AI for Business Podcast

Brian Hanson

AI for Business is the podcast where founders, creators, and business leaders learn how to actually use AI to grow, scale, and stay competitive. Hosted by Francis Ablola and Brian Hanson co-creators of AI for Business, you'll get behind-the-scenes access to private interviews, expert conversations, and tactical playbooks from industry leaders using AI to drive real results. Whether you're a startup owner, agency leader, content creator, or operator, this show breaks down what's working right now in marketing, operations, product, and growth all powered by AI. New episodes weekly featuring founders, investors, SaaS executives, and creators who are building smarter, faster, and better with AI.

  1. 6D AGO

    E35: How to Create Scroll Stopping AI Video Ads With Just a Laptop

    In this unforgettable father-daughter session, Francis brings Ava on stage to demonstrate how scroll-stopping AI video ads are created from scratch—with nothing more than imagination, storytelling, and the right tools. What starts as a playful backstory about childhood stage fright quickly turns into a masterclass in attention, creativity, and cinematic AI marketing.   Together, they break down the exact workflow behind high-converting AI ads, from crafting story structure and generating consistent characters to using advanced prompting frameworks, voice cloning, and editing tools. This episode proves that you no longer need a film crew, actors, or a six-figure production budget to compete. You just need the right system—and the willingness to execute.     Timeline Highlights [00:00] Francis shares a vulnerable parenting moment that shaped Ava's stage confidence [01:39] The battle for attention and why scroll-stopping content is critical [03:18] Why AI video is exploding due to high demand and low competition [05:10] Introducing the four-part story structure for viral ads [06:14] Modeling successful commercials without copying them [07:36] Removing production limits and creating cinematic ads with zero budget [08:53] Examples of absurd, attention-grabbing AI videos [10:12] Feelings first, logic second when crafting video ads [11:01] Ava's AI-generated funnel ad demonstration [12:25] The importance of consistent character design using Midjourney [13:46] Using Google Gemini Flash for character consistency [14:42] Upscaling images to remove the "AI look" [16:04] The eight-part prompting structure for Vo 3.1 [21:24] Using 11 Labs for consistent voiceovers [22:33] Why editing is what makes or breaks a video [25:05] The workflow from story to finished ad [26:23] The Hamilton-inspired AI ad created entirely with AI tools     Five Key Takeaways Attention is the most valuable currency in marketing today. Story structure matters more than tools. The tech amplifies creativity—it doesn't replace it. Character consistency and image quality separate amateur AI content from professional ads. Prompting structure determines output quality. Precision creates cinematic results. Execution beats hesitation. Those willing to spend a few focused hours can outperform massive production budgets.     Links & Resources Custom Viral Script Writer GPT Midjourney for character design Google Gemini Flash for consistent image generation Magnific for image upscaling Google Vo 3.1 for video generation 11 Labs for voice cloning CapCut for editing Free AI for Business Virtual Summit     Closing If this episode inspired you to experiment with AI video or rethink what's possible for your marketing, be sure to follow, rate, review, and share the podcast. Your support helps us continue bringing practical strategies that level the playing field for entrepreneurs everywhere.   We'll see you in the next episode.

