 In this episode, Ken Freire sits down with scientist and author Elizabeth Gregor to unpack how she’s building a faith-centered science education business—from her PhD journey and early YouTube/blog experiments to publishing books, designing courses, and scaling beyond her local market. They talk about practical ways to monetize expertise (books → courses → community), what it takes to “burn the ships” responsibly, and how Elizabeth is using content + community to reach parents, students, and homeschool families nationwide.

Resources Mentioned

• Science4Christ / Chemist4Christ (website) — https://chemist4christ.com/
• Chemist4Christ “About” page — https://chemist4christ.com/sample-page/
• The Multi-Faceted Wisdom of God: 5 Chemistry Lessons to Ignite Your Faith in Christ — https://www.amazon.com/-/es/Multi-Faceted-Wisdom-God-Chemistry-Lessons/dp/B0CR6ZSKBJ
• Elizabeth Gregor on Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/Elizabeth.gregor55/

Timestamps

• 00:00–03:17 — Elizabeth’s origin story: PhD chemistry, early blog/YouTube, and the faith + science mission
• 03:18–06:14 — Turning one idea into multiple formats: book → speaking → courses
• 06:15–12:28 — “Leaving the job” + practical transition strategies for families (reduce expenses, switch roles, runway)
• 12:29–16:24 — Lean launch tactics: DIY website, ship faster, lead magnets, local vendor pop-ups as free marketing
• 16:25–18:22 — Unpopular opinion: don’t take every client—protect outcomes and your time
• 18:23–25:58 — Scaling challenge: local → national (virtual vs in-person, market shifts, social media strategy)
• 25:59–30:26 — Faith-driven entrepreneurship + turning expertise into a book (and building from the medium you enjoy)
• 30:27–35:20 — Fast Five: Skool experiment, curriculum build, August course goal, community trend, legacy of faith over fear + how to reach Elizabeth

Local Pop-Ups Got Her Paying Clients (No Ads, No Followers)

In this episode, Ken Freire and Patrick Lowndes pull back the curtain on how companies actually decide who gets promoted and who doesn’t. They unpack four of the most common performance evaluation models used by organizations today—from the nine-box grid to talent density and lattice career paths—and explain how understanding these frameworks can position you to add undeniable value. More importantly, they anchor the conversation in a biblical posture of stewardship, reminding listeners that promotion isn’t about self-advancement but faithful excellence.

Resources Mentioned

 * Nine-Box Talent Grid (performance vs. potential framework)
 * T-Shaped vs. Pi-Shaped Leadership Model
 * A-Player / Talent Density Model (Keeper Test popularized by Netflix)
 * Lattice vs. Ladder Career Model (research highlighted by Gartner)
 * Frontier Operators (leadership development framework referenced by hosts)
 * Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25)
 * Colossians 3:23

Timestamps

 * 00:01 – Why You Need to Know the Scorecard: Understanding how companies allocate raises and promotions.
 * 02:09 – The Nine-Box Grid: Performance vs. potential and how strategic discernment and AI literacy impact future growth.
 * 05:04 – T-Shaped vs. Pi-Shaped Leaders: Why multidimensional adaptability increases promotion odds.
 * 08:02 – The A-Player Talent Density Model: The Keeper Test and what makes someone worth fighting for.
 * 11:08 – Lattice vs. Ladder Careers: Why lateral moves often unlock greater growth than straight promotions.
 * 13:34 – Hybrid & Custom Scorecards: How most companies mix multiple evaluation models.
 * 15:08 – A Biblical Lens on Promotion: Stewardship, diligence, and serving with excellence.
 * 18:28 – A Practical Action Step: Ask your boss what problem is keeping them up at night—and solve it.

Ep. 24 - Getting Promoted: How Companies Analyze Performance

In this episode, Ken Freire sits down with Frank Ammons, founder of Exodus Business, to unpack what it really means to take calculated risks as an entrepreneur. Frank shares how belief drives behavior, why modeling success minimizes risk, and how he scaled a brand-new water filtration company to nearly $1.5M by applying a simple “zag” strategy. They also dive into blind spots in the coaching industry, the danger of chasing trends, simplifying your offer, and how to build a legacy rooted in faith, confidence, and velocity.

