The 4 am Report

Many teams have a Notion page full of prompts. Very few have real, repeatable AI workflows. In this episode, host Susan Diaz and product/go-to-market leader Jason Dea dig into how to move from playing with prompts to designing workflows, building tiny specialist agents, and avoiding a new wave of shadow AI inside organizations. Susan is joined by venture studio and SaaS veteran Jason Dea from Coru Ventures in Toronto. They unpack why AI is not a magic wand or a single feature, but an enabling technology that only delivers value when it's wired into actual workflows. Jason shares his "swarm of bumblebees" metaphor for AI, how he builds small specialist agents to clone his own work style, and why enterprises are about to repeat the mistakes of shadow IT if they don't get serious about orchestration and governance. They close by talking about leaders using AI in their own day-to-day work, and Jason's personal experiments with family apps, coding, and even a butterfly-catching game for his daughter. Key takeaways Prompts ≠ workflows. Collecting prompts in a shared doc feels productive. But until you map the 8–10 steps of a job and decide where AI fits, you're just doing experiments, not transformation. AI is not a magic one-shot. It's an enabling technology. The real gains come when you see your work as a chain of small tasks and let AI take over the repetitive, boring, or "toil" links in that chain. Think "swarm of bumblebees." You are the queen bee. AI is a swarm of tiny worker bees, each doing one specific task very well (emails, slides, requirements, research), not one mega-agent doing everything. Documenting workflows doesn't have to be fancy. A workflow is just "tell me the 10 steps." Start with the human sequence. Tools come second. Once it's visible, the friction points where AI can help become obvious. Shadow IT is turning into shadow AI. Cheap, bolt-on AI features and swipe-a-card tools make it easy for every team to spin up their own stack. Without orchestration, you recreate silos, risk, and tool sprawl at AI speed. IT should govern, not own everything. Governance, security, and guardrails matter. But AI also democratises small bits of "coding" and automation, letting non-technical teams build more, faster—if they have guidance. Leaders need hands-on literacy. The fastest way out of the hype is to use AI yourself for your own toil. Drafting emails. Planning. Decomposing big tasks. You get more realistic about what it can and cannot do. AI is an "unstuck" tool in work and life. From relearning to code, to building tiny family apps, to cataloguing knick-knacks and designing games for kids, AI opens up projects that were unrealistic even five years ago. Episode highlights [00:01] Jason's background in startups, SaaS, product, and go-to-market, and his role at Coru Ventures. [02:00] Where we are on the Gartner hype cycle and why the trough of disillusionment is inevitable and useful. [04:40] Why some people can't imagine life before ChatGPT—and why that's not true for everyone inside organisations. [05:50] Mapping work as a sequence of steps instead of hunting for a single "magic" AI prompt. [08:01] The "swarm of bumblebees" metaphor: you as the queen, AI as many small worker-bee agents. [09:59] How to define a workflow in plain language: "tell me the 10 steps," tools aside. [11:00] Paperwork and OCR as a classic example of where generative AI finally unlocks messy, grey-area tasks. [13:50] Using AI first to remove the tasks you hate and identify the links you should outsource to machines. [15:20] Jason's "digital clone" AIs trained on his own content and patterns. [19:00] Building multiple mini-AIs: one for social posts, one for slide decks, one for product requirements. [21:10] Bolt-on AI features everywhere + messy workflows = amplified confusion and risk. [22:10] From shadow IT to shadow AI: why orchestration and shared understanding of workflows is critical. [24:40] Startups' speed vs enterprises' risk aversion, and what each can learn from the other. [27:10] Why IT should set guardrails while letting departments experiment and build more on their own. [30:10] Jason's advice to leaders: use AI yourself to see where it really helps and what it really takes. [36:00] Personal-life AI: relearning to code, family apps, cataloguing home items, and a butterfly game for his daughter. [38:00] Susan's idea: vibe-coding a family recipe app as a way to preserve memories and workflows. If your organization has a folder full of prompts but no clear AI workflows, this episode is your sign to pause and rethink. Share it with: The person who keeps buying new AI tools. The leader who thinks "IT will figure it out". The teammate who's already acting like the queen bee and quietly building their own swarm. Then ask as a team: "Where are our 10-step workflows, and which links should really be done by AI?" Connect with Susan Diaz on LinkedIn to get a conversation started. Agile teams move fast. Grab our 10 AI Deep Research Prompts to see how proven frameworks can unlock clarity in hours, not months. Find the prompt pack here.

