Today we’re picking up where we left off. Last time, we took a hard look at the shifting search landscape and how Google—after decades of dominance—is facing real challenges from AI, government regulators, and changing user habits. But today, I want to take the glass-half-full approach and balance the threats and challenges with the new, real opportunities. Because while disruption can feel unsettling, it often clears the way for something better.

If this sounds interesting, stick with me and let's explore more together in this two-part series.

Now... on to the show...

For years, Google has been the primary gateway to the internet. If you wanted to be found, you needed to rank. But today, that dominance is being challenged like never before, from all sides. In this episode, we’re diving into the shifting landscape of search: how AI is changing what we see, why regulators are putting pressure on Google’s ad empire, and how user behavior is rapidly evolving. Whether you’re a business owner, marketer, or just someone trying to keep up, these changes could reshape our strategies to be found online. If this sounds interesting, stick with me and let's explore more together in this two-part series.

Hey everyone, this is Chris Auman, President of Sanctuary. Welcome back to The Academy, where you get the tools, tips, and advice you need to grow your business.Today, I want to step beyond our usual business growth topics. I want to challenge every community leader to consider something a little more abstract. Investing in the arts isn’t just about supporting artists and culture. It’s a powerful and necessary strategy for driving business success and securing the long-term prosperity of our communities and our nation.If you're on the fence on this topic, stick with me and let's explore more together.Now... on to the show...

Let's talk about how AI is changing how people search, get answers, and make purchasing decisions, creating major challenges for marketers. Traditional SEO alone isn’t enough anymore. AI is now delivering information in new ways, often without sending users to websites. To stay visible and get customers to take action, businesses must adapt to this shift in discoverability.

If this sounds interesting, stick with me and let's explore more together.

Hey everyone, this is Chris Auman, President of Sanctuary. Welcome back to The Academy, where you get the tools, tips, and advice you need to grow your business.

Today, I want to talk about a concept that’s just now gaining traction, and fast, AI Agents. If you remember the movie The Matrix, an agent was considered to be a bad guy. It was a digital person that was designed to do a specific job and operated autonomously to accomplish that job. Agents are now a reality. They’re not the bad guy either.

If this sounds interesting, stick with me, and let's explore some of the ways that you might be able to mobilize AI agents for good in your organization.

Today, I want to talk about how SEO is hard and getting harder these days. Search engine optimization is no longer just about keywords and backlinks—it’s evolving rapidly alongside changes in how customers search and how search engines deliver results. We all need to shift, learn, and evolve to stay visible and competitive.

To keep up, it's essential to move beyond traditional tactics and embrace strategies designed for today’s search landscape.

If this sounds interesting, stick with me, and let's explore some of the ways that you might be able to pivot and stay competitive.

Today, I want to take you on a bit of a journey — part cultural history, part personal branding, part reflection on how we show up in the world of business.

Recently, I was watching The Warhol Diaries on Netflix — if you haven’t seen it yet, it’s highly recommended. It’s a deep, fascinating look at Andy Warhol’s life, his mind, his art, and honestly, all the weirdness and brilliance that made him who he was.

While watching the documentary, there was a moment that really hit me — and honestly, it’s been bouncing around in my head ever since: the idea that an artist can become the art.

Andy Warhol didn’t just create art — he was art. His silver wig, those iconic sunglasses, that monotone voice, and the whole air of mystery that followed him around — all of that was as intentional as his paintings of Marilyn Monroe or those Campbell’s soup cans.

In fact, for a lot of people, when you hear the name "Andy Warhol," you probably picture him first — before you think about his work. And that wasn’t an accident.

As I was reflecting on that idea, I realized how incredibly relevant it is for us today as working professionals, especially in this digital world where we’re all online, engaging on social media, and putting ourselves out there in some way.

If you’re a working professional — you are a brand. Andy Warhol figured that out long before the rest of us caught on. How you present yourself to the world matters.

Today, I want to talk about something that gets mentioned a lot within digital marketing and sales, but rarely unpacked in a way that feels practical: being a thought leader. You’ve heard the term. You’ve probably rolled your eyes at it. Maybe you’ve even used it yourself. But what does it actually mean when someone says you should be a thought leader?

If this sounds interesting, stick with me, and let's explore more together.