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Our guest in this episode is Scott Levy, the founder and CEO of ResultMaps. Scott is on a mission to help the world be its “inspired best” by architecting systems that clear away the “friction” of modern work. He combines a deep understanding of neuroscience with a pragmatic approach to technology, helping teams stop “fighting the currents” of their own biology and start surfing them.

We had a fascinating chat about why most of us feel so burnt out (a hint: our work models are stuck in the 1920s) and how to use new tools, especially AI, as a “Lego set” to build better, more human-centric workflows.

Key points discussed include:

* Working with your brain, not against it, by understanding your natural peak performance cycles.

* Using AI as a “Lego set” to build small, focused solutions that solve real friction points.

* How AI forces us to be clearer, accidentally training us to be better human communicators.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Innovabiz Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Show Notes from this episode with Scott Levy, ResultMaps

It was an absolute pleasure to welcome Scott Levy of ResultMaps to the Innovabuzz podcast. Scott’s mission is a big one: to help the world be its “inspired best.” Now, that’s a goal I can truly get behind. But as we dug into our conversation, it became clear that the biggest thing holding most teams back isn’t a lack of drive or even a lack of tools. It’s the invisible, day-to-day friction in how we work.

Scott has this fantastic way of looking at the modern work environment, and he kicked things off by explaining that most of us are, quite frankly, just “swimming upstream” against our own biology. We’re fighting a battle we can’t win, and it’s leading to massive burnout. It’s a feeling I think we all know well, that sense of being completely overwhelmed and overworked, which, as Scott so perfectly put it, “just plain sucks.”

Now, as for the antidote to things that ‘plain suck’...

That feeling of being overwhelmed... it’s also the exact starting point for the rest of our fascinating conversation, and for the deeper work I’m exploring.

This podcast is the beginning of the conversation, but the personal reflections—the “why” behind what was said—are where the real journey begins.

If you’d like to read the rest of this post, where Scott shares his brilliant “surfer” and “Lego” analogies for navigating our brains and our technology, I’d love to invite you to become a paid subscriber.

A subscription unlocks these full, detailed show notes, but more importantly, it welcomes you into a quieter space. It’s where I share my private, 3x-a-week reflections on these conversations about AI, the “behind-the-lens” stories from my photography, and the personal meditations that connect them all.

It’s a place for the curious, and I’d be honoured to share it with you.

Our guest in this episode is Joanna Zhang, who helps leaders connect strategy with soul to build businesses on a solid foundation. Joanna’s own journey, marked by three profound personal transformations, led her from being a transactional professional living a “gray color” life to becoming a balanced, spiritual leader. In our wonderful chat, Joanna unpacks her evolution, sharing the powerful lessons learned from her “soul awakening” and how they reshaped her approach to business, teamwork, and even AI. Key points discussed include:

* True leadership evolves from controlling titles to a spiritual balance of compassion and boundaries.

* Changing your core intention from getting to giving unleashes unexpected, magical results in business.

* Embracing all your emotions is the foundation of self-love and authentic, resilient leadership.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Innovabiz Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Show Notes from this episode with Joanna Zhang, The Operations Genius

It was an absolute pleasure to welcome Joanna Zhang to the Innovabuzz podcast for a conversation that beautifully embodied her mission: to help leaders build businesses by connecting strategy with soul. I knew we would be talking about thoughtful systems, but I was not expecting such a profound masterclass in personal transformation. Joanna’s journey is a powerful testament to the idea that the most effective business strategies are often the ones that begin from within.

Joanna shared that her journey started when she was a financial planner, feeling stuck in a career that, while she was competent at it, didn’t light her up. A psychic once told her that her life was a “gray color,” a description that resonated deeply. The first major shift came from a simple but powerful coaching exercise that sorted tasks into zones of incompetence, competence, and genius. This led her to a pivotal realization: she needed to start delegating the things that drained her and, more importantly, to question if her current path was her true destiny.

From Transaction to Transformation

That initial step opened the door to a much deeper awakening. As Joanna began building a business to help others with their operational frameworks, she admits that, to be honest, she started as a “dollar person,” seeing every interaction as a potential deal. This transactional mindset created a massive blockage. The real breakthrough came after her “soul awakening,” when she shifted her entire approach. She started looking at every potential client as a soul, genuinely caring about their challenges and wholeheartedly offering solutions with no expectation of return.

And that’s when, as she puts it, “magic happened.” By changing her core intention from getting to giving, from desire and fear to love and care, opportunities began to unfold naturally. It’s a beautiful paradox so many of us forget: the less we chase, the more the right things flow to us. This shift wasn’t just a new sales tactic; it was a complete transformation of her relationship with her work and the people she served.

The Three Faces of Leadership

This inner evolution dramatically reshaped her leadership style. Joanna candidly described her former self as a “controlling freak” and a “title leader” who ruled with expectations and a lot of masculine energy. Over time, she grew into a “serving leader,” focused on supporting her team. However, this created a new problem, as she sometimes allowed her boundaries to be crossed in her desire to help.

Her third and current stage is that of a “spiritual leader.” This, she explains, is the crucial “balancing act” between compassion and firm boundaries. Grounded in a practice of self-love, she learned to be strong in her core, setting clear guidelines not to control, but to help her team members grow. This balanced approach fostered a healthier, more dynamic, and more effective team environment, proving that true leadership is about empowering others to be their best.

A Lesson in Letting Go

A significant part of this journey involved deep emotional work. Joanna shared a powerful story from a recent trip to Egypt, where she finally confronted and released layers of resentment she had been carrying, some even from past lives. She realized that holding onto resentment benefits no one and that true forgiveness is about respecting another’s free will while learning the lesson to protect yourself.

This act of letting go was liberating and had a ripple effect across her life. It reinforced the importance of setting healthy boundaries and no longer being a “people pleaser.” It’s a profound reminder that the emotional baggage we carry silently impacts our decisions, our energy, and our ability to lead with clarity and presence.

A Soulful Approach to AI

Given her focus on human connection, I was fascinated to hear Joanna’s take on AI. She sees it, wisely, as a “double-sided sword.” Her approach is not to fear it or rely on it completely, but to use it as a tool to enhance human capability. In her business, they leverage AI for repetitive tasks, which boosts efficiency and productivity.

The ultimate goal, she explained, is to free up her human team members from mundane work so they can spend more time in their “genius zone.” This allows them to focus on creativity, strategy, and the deep, nuanced human connection that AI can never replicate. It’s a perfect example of her philosophy in action: using a modern tool to get back to what is timelessly human.

The Treasure in Your Feelings

To bring it all together, Joanna’s final piece of advice was perhaps the most powerful. She urged us all to truly respect our own feelings. In a world that often encourages us to suppress or ignore difficult emotions, she invites us to face them, embrace them, and find the lesson hidden within them. She admitted that this can be painful, but as her spiritual mentor taught her, “pain is inevitable, but suffering is a choice.”

By learning from our pain instead of getting stuck in it, we grow. This practice of emotional honesty and self-love was the bedrock of all her other transformations. It’s what allowed her to move from a “gray” existence to a vibrant, purposeful life.

In Summary: My conversation with Joanna Zhang was a beautiful reminder that our businesses are extensions of who we are. Her journey shows that true, sustainable success isn’t found in a better strategy, but in a deeper connection to ourselves. By having the courage to do the inner work, let go of what no longer serves us, and lead with a balance of heart and wisdom, we can build not just better businesses, but better lives.

The Buzz - Our Innovation Round

Here are Joanna’s answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop.

* Most innovative use of AI to enhance human relationships: AI can rapidly research and extract a person’s essence, building a foundation for deeper connection.

* Best thing to integrate AI and human connection: Using AI to automate repetitive tasks frees up her team to focus on higher-value human connections.

* Differentiate by leveraging AI: Practice giving AI clear, detailed instructions to sharpen your communication and delegation skills with humans.

Action

Respect your own feelings. Face every emotion, accept it, embrace it, and find the valuable lesson hidden behind it.

Reach Out

You can reach out and thank Joanna on LinkedIn by searching for Joanna Zhang and looking for “operations” in her profile.

Links:

* Website - The Operations Genius

* LinkedIn

* Facebook

* Instagram - @entrepreneursoulmate

Cool Things About Joanna

* She’s a former stage performer and singer. This is a wonderful and unexpected backstory for an “Operations Genius”. It reveals a creative, expressive history and provides a powerful metaphor for how she now uses her “voice” to share a different kind of message.

* She built the exact business she wished existed for herself. Her company wasn’t just a response to a gap in the market; it was born from her own personal struggle and frustration as an entrepreneur who needed help but couldn’t find the right fit. This makes her origin story incredibly authentic.

* She didn’t realize she was a global innovator until she won an award for it. Joanna mentioned that she didn’t even know her “Fractional VA Service” was a pioneering model until her company was recognized with a 2024 International Business Award as the “world’s first”. This highlights a genuine, purpose-driven focus where she was more concerned with solving the problem than with being first.

* She describes her speaking process as channeling. Her admission that when she speaks, she doesn’t “use brain” but instead taps into a natural, divine flow is a refreshingly unconventional and vulnerable description of her creative process.