Most enterprises don't have an AI problem. They have a literacy problem. In this episode, host Susan Diaz breaks down the "AI literacy divide" inside organizations, why it quietly creates haves and have-nots, and what baseline literacy actually looks like in practice. AI literacy should be treated the same way we treat financial or health literacy - as a non-optional, minimum standard for everyone, not a niche skill for "AI people". Susan maps out the current reality in many companies - a small group of confident experimenters, a vocal group of sceptics, and a silent majority stuck in the middle waiting for direction. Then she paints two futures and shows how intentional, organization-wide AI literacy turns curiosity into real innovation instead of resentment, inequity, and stalled adoption.   Key takeaways You don't have an AI tool problem. You have an AI literacy gap. Most people can "open ChatGPT" but don't understand what LLMs are, what they're good at, and where the risk line is. Think "financial literacy" not "prompt engineering". Just like everyone is expected to understand interest, debt, and prevention in health, everyone should understand the basics of everyday AI, not build custom agents on weekends. AI knowledge inside organizations is wildly uneven. A few people experiment confidently. A few are loudly doomsday. Many say nothing, don't feel safe asking questions, and quietly fall behind. That's the divide. Leadership is often the least literate group. Junior staff may be hands-on with tools, while executives and middle managers are too busy or embarrassed to be beginners again - creating a strange power/knowledge mismatch. Stop hunting for "one magic AI tool". AI in your company will look more like the internet than a single CRM. It will run through everything, not live on one platform. Literacy and workflows beat silver bullets. Two things to stop immediately: Stop treating AI as a binary "for or against" issue. It's already here, like calculators and the internet. The real question is how you'll adopt it. Stop pretending inequity isn't part of AI adoption. If training only reaches leaders, tech folks, or men who speak up first, you're baking old bias into a new system. Episode highlights [00:01] "Most enterprises don't actually have an AI problem. They have a literacy problem." [00:40] Financial and health literacy as models for what AI literacy should look like. [01:39] The current reality: pockets of brilliance, pockets of panic, and a big silent middle. [06:03] The Star Wars council metaphor: the Yoda faction, the doomscrolling faction, and the quiet middle. [10:16] The first big red flag: leadership has never sat down to talk about AI as a cultural, strategic, and operational shift. [12:13] Two employees in the same company: the confident AI experimenter vs the quietly left-behind colleague. [18:21] When formal power and AI experience don't live in the same people. [19:31] Why there will never be "one tool to rule them all" inside organisations. [26:20] Company A vs Company B: what baseline AI literacy actually looks like. [31:16] The skills every employee needs: plain-language understanding of LLMs, basic prompting, simple workflow mapping, and evaluation. [32:13] Two things to stop doing now: binary thinking about AI and ignoring inequity in who gets to learn. If you suspect your organization is quietly suffering scattered pilots, no shared language, lots of vibes but no vision, start here. Ask your leadership team: "What does baseline AI literacy look like for everyone here, and what's our plan to get there?" Then share this episode with one person in your org who's brave enough to start that conversation. Connect with Susan Diaz on LinkedIn to get a conversation started. Agile teams move fast. Grab our 10 AI Deep Research Prompts to see how proven frameworks can unlock clarity in hours, not months. Find the prompt pack here.

Lots of teams are playing with AI. Few are documenting, sharing, or governing what actually happens. In this episode, Susan unpacks the hidden cost of experiment-only AI literacy inside enterprises, from duplicate spend to shadow AI, and offers a path from Wild West to structured innovation. Episode summary In this solo episode, Susan looks at what really happens when AI experimentation is encouraged, but never captured or guided. She explains why leadership often only sees one of two AI universes running inside the same company. Then she breaks down how to keep curiosity alive and add just enough structure to protect brand, budgets, and people. Key takeaways AI is already in your organisation, whether it's "approved" or not. Even with blanket bans, people de-identify data and reach for personal tools like ChatGPT or Claude on their phones. You're probably running two parallel AI universes. One official, "enterprise safe" tool stack that leadership can see. One unofficial, personal stack that actually solves problems. Experimentation is good culture. "Experiment-only" is expensive. Without reporting, shared learning, or guardrails, you get duplicate tools, compliance risk, brand drift, and fake efficiency. People are treating AI the way they once treated Google. If they can't get answers inside the firewall, they go around it. That behaviour is normal… but now the stakes are much higher. Stop chasing a single super-agent. AI can replace steps, not entire, multi-step, values-based processes that require judgement, politics, and context. The real leverage is in literacy, not licences. Tools without shared language, playbooks, and training will never compound into competitive advantage. Episode highlights [00:02] The conference metaphor: high inspiration, zero notes, nothing sticks. [01:30] The uncomfortable truth: people are using AI, even if policy says they shouldn't. [03:20] Why internal "safe" chatbots often feel generic and miss political and market nuance. [05:22] How smart staff quietly step outside approved tools and into personal LLMs. [10:05] The rise of two AI universes: official vs shadow, and where leadership can actually see. [14:22] Experimentation as a sign of healthy, curious culture. Where it tips into risk. [16:35] Hidden costs: duplicate spend, overlapping capabilities, and tool sprawl. [17:28] Shadow AI, compliance risk, and what happens when sensitive data hits public models. [18:05] Brand voice drift and micro-messaging shifts that compound over time. [20:21] What leaders can do next: audits, simple guardrails, sandboxes, and shared findings. [21:19] What a real AI playbook is (hint: documented workflows, not a buzzword PDF). [22:24] The core question: do you actually know how your people are using AI today? If you suspect there's an invisible AI Wild West running inside your organization, start here. Listen to the full episode and then ask your leadership team one question: "Do we really know how our people are using AI today?" If the honest answer is "not really", that's your starting point for an AI audit and a literacy plan. Connect with Susan Diaz on LinkedInfor to get a conversation started. Agile teams move fast. Grab our 10 AI Deep Research Prompts to see how proven frameworks can unlock clarity in hours, not months. Find the prompt pack here.

