Seventy-five episodes. I can hardly believe it. When we launched A Good Pour, I wasn’t sure I wanted to do a podcast at all. I don’t like seeing myself on camera, and fun fact—I don’t listen back to episodes because I can’t stand to hear my own voice. But DJ convinced me to give it a try, and here we are.
Now, 75 episodes in, I can honestly say it has been worth every bit of the time, money, and effort it takes to keep this going. Almost half of all podcasts never make it past three episodes. Most never hit double digits. So reaching 75 feels like proof of something bigger—persistence, consistency, and commitment.
Along the way, I’ve been energized by the stories people share on this podcast and inspired by the feedback from listeners. When someone tells me they were encouraged by an episode—or that being a guest gave them courage to share their own story—I’m reminded of a lesson I first learned in children’s ministry: if one person is impacted, it matters. And one person’s impact multiplies in ways we may never fully see.
So today, as we mark this milestone, I also want to try something new. From time to time, I’ll be sharing solo reflections on marketing, AI, and life. This first one is about a phrase I’ve started using often: AI forward.
AI Forward, Not AI First
I say AI forward on purpose. AI first makes it sound like people come second. But good work always begins with people—with creativity, compassion, and connection. AI can’t replace that.
Instead, being AI forward means letting technology support and accelerate our work. It’s a posture of curiosity. We ask: Could AI make this faster, easier, or better? Not to cut corners, but to free up time for the work that matters most.
The truth is, we all say it: I wish I had more time. AI gives us some of that time back. Teachers using AI weekly are gaining nearly six hours a week. Developers are saving 10 or more. That’s not just hours—it’s margin. It’s space to think, to rest, to invest in people.
Why Responsibility Matters
Of course, AI can also feel scary. We’ve already seen what happens when technology races ahead without enough care—social media has taught us that lesson. That’s why AI forward must also mean responsible.
We have to ask the hard questions about bias, truth, and ethics. We have to train our teams well. We have to choose to use AI for good. Because if we keep people first, AI becomes a tool that gives us time back, not something that takes away from what really matters.
Leadership Sets the Tone
Lately, more businesses have asked me to train their teams on AI. What I’ve noticed is that the gap isn’t skill—it’s exposure. Leadership might be curious about AI, but team members often don’t know how to use it day-to-day.
That’s why leaders have to model an AI forward mindset. When leaders ask, What could AI do here? teams start asking it too. That’s when the savings multiply. That’s when people stop wasting energy on the repetitive and start investing in meaningful work.
What Would You Do with More Time?
So let me ask you my favorite AI question: If you had five to 10 extra hours each week, what would you do?
- Spend more time with clients?
- Finally start that project that’s been waiting on your desk?
- Get home earlier to sit around the table with your family?
- Rest, so you can come back stronger for the people who count on you?
That’s the real power of being AI forward. It’s not about the technology itself. It’s about what we do with the time it gives us back.
Here’s to the Next 75
As I look back on these 75 episodes, I’m grateful—for this community, for the conversations, and for the chance to keep showing up.
If there’s one thing I hope you take away from this milestone, it’s this: Consistency matters. People matter. And the tools we use should always move us forward toward doing more good work.
Here’s to the next 75 episodes—and to using every tool, every minute, and every opportunity to pour into what matters most.