In this episode, Rustam Irani introduces the “5% Rule”—a simple but powerful approach to enrollment growth that leverages small, consistent improvements across every step of the student journey. He shares a real story about how sending branded scrubs to healthcare students reduced melt, boosted retention, and set the stage for his compound growth formula. Rustam then walks through the funnel step by step—from impressions to enrollment to retention—showing how incremental gains add up to transformational outcomes for both institutions and students.

Timestamps

 * 00:02 – Introducing the 5% Rule as the hidden growth lever in enrollment.
 * 01:01 – A real story: solving student melt by sending branded scrubs.
 * 03:26 – Looking at the entire funnel for incremental improvements.
 * 04:27 – Breaking down the compound growth formula.
 * 05:18 – Funnel stage 1: Improving impressions and brand awareness.
 * 06:12 – Funnel stage 2: Increasing clicks and website engagement.
 * 07:00 – Funnel stage 3: Boosting inquiries and conversion rates.
 * 07:26 – Funnel stage 4: Improving admissions contact and engagement.
 * 07:53 – Funnel stage 5: Making enrollment easier through support and messaging.
 * 08:26 – Funnel stage 6: Creating a great student experience after enrollment.
 * 09:10 – Why 5% improvements compound into 27%+ enrollment gains.
 * 09:32 – Internal factors: building teams, setting benchmarks, and aligning messaging.
 * 11:07 – Why there are no silver bullets, just testing, learning, and small wins.
 * 11:49 – Closing encouragement: find micro-touchpoints, make 5% gains, and watch the compounding effect.



Why 5% Wins Can 5X Your Enrollment Funnel

Get your BOPA Guide to grow through other people’s audiences: https://danchez.com/bopa.

In this AI marketing podcast [https://danchez.com/ai-marketing-podcast] episode, Dan Sanchez steps back from the day‑to‑day drops to map three predictions marketers can actually bank on: the tech will keep getting better, adoption will keep climbing, and the combo will spark unpredictable (good and bad) consequences. Along the way he looks at benchmark trends, real usage data, and how to navigate doom narratives while leading with practical optimism. We also cover a fresh LinkedIn poll on why most haven’t launched a show yet, a 21‑day challenge to fix that, and a viral AI‑video example you can ethically borrow for creative ads.

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

• Ethan Mollick (AI analysis) - https://x.com/emollick/status/1961169796491329653

• Epoch AI benchmark trends - https://x.com/emollick/status/1961561723501953131

• Nicole Leffer (LinkedIn post on adoption) - https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7369517902724530179/

• SparkToro + Datos usage data - https://x.com/randfish/status/1962934818515399064

• “Diary of a CEO” interview with Roman Yampolskiy - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UclrVWafRAI

• SoloPodcastChallenge.com [https://SoloPodcastChallenge.com] — 21‑Day Solo Podcast Challenge

• X (formerly Twitter) thread of hyper‑real AI dog video - https://x.com/aitrendz_xyz/status/1963541647683182753

Timestamps

• 00:00:00 — Why now: predictions that are safe & useful for marketers

• 00:01:23 — Prediction #1: AI keeps improving (benchmarks, cost curves, real capability jumps)

• 00:04:40 — Prediction #2: Adoption is accelerating (Nicole Leffer’s observations, everyday use cases)

• 00:06:56 — Usage data deep‑dive: SparkToro/Datos show rising AI‑tool visits (10+ times/month cohort growing)

• 00:09:22 — Prediction #3: Unintended consequences—productivity gains and new risks to watch (e.g., sycophancy)

• 00:11:48 — Doom takes vs pragmatic optimism (Yampolskiy clip; lead human‑first, AI‑driven)

• 00:13:48 — Poll results: why most haven’t started a show yet (time, uniqueness, “too many shows”)

• 00:15:37 — 21‑Day Solo Podcast Challenge (0→7 episodes) + 00:16:46 — Viral post breakdown: hyper‑real AI dog video & creative ad ideas

The Next 3 Years of AI: What’s Actually Coming

In this episode, Ken Freire sits down with Sean Lemon, founder of The Digital Organizer, to uncover how disorganization fuels burnout for solopreneurs—and how the right systems can save your business and your sanity. Sean shares why having multiple tools and scattered notes leads to chaos, the four essential pillars every entrepreneur needs to master (email, files, task management, and passwords), and how AI can be a powerful ally once the fundamentals are in place. Together, they dig into practical strategies for building a sustainable, organized business so you can focus on growth instead of drowning in clutter.

