The 4 am Report

‘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 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

Welcome back to The 4am Report! In this episode, host Susan Diaz chats with marketing consultant Tereza Litsa about practical ways for small businesses to start integrating AI into their workflows. Here are some of the key takeaways on the other end of this episode!

In this solo tactical episode, host Susan Diaz tackles a ubiquitous pain point for founders and marketers - email overload!  Susan shares an email management framework for leveraging generative AI (artificial intelligence) tools like ChatGPT to streamline your overflowing inbox. Listen in for 3 actionable strategies. Key takeaways in this episode:  ✅ How to use AI for routine email responses to save time on mundane requests

Welcome back to The 4am Report, with me, Susan Diaz. In this episode, I chat with Pasha Irshad, co-founder of Shape & Scale, about how generative AI (artificial intelligence) is impacting small businesses, particularly time-strapped founders, co-founders, and revenue leads.  We discuss the hype around AI versus the practical applications, using AI as a force multiplier, and automating repetitive tasks.  Pasha shares real examples of how he's using AI tools, like ChatGPT, MidJourney, Perplexity, Bard, Claude and others, in his own work and life to save time. We also talk about the implications of generative AI and whether using it is "cheating."  Key Takeaways:

Can artificial intelligence (AI) save small business owners 10s of hours a week just on marketing tasks? Yes!

In this episode of The 4am Report podcast, join host Susan Diaz as she welcomes Caroline Dunn, electrical engineer turned marketer, early adopter of artificial intelligence, and Vice President of Marketing at Wahsega. They delve into the fast-evolving world of artificial intelligence (AI) and its immense impact on marketing and communication strategies.

Welcome back to The 4am Report! 

Welcome back to The 4am Report!

Welcome back to The 4am Report! Today I've curated and edited two in depth episodes on the topic of podcast hosting to create the ultimate podcast hosting guide. This is required listening for anyone who plans to run or guest on a podcast. Listen to this masterclass episode learn:

Welcome to The 4am Report! You've joined me as I round out the second part of a  2-part mini series where I teach B2B service founders, and content marketers, in detail, about the ‘why' and ‘how' of content audits in a recession.  In this episode, I'll focus specifically on “the how”; how to make it easy on yourself if you are doing a large-scale audit without the use of a cumbersome and snooze-inducing spreadsheet. (if you haven't heard the first part, it might be valuable to go back and listen to episode 191. That said, if you are an experienced content creator, jump right into this episode and go back to 191 if you need.) In under 15 minutes, on this episode, you'll learn:

Hello and welcome back to The 4am Report! Today I'm kicking off a 2-parter where we will talk, in detail, about content audits.  The why, the how, AND the hacks to make it easy on yourself if you are doing a large-scale audit that covers over 100 pieces of content. In the first part, we'll dive into 3 specific reasons why you need to prioritize a content audit in a recession. Here's a sneak peek

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