Learn more about Foxit: https://www.foxit.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast

Fractional CPO and product strategist Brian Root (formerly of Amazon and Walmart Labs) offers a critical perspective on the real role of AI in product development. He argues that while AI is a powerful tool, it is not a substitute for human leadership and the deep, nuanced insight required for true innovation.

Joined by hosts Charles and Emily, Brian breaks down the dangers of treating AI like a person, why innovation requires breaking patterns that AI is built to follow, and the tell-tale signs of a company over-indexing on AI at the expense of qualitative, customer-centric data. He also explains his "anti-framework" philosophy, cautioning leaders against mindlessly applying popular frameworks without first gaining deep customer insight.

This conversation is essential for any product leader curious about what it truly means to build with purpose in the age of AI.

Where to find Brian Root:

• Website: www.rootedinproduct.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/br1an-r00t/

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 Intro
• 00:01:15 Is AI a Tool or a Person?
• 00:03:08 The Danger of Ascribing Human Intent to AI
• 00:04:52 Why AI Struggles with True Innovation
• 00:07:23 McKinsey vs. Brian Root on AI and Strategy
• 00:10:28 Innovation vs. Enforcing Structure
• 00:11:22 What Happens When Companies Over-Index on AI?
• 00:16:13 Human Connection vs. AI Data: What's More Effective?
• 00:20:53 The Anti-Framework Approach to Product Strategy
• 00:28:24 Shuhari: The 3 Stages of Mastery in Product Leadership
• 00:30:40 Is AI Too Agreeable? The Future of AI's "Personality"
• 00:38:00 Measuring the ROI of AI and Corporate FOMO
• 00:42:21 Outro

Interested in being a guest on the show? Find us on Matchmaker FM: https://www.matchmaker.fm/show/the-digital-shift-b05ef6

This podcast is also available as a video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FoxitSoftwareInc

Learn more about Foxit: https://www.foxit.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast

Who should drive AI automation in a company? Should it be a top-down mandate from the CIO, or a bottom-up movement from the knowledge workers who face the problems every day?

In this episode of The Digital Impact, we sit down with business strategist and author Judson Voss to explore the two primary approaches to AI implementation. We discuss the unique strengths that both C-suite leaders and frontline employees bring to the table and why a dual-lens approach is crucial for success.

Judson shares his insights on:

• How CIOs can empower their organization rather than just handing down mandates.
• The reality of "shadow IT" and why it's a sign that your team is ready for change.
• The power of creating safe "playgrounds" for employees to experiment with new tools without risk.
• The concept of "Vibe Coding" and how it lowers the barrier for creating impactful applications.
• Why "demos win arguments" when there's a clash between IT and employee-led initiatives.

This conversation is a must-listen for any technology leader or knowledge worker looking to understand how to make AI automation stick in their organization.

Find Judson's books and learn more about his work:

• https://launchwithvibe.com
• https://judsonvoss.com
• https://kuhlewordconsulting.com
• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/vossjudson

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Chapters:

• 00:00:00 - Pre-Show Banter
• 00:01:02 - Welcome to The Digital Shift
• 00:01:17 - Guest Introduction: Judson Voss
• 00:05:12 - Topic Intro: Top-Down or Bottom-Up AI?
• 00:05:55 - The CIO's Top-Down Perspective
• 00:08:21 - The Knowledge Worker's Bottom-Up Power
• 00:11:14 - Tacking Shadow IT and Ensuring Transparency
• 00:15:56 - The Challenge of Scaling Automation
• 00:18:56 - Real-World Examples of Worker-Led Success
• 00:22:45 - What is "Vibe Coding"?
• 00:24:31 - Creating a Safe "Playground" for Experimentation
• 00:27:31 - When the CIO and Worker Disagree
• 00:28:36 - How Demos Win Arguments
• 00:30:42 - Where to Find Judson Voss

Interested in being a guest on the show? Find us on Matchmaker FM: https://www.matchmaker.fm/show/the-digital-shift-b05ef6

Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to Transform Your Executive Profile and Professional Influence

Learn more about Foxit: https://www.foxit.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast

Is your LinkedIn profile working for you, or is it just taking up space? In this episode, Charles sits down with Al Kushner, an award-winning author and sought-after LinkedIn growth strategist, to discuss his groundbreaking book, "The AI LinkedIn Advantage".

