Entrepreneur's Enigma: 20-Minute Entrepreneur & Founder Interviews

Hosted by Seth Goldstein & Goldstein Media LLC

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344

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Oct 2026

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About the show

Most business podcasts interview people who raised a round or sold a company. This one doesn't. Every Tuesday, Seth Goldstein spends twenty minutes or so with a founder or entrepreneur actually running a business. Translators, designers, coaches, agency owners. People who left a job and built something real. Seth was a journalist for six years, so he arrives with a question and gets out of the way.

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October 27, 202618 min

Why Customer Service Became the Secret Weapon in Painting

Jon Dyer is the co-owner of Artisan Painting in Media, PA, along with his business partner, Mike Lieber. They started Artisan in 2014, and while the company obviously paints houses, Jon has always said they’re really in the relationship business. Painting is just what they happen to do. Jon’s background began in the restaurant business, which shaped much of how he approaches customer service today. He learned early that people remember how you make them feel, and he has carried that philosophy with him into Artisan. His role in the company is heavily focused on marketing, relationship building, networking, and community involvement. Jon loves connecting people and finding ways for Artisan to be more than just the company someone calls when they need a painter. The goal is for Artisan to be a resource for all things home and a company people know, love, and trust. That approach has been a major part of Artisan’s growth. The company has earned more than 100 Google reviews, seven straight Main Line Parent LOVE Award recognitions, and in 2026 was named Small Business of the Year by the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce. Jon is incredibly proud of those accomplishments, but he is perhaps most proud of the relationships built along the way. Outside of Artisan, Jon is a husband and father of three, a longtime youth sports coach, a golfer, and a huge Philly sports fan. He genuinely enjoys meeting people, building relationships, and finding ways to connect someone with a person or resource that can help them. At the end of the day, whether he’s running a business, networking, coaching, sitting at a bar watching a Philly game, or simply navigating life, Jon is a big believer that how you treat people matters. Links https://www.artisanpaintingllc.com/ https://www.facebook.com/artisanpnc https://www.instagram.com/artisan_painting/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/whosyourpainter/ If you’re enjoying Entrepreneur’s Enigma , please give me a review on the podcast directory of your choice. The show is on all of them and these reviews really help others find the show. Listener Survey: https://gmwd.us/ee-survey iTunes: https://gmwd.us/itunes Podchaser: https://gmwd.us/podchaser TrueFans: https://gmwd.us/truefans Also, if you’re getting value from the show and want to buy me a coffee, go to the show notes to get the link to get me a coffee to keep me awake, while I work on bringing you more great episodes to your ears. → https://ko-fi.com/entrepreneursenigma Support me on TrueFans.fm → https://gmwd.us/truefans . Support The Show & Get Merch: https://shop.entrepreneursenigma.com Follow Seth Online: Instagram: https://instagram.com/s3th.me LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethmgoldstein/ Seth On Mastodon: https://indieweb.social/@phillycodehound The Marketing Junto Newsletter: https://MarketingJunto.com Host/Producer/Booker: Seth Goldstein of Goldstein Media LLC Podcast Network: Marketing Podcast Network AI Disclosure: The only thing that is AI generated is the intro voice guy and any long transcripts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

