Human-First AI Marketing Podcast by Avenue9
Discover how to harness the power of AI without losing the human touch. Hosted by Mike Montague, Founder of Avenue9, this podcast delivers actionable insights to help small and mid-sized businesses market like big brands. With expert interviews, relatable success stories, and practical tips, we show you how to amplify your marketing efforts with AI tools that enhance—not replace—human creativity and connection. Whether you're a business owner, marketer, or curious about the future of AI, this is your go-to guide for building smarter, more authentic marketing strategies.
Episodes
49 episodes
AI for Sales: Automate the Work, Keep the Connection with Chad Burmeister
In this episode of the Human-First AI Marketing Podcast, host Mike Montague sits down with @thechadburmeister , host of the AI for Sales Podcast and vetera...
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Season 1
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Episode 49
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30:15
AI Sales Roleplays with Michael Ocean
Most salespeople dread roleplay training. It’s awkward, unrealistic, and rarely reflects the real challenges they face with prospects. In this episode, Mike Montague sits down with Michael Ocean, founder of Sell Me This Pen AI, to talk about a ...
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Season 1
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Episode 48
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32:07
Sage Marketing Advice with James Hipkin
Too many SMBs think a new headline, a prettier design, or the latest AI tool will magically turn their website into a lead machine. In this episode, Mike Montague sits down with marketing veteran James Hipkin to explain why most underperforming...
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Season 1
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Episode 47
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35:48
Boring Marketing Is Your Biggest Competitor in the AI Era with Jay Schwedelson
If your marketing blends in, it’s already losing. In this episode, Mike Montague sits down with @schwedelson , CEO of Outcome Media, founder of SubjectLine.c...
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Season 1
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Episode 46
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25:56
Custom Apps & Data Science: Hunter Jensen on Winning the Last Mile
In this episode of the Human-First AI Marketing Podcast, host Mike Monague sits down with Hunter Jensen, founder and CEO of Barefoot Solutions, to explore how AI is transforming software d...
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Season 1
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Episode 45
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31:19
AI Podcasting: How to Turn Conversations Into Clients with Doug Sandler
What if your next client wasn’t in your funnel, but sitting in your guest seat? In this episode, Mike Montague chats with podcasting strategist Doug Sandler of Turnkey Podcast about how small business owners can stop chasing downloads and start...
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Season 1
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Episode 44
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28:03
The Future of SEO & AEO: Quality, Context, and Connection with Daniel Molina
What if SEO isn’t dead, it’s just grown up? In this episode, Daniel Molina of Red Palm Studios joins us to talk about the future of search in the age of AI overload. From "plumber near me" to advanced local ...
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Season 1
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Episode 43
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32:04
Outsmart, Not Outspend: The Small Business AI Advantage with Melissa Fors Shackelford
What if the AI revolution isn’t about replacing humans but finally giving small businesses the edge? In this episode of the Human-First AI Marketing® Podcast, Mike Montague talks with
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Season 1
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Episode 42
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33:43
Practical AI Literacy for Business Growth with Mark Andrews
In this episode of the Human First AI Marketing podcast, host Mike Montague sits down with Mark Andrews of AI Prophets to explore what AI literacy really means for small and medium-sized businesses. Together, they break down the myt...
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Season 1
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Episode 41
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29:16
Marketing Uses for Creative AI Video with Erich Archer
What’s really going on with AI video in 2025? In this episode of the Human-First AI Marketing Podcast, Emmy-winning producer Erich Archer joins Mike Montague for a refreshingly honest look at what AI can and can’t do for video creators, markete...
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Season 1
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Episode 40
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30:24
Simple Strategies for AI Marketing with Ali Schwanke
If AI has you feeling like you’re falling behind or drowning in prompts and platforms, this episode is your reset button. Mike Montague sits down with Ali Schwanke, CEO of Simple Strat and host of HubSpot Hacks, to unpack the real opportunities...
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Season 1
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Episode 39
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32:52
The Marketer’s Manual on Generative AI with John Suarez
In this episode, Mike Montague sits down with John Suarez of SmartBug Media—co-author of The Marketer’s Manual on Generative AI- to talk about what actually works when it comes to AI-powered marketing. From remixing content to replacing outdate...