Discover how executives, CIOs, and CTOs can leverage Artificial Intelligence to transform their professional brand, attract top talent, and create multi-million dollar opportunities. Al debunks common myths about LinkedIn, shares practical tips for creating engaging content, and reveals how to manage your presence in as little as 15-30 minutes a week with the help of AI.

Learn about the risks of delegating your profile, the dangers of plagiarism, and how to use AI tools to remain authentic and original. This is a must-watch for any professional looking to save time, enhance visibility, and grow their influence on the world's largest professional network.

Check out Al Kushner's book, "The AI LinkedIn Advantage": https://dl.bookfunnel.com/4qj53xt3p5

Chapters:

• 00:00 - Intro
• 01:10 - What is "The AI LinkedIn Advantage"?
• 02:16 - Why LinkedIn is Critical for Executives & Common Mistakes
• 03:49 - How AI Transforms Your LinkedIn Strategy
• 05:05 - Success Story: Landing a Multi-Million Dollar Project
• 06:13 - Measuring Your LinkedIn ROI
• 07:45 - Debunking LinkedIn Myths (Quality vs. Quantity)
• 09:53 - The Risks of AI: Plagiarism & Authenticity
• 10:45 - Time Management: How Often to Post & Finding the Time
• 12:17 - Practical Tools & Quick Wins to Improve Your Profile
• 16:59 - The Ripple Effect: Company Branding, Sales, & Hiring
• 22:41 - Outro & Final Thoughts

Where to find Al Kushner LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/al-kushner/

Interested in being a guest on the show? Find us on Matchmaker FM: https://www.matchmaker.fm/show/the-digital-shift-b05ef6

Why the future of work isn’t AI vs. people—it’s AI + people, done right.

Learn more about Foxit: https://www.foxit.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast

What if AI wasn’t your competitor, but your coach? In this episode of The Digital Impact, Deion Wells-Ross, Founder of Ento Dynamics, creator of The Inner Advantage, and human performance strategist, shares how businesses and individuals alike can treat AI as a developmental partner rather than a replacement. From personalized growth to enterprise-wide empowerment, we explore how using AI for self-discovery, productivity, and decision-making can unlock human potential and why keeping humans in the loop isn’t optional; it’s essential.

Where to find Deion Wells-Ross:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deion-wells-ross-mba-55a052120/
• Website: https://entodynamics.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deionwellsross/

Chapters

• 00:00 - Intro
• 00:18 - AI as Your Personal Coach
• 02:53 - Debunking AI Myths
• 06:14 - Algorithmic Self-Discovery
• 12:13 - Practical Ways to Use AI
• 15:17 - Avoiding the AI Echo Chamber
• 20:25 - Overcoming AI Skepticism
• 25:43 - What Companies are Doing Wrong with AI
• 30:39 - AI Dependency and Addiction

Interested in being a guest on the show? Find us on Matchmaker FM: https://www.matchmaker.fm/show/the-digital-shift-b05ef6

How AI is flooding job markets, stressing recruiters, and revealing the myth of digital efficiency.

Everyone says AI will make business more efficient — but what if that’s the wrong metric? In this episode of The Digital Shift, HR strategist and former CEO Daniel Friker exposes how AI is quietly making some systems worse, not better, especially in hiring and workforce management. From broken job portals drowning in 250+ AI-assisted resumes per role to small businesses overwhelmed by tech they don’t understand, we’ll break down the growing disconnect between executive AI mandates and functional reality — and explore why the illusion of efficiency may be the biggest risk of all.

Where to find Daniel Friker

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-friker/

Learn more about Foxit: https://www.foxit.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast

Interested in being a guest on the show?

• Find us on Matchmaker FM: https://www.matchmaker.fm/show/the-digital-shift-b05ef6

Learn more about Foxit Software: https://www.foxit.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast

People Before Processes: Leading Human-Centered AI Transformation

This episode challenges the common narrative that AI’s value lies in cutting costs or replacing jobs. Alejandro Mainetto, a technology executive and investor, argues that the real power of AI begins with augmentation: helping people do more, better and more efficiently. We’ll explore why prioritizing workforce enablement over automation is the smarter long game, how to reskill and retrain effectively, and what a responsible AI roadmap really looks like for forward-thinking companies.

Where to find Alejandro Mainetto:

• LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/amainetto
• Website: https://cxo.partners/

Interested in being a guest on the show?

Find us on MatchmakerFM: https://www.matchmaker.fm/show/the-digital-shift-b05ef6