

Business Brain – The Entrepreneurs’ Podcast
Shannon Jean & Dave Hamilton
Two long-time small-business owners, Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean, come to you each week to talk through the trials, success, pitfalls and tips it takes to successfully run a small business in today’s world. Hear real-world folks talk about real-world problems, letting you know not only what it takes to get it done but that you’re not alone in doing it!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 27, 2026 • 19min
FridAI Pomelli and Lyria
In this episode of Business Brain, we dig into FridAI territory with updates, experiments, and smarter AI workflows. We kick things off with a Press Row Hoops app update, then pivot into something far more powerful: upgrading our custom AI instructions. Instead of settling for generic outputs, we refine how ChatGPT behaves—focusing on decision-making style, pushback tolerance, clarity versus depth, and minimizing fluff. We share a tight prompt that forces better performance from ChatGPT 5.2, helping us get sharper answers with fewer wasted cycles. The goal? Make AI think more like we do.
We also explore Google’s Pomelli and what it signals about where AI tools are heading. The bigger takeaway is this: when we intentionally design how AI supports us, we reclaim leverage and reduce friction. We stop accepting default settings and start engineering better results. That’s how we build businesses—and lives—on our terms. That’s the path to a Charmed Life.
00:00:00 Business Brain – The Entrepreneurs’ Podcast #731 for Casual FridAI, February 27th, 2026
February 27th: Anosmia Awareness Day
00:01:22 David-Press Row Hoops app update
00:05:27 Ian-Update your custom AI prompt/instructions, and here’s a prompt:
Review my existing custom instructions.
Identify what works well and what is outdated, redundant, unclear, or ineffective for ChatGPT 5.2.
Ask only the minimum number of high-value questions needed to meaningfully improve the instructions.
Questions should focus on decision-making style, pushback tolerance, clarity vs depth, and how I prefer ChatGPT to behave when uncertain.
Do not ask generic preference questions or enter question loops.
After I answer, draft a replacement custom instruction that reflects my preferences and how I actually use ChatGPT.
Requirements for the new custom instruction:
Maximum 1500 characters, including spaces and line breaks.
Written as direct instructions to ChatGPT, ready to paste.
Optimized for ChatGPT 5.2 behavior.
Clear, human-sounding, and practical.
Favor correctness over politeness.
Avoid fluff, buzzwords, and assistant-sounding language.
Minimize unnecessary clarifying questions.
Default to direct answers with light supporting rationale.
Be opinionated when useful and push back on weak assumptions.
Reuse prior context and preferences automatically unless I say otherwise.
Constraints:
Do not draft the final instructions until after I answer your questions.
Do not explain your reasoning unless I ask.
Deliver one final custom instruction, not multiple options.
Sponsors
00:08:09 SPONSOR: Granola is an AI-powered notepad built for the way real people actually meet, and it integrates seamlessly into the video conferencing tools you already use. Try Granola totally free for three months – just head to granola.ai/brain.
00:10:03 SPONSOR: Fundera from NerdWallet – A free, easy-to-use platform that lets you compare real financing offers from trusted lenders — all in one place. Visit NerdWallet.com/BRAIN to learn more and talk to a real person!
00:11:26 Google Pomelli
00:18:00 Business Brain 731 Outtro <https://businessbrain.show/>
Tell Your Friends!
Review Business Brain
Subscribe to the show
feedback@businessbrain.show
Call/Text: (567) 274-6977
X/Twitter: @ShannonJean & @DaveHamilton, & @BizBrainShow
LinkedIn: Shannon Jean, Dave Hamilton, & Business Brain
Facebook: Dave Hamilton, Shannon Jean, & Business Brain
The post FridAI Pomelli and Lyria – Business Brain 731 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

Feb 25, 2026 • 27min
Assistants + Systems > Goals
In this episode of Business Brain, we flip the script on goal-setting and show why assistants + systems beat goals every time. Instead of obsessing over outcomes, we build repeatable processes that run without us. We start by designing systems, then hire (or delegate to) assistants to execute them at an 80/20 level—80% as good as we’d do it ourselves for $20/hour. We use generative AI to define roles, outline tasks, and create clarity before we ever bring someone on. The real move? Identify what we love to do, then empower our assistant to figure out the rest. That’s how we create leverage.
