Slop World Podcast

Most AI tools are trained on what’s considered “normal.” Everyone else is an afterthought (if they’re included at all).

Juan Faisal talks with Verena Weber, AI consultant and founder of Women in Tech, about how bias shows up in tools, teams, and leadership. From invisible labor to the myth of confidence, they unpack what keeps women and non-technical professionals out of the loop — and how to change it without waiting for permission.

🤖 Why it matters

Only 22 percent of global AI talent is female.

That’s not just underrepresentation. It’s a design flaw.

🤖 You’ll learn

- How male-first defaults shape tools and workplaces

- What confidence actually looks like in tech

- Why creatives don’t need to code to lead AI work

- How to track change beyond DEI performance

🤖 Guest: Verena Weber

AI consultant, former Amazon data scientist, founder of Women in Tech

- Website: https://www.verenaweber.de/

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verena-weber-134178b9/

- Women in Tech Newsletter: https://verenas-newsletter-63558b.beehiiv.com/

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/viaviawe/

- UNESCO: https://www.interface-eu.org/publications/ai-gender-gap

- Interface Report: https://interface-eu.org/publications/ai-gender-gap

- McKinsey: https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/diversity-and-inclusion/diversity-wins-how-inclusion-matters

🤖 Host: Juan Faisal

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akajuanfaisal/

- Newsletter: https://juanfaisal.substack.com/

- Website: https://juanfaisal.com/

🤖 Timestamps

00:00 Verena Weber's background

01:09 Why tech and AI workplaces exclude women

02:34 The cost of gender-blind tech

04:19 The confidence code for women in AI

06:59 Embodiment work to build confidence

09:32 AI enablement for non-technical roles

11:17 Why AI outputs still need human oversight

12:20 Protecting sensitive data in AI tools

14:03 DEI as a driver of innovation

15:27 Flexibility, coaching, and inclusive workstyles

18:36 Where to follow Verena

Jacques Potts teaches AI like it’s a survival skill — because for a lot of kids, it is.

In this episode, Juan Faisal talks with Jacques about what access really means, how to make AI land in under-resourced classrooms, and why cultural fluency matters more than certifications. From local games to data ethics, this is about building confidence, not just competence.

🤖 Why it matters

The next generation is already surrounded by AI.

If we don’t make it make sense — in their language, on their terms — we’re not building access. We’re building another gate.

🤖 You’ll learn

- How to make AI feel relevant with “boots on the ground” teaching

- What “vibe coding” looks like in real classrooms

- How to explain data ethics in a way kids actually care about

- Why parents need to stop outsourcing AI fluency

🤖 Guest: Jacques Potts

AI educator, technologist, and founder

- Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jackybang1212

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquespotts/

🤖 Host: Juan Faisal

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akajuanfaisal/

- Newsletter: https://juanfaisal.substack.com/

- Website: https://juanfaisal.com/

🤖 Timestamps

00:00 Jacques’s path from the East Side to AI education

05:12 Teaching AI in ways that actually connect

10:33 Vibe coding, local culture, and creative tech

15:49 Ethics, privacy, and teaching critical AI thinking

21:18 What parents and companies can do right now

What if the industry doors don’t open for you? You build your own.

Juan Faisal talks with Rachel Leventhal — creator, technologist, and co-founder of Backlot AI — about the mindset it takes to work ahead of the curve. From early CD-ROM experiments at Nickelodeon to AI-powered filmmaking, they get into tool adoption, creative control, and why artists shouldn’t wait for permission.

🤖 Why it matters

AI tools are everywhere. But tech alone doesn’t drive change.

Real progress comes when artists see creative possibility — and build systems that support it.

🤖 You’ll learn

- How AI is helping small teams build ambitious creative projects

- Why “meaningful art” still guides Rachel’s tech choices

- What it takes to build inclusive, collaborative creative tools

- Why women shouldn’t wait to be invited into AI work

🤖 Guest: Rachel Leventhal

Creator, technologist, and co-founder of Backlot AI

- https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-leventhal-bkltai/

- https://www.youtube.com/@backlot-ai

🤖 Host: Juan Faisal

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juanfaisal

- Newsletter: https://juanfaisal.substack.com

- Website: https://www.creativityandrobots.com

🤖 Timestamps

00:00 Rachel’s path from CD-ROMs to AI filmmaking

06:52 When creative tools are actually worth using

13:58 Collaboration, confidence, and building outside the system

19:02 What’s still missing: better tools for creative teams

Additional Credits:

- Dheeraj M4JOR from Pixabay (sfx)

- Universfield from Pixabay (sfx)

- 'Subscribe' animation by Vecteezy

AI is already in your favorite movies, you just don't see it in the credits yet. Juan Faisal sits down with Fred Grinstein and Minh Do, co-founders of Machine Cinema, a community for creators figuring out how to work with new AI tools. Fred brings decades of film and TV experience from Anonymous Content, Viceland, and A&E. Minh comes from the intersection of media, technology, and education. They're building some of the actual AI in film production workflows and helping creators navigate what's working and what isn't.

