Welcome to The Power Lounge, the platform where women shaping the digital landscape share their experiences. In "Your Edge in the Age of AI," host Amy Vaughan engages with Monica Froese, founder of Empowered Business and a leader in digital strategy and AI innovation. Monica discusses her personal journey—from overcoming a divorce and single motherhood to establishing a seven-figure business—while effectively utilizing AI to regain her time and mental focus.

Many find the surge of AI both exciting and daunting. Monica illustrates her transformation from initially overlooking AI tools like ChatGPT to embedding them into her professional and personal routines. This adoption revolutionized aspects such as meal planning, email management, business operations, and parenting responsibilities. The discussion offers actionable strategies for women aiming to harness AI to save time, reduce decision fatigue, and enhance their influence without experiencing burnout.

Whether you're managing a team, running your own enterprise, or balancing daily responsibilities, this conversation will reshape your perception of AI. Discover how to leverage AI as a strategic asset to work more efficiently and reclaim control over your time.

Chapters:
00:00 – Overwhelmed by ChatGPT Launch
06:02 – From Google to ChatGPT Transition
08:41 – AI as Accountability Partner
10:43 – Personalized Writing Style Guide Creation
14:29 – Choosing the Right LLM
17:39 – Empowering Women in Corporate Tech
21:03 – AI: The Small Business Equalizer
24:15 – Business Efficiency via AI Team
27:32 – AI as Collaborative Assistant
30:58 – Building High-Converting Digital Products
36:08 – Authenticity Lies Within the User
37:04 – Human Connection in Digital Age
42:07 – Multi-Channel Content Distribution
44:34 – Conversational Prompting Effectiveness
47:32 – Effective Prompting: Finding the Use Case
51:18 – Empowering Women: AI's Evolving Role
53:45 – AI Aiding Women in Divorce
59:38 – Technology as Empowerment Tool
01:00:25 – Keep Asking, Keep Growing

Quotes:
"Let technology empower you. Start small, experiment, and reclaim your time."- Amy Vaughan

"AI lightens your mental load, frees your time, and enables you to be your best self."- Monica Froese

Key Takeaways:
Overcoming the Overwhelm
AI: Your Mental Load Buster
Just Start with One Tool
Train Your Digital “Mini-Mes”
AI as the Ultimate Equalizer
From Burnout to Boundaries
Authenticity Still Reigns
AI for Everyday Empowerment
Try, Play, and Grow

Connect with Monica Froese:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicafroese/
Website:https://monicafroese.com/

Connect with the host Amy Vaughan:
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/amypvaughan
Podcast:Power Lounge Podcast - Together Digital

Learn more about Together Digital and consider joining the movement by visitingHome - Together Digital

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Welcome to The Power Lounge. This week, host Amy Vaughan sits down with Holly Fisher, founder and CEO of Fisher Creative Marketing and a certified “Unreasonable Hospitality” coach. They explore how hospitality can become a key marketing strategy, even in an era dominated by automation and AI.

Holly shares her transition from traditional marketing to embracing hospitality as a core business approach. Through practical examples, Amy and Holly demonstrate how sincere, thoughtful gestures can drive word-of-mouth referrals, enhance client loyalty, and differentiate your business across various industries and sizes—all without significant costs or time investments.

If you’re aiming to convert customers into dedicated advocates or want to understand the impact of small, deliberate actions, this episode provides actionable insights. Join us in The Power Lounge to learn how hospitality can elevate your marketing efforts.

Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
01:30 - Value-Driven Marketing Conversation
05:18 - "Human-Centric Customer Experience Strategy"
07:52 - Accessible Hospitality for All Businesses
12:01 - Intentional Scheduling for Connection
13:58 - Glove Box Surprise Gesture
19:51 - Connecting Remotely Through Thoughtful Gestures
23:40 - Redefining Hospitality Beyond Service
24:57 - "Managing Project Touchpoints Post-Completion"
29:53 - Unreasonable Hospitality in Practice
30:53 - The Power of Listening in Business
36:44 - "Small Steps for Big Changes"
40:21 - "Effective Messaging Beats Viral Hype"
41:49 - "Collaborative Women, Sacred Space"
44:56 - Disney Map Mishap Resolution
47:38 - Everyone's in Hospitality
49:12 - Outro

Quotes:
"Hospitality isn’t about surprise and delight as a one-off tactic; it’s a mindset that consistently makes people feel valued."- Amy Vaughan

“We’re all in the hospitality business. No matter your industry, it’s the small, intentional gestures that turn customers into lifelong advocates.”- Holly Fisher

Key Takekaways:
Human Connection is Your Secret Weapon
Hospitality = Marketing
Small Gestures, Big Impact
Active Listening is Everything
Systematize Kindness Without Losing Heart
Digital Doesn’t Mean Distant
Hospitality is Everyone’s Business
Play the Long Game

Connect with Holly Fisher:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollyannfisher/
Website:https://fisher-creative.com/

Connect with the host Amy Vaughan:
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/amypvaughan
Podcast:Power Lounge Podcast - Together Digital

Learn more about Together Digital and consider joining the movement by visitingHome - Together Digital

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Welcome back to The Power Lounge, a space dedicated to meaningful conversations with industry leaders. In today’s episode, "Empower Your Team with Responsible AI," host Amy Vaughan, Together Digital’s Chief Empowerment Officer, explores a critical challenge for digital teams: adopting AI responsibly without compromising ethical standards.

Joining Amy is Nikki Ferrell, Associate Director of Online Enrollment and Marketing Communications at Miami University. Nikki has been instrumental in launching an AI steering committee to manage the swift integration of generative AI in higher education. Together, they examine the potential risks of unmanaged AI use, the importance of establishing clear policies, and how continuous learning and experimentation can cultivate ethical and innovative teams.

Whether you’re a team leader, a business owner, or simply interested in the complexities of AI, this episode offers a practical framework for implementing technology that prioritizes people, purpose, and ethics. Gain actionable insights and hear real-world experiences right here on The Power Lounge.

Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
01:24 - AI's Impact: Unprepared Marketing Practices
05:08 - Creating AI Steering Committees
09:32 - Normalize Open AI Use at Work
14:42 - Adopting AI for Organizational Success
16:30 - Take Initiative to Lead
21:00 - Cautious Marketing on Mother's Day
25:25 - AI in Education: Gen Z & Alpha Hesitations
29:19 - "AI as Amplifying Tool"
30:55 - AI's Impact on Cognitive Skills
36:31 - AI Augments, Not Replaces, Workforce
38:30 - "Embracing Tech Amidst Red Tape"
41:45 - "Responsible AI Adoption Insights"
44:19 - AI Use Case Library Development
48:03 - Embracing AI for Strategic Future
51:01 - Exploring AI for Everyday Tasks
54:58 - AI-Assisted Strategy Development
58:51 - Subscribe for Updates & Community
59:45 - Outro

Quotes:
"Empowerment begins when we stop being afraid of new technology and start building community around it."- Amy Vaughan

"You don’t need a title to lead the way with AI—start small, learn together, and let your curiosity spark real change."- Nikki Ferrell

Key Takeaways
Start Small, Stay Grounded in Research
Policies Aren’t Optional—They Empower
Openness Overgoing Underground
You Don’t Need a Title to Lead
Align with Mission and Values
Build a Culture of Experimentation
Transparency Builds Trust (and Avoids Backlash)
AI Augments, Not Replaces
Meet People Where They Are
The Future is Collaborative

Connect with Nikki Ferrell:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nferrell/
Website: https://miamioh.edu/

Connect with the host Amy Vaughan:
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/amypvaughan
Podcast:Power Lounge Podcast - Together Digital

Learn more about Together Digital and consider joining the movement by visitingHome - Together Digital

Support the show