What does it take to build a successful startup in a world where AI is changing what's possible almost every day?

In this episode, we sit down with Leo Hoar, a former academic, UX research leader, and founder who brings a unique perspective to the rapidly changing startup landscape.

Leo's career has centered around one critical question: Do we actually understand what users need before we build?

As a UX researcher, Leo worked extensively with startups, helping teams uncover product-market fit, understand customer behavior, and develop growth strategies. Today, he's applying those same principles as a founder, experiencing firsthand the challenges of bringing a new company into the world.

We explore what it means to build a business during the current AI boom, including the incredible efficiencies AI can provide and the areas where founders still need to rely on human judgment, creativity, curiosity, and critical thinking.

Leo also takes us beyond the technology and business strategy to discuss the psychological side of entrepreneurship: uncertainty, decision-making, pressure, identity, and the emotional challenges that come with creating something from scratch.

Leo's perspective offers a valuable counterbalance to the excitement surrounding AI. While new technology can dramatically accelerate how companies operate, speed isn't useful if you're moving quickly in the wrong direction.

For founders navigating today's startup environment, this episode is a reminder that AI can help you build faster—but research helps you build the right thing.

Before you build more, make sure you understand who you're building for.

#LeoHoar #UXResearch #UserResearch #Startups #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #ProductMarketFit #Entrepreneurship #StartupGrowth #ProductStrategy #UXDesign #CustomerResearch #BusinessStrategy #FounderLife #Innovation #FutureOfWork #ProductDevelopment #AIStartups #PersonalGrowth #Podcast #DesignWave

What if interacting with AI didn't require learning the perfect prompt?

In this episode, we sit down with Ryan Satterfield, an AI builder who has been working with artificial intelligence since he was 11 years old. His approach challenges the traditional way we think about interacting with AI: instead of treating it like a tool that needs carefully engineered prompts, why not simply talk to it like a person?

Ryan's vision is centered around creating AI that can simulate more natural human conversation making the experience feel intuitive, responsive, and present rather than technical or mechanical.

We explore how conversational AI is evolving, why traditional prompting can create unnecessary barriers, and what could happen when AI becomes something people can interact with naturally without needing to understand the technology behind it.

Ryan also shares his perspective on the future of human-AI interaction, conversational interfaces, AI accessibility, and the changing relationship between people and intelligent systems.

As AI continues to move into everyday life, the way we interact with it may become just as important as what the technology can actually do.

If you've ever wondered what the next generation of AI interfaces might look like or why the future may be less about prompting machines and more about simply having a conversation with them this episode is for you.

The future of AI might not be learning how to talk to machines. It might be machines learning how to talk to us.

#RyanSatterfield #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #ConversationalAI #HumanAI #AIInnovation #FutureOfAI #MachineLearning #AITechnology #Technology #TechInnovation #AIInterface #HumanComputerInteraction #AIDevelopment #FutureOfTechnology #DigitalTransformation #Innovation #Podcast #PodMatch #DesignWave

What happens when a dream job at Disney becomes the foundation for a decades-long career in branding, marketing, loyalty, and strategic partnerships?

In this episode, we sit down with Sheila Butler, a seasoned marketing strategist, brand transformation expert, and founder of Butler Marketing Group. Sheila’s career began with an unexpected opportunity that took her from stage-managing performances at Walt Disney World to working directly in Disney marketing and ultimately shaped the principles she continues to use with brands and businesses today.

With more than two decades of experience across entertainment, financial services, hospitality, technology, and entrepreneurship, Sheila has worked with major brands including Disney, Starbucks, IHG, Best Buy, and BP. She also played a key role in leading the Choice Privileges global loyalty program, helping grow it by 19.5 million members in just three years.

In this conversation, Sheila shares how the lessons she learned at Disney creativity, innovation, storytelling, customer experience, and excellence became the foundation for her approach to building brands that create lasting impact.

