How to Be Irreplaceable in the AI Economy: Ex-CFO Explains the Importance of Domain Expertise

In this value-packed conversation, Adam Shilton and former CFO turned content creator CJ Gustafson debunk common misconceptions about AI's impact on business while sharing tactical insights about metrics that actually matter. CJ draws from his finance background to explain why AI is creating efficiency gains rather than replacing jobs, how companies misunderstand customer churn, and why giving your brain space to make connections is critical for success. The discussion seamlessly blends practical business advice with reflections on authenticity, revealing why being uniquely you remains the most powerful differentiator in a world obsessed with AI-generated content.

--SHOW NOTES--

- CJ Gustafson: Founder of Mostly Metrics newsletter and host of Run the Numbers podcast | (http://mostlymetrics.com)

- Twitter: @CJGustafson222

- LinkedIn: CJ Gustafson(https://www.linkedin.com/in/cj-gustafson-13140948/)

- ReadWise: App mentioned for capturing newsletter insights and book (http://readwise.io)

- Very Good Copy: Newsletter and book by Eddie Shleyner | (http://verygoodcopy.com)

- "Steal Like an Artist" by Austin Kleon: Book discussed about creative process

- Apollo.io: Sales engagement platform mentioned as example of good onboarding | (http://apollo.io)

- Clay: Sales intelligence platform competing with Apollo | (http://clay.com)

- Diary of the CEO: Podcast with Mr. Beast episode referenced

- TEDx Talk: Adam's presentation "How Technology Can Enable a Rockstar Career That Makes Money"

- GoDaddy: Discussion about their expansion beyond domains to help small businesses

- Upstart: Publicly traded company where Sanjay Dadada (former Google executive) serves as CFO

- Relay app: AI agent platform by Jacob Bank mentioned

--CHAPTERS--

(00:01:00) - The reality of AI in business: efficiency gains not job replacement

(00:05:00) - Domain expertise matters: why AI can't replace industry knowledge

(00:08:00) - Finding authenticity in content: the pitfalls of forced expertise

(00:13:00) - The power of consistency and doing boring things repeatedly

(00:1800) - Data analysis mistakes: how to avoid getting lost in metrics

(00:21:00) - When technical experts need to develop presentation skills

(00:27:00) - Grifters and scams: human nature hasn't changed with tech

(00:33:00) - Run the Numbers podcast: the CFO playbook you wish you had

(00:38:00) - Customer experience: the eight phases in the first 100 days

(00:42:00) - Creative onboarding tactics: how companies fight against churn

(00:45:00) - Building a newsletter business: finding audience-market fit

(00:49:00) - Content creation process: developing your unique perspective

(00:53:00) - The importance of letting your brain connect dots during downtime

(00:58:00) - What it means to be irreplaceable in the age of AI