Special Bonus:   
Interested in starting your own podcast go to solopodcastchallenge.com [https://solopodcastchallenge.com/]

Resources Mentioned

 * The Digital Organizer - https://thedigitalorganizer.com/
 * File Organization Guide (Free Download) - https://thedigitalorganizer.com/
 * 1Password - https://1password.com/
 * Missive (Email Client) - https://missiveapp.com/
 * Spark (Email Client) - https://sparkmailapp.com/
 * Shortwave (Email Client) - https://www.shortwave.com/
 * TextExpander - https://textexpander.com/
 * Asana - https://asana.com/
 * Google Drive - https://www.google.com/drive/

Timestamps

 * 0:03 – 2:30 | Why disorganization leads to burnout for solopreneurs
 * 2:30 – 7:30 | Signs you’re heading toward overwhelm and burnout
 * 7:30 – 11:30 | The mindset shift: organizing around clients vs. processes
 * 11:30 – 14:30 | Practical steps for building filing systems that actually work
 * 14:30 – 20:00 | Common mistakes entrepreneurs make with organization
 * 20:00 – 25:30 | The four pillars of digital organization every founder needs
 * 25:30 – 32:00 | Recommended tools for email, file management, tasks, and passwords
 * 32:00 – 39:00 | How AI supports better decision-making and project management
 * 39:00 – 44:30 | Creating repeatable systems with custom GPTs and TextExpander
 * 44:30 – 46:55 | Final takeaways: organize smarter, avoid burnout, and reclaim your time

Why Disorganized Founders Burn Out (And What to Do) w/ Shawn Lemon

Get your BOPA Guide to grow through other people's audiences: https://danchez.com/bopa

In this AI marketing podcast [https://danchez.com/ai-marketing-podcast/] episode, Dan Sanchez walks through the September 2025 overhaul of ChatGPT Projects and shows how to use folders, files, and per‑project instructions to turn ChatGPT into a reliable second brain. You’ll learn when to use “Project‑only” memory (goodbye cross‑project bleed), how to set up instruction docs, and real‑world ways to run content, client, and personal workflows faster—plus a peek at my LinkedIn Post Project that turns one idea into three posts.

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

• Solo Scaled (my company) - https://soloscaled.com/

• LinkedIn Instapost - https://danchez.com/instapost

• Smack - https://smack.fm/

Timestamps

• 00:00:00 — Hook: ChatGPT Projects just got a major overhaul; access changes.

• 00:00:24 — What Projects are: folders that organize conversations (and more than that).

• 00:03:00 — Pro tip: drag old chats into the right Project; add to Project via the ••• menu.

• 00:04:12 — Why Projects matter: shared context across conversations inside a Project.

• 00:05:59 — Memory 101: account‑wide memory vs. Project memory; the old “bleed‑over” problem.

• 00:06:45 — New setting demo: choose “Default memory” vs. “Project‑only” (two‑way barrier).

• 00:07:56 — Add Files: keep PDFs/docs/sheets as always‑available context for every chat in the Project.

• 00:09:16 — Edit Instructions: write purpose, principles, baselines; use markdown or plain text.

• 00:11:57 — Use cases: Projects for channels (AI‑Driven Marketer), brands/clients, and life areas.

• 00:13:30 — Wellness Project example: goals, nutrition, guidance—why context boosts advice quality.

• 00:16:18 — LinkedIn Project: one idea → three post variants (long, concise, spicy) on command.

• 00:17:32 — CTA: grab the “instapost” instructions guide to clone the LinkedIn workflow.

ChatGPT Projects: Organize AI, Get More Done, & Join The Pros

In this AI marketing podcast [https://danchez.com/ai-marketing-podcast/] episode, Dan Sanchez shares 10 everyday ways he’s using AI to improve life outside of work—from troubleshooting and home projects to health, learning, and relationships. He also demos four ways to interact with AI (text, dictation, voice, and on-device video) and closes with a critical warning about AI “sycophancy” and how to guard against confirmation bias. Beginners will get a gentle on-ramp; pros will still walk away with fresh, practical ideas.

My Favorite AI Tools

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

Resources Mentioned

• Suno — https://suno.com [https://suno.com/]

Timestamps

• 00:00:00 — Why bring AI into your personal life; the 10‑ways overview + teaser warning.

• 00:01:09 — The four interaction modes: text→text, dictate→text, voice→voice, and camera‑in‑voice mode (on phone).

