𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁:

Kimberly Offord is an award-winning AI Filmmaker and creative visionary whose work sits at the intersection of music, culture, and technology. She has produced groundbreaking AI-generated music videos for two Grammy-winning artists, including three official projects for Lalah Hathaway’s VANTABLACK album: the original “Tunnels” video, the official Tunnels Remix video, and the viral reel “Black.” Her work also includes a music video for singer Sy Smith and cinematic projects for entrepreneurs and corporate clients such as Bronner Brothers. Kimberly’s AI short film Cafe Conversations placed in the Top 50 of the Reply AI Film Festival in Venice, highlighting her global recognition in the AI film movement. She is also the creator of the Playground Pastime AI Film Contest, the Chicago AI Film Festival, and the Black AI Film Festival launching in 2026—initiatives that are defining new spaces for underrepresented voices in AI-driven storytelling.

𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄:

AI isn’t replacing filmmakers—it’s removing the gatekeepers. In this conversation, Kimberly Offord, founder of Playground Pastime and the Chicago AI Film Festival, shares how AI is reshaping visual storytelling and clearing space for underrepresented voices to lead a new cinematic movement.

Listeners will get a front-row seat to two standout AI films, including last year’s Festival Winner, and hear how the Playground Pastime ecosystem is opening doors for creators who’ve traditionally been kept out of the industry. This is a conversation about technology, but even more so about access, visibility, and rewriting the script on who gets to tell powerful stories.

𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗨𝘀:

The AI Readiness Project airs every Wednesday at 3pm with hosts Anne Murphy of She Leads AI and Kyle Shannon of The AI Salon. Subscribe to stay connected to the people shaping what’s next.

"𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 𝘢 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘴, 𝘸𝘩𝘺 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘈𝘐 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘧𝘧 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦? 𝘐 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘨𝘰... 𝘪𝘵'𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨." — Chris Vallone

𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄

This week, hosts 𝗞𝘆𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗻 (𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗜 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻) and 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗲 𝗠𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗵𝘆 (𝗦𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘀 𝗔𝗜) start with an honest check-in: the difference between “being busy” and having a practice you can return to—especially when you’re stressed, avoiding something annoying, or stuck in that not-knowing feeling. From there, the conversation widens into what people actually 𝘣𝘶𝘺 when they buy “AI” (and what they don’t), why one-and-done training often falls short, and how community can be the difference between quitting and getting traction.

Then 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗲 joins to talk about a massive shift in independent film: what happens when your biggest constraint isn’t budget anymore. Chris walks through his creative process, how he works with writing tools without handing over the wheel, what film festival reactions have been like, and why newcomers who ignore these tools may be putting themselves at a disadvantage.

𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀

• 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. A steady approach helps you work even when you don’t feel like it—and helps you tolerate the “I don’t know how” moment without spiraling.

• 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗼 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻. Tool-hunting is a trap if you haven’t named your goal.

• 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: reflect (how am I showing up?), get curious (play and explore), build (apply), and serve (share, ask, support).

• 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗺𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗿. You don’t have to quietly struggle through every stuck point—especially when tiny settings and small choices can change everything.

• 𝗙𝗶𝗹𝗺 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗮𝘀𝘁. Chris explains how today’s tools can shrink costs for scenes that used to require huge crews, coordination, and cash—while still demanding taste, direction, and craft.

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁

𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗲 is a longtime filmmaker and artist (and also a vintage VW Beetle restorer) who’s bringing scripts he wrote years ago to the screen using today’s video tools. From MiniDV-era, shoestring sets to AI-assisted storyboards and trailers, Chris shares what’s gained, what’s lost, and what still matters most when you’re trying to tell a great story.

𝗟𝗜𝗞𝗘, 𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗘, 𝗦𝗨𝗕𝗦𝗖𝗥𝗜𝗕𝗘

Catch a new episode of The AI Readiness Project every Wednesday at 3pm (PST), co-hosted by Anne Murphy of She Leads AI and Kyle Shannon of The AI Salon. Want to meet others navigating this new terrain with humor and humanity? Visit The AI Salon or She Leads AI to find your people.

𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪

On this episode of The AI Readiness Project, we sit down with Marline Paul, a powerful voice for accessibility in AI education. Marline shares how she pivoted from the classroom to entrepreneurship, why AI is her best (and snarkiest) co-worker, and how she brings her educator’s mindset to help others understand tools without feeling overwhelmed.

Kyle and Anne also explore the broader impact of human-centered AI projects, including the heartwarming story of Brandon Tidd’s custom GPT designed to support people affected by SNAP benefit changes, and Daisy Thomas’ unexpected use of that GPT to create a nutritious grocery plan on a shoestring budget. From musicals inspired by AI relationships to kids turning beach games into video games, this episode reminds us that when people lead with curiosity and care, AI can help us build stronger connections and more creative lives.

𝗞𝗘𝗬 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗬𝗦

• How Marline uses her teaching background to guide learners through AI tools with clarity and patience

• The power of small wins in AI adoption—like discovering you don’t need to outsource your slide decks

• Why AI literacy doesn’t mean knowing everything—it means knowing enough to try

• A look at real-world applications of custom GPTs designed with empathy

• What AI readiness really means—and how to know if you’re on the path

𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗚𝗨𝗘𝗦𝗧

Marline Paul is a former math teacher turned AI educator, community builder, and founder of EAM Creative Solutions. With over 17 years in education, she now supports entrepreneurs, small business owners, and college students in using AI tools with confidence and intention. Known in her circles as “Coach Marline,” she’s passionate about turning everyday questions into teachable moments and helping her community move from uncertainty to action.

𝗟𝗜𝗞𝗘, 𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗘, 𝗦𝗨𝗕𝗦𝗖𝗥𝗜𝗕𝗘

Catch a new episode of The AI Readiness Project every Wednesday at 3pm (PST), co-hosted by Anne Murphy of She Leads AI and Kyle Shannon of The AI Salon. Want to meet others navigating this new terrain with humor and humanity? Visit The AI Salon or She Leads AI to find your people.

In this special AI Festivus 2025 spotlight episode, Anne and Kyle sit down with five standout voices set to speak at this year’s AI Festivus gathering on December 26–27. Each guest brings a hands-on perspective on how AI is reshaping everyday work—creatively, practically, and with a focus on real people, not just shiny tools.

𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: From operations to storytelling, from enterprise content systems to small-business growth and local news, these guests are having the kinds of conversations professionals are craving right now. They’re building workflows, habits, and practice-ready approaches that help teams use AI with intention instead of overwhelm.

𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁:

𝗕𝗲𝘁𝗵 𝗟𝘆𝗼𝗻𝘀, AI trainer, operations consultant, and co-host of The Daily AI Show, who builds practical systems that bring AI into daily workflows one repeatable habit at a time.

𝗝𝘆𝘂𝗻𝗺𝗶 𝗛𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿, advisor, media and tech strategist, and co-founder of Synchro AI, who connects AI, culture, and storytelling—from enterprise strategy to transmedia experiments and patent-backed tooling.

𝗦𝘂𝘇𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗸𝗲𝗿 𝗝𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘀, Adobe product manager and AI speaker, who helps teams cut through AI tool fatigue by shifting from “what’s the hottest app?” to “what problem are we actually solving?”—drawing on experience building 50+ custom GPTs and leading GenStudio pilot projects.

𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝗙𝗹𝗲𝘂𝗿, founder of EasyAsPie.ai and creator of Inbox Whisperer AI, who blends business strategy, email systems, and a bit of “woo” to help founders keep their marketing human while using AI to stay consistent and sane.

𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗺𝘀, founder of Zoned 8 AI, whose boots-on-the-ground work with small-town businesses, newspapers, and community organizations keeps local voices strong in a tech-heavy world.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂'𝗹𝗹 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻:

• How AI trainers and operators are turning experiments into stable, everyday workflows

• Why media, storytelling, and culture still sit at the heart of AI adoption

• Practical ways to reduce AI tool overload and focus on problem-first thinking

• How local businesses and newsrooms are using AI without losing their community roots

• How founders and small teams can use AI for marketing and email without sounding like a robot Tune in every Wednesday at 3pm with hosts Anne Murphy of She Leads AI and Kyle Shannon of The AI Salon.

In this special AI Festivus 2025 spotlight episode, Anne and Kyle sit down with five standout voices set to speak at this year’s AI Festivus gathering on December 26–27. Each guest brings a unique perspective on how AI is changing everyday work—creatively, practically, and ethically.

𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄:

From legal innovation to local journalism, from creative workflows to community resilience, these guests are leading conversations worth having—and not just at conferences. They’re building tools, habits, and mindsets to help professionals use AI with purpose, not panic.

𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁:

𝗖𝘆𝗻𝗱𝗶 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗻, founder of Applied Futures Lab and author of 𝘍𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘈𝘐 𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘴𝘦𝘵, who helps professionals build structured, repeatable AI practices.

𝗔𝗻𝗻 𝗠𝗰𝗖𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻, patent attorney and founder of AI-Enabled Attorney, showing legal teams how to bring AI into real-world legal work—without losing what makes it human.

𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗺𝘀, founder of Zoned 8 AI, whose boots-on-the-ground work with small-town businesses and newspapers keeps community voices strong in a tech-heavy world.

𝗟𝗶𝘇 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿-𝗚𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗳𝗲𝗹𝗱, AI producer and founder of Not Liz AI, who brings just enough chaos (and structure) to help creative teams use AI without losing the creative spark.

𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗲, filmmaker, business owner, and creator reviving his DIY stunt-driven scripts from the early 2000s—now using AI filmmaking tools after a two-decade break spent restoring vintage VW Beetles.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂'𝗹𝗹 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻:

• What real AI integration looks like in law, journalism, and creative production

• How structured habits, not hype, make AI sustainable

• Why local businesses and communities matter in the AI conversation

• How a filmmaker is blending old-school stunts with new-school AI to bring stories to life

𝗧𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝘁 𝟯𝗽𝗺 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗵𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗲 𝗠𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗵𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘀 𝗔𝗜 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗞𝘆𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗜 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻.

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𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄

So many leaders are stuck in survival mode—overloaded calendars, nonstop change, and constant pressure to do more. In this episode of The AI Readiness Project, Jennie joins hosts Anne Murphy (She Leads AI) and Kyle Shannon (The AI Salon) to unpack her Growth Zone framework: a practical way to move from reactivity to healthy high performance in the Intelligence Age.

We’ll dig into how AI exposes old leadership habits, why “just push harder” no longer works, and what it takes to lead with clarity and capacity instead of urgency. Jennie will also share how her Growth Zone Coaching Course helps leaders redesign how they work so AI becomes real support, not just another source of noise.

𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀

• Spot the signs that you and your team are stuck in survival mode and what it’s costing you.

• Understand Jennie’s Growth Zone framework and why it fits the realities of leading in the AI era.

• Learn simple daily practices to shift from reactivity to intentional leadership.

• Rethink team norms so AI lightens the load instead of adding more pressure.

• Leave with concrete next steps to design a healthier way of leading.

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁

Jennie Blumenthal is a bestselling author, executive advisor, and former PwC Partner who helps leaders rethink how they lead using neuroscience and AI. As CEO of Corporate Rehab Leadership, she’s worked with more than 13,000 leaders worldwide to build cultures that deliver results without burning people out. She’s also a Founding Member of Chief and plays in a local women’s ice hockey league.

𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲, 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗶𝘁 𝗦𝘂𝗯𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗲!

