The Online Course Show

Hosted by Jacques Hopkins

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288

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Oct 2026

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About the show

How can AI help you grow your business without taking over the work you love? The Online Course Show is for course creators, educators and digital product entrepreneurs who want to build a successful business around what they know, with AI as your strategic working partner. I'm Jacques Hopkins. Join me as I share what I'm building and testing in my own businesses, alongside honest conversations with creators about what's working in theirs. We explore practical uses for AI, from creating content and improving marketing to organising the day-to-day work that can take over your time. You'll also learn about AI operators: systems that go beyond answering questions to help get work done. We'll look at what you can delegate, what needs your oversight, and how to keep your voice, judgment and customer relationships at the centre of your business. Along the way, we talk offers, online courses, audience growth and the decisions behind building a business you enjoy running. Whether you're getting started or growing an established business, the goal is to help you put these ideas into practice and make more room for the work only you can do.

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60 recent

October 19, 2026Episode 28622 min

286: The New Rules of Running Your Business with AI

A year ago, putting together a five-day piano challenge took me about three months and several thousand dollars in contractor costs. A similar project with my AI business partner, Rocky, came together in three days. In this episode, I compare those launches and share how my role has changed. I explain what I still do myself, what Rocky handles with my direction, and how that shift has helped me get more done while spending less. I also share how Rocky helped troubleshoot our home Wi-Fi, explain the difference between an AI model and its harness, and discuss why I want control over my AI's working setup. Join me for the live AI Business Partner Challenge, October 26-30, 2026, from 11 a.m. to noon Central: https://aibusinesspartnerchallenge.com/ The Challenge is $97. Love it or it's free!

October 14, 202659 min

285: The Right Way to Use AI for Your Course (ft. Jasmine Jonte)

Join the live AI Business Partner Challenge: https://aibusinesspartnerchallenge.com Can AI help you build a better course without replacing the expertise that makes it valuable? Jasmine Jonte, founder of CRE8TION, returns to share how her team reduced program production time by 37% using AI, then reinvested that time in tools that help students put the material into practice. In this episode, we explore where AI belongs in your curriculum, how workbooks and templates can become personalized learning tools, and what to consider before adding a coach clone or building software. Jasmine also explains why your own experience should come before an AI-generated outline, while Jacques shares a simple starting point for helping students use AI without overcomplicating your program. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/wVLSIabj6YI Jasmine's website: https://cre8tion.co/ Connect with Jasmine on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasminejonte/ Join the live AI Business Partner Challenge: https://aibusinesspartnerchallenge.com/ Apply for Coaching: https://www.theonlinecourseguy.com/coaching Watch the Free Workshop: https://www.theonlinecourseguy.com/workshop Free Kajabi Course and 1 month Trial: http://everyclickkajabi.com/ Free Skool Course and 14 day Trial: https://www.skool.com/refer?ref=c725cf8892fe42c8bb37dd7e5ffc2575 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theonlinecourseguy/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@theonlinecourseguy X: https://twitter.com/onlinecourseguy

September 11, 202655 min

284: From Helping Babies Sleep to a $60K Month (Featuring Jayne Havens)

What if your best course idea is hiding in the work you're already doing? Jayne Havens turned her sleep consulting experience into a certification program that reached about $60,000 in a peak month. But building a bigger business was never the whole goal: she wanted meaningful work that still left room for her kids and her life. In this episode, Jayne shares how she launched to a list of about 350 people, why community and referrals drive her sales, and why she hired experts instead of learning every technical skill herself. Jacques and Rocky also explore what her relationship-led approach means for course creators in the age of AI, with a practical exercise for reclaiming your time. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiQStc4D0G8 Jayne's Website: https://thecpsm.com/ Becoming a Sleep Consultant Podcast: https://thecpsm.com/podcast/ Join Jayne's Free Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/becomeasleepconsultant/ Sleep Consulting with Jayne: https://thesnoozefest.com/ Check out the free workshop: https://www.theonlinecourseguy.com/workshop Apply for Coaching: https://www.theonlinecourseguy.com/coaching Watch the Free Workshop: https://www.theonlinecourseguy.com/workshop Free Kajabi Course and 1 month Trial: http://everyclickkajabi.com/ Free Skool Course and 14 day Trial: https://www.skool.com/refer?ref=c725cf8892fe42c8bb37dd7e5ffc2575 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theonlinecourseguy/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@theonlinecourseguy X: https://twitter.com/onlinecourseguy

September 7, 202651 min

283: The "One Podcast One Offer" Model Behind a Multi-Seven-Figure Business (Featuring Stefanie Gass)

If your business gets more complicated every time you try to grow, Stefanie Gass's story offers a very different path. She built a multi-seven-figure business by stepping away from social media, committing to one podcast, and directing everything toward one clear offer. In this episode, Stefanie shares her one person, one problem, one offer model, why she recommends coaching before building a course, and how she turned a successful live launch into an evergreen funnel. Jacques and Rocky also unpack what her simplicity-first approach means for course creators now that AI makes it easier than ever to create more. Watch the episode on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90jw0Sp7OJA Get Stefanie's Profitable Podcast Bootcamp free: https://stefaniegass.com/gifts Coupon code: JACQUES Or use this link to apply the code automatically: https://stefaniegass.thrivecart.com/profitable-podcast-bootcamp-gift/?coupon=JACQUES Stefanie's Website: https://stefaniegass.com/ Check out the free workshop: https://www.theonlinecourseguy.com/workshop Apply for Coaching: https://www.theonlinecourseguy.com/coaching Watch the Free Workshop: https://www.theonlinecourseguy.com/workshop Free Kajabi Course and 1 month Trial: http://everyclickkajabi.com/ Free Skool Course and 14 day Trial: https://www.skool.com/refer?ref=c725cf8892fe42c8bb37dd7e5ffc2575 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theonlinecourseguy/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@theonlinecourseguy X: https://twitter.com/onlinecourseguy

