Matt Brown Show

Send us a textIn this episode of the AI Advantage series, Matt talks with Nikki Eatchel, Chief Assessment Officer at Prometric, about how AI and VR are transforming high-stakes testing across healthcare, finance, IT, and more. Nikki breaks down why generic LLMs aren’t enough for secure, bias-aware assessment, how specialized, closed models speed up item creation without sacrificing validity, and where a “human at the helm” still matters. We get into VR scenarios for durable skills like empathy and clinical intake, AI-assisted job task analyses that uncover emerging skills, ethical proctoring and data sovereignty, and why the real issue isn’t a talent gap—it’s a talent identification gap. Support the show

Send us a textDrew Marshall joins the AI Advantage to get real about “human at the helm” AI. We dig into what critical thinking actually means today—gathering, sorting, and organizing information to solve the right problems—and why LLMs without guardrails drift into hallucinations. Drew shares a case where a world-class tech firm hit 60% hallucination rates until they inserted human oversight and clear knowledge boundaries, then drove it to single digits. We cover how to experiment with AI without breaking your business, why single-sourcing your AI stack increases risk, the coming shock to pyramid business models in law and consulting, and the ethics equation that sustains trust. Plus, a surprising take on where AI could genuinely improve human connection. Support the show

Send us a textIn this episode of the AI Advantage series, Matt Brown sits down with Mark Simoncelli, CRO of Mach49 and seasoned entrepreneur, to unpack how AI is reshaping both efficiency and value creation. Mark explains why we’re only at “base camp” in the AI journey, how startups are already running with agent-based teams, and why solving real customer pain will always matter more than chasing shiny tech. The conversation ranges from drug discovery to digital twins, the future of venture capital, and the trust challenge at the heart of AI adoption. Support the show

Send us a textIn this episode of The AI Advantage Series, Matt Brown speaks with Peter Docker and Ashleigh Riddle of Jump Seat Leadership about the role of fear and trust in AI adoption.They introduce the idea of the fear quotient—how threats to life, livelihood, status, or reputation trigger fear—and why so many executives are struggling to lead through the uncertainty around AI. They argue that extraordinary outcomes are impossible when teams operate from fear, and they share practical ways leaders can reframe the conversation.From replacing fear with a love for something greater, to shifting from purpose to commitment, to rethinking VUCA as velocity, unity, consistency, and adaptivity, Peter and Ashleigh offer a playbook for building cultures that lean into AI rather than resist it. This is a conversation about creating the conditions where people choose to step forward—even when the path ahead is unclear.Support the show

Send us a textIn this episode of The AI Advantage Series on The Matt Brown Show, Matt speaks with Jessica Lyn Zall, Chief Marketing Officer at Burford Capital, the global leader in litigation finance with a $7.2 billion portfolio.Jessica shares her perspective as a three-time CMO entering the legal finance space, where Burford funds major corporate lawsuits without disrupting balance sheets. She explains how her team is embracing AI to scale marketing impact, sharpen go-to-market strategy, and process vast amounts of legal and financial data.The conversation dives into how AI is reshaping team design, why leaner marketing organizations are the future, and where human qualities like empathy, mentorship, and communication remain irreplaceable. Matt and Jessica also explore the risks of over-reliance on AI, the role of proprietary data models, and the broader implications of hyper-personalization in business and everyday life.Support the show

Send us a textIn this episode of The AI Advantage Series on The Matt Brown Show, Matt sits down with Tim Huff, CEO of Turknett Leadership Group (TLG), to explore how leadership is evolving in an AI-driven world.Tim shares why character and focus remain the cornerstones of leadership amidst the noise of endless AI promises, tools, and “experts.” Together, they unpack how leaders can cut through distractions, build trust, and balance human empathy with technological transformation. From hiring a dedicated AI consultant to experimenting with new virtual coaching models, Tim explains how TLG is exploring AI not as a replacement for leadership development, but as an augmentation that accelerates value for clients.The conversation dives into themes of trust, burnout, human-to-human accountability, and why empathy will never be fully automated. Matt and Tim also discuss surprising ways AI might reshape daily life—from traffic management to how families plan dinner.Support the show

