AI is everywhere right now, but most small business owners are stuck between two extremes: fear that AI will replace their team or ignoring it completely as overhyped tech. In this episode, we take a smarter, practical approach and treat AI as a fast intern that can accelerate your work while you stay in control of the final decisions.

Joined by Brian Wilkey, VP and COO of Digital Boardwalk, we break down what business owners are getting wrong about AI and how to start using it today without a massive “AI transformation” plan.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode
Real-world AI use cases for small businesses
How to use AI for research, planning, and first drafts
Turning AI output into polished, human-ready content
When AI actually saves time and when it does not
How AI can help review documents before legal costs add up

Where AI Can Go Wrong
Not all AI use is smart use. We cover the risks most businesses overlook, including using AI for HR or sensitive decision-making, trusting AI output without verification, automating actions that can corrupt or delete data, and over-relying on AI without human accountability.

AI and Cybersecurity: The Non-Negotiables
AI without guardrails is a security risk. We cover the importance of strong data governance and access controls, multi-factor authentication, a zero trust security mindset, clear policies for AI tool usage, and training employees to avoid shadow AI risks.

Your team is already using AI tools whether you know it or not. The goal is not to ban it, but to control it safely.

Who This Episode Is For?
Small business owners exploring AI
Entrepreneurs looking to save time with automation
IT leaders and MSP clients thinking about AI adoption
Anyone curious about AI in business without the hype

Listen If You Want To:
Use AI without putting your business at risk
Improve productivity without replacing your team
Understand AI in plain English without buzzwords
Build smarter workflows using tools you already have

If you found this helpful, subscribe for more real-world tech insights, share this with a business owner who is unsure about AI, and leave a review so more people can find the show.

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Sponsor of this episode: Digital Boardwalk
Digital Boardwalk is one of the top 10 Managed IT Service Providers in the United States. If you are seeking to outsource your IT Management, or if your IT Team could use some help with projects or asset management, give Digital Boardwalk a call today! They offer a FREE IT Maturity Assessment on their website. If you want to see how your business's IT scores against industry standards, go to GoModernOffice.com now.

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AI isn’t a lightning bolt from nowhere; it’s the latest step in a long line of curve jumps that started with the PC and accelerated with the internet, broadband, and cloud. We sit down with Technical Escalations Manager Jimmy Guest to unpack what’s genuinely useful about AI today, where it’s overhyped, and how the next five years might make intelligence feel as ordinary as Wi‑Fi. If you’ve wondered why your drive‑thru order suddenly sounds human and lands 99 percent accurate, or how your help desk leveled up overnight, this conversation connects the dots.

We get practical fast: triage automation that promotes L1s to higher‑value work, prompts that turn messy Microsoft exports into clean reports, and personal agents that could finally tame the inbox. We map real adoption in healthcare—charting, diagnostics support, and nurse‑call analytics—and follow the money to logistics, retail, and customer service. The throughline is augmentation over automation: AI accelerates people who know their craft, but it doesn’t replace judgment, context, or accountability.

Then we head into the hard stuff: cybersecurity threats powered by perfect grammar and cloned voices, deepfakes that outpace labels, and the quiet creep of bias when models learn from skewed history. We talk ethics, regulation, and why black‑box decisions demand better audits and human oversight. Finally, we look ahead to the invisible wins—home energy that adjusts itself, finances that stay on budget, and conversational agents that summarize walls of text so you can focus on the work that matters. Grab a brew, press play, and join us as we separate signal from noise.

If this sparked ideas or saved you time, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review to help more curious minds find us.

Sponsor of this episode: Digital Boardwalk
Digital Boardwalk is one of the top 10 Managed IT Service Providers in the United States. If you are seeking to outsource your IT Management, or if your IT Team could use some help with projects or asset management, give Digital Boardwalk a call today! They offer a FREE IT Maturity Assessment on their website. If you want to see how your business's IT scores against industry standards, go to GoModernOffice.com now.