Resources Mentioned

• Create Your Own Ads (Frank’s training) – https://createyourownads.com/

Timestamps

• 00:01 – From “Unemployable” to Entrepreneur: Frank’s Early Risk-Taking Journey
• 04:24 – Calculated Risk, Belief, and Why Conviction Sells
• 07:12 – Modeling Success & The “Zag Method” (Including $1.5M Water Filtration Case Study)
• 13:27 – The Power of Coaching, Blind Spots & Leveraging Experience
• 15:19 – Trends, Velocity, and Avoiding Shiny Object Syndrome
• 19:20 – Getting Clients Without Money: Simple Offers, DMs & Testimonials
• 24:33 – The Fast Five: Experiments, Messaging, Million-Dollar Goals & Industry Shifts
• 28:31 – Legacy, Faith, and Building Beyond Yourself

$20/Day to Proof, Then Scale: The Exact Path He Used to Hit $1.5M

In this AI marketing podcast episode, Dan Sanchez and Travis unpack why context is becoming the real moat in AI (not “killer prompts”), and how to future-proof your personal knowledge base as models leapfrog each other. They break down a practical “second brain” setup using Obsidian + code agents (Codex / Claude Code), cover a meaningful upgrade to ChatGPT Deep Research (choosing where it pulls sources from), and end with a reality-check conversation about AI disruption—plus a wild new video demo from ByteDance’s Seedance.

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

 * Obsidian (notes app / local-first) - https://obsidian.md/
 * Polymarket “best AI model end of Feb” market - https://polymarket.com/event/which-company-has-the-best-ai-model-end-of-february
 * “Something Big is Happening” (Matt Shumer thread) - https://x.com/mattshumer_/status/2021256989876109403
 * Seedance 2.0 / ByteDance demo (shared by Ethan Mollick) - https://x.com/emollick/status/2021776250386133030
 * AI Business World ticket giveaway page - https://aidrivenmarketer.com/contest

Timestamps

 * 00:00 – 11:45 | Why “context” is the new moat: Models are getting good across the board; future-proofing means owning your data/context.
 * 01:17 – 11:30 | Obsidian + Codex/Claude Code = local-first second brain: “Notes before apps,” markdown files, portable structure, and agents that can navigate folders + take actions.
 * 11:55 – 16:16 | Deep Research upgrade (and why marketers should care): Choosing/limiting sources, connecting tools, better audience research, and “research missions.”
 * 16:20 – 23:05 | ‘Something Big is Happening’ + a hopeful counterpoint: AI disruption anxiety, vibe coding, and why costs/compute may slow adoption.
 * 23:20 – 24:55 | Sponsor + giveaway: AI Business World in Anaheim, CA (late April 2026) + free ticket contest details.
 * 24:55 – 30:20 | Everyday AI wins: Photo-to-document extraction, icon tweaks with transparent backgrounds, and real-estate photo enhancements.
 * 30:15 – 32:25 | Polymarket: people betting against ChatGPT: The “best model by end of February” market and how fuzzy “best” is.
 * 32:35 – 37:40 | Viral: ByteDance Seedance 2.0 video realism: Otters-in-Friends prompt, fight-scene realism, and predictions about AI movies.

Build a Second Brain You Actually Own

In this episode, Rustam Irani challenges the assumption that affiliate partners are low-quality, fraudulent, or ineffective for higher-ed marketing. Drawing from firsthand attribution analysis, he reveals how more than 20% of prospective students engaged with a school through affiliate or directory sites before ever landing on the institution’s website. Rustam breaks down five key factors for evaluating affiliate partnerships—lead quality, compliance, partner selection, performance tracking, and brand reputation—while reframing affiliates not as a risky expense, but as a hidden pipeline and awareness layer that can meaningfully impact enrollment outcomes.

Resources Mentioned

 * LeadID (later Jornaya, then Verisk, now acquired by ActiveProspect)

Timestamps

 * 00:01 – The Affiliate Myth: Why many higher-ed marketers dismiss affiliates as fraud or low-intent traffic.
 * 00:38 – Attribution Discovery: The 20% insight that changed Rustam’s perspective on affiliate value.
 * 01:53 – Tracking the Ecosystem: How LeadID/Jornaya enabled cross-site visibility and anonymous user tracking.
 * 06:04 – Factor #1: Lead Quality & Qualification: Evaluating intent, demographics, custom questions, and lead scoring.
 * 08:06 – Factor #2: Compliance & Ethical Practices: FTC guidelines, traffic sources, and the risks of co-registration.
 * 10:35 – Factor #3: Partner Selection: Vetting affiliates through checklists, traffic sources, and longevity.
 * 12:03 – Factor #4: Performance Tracking & ROI Models: CPC vs. CPL, cost expectations, and enrollment targets.
 * 14:05 – Factor #5: Brand Reputation & Placement Transparency: Protecting brand standards while gaining exposure.
 * 17:08 – Reframing the Channel: Why cutting affiliates may shrink your pipeline and assisted conversions.

Affiliate Myth

In this episode, Ken Freire sits down with Melissa Maughn, a personal branding expert and video speaking coach, to unpack her unconventional path into entrepreneurship—starting as her musician husband’s behind-the-scenes marketing partner. Melissa shares the personal and spiritual “hard reset” that led her to fully shut down her business in 2024, then rebuild in 2025 with a clearer message, healthier identity, and renewed momentum. They close with practical branding guidance for multi‑passionate entrepreneurs and a rapid-fire “Fast Five” on what she’s building next.

