• Click Smart: Tracey Hawkins on AI, Cybersecurity & Building a Safer Business
    Jul 3 2025

    In today’s hyper-connected world, AI and cybersecurity are two sides of the same coin. In this compelling episode of Empowered by AI, host Michelle Muncy-Silva sits down with Tracey Hawkins—aka "Tracey, the Safety Lady"—to talk about the crucial intersection of AI, human behavior, and digital protection. With over 30 years of experience in safety and security training, Tracey breaks down the real risks, dispels myths, and offers practical guidance for entrepreneurs and educators alike. Whether you're managing a team, protecting your family, or just trying to understand how AI tools are changing the game, this episode is your cybersecurity wake-up call.

    Timestamps:

    • 00:00 — Welcome and guest intro
    • 02:15 — Why cybersecurity is a people problem
    • 05:02 — What small business owners and entrepreneurs get wrong about security
    • 08:48 — The “one-click” crisis: real-world examples of costly mistakes
    • 12:30 — How AI changes the stakes: deepfakes, scams, and new attack vectors
    • 15:20 — Leading with safety: why security is your brand’s best differentiator
    • 19:05 — Psychological safety and training that actually sticks
    • 22:15 — What Tracey teaches kids about AI and ethical tech use
    • 25:30 — Building a smarter AI-powered world through community and education
    • 28:45 — What entrepreneurs must do now to stay protected
    • 32:10 — Tracey’s advice for women entering the AI conversation
    • 34:30 — What's next for Tracey and KC AI Club
    • 36:00 — Final thoughts and wrap-up

    Tracey reminds us that AI may be advanced, but safety still starts with people. From ethical tech use to everyday precautions, this conversation is full of empowering and actionable advice. Don’t wait until after a breach—tune in now to stay ahead of the curve. For more episodes and to sign up for alerts, visit InnovativeAIStudio.com and subscribe to stay connected.

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    35 mins
  • Authenticity Meets AI: Creative Power Without Compromise
    Jun 26 2025

    Welcome back to Empowered by AI, where women entrepreneurs come to spark ideas, build confidence, and redefine what's possible with AI. In this episode, I sit down with Jennifer Reedie—creative consultant, mentor, and AI ambassador—to talk about creative courage, authentic branding, and the real role AI can play in your marketing strategy.

    ⏱️ Timestamps & Topics

    • [00:01:00] Jennifer’s creative background: from ad agency exec to solo consultant
    • [00:02:30] Her current AI work with small businesses, agencies, and global communities like She Is AI and Luma AI
    • [00:03:30] Advice for getting started with AI tools—why ChatGPT is the “gateway”
    • [00:05:30] Maintaining brand authenticity while using generative AI
    • [00:07:00] How to use AI as a “possibility starter” instead of a crutch
    • [00:08:00] Shifting AI from novelty to practical support in strategy, research, and messaging
    • [00:09:00] Addressing fears around AI: it’s a tool, not a takeover
    • [00:10:00] Lessons from photography and Photoshop: how creatives adapt
    • [00:12:00] The Kodak cautionary tale—evolution requires adoption
    • [00:13:30] Keeping humans as the stewards of meaning and emotional connection
    • [00:14:30] Practical AI tips for workflow automation and scaling with intention
    • [00:15:30] Advice for women mentors and creative leaders stepping into the AI space
    • [00:16:30] How to connect with Jennifer and her communities

    Jennifer reminds us that creativity isn't being replaced—it's being reimagined. Whether you're hesitant to try AI or already exploring it, this episode is full of actionable advice and encouragement to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.


    👉 Ready for more tools and episodes like this? Visit InnovativeAIStudio.com and sign up to get updates, resources, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.

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    18 mins
  • Creative Control: Reinventing Personal Branding with AI and Photography
    Jun 24 2025

    In this thought-provoking Season 4 premiere, host Michelle Muncy-Silva sits down with Kim Sayre, a photographer whose journey into AI-powered creativity invites a new conversation around self-image, visual branding, and artistic control. Whether you're a solopreneur looking to elevate your brand or a creative struggling to keep up with AI tools, Kim’s reflections on identity, representation, and authenticity will spark fresh ideas. We explore how AI is transforming branding for women entrepreneurs—one visual story at a time.

    00:00 – Meet Kim Sayre

    06:25 – AI and the Evolution of Visual Identity

    10:18 – The Artist’s Inner Critic & AI as Collaborator

    14:02 – Practical Tips for Creatives Curious About AI

    18:49 – Reimagining the Client Relationship

    23:33 – What AI Reveals About Branding as a Woman

    28:47 – Final Reflections & “What’s Next?”