What if you didn't have to disappear into a cabin for a year to write a meaningful book on AI? In this episode, host Susan Diaz kicks off a 30-day podcast-to-book challenge, sharing why her first book changed everything in her business and how she's now using AI and this podcast as a live "thinking lab" to build her next one. In this solo reflection, Susan: Looks back at how her first book Unboring: Take Your Content Marketing from Blah to Brilliant reshaped her identity, authourity, and client pipeline. Gets honest about why her AI book has been "stuck in a Google Doc" for over a year. Shares how a 30-day podcast challenge (inspired by Dan Sanchez and Ken Friere) will turn daily episodes into the raw material for a new, evergreen book on AI literacy for companies. Key takeaways Books change rooms, not just shelves. Being an author didn't make Susan "book rich" but it did change how decision-makers perceived her, filtered in better-fit clients, and gave her a framework for talks, workshops, and content. A realization that the book doesn't need to chase the news cycle. Instead of writing about tools and updates that age in months, Susan is focusing on evergreen questions: how we think, work, govern, and design AI inside companies. Stuck isn't a lack of ideas. It's a lack of structure and urgency. The AI book already existed as outlines, pillars, and scattered drafts. What was missing was discipline and a public commitment. Podcasting can be a "thinking lab" for your book. Daily episodes will act as live experiments for frameworks, stories, and interviews that can later be shaped into chapters. AI is a collaborator, not a ghostwriter. Susan uses AI to help think, outline, pattern-spot, and structure - while all ideas originate from real conversations, reflections, and lived experience. This is a long game for leaders. AI literacy and adoption inside organizations will take years, just like online banking. Some people will resist to the bitter end, but most will eventually adapt. Episode chapters (timestamps) [00:00] Why writing and storytelling still sit at the centre. [01:00] The identity shift of publishing Unboring and how it changed client perception. [03:45] How the first book became a "north star" for talks, workshops, and marketing content. [07:10] The uncomfortable truth: the AI book has been stuck as outlines, half-finished drafts, and scattered notes. [08:20] The fear that an AI book will be obsolete by the time it's finished - and why that thinking is flawed. [09:56] What this new book will be about: humans, companies, culture, governance, and real workflows. [10:53] Enter the catalyst: Dan Sanchez, Ken Friere, and the idea of building a book in public using AI. [12:50] Deciding to do a 30-day podcast challenge… at the end of November… right into the holidays. [14:18] What a previous 30-day Instagram Live challenge did for speaking opportunities and authourity. [16:03] How this 30-episode sprint will turn the podcast into a thinking lab for the book. [17:40] The mix of episodes to expect: solo reflection, teaching, futurism, and subject-matter-expert interviews. [18:48] Why AI literacy in companies will mirror the long, messy adoption curve of past technologies. [20:29] The types of guests Susan wants to bring on: innovators, practitioners, futurists, ethicists, and policy voices. [21:25] How AI will be used behind the scenes to turn conversations into chapters and frameworks. [22:10] An invitation: come along for 30 episodes of experiments, rough edges, and real-time learning. Links and resources Get Susan's first book - Unboring: Take your Content Marketing from Blah to Brilliant Connect with Susan Diaz on LinkedInfor behind-the-scenes updates on the challenge. Agile teams move fast. Grab our 10 AI Deep Research Prompts to see how proven frameworks can unlock clarity in hours, not months. Find the prompt pack here. If this episode sparks something in you, don't just listen - build alongside it. Use these 30 episodes as prompts to ask better questions about AI in your own company. Share this episode with a founder or leader who's "AI-curious" but stuck in planning mode. Hit follow/subscribe so you don't miss the next 29 days of this experiment. If you're leading a team and want help turning your lived experience into AI-powered IP (like a book, frameworks, or talks), send Susan a DM on LinkedIn with the words "podcast to book" and she'll share next steps.

Founder-led teams can use AI to run effective, specific outreach - without sounding robotic. In this episode of 'AI Literacy for Entrepreneurs', I share a five-part "non-cringe" follow-up, a reusable variable-block system, tone/quality checks, a 5-step SOP you can paste into your AI tool, and a 48-hour challenge to make it real. Inside the episode: The 5-line follow-up that doesn't make you cringe (context → value → ask → next step → grace). A variable-block library (Persona, Pain, Proof, Offer, CTA) so AI can personalize at speed. Three 60-second QC checks to keep tone clean and human. A tiny SOP you can paste into your LLM and ship five follow-ups this week. If referrals aren't enough anymore for your business, this is your nudge to build a simple system and hit send. Want more? Agile teams move fast. Grab our 10 AI Deep Research Prompts to see how proven frameworks can unlock clarity in hours, not months. Find the prompt pack here. Join the Marketing Power Circle (MPC) Connect with Susan Diaz on LinkedIn If this helped, a quick ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ keeps the show discoverable for other entrepreneurs.

"AI can't use what you haven't organized." In this solo teaching episode, host Susan Diaz lays out a lightweight, repeatable structure for an internal knowledge base that actually powers your AI - so custom GPTs, Gems, or projects stop guessing and start producing on-brand, accurate work.  You'll learn the difference between rules (how your AI behaves) and knowledge (what it must know), how to build a four-folder knowledge base, ways to keep it fresh, what not to include for privacy/safety, and a 48-hour challenge to prove it on a real workflow. What you'll learn Rules vs knowledge: rules = behaviour, steps, tone, guardrails; knowledge = the factual assets (offers, pricing, voice, proof) your AI must reference. Use both, or you'll get either generic tone or rambling, off-base outputs. The 4-folder knowledge base: Brand Voice, Product Facts, Policies & Pricing, and Examples - what goes in each, and why this crushes hallucinations. Freshness rhythm and versioning: set a monthly/bi-monthly review, version by date, and keep a simple changelog so quality doesn't decay. Privacy and safety notes: what to exclude (confidential contracts, unreleased IP), how to anonymize examples, and who should have edit vs view access. Live example: how Susan used this exact setup to draft a Northlight landing page that was ~80% right on first pass. 48-hour challenge: create the four folders and drop 1-2 docs into each; test on one real deliverable (do this now) Create the four folders. Drop 1-2 docs in each (rough is fine). Run one real deliverable through your setup; note time saved + edit depth. Bring your folder map to Susan's MPC open house for live feedback.   Want more? Agile teams move fast. Grab our 10 AI Deep Research Prompts to see how proven frameworks can unlock clarity in hours, not months. Find the prompt pack here. Join the Marketing Power Circle (MPC) Connect with Susan Diaz on LinkedIn Please take a moment to rate and review this podcast: 5⭐ helps more founders find this show  

