Chris Daigle sits down with Zac Engler, Chief AI Officer and author of Turning On Machines, to discuss how organizations can adopt AI responsibly and practically while preparing their teams for a transformed future of work.

Zac shares his framework for helping companies move through the Crawl → Walk → Run stages of AI adoption, from getting every employee comfortable with large language models and prompting frameworks, to deploying agentic workflows that drive exponential productivity gains.

They discuss how leaders can address fear, risk, and confusion around AI tools, how to decide between infrastructure vs. operations strategy, and why delaying adoption means falling exponentially behind. Zac also gives a preview of his new book, Turning On Machines, exploring the three meanings behind the title: activation, rebellion, and connection, and how each reveals the complex relationship between humans and intelligent systems.

If you’re leading AI transformation or rethinking how humans and machines will work together, this episode delivers both frameworks and foresight.

🛠 AI Tools and Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• ChatGPT ➡ https://openai.com/chatgpt
• Perplexity ➡ https://www.perplexity.ai
• Notebook LM ➡ https://workspace.google.com
• Chief AI Officer Resources ➡ https://chiefaiofficer.com

📌 Chapters

00:00 – Introduction to Zac Engler and Turning On Machines
02:30 – The Chief AI Officer Role and the People Side of AI
04:10 – The Crawl–Walk–Run Framework for AI Adoption
06:00 – Three Levers for 10% Instant Productivity Gains
09:00 – Infrastructure vs. Operations: Two Types of AI Strategy
12:00 – From Walk to Run: Deploying Agentic Workflows
14:00 – Why Waiting on AI Means Falling Behind
16:30 – Managing Risk and Choosing the Right Tools
19:00 – Favorite AI Tools: Copilot, Perplexity, Notebook LM
21:30 – Inside Turning On Machines: Three Meanings and Lessons
26:00 – Parallels Between the Printing Press and AI
30:00 – Pushback, Fear, and the Trifurcation of Work
33:00 – Becoming a “Machine Shepherd” and Future-Proofing Your Role
39:00 – Human-Only, Human + AI, and AI-Only Workflows
43:30 – Frameworks for Mapping Where AI Fits in Your Business
46:00 – Why Reflection Matters: Learning How to Think About AI
49:00 – Where to Get Turning On Machines and Connect with Zac

Chris Daigle sits down with Maria Elena Duron, fractional Chief AI Officer and marketing strategist, to explore how small and mid-sized businesses can successfully adopt AI without overwhelming their teams. Maria shares her experience helping businesses bridge the gap between awareness and real application — from her years training entrepreneurs on Google tools to guiding leaders through AI adoption today.

You’ll hear how she helps companies build AI councils, manage shadow AI risks, and develop AI use policies that protect both data and teams. Maria explains why change management is central to AI success, how to identify the “low-hanging fruit” for measurable results, and why executives must align goals with realistic timelines. With practical insights on governance, productivity vs. efficiency, and building custom role copilots with tools like Notebook LM and GPTs, this episode is a roadmap for leaders navigating AI adoption.

🔎 Find Out More About Maria Elena Duron
Instagram: Marketing Coach Maria ➡ https://www.instagram.com/marketingcoachmaria
Website: SmartBrandSystem.com ➡ https://smartbrandsystem.com

🛠 AI Tools and Resources Mentioned in This Episode
ChatGPT ➡ https://openai.com/chatgpt
Notebook LM ➡ https://notebooklm.google

📌 Chapters
00:00 – Introduction to Maria Elena Duron
03:00 – Lessons from Early Tech Shifts: Internet, Social Media, and AI
05:56 – Helping Small Businesses Understand Google and Visibility
08:31 – AI Adoption Parallels: Google Search vs. Generative AI
11:04 – Starting with Leadership: Goals, Fears, and Change Management
12:31 – Overcoming Team Fear and Shiny Object Syndrome
13:59 – Positioning AI as Investment in People
14:57 – Interviewing Teams and Vendors to Build Roadmap Reports
21:00 – Who Owns AI in a Company? Building AI Councils
24:07 – Establishing AI Use and Tool Policies for Security
26:28 – Setting Priorities and Roadmaps with Leadership
31:03 – Where to Start: Pilots and Low-Hanging Fruit
32:19 – Building Role Copilots with Custom GPTs and Notebook LM
34:53 – Using Notebook LM for Knowledge Retrieval and Productivity
40:19 – Defining Success: Efficiency vs. Productivity vs. Effectiveness
42:09 – Managing Expectations and Avoiding Unrealistic Timelines
44:22 – Webinar Wednesdays and Community Training 

