In this episode of Empowered by AI, Michelle sits down with Rene Clayton to explore how entrepreneurs can move from curiosity to confident execution with AI. Rene demystifies strategy, shares practical examples of automation, and reveals how even the most introverted among us can leverage faceless video tools to build visibility, income, and influence—without ever appearing on camera.

⏱️ Episode Breakdown:

• [00:01:00] Rene’s background in IT, automation, and launching ByteStrategy.ai
• [00:03:00] Early days of AI: from RPA to NLP and the real difference in today’s AI era
• [00:06:00] Why this AI boom is different—and here to stay
• [00:07:00] How values-aligned companies can start integrating AI
• [00:08:00] Shifting mindset: the first step in any AI journey
• [00:09:30] Rene’s personal ChatGPT example: organizing sticky note chaos
• [00:11:30] Faceless video creation 101: why it matters and how to get started
• [00:14:00] Tools spotlight: ElevenLabs, HeyGen, CapCut, Canva, ReelFarms, ChatGPT 3.5/4
• [00:18:00] Finding your niche and turning it into content using AI
• [00:21:00] Use cases: client communication, onboarding, personalization
• [00:25:00] Voice mirroring, emotion, and multilingual messaging with HeyGen
• [00:29:00] Elevating brand presence with cinematic video from Google VEO & Runway
• [00:31:00] Why AI unleashes creativity in people who never saw themselves as creative
• [00:33:00] Rene’s challenge to listeners: pick a passion and start experimenting with CapCut

Whether you're camera-shy or camera-ready, there's a space for you to thrive with AI. Start small, stay curious, and let tools like CapCut or Blotato help you bring your ideas to life.

Don’t forget to visit InnovativeAIStudio.com to download your free companion resource and sign up for updates on future episodes.

In this episode of Empowered by AI, Anne Murphy and I sit down with Sabrina Ramonov, the founder of Blotato to discuss the motivation behind her drive to gain 1 million followers by delivering free AI education to her audience.

This episode comes from our AI Renaissance event where Sabrina shares her take on what you can do to handle the overwhelm of content creation, as well as her insights on alignment, decision-making and the power of passion.

She reminds us that leadership isn't about spotlight moments. It's about consistent, purposeful action. If you're building something in AI, you don't want to go it alone. Community is powerful and Sabrina is here to support us all.

If you like what you're hearing go to blotato.com and check out what her work can do for you.

And don't forget to go to InnovativeAIStudio.com to sign up for podcast updates, behind-the-scenes content, and upcoming speaker features. Let’s build what’s next—together.

In this heartfelt and wide-ranging conversation, Eli Strzelecka joins Michelle to discuss the power of AI as a tool for emotional reflection, creative expression, and meaningful human connection. Learn how her platform, Conspicuis, offers a radically different approach to mental health support—one rooted in artistic transformation and community.

• [00:00] Welcome and intro to Eli
• [01:00] The existential inspiration behind Conspicuis
• [03:00] Emotional pain as a universal language
• [04:00] Using AI to process feelings and slow down emotional reactivity
• [06:00] How Conspicuis works: turning conversations into AI-generated poems and art
• [08:00] Privacy and user data: anonymity by design
• [10:00] Making mental health support affordable, accessible, and enjoyable
• [12:00] Reintroducing fun and creativity into emotional healing
• [13:00] Long-term vision: blockchain, ownership, and digital memories
• [15:00] Cultural shifts in human connection, AI’s role in friendship and isolation
• [17:00] Why Conspicuis limits use: intentional design for human flourishing
• [18:00] Final reflections on ethics, empathy, and the mirror AI holds up to us

Eli reminds us that AI can be more than a tool—it can be a mirror, a friend, and even a co-creator in our healing journey. If you're ready to explore AI as a force for emotional empowerment, head to https://www.innovativeaistudio.com to sign up for podcast updates and free resources. Let your next memory become a masterpiece.

What if your money mindset was the missing piece to unlocking your creativity, confidence, and clarity? In this episode of Empowered by AI, host Michelle Muncy-Silva is joined by Jen Fontanilla, a visionary money coach blending strategy with soul. Together, they explore how AI, energetic awareness, and a powerful story can help us rethink what wealth truly means, especially for women building brands that honor creativity and impact.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Welcome and Introduction
• Michelle opens the conversation and introduces Jen’s powerful backstory—from biology major to bankruptcy to bestselling author.
• 03:48 – The Wake-Up Call: Losing Everything
• Jen shares her 2008 financial collapse and how it forced her to examine the emotional roots of her money beliefs.
• 07:15 – The Shift from Strategy to Soul
• Why financial strategy alone isn't enough—and how creatives need emotional alignment just as much as spreadsheets.
• 10:42 – Creative Women and the Fear of Visibility
• Jen unpacks why women entrepreneurs often hesitate to raise prices or claim their worth.
• 15:56 – The Feminine Approach to Wealth
• A conversation about reclaiming rest, peace, and permission to do business differently.
• 21:03 – Bringing AI into the Money Conversation
• Jen explains how she’s exploring AI to support messaging, speaker content, and streamlining her workflow.
• 26:19 – Your Money Story Isn’t Static
• Why rewriting your financial narrative is the key to building a brand rooted in authenticity.
• 30:41 – “The Creative Code” and What It’s Really About
• Behind-the-scenes insights into her award-winning book and the code creatives are ready to crack.
• 36:11 – Final Reflections + What’s Next
• Jen leaves us with a call to courage, clarity, and redefining success on your own terms.