We also normalize AI across our teams—giving everyone permission to use it to work smarter and faster. It’s not about grinding toward some distant target; it’s about engineering a business that supports our version of a Charmed Life. When we stop worshipping goals and start building systems that scale through people and AI, everything changes. Less friction. More momentum. Better results.
00:00:00 Business Brain – The Entrepreneurs’ Podcast #730 for Wednesday Casual FridAI, February 25th, 2026
February 25th: Inconvenience Yourself Day
Happy 11th Anniversary of Business Brain on February 19th!
00:01:58 Systems and Assistants
Develop systems…and the best way to do that is to get an assistant!
Use generative AI to help you define what you’re going to have your assistant do for you
Follow the 80/20 rule (80% as good as you, $20/hour)
Identify the things that you would like to do, then empower your assistant to figure it out!
Sponsors
00:14:52 SPONSOR: Granola is an AI-powered notepad built for the way real people actually meet, and it integrates seamlessly into the video conferencing tools you already use. Try Granola totally free for three months – just head to granola.ai/brain.
00:16:49 SPONSOR: Fundera from NerdWallet – A free, easy-to-use platform that lets you compare real financing offers from trusted lenders — all in one place. Visit NerdWallet.com/BRAIN to learn more and talk to a real person!
00:18:12 Tip: Tell your team it’s OK to use AI to help them do their jobs
00:19:50 We need another word to replace the G-word.
Atomic Habits
00:26:06 Business Brain 730 Outtro
Tell Your Friends!
Review Business Brain
Subscribe to the show
feedback@businessbrain.show
Call/Text: (567) 274-6977
X/Twitter: @ShannonJean & @DaveHamilton, & @BizBrainShow
LinkedIn: Shannon Jean, Dave Hamilton, & Business Brain
Facebook: Dave Hamilton, Shannon Jean, & Business Brain
The post Assistants + Systems > Goals – Business Brain 730 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

Feb 20, 2026 • 28min
FridAI: Lindy AI + OpenClaw
In this episode of Business Brain, we dive into FridAI with real-world experiments using Lindy and OpenClaw. We break down how we’re actually deploying Lindy inside the business, where it shines, and where the internet still “needs fingers.” Then we explore Dave’s OpenClaw setup powered by Kimi K2.5, digging into what happens when open-source AI tools get powerful enough to compete with the big players. This isn’t theory—we’re testing workflows, pushing buttons, and seeing what breaks.
We also unpack what it means when the creator of OpenClaw gets hired by OpenAI—and what that signals about the speed of the AI arms race. In this episode of Business Brain, we challenge ourselves to experiment faster, integrate smarter, and stay curious as these tools evolve in real time. That’s how we leverage AI to build our Charmed Life—by staying hands-on, adaptable, and always willing to test what’s next.
00:00:00 Business Brain – The Entrepreneurs’ Podcast #729 for Casual FridAI, February 20th, 2026
February 20th: National Love Your Pet Day
00:01:05 Shannon’s using Lindy
00:06:52 X Needs Fingers
00:10:11 SPONSOR: Fundera from NerdWallet – A free, easy-to-use platform that lets you compare real financing offers from trusted lenders — all in one place. Visit NerdWallet.com/BRAIN to learn more and talk to a real person!
00:11:54 SPONSOR: Shopify – For anyone to sell anywhere, sign up for a one-dollar-per month trial period at Shopify.com/BusinessBrain and upgrade your selling today!
00:13:27 Dave set up OpenClaw
Kimi K2.5
00:25:37 OpenClaw Creator hired by OpenAI
00:26:23 Business Brain 729 Outtro
Tell Your Friends!