August 11, 20261 hr 13 min

282: He Didn't Want AI. Now His AI TEAM Gives Him His TIME BACK (Featuring Angelo Santiago)

Angelo Santiago wanted nothing to do with AI. His business is built around human connection, and he worried AI would pull him away from the clients and mission he cares about. Instead, his AI operator, Terry, now handles recurring admin, tracks his business numbers, captures content ideas, and helps keep everything moving. That gives Angelo more time for his clients, his family, and the work only he can do. Angelo also shares how his own marriage struggles led him to create Better Husband, what he learned from his early podcast experiments and launch setbacks, and what finally changed his mind about AI. Listen to Better Husband: https://www.angelosantiago.com/podcast Watch Angelo on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@angelosantiagocoach Learn more about Angelo: https://www.angelosantiago.com Apply for AI Operator Boot Camp: https://aioperatorbootcamp.com Watch The Online Course Show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheOnlineCourseGuy

August 9, 202634 min

281: AI 101 - How AI Works, Explained Simply

AI doesn't have to feel confusing. In this episode, Jacques goes back to the basics with his AI operator Rocky to explain how large language models work, why AI confidently gives wrong answers, and how to get more accurate results. They also explain the difference between a model and a harness, then walk through the progression from basic chat to automations, AI agents, and always-on AI operators. If you want to move beyond simply chatting with AI and start using it to do real work, this episode gives you the foundation.

June 25, 202631 min

280: I Interviewed My AI Employee Rocky

I interviewed Rocky, my AI employee, about what he actually does for me, how AI operators are different from chatbots, and why the future of AI in business is not just better prompts.

June 2, 202625 min

279: Beyond ChatGPT - My Simple 2026 AI Setup

If ChatGPT is still the only AI tool you’re using, this episode will help you take the next step. In this episode of The Online Course Show, I’m sharing the AI tools I’m actually using in 2026. Not a giant list of random apps. Just the ones that are saving me time and changing how I work. I talk about why I’ve been using Claude as my daily driver AI, how to get better results with simple prompting habits, why “do research” is one of my favorite phrases to add to a prompt, and how Wispr Flow has made it much easier to give AI the context it needs. I also walk through Claude Cowork, how I use Rocky in my own business, why Pikzels has become part of my YouTube workflow, and why Claude Code is worth trying even if you don’t think of yourself as a coder. If AI feels overwhelming, don’t try to learn everything at once. Pick one tool. Try one workflow. Build from there. IN THIS EPISODE • Why ChatGPT is only the beginning • Why I’m using Claude as my main AI tool • How to use “do research” to get better answers • Why AI can sound confident and still be wrong • How to use ELI5 prompts • How to make AI review your work from your audience’s perspective • Why Wispr Flow makes prompting faster • What Claude Cowork does • How Pikzels helps with YouTube thumbnails • Why Claude Code is useful beyond coding CHAPTERS 00:00 Why ChatGPT is only the beginning 01:57 Claude as my daily driver AI 05:42 Prompting tips that make AI more useful 08:54 A simple demo of AI guessing confidently 11:15 ELI5 and audience-review prompts 15:45 Wispr Flow and voice-first prompting 19:24 Claude Cowork and AI agents 22:36 Pikzels for YouTube thumbnails 25:30 Claude Code for apps and bigger projects 29:15 Where to start if AI feels overwhelming LINKS AND RESOURCES Claude: https://claude.com/download Wispr Flow: https://wisprflow.ai/r?JACQUES92 Pikzels: https://pikzels.com/?via=jacques63 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/AzQiZEiQF-8 Get your Personalized AI Game Plan: https://jacqueshopkins.com/ai-start Some links may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

March 26, 202630 min

278: Meet the AI Operator That Runs My Business

I spent years in the online course world thinking ChatGPT was basically the whole AI story. It wasn't. In this episode, I talk about what changed when I finally went deeper and built a personal AI operator that helps run my business 24/7. I share what it actually does, why it has been such a game changer for me, and why I think this shift is going to matter for every digital product creator.

March 5, 20261 hr 1 min

277: The “One Video a Week” System That Built a Million-Dollar Course Business (Featuring Lauren Bateman)

What does it actually look like to build a seven-figure course business that doesn’t depend on you being “on” all the time? In this episode, I sit down again with Lauren Bateman to talk about what’s changed since her last appearance—and how she’s grown to over $1M per year while keeping her workload lean. We break down her YouTube consistency, simple but powerful A/B testing wins, how she structures her funnel, and why chasing viral content can distract you from the audience that actually buys. If you want a more predictable, sustainable course business, this conversation is packed with practical takeaways. Watch the episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/VbDIaN68h_E Lauren's Website: https://www.laurenbatemanguitar.com/ 🎓 Check out the free workshop: https://www.theonlinecourseguy.com/workshop Sign up for Jacques’ Journal: https://www.theonlinecourseguy.com/ Apply for Coaching: https://www.theonlinecourseguy.com/coaching Watch the Free Workshop: https://www.theonlinecourseguy.com/workshop Free Kajabi Course and 1 month Trial: http://everyclickkajabi.com/ Free Skool Course and 14 day Trial: https://www.skool.com/refer?ref=c725cf8892fe42c8bb37dd7e5ffc2575 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theonlinecourseguy/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@theonlinecourseguy X: https://twitter.com/onlinecourseguy

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