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Technology has transformed from a necessary evil to a strategic business driver, and nowhere is this more evident than in the managed IT services industry. In this candid conversation with Kathleen Shoop, Chief Revenue Officer at Digital Boardwalk, we explore the dramatic evolution of IT sales over the past decade.

Remember when selling managed IT services meant convincing skeptical business owners that paying a monthly fee for technology support made sense? Kathleen takes us back to those early days when the value proposition centered primarily around help desk support and predictable billing. The contrast with today's landscape couldn't be more striking.

Cybersecurity emerges as the turning point in our discussion. Between 2017 and 2020, major incidents like WannaCry ransomware fundamentally changed how businesses approached technology protection. We debunk the dangerous myth that small businesses are "too insignificant" to be targeted, revealing how modern attackers use automation to scan for vulnerabilities indiscriminately. This new reality transformed cybersecurity from an optional add-on to a non-negotiable core service.

The most fascinating shift has been in client expectations. Today's businesses approach IT providers looking to scale through technology—seeking efficiency, automation, and strategic guidance. Through real-world examples, Kathleen illustrates how the right technology partnership can completely transform operations, turning week-long processes into same-day completions. As we look to the future, automation and zero-trust security frameworks represent the next frontier in this continuing evolution.

What technology partnerships have transformed your business? Subscribe to Nerds on Tap for more insights at the intersection of technology and business strategy, and join our community of curious, forward-thinking professionals.

Sponsor of this episode: Digital Boardwalk
Digital Boardwalk is one of the top 10 Managed IT Service Providers in the United States. If you are seeking to outsource your IT Management, or if your IT Team could use some help with projects or asset management, give Digital Boardwalk a call today! They offer a FREE IT Maturity Assessment on their website. If you want to see how your business's IT scores against industry standards, go to GoModernOffice.com now.

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What does it take for a teenage creator to build a YouTube audience from scratch? Discover the remarkable journey of Tory, a young content creator who secretly launched her channel less than a year ago and recently celebrated hitting 1,000 subscribers.

Tory's story begins with filming room tours on an iPad and nervously revealing her secret channel to her parents a week later. Rather than facing punishment, she found unexpected support that fueled her creative journey. The conversation explores how she transformed basic equipment into a platform for authentic expression, eventually posting an astonishing 15-20 videos daily and amassing over 600 videos in under a year.

While funny videos and lifestyle content helped grow her audience, Tory found her true voice creating mental health awareness videos. Her willingness to discuss difficult topics and provide resources resonated deeply with viewers, culminating in her most successful video about beauty standards reaching over 150,000 views. Throughout our discussion, Tory reveals how she handled classroom bullying by turning mockery into motivation, explaining that "haters will hate" but shouldn't derail your passion.

The episode offers valuable insights into YouTube growth strategies, including the importance of consistent posting, utilizing "remixing" features to collaborate with other creators, and staying authentic to attract the right audience. Most remarkably, when asked about future goals, Tory emphasizes that making people happy matters more than subscriber milestones—a refreshing perspective in today's metrics-driven content landscape.

Whether you're an aspiring creator or simply fascinated by how Gen Z is reshaping digital media, Tory's story demonstrates that authenticity, resilience, and a genuine desire to help others can build not just an audience, but a supportive community. Subscribe to Tory's channel by searching for "totally_tory" on YouTube to follow her continuing journey as a rising content creator.

Sponsor of this episode: Digital Boardwalk
Digital Boardwalk is one of the top 10 Managed IT Service Providers in the United States. If you are seeking to outsource your IT Management, or if your IT Team could use some help with projects or asset management, give Digital Boardwalk a call today! They offer a FREE IT Maturity Assessment on their website. If you want to see how your business's IT scores against industry standards, go to GoModernOffice.com now.

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What happens when the barrier between human thought and technology disappears? In this mind-bending episode, we're joined by Digital Boardwalk's escalations engineer Damien Howell to explore the frontiers of future technology that could fundamentally reshape humanity.