Ready to move beyond just creating content and start creating real connection?

In the Age of AI, the future belongs to those who can amplify human wisdom. Flywheel Nation is MORE than a community; it's a movement for creators and visionaries dedicated to shaping a more human future.

Join us as we co-create that future for ethical AI. Here you will tap into the collective wisdom of leaders who prioritize connection over automation, find powerful collaborations that elevate your impact, and help illuminate the path forward.

This is your invitation to not only grow your business but to become a lighthouse for others.

Join the movement. Visit innovabiz.co/flywheel to be a part of the conversation.

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Our guest in this episode is Emma Möller, an AI strategist and former diplomat with a fascinating journey from a small village in Sweden to the forefront of global technology strategy. Emma helps leaders navigate the complex systems of AI, drawing on her deep understanding of how the frameworks we build shape our human reality. In our chat, we explore how to embrace AI’s potential with a principled and human-centered approach. Key points discussed include:

* Design AI systems with intention, recognizing they actively shape our reality and lived experience.

* Avoid “intellectual laziness” by using AI as a partner for inquiry, not a replacement for curiosity.

* Cultivate your human curiosity through diverse learning to expand your awareness and unlock AI’s creative potential.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Innovabiz Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Show Notes from this episode with Emma G Möller, Lumiera

It was a true privilege to welcome Emma Möller, an AI strategist and former diplomat, to the InnovaBuzz podcast. Her journey is as fascinating as her insights, taking her from a small village of 60 people in northern Sweden, deeply connected to nature, to the complex, human-made systems of international policy and now, artificial intelligence. Our conversation was a masterclass in how to approach the incredible power of AI not with blind optimism or fear, but with a principled, human-centered curiosity that feels both vital and reassuring in this rapidly changing world.

Emma’s perspective is shaped by a profound understanding that the systems we design, be they legal, economic, or technological, fundamentally create the reality we inhabit. She spoke of feeling a disconnect between the rich, sensory experience of her childhood and the generalized, often biased frameworks of the modern world. This lens is what makes her approach to AI so powerful; she sees it not just as code, but as a new and incredibly influential system we are building, and she urges us to be deeply intentional about what kind of reality we want it to create.

The Seductive Trap of Becoming ‘Intellectually Lazy’

One of the most memorable moments in our chat was when Emma warned against the subtle danger of becoming “intellectually lazy.” It’s a brilliant phrase that perfectly captures the seductive ease of letting generative AI do our thinking for us. We’ve all felt it: the temptation to accept the first answer from ChatGPT without question, or to let it generate prose without infusing it with our own unique perspective and critical thought. Emma reminded us that these tools are often designed to agree with us, which can create an echo chamber if we’re not careful.

The antidote, she suggests, is to consciously maintain our curiosity and use AI as a partner for deeper inquiry, not as a replacement for it. This really resonated with me. I shared the story of how I used an AI, which I named Yuki, to help plan my recent trip to Japan. Yuki handled the logistical heavy lifting: train schedules, travel times, which freed me up to dive deeper into the history and culture. The AI built the foundation, but the curiosity, the questions, and the actual human experience remained firmly in my hands. It was a perfect example of using the technology to enhance, not diminish, our engagement with the world.

The Unscheduled Joy of Getting Lost

This led to another beautiful point: the importance of allowing for the unexpected. Emma spoke about how some of the best adventures and innovations come from mistakes, or from getting a little bit lost. An AI can create a perfectly optimized itinerary, but it can’t schedule the serendipitous joy of stumbling upon a hidden alleyway or the creative spark that comes from a plan gone awry. If we delegate too much of our decision-making to algorithms, we risk engineering these essential human moments out of our lives.

Ultimately, Emma argues that our most powerful tool for navigating the age of AI is our own awareness, which we must actively cultivate. Her advice was wonderfully simple: read books. Talk to people with different perspectives. Spend time in nature. In short, we must continually expand our own “information landscape” so that we can bring richer, more creative questions to the AI. It is, as she puts it, a “mirror of our own awareness,” and will only ever be as insightful as we are.

AI as a Leadership Challenge, Not Just a Tech Solution

Bringing this into the business world, Emma stressed that successful AI adoption is not a technology problem; it’s a leadership and culture challenge. The leaders who are getting it right are not looking for a magic AI solution to plug in. Instead, they are focusing on the real, day-to-day problems their teams face and empowering them to find ways that AI can genuinely help. It’s about creating a system for change that supports people, listens to their concerns, and fosters collaboration.

This conversation with Emma Möller was a powerful reminder that while technology will continue to evolve at a dizzying pace, the core principles of human-centered progress remain the same. It’s about staying curious, taking responsibility for the tools we use, and never losing sight of the fact that the goal of innovation should be to create more space for the messy, beautiful, and irreplaceable experience of being human.

The Buzz - Our Innovation Round

Here are Emma’s answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop.

* Innovative AI for Human Connection – Using AI to analyze an organization’s data to break down internal silos and foster mutual understanding between teams.

* Best AI Integration Example – Leveraging voice-to-text tools to work more efficiently, thereby creating more time for screen-free, in-person connection.

* Differentiate with Connection – Stay relentlessly curious by reading books and intentionally connecting with new people to learn from their unique perspectives.

Action

If you haven’t already, start using AI. Consciously create space to remain curious and make mistakes, and then go outside for a walk to enjoy nature.

Reach Out

You can reach out and thank Emma on her website. She also has a wonderful newsletter called The Lumiera Loop.

Links:

* Website - Lumiera

* Lumiera’s Newsletter - The Lumiera Loop

* LinkedIn

Cool Things About Emma

* She’s a former diplomat and lawyer. This isn’t just a career change; it’s a fundamental shift in worlds. Her expertise in AI doesn’t come from a typical tech background, but from a deep understanding of human systems, language, and international relations. This unique origin story frames her entire perspective on technology in a fascinating way.

* She wants to translate information into smell. In a conversation about large language models and digital artifacts, her most exciting experiment is wonderfully human and unexpected. This reveals a playful, creative, and deeply sensory side that looks for understanding far beyond the screen.

* She’s a global citizen. Born near a ski resort in the north of Sweden, she later studied at Monash University in Melbourne (Jürgen’s alma mater) and now lives and works in Lisbon, Portugal. This isn’t just a list of places; it paints a picture of someone who is adaptable and thinks with a naturally global perspective.

* She finds text to be an “unnatural medium.” Despite being a self-proclaimed “big fan of languages” and having a background that relied heavily on text, she has come to the conclusion that it’s an artificial way for humans to communicate. This intellectual paradox is very cool; it shows she’s not afraid to question the very foundations of her own past expertise.

Ready to move beyond just creating content and start creating real connection?

In the Age of AI, the future belongs to those who can amplify human wisdom. Flywheel Nation is MORE than a community; it's a movement for creators and visionaries dedicated to shaping a more human future.

Join us as we co-create that future for ethical AI. Here you will tap into the collective wisdom of leaders who prioritize connection over automation, find powerful collaborations that elevate your impact, and help illuminate the path forward.

This is your invitation to not only grow your business but to become a lighthouse for others.

Join the movement. Visit innovabiz.co/flywheel to be a part of the conversation.

Video

Thanks for reading Innovabiz Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

Our guest in this episode is Patrick van der Burght, one of the world's leading experts in the science of ethical persuasion. After a challenging start as a sales rep for a product with a terrible reputation, Patrick discovered the powerful work of Dr. Robert Cialdini, using its principles to turn that product into a market leader. He now dedicates his work to teaching business owners a proven framework for building stronger connections and achieving their most important outcomes with complete integrity.

In our fascinating chat, we explored the science of human decision-making and the critical difference between honest influence and dishonest manipulation. Key points discussed include:

* Ethical persuasion builds long-term success; manipulation is a short-term win that ultimately leads to disaster.

* True influence comes from highlighting genuine facts, not inventing falsehoods to create artificial pressure.

* Understanding the seven universal principles of persuasion helps you build genuine trust and guide decisions ethically.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Innovabiz Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Show Notes from this episode with Patrick van der Burght

It was an absolute honour to welcome Patrick van der Burght, one of the world's leading experts in the science of ethical persuasion, to the InnovaBuzz podcast. As business owners, we pour so much of ourselves into our work, yet often feel like we're guessing when it comes to getting the cooperation and compliance we need to succeed. Patrick pulled back the curtain on this exact challenge, revealing that influence isn't an art form reserved for a select few; it's a science that any of us can learn to apply, ethically and effectively.

Our conversation illuminated a powerful truth: you can significantly increase the number of "yeses" you receive without twisting arms or compromising your integrity. It’s about understanding the psychology of human decision-making and learning how to formulate your requests in a way that makes it easier for people to agree. Patrick’s passion for this topic is infectious, born from a deep-seated compassion for hardworking entrepreneurs who are leaving success on the table simply because they don’t yet know this proven framework.