October 20, 202623 min

The Dark Side of Entrepreneurship: Firing Clients You Cannot Work With

Doug Downs is the President of Stories and Strategies, a podcast production agency that helps brands build and grow podcasts. He has over 25 years of experience in public relations and marketing, and has been a full-time podcaster for six years. Doug specializes in podcast development, analytics, and marketing, and has worked with clients ranging from corporate entities to individual creators. He spent 15 years as a radio broadcaster and hosted TV morning shows. Doug then spent 25 years in public relations and marketing before transitioning to full-time podcasting six years ago. He currently leads a team at Stories and Strategies that produces podcasts for influential brands and provides media training and presentation coaching. Note: The most important thing/person Doug can't do without is his business partner Emily. He thought of that after the recording stopped. But wanted it mentioned. Links LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougdowns/ Website: https://storiesandstrategies.ca/ Newsletter: https://storiesandstrategies.substack.com/ Stories and Strategies Podcast: https://lnkfi.re/nA25kt If you’re enjoying Entrepreneur’s Enigma , please give me a review on the podcast directory of your choice. The show is on all of them and these reviews really help others find the show. Listener Survey: https://gmwd.us/ee-survey iTunes: https://gmwd.us/itunes Podchaser: https://gmwd.us/podchaser TrueFans: https://gmwd.us/truefans Also, if you’re getting value from the show and want to buy me a coffee, go to the show notes to get the link to get me a coffee to keep me awake, while I work on bringing you more great episodes to your ears. → https://ko-fi.com/entrepreneursenigma Support me on TrueFans.fm → https://gmwd.us/truefans . Support The Show & Get Merch: https://shop.entrepreneursenigma.com Follow Seth Online: Instagram: https://instagram.com/s3th.me LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethmgoldstein/ Seth On Mastodon: https://indieweb.social/@phillycodehound The Marketing Junto Newsletter: https://MarketingJunto.com Host/Producer/Booker: Seth Goldstein of Goldstein Media LLC Podcast Network: Marketing Podcast Network AI Disclosure: The only thing that is AI generated is the intro voice guy and any long transcripts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

October 13, 202617 min

Built for Freedom How to Scale a Business Without Being Trapped

David Salerno is a serial entrepreneur, author, and Vice-Chair of the Montreal Economic Institute (MEI) — Canada's leading free-market think tank. Over more than twenty years, he founded and scaled Solpak Packaging Solutions to eight-figure revenues and 600+ clients across Canada, then executed a strategic exit. His book, Built For Freedom, introduces the Sherpa Method: a nine-step system for building scalable, founder-independent businesses. A three-time consecutive Mercuriades finalist and Forbes Business Council member, David now leads Entrepreneur Sherpa, coaching growth-stage entrepreneurs across North America. Links https://www.davidsalerno.com https://www.entrepreneursherpa.co If you’re enjoying Entrepreneur’s Enigma , please give me a review on the podcast directory of your choice. The show is on all of them and these reviews really help others find the show. Listener Survey: https://gmwd.us/ee-survey iTunes: https://gmwd.us/itunes Podchaser: https://gmwd.us/podchaser TrueFans: https://gmwd.us/truefans Also, if you’re getting value from the show and want to buy me a coffee, go to the show notes to get the link to get me a coffee to keep me awake, while I work on bringing you more great episodes to your ears. → https://ko-fi.com/entrepreneursenigma Support me on TrueFans.fm → https://gmwd.us/truefans . Support The Show & Get Merch: https://shop.entrepreneursenigma.com Follow Seth Online: Instagram: https://instagram.com/s3th.me LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethmgoldstein/ Seth On Mastodon: https://indieweb.social/@phillycodehound The Marketing Junto Newsletter: https://MarketingJunto.com Host/Producer/Booker: Seth Goldstein of Goldstein Media LLC Podcast Network: Marketing Podcast Network AI Disclosure: The only thing that is AI generated is the intro voice guy and any long transcripts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