Review Business Brain
Subscribe to the show
feedback@businessbrain.show
Call/Text: (567) 274-6977
X/Twitter: @ShannonJean & @DaveHamilton, & @BizBrainShow
LinkedIn: Shannon Jean, Dave Hamilton, & Business Brain
Facebook: Dave Hamilton, Shannon Jean, & Business Brain
The post FridAI: Lindy AI + OpenClaw – Business Brain 729 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

Feb 18, 2026 • 23min
Coopetition and Failing Fast
In this episode of Business Brain, we tackle what happens when the market needs a Yarbo competitor—and imitation shows up at our door. When someone we trained becomes a competitor, it can feel personal. But we don’t let our thoughts run the business. We remember we are observers of our thoughts, not prisoners to them. Instead of reacting, we lean into coopetition. Imitation becomes validation. Competition becomes proof we’re building something that matters. That mindset keeps us focused on creating our own Charmed Life.
We also redefine what fail fast really means. We don’t glorify failure—we design quick experiments that give us real data, fast. Small bets. Rapid feedback. Clear decisions. Then we move. In this episode of Business Brain, we turn imitation into strategy and failure into fuel, building smarter, faster, and with more intention every step of the way.
00:00:00 Business Brain – The Entrepreneurs’ Podcast #728 for Wednesday Casual FridAI, February 18th, 2026
February 18th: National Drink Wine Day
00:01:33 The market needs a Yarbo competitor!
00:04:06 Unflattering Imitation
When you train people and then they decide to start competing with you
Coopetition is the answer
We are not our thoughts, we are observers of our thoughts
Sponsors
00:13:30 SPONSOR: Fundera from NerdWallet – A free, easy-to-use platform that lets you compare real financing offers from trusted lenders — all in one place. Visit NerdWallet.com/BRAIN to learn more and talk to a real person!
00:15:14 SPONSOR: Shopify – For anyone to sell anywhere, sign up for a one-dollar-per month trial period at Shopify.com/BusinessBrain and upgrade your selling today!
00:16:46 “Fail Fast” means create quick experiments that give you data quickly and then you can make a decision and move forward
00:22:18 Business Brain 728 Outtro
Tell Your Friends!
Review Business Brain
Subscribe to the show
feedback@businessbrain.show
Call/Text: (567) 274-6977
X/Twitter: @ShannonJean & @DaveHamilton, & @BizBrainShow
LinkedIn: Shannon Jean, Dave Hamilton, & Business Brain
Facebook: Dave Hamilton, Shannon Jean, & Business Brain
The post Coopetition and Failing Fast – Business Brain 728 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

Feb 13, 2026 • 28min
FridAI, AI Agent Limits – Business Brain 727
In this episode of Business Brain, we confront the real limits of AI agents and what they mean for our workflow. From cleaning up contradictory ChatGPT memory instructions to testing AI autocomplete tools like Cotypist and connecting health data inside Claude, we explore where AI truly creates leverage—and where it hits hard caps. With monthly browser agent limits and restricted agent requests, we’re reminded that automation isn’t infinite, and strategy matters more than ever.
We also look at AI through the lens of ownership and responsibility—especially on a day built around apology and blame. Are we using AI to intentionally design our Charmed Life, or are we outsourcing our thinking? In this episode of Business Brain, we define smarter automation, push against AI agent constraints, and stay in control of the systems powering our business.
00:00:00 Business Brain – The Entrepreneurs’ Podcast #727 for Casual FridAI, February 13th, 2026
February 13th: National Apology Day and National Blame Someone Else Day
00:01:28 Sadie-Edit your ChatGPT memory’s contradicting instructions
00:04:51 Cotypist – AI Autocomplete for the Mac
00:07:14 Claude let me connect my Health data
00:11:09 SPONSOR: Tempo – Tempo delivers perfectly-portion meals to your door, each is ready in just 2 minutes. For a limited time, Tempo is offering Business Brain listeners SIXTY PERCENT OFF your first box at TempoMeals.com/brain
00:12:39 SPONSOR: Intuit QuickBooks Payroll – Leave the chaos behind and start the new year off right with QuickBooks Payroll. Learn more by visiting QuickBooks.com/payroll
00:14:06 AI Agent Limits
ChatGPT limited Agent Requests
Monthly Browser Agent Limits
https://Claude.ai/giggab for half-price Claude for 3 months
00:24:00 Business Brain 727 Outtro
Tell Your Friends!