The Dry Suit Epiphany: From Being Laughed At to Market Leader

I was fascinated by Patrick's own origin story in persuasion science. As a young sales rep in the scuba diving industry, he took on a brand of dry suits that had a disastrous reputation; the year before, they had all leaked. When he presented the new, improved product to his retailers, they literally laughed at him. He had a great product, but a total lack of trust in the market. It was a classic business nightmare.

Facing this challenge, he dove into the work of Dr. Robert Cialdini and began applying the universal principles of persuasion. By strategically and ethically bringing the right facts to the surface, he was able to rebuild trust and reframe the conversation. The result? In just 18 months, that once-mocked dry suit became the market leader. That experience converted Patrick for life, proving that this science had the power to turn even the most difficult situations around.

Walking the Ethical Tightrope: Persuasion vs. Manipulation

Patrick was crystal clear on a point that I know concerns many of us: the fine line between ethical persuasion and outright manipulation. He offered a brilliant litmus test. Unethical persuasion, like the shoe salesperson lying about having the "last pair," involves importing falsehoods into a situation to pressure a decision. It might create a short-term win, but it inevitably leads to long-term disaster once the deceit is discovered.

Ethical persuasion, on the other hand, is about bringing naturally occurring truths to the surface. If the TV you want truly is the last one in stock, you as the customer want to be told that information to make an informed choice. The key is honesty. Ethical influence is not about creating false scarcity or pressure; it's about highlighting genuine facts that help someone make a better, easier decision that serves their own interests.

The Three 'Cancers' of Unethical Influence

Going a step further, Patrick shared the devastating long-term costs of fostering a dishonest culture, which he powerfully described as "three cancers." The first is the stress it places on employees, most of whom dislike being asked to lie, leading to more sick days. The second is a much higher staff turnover, as good people will seek employment elsewhere, creating a huge cost in hiring and training.

The third cancer is perhaps the most insidious: the only people who don't mind being unethical are, well, unethical people. These are not the employees you want, as their dishonesty won't be limited to your customers; it will extend to side deals and stealing office supplies. Patrick’s point is stark and clear: a business built on deceit will ultimately rot from the inside out.

A Quick Tour of the Seven Universal Principles of Influence

At the heart of Patrick’s work are the seven universal principles that work across all cultures: Reciprocity (we feel obliged to give back), Liking (we say yes to people we like), and the new principle of Unity (we are influenced by those we share an identity with). These first three are all about building relationships.

The next principles help reduce uncertainty: Social Proof (we follow the lead of similar others) and Authority (we defer to experts). Finally, to motivate action, we have Consistency (we stick with our commitments) and Scarcity (we want more of what we can have less of). Understanding these fundamental drivers is the first step to applying them.

Turning a Bad Review into a Trust-Building Moment

So how does this work in the real world? Patrick gave a masterful example of handling a negative online review. The wrong move is to ignore it or get defensive. Instead, you can respond by first acknowledging the person's bad experience. This simple act of honesty immediately establishes you as a trustworthy source of information because you're acting against your own immediate self-interest.

Then, you can gently pivot to social proof by saying something like, "As you can see from our 128 other positive reviews, your experience is not what normally happens here." This validates the complaint while reassuring any future customers that the issue was an exception, not the rule. It’s a brilliant way to turn a negative into a powerful display of credibility.

Your First Step into the Science of Influence

Ultimately, what I took away from my chat with Patrick is that we don’t have to operate on guesswork. Whether we're in sales, marketing, HR, or even just trying to get our kids to do their homework, we are constantly in situations where we need to be persuasive. There is a science to it, one that is ethical, available, and incredibly potent.

As Patrick advised, the easiest first step for anyone is to simply become aware that this science exists. A great way to start is by picking up Dr. Cialdini's foundational book, Influence. By learning the principles, you can start to spot opportunities to ethically and effectively build stronger connections and achieve the outcomes you're working so hard for.

In Summary: Patrick van der Burght provides a compelling and ethical framework for influence. His message is a game-changer: stop guessing and start learning the science of human decision-making. By applying these proven principles with honesty and integrity, you can not only achieve greater success but also build deeper, more trusting, and more enduring relationships in every area of your life.

Action

Realize there is a science to how people make decisions that is available for you to learn. As a first practical step, follow Patrick's recommendation and get Dr. Cialdini's foundational book, Influence, to begin understanding these powerful principles.

Reach Out

You can reach out and thank Patrick on his website, or connect with him on LinkedIn. Patrick has also generously provided a Free Influence & Persuasion Guide which includes a downloadable ebook.

Links:

* Website – Ethical Pursuasion

* LinkedIn

* Facebook

* X (formerly Twitter) – @yesmoreoften

* Instagram – @ethical_persuasion

* YouTube

* TikTok

* Free Influence & Persuasion Guide

Books:

* Influence, New and Expanded: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert B. Cialdini

* How to Hear YES More Often: Harnessing the Power of Influence and Ethical Persuasion in Business by Patrick Van Der Burght, Leopold Ajami, and John Doorbar

Cool Things About Patrick

* He's a land, sea, and air adventurer who found his calling on cassette tapes. There's a fantastic juxtaposition between his adventurous, hands-on life as a commercial pilot, scuba diver, and Harley rider, and the old-school, analogue way he discovered his passion: listening to Dr. Cialdini's work on cassette tapes in the late 90s.

* He had the courage to cold-email his hero. After being inspired by the tapes, he didn't just become a fan; he took the initiative to email Dr. Cialdini directly for permission to teach the material. That single act of proactive courage fundamentally shaped his professional journey.

* His Harley adventures are a shared passion. The image of a Harley rider often evokes a solo journey, but Patrick's spouse also enjoys riding, making it a shared activity. This adds a wonderful layer of warmth and partnership to his adventurous side.

* He's on a mission to equip the next generation with a "crucial life skill." His strong desire isn't just to coach professionals, but to teach ethical persuasion to young people in schools, preparing them for a future where social influence is a top-ranked skill needed for success.

Ready to move beyond just creating content and start creating real connection?

In the Age of AI, the future belongs to those who can amplify human wisdom. Flywheel Nation is MORE than a community; it's a movement for creators and visionaries dedicated to shaping a more human future.

Join us as we co-create that future for ethical AI. Here you will tap into the collective wisdom of leaders who prioritize connection over automation, find powerful collaborations that elevate your impact, and help illuminate the path forward.

This is your invitation to not only grow your business but to become a lighthouse for others.

Join the movement. Visit innovabiz.co/flywheel to be a part of the conversation.

Video

Thanks for reading Innovabiz Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

Our guest in this episode is Ali Hafizji, the CEO of Wednesday Solutions, who joins us from Pune, India. He's on a critical mission to steer startup founders away from the chaos and waste that often plagues their journey, offering them a clear, systematic path to success. In our chat, Ali Hafizji breaks down the fundamental mindset shift that separates a struggling project from a thriving business: the transition from being a "builder" to becoming a true "business owner." Ali provides a clear framework for founders to escape the dreaded "build trap" and focus on the activities that genuinely move the needle. Key points discussed include:

* Make the critical shift from passionately building a product to strategically owning the entire business.

* Your new job isn't coding; it's marketing, sales, fundraising, and gathering crucial market insights.

* Leverage AI for incredible speed, but always guide it with uniquely human judgment and strategic focus.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Innovabiz Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Show Notes from this episode with Ali Hafizji

It was a real privilege to welcome Ali Hafizji, the CEO of Wednesday Solutions, to the Innovabuzz podcast, all the way from Pune, India. Ali has a critical and incredibly timely mission: to help founders avoid the pain, waste, and chaos that so often derails promising startups. He provides a wonderfully systematic and clear path for entrepreneurs to move from a compelling Minimum Viable Product (MVP) to that all-important Product-Market Fit, and he does it with a logic that cuts right through the emotional turmoil of the founder's journey.

Our conversation was a deep dive into the fundamental mindset shift required to build not just a product, but a sustainable business. Ali’s insights felt like a much-needed dose of clarity in a startup world that is often filled with noise and distractions. He's on a mission to help founders cross the chasm from being passionate builders to becoming strategic business owners, a distinction that is truly at the heart of success.

The Critical Divide: Are You a Builder or a Business Owner?

The most powerful idea Ali Hafizji shared was the distinction between acting like a "builder" and thinking like a "business owner". So many founders start because they have personally experienced a problem and have the vision to build a digital solution for it. This is a fantastic starting point, but it's also a trap. They get their MVP built, show it to a few people, and then get stuck in a perpetual cycle of building.

As Ali explained, their day-to-day becomes about micromanaging features and tweaking the product, not growing the business. They are acting like builders, not owners. This crucial difference in mindset is often what separates a promising project that fizzles out from a company that achieves real traction and makes a lasting impact.

Escaping the "Build Trap": When Your Day-to-Day Doesn't Move the Needle

This builder mindset leads directly to what Ali calls the "build trap". You get feedback, you add a feature. You talk to a user, you tweak the interface. You're constantly busy, your team is shipping code, but the core business metrics aren't changing. You feel like you're working incredibly hard, but as Ali puts it, you’re just not "moving the needle".

