DuckDuckGo gets more traffic than ChatGPT. A SaaS company pulling $250,000 a month in revenue is attributing about $100 of that to AI search. And one press release was enough to flip what ChatGPT said about a brand that does not even exist.

If you have been wondering whether you missed the AI boat, this episode is the reset you need.

In this episode, SEO veteran Adam Chronister, founder of Enleaf and author of the forthcoming book Authority Engine, explains how AI search is shifting from a keyword problem to a reputation problem, and why the small business owners who move now can win the next wave of visibility before their competitors realize the game has changed. Adam has spent over a decade in the search trenches, and what he is seeing in 2026 looks a lot like the early days of the internet, a wild west where the rules are still being written, attribution is messy, and a handful of tactical moves can produce outsized results.

He breaks down why the new SEO is really reputation management, why listicles and press releases still work (and may matter more than they have in years), and how to build the kind of cross-channel consensus that ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, and Perplexity reward. His verdict for small business owners is clear: we are in the AOL days of AI, and the brands that show up in the right places now will own the conversation tomorrow.

What you will learn

• Build cross-channel consensus by repeating one core brand narrative across PR, listicles, social platforms, and your site, not just on your own blog.
• Use free PR platforms like PRLog to publish one press release a month and feed Google News, which still informs AI Overviews and ChatGPT citations.
• Stop pumping out generic AI blog posts and redirect your AI writing toward service and product pages, where conversions actually live.
• Make your content uniquely yours by embedding founder quotes, podcast transcripts, and customer language that large language models cannot pull from anywhere else.
• Treat AI visibility as reputation management: monitor what ChatGPT and AI Overviews say about your brand, and counter weak signals with new third-party mentions, awards, and listicle placements.

Timestamps
[00:35] Why AI did not evolve the way early adopters predicted
[02:30] The wild west of AI search and why it looks like 2005 SEO
[05:30] How brands manipulate what large language models say about them
[06:30] Why the new SEO is reputation management, not keywords
[08:45] The Google slap: when pumping out AI content backfires
[09:50] The stat that breaks the AI hype, DuckDuckGo beats ChatGPT
[10:30] $250K a month in revenue, $100 of it from AI, what to do about it
[12:30] Why listicles and press releases are working better than they have in years
[16:30] Case study: how one press release rewrote a brand's AI reputation
[19:00] Volume vs. consensus, the content debate finally settled
[22:30] How to give LLMs the unique content they actually crave
[28:30] Why small business owners are not too late, we are in the AOL days

Most websites still suck—and AI won’t save them unless you know what you’re doing.

In this episode of the AI-Branding Podcast, host Mark de Grasse teams up with Matt Olson of MGO Studios to dismantle myths about modern web design and show how AI can actually elevate your brand without diluting its identity.

They break down what branding a website really means (hint: it’s not just logos and colors), how to structure content that connects with both people and machines, and why authenticity is your best SEO strategy in 2025. Whether you’re a marketer, designer, or just tired of templated nonsense, this conversation delivers real talk, real tactics, and zero fluff.

TOPICS

• Why websites remain essential in an AI-first digital landscape
• The right and wrong ways to “brand” a website visually and verbally
• How to use AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude for branding and structure
• The role of authenticity and consistency in AI search optimization
• How AI-generated content can still feel human (if done right)
• Real vs. AI photography: when to blend and when to go authentic
• Why a human-first user journey still beats a flashy chatbot

GUEST LINKS

• Matt Olson: LinkedIn Profile
• MGO Studios: https://mgostudios.com/

ADVERTISING LINKS

• 28-Day AI Challenge for Managers: https://aibranding.academy/28-day-ai-challenge-for-managers/

What happens when European structure meets American speed in the age of AI?

Mark de Grasse sits down with Axel Simon of AS Digital Marketing Solutions to dissect the cultural and operational divides between how businesses in the U.S. and Europe approach branding, automation, and leadership.