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Season 1
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Episode 38
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31:00
AI Meets Scrappy ABM: Account-Based Marketing with Mason Cosby
AI is reshaping how we target accounts, but it’s also made it easier than ever to get lazy, loud, and lose the trust of your prospects. In this episode, Mike Montague sits down with Mason Cosby, founder of Scrappy ABM, to talk about what actual...
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Season 1
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Episode 36
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33:46
The LinkedIn Growth Blueprint for B2B Success with Daniel Alfon
In this episode of the Human First AI Marketing podcast, Mike Montague sits down with LinkedIn strategist and author Daniel Alfon to break down what actually works on LinkedIn in 2025, especially for B2B professionals, SMB owners, and marketing...
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Season 1
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Episode 35
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34:32
The AI Workforce Shift: Building a High-Leverage Team with Ashley Gross
In this episode of the Human First AI Marketing podcast, host Mike Monague sits down with Ashley Gross, founder of the AI Workforce Alliance, to unpack one of the most urgent transformations facing today’s marketing leaders: the shift from trad...
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Season 1
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Episode 34
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27:11
The AI-Driven Marketer’s Playbook with Dan Sanchez
In this episode of The Human First AI Marketing Podcast, host Mike Montague sits down with Dan Sanchez, founder of the AI-Driven Marketer podcast, to unpack how marketers can go beyond gimmicks and truly integrate AI into their daily workflows....
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Season 1
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Episode 33
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34:46
The AI Risks and Rewards You Can’t Afford to Ignore with Alec Crawford
If you're leading a small to mid-sized business, AI is already part of your world, even if your company banned it. In this episode, Alec Crawford of AI. Risk joins Mike Montague to explore the real risks AI poses to SMBs: data privacy, prompt i...
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Season 1
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Episode 32
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32:16
2025 Human-First AI Marketing Awards with Mike Montague, Founder of Avenue9
In this special episode of the Human-First AI Marketing podcast, Mike Montague celebrates National AI Appreciation Day with the first-ever Avenue9 Human-First AI Marketing Awards – Class of 2025.Mike shares his fav...
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Season 1
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Episode 37
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11:51
Why Interviewers Make the Best AI Marketers with Dan Nestle
Mike Montague sits down with Dan Nestle of Inquisitive Communications to explore how the marketing game is changing and why curiosity is now your most valuable asset. From the rise of large language models to the deluge of dull, AI-generated co...
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Season 1
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Episode 31
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41:55
Why Your Next Hire Should Be a Fractional CMO with Sara Nay
Mike sits down with Sara Nay, CEO of Duct Tape Marketing, to explore how AI is reshaping marketing roles and why strategy, leadership, and emotional intelligence are more important than ever. Sara shares what small businesses often get wrong ab...
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Season 1
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Episode 30
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32:17
Using AI to Actually Grow Your Small Business with Dilip Dubey
In this episode of The Human-First AI Marketing Podcast, Mike Montague sits down with Dilip Dubey, founder of Sutra.AI, to explore how small and mid-sized businesses can finally unlock the real promise of AI, without needing massive budgets or ...
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Season 1
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Episode 29
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32:10
AI's Impact on Org Charts and the Death of the 3-Year Plan with Tim Brewer and Damian Bramanis
In this episode of Human-First AI Marketing, host Mike Montague sits down with Tim Brewer and Damian Bramanis from Functionly to unpack one of the most urgent questions facing modern leaders: how do you structure a business when AI changes what...
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Season 1
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Episode 28
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42:51
The AI Merchandising Revolution with Vinod Kumar
In this episode of Human-First AI Marketing, Mike Montague sits down with Vinod Kumar, founder of Syntheum.ai, to explore how AI is transforming one of the most overlooked but essential roles in retail and e-co...
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Season 1
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Episode 27
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38:03
Ethical AI and Accessibility with Warren Wilansky
Ethical AI isn't just a philosophy; it’s a practical framework for building better digital experiences. In this episode of the Human-First AI Marketing podcast, Mike Montague sits down with Warren Wilansky, founder of Plank and the Ethical Web ...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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32:49
Sentiment Analysis and AI Market Research with Alexandra Gonzalez
Forget clicks. What your customers feel matters more than what they say or do. In this episode, Alexandra Gonzalez of Savvy Marketers joins us to explore how sentiment analysis, facial recognition, and biometric data can reveal the emotional tr...
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Season 1
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Episode 25
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34:57