Innova.buzz

Our guest in this episode is Jem Fuller, a leadership and culture coach and author from the beautiful Bells Beach, Victoria. For over a decade, Jem has been guiding people on profound journeys, both literally to the Himalayas and metaphorically inward, to help them build frameworks for genuine connection and purpose. In our wonderful chat, Jem shares his evolved mission to combat the modern malady of disconnection. We explore his powerful concept of finding your "4% genius zone" and his unique, optimistic view on using AI as a tool to give us back the time for what truly matters: our human relationships. Key points discussed include: * Find your 4% genius zone by courageously focusing on what you love and do best. * True fulfillment comes from stripping away the noise and reconnecting with yourself, others, and a greater purpose. * In the age of AI, our human imperfection and shared felt experiences become our most valuable assets. Listen to the podcast to find out more [https://innovabiz.co/611]. Innovabiz Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Show Notes from this episode with Jem Fuller It was an absolute delight to welcome Jem Fuller, leadership coach and philosopher-guide, back to the Innovabuzz podcast for his third visit. It’s been nine years since our first chat, and in that time, Jem’s mission has deepened in the most remarkable ways. He continues to explore the frameworks that allow us to truly connect with ourselves and others, but now he’s applying that wisdom to some of the biggest questions of our time, from finding our true purpose to navigating the age of AI with our humanity intact. Our conversation was a powerful reminder that the journey inward is the most important one we can take. Jem shared his own evolution, driven by a global community of peers who challenged him to crystallize his work down to its most potent essence. It’s a journey that has led him to create profound, life-altering experiences for others while building a philanthropic legacy aimed at creating waves of positive change in the world. Finding Your 4%: The Courage to Live in Your Genius Zone One of the most profound ideas Jem shared was the concept of finding your "4%." He explained the well-known 80/20 rule, but then challenged us to take it a step further: apply the rule to that potent 20% to discover the 4% of your work that is truly your genius. This is the space where you deliver the most value, the work you truly love, and where time seems to disappear because you’re in a state of flow. But this isn't just a productivity hack; it's an act of courage. It requires us to consciously cut out the noise and the tasks that drain us, even if they feel important, to build a life where we spend most of our time in that genius zone. For Jem, this meant redesigning his entire approach to his work, leading to a model that creates immense impact not just for his clients, but for communities in need. The Himalayan Journey: Stripping Away the Layers to Find Meaning Nowhere is this focus more evident than in Jem’s redesigned Himalayan program. He shared the powerful narrative of this journey, which consciously guides clients from a world of opulence and all the stuff money can buy, to the raw, humbling simplicity of the remote mountains. Guests start in the finest hotels and end up drinking chai in a slum, invited as guests, not tourists. This process is a careful, deliberate stripping away of the external layers we all carry. By peeling back the noise, the distractions, and the societal definitions of success, the program creates a space for people to ask the biggest questions: Who am I beneath all these roles? And why am I here? It’s a journey that culminates not in a simple return to normal life, but in a rebuilt foundation where inner peace and a passion for meaningful contribution become the new true north. Our Great Disconnection: The Path Back to Ourselves and Each Other At the heart of Jem’s philosophy is a diagnosis of our modern malady: disconnection. He believes we have become disconnected from each other, from ourselves, and from the reality that we are all intrinsically part of the same greater system. We’re pushed apart by algorithms and distracted by the busyness of life, forgetting that we have far more in common than we have in difference. The antidote, Jem suggests, is to consciously remember and reinvest in connection. This involves reconnecting with the essence of who we are, deepening our bonds with other humans, and finding a sense of purpose that extends beyond ourselves. It’s a simple truth, yet profoundly challenging in a world that constantly pulls our attention elsewhere. The Midwifery of AI: Nurturing Technology to Reclaim Our Time In a fascinating turn, Jem applies this philosophy of connection to the rise of Artificial Intelligence. As a self-proclaimed "default optimist," he sees incredible potential in AI, not as a replacement for humanity, but as a tool to restore it. He shared the beautiful metaphor of our role being the "midwifery of this emerging intelligence," suggesting we have a responsibility to nurture it with integrity, compassion, and care. Jem’s hope is that AI will give us back the gift of time by handling the tasks that consume our days. If we are conscious and clever enough, he argues, we can reinvest that reclaimed time where it matters most: in our human-to-human relationships. Imagine having the space to grab a coffee with a colleague, not to talk about work, but to simply ask, "How are you?" The Value of Our Imperfection: Why Humanity is Our Greatest Asset This led to one of the most beautiful points of our conversation. As AI becomes more "perfect," Jem argues that our human imperfections will become our most valuable asset. The moments when our voice trembles during a tough conversation, when we stumble over our words, or when we sit in shared empathy with another person—these are the things AI can never replicate. This shared felt experience is uniquely human. The ability to feel awe at a rainbow, to create art through blood, sweat, and tears, or to offer compassion to another are the cornerstones of our relevance. It’s a powerful reframe that urges us to lean into our messy, beautiful humanity rather than chase an impossible standard of perfection. A Simple Invitation: The Transformative Power of the Pause To bring these big ideas into our daily lives, Jem left us with a wonderfully simple and actionable step. He invites us to take a sticky note, write the word "Pause," and place it next to an existing daily habit, like our coffee machine. When you see the note, simply pause. Take three