They dig into why AI alone won’t save broken brands, how content clutter is killing credibility, and why most companies are ignoring their best marketing asset—the founder’s voice.

This episode exposes the real-world pitfalls of over-delegation, reveals the power of referral-driven growth, and maps out how AI can finally align brand, voice, and values at scale. If you’re building a smarter business, this is the playbook.

TOPICS

• Differences in AI adoption and business culture between Europe and the U.S.
• How GDPR shapes content, trust, and marketing expectations in the EU
• Why brand leadership should come from the top—not outsourced agencies
• The Third Path: Using AI to scale brand consistency and clarity
• How to turn CEOs into brand ambassadors using podcasting and content frameworks
• What goes wrong when AI is fed junk—plus how to train it with meaningful data
• Why referrals, not ad spend, still dominate in successful B2B relationships

GUEST LINKS

AS Digital Marketing Solutions: https://www.simonsdigitalmarketing.de/

Axel Simon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/axel-simon-energy

ADVERTISING LINKS

AI Challenge for Managers: https://aibranding.academy/28-day-ai-challenge-for-managers/

In this episode of the AI-Branding Podcast, host Mark de Grasse sits down with Ivan Ivanka, founder of Markster.ai, a cutting-edge platform dubbed the world’s first AI Revenue System. Ivan dives deep into the real-world application of AI for business growth—shattering hype, emphasizing strategy, and revealing how systems, not hustle, drive lasting success.

From reflections on the AI industry's current state to actionable insights about customer acquisition, automation, and building scalable revenue, this episode is a masterclass for marketing pros ready to level up. Ivan also shares his mission to help 1 million businesses generate an extra $1 million—and how AI, used correctly, can fuel that vision.

Whether you're drowning in tools or dreaming of four-hour workweeks, this episode reminds us: systems win. Hustle fades.

TOPICS
- Why AI hasn’t lived up to the hype—and what small businesses should do about it
- The concept of a "Revenue System" and how it differs from just making sales
- Markster.ai’s practical AI use cases for automation, lead gen, and customer engagement
- Common traps business owners fall into (hint: it’s not lack of tools—it’s lack of systems)
- Ivan’s $300M+ growth framework: Growth, Operations, and Delivery (G.O.D.)
- How AI can amplify strategy—not replace it
- Why “amateurs hustle, pros systemize” is the mindset shift every business needs

GUEST LINKS
Ivan Ivanka: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivanivanka/
Markster.ai: https://markster.ai

ADVERTISING LINKS
AI-Challenge for Managers: https://aibranding.academy/28-day-ai-challenge-for-managers/

In this episode of the AI-Branding Podcast, host Mark De Grasse chats with Mike Montague of Avenue 9 about the evolving role of AI in sales. Mike explores the balance between automation and human connection, emphasizing the importance of blending technology with soft skills. He shares insights on how AI can enhance sales productivity without replacing the human touch, highlighting tools that improve customer insights, manage admin tasks, and empower sales teams. Mike also introduces his book, Playful Humans, which advocates for creativity, confidence, and embracing fun in professional life. Listeners will gain valuable strategies for leveraging AI while maintaining authentic client relationships.

TOPICS

• The “Iron Man vs. Terminator” analogy for AI in sales
• How AI enhances—not replaces—human sales strategies
• Tools that improve CRM management, follow-up, and sales coaching
• The importance of soft skills and creativity in the AI-driven workforce
• How Playful Humans encourages professionals to embrace fun and fulfillment
• The impact of AI on job roles, productivity, and future workforce trends

GUEST LINKS

• Mike Montague's Website: avenue9.com
• Mike Montague's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mikedmontague
• Playful Humans Book: playfulhumans.com

ADVERTISING LINKS

• Build Your Brand Pillars Course: aibranding.academy/build-your-brand-pillars-course

In this episode of the AI-Branding Podcast, host Mark de Grasse sits down with Adam McChesney, a digital marketing expert who has built multiple seven-figure agencies by mastering personal branding, SEO, and AI-powered strategies. Adam shares his journey from medical device sales to digital marketing success, revealing how he turned his personal brand into a lead-generating machine.