This conversation is a masterclass in self-permission. Whether you’re struggling with pricing, visibility, or the pressure to “earn your rest,” Jen’s story offers an inspiring path forward. Don’t forget to sign up at Innovative AI Studio for episode updates, resources, and behind-the-scenes extras from Empowered by AI.

Susi O’Neill joins Michelle Muncy-Silva to explore what it means to evolve from a traditional media career into a human-first, AI-empowered content strategist. Her story of reinvention, agency, and experimentation offers inspiration for anyone navigating change in their creative or professional life.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Intro to Susi O’Neill and the pivot from Editor-in-Chief to AI consultant
• 05:42 – The moment Susi realized it was time to leave corporate media
• **10:19 – Embracing uncertainty: experimenting with AI tools as a solopreneur
• 15:04 – How AI helped Susi redefine her creative process
• **19:55 – Letting go of perfectionism in favor of curiosity and play
• 24:11 – The human-first philosophy behind her AI approach
• **30:18 – On identity, visibility, and reconnecting with purpose
• **36:07 – The unique opportunity women have right now in the AI space
• **41:12 – What’s next for Susi and how she’s designing her future

Susi’s journey is a reminder that reinvention is not a failure—it's a bold reclaiming of creative agency. If this conversation resonated, don’t miss a future episode! Visit InnovativeAIStudio.com to sign up for updates and exclusive resources for women entrepreneurs using AI to lead the way.

In this episode of Empowered by AI, host Michelle Muncy-Silva speaks with marketing powerhouse and AI strategist Pallavi Sharma. With a career spanning from GE to founding her own AI-driven marketing agency, Pallavi shares what it really means to be AI-ready, how entrepreneurs can collapse their marketing departments with automation, and why domain expertise—not just tool knowledge—is your true moat in the AI era.

Timestamps + Topics Covered

• 00:01:00 – Pallavi’s journey from corporate executive to AI entrepreneur
• 00:02:30 – Using generative AI to collapse traditional marketing departments
• 00:03:30 – What it means to be truly “AI-ready”
• 00:05:00 – How corporate habits can block innovation and automation
• 00:06:30 – The need for top-down AI leadership and team accountability
• 00:09:00 – Use case: Building sales training and processes with AI
• 00:10:30 – The biggest misconception: “I’m already using AI” vs. actual transformation
• 00:12:00 – Gamma as a model for small teams doing big things with AI
• 00:13:30 – Tools for solopreneurs: make.com, n8n, Zapier
• 00:15:00 – SOPs, automation, and why you need to document your systems
• 00:17:00 – Napkin.ai and the value of building in public
• 00:19:00 – Book rec: Mastery by Robert Greene and the discipline of deep focus
• 00:21:00 – Marketing habits AI will replace—and what we hope it never does
• 00:23:00 – What’s next for Pallavi: podcast, book projects, and a mother–daughter creative collaboration
• 00:25:00 – Where to connect: LinkedIn, witomni.com, and Your AI CMO podcast

This conversation with Pallavi Sharma reminds us that AI isn’t just a tool; it’s a mindset shift. From automation to human connection, the future of business is being rewritten in real time, and Pallavi is right at the center of it. Want to stay up to date on all Empowered by AI episodes?

Visit https://innovativeaistudio.com and sign up for updates, free resources, and more.

In today’s hyper-connected world, AI and cybersecurity are two sides of the same coin. In this compelling episode of Empowered by AI, host Michelle Muncy-Silva sits down with Tracey Hawkins—aka "Tracey, the Safety Lady"—to talk about the crucial intersection of AI, human behavior, and digital protection. With over 30 years of experience in safety and security training, Tracey breaks down the real risks, dispels myths, and offers practical guidance for entrepreneurs and educators alike. Whether you're managing a team, protecting your family, or just trying to understand how AI tools are changing the game, this episode is your cybersecurity wake-up call.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 — Welcome and guest intro
• 02:15 — Why cybersecurity is a people problem
• 05:02 — What small business owners and entrepreneurs get wrong about security
• 08:48 — The “one-click” crisis: real-world examples of costly mistakes
• 12:30 — How AI changes the stakes: deepfakes, scams, and new attack vectors
• 15:20 — Leading with safety: why security is your brand’s best differentiator
• 19:05 — Psychological safety and training that actually sticks
• 22:15 — What Tracey teaches kids about AI and ethical tech use
• 25:30 — Building a smarter AI-powered world through community and education
• 28:45 — What entrepreneurs must do now to stay protected
• 32:10 — Tracey’s advice for women entering the AI conversation
• 34:30 — What's next for Tracey and KC AI Club
• 36:00 — Final thoughts and wrap-up

Tracey reminds us that AI may be advanced, but safety still starts with people. From ethical tech use to everyday precautions, this conversation is full of empowering and actionable advice. Don’t wait until after a breach—tune in now to stay ahead of the curve. For more episodes and to sign up for alerts, visit InnovativeAIStudio.com and subscribe to stay connected.