The AI Readiness Project airs every Wednesday at 3pm Pacific, hosted by Anne Murphy of She Leads AI and Kyle Shannon of The AI Salon. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and join the conversation helping people prepare for what's next. Want to get a head start? Visit https://ruready4ai.com/ to check out the AI Readiness Training program.

𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄

Layoffs, hiring freezes, reorgs — even women with “good jobs” are feeling how fragile a single paycheck can be. Trudy-Ann Armand is on a mission to make sure that when work shifts, women aren’t starting from zero.

In this episode of The AI Readiness Project, hosts Anne Murphy (She Leads AI) and Kyle Shannon (The AI Salon) talk with Trudy-Ann about why income resilience can’t wait, and how AI can become a quiet teammate in your corner — from the commute brainstorming session to your first “five to nine” offer.

Trudy shares the story behind HER-MINE, the aunt who inspired it, and what she’s learned working with hundreds of women founders and professionals who are tired, overextended, and still carrying a lot of financial risk. She walks us through her new Five to Nine Freedom cohort, where women admit (often for the first time) what they’re really capable of and start turning years of experience into paid, sustainable work.

We also get into the messy middle: imposter syndrome, AI that “sounds wrong,” chatbots giving bad answers, and why judgment and community still matter more than any model.

𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀

• Income resilience as Plan B, not a panic move

• Finding your hidden, billable skills with Trudy-Ann's GPT, Reva

• AI as a practice -- and a confidence builder

• Imposter syndrome reframed as "the monster"

• What AI is not good at -- and how to stay safe

• AI readiness: pick one tool and play

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁

𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗱𝘆-𝗔𝗻𝗻 𝗔𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱 is the “Income Resilience Bestie” behind HER-MINE.AI and the creator of the Five to Nine Freedom community. A longtime entrepreneur, corporate leader, and published author, she’s spent over a decade running an e-commerce company with her mother and mentoring women through programs like Goldman Sachs’ business initiatives. Now she helps women use AI to spot their hidden skills, build a real plan B, and create income resilience without burning out.

𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲, 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲, 𝗦𝘂𝗯𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗲

Want to explore Trudy-Ann’s work ahead of time? Visit 𝗵𝘁𝘁𝗽𝘀://𝗵𝗲𝗿-𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲.𝗮𝗶/𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗮 to learn more about her Income Resilience Bestie work and the Five to Nine Freedom community.

The AI Readiness Project airs every Wednesday at 3pm PST, where Anne and Kyle talk with guests who are putting people first while they figure out how AI fits into real lives and real work.

𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:

Gareth Hood has built AI tools from scratch, helped over 100 artists turn their ideas into real projects, and once trained a tiger. He's also restarted his career six times. Now, he's applying that unconventional path to AI—building fast, learning on the fly, and helping others do the same.

In this episode, Gareth joins Anne Murphy of She Leads AI and Kyle Shannon of The AI Salon to talk about what it really takes to get something off the ground with AI. He walks us through a tool he built in just an hour after a single phone conversation with a CEO, and how he supports artists and entrepreneurs in creating their own tools, without waiting for perfect conditions.

𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀:

• How Gareth helps creatives and small business leaders use AI without a tech background

• Why he built a working job application app in under an hour

• What it’s like to pivot careers multiple times—and still come out ahead

• How neurodivergent thinkers are shaping AI in unexpected ways

• About that tiger-training...

𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗕𝗶𝗼:

Gareth Hood is an AI Solutions Architect and AI Creator who works with entrepreneurs, small business leaders, and a community of over a hundred artists and muralists, helping them bring creative ideas to life using AI. With a background that includes tiger training and six career restarts, Gareth blends practical tech skills with real-world experience. He also serves on the International Dyslexia Board, advocating for neurodiverse inclusion in tech.

𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲, 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗶𝘁 𝗦𝘂𝗯𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗲!

The AI Readiness Project airs every Wednesday at 3pm Pacific, hosted by Anne Murphy of She Leads AI and Kyle Shannon of The AI Salon. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and join the conversation helping people prepare for what's next.