Episode summary Three different leaders told me the same thing last quarter: “We tried AI. It felt cool. It didn't change any results.” Northlight exists to fix that gap. In this episode I introduce Northlight - my AI literacy + implementation firm for teams that are done dabbling and ready for workflow wins they can measure. We turn AI from a novelty into a compounding asset using SOPs, custom GPTs/agents, and responsible guardrails. You'll also hear a simple 48-hour challenge to prove the value on one real workflow, plus a founder-friendly launch offer for a rapid diagnostic. What you'll learn Why tools aren't your bottleneck - workflows are. How to move from ad-hoc prompting to repeatable systems. The “calculator → computer → AI” analogy. Each shift frees humans to solve bigger problems (if you redesign the work). Northlight's 5D Flow (our method): Discover → Design → Deploy → Document → Dial-in. What our engagements look like: 2-week diagnostic, 6-week implementation sprint, ongoing enablement/governance. Two mini-case studies: Content ops cut from a day to

How do diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals evolve in a world being rapidly reshaped by AI? In this episode, I sit down with Gabby Zuniga, founder of InclusiveKind, where she helps organizations across nonprofit and corporate sectors do DEI right through assessments, strategy, training, and policy review. We dig into: The ebb and flow of organizational commitment to DEI since 2020 - and why some companies stick with it while others quietly pull back. Why DEI is not just about race or ethnicity but also about learning styles, generational diversity, and workplace equity at every level. How AI is creating new urgency for DEI conversations - from algorithmic bias to ensuring inclusive adoption of technology. Practical ways founders and leaders can keep DEI at the center, even as priorities shift. Gabby's perspective is both real and hopeful: while some organizations are stepping away, the ones that ground their DEI in values - not headlines - are leading the way. This is an important listen if you're navigating how to keep people and inclusion at the heart of your business while embracing AI as a growth tool.

AI search is here. People are using ChatGPT and other tools to discover businesses - but my guest today on the podcast, Andrew Jenkins shows why the foundations of SEO still matter. Andrew is CEO of Volterra Digital, a top-ranked social media agency, and a long-time member of my Marketing Power Circle (MPC). We dive into: Why getting found on AI isn't a “flip the switch” formula The role of reviews, backlinks, and industry recognition in AI search rankings How Andrew used Clutch.co to build a discoverability flywheel How custom GPTs and vibe coding are transforming small agency workflows The mindset shift from AI as content spam to AI as your second brain

In this episode of AI Literacy for Entrepreneurs, I sit down with Emily Baillie, founder of Compass Content Marketing and longtime digital marketing strategist turned AI literacy expert. Emily has been helping businesses navigate digital change for over 15 years. When ChatGPT first launched, she quickly saw the impact AI would have and started teaching AI and marketing workshops - which are now her most requested service. We dive into: Canva's AI superpowers: from the one-click background remover to magic resize, magic write, and even language translation. Where to start if you're new to AI in Canva (and which tools to skip). How Canva makes it easier to create high-quality content quickly, even if you're not a designer. Why iterating and refining AI outputs is the secret to avoiding “AI slop”. Creative use cases, from growing email lists with QR codes to recording presentations and sharing with a single link. Canva's free subscription for nonprofits and why more organizations should take advantage of it. Emily reminds us that AI tools are meant to save time, build confidence, and open doors to creativity - not replace the human touch.

This episode dives into the evolving space where entrepreneurship, education, and AI collide. Host Susan Diaz sits down with Deborah Carraro, an educator, AI leader, and founder of ideborah, to unpack how early-stage entrepreneurs can approach AI with creativity, experimentation, and values alignment. Deborah, who also leads AI efforts at Coralus (formerly SheEO), shares her insights from working with founders and students navigating new tech - often for the very first time.

In this episode, Melissa Lloyd, founder of Aigility Hub, joins host Susan Diaz to explore the mindset-first approach to adopting AI. We unpack why tools and tactics should follow clarity, confidence, and intentional leadership. This conversation is a must-listen for entrepreneurs and leaders feeling overwhelmed by tech shifts and wondering how to bring human-centred strategy to their AI journey.