• 00:05:36 — #1 Contextual problem solving: lawn weeds, ice maker, car headlamp; treat AI like an on‑call expert.

• 00:09:41 — #3 Health & fitness coaching: macros, routines, grocery swaps; doctor caveats and how dictation adds context.

• 00:12:05 — #4 Navigating crucial conversations: rewrite tense emails, explore other perspectives, find win‑win options.

• 00:16:12 — #7 Creative ideation: interior design mockups for the “adventure room” + sourcing items on Amazon.

• 00:21:38 — #10 Scenario planning: map 2/5/10‑year futures to reduce risk and surface opportunities.

• 00:23:07 — Big warning: AI sycophancy & confirmation bias; invite criticism, add guardrails, and involve trusted people.

Behind the Curtain: My Daily ChatGPT Habits

In this  AI marketing podcast episode, Dan Sanchez and his brother Travis put ChatGPT head‑to‑head with Google Gemini after a summer of major updates from Google. We break down where Gemini now outperforms (photorealistic image generation, fast video with VO3, and prompt‑built automations) and where ChatGPT still shines (layout‑aware design, research workflows). We wrap with everyday AI use cases, a sponsor spotlight on HighLevel’s upcoming agent builder, and a viral creative thread that shows how close we are to blockbuster‑level ads on a bootstrapped budget.

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 Gemini (image & video models including VO3) — https://gemini.google.com [https://gemini.google.com/]
 * ChatGPT — https://chat.openai.com [https://chat.openai.com/]
 * LMArena (blind testing/ranking hub) — https://lmarena.ai [https://lmarena.ai/]
 * Google Opal — https://opal.withgoogle.com/landing/
 * Adobe Express — https://www.adobe.com/express
 * HighLevel Agent Builder (teased) — https://danchez.com/highlevel
 * OpenAI Sora — https://openai.com/sora
 * Viral AI post of the week — https://x.com/minchoi/status/1960930861466914820

Timestamps

 * 00:00 – 01:06 • Setting the stage: ChatGPT’s long reign & Google’s summer surge
 * 01:06 – 03:02 • Bot Bros kickoff & what marketers will get from this breakdown
 * 03:02 – 09:31 • Image showdown: Gemini’s “Nano Banana” vs ChatGPT for thumbnails (photorealism vs typography/layout)
 * 09:31 – 11:27 • Code‑name backstory & LMArena blind tests
 * 11:27 – 15:47 • VO3 opens up: fast 8‑second clips, shock‑moment demos, client uses
 * 15:47 – 18:32 • Google “Opal” automations: Zapier/Make‑style flows built by prompt
 * 18:32 – 20:03 • Ecosystem edge: Workspace integration vs OpenAI; rumors & realities
 * 20:03 – 21:17 • Sponsor: HighLevel’s teased agent builder inside the all‑in‑one platform
 * 21:17 – 29:04 • Everyday AI: shopping research, meeting‑to‑summary workflows, conference prospecting, quick health triage
 * 29:04 – 32:28 • Viral thread breakdown: face/body swaps, 8‑second storytelling, Super Bowl‑level creative on a budget

Google Gemini Vs. ChatGPT: Images, Videos, Automation—Battle Tested

In this episode, Ken Freire sits down with Andy Lehman, founder of Lehman Creations and host of Podcast Answers and Dudes and Dads, to pull back the curtain on how podcasters can actually grow their shows and turn them into profit machines. Andy shares the biggest mistakes new podcasters make, the importance of building a true community, and why engagement—not vanity metrics—is the real path to monetization. He breaks down his practical system for growing a podcast, building real fan relationships, and creating sustainable revenue streams without burning out.

Resources Mentioned

 * Lehman Creations - https://www.lehmancreations.com/
 * Podcast Answers - https://www.podcastanswers.com/
 * Dudes and Dads Podcast - https://dudesanddadspodcast.com/
 * Ecamm Live - https://www.ecamm.com/
 * Discord - https://discord.com/

