In this episode, Rustam Irani unpacks one of the biggest wake-up calls in his marketing career—the campaign that looked flawless on every dashboard but failed to deliver real-world results. He shares the story of a “perfect” set of ads that hit every metric yet missed a critical human insight: students couldn’t physically get to class. Through the now-famous Bus Route Story, Rustam shows how collaboration across finance, admissions, and marketing (the FAM framework) uncovered the truth and led to more empathetic, student-centered solutions.

Timestamps

 * 00:00 – 01:00 | When perfect dashboards deceive: the illusion of success
 * 01:00 – 03:30 | The setup: campaigns, demographics, and the ideal healthcare student
 * 03:30 – 06:00 | Data looks perfect—but something deeper isn’t adding up
 * 06:00 – 08:00 | Enter the FAM Framework: connecting marketing, admissions, and finance
 * 08:00 – 10:30 | The aha moment: transportation barriers behind the enrollment drop
 * 10:30 – 13:30 | Turning insights into action: rethinking schedules, hybrid options, and messaging
 * 13:30 – 16:00 | Lessons learned: what data can’t tell you about your students
 * 16:00 – 17:45 | Rustam’s final reflection: where true ROI really lives



Blinded By Data

In this AI marketing podcast episode, Dan Sanchez and his brother Travis dive deep into the latest AI-powered capabilities in Google Sheets and how they're revolutionizing everyday marketing workflows. From automated spreadsheet completion to real-time data analysis and reporting, Dan shares specific examples of how Gemini is saving hours of work and turning spreadsheets into smart, dynamic tools. Whether you're managing content calendars or analyzing survey responses, this episode reveals how AI is transforming how marketers use spreadsheets.

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:

 * Google Sheets Gemini AI - https://workspace.google.com/blog/product-announcements/duet-ai-in-google-sheets
 * Clay (for AI data enrichment) - https://www.clay.com/
 * Gamma (AI-powered presentation tool) - https://gamma.app/
 * Turning your podcast into social posts: https://smack.fm

Timestamps:

 * 00:00 - Do you love spreadsheets? The kind of marketer that says a lot
 * 02:00 - AI in Google Sheets is finally a real workflow enhancer
 * 04:30 - Dan shares how Gemini filled in an entire Bible study worksheet
 * 06:30 - When Gemini hallucinates: where AI in Sheets still falls short
 * 08:15 - Use Gemini as a cell-level formula to categorize qualitative survey data
 * 11:30 - Reporting magic: Gemini pulls podcast view data from multiple tabs and summarizes it
 * 14:30 - The future of automating social media analytics with AI + Chrome
 * 17:30 - Why High Level's fixed pricing and Google Sheets integration is a game-changer
 * 21:00 - Turning podcast episodes into book chapters using Gemini
 * 27:00 - Emotional processing and marriage fights: a surprising use case for AI
 * 31:00 - Viral post: Claude cuts $195K hospital bill down to $33K
 * 35:00 - Using AI for second opinions on legal and financial documents

The Secret AI Power Hiding Inside Google Sheets

In this episode, Ken Freire [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenfreire/] sits down with Lauren Nicole Peters, founder of The Art of Daily Sales and The Profit Salon, to unpack how solopreneurs can validate their offers in just seven days. Lauren shares her proven framework for testing and selling offers before creating them, using AI tools to streamline the process and avoid burnout. They explore common mistakes coaches make, how to find the one problem your audience will pay to solve, and how to use AI to test multiple offer angles fast. Whether you’re launching a new product or trying to refine your existing offer, this episode gives you a practical roadmap to move from idea to sales in a week.

