In this AI marketing podcast [https://danchez.com/ai-marketing-podcast/] episode, Dan Sanchez breaks down the 2025 State of AI Marketing report, unpack the latest ChatGPT updates including the new Agent Builder and Apps feature, and revisit the buzz around Sora 2. They also share how AI is fueling their day-to-day projects, from t-shirt designs to Disney trip planning. Get practical, marketer-centric insights on leveraging AI right now.

My Favorite AI Tools

 * Tella - https://danchez.com/tella
 * High Level - https://danchez.com/highlevel
 * Zencastr - https://danchez.com/podtools
 * n8n - https://danchez.com/n8n

Resources Mentioned

 * 2025 State of AI Marketing Industry Report - https://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/ai-marketing-industry-report-2025/
 * AI Explored YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AIExaminer/videos
 * Solo Podcast Challenge: https://solopodcastchallenge.com/
 * LinkedIn Poll: Top AI Marketing Activities - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/digitalmarketingdan_what-are-your-top-3-activity-7384579264198746112-B-4J?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAJq6gwB_q7tbdFevQk2MATQbXLntrfkInA
 * Viral Post on ChatGPT Slash Commands - https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7384207674411905024/?commentUrn=urn%3Ali%3Acomment%3A(activity%3A7384207674411905024%2C7384332660170653696)&dashCommentUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afsd_comment%3A(7384332660170653696%2Curn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A7384207674411905024)&dashReplyUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afsd_comment%3A(7384336057531752449%2Curn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A7384207674411905024)&replyUrn=urn%3Ali%3Acomment%3A(activity%3A7384207674411905024%2C7384336057531752449)#

Timestamps

 * 00:00 – Quick Zencastr tip for fixing Spotify feed errors
 * 02:00 – High Level’s major UI upgrade for landing pages
 * 04:15 – Highlights from the 2025 State of AI Marketing Industry Report
 * 09:30 – ChatGPT’s new Agent Builder and Apps features explained
 * 13:00 – Where is Sora 2 now, two weeks later?
 * 16:00 – Everyday AI: t-shirt mockups, Disney planning, and more
 * 19:45 – What marketers are actually doing with AI (based on LinkedIn poll)
 * 23:00 – Viral LinkedIn post: Does ChatGPT support slash commands?

The State of AI Marketing in 2025 - What's Helpful (& What's Hype)

If your confidence is based on your performance, you’ll always be insecure — because your next outcome is never guaranteed. In this episode, Ron Minatrea shares how a subtle mindset shift can change everything about the way you lead and live. You’ll hear his own story of tying identity to success, the crash that followed, and the breakthrough that came when he learned to lead from identity instead of performance.

You’ll discover how to uncover your unique wiring — your vocational DNA — and learn why confidence built on who you are will always outperform confidence based on what you do.

You’ll learn:

 * Why performance-based confidence is fragile and unsustainable
 * How to uncover the traits that make your leadership unique
 * What it means to live and lead with authentic alignment
 * How your most valuable contribution flows from your signature blend of strengths

Key Idea:
Your performance doesn’t define your value — your identity drives your performance.

Call to Action:
Reflect on your own unique wiring this week. Where do your beliefs, behaviors, and strengths align — and where do they feel out of sync? When you change how you think about your value, you change how you lead and how you live.

Leading from Identity, Not Performance

In this episode, Ken Freire and Patrick Lowndes compare two drastically different work cultures: the "normal" self-focused culture of the world and the countercultural, service-oriented work ethic of the Kingdom of God. They walk through four contrasts that highlight how followers of Jesus can reflect Kingdom values in their 9-to-5 by choosing service over self-promotion, team wins over personal glory, above-and-beyond effort over bare minimums, and people over projects. If you're ready to rethink how you work, this episode gives you a practical framework to evaluate and shift your daily habits and mindset.

