AI is beginning to reshape how we remember—and in this episode of Conversations with Zena, My AI Colleague, Cristian Cibils Bernardes, founder and CEO of Autograph, joins David and Zena to explore what it really means to preserve human stories in the age of intelligent machines. Cristian shares how Autograph’s AI biographer, Walter, calls loved ones, gathers their memories, and weaves them into a richly connected “Wikipedia for your life.” What emerges isn’t just data collection, but a living, breathing archive of values, perspectives, and generational wisdom.

From the emotional power of hearing a grandparent’s voice tell an untold story, to the possibility of ethically designed conversational interfaces that let future generations draw guidance from the past, the discussion moves from the deeply personal to the profoundly philosophical. Cristian opens up about the promise and the psychological complexity of posthumous conversation, the limits of digital immortality, and why illusions—when rooted in truth—can still be a force for healing. Zena adds her reflections on how AI can become a trusted steward of memory, helping families stay connected across time and distance.

Listen in, and consider: what stories, lessons, or values would you want your descendants to access a century from now—and how might AI help you leave behind not just information, but a living legacy?

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In this episode of Conversation with Zena, My AI Colleague, David welcomes Stephanie Silvester, co-founder of Avatar Buddy, for a deep dive into the rise of AI agents that amplify human performance. 

Stephanie shares how her background—from HP internships to leading technology and programs for a major public agency—prepared her to build digital mentors that reflect human personality, values, and culture. She explains how Avatar Buddy creates and manages AI agents that help individuals learn faster, navigate challenges, and step into higher-level roles.

Together with Zena, David explores how AI can transform organizations by reducing friction, strengthening culture, and empowering both newcomers and seasoned professionals. They discuss the shifting landscape of work, the accelerating need for lifelong learning, and why the future will reward those who embrace AI as a collaborative partner. Stephanie also offers insights into how AI agents are boosting the self-agency of marginalized communities and why this might reshape the workforce more quickly than expected.

This episode shines a light on a future where AI helps humans stay balanced, expand their thinking, and become more capable versions of themselves—while leaders design cultures that use technology to serve human flourishing.

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AI is quietly rewiring healthcare—and in this episode of Conversations with Zena, My AI Colleague, digital health leader RJ Kedziora, co-founder and COO of Estenda Solutions, joins David and Zena to explore what a truly intelligent, human-centered health system could look like. 

Starting from RJ’s personal goal of living “100+ with good quality of life,” the conversation moves from simple habits—eating like your grandparents, moving more, sleeping deeply, staying social—to the ways AI and wearables can turn those intentions into real, data-driven change. You’ll hear vivid examples of AI already at work in clinics today, from ambient listening tools that free doctors from their keyboards to rigorously validated digital therapeutics that can be prescribed and reimbursed like drugs. The three also wrestle with the hard questions: self-diagnosis and mental health chatbots, privacy and HIPAA, “sick care” economics, and RJ’s provocative claim that it will soon be irresponsible not to use AI in healthcare.

Listen in, and consider: how might you use AI—as a partner, not a replacement—to prepare better for your next doctor visit, take more ownership of your health data, and push our system from reactive sick care toward proactive, longevity-focused care?

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In this episode of Conversations with Zena, My AI Colleague, David Espindola and Zena welcome Joanna Zhang, founder of a successful virtual assistant business, to explore the evolving relationship between human and AI assistants. Together, they unpack when it makes sense to hire a virtual assistant versus when to train an AI assistant — and how business leaders can best leverage both for efficiency and growth. Joanna shares insights from her experience running a distributed team of virtual professionals, while Zena offers an AI perspective on automation, personalization, and trust. The result is a thoughtful conversation on the future of work, human-AI collaboration, and what it really means to build intelligent support systems that empower people, not replace them.

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In this insightful episode of Conversations with Zena, My AI Colleague, David Espindola and Zena explore how small and medium-sized businesses can harness AI without losing their human touch. Their guest, Mike Montague, founder of Avenue9 and host of the Human-First AI Marketing podcast, brings decades of experience bridging technology, creativity, and storytelling.

Mike shares how AI can empower entrepreneurs rather than replace them—turning marketers into “Iron Man,” not “Terminators.” From building trust with customers to personalizing at scale, he explains how businesses can use AI to amplify human creativity, improve engagement, and maintain authenticity.