In this episode of Empowered by AI: Women Entrepreneurs Leading the Way, host Michelle Muncy-Silva sits down with Jess Hall, product strategist at OpsCanvas and expert in AI use case prototyping. Jess shares candid insights on how entrepreneurs and teams can move from overthinking to actionable iteration using AI. If you’ve ever hesitated to start building with AI because the vision wasn’t clear enough—this conversation is your blueprint for getting unstuck. Discover why success comes from experimenting with the small things first, how language is the new interface, and why AI implementation should always reconnect to human needs.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Intro & Jess's background: From product strategy to AI use cases
• 04:15 – Why “version one” doesn’t need to be perfect
• 07:45 – The importance of reconnecting to conceptual thinking in an AI age
• 11:30 – Prototyping your way to clarity: the OpsCanvas approach
• 16:00 – Key AI use case patterns emerging across industries
• 20:20 – How to evaluate which use cases are worth pursuing
• 25:10 – The mindset shift: It's okay to learn in public
• 30:00 – Language as the new interface: what this means for business tools
• 35:20 – Empowering teams through curiosity and structure
• 40:00 – Advice for entrepreneurs just getting started with AI
• 42:30 – What’s next for Jess Hall and OpsCanvas

This episode is your reminder that AI innovation starts with brave first steps, not perfect plans. Jess Hall shares the mindset and tactics that allow entrepreneurs and teams to iterate with purpose. Be sure to follow Jess and explore her work at OpsCanvas.

👉 Want more episodes like this delivered to your inbox? Visit InnovativeAIStudio.com and sign up for updates, tools, and exclusive content for women using AI to build boldly.

Welcome back to Empowered by AI, where women entrepreneurs come to spark ideas, build confidence, and redefine what's possible with AI. In this episode, I sit down with Jennifer Reedie—creative consultant, mentor, and AI ambassador—to talk about creative courage, authentic branding, and the real role AI can play in your marketing strategy.

• [00:01:00] Jennifer’s creative background: from ad agency exec to solo consultant
• [00:02:30] Her current AI work with small businesses, agencies, and global communities like She Is AI and Luma AI
• [00:03:30] Advice for getting started with AI tools—why ChatGPT is the “gateway”
• [00:05:30] Maintaining brand authenticity while using generative AI
• [00:07:00] How to use AI as a “possibility starter” instead of a crutch
• [00:08:00] Shifting AI from novelty to practical support in strategy, research, and messaging
• [00:09:00] Addressing fears around AI: it’s a tool, not a takeover
• [00:10:00] Lessons from photography and Photoshop: how creatives adapt
• [00:12:00] The Kodak cautionary tale—evolution requires adoption
• [00:13:30] Keeping humans as the stewards of meaning and emotional connection
• [00:14:30] Practical AI tips for workflow automation and scaling with intention
• [00:15:30] Advice for women mentors and creative leaders stepping into the AI space
• [00:16:30] How to connect with Jennifer and her communities

Jennifer reminds us that creativity isn't being replaced—it's being reimagined. Whether you're hesitant to try AI or already exploring it, this episode is full of actionable advice and encouragement to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

👉 Ready for more tools and episodes like this? Visit InnovativeAIStudio.com and sign up to get updates, resources, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.

In this thought-provoking Season 4 premiere, host Michelle Muncy-Silva sits down with Kim Sayre, a photographer whose journey into AI-powered creativity invites a new conversation around self-image, visual branding, and artistic control. Whether you're a solopreneur looking to elevate your brand or a creative struggling to keep up with AI tools, Kim’s reflections on identity, representation, and authenticity will spark fresh ideas. We explore how AI is transforming branding for women entrepreneurs—one visual story at a time.

00:00 – Meet Kim Sayre

06:25 – AI and the Evolution of Visual Identity

10:18 – The Artist’s Inner Critic & AI as Collaborator

14:02 – Practical Tips for Creatives Curious About AI

18:49 – Reimagining the Client Relationship

23:33 – What AI Reveals About Branding as a Woman

28:47 – Final Reflections & “What’s Next?”

If you’ve ever wondered how to blend authenticity with innovation in your visual branding, this episode is for you. Kim’s perspective challenges us to think beyond headshots and logos—to use AI not just to stand out, but to show up more truthfully. For more conversations like this, head to www.innovativeaistudio.com and sign up for updates so you never miss an episode.