The Buck Stops Here Business Podcast

Quick Wins AI assessment tool: https://app.davidmaples.com/podcast

Think large corporations have all the advantages? Think again. When it comes to adopting AI for small businesses, your size is actually your ultimate superpower.

In this episode, David Maples explains why massive companies are like slow-moving aircraft carriers burdened by committees, while your small business is an agile speedboat. David cuts through the social media hype to give you practical, no-nonsense advice on how to use AI for small businesses as core infrastructure to out-maneuver your biggest competitors.

Key Takeaways from this episode:
• Why you must stop using free tools immediately when implementing AI for small business (and how they steal your data).
• How to find the "Quick Wins" with AI for small businesses to save time and money today.
• The "Formula 1" secret: Why adding strategic friction and "brakes" to your business actually allows you to move faster.
• Why you must keep a "Human in the Loop" to protect your proprietary "special sauce."

Support the Show:
If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the show so you don't miss next week's valuable business insight! Leaving a 5-star rating and review helps other entrepreneurs discover the show and learn how to turn their size into their greatest strength.

Are you tired of the hype surrounding AI in business? In this episode of The Buck Stops Here, David Maples breaks down the realities of 2026 AI trends and how to safely implement AI in business today. Stop waiting for autonomous "robot kitchens" and start building reliable AI "toasters"—single-function tools that actually work.

If you want to master AI in business, understanding 2026 AI trends is non-negotiable. We explore why Large Language Models are plateauing, the severe legal risks of Shadow AI walking out your front door, and why the latest 2026 AI trends demand agnostic workflows to prevent vendor lock-in. Discover how to apply AI in business with the safety of Formula One brakes, allowing you to move fast without crashing.

Key Takeaways on 2026 AI Trends & AI in Business:

• Why the future of AI in business relies on small, specific tools, according to 2026 AI trends.
• How to stop Shadow AI from destroying your AI in business strategy.
• Why agnostic routing is the most critical of all 2026 AI trends for protecting your data.

Resources:

• Host: https://davidmaples.com/
• EasyPrompter: https://easyprompter.ai/

Welcome to The Marketing Graveyard. Are self-proclaimed industry gurus making you panic by claiming "SEO is dead" and pushing you to pivot your entire marketing budget to AI Overviews (AIO) and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)? Stop setting your hard-earned money on fire.

In this episode of The Buck Stops Here, host David Maples cuts through the tidal wave of synthetic "AI slop" to reveal what is actually driving trackable revenue today. We are burying overhyped trends—like dying micro-influencer ROI and unsellable "cult of personality" branding—and getting back to the fundamentals that actually work.

Finding the right path forward doesn't mean chasing every new algorithm or tech fad. Tune in to discover why foundational SEO remains your most powerful tool, exactly how it feeds new AI search models, and why traditional public relations is the ultimate algorithm-proof moat for your brand.

If you want to future-proof your company, start building your 2026 marketing strategy playbook right now. Stop betting your payroll on unstable tech and unpredictable social media trends. This episode gives you the grounded, profitable reality check you need to outlast the hype.

Tune in to learn:
• Why the "SEO is dead" panic is a massive trap
• The truth about AI search optimization and unstable algorithms
• Why it's time to trade fleeting influencers for real PR
• How to build an algorithmic-proof moat around your business

Connect with The Buck Stops Here

We want to hear from you! If you have questions about your marketing strategy, AI technology, or business operations, reach out to us:

• Sign Up for Our Newsletter: thebuckstopsherepodcast.com
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/tbsh-podcast/
• Twitter/X: @tbshpodcast
• Instagram: @tbshpodcast

And You May Ask Yourself, “Well, how did I get here?”

Dr. Christy Swann, founder and CEO of R-Coast, joins David this week to discuss her non-traditional path to the sciences, climate change, and finding vulnerabilities on the coastline to implement mitigation strategies.

Visit R-Coast: https://www.r-coast.com/

Find Dr. Swann and R-Coast on social media:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/christy-swann-cs0/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/rcoast/

Sign up for our newsletter for exclusive content: https://thebuckstopsherepodcast.com/

Never miss an episode when you follow us on social media:

• Facebook & LinkedIn: The Buck Stops Here Podcast
• Twitter & Instagram: @tbshpodcast

This episode is brought to you by Catapult Creative Media: https://catapultcreativemedia.com/

All music is provided by Soundstripe.

When You Trust Yourself and Do the Work, Everything Will Fall Into Place

Building a business from the ground up when you have a secure job is risky, and because of this, many don’t try to follow their passion. But if you want to attempt to start a business, you need to take a leap of faith.

Cynthia Fails, founder and CEO of LaunchCrate, joins David to talk about her departure from academia to start a business, how her company is helping aspiring authors publish their work, how AI is transforming literature, and more.

