Episodios

  • Personal Branding Isn’t Dead: How It Still Drives Real Income in 2026 with Ashley Stahl

    Personal Branding Isn’t Dead: How It Still Drives Real Income in 2026 with Ashley Stahl
    Apr 17 2026
    In this episode of Right About Now, Ryan Alford is joined by Ashley Stahl to explore what it really takes to build a personal brand that creates opportunities. Ashley breaks down the critical difference between credibility and authority, and why many professionals get stuck building experience without ever becoming known for it. She shares how leveraging platforms like TEDx and YouTube can accelerate visibility—and how one well-crafted message can compound over time. This episode is packed with practical insights on positioning, messaging, and how to turn attention into something meaningful—whether that’s clients, speaking opportunities, or long-term brand equity. 🔑 Topics Covered Credibility vs authority in personal branding Building visibility that actually converts The role of TEDx and long-form content Why messaging matters more than volume Turning attention into business opportunities How to identify and communicate your unique value 🤝 Connect with Ashley Stahl https://wisewhisperagency.com https://www.instagram.com/ashleystahl 🤝 Connect with Ryan Alford https://www.ryanisright.com/ https://www.instagram.com/ryanalford
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    26 m
  • How Smart Small Businesses Are Actually Using AI to Grow Faster with Dave Charest

    How Smart Small Businesses Are Actually Using AI to Grow Faster with Dave Charest
    Apr 14 2026
    In this episode of Right About Now, Ryan Alford is joined by Dave Charest to discuss how AI is reshaping the way small businesses operate. Dave shares insights from recent research showing that more than half of small business owners are already using AI—and why many are increasing their marketing efforts despite economic uncertainty. The conversation explores how AI improves efficiency, helps business owners make smarter decisions, and enables them to compete at a higher level. They also cover practical strategies around email marketing, social media, and audience building—highlighting why owning your customer relationships is more important than ever. Topics Covered AI adoption among small businesses Efficiency vs overcomplication with AI Marketing trends and budget shifts Email marketing vs social media strategy Building and owning your audience Data-driven decision making with AI Common mistakes small business owners make Connect with Dave Charest https://www.constantcontact.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/davecharest Connect with Ryan Alford https://ryanalford.com https://www.instagram.com/ryanalford
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    25 m
  • How Ken Goldin Built a $500M Market: Attention, Hype & the Business of Collectibles

    How Ken Goldin Built a $500M Market: Attention, Hype & the Business of Collectibles
    Apr 10 2026
    In this episode of Right About Now, Ryan Alford sits down with Ken Goldin to explore how collectibles evolved into a massive global market. Ken shares how he built Goldin Auctions by focusing on attention, audience growth, and long-term brand strategy—often prioritizing exposure over immediate profit. The discussion breaks down how value is created through storytelling, positioning, and market psychology. They also examine the risks within today’s market, including speculation, overvaluation, and why vintage collectibles remain the most stable long-term investment. Topics Covered Growth of the collectibles market Marketing vs. product in value creation Risk and speculation in modern collecting Vintage vs. modern investment strategy Building audience and brand equity How media expanded the hobby Connect with Ken Goldin https://goldin.co https://www.instagram.com/kengoldin https://x.com/kengoldin Connect with Host — Ryan Alford Website: Ryanisright.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanalford
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    26 m
  • Why AI Content Isn’t Converting: John Benson on Persuasion, Values & What Actually Converts

    Why AI Content Isn’t Converting: John Benson on Persuasion, Values & What Actually Converts
    Apr 7 2026
    AI is making content faster—but not necessarily better. In this episode of Right About Now, John Benson joins Ryan Alford to break down what actually makes content convert in the age of AI. From inventing the video sales letter (VSL) to building AI tools that replicate high-converting copy, John shares how persuasion hasn’t changed—even as technology has. The real edge isn’t automation, it’s understanding human values and aligning messaging with what people already believe. They also explore how entrepreneurs should think about AI as a “second brain,” why most AI-generated content fails, and how to use values-driven messaging to attract the right audience—and repel the wrong one. If you’re using AI for content, marketing, or growth, this episode will completely change how you think about what actually works. Topics Covered The origin of the video sales letter (VSL) and why it still works Why most AI-generated copy fails to convert The role of human psychology in persuasion “So that you can…” — the most powerful copywriting framework How values-driven messaging attracts better customers AI as a “second brain” for entrepreneurs The future of AI, copywriting, and marketing Connect with Guest — John Benson Website: https://bnsn.ai Free Buyer Profile Tool: https://freebuyerprofile.com YouTube: https://johnbenson.com/youtube Connect with Host — Ryan Alford Website: https://ryanalford.com Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/right-about-now-with-ryan-alford/id1498865831 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanalford
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    26 m
  • No One Is Coming to Save You: How Jamil Damji Took Control of His Life & Built a Real Estate Empire

