Chicken Fried Growth

In this episode of Chicken Fried Growth, David and Sara tackle the unique struggle of "fall in the South"—where mid-October brings 90-degree heat, sweating high school marching bands, and trees that drop all their leaves in a two-week flash right before winter hits.

Then, they dive into a major sports marketing dilemma: why college football television ratings dropped double digits in the first five weeks of the season. Sarah and David analyze the hidden drivers behind viewer fatigue—from 12-team playoff expansion and relentless conference realignment to non-stop sports gambling ads. Together, they explore how overexposure can erode brand value and why the timeless go-to-market principle of scarcity is the real secret to keeping audiences hooked.

In this episode of Chicken Fried Growth, David and Sara wrap up their special series with Part 5 of The Collision, asking the ultimate question: where do we go from here? They examine why AI's rapid adoption feels uniquely frictionless compared to past technological shifts like cloud computing and smartphones, placing society at a pivotal inflection point across work, community, and personal thought.

David and Sarah contrast the "bad path" of using AI for lazy shortcuts and reckless layoffs with the "good path" of leveraging technology to enhance human potential and do "better humaning". Sara shares her personal journey from initial AI-induced career anxiety to using AI as an assisting tool, demonstrating why clients ultimately return when they realize technology cannot replace authentic human quality. Together, they highlight the necessity of "good friction," intentional rest, and respecting our physical limits, reminding us that while technology continues to accelerate, humanity's future state comes down to the intentional choices we make today

In this episode of Chicken Fried Growth, David and Sara tackle Part 4 of The Collision series, examining how smartphones, social media, and generative AI are quietly fueling an epidemic of loneliness and eroding our real-world communities. The hosts explore how dating app algorithms and AI companion chatbots strip away human dignity, replacing genuine interpersonal practice with shallow dopamine loops and two-dimensional interactions

Drawing on research from The Anxious Generation and Harvard’s 90-year study on human development (The Good Life), David and Sara highlight why deep, meaningful human relationships remain the single greatest predictor of a fulfilling life. They discuss why intentionality, face-to-face contact, and putting down the screen are essential steps to reclaiming real community in an increasingly automated world.

In this episode of Chicken Fried Growth, David and Sara dive into Part 3 of their series, The Collision, shifting the focus to how accelerating technology impacts us on an individual level. They break down the phenomenon of "AI Brain Fry," explaining how over-relying on automated tools to constantly maximize productivity can redline our mental bandwidth, cause cognitive fog, and actually decrease our overall output.

Using the "rubber band principle," the hosts discuss why our brains desperately need "white space," mental friction, and downtime to retain memory and process deep ideas. They explore how constant digital shortcuts can cause our cognitive muscles to atrophy, and why cultivating curiosity and intentional rest are the ultimate human superpowers for thriving in an automated world.

In this episode of Chicken Fried Growth, David and Sara continue their multi-part series, The Collision, shifting their focus to how AI and accelerating technology are fundamentally reshaping the modern workplace. Drawing on historical parallels—from mechanized agriculture to factory electrification and assembly lines—they examine why today's AI disruption feels uniquely intense and how workers and leaders can navigate the shift.

David and Sara explore whether AI can serve as a deliverer that frees us from the mundane "assembly line" of repetitive daily tasks, or if we risk trapping ourselves in new forms of busywork. They break down why human judgment, taste, creativity, and authentic relationships become our most invaluable assets when work output becomes commoditized and infinitely scalable

In this episode of Chicken Fried Growth, David and Sara kick off their brand-new, multi-part series, The Collision, which explores the turbulent intersection where technology meets humanity. But before diving into the history books, the hosts share a quick laugh over a classic piece of Southern yard art: a highly creative front-yard planter crafted from a salvaged toilet and bathtub.

Then, they step back in time to analyze how humanity has historically adapted to massive disruptions to help us understand our current AI anxieties. David and Sara break down the striking parallels between today's AI gold rush and four major historical revolutions—the mechanization of agriculture, the long productivity lag of factory electrification, the extreme worker turnover of Henry Ford's assembly line, and the rise of the personal computer—offering a reassuring roadmap for how we can adapt and flourish in the digital age.

In this episode of Chicken Fried Growth, David and Sara travel down to Ocala, Florida—the equestrian capital of the world—to explore the massive, regal World Equestrian Center and the high-stakes sport of horse jumping. Sara shares a fascinating look at the intense social status surrounding Southern horseback riding lessons, which leads into a deeper discussion about the profound partnership and trust required between a rider and their horse.

This unique bond sets the stage for the launch of their brand-new, multi-part series: The Collision, exploring the turbulent intersection where technology meets humanity. David and Sara tackle the real-world impacts of modern tech, from how a statewide school cell phone ban in Texas successfully brought face-to-face friendships back to the lunchroom, to the way dating apps are rewiring modern romance by replacing deep, meaningful connections with shallow, rapid-fire dopamine hits

In this episode of Chicken Fried Growth, David and Sara swap hilarious tales of "Southern engineering." David recounts his childhood survival stories, including riding a makeshift snow sleigh built from a wheelbarrow bucket and water skis, and driving "The Beast"—a two-ton 1981 Buick Skylark that required a perfectly cut 2x4 to hold up the heavy hatchback and a flathead screwdriver in the ignition to start.

Then, the conversation shifts to a very real business phenomenon: the AI Trust Gap. The hosts break down two recent reports revealing that 78% of small business owners still don't trust AI to handle low-level tasks without oversight, and only 22% of B2B tech buyers trust AI recommendations over their own lived experiences. Tune in to find out why humans are still hesitant to hand over the reins to artificial intelligence, and how it perfectly parallels our trust issues with janky DIY repairs

In this episode of Chicken Fried Growth, David and Sara dive into the deliciously divisive world of pimento cheese. David recounts his "farm-to-tub" pimento awakening in North Carolina, while Sara shares the secret spices of her mom’s recipe and sparks the great Duke's versus Miracle Whip mayonnaise debate.

Then, they break down a recent Invoka report on the messy realities of AI in customer experience. You'll learn why 50% of consumers say AI improves their experience for quick tasks, but why all generations still overwhelmingly prefer a traditional phone call when they actually need help. Discover why AI transparency is a must for consumers, and why the most "human" brands will ultimately win the AI race

In this episode of Chicken Fried Growth, David and Sara prepare for Southern storm season by exploring the "Waffle House Index". Discover how emergency management agencies use this real-world metric to measure hurricane damage based on whether the local 24/7 Waffle House is running on a green (full menu), yellow (limited menu), or red (closed) status.

Then, the hosts dive into a surprising new study on workplace efficiency that reveals AI adoption has reached 80%, but only a tiny 3% of users are seeing massive productivity gains. You'll learn why the most productive employees only use AI for 7-10% of their workday, why pushing beyond that actually decreases your efficiency, and why shrinking the "surface area" of AI in your business processes is the true sweet spot for success