Ready to stop cursing at that under-performing GPT (that you lovingly built - only to watch it spit out meh)? In this short episode, host Susan Diaz breaks down five foundations every custom GPT needs before it can truly earn a spot on your team, plus a 48-hour challenge to tune-up (or totally transform) the bot you already have. What's inside

In this week's ‘AI Literacy for Entrepreneurs' I tap three founders who turned very human skill-sets - strategy, street-level video, personal style - into AI-fuelled growth engines. What we cover Quiz funnels that work while you sleep Growth strategist Maiko Sakai dissects why most quizzes flop, then shows how she drafts curiosity-packed titles in ChatGPT and lets Interact's new AI builder spin out all the logic branches in minutes. From one hour of phone clips to 40+ assets Dori Adams, founder of Shutterb, explains how she'd turn everyday “content-paparazzi” into content for days. She walks us through the stack that multiplies content raw material into a month of social posts. Confident personal brands Personal-brand stylist Renee Lindo explains why your outfit is the “packaging” of your expertise and how AI is becoming a low-risk playground for trying colour palettes, outfit pairings and mood-board inspo before you buy. I close with three points: Small teams can now run at enterprise speed. Custom GPTs are documented SOPs on autopilot. Your next job is to decide what still needs your brain - and delegate the rest to the bot. Resources mentioned Interact AI Quiz Builder - Maiko's go-to quiz platform ReelTrends - Dori's “what's-popping” audio and format tracker Want deeper implementation? Founders are building these workflows live inside Marketing Power Circle (MPC), my AI-implementation mastermind for founder-led teams. You'll find information here. Rate + review if today's episode sparked an idea - and see you in the next episode!

‘AI Literacy for Entrepreneurs' gets a role-reversal this week: host Susan is in the hot-seat, guesting on Bárbara Daroca's Hello, Success! Podcast and the convo was too good not to syndicate here. If you're building a business on your own terms (and wondering how AI fits into that life-by-design plan), save this one for your next walk. Why listen: Susan's origin story - from lifetime marketer, to chocolate-maker, to AI-agency founder The 4am Report pivot, and why podcasting early (and tiny) massively paid off (even inspiring Barbara to launch her own podcast. How generative AI really changes the writing game (hint: commodity content is toast; strategy wins) Grocery-list automation, Instacart GPTs, and other un-sexy life hacks that buy back brain-space Defining success as 60 % white space - and how to protect it while scaling Timestamps:  03:12 - From newborn + nine-to-five to solopreneur experiments (including artisan chocolate)  09:40 - Launching the 4am Report - catching podcasting's “second wave”  15:30 - ChatGPT's light-bulb moment: “This is the next calculator.”  19:50 - Will AI replace writers? Only if you let it.  23:45 - Master-prompts: ask the AI to ask you better questions  27:20 - Success = space: designing work and life with 60 % white space Links and resources: Bárbara Daroca's podcast Hello, Success! - follow here → https://open.spotify.com/show/71SThCwTzHSFC1F9N5jBKZ Susan's AI agency: https://www.peacefulaimarketing.com Marketing Power Circle - the implementation mastermind for founder-led teams → https://cpdigitalinc.vipmembervault.com/products/courses/view/1157552 If this episode helped you rethink what success could look like, share it with a fellow founder. Drop a rating inside your podcast app. Your five-seconds of love keeps these conversations flowing. Stay curious, stay human, and keep 60% of your calendar blissfully blank.

In this episode of ‘AI Literacy for Entrepreneurs', Susan Diaz chats with Jesse Clarke - founder of JN Clarke Consulting and a strategic advisor to nonprofits and social impact entrepreneurs. With deep roots in both federal government and charitable sectors, Jesse brings a pragmatic, values-first lens to the role AI is beginning to play in nonprofit strategy. What to expect: How AI is quietly transforming grant writing and government funding workflows The ethical red flags nonprofits must consider as they adopt Gen AI Why 30-35% of orgs are already using AI (and more unofficially) How Jesse uses AI in her work - and her personal life The hidden opportunity for small teams to leap ahead before regulation catches up This conversation is packed with real-world use cases, policy-level insight, and warm, witty reminders that critical thinking and values must still lead the way.

In this episode of 'AI Literacy for Entrepreneurs', Susan Diaz chats with Jesse Clarke - founder of JN Clarke Consulting and a strategic advisor to nonprofits and social impact entrepreneurs. With deep roots in both federal government and charitable sectors, Jesse brings a pragmatic, values-first lens to the role AI is beginning to play in nonprofit strategy. What to expect: How AI is quietly transforming grant writing and government funding workflows The ethical red flags nonprofits must consider as they adopt Gen AI Why 30-35% of orgs are already using AI (and more unofficially) How Jesse uses AI in her work - and her personal life The hidden opportunity for small teams to leap ahead before regulation catches up This conversation is packed with real-world use cases, policy-level insight, and warm, witty reminders that critical thinking and values must still lead the way.

In this heartfelt and thought-provoking conversation, host Susan Diaz sits down with Liat Horovitz - results coach, founder of Revival Retreats, and host of The Results Club Podcast - to explore what it really means to grow a business (and a life) in the age of AI without losing your humanity. With a background in big tech and marketing, Liat walked away from corporate life to pursue a more connected, values-led path. In this episode, she shares what it takes to make a bold leap - and how we can embrace AI without sacrificing the human essence that makes us impactful leaders.