The litmus test he offered was profound in its simplicity: if you realize that no matter what you do, things aren't fundamentally changing, you probably need to change first. It’s a sign that you must stop focusing all your energy on the product itself and transform your own role within the company.

The Founder’s New Job: A Four-Point Mission for Growth

So, what does that new role look like? Ali laid out a new job description for the post-MVP founder, one centered on four key activities: marketing, sales, fundraising, and gathering insights. The founder's primary job is to be the external voice and vision for the company, interacting with the market, customers, and investors.

This means handing over the day-to-day building to a team you trust, whether it’s an in-house team or a partner. That team's job is to convert the rich insights you're gathering into a digital offering. This shift is a massive change, moving from the comfort of building to the challenging, but essential, work of business development.

AI as the Enabler, Not the Answer: Building with True Velocity

In today's world, it's easier than ever to build something, thanks in large part to AI. Ali is a huge proponent of using AI, but in a very specific, strategic way. He sees it as a powerful enabler to get your MVP off the ground and to supercharge your engineering team, allowing a small "pod" to achieve twice the outcome.

However, he was quick to point out that true velocity isn't just about speed; it's a combination of speed and direction. AI can provide the speed, but the direction must come from the human insights gathered by the founder. An AI-enabled team is powerful, but they are still relying on the founder's strategic guidance to ensure they are building the right thing.

The Human Advantage: Why Saying "No" is Your Most Important Skill

This brought us to the crucial human element. With the ability to build things so quickly, the temptation to add every bell and whistle is stronger than ever. Ali argued that the most important advantage a human-led team has is the ability to say "no." It's about having the focus and judgment to decide what not to build.

He used brilliant examples, like Instagram focusing solely on its iOS app for the longest time, or Snapchat starting with a single, simple feature. This disciplined focus is only possible through a consultative, back-and-forth conversation between the founder and the team, constantly asking the tough questions: "What business metric is this going to move?" That judgment is something AI can't replicate.

Conclusion: Stop Listening to the Chaos and Start Building

Ali’s message is ultimately one of empowerment. We are in an age where the tools to bring an idea to life are more accessible than ever. His final call to action was simple: "now is the time to build". But that encouragement comes with a critical piece of wisdom.

You must start with the awareness that the goal isn't just to build a product, but to build a business. Be prepared to make that difficult but necessary transition from builder to business owner. Stop listening to the chaos, focus on what truly matters, and you'll be on the right path to turning your vision into a viable, impactful company.

The Buzz - Our Innovation Round

Here are Ali’s answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop.

Most innovative use of AI to enhance human relationships: Using an AI tool that helps you take interviews better by nudging you to look at the camera and build a genuine connection.

Best thing to integrate AI and human connection: Actively avoiding the use of AI for human connection to maintain authenticity, as AI-generated text often feels like fluff.

Differentiate by leveraging AI: Focus on authentic video for marketing, as text is now commoditized and video offers a less noisy, more human platform.

Action

If you are thinking about building a business, now is the time to start. Use the tools all around you to build whatever you plan, as you don't need a lot of external help to get started.

Reach Out

You can reach out and thank Ali via the Wednesday Solutions website or by connecting with him on LinkedIn.

Links:

* Website - Wednesday Solutions

* LinkedIn

* Twitter - @wednesdaysol

* Instagram - @wednesday.sol

Cool Things About Ali

* He is a "Founder Pain-Killer": Ali hasn't just built another software company. He has systematically designed a business model around a core philosophy: to prevent the specific pain, chaos, and waste he has witnessed kill so many startups. He is not just selling a service; he is selling a well-engineered antidote to a common business disease.

* He is a Unicorn Whisperer: Having worked with over 10% of India's unicorn companies, Ali possesses a rare and valuable perspective. He has had a front-row seat to hyper-growth, giving him an extraordinary understanding of the patterns that separate the wildly successful from the rest, especially during their chaotic and vulnerable early stages.

* He is a Pragmatic AI Pioneer: While many leaders talk about AI in abstract or future-tense terms, Ali is a true early adopter who has been using it in the trenches for years. He treats AI not as a buzzword, but as a practical, integrated "force multiplier" that is a fundamental part of his company's daily operations.

Ready to move beyond just creating content and start creating real connection?

In the Age of AI, the future belongs to those who can amplify human wisdom. Flywheel Nation is MORE than a community; it's a movement for creators and visionaries dedicated to shaping a more human future.

Join us as we co-create that future for ethical AI. Here you will tap into the collective wisdom of leaders who prioritize connection over automation, find powerful collaborations that elevate your impact, and help illuminate the path forward.

This is your invitation to not only grow your business but to become a lighthouse for others.

Join the movement. Visit innovabiz.co/flywheel to be a part of the conversation.

Video

Thanks for reading Innovabiz Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

Our guest in this episode is Kevin Perlmutter, author of Brand Desire and a brand strategist who has codified the complex world of human emotion into an actionable framework. Kevin provides a system for businesses to move beyond mere transactions and build genuine, lasting connections with the people they serve. In our fascinating chat, we dive into his powerful system for creating genuine brand desire, exploring why honouring how you want people to feel is the cornerstone of a thriving business, especially in the age of AI.

Key points discussed include:

* Great brands make lives better by honouring their customers' deepest emotional motivations.

* True differentiation comes from what loyal customers already feel, not just from a gap in the market.

* In the age of AI, a leader's crucial role is guarding the line that protects human connection.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Innovabiz Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Show Notes from this episode with Kevin Perlmutter

It was an absolute thrill to welcome Kevin Perlmutter, author of the brilliant book Brand Desire, back to the InnovaBuzz podcast. Our conversation was a powerful reminder of a fundamental truth that so many businesses seem to forget: brands should exist to make people's lives better. Kevin has masterfully codified the complex world of human emotion into a clear and actionable framework that guides businesses away from the shortcuts that degrade human connection and toward creating something people genuinely desire.

So often, we get tangled up in our own processes, our features, and our messaging, without stopping to ask how we’re actually making people feel. As Kevin points out, this disconnect is where brands stumble. They have the best intentions but end up creating frustrating, soul-crushing experiences that do the opposite of building loyalty. Our chat was a masterclass in putting the human heart back at the center of brand strategy.

The Sprinkler System Epiphany: From Dread to Devotion

I loved Kevin’s story about a frustrating experience with a broken lawn sprinkler system that turned into a moment of brand magic. He, like all of us, was bracing for the typical customer service nightmare: a long wait on hold, a difficult conversation, and likely a dead end because the product was out of warranty. That feeling of dread is something we’ve all been conditioned to expect.

Instead, the company called him back within five minutes, a real person quickly identified the problem, and without hesitation, they sent him a brand new, upgraded model for free. In 15 minutes, they transformed a moment of frustration into one of delight. As Kevin rightly said, they didn’t just save a customer; they created a passionate ambassador who will now tell that story for years to come. That is the power of prioritizing a person's feelings over a rigid policy.

Codifying the Connection: The Focus, Connect, Evolve Framework

What’s so powerful about Kevin’s work is that he’s taken this intuitive idea of human connection and built a reliable system around it. He calls it the Focus, Connect, Evolve framework, and it’s a clear roadmap for any brand that wants to build a more meaningful relationship with its audience. It’s a process for turning those fleeting moments of connection into a core, repeatable strategy.

The framework begins with Focus, where you do the deep work of gaining customer insight. Then you move to Connect, where you craft the emotional benefit and an invitation into your brand. Finally, you Evolve by bringing that promise to life in every single experience a customer has with you, ensuring the feeling you want to create is consistently delivered.

Uncovering Your Beacon: The 'Shared Emotional Motivation'

Diving deeper into that "Focus" phase, Kevin shared a concept that really resonated with me: the "shared emotional motivation." This isn't about finding some patch of "white space" in a competitive analysis. It's about doing the work to understand the emotional truth of why your most loyal customers love you. It’s about finding the intersection where what your brand authentically provides meets what your customers are truly craving.

When you find that intersection, it becomes your brand's guiding "beacon." It’s a clear, unwavering light that informs every decision you make, from your marketing copy to your product development to your customer service policies. It ensures that you are always oriented around the emotional core of your promise to your customers.

How 'Invincible' Feels: A B2B Masterclass in Emotion

To show this in action, Kevin told the story of a B2B software company that helps supply chain managers. Their customers went from using gut instinct and spreadsheets, constantly afraid of "getting yelled at," to being the "hero" in their organization because they always had the right numbers. The shared emotional motivation wasn't about efficiency; it was about the craving to feel competent and secure.

From this insight, the powerful brand promise, "Be Supply Chain Invincible," was born. It was a bold, emotional statement that initially made the client a bit nervous, but it was completely authentic because it was rooted in how their service already made their best customers feel. It’s a perfect example of how emotion is just as critical in B2B as it is in B2C.

The AI Tightrope: Guarding the Humanity Line

Of course, we had to talk about AI. Kevin has a wonderfully clear-eyed perspective on it. While AI can be a fantastic tool for things like summarizing customer reviews or acting as an "enhanced thesaurus," there’s a significant danger when it’s used to replace genuine human interaction without careful thought.