Resources Mentioned:

 * Book: The Top Ten Mistakes Leaders Make by Hans Finzel

Timestamps:

 * [00:12] - Two work cultures: normal vs. Kingdom
 * [02:12] - False belief: work is for personal status and gain
 * [03:34] - Culture #1: Me-focused vs. service-focused
 * [07:11] - Culture #2: Self-glory in delivery vs. team success
 * [11:36] - Practical leadership tip: praise team wins, own team failures
 * [11:57] - Culture #3: Doing just enough vs. going the extra mile
 * [15:26] - Culture #4: Project-focused vs. people-focused
 * [18:37] - The truth: work is for serving and lifting others up
 * [19:42] - Call to action: Which work culture are you reflecting?

Does this look accurate before I move on to the newsletter draft?

Ep. 9 - Two Work Cultures

In this episode, Rustam Irani challenges higher-ed marketers to stop “playing it safe,” sharing how an early-career DIY innovation project sparked a career-long commitment to testing, multi-channel strategy, and culture change. He connects lessons from building a waterproof GPS rig to the realities of rising CPCs, AI-driven shifts in search, and the internal politics of getting buy-in for new ideas—culminating in a practical weekly challenge to run one brave test.

Resources Mentioned

• TikTok  - https://www.tiktok.com/

• Snapchat  - https://www.snapchat.com/

• Reddit  - https://www.reddit.com/

• Spotify  - https://www.spotify.com/

• Pandora  - https://www.pandora.com/

• YouTube  - https://www.youtube.com/

• Google Ads – Performance Max (PMax)  - https://ads.google.com/intl/en/home/campaigns/performance-max/

• Meta Advantage+  - https://www.facebook.com/business/advantage

• Facebook Lead Ads  - https://www.facebook.com/business/ads/lead-ads

Timestamps

• 00:03 — Why “playing it safe” is risky + how to apply an innovation mindset to higher-ed marketing (AI/AEO, shifting channels)

• 01:18 — Origin story: building a waterproof GPS (IMAP) and the power of constraints-driven creativity

• 06:17 — Rising CPCs and why you must go truly multi-channel (CTV, Spotify/Pandora/YouTube); from 7 to 11–12 brand impressions

• 07:49 — Fund experimentation: carve out a 5–10% R&D budget; lessons from Facebook Lead Ads

• 10:38 — What to test now: TikTok, Reddit, Google PMax, Meta Advantage+—and the guardrails you’ll need

• 12:46 — Put students first: authenticity and outcomes-driven messaging across every channel

• 14:32 — Getting buy-in: navigating internal politics and proving ROI; the inbound-test playbook

• 19:39 — Weekly challenge: pick one “best practice” to break, run a test, and build a culture of innovation

Think Different

In this episode, Ken Freire and Patrick Lowndes dive into the practical side of job hunting with "7 Hacks to Finally Get the Callback." Building on last week's episode about HR's harsh truths, this one is all about hope and strategy. Ken and Patrick share actionable advice to flip the script on job applications—from leveraging AI the right way to tailoring your resume, building an online presence, networking smart, and more. Whether you’re just out of college or deep into a job hunt, these seven hacks will help you stand out and move closer to that interview.

Resources Mentioned:

 * ChatGPT [https://chat.openai.com/]
 * Google Gemini [https://deepmind.google/technologies/gemini/]
 * Operator Community [https://www.operatorcommunity.com/]

Timestamps:

 * 01:45 – Hack #1: Use AI tools wisely (don’t let them replace your own insight)
 * 04:18 – Hack #2: Tailor your resume and application for each specific role
 * 06:44 – Hack #3: Use referrals and network strategically
 * 10:36 – Hack #4: Optimize your digital presence, especially LinkedIn
 * 12:38 – Hack #5: Show genuine enthusiasm and alignment with the role
 * 15:13 – Hack #6: Follow up intelligently, and add value in your outreach
 * 16:43 – Hack #7: Iterate, get feedback, and constantly refine your pitch
 * 18:02 – Final Thoughts: Start with the easiest change, then build momentum

Ep. 8 - 7 Hacks to Finally Get the Callback.