Resources Mentioned

• The Brand Bridge (Melissa’s podcast) – https://podcasts.apple.com/fr/podcast/the-brand-bridge-building-your-compromise-free-personal-brand/id1845632464
• The Brand Bridge (YouTube channel) – https://www.youtube.com/@themelissamaughn
• Dan Sanchez (Ken’s business partner) – https://danchez.com/
• AI-Driven Marketer (podcast ecosystem referenced by Ken) – https://danchez.com/ai-marketing-podcast/

Timestamps
• 00:49 – Melissa’s origin story: learning photography/video + helping her musician husband market on social
• 03:25 – The 2024 shutdown: relationship strain, burnout, and why she “deleted everything”
• 04:56 – Spiritual turning point: family revival, homeschooling, and pausing business as a “reset”
• 10:34 – Identity + idols: being “seen,” insecurity, and separating self-worth from business outcomes
• 13:25 – Rebuilding in 2025: action > overthinking, ego aside, and leaning into community + collaboration
• 17:56 – Marketing contrarian take: “All strategies work” — alignment matters more than guru tactics
• 23:55 – Personal branding for multi‑passionate people: start specific, earn trust, then expand
• 30:05 – What she’s focused on now: systems, client experience, capacity, and a call‑booking funnel
• 33:25 – Fast Five: content experiments, biggest focus area, building an in-person community + creative center, and legacy (“love revolution”)
• 38:09 – Where to connect: book a call + follow “The Melissa Mon” across platforms; The Brand Bridge podcast

I Almost Lost My Marriage Chasing Success (Here’s What Fixed It)

Episode Description

In this episode, Ken Freire and Patrick Lowndes dismantle the belief that simply working hard, staying humble, and waiting your turn will automatically lead to promotion. Instead, they introduce a practical and biblical framework for showing proof of value in the workplace—especially in a world where AI is rapidly commoditizing many roles. The conversation walks through a five-part playbook to help Christian professionals stand out, serve well, and steward their calling with integrity as they pursue growth in 2026.



Timestamps

 * 00:00–01:30 – Introduction & the false belief about promotion (hard work + time = advancement)
 * 01:30–03:30 – Faith, humility, and why “just waiting” breaks down at work
 * 03:30–04:30 – AI, job commoditization, and why proof of value matters more than ever
 * 04:30–05:40 – Proof of Concept vs. Proof of Value (POC vs. POV)
 * 05:40–07:00 – Playbook Part 1: Human-in-the-loop discernment
 * 07:00–08:40 – Playbook Part 2: Monthly value logs
 * 08:40–10:20 – Playbook Part 3: Soft skill mastery (leadership, empathy, conflict resolution)
 * 10:20–12:50 – Playbook Part 4: ROI ledger and quantifying impact
 * 12:50–14:40 – Playbook Part 5: Solving the unasked question
 * 14:40–16:00 – Biblical grounding, integrity, and preview of the performance review conversation

Ep. 23 - Getting Promoted  [2026]: Show Proof of Value

Win a Free Ticket to AI Business World: https://aidrivenmarketer.com/contest

In this AI marketing podcast episode, Dan Sanchez and his brother Travis break down why “agents” are about to dominate 2026—and the viral open-source agent runner now known as OpenClaw (formerly “ClawdBot” and “MoltBot”). They unpack what makes it powerful, why it’s a security nightmare right now, and what marketers should focus on instead (hint: reps, orchestration, and tried-and-true AI workflows you’re probably underusing).

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

• Win a Free Ticket to AI Business World: https://aidrivenmarketer.com/contest
• OpenClaw - https://openclaw.ai/
• Gemini Growth – https://www.futuretools.io/news
• “Rent-a-Human” marketplace – https://rentahuman.ai/
• DaveRamsey.com “Dave bot” (custom AI / chat experience) – https://www.daveramsey.com/
• Nate Jones Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZxyeYBxPBA

Timestamps

• 00:00 – Why “agents everywhere” will define 2026
• 01:40 – What OpenClaw is (and why it went viral)
• 04:08 – Wild demo: agent books a reservation by integrating ElevenLabs + coding a phone-call workflow
• 05:14 – “Rent-a-Human” and agents reaching into the real world
• 07:06 – The big warning: OpenClaw as a security vulnerability nightmare
• 10:02 – Why this still matters: a signal of where Google/OpenAI/Anthropic are headed
• 12:49 – What marketers should do instead: master proven AI tools (custom GPTs, deep research, image models)
• 14:00 – The coming bottleneck: orchestration skills (directing a team of capable AI “marketers”)
• 15:50 – Practice ground: build a personal brand (yourname.com) and experiment aggressively
• 20:31 – Adoption + platform note: Gemini at 750M active users; using multiple models
• 21:52 – Sponsor: AI Business World (contest for a free ticket; Anaheim Apr 28–30)
• 24:38 – Everyday AI: Planning Center’s AI-powered list building from natural language
• 26:58 – Everyday AI: deep research for audience mining (better than manual research)
• 29:15 – Everyday AI: summarizing a 34-page lease PDF with ChatGPT
• 30:00 – Everyday AI: using a book as a “context engine” for press releases, pitches, and content
• 31:13 – Recommended watch: Nate Jones video on OpenClaw and why marketers should care