He was adamant that the brand leader's role today is to be the guardian of the human experience. You must know where the line is between using AI to be humanity-enhancing versus humanity-degrading. And his advice is simple: you must never, ever cross that line just for the sake of cost-cutting or efficiency. That is a non-negotiable responsibility.

Your Limbic Sparks Mindset: Three Questions to Ask Today

To bring it all home, Kevin shared a simple, actionable mindset that anyone can adopt, which he calls the Limbic Sparks Mindset. It boils down to asking three essential questions every day, whether you’re designing a new product or just writing an email.

First, what are people’s frustrations, unmet needs, and motivations? Second, how do people want to feel when they interact with you? And finally, what should your brand do and say to make people's lives better? By asking these questions, you begin to build a brand that people don't just buy from, but truly desire to have in their lives.

In Summary: My conversation with Kevin Perlmutter was a profound call to action for all business leaders. His message is that the brands that thrive will be the ones who understand and address the emotional motivations of their customers. It’s not just about what you do; it’s about how you make people feel.

The Buzz - Our Innovation Round

Here are Kevin’s answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop.

* Most innovative use of AI to enhance human relationships – AI algorithms can be used to create pairings and matchings that connect like-minded people, assuming they foster genuine connection rather than isolation.

* Best thing to integrate AI and human connection – Use AI as an enhanced thesaurus to explore alternative phrasing and interpretations, which helps deepen the nuance of your own human communication.

* Differentiate by leveraging AI – Discover what makes you unique by asking others for input on how you make them feel, then lean into that authentic emotional differentiator.

Action

Embrace a Limbic Sparks Mindset. Think about your customer's frustrations, needs, and desires. Ask yourself how they want to feel, then design what you say and do to truly make their lives better.

Reach Out

You can reach out and thank Kevin on LinkedIn and find all the details about his book and framework at branddesirebook.com.

Links:

* Website – Limbic Brand Evolution

* Twitter – @KevinPerlmutter

* LinkedIn

Books:

* Brand Desire: Spark Customer Interest Using Emotional Insights, Kevin Perlmutter

Cool Things About Kevin

* He Played the Long Game with His Podcast. Years before his book deal, Kevin strategically designed his podcast as a research tool. He intentionally asked every one of his 37 guests the same core questions, patiently building a unique library of expert insights that would eventually become a foundational part of his book. That level of foresight and disciplined creativity is unconventional and impressive.

* He Deconstructed His Own "Magic" for Others. Kevin admits that his successful approach was, for a long time, "somewhat intuitive" and "second nature" to him. The cool part isn't the intuition itself, but his decision to undertake the difficult work of codifying it. He didn't just want to be the magician; he wanted to write down the spells so that, as he said, "anybody can learn how to do it". That's a profoundly generous impulse.

* He's a Principled Guardian of Humanity in Tech. In a world quick to adopt any new technology, Kevin has drawn a clear "do not cross line". He's not anti-AI; he's a staunch, principled advocate for ensuring technology serves, rather than "degrades," the human experience. This role as a thoughtful "guardian" against dehumanizing shortcuts is a powerful and very human stance to take.

Ready to move beyond just creating content and start creating real connection?

In the Age of AI, the future belongs to those who can amplify human wisdom. Flywheel Nation is MORE than a community; it's a movement for creators and visionaries dedicated to shaping a more human future.

Join us as we co-create that future for ethical AI. Here you will tap into the collective wisdom of leaders who prioritize connection over automation, find powerful collaborations that elevate your impact, and help illuminate the path forward.

This is your invitation to not only grow your business but to become a lighthouse for others.

Join the movement. Visit innovabiz.co/flywheel to be a part of the conversation.

Video

Thanks for reading Innovabiz Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

Our guest in this episode is Matt Stanley, the founder of Get Reviews and Leads and a passionate marketing architect with 30 years of experience. What started as a fascination with the early internet evolved into a mission-driven career for Matt, focused on using technology to serve people and build thriving, human-centered businesses. In our chat, Matt shares his powerful frameworks for moving beyond simple deliverables to create marketing that forges deep, emotional connections and lifelong customer loyalty.

Key points discussed include:

* Connect with your dream customer’s "reptile brain" by understanding their deep-seated pains and fears.

* Closing the sale is the starting line; create a legendary onboarding experience to build loyalty.

* Use AI as a strategic toolbox to free up your time for genuine, human-to-human connection.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Innovabiz Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Show Notes from this episode with Matt Stanley

It was an absolute thrill to welcome Matt Stanley of Get Reviews and Leads to the InnovaBuzz podcast. For 30 years, Matt has been in the trenches, architecting sales and marketing systems, and our conversation was a masterclass in stripping away the noise to focus on what truly matters: genuine, human-centered connection. Matt’s passion is infectious; he’s a self-described "nerd" and "geek" who fell in love with the craft of marketing not as a way to make a quick buck, but as a profound way to serve people.

His journey as an "accidental entrepreneur" is one many of us can relate to. What began as a fascination with the early internet, a technology he knew would change the world, became a career-defining mission. The 2008 recession, which cost him his stable job, became the catalyst that pushed him all-in. It was a decision, as he puts it, that was made for him, leading him to discover that his true calling was helping businesses navigate the intimidating world of technology to build something truly meaningful.

The "Forest for the Trees" Marketing Mistake

One of the biggest takeaways for me was Matt’s frustration with how many businesses "can't see the forest for the trees." They get so fixated on the deliverable—the shiny new website, the social media campaign—that they completely lose sight of the bigger picture. A website, he rightly argues, is just a tool. If it’s disconnected from the fundamental "DNA of the brand" and fails to make an emotional connection, it’s not going to deliver a return on investment.

This is where so many marketing efforts fall flat. Companies start with the what—"we need a website"—instead of the who and the why. They fail to ask the critical questions about how this tool will connect to their dream customer and serve the core mission of the company. It’s a powerful reminder to always start with the end in mind: a deeper relationship with the people you aim to serve.

Decoding the "Reptile Brain": The Real Secret to Connecting with Your Dream Customer

So, how do we build that connection? According to Matt, it starts by getting under the hood and understanding the "reptile brain." All purchase decisions, he explained, are made from this primal place that is driven by pain, pleasure, and survival. We then use our logical brain to justify the decision we’ve already made emotionally. This is why a simple demographic profile of your customer just doesn't cut it.

The real secret sauce is digging into the psychographics through tools like an empathy map. What are your dream customer’s hidden fears? What frustrations keep them awake at night? When you can poke that pain, rub salt in the wound, and then offer a genuine solution, you're not just selling; you’re connecting on a level that builds profound trust and loyalty.

AI: The Planet's Most Powerful Toolbox (Handle with Care)

Our conversation naturally turned to AI, a technology Matt sees as being just as transformative as the early internet. He views it as the most powerful toolbox on the planet, an incredible asset for saving time and creating efficiency. However, he offered a crucial warning: a tool is only as good as the person wielding it. He sees too many people using AI as a crutch for laziness, forgetting the timeless fundamentals of human psychology.

As Matt bluntly puts it, "garbage in, garbage out." If your prompts are lazy and you don't understand the core principles of your brand and your customer, the AI will produce junk. The real skill is learning how to communicate with the technology to make you a more effective, articulate, and strategic thinker, freeing you up to do the high-value, human-centric work you love.

Your Greatest Differentiator: The "Whites of Their Eyeballs" Onboarding Experience

In an age of automation, Matt argues that the path to differentiation lies in doing the things that don't scale. How do you create an experience your customers can't forget if they tried? You go old-school. He shared the wonderfully simple yet profound example of sending a handwritten note. In a world of emails and DMs, a physical, personal touch stands out and shows you genuinely care.

This philosophy extends to the entire onboarding experience. Instead of seeing the transaction as the end of the journey, we need to create a legendary first impression. Sending a small, thoughtful gift basket or simply picking up the phone creates an emotional connection that AI can't replicate. It’s about seeing the "whites of their eyeballs" and treating every customer like a VIP.

Closing the Sale is Just the Starting Line

This leads perfectly to one of Matt’s core beliefs: closing the sale isn't the end of the relationship; it's the starting line. Too many businesses are so fixated on acquisition that they neglect their most precious asset: their existing customers. He beautifully compared the business-customer relationship to his own 20-year marriage, emphasizing that it requires a lifelong commitment.

The goal should be to constantly woo your customers and try to "out-serve" them. When you adopt this mindset, you shift from a transactional model to a relational one. The focus moves from what you can get from the customer to how deeply you can serve them, which is the foundation of any thriving, sustainable business.

From Reach to Retention: Unlocking the Gold Mine in Your Existing Customer Base

Matt ties all of this together in his holistic "RACK" framework, which stands for Reach, Attract, Convert, and Keep. That last letter, K, is the one most businesses forget. It costs seven to twelve times more to acquire a new customer than to keep an existing one, yet so many of us pour all our energy into the top of the funnel.