Episode tags:
AI in small business, AI in the workplace, AI adoption strategies, Change management and AI, Workplace AI governance, Non-technical AI leadership, AI use policies, AI productivity tools, Real-world AI applications, Executive AI training, AI transformation stories, AI councils in business

Chris Daigle sits down with Jim Curry, co-founder and investor at BuildGroup, to explore how AI is reshaping business strategy and organizational design.

Jim breaks down why SaaS companies have unique advantages in the AI era, and how AI adoption mirrors past infrastructure shifts like the rise of cloud and open source. He explains why most businesses shouldn’t chase AI-native hype, but instead focus on workflow transformation that drives measurable results.

This episode dives into:

    • How to view AI adoption through the lens of past technology waves
    • Why SaaS businesses are best positioned to integrate AI
    • The organizational shifts AI will create, from agents to evolving job roles
    • Balancing efficiency gains with true competitive differentiation
    • How leaders should approach AI adoption without falling into the “shiny object” trap

Key Insight: AI is less about replacing businesses and more about re-architecting how they operate — and the winners will be those who align people, process, and technology together.

🔎 Find Out More About Jim Curry
BuildGroup ➡ https://www.buildgroup.com
LinkedIn ➡ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimncurry/

🛠 AI Tools and Resources Mentioned in This Episode
ChatGPT ➡ https://openai.com/chatgpt

📌 Chapters
00:00 – Introduction to Jim Curry
04:13 – AI as the next infrastructure wave
09:00 – Why SaaS companies are best positioned for AI adoption
13:01 – Efficiency vs differentiation in AI strategy
18:13 – Organizational shifts: agents, workflows, and new roles
23:07 – Avoiding the shiny-object trap with AI tools
36:16 – Lessons from cloud and open source adoption
42:59 – Building AI-driven organizations with sustainability
44:42 – How to connect with Jim Curry 

Episode tags:
AI in the workplace, AI for business leaders, Generative AI at work, Real-world AI applications, Workplace AI adoption, Executive AI training, AI productivity tools, AI transformation stories, Ethical AI business, AI strategy for executives, SaaS and AI adoption, AI in organizational change

Chris Daigle sits down with Bruce Clay, widely regarded as the Father of SEO, to discuss how artificial intelligence is reshaping search, rankings, and content strategy.

With more than 30 years pioneering SEO, Bruce shares why AI isn’t replacing SEO but instead changing how businesses must approach visibility. He explains how Google’s AI Overviews still rely on strong SEO signals, why AI-generated writing leaves footprints, and what companies should do to balance speed with authenticity.

🔎 Find Out More About Bruce Clay
https://bruceclay.com
Prewriter.ai - https://www.prewriter.ai
http://seotraining.com

🛠 AI Tools and Resources Mentioned in This Episode
ChatGPT ➡ https://openai.com/chatgpt
Prewriter.ai ➡ https://prewriter.ai

📌 Chapters
00:00 - Introduction to Bruce Clay
05:15 - SEO in the age of AI
12:48 - Why Google AI Overviews still rely on SEO signals
19:37 - Detecting AI-generated content footprints
26:10 - Why unedited AI content risks lower rankings
33:42 - Using AI as a research assistant, not a writer
41:18 - Prewriter.ai and optimizing AI content
48:05 - Google vs Perplexity and the future of search
55:20 - How to connect with Bruce Clay

Episode tags:

AI in the workplace, AI for business leaders, Generative AI at work, Real-world AI applications, AI in operations management, AI strategy for executives, AI in marketing attribution, AI productivity tools, AI for process improvement, AI transformation stories, Ethical AI business, AI case studies, SEO in the AI era, AI and content strategy

Chris Daigle sits down with Jeff Greenfield, CEO of Provalytics, to uncover how AI-driven attribution is transforming marketing measurement in the age of privacy.