We dive headfirst into brain-computer interfaces and their revolutionary potential to eliminate physical devices altogether. Imagine controlling everything with your thoughts or having Google searches happen directly in your mind. But as Damien points out, this convenience comes with profound security risks – if your brain is connected to networks, could your thoughts be hacked? We contemplate the social implications, coining the term "anti-chippers" for those who might resist neural enhancement in a cyberpunk-like future.

The conversation takes fascinating turns through genetic modifications that could let us communicate with animals and plants, dream recording technology that raises questions about privacy and creativity, and weather control capabilities that could create new geopolitical tensions. We examine how AI-powered education systems might personalize learning while potentially widening digital divides, and explore how deep space colonization would transform governance and society.

Throughout our discussion, we balance technological optimism with critical examination of ethical implications. Would recording dreams create new forms of entertainment or expose our innermost thoughts to scrutiny? Could interplanetary internet systems connect distant human colonies while opening new security vulnerabilities? These aren't just theoretical questions – they're the approaching realities that will shape the future of human experience.

Join us for this thought-provoking exploration of technology's next frontiers, complete with rapid-fire questions about yard rakes, flying superpowers, and what chores we'd happily surrender to robots. Subscribe now and never miss a discussion about the technologies reshaping our world!

Sponsor of this episode: Digital Boardwalk
Digital Boardwalk is one of the top 10 Managed IT Service Providers in the United States. If you are seeking to outsource your IT Management, or if your IT Team could use some help with projects or asset management, give Digital Boardwalk a call today! They offer a FREE IT Maturity Assessment on their website. If you want to see how your business's IT scores against industry standards, go to GoModernOffice.com now.

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Ever wondered how a chance encounter in Alabama could lead to the bustling streets of Hollywood? KeriAnne Dawson, founder and director of the Actors' Den, shares her incredible journey from the modeling world to becoming a seasoned SAG-AFTRA member. Her story starts with a unique blend of serendipity and sheer determination, capturing the essence of risk-taking and relentless drive. Alongside her inspiring narrative, we sip on a Kentucky Vanilla Barrel Cream Ale, capturing the comforting flavors reminiscent of a cozy holiday season.

From the early days of acting in Munich to the struggles of living in a tent on the beach with nothing but a Jeep and a credit card, Tim share's his path to Hollywood. Their tales are not just about the glitz and glamour; it's a tribute to resilience, mentorship, and the willingness to embrace the raw grit of an uncertain journey. We also discuss her reflections on the evolving entertainment industry, highlighting the potential pitfalls and opportunities brought about by modern technology, CGI, and AI. This conversation is a beacon of hope for anyone chasing a dream, emphasizing that perseverance can indeed turn a spark of passion into a successful career.

The podcast takes a light-hearted turn as we reminisce about favorite TV shows, from the nostalgic 80s themes of Cobra Kai to the charm of period pieces like Outlander. KeriAnne's work at the Actors' Den comes to life as she talks about nurturing aspiring actors and embracing authenticity. With anecdotes about celebrity encounters, such as unforgettable moments with Pamela Anderson and David Hasselhoff, the episode is both entertaining and insightful. Whether you're an aspiring actor or simply a fan of engaging stories, KeriAnne's journey offers valuable lessons and inspiration to keep pushing forward, regardless of the challenges ahead.

Sponsor of this episode: Digital Boardwalk
Digital Boardwalk is one of the top 10 Managed IT Service Providers in the United States. If you are seeking to outsource your IT Management, or if your IT Team could use some help with projects or asset management, give Digital Boardwalk a call today! They offer a FREE IT Maturity Assessment on their website. If you want to see how your business's IT scores against industry standards, go to GoModernOffice.com now.