    28 min
  2. FEB 13

    E34: How to Multiply Your Presence and Monetize With AI Twins

    In this high-energy Vegas live session, Keisha and Dolmar unveil one of the most talked-about innovations from the event—AI-powered digital avatars, also known as "Digital Babes." What starts as a bold on-stage reveal quickly turns into a step-by-step walkthrough of how entrepreneurs can build AI twins, stay faceless if they choose, and create content, courses, and promotions without ever stepping in front of a camera.   From creating hyper-realistic avatars to launching digital products and automating DMs, this episode blends live demos with practical monetization strategies. Whether you want to multiply your presence, protect your privacy, or finally stay consistent online, this conversation shows how AI can remove friction and open entirely new income streams.   Timeline Highlights [00:00] The shocking reveal introducing a fully AI-generated brand spokesperson [01:10] What "Digital Babes" are and why faceless brands are exploding [04:59] How the entire promo video was built using AI tools [06:07] Creating AI twins for consistency without burnout [11:06] Live demo cloning an avatar using OpenArt and a single image [16:44] Why upscaling images makes avatars look realistic instead of plastic [18:00] Monetizing avatars through digital products and courses [20:13] Creating an ebook in minutes using AI design tools [26:06] Why generic AI content fails without your personal story [30:05] Using AI competitor research tools to reverse engineer viral content [33:08] The vision for a fully automated content and DM system [34:20] Building AI agents that respond to comments and messages automatically [41:45] Brainstorming real-world use cases from the live audience     Five Key Takeaways You no longer need to be the face of your brand to build influence. AI avatars can create, promote, and even teach your products at scale. Monetization starts with simple digital products like ebooks and low-ticket offers. Automation is the real power move—content creation, posting, and DM responses can all be systemized. Your story and human element remain the differentiator, even when AI handles execution.     Links & Resources OpenArt for avatar creation Lupa Upscaler for realistic image enhancement Designer for ebook creation Media research tools for competitor analysis JotForm AI Agents for DM and comment automation AI for Business live workshop and training programs     Closing If this episode sparked ideas about how you can use AI to expand your reach, protect your time, and grow your business, be sure to follow, rate, review, and share the podcast. Your support helps us continue bringing you cutting-edge strategies from the front lines of AI and entrepreneurship.   We'll see you in the next episode.

    45 min
  3. FEB 6

    E33: The Skills AI Can't Replace and Why They Matter More Than Ever

    In this thought-provoking session, the Liminal Collective team takes the stage to explore the one advantage that will matter most as AI accelerates—being human. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience working with Olympic athletes, elite military units, Fortune 50 companies, creatives, and high-stakes performers, this episode reframes success in the AI era around self-awareness, character, creativity, and human performance.   Rather than focusing on tools or tactics, this conversation challenges listeners to ask deeper questions: Who are you when things get hard? How do you perform under pressure? And how do you build yourself—not just your skills—to thrive alongside increasingly intelligent machines? This episode offers a powerful lens for navigating the future by strengthening the one thing AI can't replace.   Timeline Highlights [00:00] Why the rapid expansion of AI creates a rare opportunity to refocus on the human side [01:04] Introduction to the Liminal Collective and their work with elite performers [02:15] Shifting perspective from tools to the human–machine relationship [03:47] Collapsing decades of elite performance into practical human models [06:05] The 70-20-10 framework for winning today, tomorrow, and long-term [08:16] Case study training cyber warriors and elite performers without screens [10:59] Self-awareness as the foundation of performance under pressure [13:23] Simple human optimizers that dramatically improve cognitive performance [16:20] Advanced methods for brain recovery, creativity, and resilience [20:49] Digital twins and the future of human performance optimization [23:20] Brain-computer interfaces and the ethical frontier of AI [27:14] When knowledge becomes free, what gives humans value [28:22] The human-machine paradox and the return to empathy and character [32:12] Why character now matters more than competence [35:01] Creativity as a trainable skill and competitive advantage [38:11] The three future superpowers: character, creativity, and meaning [44:00] Letting machines do the heavy lifting so humans can lead with empathy     Five Key Takeaways The faster AI advances, the more valuable human skills become. Self-awareness and character determine performance under pressure. Creativity is not a talent—it's a trainable advantage. Knowledge alone will no longer differentiate people or businesses. The future belongs to those who master human–machine collaboration.     Closing If this episode challenged the way you think about AI, leadership, and what it means to perform at a high level, be sure to follow, rate, review, and share the podcast. Your support helps us continue bringing conversations that prepare you not just for the future of business—but for the future of being human.   We'll see you in the next episode.