Resources Mentioned

 * The Profit Salon - https://theprofitsalon.com/
 * Lauren Nicole Peters - https://laurennicolepeters.com/
 * Instagram: Feminine Devotion [https://www.instagram.com/femininedevotion/]
 * ChatGPT - https://openai.com/
 * Gamma App - https://gamma.app/
 * Meta Ads - https://www.facebook.com/business/ads
 * Alex Hormozi - https://www.acquisition.com/

Timestamps

 * 00:02 – Why most entrepreneurs fail to validate their offers before launching
 * 01:16 – What offer validation really means and why seven days is the sweet spot
 * 02:57 – Common mistakes coaches make when creating offers
 * 04:24 – How to identify and solve one small problem for your audience
 * 06:27 – Overthinking, mindset blocks, and how to overcome them
 * 09:45 – The seven-day framework for validating your offer fast
 * 12:04 – Using templates and AI to simplify your landing pages and messaging
 * 14:59 – Testing five different angles for one offer
 * 15:04 – How to use AI and custom GPTs to brainstorm, validate, and sell faster
 * 18:10 – What mini offers are and how they lead to higher-priced programs
 * 20:32 – Balancing free value vs. paid offers (Hormozi & Tesla examples)
 * 23:28 – How to choose the right mentor and realistic marketing model
 * 26:23 – What’s working in 2025: Mini offers outperform webinars
 * 27:57 – Building backend systems and nurturing your funnel based on your energy type
 * 30:29 – Where to find and connect with Lauren Nicole Peters

7 Days to Sales: The Fastest Way to Test Your Offer

Should you start a podcast? Take the free assessment:  https://AIdrivenmarketer.com/pod [https://aidrivenmarketer.com/pod]

In this AI marketing podcast episode, Dan Sanchez and Ken Freire break down how your personal core values are your greatest unfair advantage in the age of AI. While AI can mimic tone, produce content, and automate tasks, it can never replicate your deep convictions, beliefs, or lived experiences. They walk through a step-by-step roadmap for identifying and clarifying your core values and how to turn them into magnetic forces in your marketing, leadership, and business.

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

 * Core Values Word Bank:
 * AI-driven Podcast Fit Assessment - https://AIdrivenmarketer.com/pod [https://aidrivenmarketer.com/pod]

Timestamps

 * 00:01 – The human edge over AI: core values and lived experience
 * 01:19 – What your "why" really is and why most people lose sight of it
 * 02:32 – Why core values are your differentiator in a sea of AI sameness
 * 05:20 – Ken's journey: discovering and teaching core values
 * 06:53 – What core values are (and aren't)
 * 10:19 – Ken’s 5-part framework: Believe, Become, Build, Belong, Bless
 * 15:05 – Using life stories and reflection to uncover values
 * 19:14 – The "Reality Audit": time, money, energy, and fear as value indicators
 * 23:14 – How to shortcut the process using ChatGPT
 * 26:19 – Final step: aligning and refining your true top 5 core values
 * 30:32 – Core values in marketing: bring them to life with stories
 * 35:29 – 3 key stories every marketer should craft to express values
 * 38:14 – Add the story of transformation to the mix
 * 39:36 – Stories across your content make your values unmistakable
 * 40:46 – Getting help: AI can assist, but humans help discern your truth

Your Unfair Advantage AI Can't Fake

In this  AI marketing podcast [https://aidrivenmarketer.com/] episode, Dan Sanchez and co-host Ken Freire tackle the rising tide of AI-generated content and its impact on marketers trying to stand out online. With a flood of polished, AI-written posts dominating platforms like LinkedIn, they explore how marketers can preserve authenticity, leverage their human edge, and avoid becoming just another voice in the AI crowd. They share personal anecdotes and practical frameworks for how to lead with real experience, personality, and values in an era of indistinguishable content.

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

Timestamps:

 * 00:00 - Why LinkedIn Feels Flooded with AI Content
 * 01:45 - The Graphic Design Industry's Coming Disruption
 * 04:21 - Coca-Cola’s AI-Generated Commercials
 * 06:18 - Personality as the Differentiator
 * 09:13 - How to Stay Authentic with AI Tools
 * 13:41 - Voice Prompting for More Personal AI Output
 * 15:44 - The Human Edge: Experience Over Imitation
 * 19:24 - Trust and Values in the Buying Journey
 * 22:41 - The Theology of Creativity
 * 24:42 - The Joy of Building with AI (Not Replacing Yourself)
 * 28:20 - Applying Authenticity to Expert Marketing
 * 33:07 - Real Authenticity is Values, Not Emotions
 * 34:33 - Why Defining Your Core Values Is Crucial

The Age of Artificial Authority (& How to Stand Out In It)

In this episode, Ken Freire and Patrick Lowndes dismantle the myth that Christian calling is reserved only for those in full-time ministry. Together, they lay the biblical groundwork for understanding two kinds of callings every believer has: a general calling that applies to all followers of Christ, and a specific calling that reflects how God uniquely wires each of us to serve in different seasons of life. They unpack what Scripture says about both, offering clarity and encouragement for Christians who want to live out their faith meaningfully in the workplace and beyond.

