In this episode of Tenacity with Sonia C, I sit down with Jon Gillham, founder of Originality.AI and a seasoned entrepreneur who’s been ahead of the curve in content marketing and AI detection. Jon shares the “aha” moment that led to building a leading AI content and plagiarism detection tool, just three days before ChatGPT’s launch, and how he’s navigating the explosion of generative AI.

We discuss AI ethics, Google penalties for AI-generated content, how to build trustworthy SEO strategies using AI, and why human-in-the-loop content still matters. Jon also discusses his decision to bootstrap, lessons from his first startup exit, and the power of building a red team/blue team culture to stay ahead in a fast-moving space.

Whether you’re a founder using AI to scale content, a marketer worried about false positives, or a startup trying to grow without VC pressure, this episode is practical wisdom.

🎧 Tune in to learn:

• Why is not all AI content spam, but all spam is now AI
• What sets high-performing teams apart in AI development
• How to use AI tools responsibly without hurting your SEO
• Why bootstrapping might be your startup’s best path forward

This Episode is brought to you by: https://www.konverge.com

Podcasting isn’t just a trend; it’s a strategic tool for building absolute authority and influence. In this episode of Tenacity with Sonia C., I sit down with Dennis Meador, founder of the Legal Podcast Network, to unpack how service-based professionals can leverage podcasting to boost credibility and grow their personal brand.

From launching side hustles as a teenager to leading a podcast production company that supports over 100 law firms, Dennis shares the mindset and strategies that helped him scale—and how you can apply them too. We dive into the difference between thought leadership and proper authority, why most shows don’t last, and the role of consistency in content success.

Whether you’re launching your first episode or looking to refine your show, this conversation is packed with practical advice.

In This Episode:

• Why podcasting works for personal branding
• The pitfalls that cause most podcasts to fail
• How to position yourself as a trusted authority
• What service professionals must know about content longevity

Sponsored by Konverge

A Canadian leader in custom software development for over 31 years. Learn more at konverge.com

If you’re building your brand or launching your podcast, subscribe and share this episode with someone ready to amplify their voice.

What if retaining your best people wasn’t about perks or pay, but about purpose and leadership?

In this episode of Tenacity with Sonia C., I’m joined by Francie Jain, Founder and CEO of Terawatt Group Coaching, to explore how leaders can build cultures where people don’t just stay, they grow. With over a decade of leadership strategy and coaching, Francie breaks down the root causes of employee turnover and how expert-led group coaching is reshaping how companies support and engage their teams.

We discuss why traditional retention strategies fall flat, what high-performing cultures have in common, and how leaders can create workplaces that inspire loyalty, growth, and genuine connection.

In This Episode:

• Why employees actually leave
• The ROI of leadership coaching
• How to build a culture of growth and trust
• The role of group coaching in retention

Sponsored by Konverge

A trusted Canadian leader in custom software development for over 31 years. Visit konverge.com

If you’re leading a team or building a company, this episode will shift how you think about culture. Please share it with a founder or manager who is ready to lead with intention.

What happens when a creative mind meets cutting-edge tech? In this episode of Tenacity with Sonia C., I sit down with Emmy-winning TV producer turned founder, Erich Archer, to unpack how he transitioned from storytelling on screen to solving real business problems with AI.

Erich shares the behind-the-scenes journey of launching Smarty Pants, an ecosystem of over 100 custom GPT tools powering automation and innovation for startups, nonprofits, and creators. We talk about the mindset shift from creative to tech founder, how to identify real pain points in business, and why AI isn’t replacing humans, it’s amplifying them.

In This Episode:

• The leap from media to tech entrepreneurship
• Building useful AI tools from scratch
• How GPTs can accelerate business growth
• Lessons from launching 100+ tools without a tech background

Sponsored by Konverge

Custom software solutions, proudly built in Canada for over 31 years. Learn more at konverge.com

This one’s for builders and the curious. Please share it with someone exploring how to harness AI in their business.

What if the key to startup success wasn’t scaling fast, but starting smaller and smarter?

In this episode of Tenacity with Sonia C., I sit down with Peter Bonney, founder of Vendorful, a SaaS platform revolutionizing B2B procurement and enterprise sales. Peter shares his unfiltered founder story, from building too broadly and burning out to rebooting with clarity, focus, and AI.

We explore how Vendorful now helps teams eliminate thousands of hours of manual work on RFPs and security questionnaires and the mindset shift that made it all possible.

In This Episode:

• The biggest mistake Peter made in his first startup
• Why your MVP should be messy (and small)
• How AI is transforming B2B workflows
• Starting over with clarity and lean thinking

Sponsored by Konverge

A Canadian leader in custom software development for over 31 years. Visit konverge.com

Do you know a founder navigating pivots or platform strategy? Share this episode; it might save them months of guesswork.

What happens when ancient plant medicine meets modern wellness entrepreneurship?

In this episode of Tenacity with Sonia C., I sit down with Trish Mock, founder of GOOD PSYCHE, a wellness company that blends the wisdom of medicinal mushrooms and herbs with contemporary healing practices. Trish shares her powerful journey from growing up on her family’s medicinal herb farm to launching a mission-driven brand grounded in holistic health.

We talk about what it takes to grow a wellness company from the ground up, the challenges of educating a modern audience, and the deeper purpose driving GOOD PSYCHE’s evolution.

In This Episode:

• Trish’s journey from farm life to founder
• The role of medicinal plants in modern wellness
• What it takes to build trust in a wellness brand
• The emotional and practical sides of launching a purpose-driven company

Sponsored by Konverge

Custom software innovation, proudly Canadian for over 31 years. Explore more at konverge.com

Do you know someone who is launching a wellness or purpose-led brand? Share this episode with a founder who leads with heart and healing.

What does it mean to lead with authenticity? In this episode of Tenacity with Sonia C, host Sonia Couto sits down with Justin Wenzel, founder of JWX, to explore how redefining leadership transformed his life and the lives of those he leads.

Justin opens up about growing up in the automotive industry, where his career path was laid out before he even had a say. From excelling in car sales to silently battling addiction and burnout, Justin shares the pivotal moment he decided to break the mould and take control of his story. His transition from surviving in a high-pressure environment to thriving in his own business is a must-have for anyone questioning the traditional definition of success.

Episode Sponsored by Konverge – A 31+ year leader in custom software development based in Canada.

In this episode of Tenacity with Sonia C, we dive into the world of dating apps with Anthony Tulai, the Founder and CEO of Hopp Dating—an app that's shaking up the industry by eliminating endless swiping and meaningless chats in favor of real-life connections.

Anthony shares his unique journey from studying Nanotechnology Engineering at the University of Waterloo to launching a dating app that prioritizes authenticity and in-person meetups.

Episode Sponsored by Konverge – A 31+ year leader in custom software development based in Canada.