    45 min
  4. JAN 30

    E32: The AI Tools That Will Replace Busywork in 2026

    In this fast-paced, hands-on session, Brian Hanson walks the audience through the AI tools that are redefining how businesses operate right now—and where things are heading next. Instead of theory or hype, this episode focuses on practical tools that eliminate busywork, automate decision-making, and allow entrepreneurs to move faster without hiring bigger teams. Brian demonstrates how everyday business owners can use AI agents, automation platforms, and no-code app builders to create real assets in minutes. From note-taking and deep research to building fully functional apps with plain English, this episode makes one thing clear: the future belongs to those who stop pushing buttons and start designing systems.     Timeline Highlights [00:00] Why most people are "professional button pushers" instead of system builders [00:17] Introducing Granola as the most powerful AI note-taking tool available [01:16] Using AI to summarize meetings and tell you exactly what to say in real time [02:18] How Granola auto-generates follow-up emails, pitches, and CRM updates [02:42] Using ChatGPT's built-in GPTs to create business-specific strategies [03:47] Live demo building a customized AI workflow for a healthcare business [06:04] Using AI for regulatory summaries, outreach, and competitive research [08:09] AI agents that handle multi-step research, outreach, and CRM population [09:14] Free prompt packs tailored to sales, marketing, HR, finance, and leadership [10:01] Google's new AI tool that creates ads directly from your website [11:05] Automatically generating campaigns, visuals, and copy with no design work [14:04] Why advanced AI tools now outperform traditional automation platforms [14:57] Turning images, repos, and competitor data into structured spreadsheets [16:30] Using AI to analyze thousands of competitor ads in minutes [19:05] Building personalized invitations and landing pages at scale [22:09] Proving anyone can build apps by using plain English prompts [23:12] Building full AI-powered apps with Lovable—no coding required [24:58] Live demo creating a real estate staging app in under a minute [26:34] Examples of apps Brian built: calendars, ad generators, newsletters, and more [28:00] How to access Lovable using the invite system [29:57] Removing watermarks and creating AI-generated videos instantly   Five Key Takeaways AI tools now replace entire workflows, not just individual tasks. You don't need to know how to code—plain English is enough to build apps and systems. Agents and automation multiply your output without increasing headcount. Speed creates advantage in an AI-driven market that's evolving daily. Those who design systems will outperform those who push buttons.     Links & Resources Granola AI note-taker ChatGPT built-in GPTs and prompt packs Google AI campaign generator Lovable.dev no-code app builder Escaping.work invite system     Closing If this episode opened your eyes to what's possible with AI today, be sure to follow, rate, review, and share the podcast. Your support helps us continue bringing practical, forward-thinking conversations that help you build smarter and move faster. We'll see you in the next episode.

    31 min
  5. JAN 23

    E31: How to Build a Brand That Creates an Unfair Advantage with Keisha & Dolmar Cross

    In this live event session, Keisha and Dolmar take the stage together for the first time to pull back the curtain on how they've helped launch and scale multiple multi-million-dollar brands—often from behind the scenes. What begins as a deeply personal moment between husband and wife quickly turns into a masterclass on branding, positioning, and leveraging AI to collapse timelines that once took months or years.   Together, they walk through their proven Five-Piece Framework for launching products, services, and personal brands in today's market. From identifying your expertise to validating demand, packaging offers, and promoting through authentic content, this episode blends strategy, storytelling, and real-time examples that show what's possible when clarity meets action.   Timeline Highlights [00:00] Dolmar introduces Keisha and shares why this moment is 20 years in the making [01:14] Why Keisha stayed behind the scenes despite building major brands [03:01] The decision to finally share their framework publicly [04:20] How their launch framework works for any business model [05:03] Growing a brand from near zero to $10M in 18 months during COVID [06:27] Why branding creates an unfair advantage in crowded markets [07:49] What they look for when choosing experts to build brands around [09:24] How AI compresses brand launches from months into minutes [10:37] Introducing the Five-Piece Framework [11:05] Identifying your expertise and overcoming self-doubt [14:31] Using AI to validate markets before committing time or money [17:15] Demonstrating a live AI prompt that replaces weeks of client interviews [20:15] Real-world examples across real estate, dentistry, and consulting [24:16] Live hot seat and instant market validation in real time [32:17] Packaging expertise into ascension ladders and scalable offers [36:09] Why attention is the true currency of modern business [39:25] Using AI and simple systems to plan and scale content consistently [44:14] Documenting instead of creating to build trust and authority [51:31] Turning viral content into real followers, leads, and revenue [55:03] Reposting promotional content and letting the algorithm work     Five Key Takeaways Everyone is an expert at something—the challenge is believing it and positioning it correctly. Market validation must come before execution, and AI now makes this fast and inexpensive. Branding creates leverage that allows you to sell faster, convert higher, and charge more. Documenting your journey builds trust far more effectively than polished perfection. AI removes friction, allowing entrepreneurs to focus on creativity, clarity, and growth.   Closing If this episode sparked ideas or helped you see new possibilities for your business, be sure to follow, rate, review, and share the podcast. Your support helps us continue delivering conversations that turn insight into action.

