Prompt and Circumstance cover art

Prompt and Circumstance

Prompt and Circumstance

By: Mike Richardson Mark Redgrave Ryan Neimann & Tom Adams
Listen for free

About this listen

 It’s human-friendly banter about code, culture, and CEO reality checks—served up by Mike Richardson, Ryan Niemann, Mark Redgrave, and Tom Adams. No jargon. No hype. Just real talk from four guys who’ve seen it all, and aren’t afraid to say what everyone’s thinking.Flourish Press Inc. Economics Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Why 2026 Demands CEO-Led AI Transformation and Agentic Solutions

    Why 2026 Demands CEO-Led AI Transformation and Agentic Solutions
    Jan 26 2026
    If you're a leader wondering whether AI is just hype or a real business imperative, 2026 marks the inflection point where curiosity must transform into commitment. Based on two major January reports from Wing VC and BCG surveying thousands of executives, this episode reveals that 90% of CEOs believe AI agents will finally deliver measurable ROI this year, and 72% now say they are the main decision-makers on AI—double the number from 2025. The problem isn't access to technology; it's leadership posture. Companies that treat AI as a tool rather than a transformation will fall behind as a chasm emerges between trailblazers and followers. The payoff comes through agentic AI—systems that work autonomously rather than requiring constant human interaction—which represents the shift from supportive chat tools to transformative business capabilities. With 50% of CEOs believing their job stability depends on getting AI right, and real-world examples like Klarna's AI handling two-thirds of customer service inquiries, 2026 won't reward curiosity—it will reward decisive commitment to embedding AI agents throughout your organization.Highlights90% of CEOs believe AI agents will deliver measurable ROI in 2026, marking agentic AI as the inflection point72% of CEOs now identify as the main AI decision-makers—double the rate from 202550% of CEOs believe their job stability depends on successfully implementing AI transformationOnly 15% of CEOs qualify as trailblazers, with most falling into pragmatist or follower categoriesCompanies expect 50% of their AI pilots to move to production in 2026, signaling serious implementation94% of executives will continue AI investments in 2027 even if 2026 doesn't deliver immediate ROIAgentic AI represents the shift from supportive tools to autonomous business transformationThe market separates winners by leadership decisiveness, not by access to AI technologyImportant Concepts and FrameworksAgentic AI — AI systems that work autonomously to complete end-to-end workflows without constant human interventionCEO Leadership in AI Transformation — The shift from AI being a technical initiative to a CEO-led business imperativeTrailblazer vs Pragmatist vs Follower Framework — BCG's categorization of leadership approaches to AI adoptionCollective Intelligence = AI + Human Intelligence — Mike Richardson's framework where human intelligence becomes the bottleneck in AI implementationThe 2026 Chasm — The growing divide between companies that embrace AI transformation and those that don'tGitHub as Hiring Indicator — Using GitHub activity to identify AI-forward candidates during recruitmentTools & Resources MentionedFyxer AI — Email management tool that categorizes inboxes and drafts responses automatically | https://www.fyxer.comClaude Cowork — Anthropic's agentic AI tool that works with computer folders autonomously | https://claude.com/blog/cowork-research-previewGitHub — Code repository platform mentioned as an indicator for hiring AI-forward talent | https://github.comWing VC Report: The State of AI in the Enterprise — Survey of 180,000 chief-level tech professionals | https://www.wing.vc/content/the-state-of-ai-in-the-enterpriseBCG Report: As AI Investment Surges, CEOs Take the Lead — Survey of 2,300 C-level executives | https://www.bcg.com/publications/2026/as-ai-investments-surge-ceos-take-the-leadKlarna AI Assistant Case Study — Example where AI handles two-thirds of customer service inquiries | https://www.klarna.com/international/press/klarna-ai-assistant-handles-two-thirds-of-customer-service-chats-in-its-first-month/Calls to ActionImplement one agentic AI solution personally to experience how autonomous AI changes workflowsShare the Wing VC and BCG reports with your leadership team to spark strategic conversationsCreate simple accountability mechanisms like monthly AI progress scoring for your executive teamFind a thought partner or advisor to navigate AI transformation if you feel overwhelmedShift from asking "what can AI do?" to making concrete decisions about AI implementationUse creative facilitation techniques to catalyze AI adoption across your organizationKey Quotes"If chat GPT is where your AI story stops, you're still talking about tools, not transformation." — Tom Adams"This is not something that lives somewhere else. It lives here and I have to be in the driving seat." — Mike Richardson"2026 won't reward curiosity. It will reward commitment." — Tom Adams"The bottleneck here is human intelligence." — Mike Richardson"Most CEOs aren't losing because they choose the wrong tool. They lose because they choose the wrong posture." — Tom AdamsChapters00:28 — Episode 10 Opening and January Reflections04:29 — Weekly AI Discoveries: Fixer AI and Claude Cowork11:32 — Introducing the 2026 AI Reports from Wing VC and BCG14:39 — Agentic AI as the 2026 Inflection Point23:16 — CEO Responsibility: When AI Becomes a Job Stability Issue28:58 —...
    Show More Show Less
    51 mins
  • The 2026 AI Inflection Point: Separating Winners from Losers in Business Transformation

