In this episode of Empowered by AI, Michelle Muncy-Silva talks with Ilise Benun about breaking the feast-or-famine cycle in small businesses and how AI can support clear positioning, consistent outreach, and relationship-based marketing.

Ilise draws on nearly four decades of experience helping creatives and solopreneurs get better clients with bigger budgets. She explains why marketing breaks down when it relies on word of mouth alone, why positioning must focus on outcomes instead of services, and how consistency matters more than motivation. She also demonstrates how she uses AI prompts to refine niches, identify real prospects, uncover client pain points, and find places to build relationships.

Time-Stamped Discussion Highlights

00:00 – Introduction and Ilise’s background in marketing and mentoring

01:00 – Feast-or-famine cycles and why they affect both new and experienced solopreneurs

02:00 – Why word of mouth is not a marketing strategy

03:00 – Marketing as relationship-building done consistently over time

04:00 – Positioning based on outcomes, not services

05:00 – Why self-promotion is not about you

06:00 – Why some business owners spiral while others keep going

07:00 – Consistency over motivation and perfection

08:00 – The “me first” philosophy and caring for the business first

09:00 – Using your real voice in marketing, especially in the age of AI

10:00 – Avoiding sameness and perfectionism

11:00 – Asking questions instead of trying to sound smart

12:00 – The three parts of Ilise’s simplest marketing plan

13:00 – Targeted outreach, content marketing, and strategic networking

14:00 – Why newsletters keep you top of mind

15:00 – Why commenting can be more effective than posting on LinkedIn

16:00 – Introduction to Ilise’s free AI kit

17:00 – Starting with an elevator pitch to give AI context

18:00 – Using AI to refine niches and assess market viability

19:00 – Finding real potential clients with AI

20:00 – Identifying client pain points and drafting outreach messages

21:00 – Using AI to find events and networking opportunities

22:00 – Removing marketing obstacles with AI support

23:00 – Final reflections and where to connect with Ilise

Watch the full episode and see the live AI demo on YouTube:

youtube.com/@EmpoweredbyAISLAI

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In this episode of Empowered by AI, Michelle Muncy-Silva talks with Katie Milton Jordan about what real AI adoption looks like when you stop chasing tools and start investing in people, processes, and clarity.

Katie shares her work helping economic development leaders operationalize AI responsibly, explains why “not knowing what you don’t know” is the biggest barrier to adoption, and walks through a live, practical workflow for creating a personal AI policy. This episode is especially relevant for leaders, solo operators, and women navigating AI adoption under real-world constraints like limited time, budget, and bandwidth.

Time-Stamped Discussion Highlights

00:00 – Introduction and Katie’s work in economic development and AI

01:00 – Why most organizations don’t actually “get AI wrong”

02:10 – The role of hype, FOMO, and pressure from stakeholders

02:45 – The three AI investment buckets: products, projects, and people/processes

04:00 – Why leaders usually invest in the wrong order

05:00 – Bandwidth, leadership fatigue, and skepticism around AI trends

06:20 – Venture Fest and what partnering with AI made possible

07:00 – Using AI to amplify impact with no time, no budget, and small teams

08:00 – AI as copilot, not driver, and why human relationships still matter

09:40 – Reducing operational burden to reinvest in human work

10:40 – The cost of misalignment and moving faster in the wrong direction

11:30 – Failing faster, tighter feedback loops, and intentional iteration

12:20 – Checking your internal compass in times of rapid change

13:00 – Nervous system regulation, boundaries, and avoiding AI burnout

14:00 – Why whole humans need to be considered in AI adoption

15:00 – Introduction to personal AI policies and leadership guardrails

16:00 – Live walkthrough: what a personal AI policy workflow includes

17:00 – AI red lines and ethical boundaries

18:30 – Client transparency and accountability when using AI

22:00 – Quality standards, verification, and signing your name to AI-assisted work

24:00 – Bias checks and prompting AI to critique its own assumptions

26:00 – Workforce impact, reskilling, and augmentation vs replacement

28:00 – Societal responsibility and non-negotiable red lines

29:00 – Generating a personal AI manifesto and why workflows matter

30:30 – Final reflections and how to connect with Katie

You can watch the Mason County Venture Fest video here

Watch the full episode and see the live workflow demo on YouTube:

youtube.com/@EmpoweredbyAISLAI

Support the show and explore Empowered by AI merch and resources:

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What happens when curiosity beats perfection? In this opening episode of Season 6, Michelle sits down with Danielle LaFleur for an honest, grounded conversation about learning AI in public, letting go of “doing it right,” and using these tools without flattening your voice or values. This episode sets the tone for the entire season. Human-first. No tech theater. Just real use, real questions, and real growth.