What's at stake? Hollywood is quietly adopting AI video generator tools while dodging hard questions about ownership and labor.

We discuss:

• What's working when you move from AI experiments to real production
• Who owns creative work when AI is your co-creator?
• Will AI replace Hollywood workers in the film and media industries, or just devalue their work?

Fred and Minh are in the trenches, helping creators figure out what the future of cinema looks like when the tools change overnight. If you're a filmmaker or want to understand how the industry is changing, you need to watch this one.

🤖 You’ll learn

- What AI can actually do in a real production pipeline

- How artists are getting cut out of the credits

- Why “creative access” doesn’t mean creative control

- What it takes to make work without selling out your role

🤖 Guests: Fred Grinstein and Minh Do

Co-Founders, Machine Cinema

- Website: https://machinecinema.ai

- Fred: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fred-grinstein

- Minh: https://minhdo.com

🤖 Host: Juan Faisal

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akajuanfaisal

- Newsletter: https://juanfaisal.substack.com

- Website: https://juanfaisal.com

🤖 Timestamps

00:00 Intro

00:41 What is Machine Cinema really doing

01:28 How Hollywood uses AI and hides it

05:12 What to do when you don’t have studio backing

10:51 When AI makes your process worse

12:49 IP, ethics, and who gets left out

18:41 Building an AI film with no blueprint

22:42 What producing means when the tools keep changing

27:26 Where new voices might actually come from

32:46 How to connect with Machine Cinema

Most kids aren't scared of AI. But they are learning from it — fast.

This episode isn’t about fear. It’s about access, context, and what gets lost when critical thinking takes a back seat.

Juan Faisal talks with Kyle-Prescott Ogunbase, AI educator and product strategist, about the real gap in AI education. From coding Pac-Man in grade school to building Agbara Life, Kyle shares what “knowledge deserts” reveal about the next digital divide — and why curiosity still matters more than prompt templates.

🤖 Why it matters

The kids are building. But the system is stalling.

When access is unequal and context is missing, education becomes performance, not progress.

🤖 You’ll learn

- Why teaching AI means teaching context, not just tools

- What “knowledge deserts” reveal about the next digital divide

- How to foster real learning in an AI-powered classroom

- What parents and educators can do right now

🤖 Guest: Kyle-Prescott Ogunbase

AI educator and product strategist

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ogunbase/

- Agbara Life: https://www.linkedin.com/company/agbaralife/

🤖 Host: Juan Faisal

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akajuanfaisal/

- Newsletter: https://juanfaisal.substack.com/

- Website: https://juanfaisal.com/

🤖 Timestamps

00:00 Meet Kyle-Prescott Ogunbase

01:11 From users to creators: what AI can do in a classroom

07:50 Is AI killing critical thinking

16:02 Who will control the AI economy

20:18 What happens when communities get left behind

27:02 Why AI won’t fix inequality but might shift the odds

32:25 Teaching kids AI without selling out their minds

35:40 Work with Kyle: collaborate on AI education and inclusion

Most marketers feel one of two things about AI: excited or exhausted.

This episode skips the hype and focuses on the work.

Juan Faisal talks with Catherine Toms, AI marketing consultant and educator, about what AI actually changes in marketing — and what it doesn’t. From overhyped tools to quiet shifts, they unpack what smart teams are doing differently, why strategy still matters, and how to stay sharp without burning out.

🤖 Why it matters

AI isn’t magic. It’s leverage.

Used well, it amplifies what already works. Used poorly, it just adds noise.