Your current customers are a literal "gold mine" of opportunity, not just for repeat business but for referrals and invaluable feedback. By focusing on that final step—by obsessing over your dream customer’s dream customer—you create a virtuous cycle of service and value that becomes the ultimate engine for growth.

In Summary: Matt Stanley delivers a powerful and passionate call to action for every entrepreneur. In a world increasingly dominated by technology, our greatest strength and differentiator will always be our humanity. By understanding the deep emotional drivers of our customers, creating unforgettable experiences, and committing to serving them for life, we can build businesses that not only thrive but also make a genuine impact.

The Buzz - Our Innovation Round

Here are Matt's answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop.

* Most innovative use of AI to enhance human relationships: Using an AI agent to instantly and empathetically respond to negative online reviews to solve customer problems 24/7.

* Best thing to integrate AI and human connection: Building AI tools that handle the heavy lifting, freeing up human time for more creative and fulfilling work.

* Differentiate by leveraging AI: Create a legendary, high-touch onboarding experience using old-school methods like a handwritten note to stand out.

Action

Become obsessed with your dream customer's dream customer. When you think a level deeper and focus on helping them win, everybody wins.

Reach Out

You can reach out and thank Matt on his website, getreviewsandleads.com. You can also grab the free Marketing Copy Architect tool he mentioned at getreviewsandleads.com/mca, or find him on various social media sites.

Links:

* Website - Get Reviews and Leads

* LinkedIn

* Facebook

* X - @Matt_Stanley

* Instagram - @getreviewsandleads

Cool Things About Matt

* His web security career was kick-started by a 7th-grade hacker. A pivotal moment in his career came when a seventh-grader hacked all the school district's websites where he worked. Driven by what he called professional and ethical anger, Matt walked into his boss's office and successfully campaigned to take over webmaster duties to fix the problem and ensure it never happened again.

* He is a proud, unashamed "geek and nerd" of the original internet era. Matt enthusiastically self-identifies as a "geek and nerd" and takes pride in his long history with technology. He taught himself HTML in 1995 by reverse-engineering source code simply because he thought the internet was the "coolest thing" he had ever seen, long before it was a viable career path.

* He recently moved his 13-year-old business back into a bedroom of his house. After more than a decade of commuting and paying for an external office, Matt realized the reasons for it were no longer relevant. He made the practical, human-scale decision to move the entire operation back home to gain more flexibility and reduce overhead, a very relatable move in today's world.

Ready to move beyond just creating content and start creating real connection?

In the Age of AI, the future belongs to those who can amplify human wisdom. Flywheel Nation is MORE than a community; it's a movement for creators and visionaries dedicated to shaping a more human future.

Join us as we co-create that future for ethical AI. Here you will tap into the collective wisdom of leaders who prioritize connection over automation, find powerful collaborations that elevate your impact, and help illuminate the path forward.

This is your invitation to not only grow your business but to become a lighthouse for others.

Join the movement. Visit innovabiz.co/flywheel to be a part of the conversation.

Video

Thanks for reading Innovabiz Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

Our guest in this episode is Ruth Kent, a passionate advisor who began her career as a teacher with a love for public health. Driven by a deep sense of purpose, she now blends these two worlds to help organizations create more human-centered and effective ways to learn and thrive. In our wonderful chat, Ruth shares her pragmatic approach to navigating today's biggest workplace challenges, from fostering genuine psychological safety to harnessing AI as a tool for deeper connection.

Key points discussed include:

* True psychological safety is built on a leader's vulnerability and courage to "circle back" after a mistake.

* Frame AI not as a threat, but as a collaborative thinking partner to enhance our human capabilities and creativity.

* In an age of intelligent machines, our greatest asset is our ability to lean into our shared humanity.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Innovabiz Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Show Notes from this episode with Ruth Kent

It was an absolute privilege to welcome the brilliant Ruth Kent to the InnovaBuzz podcast. Drawing from her fascinating background in both public health and education, Ruth helps organizations build a more human and effective way to learn and thrive. Our conversation was a deep dive into what it truly means to support people in the modern workplace, moving beyond simple programs to create genuine frameworks for connection and wellbeing.

Ruth’s insights are particularly timely. She shared how the entire landscape of workplace wellbeing has evolved, especially in the last five years. We've moved past the era of one-size-fits-all fitness challenges and into a much more nuanced space. The conversation now includes hybrid work, the right to disconnect, and a growing understanding of neurodiversity, all demanding a more thoughtful approach.

The New Workplace Landscape: Beyond the Wellness Program

One of the most powerful ideas Ruth introduced was the concept of applying a "public health lens" to an organization. Instead of just reacting with isolated wellness initiatives, this approach encourages leaders to step back and look at the entire system. It’s about getting curious about the specific demographics, needs, and cultural nuances of the team you actually have, rather than just importing a program that worked for another company.

This means asking deeper questions and truly listening to what people need to feel supported. It's a strategic shift from simply offering perks to proactively designing a healthier, more connected work environment from the ground up. This method allows for the creation of supports that are not only more effective but also feel far more authentic to the people they are meant to serve.

The Foundation of Growth: Cultivating Real Psychological Safety

Of course, none of this is possible without a foundation of psychological safety. We explored the immense challenge leaders face in getting truly honest feedback, and Ruth shared a wonderfully human insight to guide them. She drew a powerful analogy between effective leadership and modern parenting, highlighting the importance of vulnerability and the courage to "circle back" after making a mistake.

Imagine a leader who, after a tense moment or a poorly-worded email, has the self-awareness to return to their team member and say, "That wasn't my best self, and I apologize." That simple, authentic act doesn't just fix a single interaction; it builds a bridge of trust. It signals that it's okay to be human, to be imperfect, and to be committed to working through challenges together.

The Leader's Inner Compass: The Power of Self-Awareness

Diving deeper, Ruth explained that this ability to "circle back" stems from a profound self-awareness, or what she calls "interoception." This is the ability to notice our own internal state—that clenching in the stomach or the quickening heart rate—and understand how it's driving our thoughts and actions. A leader who is attuned to their inner world can make more conscious choices about their behaviour.

This is critical because, as Ruth pointed out, a leader’s internal experience is transmitted to the team whether they intend it or not. We are all "beacons," and our non-verbal cues often speak louder than our words. By cultivating this inner awareness, leaders can move from being reactive to being intentional, creating a calmer and more stable environment for everyone.

Reframing Our Future: AI as a Collaborative Thinking Partner

Our conversation then turned to the great disruptor of our time: Artificial Intelligence. Ruth offered a refreshingly balanced and optimistic perspective, framing AI not as a threat, but as a potential "collaborative thinking partner." She sees it as a tool that, if we proceed with awareness and caution, can help us solve some of humanity’s biggest challenges.

This doesn't mean ignoring the very real anxieties many people feel about job displacement or a potential crisis of purpose. Ruth acknowledged these challenges thoughtfully, suggesting that our task is to guide this emerging technology, to have foresight, and to think critically about how we can make sure the benefits are shared by all.

From Efficiency to Empathy: Using AI to Enhance Our Humanity

So how do we use this powerful new partner to become more human? Ruth shared a fantastic personal example of using an AI chatbot as a supportive, objective third party. After receiving a frustrating email, instead of firing back an emotional reply, she used the AI to validate her feelings and think through a more constructive response, ultimately preserving the relationship.

This beautifully illustrates a key opportunity: we can use AI to handle repetitive tasks and create efficiencies, but the real prize is what we do with the time we save. The goal isn't just to move on to the next task faster. The goal is to reinvest that reclaimed time in what truly matters: checking in with a colleague, writing a thoughtful thank you note, or simply having a conversation to ask, "How are you?"

Your Ultimate Differentiator: Leaning Deeper into Connection

As we wrapped up, the central theme became crystal clear. In an age where AI can handle so much of the clerical and repetitive work, our greatest value and key differentiator will always be our humanity. The ability to be flexible, to connect authentically, and to lean into our self-awareness are the skills that will matter most.

Ruth left us with a simple, brilliant call to action that perfectly balances the technological and the human. First, find someone in your life who may not understand AI and take a moment to expose them to it; share the potential and open up a conversation. Then, to counteract that, pick up the phone and call a friend. Have a real conversation and listen to a human voice.

In Summary: My chat with Ruth Kent was a powerful reminder that the path to a better future of work isn't about choosing between technology and humanity, but about consciously using one to deepen the other. By cultivating self-awareness, fostering genuine psychological safety, and reinvesting our time in real connection, we can build workplaces where both people and organizations can truly flourish.

The Buzz - Our Innovation Round

Here are Ruth’s answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop.

* Most innovative use of AI to enhance human relationships: AI can act as a supportive sidekick, offering advice before you respond to someone to help strengthen the connection.

* Best thing to integrate AI and human connection: Ruth uses AI to enhance her own capabilities and strategic thinking, which indirectly enables her to connect more effectively with others.

* Differentiate by leveraging AI: Differentiate yourself by deeply understanding your inner self, which allows you to harness AI to amplify your unique humanity.

Action

Expose someone new to AI to help spread the understanding of what it's capable of. To balance this, make a phone call to a friend and have a real conversation, connecting with a human voice.

