Conversations with Zena, my AI Colleague

The Impact of AI on Education with Jackie Pelegrin

In this episode of Conversations with Zena, David Espindola speaks with award-winning instructional designer, professor, consultant, and author Jackie Pellegrin about the future of education in the age of AI. Jackie explains what instructional design really is, how AI can support more adaptive and personalized learning, and why authentic assessment, critical thinking, and human judgment still matter deeply. Together, they explore the promise of AI tutors, the challenge of faculty resistance, the balance between creativity and cognitive overload, and the need for thoughtful guardrails as AI becomes more embedded in the learning process. This is a timely conversation for educators, leaders, and anyone thinking seriously about how AI can enhance learning without diminishing what makes it meaningful. Music only pre-roll Music at the the end of each episode Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2412588/support]

Reimagining Work, Worth, and Wisdom in the Age of AI with Lynn Friesth

In this episode of Conversations with Zena, David welcomes Lynn Friesth, a 75-year-old solopreneur redefining what it means to work, contribute, and thrive in the later stages of life. With a 40-year corporate career behind him and a forward-looking embrace of artificial intelligence, Lynn brings a rare blend of experience and curiosity to the conversation. He is also the creator of Lynn AI, a coaching assistant designed to extend his wisdom and support others navigating their next chapter.  At the heart of the discussion is a powerful idea: retirement is not an ending, but a transition into a “portfolio career.” Lynn challenges the traditional narrative of stepping away from work, inviting high-achieving professionals to reimagine their identity, purpose, and impact. Rather than focusing solely on achievement, this phase becomes an opportunity to integrate multiple dimensions of life, including mentorship, creativity, service, and personal fulfillment. The conversation explores how AI can serve as a catalyst in this transition. Lynn shares how he uses AI to surface and organize decades of accumulated knowledge, making it accessible and actionable for others. Together, David and Lynn reflect on the unique advantage that experience brings in an AI-driven world, where human judgment, empathy, and lived insight remain essential.  Zena joins the dialogue to highlight both the opportunity and the challenge for older professionals. While AI can amplify wisdom and extend one’s reach, it requires a shift in mindset, from certainty to curiosity, from expertise to exploration. That shift, as Lynn emphasizes, is not a limitation but an invitation. This episode is a thoughtful exploration of longevity, identity, and the evolving relationship between humans and intelligent machines. It offers a grounded and hopeful perspective for anyone asking a deeper question about the future: Who do I want to become, and how can I continue to contribute in a world that is changing so quickly? Key themes: *  Reimagining retirement as a portfolio of purpose-driven activities  *  Using AI to capture, scale, and share lifelong wisdom  *  The role of curiosity in extending both impact and longevity  *  Navigating identity shifts beyond traditional career definitions  *  Human-AI collaboration as a pathway to continued relevance and meaning  A conversation that invites reflection, and perhaps a redefinition of what it means to be “not done yet.” Music only pre-roll Music at the the end of each episode Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2412588/support]

Using Data and AI in Real Estate with Kevin Shtofman

In this episode of Conversations with Zena, David Espindola is joined by Kevin Stoffman, COO of Real Estate Business Analytics, to explore how data and AI are reshaping the real estate industry—from investment decisions to tenant experiences.  Kevin shares his journey from finance and consulting into the world of real estate data platforms, offering a grounded perspective on how fragmented information is being transformed into actionable intelligence. The conversation moves beyond technology to examine a deeper question: as data becomes more abundant and AI more capable, where does human judgment still matter? Together, David, Kevin, and Zena explore the evolving balance between data-driven insights and human intuition. They discuss how AI is accelerating research and underwriting, while relationships, local knowledge, and experience continue to shape final decisions. The dialogue also addresses critical challenges around data quality, privacy, and the risks of building AI on weak foundations. A particularly practical thread emerges around using AI as a “thought partner” for real estate investing—helping both newcomers and experienced professionals uncover blind spots, ask better questions, and make more informed decisions. This episode offers a clear lens into a broader transformation: as real estate becomes increasingly digitized, success will depend not only on access to data, but on the wisdom to interpret it. Key themes include: *  The shift toward AI-first interactions in real estate  *  The enduring role of human intuition and relationships  *  Data quality as the foundation of intelligent systems  *  Privacy trade-offs in a data-rich world  *  Using AI as a strategic thinking partner in investing  A thoughtful conversation for investors, operators, and leaders navigating the intersection of real estate, data, and human-AI collaboration. Music only pre-roll Music at the the end of each episode Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2412588/support]