Jeff shares his journey from building one of the first multi-touch attribution companies to creating Provalytics, a platform built to solve one of marketing’s oldest challenges: “Half of my ad spend is wasted — I just don’t know which half.”

This conversation covers:

    • Why clicks mislead, and why impressions still matter
    • How AI models real ad impact across multiple channels
    • Why Google Analytics and “last-click” thinking are broken
    • The balance between consistency and correctness in corporate marketing
    • New opportunities in connected TV, influencer marketing, and digital out-of-home
    • How small teams can use AI tools like ChatGPT + spreadsheets for attribution insights

Key Insight: Most companies waste 80–90% of their ad spend. With AI attribution, marketers can reclaim budget, reduce stress, and unlock smarter strategies.

🔎 Find Out More About Jeff Greenfield and Provalytics

Jeff Greenfield on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffgreenfield/
Provalytics - https://provalytics.com/

🛠 AI Tools and Resources Mentioned in This Episode
ChatGPT - https://openai.com/chatgpt

📌 Chapters
00:00 – Introduction to Jeff Greenfield
02:43 – The century-old attribution problem
06:02 – From C3 Metrics to Provalytics
11:02 – Why last-click attribution is broken
28:05 – Consistency vs correctness in corporate marketing
31:11 – How AI models ad spend impact
36:05 – Channels beyond clicks: CTV, influencers, OOH
42:41 – Practical attribution tips for small teams
46:14 – The future of privacy-first measurement
48:58 – How to connect with Jeff Greenfield 

Episode tags:
AI in the workplace, AI for business leaders, Generative AI at work, AI operational strategy, AI in marketing attribution, AI productivity tools, Real-world AI applications, AI for process improvement, Executive AI training, AI transformation stories, Ethical AI business, AI case studies, AI in operations management, AI strategy for executives

Chris Daigle sits down with Peter Swimm, founder of Toilville, to explore how conversational AI and local models are transforming the way we work. With over 25 years in tech, including time at Microsoft designing Copilot products, Peter shares how he built an AI-first workflow that replaced dozens of SaaS tools with personalized, voice-driven automation.

He talks about his week-long experiment of running his business entirely through conversational AI, what it taught him about productivity, and why the future of apps may be modular, API-driven, and built on personal ownership of data. From helping small businesses adopt AI responsibly to envisioning a post-SaaS world where you own your own tooling, Peter explains how leaders can think in AI and find competitive advantages without falling into the tech hype.

This conversation is packed with insights for founders, executives, and teams curious about what practical, day-to-day AI adoption looks like when built with sustainability, ethics, and real business needs in mind.

🔎 Find Out More About Peter Swimm and Toilville
Peter Swimm on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterswimm 
Toilville - https://www.itstoilville.com/ 

🛠 AI Tools and Resources Mentioned in This Episode
Claude by Anthropic - https://claude.ai/ 
ChatGPT - https://openai.com/chatgpt 
Notion - https://www.notion.com/ 

📌 Chapters
00:00 - Introduction to Peter Swimm
02:05 - From Microsoft to Building Toilville
03:42 - What Conversational AI Really Means
09:11 - Why Apps as We Know Them Are Dying
12:23 - Running a Business with Voice-Only AI
14:45 - Regaining Control of Notifications and Workflow
17:13 - Building Custom Tools with Claude
23:04 - The Case for Open Sharing and Local Models
26:09 - Reimagining Workflows Beyond SaaS
34:12 - Running Lean Teams with AI
36:21 - Rethinking Work Paradigms and Productivity
42:21 - The Future of Apps and Personal Data Control
44:27 - How to Connect with Peter Swimm

Episode tags:

AI in the workplace, Conversational AI, Voice AI productivity, Small business AI adoption, Local AI models, Replacing SaaS with AI, Real-world AI applications, Building with Claude, Executive AI strategy, Future of apps, AI for small teams, AI workflow automation

Chris Daigle sits down with Steff Vanhaverbeke, author of Being Replaced: The Five Human Skills AI Cannot Automate, to explore how professionals and businesses can thrive in an AI-powered world. Steff introduces her Cognitive Agility Framework, highlighting the uniquely human skills, like critical thinking, creativity, emotional intelligence, collaboration, intuition, and innovation, that set us apart from machines.