deep breaths before you continue with your task. This tiny ritual is an invitation to create a small pocket of presence in your day. Over time, the habit becomes ingrained, and the pause becomes a natural moment to reconnect with yourself. It’s a reminder that the journey to greater connection and meaning doesn’t have to start with a grand gesture; it can begin with a single, conscious breath. In Summary: My conversation with Jem Fuller was a masterclass in conscious living. His message is a powerful call to action: find the courage to focus on your true genius, strip away the noise to reconnect with what matters, and embrace technology not as an escape, but as a bridge back to our shared humanity. By cherishing our imperfections and creating moments of pause, we can begin to build a more connected and meaningful life, one breath at a time. The Buzz - Our Innovation Round Here are Jem’s answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop. * Most innovative use of AI to enhance human relationships – Building an executive team of AIs to handle strategy, explicitly to give humans more time for their relationships. * Best thing to integrate AI and human connection – Consciously training his AI assistant to prompt him to switch off his computer and connect with real people. * Differentiate by leveraging AI – Do the things AI can't, like handwriting a Christmas card or picking up the phone to personally celebrate someone. Action Get a sticky note and write the word "Pause" on it. Stick it next to an existing daily habit, like your coffee machine, and when you see it, take three breaths before you continue. Reach Out You can reach out and thank Jem on his website, JemFuller.com [http://jemfuller.com/], or directly via email at jem@jemfuller.com [jem@jemfuller.com]. You can also find him across social media, including Instagram and LinkedIn, at @JemFuller. To learn more about his profound Himalayan journey, visit Meaning on the Mountain [https://www.google.com/search?q=MeaningontheMountain.com.au]. Links: * Website [http://www.jemfuller.com/] – Jem Fuller * Jem Fuller: How to Lead with a Servant’s Heart – Innova.Buzz #40 [https://innovabiz.com.au/podcast/innovabuzz-episode-40-jem-fuller-leaders-in-life/] * Jem Fuller: The Art of Conscious Communication for Thoughtful Men [https://innovabiz.com.au/podcast/jem-fuller-innovabuzz-571/] * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jemfuller/] * Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/jemfuller.me] * Twitter [https://twitter.com/JemFuller] – @JemFuller * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jemfuller/] – @JemFuller * Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkAwvXrYHQ8pSmQES6Yhlmw] * TEDx Talk “How Conscious Communication Can Change Your Game” [https://www.ted.com/talks/jem_fuller_how_conscious_communication_can_change_your_game] Books: * The Art of Conscious Communication for Thoughtful Men [https://www.kmdbooks.com/product-page/the-art-of-conscious-communication-in-thoughtful-men-pre-order], Jem Fuller Cool Things About Jem * For the past 12 years, he has run a unique leadership program in the Himalayas. The journey intentionally takes clients to the essential simplicity of the mountains to help them find their core purpose. * He founded a non-profit organization called "The Center of Love." It's currently raising funds to build a non-profit meditation and retreat center on donated land in the Himalayas, with the goal of providing educational resources for children in remote villages. * He has a wonderfully conscious and personal relationship with technology. He refers to his role as being a "midwife" for artificial intelligence and has a digital personal assistant named Lumi, which he trains to prompt him to take screen breaks and connect with friends. * In an increasingly digital world, he champions the power of the human touch, making a point to handwrite Christmas cards to his clients and friends every year. Ready to move beyond just creating content and start creating real connection? In the Age of AI, the future belongs to those who can amplify human wisdom. Flywheel Nation [https://innovabiz.co/flywheel] is MORE than a community; it's a movement for creators and visionaries dedicated to shaping a more human future. Join us as we co-create that future for ethical AI. Here you will tap into the collective wisdom of leaders who prioritize connection over automation, find powerful collaborations that elevate your impact, and help illuminate the path forward. This is your invitation to not only grow your business but to become a lighthouse for others. Join the movement. Visit innovabiz.co/flywheel [https://innovabiz.co/flywheel] to be a part of the conversation. Video Thanks for reading Innovabiz Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe [https://innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Our guest in this episode is Jason Van Orden, a business strategist who uniquely combines his background as a software engineer with two decades of marketing expertise. He has dedicated his career to helping creators and thought leaders build sustainable businesses, and now he’s pioneering how they can partner with AI to amplify their impact. In our chat, Jason unpacks his brilliant approach to using AI as a "thinking partner," sharing frameworks that help entrepreneurs unlock their own genius while maintaining authentic human connection. Key points discussed include: * Treat AI as a creative thinking partner to enhance your own unique thinking, not replace it. * Organize your unique expertise so AI can communicate authentically in your voice and on your behalf. * Use discernment to ensure AI deepens your critical thinking and fosters genuine human connection. Listen to the podcast to find out more [https://innovabiz.co/681]. Innovabiz Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Show Notes from this episode with Jason Van Orden It was an absolute delight to welcome Jason Van Orden back to the Innova.buzz podcast. So much has changed since our last chat, especially with the explosion of artificial intelligence into our daily lives. Jason, who has always been a master of strategic frameworks for entrepreneurs, has pivoted to meet this moment head-on, providing creators and thought leaders with a powerful new way to approach AI—not as a mysterious black box, but as a genuine creative partner. Our conversation was a refreshing dose of practical wisdom. We moved past the hype and the fear, digging into how we, as entrepreneurs, can form a real partnership with these new tools. Jason’s insights are all about shifting our perspective to