the archive
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The full library — newest first.
AI, Productivity Software, and Lean: The Ultimate Cross-Section of Continuous Improvement.
Keith Norris, CEO of KPI Fire, joins Patrick to explore how organizations can harness continuous improvement and AI to drive real business results. From his background building mission-focused software to his optimistic view on AI-driven job creation, Keith challenges the doom-and-gloom narrative around AI's impact on employment. In this conversation, they dig into the timeless fundamentals that drive ROI—growth, productivity, and people—and why the companies winning with AI are the ones disciplined enough to connect innovation to purpose.
Beyond the Data: Location Strategy in the AI Age
Matt Szuhaj has spent over three decades helping companies navigate one of their most consequential decisions: where to build, expand, and operate globally—from riding the wave of globalization at Deloitte to leading location strategy at Strategic Development Group. Today we're talking about how companies should think about long-term strategic decisions in a time of unprecedented uncertainty, and how AI is reshaping the way he advises clients on everything from data center placement to operational efficiency.
People + Process * Technology = Value
Lisa L Levy is the founder of L Cubed Consulting, a firm specializing in organizational transformation and strategic technology adoption. With nearly two decades of experience helping mid-market companies bridge the gap between innovation and execution, she's developed a unique approach to AI implementation that prioritizes people and process over technology alone.
From Click to Agent: The Future of Brand Strategy
How do you actually build a brand in the age of AI? It's not about adopting the technology fastest—it's about knowing why you're adopting it. Caroline Rothwell Gerstein has shaped strategy for some of the world's most discerning brands, from Von Dutch in the early 2000s to building owned brands inside factories today. In this episode, she breaks down the transformation paradox CEOs are facing, why most pilots never go to production, and the unglamorous truth about AI: fix your data first. We dive into how to think about strategy in 90-day cycles instead of 5-year plans, why trust is becoming the commercial architecture, and what happens when humans stop clicking and agents start shopping. If you're building a company, leading a team, or trying to figure out where AI actually fits into your business, this one's for you.
Today's AI Headlines: Adoption, the future of SaaS, token economics & what's next.
Kevin Williams, founder of Ascend AI, joined the show to share how his journey through machine learning and ad-tech led him to build what he describes as an "AI office" for companies navigating the generative AI era. A central theme of the conversation is the importance of top-down AI communication inside organizations — and how the absence of it breeds confusion, fear, and unchecked shadow AI adoption. We tackle the jobs debate head-on, with Kevin making the case that near-term displacement is real, even as new roles and capabilities emerge on the other side. We conclude with a forward-looking view of the future of software and SaaS, exploring how token economics and AI agents may fundamentally reshape how companies build, buy, and use their tools.
The CEO Whisperer: How CEOs are navigating today's complex business landscape.
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Jim Schleckser, founder of The CEO Project, to explore the intersection of leadership, strategy, and artificial intelligence in today's mid-market businesses. Jim shares his 20+ years of experience building CEO peer advisory groups and reveals the biggest mistakes mid-market CEOs are making—from poor talent acquisition to inaccurate reality assessment. We dive deep into adaptive strategy deployment, the future of AI's impact on the job market, and why companies need both competency and compassion to build great leadership teams. Discover how AI is disrupting professional services, accounting, and legal industries, and learn why the real question isn't whether AI will replace jobs—it's how to solve actual business problems with the technology. Whether you're a CEO, revenue leader, or someone interested in the future of work, this conversation reveals what separates great leaders from the rest and how to navigate the AI transformation ahead.
Your Brand on Your Sleeve
What does it really mean to live into your company's values? Today, I'm talking with Nader Safinya, founder of BlackRibbit, the culture branding company that helps organizations close the gap between who they claim to be and who they actually are. We dive into how Nader uses AI strategically to consolidate research and speed up delivery, while protecting the human soul that makes branding meaningful. We also explore the dangers of outsourcing opinions to machines, why so many websites look identical, and what a truly aligned company culture actually looks and feels like—from both employee and customer perspectives. Stay tuned for a candid conversation about the future of business, technology, and honor.
Headwinds in Public Health: How AI can Help Drive Progress
Today I'm talking with Dr. Scott McNabb, a 20-year CDC veteran and founder of Public Health Practice, about a critical blind spot in American public health: real-time disease surveillance. Dr. McNabb is pioneering a solution using ethical AI to automatically convert medical records into actionable intelligence for public health officials, while protecting patient privacy. We also explore the "One Health" movement that's connecting veterinarians and physicians to catch outbreaks faster—and why this moment of technology & political disruption might have come at exactly the right time.
Turning Payment Terminals into Profit Centers
Payments aren't just transactions anymore—they're a growth engine hiding in plain sight. In this episode, Don Wilczynski of Merchant Rescue powered by Tried & True Consulting breaks down how embedded technology, real-time data, and AI-driven insights helped one restaurant boost average ticket size by nearly 60%. Don shares how small, agile firms can out-innovate industry giants through rapid deployment, industry-specific software, and a culture that embraces change—from auto repair shops to tool trucks. If you're a business owner still treating payments as a back-office cost, this conversation will change how you think about every swipe, tap, and QR code.
Culture vs. Skill? No Contest.
Culture isn't built in the boardroom—it's built by everyone, at every level. In this episode, Derek Rusher, CEO of Team Concepts, shares why hands-on experiences outperform lectures, why team growth beats individual scores, and why culture becomes the deciding factor when organizations navigate change. Derek also tackles the AI question head-on: technology can make us more efficient, but it can't replace wisdom, community, and genuine human relationships. If you're a leader trying to build a team that stays unified, adaptable, and intentional—especially in competitive environments—this conversation is your blueprint.
AI & The Franchise Equation
In this episode we sit down with Charles Dobyns, CFE — a 35-year franchising veteran and CEO of Strategic Franchise Development — to talk about what actually drives franchise growth in the age of AI. Charles shares why technology is a powerful tool but a poor substitute for the human connection, leadership transparency, and authentic storytelling that build lasting franchise brands. We dig into how AI can help qualify leads and sharpen your marketing, but why the judgment calls that matter most still require a human in the room. If you're a franchise leader trying to figure out where AI fits — and where it doesn't — this one's for you.
AI & SMBs: The Impact on Leadership & Customer Service
Moving from “numbers first” to “people and systems first,” with AI as a growing accelerator for both.
Healthcare Innovation: The Next AI Frontier
How AI is moving into healthcare in two very different ways: low-risk operational tasks like documentation and much higher-stakes areas like clinical trials and drug discovery. Carrie explains that her company, Helios Innovation Labs builds synthetic audience tools to help pharma and health-tech teams test patient engagement, workflows, and trial design more efficiently. They also explore the tension between innovation and policy, as regulation is lagging behind AI’s pace and that transparency, safety, and human oversight will be essential. Overall, the conversation pointed to a future where collaboration between healthcare, tech, and policy could speed up better care, faster research, and more effective innovation.