October 6, 202620 min

The Pivot That Turned a Mattress Business Into a Copywriting Career

From hypnosis to carabiners... our guest today has written it all! Emily Aborn is a Small Business Copywriter and Podcast Host. An entrepreneur for over a decade, she’s collaborated with 1,000’s of individuals in over 124 industries as a copywriter. Every client is her number one priority as she unlocks their distinct personality, creativity, and message. Her goal is to help YOUR ideal clients say “YES” before they even get on the Discovery Call. For fun, she enjoys word games (are you surprised), reading, listening to podcasts, chasing squirrels with her dog, Finch, and hiking with her husband, Jason. Links Website: https://Emilyaborn.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/emilyaborn LinkedIn: https://Linkedin.com/in/EmilyAborn Substack: https://substack.com/@emilyaborn Key Moments [05:37] Starting over with a new client [08:34] Choosing to Focus on Copywriting [11:17] Getting a new dog [15:57] The podcast's laid-back approach [18:41] Discussing AI features on Substack Listener Survey: https://gmwd.us/ee-survey If you’re enjoying Entrepreneur’s Enigma , please give me a review on the podcast directory of your choice. The show is on all of them and these reviews really help others find the show. iTunes: https://gmwd.us/itunes Podchaser: https://gmwd.us/podchaser TrueFans: https://gmwd.us/truefans Also, if you’re getting value from the show and want to buy me a coffee, go to the show notes to get the link to get me a coffee to keep me awake, while I work on bringing you more great episodes to your ears. → https://ko-fi.com/entrepreneursenigma Support me on TrueFans.fm → https://gmwd.us/truefans . Support The Show & Get Merch: https://shop.entrepreneursenigma.com Follow Seth Online: Instagram: https://instagram.com/s3th.me LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethmgoldstein/ Seth On Mastodon: https://indieweb.social/@phillycodehound The Marketing Junto Newsletter: https://MarketingJunto.com Host/Producer/Booker: Seth Goldstein of Goldstein Media LLC Podcast Network: Marketing Podcast Network AI Disclosure: The only thing that is AI generated is the intro voice guy and any long transcripts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

September 29, 202618 min

How Podcasting Landed a £30K Deal in a Month

Joe Eftihiou is the Founder of Claricast, a podcast production company that helps businesses launch and grow podcasts that support their business goals. He specializes in helping founders and marketers use podcasting to build authority, reach decision-makers, and support business growth. One of Claricast's clients recently landed a £30k deal through their podcast within a month of launching. Joe also hosts the Podcasting Amplified podcast and has built a YouTube audience of over 13,000 subscribers by sharing practical podcasting advice. Listeners will learn how to launch a high-quality podcast, avoid common podcasting mistakes, create a podcast that delivers real value, and use podcasting more strategically as a marketing channel. Joe's Links http://podcastingamplified.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-eftihiou/ Important Moments [06:30] Monetizing a small podcast [07:57] Getting started with studios [11:02] Juggling work and side projects [13:29] Balancing work referrals and family time [16:55] Focusing on active listening Host/Producer/Booker: Seth Goldstein of Goldstein Media LLC Podcast Network: Marketing Podcast Network AI Disclosure: The only thing that is AI generated is the intro voice guy and any long transcripts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