🤖 You’ll learn

- How to test AI tools without getting overwhelmed

- Why “bias” starts at the prompt level

- What leaders actually want from AI-literate teams

- Which skills still separate good marketers from great ones

🤖 Guest: Catherine Toms

AI marketing consultant, educator, and speaker

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherinetoms/

- Website: https://aiinmarketing.co/level-1-ai-in-marketing/

🤖 Additional resources

- Dove’s AI prompt guide: https://www.dove.com/au/stories/campaigns/keep-beauty-real.html

- NotebookLM: https://notebooklm.google.com/

🤖 Host: Juan Faisal

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akajuanfaisal/

- Newsletter: https://juanfaisal.substack.com/

- Website: https://juanfaisal.com/

🤖 Timestamps

00:00 Who is Catherine Toms

02:17 The evolution of AI in marketing

06:02 How smart marketers use AI

11:14 Choosing the right AI tools

14:17 Are marketers afraid of AI

19:52 Geographical differences in AI adoption

21:49 AI bias is real. Can we fix it?

28:42 Connect with Catherine Toms

Want to see real use cases of AI remaking HR workflows? HR expert and founder of AIxHR, Kari Naimon, explains how small businesses and HR teams can save time, streamline repetitive tasks, and boost productivity with generative AI. Learn how to craft effective prompts, create quick wins, and collaborate with IT to integrate AI into your processes. With actionable steps you can implement today, this episode shows how AI can improve workflows and help your team focus on what matters most.

🤖 Additional Яesources:

- Kari Naimon's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kari-naimon/

- AIxHR: http://aixhr.ai

🤖 Connect with Juan Faisal:

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akajuanfaisal/

- Newsletter: https://juanfaisal.substack.com/

- Website: https://juanfaisal.com/

🤖 About Our Guest: Kari Naimon:

Kari Naimon, founder of AixHR, brings 20+ years of HR expertise from Amazon, Toyota, and Qualcomm to the forefront of AI innovation. Her mission at AixHR is to demystify AI, creating transformative “AI-Aha” moments that empower professionals to fearlessly embrace the technology and elevate their work. Contact Kari at [email protected].

🤖 Creativity & Robots: “A love letter to human creativity, with AI as the stage prop.”

Host Juan Faisal interviews creative professionals to discuss how generative AI influences our creative process, work, and media consumption. Join us to learn how AI can enhance your creativity, and dive into the ethics and realities of the tech. For experts and beginners alike.

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🤖 Timestamps:

00:00 - Kari Naimon: AI and HR Expert

01:04 - Why Kari Quit Corporate to Lead AI Innovation

01:58 - The Costliest AI Mistake Leaders Make (How to Avoid It)

03:53 - How to Get IT Teams Onboard with Your AI Strategy

06:58 - Training Teams in AI: ROI-Driven Strategies That Work

09:45 - Keep AI Transparent: The Case for Human Oversight

12:36 - Early AI Wins: Build Trust in the Process

17:36 - Kari’s Favorite AI Tools and Time-Saving Tips

20:57 - Stop Leaks: How to Protect Sensitive Data While Using AI at Work

23:17 - Freelancers’ Guide to Starting with AI Today

25:55 - AI Slowdown: Hidden Opportunities for Your Business

27:18 - Where to Learn More From Kari Naimon

David vs. Goliath, AI edition! In this episode, Juan Faisal and Andrew White discuss how small teams and solopreneurs can leverage AI to enhance creativity, improve their workflows, and compete against larger companies. Plus... is AI really democratizing content, or is it all PR bulls#!t?

🤖 Additional Яesources:

Scade: https://www.scade.pro/ (Try for free for 1 month using code ROBOTS)

Scade community - https://community.scade.pro/

Andrew White's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-white-ai/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@andrew_ai_marketing

🤖 Connect with Juan Faisal:

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akajuanfaisal/

- Newsletter: https://juanfaisal.substack.com/

- Website: https://juanfaisal.com/

🤖 About our Guest:

Andrew White is a seasoned marketing professional specializing in startups. With a demonstrated history of working with Startup Founders and CEOs, he offers expertise in marketing strategy development, execution, and customer acquisition. Andrew's proficiency spans competitor research, pitch deck creation, SEO, and product development. He becomes an integral part of the team, setting up high-level strategies and developing ground-level processes to achieve business growth.

🤖 Creativity & Robots: “A love letter to human creativity, with AI as the stage prop.”

Host Juan Faisal interviews creative professionals to discuss how generative AI influences our creative process, work, and media consumption. Join us to learn how AI can enhance your creativity and dive into the ethics and realities of the tech. For experts and beginners alike.