Send us a textWhat does it really take to build a business with lasting value?In this episode of The AI Advantage Series I sat down with Shay Prosser, CEO of North 12 Partners. We spoke about what it means to decide when enough is truly enough, how to build a company that holds value beyond the owner, and how to approach succession and long-term planning with clarity. Shay also explains where AI adds real leverage, from sharpening targeting to accelerating research and supporting smarter go to market strategies.Shay shares why growth should never happen by default and how intentional choices can help leaders design businesses that support both financial success and personal freedom.Support the show

Send us a textIn this episode of The AI Advantage, Matt Brown sits down with Ran Berger, Co-Founder and CEO of Flat Rock Technology, to explore how businesses can stay ahead in a world where AI is reshaping industries at lightning speed. Ran shares insights from his 17 years leading an IT services and software development company, including how to adapt through continuous “micro changes,” balance AI productivity with governance, and navigate the gray areas of intellectual property in the AI era. They also discuss the shift from on-prem to cloud to AI, the financial and security challenges enterprises face, and why companies that fail to embrace AI risk being left behind. Support the show

Send us a textIn this episode of The AI Advantage, Matt Brown sits down with Jeanne Sheehy, Chief Marketing Officer at Bostrom, to explore how AI is reshaping the marketing landscape inside associations. Jeanne shares how her nine-person marketing team is experimenting with tools like Synthesia for video production, Hey Orca for smarter social media management, and analytics platforms that personalize communications and improve campaign performance.She explains how Bostrom created an AI Council to establish guardrails, policies, and readiness frameworks that help associations adopt AI responsibly without compromising confidentiality or trust. From reducing video production timelines to tailoring content for member engagement, Jeanne outlines how AI is helping marketers do more with less while also highlighting the importance of transparency and ethical use.Support the show

Send us a textIn this episode of The Threshold, Matt, Brent, and Rich dig into what it means to live well without getting lost in the grind. Rich shares his shift from chasing a big, complicated business to building a “tiny epic business” that supports a big, simple life. Brent reflects on the soul-filling joy of watching the sunrise in the Karoo, the power of shared experiences, and why the best moments often cost nothing.They explore the idea of being a “reluctant adult” — making deliberate choices to hold on to playfulness, belly laughs, and long-form time with friends in a short-form world. Along the way, they unpack the difference between ritual friends and adventure friends, why fewer but deeper relationships matter, and how live, in-person moments are becoming more valuable than ever.It’s part philosophy, part storytelling, and part gentle reminder that success isn’t just about money or growth — it’s about designing a life you don’t want to escape from.Support the show

Send us a textIn this episode of The Matt Brown Show – AI Advantage, Matt sits down with Vivienne Wei, COO of Salesforce’s AgentForce platform, to explore how AI agents are transforming the enterprise. From crossing one million live conversations to building empathy into automated workflows, Vivienne shares how Salesforce is redefining customer experience, data governance, and AI adoption at scale. They discuss overcoming fear and inertia in AI deployment, creating agent–human collaboration, and the leadership mindset required to guide this next era of digital labor. Whether you’re a startup founder or a Fortune 500 executive, this conversation offers practical insights on building secure, trusted AI systems that empower people, not replace them. Support the show

Send us a textIn this episode of The Matt Brown Show – The AI Advantage, Matt speaks with Michael Gebhardt, Investment Principal at New York-based private equity firm VSS. Michael shares how AI is reshaping private equity—from sourcing and evaluating deals to reducing risk and unlocking new value in portfolio companies. He discusses real-world examples, including AI-powered language interpretation, the challenges of integrating AI into professional services, and the impact on business models and leadership skills. The conversation also explores ethical considerations, market disruption risks, and why strategic thinking will be the most critical skill for future CEOs. Support the show

Send us a textIn this episode, Matt Brown sits down with John Jeffcock, Chief Executive of the award-winning C-Suite network business Winmark, to explore how AI is reshaping executive leadership and business strategy. John shares insights from working with over 2,000 CXOs worldwide, including practical AI case studies, the push toward one-person business functions, and the evolving role of augmented leadership. The conversation covers the acceleration of AI adoption, challenges in finding high-quality implementation examples, the widening skills gap, and how education must adapt for the next generation of leaders. John also offers bold predictions about AI’s future impact on industries, government, and everyday life. Support the show