September 22, 202617 min

Why Ignoring AI Could Make You Unemployable Long Term

Geoff Livingston helps organizations cut through AI hype and build systems that actually work. As founder of Generative Buzz, he has guided Fortune 500 marketing departments, major trade associations, and government agencies through AI transformation, from strategy and workforce development to measurable adoption. His clients typically see 10 or more hours of weekly productivity gains within 30 days. Geoff brings 30 years of technology, marketing, and crisis communications experience to this work, with clients including AT&T, Google, PayPal, Ford, and Verizon. He holds a master's degree from Georgetown University and is the author of Now Is Gone: Think Liquid to Navigate Never-ending Change and three social media books. He lives in Alexandria, Virginia with his family of humans and fur babies, where he writes The Buzz on Substack, takes pics, runs trails, and practices Buddhism (not in that order). Links Find Geoff on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoffliving/ His Company: https://generativebuzz.ai/ His Substack: https://buzzbylivingston.substack.com/ Buy His Latest Book: https://bookshop.org/p/books/now-is-gone-think-liquid-to-navigate-neverending-change-livingston/fab724135ff6b6c1?ean=9798995577522&bkshp-astro=t His Podcast, AI Hope: https://open.spotify.com/show/033ysKUcHpyKqTyNPVR6vL https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ai-hope/id1896926627 If you’re enjoying ⁠Entrepreneur’s Enigma⁠ , please give me a review on the podcast directory of your choice. The show is on all of them and these reviews really help others find the show. iTunes: ⁠https://gmwd.us/itunes⁠ Podchaser: ⁠https://gmwd.us/podchaser⁠ TrueFans: ⁠https://gmwd.us/truefans⁠ Also, if you’re getting value from the show and want to buy me a coffee, go to the show notes to get the link to get me a coffee to keep me awake, while I work on bringing you more great episodes to your ears. → ⁠https://ko-fi.com/entrepreneursenigma⁠ Support me on ⁠TrueFans.fm⁠ → ⁠https://gmwd.us/truefans⁠ . Support The Show & Get Merch: ⁠https://shop.entrepreneursenigma.com⁠ Follow Seth Online: Instagram: ⁠https://instagram.com/s3th.me⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethmgoldstein/⁠ Seth On Mastodon: ⁠https://indieweb.social/@phillycodehound⁠ The Marketing Junto Newsletter: ⁠https://MarketingJunto.com Host/Producer/Booker: Seth Goldstein of Goldstein Media LLC Podcast Network: Marketing Podcast Network AI Disclosure: The only thing that is AI generated is the intro voice guy and any long transcripts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

September 15, 202623 min

What a Near-Death Experience Taught Him About Love and Purpose

Today’s guest is Gaylen Wilson, a heart transplant survivor, 20-years-sober former alcoholic, relationship author, erectile dysfunction advocate, Certified Thriving Relationship Coach, and co-founder of The Monument Method Institute with his wife, Heather. His life has been shaped by repeated reinvention—from farm and career failures to alcoholism, sobriety, financial hardship, and rebuilding professionally. In 2014, a virus left him in end-stage heart failure, forcing Gaylen and Heather to endure years of hospital stays, uncertainty, disability, financial pressure, and lost intimacy. On June 19, 2018, shortly after telling Heather he likely had only months to live, Gaylen received the call that a donor heart was available. After his transplant, Gaylen devoted himself to helping others make the most of the years they are given. For more than five years, he supported approximately 60,000 men and partners in two major erectile dysfunction communities, witnessing how ED can affect mental health, identity, intimacy, and relationships. Those experiences inspired The Monument Method, a relationship system focused on emotional safety, conflict repair, intimacy, accountability, and protecting the bond under pressure. Gaylen and Heather are also developing MVP—Monument Validated Person—a relationship-readiness dating platform designed to help people prepare for healthier relationships. His mission is to help people build relationships strong enough that no one has to face life alone. Links https://www.monumentmethodinstitute.com/ Monument Hearts Trailer on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8GmXFnX/ Monument Method Trailer on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8GmATNK/ ED Trilogy on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8GWBKDj/ Timestamps [00:00] - Intro to Gaylen Wilson’s extraordinary reinvention story [02:02] - From farm life to stockbroker and the collapse that changed everything [03:39] - Alcoholism, emotional shock, and not having the tools to cope [04:14] - Finding sobriety through Rational Recovery [04:44] - Consulting work, 9/11, and another career setback [05:42] - Meeting Heather and rebuilding after divorce [06:10] - Traveling to all 48 contiguous states for field service work [06:48] - A virus, heart failure, and years of declining health [07:44] - Heather’s commitment through his illness [08:14] - The call for a donor heart and the race to the hospital [09:03] - Transplant day and the “Ferrari engine in an old Ford pickup” metaphor [09:34] - Why the transplant became a mission to help others [09:58] - Hold Me Tight, attachment theory, and the science behind conflict [11:36] - Creating the Monument Method as an emergency break for fights [12:36] - Why the relationship must matter more than ego [13:03] - Using touch and eye contact to reset fight or flight [14:12] - Marriage as a refuge, not another source of stress [15:32] - Parenting, attachment issues, and the need for real connection [16:36] - Why being an entrepreneur is easier with a soulmate partner [17:23] - Lessons from traveling in a Prius and learning to apologize fast [18:09] - What drives him now and what keeps him grounded [18:58] - The most important thing to carry with you in life [19:44] - What the transplant changed about his outlook on mortality and time If you’re enjoying Entrepreneur’s Enigma , please give me a review on the podcast directory of your choice. The show is on all of them and these reviews really help others find the show. iTunes: https://gmwd.us/itunes Podchaser: https://gmwd.us/podchaser TrueFans: https://gmwd.us/truefans Also, if you’re getting value from the show and want to buy me a coffee, go to the show notes to get the link to get me a coffee to keep me awake, while I work on bringing you more great episodes to your ears. → https://ko-fi.com/entrepreneursenigma Support me on TrueFans.fm → https://gmwd.us/truefans . Support The Show & Get Merch: https://shop.entrepreneursenigma.com Follow Seth Online: Instagram: https://instagram.com/s3th.me LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethmgoldstein/ Seth On Mastodon: https://indieweb.social/@phillycodehound The Marketing Junto Newsletter: https://MarketingJunto.com Host/Producer/Booker: Seth Goldstein of Goldstein Media LLC Podcast Network: Marketing Podcast Network AI Disclosure: The only thing that is AI generated is the intro voice guy and any long transcripts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