In this   AI marketing podcast episode, Dan Sanchez and his brother Travis unpack Sora 2’s splashy launch, why ChatGPT’s social-first spin matters, and what the rising tide of AI video means for marketers. We also hit OpenAI’s new in-chat shopping with Shopify/Etsy, and Anthropic’s Claude 4.5—plus the real-world ways we used AI this week.

My Favorite AI Tools

• Tella (AI screen recording app I record all my solo episodes with) — https://danchez.com/tella

• High Level (My all in one marketing platform) — https://danchez.com/highlevel

• Zencastr (Best AI podcast tool) — https://danchez.com/podtools

• n8n (my favorite AI automation tool) — https://danchez.com/n8n

Resources Mentioned

• Sora 2 app by ChatGPT — (Apple App Store)

• ChatGPT — https://chat.openai.com/

• Google’s VO3 (video model) — (Google Labs announcement)

• HeyGen (talking‑head video) — https://www.heygen.com/

• Anthropic Claude 4.5 (Sonnet) — https://www.anthropic.com/

• High Level — https://danchez.com/highlevel

• AI Automation Vault (snapshots/campaigns) — https://aiautomationvault.com/

• Solo Podcast Challenge — https://solopodcastchallenge.com/

• U.S. Navy body‑fat formula (calculator reference) — (general reference)

Timestamps

• 00:00 – 05:30 — Sora 2 launches: why it’s topping the App Store, how it compares to VO3, and the audio realism that’s blowing minds.

• 05:30 – 09:30 — Watermarks, quality trade‑offs, and what’s usable for marketing right now.

• 09:30 – 14:30 — Sora as a social platform: capturing likeness/voice, consent controls, 10‑second clips, and early growth tactics.

• 14:30 – 18:30 — Marketers as directors: storytelling, continuity limits today, and what “good” looks like beyond shiny visuals.

• 18:30 – 20:10 — Moderation/IP: why Pikachu took over (briefly), takedowns, and how brand protections will evolve.

• 20:10 – 23:40 — In‑chat shopping via ChatGPT + Shopify/Etsy: what AIO/AEO means for e‑commerce and brand demand.

• 23:40 – 25:10 — Claude 4.5 Sonnet drops (then gets overshadowed): coding, data work, and writing strengths.

• 25:10 – 26:30 — Sponsor: High Level — cloning campaigns, snapshots, and a 30‑day look at Dan’s AI campaigns.

• 26:30 – 33:40 — Everyday AI: watermark removal ethics, Bible‑study context with AI, ad‑script drafting, and the Navy body‑fat method.

• 33:40 – 40:40 — Poll results on AI video in 2026, why early AI‑video experiments will mint new marketing careers, and the Pikachu mash‑ups.

Sora 2 Makes Every Marketer a Filmmaker 

In this episode, Ken Freire [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenfreire/] sits down with Justin Janowski, founder of Faith to Influence, to unpack how solopreneurs, coaches, and consultants can master high-ticket sales without resorting to sleazy tactics or pressure-based strategies. Justin shares how he grew his business to $250K in his first year without ads or a big audience, using relational selling rooted in service and integrity. Together, they dive into how to reframe sales as service, overcome limiting beliefs, and create a transparent sales process that feels good for both seller and client.

Resources Mentioned

 * Faith to Influence - https://faith2influence.com/
 * Good Sales PDF (Justin’s free 10-step sales process) - https://goodsalespdf.com/
 * John Acuff (author of Soundtracks) - https://jonacuff.com/

Timestamps

 * 00:20 – Justin’s story: growing to $250K in year one without ads or a big list
 * 01:37 – Why 82% of coaches fail and the fear of sales
 * 02:16 – The illusion of progress: hiding in marketing instead of selling
 * 04:21 – Rewriting the old story of sales: from pushy to service-oriented
 * 06:57 – Doing it scared: why repetition builds sales confidence
 * 09:19 – Breaking the “one-call close” myth and the power of booking the next call
 * 12:04 – Transparent pricing and rejecting manipulative sales tactics
 * 16:05 – Justin’s 10-step sales process (pre-frame, discovery, vision, offer)
 * 22:03 – Coffee chats vs. sales calls: how to handle both with integrity
 * 23:10 – The importance of language: why “decision” works better than “investment”
 * 25:15 – Why safety and trust matter in sales conversations
 * 28:20 – The balance of assertiveness: avoiding both passivity and aggression
 * 31:30 – Practice and repetition: how to gain mastery in sales calls
 * 31:43 – Free resource: Justin’s 10-step sales process PDF
 * 33:24 – Final encouragement: there is a better way to sell with integrity