You’ll hear how to avoid the “AI slop” trap by doubling down on authenticity, how to use AI tools without losing human value, and why the businesses that remain most human will stand out in the future. Steff also shares insights from her workshops and training with executives, revealing the levels of AI adoption she sees across organizations today.

This episode is a must-listen for business leaders, teams, and professionals who want to use AI at work without losing what makes them irreplaceable.

🔎 Find Out More About Steff Vanhaverbeke
The House of Coaching
Being Replaced on Amazon

🛠 AI Tools and Resources Mentioned in This Episode
ChatGPT
ChiefAIOfficer Resources

📌 Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
01:43 - Meet Steff Vanhaverbeke
03:10 - Inside the Book: 'Being Replaced'
05:00 - The Five Human Skills AI Can’t Replace
08:00 - Emotional Intelligence and the Limits of AI Empathy
13:40 - Collaborative Intelligence and the Tomorrowland Example
20:22 - Intuition and Human Decision-Making in Business
23:00 - Innovation as a Differentiator in an AI World
26:00 - Making These Skills Actionable at Work
30:00 - How Human-Centric Companies Will Stand Out
38:00 - The Super Worker Model
44:15 - Misconceptions, Resistance, and What’s Next for AI Adoption 

Episode tags:
AI at work, Human skills vs AI, AI in business, Executive AI adoption, Generative AI in the workplace, Cognitive Agility Framework, Authenticity with AI, Emotional intelligence in AI era, Innovation and intuition with AI, Collaborative intelligence, AI slop problem, Business leadership in AI

Chris Daigle sits down with Jay Feldman, known as LeadGenJay, to explore how AI and automation are reshaping lead generation, sales, and marketing. From his journey from medicine to running multi-million-dollar agencies, Jay reveals how AI-powered cold email, omnichannel outreach, and automated personalization can create scalable client-getting systems that outperform traditional sales teams.

You’ll learn how AI-driven outreach tools work behind the scenes, why omnipresent marketing is critical in today’s environment, and how to balance human skills with automation. Jay also shares how companies can build an “AI Sales Director” to supercharge sales team performance, plus strategies for staying ahead in a rapidly changing landscape.

Whether you’re an executive, entrepreneur, or marketing leader, this episode shows you how to practically apply AI at work to win more clients and future-proof your business.

🔎 Guest & Resources
About Jay Feldman (LeadGenJay):
Website: https://leadgenjay.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@leadgenjay
Instagram: https://instagram.com/leadgen

AI Tools & Platforms Mentioned:
N8n
Make.com
Zapier
Clay
Handwrytten
GPT, Claude, and other LLMs

🎁 Special Offer from Jay Feldman (LeadGenJay)

Jay has created a custom resource page for Chief AI Officer listeners that includes exclusive tools, templates, and strategies for implementing AI-powered lead generation. You can access this at:

👉 https://www.leadgenjay.com/caio 

This page gives listeners a head start on:

Proven cold email scripts and templates optimized with AI
Omnichannel automation frameworks for scaling outreach
Access to Jay’s favorite AI tool stack (Clay, N8n, Zapier, Handwrytten, GPT/Claude, and more)
Step-by-step implementation guides designed to help teams set up an “AI Sales Director” inside their company

Jay frames this as a way to shortcut months of trial and error and move directly into measurable results with AI in sales and marketing.

