In today’s fast-paced world, AI has moved from being a corporate buzzword to a hands-on tool for everyday life. With tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude now widely accessible, the conversation is shifting from what AI is to how it can actually help individuals. From boosting productivity to transforming education, AI is poised to become the most intelligent personal assistant we've ever had—available on demand, 24/7. A recent McKinsey study found that AI could automate up to 60-70% of employee workloads, underscoring its transformative potential.

But how can individuals, not just businesses, fully leverage AI as a true personal assistant? What creative, secure, and sustainable ways are there to integrate AI into our personal and professional lives?

In this episode of The AppleOne Podcast, host Brett Howroyd welcomes back Jordan Morrow, Senior Vice President of Data and AI Transformation, for an insightful discussion on exactly that. They explore how AI can be a pocket-sized PhD partner, a life coach, and even a tutor—all without breaking the bank.

Key Highlights from the Conversation:

AI as a Pocket-Sized PhD: Jordan emphasizes that AI should be viewed not as a tool, but as a trusted partner. Whether you're planning a trip, building a business, or writing a paper, AI can break down complex tasks and guide you with expert-level insight.

How to Choose and Use the Right AI Tool: Morrow outlines the strengths of ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini—offering guidance on when to use which, how to ensure data privacy, and why paid versions can be worth the investment for advanced users.

AI’s Role in Education and Personal Growth: From tutoring underserved students to helping Morrow’s son build personalized workout plans, the episode showcases how AI is democratizing intelligence and becoming a mentor, not just a machine.

Jordan Morrow is the Senior Vice President of Data and AI Transformation, a role that sits at the intersection of technical innovation and human development. Widely recognized as a thought leader in data literacy and AI enablement, Jordan has worked with organizations around the world to help bridge the gap between human potential and technological advancement. He is a published author, frequent keynote speaker, and holds deep expertise in applying AI to business and education.

In this episode of The People Business, host Brett Howroyd chats with Jordan Morrow—Senior Vice President, Data and AI Transformation at ActOne Group—about how to make AI your personal assistant. Jordan shares practical ways anyone can integrate AI into their daily lives.

From crafting travel plans and workouts to breaking down complex learning topics and business goals, Jordan explains how tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini can serve as your on-demand team of experts. He emphasizes viewing AI not as a novelty or threat, but as a trusted digital partner—your own Jarvis, ready to help you think, learn, and work more efficiently.

Jordan also dives into the growing impact of AI in education and the workplace. He encourages students to use AI as a tutor while maintaining critical thinking, and urges leaders to redeploy saved hours into passion projects—not just more tasks. For those considering a paid model, Jordan explains when and why investing in secure, customizable AI tools makes sense.

Curious about how to start using AI in a meaningful, responsible way? Don’t miss this insightful episode.

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In a business climate where agility is currency and legacy systems can quickly become liabilities, organizations across industries are being forced to confront their technological shortcomings. A 2023 McKinsey study revealed that 70% of digital transformations fail, often due to resistance to change or poor implementation planning. This episode of The AppleOne Podcast is timely for any leader facing the tough but critical decision of updating decades-old infrastructure.

So how do you turn a 145-year-old legacy organization into a nimble, tech-forward operation without losing institutional knowledge or alienating your workforce?

In this episode of The AppleOne Podcast, host Brett Howroyd sits down with Admiral Brian Luther, CEO of Navy Mutual, to discuss the bold, multi-year digital transformation he led at one of the oldest mutual aid organizations in the U.S. From clean-sheet thinking to cloud migration, Luther shares how he steered Navy Mutual through a sea change—both technologically and culturally—without capsizing.

Key Takeaways from the Conversation:

From Bricked Solutions to APIs: Navy Mutual moved from rigid integrations to scalable, flexible, API-driven architecture to avoid vendor lock-in and support long-term agility.

Change Management as a Core Strategy: The transformation prioritized retraining, reskilling, and reassigning legacy staff to preserve institutional wisdom while embracing innovation.

Innovation Born from Intentional Design: The three-phase plan—design, build, and launch the future—created a culture shift, leading members to call Navy Mutual “innovative” for the first time in its history.

Admiral Brian Luther is a retired U.S. Navy officer with over 34 years of service, including time as a carrier strike group commander and Navy budget officer at the Pentagon. Post-retirement, he joined Navy Mutual and became CEO, leading strategic innovation grounded in financial literacy and member service. His leadership philosophy is rooted in servant leadership, discipline, and transparency—principles honed in both combat and the boardroom.