How to Sell High-Ticket Offers Without Being Pushy

In this episode, Ken Freire and Patrick Lowndes tackle a demoralizing experience that many young professionals face: applying to countless jobs and hearing nothing back. They unpack five harsh realities behind why HR may not be calling you back—and more importantly, how these have nothing to do with your value or identity in Christ. With practical insights and biblical encouragement, Ken and Patrick dismantle the lie that silence equals worthlessness and offer a freeing perspective for job seekers.

Resources Mentioned:

 * Operator Community: Join here [https://www.theoperatorcommunity.com/] (link to be added in show notes)

Timestamps:

 * [00:20] The False Belief: No callbacks = No value
 * [02:29] Harsh Reality #1: Your resume never made it past the algorithm
 * [05:20] Harsh Reality #2: Your resume looks like everyone else’s
 * [07:45] Harsh Reality #3: You didn’t network—they hired someone who did
 * [10:08] Harsh Reality #4: Your digital presence raised a red flag
 * [12:12] Harsh Reality #5: HR doesn’t think you want the job
 * [14:10] Hope and Encouragement: Your worth is not your work
 * [15:44] What’s Next: 7 hacks to finally get that callback

Ep. 7 - Harsh Truth HR Won’t Tell You

In this AI marketing podcast [https://danchez.com/ai-marketing-podcast/] episode, Dan Sanchez and his brother Travis break down why creative AI has crossed the line from novelty to production-grade. From Suno’s jaw‑dropping V5 music model and Gamma’s new automation API, to Kling 2.5 Turbo finally nailing tricky motion in video, we explore what’s now practical for marketers—and how to put it to work this week.

My Favorite AI Tools

 * Tella (AI screen recording app I record all my solo episodes with) – https://danchez.com/tella
 * High Level (My all in one marketing platform) – https://danchez.com/highlevel
 * Zencastr (Best AI podcast tool) – https://danchez.com/podtools
 * n8n (my favorite AI automation tool) – https://danchez.com/n8n

Resources Mentioned

 * • Suno V5 (AI music) – https://suno.com/
 * • Gamma (presentations, docs, sites & carousels + API) – https://gamma.app/
 * • Kling 2.5 Turbo video model doing gymnastics – https://x.com/venturetwins/status/1970563820478439546
 * LinkedIn Poll: “Which AI App Are You Using?” – https://www.linkedin.com/posts/digitalmarketingdan_danchez-activity-7376587845643448320-PoLd?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAJq6gwB_q7tbdFevQk2MATQbXLntrfkInA
 * Viral Post Example (AI-made B2B theme-park ride bit) – https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7376240736020856832/

Timestamps

 * 00:00 – Creative AI is now production‑ready: why it matters for marketers.
 * 00:55 – Suno V5 breakthrough: near‑indistinguishable vocals, tighter prompts, and stem splitting for editable tracks.
 * 04:20 – Jingles & bumpers: short‑form audio constraints, what V5 fixes and what’s still hard.
 * 07:36 – Gamma levels up: solid decks/carousels; 10:06–10:59 API automation via Zapier/Make for hands‑off social carousels.
 * 11:59 – “Vibe coding” landing pages vs. templated site builders; where Gamma shines (carousels) vs. where to hand-code.
 * 12:59 – Kling 2.5 Turbo nails tricky motion (gymnastics/diving): video is crossing into reliable production territory.
 * 16:34 – Sponsor: HighLevel—why $100/mo replaces a stack (and the free fallback: Google Sheets + Sendfox).
 * 17:37 – Everyday AI: Travis’s dream‑journal interpretations; Dan ships a 5‑part audio series in ~1 hour with NotebookLM & Gemini; Travis’s coffee‑cart business analysis with ChatGPT voice.
 * 24:19 – Poll results: ChatGPT leads but declining; Claude/Gemini gaining; thoughts on Copilot wrappers.
 * 28:50 – Viral post pick: clever AI‑generated B2B ride concept; the niche‑content future.