Sheila also opens up about the experiences that shaped her personally, including becoming a 20+ year cancer survivor and learning to approach life with resilience, gratitude, and determination.

Her story is ultimately about more than marketing. It's about recognizing opportunities, building meaningful relationships, embracing unexpected turns, and using your experiences to create something that lasts.

Sometimes, the opportunity that changes your life begins with something as simple as saying hello.

#SheilaButler #Marketing #Branding #CustomerLoyalty #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #BusinessStrategy #Disney #PersonalBranding #MarketingStrategy #CustomerExperience #Partnerships #Networking #AI #GrowthMarketing #Resilience #PersonalGrowth #BusinessGrowth #WomenInBusiness #Podcast

What if the biggest obstacle standing between an entrepreneur and success isn't capital, talent, or even the product but fear and doubt?

In this episode, we sit down with Patrick Sweeney, a serial technology founder, Wall Street Journal bestselling author, former Olympic-level athlete, and world-record holder who has spent more than three decades exploring high performance, entrepreneurship, neuroscience, and the psychology behind bold decision-making.

Through years of building startups and competing at the highest levels of sport, Patrick discovered a powerful connection between belief, neuroscience, performance, and business growth. His work focuses on helping founders and leaders overcome the internal barriers that can prevent them from making decisive moves and reaching their full potential.

Patrick introduces his BOODA Loop Doctrine, a framework designed to help people make fearless decisions, strengthen their belief systems, and avoid what he calls the "Belief Glut" the point where limiting assumptions and self-doubt can keep entrepreneurs stuck.

Patrick brings an energetic, practical, and thought-provoking approach to the conversation, challenging entrepreneurs to look beyond traditional business strategies and examine the psychological forces influencing their decisions.

Whether you're building your first startup, scaling a growing company, or leading a global organization, this episode offers a powerful reminder:

Your ability to grow your business may depend on your willingness to grow your belief in what is possible.

#PatrickSweeney #Entrepreneurship #Neuroscience #Leadership #Startups #BusinessGrowth #FearlessLeadership #DecisionMaking #HighPerformance #Mindset #FounderMindset #Innovation #BusinessStrategy #Confidence #PersonalGrowth #Psychology #ScalingBusiness #Technology #Entrepreneurs #Podcast #DesignWave

What does it take to keep building when you've experienced both extraordinary success and devastating loss?

In this episode, we sit down with Roy Coughlan, a serial entrepreneur who has founded more than 20 companies across five countries and built an unconventional journey from childhood entrepreneurship to international business ownership, public speaking, podcasting, and advocacy.

Roy's entrepreneurial story started young washing cars at nine, delivering newspapers at 11, and mowing lawns at 14. But his journey wasn't defined by success alone. After building significant wealth through businesses and property, he experienced a dramatic financial collapse that saw him lose his home and possessions while facing a $5 million personal liability.

We explore what happens when everything you've built disappears and how resilience, mindset, and the willingness to start again can change the trajectory of your life.

Roy also shares his transformation from being extremely shy to becoming an accomplished public speaker. Through Toastmasters, he competed internationally, reached finals in five countries, earned the Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) designation, and even stepped onto a TEDx open-mic stage.

His experience extends into podcasting as well. Roy has launched six podcasts, with several ranking among the top podcasts globally, and has recorded more than 1,500 episodes, personally editing every one.

Roy's story is a powerful reminder that entrepreneurship isn't always a straight line upward. Sometimes the greatest lessons come from the moments when the plan completely falls apart.

You can lose businesses, money, possessions, and certainty but resilience gives you the ability to start building again.

#RoyCoughlan #Entrepreneurship #SerialEntrepreneur #BusinessGrowth #Resilience #Mindset #PersonalGrowth #FinancialFreedom #BusinessLeadership #PublicSpeaking #Toastmasters #Podcasting #EntrepreneurialJourney #OvercomingAdversity #Success #Failure #Leadership #SelfDevelopment #BusinessPodcast #Podcast #WealthAndWellness

What does it take to stay ahead in digital marketing when technology, consumer behavior, and communication are constantly changing?