In this foundational solo episode, host Susan Diaz breaks down the three core concepts every founder-led team needs to understand to build a meaningful relationship with AI. Whether you're just dipping your toes into AI or looking to sharpen your implementation strategy, this is your no-fluff starting point. What you'll Learn

In this insightful episode of ‘AI Literacy for Entrepreneurs', host Susan Diaz sits down with Steph Sedgwick, founder of Clarity Web Design, to explore how good web design is evolving in the age of AI, accessibility, and changing SEO dynamics. About Steph Sedgwick: Steph specializes in creating websites that genuinely perform - going far beyond aesthetic appeal to ensure they're accessible, user-friendly, and strategically optimized. She highlights how designing for accessibility is not just inclusive but also excellent business strategy, significantly boosting organic traffic. Key Discussion Points: Good Web Design in 2025: Why visual aesthetics alone won't cut it. Good design means functionality, accessibility, and essentialism - focusing intentionally on content that delivers clear, measurable value. Accessibility as a Business Advantage: Steph shares startling statistics - 97% of websites aren't accessibility-friendly. She details how making your website accessible leads to dramatically improved user experience and organic search results (average 450% increase!) Why Pretty Paperweights Don't Work: Websites need to serve practical purposes, not just look appealing. Learn why functionality and accessibility should be your priority. AI and Web Design: Steph demystifies the hype around AI-generated websites. AI can enhance your workflow but can't replace human strategic insights or understanding of customer needs - yet. SEO and AI: Practical advice on using AI to evaluate your web copy for readability and skimmability, ensuring your content appeals to both humans and search engines. Steph's Pro Tips for Entrepreneurs: Avoid "ego-driven" website designs. Your website should appeal to your target audience, not just reflect your personal preferences. Conduct regular checks on basic website functionality (responsive design, working links). Use AI wisely - especially for tasks like editing and improving clarity, rather than expecting fully autonomous website creation. Time Stamps for Key Highlights in this Episode: 01:27 - The importance of moving from "pretty paperweights" to functional web design 02:32 - How accessibility boosts organic traffic by 450% 06:29 - Defining “good design” in 2025 11:21 - Why responsive design remains critical 27:10 - AI-generated websites: myth vs. reality 35:26 - Practical SEO tips using AI 39:14 - How Steph personally leverages AI for productivity Connect with Steph Sedgwick on LinkedIn. Website: claritywebdesign.ca  Instagram: @claritywebdesign Upcoming Roundtable Event: Steph host regular insightful roundtables. Her next one is "From Invisible to Unmissable: SEO and Accessibility Intersection", diving deeper into how to effectively blend SEO and accessibility for maximum business impact.

In this episode, Susan Diaz sits down with Renee Lindo, personal and brand stylist, to chat about why personal style is crucial for entrepreneurs building strong brands in the age of AI. Renee shares how style acts as a powerful communication tool, setting the stage before you even say a word. Key Takeaways: Your Style as Personal Branding Renee emphasizes how your style is your "packaging" and directly influences first impressions, branding consistency, and professional opportunities. Capsule Wardrobe 101 for Entrepreneurs Practical tips to create a personalized capsule wardrobe, saving entrepreneurs valuable time and mental energy. The Intersection of Style, Energy, and Confidence Insights on how dressing intentionally can shift your mindset, elevate confidence, and open doors to new opportunities. Common Style Challenges for Entrepreneurs Renee discusses overcoming blocks like feeling camera-ready and creating content with ease simply by being intentional about getting dressed each day. Can AI Enhance your Style? Tips on leveraging AI as a starting point for outfit ideas, online shopping recommendations, and even color choices, while still emphasizing the importance of personal touch. Practical Advice: Conduct a style audit: Align your wardrobe with your brand by clarifying your personal style and using tools like Pinterest for inspiration. Invest intentionality: Plan outfits ahead to boost content creation ease and reduce decision fatigue.   Episode Timestamps: 02:45 Why your personal style matters more than ever in the age of AI 07:12 How your wardrobe directly impacts your confidence and opportunities 12:30 Creating a capsule wardrobe to simplify entrepreneurial life 17:05 Overcoming style blocks and feeling camera-ready effortlessly 21:50 Leveraging AI to elevate your personal style without losing your authenticity 28:15 Conducting a practical style audit to align your wardrobe with your brand Guest Spotlight: Renee Lindo specializes in empowering entrepreneurs through style and confidence. Connect with her on LinkedIn and explore her insights on personal branding and styling. Connect with Renee on LinkedIn: Renee Lindo Tune in and discover how to amplify your entrepreneurial success through intentional personal branding and styling.

In today's episode, I sit down with Paige Percival, a health and life coach, to talk about self-care, balance, and how AI may be able to help us step away from screens instead of keeping us tethered to them.

In this episode of AI Literacy for Entrepreneurs, host Susan Diaz heads into the world of storytelling and content creation with Dori Adams, founder of shutterb. Dori is revolutionizing the way businesses capture content by making high-quality storytelling accessible to everyone through a unique gig platform that functions like the "Uber of content creators"

Have you ever thought about designing your dream life but felt overwhelmed by where to start? In this episode of ‘AI Literacy for Entrepreneurs', we explore how ChatGPT can help you map out a vision for your ideal life - one thoughtful question at a time. Host Susan Diaz walks you through:  ✨ The impressive reasoning capabilities of ChatGPT o1 and how you can have it function as a pocket strategic life coach. ✨ Step-by-step examples of using AI to clarify values, define goals, and take actionable steps. ✨ Why narrowing down prompts and asking smarter questions unlocks deeper insights. ✨ How this AI tool goes beyond surface-level advice to uncover insights you might not have considered on your own. Susan also shares personal stories about discovering new hobbies, aligning values with daily actions, and creating a roadmap for meaningful change.  Whether it's enhancing personal growth, planning career moves, or tackling business challenges, this tutorial gives you an inside look at how AI can empower self-reflection and planning in ways we couldn't imagine before.

