Human-First AI Marketing Podcast by Avenue9

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 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 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 Is CThe 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.

Discover how artificial intelligence can elevate your podcast preparation! Mike Montague shares his insights on using AI as a creative collaborator to sharpen your talking points and craft memorable bios. Learn to tailor your approach by researching your host and audience, ensuring you remain relevant and engaging. He emphasizes that thoughtful preparation beats performance and warns against letting AI script your responses. Instead, use it to uncover fresh stories and insights while keeping your authentic voice intact!

Send a textIn this episode, Let the Robots Do the Work: Finding the Human Edge in AI Marketing, Mike Montague sits down with Chris Singel,  AI Optimist, Delta Digital Agency owner, and TEDx speaker, to explore how small and midsize businesses can embrace AI without losing what makes them unique. From automating the “work that sucks” to unlocking new levels of creativity and strategy, Chris shares why the future isn’t humans or robots, but a powerful collaboration of both.Listeners will discover practical insights on AI-driven advertising, smarter campaign testing, and managing digital change inside their teams. Chris and Mike dig into the abundance vs. focus dilemma in marketing, the balance between automation and authentic customer connection, and how leaders can empower employees to adopt AI in ways that make their work more meaningful. Packed with optimism, humor, and real-world examples, this conversation will help business owners and marketing directors find clarity and confidence in the evolving AI landscape.Key Takeaways1. Automate the tasks that drain energy, not creativity - AI works best when it handles repetitive, time-consuming tasks so humans can focus on strategy, storytelling, and customer relationships2.AI and humans are not competitors, but collaborators -The strongest results come when technology scales efficiency and people ensure quality, context, and brand alignment3.“More” isn’t always better in marketing — Instead of chasing bigger lists and constant outreach, SMBs should focus on targeting the right customers with relevant, valuable interactions.4. Experimentation drives success — Using AI for A/B testing, copy variations, and ad creative helps businesses discover what truly resonates, even if the winning version is unexpected.5. Good enough is sometimes good enough — For social posts or quick tasks, AI-generated content may deliver similar results while saving significant time and resources.6. Change management is key — Employee-driven adoption of AI tools leads to happier, more empowered teams, while top-down mandates risk disengagement7. The future of work is more human — As AI takes over routine labor, people will gain space for emotional intelligence, creativity, and meaningful work that machines can’t replicate.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.

Dr. Bradford Carlton, founder of Automate Business AI, discusses how small business owners can automate up to 95% of their tasks while keeping the human touch. He emphasizes starting with an org chart to identify automation opportunities and showcases how spreadsheets can serve as data hubs. Bradford dives into the balance between AI-generated content and quality control, addressing the ethics of using AI without losing authenticity. He also predicts the future of automation's impact on jobs and shares his philosophy of teaching others about these tools.

Dustin Jensen, AI strategist and founder of AIASystem.com, dives into how small and mid-sized businesses can truly leverage AI. He distinguishes between traditional automation and modern AI agents that complete tasks autonomously. Dustin emphasizes the importance of context engineering, likening it to onboarding a new employee. He also outlines the ADAPT methodology for AI transformation and discusses the potential societal impact of AI, suggesting we need to rethink human roles as technology evolves.

Experts discuss the future of sales and marketing, highlighting how creativity will become a key differentiator as AI tools become ubiquitous. Concerns about AI burnout among CEOs are raised, alongside the potential for personal AI agents to revolutionize task management. The conversation touches on the necessity of trust through Web3, the shift towards customer retention over acquisition, and personalized experiences that build loyalty. Insights into job changes, real-time personalized ads, and the evolving role of marketers paint a picture of an AI-driven future that still values human connection.

In this engaging conversation, Manuj Aggarwal, an AI and blockchain expert and founder of Tetra Noodle Technologies, dives into the revolutionary concept of AI digital twins. He discusses how these twins can mirror an individual's subconscious beliefs and decision-making processes, ultimately leading to accelerated growth and clarity in business. Manuj explains the importance of emotional intelligence in automation and outlines five essential pillars for creating an effective digital twin. His insights offer a glimpse into a future where AI enhances human potential and insights.

Send a textWhat happens when AI stops being a gimmick and starts being your creative partner? In this episode, Mike Montague chats with Amer Tadayon, founder of LuciHub, about how AI video tools are opening new doors for small businesses, nonprofits, and solo marketers. From script writing and shot lists to voiceovers and final edits, AI is now a creative co-pilot, not a replacement for humans, but an amplifier of ideas. Amer shares how SMBs are creating authentic, high-performing video content using just a phone, a few smart tools, and a bold story to tell.If you’ve ever felt priced out of video production, overwhelmed by AI, or stuck repurposing the same old content, this conversation will shift your mindset. You’ll hear how lo-fi, real-talk videos are outperforming polished commercials, why authenticity builds trust faster than perfection, and how frontline teams can become your most powerful storytellers. Whether you're running a nonprofit or a scrappy B2B team, this episode will help you rethink what’s possible with AI and a human-first marketing mindset.Key Takeaways1. AI is democratizing storytellingTools like LuciHub allow anyone with a phone and a story to create high-quality video content, removing the traditional cost barriers of production.2. Creativity is no longer gated by capital.You don’t need a seven-figure budget to bring your ideas to life; AI levels the playing field for small businesses and solo creators.3. Lo-fi video is outperforming hi-fi in many cases.Authentic, phone-shot videos often drive better engagement than expensive, overly polished ads because they feel more real and trustworthy.4. Storytelling is shifting from marketing teams to frontline workersAmer shared how companies are empowering team members on the ground to share brand stories in their own words, bringing humanity and perspective.5. AI video tools are launching one-person agencies.Entrepreneurs are using Lucy Hub to start lean content businesses, proving that small teams (or individuals) can punch well above their weight with the right tools.6. Voiceovers and avatars have their place, but not everywhereAI voiceovers are fine for short-form, tactical content, but human voices and faces still lead when it comes to trust and emotional resonance.7. AI reduces risk and encourages experimentation.When content is faster and cheaper to produce, brands are more willing to test bold ideas, because a failed video doesn’t blow the whole budget.8. The future of video is agile, authentic, and powered by AIVideo today is like fast fashion, turnaround matters, but emotional connection still wins; AI helps you do both better.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.