    1h 1m
  6. JAN 9

    E29: The Simplest Way to Add Recurring Income Without Funnels or Ads ft. Frank Chen

    In this episode, Frank Chen breaks down one of the most overlooked and accessible ways to create additional income while building your main business—affiliate marketing. Drawing from 17 years of experience, Frank reframes affiliate income not as a replacement for your business, but as freedom money that compounds alongside it, creating flexibility, optionality, and time back in your week.   Frank walks through how anyone—regardless of audience size, product, or time constraints—can start generating affiliate income simply by solving real problems, sharing tools they already use, and building trust through authentic conversations. With a clear blueprint and real-world examples, this episode shows how small, consistent actions can lead to recurring, scalable income without funnels, ads, or complexity. Timeline Highlights: [00:01] Why affiliate income is "fun money" and how it creates freedom [01:27] How taking Fridays off reshaped Frank's work and productivity [02:43] Why sharing what you already use unlocks affiliate opportunities [04:15] Solving problems first and getting paid second [06:23] Documenting your journey to create natural referrals [07:15] The five paths to affiliate income explained [08:54] High-commission products and why fewer, better offers win [09:34] Building recurring monthly commissions through software and memberships [10:12] High-ticket referrals and earning without fulfillment or support [11:32] Using your existing network before spending a dollar on ads [14:20] Why you don't need virality—only trust and consistency [17:13] Starting with just 10–20 minutes a week [19:37] Affiliate income as a complement, not a distraction [20:38] The power of simply asking for referral programs     Five Key Takeaways Affiliate income is freedom money that compounds alongside your main business. You're already doing affiliate marketing informally—this just makes it intentional and profitable. High-commission and recurring offers outperform volume-based strategies. Trust beats traffic—you don't need a big audience to get started. Consistency and authenticity win long before perfection or virality.   Closing If this episode helped you rethink how to create additional income while building your business, be sure to follow, rate, review, and share the podcast. Your support helps us continue bringing practical strategies that create real freedom and momentum.   We'll see you in the next episode.

    22 min
  7. JAN 2

    E28: How Scrappy Thinking and AI Built a Billion Dollar Company with Chris Cunningham