In this episode, we sit down with Matt Bailey, a digital marketing educator, author, entrepreneur, and communications expert who has spent decades helping some of the world's biggest brands understand and apply digital marketing.

Matt's journey began in the 1990s, when he was building real-estate websites, eventually leading him to launch his own digital marketing agency in 2006. Through a focus on data analytics, user experience, and conversion, his agency helped clients generate more than $1 billion in new revenue.

In 2015, Matt made a major career pivot, stepping away from the agency world to focus on education and training. Since then, he has trained more than 1.5 million marketers, teaching digital marketing and communications to organizations including Google, Microsoft, Disney, IBM, Procter & Gamble, Hewlett Packard, and more.

We explore how digital marketing has evolved, why data alone isn't enough to create meaningful customer experiences, and how marketers can simplify complex technology into strategies that actually work.

Matt also shares insights from his experience teaching at major universities and organizations around the world, offering a practical perspective on what today's marketers need to succeed.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, marketer, business leader, or simply interested in how technology is changing the way brands connect with people, this episode offers practical lessons for turning digital complexity into meaningful business results.

Digital marketing isn't about using more technology. It's about using the right technology to understand people, communicate better, and create results.

Learn more about Matt Bailey at www.sitelogic.com.

#MattBailey #DigitalMarketing #Marketing #DigitalStrategy #MarketingStrategy #UserExperience #UX #DataAnalytics #ConversionOptimization #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #MarketingEducation #DigitalTransformation #CustomerExperience #MarketingTechnology #Leadership #Innovation #Podcast #DesignWave

What if the reason your business isn't growing isn't that you need a better mindset but a better structure?

In this episode, we sit down with Michael Carbonneau, entrepreneur, financial professional, and business coach with Coaching by Rosewood, to explore the realities of building a business from the ground up.

Michael started his entrepreneurial journey at 19 with no financial safety net, no mentor handing him a roadmap, and plenty of lessons learned the hard way. His experience spans working as a general contractor, financial advisor, entrepreneur, and coach, giving him a unique perspective on both the practical and financial sides of building a business.

Through years of experience, Michael discovered something many entrepreneurs overlook: mindset alone isn't enough.

You can think bigger, work harder, and stay motivated but without financial structure, clear leadership principles, and a practical business framework, it's easy to end up trapped in a cycle of hustle and hope.

In this conversation, Michael challenges the romanticized idea of entrepreneurship and explains why working harder isn't always the solution. We explore what it really means to think like a CEO, build a strong financial foundation, create sustainable systems, and design a business that works for you rather than consuming your life.

We also discuss the difference between being busy and being productive, why entrepreneurs need to understand their numbers, and how having the right structure can turn ambition into sustainable growth.

If you're an aspiring entrepreneur, business owner, or founder who feels stuck, overwhelmed, or tired of constantly grinding without seeing the results you want, this conversation offers both a mindset shift and practical direction.

Because building a successful business isn't just about believing you can. It's about building something strong enough to support the vision.

#MichaelCarbonneau #CoachingByRosewood #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessStrategy #FinancialPlanning #CEO #Leadership #SmallBusiness #BusinessStructure #EntrepreneurLife #PersonalGrowth #FinancialLiteracy #WealthBuilding #BusinessSuccess #HustleCulture #SustainableGrowth #Podcast #PodMatch #DesignWave

What happens when UX design meets storytelling, improvisation, and collaboration?

In this episode, we sit down with Eric Holden, a professional improviser, UX designer, educator, and co-host of The Goblin’s Corner. Eric shares his experience teaching businesses how to design better experiences and helping people develop their creativity through performance, storytelling, and collaborative gaming.

We explore the human side of UX design, why collaboration is essential to creating better products, and how storytelling and improvisation can help designers think differently and solve problems more effectively.