📌 Chapters
 00:00 - Show Intro and AI Executive Roadshow
 01:43 - Meet Jay Feldman aka Lead Gen Jay
 03:09 - From Medical School to Marketing Mastery
 05:06 - What Makes Cold Email Effective (Not Spam)
 07:25 - Automating Omnichannel Lead Generation
 10:15 - Personalization with AI at Scale
 13:58 - Cold Email vs Traditional Sales Teams
 18:11 - Must-Have Tools for AI-Powered Marketing
 21:45 - Building an AI Sales Director Agent
 28:03 - Managing Team Reactions to AI Adoption
 31:45 - Why Businesses Must Act Now on AI
 37:00 - How to Stay Updated in a Fast-Moving AI World
 44:08 - Getting Started with Lead Gen Jay’s Framework 

Episode tags:

AI lead generation, AI cold email, Omnichannel AI marketing, AI personalization tools, Automating sales outreach, AI sales director, Business automation with AI, LeadGenJay interview, Scaling client acquisition with AI, AI in marketing strategies, AI communities for entrepreneurs, AI tools for B2B growth

Chris Daigle sits down with Oren Michaels, founder of Barndoor.ai, to explore the rise of AI agents in the workplace and why governance and security matter just as much as innovation. From defining what makes an AI agent different from ChatGPT, to tackling the risks of the new Model Context Protocol (MCP), Oren explains how executives can unlock real productivity gains while avoiding costly mistakes.

You will hear how to treat agents like eager interns with guardrails, where companies are already seeing ROI in finance, marketing, and contracts, and why shadow AI and unsanctioned MCP use could be your biggest risks. Packed with real-world AI applications and executive-level strategy, this episode is a playbook for business leaders ready to adopt agents responsibly.

🔎 Resources

Learn more about Oren Michaels: Barndoor.ai

Contact Oren directly: [email protected]

🛠️ Tools & Frameworks Mentioned

ChatGPT ➡ https://openai.com/chatgpt

Model Context Protocol (MCP) for agent-to-system integration

📌 Chapters

00:00 – Intro to Oren Michaels and Barn Door AI
02:20 – From APIs to AI agents: lessons from enterprise adoption
06:46 – Defining an AI agent vs. ChatGPT and automation
13:25 – Why agents lack conscience and what that means for business
18:10 – Governance frameworks for AI agents
22:58 – Risks and opportunities of the Model Context Protocol (MCP)
27:19 – Who inside companies is owning AI governance
33:25 – Enterprise scale vs. mid-market AI adoption
38:36 – Real-world wins in finance, marketing, and contracts
42:53 – The difference between automation, RPA, and agents
46:28 – Shadow AI, unsanctioned MCP, and risk management
50:56 – Where to learn more about Barn Door AI

Episode tags:

AI in the workplace, AI for business leaders, Generative AI at work, Non-technical AI leadership, Real-world AI applications, Workplace AI adoption, Executive AI training, AI productivity tools, AI transformation stories, Ethical AI business, AI implementation guide, AI strategy for executives

Chris Daigle sits down with David Martelli, founder of Guildhall Studios, to reveal how executives, business leaders, and educators can harness AI in the workplace and generative AI at work. From non-technical AI leadership to real-world AI applications, David shares strategies for creating AI-powered learning environments that prepare both students and executives for the future of work.

You’ll hear how to use AI productivity tools without falling into the shiny-object trap, how to balance automation with human-to-human skills, and why frameworks like the MAP Cycle are key to moving from pilots to measurable AI adoption. This episode is a practical guide for leaders ready to turn AI transformation stories into real competitive advantage.

🔎 Find Out More About David Martelli and Guild Hall Learning
https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-martelli-236971a
https://www.guildhalllearning.com/

🛠 AI Tools and Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
ChatGPT ➡ https://openai.com/chatgpt
ChiefAIOfficer Resources ➡ https://chiefaiofficer.com

📌 Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction to David Martelli  
02:00 - From Learning Design to AI Leadership  
04:37 - Building Personalized AI Tools for Students and Workplaces  
12:59 - Non-Technical Leadership in AI Adoption  
19:34 - Avoiding AI Hype and the Shiny Object Syndrome  
24:53 - Using the MAP Framework for 90-Day AI Wins  
30:59 - Balancing AI Productivity Tools with Human Skills  
38:46 - Real-World AI Applications Across Industries  
49:56 - Preparing for AI’s Impact on Education and Work  
54:12 - How to Connect with David Martelli  

Episode tags:

AI in the workplace, AI for business leaders, Generative AI at work, Non-technical AI leadership, Real-world AI applications, Workplace AI adoption, Executive AI training, AI productivity tools, AI transformation stories, Ethical AI business, AI implementation guide, AI strategy for executives