    In this episode, Chris Cunningham delivers a high-energy, no-fluff breakdown of what it actually takes to compete, grow, and win in today's market—and how AI fits into that equation. Using the rise of ClickUp as a real-world case study, Chris walks through the scrappy decisions, painful failures, and relentless execution that turned four people in a rented house into a billion-dollar company.   Rather than positioning AI as a magic solution, Chris reframes it as a force multiplier for speed, systems, and authority. He challenges entrepreneurs to stop waiting for perfection, start showing their work, and use AI to remove friction so they can focus on creativity, leadership, and building trust at scale.     Timeline Highlights [00:00] Chris reframes AI as a time-saver, not a job killer [01:12] Leaving a fast-growing corporate career to take the entrepreneurial risk [03:21] Scaling an agency to $650K/month with just eight employees [04:54] Losing everything when Snapchat copied their app and shut them down [07:03] Going a full year with no revenue and learning to operate under pressure [08:50] Closing the first ClickUp customer by being relentlessly scrappy [10:09] The "50 no's a day" mindset that fueled early traction [12:16] How saving competitors' customers became a breakout growth moment [15:31] Obsessing over customers and turning feedback into product advantages [18:31] Why AI should remove busywork—not replace creativity [20:10] Authority as the real driver of content, trust, and sales [27:33] Demonstrating how to create multiple content assets in under two minutes [32:06] The six types of authority content every business should create [36:47] Using AI tools to build systems, consistency, and scale without burnout     Five Key Takeaways Scrappiness beats resources—speed, creativity, and effort outperform big budgets. AI is leverage, not a shortcut—it should automate the repetitive so you can stay creative. Authority drives growth—people buy from those they consistently learn from and trust. Your journey is the content—you don't need perfection, you need visibility. Systems create scale—anything that works once should be turned into a repeatable process.     Links & Resources ClickUp (project management and systems) ChatGPT & Claude (writing and ideation) Descript (video recording and editing) Opus & CapCut (content clipping and captions) Zapier (automation) Captions AI (AI avatars and video ads)     Closing If this episode helped you rethink how you compete, create, or scale, be sure to follow, rate, review, and share the podcast. Your support helps us continue bringing real-world insights from leaders who are building at the highest levels.   We'll see you in the next episode.

    46 min
  8. 12/26/2025

    E27: The Three Questions That Create Focus, Clarity, and Momentum with AI

    In this episode, Brian and Francis pull back the curtain on the real story behind AI for Business—from its humble beginnings to the rapid growth that brought hundreds of entrepreneurs into the room. What starts as a conversation about focus and action quickly becomes a powerful reflection on resilience, integrity, and what it actually takes to build something meaningful in business. Through personal stories, hard-earned lessons, and moments of raw vulnerability, Brian and Francis share why this movement isn't about hype or shortcuts. It's about helping people reclaim momentum, simplify their path forward, and step into leadership during one of the biggest market shifts of our lifetime. If you've ever felt burned out, stuck, or unsure how to move forward, this episode will remind you why now is the time to act.   Timeline Highlights [00:00] The "million-dollar questions" and why focus and action matter more than motivation [02:13] Francis shares how early mentors shaped his commitment to events and community [03:59] The origin story of AI for Business and the early skepticism around AI tools [04:29] Growing from a small office event to hundreds of attendees in under a year [05:33] Why giving massive value for free became the foundation of the brand [09:52] Brian's candid story of burnout, health struggles, and rediscovering purpose through AI [12:23] Becoming the visionary again—and letting tools replace overwhelm [17:11] Francis' integrity test and why transparency drives everything they build [24:08] The AIVR framework: Attention, Influence, Value, Results [31:19] Why consistency beats perfection when building authority [36:27] Shifting from creator to connector in modern business [39:31] Why A3 is positioned as the "oxygen mask" for entrepreneurs [47:22] Redefining success as ownership, support, and sustainable leadership [54:40] Final encouragement: start telling people what you do and take action   Five Key Takeaways Focus and action beat motivation every time—clarity comes from movement, not waiting. Burnout isn't a failure, it's a signal—systems and tools can reignite purpose when used intentionally. Attention is the real currency in business—without it, growth stalls regardless of talent. You don't need to build everything yourself—modern entrepreneurs win by connecting people to proven systems. Integrity and overdelivery create long-term success—community and trust scale faster than tactics.   Closing If this episode resonated with you, please take a moment to follow, rate, review, and share the podcast. Your support helps us continue creating conversations that challenge, inspire, and move entrepreneurs into action.

    55 min
5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

AI for Business is the podcast where founders, creators, and business leaders learn how to actually use AI to grow, scale, and stay competitive. Hosted by Francis Ablola and Brian Hanson co-creators of AI for Business, you'll get behind-the-scenes access to private interviews, expert conversations, and tactical playbooks from industry leaders using AI to drive real results. Whether you're a startup owner, agency leader, content creator, or operator, this show breaks down what's working right now in marketing, operations, product, and growth all powered by AI. New episodes weekly featuring founders, investors, SaaS executives, and creators who are building smarter, faster, and better with AI.

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