Whether you're a UX designer, creative professional, entrepreneur, or simply interested in how people interact with products and experiences, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on designing with empathy, curiosity, and creativity.

#PodcastEpisode #UXDesign #UserExperience #UX #DesignThinking #ProductDesign #HumanCenteredDesign #UserResearch #DesignStrategy #Creativity #Storytelling #Improvisation #Collaboration #DigitalDesign #CreativeThinking #EricHolden #DesignWavePodcast #PodMatch

What happens when the life you thought you were building suddenly no longer feels like your own?

In this episode, we sit down with James Walters, a photographer, author, and host of A Joyful Rebellion, to explore identity, creativity, personal transformation, and the courage it takes to reclaim your story.

For more than three decades, James has told other people's stories through photography, capturing moments for businesses, brands, and families. But a series of life-changing experiences and personal trauma forced him to confront a much deeper question: What now?

Instead of allowing those experiences to define the rest of his life, James began rebuilding from the inside out through journaling, photography, creativity, and small acts of intentional rebellion.

We explore what it means to reclaim authorship of your life, especially after experiencing loss, uncertainty, or an identity shift. James shares how creative expression can become a powerful tool for processing change, discovering meaning, and reconnecting with who you really are.

We also discuss the idea behind his podcast, A Joyful Rebellion, where he speaks with people who have made bold and intentional changes to take back control of their stories.

As the author of Meditations of the Mundane and The Little Book of Special Powers, James offers a refreshing perspective on creativity not as something reserved for artists, but as a form of everyday courage and self-expression.

If you've ever found yourself asking "What now?" after a major life change, this conversation offers a reminder that you don't have to have the entire path figured out. Sometimes, reclaiming your life begins with one small decision to do things differently.

Your story isn't finished. You can pick up the pen and start writing the next chapter.

#JamesWalters #AJoyfulRebellion #Creativity #PersonalGrowth #SelfDiscovery #LifeTransformation #Reinvention #Identity #Courage #Resilience #Mindset #IntentionalLiving #Storytelling #Photography #Purpose #AuthenticLiving #PersonalDevelopment #CreativeLife #Podcast #PodMatch #DesignWave

What happens when understanding trauma isn't enough and we realize that true growth requires us to take responsibility for how we respond to life?

In this episode, we sit down with Matthew Stevens, a Certified Complex Trauma Resilience Practitioner, NLP-certified professional, and host of EQ Unlocked, for an honest conversation about emotional intelligence, trauma, emotional regulation, responsibility, relationships, and personal growth.

Matthew has spent more than two decades working with people who have survived complex trauma. But his understanding of emotional intelligence isn't limited to professional experience. His own journey forced him to confront some difficult truths about himself and recognize that knowing about trauma doesn't automatically mean knowing how to live well with emotions.

One moment that profoundly changed his perspective came when his wife told him, "I need a husband, not a therapist." Rather than dismissing the statement, Matthew used it as an opportunity for deep self-reflection and change.

In our conversation, we explore what it really means to move from survival to integrity—and how emotional growth requires more than simply understanding why we behave the way we do.

Matthew brings a grounded perspective that avoids blame, hype, and easy answers. His message is ultimately about clarity, responsibility, and growth learning to understand ourselves so we can make better choices and build healthier relationships.

If you've ever wondered why knowing what you're supposed to do doesn't always translate into actually doing it, this conversation offers a powerful perspective on the emotional work that happens underneath our choices.

Surviving is one thing. Learning how to live with greater awareness, responsibility, and integrity is another.

Note: This episode discusses trauma and emotional wellbeing for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional mental health care.

#MatthewStevens #EQUnlocked #EmotionalIntelligence #TraumaResilience #ComplexTrauma #EmotionalRegulation #SelfAwareness #PersonalGrowth #Relationships #Leadership #Mindset #Resilience #MentalWellbeing #SelfDevelopment #EmotionalHealth #Healing #PersonalResponsibility #TraumaRecovery #WealthAndWellness #Podcast