They discuss the critical role of authenticity in branding, why AI should be a tool (not a replacement) for business growth, and how Adam’s innovative use of AI tools like SearchAtlas, ChatGPT, and Opus is helping businesses 5x their content production. Whether you're an agency owner, entrepreneur, or marketing professional, this episode is packed with actionable insights on leveraging personal branding, AI, and digital marketing strategies to dominate your industry.

Tune in to discover how Adam built an ecosystem of raving fans, his 90-day client retention strategy, and why delivering massive value is the key to long-term success.

TOPICS COVERED

• How Adam McChesney transitioned from medical sales to digital marketing success
• The importance of personal branding in a world of AI-generated content
• How Adam built and scaled multiple seven-figure agencies
• AI-powered marketing strategies, including SEO automation & content scaling
• The 90-day sprint strategy for client retention and business growth
• How to use AI tools like SearchAtlas, ChatGPT, and Opus effectively
• Why delivering massive value upfront is the key to converting leads into clients

GUEST LINKS

Adam McChesney: adammcchesney.com

Adam McChesney’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/adam-mcchesney-b21b1256

ADVERTISING LINKS

Build Your Brand Pillars Course: aibranding.academy/build-your-brand-pillars-course

In this episode, Mark de Grasse sits down with Corey Hiben, a branding expert specializing in healthcare businesses. Corey shares his journey from occupational therapist to agency owner, revealing how branding became the most powerful tool for business growth.

They discuss the true meaning of branding, why consistency in messaging matters, and how businesses can build strong associations that keep customers coming back. Corey also explains the "niche hourglass" strategy, a unique approach to refining your target audience over time. Whether you're in healthcare or another industry, this episode is packed with practical branding insights to help you create a memorable and trustworthy business.

TOPICS

• How Corey transitioned from healthcare to branding and marketing

• The biggest mistakes businesses make when it comes to branding

• Why branding is about associations, not just logos and colors

• The "niche hourglass" approach to finding and refining your audience

• How to balance authenticity with automation in AI-driven marketing

• Why repetition in branding isn’t boring—it’s essential for business success

GUEST LINKS

• Corey Hiben's Website: coreyhi.com

• Corey Hiben's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hibencorey

ADVERTISING LINKS

Build Your Brand Pillars Course: https://aibranding.academy/build-your-brand-pillars-course/course/

In this episode of the AI-Branding Podcast, host Mark De Grasse sits down with Christene Marie, founder of The Knowing Agency, to explore the essential role of emotional intelligence (EQ) in branding and leadership. As AI automates more tasks, Christene highlights why fostering human connection is more critical than ever. They discuss how creativity thrives in authentic, emotionally open spaces and why emotional intelligence can differentiate your brand in a tech-saturated world. Christene also shares practical advice on using emotional awareness to align your team and connect with customers on a deeper level. Don’t miss this thought-provoking conversation filled with actionable insights for marketing professionals aiming to lead with heart and innovation.

TOPICS

• The intersection of emotional intelligence and AI in modern branding
• Why emotional connection is key to brand loyalty and customer retention
• Creating emotionally intelligent workplaces and leadership strategies
• Practical tips for integrating EQ into branding and messaging
• Aligning internal teams around a clear, emotionally resonant brand vision
• How creativity flows in emotionally authentic spaces
• Using AI tools to free up time for human-centered engagement

GUEST LINKS

• The Knowing Agency: https://www.theknowingagency.com/
• Christene Marie’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christenemarie/

ADVERTISING LINKS

• Build Your Brand Pillars Course: https://aibranding.academy/build-your-brand-pillars-course/course/