Human-First AI Marketing Podcast by Avenue9

Send us a textIn this episode of Human-First AI Marketing, host Mike Montague of Avenue9 sits down with Dr. Anastassia Lauterbach, AI and robotics expert, professor, and creator of the Romy and Robby educational book series, to demystify artificial intelligence and explore how it really works. From breaking down common myths about generative AI and “artificial consciousness” to explaining what tokens, training, and accurate intelligence mean, Dr. Lauterbach delivers a masterclass in separating AI facts from fiction.Together, Mike and Anastassia uncover what today’s business leaders need to know about using AI responsibly and effectively, from its applications in marketing, medicine, and education to its limits in reasoning and creativity. They discuss the importance of human oversight, the future of robotics, and how AI can enhance, not replace, human insight. Whether you’re a marketing director, entrepreneur, or curious learner, this episode will help you see AI not as a threat or trend, but as a powerful tool for more innovative, more human-centered innovation.Top Takeaways1. AI doesn’t “think” or hold conversations; it predicts patterns.Large Language Models, such as ChatGPT, aren’t conscious or conversational; they’re mathematical systems that predict the next token based on statistical probability, rather than understanding or intent.2. Misunderstanding how AI works leads to poor business use.Treating AI as a human-like assistant can lead to mistakes in marketing and decision-making; leaders must view it as a tool for pattern recognition and automation, rather than as a substitute for human cognition.3. AI is “frozen in space”;  it doesn’t learn in real time.Once trained, models are fixed until retrained and redeployed, meaning they can’t evolve dynamically with every prompt or conversation.4. Human language and AI language aren’t the same thing.What seems like fluent conversation is really statistical token prediction; AI doesn’t “understand” English, tone, or context the way humans do.5. AI’s true power lies in scale, not consciousness.It can process vast data sets and find patterns humans can’t, but lacks reasoning, emotion, and causality qualities that make humans irreplaceable in marketing and creativity.6. AI will touch every industry, but human insight remains key.From medicine to engineering to marketing, AI can enhance efficiency, yet success depends on people who understand how and when to apply it.7. Self-driving cars show the limits of “real-world” AI.Despite billions of dollars invested, environmental complexity still outpaces AI’s ability to reason like a human driver, a lesson for any business trying to automate too quickly.8. Human-AI collaboration produces the best results.Just as composers used AI to complete Beethoven’s unfinished symphony, the most significant breakthroThe Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com. No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation! Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

In a fascinating discussion, Jason Berkowitz, founder of Break the Web, shares his insights on navigating SEO in 2025. He emphasizes the importance of human-first content, arguing that writing for people, not just algorithms, remains crucial. Jason highlights the significance of building topical authority and trust, while cautioning against chasing quick fixes and shortcuts. They also explore the evolving role of AI in marketing, advocating for its use as a supportive tool rather than a replacement for human creativity. This engaging exchange is a must-listen for brands looking to enhance their SEO strategy.

Send us a textIn this episode of the Human-First AI Marketing Podcast, host Mike Montague sits down with Michael “Buzz” Buzinski, author of The Rule of 26 and host of the Buzzworthy Marketing Show. Together, they unpack what it really takes for small and midsize businesses to thrive in today’s AI-driven marketing world. From avoiding “random acts of marketing” to building scalable strategies, Buzz shares how SMBs can cut through the noise, optimize their websites, and focus on the metrics that truly drive revenue growth.Listeners will discover why AI isn’t replacing marketers anytime soon, but instead reshaping their roles into smarter, more efficient strategists. Buzz explains how to harness AI for micro-tasks, improve conversions, and increase average revenue per client, without wasting time or budget. Whether you’re a business owner or a marketing director, you’ll walk away with actionable tactics to double your website revenue, stop wasting effort, and make AI work with you, not against you.Top Takeaways1. AI won’t replace marketers; it will optimize their work.Instead of eliminating jobs, AI automates repetitive tasks, allowing marketers to focus on strategy, creativity, and achieving results.2. Think in micro-tasks, not massive prompts.Breaking down projects into smaller steps makes AI outputs more accurate, helpful, and tailored to your needs.3. Context is more potent than prompts.Feeding AI the right background, research, and brand voice produces far better outcomes than “prompt engineering” alone.4. Do the homework before the marketing work.Clean, relevant research and data must be prepared and fed into AI projects to ensure quality content and decisions.5. The Rule of 26 simplifies revenue growth.By improving traffic, conversion rate, and average client revenue by just 26% each, SMBs can double their website revenue.6. Fix your offer and conversions before buying traffic.Driving more traffic won’t help unless your website and offers are already converting visitors into leads or customers.7. Service-based B2B marketing requires trust and clarity.For professional services, a clear value proposition and trust-building content matter more than personality or flash.8. Stop wasting time on “random acts of marketing.”Focus only on strategies and KPIs that directly move the revenue needle instead of chasing vanity metrics.The Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com. No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation! Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

Sebastian Chedal, co-founder of FountainCity and TestBox.ai, dives deep into AI readiness for small and mid-sized businesses. He emphasizes that success hinges on people and processes over just tools. Capturing raw, messy data is key, and having documented workflows is essential for effective automation. They also discuss common AI pitfalls, like hallucinations, and the importance of human oversight. With practical tips and a focus on real-world application, Sebastian offers SMB leaders strategies to embrace AI without losing their core values.