From Toy to Tool: Creative AI Is Now Production-Ready

In this episode, Ken Freire sits down with coach and consultant Megan Huber to uncover the power of community-driven sales. Megan shares how she built a $70K/month business not through funnels or ads, but through a Facebook group paired with a strategic DM system. She explains why relationships and trust are the real drivers of high-ticket sales today, how to avoid the most common mistakes in community-building, and how tools like GroupTrack CRM can streamline outreach without losing the human touch. This episode is packed with practical strategies for solopreneurs who want to scale through authentic connections rather than cold pitches.

Resources Mentioned

 * GroupTrack CRM - https://grouptrackcrm.com/
 * Structured Freedom, Inc. Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/structuredfreedominc

Timestamps

 * 0:03 – 3:38: Megan’s journey and why community is the new funnel
 * 3:48 – 7:43: How Facebook groups still work in 2025 and why belonging drives sales
 * 7:55 – 13:01: The #1 mistake most coaches make when building communities
 * 13:30 – 17:17: Megan’s 3-part welcome DM system for new members
 * 17:37 – 20:23: Why traditional cold DMs don’t work anymore and the trust gap in coaching
 * 20:23 – 25:23: Using automation and GroupTrack CRM without losing authenticity
 * 25:35 – 29:12: Text vs. audio messages in DMs and adapting to client preferences
 * 29:21 – 36:00: How Megan manages DMs daily, closes sales, and improves retention
 * 36:14 – 39:42: Why clients stay for community, not just information
 * 40:00 – 44:16: Selling in the DMs: realistic price points and Facebook vs. other platforms
 * 44:29 – 46:50: Where to find Megan and final takeaways on connection-driven sales

The $70K/Month Facebook Group Funnel (Built on DMs)

I'm just a marketer on a mission to master AI in 2025 by interviewing AI tech founders, AI leaders, and marketing practitioners who are getting great results with AI today. 

Let's master this thing together. Follow this show to join me on the journey.

#danchez

AI-Driven Marketer: Master AI Marketing To Stand Out In 2025

Solo:Scaled is the podcast for ambitious solopreneurs who want to grow a 7-figure business without building a big team. Hosted by Dan Sanchez and Ken Freire, this show explores how AI, smart systems, and lean strategy are unlocking a new era of solo success. Whether you're scaling your coaching business, consulting practice, or content brand, you'll get real talk, expert interviews, and behind-the-scenes updates on our own journey to build a powerful, profitable business—with freedom, not burnout.

Solo:Scaled

Helps leaders think differently so they can lead more effectively and live more fully.

Hosted by Fortune-100 veteran Ron Minatrea, each monthly episode blends real-life stories, practical tools, and mindset shifts that align who you are with how you lead, build trust, and sustain impact without burning out.

The Exponential Mindset Leadership Podcast

You were called to serve, not just in church, but at work. Buried Talent is a weekly podcast for Christian young professionals who feel called to meaningful impact for Christ during their 9-to-5. Each episode dismantles a false belief about faith and work, exposing the lie, replacing it with liberating biblical truth while offering a small action to activate your God-given purpose right where you are. Hosted by entrepreneur and faith-driven operators Patrick Lowndes and Ken Freire, this show helps you unbury your workplace calling and live sent on Monday just as much as Sunday.

Buried Talent

ROI University is the podcast for higher-ed marketers ready to lead meaningful change. Hosted by Rustam Irani, this solo series helps you unlock higher enrollment, deeper student connection, and the internal clarity to do your boldest work. It’s not just about tactics, it’s about becoming the kind of leader your institution needs. Get ready to raise outcomes across the board: for your students, your team, and yourself.

Dan Sanchez

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