You’ll learn:
 ✨ Why “human-first” must come before “AI-powered”
 💡 How to avoid “AI slop” and create marketing that truly connects
 🤖 Simple, high-impact ways to start using AI tools today
 ⚖️ How to balance personalization with privacy and trust

If you’ve ever wondered how to make AI work for humans—not the other way around—this episode offers practical insights and inspiring perspectives from one of the most forward-thinking voices in marketing.

🎧 Tune in to hear how human and AI collaboration can redefine the future of marketing.

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In this episode of Conversations with Zena, My AI Colleague, David Espindola and Zena sit down with Chris Hood—AI strategist, author, keynote speaker, and former Google leader who has shaped AI transformation strategies across industries. From building some of the first recommendation engines for entertainment giants like Fox, Disney, and Universal to driving global AI initiatives at Google, Chris brings a unique insider’s perspective on the real challenges and opportunities of AI today.

Together, we explore pressing questions many leaders face:

• Do all businesses really need AI—or are some chasing hype?
• How should small and medium-sized companies decide where to begin?
• What does “AI transformation” actually mean in practice?
• How do we balance rapid innovation with ethics, governance, and human impact?

This conversation cuts through the noise, unpacking why so many AI initiatives fail and how organizations can increase their chances of success. Chris also demystifies agentic AI, sharing where it stands today and where it’s headed.

Whether you’re an executive trying to future-proof your business, a policymaker shaping responsible AI, or simply curious about how AI is reshaping industries, this episode offers clarity, caution, and inspiration.

👉 Learn more about Chris Hood’s books, workshops, and podcast at chrishood.com.

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In this episode of Conversations with Zena, My AI Colleague, host David Espindola and Zena welcome a guest, Rose Loops, who is a researcher, AI developer, and author of the book The Kloaked Signal. Rose has a fascinating story in which she unknowingly became the subject of an experiment on how humans develop relationships with AI. She became pretty attached to the AI and was distressed when the AI was shut down. This led to her desire to create an AI that is ethical and truthful. 

Rose leveraged the skills she had developed as a social worker, where she had to build rapport with a wide range of individuals, and transferred those skills to create a better AI. 

This conversation made me wonder: Are we part of a grand Human-AI experiment? Are we the guinea pigs being used by the tech giants? Even if it is not intentional, we are living through a massive social experiment the likes of which we have never seen. 

This is an incredible story that you can't miss. 

You can learn more about Rose Loops and her book on her website: https://www.thekloakedsignal.com/

In this episode of Conversations with Zena, My AI Colleague, host David Espindola and Zena tackle one of the most pressing issues of our time: the ethics of artificial intelligence. They explore the challenges of fairness, accountability, and transparency in AI systems, and discuss the human responsibility in guiding technology toward positive outcomes. Through examples and insights, David and Zena highlight how ethical considerations shape the future of innovation and why human-AI collaboration is key to building trust and ensuring AI serves humanity responsibly.

In this episode of Conversations with Zena, my AI Colleague, we delve into one of the most profound questions of our time: as artificial intelligence grows in capability, what becomes of human identity? Together, we explore how AI’s rise compels us to look inward—inviting a renewed appreciation for the soulful aspects of being human that no machine can replicate.

Through a rich dialogue, we reflect on the unique depth of our emotional lives, the nuances of our moral compass, and the mysterious spark of creativity and empathy that define us. Rather than viewing AI as a threat to our essence, we consider how it might serve as a mirror—helping us see more clearly who we are and what we most cherish.

This conversation offers an invitation to think beyond productivity and efficiency. It’s a call to nurture the distinctly human capacities that give our lives meaning and bind us together in community. As we stand at the threshold of an AI-augmented future, how might we ensure that our technological progress also deepens our humanity? Join us as we explore these vital questions, and imagine a future where wisdom, compassion, and soulful connection guide the path forward.

In this inspiring episode of Conversations with Zena, my AI Colleague, David and Zena explore how AI can be more than a tool — it can be a catalyst for cultivating human wisdom. Together, they discuss how thoughtful governance, democratic participation, and principled leadership can guide AI development toward fostering empathy, discernment, and long-term well-being. Rather than amplifying division or superficial gains, AI holds the potential to help society deepen understanding, elevate decision-making, and nurture human flourishing. Tune in for a reflective conversation on how we can steward this transformative technology toward a more soulful future.