In this enlightening discussion, Jonathan Kvarfordt, Head of Growth at Momentum.io and founder of the GTM AI Academy, reveals how AI enhances sales and marketing efficiency for SMBs. He emphasizes integrating AI into existing tools to reduce friction, transforming tedious processes into streamlined workflows. Conversations are highlighted as invaluable data sources that inform strategies and messaging. Kvarfordt also shares insights on empowering sales reps and the future of work, where human creativity will shine in an AI-driven landscape.

Send us a textIn this episode, host Mike Monague sits down with Grant Fuellenbach of Go First Consulting to unpack what it really takes for small and mid-sized businesses to scale sustainably. From builders and contractors to growing SMB teams, Grant shares how predictable systems and smart AI integrations can help business owners escape the chaos of juggling bids, paperwork, and project management. You’ll learn how to move beyond the “shotgun approach” to AI by implementing practical systems that reduce bottlenecks, streamline operations, and deliver better client experiences.Together, Mike and Grant explore real-world use cases, from AI-powered sales presentations and instant estimates to automating knowledge transfer and tackling the paperwork SMB owners dread. They also look ahead to future trends, such as predictive analytics, aging-in-place remodels, and the role of AI in marketing personalization. Whether you’re an SMB owner or a marketing director, you’ll walk away with actionable strategies to scale without burning out, keep clients engaged, and find the human edge in a world of accelerating AI tools.Key Takeaways1. Install Predictable Systems, Not Just ToolsMany SMBs sign up for AI apps but lack structured processes. Success comes from building systems that integrate tools into daily workflows.2. Segment Your Business Size Before Applying AIOwner-operators, small teams, and larger firms each have different AI needs, so strategies must be tailored rather than one-size-fits-all.3. Enhance the Client Experience FirstAI can reduce the awkwardness of sales interactions (like discussing money in someone’s home) by offering personalized, visual, and real-time presentations.4. Use AI for Knowledge Transfer and TrainingInstead of relying on shadowing or incomplete SOPs, AI can capture and organize institutional knowledge for easier onboarding and consistency.5. Automate the Paperwork, Focus on the CraftContractors and small businesses often get bogged down in bids, estimates, and administration; automation frees them to spend more time on the hands-on work they love.6. Leverage Predictive Analytics for Revenue StreamsFrom HVAC lifespans to remodel triggers, predictive AI helps businesses anticipate customer needs and generate repeat business.7. Consider “Aging in Place” as a Growth MarketWith retirement home costs soaring, remodels that make homes senior-friendly represent a huge opportunity for SMB builders and service providers.8. Convenience Is the New CurrencyThe future of SMB marketing lies in making information and services more convenient, personalized, and timely through AI-driven systems.The Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com. No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation! Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

Send us a textWhat happens when small business owners and marketing leaders stop trying to do it all themselves? In this episode of the Human First AI Marketing Podcast, host Mike Montague sits down with Jaime Jay, founder of Bottleneck Distant Assistants, to explore the power of delegation in a world transformed by AI. Together, they explore the critical distinction between task delegation and establishing a true “delegation department,” the significant impact of turnover on business costs, and how combining AI and human assistants can drive productivity, creativity, and growth.Listeners will learn about Jaime’s concept of Delegation Intelligence, a framework for identifying what to automate, delegate, or keep on your plate. From brain-dumping ideas to documenting repetitive tasks, Jaime shares practical tools SMB owners and marketing directors can use to reclaim time and scale smarter. Whether it’s freeing yourself from email, avoiding burnout in the AI era, or empowering others to shine, this episode offers a fresh perspective on the future of work and the human edge that will keep your business thriving.Key Takeaways1. Every business needs a “delegation department.”Jaime argues that delegation isn’t just an HR task; it should be treated as a core business function to reduce turnover, improve clarity, and unlock growth.2. Turnover costs more than you think.Hiring and replacing an employee can cost thousands in training, onboarding, and lost productivity, making smart delegation a powerful cost-saving strategy.3. Delegation Intelligence is a new framework for leaders.His Delegation IQ blueprint helps entrepreneurs decide what to automate, delegate, or eliminate, freeing up mental space and reducing stress.4. Don’t try to create a “mini-me.”Leaders often fail by delegating only the tasks they dislike; instead, they should empower assistants to complement their strengths rather than duplicate them.5. Document tasks as if it’s the last time you’ll ever do them.By recording processes as you perform them, you create a reusable library that assistants or AI can leverage, paving the way for scalability.6. Hire for values, not just skills.Jaime stresses the importance of assistants aligning with company beliefs and having the confidence to disagree, fostering stronger collaboration and trust.7. Delegation creates ripple effects.Empowering assistants not only benefits the business but also helps them grow personally and professionally, leading to positive global impacts8. AI is powerful, but burnout is real.While AI can supercharge productivity, many founders risk “CEO AI burnout” unless they learn to delegate the heavy lifting to specialists and teams.9. The future of work is hybrid.Jaime envisions a world where humans, AI, and distant assistants collaborate, creating leaner, more innovative companies, eveThe Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com. No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation! Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

David Berkowitz, founder of the AI Marketers Guild and author of The Non-Obvious Guide to Using AI in Marketing, shares insights on how small businesses can harness AI without falling into the trap of low-quality automation. He emphasizes creating genuine connections and the importance of personalization over mass outreach. Berkowitz warns against the dangers of spammy AI tactics that erode trust and highlights innovative ways to use AI, like customizing proposals and crafting interactive experiences that truly engage buyers.