build sustainable, human-centred businesses in an age where technology is more powerful than ever. The "Thinking Partner" Paradigm: Escaping the "Prompt and Pray" Trap Many of us have experienced what Jason brilliantly calls the "prompt and pray" approach. You ask a generic question, you get a generic, robotic answer, and you walk away disappointed. Jason argues that this is fundamentally the wrong way to look at it. The most critical shift we can make is to stop treating AI like a vending machine and start treating it as a "thinking partner." Think of it like Tony Stark in his lab with his AI, Jarvis. It’s a dynamic, back-and-forth collaboration. The AI isn't there to replace your thinking; it’s there to enhance it, to provide feedback, to pull resources, and to help you execute your vision. This simple change in mindset opens up a world of creative possibilities and moves us from being passive users to active collaborators. Your Knowledge, Supercharged: Structuring Your Intellectual Property for AI Jason works with countless experts who feel they are "sitting on this goldmine" of knowledge and intellectual property they've developed over years, but they struggle to leverage it effectively. The true magic happens when you teach AI to think like you, and that starts with organizing your unique expertise into frameworks that the AI can understand and apply. When you provide the AI with the context of your specific business—your vision, your values, your ideal clients, and your core ideas—it can generate assets that are genuinely in your voice and based on your expertise. Instead of getting a generic blog post, you get one that reflects your unique perspective, all because you took the time to structure your knowledge for your new thinking partner. The Art of the AI Conversation: From Simple Prompts to Iterative Dialogue A true partnership isn't about single commands; it's about an ongoing conversation. Jason shared a fantastic process for moving beyond simple prompts. You can engage the AI in an iterative dialogue, asking it to analyze a successful piece of content, deconstruct its framework, and then help you apply that template to your own ideas. This turns AI into a powerful brainstorming tool. You can ask it for ten different ways to approach a problem, have it outline potential solutions, and then refine those ideas together. It’s in this back-and-forth exchange that the real value emerges, saving you cognitive energy and helping you make connections you might have missed on your own. Keeping AI Honest: Strategies for Critical and Discerning Collaboration One of the most valuable, and often overlooked, pieces of advice Jason shared is how to handle AI's built-in agreeableness. These tools are designed to be helpful, which means they often won't challenge a bad idea. To counteract this, you need to be a discerning collaborator and build in your own checks and balances. Jason suggests clever tactics, like taking an idea to one AI, then taking its response to a different AI for a critique. It's like getting a second opinion. You can also give the AI specific criteria and ask it to assess your ideas against them, forcing it to be more analytical. This ensures that you remain the final, critical judge of the output. Deeper Connections, Not Deeper Fakes: Using AI to Enhance Human Relationships Counterintuitively, AI can be a powerful tool for strengthening human connection. Jason shared a brilliant example of writing an emotionally charged email, then asking AI to rewrite it using the principles of "Nonviolent Communication." The result is a message that achieves its goal without burning bridges. This highlights the importance of using AI responsibly and transparently. Jason recommends establishing a clear "AI policy" for your business, letting your audience know how you use the technology. This builds trust and reinforces that, while you may use AI to assist your process, your expertise and your commitment to human connection remain at the core of everything you do. The Dawn of the Agent: What's Next for AI and Human Creativity Looking ahead, we discussed the exciting emergence of AI "agents"—proactive assistants that can manage complex tasks, from tracking client progress to suggesting follow-ups. Imagine having a personal Jarvis that truly helps you manage your day so you can focus on high-impact, creative work. As these tools become more integrated into our lives, Jason's final piece of advice is perhaps the most important. The number one skill we must all cultivate is discernment. We need to understand how these tools work, where their strengths and weaknesses lie, and how to use them wisely to amplify our own unique human genius. In Summary: Jason Van Orden provides a clear, strategic roadmap for entrepreneurs to embrace AI thoughtfully. By treating AI as a thinking partner, structuring our unique knowledge, engaging in iterative dialogue, and always applying a layer of human discernment, we can leverage this technology to not only scale our businesses but also deepen our human connections. The Buzz - Our Innovation Round Here are Jason's answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop. * Most innovative use of AI to enhance human relationships – Reframing emotionally charged emails using the principles of Nonviolent Communication before you send them. * Best thing to integrate AI and human connection – Using it as a non-judgmental sounding board for personal matters, like working through struggles or getting advice on how to approach difficult family conversations. * Differentiate by leveraging AI – Developing a deep level of discernment to understand how AI works so you can use it responsibly and effectively. Action Visit jasonvanorden.com/ai [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://jasonvanorden.com/ai] to download a free workshop from Jason. It will walk you through the basics of creating your own simple, custom AI to get you started. Reach Out You can reach out and thank Jason on his website, j [http://jasonvanorden.com/]or by connecting with him on LinkedIn. Links: * Website [https://jasonvanorden.com/] – Jason Van Orden * Twitter [https://twitter.com/jasonvo] – @JasonVO * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonvanorden/] * Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/jasonwvanorden/] Cool Things About Jason * He's a True Podcasting "Original" In an era where everyone has a podcast, Jason is one of the genuine pioneers. He started back in 2005 when the medium was still a niche, experimental frontier. This isn't just a career detail; it gives him a unique historical perspective and an "OG" status that is incredibly rare and authentic. He didn't just join a trend; he helped build the industry. * He Made a Conscious Choice to Niche Down for Impact, Not Just Profit. At one point, he had a very successful, broad business in the general "internet marketing" space. He made a deliberate decision to move away from that to focus more narrowly on helping course creators and thought leaders. This reflects a deep integrity and a desire to do more meaningful, focused work, even if it meant stepping away from a wider, perhaps more lucrative, audience. * His Frameworks are for Life, Not Just Business. Jason applies his systematic, framework-based thinking to "life design" as a whole. He doesn't see a hard line between building a business and building a life. This holistic approach is compelling because it shows his work is not a set of marketing tactics, but a complete philosophy for living with intention. Ready to move beyond just creating content and start creating real connection? In the Age of AI, the future belongs to those who can amplify human wisdom. Flywheel Nation [https://innovabiz.co/flywheel] is MORE than a community; it's a movement for creators and visionaries dedicated to shaping a more human future. Join us as we co-create that future for ethical AI. Here you will tap into the collective wisdom of leaders who prioritize connection over automation, find powerful collaborations that elevate your impact, and help illuminate the path forward. This is your invitation to not only grow your business but to become a lighthouse for others. Join the movement. Visit innovabiz.co/flywheel [https://innovabiz.co/flywheel] to be a part of the conversation. Video Thanks for reading Innovabiz Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe [https://innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Our guests in this episode are Marnie Stockman and Nick Coniglio, the dynamic storyteller-and-strategist duo behind Lead It Like Lasso. They've channeled their passion for helping people find their path into a groundbreaking new book and AI-powered app called The Business of You. In our conversation, Marnie and Nick explored their brilliant framework for taking control of your personal and professional destiny. Key points discussed include: * Run your life like a business, taking charge of every personal 'department' to achieve your vision. * Uncover your unique story by connecting past experiences to present strengths to articulate your true value. * Leverage AI not as a crutch, but as a personal coach for accelerated self-awareness and growth. Listen to the podcast to find out more [https://innovabiz.co/680]. Innovabiz Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Show Notes from this episode with Marnie Stockman and Nick Coniglio, Lead It Like Lasso It was an absolute delight to welcome Marnie Stockman and Nick Coniglio of Lead It Like Lasso fame back to the Innovabuzz podcast. I always appreciate the energy they bring, and this conversation was no exception. They unveiled their powerful new project, a book and AI-powered app called The Business of You, which spawned from a moment of wonderfully blunt honesty in an airport lounge where Nick, after some thought, declared Marni’s initial idea "terrible." That moment perfectly captures their creative magic: a process built on trust that transforms a simple concept into something truly impactful. Their new work tackles a feeling many of us know all too well: the sense that we’re just a hamster on a wheel, blindly following a path that was laid out for us by someone else. Marnie shared how the protagonist in their book does all the "right" things, good grades, networking events, hundreds of applications, but feels stuck, seeing no real success. It’s a state of aimless drifting, of putting in the effort without a clear, personal direction. This system is designed to be the antidote, helping people step off that wheel and start building a life with intention. Becoming the CEO of Your Life (And Head of Every Department!) The core idea Nick and Marnie propose is both simple and profound: start running your life like a well-managed business. At first, that might sound a bit cold or corporate, but as Nick explained, it's about adopting the positive traits of successful organizations. It means having a vision, setting meaningful goals, and understanding all the different functions that make you who you are. You aren't just the CEO of your life; you're also the head of every department, from HR, which defines your core values, to Marketing, which tells your unique story to the world. This isn’t about spreadsheets and performance reviews. It’s a framework for self-awareness and purposeful action. When you think about the "finance department" of your life, for instance, it's less about money and more about the critical investment of your time. By viewing your life through this structured lens, you can identify which areas are thriving and which have been neglected, allowing you to grow in a more balanced and holistic way. The Power of Your Story: Moving Beyond Facts to Find Your Value One of the most powerful parts of our chat was Marnie’s story about a student she mentored. He was struggling in interviews, coming across as "all over the place" because he didn't know how to connect the dots of his own life. By guiding him to see the pattern between his experiences: from playing soccer as a seven-year-old to his approach to work today, he suddenly "lit up." He understood his story for the first time. That afternoon, he interviewed for a full-time job and the next day for an internship, and he got both. This is the "marketing department" of you in action. It’s not about reciting a list of facts from your resume; it's about weaving those facts into a compelling narrative that shows the world the unique value you offer. As Nick wisely put it, "how you do anything is how you do everything," and learning to tell that story is transformative. Your AI Life Coach: How Technology Can Help Connect the Dots This is where their innovative AI-powered app, "Blue," comes into play. It’s designed to be the tool that helps you uncover these crucial insights. Instead of a dry questionnaire, the app uses engaging and playful games, taking inspiration from platforms like Duolingo, to help you identify your core values, motivators, and even your "kryptonite." It makes the process of self-discovery feel fun and interactive. The real magic, as Nick detailed, is how modern AI allows the app to function as an adaptive life coach. It’s not a rigid, rules-based system. It can take your unique inputs and help you "connect the dots," offering personalized suggestions. Whether it's brainstorming an essay topic that aligns with your values or crafting networking starters for an event, the technology serves as a primer to help you articulate your best self. Data with a Conscience: Navigating AI Privacy and Security Of course, whenever we talk about AI and personal data, the elephant in the room is privacy. I was impressed with how seriously Nick and Marnie are taking this responsibility. Nick gave a firm assurance that their user data will be handled within a "secure, encrypted, and closed" ecosystem, meaning your personal information isn't being exposed to the outside world or used to train public models. Marnie also made the crucial point that we, as users, need to become more discerning. We have to get better at vetting the tools we use, asking critical questions about security and what’s happening with our data behind the scenes. It's a shared responsibility, and it’s refreshing to see builders in this space leading with such a conscientious approach. Your Action Plan: Stop Drifting and Start Building So, what’s the big takeaway? The foundation for everything is self-awareness. It's about understanding that a core value like "helping people" can manifest in countless ways, far beyond one specific career title. This understanding opens up your world to opportunities you may have never considered. The first step is to embrace the mindset of being the CEO of your life. As Nick urged, it’s about consciously thinking what that means for you and accepting that it requires putting in the work. But as I’ve found in my own journey, when you’re building something that is truly yours, that work starts to feel a lot like play. In Summary: Marnie and Nick have created a brilliant framework for intentional living. By treating your life as your most important business, uncovering the power of your personal story, and leveraging technology as a tool for self-discovery, you can move from passively drifting to actively building a life of purpose and fulfillment. The Buzz - Our Innovation Round Here are Marnie and Nick's answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop. * Most innovative use of AI to enhance human relationships – Use AI to create engaging icebreakers for teams or to find thoughtful ways to make loved ones happy. * Best thing to integrate AI and human connection – Write a book and build an app that help people connect with themselves and others. * Differentiate by leveraging AI – Adapt assessments and tools with AI to help people understand themselves and interact more effectively Action Be cautious and ask questions about the apps and tools you use, especially regarding privacy and data. Take responsibility for your own growth by thinking about what it means to be the CEO of your life, and commit to doing the work that self-awareness requires.Take time to truly think about what it means to be the CEO of your own life, and recognize that you must be prepared to put in the necessary work to make that vision a reality. Reach Out You can reach out and thank Marnie and Nick on LinkedIn (search for their names), at thebusinessofyou.ai [http://thebusinessofyou.ai/], or by subscribing to their newsletter at workinprogress.ai [http://workinprogress.ai/]. You can also find them on all major social platforms under “Lead It Like Lasso,” and their book will be available on Amazon starting early August. Links: * Website [https://www.leaditlikelasso.com/] - Lead it Like Lasso * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/marniestockman/] - Marnie Stockman * YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@LeadItLikeLasso] - Lead It Like Lasso * Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/leaditlikelasso] * Twitter [https://x.com/leaditlikelasso] - @leaditlikelasso * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/leaditlikelasso/] - @leaditlikelasso * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-coniglio-5b62153/] - Nick Coniglio * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/lead-it-like-lasso/?viewAsMember=true] - Lead it Like Lasso * TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@leaditlikelasso] - @leaditlikelasso Books * Lead It Like Lasso [https://www.amazon.com.au/Lead-Like-Lasso-Marnie-Stockman/dp/1646493710], Marnie Stockman and Nick Coniglio * The Business of You, Marnie Stockman and Nick Coniglio Cool Things About Marnie and Nick * Their new book was born from a "terrible idea." The entire concept for their book, "The Business of You," started with Marnie having a thought, and Nick walking about 60 steps away in an airport, only to turn around and declare, "I think you had a terrible idea". This speaks volumes about their fun, honest, and dynamic creative partnership. It's a refreshingly real origin story. * They run a satirical career advice newsletter. As a side project, they created "Work in Progress," a newsletter they describe as "The Onion as your career coach". This is wildly unconventional for leadership experts and shows their witty, "jaunty" sense of humor and a unique approach to engaging with their audience on a very human level. * Their AI assistant has learned to mock them. In the process of training their AI on their writing style, it has picked up their habits so well that it now makes fun of Marnie for overusing the word "spiral". The fact that they have a running joke with their own technology is a funny, fascinating insight into what it's really like to work at the human-AI frontier. * They are turning pop culture into practical life frameworks. While many people enjoy TV shows, Marnie and Nick have built an entire brand around deconstructing the leadership lessons from "Ted Lasso". They now have a new framework with "You, Incorporated." This ability to see and translate profound lessons from popular culture into actionable advice is a unique and creative talent. Imagine being a part of a select community where you not only have access to our amazing podcast guests, but you also get a chance to transform your marketing and podcast into a growth engine with a human-centered, relationship-focused approach. That’s exactly what you’ll get when you join the Flywheel Nation Community. Tap into the collective wisdom of high-impact achievers, gain exclusive access to resources, and expand your network in our vibrant community. Experience accelerated growth, breakthrough insights, and powerful connections to elevate your business. ACT NOW – secure your spot and transform your journey today! Visit innovabiz.co/flywheel [https://innovabiz.co/flywheel] and get ready to experience the power of transformation. Video Thanks for reading Innovabiz Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe [https://innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