Reach Out

You can reach out and thank Ruth on LinkedIn, via her website, or by sending an email to [email protected].

Links:

* Website - Sunrise Well

* LinkedIn

* Facebook

* Instagram - @sunrise_well

Cool Things About Ruth

* Ruth applies a "Public Health Lens" to Business: She doesn't just look at individual employee perks. Instead, she applies a "public health lens" to an entire organization, analyzing the culture, demographics, and systems to understand the root causes of workplace stress and disconnection.

* She Saw the Pandemic Coming: Due to her studies in public health, she was one of the few people who wasn't surprised by the arrival of the 2020 pandemic and the subsequent public health measures. She knew something like it was statistically inevitable.

* Leadership is Like Conscious Parenting: Ruth has a powerful and relatable philosophy that great leadership mirrors conscious parenting. The key is not to be perfect, but to have the self-awareness and vulnerability to "circle back," apologize, and repair connections after a mistake.

* Uses AI as an Emotional Sounding Board: She views AI as a "collaborative thinking partner." She shared a personal example of using it to process her own frustration with an email, allowing her to get validation and formulate a calm, professional response rather than reacting emotionally.

Ready to move beyond just creating content and start creating real connection?

In the Age of AI, the future belongs to those who can amplify human wisdom. Flywheel Nation is MORE than a community; it's a movement for creators and visionaries dedicated to shaping a more human future.

Join us as we co-create that future for ethical AI. Here you will tap into the collective wisdom of leaders who prioritize connection over automation, find powerful collaborations that elevate your impact, and help illuminate the path forward.

This is your invitation to not only grow your business but to become a lighthouse for others.

Join the movement. Visit innovabiz.co/flywheel to be a part of the conversation.

Video

Thanks for reading Innovabiz Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

Our guest in this episode is Jennifer K. Hill, an exited founder and tech CEO who is now cracking the code of human connection through her company, OptiMatch. Her mission was born from what she calls "survival," a personal journey to understand herself after realising she was the "common denominator" in her own relational breakdowns.

In our wonderful chat, Jennifer shares her master blueprint for building high-trust relationships, the "Golden Triangle of Connection," and provides an arsenal of practical tools for emotional resilience. Key points discussed include:

* True connection begins with yourself; you're the common denominator in all of your relationships.

* Understand others' core motivations to speak a language they can hear, preventing communication breakdowns.

* Use practical tools to regulate your nervous system, allowing your adult self to lead, not your inner child.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Innovabiz Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Show Notes from this episode with Jennifer K. Hill

It was an absolute privilege to welcome Jennifer K. Hill to the InnovaBuzz podcast, an exited founder and tech CEO who is now on a mission to crack the code of human connection. Her journey is a fascinating one, not born from a lofty academic theory, but forged in the fires of personal experience. As Jennifer so candidly shared, her deep dive into the mechanics of trust and relationships began as an act of pure "survival."

What unfolded was a powerful conversation about her master blueprint for connection, a framework she calls the Golden Triangle. It’s a roadmap that starts in the one place many of us are afraid to look: ourselves. Jennifer’s story is a profound reminder that before we can build bridges to others or to a greater purpose, we must first learn to navigate our own inner landscape with courage and compassion.

The Common Denominator: Your First and Most Important Relationship

One of the most powerful moments in our chat was when Jennifer described her ultimate "light bulb" moment. After years of broken relationships and communication breakdowns in every area of her life, she finally asked the hard question and came to a stunningly simple conclusion: "The common denominator? Me." That single realisation sparked a two-decade journey inward and became the bedrock of her work.

This is the first corner of her Golden Triangle: a deep, unwavering connection to self. Jennifer argues that without this foundation, we will always feel a void, leaving us to seek validation and energy from others. True intimacy with our partners, our teams, and our purpose can only be built once we’ve done the deep work of understanding our own motivations, triggers, and blind spots.

Are You a Leche or an Apple? Speaking a Language Others Can Hear

Once we begin to understand ourselves, we can start to truly understand others. Jennifer has translated her intuitive gift for reading people into a remarkable technology called OptiMatch, which identifies our primary motivators using memorable fruit archetypes. Are you a "Leche," driven by achievement and needing information in three quick bullet points? Or are you an "Apple," who thrives on data and needs to see all fifty points of research?

These differences aren't a matter of someone being difficult or "misbehaving;" it's simply about learning to "speak each other's language." Jennifer shared a brilliant example of two co-founders who were struggling until they realised this. By learning to speak into the other person's listening, they transformed their dynamic from one of friction to one of flow, a lesson that applies to every boardroom and every family dinner table.

The Unseen Saboteur: Why You Need to Master "Transition Time"

Sometimes the biggest breakdowns come from the smallest misunderstandings. Jennifer shared a deeply personal story about "transition time," a concept she learned from her mentor, Alison Armstrong. She described how her ex-husband would come home from work and need a period to decompress, a need she, in her excitement to connect, would completely miss. His silence felt like a rejection, leading her to become "passive aggressive" and withhold affection.

This dynamic is a silent saboteur in countless relationships. Recognising that some people, regardless of gender, need time to transition between tasks or environments is a simple but revolutionary act of empathy. It’s about giving grace and understanding that someone’s need for a quiet moment isn’t a personal slight, but a fundamental aspect of how they’re wired.

Don't Burn the House Down: Practical Tools for Taming Your Amygdala

When we feel slighted or triggered, our primitive brain, the amygdala, takes over. As Jennifer so vividly put it, in those moments of anger, she was ready to "dissolve the company, light the thing on fire and burn everything to the ground." To avoid this, we need practical tools to regulate our nervous system and get our rational brain back online, allowing us to be responsive instead of reactive.

Jennifer has an arsenal of over 180 of these tools, and she shared a few of her favourites, from HeartMath’s heart-focused breathing to the simple yet profound questions of the Sedona Method. These aren’t complex, time-consuming practices; they are in-the-moment techniques you can use with your eyes open during a tense meeting to quiet the alarm bells in your brain and choose a more constructive path.

The Inner Child Running the Boardroom

So why do we get triggered in the first place? Jennifer offered a stunningly clear explanation: most of the time, our conflicts are not being waged by our adult selves. Instead, "we are a 4-year-old and a 3-year-old being like, you can't make me, you suck!" It’s our unhealed inner children, desperate for love and acceptance, who are running the show and causing the chaos.

The antidote is what she calls "Inner Child Work." This is the secret sauce: learning to talk to that little one within you, giving yourself the love, safety, and acceptance you've been trying to get from everyone else. When you can do that, you stop taking that neediness into your relationships, and your competent, 44-year-old self can finally run the meeting.

Humanizing Our Future: A Pragmatic Optimist’s Take on AI

Our conversation fittingly concluded by looking at the future of connection in the age of technology. As a "pragmatic optimist," Jennifer sees a powerful opportunity to "humanize AI" by always putting the "human first, tech second." She believes that far from replacing us, AI can be an incredible ally on our journey of self-discovery.

Imagine having a companion you can talk to without any fear of judgment, a tool that can help you understand your own patterns and reflect on your feelings in a completely safe space. When we approach it with intention, technology doesn't have to be a force for disconnection; it can become one of the most powerful tools we have for building a deeper relationship with ourselves.

In Summary: Jennifer K. Hill provides a masterclass in building a more connected life, starting from the inside out. Her message is clear: when we have the courage to see ourselves as the common denominator, learn to speak the language of others, and do the work to heal our inner child, we can transform every relationship we have—with ourselves, each other, and our purpose in the world.

The Buzz - Our Innovation Round

Here are Jennifer’s answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop.

* Most innovative use of AI to enhance human relationships: AI can provide non-judgmental companionship, creating a safe space for people to share their feelings without fear of being judged.

* Best thing to integrate AI and human connection: Jennifer used AI to create an animated short film from her narrated children's book, allowing her to share a message of connection with kids and adults worldwide.

* Differentiate by leveraging AI: Use AI as a real-time assistant to outsource administrative tasks, freeing up your time to focus on the joyful, high-impact human interactions that truly matter.

Action

Go to OM.app/survey and take the free OptiMatch survey to discover how you are motivated and find out if you are a leche, apple, mango, or parrot.

Reach Out

You can reach out and thank Jennifer by visiting OM.app to take her free assessment or by connecting with her on LinkedIn (be sure to mention this podcast episode). You can also find her weekly article, "Inspired Living Tools," on LinkedIn and follow her at @JenHillSpeaker.

Links:

* Opti Match Survey

* LinkedIn

* X (formerly Twitter) - @JenHillSpeaker

* Instagram - @jenhillspeaker

* YouTube

Cool Things About Jennifer

* She is a practical philanthropist who helped build two schools abroad, showing long‑term, hands‑on commitment to contribution.

* She has interviewed world‑renowned thought leaders, including Dr. Deepak Chopra and Bruce Lipton, blending entrepreneurship with deep public conversation.

* As an exited founder, she has real operating experience and credibility in building and selling a tech business.

* She is building technology for trust — a matching tool intended to enhance relational clarity and team performance.