    The 2026 AI Inflection Point: Separating Winners from Losers in Business Transformation
    Jan 12 2026
    2026 marks a critical inflection point where businesses will face irreversible separation between AI leaders and laggards. This episode examines why 2025 saw immense energy but limited progress, with many organizations stuck in "pilot purgatory" without clear ROI. The hosts predict that this year will expose which companies have developed true collective intelligence between human and artificial intelligence, and which remain "collectively unintelligent." Key concepts discussed include the AI Laptop Test for evaluating job vulnerability, the necessity of CEO-level mandates for AI adoption, and the transformation of SaaS from tools to outcome-driven partners. The episode provides actionable frameworks for moving beyond experimentation to demonstrable business benefits through agentic systems and vertical solutions aligned with strategic priorities.HighlightsLeaders can no longer hide from AI adoption—2026 demands CEO-level mandates and strategic alignmentWinners and losers in business will separate permanently based on AI adoption speed and effectivenessAgentic AI systems will evolve from isolated tools to dynamic decision-making networks within organizationsSaaS pricing models will shift from tool-based to outcome-based partnerships with demonstrable ROIVoice interfaces will become primary interaction methods, replacing keyboards for many AI interactionsThe AI Laptop Test exposes which remote knowledge-worker jobs are most vulnerable to automationCompanies must move from horizontal AI experiments to vertical solutions with clear EBITDA impactPhysical AI and robotics will capture mainstream attention as AI moves beyond digital interfacesImportant Concepts and FrameworksAI Laptop Test — Shane Legg's concept evaluating which remote knowledge-worker jobs are vulnerable to AI automation based on computer-based cognitive tasksCollective Intelligence — The synergistic combination of human and artificial intelligence that creates competitive advantagePilot Purgatory — The state where companies run multiple AI experiments without achieving production-scale ROI or strategic alignmentVertical vs Horizontal AI Solutions — Vertical solutions target specific business problems with measurable outcomes, while horizontal solutions provide general capabilities across the organizationAgentic Systems — AI systems that can autonomously perform tasks, make decisions, and coordinate with other agentsCrossing the Chasm — The critical transition from early AI adopters to mainstream business adoption that will define 2026Tools & Resources Mentionedn8n — Workflow automation platform that enables building agentic AI systems without extensive codingLink: https://n8n.io/ChatGPT — OpenAI's conversational AI used for ideation, coding assistance, and agent developmentLink: https://openai.com/chatgptClaude Code — Anthropic's AI assistant specialized for coding and software development tasksLink: https://www.anthropic.com/claudeGoogle Pixel Watch with Gemini — Wearable device with integrated AI assistant for voice interactionsLink: https://support.google.com/googlepixelwatch/answer/16393978?hl=en-INCalls to ActionConduct an honest assessment: What is your organization doing with AI today that it wasn't doing this time last year?Secure CEO-level mandate and board alignment for AI initiatives before pursuing any significant investments.Identify 2-3 vertical solutions aligned with strategic priorities that offer demonstrable EBITDA impact within 9-12 months.Establish a "skunk works" team to experiment with agentic AI systems using platforms like n8n, starting from zero knowledge if necessary.Evaluate which roles in your organization fail the AI Laptop Test and develop reskilling or restructuring plans.Audit existing AI spending to eliminate "shelfware" and reallocate resources to solutions with measurable outcomes.Implement voice interface experiments to prepare for the shift from keyboard-based to voice-based AI interactions.Key Quotes"This is the year leaders can no longer hide" — Mark Redgrave"Winners and losers separate and they will never come back together" — Mark Redgrave"This isn't about artificial intelligence at all. This is about human intelligence" — Mike Richardson"AI adoption will not be democratic" — Mark Redgrave"Voice becomes a primary interface, not secondary" — Tom AdamsChapters00:00 — Welcome and 2025 AI Reflections: Energy Without Progress04:03 — The 2025 Reality Check: Pilot Purgatory and Limited Outcomes07:18 — Personal AI Breakthroughs: From n8n Agents to Coding Assistants12:33 — 2026 Prediction #1: The Great Business Separation Begins15:56 — Leadership Mandates Become Non-Negotiable in AI Adoption20:22 — The AI Laptop Test: Evaluating Job Vulnerability and Skills Gaps23:53 — SaaS Transformation: From Tools to Outcome-Based Partnerships27:35 — Innovation Culture Exposed: Who Can Adapt Fast Enough?30:39 — The Non-Democratic Nature of AI Adoption Success32:01 — ...
    Show More Show Less
    55 mins
  • Scaling Your Business with AI: A Practical Guide to Fractional Teams and Strategic Implementation