Send us a textIn this episode of The Social Shift, Mike Montague (Avenue9) sits down with Katie Brinkley (Next Step Social and Podcast) to unpack how AI is changing social media and why the brands that win will be the ones that sound most human, not most automated. They explore the rise of “AI slop” in our feeds, why going viral isn’t a business strategy, and how local and B2B businesses can use podcasting and authentic content to build genuine relationships, not just rack up views.If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by content chaos or unsure how to make AI work without losing your voice, this conversation is your reset button. You’ll learn how to blend AI with authenticity, why smaller audiences often lead to bigger results, and how to turn conversations into your most powerful content engine. It’s a must-listen for marketers, business owners, and creators looking to bring marketing back to life.Top Takeaways1. AI Made Social Media Sloppy, Now Authenticity Stands Out More Than Ever:With everyone posting AI-generated fluff, real human content is easier to spot and more potent than before.2. Going Viral Is Not a Business Strategy:Business owners should prioritize relevant reach over random views from audiences unlikely to convert.3. Influencers Chase Attention; Business Owners Should Spark Conversations:Social media works best when it leads to fundamental interactions, not just likes or trends that disappear tomorrow.4. Podcasting Builds Trust, Authority, and Community at the Same Time:A podcast lets you connect directly with your audience and expand your network by interviewing real people in your space.5. You Don’t Need a Fancy Setup to Start a Podcast, Start the Conversation:Most of Katie’s podcasting success comes from consistency, genuine curiosity, and a webcam, not expensive gear.6. Local Businesses Gain a Competitive Edge by Showing Up Online with a Human Voice:People want to buy from real people in their community; consistent, authentic content can make you the go-to name in your niche.7. Repurposing Podcast Content Can Fill Your Entire Marketing Calendar:One great episode can become blog posts, social clips, emails, and more with AI, making it even easier to scale your message without losing your tone.8. Trust Comes From Depth, Not Just Reach:It’s better to build deep relationships with 100 people than be forgettable to 10,000.The Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com. No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation! Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.

Send us a textIn this episode of the Human First AI Marketing podcast, host Mike Montague sits down with Alexander Schlager, founder of Alceberg.ai, to unpack the hidden cybersecurity challenges lurking beneath the surface of AI adoption. From the rise of agentic AI to the evolving threat landscape of autonomous tools and prompt injections, this conversation goes deep into why observability, memory, and human-in-the-loop design are critical for keeping your brand and your customers safe. Whether you're leading marketing for a startup or managing tech stacks in a mid-sized enterprise, you'll gain valuable insight into where AI safety, data privacy, and business alignment intersect.Key themes include the real-world risks of overreliance on AI, why 95% of agent AI pilots are failing today, and how SMBs can get ahead by investing in security, not just speed. Alex shares a pragmatic view on balancing innovation with compliance, the importance of explainable AI models, and why "natural language is the new code" for marketers. You can tune in to learn how to future-proof your AI initiatives with a human-first approach because what's visible above the surface is only the beginning.Key Takeaways1. AI Security ≠ Security AIIt's essential to distinguish between using AI to enhance traditional security tools and securing AI systems themselves, especially agentic AI workflows.2. Human-in-the-Loop Is Critical (For Now)Embedding humans into AI decision loops ensures oversight during early deployments and helps agents learn through real-time feedback.3. Agentic AI Increases Risk ExposureUnlike simple chatbots, autonomous agents that invoke tools or access memory pose greater threats if misaligned or breached.4. Overreliance on Early-Stage AI Is a Major ThreatMost agent AI pilots fail due to businesses expecting too much from immature models or failing to prepare their data infrastructure.5. Data Readiness Is Often OverlookedPoorly formatted, inaccessible, or unsecured data undermines AI effectiveness and increases the risk of security failures.6. Observability Must Be Purposeful, Not PassiveTrying to monitor everything is impractical; instead, focus on high-risk events like autonomous tool invocations or sensitive data interactions.7. Use Specialized AI to Monitor AI, But Keep It ExplainableMonitoring AI systems with black-box models creates new problems; use transparent, interpretable models for accountability.8. Toxicity and Illegality Are Easier to Detect Than You ThinkWith the right training data, it's relatively simple to flag harmful content. More challenging are nuanced alignment and intent checks.9. SMBs Benefit From Low Regulation, But Not for LongSmaller businesses can now move faster, but they should still adopt strong safety and liability frameworks before regulations catch up.10. Alignment Between User Intent and Agent Actions IThe Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com. No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation! Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.