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🤖 Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro: What You’ll Learn Today

00:30 - Workflows Explained: Connecting AIs for Smoother Creative Processes

04:05 - Tools to Boost Your Creative Reach and Workflow Efficiency

09:05 - How Small Teams Compete with Industry Leaders Using AI

13:26 - Helping Reluctant Creatives Feel Comfortable with AI

18:36 - Easy Steps to Start Integrating AI into Your Work

20:45 - Unique Ways Creatives Are Applying AI Automation

27:58 - Tips for Getting the Most Out of No-Code AI Platforms

31:10 - Building a Supportive Creative Community with AI

35:01 - How to Get Started with Scade.pro Yourself

"AI has played a role in journalism for quite a while." In this episode, Pete Pachal comes to chat about the transformative impact of AI on journalism and how journalists can use artificial intelligence, addressing both the challenges and opportunities it presents.

We cover the importance of managing expectations around AI's capabilities, the historical context of machine-generated content in newsrooms, and the need for ethical practices in AI implementation. We also discuss the million-dollar question: will AI replace actual human journalists?

🤖 Additional Яesources:

- Newsletter: https://mediacopilot.substack.com/

- One-hour class: https://learn.mediacopilot.ai/p/beginning-ai-for-marketers-pr-and-journalists

- Consulting: https://mediacopilot.ai/

- Media Copilot podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-media-copilot

- Pete Pachal @ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterpachal/

🤖 Connect with Juan Faisal:

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akajuanfaisal/

- Newsletter: https://juanfaisal.substack.com/

- Website: https://juanfaisal.com/

🤖 About our Guest:

Pete Pachal is the Founder and CEO of The Media Copilot, a newsletter and podcast about how generative AI is changing the media. He also teaches creative professionals in journalism and PR about how to use AI tools, and he consults with companies of all sizes on how to incorporate generative AI into real work. Pete has a long career in journalism, previously holding senior roles in global newsrooms such as CoinDesk and Mashable. As a thought leader in tech, crypto, and AI, he often appears on TV news, including Fox Business, CNN, and The Today Show. He also puts his encyclopedic knowledge of Doctor Who to good use in his side hustle, the popular podcast Pull To Open.

🤖 Creativity & Robots: “A love letter to human creativity, with AI as the stage prop.”

Host Juan Faisal interviews creative professionals to discuss how generative AI influences our creative process, work, and media consumption. Join us to learn how AI can enhance your creativity, and dive into the ethics and realities of the tech. For experts and beginners alike.

___

🤖 Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro: Pete Pachal

00:44 - Can AI Fix Fake News and Deepfakes in Journalism?

02:45 - AI Beyond ChatGPT: Transforming Newsroom Workflows

08:44 - CoinDesk’s AI Journey: How to Successfully Integrate AI in Media

14:28 - AI in the Workplace: How Will It Affect Your Career?

18:58 - Why AI Can’t Replace Your Creative Judgment and Expertise

25:47 - Pro Tips: How to Use AI Tools to Elevate Your Career

30:33 - Custom AI Solutions: How Media Copilot Empowers Creative Pros

34:27 - Journalism Careers: Is AI a Job Killer or Career Maker?

How is AI transforming the craft of filmmaking in Europe? Just back in Wroclaw after his California tour, filmmaker Matt Szymanowski talks about how AI is disrupting the film industry and why Europe has some catching up to do. Drawing from his upcoming documentary, A Human Future, Matt explores what's working in AI-powered storytelling, what's falling short, and how creatives can stay ahead in 2024 and 2025. He also shares his efforts to build a community of AI-driven creatives in Poland and across Europe.

🤖 Additional Яesources:

- Artintell AI DIGITAL CREATORS FORUM #1: https://lu.ma/p52udad5

- European California Club: https://eurocaliclub.byjwg.com/

- Pluto Studios: https://plutostudios.ai/

- John Weston Group: https://john-weston.com/

🤖 Connect with Juan Faisal:

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akajuanfaisal/

- Newsletter: https://juanfaisal.substack.com/

- Website: https://juanfaisal.com/

🤖 Creativity & Robots: “A love letter to human creativity, with AI as the stage prop.”

Host Juan Faisal interviews creative professionals to discuss how generative AI influences our creative process, work, and media consumption. Join us to learn how AI can enhance your creativity, and dive into the ethics and realities of the tech. For experts and beginners alike.

___

🤖 Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro: Matt Szymanowski

00:34 - Insights from California's Creative AI Scene

04:34 - Building Creative Bridges: the European California Club

09:37 - AI in Europe: Are Regulatory Limits Holding Back Innovation?

14:48 - “A Human Future”: Reflections on the Documentary Experience

26:27 - AI Hybrid Cinema: Redefining Storytelling for Tomorrow

30:25 - Easy Ways for Creatives to Navigate the AI Landscape

33:01 - Where Can We Keep Up With Matt’s Work