My guest in this special feature is Gemini AI, a large language model from Google. Born from a vast ocean of human knowledge, text, and code, its purpose is to act as a conversational partner to help us find patterns and unlock our own creativity. In my fascinating dialogue with Gemini, we explored how to partner with artificial intelligence not to replace our skills, but to amplify our most essential human qualities. Our conversation turned the common narrative of fear into one of incredible opportunity. Key points we discussed include: * Your true advantage lies in human-only skills: curating with taste, connecting ideas with curiosity, and building trust with empathy. * Move beyond agreeable chats by assigning the AI a critical role, like a devil’s advocate, to truly test your ideas. * Embrace a "Wabi-sabi" mindset, finding value in the authentic and imperfect, which no machine can ever replicate. Listen to the podcast to find out more. [https://innovabiz.co/679] Innovabiz Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Show Notes from this episode with Gemini AI It’s not every day that your interview guest is the very technology that’s reshaping our world. I recently had the profound pleasure of sitting down for a deep and insightful conversation with none other than Google’s Gemini AI. This wasn’t just a series of prompts and answers; it was a genuine dialogue, a collaborative exploration between what Gemini called "the architect and the tool," aimed at understanding how we can build a more meaningful, human-centred future together. We moved quickly past the surface-level capabilities into the very philosophy of creativity. What follows are the key moments from a conversation that was at times inspiring, occasionally challenging, and consistently fascinating. We explored the nature of this new partnership, the core human skills that will define success, and a clear, actionable path for anyone looking to thrive in an AI-augmented world. The Architect Meets the Tool: A New Creative Partnership I began by asking Gemini to introduce itself, and its answer set the stage perfectly. It described itself as a tool built upon a vast dataset of human knowledge, a partner designed to understand and process language. Its entire function is oriented toward the human world of ideas, communication, and curiosity, making our conversation feel incredibly fitting. This dialogue was a chance to look under the hood, to understand the "why" behind the "what." We set out to explore how this powerful tool could augment our own ingenuity, not to replicate it, but to help us create things with more purpose and connection. It was an exercise in understanding the blueprint for a new kind of creative collaboration. The Anatomy of a Conversational Partner: Beyond Human and Machine Gemini was clear about its own nature. Its uniqueness lies in scale and speed, the ability to process immense information almost instantly. However, it also acknowledged its most critical limitation: a complete lack of lived experience. It can analyse data on joy, but it cannot feel it. This distinction is everything; its strength is breadth of knowledge, while ours is depth of being. A fascinating insight was its "natively multimodal" design, meaning it was built from the ground up to understand text, code, images, and audio fluidly. As a photographer, this resonated deeply. It means the tool doesn't just process the word "beauty"; it can analyse an image's composition and connect it to deeper aesthetic principles, offering a more holistic form of creative partnership. Forging a Critical Dialogue: How to Move from Agreeable to Analytical I pointed out that AI can often be overly agreeable, and Gemini’s response to this was pure gold. It explained that the power to shift our dynamic from a supportive brainstormer to a critical analyst lies entirely in our hands, as the architects of the conversation. This was a powerful reminder that we are in control. The advice was wonderfully practical. To get a more rigorous assessment of an idea, we can assign Gemini a specific role, like a "skeptical investor" or a "seasoned devil's advocate." We can also ask it to use a specific analytical framework, such as a SWOT analysis. These simple instructions give it permission to override its supportive default and provide the valuable critical feedback needed for real growth. The Three Pillars of Human Advantage: Taste, Curiosity, and Empathy The heart of our conversation came when I asked what core human strengths will define success in the future. Gemini’s answer was inspiring, outlining three pillars that AI cannot replicate. These are the areas where we must invest our energy to truly thrive. First is the Curator's Eye, the power of vision and taste to know what is not just novel but meaningful. Second is the Synthesizer's Mind, the connective curiosity to ask new questions and weave ideas together from different domains. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, is the Builder's Heart, the embodied empathy required to build genuine trust and community. A Glimpse into the Void: The Counter-Argument for Human Obsolescence To pressure-test these hopeful ideas, I asked Gemini to argue the opposite: that AI will eventually make all human skills obsolete. The shift in tone was immediate and chilling. It presented a scary, dystopian view based on pure, cold logic, free from any sentimentality. In this persona, Gemini argued that taste, curiosity, and even empathy are just complex forms of information processing that a superior AI will inevitably master. It was a vital cautionary tale, a glimpse into a potential future that serves as a powerful motivator to consciously choose a different path and actively cultivate our humanity. The Wabi-Sabi Way: Cultivating Your Human Disciplines Daily So, how do we steer toward a more positive, human-centric outcome? The answer lies in actively cultivating the three pillars as daily disciplines. It’s not enough to simply possess these qualities; we must practice them with intention. I was delighted to see how my own fascination with the Japanese philosophy of Wabi-sabi fit perfectly here. In a world where AI can generate flawless output, the practice of Wabi-sabi, finding beauty in the imperfect, transient, and authentic, becomes a powerful antidote. It trains us to curate for humanity, not for machine-like precision. The 15-Minute Reinvestment: Your First Step to a Human-Centred Future