How do we teach kids to use AI before it starts shaping how they think, learn, and see the world?

This week, I'm joined by Jeff Riley, former Massachusetts Commissioner of Education and current Executive Director of Day of AI, an organization working at the national level to help students, educators, and families understand AI in safe, ethical, and productive ways.

From AI literacy and critical thinking to bias, misinformation, and long-term cognitive impact, this conversation explores what children actually need to know about AI. Not just how to use it, but how to evaluate it. We unpack why "trust but verify" matters, how automation can support deeper learning instead of shortcut thinking, and what it looks like to prepare the next generation for a future where AI is everywhere.

Connect with Jeff:

Website: ​​dayofai.org

LinkedIn: Jeffrey C. Riley

You've heard the terms UI and UX, but what do they really mean when AI is in the mix? This week, I sit down with Nick Cawthon, Principal at Gauge, to explore how human behavior and design intersect with technology, and why trust might be the most important factor in whether people actually use what we build.

Nick brings stories from the early days of the internet to today's AI-driven tools, showing how design isn't just about making things look good. It's about creating experiences that feel intuitive, reliable, and human. This isn't a conversation about technology for technology's sake. It's about making automation work for people.

Connect with Nick:

LinkedIn: Nick Cawthon

Website: gauge.io

AI may be powering more of our customer interactions than ever before, but when the technology is built without empathy, it misses the mark, especially with the world's most influential consumer: women. By 2028, women will control 75% of discretionary spending, yet most AI-driven experiences are still designed from a male perspective. In this episode, I sit down with Katie Mares to unpack what's missing in today's AI-powered customer experiences and how to bridge the gap between human emotion and machine efficiency.

Connect with Katie:

Website: katiemares.com

Book: CustomHer Experience

Instagram: @katiemares

Would you trust AI to manage your money? For many, the answer is an immediate "no." But what if AI could give you more control, not less? In this episode of Humanize Automation, I sit down with Robert Grzesik, founder and CEO of BotSpot, to explore how AI-powered financial agents are changing the way we invest. From democratizing access to advanced trading strategies to creating safeguards that ensure trust and clarity, Rob shares why the future of finance isn't about replacing humans. It's about empowering them. If you've ever wondered whether AI could truly give you an edge against Wall Street, this is a conversation you don't want to miss.

Connect with Robert:

LinkedIn: Robert Grzesik

BotSpot: botspot.trade

Lumiwealth: lumiwealth.com

In this episode of Humanize Automation, I am joined by Yair Klyman, founder of Klyman Financial, to explore the evolving intersection of AI, behavior, and creativity in the financial services space.

We dive deep into what it really means to personalize financial advising in an age of scale, why adding value starts with understanding people, and how creativity will be the competitive edge that defines the next generation of business leaders.

Connect with Yair:

Website: klymanfinancial.com

Instagram: @klymanfinancial

Podcast: Resilient Riches

What if AI could help you think more clearly, decide more wisely, and live more fully? In this episode of Humanize Automation, I get to sit down with AI pioneer, entrepreneur, and consultant, Manuj Aggarwal, to explore how artificial intelligence can actually enhance our humanity. From personalized education to decision support and self-awareness, we unpack how technology can help us reclaim time, reduce mental load, and connect more meaningfully.

Connect with Manuj:

Website: manujaggarwal.com

LinkedIn: Manuj Aggarwal

Instagram: @manujagro

If you want to hear about what type of AI and automation program can come out of conversations in a dark alley in Cairo and Chipotle forgetting queso, then this is an episode you won't want to miss. You're in for such a treat today, because I am joined by my good friend and fellow adventurer, Ashish Sanghrajka. Ashish is President of Big Five Tours & Expeditions, and in this episode, we dive into everything that they are doing in their new navigator and program to better serve their clients using AI, automation, and keeping humans in the loop.

Connect with Ashish:

Website: bigfive.com

LinkedIn: Ashish Sanghrajka

Podcast: The Sustainable Voice

The financial conversation is, in some circles, taboo. In others, stressful. In many, ego driven and emotional. But really, it's all data. It's numbers and options and decisions to be made. That's why I'm so excited to welcome our guest today, Elke Rubach, Founder and President of Rubach Wealth. Elke is an expert in removing emotions, tuning out all the noise, and normalizing money conversations. In this episode, we sit down for an honest conversation about financial planning, technology's varied impacts, and how she utilizes AI to make her job easier.

Connect with Elke:

LinkedIn: Elke Rubach

Podcast: Get Your House In Order

Website: rubachwealth.com

Instagram: @elkerubach

In this episode of Humanize Automation, I sit down with franchise expert and business matchmaker Lance Graulich to break down the often-misunderstood world of franchising. Whether you're franchise-curious or just automation-obsessed, this episode unpacks how systems, data, and human insight intersect to create scalable business success. We dive into the power of using assessments to align leadership styles with franchise culture, what great businesses automate, and how franchising accelerates growth.

Connect with Lance:

LinkedIn: Lance G.

Instagram: @lance.graulich

Podcast: Eye On Franchising

YouTube: @lancegraulich

Free Assessment!

There are millions of ways you can use ChatGPT to get more organized, and some of them may be found outside the box. This week, I want to talk about something unconventional I recently did with ChatGPT that made me happy. Welcome back to another mini episode of Humanize Automation.