What happens when the Wild West days of early internet marketing collide with the deeply human side of AI? In this episode, Steven Sakach from aiCMO joins Carly to talk about blending empathy with innovation (yes, even in a world that often feels robotic and copy-and-paste). From his outrageous early-career bidding wars to his BLISS framework (Build Love Into Scalable Systems), Steven shows solopreneurs how AI can actually make your business more human, not less.
If you want to use AI without losing your voice, deepen emotional connection with your clients, and build systems infused with purpose (and love), this is your episode.
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Connect with Stephen Sakach
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Favorite Quote About Success:
"You are what you seek." - Rumi
Episode FAQs
How do I keep my marketing from sounding generic when using AI?
The key is anchoring your AI-generated content in your purpose, values, and voice. Stephen’s platform (and the approach he recommends) starts with defining your higher purpose — what you actually care about, who you serve, and why you do what you do. When AI has that context, plus your differentiators and brand voice, it stops producing “same-same” results and starts sounding unmistakably like you.
How do I use AI without losing authenticity or connection with my audience?
You deepen authenticity before you generate content. Ask AI to help you understand your customers’ emotional journey — what fears they have, what delights them, what frustrations they experience. Once you understand the emotional landscape, AI can help you create “surprise and delight” moments, strengthen connection, and design experiences that feel personal and human. Authenticity comes from clarity, not from avoiding AI.
What systems should I build first if I want to grow but stay true to my values?
Stephen suggests starting with BLISS: Build Love Into Scalable Systems. That means creating processes that aren’t just efficient, but kind — onboarding steps that lower anxiety, feedback loops that keep you aligned with client needs, and systems that consider impact on people and planet, not just profit. When you systemize kindness and empathy, your values show up consistently, not just when you remember.
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About Stephen Sakach
Stephen Sakach is the founder and CEO of aiCMO.io, where he blends decades of experience in digital marketing, journalism, and human-behavior research to bring humanity back into AI-driven marketing. Known for his B.L.I.S.S. philosophy, Build Love Into Scalable Systems, Stephen helps businesses use AI not just to automate tasks, but to create emotionally resonant, purpose-driven customer experiences. He also leads the marketing agency Zero Company and is a frequent speaker on the future of AI, empathy in business, and building values-aligned marketing systems.