OpenClaw, AI Agents, & The Future of Marketing

In this episode, Rustam Irani welcomes AI marketing consultant and podcast host Dan Sanchez to dive deep into the role of AI in higher ed marketing. Together, they unpack the difference between AI hype and real, actionable strategies marketers can use today. Dan shares his journey into marketing, why AI has become his favorite tool, and how it empowers teams to move faster and smarter. From addressing security concerns to demystifying tools like OpenClaw and custom GPTs, this conversation offers valuable insights for higher ed leaders looking to thoughtfully integrate AI into their workflow.

Resources Mentioned:

 * AI Driven Marketer Podcast - https://www.aidrivenmarketer.com/
 * Dan Sanchez's Free Course - https://www.danchez.com/courses

Timestamps:

 * 00:00 – Rustam introduces the theme: cutting through the AI hype in higher ed marketing
 * 01:06 – Dan shares his marketing background and early adoption of AI tools
 * 03:29 – Efficiency vs. shiny object syndrome: where AI offers real value
 * 04:57 – The AI adoption curve and the dangers of lagging behind
 * 06:32 – Exploring the risks of OpenClaw and agentic AI tools
 * 10:28 – Why security is a top concern for higher ed institutions
 * 13:47 – Where to start: focusing on one core AI tool like Copilot or Gemini
 * 18:24 – What to avoid: automation tools and AI app-building traps
 * 20:27 – Power of custom GPTs and how to build secure, scalable AI workflows
 * 24:13 – AI-powered outbound: promising use cases and ethical considerations
 * 28:04 – Using mascots as AI voices for fun and authentic user experience
 * 31:36 – Dan's final advice: create dedicated AI project folders in ChatGPT

AI Hype?

In this episode, Ken Freire and Patrick Lowndes continue their conversation on building optionality in your 20s by focusing on breadth and range. They dismantle the lie that career growth only happens by moving up the ladder and instead explore how developing a wide set of complementary skills can position you for long-term impact in the marketplace and the Kingdom of God. Drawing from personal experience, business insights, and Scripture, they offer practical ways to grow range without losing focus.

Resources Mentioned

 * Range by David Epstein
 * Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss
 * Rise Into Your Calling sessions [https://explore.frontieroperators.com/community](in the community)
 * Portfolio Building Workshop [https://explore.frontieroperators.com/community] (in the community)

Timestamps

 * 00:00–01:30 – Introduction & the core lie: “I can only move up”
 * 01:31–03:30 – Generalists vs. specialists & insights from Range
 * 03:31–07:15 – Five truths about generalists and long-term career growth
 * 07:16–09:05 – Biblical perspective on diverse gifts and faithful stewardship
 * 09:06–10:55 – Defining your center of gravity
 * 10:56–12:35 – Pursuing adjacent skills (including non-obvious ones)
 * 12:36–14:30 – Networking, conferences, and hyper-learning
 * 14:31–15:45 – Volunteering and side hustles as low-risk skill builders
 * 15:46–16:55 – Letting mentors pull you into greater range
 * 16:56–18:30 – Closing encouragement, prayer, and community next steps

Ep. 22 - Building Optionality in your 20s Part 2: Breadth & Range

Practical AI for real marketers. Tools, workflows, and honest conversations to help you move faster, build better, and stay human in the age of AI.

AI-Driven Marketer: Master Practical AI Marketing Skills

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

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.

ROI University: A Higher Ed Marketing Show

AI Marketing Toolbox is a fast, tactical show for marketers, founders, and agency owners who want to understand how AI is reshaping the craft of growth. Each short episode features a rapid-fire conversation with an AI tool founder who’s building the future of marketing, revealing the problems they’re solving, the playbooks that are working right now, and the roles and skills every marketer will need next.

We skip the hype and get right to the good stuff:

 * What problems AI tools are actually solving for marketers.
 * The features and workflows users rely on most.
 * The real, in-the-field growth strategies that are producing results.
 * How AI is changing hiring, team structure, and the marketer’s career path.
 * Signals from founders about where the market is heading.

This show is about building real intelligence across dozens of tools, founders, and use cases so you can stay ahead of the biggest shift in marketing since the internet.

If you want to understand the tools, master the playbooks, and future-proof your career, you’re in the right place.

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Dan Sanchez

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