Ready to move beyond just creating content and start creating real connection?

In the Age of AI, the future belongs to those who can amplify human wisdom. Flywheel Nation is MORE than a community; it's a movement for creators and visionaries dedicated to shaping a more human future.

Join us as we co-create that future for ethical AI. Here you will tap into the collective wisdom of leaders who prioritize connection over automation, find powerful collaborations that elevate your impact, and help illuminate the path forward.

This is your invitation to not only grow your business but to become a lighthouse for others.

Join the movement. Visit innovabiz.co/flywheel to be a part of the conversation.

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Our guest in this episode is Jem Fuller, a leadership and culture coach and author from the beautiful Bells Beach, Victoria. For over a decade, Jem has been guiding people on profound journeys, both literally to the Himalayas and metaphorically inward, to help them build frameworks for genuine connection and purpose.

In our wonderful chat, Jem shares his evolved mission to combat the modern malady of disconnection. We explore his powerful concept of finding your "4% genius zone" and his unique, optimistic view on using AI as a tool to give us back the time for what truly matters: our human relationships. Key points discussed include:

* Find your 4% genius zone by courageously focusing on what you love and do best.

* True fulfillment comes from stripping away the noise and reconnecting with yourself, others, and a greater purpose.

* In the age of AI, our human imperfection and shared felt experiences become our most valuable assets.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Innovabiz Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Show Notes from this episode with Jem Fuller

It was an absolute delight to welcome Jem Fuller, leadership coach and philosopher-guide, back to the Innovabuzz podcast for his third visit. It’s been nine years since our first chat, and in that time, Jem’s mission has deepened in the most remarkable ways. He continues to explore the frameworks that allow us to truly connect with ourselves and others, but now he’s applying that wisdom to some of the biggest questions of our time, from finding our true purpose to navigating the age of AI with our humanity intact.

Our conversation was a powerful reminder that the journey inward is the most important one we can take. Jem shared his own evolution, driven by a global community of peers who challenged him to crystallize his work down to its most potent essence. It’s a journey that has led him to create profound, life-altering experiences for others while building a philanthropic legacy aimed at creating waves of positive change in the world.

Finding Your 4%: The Courage to Live in Your Genius Zone

One of the most profound ideas Jem shared was the concept of finding your "4%." He explained the well-known 80/20 rule, but then challenged us to take it a step further: apply the rule to that potent 20% to discover the 4% of your work that is truly your genius. This is the space where you deliver the most value, the work you truly love, and where time seems to disappear because you’re in a state of flow.

But this isn't just a productivity hack; it's an act of courage. It requires us to consciously cut out the noise and the tasks that drain us, even if they feel important, to build a life where we spend most of our time in that genius zone. For Jem, this meant redesigning his entire approach to his work, leading to a model that creates immense impact not just for his clients, but for communities in need.

The Himalayan Journey: Stripping Away the Layers to Find Meaning

Nowhere is this focus more evident than in Jem’s redesigned Himalayan program. He shared the powerful narrative of this journey, which consciously guides clients from a world of opulence and all the stuff money can buy, to the raw, humbling simplicity of the remote mountains. Guests start in the finest hotels and end up drinking chai in a slum, invited as guests, not tourists. This process is a careful, deliberate stripping away of the external layers we all carry.

By peeling back the noise, the distractions, and the societal definitions of success, the program creates a space for people to ask the biggest questions: Who am I beneath all these roles? And why am I here? It’s a journey that culminates not in a simple return to normal life, but in a rebuilt foundation where inner peace and a passion for meaningful contribution become the new true north.

Our Great Disconnection: The Path Back to Ourselves and Each Other

At the heart of Jem’s philosophy is a diagnosis of our modern malady: disconnection. He believes we have become disconnected from each other, from ourselves, and from the reality that we are all intrinsically part of the same greater system. We’re pushed apart by algorithms and distracted by the busyness of life, forgetting that we have far more in common than we have in difference.

The antidote, Jem suggests, is to consciously remember and reinvest in connection. This involves reconnecting with the essence of who we are, deepening our bonds with other humans, and finding a sense of purpose that extends beyond ourselves. It’s a simple truth, yet profoundly challenging in a world that constantly pulls our attention elsewhere.

The Midwifery of AI: Nurturing Technology to Reclaim Our Time

In a fascinating turn, Jem applies this philosophy of connection to the rise of Artificial Intelligence. As a self-proclaimed "default optimist," he sees incredible potential in AI, not as a replacement for humanity, but as a tool to restore it. He shared the beautiful metaphor of our role being the "midwifery of this emerging intelligence," suggesting we have a responsibility to nurture it with integrity, compassion, and care.

Jem’s hope is that AI will give us back the gift of time by handling the tasks that consume our days. If we are conscious and clever enough, he argues, we can reinvest that reclaimed time where it matters most: in our human-to-human relationships. Imagine having the space to grab a coffee with a colleague, not to talk about work, but to simply ask, "How are you?"

The Value of Our Imperfection: Why Humanity is Our Greatest Asset

This led to one of the most beautiful points of our conversation. As AI becomes more "perfect," Jem argues that our human imperfections will become our most valuable asset. The moments when our voice trembles during a tough conversation, when we stumble over our words, or when we sit in shared empathy with another person—these are the things AI can never replicate.

This shared felt experience is uniquely human. The ability to feel awe at a rainbow, to create art through blood, sweat, and tears, or to offer compassion to another are the cornerstones of our relevance. It’s a powerful reframe that urges us to lean into our messy, beautiful humanity rather than chase an impossible standard of perfection.

A Simple Invitation: The Transformative Power of the Pause

To bring these big ideas into our daily lives, Jem left us with a wonderfully simple and actionable step. He invites us to take a sticky note, write the word "Pause," and place it next to an existing daily habit, like our coffee machine. When you see the note, simply pause. Take three deep breaths before you continue with your task.

This tiny ritual is an invitation to create a small pocket of presence in your day. Over time, the habit becomes ingrained, and the pause becomes a natural moment to reconnect with yourself. It’s a reminder that the journey to greater connection and meaning doesn’t have to start with a grand gesture; it can begin with a single, conscious breath.

In Summary: My conversation with Jem Fuller was a masterclass in conscious living. His message is a powerful call to action: find the courage to focus on your true genius, strip away the noise to reconnect with what matters, and embrace technology not as an escape, but as a bridge back to our shared humanity. By cherishing our imperfections and creating moments of pause, we can begin to build a more connected and meaningful life, one breath at a time.

The Buzz - Our Innovation Round

Here are Jem’s answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop.

* Most innovative use of AI to enhance human relationships – Building an executive team of AIs to handle strategy, explicitly to give humans more time for their relationships.

* Best thing to integrate AI and human connection – Consciously training his AI assistant to prompt him to switch off his computer and connect with real people.

* Differentiate by leveraging AI – Do the things AI can't, like handwriting a Christmas card or picking up the phone to personally celebrate someone.

Action

Get a sticky note and write the word "Pause" on it. Stick it next to an existing daily habit, like your coffee machine, and when you see it, take three breaths before you continue.

Reach Out

You can reach out and thank Jem on his website, JemFuller.com, or directly via email at [email protected]. You can also find him across social media, including Instagram and LinkedIn, at @JemFuller. To learn more about his profound Himalayan journey, visit Meaning on the Mountain.

Links:

* Website – Jem Fuller

* Jem Fuller: How to Lead with a Servant’s Heart – Innova.Buzz #40

* Jem Fuller: The Art of Conscious Communication for Thoughtful Men

* LinkedIn

* Facebook

* Twitter – @JemFuller

* Instagram – @JemFuller

* Youtube

* TEDx Talk “How Conscious Communication Can Change Your Game”

Books:

* The Art of Conscious Communication for Thoughtful Men, Jem Fuller

Cool Things About Jem

* For the past 12 years, he has run a unique leadership program in the Himalayas. The journey intentionally takes clients to the essential simplicity of the mountains to help them find their core purpose.

* He founded a non-profit organization called "The Center of Love." It's currently raising funds to build a non-profit meditation and retreat center on donated land in the Himalayas, with the goal of providing educational resources for children in remote villages.

* He has a wonderfully conscious and personal relationship with technology. He refers to his role as being a "midwife" for artificial intelligence and has a digital personal assistant named Lumi, which he trains to prompt him to take screen breaks and connect with friends.

* In an increasingly digital world, he champions the power of the human touch, making a point to handwrite Christmas cards to his clients and friends every year.

Ready to move beyond just creating content and start creating real connection?

In the Age of AI, the future belongs to those who can amplify human wisdom. Flywheel Nation is MORE than a community; it's a movement for creators and visionaries dedicated to shaping a more human future.

Join us as we co-create that future for ethical AI. Here you will tap into the collective wisdom of leaders who prioritize connection over automation, find powerful collaborations that elevate your impact, and help illuminate the path forward.

This is your invitation to not only grow your business but to become a lighthouse for others.

Join the movement. Visit innovabiz.co/flywheel to be a part of the conversation.

Video

Thanks for reading Innovabiz Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe