Artificial intelligence is everywhere—but how much of it is real, and how much is just hype?

In this episode of Born Before the Algorithm, I sit down with Heather McLean, a U.S. Air Force veteran, CEO, and AI strategist who has spent more than 25 years leading technology, logistics, and enterprise transformation.

Heather shares her journey from serving two decades in the U.S. Air Force to leading large engineering organizations and ultimately founding McLean Forrester, a veteran- and woman-owned technology consulting firm helping businesses adopt AI with clarity and purpose.

We dive into what leaders are getting wrong about AI, how companies can move beyond buzzwords to real implementation, why people—not technology—are the foundation of successful innovation, and the leadership lessons Heather learned from both military service and entrepreneurship.

Whether you’re a business owner, executive, entrepreneur, or simply curious about the future of AI, this conversation offers practical insights on navigating one of the biggest technological shifts of our time.

Guest Contact Details

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-mclean1/

Connect with Heather on LinkedIn to learn more about AI strategy, technology leadership, digital transformation, and the work she and her team are doing at McLean Forrester. Let her know you discovered her through Born Before the Algorithm.

What happens when artificial intelligence becomes more intelligent than the people who created it?

In this thought-provoking episode of Born Before the Algorithm, I sit down with Dr. Craig A. Kaplan, an AI pioneer who has spent more than four decades researching intelligent systems and developing technologies designed for safe, ethical Superintelligence.

Together, we explore the future of AI, the challenges of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), why AI alignment matters, and how humanity can build systems that remain guided by human values rather than replacing them. Dr. Kaplan also shares insights from his work with Nobel Prize winner Dr. Herbert A. Simon, his vision for Democratic AI, and why he believes collective intelligence—not centralized control—is the key to a safer future.

If you’ve ever wondered where AI is really heading, what the risks actually are, and how we can shape technology for the benefit of everyone, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Guest Contact Details

Website: https://www.superintelligence.com

YouTube (AI & Superintelligence Playlist): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFI0XN-JuqL6W8q4Yei7qvd1B28LW_thb

Explore Dr. Kaplan’s research, educational resources, AI safety frameworks, and open-source work on building ethical, human-centered Superintelligence.

What does it really take to grow a business without burning yourself—or your team—out?

In this episode of Born Before the Algorithm, I sit down with Anna Rikka Aborro, founder of TAP OBM and TAP Virtual Solutions, to explore why sustainable growth isn’t about working harder—it’s about building better systems.

With nearly two decades of experience in operations, project management, and business strategy, Anna shares how entrepreneurs can move from constantly putting out fires to creating businesses that run with clarity, structure, and confidence.

We also dive into leadership, delegation, building high-performing remote teams, and why the businesses that thrive in the age of AI will still be the ones built on strong human systems.

If you’re an entrepreneur, founder, or business owner looking to scale without sacrificing your sanity, this conversation is packed with practical insights you can apply immediately.

Guest Contact Details

Website / Book a Discovery Call:

https://tapobm.com/discovery-call

What happens when life changes in an instant—and you decide to reinvent not only yourself, but the lives of countless others?

In this episode of Born Before the Algorithm, I sit down with Douglas Katz, a West Point graduate, disabled Army veteran, inventor, and entrepreneur whose mission is to restore independence through human-centered innovation.

After a life-changing injury, Douglas transformed personal adversity into purpose by creating groundbreaking products like NULU, the Golfresco, and a hyperconfigurable arm sling designed to improve everyday life for people with disabilities. Our conversation explores resilience, adaptive innovation, entrepreneurship, and why technology should always serve humanity—not replace it.

If you’ve ever wondered how purpose can emerge from life’s greatest challenges, this episode is one you won’t want to miss.

Guest Contact Details

* Website: https://dougkatz8.wixsite.com/douglasmkatz

AI is changing the way businesses operate, but the biggest threats to a company often have nothing to do with technology—they begin with weak contracts, poor legal planning, and avoidable business mistakes.

In this episode of Born Before the Algorithm, I sit down with Matthew Fornaro, a business law attorney who has been helping entrepreneurs and companies navigate complex legal challenges since 2003.

We explore the legal issues every founder should understand, from business formation and intellectual property to contracts, litigation risks, and how AI is beginning to reshape the legal profession. Matthew also shares practical advice on protecting your business before problems arise, rather than paying the price after they do.

Whether you’re launching your first startup or growing an established company, this conversation will help you think differently about the legal foundation every successful business needs.

Connect with Matthew Fornaro

🌐 Website: https://fornarolegal.com/

Matthew’s website is a valuable resource for businesses looking for guidance on business law, commercial litigation, intellectual property, contracts, business formation, construction law, and other legal matters.

What separates marketing that simply looks busy from marketing that actually drives business growth?

In this episode of Born Before the Algorithm, I sit down with Redha Alayesh, founder of Building Marketing Department (BMD) and author of Building Your Marketing Department. With experience building more than 40 marketing departments across the GCC, Redha shares why many companies don’t have a marketing problem—they have a department problem.

We discuss the BUILD Framework, why vanity metrics often mislead businesses, how leaders can align sales and marketing, and what it takes to build a marketing function that delivers measurable revenue. Redha also shares lessons from building and closing companies, the realities of entrepreneurship, and how AI is reshaping the future of marketing without replacing the need for strategy, clarity, and human leadership.