Review Business Brain
Subscribe to the show
feedback@businessbrain.show
Call/Text: (567) 274-6977
X/Twitter: @ShannonJean & @DaveHamilton, & @BizBrainShow
LinkedIn: Shannon Jean, Dave Hamilton, & Business Brain
Facebook: Dave Hamilton, Shannon Jean, & Business Brain
The post FridAI, AI Agent Limits – Business Brain 727 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

Feb 11, 2026 • 23min
Boredom is the Plateau
In this episode of Business Brain, we face a hard truth: boredom isn’t a slump—it’s the plateau we built. When things get stable, we can start manufacturing chaos just to feel like the hero again. Shannon Jean and Dave Hamilton push us to notice when routine becomes the enemy and when “busy” replaces real momentum. Instead of chasing noise, we learn to spot the patterns that keep us stuck and break through with intention.
We also tackle the tension between prioritizing revenue and protecting our Charmed Life. At 3pm, we can reset with two refocusing questions: What’s the most important thing we can do right now to increase revenue? And what’s the most important thing we can do to enhance our charmed life? In this episode of Business Brain, we redefine productivity, escape the boredom trap, and design growth without sacrificing the life we’re building.
00:00:00 Business Brain – The Entrepreneurs’ Podcast #726 for Wednesday Casual FridAI, February 11th, 2026
February 11th: National Inventors Day
00:01:24 We’ll use Suno to update our theme song
00:02:38 Boredom is the Plateau
TRIBE Founders Group
If we get bored… are we intentionally creating problems to be the hero?
feedback@businessbrain.show
Sponsors
00:10:35 SPONSOR: Tempo – Tempo delivers perfectly-portion meals to your door, each is ready in just 2 minutes. For a limited time, Tempo is offering Business Brain listeners SIXTY PERCENT OFF your first box at TempoMeals.com/brain
00:12:11 SPONSOR: Intuit QuickBooks Payroll – Leave the chaos behind and start the new year off right with QuickBooks Payroll. Learn more by visiting QuickBooks.com/payroll
00:13:38 Do You Prioritize Revenue or Charmed Life?
Routine is the enemy
Productive vs. Busy
3pm re-focusing questions
What’s the most important thing to do right now to increase my revenue?
What’s the most important thing to do right now to enhance my charmed life?
00:22:56 Business Brain 726 Outtro
Tell Your Friends!
Review Business Brain
Subscribe to the show
feedback@businessbrain.show
Call/Text: (567) 274-6977
X/Twitter: @ShannonJean & @DaveHamilton, & @BizBrainShow
LinkedIn: Shannon Jean, Dave Hamilton, & Business Brain
Facebook: Dave Hamilton, Shannon Jean, & Business Brain
The post Boredom is the Plateau – Business Brain 726 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

Feb 6, 2026 • 38min
FridAI, Hiring Agents
In this episode of Business Brain, we dig into how AI is quickly becoming a true coworker, not just a tool. We explore deeper ChatGPT personalization, AI-driven tech support (even through smart glasses), and what it means to “hire” agents like Claude to think, write, and problem-solve alongside us. From autocomplete apps to AI companions inspired by sci-fi, we reframe AI as something we employ intentionally—on our terms.
We also push ourselves to think bigger about how we make money in the AI age. As automation accelerates, we focus on what still matters most: human connection, trust, and creativity. By using AI to amplify—not replace—our unique value, we position ourselves to stay relevant, grow revenue, and design a Charmed Life that blends smart tech with meaningful work.