In a business climate where agility is currency and legacy systems can quickly become liabilities, organizations across industries are being forced to confront their technological shortcomings. A 2023 McKinsey study revealed that 70% of digital transformations fail, often due to resistance to change or poor implementation planning. This episode of The AppleOne Podcast is timely for any leader facing the tough but critical decision of updating decades-old infrastructure.

So how do you turn a 145-year-old legacy organization into a nimble, tech-forward operation without losing institutional knowledge or alienating your workforce?

In this episode of The AppleOne Podcast, host Brett Howroyd sits down with Admiral Brian Luther, CEO of Navy Mutual, to discuss the bold, multi-year digital transformation he led at one of the oldest mutual aid organizations in the U.S. From clean-sheet thinking to cloud migration, Luther shares how he steered Navy Mutual through a sea change—both technologically and culturally—without capsizing.

Key Takeaways from the Conversation:

From Bricked Solutions to APIs: Navy Mutual moved from rigid integrations to scalable, flexible, API-driven architecture to avoid vendor lock-in and support long-term agility.

Change Management as a Core Strategy: The transformation prioritized retraining, reskilling, and reassigning legacy staff to preserve institutional wisdom while embracing innovation.

Innovation Born from Intentional Design: The three-phase plan—design, build, and launch the future—created a culture shift, leading members to call Navy Mutual “innovative” for the first time in its history.

Admiral Brian Luther is a retired U.S. Navy officer with over 34 years of service, including time as a carrier strike group commander and Navy budget officer at the Pentagon. Post-retirement, he joined Navy Mutual and became CEO, leading strategic innovation grounded in financial literacy and member service. His leadership philosophy is rooted in servant leadership, discipline, and transparency—principles honed in both combat and the boardroom.

In a time of shifting workplace dynamics and increasing interest in purpose-driven business models, cooperatives are quietly reasserting their value. With nearly 30,000 cooperatives operating across the U.S. and serving over 130 million members, their success proves that community-led, member-first enterprises are not relics of the past—they're blueprints for sustainable growth. And amid the uncertainty and complexity defining today’s business environment, leadership grounded in values, execution, and strategic clarity is more essential than ever.

So how do cooperatives work—and what can their operational playbook teach all organizations about leadership, strategy, and culture?

In this episode of The AppleOne Podcast, host Brett Howroyd welcomes Jason Brancel, President and CEO of OAK Street Resources, to demystify the cooperative model. Drawing on his deep roots in agriculture and decades of executive leadership, Jason shares a framework for high-functioning organizations that’s equally relevant to Fortune 500 firms and mission-driven co-ops alike.

Key takeaways from the conversation:

Cooperatives thrive by doing collectively what individuals cannot, guided by seven enduring principles such as member control and concern for community.

Strategy must be connected to execution through honest capability assessments, mission alignment, and a strong culture “by design.”

Effective hiring and onboarding begin with clarity, panel collaboration, and early engagement, while retention requires ongoing conversations and visible development pathways.

Jason Brancel is a veteran executive with leadership experience across cooperatives generating up to $1.3 billion in sales. From his Wisconsin farm roots to executive coaching and M&A advisory today, Jason’s career spans roles including Chief Financial Officer and CEO. He now helps organizations execute strategic visions with integrity and impact.

In a time of shifting workplace dynamics and increasing interest in purpose-driven business models, cooperatives are quietly reasserting their value. With nearly 30,000 cooperatives operating across the U.S. and serving over 130 million members, their success proves that community-led, member-first enterprises are not relics of the past—they're blueprints for sustainable growth. And amid the uncertainty and complexity defining today’s business environment, leadership grounded in values, execution, and strategic clarity is more essential than ever.

So how do cooperatives work—and what can their operational playbook teach all organizations about leadership, strategy, and culture?

In this episode of The AppleOne Podcast, host Brett Howroyd welcomes Jason Brancel, President and CEO of OAK Street Resources, to demystify the cooperative model. Drawing on his deep roots in agriculture and decades of executive leadership, Jason shares a framework for high-functioning organizations that’s equally relevant to Fortune 500 firms and mission-driven co-ops alike.

Key takeaways from the conversation:

Cooperatives thrive by doing collectively what individuals cannot, guided by seven enduring principles such as member control and concern for community.

Strategy must be connected to execution through honest capability assessments, mission alignment, and a strong culture “by design.”

Effective hiring and onboarding begin with clarity, panel collaboration, and early engagement, while retention requires ongoing conversations and visible development pathways.

Jason Brancel is a veteran executive with leadership experience across cooperatives generating up to $1.3 billion in sales. From his Wisconsin farm roots to executive coaching and M&A advisory today, Jason’s career spans roles including Chief Financial Officer and CEO. He now helps organizations execute strategic visions with integrity and impact.