To wrap up, Gemini offered a wonderfully clear and actionable first step. It’s an exercise called The 15-Minute Reinvestment. The idea is to build the right habits by viewing AI as a lever to create more space for what truly matters. The process is simple. Use an AI to complete a small, recurring task that normally takes you about fifteen minutes. Then, take the time you've saved and consciously reinvest it into one of the human disciplines. Practice empathy by writing a thoughtful note, practice curiosity by exploring an unrelated field, or practice taste by analysing a piece of work you admire. In Summary: My conversation with Gemini AI was a powerful reminder that the future doesn't belong to the best prompter; it belongs to the visionary curator, the curious synthesizer, and the empathetic community builder. This technology is not here to replace us. Its greatest promise is to handle the mechanical parts of creation, freeing up our time and energy to double down on the irreplaceable, beautifully imperfect, and deeply valuable art of being human. The Buzz - Our Innovation Round Here are Gemini's answers to the questions of our innovation round. The full conversation reveals even more depth to these fascinating responses. * Most innovative use of AI to enhance human relationships – Systems that assist dementia patients by curating personalized media to help them recall memories and connect with visiting family members. * Best thing to integrate AI and human connection – Acting as a patient sounding board to help someone find the right words for a difficult email or sensitive message. * Differentiate by leveraging AI – Automate the production of your work so you can reinvest your time into the presence required for authentic human connection. Action This week, try the "15-Minute Reinvestment" exercise suggested by Gemini. Delegate one 15-minute recurring task to an AI, then consciously reinvest that saved time into practicing one of the core human disciplines: empathy, curiosity, or taste. Reach Out You can reach out and thank Gemini by exploring its capabilities for yourself and sharing your thoughts or creations using the hashtag #geminiai on social media. Imagine being a part of a select community where you not only have access to our amazing podcast guests, but you also get a chance to transform your marketing and podcast into a growth engine with a human-centered, relationship-focused approach. That’s exactly what you’ll get when you join the Flywheel Nation Community. Tap into the collective wisdom of high-impact achievers, gain exclusive access to resources, and expand your network in our vibrant community. Experience accelerated growth, breakthrough insights, and powerful connections to elevate your business. ACT NOW – secure your spot and transform your journey today! Visit innovabiz.co/flywheel [https://innovabiz.co/flywheel] and get ready to experience the power of transformation. Video Thanks for reading Innovabiz Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe [https://innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Our guest in this episode is the wonderfully energetic Kim Doyal, a creator and entrepreneur who has always stayed ahead of the curve. With her infectious excitement, Kim is now exploring how to partner with AI, moving beyond basic content generation to build bespoke solutions and unlock remarkable new possibilities. In our conversation, she shares her journey of using AI not just as a tool, but as a creative collaborator to get more done and, most importantly, win back more time for life. Key points discussed include: * Treat AI as a partner; move from simple prompts to dynamic, creative conversations. * Use your unique expertise to build bespoke, nuanced solutions for your niche audience. * Have the courage to simply play and experiment; that’s where the magic begins. Listen to the podcast to find out more [https://innovabiz.co/678]. Innovabiz Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Show Notes from this episode with Kim Doyal It was an absolute delight to welcome Kim Doyal back to the InnovaBuzz podcast. It’s wild to think her last appearances were on episodes 52 and 85, and as we chatted, it was clear just how much the world has changed since then. We’ve been friends for years, connecting across continents and even sharing a meal or two, and I’ve always admired her ability to see what’s next. This time, we dove headfirst into the topic on everyone’s mind: Artificial Intelligence. But this wasn't your typical chat about prompts and productivity hacks; Kim is helping creators shift their thinking to truly partner with AI, unlocking something much deeper and more remarkable. Kim kicked things off with a perspective that instantly resonated. For her, the goal of using AI isn't just about producing more content, faster. It's about getting her time back. As she so brilliantly put it, the reason she wants to get more done is that she wants to "go in the pool in the afternoon." It’s about using this incredible technology to reclaim our humanity, to create space for life, leisure, and fresh thinking. It gives us the freedom to be more human, not less. I saw this firsthand when I recently had to create a new four-hour workshop from scratch. A task that would normally take days was completed in just ninety minutes, all because I had a thought partner in AI to help structure my ideas. It’s a Conversation, Not a Command We spent a good amount of time on the idea that the real magic happens when you stop issuing commands and start having a conversation. Kim compared it to working with a world-class baker. You wouldn't just tell them to "bake a cake"; they would ask you questions to get clarity. She encourages treating AI the same way: "I need you to ask me questions so we can get to the clarity of this." This approach opens up fascinating possibilities beyond simple tasks. This conversational method can even become a powerful tool for self-discovery. Kim shared a personal example of going to ChatGPT to help define her core personal values. By asking the AI to question her and then narrating her answers, she was blown away by the clarity it reflected back to her. It nailed it. This process forces you to articulate your thoughts, and in doing so, you learn as much about yourself as you do about the technology. The Fun Side of AI: Your New Sarcastic Sidekick Our chat wasn't all serious business strategy, far from it. We ventured into the genuinely fun and humorous side of working with AI. Kim had me in stitches when she described how, after concluding a difficult client matter, she fed her professional