00:00:00 Business Brain – The Entrepreneurs’ Podcast #725 for Casual FridAI, February 6th, 2026
February 6th: Working Naked Day
00:02:05 Join ChatGPT Health Waitlist
00:03:07 More ChatGPT personalization
00:05:17 Tech Support with AI
Using the Meta AI glasses for tech support
00:08:20 David-Try Cotypist, an AI-powered autocomplete app
Sponsors
00:09:40 SPONSOR: Intuit QuickBooks Payroll – Leave the chaos behind and start the new year off right with QuickBooks Payroll. Learn more by visiting QuickBooks.com/payroll
00:10:58 SPONSOR: Shopify – For anyone to sell anywhere, sign up for a one-dollar-per month trial period at Shopify.com/BusinessBrain and upgrade your selling today!
00:12:35 Employing Claude Cowork for real life
00:27:01 Moltbook (and OpenClaw)
Jane from Ender’s Game…
Perplexity Comet Browser
00:31:36 How do we make money in the AI age?
People want to connect
00:37:58 Business Brain 725 Outtro
Tell Your Friends!
Review Business Brain
Subscribe to the show
feedback@businessbrain.show
Call/Text: (567) 274-6977
X/Twitter: @ShannonJean & @DaveHamilton, & @BizBrainShow
LinkedIn: Shannon Jean, Dave Hamilton, & Business Brain
Facebook: Dave Hamilton, Shannon Jean, & Business Brain
The post FridAI, Hiring Agents – Business Brain 725 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

Feb 4, 2026 • 20min
Shiny Object Opportunities – Business Brain 724
In this episode of Business Brain, you’re challenged to rethink your relationship with shiny objects—are they real opportunities or just distractions dressed up as progress? You explore how tools, platforms, and trends can open doors or quietly hijack your focus, especially when that smartphone Pandora’s Box is always within reach. By reframing “shiny object syndrome” into intentional “shiny object opportunities,” you learn how to stay curious without losing control—and how smart entrepreneurs choose what deserves their attention.
You’re also pushed to ask a deceptively simple question: what do you actually want to do today? Drawing inspiration from Steve Jobs’ famous reflection on living with intention, this episode helps you align daily decisions with the bigger picture of building a Charmed Life. It’s about cutting through noise, choosing with purpose, and making sure the business you’re building still serves the life you want to live.
00:00:00 Business Brain – The Entrepreneurs’ Podcast #724 for Wednesday, February 4th, 2026
February 4th: Facebook’s Birthday
00:01:32 Managing the smartphone Pandora’s Box
And celebrating(?) Facebook’s birthday!
Sponsors
00:07:36 SPONSOR: Intuit QuickBooks Payroll – Leave the chaos behind and start the new year off right with QuickBooks Payroll. Learn more by visiting QuickBooks.com/payroll
00:08:58 SPONSOR: Shopify – For anyone to sell anywhere, sign up for a one-dollar-per month trial period at Shopify.com/BusinessBrain and upgrade your selling today!
00:10:34 Shiny Object Opportunity vs Syndrome
00:15:18 What do I want to do today?
Steve Jobs: If today were the last day of my life…
00:18:00 Business Brain 724 Outtro <https://businessbrain.show/>
Tell Your Friends!
Review Business Brain
Subscribe to the show
feedback@businessbrain.show
Call/Text: (567) 274-6977
X/Twitter: @ShannonJean & @DaveHamilton, & @BizBrainShow
LinkedIn: Shannon Jean, Dave Hamilton, & Business Brain
Facebook: Dave Hamilton, Shannon Jean, & Business Brain
The post Shiny Object Opportunities – Business Brain 724 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

Jan 30, 2026 • 25min
GPT Shared Chats + Agents – Business Brain 723
In this episode of Business Brain, Shannon Jean and Dave Hamilton explore how shared chats and AI-first tools are reshaping research, collaboration, and decision-making for entrepreneurs. They break down ChatGPT shared chats, compare them with Perplexity, and discuss what AI-powered browsers bring to modern workflows. The focus stays practical: using these tools to create clarity and speed, not distraction, while keeping human judgment firmly in control.