In this episode of AI Literacy for Entrepreneurs, I sit down with brilliant business consultant Maiko Sakai to talk about the difference between growth and scale for founder-led businesses

In this episode of ‘AI Literacy for Entrepreneurs', host Susan Diaz breaks down the dynamic between AI and creativity - specifically, how to collaborate with AI without compromising your own authentic voice.  Too often, we hear that AI-generated content can sound generic, robotic, or even "too ChatGPT-ish". Susan unpacks the core reasons why this happens and shares strategic steps you can take to ensure your AI-assisted content truly sounds like you. Key Takeaways: AI as a Strategic Partner: Treat AI as your second brain. Instead of assigning it junior-level tasks, elevate your thinking and have AI help you brainstorm at the strategic level. Use it to ask the right questions that guide your creativity. Iterative Collaboration: AI works best when you work iteratively. Instead of expecting perfect results from the first draft, treat it like any other team member - provide feedback, refine, and iterate. Define your Brand Voice Clearly: If AI isn't getting your voice, it's likely because you haven't defined your voice clearly enough. Develop a “brand book” that encompasses your tone, mood, and creative intentions. Use AI to help create this, ensuring that future outputs are aligned with your vision. Why this Matters:  Understanding how to make AI work for you while maintaining your unique style is crucial for entrepreneurs and creators. Whether you're a founder, a marketer, or just AI-curious, this episode provides a practical framework for using AI as a tool for creativity - without letting it overshadow your human touch. Resources Mentioned: ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini as tools to explore for strategic collaboration. The idea of using AI as your “second brain” for creative expansion. Enjoyed the episode? Please leave a 5-star rating and review - it helps others discover AI Literacy for Entrepreneurs. Subscribe to stay updated on future episodes and share it with your entrepreneurial friends who are exploring AI! Further AI Learning Gen AI Myths Busted: Debunking 3 Damaging AI Misconceptions: Want to understand what generative AI really can and can't do? This article clears up some damaging myths to help you leverage AI effectively. 100x Mindset: How AI Empowers Small Businesses to Think Bigger: Discover how AI can help you think bigger and expand faster - moving from scarcity to a mindset of abundance. This piece is essential reading if you're ready to level up your small business with AI. Join Us:  Ready to implement AI at quantum speed? Join the Marketing Power Circle to get the support, frameworks, and community needed to take your AI game to the next level.

In this thought-provoking episode of AI Literacy for Entrepreneurs, host Susan Diaz welcomes Jesse Adams, CEO and founder of Ember Experience, to explore the dual nature of AI and its implications for the future of work. The discussion points to a compelling parallel in history with Oppenheimer and the development of nuclear technology, bringing both hope and fear to the front. Key Topics Covered: The Paradox of AI: Susan and Jesse talk about how AI represents both tremendous opportunities and risks, much like the invention of nuclear technology.  Human vs. AI Decision-Making: Insights into the differences between human-controlled tools and AI's autonomous capabilities.While humans decided how to deploy atomic bombs, AI's potential involves it making decisions on its own - a powerful shift that requires careful stewardship. Cultural and Ethical Implications: There is a critical need for creating a value-driven approach to how AI evolves, ensuring that it serves humanity in a positive way, rather than just driving profit and power. Psychological Safety and AI: Jesse and Susan talk about the impact of AI on workplace psychological safety. As AI tools drive efficiency, there's an inherent tension between maximizing productivity and fostering a safe and supportive work culture. Jesse discusses how organizations can balance these pressures by focusing on intention and values. Hope for the Future: Despite the risks, we remain hopeful about AI's potential to be a force for good. Leaders must actively engage in the development of AI tools with ethical considerations at the forefront - fostering creativity, community, and the well-being of individuals. Highlights: AI's power is akin to that of nuclear technology—capable of immense good or bad. Decision-making shifts: AI can independently generate ideas and make impactful choices. Organizations must re-center on core values to guide AI implementation. The dual forces of hope and fear surrounding AI are shaping our approach to technology in the workplace.   Guest Bio: Jesse Adams is the CEO and founder of Ember Experience, an organization focused on improving culture within workplaces through leadership development and creating environments of psychological safety. Jesse's unique background spans from working with Olympic athletes to corporate wellness, and now leading teams to think deeply about how to navigate the complex, nuanced relationship between technology and humanity. Connect with host Susan Diaz on LinkedIn Connect with guest Jesse Adams on LinkedIn As you hit play on this episode please leave us a 5 start review!  

In this episode of AI Literacy for Entrepreneurs, I am excited to introduce you to Tara MacIntosh, our new Director of Membership Growth for the Marketing Power Circle. Tara joins me and we go deep into the work we do and the impacts we achieve inside the Marketing Power Circle (MPC), our AI implementation mastermind designed for founders of small teams. Tara and I discuss: Tara's Journey into AI Tara shares her experience of discovering AI and highlights how being part of the MPC has accelerated her understanding of AI tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity, empowering her to use AI for deeper research, and writing. The Power of Community in MPC Tara speaks about the value of connecting with fellow entrepreneurs in the group who are at different stages of their AI journey. The sense of community, regular meetings, and accountability homework provide an environment for learning, experimenting, and implementing AI tools in real-time. She highlights the unique “early adoption” advantage of MPC members, with hands-on support from other AI-driven business owners. Why You Should Embrace Early Adoption AI isn't just for large enterprises. As small businesses, we have the agility and the power to implement AI faster than most. Tara and I discuss why it's essential to start now and build your AI literacy - gaining the competitive edge that's available to you today. Five Reasons to Join the MPC Early adoption of AI will set you ahead of your competition. The community of like-minded entrepreneurs allows for collective learning. Developing an organized system for AI literacy and strategy implementation. AI will enhance your productivity and cost-efficiency without replacing your team. The MPC is fun! We enjoy genuine conversations and laughs while learning. Key Tools we Discussed ChatGPT and Perplexity are at the core of our AI discussions. We also teach about tools like Canva and automation platforms, breaking down how they help small teams integrate AI into daily operations. Our discussions focus on actionable steps, not just theory - ensuring you can implement these tools with your team. Join the Marketing Power Circle If you are a founder or lead a small team and are curious about AI implementation, the Marketing Power Circle could be the place for you. We meet twice a month to collaborate, share ideas, and implement AI strategies in real-time. Want to learn more? Reach out to Tara or me for a prospectus. Resources Mentioned: ChatGPT Perplexity Canva Subscribe to our podcast today and stay updated with more episodes on AI literacy for entrepreneurs! Connect with us: Connect with host, Susan Diaz, on LinkedIn. Connect with Tara MacIntosh on LinkedIn. Website: peacefulaimarketing.com