Timestamps

 * 00:42 – Running two podcasts: business vs. passion projects
 * 02:00 – The #1 mistake podcasters make when trying to grow
 * 03:51 – Setting realistic expectations for audience growth
 * 06:06 – Why your first episodes will be terrible (and that’s okay)
 * 07:30 – Andy’s system for growing from 7 to 1,000 listeners
 * 08:26 – The power of building community and engaging fans
 * 09:56 – Long-form vs. short-form platforms for growth
 * 12:10 – Leveraging Instagram Lives to expand reach
 * 14:15 – When and how to funnel listeners into a community
 * 16:32 – Building true fans through authentic DMs and voice notes
 * 19:22 – How podcasts actually generate profit (beyond ads)
 * 21:16 – Value-for-value model: time, talent, and treasure
 * 23:40 – Using your podcast as your best ad for your services
 * 24:26 – Growing your podcast through Facebook groups without spamming
 * 28:06 – Mindset shifts to scale without burning out
 * 29:39 – Creating true fans who evangelize and contribute back
 * 32:18 – Where to connect with Andy and get podcast help

Andy Lehman’s Secret Playbook for Growing (and Monetizing) Your Podcast

Join the 21-Day Solo: Podcast Challenge - https://podcast.soloscaled.com/

In this AI marketing podcast episode, Dan Sanchez gives you a rare behind-the-scenes look at how he's using ChatGPT to accelerate the launch of a new product: the Solo Podcast Challenge. After coaching others and reviewing dozens of ChatGPT conversations, Dan reveals three power moves that separate AI dabblers from true AI-driven marketers. This episode is part live coaching, part tactical training—perfect for those looking to turn ChatGPT into their most powerful teammate.

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

 * Podcast Challenge Program: https://podcast.soloscaled.com [https://podcast.soloscaled.com/]
 * Audience Deep Research Toolkit: https://danchez.com/audience

Timestamps

 * 00:00 - Are you using AI differently than others?
 * 01:57 - Why people get different results from ChatGPT
 * 04:30 - Power Move #1: Deep Research for pain points
 * 12:44 - Building the Solo Podcast Challenge concept
 * 15:42 - How to structure ideation using real customer voices
 * 21:10 - Power Move #2: Batch content with prompt chaining
 * 28:55 - Using ChatGPT Canvases to generate serial content
 * 34:19 - Power Move #3: Use ChatGPT Agent for landing page audits
 * 39:50 - Summary of 3 AI power moves
 * 41:10 - Where to find the Podcast Challenge

Steal These 3 ChatGPT Power Moves

Change fatigue is real — and it’s not slowing down. Leaders everywhere are being asked to guide their teams through wave after wave of new initiatives, strategies, and reorganizations. But when exhaustion and skepticism set in, how do you keep trust and energy alive?

In this episode of The Exponential Mindset Leadership Podcast, Ron Minatrea shares three ways to lead through change fatigue: seek to understand the bigger picture, share honestly what you know (and what you don’t), and translate strategy into something your team can connect with. These simple moves will help you stay aligned, build credibility, and keep your team engaged — even when the changes keep coming.

📺 Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RonMinatrea
🌐 Learn more at: https://www.ronminatrea.com
💼 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronminatrea

Leading Through Change Fatique

 * Get your 30-day free trial of High Level at https://AIautomationvault.com [https://aiautomationvault.com/]

In this AI marketing podcast [https://danchez.com/ai-marketing-podcast] episode, Dan Sanchez and his co-host Travis Sanchez dive deep into the emotional and practical landscape of job security in the age of AI. While 71% of Americans report being worried about AI taking over jobs, Dan and Travis explore why their audience of marketers feels largely confident instead. They dissect the stats, the mindset shifts, and the hands-on practices that separate the worried majority from the optimistic few.

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

 * Reuters AI Job Loss Poll - https://www.reuters.com/world/us/americans-fear-ai-permanently-displacing-workers-reutersipsos-poll-finds-2025-08-19/
 * Microsoft AI Job Risk Report - https://arxiv.org/pdf/2507.07935
 * https://www.marketingaiinstitute.com/blog/podcast
 * AI Automation Vault - https://AIautomationvault.com [https://aiautomationvault.com/]

Timestamps

 * 00:00 - 71% of Americans are scared AI will take their job
 * 01:30 - Why boomers and Gen Z might feel differently about AI
 * 03:00 - What’s really fueling the fear: uncertainty and media hype
 * 04:50 - Microsoft’s list of most at-risk jobs (marketers, beware)
 * 07:00 - The surprising flip in Dan's LinkedIn poll
 * 09:00 - The mindset that brings confidence in the age of AI
 * 13:00 - The 3 ways to stay confident: mindset, news vetting, experimentation
 * 18:00 - How daily life use of AI builds career confidence
 * 23:00 - Why mastering AI in your existing tools is the real unlock
 * 24:00 - Creating AI-animated kids books with Google Gemini and Grok

71% Fear AI — Here’s 3 Ways People Are Overcoming It

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