    Scaling Your Business with AI: A Practical Guide to Fractional Teams and Strategic Implementation
    Dec 15 2025
    Most CEOs face the challenge of wanting to leverage AI for business growth but struggle with where to start and how to implement effectively. The common misconception is that AI implementation should be straightforward like ERP integration, but the reality requires a strategic, phased approach. This episode reveals how fractional AI teams can help businesses scale without linear headcount growth, focusing on three key areas: revenue operations automation, document analysis, and customer service transformation.The conversation covers essential frameworks including the importance of AI strategy alignment across leadership teams, the "buy vs. build" analysis for AI solutions, and the critical role of process mapping before implementation. The discussion emphasizes that successful AI adoption starts with culture shift from the top, where leaders must become AI champions and model "AI-first thinking" to drive organizational change.HighlightsIdentify scaling bottlenecks by asking: "What hires would you need if your business grew 50-100%?"Start with AI strategy alignment before any tool implementation to ensure leadership consensusFocus on automating existing manual processes before pursuing predictive analyticsUse visual process mapping to uncover workflow inefficiencies and redesign for AI optimizationImplement fractional AI teams rather than hiring single "director of AI" rolesTarget low-hanging fruit in revenue operations, document analysis, and customer serviceDevelop "AI-first thinking" by asking "How can AI help me?" for every business challengeExperiment with different AI models (Claude, OpenAI, Gemini) to understand their strengthsImportant Concepts and FrameworksFractional AI Teams Model — Outsourced teams providing AI strategy, engineering, and project management expertiseLink: https://www.kore1.com/fractional-ai-teams-when-to-use-contract-ml-engineers-vs-full-time-hires/AI Strategy Framework — Structured approach to aligning AI initiatives with business outcomesLink: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cloud-adoption-framework/scenarios/ai/strategyProcess Mapping for AI Implementation — Visual documentation of current workflows to identify automation opportunities Link: https://www.cflowapps.com/ai-process-mapping/Buy vs Build Analysis — Evaluation framework for deciding between custom development and off-the-shelf AI solutionsLink: https://www.windwardstudios.com/white-papers/build-buy-software-developmentCurrent State vs Future State Workflows — Comparative analysis of existing processes versus AI-optimized versionsLink: https://miro.com/value-stream-mapping/current-vs-future-state-diagram/AI Culture Shift — Organizational transformation where AI-first thinking becomes embedded in decision-makingLink: https://www.deloitte.com/us/en/what-we-do/capabilities/applied-artificial-intelligence/articles/build-ai-ready-culture.htmlTools & Resources MentionedClaude (Anthropic) — Advanced AI model competing with OpenAI, known for strong reasoning capabilitiesOpenAI/ChatGPT — Leading AI platform for general-purpose AI assistance and automationGoogle Gemini — Google's AI model integrated across Google Workspace and cloud servicesLovable — AI-powered presentation and visualization tool for creating interactive contentWhisper Flow — Voice-to-AI tool for dictation and conversational AI interactionSuper Whisper — Mac-specific voice-to-AI tool with customizable prompts and workflowsAWS Trainium 3 — Amazon's custom AI chip for training large language modelsCadre AI — Fractional AI teams providing strategy and implementation servicesCalls to ActionConduct a leadership alignment session to define your company's AI strategy and ensure all executives share the same vision.Map three key business processes using visual process mapping to identify automation opportunities and workflow inefficiencies.Experiment with at least one new AI tool you haven't tried before (Claude, Gemini, or specialized tools like Lovable).Ask the scaling question: "If our business grew 50-100% in the next year, what hires would we need?" to identify AI automation priorities.Start using voice-to-AI tools for daily tasks to increase personal productivity and model AI adoption for your team.Conduct a "buy vs build" analysis for your top three AI use cases before committing to implementation.Schedule regular AI demo sessions where team members share practical applications they've discovered.Key Quotes"It's not about the agent, it's about the workflow" — Riley Stricklin"Everybody wants to chat with their company data like they chat with ChatGPT" — Riley Stricklin"I am 60-80% more efficient every week, essentially twice as productive" — Riley Stricklin"The only way we've seen true culture shift happen is starting at the top" — Riley Stricklin"What hires would you need if the business grew 50-100%?" — Riley StricklinChapters00:00 — Introduction to AI Strategy and Fractional Teams02:47 — Time Magazine's AI...
    Show More Show Less
    58 mins
No reviews yet