Welcome to the very first episode of “AI Literacy for Entrepreneurs”!

Welcome back to the 4am Report AI Literacy Podcast! As we transition our podcast name to better reflect our focus on AI literacy for entrepreneurs, I'm diving deep into debunking some of the most damaging AI myths that present often in the entrepreneurial community. What I Cover in This Episode:

Welcome to Episode 220 of The 4am Report, a practical guide for entrepreneurs at the beginning of their AI journey. In this episode, I'll give you the foundational steps necessary for assessing and integrating AI into your business operations. I'll  demystify the process and highlight actionable strategies that will have you moving in days and weeks, not months and years! What you'll Learn: ⚡ Understanding AI and Its Potential Impacts on Small Businesses: We'll start with a basic introduction to AI, including its common forms such as machine learning and natural language processing, and discuss how it can enhance business operations, reduce costs, and improve decision-making.

Welcome to The 4am Report, where talk AI literacy for founder-led brands with me, your host, Susan Diaz. Today I will be exploring what it means to think exponentially in the age of artificial intelligence and how this mindset can drastically shift your business landscape. On this podcast, we no longer do intros and outro on audio, so here's a short note on who I am. I am Susan Diaz, lifetime marketer with over 20 years of experience spanning startups to government sectors. I am the founder of a content marketing firm, and I am focused on how artificial intelligence can turbocharge small business operations. In this episode you should expect to hear about:

Welcome Back to The 4am Report

Welcome back to The 4am Report, the podcast that explores AI (artificial intelligence) literacy issues keeping small business owners up at night. In this episode, we're thrilled to have Tom Winter, the founder of SEO Wind, dive deep into the evolving world of AI and content creation. Host Susan Diaz sits down with Tom to chat about how AI is reshaping content strategies and the myths surrounding its use. What you'll learn in this episode:

Welcome to The 4am Report, where we dissect AI's dilemmas and opportunities keeping small businesses awake.

Welcome to Episode 211 of "The 4am Report", with host Susan Diaz. Today, we tackle the elephant in the room for small businesses: AI implementation challenges. Despite the agility and innovation small teams can offer, many are still on the sidelines, puzzled by AI integration. Susan dives deep into the three core hurdles small businesses face in embracing AI, and how to leap over them: ⏰ Leadership Time Constraints: Discover strategies for busy leaders to carve out time for AI learning and planning, understanding its pivotal role in steering business transformation.

Welcome to The 4am Report, with me your host, Susan Diaz! In this episode, I talk to Matt Paige, Vice President of Marketing at HatchWorks, AI Trainer, and Host of the Built Right Podcast, on the transformative potential of custom Generative Pre-trained Transformers (GPTs) for small businesses.  

In this insanely valuable AI Literacy Panel episode of 'The 4am Report', host Susan Diaz joins Melissa Penton, Stan Chang, and Sandra Janjicek - feminists and tech optimists who are giving us their PERSONAL TIME to create a crucial minimum viable level of AI literacy for small businesses!  Together, we uncover the key role of AI in our daily lives and the profound impact that our current responses will have on future generations. Tune in as we explore how AI literacy not only shapes our interaction with technology but also prepares us for a future where AI just runs in the background. 

Welcome to The 4am Report podcast, where the restless thoughts of marketers and entrepreneurs come to rest! I'm Susan Diaz, your host. And in this insightful episode, I'm thrilled to be joined by the remarkable Kate Wade, executive coach, resume writer, and a fervent advocate for helping entrepreneurs navigate their careers and the careers of those they hire.

Welcome to The 4am Report, a podcast where we delve into the things keeping marketers and entrepreneurs up at night. In this thought-provoking episode, I chat with success coach Julie Greenham, Founder of The Quiet Powerhouse. With her extensive background as a success coach, speaker, and Service Director for a major Canadian airline, Julie brings over 20 years of leadership experience. Join us as we explore how introverts can harness AI tools to transform their marketing strategies and achieve their highest aspirations. Here is some of what we cover:

Welcome to The 4am Report, where we peek into the marketing woe that keep entrepreneurs awake at night. In this episode, host Susan Diaz, chats with two remarkable guests, Jennie Wright and Deirdre Tshien, diving deep into the synergy between AI (artificial intelligence) and long-form content, especially focusing on podcasts and online summits.

In this episode, host Susan Diaz chats with Simon Chou, host of tech happy hours, CMO at BCjobs, 2x podcast founder with over 1M listens