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What if the key to transforming your business community is through leadership and mentorship? Find out as we welcome Katie Ballard, Executive Director at the Studer Community Institute, and Kara Dieck, Program Manager of SCI's Building Jobs Program. Katie shares her inspiring journey from Indianapolis to Pensacola, driven by her passion for nonprofit management and community enrichment. Meanwhile, Kara, a Pensacola native, highlights her dedication to helping local businesses flourish, providing a supportive environment for families and entrepreneurs. Together, they reveal how continuous learning and mentorship can inspire future leaders and drive positive change in Pensacola.

Join our conversation as we uncover the vibrant evolution of Pensacola's entrepreneurial landscape. Discover the impact of initiatives like the Studer Community Institute and events such as EntreCon 2024 in retaining and attracting young talent. We discuss the dynamic growth of downtown Pensacola, with new bars, restaurants, and festivals adding to the city's buzz. Learn about the collaborative efforts with organizations like Civicon to boost community connectivity, and get an inside look at the daily operations at SCI, including preparations for the much-anticipated EntreCon event.

In a light-hearted exchange, we dive into the transformative power of mentorship in personal and professional growth. Hear Katie's insightful experiences with mentors like Bert Thornton and Kathy Sandstrom. We highlight EntreCon as a platform where attendees can connect with mentors and even step into mentorship roles themselves. Emphasizing personal initiative, we explore how actively seeking mentorship can propel one's career path. So, grab a beer, embrace your inner nerd, and join us for an engaging session that celebrates the spirit of community-building and innovation in Pensacola. Cheers to new adventures!

Sponsor of this episode: Digital Boardwalk
Digital Boardwalk is one of the top 10 Managed IT Service Providers in the United States. If you are seeking to outsource your IT Management, or if your IT Team could use some help with projects or asset management, give Digital Boardwalk a call today! They offer a FREE IT Maturity Assessment on their website. If you want to see how your business's IT scores against industry standards, go to GoModernOffice.com now.

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Ever wondered how sailing can teach you to be a better leader? Join us as we chat with Rachael Gillette, president of VMG Solutions, who takes us on a journey from the high seas to high-level business strategy. With over two decades of leadership experience, Rachael reveals how principles like "Velocity Made Good" from her sailing adventures shape effective business practices. Her thrilling tales of racing to a small island off the coast of Mexico offer rich lessons in teamwork and navigating complexity—a must-listen for any aspiring entrepreneur or seasoned leader.

From the courtrooms of Liverpool to coaching boardrooms in the U.S., our episode also dives into the fascinating career transition of a former UK barrister turned business coach. Discover how courtroom skills like strategic thinking and persuasion seamlessly transfer to business leadership and personal growth. Listen in as we explore the role of data, KPIs, and milestones in steering toward long-term goals, much like sailing maneuvers such as tacking and jibing. Rachael's own transformative journey—meeting her future husband during a Caribbean regatta and moving continents—highlights the importance of flexibility and seizing unexpected opportunities.

We cap off the episode with something for the beer enthusiasts—a discussion on the unique flavors of Pensacola's local brews, including the El Medico Mexican Lager and the tropical Pensacola POG. Enjoy rapid-fire questions with business leaders that reveal their personal hobbies, dreams, and preferences. Whether you're interested in the nuances of self-awareness, the latest in sailing, or navigating generational differences in the workplace, this episode promises a blend of valuable insights and entertaining stories. Tune in for an enriching experience that will leave you inspired and better equipped to lead both at sea and in the boardroom.

Beers:
El Medico from Doc's Hop Shop
Pensacola POG from Perfect Plain
Samuel Adams Winter Lager

Sponsor of this episode: Digital Boardwalk
Digital Boardwalk is one of the top 10 Managed IT Service Providers in the United States. If you are seeking to outsource your IT Management, or if your IT Team could use some help with projects or asset management, give Digital Boardwalk a call today! They offer a FREE IT Maturity Assessment on their website. If you want to see how your business's IT scores against industry standards, go to GoModernOffice.com now.

Thanks for listening!
Visit us online at www.thenerdsontap.com
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel
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