September 8, 202640 min

Stop Chasing Algorithms and Start Building Trust

Note: This episode is a longer one. But well worth a listen. Stephan Bajaio believes that success takes time and effort, and he emphasizes this lesson through what he calls the "four Ps." Drawing on his experience, Stephan shares practical advice with business owners: when evaluating a web page, especially a services page, he encourages them to look beyond surface-level details. He questions whether important points about a service are truly given the attention they deserve, suggesting that if something merits a bullet point, it likely deserves a full paragraph to provide essential context and value. Through this approach, Stephan helps businesses move from shallow descriptions to a more meaningful, engaging presentation of their work, ensuring their key offerings are conveyed with clarity and depth. More About Stephan: Stephan Bajaio is a CEO, Co-Founder, and CMO with 20+ years in SEO and digital marketing. He's helped brands like FedEx, Comcast, and Siemens win in search. Stephan co-founded VibeLogic to help businesses navigate the collision of AI and organic search. He helps marketers stop chasing algorithms and start building strategies that actually last. Links https://www.vibelogic.com/ https://www.stephanbajaio.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanbajaio/ Start of interview: [01:40] Other Key Moments [04:07] Early interest in computers [07:33] Importance of Detailed Descriptions [11:53] Decision fatigue and modern anxiety [15:03] Building trust through valuable insights [19:04] Addressing therapy stigma [21:34] Balancing work and family time [26:33] Sharing Entrepreneurial Challenges [29:07] Hands-off management strategy [30:23] Finding passionate team members If you’re enjoying Entrepreneur’s Enigma , please give me a review on the podcast directory of your choice. The show is on all of them and these reviews really help others find the show. iTunes: https://gmwd.us/itunes Podchaser: https://gmwd.us/podchaser TrueFans: https://gmwd.us/truefans Also, if you’re getting value from the show and want to buy me a coffee, go to the show notes to get the link to get me a coffee to keep me awake, while I work on bringing you more great episodes to your ears. → https://ko-fi.com/entrepreneursenigma Support me on TrueFans.fm → https://gmwd.us/truefans . Support The Show & Get Merch: https://shop.entrepreneursenigma.com Follow Seth Online: Instagram: https://instagram.com/s3th.me LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethmgoldstein/ Seth On Mastodon: https://indieweb.social/@phillycodehound The Marketing Junto Newsletter: https://MarketingJunto.com Host/Producer/Booker: Seth Goldstein of Goldstein Media LLC Podcast Network: Marketing Podcast Network AI Disclosure: The only thing that is AI generated is the intro voice guy and any long transcripts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