    If you’ve ever wondered how to blend authenticity with innovation in your visual branding, this episode is for you. Kim’s perspective challenges us to think beyond headshots and logos—to use AI not just to stand out, but to show up more truthfully. For more conversations like this, head to www.innovativeaistudio.com and sign up for updates so you never miss an episode.

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    29 mins
  • Human Intelligence First: Rethinking Education, Leadership & AI
    Jun 12 2025

    In this transformative episode of Empowered by AI, we welcome Michelle Ament, a visionary in education leadership, the Chief Academic Officer at ProSolve and the Co-President of The Human Intelligence Movement.

    Michelle shares how her work at the intersection of education, leadership, and AI is redefining what it means to prepare the next generation, not just to adapt to the future, but to shape it. We discuss why AI literacy is not enough, the urgent need to center human intelligence in our systems, and how women can reclaim their voices in the AI revolution. This episode is a must-listen for educators, change agents, and entrepreneurs looking to build ethical, human-centered frameworks for innovation in an AI-powered world.

    ⏱️ Timestamped Episode Highlights:

    00:02:35 – Michelle’s spark: curiosity, connection, and the purpose of education

    00:06:48 – From leader to learner: rethinking educational leadership in an AI age

    00:10:15 – Human intelligence vs. artificial intelligence: complementary, not competitive

    00:13:40 – What’s broken in current education models—and how AI could help

    00:18:25 – A call for systems built around adaptability, not rigidity

    00:22:58 – Creating courageous spaces for students and teachers

    00:27:16 – The mindset shift needed for AI literacy and human capacity-building

    00:32:10 – “Unlearning” as a tool for transformation

    00:36:45 – The future of personalized learning with ethical AI integration

    00:40:12 – Michelle’s dream for the next generation of education leaders

    00:45:03 – What’s next for Michelle and The Human Intelligence Movement

    Michelle Ament brings both empathy and strategy to the table as she encourages us to think bigger, not just about what we can do with AI, but about who we can become with it. This episode will shift your thinking about education, innovation, and the power of human intelligence to drive lasting, ethical change.

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    33 mins
  • Ethics at the Edge: Marcia Narine Weldon on AI, Integrity & Innovation
    Jun 10 2025

    How can entrepreneurs embrace the power of AI without compromising their values—or their sanity? In this thought-provoking episode, we welcome Marcia Narine Weldon: lawyer, ethics professor, AI governance expert, and a fierce advocate for mental wellness in tech. Marcia dives deep into how solopreneurs and small business owners can approach ethical AI use, balance innovation with integrity, and build resilience in a world that won’t stop accelerating.

    From her EDGE framework to a powerful AI bias-testing prompt list, Marcia equips listeners with practical tools to build sustainable, responsible businesses, without burnout.

    Timestamps & Topics Covered:

    • 00:00 – Intro & Marcia’s Multihyphenate Background
    • 01:00 – How She Got Started in Generative AI
    • 02:00 – What Ethical AI Means for Small Business Owners
    • 04:00 – Marcia’s EDGE Framework (End Goal, Data, Governance, Ethical Impact)
    • 06:00 – Using Design Thinking to Bake Ethics into Innovation
    • 07:00 – The Mental Health Cost of AI Adoption
    • 10:00 – Prompts to Uncover Bias and Build Better AI Inputs
    • 12:00 – Creating an AI Rubric for Your Business
    • 14:00 – Building AI Literacy as a Solopreneur
    • 15:30 – The Human Skills Every Entrepreneur Needs in an AI World
    • 16:30 – AI Readiness: A Practical Gap Assessment
    • 18:00 – Trusted Communities & Ongoing Resources
    • 20:00 – Collaboration Over Competition
    • 21:00 – What’s Next: AI in Employment Law & Global Ethics


    Marcia reminds us that ethical AI use isn’t about perfection—it’s about intention. By building frameworks, asking better questions, and showing up in community, women entrepreneurs can lead the way in creating AI-infused businesses that are both impactful and human-centered.

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    23 mins
  • From Literacy to Fluency: Jennifer Ives on Leading with AI in a Fast-Moving World
    Jun 5 2025

    In this episode of Empowered by AI, Michelle speaks with Jennifer Ives, Vice President of Artificial Intelligence at the Partnership for Public Service and a long-time leader in AI strategy, innovation, and executive growth. With experience spanning geospatial engineering, data-rich SaaS companies, and founding her own AI company, Jennifer brings deep clarity to what leaders—especially women—need in order to confidently guide their teams and businesses in the age of AI.

    Together, they explore the difference between access and implementation, the cultural shifts required to sustain innovation, and the powerful role that community plays in building AI fluency. Whether you're a solo entrepreneur or leading a global organization, this episode is a must-listen for anyone ready to build thoughtfully, lead strategically, and step into the AI conversation with clarity.