    No One Is Coming to Save You: How Jamil Damji Took Control of His Life & Built a Real Estate Empire
    Apr 3 2026
    In this episode of Right About Now, Ryan Alford sits down with real estate investor and entrepreneur Jamil Damji to unpack a story that starts with rejection—and turns into full ownership of life, business, and purpose. After being denied entry into medical school despite doing everything “right,” Jamil made a decision that changed everything: no one else would control his future again. From his first wholesale deal—turning a $50K opportunity into a life-changing moment—to losing everything during the 2008 financial collapse and rebuilding from the ground up, Jamil breaks down what it really takes to create success on your own terms. The conversation goes deeper than business, touching on addiction, self-discovery, and the internal work required to evolve as a leader, father, and human. Jamil also shares how he’s now using his platform to solve real-world problems—from housing affordability to helping people experiencing homelessness build new opportunities through real estate. This is more than a business story—it’s a blueprint for taking control, making different choices, and building a life you’re proud of. 🎯 Topics Covered Why Jamil rejected the traditional path after medical school denial The first wholesale real estate deal that changed everything Lessons learned from losing everything in the 2008 financial crisis Why success is an “inside job” (mindset, habits, and identity) Addiction, recovery, and rebuilding from within Building a scalable real estate business through relationships (not cold leads) The power of personal branding and TV (Triple Digit Flip) Why real estate investors must take responsibility for housing challenges Co-living, affordability, and solving real-world housing issues 🤝 Connect with Host & Guest Ryan Alford (Host) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanalford Website: https://ryanisright.com Jamil Damji YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JamilDamji Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jdamji
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    26 m
  • Earning the Commute: What It Takes to Make the Office Worth It Again | Bob Cicero

    Earning the Commute: What It Takes to Make the Office Worth It Again | Bob Cicero
    Mar 31 2026
    In this episode of Right About Now, Ryan Alford sits down with Bob Cicero from Cisco to break down what the future of work actually looks like—and why most companies are still missing the point. As AI begins to take over repetitive tasks, the real value of work is shifting back to human connection, collaboration, and creativity. From the post-COVID workplace reset to the rise of hybrid models, this conversation explores why forcing people back to the office isn’t working—and what companies should be doing instead. The key idea? Offices need to become a magnet, not a mandate, offering real value that employees can’t get at home. Bob shares how Cisco is reimagining workspaces with a “me vs we” model, flipping traditional office design to prioritize collaboration over individual desks. Combined with data, AI, and smarter environments, the workplace is evolving into something far more intentional—and far more human. If you’re navigating hybrid work, managing teams, or thinking about the impact of AI on your business, this episode will completely reframe how you think about where—and how—work gets done. 🎯 Topics Covered Why AI will amplify human work—not replace it The shift from remote vs office to hybrid balance “Magnet vs mandate” and why return-to-office policies fail The “me vs we” workplace model and collaborative design Why human connection and in-person work still matter How AI is changing productivity and daily work tasks Designing offices that people actually want to go to The concept of “earning the commute” How data and AI are shaping the future workplace 🤝 Connect with Host & Guest Ryan Alford (Host) Website: https://ryanisright.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanalford LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanalford Listen to Right About Now: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/right-about-now-with-ryan-alford/id1562875066 Bob Cicero (Cisco) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-cicero Company: https://www.cisco.com Learn More About Cisco Workplace Innovation: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/collaboration/index.html
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    26 m
  • Adapt or Get Left Behind: The New Rules of AI & Business

    Adapt or Get Left Behind: The New Rules of AI & Business
    Mar 27 2026
    In this episode of Right About Now, Ryan Alford brings together some of the sharpest minds in AI, business, and technology to break down what’s actually happening right now—and what it means for your future. The pace of change isn’t just fast, it’s unprecedented, and the gap between those who adopt and those who hesitate is growing by the day. From AI agents that can execute tasks autonomously to tools that can outperform humans in specific functions, this episode explores how business, marketing, and the workforce are being reshaped in real time. The biggest takeaway? AI isn’t just automation—it’s a complete shift in how work gets done and who gets left behind. But this isn’t about fear—it’s about opportunity. Those who learn how to use these tools, think differently, and adapt quickly will unlock massive advantages in productivity, creativity, and scale. If you’re not actively learning and applying AI right now, this episode makes one thing clear: someone else is—and they’re moving faster than you. 🎯 Topics Covered Why AI adoption is happening faster than any technology in history How AI can outperform humans in specific tasks (and what that means) The rise of AI agents and autonomous execution Why “human in the loop” still matters in AI workflows The shift from specialists to multi-skilled operators powered by AI Trade skills vs knowledge economy in an AI-driven world How AI is transforming creativity, marketing, and business strategy Why curiosity and better questions are the real competitive advantage 🤝 Connect with Host & Guests Ryan Alford Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanalford LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanalford Website: RyanIsRight.com
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    26 m
  • 70% of Workers Feel Unprepared: How Instructure Is Rethinking Learning with Ryan Lufkin

    70% of Workers Feel Unprepared: How Instructure Is Rethinking Learning with Ryan Lufkin
    Mar 24 2026
    New data shows that nearly 70% of workers feel unprepared for today’s workforce, raising bigger questions about how we define job readiness. In this episode, Ryan Alford sits down with Ryan Lufkin of Instructure to unpack what’s actually broken in education and how AI is accelerating the gap between learning and real-world skills. They explore why AI isn’t replacing expertise but instead demands stronger critical thinking, communication, and human judgment. The conversation also challenges whether schools are teaching the wrong things—or simply teaching them the wrong way. From the rise of lifelong learning to the debate between skills and degrees, this episode highlights what both employers and educators need to rethink to prepare the next generation. What We Covered 70% of workers feel unprepared – What’s driving the growing skills gap in today’s workforce AI in education and work – Why AI requires more expertise, not less Skills vs degrees – Are traditional degrees still the best signal for employers? The problem with modern education – Teaching the wrong things vs teaching the wrong way Lifelong learning – Why continuous upskilling is now required for career growth Breaking workplace “boxes” – How AI is empowering employees to operate across roles Connect with the Guest Ryan Lufkin VP of Global Strategy — Instructure (Canvas) Website: https://www.instructure.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanlufkin Podcast: EduCast3000 Connect with the Host Ryan Alford Host — Right About Now Website RyanIsRight.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/ryanalford LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/ryanalford
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    27 m