03:15 – Danielle’s relationship with AI before she felt “ready”

07:40 – The pressure women feel to sound polished before they start

12:10 – What “learning out loud” actually looks like

17:45 – AI as a thinking partner, not a replacement brain

23:30 – Where people overcomplicate AI early on

29:00 – Staying human while working faster

34:20 – Trusting your instincts instead of chasing prompts

40:10 – What Danielle would tell her past self about starting sooner

44:30 – What’s next for Danielle

If you’ve been waiting to feel ready before using AI, this conversation will help you rethink that approach.

Watch this episode and future live demos on YouTube:

youtube.com/@EmpoweredbyAISLAI

Explore Empowered by AI merch and resources:

empowered-by-ai.printify.me

One year ago, Empowered by AI launched with a single goal: amplify women’s voices shaping the future of artificial intelligence. The very first guest? Anne Murphy — Co-Founder of She Leads AI and the woman behind the CREATE Conference.

Now, after 78 episodes, five seasons, and one unforgettable year, Michelle and Anne sit down again to reflect on what’s changed, what’s next, and why this movement is just getting started.

From redefining visibility and worth to tackling AI ethics, representation, and empowerment, this episode captures the heart of what Empowered by AI stands for — women using technology with purpose, courage, and community.

If you’ve ever wondered how to stay grounded in a world that’s moving at AI speed, this is your reminder: we don’t need permission to lead. We already are.

[00:02:00] The Full-Circle Moment

Michelle and Anne reflect on their first interview, the early vision for Empowered by AI, and how CREATE became the perfect capstone for the year.

[00:05:00] Amplifying Women’s Voices — Why It Still Matters

Why women’s expertise still flies under the radar — and how Empowered by AI has become a platform for visibility, confidence, and change.

[00:10:00] AI Ethics, Responsibility, and the “Non-Default” Way of Building

Anne and Michelle dive into the latest AI controversies, the “default-to-bro” problem in tech, and why responsible AI requires women at the table.

[00:18:00] Growth Without the Grind: Following the Easy Path

They unpack how clarity, curiosity, and alignment — not hustle — fueled the success of both Empowered by AI and She Leads AI.

[00:25:00] The Power of Community: From Imposter Syndrome to Collective Strength

Reflections from CREATE 2025, where women discovered that connection is the cure for doubt — and how shared purpose accelerates innovation.

[00:34:00] Money, Worth, and the Taboos We’re Done With

A candid conversation about women, value, and why financial empowerment isn’t selfish — it’s essential for sustainable change.

[00:45:00] Representation, Diversity, and Rewriting the Narrative in AI

Anne and Michelle discuss inclusion, allyship, and how women-led ecosystems like She Leads AI and Empowered by AI are creating new norms.

[01:00:00] Looking Ahead: Season 6 and Beyond

Michelle shares what’s next for Empowered by AI — including new collaborations, upcoming cohorts, and why 2026 is shaping up to be the biggest year yet.

Host Michelle Muncy-Silva welcomes listeners to Empowered by AI: Women Entrepreneurs Leading the Way, setting the stage for a conversation with AI strategist and founder Lexi Gilbert. After decades in HR and leadership, Lexi has redefined her career in the AI era—helping businesses adopt AI ethically, humanely, and with resilience.

[01:00–03:00] From HR Leader to AI Fractional CAIO

Lexi shares her journey from corporate HR to launching OptimizeHer and her new agency AI Biz Mind. She discusses how women leaders can shape AI adoption to be human-centered and responsible rather than reactive.

[03:00–05:00] The State of AI Readiness in Business

Lexi and Michelle break down what she’s seeing in organizations right now—lots of hype, little structure. Awareness is high, but strategy, systems, and governance lag behind.

[05:00–07:00] The Real Gaps: Mindset, Strategy, and People

From lack of preparation to “quick fix” thinking, Lexi highlights the biggest mistakes leaders make with AI. Her reminder: it’s not just about tools—it’s about mindset, leadership, and culture.

[07:00–09:00] The HER Framework: Human-Centered, Ethical, Resilient

Lexi unveils her HER Framework—a guiding model for responsible AI adoption. She explains how it empowers teams, protects ethics, and builds resilient systems ready for disruption.

[09:00–12:00] People Over Process

Lexi emphasizes that innovation without people isn’t innovation—it’s vanity. She shares how keeping humans at the center of AI transformation unlocks real progress and morale.

[12:00–14:00] HER in Action: Real-World Example

Lexi gives a case study of a service-based company that used the HER framework to automate onboarding while freeing employees for higher-value work—showing how ethics and efficiency can coexist.

[14:00–16:00] Building a Better Future for Women in AI

Michelle and Lexi close with a look at the future of AI readiness and leadership—why women’s voices are essential in creating balanced, ethical AI systems.

Connect with Lexi:

🔗 LinkedIn

🌐 aibizmind.ai

If today’s episode sparked ideas, don’t wait—take one action this week to humanize AI in your business. Subscribe so you don’t miss next week’s conversation with another woman leading the AI revolution.