Resources Mentioned

 * Book: The Call by Os Guinness 
 * Bible Passages: Genesis 1:28 (Creation Mandate), Matthew 22:37–39 (Great Commandment), Matthew 28:19–20 (Great Commission), Colossians 3:23, Romans 8:29, Hebrews 10:25

Timestamps

 * 00:00–02:00 – Opening banter and introduction: why this topic matters
 * 02:00–03:00 – The false belief: calling is only for those in full-time ministry
 * 03:00–05:00 – Understanding the difference between general and specific callings
 * 05:00–08:00 – Three core general callings: the Creation Mandate, the Great Commandment, and the Great Commission
 * 08:00–10:00 – How general callings shape our specific callings
 * 10:00–12:00 – Examples of specific callings changing through life seasons
 * 12:00–14:00 – Living out your calling today and previewing the next episode on the RISE framework

Ep. 12 - Laying the Groundwork for Two Christian Callings

In this AI marketing podcast [https://aidrivenmarketer.com/] episode, Dan Sanchez kicks off a new experimental series titled "Own the Show," joined by co-host Ken Freire. Together, they lay the foundation for what will become a book, starting with the urgent problem it aims to solve: the looming AI-driven job displacement. They unpack the coming shift, citing reports from the IMF and World Economic Forum predicting that over 60% of jobs in advanced economies will be affected by AI. This episode isn’t just about the threat; it’s a rallying call for marketers to embrace AI, reclaim their human edge, and rise as thought leaders to future-proof their careers.

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

 * IMF Job Impact Report - https://www.imf.org/en/Blogs/Articles/2024/01/14/ai-will-transform-the-global-economy-lets-make-sure-it-benefits-humanity?utm_source=chatgpt.com
 * World Economic Forum Job Forecast - https://www.weforum.org/publications/the-future-of-jobs-report-2025/digest/

Timestamps

 * 00:00 — The coming AI disruption: 60% of jobs affected
 * 01:00 — Introducing "Own the Show": Turning a podcast into a book
 * 02:00 — The problem: AI replacing, changing, and offsetting jobs
 * 03:30 — Knowledge workers at risk: A marketer’s wake-up call
 * 06:00 — Hope in the WEF report: 7% net job growth
 * 08:00 — Lean business trend: Fewer employees, more automation
 * 10:00 — Rise of the solopreneur and AI as your first hires
 * 14:00 — Becoming AI-driven is no longer optional
 * 16:00 — The Human Edge: What AI will never replace
 * 21:00 — Real relationships & thought leadership in the AI age
 * 24:00 — Why a podcast is the best tool for authority building
 * 28:00 — Final encouragement: Don’t wait, start now

60% of Jobs Are Exposed to AI (Don’t Be In One) #OwnTheShow

Get the full ChatGPT Masterclass: https://aidrivenmarketer.com/course

In this AI marketing podcast [https://aidrivenmarketer.com/] episode, Dan Sanchez breaks down one of the most pivotal skills every AI-driven marketer must master: process development. He shares a powerful four-step framework and reveals how he used it to create a custom GPT that cut a 45-minute podcast pre-production process down to just five minutes. Whether you’re trying to automate your workflows, build repeatable systems, or scale your AI usage, this lesson is your essential launchpad into real productivity.