Whether you’re a founder, executive, marketer, or business leader, this episode is packed with practical insights on creating sustainable growth in the age of AI.

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📞 Redha Alayesh’s Contact Details

🌐 Website: https://buildingyourmarketingdepartment.com/

📖 Free Scale Readiness Assessment:

https://buildingyourmarketingdepartment.com/

📚 Building Marketing Department (BMD)

Explore the BUILD Framework, join the community, and get notified when the book launches. The website also provides resources to help executives build marketing departments that drive measurable revenue rather than vanity metrics.

As artificial intelligence rapidly transforms the way we work, learn, and live, one question becomes more important than ever: What does it truly mean to be human?

In this episode of Born Before the Algorithm, I sit down with Dr. Angela Meyers—author of Versatile: Human Intelligence in an Artificial Age, researcher, speaker, and founder of Polymaths Place.

Together, we explore why adaptability, critical thinking, lifelong learning, and cognitive diversity may become the most valuable skills in an AI-driven world. Angela shares insights from her years of research in organizational learning, leadership, and human intelligence, explaining why the future won’t belong only to specialists—but to people who can connect ideas, collaborate across disciplines, and continuously evolve.

If you’ve ever wondered how to stay relevant, lead with confidence, and preserve what makes us uniquely human in the age of AI, this conversation is for you.

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📞 Dr. Angela Meyers’ Contact Details

🌐 Website: https://www.drangelameyers.com

🧠 Knower-Learner Assessment: https://www.drangelameyers.com/knowerlearner

📚 Book: Versatile: Human Intelligence in an Artificial Age

Connect with Dr. Angela Meyers to learn more about human intelligence, leadership, lifelong learning, and thriving alongside AI.

What if the greatest challenge of the AI era isn’t building smarter machines—but becoming better humans?

In this episode of Born Before the Algorithm, Vicz sits down with Arnold Beekes, founder of Brain Athletes, to explore how we can thrive in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence without losing what makes us human.

Arnold shares his powerful journey from a lifetime of conformity to developing the Brain Athletes movement, a philosophy that helps people break free from limiting beliefs, strengthen emotional intelligence, and become “Better for All Leaders.” Together, they discuss why success isn’t about fitting in, how un-conditioning allows us to unlock our true potential, and why curiosity, purpose, compassion, and authentic human connection will be our greatest competitive advantages in the age of AI.

If you’ve ever wondered how to stay grounded, lead with purpose, and embrace innovation without sacrificing your humanity, this conversation is for you.

Guest Contact Details

Guest: Arnold Beekes

Organization: Brain Athletes

Website: https://www.brainathletes.club/

Call to Action

If today’s conversation inspired you, visit https://www.brainathletes.club/ to learn more about the Brain Athletes movement and discover how you can become a Better for All Leader by developing stronger thinking, deeper self-awareness, and more meaningful human connections in the AI age.

What does it really take to lead when there’s no finish line?

In this episode of Born Before the Algorithm, Vicz sits down with Craig Wahl, executive leader, author of The Walk: Leadership When There Is No Finish Line, and someone whose journey has been shaped by both extraordinary success and unimaginable adversity.

From surviving a near-fatal accident to leading more than 700 people through a $500 million capital raise and helping scale a company from just 8 employees to over 300 in less than two years, Craig shares the leadership lessons that can’t be learned from a textbook.

Together, they explore resilience, decision-making under pressure, navigating uncertainty, the human side of leadership, and why endurance—not perfection—is the true mark of great leaders. They also discuss how AI is changing the workplace and why empathy, character, and authentic leadership will become even more valuable in an increasingly automated world.

If you’re an entrepreneur, executive, founder, or anyone leading through change, this episode will challenge you to rethink what lasting leadership really looks like.

Guest Contact Details

Guest: Craig Wahl

Book: The Walk: Leadership When There Is No Finish Line

Pre-order: http://www.craigawahl.com/preorder

Call to Action

If today’s conversation resonated with you, be sure to pre-order Craig Wahl’s upcoming book, The Walk: Leadership When There Is No Finish Line, at http://www.craigawahl.com/preorder. It’s a powerful resource for leaders who want to build resilience, lead with purpose, and thrive through life’s toughest challenges.

As AI continues to reshape search, marketing, and the way businesses connect with customers, one question matters more than ever: How do you stay human in an increasingly automated world?

In this episode of Born Before the Algorithm, Vicz sits down with Wes Towers, founder of Uplift 360, to explore how businesses can embrace AI without sacrificing authenticity. With more than 20 years of experience helping trades, construction, and industrial businesses grow through smarter websites, practical SEO, and trust-driven marketing, Wes shares why genuine relationships still outperform shortcuts.

Together, they discuss the changing landscape of digital marketing, how AI is transforming search, why trust has become the most valuable business asset, and the practical strategies business owners can use to remain visible, relevant, and competitive in an algorithm-driven world.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, business owner, marketer, or simply curious about the future of AI and human connection, this conversation offers practical insights that will help you navigate what’s next.

Guest Contact Details

Guest: Wes Towers

Company: Uplift 360

Website: https://uplift360.com.au

Call to Action

If you enjoyed today’s conversation and want to learn more about building a website that actually converts, improving your SEO, and growing your business through authentic marketing strategies, visit https://uplift360.com.au to connect with Wes and explore how Uplift 360 helps businesses thrive in the AI era.