What happens when a seasoned brand strategist decides to reinvent herself with AI? In this episode of Empowered by AI: Women Entrepreneurs Leading the Way, I sit down with Ellen Craven, founder of Brand Novus. Ellen’s career spans award-winning creative direction, global brand strategy, and now—AI-powered consulting that’s already shaking up the way companies think about relevance, differentiation, and growth.

If you’ve ever wondered how to balance legacy with reinvention, or how AI fits into the art (and soul) of brand building, this conversation is packed with insights you can apply right away.

Timestamps

[00:01:00] From unicorn creative director to strategist to AI-driven founder—Ellen’s journey to launching Brand Novus

[00:02:00] The lessons billion-dollar brands and scrappy startups actually share (and why skipping the fundamentals fails every time)

[00:03:30] The “me too” trap: how brands blend in instead of breaking out—and what to do differently

[00:07:00] How AI supercharges research, insights, and creative concepting (without replacing human strategy)

[00:10:30] Why women must choose: ignore, leverage, or master AI—and how to stay competitive at every age

[00:14:00] Ellen’s “Phoenix moment”: how AI reignited her creative spark after decades in high-pressure roles

[00:16:00] Reinvention after 40—balancing legacy with fresh ambition

[00:19:30] Building trust in skeptical, distracted markets—the case for community, collaboration, and human tech stacks

[00:21:00] The future of brand building: human + AI hybrids, and why strategic thinkers will matter more than ever

Ellen reminds us that relevance is never guaranteed; it’s earned, nurtured, and constantly reimagined. AI can accelerate insights and open creative doors, but it’s the human strategist who ensures brands stay credible, differentiated, and alive.

💡 Ready to explore how AI can amplify your business? Visit innovativeaistudio.com/podcast for free resources to help you put today’s ideas into practice. Don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes.

What happens when you finally reach the top of your career ladder and realize the view isn’t what you hoped? In this episode of Empowered by AI, I sit down with Carolina Migliaccio, founder of Soulful Moxie, to talk about the hidden costs of chasing external success, the courage it takes to reclaim your agency, and how women can step into authentic leadership, especially in AI-heavy, male-dominated spaces. Carolina shares her journey from corporate C-suite offers to creating a business that embodies both strength and soul.

Timestamps:

[00:00] Welcome and introduction

[01:00] Carolina’s story: shapeshifting in corporate and the hollow moment of “arrival”

[03:00] The disillusionment of success and reclaiming identity through art

[05:00] Recognizing the signs of a “quiet, corrosive price” in our lives

[07:00] Soulful Moxie: blending intuition with unapologetic boldness

[09:00] Why most women don’t have a branding problem—they have a permission problem

[12:00] From proving yourself to leading with authenticity

[14:00] The danger of chasing “higher” vs. the power of creating “deeper”

[16:00] Finding alignment in work, relationships, and AI collaboration

[19:00] Why trusting your gut matters—and what happens when you silence it

[21:00] Entering your “second life” and showing up with confidence and curiosity

[23:00] Carolina’s message to women standing on the edge of change

[24:00] Where to connect with Carolina and Soulful Moxie

Carolina reminds us that no one is coming to save us—it’s up to us to take our agency back and build a second life that feels like our own. Alignment, not algorithms, is what truly sets us apart.

If this episode resonated, head to innovativeaistudio.com/podcast for free resources to help you put these insights into action. Don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss the next conversation designed to empower and equip you.

The future of work isn’t about choosing between humans and AI. It’s about designing a workplace where the two strengthen each other. In this episode of Empowered by AI, I sit down with Gena Hoxha, People Operations and AI Transformation leader at Ignitium, to explore how leaders can adopt AI responsibly, keep culture intact during rapid change, and claim space for women in shaping an AI-driven future.

This conversation will inspire you to rethink adoption, amplify your uniquely human skills, and take your next bold step without waiting for permission.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why Gena believes the future of work is AI-powered and human-enabled
• Common mistakes leaders make with AI adoption—and how to avoid them
• The truth about AI “neutrality” and how to build oversight and accountability
• How AI can amplify human-only skills like influence, systems thinking, and communication
• Why women must claim space in the AI conversation and the simple steps to start now

Episode Highlights

• [00:02:00] AI-powered + human-enabled: breaking down the reframe
• [00:06:00] Why rushing AI adoption without strategy backfires
• [00:10:30] Albania’s AI “minister” and the myth of neutrality
• [00:15:00] Amplifying human skills with AI: influence, systems thinking, and communication
• [00:20:00] Practical steps for scaling culture and clarity during disruption
• [00:23:00] Why women must step up to lead AI transformation
• [00:26:00] Gena’s challenge: don’t wait—share your wins and lead visibly

Resources & Links

• Connect with Gena on LinkedIn
• Visit InnovativeAIStudio.com/podcast for more episodes, resources, and free tools