Episode 564: In the age of AI, how will you stay human in your small business?

Oct 29, 2025

Explore how AI is reshaping small businesses and human interactions. Discover the alarming effects of reduced face-to-face communication on mental health. Learn why brief daily conversations can significantly enhance wellbeing. Fiona shares innovative ways for businesses to foster genuine connections, like reading groups and community events. Examine research on AI as both a helpful companion and a potential risk. Uncover how becoming a community connector can give businesses a competitive edge in an increasingly automated world.

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INSIGHT

Small Chats Deliver Big Health Gains

Daily brief social interactions significantly boost mental health, reduce loneliness, and improve cognition.
Strong social bonds correlate with up to a 50% increased likelihood of survival in some studies.

ANECDOTE

Dog Walks That Brighten Days

Fiona describes regular dog-walk chats that lift her mood and create routine social contact.
She uses this to illustrate how small, repeated interactions improve daily wellbeing.

INSIGHT

Design Retail For Conversation

Retail spaces that add slow, conversational checkouts counteract isolation from automation.
Such designs intentionally combat loneliness, especially among elderly customers.

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Get your 2026 sorted with 1:1 business coaching packages from a one-off session to 6-months of coaching.

In this episode, Fiona explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping human interaction and why small business owners need to be more intentional than ever about creating genuine connections. She shares research-backed insights on the mental health benefits of daily social interactions and practical strategies for fostering real relationships in an increasingly digital world.

You'll learn:
• How AI is reducing face-to-face interactions and what this means for mental health and longevity
• Research showing that brief daily conversations can increase survival likelihood by up to 50%
• Why the top use of AI being therapy and companionship should concern business owners
• How to audit your business for genuine human connection opportunities
• Creative ideas for bringing people together through your business (reading groups, skill-sharing sessions, pop-up collaborations)
• Why retail spaces need regular events and experiences to combat automated checkout culture
• How to start small with connection-building activities that don't require huge time or budget investments
• The business benefits of becoming a community connector in your industry
• Why human connection is becoming your competitive advantage in an AI-driven world

Essential listening for entrepreneurs who want to build meaningful relationships while leveraging technology responsibly.

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Resources mentioned:

How to Get Your Book Published course
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My Daily Business courses - mydailybusiness.com/courses

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