    Connect with Jennifer on LinkedIn and learn more about her work at https://aicenterforgovernment.org/

    Timestamps:

    • 00:00 – Jennifer’s background: engineering, startups, global growth, and AI strategy
    • 02:00 – From AI literacy to AI fluency: the shift leaders must make now
    • 03:30 – The biggest myths about AI (Hint: it’s not magic or pixie dust!)
    • 05:00 – Why “sprinkling AI” doesn’t work—and what to do instead
    • 06:30 – Solving problems before choosing tools: business-first thinking
    • 08:30 – AI readiness requires cultural readiness: leadership’s role in shaping AI culture
    • 10:30 – Why one-time AI training isn’t enough (and what to do instead)
    • 13:00 – Jennifer on curiosity, geospatial roots, and how she teaches herself
    • 15:00 – The power of community: how real learning happens
    • 17:00 – Why safe, inclusive spaces matter for learning and visibility
    • 19:30 – Generous knowledge-sharing and breaking down gatekeeping in AI
    • 21:00 – Scaling innovation through connection, not isolation
    • 23:00 – What the next 3-5 years hold for women in AI—and why now is the time to lead
    • 25:30 – Studies show women hesitate with AI tools—how we can change that
    • 28:00 – When women leave the AI conversation too early and what we lose
    • 30:00 – The need for diverse perspectives to shape what AI sees and does
    • 32:00 – Concrete tools: how to start learning (even if you’re already overwhelmed)
    • 35:00 – What’s next: her work with the AI Center for Government and advocating for women in tech

    Jennifer Ives reminds us that being fluent in AI isn’t about knowing everything—it’s about staying curious, connected, and committed to growth. From scaling startups to advising boards and building public sector leadership pipelines, she’s helping redefine what it means to lead in an AI-powered world.

    Whether you’re just starting or looking to scale, Jennifer offers a clear, grounded path to building confidence and community with AI.

    🎧 Listen to more episodes at innovativeaistudio.com/podcast

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    37 mins
  • Prompt What You Want to See: Kimberly Offord on AI Film, Representation & Creative Power
    Jun 3 2025

    In this episode of Empowered by AI, Michelle sits down with award-winning AI artist and filmmaker Kimberly Offord, the visionary behind PlaygroundPastime.ai. Kimberly shares how her journey from real estate to creative direction led to viral visuals, groundbreaking short films, and the creation of her very own AI film contest.

    Kimberly’s mission is clear: to reimagine how underrepresented voices are seen in the AI space—because the way we teach AI to see us will define the future of storytelling. We discuss prompting with purpose, the power of emotional imagery, launching a global AI film competition, and how her AI music video for Grammy-nominated artist Lalah Hathaway became a breakthrough moment for AI-generated film.

    This episode is a call to action: create anyway, tell your story, and prompt what you want to see.

    🌐 Explore her work: https://playgroundpastime.ai

    Timestamps:

    • 00:00 – Kimberly’s backstory: real estate, creative marketing, and her first AI leap
    • 04:00 – Midjourney & Runway: from brand visuals to cinematic world-building
    • 06:30 – What Playground Pastime means and why imagination needs protection
    • 08:00 – How nostalgic imagery and childhood wonder inspire her work
    • 10:00 – Bias in AI imagery: why size, disability, and nuance still don’t show up
    • 12:00 – Prompting with persistence: how to push AI to reflect reality
    • 15:00 – Behind the scenes of “Tunnels,” her official AI music video for Lalah Hathaway
    • 18:30 – Creating soulful visuals with small teams and honest storytelling
    • 20:00 – Using AI film as a starting point for bigger, live-action collaborations
    • 22:00 – The origin of the Playground Pastime AI Film Contest—and why it’s needed
    • 24:00 – Stories emerging from the contest: from comedy to intergenerational memory
    • 26:00 – How to watch the replay and support the featured creators
    • 28:00 – Advocating for inclusion in AI: what platforms still get wrong
    • 30:00 – Weird mode, creative partner feedback, and the hidden biases of Midjourney
    • 32:00 – Advice to creators from marginalized communities: do it anyway
    • 34:00 – The legacy she’s building—and how AI lets you paint what you’ve always imagined
    • 37:00 – What’s next: Season 2 of the contest, a live theater premiere, and the Chicago AI Film Festival

    Kimberly Offord is showing us what it means to lead creatively, persistently, and inclusively. Her work at PlaygroundPastime.ai proves that AI storytelling doesn’t have to come from big teams or technical mastery—it can come from one voice, one vision, and one powerful prompt.

    If you’re building a brand, telling a story, or dreaming of a world that reflects you, this episode will meet you right where you are—and challenge you to build what’s missing.

    🎧 More episodes + tools: innovativeaistudio.com/podcast

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    39 mins