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In this episode of Imperfect Marketing, I sit down with Stephanie Sylvestre, founder of Avatar Buddy, to explore how AI is reshaping the way businesses operate—and why human skills matter more than ever.

Stephanie shares her fascinating journey from corporate IT leadership to building an AI-powered company, along with the lessons she’s learned along the way (including a few hard-earned ones she hopes you won’t have to repeat).

We dive into how businesses can actually use AI effectively—without losing their values, their culture, or their competitive edge.

In this conversation, we discuss:

The Human Skills That Matter Most in an AI World

• Why resilience is essential when working with AI (hint: your first output isn’t your best)
• How creativity and resourcefulness give you a competitive advantage—especially in fast-changing environments
• The critical role of problem-solving and critical thinking when AI sounds right… but isn’t
• Why these “human skills” are becoming the real differentiator in an AI-driven world

Demystifying AI for Businesses

• What AI agents actually are—and how they can streamline your workflows
• How AI can save massive amounts of time when used strategically
• Why understanding your data is just as important as understanding the technology
• The biggest mistake organizations make when adopting AI too quickly

Responsible AI: Where Ethics Meet Execution

• Why responsible AI starts with people—not the technology
• How your data directly shapes your AI outcomes (for better or worse)
• Practical ways to build ethical guardrails into your AI systems
• Why transparency, ownership, and respect for content matter more than ever

AI, Leadership, and Company Culture

• How AI can actually strengthen (not weaken) your company culture
• Why leaders need to treat AI like any other business initiative—with clear goals and strategy
• The importance of starting small, iterating, and evolving your AI implementation
• How AI can reduce internal friction and improve team dynamics

Key Takeaways for Marketers and Leaders

• You’re not selling AI—you’re selling trust
• AI won’t replace people, but people who use AI effectively will have a clear advantage
• Your values should guide how you implement and use AI
• Success with AI comes from clarity, strategy, and continuous iteration

Whether you're just starting to explore AI or looking to refine how you’re using it in your business, this episode offers a grounded, practical perspective on what it really takes to succeed.

Are you ready to use AI in a way that actually supports your business—and your values? Tune in to learn how to make AI work with you, not instead of you.

Connect with Stephanie
Website: https://avatarbuddy.co/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avatar_buddyai/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@avatar_buddyai?lang=en

Looking to leverage AI? Want better results? Want to think about what you want to leverage?

Check and see how I am using it for FREE on YouTube.

From "Holy cow, it can do that?" to "Wait, how does this work again?" – I've got all your AI curiosities covered. It's the perfect after-podcast snack for your tech-hungry brain.

Watch here

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In this episode of Imperfect Marketing, I sit down with Patrick Van Der Burght, a Cialdini Certified Trainer and expert in ethical persuasion. We explore how understanding the psychology of decision-making can transform the way we approach marketing, sales, and communication.

Patrick shares how discovering the science behind persuasion helped him move from struggling sales results to becoming a trusted authority on ethical influence.

We discuss:

How People Actually Make Decisions

• Why most decisions happen subconsciously
• The difference between intuitive thinking and logical thinking
• How short attention spans affect modern marketing

The Seven Principles of Persuasion

• Reciprocity, liking, unity, and social proof
• Authority, consistency, and scarcity
• Why these principles work across cultures and industries

Practical Persuasion Strategies

• How testimonials and social proof influence buyers
• Why framing messages around avoiding loss can be more persuasive
• The surprising power of leading with a weakness

Key Takeaways for Marketers

• Ethical persuasion builds trust and long-term relationships
• Small language changes can dramatically increase results
• Understanding human psychology makes marketing more effective

Whether you're in marketing, sales, or leadership, this episode reveals how small shifts in messaging can lead to stronger influence and better outcomes.

Connect with Patrick:
Website: https://ethicalpersuasion.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ethicalpersuasion/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-van-der-burght/

Looking to leverage AI? Want better results? Want to think about what you want to leverage?

Check and see how I am using it for FREE on YouTube.

From "Holy cow, it can do that?" to "Wait, how does this work again?" – I've got all your AI curiosities covered. It's the perfect after-podcast snack for your tech-hungry brain.

Watch here

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In this episode of Imperfect Marketing, Kendra talks about the growing misuse of AI in marketing and why relying on it too heavily can actually damage your credibility and connection with your audience. While AI can be a powerful tool, Kendra explains why it should support your ideas—not replace your thinking, voice, or experiences.

Drawing from real examples with clients and her own marketing experiments, Kendra explores the difference between AI-generated content and AI-assisted content—and why that distinction matters more than ever.

The Problem with “AI Slop”

• How businesses are using AI to generate content without reviewing or editing it
• Why generic AI-written blogs and posts weaken credibility
• What happens when marketing strategy is replaced by automation

AI as a Tool, Not a Replacement

• Why AI still needs human insight, direction, and editing
• The difference between AI-assisted content and AI-generated content
• How AI can save time without sacrificing authenticity

The Power of Human Stories in Marketing

• Why personal stories and experiences connect with audiences
• How unique moments—like real-life anecdotes—create authenticity
• Why AI can’t replicate your quirks, voice, or lived experiences

What Happens When You Trust Your Voice

• How Kendra saw stronger engagement after shifting from AI-generated to AI-assisted emails
• Why audiences respond to content that feels human and personal
• How authentic marketing leads to better results and new clients

Key Takeaways for Marketers

• Why strategy and audience understanding must come from you—not AI
• The importance of reviewing and editing every piece of AI-assisted content
• How to audit your recent marketing to make sure your voice is still present

If you’re using AI in your marketing—or wondering if you’re relying on it too much—this episode offers a practical reminder that the real value in your content comes from your perspective, stories, and strategic thinking.

AI can help you move faster, but your voice is what makes your marketing meaningful.

Looking to leverage AI? Want better results? Want to think about what you want to leverage?

Check and see how I am using it for FREE on YouTube.

From "Holy cow, it can do that?" to "Wait, how does this work again?" – I've got all your AI curiosities covered. It's the perfect after-podcast snack for your tech-hungry brain.

Watch here