Warrior" Heather Pearce Campbell to discuss the rising trend of mass arbitration and why your AI chatbot might be violating wiretapping laws.

Watch here: https://youtu.be/zeheR2YzODY

We’re covering:

• The "Short List" of Cringeworthy AI Practices: Why plaintiff's attorneys are targeting small businesses right now.

• The Consent Crisis: Why you MUST get explicit consent before activating AI chatbots or data collection tools like Google Analytics.

• The IP Truth Bomb: Why you cannot seek copyright protection for content generated solely by AI.

• AI Policies: How to disclose AI use to your clients and on your website to remain transparent and "above board".

Don't wait until you get a demand letter to handle your compliance!

Are you the driver or the passenger in your AI workflow? In this episode of AI Today, Lou Bortone welcomes visual storyteller Rosie Battista to discuss the "magic sauce" of image crafting.

Watch here: https://youtu.be/KR7_GkXcX9k

We’re covering:

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  The Expert Stack: How Rosie uses Midjourney, Canva, and layering techniques.

  
  

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  "Shaking the Book": A unique method for turning book methodologies into visual archetypes.

  
  

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  The Ethics of AI Art: Why maintaining your "artistic edge" matters in a world of generic prompts.

  
  

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  Overcoming the "Non-Creative" Label: Practical advice for finding your unique style.

  
  

YouTube Title: How to Create Consistent AI Characters & Visual Storytelling with Rosie Battista

YouTube Description:Stop letting AI drive your creativity! Visual storyteller Rosie Battista joins Lou Bortone to explain why you must remain the "Director" of your AI tools. Rosie shares her "Shaking the Book" method for bringing characters to life and creating original, ethical AI art that doesn't look like everyone else's.

Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/KR7_GkXcX9k

Key Timestamps:

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  0:00 – Intro: Visual Storytelling & AI

  
  

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  1:10 – Why you must be the "Director"

  
  

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  2:16 – Rosie’s favorite tool stack (Midjourney & Canva)

  
  

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  5:46 – Creating consistent archetypes for card decks

  
  

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  10:54 – Don't lose yourself in the tool

  
  

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  13:32 – Advice for the "non-creative"

  
  

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  21:19 – The Completion Archetype Quiz

Connect with Rosie:Visit RosieBattista.com to find her completion quiz.

Lou Bortone sits down with Ian Cook, SVP of AI at Clue, to discuss how to stay grounded in an era of dizzying AI breakthroughs. Ian explains why AI should be viewed as an "amplifier" for your business rather than a replacement for your staff.

In this episode, you'll learn about the latest "Low-Code" and "No-Code" tools like Lovable and Claude Code that allow anyone to build custom software in minutes. Whether you're a solopreneur or a tech leader, Ian’s insights on focusing on "The Why" will help you navigate the AI firehose without getting soaked.