September 1, 202633 min

Why AI Won’t Replace Great Marketers—It Will Augment Them

Adrienne Wilkerson is the co-founder and CEO of Beacon Media + Marketing, a national digital marketing agency specializing in mental and behavioral health organizations. She started her first business in 2001, is an Inc. 5000 winner for three consecutive years, a published author, and the host of The Beacon Way podcast. Adrienne helps founders and leaders stop second-guessing their marketing and start showing up in a way that actually reflects the mission they built their business around, because when the connection is right, the growth follows. Links https://www.beaconmm.com/the-beacon-way/ https://open.spotify.com/show/3BDBxY9jDasCTJtRkX7EJ2 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-beacon-way/id1593107821 https://www.youtube.com/@BeaconWayPodcast Her book: https://a.co/d/fBo6sBg Her Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/adrienne.wilkerson https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriennewilkerson/ If you’re enjoying Entrepreneur’s Enigma , please give me a review on the podcast directory of your choice. The show is on all of them and these reviews really help others find the show. iTunes: https://gmwd.us/itunes Podchaser: https://gmwd.us/podchaser TrueFans: https://gmwd.us/truefans Also, if you’re getting value from the show and want to buy me a coffee, go to the show notes to get the link to get me a coffee to keep me awake, while I work on bringing you more great episodes to your ears. → https://ko-fi.com/entrepreneursenigma Support me on TrueFans.fm → https://gmwd.us/truefans . Support The Show & Get Merch: https://shop.entrepreneursenigma.com Follow Seth Online: Instagram: https://instagram.com/s3th.me LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethmgoldstein/ Seth On Mastodon: https://indieweb.social/@phillycodehound The Marketing Junto Newsletter: https://MarketingJunto.com Host/Producer/Booker: Seth Goldstein of Goldstein Media LLC Podcast Network: Marketing Podcast Network AI Disclosure: The only thing that is AI generated is the intro voice guy and any long transcripts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

August 25, 202631 min

From Poopy Pipelines to Predictable Growth

Lindsay Rios is a Fractional CRO & owner of GTM Done Right, helping B2B companies turn accidental growth into intentional growth. Many of the businesses she works with have built revenue growth through referrals, word of mouth and organic inbound. But eventually those channels stop producing the same results, growth becomes less predictable, and leadership realizes they need a more intentional go-to-market strategy. This is where Lindsay comes in to identify the real causes of stalled growth, whether it's a misaligned ICP, a disconnected revenue strategy or what she famously calls a "poopy pipeline." Lindsay also partners alongside Mandy McEwen, where they help business with their revenue growth by integrating social selling into their GTM strategy. Links https://www.lindsayrios.com https://yourfuturebiz.com https://nextwave.golumi.io If you’re enjoying Entrepreneur’s Enigma , please give me a review on the podcast directory of your choice. The show is on all of them and these reviews really help others find the show. iTunes: https://gmwd.us/itunes Podchaser: https://gmwd.us/podchaser TrueFans: https://gmwd.us/truefans Also, if you’re getting value from the show and want to buy me a coffee, go to the show notes to get the link to get me a coffee to keep me awake, while I work on bringing you more great episodes to your ears. → https://ko-fi.com/entrepreneursenigma Support me on TrueFans.fm → https://gmwd.us/truefans . Support The Show & Get Merch: https://shop.entrepreneursenigma.com Want to learn from a 15 year veteran? Check out the Podcast Mastery Community: https://www.skool.com/podcasting Follow Seth Online: Instagram: https://instagram.com/s3th.me LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethmgoldstein/ Seth On Mastodon: https://indieweb.social/@phillycodehound The Marketing Junto Newsletter: https://MarketingJunto.com Host/Producer/Booker: Seth Goldstein of Goldstein Media LLC Podcast Network: Marketing Podcast Network AI Disclosure: The only thing that is AI generated is the intro voice guy and any long transcripts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.