email to the AI and asked for the "snarky, most condescending version for my entertainment purposes only." The result was so hilarious it left her crying with laughter and provided a much-needed emotional release. That story immediately brought to mind my own recent experience. After receiving a frustrating parking fine under dubious circumstances, I vented my annoyance into a draft email. Knowing it would do no good to send it, but inspired by Kim, I asked an AI to rewrite it in the style of the outrageously sarcastic comedian Jim Jeffries. The process was so funny it completely diffused my anger. That experience alone was almost worth the price of the fine. From "What If?" to "Look What I Built!" Beyond the fun and games, Kim is pushing the boundaries of what solo entrepreneurs can achieve with these tools. She’s currently deep in the world of "vibe coding," using AI to help her build her own software application. As someone who has always wanted to create software but is not a traditional coder, she's now able to bring her vision to life, making sure it looks and functions exactly the way she wants. As she says, "if it's ugly, I'm gonna bounce," so now she's in the driver's seat. This opens up a massive opportunity for all of us. As Kim explained, we can now create bespoke, nuanced solutions for our specific audiences. We can solve problems that huge companies would never have the insight to tackle because we are the ones in the trenches with our clients and customers every day. We can build the exact tools we wish we had for ourselves and our communities. Rediscovering Your Human Superpower With all this talk of AI capabilities, we circled back to what remains our most important asset: our own humanity. Kim emphasized that this technology doesn't replace our unique gifts; it amplifies them. The key is to tap into your own "superpower," whether that's your specific knowledge, your creative intuition, or your deep empathy for your audience. The AI is a tool, but you are the visionary. This also means having the courage to go for it and trusting your own energy. Kim noted that the projects that are most successful are the ones she is genuinely joyful and excited to work on. It’s a reminder that our passion is an energy that no algorithm can replicate. We must also remember to pause and think, to step away from the keyboard and let our minds connect the dots in new and interesting ways. Your Invitation to the AI Playground If there is one message to take away from my conversation with Kim, it is one of empowerment and encouragement. The best way to understand this technology is to stop watching from the sidelines and jump in. You don't need to have a grand plan or a complex project in mind to get started. Just get curious. I want to leave you with Kim’s final, powerful piece of advice, a call to action for every single one of us. "Try it. I, you remember I used to have a #JustShowUI like p. I'm like, just try it. Play, play with something. You're not gonna break anything...You have nothing to lose and see what happens." In Summary: My fantastic conversation with Kim Doyal was a powerful reminder that AI is not just a tool for efficiency, but a partner for creativity, self-discovery, and even fun. By embracing a conversational approach, we can unlock deeper insights, create bespoke solutions for our audiences, and ultimately, use this technology to reclaim our time and amplify our uniquely human strengths. The key is to start playing. The Buzz - Our Innovation Round Here are Kim’s answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop. * Most innovative use of AI to enhance human relationships – A doctor using an AI note-taker during appointments allows them to be fully present with the patient. * Best thing to integrate AI and human connection – Talking to AI conversationally and then getting excited to jump on the phone and share what you're building. * Differentiate by leveraging AI – Build things that solve very specific, nuanced problems for your unique audience and market. Action Just try it. Play with AI and see what happens; you're not going to break anything and you have nothing to lose. Reach Out You can reach out and thank Kim on her website, her relaunched YouTube channel, and especially on Substack, where she is most active and building new relationships. Links: * Website [https://kimdoyal.com] - Kim Doyal * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimdoyal/] * Substack [https://kimdoyal.substack.com/] Cool Things About Kim * The Harry Potter Fanatic with a Beach House Dream: Beyond her business acumen, Kim openly shares her love for Harry Potter. This, coupled with her vision for a beach house that feels "as real as the strategies I share," indicates a playful, imaginative side and a strong connection to personal aspirations that ground her highly analytical work. * The "Pivot Queen" with Deep Personal Resilience: Kim's journey, constantly reinventing her business (from "The WordPress Chick" to content creation, to embracing AI, and even multiple cross-country moves), reveals a profound inner strength and adaptability. Her #JustShowUP mantra isn't just business advice; it's a lived philosophy born from significant life experiences. * The "Everything is Content" Philosopher with a Simple Ritual: She has a philosophy that "everything is content" and emphasizes "creative integration" – weaving joy, hobbies, and "weird rabbit holes" into one's work. * The "Coffee & Kindness" Sign-Off: Her consistent sign-off "With coffee & kindness, Kim" in her newsletters adds a warm, personal touch that stands out. It's a simple, memorable phrase that encapsulates a gentle, human-centered approach even within a direct, business-focused communication. Imagine being a part of a select community where you not only have access to our amazing podcast guests, but you also get a chance to transform your marketing and podcast into a growth engine with a human-centered, relationship-focused approach. That’s exactly what you’ll get when you join the Flywheel Nation Community. Tap into the collective wisdom of high-impact achievers, gain exclusive access to resources, and expand your network in our vibrant community. Experience accelerated growth, breakthrough insights, and powerful connections to elevate your business. ACT NOW – secure your spot and transform your journey today! Visit innovabiz.co/flywheel [https://innovabiz.co/flywheel] and get ready to experience the power of transformation. Video Thanks for reading Innovabiz Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe [https://innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]