Visit LaunchCrate: https://www.launchcrate.com/

Follow LaunchCrate on social media: @launchcrate on all platforms!

Sign up for our newsletter for exclusive content: https://thebuckstopsherepodcast.com/

Never miss an episode when you follow us on social media:

• Facebook & LinkedIn: The Buck Stops Here Podcast
• Twitter & Instagram: @tbshpodcast

For more information on today’s episode, visit https://thebuckstopsherepodcast.com/episodes. Transcripts of each episode will be available soon.

This episode is brought to you by Catapult Creative Media: https://catapultcreativemedia.com/

All music is provided by Soundstripe.

SHOW NOTES:

The Christmas Cookie: https://www.launchcrate.com/the-christmas-cookie

LaunchCrate Idea to Editor: https://www.launchcrate.com/idea-to-editor

The Buck Stops Here | AI & You:

Part 1: https://thebuckstopsherepodcast.com/podcast/season-2-episode-11-ai-is-here-to-stay-part-1-of-3/

Part 2: https://thebuckstopsherepodcast.com/podcast/season-2-episode-12-adapt-or-die-part-2-of-3/

Part 3: https://thebuckstopsherepodcast.com/podcast/season-2-episode-13-the-pitfalls-and-perils-of-ai-part-3-of-3/

“If You Are Not Looking at AI Today, You Are Going to Find Yourself Woefully Behind Tomorrow.”

Would you have thought AI could transform the cattle ranching industry two years ago? AI is here, and it’s radically reshaping every industry. No exceptions.

David has Shekhar Gupta, CEO and Founder of MyAnIML, on the show to talk about how he’s using AI to transform the cattle industry and detect diseases in herds early.

Visit MyAnIML: https://myaniml.com/

Follow Shekhar on social media:

·        Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShekharGupta01

·        Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shekharguptaprofile/

Sign up for our newsletter for exclusive content: https://thebuckstopsherepodcast.com/

Never miss an episode when you follow us on social media:

·        Facebook & LinkedIn: The Buck Stops Here Podcast

·        Twitter & Instagram: @tbshpodcast

For more information on today’s episode, visit https://thebuckstopsherepodcast.com/episodes. Transcripts of each episode will be available soon.

This episode is brought to you by Catapult Creative Media: https://catapultcreativemedia.com/

All music is provided by Soundstripe.

“As Long as You Are Willing to Adopt Change in Your Business, Then You’re in the Right Place.”

How do you implement change in your organization so you aren’t caught by surprise when inevitable change arrives at your doorstep? In this episode, David takes a deep dive into agile frameworks and how to apply them in your business.

Sign up for our newsletter to win a vinyl copy of ‘2112’ by Rush: https://thebuckstopsherepodcast.com/

Never miss an episode when you follow us on social media:
• Facebook & LinkedIn: The Buck Stops Here Podcast
• Twitter & Instagram: @tbshpodcast

For more information on today’s episode, visit https://thebuckstopsherepodcast.com/e.... Transcripts of each episode will be available soon. 

All music is provided by Soundstripe.

"To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often."

With radical changes in business, such as AI or remote work, the big question is how companies adapt to these changes. Overcome and embrace change with determination and grit when you adopt mental mettle and fortitude to become an agile business.

In the first episode of Season 3, David describes an agile business and breaks down agile frameworks.

Stay tuned for Part 2 to learn how to implement agile frameworks in your business.

Sign up for our newsletter to win a vinyl copy of ‘2112’ by Rush: https://thebuckstopsherepodcast.com/

Never miss an episode when you follow us on social media:
• Facebook & LinkedIn: The Buck Stops Here Podcast
• Twitter & Instagram: @tbshpodcast

For more information on today’s episode, visit https://thebuckstopsherepodcast.com/e.... Transcripts of each episode will be available soon. 

All music is provided by Soundstripe.

“Courage and grit in the face of adversity and change.”

That’s what you can expect from Season 3 of The Buck Stops Here – The Mettle Season. That’s right! The wait is finally over.

Experience new episodes when we debut the new season on November 20, 2023. Get ready to rock n’ roll!

Catch up on all your favorite episodes here on YouTube or at https://thebuckstopsherepodcast.com/e..., and don’t forget to like and subscribe so you don’t miss when the first episode of season 3 drops!

A podcast that doesn't pull any punches? Actionable business advice that's smart, hard-hitting, and always accountable? Yes, please. Skip the silver bullets and snake oil and embrace real results. In every episode, The Buck Stops Here will make you a better leader and give you practical insights to adapt to fast-changing markets. You'll thank us for it.

Watch as David Maples, CEO & Founder of Catapult Creative Media, provides informative, inspiring, and, at times, entertaining business advice without the B.S. Listen to every episode at https://thebuckstopsherepodcast.com/ and subscribe on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.

Dominate your market with results-driven marketing at https://catapultcreativemedia.com/