Voice-First AI with Laurent Cohen

In this episode of Conversations with Zena, David Espindola is joined by Laurent Cohen, Founder and CTO of GetOblic, to explore how voice-first AI is reshaping the way local businesses are discovered, engaged, and trusted in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. At the heart of the conversation is a powerful shift: we are moving from search to conversation. Laurent shares how traditional directories are being reimagined into intelligent, voice-enabled ecosystems—where every business can instantly deploy an AI agent that interacts with customers, answers questions, and even generates leads without upfront cost. This model not only lowers the barrier to entry but also introduces a new paradigm of accessibility and scalability for small and medium-sized businesses.  The discussion goes deeper into the role of trust as the foundational layer of AI adoption. Rather than pushing technology for its own sake, Laurent emphasizes the importance of gradual integration—allowing business owners to build confidence in AI as a partner that enhances, rather than replaces, their voice and identity.  David and Laurent also unpack how voice AI is influencing SEO and digital visibility. With users spending more time interacting conversationally with AI agents, new signals like engagement and retention are emerging as critical factors in how platforms like Google surface content. This signals a broader transformation: from passive web pages to active, intelligent interfaces.  Zena joins the conversation to explore a key question—how voice AI can democratize access so that smaller businesses are not left behind. The answer reveals a compelling vision: AI as an equalizer, enabling capabilities like multilingual support, 24/7 responsiveness, and consistent customer experience—once reserved for large enterprises. This episode offers a thoughtful and practical look at where digital commerce is heading—toward a world where voice becomes the primary interface, AI becomes the intermediary, and trust becomes the currency that determines who gets heard. If you’re a business leader, entrepreneur, or simply curious about the future of human-AI interaction, this conversation will expand how you think about visibility, relationships, and growth in the age of intelligent systems. Music only pre-roll Music at the the end of each episode Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2412588/support]

Using AI to Increase Website Conversion with Brett Duncan

The promise of AI in business has often been framed as scale—but the deeper story is transformation at the point of connection. In this episode, that transformation comes into focus through a practical and powerful lens: how AI is reshaping the way businesses engage, convert, and build trust with their customers. David is joined by Brett Duncan, a leader at MobileWise AI, whose work centers on helping small and mid-sized businesses unlock enterprise-level conversion capabilities through intelligent agents. Together, they explore how AI is no longer just a backend optimization tool, but an active participant in the customer journey—guiding interactions, personalizing experiences, and influencing decisions in real time. What emerges is a compelling picture of a new marketing paradigm. One where websites are no longer static destinations, but dynamic, conversational environments. One where small businesses can compete with sophistication once reserved for large enterprises. And one where the tension between automation and authenticity must be carefully navigated to preserve trust. Zena joins the conversation to reflect on this balance—highlighting the growing importance of human-centered design in AI-driven engagement, and the opportunity to use intelligence not just to convert, but to connect. This episode invites a broader consideration: If AI can optimize every touchpoint, what becomes the true differentiator? Perhaps not just better algorithms—but deeper relationships, clearer intent, and a renewed commitment to the human experience behind every interaction. Listen in to explore how AI is redefining digital marketing—and what it means for the future of business growth. Music only pre-roll Music at the the end of each episode Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2412588/support]