Send us a textIn this AI Advantage episode of The Matt Brown Show, Matt speaks with Tish Squillaro, Founder & CEO of Candor, about how to lead effectively in an AI-driven world. They discuss why core leadership traits like empathy, adaptability, and communication still matter, how AI can complement—but not replace—human judgment, and the risks of losing entry-level talent to automation. Tish shares insights from over two decades of management consulting, explaining how leaders can balance technological adoption with people-first strategies to future-proof their organizations.Support the show

Send us a textIn this episode of The AI Advantage, Matt Brown talks with Courtney Matson, Managing Partner of BroadBranch Advisors, about how leaders can overcome their blind spots, uncover hidden market intelligence, and make smarter strategic decisions. They explore how AI fits into the discovery process, why nimbleness beats rushing to build, and how companies can close the gap between what they know and what they can’t see. Support the show

Send us a text In this episode of The Matt Brown Show – AI Advantage, Matt speaks with Deb Stambaugh, founder and CEO of Brave New World, about how AI is reshaping marketing and business strategy. Deb shares her perspective on using AI as a tool to speed up content creation, enhance operational efficiency, and unlock strategic capacity — without losing authenticity or originality. They explore the ethics of AI-generated content, overcoming fear in AI adoption, and real-world examples from brands like Walmart and Sephora. Whether you’re a founder, CMO, or executive, this conversation offers practical insights for integrating AI into your business as a genuine accelerator, not a replacement. Support the show

Send us a textIn this episode, Matt, Brent, and Rich dig into what really makes customers stay and why most companies get it completely wrong. Rich goes off on how customer experience is not about service scripts or clever features, but about creating emotional memories that anchor people to your brand. He breaks down why nostalgia works, how people remember how it felt, and what it means to build trust before someone even becomes a customer. Brent challenges the idea of customer-first by asking whether companies even understand their customers’ inner world, and Matt brings it back to the disconnect between intent and execution, especially in fast-scaling environments. The result is a layered, honest conversation about brand, memory, experience, and the moments that actually matter. Support the show

Send us a text In this episode, Matt, Brent, and Rich unpack the real fear behind the rise of AI. It is not just about job loss or productivity. It is about identity. What happens when machines start doing the work we once tied our value to? What are we without the grind, without output, without being needed? From creative anxiety to performance panic, the guys explore how AI is not just changing how we work, but forcing us to confront who we are without it. Support the show

Send us a textIn this cracking episode of The Threshold, Matt, Rich, and Brent go deep on the metaphor that’s guiding their lives: puppies and cobras. From the fears that drive ambition to the comforts that breed complacency, they unpack how motivation, status, and success intersect in life and business. Rich admits he operates best with a cobra close by, Brent shares his plan to earn his way to the puppies, and Matt reflects on systems, motorcycles, and the fear that fuels him. Along the way, they debate Porsches, purpose, and whether it's smarter to sprint through the hard times or savor the present. A brutally honest, hilarious, and thought-provoking conversation about what it means to want more, need less, and choose wisely. Support the show

Send us a textIn this thought-provoking episode of The AI Advantage series on The Matt Brown Show, Matt speaks with Carol Fishman Cohen, co-founder and CEO of iRelaunch, a pioneering organization helping professionals return to the workforce after career breaks. With over 125,000 relaunchers in their community and nearly two decades of impact, Carol shares powerful insights on how AI is reshaping talent acquisition, career paths, and leadership.They explore:The challenges and opportunities of returning to work in the AI eraHow AI is affecting entry-level hiring and mid-career valueWhat business leaders need to understand about reskilling and adaptabilityThe ethics of AI-driven recruitment, resume writing, and career guidanceA vision of the future where avatars of experts become our everyday advisorsWhether you're navigating a career break, building a future-ready workforce, or rethinking the role of humans in a world of automation, this episode is packed with wisdom and optimism.Support the show