The conversation then shifts to AI agents and how they can be applied to real business problems without over-automation or blind trust. Shannon and Dave examine where agents provide true leverage, how they fit into existing systems, and why intentional use matters more than novelty. Done right, these tools help entrepreneurs reclaim time, sharpen focus, and build businesses that support a smarter workflow and a Charmed Life.
00:00:00 Business Brain – The Entrepreneurs’ Podcast #723 for Casual FridAI, January 30th, 2026
January 30th: National Big Wig Day
00:01:24 ChatGPT Shared Chats
Perplexity
Comet, the Perplexity Browser
00:10:03 SPONSOR: Shopify – For anyone to sell anywhere, sign up for a one-dollar-per month trial period at Shopify.com/BusinessBrain and upgrade your selling today! <https://shopify.com/businessbrain>
00:11:46 SPONSOR: Intuit QuickBooks Payroll – Leave the chaos behind and start the new year off right with QuickBooks Payroll. Learn more by visiting QuickBooks.com/payroll <https://quickbooks.com/payroll>
00:12:54 Covey1224-BB Review-Casual insights from real business minds
00:13:34 Adria Flor-BB Review-Great insights in every episode!
00:14:02 Using AI Agents
00:24:00 Business Brain 723 Outtro
Tell Your Friends!
Review Business Brain
Subscribe to the show
feedback@businessbrain.show
Call/Text: (567) 274-6977
X/Twitter: @ShannonJean & @DaveHamilton, & @BizBrainShow
LinkedIn: Shannon Jean, Dave Hamilton, & Business Brain
Facebook: Dave Hamilton, Shannon Jean, & Business Brain
The post GPT Shared Chats + Agents – Business Brain 723 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

Jan 28, 2026 • 26min
Perfection is the enemy of Shipped
In this episode of Business Brain, Shannon Jean and Dave Hamilton break down why perfection is the enemy of shipped—and why waiting for “ready” often means never launching at all. They explore the power of defining a clear Minimum Viable Product, getting comfortable with imperfection, and building momentum through action instead of endless refinement. With practical guidance and a real-time example, they show how progress consistently beats polish when building a business.
The conversation also tackles the mental game of shipping, especially when criticism comes into play. Shannon and Dave unpack how to weigh useful feedback, ignore trolls, and stop giving emotional energy to noise that doesn’t matter. By reframing criticism and staying focused on forward motion, entrepreneurs can protect their mindset, ship more confidently, and continue building a Charmed Life.
00:00:00 Business Brain – The Entrepreneurs’ Podcast #722 for Wednesday, January 28th, 2026
January 28th: National Blueberry Pancake Day
00:02:41 Perfect is the enemy of SHIPPED
It’s good to have backup plans
It’s good to get used to not being great 100% of the time
Define your Minimum Viable Product
00:09:16 A real-time example!
Perfection is the unattainable goal
00:13:57 SPONSOR: Shopify – For anyone to sell anywhere, sign up for a one-dollar-per month trial period at Shopify.com/BusinessBrain and upgrade your selling today!
00:15:39 SPONSOR: Intuit QuickBooks Payroll – Leave the chaos behind and start the new year off right with QuickBooks Payroll. Learn more by visiting QuickBooks.com/payroll
00:16:48 Weighing the value of criticism
It’s hard to ignore the trolls
00:19:08 Why would I let this criticism bother me?
00:25:30 Business Brain 722 Outtro
Tell Your Friends!
Review Business Brain
Subscribe to the show
feedback@businessbrain.show
Call/Text: (567) 274-6977
X/Twitter: @ShannonJean & @DaveHamilton, & @BizBrainShow
LinkedIn: Shannon Jean, Dave Hamilton, & Business Brain
Facebook: Dave Hamilton, Shannon Jean, & Business Brain
The post Perfection is the enemy of Shipped – Business Brain 722 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.