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

 * MyShowrunner.com - https://myshowrunner.com [https://myshowrunner.com/]

Timestamps

 * 00:00 — Why this lesson is your gateway to advanced AI use
 * 01:30 — What separates beginners from advanced AI marketers
 * 03:40 — What ChatGPT Projects are (and how free users can benefit)
 * 06:10 — The 4-step framework: Analyze, Optimize, Standardize, Mechanize
 * 11:00 — Walkthrough: How I built my Showrunner GPT with step-by-step instructions
 * 18:40 — Why clear instructions make or break automation
 * 21:00 — Color-coding instruction sets for clarity and power
 * 24:00 — How this one shift can double your productivity

The 4-Step System That Turns Any Workflow Into an AI Powerhouse

In this episode, Ken Freire sits down with Keri Olson, a Christian mindset and business coach who made an extraordinary leap of faith. After years of building her coaching business, Keri felt called to lay it all down—and within just 67 days, she made $100,000 through affiliate marketing. In this deeply personal and faith-filled conversation, Keri shares her story of loss, surrender, and divine provision, revealing how obedience led to unexpected success and renewed purpose. From battling cancer and foreclosure to building financial freedom through automation and digital marketing, Keri's journey is a testament to resilience, faith, and the new opportunities available to solopreneurs in the age of AI.

Resources Mentioned

 * Descript – https://www.descript.com/
 * Opus Clip – https://www.opus.pro/
 * Zencastr – https://zencastr.com/
 * Amen to Daily Pay – https://amentodailypay.com/

Timestamps

 * 00:00 – 02:00: Introducing Keri Olson and her 100K-in-67-days story
 * 02:00 – 07:00: Overcoming cancer, divorce, and foreclosure
 * 07:00 – 10:00: A moment of surrender and rediscovering faith
 * 10:00 – 14:00: Laying down the coaching business and trusting God's plan
 * 15:00 – 18:30: Discovering affiliate marketing and the first steps toward success
 * 18:30 – 21:00: The big reveal—sharing her financial breakthrough with her family
 * 22:00 – 27:00: Helping others build freedom through affiliate systems and automation
 * 27:00 – 31:00: Encouragement for struggling coaches and the power of perseverance
 * 33:00 – 35:00: Favorite AI tools: Descript, Opus Clip, and automated funnels

She Scaled to $100K Solo. Here’s How.

In this AI marketing podcast [https://aidrienmarketer.com/] episode, Dan Sanchez and Travis Sanchez dive into Google's rapid advancements in AI, specifically the rise of Gemini and how Google's interconnected ecosystem of tools is positioning it as a serious contender to ChatGPT. From overhauled research assistants to free app-building tools, Google is quietly stacking up powerful AI features that marketers can immediately benefit from.

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

 * Google Workspace AI Updates: https://workspace.google.com/blog/product-announcements/october-workspace-drop-ai-storytelling-research-and-data-protections?utm_source=chatgpt.com
 * NotebookLM Overhaul: https://blog.google [https://blog.google/technology/google-labs/notebooklm-custom-personas-engine-upgrade/]
 * Free Vibe Coding App: https://aistudio.google.com/vibe-code
 * Social Media Examiner AI Report 2025: https://socialmediaexaminer.com/aireport2025
 * LinkedIn Poll: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/digitalmarketingdan_danchez-activity-7389670370250866688-Y5nO?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAJq6gwB_q7tbdFevQk2MATQbXLntrfkInA
 * Viral Car Rental Video: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7389311435639746562/

Timestamps

 * 00:00 - Google swings for the fences with Gemini updates
 * 01:55 - Gemini outperforms ChatGPT in turning transcripts into newsletters
 * 03:00 - NotebookLM gets smarter and more reliable
 * 04:18 - Veo 3.1: Faster, higher-quality AI video
 * 04:38 - Google launches free Vibe Coding App
 * 05:53 - Google's growing ecosystem is its secret weapon
 * 07:59 - Sora vs. Veo video generation showdown
 * 08:57 - Google Sheets now powered by AI and web search
 * 12:29 - Sponsor: High Level and the AI Automation Vault
 * 14:11 - Poll results: Google AI tool usage frequency
 * 15:41 - Insights from the Social Media Examiner AI Report
 * 23:07 - Viral Post: Sixt turns bad reviews into AI-generated horror films

The Rise of Gemini: How Google is Gaining Ground in the AI Race

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

Shows